For years people in the Alliance (rightfully so) have complained about a lack of Paladin characters being that Paladins are one of the Alliance’s iconic classes. Especially human paladins and the absence/neutrality of the Silver Hand.
With all of that said however, there’s been a complete absence of any Dwarven Paladin characters. The most Dwarven Paladin representation I can think of has been the Ironforge Paladins who showed up at the Dark Portal battle in Outland and Gidwin Twinbraids from the EPL questline. Would anyone else like to see Dwarven Paladins explored more? There’s also the addition of Dark Iron paladins which have a lot of potential.
Not only that but the Silver Hand should be utilized more as an Alliance organization. I understand it was the neutral Order Hall during Legion but it’s still an iconic Alliance organization. It’s very frustrating seeing it constantly absent from Alliance campaigns.
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The more unusual race/class combos explored, the better. Although in this case dwarf paladins shouldn’t even be that unusual.
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Arthas disbanded the Silver Hand at Stratholme.
It wasn’t revived as an organisation until Legion. Unfortunately it was revived as bifactional group when it’s original purpose was to combat the Horde which pretty much threw what character the group had into the dustbin.
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I don’t know how accurate it is that the entire Silver Hand was disbanded. Prior to Legion both Human and Dwarven paladin trainers refer to themselves and the player as Knights of the Silver Hand. It could be argued whether or not Arthas had that authority or it was just the Lordaeron Chapter of the Silver Hand that was disbanded.
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Not entirely true. Arthas did disband it at Stratholme, but low level paladin quests from the starting zone refer to you as being a member of the Silver Hand, so either they disregarded what he said or they re-established it.
Brother Sammuel, from the “Consecrated Letter” quest (Northshire):
“Finally! We meet face to face, brother to <brother/sister>. I welcome you to Northshire. This will be your home for a short time while you learn the ins and outs of how things are done, but know that Stormwind is not far off, and sooner or later, your path will take you there. But until then, be patient… Knight of the Silver Hand.”
Bromos Grummner, from the “Consecrated Rune” quest (Anvilmar):
"So, you’ve made it! And not a second too soon. There’s much to be done in Coldridge Valley and beyond. I’m gonna need your help as much as you’re gonna need mine!
You’re a Knight of the Silver Hand now, be ready to play the part."
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Dwarves in general are severely underdeveloped in game and I’d like to see some insight as to how they view the Light in compared to others. Can’t imagine it’s 1:1 with humans.
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The underdevelopment of dwarves is one of the biggest crimes in WoW imo lol. Next to humans they’re the staple race of the Alliance.
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Arthas gave the order to disband the knights of the silver hand, but im pretty sure Uther and the other paladins ignored it. As when Arthas became a DK, he still had to fight the Silver Hand paladins around Uther before he got to Uther.
I would absolutely love to see some development on Dwarven Paladins. The Race/Class combo always seemed so appropriate to me–not just in WoW, but across the fantasy genre.
For example, perhaps a focus on a sub-section of the Silver Hand consisting of Dwarves, like an Ironforge Paladin chapter. In my head-canon, I see my Dwarf as viewing the Light as an extension of the Makers’ (i.e. The Titans) will.
As such, he has devoted himself to a specific Titan and views the Light and his titanic “worship” as interchangeable–similar to how Zandalari Prelates would harness their power from Rezan, or Tauren Sunwalkers from the “sun” itself.
Undoubtedly, many Human Paladins would not be 100% on board with such a viewpoint, and it could make for some interesting ideological clashes and RP.
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The first time I loaded into this game and saw the character creation screen, I knew almost at once I was called to play a dwarf paladin. Something about it just clicked the instant I thought about it.
I think (based pretty much on Tolkien’s work, cause I mean…who else?) dwarves fit the paladin trope very well. Thorin’s story is that of retribution, reclaiming a home in the name of his birthright, as well as the dangers of losing sight of the importance of those you love in the face of an all consuming goal. (Sounds a little like a famous wow paladin…what was his name? Arthur?) Gimli speaks on the importance of loyalty and steadfast friendship in the face of peril in his adventure with the Fellowship a few times. And of course, when Sauron offered three of the seven dwarf rings to Dain Ironfoot to sell out Bilbo, Dain told the Dark Lord to sod off.
I know they can be antagonists, but dwarves aren’t what you think of right away when you try and picture a fantasy villain. Dwarves are hardy and proud, and they’ll fight to the dying breath for their mission. They enjoy mirth and close companionship. All of these things ring “paladin” to me, so I totally get where you’re coming from. I think dwarves in general get a bad rep compared to elves and orcs as premier fantasy races.
In WoW specifically, we’re pretty underrepresented. I think Gnomes are just as bad off, if not more so, but I don’t think anyone else has been left out of the spotlight anywhere near as much. (We’re not counting the pandas. Obviously. And even then, they got a whole xpac featuring their debut and homeland.)
Outside of the diamond man shouting about “Azeroth’s WOUNS!” dwarves really don’t have a big lore character doing anything. Brann and Falstad appear a couple times in the Alliance campaign, but…
'Tis a crime. A damned tragedy.
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There are a couple examples of dwarf paladins in the Paladin Order hall, but yeah that was a big loss that the most notable dwarf paladin in Legion was the guy who forges our champion gear.
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Humans are probably the ones who introduced them to the light. I’m not sure why they’d develop different beliefs.
Dwarf Paladins are an awesome class fantasy. When the game was released in 2004 I actually thought Dwarves being Paladins was strange–of course this was on the heels of WC3, where every Pally was human.
Dark Iron Paladins are particularly cool. Anvilrage Marshals from BRD and Fineous Darkvire were paladin characters.
I think it’s funny that during Legion, when many of us complained that the expansion was overwhelmingly Alliance-oriented, and especially when we cited things like most Horde having to be part of Alliance organizations we were told that they were not Alliance organizations at all.
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