World of Warcraft: Night of the Dragon - Richard A. Knaak Video Interview by Kazo (interviewer) and Rafo (video camera)
Blizzplanet fans: Kazo and Rafo, interviewed Richard A. Knaak - New York Times Bestselling Fantasy Author. The interview took place at the Istrocon / Comic Salon 2007 Event in Suza - Bratislava, Slovakia. Richard A. Knaak was a special guest at Istrocon 2007, which expected over 4,000 visitors during his Europe Book Signing Tour.
In our interview, Richard A. Knaak reveals a few details of the upcoming World of Warcraft: Night of the Dragon and the Tokyopop Manga based on World of Warcraft®: Burning Crusade®. Knaak reveals certain plots from the Burning Crusade® and the upcoming Wrath of the Lich King™ expansion that are featured in the 2008 novels, such as Rhonin leading the Kirin Tor as an NPC in Northrend, Malygos and his Magic War offensive, and more.
Diablo fans get some spotlight during the interview with certain details of the last book in the Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy (due September 25th). Hope you enjoy the video interview.
Kazo: First of all, let me say it is a great pleasure to have you here in Slovakia. What do you think about the country, and this event Istrocon?
Knaak: I've been enjoying myself here. I think Bratislava is a very nice city. And Istrocon, the people is very, very wonderful. Accepting. And I'm honored to be a special guest of it.
Kazo: Could you tell us about yourself, and how did you become a writer for the books based on Blizzard universes?
Knaak: I've written some three dozen novels now, and I started up with a series named Dragonlance, which I still work with, and because my popularity with some novels in there, several people at Blizzard liked my work well, and when the time came to do the first Warcraft novels they turned to me, first of all, for which I'm very grateful for. They wanted me to do what I do with dragon novels to capture that epic-feel to the first stories that were presented to the fans of the game. So I was brought to help expand the whole universe of Warcraft and Diablo.
Kazo: How do you write a novel for Blizzard games? Could you briefly describe the process?
Knaak: I really enjoy the process, I deal directly with Chris Metzen - Creative Director of Blizzard Entertainment. We discuss the plotline, with him and some other people there. Once a plotline has been developed, I start writing chapters. Each chapters goes through Blizzard, and then to Chris Metzen, and a couple of people. They actually change or edit as necessary, and I go on and on until the whole novel is done.
Sometimes I am surprised that at the middle of the novel they go and say: "Hey, this is a nice idea", and some of that stuff is added to the game later on.
Kazo: Is it like some sort of Beta process, like they do with their games?
Knaak: In a sense yes, it is constantly changing, the storyline. We will come through at some point in the storyline, "hey, wouldn't it be better if we do this?". "Let's go back and correct this." "Or, why don't we do this?" And so, all things go in different directions. But they will always try to stay true to what they are trying to do with World of Warcraft. Even if it means sometimes, by necessity, changing something from the oldest games.
Kazo: In other interview, you said that you don't play games too much because it takes you from writing-time. What's is your highest World of Warcraft® level character you have?
Knaak: I cannot say. Ah, I would not say. Let's put it that way. (laughs) It will make it harder to play.
Kazo: Ok, what about Diablo II?
Knaak: Again, I do play that when I can. But they have me working on so many projects for the whole Blizzard series. And at the same time I am writing other projects for other people. So Diablo, I love the world. But I have so little time right now ... which is a real shame. I want to go back to that.
Kazo: Ok, Medievaldragon - from the fansite Blizzplanet.com - gathered some questions from the community. Would you like to answer some of those?
Knaak: I would be happy to try.
1. Will there be new novels with Rhonin and Krasus beyond Night of the Dragon? - by Jawbreaker
Knaak: I certainly think so. I use them both quietly often, such as Krasus, obviously. There will be coming some storylines where we won't be seeing either of them. However, obviously, with Rhonin taking a larger role you will have to hear something about him, and I'm sure they will be back but won't necessarily appear on everything I'll write.
