Gilneas pretty much operates as a Human norm culture for the most part, so theyâd probably have the Human outlook on Warlocks (which btw, is not reflected in game).
In other words, no one sane likes demons or trusts those who traffic in them. So t heir âplaceâ in society is pretty much dependent on how they disguise themselves as being something other than a Warlock.
Gilneas is close enough to the original site of Dalaran to have been plagued by the demons who escaped from conjurerers inside the city so again⊠not exactly a positive influence. So warlocks if they gathered together probably did so in underground cellars as in where the warlock trainers in Stormwind were found.
All other worgen groups that weâve encountered are more or less either gangs of pretty nasty folk or animalistic packs.
Ooo, I havenât gotten to write about that worgen class yet. And ironically, I was just talking to a player from the EU servers about that over discord.
So to start with, your question could be taken two ways. Gilnean warlocks, or worgen warlocks. There is Gilnean culture from Gilneas, then there is worgen culture in the form of the bloodfang and nightbane. Both have dark sorcerers, but vastly different styles, with different origins. Both however do seem to be more focused on shadow and curses, rather than demonology or destruction.
Gilnean human warlocks
Gilnean Warlocks would be much the same as human warlocks, most of whom started out as mages before delving into something darker. The only good examples I can think of for Gilnean dark sorcerers would be the class trainer, and Archmage Arugal. Arugal in particular started out as a normal mage, and a sub-par one at that, but goes on to make his own curses, cast shadow magic, and bears a staff of green flame.
Wild worgen warlocks
Worgen in the wild also have their own dark sorcerers. In fact, Ur, the first human to witness the worgen still trapped in the dream witnessed their conflict with the satyr therein, and described the worgen as masters of the dark arts. "As mentioned above, some Worgen are skilled in the mystic arts, and their magic is of darkness and corruption. Curses and supernatural poisons are common, so be forewarnedâthose who face the worgen should arm themselves with wards against shadow." (Book of Ur). These would be the former night elves from the War of the Satyr. When the worgen were released, at least three packs appeared across Azeroth, in Ashenvale, Duskwood, and Silverpine. All three of these feral packs are sentient, and use such dark magic, such as the nightbane Shadow Weavers.
Gilnean worgen warlocks
Now as for Gilnean worgen, as in the case of Genn Greymaneâs pack or Darius Crowleyâs group? There are no warlocks I can think of. There are some unnamed worgen warlocks that appear and are randomly generated in Legion, both in Legionfallâs forces as well as in league with the Legion. So we know itâs certainly possible, even if we donât have any named main characters that are Gilnean Worgen Warlocks. I would love to theorize that worgen are less likely to become warlocks because of some anti-demon instinct from Elune or Goldrinn, but this doesnât appear to be the case.
Why donât we see many Gilnean warlocks? Considering many human warlocks were first mages, it may be related to why we donât see many Gilnean mages either. Basically that many of the sorcery-inclined may have journeyed to Dalaran, just like Arugal himself did. That was asked some time ago too here. đ„ Worgen Lore - Ask me questions! - #20 by Raedolf-wyrmrest-accord
Worgen and dark sorcery
I do wish we had more worgen warlock content to work with! Though there is some speculation that may be useful to you as youâre working.
Demonology
There is plenty of history between worgen and demons, thatâs for sure, considering the curse was created to combat them.
Destruction
Any worgen wishing to major in destructive magics of fel should be rather careful. In Dark Riders, we learn that destructive magics can be even more explosive when angry, and in Wolfheart we see firsthand how much anger courses through worgen veins. Worgen also have a complicated relationship with fire in general. In northrend, weâre told worgen hate fire, and in Curse of the Worgen issue 4 we see a worgen burned alive when coals catch in his fur. However, we also see Nightbane making giant bonfires as well as candles and torches, and we see feral silverpine worgen weaponizing fire to burn horde supplies.
Shadowmagic
And the worgen have an interesting history with shadow via the nightmare and duskwood, and even have a racial resistance to shadowmagic. They are, however, still susceptible to madness from shadowmagic, such as those in northrend driven mad when forced to mine saronite, and the Blackhowl pack secretly given black dragon blood. So while worgen may have a slight resistance, perhaps contributing to their interest in shadowmagic, they arenât immune.
I hope that helped some with ideas! Do feel free to post here again or message me on discord with Redmane#1794 if you need someone to bounce ideas off of!
The worgen race page on worldofwarcraft.com has been changed, with less and altered info. The blurb on Running Wild - and how it is as fast as a mount and worgen instinctually prefer it - has been replaced by a description of the Mountain Horse, and the racial ability Two Forms has been replaced by âAltered Formâ, with a different description and icon. The oversimplified summary of the War of the Satyr has also been removed, in favor of a couple sentences about the Fall of Gilneas, and the mardi gras armor is showcased.
Regardless, Running Wild as their preferred means of travel remains canon thanks to Wolfheart, and other supporting sources, quests, and instances, while the Mountain Horse is the Gilnean national mount. As for âAltered Formâ and âaltering between formsâ, that is either a horrible typo (can using the wrong icon too be a typo?) or an unnecessary upcoming change.
