Wow, that's intense! Thank you for the summary, I really appreciate it. It's so weird how vastly differently it plays out in-game, like there wasn't much communication between the writers and the quest-builders who actually created the scene.
It seems to me that the simplest way to show canon story development and character development is to include it in the game. The argument of 'sorry, it happened in the book that was not provided to people who already bought the game, it's canon' is ridiculous to me. I saw the way Tyrande acted in the cut scene on both the Horde and the Alliance side. I make my judgements on her character from what I was given in the game, the same as I do with all the characters. If it was important to show that she didn't just walk away from her people in such a dark hour, it should have been show to us that way. Something, anything would have been better than what was shown in game. It's a shame.
Any word yet on when these novellas will be made available?
To be honest, I'm really happy to read this, and to learn that they didn't just leave Tyrande out (again) of something this important in night elf lore. As much as I would've liked to see this in-game, I don't mind story being told via multiple media. I would, however, say that they should take some lessons from someone like Wizards of the Coast and the multi-media storytelling they do for Magic: the Gathering. Good story in novellas and cinematics is great, but the good story needs to be in the game as well. The game is the bottom line - the story wouldn't be told at all without it.
It's annoying we have to make additional purchases to get all the lore. It's essentially no different from paid DLC.
I think Blizzard put in Hot Buttered Popcorn because they’re sitting there reading all these arguments just chillin’, laughing, and eating popcorn. Now we can enjoy the show as well. Thanks, Blizzard!
I am glad that the book gives Tyrande a bigger role. I had dearly loved her in the strategy but the game did not do Tyrande or Night Elves justice. I hope that the Burning of Teldrassil, as damaging as it is, will turn a new page for the kal'dorei. Considering that all of this lore, Sylvanas' and Saurfang's reasons, Tyrande's plight, etc. has already been written for the books, I don't understand why more has not been included into the lacklustre pre-patch. Yes, the novellas will be free & up at some point, but the first negative impression has been made and could have been if not avoided than softened significantly. Books should enhance the story, not make it make sense. The events like Cairne dying, Garrosh becoming Warchief, the destruction of Theramore, etc. and MUCH more of Elegy and Good War should have been in the game, period. The details could be expanded upon via external materials, but at least the bare bones of events and most important questions shouldn't require it.Lastly, I find it interesting how much power Sylvanas actually has. True, we never really got a chance to see her throw her everything into it except maybe in the third of ICC dungeons where most of her fight against Arthas happened behind closed doors, but my queen certainly had stepped up. Some dark magic to make the tree burn? Possibly dampening the presence of Elune until her Chosen had appeared? Smells like Helya's deal to me.
She became insufferable in Legion. The less they focus on her the better.
If anything it makes the questline worse. I mean, what could have stopped them from showing Tyrande alongside Anduin in the first quest (when Shaw comes in shouting that the Horde vessels in Silithus were a distraction)?When all you see of Tyrande in the Alliance side of the questline is appearing after Malfurion is wounded by Saurfang, then healing him and telling you to get on the hippogryff, then leaving, the disappointment and misinterpretation is well-founded.IMO it would have been better if the Alliance quest-line started before the Horde attacked Astranaar (with Tyrande saying that she told Shandris to start rallying forces), not right after it.