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The Inspirations of Warcraft: A Wowhead Community Project
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Post by
HiVolt
This might seem like a lengthy post, but I ask that you read the entirety of it before posting a response. Also, on the note of my formatting: responses do not have to be posted within a quote box; they're merely to help the examples stand out.
I've had an article idea in mind for a long time for The Lore Center, one for which I devised the concept before I had even thought of creating the site. That article deals with explaining the various influences from our own history, mythology and other fictional works that have helped shape the various civilizations, storylines, and popular characters in the Warcraft Universe. So far, I've only been able to pull through writing very specific parts of the outline, as I consider it to be the largest, most interesting, and extensive work that I've ever undertaken as a writer.
But, like most of my writing problems, I've found myself far too busy to write it in it's entirety. As such, I fear that I alone will not be able to complete the project in the way that I envisioned it. What I wanted to compose is a single work that explains much of the aspects of and influences behind the lore (those that can be explained in this way), through comparison to our own world. In my failure to do this alone, I've decided to start completely anew, with an entirely new goal in mind along with the original: to involve as many people as possible in this undertaking.
I ask you, the members of the Wowhead community to aid me in this project. This is not something that I want anyone to dedicate themselves to completely. I believe it is far too extensive for any one person to do alone. I've tried that, and found myself lacking.
If you do indeed wish to contribute, you need only follow these steps:
Notice a similarity between an aspect of Warcraft lore and our history, mythology, or other fictional works.
Post that similarity in a response to this post.
There is no need to go in-depth with your response or do any research whatsoever. This thread is to serve as an outline-builder for the project. If you do wish to do some research on your observations and post a more extended answer, then feel free to do so, but it is absolutely
not
necessary.
Here is an example of the type of response that I'm talking about in the above explanation:
It's occurred to me that there are quite a few parallels between King Varian Wyrnn's life and King Charles II's life.
That is all. As I said, this thread serves only to build an outline, with the in-depth research coming later on. But, if you do choose to post something more than just a simple sentence, by all means, do so. Also, if someone else has already mentioned a similarity between an certain aspect in Warcraft and an aspect from our world, feel free to expand on that or add another similarity to that same aspect.
Another example:
It seems like there are many similarities between the Orcish civilization and the Hunnic Empire circa 450 AD.
It seems like there are many similarities between the Orcish civilization and the Hunnic Empire circa 450 AD. I would add that there are also many similarities between the Orcs and the Mongol Empire circa 1200 AD.
In order to make this into the work that I imagined it to be, each of the aspects need to have as many parallels as possible to our world. Feel free to add as many similarities to a single aspect as you wish. This project will expand so long as the Warcraft Universe continues to draw inspiration from our history, mythology, and other fiction; provided that we wish to continue it.
I do hope that all of you want to contribute to this vast work, as by posting this thread, I no longer consider it my own, but all of ours. All I ask is that you take a moment when you notice something in Warcraft that seems familiar to our history or mythology or other fictional works, and post what you notice here; nothing more is necessary.
To aid you in your ideas, here is a list of things to think about:
Religion
Politics
Lives of Important Characters
Architecture
Engineering
Warfare
And anything else you may think of.
Thank you for reading, and I sincerely hope that you want to participate.
Post by
HiVolt
Similarities noted:
The War between the Titans and Old Gods - War between the mythological Greek Titans and Gods of the Pantheon
The Pantheon - The Greek Pantheon of Olympus, multiple other influences
The Old Gods - The Greek Titans, Based on the Gods in the works of H.P. Lovecraft
Battle for Mount Hyjal - Reference to a battle in Nordic mythology
Ahn'Qiraj - Heavily based on Egyptian culture and mythology
Kul Tiras - Likely based on the British Empire, especially in it's navy
Dwarves, Gnomes, High/Blood Elves - Parallels to the Fairie Courts
Tauren - Heavily influenced by Native American cultures
Ragnaros - Reference to Ragnarok in Nordic Mythology, modeled after Surt the king of the fire giants
The Firelands/Elemental Planes - Reference to Muspelhiem in Nordic Mythology
Sargeras - Possible reference to Surt
Archimonde - Possible reference to Surt
Neptulon - Roman god Neptune/Greek god Poseidon
Draenei - Heavy references to gypsies
Nekros Skullcrusher - "Nekros" means Corpse in Greek, deriving the word Necromancer, a reference to his warlock powers.
Orcs - Relations to Hunnic and Mongol empires
King Varian Wrynn - Similar life to King Charles II, similarities to Aragorn of "Lord of the Rings"
Warchief Thrall - Certain similarities to Saladin, Thrall meaning "Slave" also a reference to Norse mythology and the first Thrall, Orcish name of Go'el being taken from the Hebrew "Go'el" or "to redeem" a reference to his destiny to lead the orcs to redemption
Hemet Nesingwary and his Expeditions - References to Ernest Hemingway and his books.
The Loa - References to various voodoo spirits
Pre-Sundering Kalimdor - Reference to Pangea
Rediscovery of Kalimdor, Post-Sundering - Reference to the discovery of the Americas
Night Elves and Trolls - Similarities to Greek and Roman states
The Humans - Different kingdoms similar to Greek City-States
Vrykul - Modeled after Viking Culture
Troll Empires - Similarities to the great South American Nations (Inca, Maya, Aztec)
Troll Religion - Based on Hatian/West African Voodooism
Northrend - Many similarities contained within relating to Nordic Mythology
Algalon - Reference to Lovecraft's monsters being cosmic beings, hence his appearance in Ulduar
Dextren Ward - Reference to the Lovecraft novel "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward"
Admiral Daelin Proudmoore - Likely based on Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson
Post by
HiVolt
The Outline
:
Part 1
Will be updated at a later time.
