The Tauren & The Goblin – Warcraft Story & Lore

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#95: On N'Zoth May 20, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are here to talk about all things N'Zoth! But first, Katie talks about playing with her brother who doesn't pay attention to quest text. Nick talks about finally getting his cloak, and then goes on a rant about being a Tauren and having helms with horns.
They start talking about N'Zoth, but Nick brings up that we first learned about N'Zoth at the Blizzcon Lore Panel in 2010. He then brings up how we first saw art for N'Zoth on a Hearthstone card, and how this is unusual that the character was so hidden for so long.
Then they talk about N'Zoth's history after the fall of the Black Empire, starting with his recruitment of Deathwing and Azshara. They discuss how N'Zoth reached out to Deathwing because he was down in the earth and easily reached. They talk about how N'Zoth controlled a fish to communicate with Azshara and how he was trapped so he accepted her counter-offer. They also talk about N'Zoth recruiting the Elemental Lords and complain about Neptulon's sudden anti-climactic reappearance in Legion, and how these four bosses together formed the basis for much of the conflict in Legion. They also praise the Vash'jir zone.
They speculate that N'Zoth plays at being the weakest Old God but that doesn't mean that he's weak at all. They also discuss the theory that N'Zoth is tracking who defeats his minions to know who he needs to corrupt and recruit. They very quickly run through the BfA story. They talk about the various ways Blizzard could bring N'Zoth back if they so choose.
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 5/20 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: http://mtb.gg/2f8
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

#94: On the Old Gods and Black Empire May 06, 2020

Show notes

Katie is back this week with a SHOCKING SURPRISE! Klanker has moved from Dalaran-US to Earthen Ring-US. This throws Nick off and the two talk about server transfers for a bit before resuming the show. Katie then talks about raiding and getting to 10 of 12 in Heroic Ny'alotha. Nick meanwhile has been leveling his demon hunter and working on finally getting his cloak.
Then the two talk about the Old Gods. Katie talks about how the Void Lords flung the Old Gods as masses of flesh into the universe, and how they randomly hit planets. The Titans were looking for dormant World Souls, and Sargeras found a corrupted planet that was too infested to save. He cleaved the planet in two and found the Nathrezim (Dread Lords) who told Sargeras of the threat that the Old Gods pose. Sargeras dedicated himself to fighting the Old Gods and decided to form the Burning Legion to help with that.
When talking about Sargeras cleaving the planet, Nick compares this with Sargeras stabbing Azeroth, and the duo debate just what was the purpose of Sargeras stabbing the planet, since he could easily have cleaved it earlier before he was pulled away by the Pantheon.
Back on Azeroth, the Old Gods hit the planet and find that the elemental lords are out of control. They subjugate the elements and the Black Empire is created. The Titans show up and Aman'thul rips Y'shaarj out, creating the Well of Eternity. Nick and Katie then ponder about what happens to Old Gods when they die, and even what happens to lesser Old God minions. Could we see the Mantid in Shadowlands?
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 5/13 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: http://mtb.gg/2ew
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

#93: Just the Tauren IV: Spoilers and FFVII Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

Nick is here alone with some thoughts on spoilers. He talks a little about how he's been playing his Demon Hunter in WoW and enjoying the synergy of playing that alongside the new Hearthstone expansion.
Then he talks about how with the alpha out for Shadowlands, we're entering a new period for spoilers to be revealed. He mentions the Uther model that some people were disappointed with and talks about how perhaps in game, in motion, it will look better. He then talks about how datamined information lacks the context that would be part of the experience of playing the game itself, and wonders if that can ruin the experience. He also suggests that Blizzard should release a book with all the relevant information so that players can at least learn the twists and reveals through an engaging narrative. He detours briefly to consider that the Shadowlands cinematic should have been the final Battle for Azeroth cinematic, and praises Siege of Orgrimmar as the best raid.
Next, Nick talks briefly about the Final Fantasy VII Remake, with the caveat that there will be spoilers for that game. First, he mentions Karoud and Aerith in Dalaran as a homage to the characters. Then, he compares some events from the Remake to the War of the Ancients and how there are two timelines for those events. He wonders why authors choose to tell a story that doesn't need time travel elements to use time travel, and compares them to some earlier Marvel movies. He discusses how Illidan, Tyrande, and Malfurion change over the course of the novels and don't need any modern characters to justify that 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 4/29 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

