đŸ„“ Worgen Lore - Ask me questions!

Lore World's End Tavern: Role-play and Fan Fiction
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awwooooooo

10char

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There is no conclusive lore to suggest druids have an easier time becoming worgen. The only instances we know of would be Night Elf druids, who seem to have as much trouble as any other human, and Gilnean Harvest Witches, who we do not see much of. However, you could say it is easier for a druid in different ways.

Lifestyle

The big one is lifestyle. Once the first change is complete, a worgen will feel the need to run and hunt, and to be outdoors. As described in the post above, worgen possess wolf instincts. For many Gilneans, who pride themselves of being cleanly human nobles, the very instinct of wanting to be outside may be enough to call it a curse.

But if a druid is already accustomed to being outside, then such instincts would not be bothersome. If a druid already knows about Goldrinn, they would not find it alien to be drawn to him. If a druid is already familiar with shapeshifting, then the act will not feel nearly as bizarre.

Druidic Perks

The worgen curse is connected to the goddes of balance Elune, and the wild god of the forest Goldrinn. There is a direct spiritual connection, giving worgen their appearance, instinct, and rage directly from Goldrinn. Bonded to a wild god, this race finds their druidic potential amplified, now capable of shapeshifting and far more, as seen by the Inconspicuous Bears outside Gilneas.

Therefore, where a Gilnean noble may find the curse to be a hindrance if they still wish to hold balls and banquets, the curse actually presents itself as quite a power boost to druids and helpful in their daily lives. Again, I doubt the being a worgen or controlling it is any different, but the perspective may be.

:bacon: :bacon:

That may depend on the social circle. Worgen seem to do well in military, getting to vent their rage on forsaken. They also do exceptionally well in packs of their own kind, but can also live by themselves (Celestine of the Harvest) or with a few choice friends (Fiona).

Sounds like a character trait to me! Worgen senses are greatly heightened
 though taste is never mentioned besides enjoying the taste of meat and blood. I know from experience most dogs do not prefer hot sauce, but others will continue eating anyways. Likewise with humans, some - like myself - enjoy the thrill like a good horror movie or a rollarcoaster. Others - like le girlfriend - can’t handle Frank’s Red Hot. It varies for humans, and it varies for canines, therefore I would assume it would vary for worgen.

I can! In fact my in-game lore night, Purity of Essence, just covered this just this week. I have yet to get it uploaded into a document, but here is last year’s event. It will relay the tale of the Bloodmoon Pack in story format, and was written in realtime as I retold it to the audiance of Stormwind. I will be uploading this year’s soon as well.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PQLa7d5Wn6xCRVx3mV-bdcE2sY7YWkx47hu-SMPHlNs/edit?usp=sharing

https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/543359398073073685/699613541837045790/WoWScrnShot_041320_001115.jpg?width=1194&height=671
https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/543359398073073685/699613533020880956/WoWScrnShot_041220_235638.jpg

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have you had any clarification about whether Val’kyr can raise worgen as undead?

cata questing seemed to indicate that no, they cannot, and only the Lich King has enough power to raise undead worgen but those cata quests also seemed to indicate that all nonhumans could not be raised by val’kyr and this is clearly no longer the case

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I can see this happening, but I may need a few more details.

  1. What year exactly do you wish this to take place?
  2. What race do you want the warlock to be?
  3. How torturous were the experiments, and how was his mental state after?
  4. Define “pet”. Slave for unsavory things? Personal bodyguard? Prisoner and zoo attraction? Cuddly lap dog? (Hint: one is wrong)

1. Year

The worgen appeared in Silverpine after the splintering of the Alliance, and after the Scourge of Lordaeron at year 20 (13 years ago). Humans outside the wall were turned, willingly or not, as the Bloodfang Pack grew.

A couple years later at year 22 (11 years ago) the Forsaken join the Horde, and begin eliminating threats in Silverpine, including Arugal and his worgen. Vanilla quests suggest the Forsaken and Kirin Tor alike were both studying Arugal and the worgen closely. There was very little known about worgen at the time, so any studies would be of great importance.

Six years later at year 28 (5 years ago) the Bloodfang and Forsaken attacked Gilneas, then the Bloodfang and Gilneans attacked the Forsaken, then the Gilneans retreat leaving to Bloodfang to keep up the fight. During this time, humans in the area specifically chose to become worgen on purpose, so that they would not be turned into forsaken, and could not be raised and used. (Horde Silverpine Forest questline). You also see Bloodfang worgen in stocks with forsaken alchemists at places like the Bulwark and other forsaken settlements.

