I would like to know if there is an answer to this. Is it just a coincidence, or a purposeful move?
The voice actor for King Terenas Menthil, Earl Boen, just so happens to also be the voice actor for the starting area cinematics. You know, the guy who introduces you to your race as you float around the starting area?
I would assume (because I didn’t start playing til Cataclysm) that these starting area cinematics, and subsequent narration, was added to the game in Wrath, as most of the background story given during the narration is post Lich-killing-lots-of-people time.
So if that is indeed the case, did Blizzard purposely get Earl Boen to narrate the starting area cinematics, to make it seem as though it’s King Terenas Menethil talking to us from the grave?
It seems like it could have more weight to it than it would seem at first. Many new players wouldn’t have even realized. But I have always wondered who is narrating that initial cinematic that starts you on your quest. It’s the first voice you hear upon entering the game.
If it is King Menethil, then why didn’t they change it in Cataclysm or other future expansions? It seems odd to keep him at the forefront after we defeat Arthas and see his fathers soul. Seemed pretty final.
It seems like such a specific choice. But then again, maybe it’s just blizzard recycling voice actors like they did with Lorewalker Cho and Runas the Shamed.
Noticing voice actors is one of my super powers. You would cry if you knew how many else he’s voiced. Not that “recycling” VAs is at all bad, of course. Garona’s VA is truly and utterly spectacular; her range is to be commended 10 fold.
Now, for your actual question. No, there’s nothing deeper to it. Terenas’ VA has voiced the intros in vanilla through WOTLK as well. He just has a mighty fine voice.
Oh I am well aware that Cho’s VA is like every second character XD He’s one of the few I can recognize immediately. I just gave those two as an example.
Ah, see, I was unaware he narrated Vanilla through. Makes more sense it just being a friendly coincidence now.
The guy’s got good range, as well (unless there’s a minor filter on his voice, but I strongly doubt that). Since he’s like upbeat and panda-y with Cho, it’s a long shot from him voicing the new Ramkahen military guy, who’s a lot deeper and, well, less nice.
i think the narrations kind of display a bias. Just look up the troll one for instance. i dont think the darkspear would describe themselves that way. like the narrations awlays struck me as the way a intellectual human scribe or something would be describing the races.
Terenas is speaking to the player; he uses first person pronouns. It’s not a lore function, it’s a function that serves to give the player a basis of what the race is going to be like.