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

#92: On Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker (For Real This TIme!) Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to talk about Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker, and they mean it this time! First, Katie talks about levelling some characters with the Winds of Wisdom buff. Nick also has been playing a Demon Hunter. Then they get into their topic!
First, Nick reviews Thunderfury's stats, at least as they currently are in game.
Then, they talk about how Azeroth was covered by the elements, and the Old Gods came and enslaved the elements, and the Titans built the Keepers to battle them. Al'Akir, the Windlord, faced Ra, Thorim, and Hodir. The Keepers defeated the Elementals, and Helya created the Elemenal Planes to entrap them.
Ragnaros, did not like Thunderaan, Prince of Air, and he and Garr and Baron Geddon attacked the prince. Ragnaros consumed what he could of Thunderaan's essence, and then trapped the rest in a talisman, and split the talisman in two. Garr and Geddon each still hold half the of the talisman when players come to fight them in Molten Core in vanilla. They take the bindings to Highlord Demitrian in Silithus, and he assembles them and summons Thunderaan. The players kill Thunderaan, and get Demitrian to craft Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker.
In Cataclysm, Al'Akir is defeated in Throne of the Four Winds. A goblin named Nik the Mountain appears to have Thunderfury in the Badlands.
In Legion, the shaman class hall questline is to unite the elemental lords. To do so, Thunderaan is resummoned to lead the wind elements. Rogues are able to get two bindings from Dagrul and Ash'golm, and take them to Thrymjaris. She summons Thunderaan, and he bequeaths power upon the Dreadblades in exchange. He mentions his plan to entrap the fireflord.
Finally, Thunderaan asks the shaman player to quell an uprising from the Conclave of the Wind. Shaman then get their special mounts in Legion. Katie talks about why that mount leaves her feeling uncomfortable.
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 4/15 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2e7
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

On Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to take a look at the history of Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker. They talk about its origins as one of the first legendaries, and then look at the role it played in the Legion class quests when it made a return as a hidden appearance for one of the Rogue artifact weapons.

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

#91: On Torghast, Dreadlords, and Shadowlands (feat. Ali) Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

Ali from Dungeon Fables and All Things Azeroth is here to chat with Nick and Katie about Torghast and more. But first Ali talks a little about her recent series on Icecrown Citadel. Then Ali talks about raiding N'Zoth with her groups, and wonders if it might be quicker for her to try to beat N'Zoth on LFR. Katie then talks about her week spent gathering mounts including Bruce from the Brawler's Guild and Rotfeaster from the 8.3 content.
A few weeks ago, Ali messaged Nick with a question about the history of Torghast. So Nick repeats the question and they talk a little about the lore. Nick points out that Icecrown Citadel was inspired aesthetically by the Lord of the Rings movies, and that Torghast is a reworking of that architecture to look like a pre-cursor to the structure around the Frozen Throne. They talk about how the Dreadlords were heavily involved in the creation of Icecrown, as well as forging Frostmourne and the Helm of Domination, and consider just how connected the Dreadlords are to the Shadowlands. They discuss the Gargoyle models that were revealed back at Blizzcon and how people are viewing them as some relative of the Dreadlords.
Everyone talks about the Old Gods and how they might fit into the Shadowlands. Nick considers Odin's eye and how that might be related to N'Zoth's "All eyes are open" comment. They also discuss the cosmology of the Shadowlands and how easy it will be for people to get back and forth, and try to compare the Shadowlands with what we know about the Emerald Dream. Ultimately, everyone is excited for Shadowlands and can't wait to see what secrets will be revealed.
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 4/1 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

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

#90: On the Council of Tirisfal Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are back to talk about the Council of Tirisfal, and they almost start to get into it right off the bat with an argument about Med'an and if he's canon. Then they get into what they've been doing in game. Katie has been raising her Bitey McStabface mount, while Nick has barely touched the 8.3 content. They argue about how important it is to get into that, and Nick agrees the ilvl boost would help with the Mechagon mobs.
Then they get right back to business. Nick goes over the history of the Council of Tirisfal, starting with the early problems of the City of Dalaran. Their overuse of magic brought on minor demon invasions, so they had to reach out to the mages of Quel'thalas for help. The elves told the humans to cut back on their magic use, but instead the humans decided it would be easier to keep the demons a secret and assemble a Council for the express purpose of destroying these demons. Thus, the Council of Tirisfal was born.
Everything went well until a demon named Kathra'natir arrived. He found the flaw in the Council's Spearhead plan, and nearly wiped out the council but for a young mage named Alodi, which Nick struggles to say. Alodi worked with the remaining members of the council to let him become the first Guardian, and used the imbued power to defeat Kathra'natir. Alodi served as the Guardian for a century before passing his powers to the next Guardian and retiring.
Many centuries later, Magna Scavell was the Guardian, and he could not retire because there were no suitable replacements. He fought a demon in Deadwind Pass and acquired the scythe Uthalesh, which he then buried. To find a new Guardian, he assembled five apprentices and selected his successfor from amongst them. The one he chose was Aegwynn.
Aegwynn became the Guardian and grew distrustful of the Council of Tirisfal. She went to Northrend and fought demons with the dragons, but then the Avatar of Sargeras arrived. Aegwynn slew the avatar, but Sargeras' spirit slipped into her. She buried the avatar in the Tomb of Sargeras, and then spent the next few centuries refusing to yield her power back to the Council. The Council formed the Tirisgarde to hunt her down, but instead one of their members fell in love with her. They concieved a child who would recieve Aegwynn's powers on his 14th birthday. When he did, he slipped into a coma. His name was Medivh.
Thank you for listening to The Tauren & the Goblin! Please sen... Visit website for full summary.

