The voice acting in Dragon Soul is...well, it's something special. From the wooden and robotic Lord Sassafras (or whatever) in the beginning, to Ultraxion's hilariously unforgettable introduction, the voice acting is so bad it's good. I hope this was intentional. It really gives you something to laugh about when you're wiping on a boss repeatedly.
For my guild, our favorite has to be from the Warmaster Blackhorn fight. Blackhorn himself is pretty bad, but Sky Captain Swayze yelling about his engines in his ridiculous accent (which we have coined "Westfall Redneck") never fails to amuse us.
On our second kill, somehow, Sindragosa's infamous lines entered the picture. That's right. Westfall Redneck Sindragosa. Now THAT'S a thing of nightmares.
(The kill itself is ridiculously sloppy, as we let not one but TWO Twilight Sappers murder our ship. 1% health airship FTW!)
The annual event saw Forsaken residents gathering around an enormous wicker effigy before Windrunner lit it aflame, symbolizing their struggle against the Lich King and others who would oppose them. While the event was focused on the Forsaken and their history, members of other races were warmly welcomed, and encouraged to enjoy the festivities.
"My fellow Forsaken, I am pleased to announce that our efforts in Hillsbrad and the Plaguelands have met with great success," said Windrunner in a global press release. "Next, I intend to heavily focus on expanding our influence in the the Arathi Highlands and re-establishing our chokehold on Gilneas. The Hinterlands are also tantalizingly close, and it is my goal to deliver Aerie Peak into my people's hands as soon as possible.
"However, in light of our jam-packed schedule, I have decided to hold the next Wickerman Festival in a year's time. I will release more details about our military objectives in the weeks ahead. Power and glory to the Forsaken."
The unexpected announcement has staggered Forsaken citizens, and a palpable sense of confusion and dazed disbelief has spread throughout the Undercity. Most of Windrunner's people seem to be accepting and understanding of their leader's decision, but are still deeply saddened by the cancellation.
"Well, I am sure the Dark Lady knows what she's doing," said Apothecary Lycanus, "I mean, on a practical level? I get it. She has to prioritize our resources for upcoming military efforts. But am I disappointed? Of course.
"The burning of the Wicker Man gave us something to celebrate together," continued Lycanus. "It allowed us - if only briefly - to forget whatever troubles or issues we might have in our normal lives. For a few hours, it let us simply relax and enjoy a few moments of peace and camaraderie with our brethren. This year just won't be the same without it."
The news was quite unwelcome to Forsaken who lived far from the Undercity. To Clarice Foster, who resides in Thunder Bluff, the announcement came as "a kick in the teeth."
"My year is RUINED," said Foster, scowling. "I look forward to the Wickerman Festival every year, not simply because it allows us to celebrate our people's culture, not just because I get to watch that big Arthas-stand-in burn, but because I also get to visit with all of my old friends, who I so rarely see nowadays. This may come as a shock, but I do miss my people. Do you have any idea how long it takes to send a letter from Thunder Bluff?"
Calder Gray, a Forsaken posted to Desolation Hold in the Southern Barrens, was visibly upset when he received the news.
"This is dreadful news, simply dreadful!" moaned Gray, putting aside the brain he was carrying to rub his temples. "My beautiful little child was created out here in the field - he's never actually been to the Undercity or had a chance to learn about our history! In fact, he has never even seen another Forsaken before! I'm the only undead face he knows, poor fellow. He was so looking forward to learning about where he came from, and now I'll have to disappoint him."
One Forsaken rogue named Corpsegrinder had an awful lot to say on the matter. Unfortunately, his profanity filter had switched on and this writer was unable to understand anything he said.
However, not everyone is upset by the festival's postponement. Critics of the wildly controversial Banshee Queen have pounced, proclaiming her decision as clear indications of weakness.
"This is why I should be leader," said Lord Godfrey in a letter which was received by post earlier today. "I would never cancel your Wicker Guy Carnival, or whatever it is. If you are sick of her lazy attitude toward things, you should seriously consider quitting Sylvanas' Forsaken. Her ways are old and tired. Cancel your allegiance and come reside with me in this dirty rotten keep. It's way better."
