- For the non-canonical term, see Traveler (Shadows & Light).
Traveler | |
---|---|
Author(s) | Greg Weisman |
Artist(s) | Samwise Didier, Stephane Belin |
Pages | 384 |
Publisher(s) | Scholastic, Inc. |
Publication date |
Hardcover: October 25, 2016 Paperback: February 27, 2018 |
Format(s) | Hardcover, Paperback, Digital, Audiobook |
Retail price | US: Hardcover: $14.99 |
ISBN 10 |
Hardcover: 0545906679 Paperback: 1338225677 |
ISBN 13 |
Hardcover: 978-0545906678 Paperback: 978-1338225679 |
World of Warcraft: Traveler is a World of Warcraft novel following the adventures of young Aramar Thorne, son of famous explorer Captain Greydon Thorne. This epic action-adventure series features a young cast of Warcraft characters discovering the mysteries and majesty of the world around them. It is a story told from a different perspective when compared to other expanded universe offerings, being a more down-to-earth experience and dealing less with big bads.[1]
Written by celebrated comic book author and animator Greg Weisman, the first book includes full-page illustrations and sketches created by Blizzard artist Samwise Didier, along with a full-color cover illustration by Blizzard artist Stephane Belin.[2] Traveler is also available in digital form, and as an audiobook released by Scholastic Audio in November 2016, narrated by RamĆ³n de Ocampo. The second part, Traveler: The Spiral Path, was released in February 2018. The third and final part, Traveler: The Shining Blade, author changed to Madeleine Roux, was released in December 2019.
Description[]
It's been years since twelve-year-old Aramar Thorne, a clever boy who is never without his precious sketch book, has seen his father. So when Captain Greydon Thorne comes ashore and asks his son to join him at sea, it feels as if someone has redrawn Aram's entire world. At sea, Aram struggles to get along with the Wavestrider's crew - especially Second Mate Makasa, a tough teenaged girl who has been reluctantly placed in charge of him. Just as Aram starts to get his head above water, a band of vicious pirates attack the Wavestrider, turning his world upside down once again. As Aram and Makasa try to find his way home, they encounter creatures both terrible and wondrous, and Aram will seek to understand Azeroth's denizens as he draws them in his sketchbook, forming unlikely friendships along the way. But the journey is hindered by Greydon's compass, which never points north. If the compass isn't leading Aram and Makasa home--to safety--to what destiny is it leading them?
Characters[]
Ships[]
Other[]
- Hidden
- Grimtail clan
- Gordunni
- Woodpaw
- Old Ironhoof
- War club
Locations[]
- Veiled Sea
- Kalimdor
- Desolace
- Feralas
- Dire Maul
- Skypeak
- Isildien
- Forgotten Coast (mentioned)
- Tanaris (mentioned)
- Thousand Needles
- Eastern Kingdoms
Notes[]
- The press release description was changed from the following original: Before he knows it, Aram is aboard the Wavestrider with Lakeshire fading to a distant dot on the horizon. But the thrill of adventure quickly fades, as Greydon relentlessly schools Aram on how to handle his cutlass and how to relate with the strange and diverse creatures of Azeroth.[3]
- Despite the change, the book still confirms that Aram comes from Lakeshire.
- This is the first time that female ogres and gnolls directly appeared in Warcraft (although the existence of female ogres was previously alluded).
- The book established that "Flllurlokkr" is the Nerglish word for fisherman. Flllurlokkr was later added in Legion, becoming the first in-game reference of the book.
- None of the named ogres from Dire Maul appear, except King Gordok.
- The large amphitheater (along with the nearby dome of thorns and pen for prisoners) Aram and the others fought in for the amusement of the ogres could be The Maul, Gordok's Seat or some other previously unseen area of Dire Maul. It is said that it was carved into the hillside.
Timeline[]
Traveler doesn't offer a concrete date of the events with relation to the overall timeline, but there are several references throughout the books that refer to the overall world's setting. What is concrete is that the main storyline happens during a late summer nearing autumn.[4] Below is the list of the references with potential explanations.
- The first book mentions Greydon Thorne's map with Pandaria, potentially hinting that the story takes place after the discovery of Pandaria. Also, at one point, Durgan One-God sings a chanty that mentions pandaren items.
- Pandaren were not exclusive to Pandaria and the rest of the world had some knowledge about them thanks to Chen Stormstout and then Li Li Stormstout.
- Greydon having a map of Pandaria before the events of Mists of Pandaria is the only known instance of anybody knowing the continent's location. When the land was first discovered, neither the Alliance or Horde leaderships knew Pandaria's location as evidenced by the first MoP cinematics.
- The second and third books refer to the Cataclysm events depicted in the game such as the Grimtotem attack on New Thalanaar (which, according to the book, has been besieged for months) or the Alliance-Horde fights in the Battlescar and Ashenvale.
- According to the second book, Freewind Post is a neutral trading post.
- Although New Thalanaar corresponds with the game, Freewind Post, however, is liberated, hinting that the story is at a later date than the in-game's questline, likely explained with the "several months" mention and a mention that the Grimtotem had attacked the post.
- Chief Ukorz Sandscalp appears alive, indicating that the book's events happen before the in-game Cataclysm dungeon and quests.
- It says that recently, Fort Triumph and Theramore have received a swell of Alliance troops.
- That means that it cannot be during Mists of Pandaria because both were destroyed at the beginning of MoP's story.
- The Krom'gar is active in the book. In the game, after the Stonetalon questline is finished, the Krom'gar is disbanded.
- Reigol Valdread went to Lordaeron to investigate a plague "some 8 or 9 years".
- If placed into the Cataclysm era (years 28 and 29, then it fits the undead plague in Lordaeron in year 20)
- Several months before Greydon Thorne returned to Lakeshire, his crew had visited Gadgetzan where Marin was already a baron of Gadgetzan. He was first seen as its baron in Cataclysm.
- This means that Marin became Baron before Cataclysm.
- The second book states that Makasa killed Ironpatch two years ago before the main storyline.
- This, however, creates an inconsistency because Ironpatch was given new quests in Cataclysm. If the story takes place in Cataclysm, then Ironpatch was killed during The Burning Crusade.
The story should take place in the summer of Year 28 or 29, during the events of Cataclysm instead of Mists of Pandaria, but the timeline inconsistency with Ironpatch remains.
Gallery[]
- Sketches
Map of a portion of Feralas
Malus, Reigol Valdread, Zathra and Throgg
King Gordok and an ogre girl
- From the announcement trailer
Concept drawing of Teldrassil
A dryad
The Hidden attack Greydon Thorne and the Wavestrider
- Covers and logo