2. Warlock

I would automatically assume your warlock character is Forsaken as well, but I don’t know that. This would make the most sense, for several reasons. One, their almost nonexistant morals. Two, their disdain and wish for dominance over worgen in their ongoing race-war.

Three, folklore. The writings of Archmage Ur (Book of Ur) and quotes from Halford Ramsey (Curse of the Worgen) hint that the “worgen” is a name from ancient human folklore for wolf men, from fairy tales told to scare children. When the wolfmen actually appeared 13 years ago, the humans just decided to call them Worgen. Because why not. If the warlock was once human, they would know of these legends, and have interest in having such a mythical beast in their care or collection, like a unicorn or a manticore.

https://wow.gamepedia.com/Book_of_Ur
https://i.imgur.com/R5M8HHZ.jpg

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Thanks so much for your help Raedolf!

Yes there are other complications here, as my character Malcotin is a death knight. So I am going to ask if it is possible for him to have been raised by someone other than Arthas? I am not sure, but I seem to recall that Kel’Thuzad seemed to be doing most of the raising, at least in the DK start quests, it seems that they had acolytes and necromancers in Acherus who did most of the raising.

My question would be if it is possible for some rogue necromancer, either a Forsaken, (albeit a very powerful one) or perhaps even a demon who made some sort of deal with the warlock to raise Malcotin after her torture finally did him in?

My backstory is still a work in progress, so anything you can help me with is appreciated. If I have to have him raised by the LK, I can do that, but explaining how he came to be raised, would have to be after he escaped from the warlock, perhaps?

Also to answer your questions about the warlock, in my mind she was a Sindorei. A very naughty one! And she wanted the worgen as a slave to her dark desires. (not going into detail because of censorship)

I was thinking of Malcotin as being born in Grizzly Hills, to the banished Arugal and his followers. Might make it easier to place a rogue necromancer there who might have been sent out by the LK to recruit? Still, I wanted clarification that a powerful necromancer would be needed to raise a Worgen to a death knight.

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Your question there goes well with Miakodah’s, actually, when it comes to worgen and their resistance to undeath. Thanks to the connection to Elune and Goldrinn, worgen are resistant to undeath. Where humans may rise from the grave naturally or be raised by valkyr, there is an entire zone storyline revolving around the fact that worgen are resistant to undeath (Silverpine). The only exception is The Lich King. Being the most powerful force of undeath in this world, only he can raise worgen as undead as deathknights, and the deathknight curse overrides many if not all lupine instincts.

As for modern developments when it comes to Valkyr, we still have yet to see worgen turned into forsaken. Where nonhuman races were not seen to be raised as forsaken, worgen were specifically stated to be immune, and this very fact is used as a plot point. Battle for Azeroth is also not the first time we see forsaken nonhumans as well, with Blood Elves and even an Orc skeleton among their ranks already. https://wow.gamepedia.com/Tsimonh

The worgen resistance to undeath is specifically stated and used as a plot device in both Gilneas and Silverpine. And where you have recently seen Night Elf dark rangers and gnome skeletons
 note that you have not seen undead worgen, skeletal or otherwise, while they added skeletons for most of the Alliance races which now roam in modern Tirisfal. The lore still stands.

https://www.wowhead.com/news=281088/battle-for-azeroth-25902-creature-models#misc-npcs

That’s an idea! The Bloodmoon Pack is quite the story, and many of them were killed at the hands of the Alliance. At such close proximity to the Lich King’s domain, it would be a simple feat for his body to be found by the Scourge and sent to the Lich King for reanimation.

Also see

:bacon: :bacon:
:bacon: :bacon:

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If they are fully trained the way Celestine was. They tend to be of the Restoration persuasion so outside of their Worgen shifting, t hey don’t tend to.

NPC druid shifting is usually limited to the totem forms of their specific orders.

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This question was already answered when it was asked this time last year, but thanks! Note that she is asking about Gilnean Harvest Witches, not worgen druids. đŸ„“ Worgen Lore - Ask me questions! - #23 by Dardillien-wyrmrest-accord

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Probably because they still thought of themselves as Humans and not in touch with their true worgen souls. The Curse did not change them
 it liberated their true natures. It was the intervention of the Scythe that put both parts in balance.

