It’s probably a bit overly extensive, but I would love to see/write some sort of Codex or Chronicle-like encyclopedia that covers the current state of Azeroth, and the others places we’ve been, in the aftermath of the events of 8.3. It would be nice to be able to know what places like Outland or Northrend are like, long after the questlines and expansions involving them have ended.
Outland
• Things haven’t been good for the dying world since the end of the Burning Crusade. Although the Legion and Illidan Stomrage’s troupe of tyrants have long since been defeated, demonic corruption is not so easily purified, and little has stopped the world from crumbling even further into the Twisting Nether. Furthermore, the destruction of figures such as Gruul, Lady Vashji, Kael’thas Sunstrider, and Kargath Bladefist have left massive power vacuums in their wake. Ones that the Sha’tar have been unable to properly fill, for a number of reasons.
• The population of Draenei and Blood Elves has decreased rather dramatically in the last few years. During the time of Legion, many of the armed draenic and broken forces answered Prophet Velen’s call to arms, which came after the Attack on the Exodar. Though many perished in the conflict, especially on Argus was made, those that did survive more often than not chose to remain on Azeroth. Thus depleting the Sha’tar, and Aldor’s numbers.
In terms of the Blood Elves, their mass-depature from Outland occurred shortly after the restoration of the Sunwell. As having a regular font of holy and arcane magic in arm’s reach would be preferable to most, rather than tearing apart an already dying world for whatever scrap of arcane they can find. The Scryers still remain in Shattrath City, but their numbers have largely thinned, with only the most devoted to the gathering of arcane knowledge and worship of the Light still remaining. Likewise, in the Netherstorm, there are still small pockets of surviving Sunseekers, who are friends to no one, but are too stubborn and too driven to surrender the doomed ambitions of Kael’thas Sunstrider.
• The Alliance and Horde, in terms of military presence, have largely abandoned Outland due to the amount of conflicts that have occurred on Azeroth in recent years. While some territories are important, such as Telaar and Garadar given their population and cultural significance, there’s no need to hold much of a presence in Shadowmoon Valley with both the threat of Legion invasion and Illidan’s forces having been eliminated and the region gradually falling under Ashtongue Deathsworn control. Both factions have officially pulled back into their initial landing points of Honor Hold and Thrallmar, though these places matter little to current Horde and Alliance leadership.
• Without the overt presence of the Alliance and Horde, and the gradual weakening of many of Outland’s other factions, a new threat has emerged. One that has begun to conquer the desolate and unclaimed wastes of the broken world, such as large swathes of Hellfire Penninsula, Terokkar Forest, Blade’s Edge Mountains, and the Netherstorm.
For the second time in Outland’s history, there has been a massive influx of Azerothians coming in through the Dark Portal. Mercenaries, (War) criminals, tired veterans, social pariahs, outcasts, would-be warlords, and adventurers have begun to take to Outland’s more disparate regions. Some are seeking power, others seeking to escape from the war or what they’ve done to perpetuate it, and the madness of N’zoth, hoping to carve out a place for themselves in the wastes.
Without the law and order of one of the greater, or even neutral factions, lawlessness and chaos abounds. Just basically envision the Warcraft equivalent of ‘Mad Max’ as the numerous war bands, guilds, and groups struggle for control of a broken world and it’s resources, most of which are ripe for the taking. In addition, the Consortium all too eager to profit off of these newfound conflicts by supplying weapons and whatever else these invaders might need, with little regard for who they might hurt.
• There are two Azerothian factions, however, that have vested interest in the fate of Outland. The Cenarion Expedition, who have quietly kept up their vigilant efforts to restore the environment in Zangarmarsh and Blade’s Edge, and the Draenic and Orcish members of the Earthen Ring, who still adhere to the advice and answer the call of Outland’s elemental spirits. The two forces have banded together, forming an Accord with the impossible goal of repairing the broken world and protecting its denizens… However, with the recent influx of would-be conquerors, things have proven to be even more difficult.
Still, they refuse to let their hard work go to waste, and have risen to the challenge of fending off these ‘Warlords of Outland’. Now, they stand as an unexpected bulwark against the chaos. As the embers of war finally die down on Azeroth, so begins the Last Defense of Outland.
I realize, now, after finishing all of that, that I might’ve gotten carried away a bit. It was still fun to write and think about, though.
