Embedded Files
Week 2 : Ignoring the Ancestors
This week we will explore chapters 8 through 14 in Rise of the Horde. This section of the book is all about momentum building and reaching the tipping point in Chapters 13 and 14. By the end of Chapter 14 there is no turning back and nothing can stop the fall of the Orcs.
Power
One of the main themes you will read about is power, specifically power granted through service and power obtained through domination / exerting one’s will on others.
Power from Service
The Orcs come from a traditional shamanistic history. The Shaman are the power wielders in the Orc clan hierarchy. The Chieftains run the day to day activities of the clans, but the Shamans are the valued and trusted advisers. The Shamans derive their powers from their service and pleasing of the ancestors at Oshu’gun, who are the conduit to the elements. This allows the Shamans to call for both destructive powers, lightning, earthquakes, etc, but also healing energies.
Chapter 12 serves as the final straw that breaks the age old connection between Shamans and the ancestors. The Ancestors and elements withdraw their blessings as the Orcs are misusing them. This give and take is very common to hero stories, where individuals are given great powers only to have them taken when they misuse or abuse them.
Power from Domination
Chapter 13 signifies the beginning of the second type of power, Power through domination. The warlocks derive their powerful magics through afflicting others with suffering and pain. The warlock exert dominion over their demonic pets and have all the power in the relationship. With Shaman, the elements held the power and gave or took as they saw fit. Warlocks bind the demons to their will and command the pets to do the masters bidding.
You also start seeing the Warlocks as a way that the Orcs are exerting their will over the planet Draenor. No longer will the Orcs be held at the whim of nature, instead they will take the power they need and defeat their enemies. This arc is clearly illustrated when all the clans are ordered to allow the warlocks to prematurely age all children between 6 and 12 so there will be more soldiers available. The clans are all commanded to have more children to increase the potential fighting ranks.
Structures of Power
The rise of the Shadow Council gives you a great insight into the power hierarchies and governance of Orcish society. Many of the members are not just either Shamans or Chieftains. In the traditional setting, the power structure was the Clan Chieftain and the elder Shaman collaboratively ruling the clans and setting norms and values. The Shadow Council is more of a corporate model of governance where Blackhand serves as the Horde Warchief, or CEO, and the Shadow Council is set up as a board of directors.
Tradition v. Change
Lastly, we see the start of an age old conflict in societies: tradition versus change. Durotan and the few that stand with him are traditionalists. Everything that is going on goes against what they have learned, experienced and consider normal. Ner’zhul and Gul’dan are the agents selling change. Their levers are power, influence, riches, and legacy. They and Kil’jaeden use these levers expertly to force and coerce the Orcs on their path to their inglorious Destiny. While we can debate whether Durotan is a hero or not, he is definitely the champion of tradition and is constantly arguing with those that will listen that the Orcs go back to their traditions and not seek out new powers.
Readings:
The Rise of the Horde Chapter 8 - 14
The Power of Myth
Chapter 1 Myth and the Modern World
Chapter 3 The First Storytellers
To supplement this week's reading in Rise of the Horde, we are reading the First Storytellers chapter.
Campbell said, "The ancient myths were designer to harmonize the mind and the body."
What effect is ignoring the ancestors and the myths having on the Orcs?
Videos:
Power of Myth Video Clips
Joseph Campbell on the Importance of Mythology
Episode 3 : The First Storytellers
Optional Videos
Both of these videos came out of the annual conference that Blizzard, the entertainment company that created and distributes World of Warcraft, holds almost every year. They may be of interest to see the lore that is created for the game and also the meaning that this game or virtual universe has for the players and also the people who work for Blizzard. You may also hear a bit about Warlords of Draenor which is the rewriting of the past that we are reading about in Rise of the Horde.
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