Neutral Player Created Events and how they Absolutely Make Sense in WoW
Iâm less of a writer than artist, but Iâll try to put ideas into words. I also want to preface by saying that these expressions are my thoughts and opinions, and theyâre a short exploration of player-based narrative. Iâm not here to change anyoneâs mind, but I hope it provides a new, fun perspective.
The main storyline in Battle of Azeroth is the Horde vs Alliance conflict. Itâs a tale told before, weâre most if not all familiar with it, and like or hate it itâs what we, as players and the characters we play in this world, are going through. Itâs war.
In most war-time situations, you have one side against the other and rarely interact. Thatâs a given. The people that are not on your side are expected to be seen as an enemy first regardless of their personal allegiances (ie: secondary factions).
I want to focus more of Factions (Horde and Alliance) and where do Neutral Locales and Events, specifically player-based, fit in. Because Neutrality fits in perfectly even in the middle of this heated war.
War is expensive. Resources are scarce and theyâre being split between two warring factions for the leftovers of a planet ravaged by years of planet-threatening enemies, gods and dragons, and demons from beyond the stars. All the meanwhile, we, Horde and Alliance, were elbowing each otherâs throats in the background. Every sword being made, every piece of armor repaired, transportation of contingents to and fro, feeding and clothing, medical and other supplies⌠Thatâs coin signs out of the window. So take what few materials, supplies, food, etc⌠and split it  between keeping up the Horde and Alliance war machines after saving the world over and over, and the incredible expense THAT is. Thatâs a hell of a dent in budget thatâs probably being felt. Maybe armor and weapons are being refurbished more often and passed down second-hand than always shiny and new. Maybe your characters are starting to notice that rice and other easily mass-grown foodtypes are being served as rations a lot more often throughout the week. Everyone and everything is so spread out, and so spread thin, that no matter how many portals are popping up between cities it never feels that thereâs both enough of anything nor that itâs getting there on time.
If thereâs an area, locale, or business thatâs Horde-only or Alliance-only, theyâre likely going to be taxed heavily to upkeep their respective factionâs war budget. Not to mention the also likely lack of supplies and other materials needed as itâs probably being prioritized to those war efforts first before trickling down to the rest of the populace. Again, this is speaking in a broad, generalized manner. Long story short, Horde and Alliance are probably diverting a lot of their budget into martial expenses and both these factions and their people might be starting to feel the strain.
And so the boom of neutral zones, factions, and businesses. Â
When you keep your neutral-nose out of war efforts, you donât have to spend money on them. Neutral events, businesses, and locales are able to reinvest their earnings into themselves; providing more security, better supplies, and a safe place to truly let a personâs guard down and relax. Theyâre commodities. People stiff-tired from looking over their shoulders, fighting day in and day out, and having to work so hard for what may seem little reward in their respective factions may be more willing to spend their earnings into guaranteed comforts and leisure. It can be very lucrative. So that a group of one faction wants to set up an event or gathering in a neutral town? The leader(s) of that town just hear that thereâs going to be a mass of people coming in, event coordinators and/or attendees alike, to spend money on their local businesses and services and products. Money for them. Money they donât have to spend on anyone but themselves. Ka-ching!
Wouldnât the Horde and Alliance be not okay with this arrangement since, by all means, this may provide breeding grounds for traitors and spies? It probably crossed their minds and may have sent emissaries to these neutral places and word their disapproval. And, just as likely, they each got sent back with a sackful of shinies and a note saying that if they want more of that for whatever they need to spend it on they will respect that their noses stay out these places. War-worn factions would not be wise to turn away a possible revenue stream, no matter how small, if it means keeping their budget afloat and one item of expenses less to worry about not sending emissaries or agents to sniff out potential traitors and/or spies that most likely just strain those already thin funds.
It is a (Neutral) win- (faction begrudging) win.
In short, player hosted neutral locales and events definitely make sense in World of Warcraft and both host and attendees deserve to have their backing in-game.
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