"I'm the Windrunner-killer, after all," he added.
Horde Warchief Garrosh Hellscream was unsympathetic upon hearing of his peer's decision.
"First she loses a lot of loyal followers in Silverpine, now she's canceling her yearly celebration, even though her people all love it? Sounds like someone's panicking, LOL," said Hellscream.
Windrunner declined to comment on the announcement or her people's reactions. She did, however, state that Hellscream was "an idiot."
Ever since Wrath of the Lich King came out, there's been something rather special about Hellfire Ramparts. The endless stream of baby Death Knights, unsure how to use their abilities, freshly decked out in their Lich King finest...yes, I think we are all familiar with the dreaded - or in some cases, highly anticipated - Ramps experience.
I decided to dust off my little Forsaken mage on the weekend, and got her up to Outlands level. I dove into Ramps because cripes, anything is better than questing through Hellfire again, and oh, Ramps did not disappoint me.
I ended up in a group with three Death Knights. They immediately began pulling - not unusual - but after the first set of mobs, the healer dropped group. The DKs paused for a moment, looked around...and kept pulling, unfazed. I began updating Twitter on this amazing run as it occurred:
Chocolatepie, Muffen, and Coffeh.
What hilariously awesome names for a trio of DK friends. :D
Somehow, we survived a few pulls. I sheeped whatever I could, they just...each grabbed a different target and whacked away, and we staggered onward. Poor Chocolatepie died, but a quick Mass Resurrection and he was back in the fight.
It's difficult to explain just how chaotic these three were. They would just clump together and swarm around targets, and two of them were Tauren, so it was just this bulging mass of blue steel and skulls rolling over the floor, enveloping Fel Orcs and wolves in its wake.
Don't believe me? Look!
That's me, roasting the last mob in a pull, who was right next to me. But what's up with my DK buddies? What are they doing over there?? They're all just gathered together having a picnic or something. It's like we're in a football game and they've decided to hold an emergency huddle.
This is what THE ENTIRE RUN WAS LIKE.
Amazingly, we got a healer who didn't drop group in horror upon seeing them. He did ask who was tanking, and honestly, this was a good question. Two of the three DKs were in Blood spec, and they all seemed to randomly switch presences whenever they felt like it.
We eventually finished up with minimal losses or deaths, and when asked if I wanted to queue again, I of course said yes. How could I resist? This was too priceless for words.
So thanks for the hilarious dungeon runs, you three. You absolutely made my day.
There's nothing quite as feeble as a caster smacking something with their staff. These things are for looks, not for hitting people! Anyway, there are very nice non-raid staves out there. Some simple, some ornate. Take your pick!
Casters, remember that you can use Agi staves, finally! And vice-versa for Feral Druids and Hunters.
Once again, Morgion is wearing a plain white dress so the staff models wouldn't blend in with her dark leg armor.
This dark metallic staff has a unique look, and can sometimes be found on the AH. It's not that great now, but it's still quite good for someone newly dinged 85, so expect to pay 5-10k for it.
The famous "pinecone" staff is very distinctive, that's for sure. It's a random green drop, so check AH. The only other available staff with this model is a raid drop out of Blackwing Lair.
Simple but appropriate look for Restoration Druids or Shamans. 17% drop rate. Shares a model with some Druid-only low-level staves, which are quest rewards from a level 20 Druid quest in Shadowfang Keep. (Horde, Alliance)
What even is it on the end of this staff? A plant? A claw? Who knows. Kinda cool looking though. 18% drop rate on both Normal and Heroic. A few recolors - Swarming Sting-Staff (Pink, Bind on Equip), and Wild Wood Staff (Light icy blue, Quest reward).
This staff is only available to new Worgen characters, but I had to list it. It's an incredible model, as rose petals constantly drift slowly from the roses. Shares a model with the Alliance-only Chillwind Staff (Alliance Quest), though the Chillwind Staff has darker flowers.
Rich purple, unique model. Has a faint blueish glow at the end which persists after transmogging, overwriting your weapon's actual enchant. 17% drop rate on both Normal and Heroic.