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2d7
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

#89: On Dead, Traumatized, Purple, Villainous Women Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie were bothered by a recent article from Vice critical of Blizzard's narrative and are here to talk about it. But first, they talk briefly about how things have been going in game. Katie has had no luck getting the Love Rocket this Love is in the Air, but she has been enjoying her Horrific Visions. Nick has been steadily working his way through the Mechagon achievements. They briefly get derailed and talk about how Shadow Priests and Void Elves should have special ways of dealing with the corruption in Horrific Visions.
Finally, they get into the main event. Vice recently had an article that complained that Kerrigan from Starcraft, Sylvanas from Warcraft, and Widowmaker from Overwatch were all conceptually similar, and evaluated what that means about Blizzard's storytelling. The article complained that these characters were mistreatments of women, and therefore, that Blizzard is incapable of writing women well. It also asserted this was due to Blizzard's young male foundations back in the 90's. Nick and Katie cite several examples of women written well and women that violate the article's thesis, including characters like Garona and Azshara who are mentioned in the article, to establish that Blizzard can write women other ways and to prove that Blizzard can write women. They also talk about how the creative team has changed, so to say that the game is stuck in this narrative is just outright wrong, and look at how Sylvanas is stil evolving since her arc will continue into Shadowlands. Overall, the author felt like she had an axe to grind against Blizzard that hurt whatever thesis she was trying to make, as the column overreaches in the last few paragraphs.
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 3/4 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

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

#88: On Ny'alotha and BfA's Finale Feb 13, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are here to look at the recent cinematics to close out Battle for Azeroth, but first they talk about what they've been up to. Katie has been enjoying the 8.3 content and getting her alpaca mounts. Nick shares a bug that he encountered that had Dunegorger Kraulok on the Spires of Arak map. Nick also has been taking advantage of the new hunter tames availalbe, as he ran Skyreach to get Rukhran. Katie has also been playing Warcraft 3 and been enjoying the experience. Nick highlights some of the complaints that he has heard. Katie says that from her perspective the game is great.
They finally get to talking about the Ny'alotha cinematic. Nick points out that the cinematic should be epic, since you are firing the Forge of Origination through the player to blow up N'Zoth, but somehow it feels flat. They discuss how Battle for Azeroth had multiple plots to juggle, and how other cinematics, especially Reckoning in 8.2.5, undercut the Ny'alotha finale. They mention the awesome Wrathion cinematic that happens earlier in the raid and wonder if that would have felt better coming later, even though this cinematic did not allow for a major lore character to steal the player's kill. Katie tries to re-order the events of Battle for Azeroth so that the finale could make sense.
Nick talks about how Mechagon could have been its own expansion with a weighty premise, but Blizzard chose to make that a zone instead. They compare Mechagon and Nazjatar. They try to determine what could have made the Ny'alotha cinematic better. Nick recommends that Sylvanas should have appeared. Katie points out that the invasions are awesome.
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 2/19 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

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

#87: On 8.3 and Old God Optometry Jan 29, 2020

Show notes

Nick and Katie are here and so is the Visions of N'Zoth Content Update and they are ready to talk about it!
First, Nick talks briefly about the questline to unlock Mechagnomes. Mekkatorque is back after hanging out in a Baby Yoda pod and he is leading all the gnomes now!
Then, Katie runs through the questline for the Vulpera. Nick and Katie agree that the best part is the winery part of the quest, which involves Nomi, and a Tauren and a Goblin! Nick then complains that the questline made Baine look a little inept.
Next, Nick quickly recaps the Worgen heritage armor questline. He talks about taking Tess Greymane into the Emerald Dream so she can pretend to be a worgen and learn what it is like.
Finally, Katie gets into the intro quests for 8.3 She talks about how long it took to get it done (about three hours). Nick and Katie talk about Anduin punching Wrathion and consider whether N'Zoth was affecting him, and if so, how much. Katie talks about traveling around the world (with portals) and working with Wrathion and Magni. There is a discussion about N'Zoth needing eye glasses.
Finally, Nick and Katie begin to consider Battle for Azeroth in its entirety and think about if the end of the expansion was satisfactory. They briefly compare N'Zoth to Arthas and look at Blizzard's narrative mechanics over the years. Katie talks about how BfA felt like several stories entwined in one, and they debate if Blizzard was able to make that work overall. Nick indicates this conversation will be continued next time.
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 1/29 at 10:30 pm E at twitch.tv/mashthosebuttons. Come join us!

Episode URL: https://mtb.gg/2c5
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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