2. Have you considered to write new Warcraft novels and fresh stories with new and old characters without dragons or Rhonin? - by Kenzuki and Saim
Knaak: Dragons, perhaps. Blizzard seems to like the way I handle dragons. So, if there is a storyline involving the dragons, they will usually come to me first. They really want me to help develop the dragons ... the various dragonflights, there are so many now. And I appreciate that. As for Rhonin, he is not necessarily going to appear in everything I'll write. But if there is a plotline involving the Wizards of Dalaran, obviously, I will have to include something with him.
3. When are we going to hear more about Night of the Dragon and its release? - by Darkwind
Knaak: A little bit down the road. I'm currently working on it. I can say that there will be some new characters I have not used before. I am hoping to use a Draenei. And there for instance, and there will be some fun stuff going on with Grim Batol, which is the location mentioned in Day of the Dragon.
4. Blizzard announced at Blizzcon 2007 that Malygos will start killing off mages in Wrath of the Lich King expansion. Will the new Burning Crusade manga, Warcraft: Dragons of Outland, deal with how the War of Magic starts? - by Darkwind
Knaak: In a sense, it will touch on - in part because of what will happen in the new Manga. We will certainly mention something about it.
5. Onya asks: What role will Malygos be playing in both new novels, seeing as he's apparently a killable raid-boss in the next Wow expansion?
Knaak: Well, there is no doubt that I will make mention of him in Night of the Dragon. You will definitely hear something about what's going on with him. And some of the reactions of other characters too.
6. How did Rhonin get appointed as leader of the Wizards of Dalaran in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King™? Will your upcoming novels tell the backstory of his ascension through ranks? In War of the Ancients Trilogy he was still an ambassador. - by Nerub29
Knaak: That's a situation that I am still discussing with Blizzard, working over the exact details. I'm not necessarily doing anything with Rhonin right now, but I'm sure we are going to cover that at some point.
7. Will the storyline in the new Burning Crusade® manga, Warcraft: Dragons of Outland, involving Tyri and Jorad Mace be related to the MMO questlines? In the MMO Tyri becomes mentor of some of the Netherwing dragonflight. Then in Wrath of the Lich King expansion it is said Tyri brought them to Malygos. - by Vicious
Knaak: We will touch upon some of that. Unfortunately, there are many things that I can't say because of my contracts with Blizzard. I can say things at certain times, and other things I can't say.
8. engal asks: What is the timeframe in which the events of Night of the Dragon takes place?
Knaak: Oh, timeframes. Well, it's been a few years since Day of the Dragon. The new novel is about the time Rhonin gets in charge of the wizards of Dalaran. And it is at the beginning, of course, of Malygos' decision. It's the best way I can describe the timeframe. I can't be more exact than that, because we are still adjusting things.
9. A forced question implied in the novel title -- Will we know more about Deathwing's fate and plans in Warcraft: Night of the Dragon? - by Lon-ami
Knaak: I can't say at this time.
10. Could you mention some characters we should look forward to see in Night of the Dragon?
Knaak: As I mentioned, I'm hoping to use a Draenei, and I would say there is going to be some dragons involved., but I think some people will be surprised, and wonder "Which dragons?" They will recognize some and be surprised that they are there. And there will be some other characters that, hmm, I think they will enjoy the fact of the surprise appearances also. Unfortunately, there are several characters I can't really mention at this point. I would say, there is a renegade blood elf involved, very ambitious blood elf, but he's probably the least of the problems at this point. (chuckle)
11. We had a glimpse of the Old gods in your War of the Ancients trilogy. Will you write more in-depth about the Old gods in upcoming novels?
Knaak: It is assumed that that will happen at some point, again that is something that Blizzard is considering the proper aspect, no pun intended, and when we decide it is the right time then we will do it. Certainly, they are very eager to have me reveal that. And it would be odd if we did not follow through.
12. Will you portray women fighters, rather than damsels in distress in your upcoming Warcraft novels? - by Nephalim
Knaak: I think I have done pretty good showing females as warriors. I think Vereesa saved Rhonin as much as he saved her. She's no damsel in distress. You know, sometimes I have to use that for some situations, but I try to make female characters strong. Tyri is a little headstrong, so she in the manga falls into problems occassionally, but at the same time she's also the first in battle when needed. I think you will see more of that in the upcoming Burning Crusade Manga, for instance.