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Harvestwitches were capable of far less, until enhanced by the worgen curse. By this, the question and answer refer to Human Harvestwitches. These are pagan Gilnean humans that lived in the agricultural communities. Following the “Old Ways” of ancient druido-shamanic human heritage they were able to help crops you a bit better, and were particularly helpful during the famine.

It certainly changed things, becoming a worgen. Harvest Witches found their connection with nature amplified, and were then capable of the druidism required for druid forms. But yes, you might say they finally had the ability to be who they wished to be, guardians of the wild.

Chronicle 1

Groups of hunter-gatherer humans proliferated throughout the forests and hillocks of the continent. As their society evolved and advanced, humans gathered in an array of different tribes. Each one practiced animistic beliefs— mainly crude forms of druidism and elemental shamanism.

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 (Kindle Locations 2275-2277). Dark Horse Comics. Kindle Edition.

CDev Answers #3

In the early days of humanity and its civilization, many tribes of humans had primitive belief systems that incorporated simple nature magic. However, the rise of organized religion such as the Holy Light and the potent arcane magics introduced by the high elves quickly supplanted such traditions. Gilneas, due to its relative isolation, has retained a degree of their ancient culture in the contemporary era. The religious leaders of what was in Gilneas referred to as the “old ways” eventually became “harvest-witches”; those who used their nature powers to augment Gilneas’ agricultural output during and following its period of industrialization. Due to the presence of harvest-witches in their culture, when Gilneans learned about night elf druids (albeit through second, third and even fourth-hand sources) they became fascinated by them and their exotic connotations, to the point where many started referring to harvest witches as “druids”, though this was quite far from the truth, as few Gilneans had any idea what a druid actually was! Harvest-witches have a limited control over nature, especially plant life, and the powers of harvest witches bear a coincidental resemblance to the low-level abilities of actual druids. Harvest witches who contracted the worgen curse (which was druidic in origin) found that their powers were somewhat amplified, and after making first contact with the night elves cursed harvest witches were offered induction into the Cenarion Circle for both study and training.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Ask_CDev#Ask_CDev_Answers_-_Round_3

Thanks for the opportunity to revisit the topic! Here’s some bacon. :bacon:

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Awoo

10char

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I’m glad you mentioned that, I’ve been wanting to address this misconception for quite a while now.

Misconception: “Intervention of the Scythe” :crescent_moon:

What is the misconception?

The use of the Scythe of Elune is a common held misconception when it comes to worgen lore. In the Gilneas starting experience, the kaldorei claim that you must steal the scythe, so that they can use it to cure you. This never happens, and there is no cure. This is specifically stated in Curse of the Worgen.

What is the truth?

The Blood Feud
In fact, it is a lie. Belysra Starbreeze and the kaldorei in Gilneas did not want the Scythe to make a cure
 they wanted it to put Alpha Prime - the leader behind the worgen attack - back in his exile in the Emerald Dream. Meanwhile the Wolf Cult - the worgen attacking Gilneas - wished to use the Scythe to free their brothers still trapped in the dream. This was the true purpose of you stealing the Scythe of Elune. The Scythe was never used to “bring balance to the worgen mind”, or “unbind that which was not meant to be bound”.

The Ritual of Balance
Many believe that the Scythe of Elune then resulted in the “cure”, being the waters of Tal’doren. This is false, as the scenes of the starter zone are explained in further detail in Curse of the Worgen, and the ritual itself is explained in greater detail in Wolfheart. In fact, the Ritual of Balance is a series of three visions, meant to help you move on from your past. It has nothing to do with the Scythe of Elune. It is performed in the starter zone, and the Scythe is nowhere to be seen. It is performed in the Curse of the Worgen comic when the Scythe is not even in their possession. It is performed again in Wolfheart, and again the Scythe is not present.

The Ritual of Balance is not a cure, it is only helpful (Belysra, CotW 5). It is also not needed for all worgen, such as Genn, the Bloodfang, the Bloodmoon, and others that are capable of shapeshifting before the ritual (CotW 1, CotW 2). In fact, it is also shown to have a chance at being harmful. Genn Greymane reveals that the Ritual of Balance has a chance of turning worgen to the mindless state, and he himself has had to put men down who have failed the ritual (Wolfheart, Ch22).

