The Tauren & The Goblin – Warcraft Story & Lore

Latest Episodes:

#133: On Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond (Part I) Sep 23, 2021

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back and finally ready to talk about Grimoire of the Shadowlands. They start off by talking about how the book wasn't quite what they expected, as they were looking forward to hearing more about the First Ones and their origins, and looking for more of a Chronicle style book. Instead, they got what Nick compares to a textbook for the Shadowlands, and he points out that most of what was mentioned was information gleaned from playing the game. They get a bit sidetracked comparing the cosmology maps. They talk about Elune and her seemingly shifting role, as Nick insists that Elune used to be mentioned on the old cosmology map but in fact she is not. They mention how she seems to be moving from Light to Life. Also, they discuss the snakes on the new map,, and that leads to a discussion of Zul'drak and the trolls (and snake found there.) They also talk a bit about the borders on the original cosmology map and Katie wonders if the shell icons could have some significance.
Finally they get into Grimoire proper. Nick mentions the introduction which is a letter from Ta'lora who is the broker that Al'firim referenced as looking down upon in the Tazavesh lore. They also talk about Chapter 1, which focuses on Azeroth funeral rituals. They talk about how Trade Prince Donais is interviewed about his death, which excites Katie since he is a goblin. They also talk about Tamaala, Cairne's wife, and her revelation that Tauren are able to delay the Kyrian from coming so they can stay close to their loved ones and be available should they be summoned at Red Rocks. Finally, they talk about how even the Brokers view Odyn as scummy.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Please follow us on twitter to see when we will next go live at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2vl
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

#132: Sylvanas, Vader, and Redemption Sep 08, 2021

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back after their brief hiatus this week with a look at two characters and redemption arcs. But first they get into talking about some quick initial thoughts on Grimoire of the Shadowlands (spoiler: Nick didn't like it), which they'll have more to talk about next time. Nick jumps into the main topic talking about how the community is split over the possibility of Sylvanas being redeemed. They talk briefly about the Fate of Sylvanas cinematic from the end of the Sanctum of Domination raid. Nick points out that the cinematic really didn't show Sylvanas' fate, and Nick and Katie speculate about what might be in Christie Golden's Sylvanas novel coming out next year.
Nick then gets back on topic talking about how he thought of another character that committed genocide and did some bad things but was still able to be redeemed, and brings up Darth Vader. He talks about how Vader's redemption is canonical by Luke's action. They also talk about whether Leia or Tyrande was better at avenging the loss of their home and people. They discuss how Star Wars fans had little connection to Alderaan when it was destroyed, but WoW players had a strong connection to Teldrassil, making the destruction of the latter more unforgiveable. Nick then compares Sylvanas to Luke, as the characters age has set expectations that need to be met, while for characters like Vader, their story was over during the relatively short time of the original trilogy.
They also compare Anduin to Luke and evaluate Anduin's relationship to Sylvanas. They talk about how Anduin seems to be the key to Sylvanas' possible redemption. They talk about Anduin has evolved in their relationship and how the tables have turned somewhat. They also talk about how Anduin and Luke had to suffer while Sylvanas and Vader watched, hinting at their coming redemption.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 9/15 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2v7
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

#131: On Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth (Part III) Aug 12, 2021

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to finally finish up their discussion of Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth! First they talk a little about how things have been going, and then they get into the stories.
First up is "Stones, Moss, and Tears" by Molly Knox Ostertag. This is a tale of found family among a trans Night Elf Sentinel, the scribe that records her deeds, and the alchemist that helps her court the scribe. Nick says it is his favorite story in the book.
Then they discuss "The Embrace" by Christie Golden. This is the telling of the Night Elf creation myth and discusses why the blue moon sometimes disappears. Nick talks about the power of Elune's tears. This also leads to a discussion about how myths are passed down through generations, and how that might work when the generations can last for over 10,000 years themselves.
Next they talk about "Why the Mermaids Left Boralus" by Tamsyn Muir. Katie runs through the plot of the mermaid and the tidesage that fall in love and then risk everything to protect Boralus Harbor. They also discuss where mermaids would fit into our knowledge of Azeroth, given that for 10,000 years the Naga have dominated the seas.
They also cover "The Courageous Kobold and the Wickless Candle" by Allison Irons. They both enjoy the twist that the Wickless Candle is the sun in the sky, and Nick takes advantage of the story featuring a grandmother sharing a tale with her grandkids to talk about the book overall is about sharing information that is obscured by the imperfect knowledge of an unreliable narrator.
Finally, they review "Visage Day" by Steve Danuser. Nick wonders when the Visage Day tradition started based on the Visages of the Aspects, especially given that Alexstraza is a high elf and the Black Dragonflight tend towards humans, both of which are younger races. Then they go through the story and talk about how well put together it was to cover Chromormu's transformation.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 8/18 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2ui
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

#130: Episode 130 Jul 29, 2021

Show notes

On July 21st the State of California Department of Fair Employment and Housing announced it was pursuing litigation against Activision-Blizzard due to multiple claims of harassment and discrimination against their female employees. Nick and Katie discuss the news ranging from their reaction to their concern for the victims and their disappointment with Blizzard and attempt to process what happened. Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin. Please believe women and fight harassment and discrimination wherever you may find it.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2u4
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

