I think i may have been part of this thread.
I mained an arcane draenei mage on an rp server (before Chronicles), so my perception of arcane magic is based on the RTS games, vanilla WoW and the RPG that Chris Metzan helped write.
In all of these projects, arcane is a force of Chaos, not Order. It was magic from the Twisting Nether. Mages tried to control chaos, while warlocks unleash it in its most corrupt form as fel magic. In vanilla, mages are described as controlling the forces of the Twisting Nether. The human warlock in Ratchet literally refers to his magic as “arcane” and says it only corrupts the weak.
This was why arcane magic attracted demons, and why Archimonde claimed Dalaran was stealing the “fire” of demons.
It’s also why the Nexus dungeon from WoTLK looks so chaotic. Especially around “The Rift”. That entire sub-zone is what arcane magic was supposed to be for most of Warcraft’s history. Of particular note is the arcane wraith boss “Anomalous” who literally shouts about “CHAOS”. This wasn’t even the Arcane being manipulated in some way. It was arcane magic leaking from a Rift in the Twisting Nether. It seemed to be arcane in its “natural state”.
So when Chronicles claimed fel and arcane were opposites, and that arcane is “Order Magic”, it ruined my entire perception of my character. I thought my mage was mastering the forces that corrupted his kin. I thought the Draenei’s mastery of the arcane, despite its chaotic nature, was a testament to their intelligence and moral fiber.
Turns out none of that was true XD
Or at least, I don’t think it’s true anymore.
Here’s a question: is arcane LITERALLY Order magic? Or is it what happens when you try to control Chaos?