The Future of the Dwarves - "The Lilac and the Stone" Short Story Analysis

Live Posted 2024/07/21 at 10:18 AM by Portergauge

The Lilac and the StoneThe Voices WithinMoira's PastI am Moira Thaurissan, daughter of Magni Bronzebeard and his bride Eimear, princess of Ironforge, widow to the Dark Iron Emperor, mother to his heir Dagran II, and I have been angry since I was old enough to walk the path set before me.

Sometimes, I think my anger will outlive me. That they will close up the earth over my body, and long after I am forgotten, some brutal, black hardened jewel left from my rot will work its way up out of the moss, hissing and spitting and still scalding hot. Maybe they will use it to warm a village somewhere. An eternity of cozy hearths and ready stews fueled by this bitter fury I carried but could never fully satisfy.

I like the idea of that.Moira during her days in Shadowforge City, from Hearthstone.Ironforge's PresentMoira alongside her fellow council members in the art for Council of Three Hammers: Fire and Iron.Moira and Varian standing victorious over the Frostmane and their Zandalari allies.Dagran's FutureDagran and Moira on the cover art for The Lilac and the Stone.The Lilac and the Stone“No one gets what they want,” I snapped. “Only the scraps from fate’s table. Now, you’ve got to decide, and I cannot do it for you. The easy way or the hard way. Continue as one of three squabbling clans in the council or seize the throne of both your bloodlines and break it. But if you take the latter, you may pay for it in blood.”

Dagran frowned. He never showed anger on his face. Most thought he had none of it in him, but I knew. His frown is another man’s shriek.

“And how am I to rule? Am I to be like Gran’da?” He turned the page of a tome. “My books say he is the reason Father was slain. Or am I to be like you?” He gestured at an open book. “This says you were cruel. And hasty. And merciless. Is that what you want me to be?”never“Will you be fools, then?” Dagran said in a voice I did not even know he possessed. He brought his fist down on the shield with such might it cracked beneath his strength. “Or will you be brothers? If it is the latter, I welcome you. If it is the former, I have no time for your games when there is so much to build.”

“Stand in my way or do not,” he continued. “It makes no difference to me. Blood speaks true. Those are our ancestors. Our fathers, our mothers, the actual people who lived and died only to become memories, symbols, the seals on your cups and the food on your plate. They spent untold fortunes to craft a message that would last beyond eras, only to tell their foolish sons that they are family. If you wish to disrespect their honor, leave this hall and let it be your own affair. I will not. I will stay. I will work. I will build. With whoever is strong enough to hold a real hammer.”

Dagran tossed the excavation tools on the broken shield and strode out of the room.I was wrong about him. We all were, only they have yet to discover it. He was always my flower, my lilac growing in the most difficult way—but maybe we all are. Flowers beneath the stone. Maybe we all tangle inside. Maybe we scream and charge and stomp and frown because we know if the armor over our true hearts slips even once, this world will eat our petals whole. After all, the lilac is no less of the earth and earthen than we, no less than the petrified rock on which it must grow. But only Dagran ever stood bare before horrors and told them all he was both at once and would rule them anyway.

He is stronger than any of us who lived. Even me. I was never strong enough to stay soft.

And as I watch him turn back to a room he would own forever the moment he entered, a room not one single lord had dared to leave, I became my father at last. Hard as a diamond, barely able to move for the weight of my own history, watching the future slip in between the cracks before anyone realized it was already here.Read the short story The Lilac and the Stone here.

Comment by Mag1tekThat short story was really well written. Looking back at that old Cata-era Three Hammers promo art, it seems like Blizzard came close to setting Moira up as a villain. I'm really glad they went in this direction instead.Comment by Stormbringer4190moira went from being an ugly being in the "Fire and Iron" artwork to a nice cougar in the newer artworksComment by Rainy89Council of Three Hammers art did Moira dirtyComment by XexjiI must say the article's author here was excellent. Going over the history of Moira clearly and eloquently up until the modern day. I also commend both the author of the short story and this article's writer for really making me FEEL like I understand Dagran II.

The content of the short story is cliche, sure, but it performs its purpose well and is also well elucidated. We've been told he's a bookish sort, and here we're shown he's a bookish sort. And of course, we (through Moira) learn that the heir of the dwarven clans isn't just all warrior or all nerd, but something in between with the strength to state his intentions both ways.

And only tangentially related, but if I was a Wildhammer dwarf I'd be pushing any and all appropriate age girls in my clan to fraternize with Dagran II here. If he really is to be the King of all Dwarves, then an arranged marriage with the Wildhammer clan does seem likely.Comment by RingoFlinthammerWait, why does Dagran have a claim to leading the Wildhammers? He's the heir to the Bronzebeards and Dark Irons. The Wildhammers are only temporarily in Ironforge until he comes of age. If he's ever going to unite all three clans, it'll be through marriage.Comment by LautnerWait, why does Dagran have a claim to leading the Wildhammers? He's the heir to the Bronzebeards and Dark Irons. The Wildhammers are only temporarily in Ironforge until he comes of age. If he's ever going to unite all three clans, it'll be through marriage.Comment by JabsThis was my favorite of the short stories, very satisfying. I love dagran as a character.Comment by XexjiWait, why does Dagran have a claim to leading the Wildhammers? He's the heir to the Bronzebeards and Dark Irons. The Wildhammers are only temporarily in Ironforge until he comes of age. If he's ever going to unite all three clans, it'll be through marriage.Comment by Alechs777moira went from being an ugly being in the "Fire and Iron" artwork to a nice cougar in the newer artworksComment by HumanHonorHm, lilac and gooseberries... Moria has really good taste.Comment by tupolew519Interesting.