The Tauren & The Goblin – Warcraft Story & Lore

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#78: What If Wrathion Was Corrupted (Part 1)? Sep 25, 2019

Show notes

This episode is the first of a two parter looking at everyone's favorite not-so-little anymore Black Dragon, Wrathion. Nick and Katie consider him and ponder the question, "What if Wrathion was corrupted?" At the time of his creation, Rheastrasza and the player work to use Titan technology to create and then uncorrupt his egg. This is presumed to be a success, but what if it wasn't? How would the last few years since the Cataclysm have played out with a malevolent Wrathion running around and manipulating things behind the scenes? Nick and Katie consider the possibilities.
First, they dig into Wrathion's history. They talk about how he was created from several dragon eggs from Nyxondra's clutch. Katie gushes over Rhea, the goblin form of Rheastrasza. The egg is taken to the Titan facility in the Badlands where it is "purged." Katie complains about Wrathion's supposed heritage based on his genetics. They discuss Rheastrasza's sacrifice and the trinket given to players as a result. Wrathion's egg is then passed to the Red Dragonflight, who protect it until it is stolen by rogues from Ravenholdt. Wrathion hatches and takes over Ravenholdt with Fahrad who helps him manage Ravenholdt.
If Wrathion hatches corrupt from his egg, what does he do first? Does he go to aid Deathwing? Nick and Katie discuss Deathwing's presence in Cataclysm, and Nick admits that if the whelp joins his father, then there's not much to discuss. Instead, they consider Wrathion waiting and watching how events play out. They talk about the lineage of the Prestors and if it makes sense for Wrathion to use that.
The pair examine the madness of the Black Dragons and how it corrupts them. The consider the voices that affect the dragons and compare it to Alleria's condition. They also compare the Black Dragons with the Sith.
They wonder if Wrathion still goes to Pandaria and if he takes up his father's mantle. Does N'Zoth contact Wrathion? Is Wrathion a player in N'Zoth's release?
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/294
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#77: Alisaunder's Mailbag II (feat. Alisaunder) Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

Alisaunder from the Pylon Show is back to go over some of the many questions she has sent in over the last few months. We start by discussing the forgotten races of Azeroth, including the pygmies, furbolg, and centaurs. We debate a little about the Lost Ones in Swamp of Sorrows and their Warcraft III retconned origins. This leads into a discussion of how Blizzard should redo the original continents (with a suggestion from Nick that classic evolve the story, except that it show what is happening back on Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor and not involve the land masses that we travel to.) Nick and Alisaunder then talk about roleplaying in WoW and how Blizzard forces characters to perform certain actions, whether they would be something your character would do naturally or not. Nick recommends the philosophy that the game quests should rarely be considered canon.
Alisaunder then mentions her idea that Sylvanas could be a dreadlord, and Nick suggests that Blizzard should do a Secret Invasion type expansion, where half the major lore characters turn out to be dreadlords. Alisaunder posits that the Dreadlords are working for the Old Gods and they tricked Sargeras into killing the pantheon and forming the Legion. Nick makes a joke about Thrall that takes him to a dark place.
Finally, they get to Alisaunder’s second question, and they discuss the origins of the celestial beings inside Ulduar, particularly the Tauren and Night Elf statues. Nick speculates that just as the Titans made Earthen and Mogu out of earthly matter, then they would make Celestials out of stars and space matter.
Thanks again to Alisaunder for joining us this week, and thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/28m
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#76: On Classic Servers II (feat. AJ9Livess) Aug 31, 2019

Show notes

Classic servers are upon us and to celebrate AJ9Livess has joined Nick and Katie to continue their conversation about classic started all the way back in episode #32! But first, they talk a bit about Mechagon and how no one has had time to play it. AJ talks about how he thinks the quest for flying is overrated. They then talk a bit about comparing Azshara and Sylvanas.
Finally they turn their attention to the classic servers. Nick and AJ discuss the stress tests and how the servers performed. The first thing Katie wants to do in getting into classic is to roll a troll shaman and group up to fight scorpions. They discuss how the quickest way to level up is to group up, as tagging no longer works. AJ talks about how he’s looking forward to running dungeons and the challenging content they will provide. AJ also talks about how he wants to play Horde, but his strongest connection is to the Alliance leveling zones.
Everyone then gets into a long discussion about hunter mechanics, and having to feed your pets to keep them happy. There were limited pet slots and later pet traits had to be learned from older pets. Pets needed to be played to level up, independently of your character. They talk about the charm of grinding to earn certain rewards, and how that applies to having to tame your pets.
Next they talk about how there is not a separate subscription for Classic, which was surprising based on their expectations back in episode 32. Nick admits that he was surprised that Ion is in charge of Classic WoW and current WoW, and the gang gives credit to the team for hewing as close to the vanilla experience as they can. Nick and AJ disagree slightly over the use of layering.
Also, they look at where classic can go, as everyone is excited for Burning Crusade servers. They dismiss the idea of adding new content to classic. Finally, everyone shares what item they are looking forward to having in the game again.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/28d
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