Post by
HiVolt
The Outline
:
Part 2
Will be updated at a later time.
Post by
HiVolt
Each of the sections of the outline will deal with specific things.
For instance, the Factions section will focus on things such as warfare, political climate, and stories of formation and growth. The Races section will go into the cultural inspirations of the races, further delve into political aspects and stories of origin and growth, and many other things. The Characters section will focus solely on single characters and their inspirations. Many of these will intertwine with one another.
I will expand each of these sections to fit all of the proposed ideas and add new sections if necessary. The ones currently listed are not the ones you are limited to, feel free to post an idea about any faction, race, character, religion, etc.
I plan to update this thread frequently over the next few weeks, and then reduce it that to a weekly update afterward.
Post by
Gnub
I'm pretty sure ArgentSun (I think) made a massive great post about the similarities between the Keepers in Ulduar, and Nordic mythology.
It does indeed seem like a very nice project, especially since the whole franchise is hugely pop-inspired, one way or the other. It's certainly something I'd want to contribute seriously to. But, as always, I won't promise anything, as I havn't got that much free-time on my hand. I'll keep my eye on this thread however :)
Post by
HiVolt
I'm pretty sure ArgentSun (I think) made a massive great post about the similarities between the Keepers in Ulduar, and Nordic mythology.
It does indeed seem like a very nice project, especially since the whole franchise is hugely pop-inspired, one way or the other. It's certainly something I'd want to contribute seriously to. But, as always, I won't promise anything, as I havn't got that much free-time on my hand. I'll keep my eye on this thread however :)
Actually, Argent's Blog Nordic Northrend and the thread in the Cataclysm forum "Are Worgen English" are the very root inspirations for this idea. As a side note, Adamsm made a thread awhile back about the various influences on Warcraft from Arthurian Mythology. It's a very good read.
And as I said above, this isn't something that you really have to think too much about or do any research for. If you notice something, post it. It doesn't even have to be more than a sentence long, and it will be noted in the outline.
I'm glad that you're interested. :D
Post by
Morec0
I'm afraid that I just don't know enough about history of forgein nations to be of much help here. I'll add anything if I can, but don't count on it.
Post by
HiVolt
I'm afraid that I just don't know enough about history of forgein nations to be of much help here. I'll add anything if I can, but don't count on it.
It doesn't have to be history alone. It can be fiction or mythology as well.
Post by
Joemaster240
As i began to read this it got me thinking about something. I enjoy greek/Roman mythology and as i thought i began to see a similarity in one aspect. The war between the old gods (Similar to the Titans of greek mythology) and the Titans (The gods of olympus(?)) seems like a refrence to the mythological battle between the gods and the titans.
and i think this thread is going to be very interesting to read and see what connections people can make from our world to the Warcraft world.
Post by
Mazaniam
The Pantetheon. It is a clear similarity between the Greek Pantheon and the WarCraft Pantetheon. The Titans and The GG are similar as well, being all powerful. This could be also refered to the Titans of the Greeks, the Fathers of the Gods.
Post by
Patty
Kul Tiras is likely based on the British Empire. Large navy, island from the coast of a large land mass - as examples.
Post by
Adamsm
The Pantetheon. It is a clear similarity between the Greek Pantheon and the WarCraft Pantetheon. The Titans and The GG are similar as well, being all powerful. This could be also refered to the Titans of the Greeks, the Fathers of the Gods.
The Warcraft Pantheon is based on all religions not just one particular version.
Post by
Mazaniam
Whatever. . . . .
Post by
Interest
Hmm...and here I was, thinking about making parallels between various things in WoW and LotR.
Oh well.
Post by
355559
This post was from a user who has deleted their account.
Post by
Morec0
Ahn'qiraj seems to have been heavily influence by Egyptian (god, I can't spell) culture. The strutures look similar in nature, and the
Anubisath
bear a strong resmemblence to Anubis - the Egyptian god of the Underworld. As do the
Horusath
, which resemble Horus - the god of the sun.
The silithid themselves may also hold some kind of resemblence to the scarabs, which were also a part of their culture.
EDIT:
Concept art
of the
Obsidian Destoryer
also shows a weapon of some kind that looks much like an Egyptian scythe.
Post by
Patty
Another thing worth noting is that the draenei have great paralells to gypsies; although this is fairly common knowledge.
Post by
Adamsm
Dwarves, gnomes, and to a point the High/Blood Elves have parallel's to the Faerie courts.
Tauren have a connection to Native culture.
Everything with WoW draws some parallel from a religion/culture within our world heh.
Post by
Orranis
I'm best with Norse mythology, and Argent kind of covered that.
Ragnaros the Firelord is an obvious reference to Ragnarok, the war in which the world as we know it will come to an end in Norse mythology. His character seems based on Surt, the king of the fire giants, who will venture north from Muspelheim (The Firelands, Elemental Plane) and set Yggdrasil (Nordrassil) alight. An alternative character for Surt would be Sargeras or Archimonde.
Skoll the spirit beast, Skoll the wolf that shall devour the sun.
Also, Neptulon the tide lord and his trident are obvious references to the Roman Neptune and the Greek Poseidon, the Gods of the seas.
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