Show Notes
Lore segment begins at (20:30)
Years before Pandaria returned to the world, Li Li Stormstout ran away from the Wandering Isle to find the uncle who taught her that life should be an adventure. Chen Stormstout had stopped writing, and no warning from her father or teacher could convince Li Li to wait for someone else to discover why.
In Tides of Lore Episode 88, we retell World of Warcraft: Pearl of Pandaria, the graphic novel in which we see Li Li leave Shen-zin Su behind and crosses Azeroth in search of Chen, with the stern Geomaster Strongbo following under oath to bring her home.
Their journey carries them through Booty Bay, Stormwind, the Deeprun Tram, Ironforge, Brewfest, the wounded forests of the Stonetalon Mountains and the drowned ruins of Azshara. Every clue reveals another side of Chen Stormstout, while Strongbo is forced to confront the resentment he has carried since Chen abandoned their final duel.
Behind them, the Naga Zha'hara Darksquall and the Fel Orc Blademaster Rahjak are searching for a mysterious pearl connected to the lost continent of Pandaria. Li Li may not possess the treasure they seek, but she could still lead them to something the world has been unable to find for thousands of years.
This story bridges Chen's earlier Warcraft adventures and the coming discovery of Pandaria while exploring the history of the pandaren, Liu Lang, the Wandering Isle and the family that Li Li refuses to leave behind quietly.
More from Tides of Lore
Lore segment begins at (10:04) A prince promises survival at a terrible cost. Rebels escape his city, bargain for sanctuary, and build a new life above the world. Thousands of years later, their descendants must decide how to save the home that bargain gave them. We begin Tides of Lore: Forever by connecting the Skyborne’s origins to the Shen’dralar of Eldre’Thalas, the ancient city now known as Dire Maul. We follow Tortheldrin’s rule, the rebellion against his plans, and the exiles whose journey leads into Skywall and the Zephras Isle starting storyline. First, we return to the aftermath of Warcraft III: Arthas’s betrayal, Grom Hellscream’s sacrifice, the stand at Mount Hyjal, and the fragile peace that follows. These events leave Azeroth with the rivalries, displaced peoples, and unfinished conflicts that form the backdrop to World of Warcraft: Forever. We also discuss the High Order and Windshapers, the Skyborne’s ties to the Kirin Tor and Earthen Ring, and our first impressions of how their story fits into Warcraft’s history.
The trees of Elwynn fall behind you, and Westfall opens beneath a wide sky. A family needs its wedding watch returned. A horse needs feeding. Farmers are trying to hold their ground against thieves and wandering harvest watchers.
Lore segment begins at (12:38)Chen Stormstout reaches the homeland behind his family name, only to be rejected by the Stormstout guarding its brewery.
Lore segment begins at (18:07) Pandaria survived ten thousand years behind the mists. The Alliance and Horde needed only days to teach its people their war