SE: Hunters! (and Some Lore) Aug 31, 2019

Show notes

Longtime listeners to Mash Those Buttons may remember that Nick and Katie were together on WoW! Talk! before they became the Tauren & the Goblin. When Chronicle Volume 1 was previewed back in 2016, the duo recorded an episode that would serve as a pilot for their current show. On this, our third anniversary, feel free to journey back in time and check out this unofficial first episode of T&G.
They begin by talking about what they're excited for in the upcoming Legion expansion. Nick is looking forward to the return of hunter quivers. Then they discuss the hunter artifacts and appearances that they've seen so far. Then they ramble off (their first ramble?) onto a discussion of unique transmoggable weapons and off-hands. Katie is excited for the new wolf and potential moose models and speculates on new fox models. Then they discuss the new kodo models, and then drift into discussing taming dinosaurs and how they should be divided into families. Other than pterrodaxes, they struggle to think of what they can't tame. The conversation shifts and they consider if the mech-taming ability will allow them to tame Fel Reavers. Katie already starts speculating about going to the Legion homeworld, well in advance of the announcement we'd be going to Argus.
Next they look at the changes to the hunter glyphs and changes to the beastmaster spec. Nick laments the changes to Stampede. Katie is concerned that we will be stuck using Hati as our only hunter pet for the duration of the expansion. They discuss their history of hunter pets and how they plan on using them into Legion. They also consider the effects of transmogging the hunter artifacts and being restricted to certain weapon types. Katie also needs more stable slots. Nick tries to understand the artifact progression system. Katie fawns over the coming Falcosaurs.
After speculating on Wrathion getting his jaw replaced, they finally get into the Chronicle preview lore. Katie is excited by the Kalimdor origins and the troll empire. There's discussion of the Old Gods and elemental lords, and Katie appreciates the art work. Finally, they dive into the map of magic spheres that was provided. They try to break down the equivalencies based on placement on the chart. Nick considers that the forces of Undeath are on the same rank as the Titans, as are the Na'aru. They try to fit the Curse of the Flesh into the map. Katie then shares her theory that goblins and night elves are related. Nick wonders if E'lune ... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/28c
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#75: Favorite Quests with Special Guests Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie welcome you to a very special 75th episode! To celebrate this milestone, they've invited several friends of the show to talk about their favorite quests in game! Please enjoy!
First, Nick starts off by talking about Welcome to the Machine, a Horde Quest in Hillsbrad that starts off as a meta-joke with the player assuming the role of quest-giver. After giving out quests to three very unique personalities, including Johnny Awesome, who appears astride his beloved sparklepony, the player is tasked with following up on their assignees. After rescuing Johnny Awesome and Dumass from their assorted troubles, the players goes after the proud Orkus. In the ensuing conflict, Orkus is killed, and the quest takes a serious turn. Nick comments on the fact that the quest covers a range of emotions and makes you care for a character who just a few minutes earlier was pure comic relief.
Katie elects to talk about a moment more than a quest. In Shadowmoon Valley (Draenor version), there is a Draenai artist named Painter Mikkal. If you click on him, he will give you a small junk trinket, but if you wait a few minutes after he does so, he will talk about how the view of the valley is greater than any physical reward he could bestow, and enjoying our time in the world is our greatest gift. Katie appreciates the philosophical lesson of this encounter, and the reminder that there is more than just the obvious rewards to be obtained.
Our first guest is Medros from All Things Azeroth. He talks about the Wrathgate, and the journey there through the early Wrath of the Lich King zones. He recalls the sense of shock and awe that the community felt at the time the cinematic was released. The sense of coolness from seeing the Alliance and Horde heroes working together was so suddenly undercut by the tragedy of watching those same heroes fall to the Lich King and to the plague. Finally, the red dragons come to purge the area and leave a sense of hope.
Next up is AJ to talk about the Karazhan attunement quest. He talks about having to prepare for heroic dungeons back in vanilla and Burning Crusade times. Karazhan was so spooky back then, especially due to the lack of datamining at the time. AJ appreciated having to go through all the other dungeons and do some time traveling just to get into the place, and the journey made that time feel special. Interacting with Medivh also influenced his opinion.
Ali from Dungeon Fables and All Things Azeroth looks back fo... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/27z
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#74: Is BfA MoP 2.0? (feat. Toshmifune and Prof. Taliep) Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back this week looking to tackle the question of whether or not Battle for Azeroth is Mists of Pandaria 2.0? And who better to help answer that question than two of Halfhill's finest residents, special guests Toshmifune and Professor Taliep from the Halfhill Report!
Nick fawns over the Halfhill Report for the first part of the show and asks Tosh and Taliep how they got started in WoW and how they started the Halfhill Report. He mentions knowing people like Rizhak and asks about how Velmic does his inn reviews. He also mentions their interview with Thunk Da Peon as being a great episode, and Tosh talks about the origins of that episode.
Finally, they start to get into discussing MoP and BfA. Nick brings up Tides of War and talks about Jaina and Kalec hooking up, which gets Katie ranting on the relationship. They talk about the Jade Forest and how Mists of Pandaria focused on our characters bringing war to a pristine location, while Zandalar and Kul Tiras seem more closely connected to the war already. Tosh talks about how the Horde and Alliance are occupying forces and his "Free Pandaria!" mantra is about trying to excise them from the continent. Nick tries to compare the tragedy of losing Theramore with the loss of the the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. They consider the consquences of Sylvanas' reign. They look at a comparison of Garrosh's arc and the crux of Sylvanas' character. Ultimately, they agree that while there are common themes, this is not a direct retelling of the story.
Thank you again to Tosh and Taliep for coming on the show! Check out the Halfhill Report where you get your podcasts!
