The Right Tool at Hand
That the Alliance and Horde are at war on the battlefield is old news. However, in Mists of Pandaria, there is a scene at the very end of the “intro” whose brutality and cruelty must have deeply etched into the memories of most players – at least if one plays for the Alliance.
Mists of Pandaria will even return soon:
Quite early in Jade Forest, the conflict between Alliance and Horde breaks out again. No wonder, the Alliance misses their prince Anduin and the Horde wants to claim the new area for itself. This leads to bitter battles with high losses on both sides.
During the conflict, players fight through several orc camps and then return to the coast with the quest The Right Tool at Hand. After a bitter fight, the orcs lose many of their ships and plunge into the water. They let their weapons sink to the ocean floor and try to swim to shore.
The leaders of the Alliance forces briefly discuss what is happening – and then begin to shoot the drowning orcs in the water before they can reach land.
Admiral Rogers: “Horde troops are swimming towards your position. Open fire.”
Rell Nightwind: “Admiral – I believe they want to surrender. They have no weapons – they are just trying not to drown!”
Then the Alliance begins to mow down the orcs. Admiral Rogers seems to show no mercy at all.
Admiral Rogers: “You don’t really think they would hesitate to strangle you with their bare hands? KILL THEM!”
This decision is certainly influenced by the powers of the Sha. Nevertheless, you feel a queasy feeling in your stomach when you see the desperate orcs swimming unarmed to shore and being shot. That the water is turning red from the blood of the victims is an additional effect that underscores the cruelty here.
At least you weren’t “in control” here, but only a spectator. Nonetheless, you wonder in the end: Are “we” in the Alliance really any better than the Horde?
“Ethnic cleansings” are also a part of World of Warcraft. Thanks to Jaina – on the next page.
