@TyphoonAndrew – I think that’s exactly why the only “bad guys” in the game are corrupted good guys. Neither the Horde nor Alliance, despite individual attempts (and hundreds of hours of forum posts) are inherently good or evil. But the Old Gods and their morphic powers certainly are. The Burning Crusade and it’s corruption inducing fel energies certainly are. What Azeroth needs badly are Hobbits. But, without Hobbits and their innate immunity to Corruption, we get humans and orcs – very fallible creatures. With hubris to match.

I’ve enjoyed these conspiracy theories very much, and they’re all plausible. Though I have faith that Blizzard can go off into a completely different tangent too, and it’ll make sense. Where ever it goes, it’ll be fun :)

If you’re interested wowhead has a list of all the quests you unlock. You can look through those here: http://www.wowhead.com/news=208687/patch-5-1-operation-shieldwall-and-dominance-offensive-guides#factionquest-horde

Too many of the old baddies have used the trope of “been corrupted, not their fault” in the past – time is ripe for a bad guy to step up and actually be Bad. A true dark heart. Vanquishing a true bad guy is more fun than a corrupted good guy. Even the Lich King was quasi-heroic, and he was ruling an empire of Undead.

The sha will definately play a potent role, and perhaps will give Garrosh the power needed to defeat the King and go even more so off the deep end… or the sha might merely be a symptom of the problems that the two faction’s war has brought onto the isle of pandaria.

Either way, I still predict that next xpac will have a mechanic in which you may choose to join a nuetral faction, or eventually work your way over and join the other side. Gnome punting for ALL!

Prediction: He begins building his own cadre of flesh-shaped Mogu-orc super-soldiers, which pisses off most of the orcs (“what, are we not good enough for you now?!”) and horrifies pretty much everyone else. He hears of this dissent, and has his new guard execute the Kor’kron overnight to prevent a military coup. He institutes martial law, and the new warlocks plus the artifact poisons everyone who remains in the city. If they really want to jangle the drama strings, he could kill Thrall when he shows up demanding an explanation. I’m sure that would get even Sylvannas on board with the coup.

Saurfang for new Overlord, for sure. Maybe Vol’jin, but I feel like it’s gonna still be an orc. Nazgrim maybe, but he hasn’t done anything interesting in game since BC.

as you say, I really can’t wait to see where they go next.

Now I will definitely be reading about what happened in Dagger in the Dark, and thank you VERY much for telling me about it!

I did think a black dragon infestede with Sha would be a bit much so soon after Deathwing, but I couldn’t see where the heck else Malkorok came from to get into Garrosh’s good graces so fast.

Also, it’s about time A’dal got off his shiny butt and got involved.