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/27o
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#73: On Mechagon, Azshara, N'Zoth, and Crossroads Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back and finally have a chance to sit down and talk about all the great comics and cinematics that Blizzard has put out as part of patch 8.2! First, they get into the Mechagon comic that features the story of Kervo, a dying gnome looking for his lost homeland and a cure. He finds it, but at great cost. Nick and Katie discuss how terrifying gnomes can be (and not just the gnome rogues!) and consider what the greater implications of King Mechagon's plans could be for the rest of Azeroth. Robot Tauren, anyone?
Then, Nick and Katie go over the intro to Azshara questline. They discuss Nathanos reasons for having Xal'atath on the ship and how he was using it. Then, they take a detour and look at the relationship between Thalyssra, Sivara (one of the Eternal Palace bosses) and Azshara, as depicted in a questline. They get back to the cinematic and laugh about Genn's face as he goes over the waterfall. They start to discuss Lor'themar's presence in Nazjatar.
Then they look at the finale cinematic from the Eternal Palace raid. Azshara is defeated but N'Zoth is released. They talk about the implications of N'Zoth's freedom and discuss some of the community disappointment with the cinematic. Nick focuses on the fact that it is still unclear how this expansion will end. They talk about Jaina and Lor'themar being together at the end and compare that with their encounter with Taran Zhu on the Isle of Thunder back in Mists of Pandaria.
FInally, they talk about the Crossroads cinematic which brings Thrall and Jaina back together as friends. Nick reads a passage from Tides of War from right before they grew apart. They talk about how Jaina had issues to resolve and Thrall had lessons to learn and now they have come out stronger for what they've gone through.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/27c
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#72: What if Gul'dan was Lich King? (Part 2) Jul 03, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to continue their discussion of what would happen if Gul’dan was shoved into the Helm of Domination and turned into the Lich King. They already decided that he would choose Illidan as his champion and the duo would betray Archimonde by summoning him at the Well of Eternity so he could immediately get blown up by wisps. Now they look at what is going on in the Eastern Kingdoms with Arthas.
Arthas would still be viewed by Kil’jaeden as a vulnerable target and would still be chosen to be the Legion’s champion. Kil’jaeden would manipulate Arthas directly instead of Ner’zhul and that would lead Arthas to want to summon him using the power of the Sunwell. Arthas would march towards Silvermoon, amassing a Legion army instead of the undead.
Medivh would reach out to Jaina and Thrall, but instead of sending them west to Kalimdor, he would need them to help stop Arthas in the Eastern Kingdoms. Presumably, the humans and orcs would make it to Silvermoon first. Jaina would unite the humans and high elves, Thrall would be able to reach out to the Amani Trolls as an emissary. The Wildhammer dwarves in Arathi would also be easily recruited, and this establishes the united army that Arthas would face. With Sylvanas at the head, combined with Thrall at his peak and a young Jaina, they would defeat Arthas and defend Silvermoon.
At this point Thrall would take some of the Amani and head to Kalimdor. There, he would find the Night Elves entrenched in a war against the undead, as commanded by Gul’dan and Illidan. Thrall would use his ties to Jaina to have her send a contingent of mages, and together they would push Illidan back into Northrend.
The Horde would form out of the orcs, night elves, amani trolls, and whatever tauren they would find in Kalimdor, while the Alliance would be the humans of Lordaeron, the High Elves, the Wildhammer Dwarves, and the gnomes (because why not?)
The Alliance would spend vanilla firming up ties with Stormwind and Ironforge, while the Horde would be busy establishing themselves in Kalimdor. Illidan would be resting in Northrend. Everything North of Hyjal would become the new Plaguelands.
In Burning Crusade, we would go through the Dark Portal to fight Magtheridon. The Draenai would still join the Alliance, landing the Exodar in the outer regions of Lordaeron (the old Plaguelands) and the Broken would join the Horde.
In Wrath of the Lich King, Illidan would attack and attempt to kill everyon... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/272
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#71: What if Gul'dan was Lich King? (Part 1) Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back with another week of What If wondering! This week’s question comes from Alisaunder who asks, “What if the Legion had bound Gul'dan into the helmet instead of that other guy? The smart Gul'dan not the idiot whiner.” So this week, Nick and Katie look at what would have happened if the Legion had turned Gul’dan (MU) into Lich King and stuffed him into the Helm of Domination, instead of Ner’zhul.
First, because of the question’s implicit disregard for AU Gul’dan, the duo compare MU and AU Gul’dans and how they were regarded. They comment on how AU Gul’dan is perceived as more cunning. Nick talks about how the fact that the Legion had less patience with AU Gul’dan would have made him more paranoid during his time on Azeroth. They consider his early history from his Lords of War cinematic and debate if that applies to MU Gul’dan.
So first they consider when Gul’dan would be claimed by the Legion and turned into the Lich King. The best opportunity is when Gul’dan goes to the Tomb of Sargeras and dies in the original timeline. At that point, Gul’dan, rather than be torn apart by demons, is taken and stretched until he becomes the Lich King, as Ner’zhul was, and then is placed in the Helm and thrown to Azeroth. Meanwhile, Ner’zhul is simply executed by Kil’jaeden when he opens the portals on Draenor, so that their fates are essentially switched.
Nick and Katie briefly wonder if the Helm should be sent anywhere other than Icecrown, and almost consider Pandaria as an interesting landing spot! But ultimately Northrend makes the most sense.
They try to consider Gul’dan’s actions while trapped within the Helm. Gul’dan would have been hostile to the Legion after their claiming him and rejecting his power, and so he would look to another who was willing to subvert the Legion. Instead of choosing Arthas as his champion, Gul’dan would find common ground with Illidan.
The then discuss some of what it would mean for Illidan to be the next Lich King, but that leaves us wondering about Arthas’ fate, which will be discussed next time in Part 2!
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/26n
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

