by Magistrate - 5 years ago     show comments

So, if you think you know how this pop-up book works, you were, sadly, Not Prepared^TM. The World of Warcraft Pop-Up Book is an outlandishly detailed map of some of Azeroth’s most iconic locations. Put together by pop-up art wizard Matthew Reinhart, it’s available on Amazon from $34.64 USD.

Now, you could be a total loser and open this work of art page-by-page, but then you wouldn’t get to scratch your head at the ambiguous directions. The arrows are mostly useless unless you’re, I don’t know, an engineer or some useful trade, but after a couple minutes you should figure it out. You start with this:

And after some finagling, you end up with the below glorious map spread:

I’d like to add at this point that I’m a terrible photographer, and that you need to see it in person to really get how detailed it is. Also, while you’d probably like to share it with all your friends, you’ll want to be tender to your new toy–this could definitely break down with too much wear and tear.

Next, we’ll break this bad boy down by territory.

Stormwind City

It’s maybe a nice coincidence that the blocky, low-res in-game Stormwind lends itself nicely to the hoj-poj of pop-up mimicry, but the city still evokes all the same memory and nostalgia.

You’ll notice Stormwind Keep, the Cathedral, the purple roofs of the Mage Quarter, the squat structure that is Stormwind Stockade, and the iconic bridge and front gate. Various notable statues are also included, as well as the canals.

The city also includes some neat little flavor text areas and pop-ups. It offers a sort of short history of the city, as well as an explanation of its heraldry:

The alliance capital of Stormwind is a testament to survival, unity, and strength. Decades ago, Stormwind was razed to ashes, but its citizens endured, rebuilt, and reclaimed their land. It has become the largest human nation and the military seat of power for the entire alliance.

Lion of Stormwind

The noble lion has adorned the crest of Stormwind for generations. The stalwart city has often had to stand alone against catastrophe but has never failed to offer shelter to members of its pride.

Alliance-sympathetic players will note the late King Varian Wrynn’s memorial, which opens to a neat epitaph:

The Sacrifice of King Varian Wrynn

King Varian Wrynn, the fiery but noble leader of Stormwind, sacrificed his life to allow the armies of the Alliance to escape annihilation at the hands of the Burning Legion.

King Genn Greymane of the kingdom of Gilneas (hey Blizzard, make the city functional; signed sincerely, everyone) also has his nook:

King Genn Greymane

Genn Greymane was once proud that his kingdom of Gilneas had stubbornly kept to itself. However, when the curse of the Worgen threatened to leave him and his people as little more than feral beasts, the Alliance helped them gain control. Now part of the Alliance once more, Greymane serves as the adviser to Stormwind’s king, Anduin Wrynn, and has become as protective of the young leader as a father would be toward his son.

Dun Morogh, Ironforge, Tinker Town, and Gnomeregan

Ironforge is really the only piece here, but it has a small pop-up for Tinker Town with references to the Gnomes and the history of the Dwarves. For some reason, Jaina’s biography is crammed into the dwarven area, as well.

Ironforge

Deep in the heart of the mountains of Dun Morogh stands Ironforge, the ancestral home of the Dwarves. Waterfalls of magma and bountiful supplies of metallic ores allowed the denizens of Ironforge to become masters of smithing and weaponry, making this stronghold one of the most resilient cities in Azeroth.

Council of Three Hammers

The Dwarves did not always live together in peace. Ironforge was ruled solely by King Magni Bronzebeard until his apparent death several years ago. Though his daughter, Moira, initially rose to take the throne, it was clear the old monarchy would not please all the Dwarf clans. Representative sof all three clans–Bronzebeard, Wildhammer, and Dark Iron–reached a tenuous agreement to rule Ironforge as the Council of Three Hammers. Though fraught with tension at first, the three clans slowly regained trust in one another.

Jaina Proudmore

Jaina left Kul Tiras at a young age to study the arcane arts. When she returned home years later, her own people glamed her for the death of her father, Daelin Proudmore. But after proving her dedication to her people, Jaina was not only welcomed back but given command of the Kul Tiran navy.

Lordaeron, the Undercity, and Silvermoon City

Probably one of the cooler sections from a design standpoint, Lordaeron stands as an apparent ruin at first. To the left, you will see a small pop-up dedicated to the Blood Elves and another piece for Silvermoon City. It also includes sections of history for the Undercity,  Lordaeron generally, Nathanos Blightcaller, Sylvanas Windrunner, and the Forsaken.

But upon yanking an innocuous pull tab, the entire city of Lordaeron rises and folds backwards, and fans of the Forsaken get their time in the sun–the Undercity is seen in all its nostalgic glory below.

A couple favorites:

The Ruins of Lordaeron

The kingdom of Lordaeron stood for centuries against countless threats and was the birthplace of the Alliance. Even after the invasion of the Scourge, many of its fortifications remained standing–a significant tactical advantage for whomever holds this territory.

The Undercity

This Horde capital city was once the glorious Lordaeron, a might human nation and the fulcrum of the Alliance. Sylvanas Windrunner and her Forsaken took up residence beneath Lordaeron’s ruins, establishing the Undercity. TheBanshee Queen built her seat of power there, where prying eyes could not easily see.