Edit: aside from incoming retcons, maybe they changed the racial mount to give other races a reason to grind Gilneas rep (if the horse existed before, I was unaware of it). And, to be fair, worgen druids have far more than just 2 forms. Still mostly unnecessary changes.
This is my first post, sorry if this is input wrong.
Do worgen have the capability of shifting different body parts at a time (fluid shifting) like being able to get claws or teeth out without fully transforming? I might have misinterpreted a post you wrote earlier, but you said the Raedolf transformed seemingly just his teeth to turn another person into a worsen. I was also wondering if the physical enhancements would also carry over to said body part. Thanks!
Partial shifting is a favorite werewolf trope of mine, either at partially transformed, or shifting just one body part. In that particular instance in 2018, where my character shifted slightly to bite someone, that was very much a reference to Lucian from Underworld 2003. In the past I have also taken inspiration from Werewolf the Apocalypse, which uses a half-werewolf wolfman form, useful for giving the character an edge when it comes to speed, strength, and senses, while remaining in a relatively human shape. You can read more about it in popular color here on TVtropes, which has a lot of good inspiration ideas. https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/PartialTransformation
Partial Transformations in World of Warcraft
Now, when it comes to World of Warcraft, how canon is it? Questionable, but not out of the range of possibility. I will tell you right now I have no outright lore sources confirming its possibility of long-term partial transformations able to be maintained. That is something I am looking and keeping an eye out for, particularly in the case of druids. There are however excerpts and frames from source material supporting the idea. I have provided the quotes to Wolfheart down below, and you can find Curse of the Worgen here. https://readcomiconline.li/Comic/World-of-Warcraft-Curse-of-the-Worgen
Genn Greymane: Wolfheart
In the novel Wolfheart, Genn Greymane is speaking, and begins to get angry. As we well know, this begins to cause the transformation, but worgen shapeshifting is not instant like it is ingame. Rather, his toothy smile reaches to his ears well beyond what is normal for humans, as he begins to swell in size, but does not complete the transformation, instead simmering back down. This does not necessarily mean partial shifting is possible, but it does show that the transformation is a gradual process, and you do not have to complete it fully to shift back.
The effect of the words on Genn Greymane was immediate. He leapt up from the table, in his fury sweeping aside the food and drink before him without care to where or upon whom it landed. A dark cast fell upon his features, and for a moment he seemed to swell and even begin to change. âWho dares spout such a monstrous slur upon me and Gilneas? Who?â
Knaak, Richard A⊠World of Warcraft: Wolfheart (p. 150). Gallery Books. Kindle Edition.
A low, animalistic snarl escaped from where Genn stood. The archdruid immediately returned his attention to the human. Genn bared his teeth in a feral grin that stretched far beyond where human limits should have allowed. His body swelled. . . . And then, again, the human regained control of himself. âF-Forgive me, Archdruid,â the sweating figure muttered. âI shouldâve known better. I shouldâve.â âI suggest you return to your seat andââ âNo. No, I canât.â Genn gestured to Eadrik and the other Gilneans. With Genn in their lead, the party silently departed for the forest.
Knaak, Richard A⊠World of Warcraft: Wolfheart (p. 156). Gallery Books. Kindle Edition.
Druid Shapeshifting: Curse of the Worgen
Worgen of course have roots in druidism. While the worgen form is certainly not a druid form for several reasons, it draws from the power of a wild god and the transformation is similarly gradual. That said, in Curse of the Worgen, there are two instances of druids being shown mid-transformation, and taking time to transform.
Ralaar is shown shifting his right arm into bear form before his left (CotW1pg23)
Arvelâs right arm shifts back before his left, which is still covered in feathers (CotW2pg8)
Ralaar uses pack form and shifts his hand and eyes before the rest (CotW2pg10)
Arvelâs body turns into a Boomkin before his head. Iâm not joking. (CotW2pg26)
Ralaar and the Druids of the Pack were found muscled and hunched like gorillas, with thick black fur all over their arms and chests, and manes going down their backs. (CotW3pg7-10)
Partial Shapeshifting in Worgen
Now in addition to druidic transformations, the comics that include worgen show various frames of partial transformation. Again, these donât necessarily show them being able to maintain a half-worgen form, as much as showing different ways one can transform.
Halford Ramseyâs teeth and eyes momentarily become bestial (CotW2pg11)
Halford Ramseyâs body turns before his head (Issue5pg21)
Greymaneâs left hand changes before his left (Issue5pg29)
The most interesting frame, however, is in Issue 1, when Halford runs across three Wolf Cultists in the middle of initiating a new member. The three cultists, who would have been bitten on their initiation, maintain human form but are able to outrun Halford Ramsey on horseback. In addition, they get that same wild dark look in their eyes and features as described in Gennâs partial transformation in Wolfheart, and feature inhuman eyes and teeth while running with inhuman speed. It is only once they make it to the cover of the forest that one of them finally shifts fully, and bites Halford Ramsey. (Issue1pg10-15).
