The Faction: The Age of Mortals

Out with the old and in with the new; the Aspects' vigil has ended, and the age of mortals has dawned. With the discharging of the Aspects there is no turning back, so will the sunshine and daisies last? Can Azeroth's mortal races forge their own destiny, or will the world degenerate into dystopia? Join me, Deeve Spairs, as we address this age-old question on The Faction, only on Critically Analyse.

Participants

• Deeve Spairs [Deeve]
• Alexstrasza [Alexa]
• Drek'Thar [Drek]

Sound bites
From 'The meaning of life':

• Alexstrasza says: Contrary to what many might think, it does not necessarily mean invulnerability. To be immortal [in the Warcraft universe], it means two things: first, that ageing yields at adulthood; and secondly, that illness and disease cannot befall.
• Alexstrasza says: With all due respect, elder Drek'Thar, you yourself must understand how difficult it is for your brash youth to heed [advice]? Despite all of your assurances, there are some things that, for mortals, at least, can only be learned the hard way [through actual experience].
• Drek'Thar says: Despite our days' being numbered, we are very productive, and seek out the best life has to offer. I hardly think we are as - what's the word - complacent as what you ever-healthy types are quite likely to be.

From 'In defence of flaw':

• Alexstrasza says: As far as I can tell, every little issue, for you mortals, must be reduced to power play, to the imposition of the superior will on the inferior.
• Alexstrasza says: ...an endless see-saw between the conservative and liberal ends of politics... It would be nice if the path between stagnation and overwhelming change were found.
• Deeve Spairs says: [The Alliance-Horde conflict] is a rivalry with cause long lost to history... at least for the common folk.
• Alexstrasza says: [:;concerned] That is very worrying to me. Law enforcement, the threat of violence to avoid violence? One of mortal life's greatest ironies.
• Alexstrasza says: Of course, use of force is not simply constrained [to law enforcement]. From a parent's disciplining their child to a rather zealous interest group's getting their voice heard, mortals seem to want to talk with their fists... | Deeve Spairs says: Yes, there is a word we mortals use to describe it, 'terrorism'.
• Drek'Thar says: Deeve, despite our flaws, we [mortals] possess one major redeeming quality. We may be a slave to our emotions, but there is none more powerful than remorse.

From 'Rebellious youth':

• Deeve Spairs says: But surely [Alexstrasza's clutch's] former status as your sons and daughters still matters... | Alexstrasza says: You must distinguish between those events that do not affect that infinitely precious bond between mother and child, and and those that do.
• Deeve Spairs says: So if one were the Aspect of Life, they would actually have a licence to murder. Alas, we mortals are not readily endowed it, and we have a duty to take care of the sick and injured while waiting for the greater powers ... to pass their judgement... Otherwise, well, remorse kicks in, and it sure kicks hard.