Blizzard developers can be called many things, but Lore Junkies is their big title right now.

After six years of World of Warcraft, they have understood how fundamental Lore can be to the game. And they have created new ways of injecting lore, both in and out of game.

With the release of Cataclysm coming tonight, the company is starting to release short stories that tell the backgrounds of Faction Leaders and add that little touch of drama that we all oh-so-crave for.

Blizzard Entertainment

King Varian Wrynn, Queen Sylvanas Windrunner, King Genn Greymane, and Trade Prince Gallywix—these are just a few of the leaders who continue to shape Azeroth’s destiny. They are the embodiments of their races’ strongest traits… and at times their greatest failings. In the coming months, Blizzard Entertainment will be releasing short stories that will peer into the hearts of these legendary heroes and offer insight into what new trials might lie ahead as they lead their people in a world forever changed by the Cataclysm.

The first story of this series, “Heart of War,” offers a glimpse into the experiences that have shaped Garrosh into the leader he is today: his heroic exploits in Northrend; his uncertainty as he arrived in the imposing Horde capital of Orgrimmar; and most importantly, his friendship with his mentor, the warchief he would eventually replace, Thrall. This tale was written by Sarah Pine, the winner of Blizzard Entertainment’s 2009 Global Writing Contest.

I’ve yet to hear anything from Blizzard about the 2010 Global Writing Contest I entered in, but it’s great to see that they are rewarding writers with more than just contest loot. Without further ado, here’s the start of Heart of War, a full 7-page story. Visit Blizzard’s Cataclysm features page to read the full version.

You disappoint me, Garrosh. Continue Reading