The Forsaken

Many innocents were killed by the Lich King’s armies and raised into the Undead Scourge to serve him forevermore. Sylvanas Windrunner managed to save a remnant of them and restore their free will. Though they regard Undeath as “torment,” each Forsaken finds their own reasons to exist.

Sylvanas Windrunner

A tragic past and an uncertain future have led Sylvanas Windrunner down dark paths, first to ensure the survival of her people and then to seek an ultimate victory against the Alliance. As a cunning strategist, a skillful ranger, and a focused leader, she reigns as Warchief–and her tenure will certainly not be remembered as a peaceful one.

Nathanos Blightcaller

In life, Nathanos was the only human capable enough to be named a ranger of Silvermoon. In Undeath, he has sworn absolute loyalty to Sylvanas Windrunner, believing that her leadership is the only hope of survival for the Forsaken…no matter how dark her path becomes.

Silvermoon City

Long ago, the High Elves were exiled from Mount Hyjal, cutting them off from the source of their immortality–the Well of Eternity. Across the seas, they created a new font of power, the Sunwell, and established Silvermoon City around it as the capital of their new nation.

Teldrassil, Darnassus, and the Exodar

Next up is everyone’s favorite pile of smoldering kindling, Teldrassil. This section also includes a small part devoted to the Exodar and the Draenei. It has two pull tabs that transform the tree and a statue into a burning wreck, reflecting the Fourth War’s recent havoc.

Teldrassil

To save Azeroth from the Burning Legion, the Night Elves sacrificed the source of their immortality: the World Tree, Nordassil. In an attempt to reclaim their glory, the Night Elves planted a new World Tree just off the Kalimdor coast, naming it Teldrassil, the “Crown of the World.” Though early days of the tree were troubled, it would come to serve as the home of the Night Elves for many years.

Darnassus

The Night Elves built a city high in the branches of Teldrassil–a quiet, peaceful refuge called Darnassus. It was revered both by druids and the worshippers of the moon goddess, Elune. The temples and shrines nestled amid the massive branches were some of the most pristine wonders the world had ever seen.

The Exodar

When the Draenei fled their homeworld, they were carried by a ship called the Genedar. THe ship was heavily damaged when it crashed upon Draenor, the homeworld of the Orcs. They captured an interdimensional transport, the Exodar, from the Tempest Keep and used it to escape the dying world. The Exodar carried the Draenei to Azeroth and now serves as their capital city on Azyuremyst Isle.

 

The Maelstrom

The center of Azeroth, the site of many of its past and recent conflicts and epic struggles, and the iconic symbol revisited again and again, the Maelstrom gets its own little off-shoot.

Players will remember it from the final battle against Deathwing in Cataclysm, the Shaman class hall in Legion, and some occasional quests throughout recent expansions, including Battle for Azeroth.

Orgrimmar

The seat of power for the Horde and everyone’s favorite big dirt hole (I play orcs I can say it), Orgrimmar’s representation includes its gates–a recurring symbol seen in a raid, multiple cinematics, cutscenes, and quests–Grommash Hold, Hall of the Brave, and one of the blimp towers. It also has a fold-out section for Thunder Bluff, and a section devoted to the Warchiefs, the Runespear, and Gallywix.

A couple highlights:

Orcs

Most of the Orcish p[eople were once damned by the demonic power of the Burning Legion. But after heavy sacrifices, they secured a costly redemption. The Orcs feed themselves from the blood-curse and regained their honor.

Saurfang’s Legacy

The first Horde was a corrupted, dark creation. The Burning Legion “gifted” the Orcs with cursed power and compelled them to massacre without honr. Varok Saurfang was one of those Orcs who had delighted in the slaughter but now bears those memories with great shame. He regained his sense of honor and guided the new Horde for years, even when it seemed that its Warchief had little use for it.

Jastor Gallywix

There are many Goblin factions, most of which aren’t loyal to anything but coin. Jastor Gallywix may appear to be an exception, but he didn’t join the Horde as a true believer. He has an eye for opportunity, and his Bilgewater Cartel will profit more from belonging than in remaining a neutral party.

Zuldazar

The “oldest city in Azeroth” and ancestral kingdom of the Trolls, Zuldazar serves as the only representative from the most recent expansion, Battle for Azeroth. It includes pop-ups and sections on Bwonsamdi, Vol’jin, the Loa, Talanji, and some flavor text about the Zandalari armada.

Zandalari Empire

The Trolls were among the earliest sentient creatures to form clans and tribes on Azeroth. The Zandalari Trolls were the first to form an empire, one so resilient it has endured for more than fifteen thousand years.

Loa

Since ancient times, Trolls have offered gifts and sacrifices to their Loa in exhcange for blessings and power. Many of these Loa appear as wise animal spirits or fearsome monsters, while others take a more Troll-like form. Whether benevolent or cruel, every Loa draws stregnth from the devotion of its worshippers.

Vol’jin

Vol’jin became the first Troll warchief of the Horde after launching a rebellion against Garrosh Hellscream’s extremist leadership. He died battling the Burning Legion on the Broken Shore, but his spirit endured and still has work to do for Azeroth’s people.

So, that pretty much wraps it up. Overall, way more than I expected, and a neat layout style. Definitely worth it for collectors of Warcraft universe lore and worldbuilding.

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