Cycle of Hatred (World of Warcraft)

The characters' motivations felt layered and realistic, avoiding clear-cut heroes or villains. I'm curious what inspired these nuanced portrayals.

The integration of gaming elements was intriguing, but at times I wondered if it slowed down the story or enriched it. What was others' take on this approach?

The detailed environment and factions felt so vivid—I'm interested in what influenced the author's choices for this universe.