Despite the name, this staff seems more at home in the gold and red streets of Silvermoon than a forest. Perfect for Blood Elves! Costs 780 Justice Points.
A special drop from the Midsummer Fire Festival boss, this scythe looks amazing. Unlike almost all other transmog items, this staff's natural "frosty" visual aura overrides your weapon's actual enchantment. Even if your weapon has Power Torrent, it will still look icy!
Very distinctive design, perfect for a Warlock. A ridiculously low 2% drop rate. However, it shares a model with The Bringer of Death (Bind on Equip), and the heirloom staff, Dignified Headmaster's Charge, purchasable for 3500 JP, 160 Darkmoon Prize Tickets or 95 Champion's Seals.
The silver and gold on this simple, elegant staff goes well with many outfits. 15% drop rate. Shares a model with Rod of the Ogre Magi (Dire Maul, 2% drop rate) and Severin's Cane (Quest Reward). Other reskins exist, but only share the basic shape, lacking the fine detail on the head.
This AWESOME staff is fully animated, and its tentacles writhe and wiggle. Terribly fun. Unfortunately, if you've already done this quest you are almost out of luck, as the only other staff that uses this model is Terestian's Stranglestaff, a raid drop from Karazhan.
This sharp-looking staff screams magic - the blade-like head actually levitates off the tip of the shaft, which looks very cool. Completely unique model. 23% drop rate.
This massive crystal staff looks almost like a polearm or axe. Purple and pink, giant crystal - obviously perfect for a Draenei character. Shares a model with the Exodar Life-Staff (Bind on Equip, drops from Doom Lord Kazzak).
Very nice color contrast, perfect for a Blood Elf caster. 25% drop rate. An all-white version exists, Staff of Divine Infusion (Bind on Equip), and the Warpstaff of Arcanum, below.
This strange, aquatic-looking staff looks a little like a Faceless One mixed with Neptulon. Pretty strange model, and it's unique, too. 19% drop rate on Normal, 20% on Heroic.
Scaly, spikey, and mottled, this staff is quite ominous and disturbing-looking. Only non-raid staff to sport this particular appearance. 23% drop rate.
Spiked and sporting a dizzying color scheme, this staff shares model only with a drop from 25-man Nazzramas. 26% drop rate from Garfrost in Normal Pit of Saron.
A while back, someone pointed out that my Twitter Klout score (a measure of what you are supposedly "influential" about) listed Transformers as one of my influences, and that I should clearly write about Transformers more to make sure it sticks. Now, I don't really care about Klout, but a challenge to write about Transformers? How can I resist?
However, rather than delve into a Transformers-centric post which would probably appeal to myself and no one else, I'm going to look at one of the central personality concepts presented in Transformers and see how it relates to the Warcraft universe. It's one of my favorite character traits, and it even has a trope named after it: the Starscream.
In some stories the Big Bad casts a shadow over everyone: They might be afraid of him, they might be his minions, or they might be the heroes trying to defeat him.
A certain type of character falls outside this pattern: a villain too ambitious or individualistic or just too stubborn to accept the supremacy of the Big Bad. Instead, this villain actually dreams about overthrowing the guy everyone else fears and taking his place. Sometimes he is a (grudging) servant of the Big Bad; sometimes he is entirely outside the established power structure. Either way, if the Big Bad ever stumbles or shows weakness, the Starscream will be there, ready to pounce.
Depending on the nature of the character, he may be an over-optimistic fool or someone who might actually be able to pull it off. If the character is badass enough, the heroes might be forced to try and stop him from toppling the original villain. Usually fond of playing contrarian to their boss' schemes (deservedly or not), who will normally intimidate/threaten them into kowtowing to their will. It can be hard to justify why the Big Bad keeps them around, but it may most commonly be so the Big Bad has a reason to always keep his guard up (and thus can rest assured that he will never become too complacent).
-paraphrased from tvtropes.org
In Transformers, Starscream (pictured above) is second-in-command of the evil Decepticons. Throughout the series, he repeatedly and openly plots against his leader, Megatron, and makes no secret of his ambitions to overthrow him and seize command of the Decepticons for himself.