#70: Darkspear Never Die!!! Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

Nick and Katie are here to talk about the relatively early history of the Darkspear Trolls, but first they get their first ramble in by talking about WoW Classic and Final Fantasy VII and how old games need to be treated with spoiler tags nowadays because of all the young kids playing them.
Katie talks about leveling her paladin to 120 and how she's enjoying starting out on Kul Tiras. Nick unlocked the Kul Tirans and they discuss how the Zandalari unlock quest was more relevant to the ongoing plot than the Kul Tiran quest.
Katie begins talking about the Darkspear by ranting about Vol'jin's abandoned son, Yenniku. Yenniku was left in Stranglethorn Vale before the Darkspear fled for the Darkspear Islands. Players must save him from Zan'zil, and Katie is upset that Vol'jin would allow his child to be left behind. Nick posits that the kid was born illegitimately and intentionally left behind as a way to cover up Vol'jin's sordid past.
Finally, they get into the Darkspear lore. They talk about their relocation to the Echo Isles, and Vol'jin and Zalazane's friendship. The pair go into First Home to receive their visions, and come back three months later to find out Thrall and the orcs have arrived and are under seige by murlocs and a naga sea witch. Vol'jin's father, Sen'jin, is killed, and everyone flees to Durotar. The trolls settle in the Echo Isles, but Zalazane starts brainwashing people and the remaining trolls flee to Durotar where they establish Sen'jin village. Vol'jin finally confronts Zalazane with the help of Bwon'samdi and they reclaim the Isles, until the naga sea with returns to threaten everyone.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mashthosebuttons.com or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 6/12 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. We also have a special live recording on 6/6 at 10:30 pm at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons as well. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/25v
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Hosts:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH
Katie Grace
twitter.com/hyrulemaster77

Thank you for listening to a Mash Those Buttons podcast! You can keep up with all of our podcasts in the following locations.

Website: mashthosebuttons.com
Twitter: twitter.com/themashnetwork
Discord: mash.gg/discord

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