Lore Bending and Lore Abiding

The Stormpaw Tribe has a pretty lax policy surrounding "lore bending." Generally speaking, we consider things like the Shadowlands expansion to be something we just don't talk about—a collective decision we made upon returning to the game.

There’s always going to be a difference between lore bending and lore breaking. Breaking the lore is usually on the more extreme end, where it makes collaboration impossible. Bending, however, is often just a matter of personal flavor.

The Little Things

Take Worgen having tails, for example. Does it hurt anyone? Not really. It’s an aesthetic choice that the writer wants to include in their mental image. If it helps you visualize your character better, we aren't going to stop you. These little bends keep things creative without ruining the world for everyone else.

The "Hard Lore" Trap

Lately, there’s been a trend of players going HARD on "lore abiding." You’ll see grand statements in TRP profiles about how strictly they stick to canon, but often, the lore they’re adhering to is just their own interpretation of technical blanks in the writing.

I’ve seen people insist that Tauren are strictly herbivores, or that Dracthyr are genderless. Neither of those have an actual basis in established writing. Between the tradition of "The Hunt" and the meat-smokers found all over Thunder Bluff, it’s clear Tauren eat meat. And Dracthyr use gendered language in every official source, from in-game text to the books.

RP Lore vs. Established Lore

It’s easy to get caught up in "RP Lore"—the stuff the community has collectively decided is true—and mistake it for "Established Lore."

RP lore is no different than a player deciding their Worgen has a tail. It’s a choice. The difference between a good interaction and a bad one usually comes down to tolerance versus being a jerk about it. Before you take a stand or start "nudging" other players to abide by your specific rules, stop and ask yourself: "Am I being a dick?"

The Lesson

The takeaway here is simple. We want to foster a creative spirit where people feel comfortable in their characters. If someone’s bend isn't breaking the game or hurting your experience, let it be.

Don't be a dick.