Alex Afrasiabi aka Valnoth is the Creative Director for World of Warcraft.
History[]
Alex was once the leader of Fires of Heaven, a famous Everquest guild. His character, Kalaran, was the first Level 50 in Everquest. He was known by the community as "Furor Planedefiler", an Everquest "e-celebrity" that was known for providing arguably controversial commentary and feedback within the community. He, along with Jeffrey Kaplan aka Tigole were both Everquest guild leaders that were eventually hired by Blizzard Entertainment to work on World of Warcraft (2004).
Alex was responsible for the implementation of various significant events, including the opening of the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj. 'We just didn't realise how many people would actually show up to this thing,' Alex states in the World of Warcraft: Looking For Group documentary reflecting upon the event's unanticipated popularity.
At BlizzCon 2010, Alex was a panelist during the famous Red Shirt Guy question alongside Chris Metzen.
In-game references[]
There are many references to Alex within the game world of World of Warcraft: Field Marshal Afrasiabi - a quest giver in Stormwind City, [60] The Great Fras Siabi - a quest in the Eastern Plaguelands, involving Fras Siabi in Stratholme.
Fras Siabi can also be found in Stratholme Past.
One of the characters Alex has played, Kariel, is also referenced across the world of Azeroth. Pathstalker Kariel is a Rogue trainer in the zone Eversong Woods, inside Dire Maul players can find the Skeletal Remains of Kariel Winthalus, who can be found referenced to in many libram around the world, [Libram of Rapidity] is an example.
Another frequent reference to Alex is Foror, this can be found in items like [Foror's Compendium of Dragon Slaying], [Foror's Crate of Endless Resist Gear Storage], or [Autographed Picture of Foror & Tigule].
Alex is also mentioned in the names and flavor text of the unobtainable items [Alex's Ring of Audacity] and [Peep's Whistle].
In Wrath of the Lich King, Lord Afrasastrasz is another reference to him.
Credits[]
- World of Warcraft (2004), Quest Designer
- World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2007), Lead Quest Designer
- World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (2008), Lead World Designer
- World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor (2014), Creative Director
- World of Warcraft: Legion (2016), Creative Director