The Cure

While the Scythe was not used to help Gilnean worgen in Cataclysm, it was used to help Kaldorei-worgen in Legion last year. When wielding the Scythe of Elune, the Balance Druid Adventurer can find four different “Feral Worgen” NPCs in Val’sharah. Using the Scythe, they can remove the worgen curse, turning them back into an elf. The elves will thank the druid, and say they no longer feel the rage, confirming that the curse has been removed from them entirely. After all, the Scythe is the origin and source of the worgen curse, and can also mean its end, in the “right” hands. This is the development the Cenarion Circle wished to find, and had finally done so.

Unfortunately - or perhaps fortunately - this did not last long. Soon after, the Legion invasion escalated, resulting in the dark titan himself plunging his fel sword into Azeroth. The artifacts collected were all used to sap and neutralize the fel energy from the sword, ultimately corrupting each of the relics and rendering them loaded with vast amounts of fel energy. This is the last we have seen of the Scythe of Elune. It is presumably still in the care of the Cenarion Circle, but has not been used, and is likely rendered useless.

Sources

Curse of the Worgen

There is no cure - https://i.imgur.com/YpVB5go.jpg
Scythe to summon - https://i.imgur.com/ZGUSkFI.jpg
Scythe to banish - https://i.imgur.com/cfv22wm.jpg
Ceremony before the Scythe - https://i.imgur.com/QYV1YTD.jpg

Wolfheart pg 319

The worgen laughed sadly. “Trust me from experience. That might be simpler. We lost several before we were shown the correct ritual by the night elf Belysra Starbreeze. They were consumed by the curse, became beasts without hearts, without souls.” Genn looked off into his memories. “We had to put them down. The ritual is still fraught with danger. Now and then, there are those who do not survive it.” Varian was not dissuaded. “Better I die trying than to keep on like I am, Genn. I’ve lost my wife and now my son. Anduin may be gone forever and it’s because of me. . . .”

Knaak, Richard A
 World of Warcraft: Wolfheart (p. 319). Gallery Books. Kindle Edition.

Wolfheart pg 320

His brow furrowed in deep thought. “We can guide you into the ritual, but how you come through it depends much upon you. To conquer yourself— your own worst foe— requires tranquility, balance, and, last and by no means easy, ultimate mastery of your fury. Three struggles, not one.” “Three or a hundred, I’ll face what needs to be faced. Show me, Genn.” The worgen nodded. “May your ability be as great as your determination.” Genn did not lead him among the other Gilneans, but rather skirted to the south and then east. However, as they walked, several other worgen left their tasks and began following. “Why are they following?” “The ritual needs to be overseen by more than just one.”

Knaak, Richard A
 World of Warcraft: Wolfheart (p. 320). Gallery Books. Kindle Edition.

Wolfheart pg 321-322

“This is where we’ve made do since our arrival,” Genn explained. The clearing itself appeared unremarkable save for three simple wells sunk on the opposite side from where they had entered. The fact that those wells were here signified to Varian that they had some importance to what was to take place. That was verified a moment later by the sudden emergence from the woods behind the wells of three druids. At first, Varian expected Malfurion to step out as well, but only the trio— two males and a female— moved toward the wells and the worgen. He did not recognize any of them other than as night elves. They wore solemn expressions and eyed the worgen as if looking for something. “Who is it to be?” the middle one— his blue hair bound in two long braids trailing nearly to his waist and a smaller one thrusting upward from the back of his head— asked of Genn. The Gilnean ruler indicated his counterpart. “This one, Lyros Swiftwind. I give you Varian Wrynn.” The druids looked startled. Lyros muttered, “But he is no worgen.” “Yet, still he suffers as we did before attaining balance,” Genn explained. “The fury within him is no less than that of any of us, possibly even more.” “Please step forward,” the female requested. Varian obeyed. The three druids each placed a hand on the king’s shoulders, then closed their eyes. They studied the lord of Stormwind so for a moment before opening their eyes and withdrawing their hands. Lyros looked at his companions, who nodded to the monarchs. “We see it now,” he said to Varian. “Welcome, Varian Wrynn. We are honored with your presence and, as keepers of these wells, will do what we can for you . . . though I think it best that Genn Greymane be your guide for this.” “I’d prefer that,” Varian replied. “I’ll be glad to,” Genn added. The other male druid— his short, narrow beard and closer-cut hair both green— extended his palm. In it Varian saw a single long, silvery leaf that tapered at the point. “Take this. Eat it. It is a moonleaf, a symbol of both nature and the Mother Moon. It will help prepare your mind for the ritual.” Varian took it without question. He expected the leaf to be bitter, but instead it had a soft, soothing texture and proved easy to swallow once chewed. “Now you must drink from each of the wells.” With Genn beside him, Varian followed the druids to the first of the three wells. Here, the second of the two males took over once more.

