In the upcoming World of Warcraft: Cataclysm end-game world event, Garrosh Hellscream will unleash mayhem upon Theramore.

Most of the lore will be played out in Christie Golden’s World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War. However, there are daily quests that will give players a front-row view of the action.

Many speculate on who the next Warchief of the Horde might be. Initially, it was thought Thrall would return as the Warchief, until Zarhym hinted it might be other character who would take the mantle of leadership.

Zarhym: I know what was said during the press tour, but don’t be so sure yet that you know who the next warchief will be. The information provided during the press tour was… not entirely accurate.

 

Some say it might be Baine Bloodhoof. He learned a lot of wisdom from his father Cairne over the years, and his experiences after his father’s demise have greatly given him a mature-vibe in comparison to the pup we helped rescue from the Centaur back in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. In World of Warcraft: The Shattering and The Leader Short Stories: As Our Fathers Before Us this new Baine would certainly be a worthy Warchief to bring the Horde back to Thrall’s original vision.

Vol’jin is another prospect for the Warchief title. Vol’jin finally recovered back the Echo Isles, and took decisive steps to engage the Amani and the Zandalari in Zul’Aman, and the Battle for the Undercity — just to name a few.

Saurfang has once and again proved his mettle and loyalty to Thrall and to the Horde overall. Worthy of becoming the new Warchief.

One thing I’d bet many would never see coming though is Lady Jaina Proudmoore taking the Warchief of the Horde title. The first reason: She is human. Would be totally off to see Jaina commanding Horde forces against the Alliance — considering Chris Metzen has spear-headed the idea that Mists of Pandaria is ramping up the war between the Alliance and the Horde.

I’m not totally buying Jaina as Warchief of the Horde, I’m skeptic; but I’m not narrowed-minded either. I am always open to listen to the others’ side even if it makes no sense.

Jaina, Warchief of the Horde

Garrosh will do something terrible against Theramore. The specifics are yet unknown. The suffering Jaina will experience will draw her beyond her threshold limit. Her hair turns white, and her eyes color change too. From a pacifist, she’s to become a warmonger driven by revenge. Theramore will be razed to the ground, and all her friends and followers will be slaughtered.

This is the woman who stood side by side with Thrall and the Horde at the top of Mount Hyjal to defend all of Azeroth from the onslaught brought forth by the demons of the Burning Legion.

This is the woman who helped Thrall and the Horde survive her own father’s machinations. Jaina chose to side with the Horde and not her father: Admiral Daelin Proudmoore.

This is the woman who even with the rising tensions in Dustwallow Marsh maintained a pact of no aggression against the Horde — World of Warcraft: Cycle of Hatred (2004).

Jaina always sacrificed her loyalty toward the Alliance and weighed more toward her ideals and morals. Admiral Daelin Proudmoore was her father, but his hatred against the orcs blinded him. She saw the orcs’ bravery and self-sacrifice standing side-by-side with the Night Elves and the Humans to defend the world of Azeroth. That outweighed anything else she knew about the orcs who years earlier invaded and slaughtered Stormwind and Lordaeron forces.

We know the Horde and the Alliance will raid Orgrimmar to take down Garrosh Hellscream. We don’t know yet the details surrounding that.

We don’t know if Garrosh will die or be forgiven and exiled for his transgressions against the Horde and the Alliance. Ultimately, it would be logical for King Varian Wrynn to be disgusted against Thrall after whatever fate awaits Garrosh. Varian would undoubtedly blame Thrall. He was who assigned Garrosh as new Warchief of the Horde to depart to Outland to delve into his ancestral shamanism.

A clash between King Varian and Thrall right after Garrosh’s defeat would trigger Lady Jaina Proudmoore to take a decision. Would she let King Varian slay Thrall? Would she side with Varian?

That’s tricky. Would her father’s demise be in vain after all, or would she take a proactive stance to defend what’s rightful?

I’m not a writer, but I have read thousands of Marvel comic book stories; all the Warcraft novels, RPG books, and comic books. Chris Metzen is likewise a comic book geek. If anyone could spin around things with a awesome story, and an awesome reasoning that’s him and the Creative Team.

King Varian Wrynn has shown to be a stubborn person fueled by hatred. As a child, Varian witnessed his father King Llane’s assassination. Garona Halforcen, one they thought to be an ally betrayed them. The orcs destroyed Stormwind, and his people had to flee aboard ships toward Lordaeron. He was captured by the Horde and enslaved to fight in Gladiator arenas. To Varian, the Horde slaughtered the Alliance forces at the Wrathgate. The Horde kidnapped his son Anduin in Pandaria.

This is a Varian who would no doubt wish to slay Thrall for the mere act of assigning Garrosh as succeeding Warchief of the Horde.

Jaina will have her share of hatred toward Garrosh and the Horde members who carried out his orders, but how far will her change in Jaina, Tides of War be? A reckoning against Garrosh’s actions sounds plausible. If Varian attempts to slay Thrall, however, Jaina would be forced to relive the experience of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore’s hatred and bigotry against the Horde all over again.

Only this time, King Varian shouldn’t necessarily die in the aftermath. As a writer, I have no clue how the dialogue would be written, but I can see potential here — in this controversial situation.

If Thrall isn’t able to take back the Warchief title, someone would have to serve as temporary Warchief until Thrall is able to. King Varian in his fury would instantly call Jaina out as a traitor for taking Thrall’s side over his.

What if King Varian hurt Thrall during this fight? It would prevent Thrall from leading after Garrosh’s dethroning. This could be a motive for Lady Jaina to serve as Warchief until Thrall can decide whether to take leadership or name a new candidate.

This could be a good time-frame for Thrall and Aggra to raise their child, and live a happy life.

For Jaina, it would be a great challenge. Not everyone on the Horde would love to be led by a Human, or even a female. She would be branded a traitor by some Alliance factions.

For the naysayers, the Blood Elves were formerly Alliance. A Blood Elf named Valeera is one of Varian’s best friends and allies. Gilneans are Alliance once more after two decades. A Goblin faction is now Horde. a class can choose to be Horde or Alliance (Death Knight). A race can choose to be Horde or Alliance (Pandaren). Tauren Paladins? Night Elf mages? None of it makes sense, until there is a purpose of weight spicing things up.

I’d like to hear your own thoughts in favor and against the idea of Lady Jaina becoming the new Warchief of the Horde at the end of Mists of Pandaria.

PS: Eldorian will soon gather questions from the community to interview Christie Golden concerning World of Warcraft: Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War — stay tuned.