The amazing developers at Blizzard are celebrating 30 years of Warcraft and 20 years of World of Warcraft. It’s shocking to imagine how long this series has wrapped gamers around its digital finger. Whether they are original fans from the 2004 launch of the game or they are new to the series with its most recent expansion, The War Within, Blizzard took their 30th anniversary as an opportunity to announce new things they have planned for their various games. Among these new announcements was a novella that ties loose ends and explains what characters were doing before The War Within launched.
Heartlands: A Novella
Blizzard has handed out a five-part novella, Heartlands, written by Adam Christopher, to current fans and lore enthusiasts. Whether you prefer reading or simply want to listen, both options are available with free PDF links and links to YouTube with someone reading the novella. Let’s be clear: this isn’t just “someone” with an amazingly booming voice. Chris Metzen, executive creative director at Blizzard, voice actor for many characters in the game, and quite possibly the father of Warcraft lore, reads the novella to you with his stellar voice.
Fans of the game should be familiar with Metzen as he is, quite possibly, the most passionate World of Warcraft person in the universe. To call him the father of Warcraft’s story would be an understatement. He was active with the company for twenty-three years before Warcraft evolved into the massive game it is now. His excitement for the game was always present when he took the stage during Blizzcon events to get his fellow gamers excited for whatever installation came next for the series. He is, without a doubt, the heart and soul of what Warcraft stands for, which is why he is the only choice to narrate this novella.
Novella Contents
Before the events of The War Within, adventurers around the world of Azeroth hear a song and see visions as if someone was calling out from the heart of the world. This radiant song echoed throughout the land and beckoned Azeroth’s protectors to aid her once more. Thrall and Jaina, a prominent orc and human among their people, come together to discuss the purpose of the song and what it might mean. The novella Heartlands follows their journey together as they attempt to rally people to answer Azeroth’s call.
The five-part novella takes readers on a journey that begins in Jaina’s home of Boralus to gather the Horde and Alliance together. The second part takes the pair to the gates of Stromgarde where Jaina pleads with the regent Lady Trollbane. Part three follows Thrall as he attempts to make agreements with the Mag’har leader Geya’rah. The last two parts of the novella take a bloody turn as the armies of Stromgarde clash with Mag’har orcs, seemingly unable to agree on the greater cause of helping Azeroth in her time of need.
Fans of World of Warcraft should find the time between their raid nights to read this short novella or allow Metzen to serenade their ears. This novella serves to bridge the gap between expansions and fill in any empty spaces that fans of the lore were curious about. At the very least, more lore is good lore!
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