13. Timolas asks: Do you plan on reintroducing Vereesa and revealing her relationship to the blood elves, considering she was a high elf when we last left off? Does she approve of the changes her people have undergone, or is she one of the few remaining high elves who stay true to the old ways?
Knaak: That's a very good question. Yes, you will see Vereesa eventually. And I will have to say, just as a personal matter, that I don't think she cares for the Blood Elf ways. She has too much pride in the old ways that she has followed, and being of course with Rhonin now I think she's very much more eager to stay in the high elf tradition and not follow down the path of the blood elf.
14. Timolas asks: What was Hakkar the Houndmaster's species? Was he an Eredar?
Knaak: (grin) ... I am not saying.
15. From Kenzuki: As a fan of Mr. Knaak's Diablo novels I think he can write a good dark fantasy themed Warcraft story. If Blizzard would let you, would you consider writing a novel based on the Scyth of Elune questline? With the worgen, dark riders, Duskwood, Jitters, Dalaran mage Arugal, etc. I think THAT would make one awesome book.
Knaak: (laugh) ... that has some nice elements there. If the storyline will go as I think it would, I would certainly be very interested in that. I do like the shadowy fantasy, and I think Warcraft has obviously enough elements of that direction. That is a good plotline right there to deal with.
Again, that depends on what Blizzard thinks would be next, best for me to work on. With the different writers they look at the different ideas they have and say who they think would best bring out -- obviously they think I'm good with writing the dragons and such -- but if there is a plotline they think I could do then we would discuss it. I would be happy to work with that plotline you suggested actually.
16. With the last book of the Diablo: The Sin War coming out this month, could you mention new characters or special events which fans should look forward to? Fans who have followed the previous books or which are about to start reading them.
Knaak: There are some events in the third book of Diablo the Sin War that I think will surprise the readers. They may not be expecting some of the things that will happen. Specially toward the end there. And I think that when they see the path of Uldyssian's fate and we got his brother, Meldeln, what he's following. There is going to be a few surprises for the readers in the final chapter of the story. And outside that, about new Diablo novels, we are still discussing things in general, so I have to hold off on any specifics.
17. Any new Diablo novels planned in the horizon? -- by Aerisot
Knaak: Well, I'm in the process of ... I just finished working on Diablo: The Sin War Trilogy, which introduces the groundwork for the Diablo world, and we are discussing the possibility of doing some more Diablo. It is at a stage too early to say what, but I hope to continue working with it, and I think you will be seeing more novels, not only by myself, but from some other writers as well.
It's still a very popular world. And there's still much to explore.
18. Siaynoq asks: I'd be very interested to know if we'll ever find out more specifically what Trag'Oul is? The possibilities as well as implications of his existence drives me nuts. But in a good way.
Knaak: Yea, there is a lot about Trag'Oul which is very fascinating. The more we touch upon it, when I was writing the trilogy, the more interesting he became. And I certainly, if I do more Diablo novels, I will try to show more of the elements about him, because there are more about him than I knew at the beginning..
19. Diablo fans have been awaiting the announcement of Diablo 3 and lately getting hyped enough. why do you taunt us with new tales of Diablo. Do you like torturing us? -- by Shere Khaan
Knaak: (laugh) ... what's wrong with torture? Ahh, believe me, I am as eager as any of them to see a Diablo 3. I am writing the novels because:
a) I enjoy doing it.
b) because Blizzard has asked me to continue doing so.
To me that means - as I said earlier - that it's not a dead world, again ... no pun intended.
20. Fans from the Diablo3.com community hail you. Any special message you would like to tell Diablo fans in general, who have read all your novels?
Knaak: Well first of all, I appreciate that they have been enjoying the stories, and I really enjoy writing them. And all I can say is that I am as eager as they are, for another installment of Diablo.
Kazo: Thanks very much for the interview, and I hope you enjoy your stay in Slovakia, and hopefully come back next year.
Knaak: That would be very nice. I really hope for it.
