When the Old World Went to War
February 01, 2010
New exhibit at the Hall of Explorers features propaganda posters from a simpler time ... of war
Before floating cities, mounted combat, and a mad prince who killed his own people, citizens of Azeroth went to war with simpler weapons, against foes with less psycho-dramatic back-stories. Recall the Dark Iron Dwarves, who in their war against the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer clans, unleashed Ragnaros from the plane of fire. Remember the Atal'ai's worship of Hakkar the Soulflayer and the animal gods. On display now at the Hall of Explorers in Ironforge, the following Old World wartime propaganda posters were circulated at the time by Horde and Alliance recruiting bureaus to stir up pro-war feelings and help mobilize the citizens of Azeroth to support their troops.
Loose Lips Might Sink Airships – The popular phrase was coined as a slogan in an attempt by Alliance forces to remind players with Horde alts to not give away useful information in enemy chat channels.
We Can Zerg It! – The most iconic of the exhibit, the female orc pictured in this poster is commonly mistaken to be Groma the Riveter. In fact, the subject is modeled after the artist's sister, who was paid 25s at the time to stand for the painting.
Go Ahead - Roll Need – This poster from the Zul'Gurub conflict depicts High Priest Thekal in troll form encouraging greedy raiders to roll need on all loot. Thekal's comically large teeth and ears were attempts by the artists to disarm deep cultural fears of the Gurubashi.
Keep Calm and Parry On – Although the origins of the poster are not clear, historians agree that the message was intended to spark a resistance movement in the worst-case scenario of an Alliance invasion of Orgrimmar.
Someone Moved! – An example of Karazhan-era propaganda, this one warns against the disastrous consequences of moving during Shade of Aran's Flame Wreath ability.
Pulling Aggro: Their Secret Weapon – Caricatures of Illidan Stormrage and Lord Victor Nefarius look approvingly above a field of battle covered with the remains of a wiped raid. Although Illidan and Nefarian were not contemporaries, they were frequently figured in such warnings against hubris and carelessness.
Thanks For Fighting On Roads – A rare example of Battlegrounds propaganda, the poster features a tauren warlord applauding Alliance noobs for fighting away from flags. As with most attempts at BG strategy, such posters were widely ignored by fighters.
Posted in
Slideshow