Knaak, Richard A
 World of Warcraft: Wolfheart (pp. 321-322). Gallery Books. Kindle Edition.

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

“Today our ceremony will restore balance to your people.” The Ceremony will, not the Scythe
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Preparations

“Let the Scythe unbind that which was not meant to be bound!” says Talran the Wild, during a single part in the middle of the ritual. Yet the Scythe is nowhere to be seen.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Neither_Human_Nor_Beast
https://gamepedia.cursecdn.com/wowpedia/9/99/Well_of_Tranquility_active.jpg?version=06280d778ea2ada1b8e6cd60fbfa7ef5

World of Warcraft: Legion

Scythe is used to remove the curse entirely. https://wow.gamepedia.com/Feral_Worgen_(Val%27sharah)

The Scythe is used to store fel energy
https://wow.gamepedia.com/The_Power_in_Our_Hands

Thankyou for the opportunity to explain this in detail Drahli! I’ll be able to add this to the list of questions, and can be referenced when the question comes up again. Do let me know if you have any other questions about worgen, and here’s your thankyou bacon in the meantime. :smiley: :bacon: :bacon: :bacon:

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Hi, I’m sure this has been asked before but I’m relatively new, and I really want that bacon :drooling_face: so here goes:

Why can’t worgens be paladin?

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Classes: Worgen Paladins :church:

The question on why worgen can or cannot be certain classes is one of controversy. But it almost always comes down to defining the class, defining the race, and asking if the two make sense together. Firstly, a worgen is not a human. Worgen are beset by animal instincts, the need to hunt, and unbridled rage. Secondly, paladins are not priests. While they do serve the Light, they do so in the thick of battle, as holy knights and steadfast guardians, and are specially trained in patience and justice.

What is a worgen?

Worgen are humans[1] or kaldorei[1] who have contracted the worgen curse, becoming one themselves; a creature balanced between man and beast. Some are able to shapeshift, resuming their prior form for a time, but all worgen - even especially Genn Greymane[6] - feel the call of the wild and hunt prey on all fours. A seething rage courses through their veins by from the same source as their instincts and lupine features; the wild god Goldrinn. It is the presence of Elune in the curse - the goddess of balance and of change - that keeps the lupine essence of the white wolf balanced with that of the man[3]. Even then, “balance” is a constant struggle[5], with rage, instinct, and humanity. Those that experience great turmoil may lose themselves to despair[9] or panic[8], falling into the Mindless State, a mental state of bestial fight-or-flight.

Cited Sources

[1] Curse of the Worgen Issue 1
[2] Curse of the Worgen Issue 2
[3] Curse of the Worgen Issue 3
[4] Curse of the Worgen Issue 4
[5] Curse of the Worgen Issue 5
[6] Wolfheart
[7] Lord of his Pack
[8] Gilneas questline
[9] Duskwood questline

What is a Paladin?

A paladin is a holy knight embodying discipline, virtue, justice, as well as compassion, patience, and goodwill. Where a worgen is a juggernaught of Goldrinn’s rage, a paladin must be a disciplined conduit of justice. Where worgen instincts demand survival at all costs, a paladin is sworn to bravery. When enraged, a worgen will use claw and fang to eliminate their prey, while a paladin is charged with controlling their emotions and defending the weak. While worgen are quick to anger and emotional, paladins must be patient, understanding, and just.

This comparison is drawn well in the novel Before the Storm, as we see the worgen Genn Greymane and the paladin Turalyon. Both serve as advisors to King Anduin Wrynn in the novel. Both are faced with various situations while they serve their king, from inspecting bodies slain by Dark Ranger arrows, to reacting to the concept of Forsaken welcomed into the Alliance, to meeting a very special forsaken and old friend. In each situation, the two characters react differently. One as a worgen, and one as a paladin. Genn reacts with rage, quick to act and seeking violence. Turalyon on the other hand, while he does grow angry, he maintains patience and composure, and even comes to see the forsaken - his former teacher - as a friend once again.