#129: On Broker Cosmology, Elune, and Pro-Wrestling Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

Nick is here all alone to talk about the recent lore reveals from the Tazavesh Lore Book datamined by WoWhead. Nick goes through Al'farim's saga as he starts describing fractals and geometry that he encountered in his study of the First Ones. He talks about how the First One's Sepulcher is not the same as the Sepulcher of Knowledge in Maldraxxus. He compares Al'farim to Copernicus as someone who drastically changes a society's cosomological perspective and is derided as a heretic until proven right. He speculates that this is what the Grimoire of the Shadowlands will be like. He talks about the potential for there to be other Pantheons we don't know about yet, including the possiblility that Elune is actually multiple beings. He discusses how Al'firim sees fractals and compares those fractals to the way that the lore expands as you dive into it. He talks about how Zovaal is also looking for the knowledge of the First Ones, and wonders if part of that knowledge is the use of Domination magic, which could the Al'firim's mysterious seventh force.
Next, he discusses some reveals from the Patch 9.1 cinematic of Tyrande vs Sylvanas. He talks about how Elune abandoned Tyrande just as she was about to go in for the kill, and wonders if this could relate to the Ilgynoth whisper about the Light making a deal with the enemy of all. He then speculates that the Jailer and Elune could have worked together once, and Elune got away while the Jailer was left behind to become the Banished One. He talks about how he thinks that Banshee Sylvanas is the "her" in the "the hour of her third death" whisper, and expects we'll kill her in the raid. He thinks that with the Jailer free, he could go after Elune for betraying him, or to reclaim what should have been his/theirs, and thinks it would be fascinating if this story takes us into the realm of Light.
Finally, he compares the Sylvanas-Tyrande fight to pro-wrestling, with a turn by Elune and the Jailer and Sylvanas ending with beef.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 7/14 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2to
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

#128: On Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth (Part II) Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to talk more about the Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth book. They begin by getting into "Sister is Another Word for Always" by Catherynne M. Valente. They begin by talking about how this doesn't feel like a folk or fairy tale and is a bit out of place in this book. Then they get into the story itself, discussing how it is written such that it never names anyone except for a single character (the Kyrian Watcher) and makes sure you know where they are by description. They discuss how Vereesa would have found out about her sister's death and rebirth as a banshee and consider that this story must have happened before she would have known all the details. They review the statues of Regret and Acceptence and their relationship to Elomia, the Spirit Healer who watches over them. They try to consider where it may be in game. They talk about Vereesa going into the Shadowlands and finding herself first in Ardenweald, and then the Maw. They talk about her encountering the Jailer, and after a seemingly benign conversation, he reveals a part of Sylvanas. They debate just what part the Jailer has, as Sylvanas missing her courage does not make sense for her actions. They talk about how Vereesa is similar to Orpheus. They discuss how Vereesa fails to recover Sylvanas.
Next, they talk about "The Paladin's Beast" by Madeleine Roux. Katie runs through the story of Uther leaving Alonsus Chapel in search of deeds to perform and getting thrown from his horse. He travels through a puddle and wakes up in another land where a maiden mentions a challenge to fight a beast. They try to figure out where this story could take place and what significance the beast may have. Uther ultimately faces the beast and wins by laying down his hammer, and the Princess warns him that he will face another such beast and die. Nick points out that the story makes sense if you assume that Uther had a concussion and fever-dreamed the entire event. They talk about some of the parallels between the story and Arthas and Ali in the chat points out that the Princess' name, Miatharas, is an anagram of Arthas.
Finally, Katie recounts "For Lies and Liberty" by E.C. Myers. They both agree it is a fun story.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 7/14 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebutto... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2tb
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

#127: On Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth (Part I) Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Nick, Rei, Eric, and Harv are back on what should be an off week to talk about the latest (or lack thereof) in WoW news! First, Eric talks about how Order of Corrupted Souls is struggling again on Sire Denathrius, as just because they beat him once doesn't mean that he is on farm yet. Rei talks about bringing some odd pugs into the group to tank dungeons who behaved weirdly. And Harv is progressing through Burning Crusade Classic, with his mage almost to 61 and his hunter almost to 62. He points out that the hunter is easier to level because he can pet tank mobs. He also talks about almost running into the Felreaver on the Path of Glory but he got away before he could be smushed in with all the other skulls.
In the news, Blizzard has announced that Battle.Net is global now, and this will allow players to befriend each other across regions. This will also allow for cross-play in certain games, such as Overwatch pc players being able to play with Console gamers. This leads to a discussion of adding people to friends lists, and how Harv can never find anyone to play classic with because anyone he does friend in classic is always on retail when he checks. He talks about a player who joined a pug with him and kept hitting his polymorphed sheep, and then the player made a video and sent it to Harv, and that culminates in a story about an old lady putting a shopping cart near Harv's car.
They also talk about the update to Shadowlands Flying where Blizzard clarified that you will not have to pay for Shadowlands flying. The original post was referring to how characters have to buy Expert Riding to be able to fly at all, but once that is done (which most characters should have done long ago), you will get Shadowlands flying once you complete the relevant covenant quests.
This week's question of the week is "What is your favorite zone to level in?" Harv says Nagrand, but then changes to Val'sharrah. Rei just likes leveling with people. Eric likes Zangarmarsh, and Nick likes Valley of the Four Winds and Krasarang Wilds.
We also look back at episode #87 when store mounts drove up the price of the WoW Token and Nick was annoyed.
Thank you for listening to WoW! Talk! Our next live show is scheduled for 6/28/21 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. For any scheduling updates, please follow us on twitter @wowtalkmtb. Send any emails about your thoughts or feedback or to answer our question of the week to wowtalk@mash.gg.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2t0
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

