As both Alliance and Horde ships are confirmed to have made landfall at the recently-emerged Dragon Isles, we must not forget the lessons learned from the last time a huge new landmass was discovered.
The expeditions to Pandaria were admittedly, under very different circumstances. The Horde was still being led by a warmongering Warchief, and all regions of the world were still recovering after the effects of the Cataclysm.
Resources were scarce and tensions were high, and so when Pandaria revealed itself once again, both sides saw the opportunity to gain the upper hand in the inevitable and ongoing conflict.
In the first few weeks, many will remember that Alliance and Horde scouts clashed on numerous occasions, even recruiting some of the local denizens to fight on their behalf. The resulting conflicts caused significant damage to the Pandaren lands, culminating in the near complete destruction of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms.
We find ourselves once again having discovered a new landmass, and fortunately, it seems like cooperation is much more on the cards this time. We believe that the Explorer’s League is working directly with the Horde’s Reliquary, and that discoveries are being shared rather than hoarded for individual gain.
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But will this last?
It is true that the political landscape is very different now. The Horde is governed by a council which, so far, seems to have avoided making any questionable decisions. We’ve been at peace for over three years, and no doubt both nations have flourished far better as a result.
However, it doesn’t take much to tip the scales. All it takes is one greedy person, on one side of the fence, to cause the other to question the intentions of the opposing group as a whole. There are still those who harbour significant resentment towards the opposing faction, and as such, might even be actively waiting for the opportunity to spark conflict once again.
It is my opinion that we must continue to consciously promote cooperation between the Horde and the Alliance; not least because we are yet again facing a common enemy, but because we must break the cycle. Our ongoing conflict and differences has cost the lives of many, and now is our chance to prove that we can put the past somewhat behind us.
We can hope. Let’s not repeat Pandaria. Let’s work together, and not rip this world apart.