Tome of Divinity
“In all things, paladins must reflect the Light, which supplements our strength. To strive to be divine for one of our kind does not mean we strive for godhood–we strive to be good in all actions. Although called upon to smite evil in these harsh times, you must always remember that it’s aiding others that will truly set you apart from the other citizens. Compassion, patience, bravery–these things mean as much to a paladin as strength in battle.” – Tome of Divinity
Before the Storm

Turalyon had no sword and wore no armor. Yet he still loomed large and powerful in the cathedral as he straightened to his full height. If Genn had been racked by anguished fury, Turalyon, one of the first paladins of the Silver Hand, was brimming with righteous rage.

Golden, Christie. Before the Storm (World of Warcraft) (p. 211). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Worgen Paladin?

Impossible vs Improbable

When it comes to races and classes, I have long used “impossible vs improbable”. Meaning, while it may or may not be impossible for a Forsaken to be a druid, it is definitely improbable. Draenei warlocks, human shamans, goblin druids, tauren rogues, all very unlikely due to the nature and culture behind the race and the definition of the class. There may, however, be very rare particular cases, where such reach the cusp of possibility, such as the human shamans in Stranglethorn, or the goblin naturalist in the Hillsbrad Foothills.

Flaw vs Cause

Another point, however, is that “flaw does not justify cause”. Some will argue that because worgen are full of rage, they would benefit from becoming monks. Or that because worgen are undisciplined, they would benefit from becoming paladins. However, this is akin to claiming that a blind man should become an artist, or a cripple become a ballerina. True, crafts or physical therapy are hobbies worth pursuing, but it would be significantly more difficult to become an artist of renown.

Yes, a worgen could learn meditation, and could worship the august celestials, and maybe it could help a worgen find balance. But that rage will never leave, and a worgen soul will never be at peace. As Belysra Starbreeze says in Curse of the Worgen issue 5, “Your feral side will never fully be at rest”. Likewise, there is nothing stopping a worgen from following the Light, and it is in fact still one of the dominant religions among Gilnean worgen. To become a champion of the Light, however, would require patience and discipline that worgen are incapable of, thanks to the nature of worgen.

Conclusion

That said, there are exceptions to the rule. Calia and Lothraxion are one-of-a-kind exceptions, where something has defied their nature by making them into entirely new beings. There may very well be a worgen paladin in the future, but - like a demon becoming a paladin - it would require divine intervention and a change to their nature, or otherwise would be exceedingly rare.

Thankyou for the question Mevaar! The question of worgen paladins is one as old as the playable race itself, and was a topic of great debate on the old forums, all of which have since been wiped. So bacons to you for giving me the chance to revisit that topic here on the new forums. :bacon: :bacon: :bacon:

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Hello

First of all thank you very much for taking the time to write out and answer questions. Lore, as convoluted as it can be, is a really big selling point for some people so I appreciate it

I hope you can answer my question, or weigh in on it with your opinion. (Also I am sorry if I missed it and you answered it)
TLDR: Do DK Worgen still have animal instincts?

It has been said that when a Worgen was raised by the Lich King his indomitable will shattered the Worgen’s “animal side” leaving only the human side, but clearly still allowing for transformation. Once we Worgen regain our free will we can transform between Human and Worgen form freely, use running wild, and etc etc. Is it possible that when the Lich King’s influence was removed from our consciousness the Worgen’s “animal” side and instinct slowly returned? Or are we free from it’s influence? Does our DK need to inflict pain join our Worgen instinct to hunt prey in a beautiful tango, or are we just beset on all sides by confusion and needs?

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Oh wow, thanks for taking your time to write such a detailed response :smiling_face_with_three_hearts:.

I was going to question further about worgens learning the way of monks and learning how to control their rage through monk’s inner peace but

this actually explained a lot. I really should get a copy of those novels and find some time read although I’m very picky and I only read certain genres when it comes to books, but I’ll try.

spreads a lot of mayo on bacons

Here would you like to try some? Mayo goes with everything really. :mayonnaise: :mayonnaise: :mayonnaise: :bacon: :bacon:

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Thanks for asking! I have in fact answered the question on worgen instincts before, as well as some others on worgen deathknights you might find useful. Your question here about worgen deathknights and instincts was asnwered as well in CDev Answers Round three, and the quote below claims the instincts were shattered and remain so.

