Of Pens and Snowstorms

I've always been fascinated by the Blizzard creation that is the Warcraft Universe. The first PC game I had owned on a CD was Warcraft II, and though I had cheated for the most of it, just to see how things turned out for the orcs or the humans (or just clicking on the critters nine times for the fun of it). It seemed to take on a side that was both serious and truly amusing, and it appealed to me, as it set the footing for which I would charge my inspiration in my later years.

I also read nothing more than the manual for the game, a small book that probably wasn't larger than 60 pages, but every bit of it captured my attention. From the incredible storyline to the impressive artwork by Chris Metzen and Samwise Didier.

Then I came across Warcraft III a little over 6 years later, and as soon as I got my hands on the manual, I also read through it avidly, wholly interested in the history of the world of Warcraft after conclusion to Beyond the Dark Portal, where the last heroes of the Alliance sacrificed their lives to ensure that the rest of the world was not affected by the cataclysmic aftermath of Draenor.

Imagine my surprise to learn that the orcs had been subdued to prison camps, their spirit sapped. The Human Alliance strained after the long years of war, and the emergence of new races that added to the Chaos of the world. Yet they were not assailed by a great war that was raged between two races (them and orcs), but that of the driving force behind all that was evil, and that was the Burning Legion.

I was further intrigued to know that the orcs were more trustworthy than the humans, honored in their ways, when they weren't under the corrupting influence of bloodlust. And the appearance of the last Guardian of Tirisfal to Thrall, which set about one of my main inspirations in a good lot of the fiction that I have written.

Though oddly, I find myself more fascinated with the myth and legend that is behind the universe of Warcraft. I delved into the Internet, searching for every bit of chart, map, pictures, information. It was a thirst for knowledge, even as I discovered games that may have been released (Warcraft Adventures anyone?), and books on the characters of the games, that were previously only regarded as mere pawns to be used in satisfying the virtual desires of obtaining victories over each other. No, these characters were no longer just made out of 1's and 0's, if you look at it from a very pedantic computery way. They began to take on personality, expressions of imagination by authors.

And it was not just a game anymore. It became a fantasy universe, much like Tolkien's and perhaps Robert Jordan's. The events surrouding the history of the world of Warcraft ranged from sad to victorious, and at most times, the price was dearly paid. From a fan, as well as a writer's point of view, it was a bonus, to be able to emphatize with fictional characters as they went about events that were larger than them, from the small things that they were.

Funny though, how I am more interested with the way things turn out in the story, than I would if I would let's say, play the game. A friend of mine commented that I knew a good lot of WoW even though I had not touched the game (at the time), and she had been doing so for more than a year. Even now, as I walk my various warriors and whatnot through the world, in an attempt to fuel to the inspiration that I would use for my expressions.

How did I come up with such an idea? , you might ask. To be truthful, I had picked up a title I had long seen on shelves, though I didn't have the courage to start to read, as how I am with every book that I come across. I am loathe to turn the pages at first, but as soon as I become engrossed, I neglect everything else. The Well of Eternity (WarCraft: War of the Ancients, Book 1), by Richard A. Knaak.

Though I consider myself largely inspired by the works of Robert Jordan and sometimes Terry Brooks, Richard A. Knaak has not disappointed, especially with the first one that I picked up on him - Day of the Dragon. Like most respectable authors, he creates a buildup so that the last major events can take place in the end, mostly in the form of a massive battle. I followed closely the exploits of the maverick mage Rhonin and his enigmatic master, Krasus, and was interested to see how they would fare in a world different, yet not too far from their own.

I would have two more books to go through before I would be done with what is called the War of the Ancients Trilogy, but I can already say that I'm going to have to raid my local bookstore for the next two titles.






Currently listening to : Howard Shore - Helm's Deep (The Two Towers Soundtrack). I really adds to the imagination, listening to LOTR OST.