What's interesting about their relationship is that Megatron doesn't really mind. Whenever Starscream tries to take over (usually in disastrous fashion), Megatron simply punishes his treacherous lieutenant with some minor abuse or assigns him some menial, humiliating tasks, despite the fact that Starscream had often literally just tried to kill him.
So what happened in the end? Surprise, surprise, in the animated movie, Starscream successfully tosses a battered Megatron out into space and, seconds later, nominates himself as the new Decepticon leader. It really makes Megatron's decision to keep him around seem rather foolish.
Now granted, it's a kid's show, so I probably would have been shocked and traumatized if Megatron had just executed Starscream the first time he tried to rebel. But I was still fascinated by Megatron's bizarre attitude, even as a youngster. Why didn't he just get rid of Starscream, who clearly wasn't learning his lesson or changing his ways? For me, this unexplainable dynamic was the most interesting personality trait in the entire show.
So how does this apply to WoW? Well, the theme of the ally that is absolutely, without-question going to betray you - and why you permit them to hang around - is a fun one. It's one thing to team up with someone you don't trust because of extenuating circumstances, all the while suspecting them to turn on you. We see these uneasy, wary truces all the time. But it's something else entirely to make such an alliance when you KNOW your "ally" will stab you in the back, and furthermore, THEY know that YOU know.
Why would you ever do this? Why would you keep a known traitor around?
Well, there's a few reasons.
Because It Wasn't Actually Obvious
This isn't so much a reason as it is a disclaimer. Some Warcraft traitors seem completely obvious to us now, but in reality, were not actually openly treacherous in-game. Grand Apothecary Putress was creepy as hell, but prior to the Wrathgate he seemed completely loyal to the Forsaken cause. And Archbishop Benedictus? Name aside (Benedictus? Really?) there was absolutely nothing in-game to suggest that this highly regarded and respected priest would switch sides.
Finally, everyone's favorite grump, Fandral Staghelm, was irascible and cantankerous, but he wasn't actually a traitor (at least, not that we knew of). Sure, we find out LATER that he'd been up to all kinds of bad stuff, and he is appropriately punished as a result. But before that? We may not have liked the guy, but we didn't actually know he was a bad guy.
To Groom a Successor
One of the more interesting theories about Megatron/Starscream is that Megatron kept Starscream around because he wanted Starscream to keep trying to overthrow him. After all, in their tyrannical, evil organization, what he was doing was pretty much the epitome of their cause. Ruthless, heartless, treacherous, and power-hungry? That's the perfect resume to lead. And perhaps Megatron believed that eventually, if Starscream was ever smart and/or powerful enough to actually defeat his commander, he deserved to lead.
Pretty philosophical for a group of evil cartoon robots.
In a way, it's very similar to the classic alpha male hierarchy found in barbarian cultures (or wolf packs?), where challenging the leader is not frowned upon, but applauded. In such social settings, who leads? The strongest, because they must be responsible for the welfare of the rest of the clan/pack. And if anyone thinks they are stronger, they are welcome to challenge them for rulership.
We don't see this a great deal in Warcraft, since most factions/races don't have a great deal of inner turmoil/enmity towards their leaders. But it definitely exists. In Tides of Darkness, Orgrim Doomhammer tires of answering annoying questions from one of his subordinates, Rend Blackhand, and asks Rend if he is challenging him for leadership of the Horde.
"But we could have marched around the mountains," Rend pointed out. "A longer route but less difficult."
Doomhammer sneered at that. "Are you afraid of a challenge, then?" Several of the other chieftains laughed, and Rend bristled.
"Of course not!" he snapped, raising his one fist, clearly ready to fight anyone who claimed otherwise. "I am up to the task! I was right behind you the entire climb!" No one dared point out that he had used a rope, while Doomhammer had not. The Blackhands were fearsome warriors and widely respected, another reason Doomhammer allowed them to ask so many questions.
"Then you do wish to challenge?" Doomhammer asked quietly, his voice dropping. Rend backed away quickly, paling as he realized what he had almost said. The Blackhands wanted to lead the Horde, but they would have to challenge and defeat Doomhammer in combat to do so. And they all knew he would kill them, even if they both attacked at once. A part of him kept hoping they would try. Then he could replace them with a more reasonable Black Tooth Grin chieftain. But so far they had always backed down.
