My greatest worry for WoW's narrative right now is how they handle Zul'jan in the upcoming patch (the secret island he is looking at far off the coast of Zul'Aman).
This is a coming of age story of a very troubled young man who is dealing with both personal and generational trauma. He glorifies the men in his life, his grandfather and father, both of whom died fighting for Zul'Aman. He risks the lives of his followers and gets them killed because he believes there is glory and honor in dying for his home. He is very protective of his sister, and his mother's death sealed his resentment toward the Loa, who did not help.
He has a lot of anger, a lot of justified anger. He is a boy learning his place as a man and leader among the Amani, and this is all he has to go by. His anger is aimed at those he was told stories of as a child, those who were supposed to protect them and yet fell silent after his grandfather's deeds. Why wouldn’t the Loa help the innocent, help his people, his mom, his sister? Is he wrong to be angry with them?
Yes, he has a temper and he has made a lot of brash mistakes, but he is clever, innovative, and very devoted to protecting his home. He glorifies violence now, but that should not seal his fate. Kinduru guided them with patience, and Man'ye and Zarama raised them with love.
Zul'jan loves to draw, and barely remembers his father, yet he draws him often. He loves to dance. He loves his sister and would risk his life for her. He accepts you at the end of the quest, regardless of your race or faction. Several of his on-click lines after you finish the main quest have him expressing joy in seeing you and enjoying having you around.
He can learn. He can grow, and he can find his place in this world. I cannot stress how important of a message this is to young men in this political climate who feel that the world has turned against them - that they too can be good, can love, and be loved.
Zul'jan is probably one of the best new characters in recent WoW, and it is imperative that he doesn't die or become a villain we kill for some loot in a raid.
turnnoffyourmind
yousharknotpass
kianamaiart
gracieabrams