After being raised by the Lich King and regardless of their past life, almost all death knights embraced the honor of their new status. However, there were the rare few that were reanimated and retained emotion and memory, and in some cases, fear. These “unworthy initiates” to the dark brotherhood were then disposed of, fed “alive” to ravenous ghouls. Death knights afflicted by the worgen curse had their feral instincts shattered in favor of the Lich King’s will. This held true even after their freedom from the Lich King. – CDev Answers Round 3

  • How are worgen death knights possible? link :bacon:
  • Do worgen death knights still have instincts? link :bacon:
  • Why are worgen immune to conventional undeath? link :bacon:
  • Are worgen still immune to undeath? link :bacon:

As for your post, let me see if there is anything else I can add


Can worgen Deathknights shapeshift?

Reasons why not

Normally, I would argue that worgen deathknights cannot use human form. When worgen die, the default form they return to in the worgen body, seen in Wolfheart and the comics. Shapeshifting is a gradual physical process and a magical ability, likely drawing on the power of Elune and Goldrinn present in the curse itself. However, while we have seen both kaldorei and humans able to become worgen, we have only ever seen humans capable of shapeshifting
 which has interesting implications. If death cuts you off from Goldrinn and Elune, leaving you with the physical worgen body that is left behind in death, a reanimated worgen corpse would - in theory - not be able to shapeshift.

Reason why

Human form is only possible to worgen that are clear minded, such as cultists in the Grizzly Hills and Gilneas, and Genn Greymane. Some worgen have to take the Ritual of Balance to help them move on from traumatic memories, such as Halford Ramsey, the player character, and the human king Varian Wrynn. Since it is emotions and instincts that prevent one from being able to shapeshift, and almost all deathknights have little to no emotions, there would be little to hinder them from shapeshifting.

In any case, out of all the worgen deathknights we have seen that have never shapeshifted, we do have one that is said to be a deathknight worgen, and is seen in both forms.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Grant_Lazarby

Could bestial instincts return?

The CDev response claims what worgen deathknights have their bestial instincts shattered and replaced by the Lich King’s Will, and that this stays so afterwards. However, while community developer responses are a bit better than twitter replies, they still are not much to go on, and some use faulty logic or become outdated as the game adds more lore.

We have seen where deathknights have been specially selected and trained to be emotionless soldiers for the Scourge army, devoid of remorse, regret, compasion, and even memories of their past lives. However, those emotions can be felt again for a fleeting moments at a time, and some deathknights have managed to regain some scraps of memories of their past lives here and there, such as Thassarian. We also have some deathknights who still eat food, drink alcohol, sleep, and smile, but only as habits left over from life.

Therefore, theoretically, if your worgen was a worgen for an extended period of time before being turned into a deathknight, they may have both memories and habits left over from being a living worgen, and might have fleeting moments of anger, the need to hunt, instincts of territory or guardianship, or other bestial tendencies. But how much of it is actual emotion and instinct, or mere habit or an act to make others more comfortable, that would be difficult to tell.

Bacons to you anyways! Generally as a deathknight, you get to throw out everything you know about worgen, and rely only on what you need to know about deathknights. Which is great, actually, because being forced to research both would be a lot to ask of a player. However, if you are a deathknight and do it well, and would like to incorperate worgen elements, you can use the “fleeting memories”, “force of habit”, and “the act” reasons to add those bestial elements to their behavior. :bacon:

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This is so much more information than I could’ve ever imagined was to be found on such a small concept.

Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this out for me! I have so much more material to work on my RP now it’s very exciting!

I’ll gladly accept your bacon and owe you some back.
Thank you!

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Do Worgen have any different-than-normal interaction with the Nightmare? Does the ‘beast within’ give them a certain resistance to the various other types of corruption out there?

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PURITY OF ESSENCE:

A WORGEN LOOK AT WORGEN LORE

NEXT EVENT:

:wolf: The Cult and the Fall of Gilneas :crossed_swords:

Alliance! Ever wondered about our mysterious allies, the worgen? Come to the Embassy TONIGHT at 7:30PM PST to learn the truths of this ancient, bestial race. This week, learn how a Gilnean cult rose to power, and the true story behind the fall of the kingdom. A tale of hatred, betrayal, civil war, and forgiveness.

May 22nd, 7:30PM PST, STORMWIND EMBASSY

Not on WrA? Click here to add this event to your ingame calendar and be invited when it starts.

https://www.worldofwarcraft.com/invite/E0GezwZiEg?region=US&faction=Alliance