I rarely open threads myself — very rarely, in fact — but I wanted to make a small exception this time.
I’d like to discuss one of the major narrative issues in all of WoW’s history: lore moments that you would like to see retconned — not in a way that changes the end result, but in a way that enriches the premise or brings greater internal consistency to the story.
Let me start with one of my own examples:
Calia Menethil and the Lightforged Undead
In my version, Calia wouldn’t be a “Lightforged Undead” as portrayed in Before the Storm. Instead, I’d reimagine her more like a lich — not a traditional Scourge lich, but something conceptually different. Her soul would no longer reside within her body but would instead be anchored in a vessel sanctified by the Light. This wouldn’t prevent the corrupting effects of undeath, but it would delay them — shielding her essence from decay through divine containment.
In this rework, Calia isn’t resurrected by a Naaru in the temple. Instead, the temple becomes her refuge. The arrows fired by Sylvanas during the Gathering — tainted by the Jailer — would have inflicted deep spiritual wounds, not just physical ones. These arrows would have shattered and scattered parts of her soul (similar to the wound caused by Frostmourne). Because of this spiritual damage, she couldn’t be fully restored by the Light alone.
So, a group of shadow-practitioners — perhaps dark clerics or soulbinders — intervene. They cannot truly restore her to life, but they can place her in a liminal state, somewhere between life and death. The Naaru, rather than acting as divine medics, offer a solution: to bless the soul-vessel with Light, slowing the necrotic corruption and granting Calia time.
This version of Calia wouldn’t seek sympathy from the Forsaken. Instead, after the Fourth War, she sees herself as a monster — a broken thing, something forsaken. And the Forsaken take her in not because she is a symbol of hope or Light, but because Anduin and Faol lacked the resolve to simply let her die. She is adopted out of necessity, not reverence, because she´s a forsaken for everything that counts.
However, the “soul wound” left by Sylvanas’s arrows still festers — and it’s through her connection to the Light that she slowly realizes something is deeply wrong within her and she plays a major role in SL against the Jailor. (As Horde NSC/Forsaken)
Zaela, Garrosh, and the Legacy of the Hellscreams
The dust finally settled over the Blackrock Foundry. Silence took hold in the aftermath of the battle. The heroes turned to leave — but then, a faint sound: a whimper, fragile and frightened.
Tucked away in the darkness, they found an orcish infant. Unnoticed amidst the chaos, the child had somehow survived, untouched by the fires of war. Wrapped in ceremonial garb that bore the symbols of both the Warsong and Dragonmaw clans, the child’s heritage was unmistakable.
His name was Torkran — the last heir of the Hellscream bloodline.
The champions brought him to Khadgar, who, upon seeing the child, breathed a deep sigh of relief. Perhaps… this was hope. At last, a sign of light after so much darkness.
Khadgar sent the hero to Nagrand, to the very place where Thrall had once struck down Garrosh. Thrall had remained there, haunted by the memory. Was Garrosh right? Had he used him? Had he allowed him to carry out the darker deeds he himself could never face? Those seeds of doubt had never truly faded.
And then — footsteps. A figure approached, carrying something in their arms.
Thrall turned slowly and looked down, only to be met by a pair of young eyes that resembled Grom far more than Garrosh ever had. In that moment, he realized: if his own legacy was one of mistakes, then perhaps his duty now was not vengeance — but guidance.
Torkran Hellscream would be raised not in shame, but in purpose. In the heart of the Horde. Among those willing to teach, to remember, and to rebuild. Though Garrosh’s actions had scarred the world, there had once been a misguided desire to protect his people — his family.
The Horde, now and ever, that family deserve´s protection
Thrall became more than the Warchief he once was. He became the first true Shaman of the new Horde — a spiritual leader who embraced not just the elements, but also the lessons of history, pain, and redemption. And in young Torkran, he would invest the teachings of both peace and power.
Not to erase the past — but to ensure it would never be repeated.
Malfurion in Cataclysm – A Voice of Sorrow and Duty
In an alternate telling of Cataclysm, Malfurion Stormrage would not appear indifferent to the pain of his people, nor blind to the atrocities unfolding in Ashenvale. Instead of delivering lofty neutral lines and welcoming Horde heroes with open arms, his portrayal would be far more complex — torn between duty, grief, and reluctant cooperation.
When the Horde hero arrives in Mount Hyjal, Malfurion does not greet them warmly. He is composed, but distant. His tone is neutral, not cold — but unmistakably restrained. This is not an alliance of friendship. It is an alliance born of necessity.
Malfurion:
“I cannot stop Ragnaros’ wrath, protect Hyjal, oppose Deathwing, and confront the Horde — even if my heart begs me to try.”
He has heard the reports from Ashenvale. He is not ignorant, nor is he neutral towards it. He knows the forest burns — and with it, a part of him.
Malfurion:
“Once before, our peoples stood as enemies. Once before, we nearly destroyed everything in our hatred. I thought such a lesson would not be forgotten so quickly.”
(He closes his eyes, pain flickering behind them.)
“The Horde. The Alliance. In the end, we all seek the same things — peace, home, survival. You have influence within your ranks. Use it. I implore you… before it is too late.”
He gazes out across Hyjal — toward a horizon shrouded in smoke and flame.
“I can do nothing but watch as my beloved Ashenvale burns. There was a time I knew every acorn, every root, every whisper of that forest. And now… so many voices have fallen silent. Too many.”
