World of Warcraft - Lore & Storyline discussion [SPOILERS] - Page 7

gorsameth · 08/21/08, 3:26 PM

I think the memory's are just a bit of a recurring thing for arthas. It was the same during the ending of the WC3 expension where you heard the voices of his friends but that didnt stop him from joining with the Lichking.

Xenicore · 08/21/08, 3:39 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

I really really loved this trailer.

I am with you on that. The closer you pay attention to the juxtaposition of the dialogue in contrast to the visuals, the more you recognize the depth and complexity of a seemingly straight-forward cinematic introducing the upcoming antagonists. Coming from a theatre/writing/English background, I can't seem to get over how striking the imagery is.

But one question: who or what is that frost wyrm that is resurrected from beneath the ice? I've heard speculation that it is Malygos, borne anew, but have seen no compelling evidence for or against. And for you lore-junkies, how does this mesh with the established order of things in the Blizzard universe? Seems like Blizzard is sticking with the whole giant dragon-guardian to the endgame villain, ala Kel'Thuzad.

/edit

An interesting post from someone over in the WOTL discussion post:

Originally Posted by Rerox

According to MMO-Champion the Frost Dragon is Sindragosa <The Frost Queen>.
So it indeed is a new Dragon and it will most likely be an Icecrown Boss.

Schnappi · 08/21/08, 6:03 PM

Originally Posted by Emeraude

There's also the reading that perhaps redemption isn't even out of the question for Arthas. It's so subtle that it's hard to pick up on, but with his father's words speaking over of how he once was, and Arthas himself just kind of there...quiet.....doing what he's supposed to do as the Lich King. Not really good, not really evil, it's just kind of this subtle neutrality, you don't see him cackling with madness, he's just there, with the voice of his father overhead resonating throughout the trailer, kind of as a reminder of what he once was. Is redemption out of the question for somebody corrupted to the core?

The same feeling struck me immediately as I watched the trailer. I couldn't keep my mind off Vader and Return of the Jedi.

Hypatia · 08/21/08, 6:23 PM

During the lead up to Arthas drawing his sword, I definitely got a feeling of loneliness from Arthas. Reaching down to clear away the snow in kind of a tired, subdued way, and then sort of "Ahh, well. You've gotta make a living somehow, right?" and getting down to business.

The trailer doesn't show a lot of anything, really, but it is a potent reminder of what's come before. I don't know whether the meaning of Arthas' father's words will be meaningless for people not familiar with the WC3 lore, or whether it will give them a bit of understanding of Arthas' place in the world (other than Big Bad Evil Guy.)

Overall, I liked it.

Emeraude · 08/21/08, 6:31 PM

Originally Posted by Hypatia

During the lead up to Arthas drawing his sword, I definitely got a feeling of loneliness from Arthas. Reaching down to clear away the snow in kind of a tired, subdued way, and then sort of "Ahh, well. You've gotta make a living somehow, right?" and getting down to business.

The trailer doesn't show a lot of anything, really, but it is a potent reminder of what's come before. I don't know whether the meaning of Arthas' father's words will be meaningless for people not familiar with the WC3 lore, or whether it will give them a bit of understanding of Arthas' place in the world (other than Big Bad Evil Guy.)

Overall, I liked it.

Actually you might have missed this, and I'm sure a lot of people did.

But the moment before he drew Frostmourne was identical to the few moments before he killed his father. He sweeps the snow away from the ground, and comes up seemingly holding something(though he's not).

That's identical to before he entered his father's chamber, and the rose petal fell into his hand, and he held it for a moment, before letting it go.

It's these subtle things that I'm catching that just make me love this trailer move and more, it's truly brilliant.

Xenicore · 08/22/08, 9:07 AM

Originally Posted by Schnappi

The same feeling struck me immediately as I watched the trailer. I couldn't keep my mind off Vader and Return of the Jedi.

If you look closely, you'll notice almost every movement the Lich King makes has hesitation. Even when he scrapes snow from the ice, his hand pauses oddly. I think the insinuation is obvious: Arthas can be redeemed. I wouldn't be surprised if the final encounter with him has him fall on his own sword, whether literally or figuratively.

Valerys · 08/22/08, 9:16 AM

I really hope not, as that would be cheesy beyond belief. Plus there was nothing interesting about Arthas as a character, so I don't particularly care for him to be redeemed. I would have much preferred for Kael'thas to regain his sanity, really...

zoombini · 08/22/08, 9:29 AM

Agreed. Arthas was a smug jerk when he was human, and 10x more interesting when he became a death knight.

Also, one thing that Blizzard's pretty much forgotten: Arthas isn't just Arthas anymore. Ner'zhul's also bound up in that helmet. The shaman who led the attacks against the draenei, then rebelled against Kil'Jaeden and convinced Durotan NOT to drink the blood on Mannoroth. I'm much more interested in seeing his side of the story (does the horde even know that Ner'zhul was the Lich King? Considering he's responsible for Outland tearing itself apart, I think the Mag'har will be pretty interested to find him in Northrend . . . ).

ildon · 08/22/08, 10:00 AM

They should, what with all the crypt fiends saying "for Ner'zhul" every 5 seconds in WC3.

Douglas · 08/22/08, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by ildon

They should, what with all the crypt fiends saying "for Ner'zhul" every 5 seconds in WC3.

Ah, but most of the horde can't speak Gutterspeak...

Starfire · 08/22/08, 4:50 PM

Originally Posted by Douglas

Ah, but most of the horde can't speak Gutterspeak...

Suspension of belief.

Lore-wise we know Alliance can talk to the Horde and vice-versa, Mechanics wise, they cannot. It's safe to assume any Horde spending time over there would know a couple of words and what not.

Rannasha · 08/22/08, 5:26 PM

And if all else fails... The Forsaken are now allied with the Horde, they could've easily picked up the hint that Ner'zhul is part of the Lich King and relayed the news.

Spiry · 08/22/08, 5:40 PM

It's quite common for names to be kept the same across language barriers. In English my name is Spiry, it is also Spiry in German, French, Polish, Africaans and so forth. There is no reason those fighting the crypt fiends wouldn't have heard unintelligible murmurings with the stand out word "Ner'zhul" for them to pick up on. It doesn't take a rocket surgeon to figure out they are under his orders etc.

Anyway this is a rather silly path to meander down...

Broxx · 08/22/08, 6:02 PM

It seems there is a little bit more to the razing or Orgrimmar now, and possibly Stormwind?

http://wotlkwiki.info/up/event/wotlkevent.mp3

Just a short sound clip of someone saying to the two different cities to fight them, and after being defeated he tells us to go to northerend to fight the Scourge.

Tacitus · 08/23/08, 2:18 AM

At least some of the Forsaken know the Lich King is partly Ner'Zhul:

The quilboar of Razorfen Downs have aligned themselves with the Scourge. A Lich named Amnennar the Coldbringer rules them now, using the power of his massive consciousness to control their every move.

Amnennar has a direct telepathic link to Ner'zhul; we must sever this bond, <name>. An end must come to the Coldbringer.

Now, this being Forsaken we have no idea whether they intend to share this information.