#126: On the Jailer and the Cosmos Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

KATIE. IS. BACK!!!
Katie is back and Nick is here as always to talk about what's going on in the World of Warcraft. After making some jokes about game development, Katie mentions that her raid group is up to the Stone Generals in Castle Nathria. Then, she mentions that some people have been receiving their copies of the upcoming Fairytales & Folklore book early, leading to some interesting leaks. Nick complains that he wasn't going to get the book but then because of the spoilers he had to get the book.
Nick dives into the lore by talking about how "Time is not a construct of death," and what if, when we kill the Jailer (assuming that we do), we wipe him from ever having existed? He talks about how Ardenweald supplied anima to the Maw to keep the Jailer bound, and that perhaps Ardenweald would never have had to do that. He then wonders if someone would wind up taking the Jailer's place, and so they would be made the Jailer for all time, including the past.
Nick makes fun of the Jailer's neckwear (headwear?) a little, and then they talk about the possibility of the Jailer and Sargeras facing off against each other. Katie brings up the Old Gods, and Nick brings up the Cosmology chart, and then they discuss how time is related to Nature, Light, and Arcane which are the three primal forces of life, according to Tel'arn in the Nighthold. They also talk about how Elisande claims that "Time eddies about [us] in fits and starts," and Nick repeats his theory that we don't experience time in a straight line. They wonder what bringing time to a timeless realm would look like.
Finally, they discuss Ve'nari and Stygia and the nature of the Brokers and what could their relationship to everything be?
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 6/9 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2sk
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

#125: Patch 9.1 Spoilers (feat. Dracoris & Sirithe from LFR) May 20, 2021

Show notes

***WARNING: CONTAINS PATCH 9.1 SPOILERS. DO NOT LISTEN IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE SPOILED***
Nick is joined by Dracoris and Sirithe from the LFR podcast to talk about the juicy spoilers coming in Patch 9.1. First, Dracoris and Sirithe talk about why they started LFR and how they approach the lore. Nick talks about how he enjoys their character-centric approach.
Then, the trio get into the spoilers. They begin by talking about the recent sighting of a Kirin Tor crow that implies that Khadgar may be showing up soon. This transitions into a discussion of Odyn's involvement with respect to Helya, and a debate about who will be the Lord of Ravens when it comes time to turn the key.
The trio get into how Elune is revealed as the Winter Queen's sister when Tyrande's Night Warrior powers are addressed. We find out that Huln Highmountain was also a Night Warrior and Nick is excited that we see that famour Tauren again.
Next they discuss Uther and his role in uniting the Kyrian faction. They debate if Arthas will show up, which he does, but only in memories so far.
They also talk about the long awaited Thrall and Draka reunion as spurred on by the reveal that the Primus is the Runecarver.
Finally, they talk about the role that Dreadlords will play in the patch and how they are all serving at the behest of Denathrius. We find out what happened to cause the Light to invade Revendreth and the group debates whether Lothraxion is truly light-forged or a spy.
Thank you to Dracoris and Sirithe from LFR for coming on! And thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 5/26 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2s7
Show Twitter: twitter.com/TaurenGoblin

Host:
Nick Zielenkievicz
twitter.com/WookieeBH

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

#124: On Wandavision and Sylvanas May 06, 2021

Show notes

Nick is alone once more as Katie is still busy with her schoolwork. In the interim, he talks about he was rewatching Wandavision, and noticed some similarities between Wanda and Sylvanas. He talks about how they both reacted to being challenged by saying "Can't I?" and then they both had their adversaries tell them to use their power instead of holding back.
He then goes over their histories of losing family and suffering, and becoming more powerful as a result, and how they both commit terrible acts with Wanda mind controlling an entire town while Sylvanas burns Teldrassil. He considers whether or not Wanda has earned her redemption (and points out that her story will continue so the struggle of earning redemption may be yet to come) while Sylvanas' time may be short, so redemption may not be possible. He talks about Grommash's abrupt redemption at the end of Warlords of Draenor and how that felt unearned, and how players will be looking for more from Sylvanas. He also points out that Sylvanas is so polarizing a character, it may be impossible for Blizzard to find a satisfactory resolution that everyone can appreciate.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please send any comments or questions to taurengoblin@mash.gg or @taurengoblin on twitter. Our next live show is scheduled for 5/8 at 1:00 pm EDT at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Our show after that will be live on 5/12 at 10:30 pm EDT. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2ro
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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