-Tides of Darkness
Another memorable example is the relationship between Thrall/Garrosh. While their clashes were never as volatile as Megatron/Starscream (Garrosh never actually hated Thrall or wanted to take command), the son of Hellscream very clearly believed he would make a better Warchief. And though leadership of the Horde was not on the line, Garrosh certainly did not hesitate to step into the arena with Thrall to fight him back during the Wrath of the Lich King launch events.
The dynamic between Thrall and Garrosh continued all throughout Wrath, with Garrosh constantly interrupting neutral meetings, causing pointless fights (in Trial of the Crusader), and in general just being a nuisance and malcontent. We often lamented his very existence/presence, and asked why Thrall even kept him around.
Of course, then Thrall stepped down and gave Garrosh the throne, and while we may not LIKE IT, it finally made sense. Maybe Thrall was putting up with Garrosh's nonsense because he was trying to teach him, to help him mature and grow. While virtually no one agrees with Thrall's judgment, in his eyes Garrosh had grown into the leader the Horde needed - bold, strong, fearless...everything the Horde (well, the orcs, anyway) held in high regard.
To Keep an Eye on Them
Another reason known traitors might be tolerated is because they're simply too dangerous to leave unwatched. After all, why not discourage a subordinate from plotting against you by keeping them right at your side, under your watchful gaze? Maybe you hope to have a positive influence on them, or maybe you just don't trust them out of your sight. And by giving them managerial responsibilities, you can also keep them too busy to plot against you.
Perhaps the most obvious example of this in Warcraft is Magatha Grimtotem. Cairne knew Magatha wanted to be Chieftain. Hell, EVERYONE knew it. And it was always one of the most confusing questions - she wants to dethrone Cairne, she doesn't like him, she's CLEARLY up to nefarious deeds on the sly - so why was she still a prominent authority figure in Thunder Bluff?
Cairne was probably the nicest, most forgiving person on Azeroth, but he was no fool. He knew Magatha had her secret ambitions and schemes, yet still he kept her near. And I don't think it was under the naive hope that she would suddenly change her ways and start marching the Bloodhoof company line.
No, I think the canny Chieftain kept Magatha nearby expressly so he could watch her, and somewhat limit her political moves. After all, despite the heavy suspicion, Magatha never actually did anything openly treacherous, so it's not like Cairne could have justifiably banished her or anything. So instead he did the next best thing - promote her.
Being in a high-ranking public position ensured that Magatha had to maintain a civil face, and at least outwardly pretend to generally support Bloodhoof. (Not to mention keep her busy with day-to-day responsibilities and details.) We can see how much this limited her, in the older pre-Cata quests - on the surface, Magatha was all smiles and warmth, but she was always sending us to go fetch an item here, or go kill a crazy serpent-spirit of vengeance there. She wasn't able to do these things herself, because people would notice, and she'd have to explain - something she would not have been able to do. Clever move, Cairne. Clever.
Of course, such preventative measures only works when the traitor is actually afraid of making her intentions clear. In the Shattering, when Cairne challenges Garrosh to a duel for leadership of the Horde, Magatha finally openly opposes Cairne by supporting Garrosh. When Cairne sees this, he is surprised...but not that much.
Cairne's eyes narrowed as he strained to see at this distance. It was a tauren shaman who had blessed Garrosh’s weapon with words of ritual and sacred oil. That surprised and pained Cairne, who had assumed another orc would perform that rite. It was a female, black-coated...
"Magatha," he breathed. She was a powerful shaman, but so was Beram. While her blessing would help Garrosh, Beram Skychaser's blessing would help Cairne. She had to know that; it was a gesture, nothing more. All she had done was, finally, openly state where her loyalties lay.
Cairne nodded to himself, confident now more than ever of the rightness of his path. This challenge really did need to happen, before more fell under Garrosh's spell. At least Magatha now had shown her true colors. He would have to address the disloyalty; he had no choice now. The Grimtotem would need to be banished from Thunder Bluff, unless they finally chose to swear allegiance to the Horde. It had become a necessity, not a desire.