Conclusion
All in all, itâs still speculative. What we know about shapeshifting allows for momentary partial transformations like Ralaar or Gennâs hands, and Genn shows you do not have to complete a transformation once you have started it. Both the Druids of the Pack and the Wolf Cultists could very well be using partial-forms to give them an edge like in popular fiction, and that my personal take, because there is no other reason for them to look so inhuman. But it isnât as much to go off of as I would like, so I consider it speculation, and am keeping my eyes peeled for other instances of partial druidic shapeshifting.
Still, when it comes to roleplay, pulling out your glowing eyes, sharp teeth, or clawed hands in human form is simply too cool to pass up in certain situations, and there is enough to justify it for short periods of time. Can you walk around as a half-worgen like Micheal J Foxâs Teen Wolf the entire time, probably not, but letting your eyes flash gold or smiling with sharp teeth is neat way of reminding others you arenât human.
Thankyou! I donât think Iâve gotten to examine partial-shifting before. Now I have it to add to as I find more to support it. Do let me know if you find any other instances <3
Worgen donât seem to have the control or the restraint that White Wolf lycanthropes posess needed to do such nuance transitions, it seems to be very much all or nothing and the slightest tip gets them to all. (Which is why player characters instantly transform in combat whether they want to or not.)
Not trying to start anything here. The statement âgame trumps bookâ is not really true. Since Blizzard uses the books and other sources (comics, short stories, etc.) to further expand on the story and what is known: for example, the COTW comic the shows us where worgen came from. And drawing from one source (the player character) in game does not indicate a universal truth for the entirety of worgen. There is also no real base to for your arguement that âgame trumps book.â
I've been trying to come up with what all to write for worgen monks. Which I should, that would be great to link when the question comes up. I haven't been able to come up with much, but here's what I do have.
Worgen savagery
It really comes down to the level of control the character possesses, and if they truly can wield such abilities. The truth of the matter is, worgen have an anger disability, which persists even after the Ritual of Balance (see: Wolfheart). We do see Genn attempting to maintain human form in the fight with Nathanos in Legion, and we see Tobias Mistmantle attempting to resist in Duskwood. Neither can manage for long, and often end up setting aside armor, weapons, and even reason as they leap into the fight with feral abandon.
Meanwhile, to be a monk, one must possess a clear mind and control over not only yourself, but your opponent. That said, monk lore is an area Iâm severely lacking in, and that is just my interpretation of the class. Shaman and even Paladin are arguably justifiable for worgen, but their nature appears to be in direct conflict with the core concept of the Monk.
âWorgen Monksâ in RP
Now for things like worgen monk and paladin, which present a challenge, there are two different possibilities. A worgen becoming a monk, or a monk being bitten. While neither are possible enough to justify adding them as an OOC class, both have great potential when it comes to telling a story. Because the most impossible goals lead to great conflict, and great conflict makes for great story.
Worgen seeks monkhood
In the first case, this is a worgen who already knows their lack of control. Perhaps they might turn to pandaren teachings in search of inner peace, but they would never find it, nor be able to fight as a monk or progress in teachings, like teaching a crippled man to dance. It may help, like a yoga class helps, but they donât have what it takes to be a ninja. They will likely have to pick up another fighting style, like daggers or claws, and attempt to use quick movements from their monk teachings during moments when they are most in control.
Human or Kaldorei monk is bitten
Alternatively, one could be a human monk that gets bitten, then suddenly becoming a worgen. They would loose much of their focus and clarity, and any pacifist believes would become increasingly difficult if not impossible, as their urge to run and hunt on all fours grows. Much like a Paladin getting bitten, the story would be a fall from grace, like a surgeon losing use of his hands, and having to adapt.
In either case, I would wager a âworgen monkâ would be able to start off fighting in human form in monk style, but - as the fight goes on and anger rises - would be unable to maintain the form or the style, and opt for something more wild, aggressive, and instinctive.
Thatâs all I got, but I hope it helps! A âworgen monkâ is not likely possible, but it would certainly be fun to see attempted, and see what struggles one might face. And hereâs a few other posts from before that might be of help to a worgen monk
âPurity of Essence: Invasion of Gilneasâ lore sermon tonight at 11pm cst
How much do you truly know about the âworgen curseâ? Join Wolf Cultist Redmane tonight in Cathedral Square to hear the true history of worgen through the ages. Tonight, find out what really happened in Gilneas. (1hr sermon, 11pm CST)
Iâm starting this up again every other Sunday at 11pm CST! We will be on Moonguard in the Cathedral Square, near the C on the map. Message Raedölf-MoonGuard for anchor.
Ah! That Iâm familiar with and had the chance to cite a few times through here and wowpedia. Itâs one of the significant sources that made me pause and ask, Wait, do worgen -really- âhate fireâ?
The RPG book though I havenât had the chance to get my hands on! That and the WoW âVisual Guideâ. While the RPG content obviously isnât canon for the MMO, itâs still great inspiration, and itâs fun to see what humans might have -thought- was true before learning the truth.
Partial Shifting 
Worgen Monks 
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