WoW RaceNotes: Introduction

The WoW RaceNotes Series are for helping roleplayers learn more about the player races to help create a backstory and roleplay characters in World of Warcraft.

Use these as tools and guides for information. Updates will happen as new information/lore is available to add “life” to your characters.

Beyond the intro above, how do we use this information?

Quite simple, in a round about way. What the series does is round up and give you the research right to you. Less surfing and more time getting a backstory up and brushing up on lore and other information. Hopefully this can jump-start your research and understanding of how each race “ticks”.

Do some research, get a feel for the lore and “story” of each race, then flesh it out to your backstory. Remember your player does not know everything about the lore and related. Even if your character does know “alot”, it could be from a slightly different view point than another race or character.

This is very similar to everyday life, where two folks have differing opinions or recollections of the same event. Always keep this in the back of your mind for your character’s knowledge and history so god-moding is kept at bay.

How accurate in this information?
Anything that is coming from Blizzard’s official site -should- be accurate, unless a retcon aka “lolore” trumps things. Also, alot of the said lore is what players have access to at the current time. There will be parts of the lore, or the “rest of the story” being in Blizzard’s back pocket.

Surprises aren’t surprises if you know about them.

What are the main sources then?
The major sources for Blizzard are the mmorpg lore/information and the pen and paper (tabletop) version of the game. Playing the original series (especially Warcraft III) and the various campaigns can help, just as the novels from Blizzard.

While they are not completely agreeable with each other on some points, each in some way compliments the other (most of the time) in filling some gaps and giving you information.

What do you in case of conflicts?
In case of conflict, I would lean towards the game that you are playing (mmorpg vs tabletop versions). The online game obviously will trump with anything dealing with game mechanics, since they are difficult to work around, if not impossible. And as always, Blizzard has the right to retcon, alter or create lore as needed as the game grows and “history” marches on.

How about the other links and sources listed?
Other sites with information, wowwiki.com for example, have alot taken from the tabletop game as well as information/lore gained from quests and from Blizzard’s sites. But as with all information from third parties, take it with a grain of salt unless there’s a an “official” Blizzard “stamp of authenticity”.

This and other sites/article listed can help you research and sift through to find the things that will “fit” for your character and be fun to roleplay. These are great supplements that can add depth when used together with the existing state of lore and history in Azeroth.

The folks who put this stuff together want to help folks as well and took effort to do so. While some information may conflict or be different from another – it’s still good to read through and see what’s adaptable and fits your character.

Is this everything I need to know?
While there are some links for each race, this is not the “end” all of resources. As time goes by, I will update as I research things and as Blizzard updates and adds more information. If anyone has a source that would be a great help, please feel free to let me know.

So, I have to read ALL of this to RP?
Nope! You don’t have to read every book, game and site to roleplay in World of Warcraft. However, it does help to at least get a good feel for what’s behind the race and lore to help shape your character’s backstory and role-playing.

A decent starting point helps point you in the right direction and hopefully towards other folks to have a great time with. Hope this series does that for you!