-The Shattering
Cairne wasn't surprised when Magatha made her move. He knew it had just been a matter of time. No, I think he was actually pleased that she had finally ended her little charade, after all these years, and that he could finally banish her from Thunder Bluff with just cause. (Actually, it's basically exactly what Doomhammer thought in the earlier passage, regarding Rend.)
Of course, he just had to win that duel against Garrosh first. And, well, we know how that turned out. There's a pretty good reason Magatha wasn't afraid of suffering repercussions for her treachery - she knew (or wagered, anyway) that Cairne wouldn't live to dole out punishment. And she was right.
Because You Need Them
The most pragmatic reasons to keep a traitor around? Simple. They're just too damn useful to get rid of.
Megatron may have not have trusted Starscream, but he couldn't get rid of him because Starscream - when he wasn't shooting Megatron in the back - was an extremely valuable soldier. Removing him would have severely weakened the Decepticons, and that was a price that Megatron wasn't willing to pay. I'm sure he would have loved nothing more than to blast Starscream to bits, but as a leader, he knew that he couldn't allow himself the luxury.
When Doomhammer killed Blackhand and seized control of the Horde (an act of treachery in itself, in ways), he was delighted to be able to kill Gul'dan, who he had always hated, and who had caused the death of his close friend, Durotan. But the weaselly warlock managed to convince Doomhammer to spare his life, not out of mercy or any sentimental silliness, but simply because Doomhammer - and the Horde - still needed him.
"I bow to your might, Orgrim Doomhammer," [Gul'dan] managed at last, pronouncing each word clearly and loud enough that all those nearby could hear him. "I acknowledge you as warchief of the Horde, and I pledge myself to you. I will obey you in all things."
Doomhammer grunted. "You have never demonstrated obedience before," he pointed out sharply. "Why should I believe you capable of it now?"
"Because you need me," Gul'dan replied, raising his head to meet the warchief's glare. "You have slain my Shadow Council, yes, and consolidated your power over the Horde. That is as it should be. Blackhand was not strong enough to lead us on his own. You are, and so you have no need of a council." He licked his lips. "But you do need warlocks. You need our magic, for the humans have magic of their own and without us you will fall to their power." He shook his head. "And you have very few warlocks left. Myself, Cho'gall, and a handful of neophytes. I am too useful to kill simply for revenge."
Doomhammer's lips pulled back in a snarl, but he lowered the hammer. For a moment he said nothing, simply glaring at Gul'dan, his gray eyes filled with hate. But finally he nodded.
"What you say is true," he admitted, though the words clearly took enormous self-control to utter. "And I will place the needs of the Horde over my own." He bared his tusks. "I will allow you to live, Gul'dan, you and those of your warlocks who remain. But only as long as you prove useful."
-Tides of Darkness
Now, Doomhammer wasn't stupid. He knew full well that Gul'dan was not truly loyal, or cowed. But what could he do? The Horde needed Gul'dan's sorcery, his warlocks, his Death Knights. And so he allowed Gul'dan to live, though he watched him carefully and with great suspicion. Not closely enough though, as it turns out, since Gul'dan - you guessed it - betrayed him at a crucial moment, choosing to pursue personal power instead of supporting the Horde. Because of Gul'dan's treachery, Doomhammer and the Horde were forced to retreat, despite being on Lordaeron's doorstep and on the verge of total victory. I guess that's what you get when you trust a traitor.
Another example, this time in-game, is a minor quest NPC whose story is delightfully predictable. Anyone who's quested through Mount Hyjal will probably remember Tyrus Blackhorn, an imprisoned satyr who players work with for a short time, before accidentally setting him free. From the moment you meet him, he's wildly suspicious, saying "Don't sicken me by claiming it's my redemption. I do this for my own ends," followed by a sudden unsettling grin.
What a nice fellow. I can't imagine him ever betraying me! But yes, in the year's least surprising turn of events, at the end of this quest chain Blackhorn tricks you into freeing him. What a shocker! However, before this, with his help, you do manage to quell the raging fires that are threatening the entire area. Even when you go tell Matoclaw about Blackhorn's escape, she's not too broken up about it, but more focused on the fact that you managed to extinguish the inferno.
