How To Get Into the Lore of World of Warcraft - Book Recommendations from Nobbel87

Live Publié 09/08/2020 à 17:04 par perculia

World of WarcraftBattle for AzerothWarcraft IIIShadowlandsWarcraftGetting StartedWarcraftChronicle

Wowpedia is a good source for researching broad information on the lore, like a straightforward description of a character or zone.

Playing through Warcraft III is great if you want to understand the foundations behind Warcraft's plot, and it hasn't really been retconned like Warcraft 1 and 2.

You can always play through old expansion content in World of Warcraft, but some stories have been lost over time, like vanilla zones revamped in Cataclysm or limited-time events like the Darkspear Rebellion in Mists of Pandaria.

If you're a visual learner, you can go to YouTube and look for in-game cinematics like Lost Soldier. Blizzard has also produced several animated and audio series leading up to each expansion, such as:
Burdens of Shaohao: beautiful portrayal of Emperor Shaohao and the history of Pandaria.

Lords of War: the history behind these alternate warlords and Maraad of Warlords of Draenor.

The Tomb of Sargeras: audio drama detailing alternate Gul’dan’s journey into opening the Tomb of Sargeras at the start of Legion.

A Thousand Years of War: audio drama detailing the journey of Alleria and Turalyon with the Army of the Light.

Warbringers – Jaina, Sylvanas and Azshara: Their history with an eye on the events in Battle for Azeroth.

BlizzardWatch's Lore Books GuideWorld of Warcraft: ChronicleCataclysmLich King, Sylvanas, Blood ElvesShadowlands

"Road to Damnation" depicts the transformation of Kel'thuzad, from mage to follower of the Lich King.

Arthas: Rise of the Lich King is an amazing novel for any fan of the Lich King out there. While Warcraft III and Wrath of the Lich King did a great job detailing Arthas' journey to darkness, the book adds even more insight into his thinking process.

"World of Warcraft: Death Knight" is a magna detailing the background behind this class, as well as introducing characters like Thassarian and Koltira.

"Ashbringer" is a comic series explaining the origin and dark history of this legendary weapon with the Mograine family.

"Sylvanas Windrunner: Edge of Night" is another must-read short story with Shadowlands coming up. After she helped defeat the Lich King, claiming vengeance upon Arthas, her life lacked purpose. In this short story, we see how her new motivations and partnership with the Jailer were formed.

"Dark Mirror" provides more insight into Nathanos Blightcaller's relationship to Sylvanas and her future plans with him.

The Sunwell Trilogy explains the story behind the High Elves and the Sunwell, the final raid of Burning Cursade.

"Blood of the Highborne" is part of the Paragons series, delving into Blood Elf lore following the aftermath of the Sunwell's destruction and the effects on their people.

"Lor'themar Theron: In the Shadow of the Sun" is a character study of the Regent Lord of Quel'Thalas, a man who was not destined to be in the role of leadership, but finds himself fulfilling it all the same.

"A Moment in Verse" sees Lor'themar and Thalyssra enjoying a happy interlude before Shadowlands.

Dragon LoreWarcraftShadowlands

Dawn of the Aspects details how Alexstraza, Ysera, Neltharion, Nozdormu and Malygos became the Aspects and defenders of Azeroth.

The War of the Ancients Trilogy is set over 10,000 years ago, covering the first masive war against the Burning Legion, with Azshara, Tyrande, Malfurion, Illidan, Cenarius, demi-gods, dragons, and Old Gods all playing roles. During this war, Neltharion convinced the other aspects to give up a portion of their powers to create the Dragon Soul, only to then turn around and use it against the defenders of the world and his fellow dragons.

Day of the Dragon is a continuation of those events, as it's up to heroes like Rhonin and Vereesa to stop Neltharion's schemes.

Night of the Dragon sees Deathwing continue his schemes in a plot that eventually reaches its conclusion in Patch 4.3 Dragon Soul.

Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects explains how Thrall shed the mantle of Warchief to become Go'el, a shaman with great powers.

"Charge of the Aspects" sees the dragons facing off against each other as they prepare for the end of Cataclysm.

"World of Warcraft: Shadow Wing" details the origin of Netherdragons and the Blue Dragonflight Aspect Malygos return to sanity, leading to the Nexus War in Wrath of the Lich King.

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Illidan explains the path chosen by this complicated demon hunter, including the process and gruesome trials they must go through while training, as well as Illidan's actual motives for his confusing actions.

Stormrage highlights the path of Malfurion Stormrage, who spent quite a bit of time in the Emerald Dream, a realm infected by the Old Gods. Malfurion returned in Cataclysm and the fate of the Emerald Dream had renewed importance in Legion.

"The War of the Shifting Sands" details how Malfurion got trapped int the dream in the first place--which is also relevant as the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj are starting to open on Classic Servers.

"Tyrande and Malfurion: Seeds of Faith" is a short story following the events of Stormrage, showing the return of Malfurion, his marriage to Tyrande, and the impact of the Cataclysm on elven zones.

"Curse of the Worgen" is a series detailing the origins of the Worgen Curse, connected to Druidism and how its darkness crept behind the walls of Gilneas. You can learn more about Genn's leadership style in "Genn Greymane: Lord of His Pack", explaining why he built the mighty wall around his city.

Alliance and Horde

Rise of the Horde, followed by The Last Guardian, Tides of Darkness, Beyond the Dark Portal, and Lord of the Clans is a brilliant series which explains how the Horde came to be, their invasions of Azeroth, the formation of the Alliance of Lordaeron, and how Thrall rose up, reformed the Horde, and became its leader.

"Vol’jin: The Judgement" is a short story detailing how Vol'jin became the Shadow Hunter, leading the Darkspear into the Horde.

"Unbroken" details the war and strife on the planet of Draenor; it's a very dark tale of the suffering of the Draenei.

"Of Blood and Honor" details the aftermath of the war against the Horde, and the unlikely friendship between Tirion Fordring and Eitrigg.

Cycle of Hatred covers the partnership of Thrall and Jaina after the events of Burning Crusade and how peace is difficult to maintain.

The original Warcraft comic series covers a lot of story from Classic to Wrath, including Varian's journey, Onyxia's plotting, and the introduction of characters Valeera Sanguinar and Broll Bearmantle. While the later issues have been retconned as they covered Med'an and Medivh, the earlier volumes are worth checking out.

"Gelbin Mekkatorque: Cut Short" highlights the leader of the Gnomes; while most view Gnomes as funny sidekicks, this story shows you don't want to mess with Gelbin.

Wolfheart covers the challenges Varian faces as High King of the Alliance, including the Ginean Worgen wanting to rejoin the Alliance and Tyrande's vision from Elune that Varian needs to lead during the Cataclysm.

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World of Warcraft: The Shattering covers a lot of the changes in leadership, including Garrosh as Warchief, Magni turned into a crystal, and the Dwarves forming a council.

"Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron" details the forming of the Dwarven council and how the clans must put their differences aside.

"Garrosh Hellscream: Heart of War" provides a glimpse into the new Warchief's head, before he went full villain in MoP.

"Baine Bloodhoof: As Our Fathers Before Us" shows Baine taking over leadership of the Tauren after his father died in the Mak'gora against Garrosh.

"Gallywix: Trade Secrets of a Trade Prince" is the origin story of Jestor Gallywix, former leader of the goblins that joined the Horde.

"Velen: Prophet’s Lesson" shows Anduin's journey to embrace the path of the Light with Velen as his mentor.

"Varian Wrynn: Blood of Our Fathers" reconnects Varian with Anduin as the Old Gods and Twilight Hammer want to take over the world.

"Shaman" is a manga dealing with the elements being in uproar, and one offering the Earthen Ring a new path, the path of the Dark Shaman.

Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War takes place leading up to Mists of Pandaria, documenting the sad conflict that led to the bombing of Theramore.

Mists of PandariaMists of Pandaria

"Li Li's Travel Journal", "Pearl of Pandaria", and "Quest for Pandaria" introduce Chen and Li Li Stormstout as well as Pandaren culture.

"Trial of the Red Blossoms" explains what it takes to be part of the Shado-Pan.

"Death from Above" covers the early history between the Mogu and Mantid, including the cycle of rebirth and assaulting the walls of Pandaria.

"The Strength of Steel" covers important lessons learned on loyalty when one member of the Horde raises a cloud serpent.

"Bleeding Sun" is one of the saddest short stories-- Sunwalker Dezco, a Tauren paladin, follows visions to the land of pandaria where destiny seems inescapable.

"The Blank Scroll" details the history of the Lorewalkers and what it takes to tell a good story.

"Over Water" is about the Anglers, the fishing faction in Pandaria.

"The Jade Hunters" sees Dwarves trying to work together as they try to mine jade from Pandaria.

Vol'jin: Shadows of the Horde takes place after the assassination attempt on Vol'jin. The Shadow Hunter takes time to recover and reflect on his role among the Horde, which sets things up for the later Darkspear Rebellion.

"The Untamed Valley" takes place after Garrosh's defeat, dealing with the aftermath of the war between the Alliance and Horde including lingering loyalists.

War Crimes covers the trial of Garrosh and his escape to AU Draenor. While most books fill in some plot details, this one is particularly meaty and explains many in-game plot holes.

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"Hellscream" details Garrosh's arrival on Draenor with Kairoz, and meeting up with his alternate father to make plans and form the Iron Horde.

"Blood and Thunder" is an online comic dramatizing the split between AU Durotan and his older brother Fenris in Frostfire Ridge.

"Blackhand" is an online comic depicting AU Warlord Blackhand, the final boss of Blackrock Foundry.

"Code of Rule" explores the power dynamics between the Iron Horde and the former great empire of the Ogres on Draenor, providing more context for the Highmaul raid.

"Apocrypha" details the history of the Arakkoa and their curse, which is explored more in the Spires of Arak zone.

"Guldan and the Stranger" sees Garrosh chat with AU Gul'dan.

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"Fault Lines" details the return of Magni Bronzebeard and the relationship with his daughter.

"Twilight of Suramar" sets up the history of the Nightborne rebellion and how Thalyssra found herself exiled from Suramar.

"A Mountain Divided" explains the different Highmountain Tribes and how they are divided after the events surrounding the Hammer of Kaz'Goroth.

"Anduin: Son of the Wolf" chronicles Anduin's early steps as king, dealing with the death of his father--and a surprise panel at the end many years in the future.

"World of Warcraft: Dark Riders" is a graphic novel released in 2013 that explains the history behind some characters in the Artifact Weapon stories.

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Before the Storm sets the stage for the expansion, delving into the mindsets of Warchief Sylvanas WIndrunner and High King Anduin Wrynn, as well as Calia relationship with the Forsaken.

"Reunion" is a comic detailing Jaina's return to the Alliance and her homeland of Kul Tiras.

"The Speaker" highlights Magni's struggle to save Azeroth while the rest of the world is interested in fighting.

"Three Sisters" sees the long-awaited reunion between the three Windrunner sisters, but do they share any common ground?

A Good War and Elegy are companion novellas that tell the story of the War of the Thorns and Burning of Teldrassil from the Alliance and Horde perspectives.

"Mechagon" is a comic explaining how we found our way to the island and the civil war against King Mechagon.

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Durotan is the official movie prequel, describing life on this AU version of Draenor and the rise of the Horde.

"Bonds of Brotherhood" highlights the Alliance characters--Llane, Medivh, and Lothar.

Warcraft Official Movie Novelization describes the events of the movie with a bit more insights into the thoughts of each character, including some moments that were cut for the big screen.

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