Twilight Highlands Allied Races 
The Dragonmaw and Wildhammer Clans
Credit: Sunstrider89
Corrupt forces stir once again in the depths of Grim Batol.
The Twilight Dragonflight returns.
The Black Prince sends his agents across Azeroth to observe.
Who can the Alliance and Horde rely on to tackle these forthcoming draconic threats? Who can provide a base of operations for our factions? Who can provide expertise in airborne combat?
You need not look far to answer these questions, for the Wildhammer Dwarves and the Dragonmaw Orcs have been fighting these threats - and each other - ever since the Second War.
The Twilight Highlands are entrenched in stories both draconic and corrupt, associated with the Twilightâs Hammer, and three dragonflights - the black, the red, and the twilight. Given that certain aspects of the current narrative have elements of all of this, it would make sense to give the players the option to engage with the content as characters who themselves are integral to the setting.
Both Clans have officially been a part of their respective factions for years, but like the Dark Iron and Magâhar, it is time for an official induction, giving the Alliance and Horde access to these Allied Races.
Why More Orcs & Dwarves?
Why not?
But a bit more in-depth: both options offer perspectives and visual stylings not otherwise available with the currently playable options.
The Dragonmaw Orcs have a unique culture, relative to their green and brown brethren. Whereas the other Orcs are refugees, fleeing greater powers to distant lands, the Dragonmaw Clan is a relic from the Second War - unconquered and proud. And it seems that they have developed around draconic ritual, branding themselves and continuing their tradition of breaking dragons to their will unabated after Alexstrasza was freed.
The Wildhammer, on the other hand, are also a free people. Unimpressed by their cave-dwelling cousins, these Dwarves much prefer the open air, taking to the skies themselves on their lifelong gryphon companions. Heavy armour does not lend itself well to this practice - instead, they adorn themselves with war paint and feathers to starkly separate themselves visually.
Furthermore, from a technical standpoint, neither would require an entirely new model, complete with animations and rigging. While I might suggest a few tweaks (namely, Wildhammer Dwarves being slightly taller and leaner than the Dwarves already playable), much of the work is already in place for implementation.
Arenât These Clans Dead?
I wouldnât blame you for thinking that, given the events of the most recent iteration of UBRS and a certain Dwarf in Kul Tiras alluding to his clan having been wiped out. But I can assure you that neither is true.
In the case of the Wildhammer, this dwarf seems to be referring to his family subclan, specifically, not the entirety of the Wildhammer Clan. There are some pretty major characters involved with this Clan, and it would be quite surprising to see them written out of them game in passing like that.
As for the Dragonmaw Clan, thatâs a bit more complex. Zaela, before her heel turn, was a compelling character (for an Orc). Assuming she was a generally typical member of the Dragonmaw, I would be surprised if everyone followed her on her foolish quest with Garrosh. Furthermore, it seems that someone has stepped into her shoes after her death: Gorfax Angerfang represented the Dragonmaw Clan during Legion, being present at a gathering of faction leaders. Furthermore, the Vulpera recruitment revisits the Twilight Highlands reconfirming it as Horde territory, settling the Magâhar in Dragonmaw lands.
How Might These Races be Implemented?
Far be it from me to dictate step-by-step how something might be implemented, if you will indulge me, I have thought of a couple baseline concepts:
Dragonmaw Orcs:
Current Iteration:
Credit: Twitter @keyboardturn
The Fantasy:
Story : Holding the Twilight Highlands for the Horde, the Dragonmaw Clan has held firmly in Azeroth since the Second War - for them, a war that continues to this day. With the Alliance on the offensive, itâs time for these renowned dragon-riders to take to the skies once more in defense of the Horde!
Now led by Gorfax Angerfang, those of the Dragonmaw who did not foolishly follow Warlordâs Zaelaâs hasty call to arms are called upon by the Horde to deal with the dual threats of the increasingly bold Wildhammer Dwarves and a seemingly regrouping Twilightâs HammerâŚ
Appearance : Ashen-skinned, yellow-eyed Orcs, this Clan brands themselves to mark the first dragon theyâve broken. They adapt various body parts of slain dragons into adornments.
Heritage Set : A mixture of dragonscale and bone, wings draped over the shoulder, a tail from the belt, a partially skinned skull for the helm. Branded arms exposed. Colour variations representative of the flights that have come to heel under the Clan.
Classes : Warrior, Hunter, Rogue, Shaman, Mage, Warlock, Druid (Dragonkin Forms)
Racials :
Dragonstrike : Order a tamed dragon to strike an area, doing damage and disorienting all affected. Standing in the flames boosts your primary stat, flames lasting 15 seconds.
Branded : 1% Fire Resist
Soul-marked : Gain a 10 point bonus to Alchemy and Enchanting due to lingering exposure to the Demon Soul.
Dragon-Breaker : Dragonmaw Hunters may tame dragonkin. (Unlocks account-wide once Dragonmaw Orcs are recruited.)
Wildhammer Dwarves:
Current Iteration:
The Fantasy:
Story : Maintaining their distance from their cavern-dwelling cousins, the Wildhammer Clan has sounded the first alarm to the resurfacing threat of the twilight dragonflight. Noticing the increased activity of the Dragonmaw Clan as well, the Wildhammers petition the Alliance to bring their full force to quash these upstart threats before they get out of hand.
Represented at the Council of Three Hammers by Falstad Dragonreaver, the Wildhammer Clan takes to the skies once again, the vanguard of the Allianceâs efforts to combat these airbourne threats, old and new.
Appearance : Taller and leaner than their underground counterparts, these wild Dwarves adorn themselves with the feathers of their gryphon companions and ready themselves for battle with woad war paint. Their hair and beard styles are also much more extravagant than other Dwarves.
Heritage Set : Showing as much skin as possible to flaunt their war paint, the Wildhammer Clan also flaunts their bond with their gryphons with feathers, and honour their fallen by adorning themselves with bones and beaks, ensuring that even the departed are present for whatever glorious battle awaits. Colour variations are representative of the different plumage colourations of gryphon breeds.
Classes : Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Shaman, Monk, Death Knight (Heritage Unlock unavailable)
Racials :
Stormhammer : Throw forth your lightning-charged weapon, stunning enemies in an arc in front of you for 1.5 seconds. Enemies are marked, taking X% more damage for 10 seconds.
Thunderstruck : 1% Nature Resist
Topsider : Gain a stacking increase to run speed after defeating a foe that gives experience or gathering a node, relishing in the freedom that living above ground gives.
Gryphon-Tamer : Wildhammer Hunters may tame Feathermanes. (Unlocks account-wide once Wildhammer Dwarves are recruited.)
Quite obviously. I also made it a couple years ago. Points for paying attention, though.