And of course, we can't forget about the well-known "agreement" that existed for many years between Sylvanas and Varimathras, her Dreadlord second-in-command. Though Varimathras was allegedly loyal to the Banshee Queen, I doubt anyone truly believed he was actually faithful and trustworthy. After all, he only joined her ranks because she was about to kill him, so in exchange for mercy he agreed to serve her and hand over information regarding the other Dreadlords. Does this sound like the act of a reliable, stalwart ally?
There's also the minor fact that he's, oh you know, A DEMON.
So why did Sylvanas keep him around? Well, she probably knew she couldn't trust him, but clearly she figured the benefit of having him there was greater than the potential risk. A powerful bodyguard, devious advisor, as well as the provider of untold dark magics - I can definitely understand the appeal.
Was it worth it, even after Varimathras' sudden but inevitable betrayal? Debatable. On the one hand, there was the disastrous coup where Sylvanas lost control of the Undercity to Varimathras, Putress and other traitors, and was forced to ask Thrall for help in retaking her city and quashing the rebellion.
On the other hand, Varimathras and the treacherous Forsaken who followed him did manage to perfect the Scourge plague Sylvanas had desired for so long. And now all of those traitors and turncoats were outed and killed, where as without Varimathras' uprising, they would have remained anonymous and hidden within her ranks. The Banshee Queen arguably came out ahead, when all was said and done.
Speaking of Sylvanas, let's fast-forward ahead to Cataclysm. Once again, she placed her trust in an agent of dubious moral fiber - Lord Godfrey. Knowing how arrogant and dangerous Godfrey was in life, I can't imagine Sylvanas actually believed he was completely loyal, since those raised by the Val'kyr allegedly (and as we see later on, really do) have free will. But he knew the enemy forces/territory, he hated the worgen, and she knew his reappearance was bound to have a shocking/unsettling effect on Gilnean morale. Pros and cons.
And her gamble paid off. He and his cronies WERE very valuable to the Forsaken cause, and in fact, the Forsaken won the war (albeit temporarily) entirely because Godfrey was able to capture Lorna Crowley, the ultimate bargaining chip.
Of course, the drawback to Sylvanas was that Godfrey betrayed and murdered her. But hey, them's the breaks, right?
Actually, let's look at the bigger picture here. To Garrosh, Sylvanas is the lurking traitor who is absolutely going to eventually betray him and/or the Horde. Garrosh CLEARLY does not trust her, and let's be honest - for good reason. Throughout Cataclysm, Sylvanas has very blatantly pursued her own agenda, with little (if any) regard to what the Warchief thinks. She's becoming more and more ruthless, snatching up land at an alarming pace, and she's in charge of a rapidly growing army of new undead soldiers. Yeah, I'd be worried too.
On the other hand, Garrosh can't really DO anything! Like her or not, she's unarguably effective, and he needs her military might at work for the Horde in the Eastern Kingdoms, taking contested territory, pushing back Gilneas and the Stormpike dwarves, etc.
And it's not just those specific regions - the Forsaken are one of the Horde's strongest war resources. The orcs, trolls and tauren might be strong and fearsome, but the Forsaken are organized, disciplined, and perhaps most importantly, deadly. Most races rush onto the battlefield to fight and win. The Forsaken go to kill.
Garrosh may not want to admit it, but with the Horde/Alliance enmity at such an all-time high, the Horde simply cannot afford to lose their undead allies. Oh sure, there's Kor'kron guards placed in Undercity to "watch" her, but really, it would be virtually suicidal to actually sever ties with Sylvanas and her people. So Garrosh is forced to bite his tongue, glower and grumble, and hope that Sylvanas doesn't betray them all...at least, not yet.
* * * * *
So what have we learned? Well, if history is any indication, allowing a known/highly suspected traitor to hang around is a VERY BAD IDEA. Sure, you might reap some short-term benefits, and their particular skills might come in handy. But it's only a matter of time before they make their move. You know it, they know it, EVERYONE knows it. These relationships are destined to end in only one way - with their dagger firmly planted in your back.
