"The civilians are providing the support that their job requires. Farming, shopkeeping, managing the auction houses and inns. They're all just as necessary. And the retired... they tend to come in two types. The truly retired are the ones who don't care any more -- the ones who have such age or injury or just plain exhaustion that they can no longer bring themselves to lift their heads to the metaphorical battle any more. On the other, you have the ones who all those factors still apply, but they do still care, so they find a position where they can still do a part with what they have left, or pass on their knowledge and wisdom to others."

Some people fit in the middle of the spectrum, or closer to one end or the other, it was true. Mar still remembered the bitter anguish in Varok Saurfang's voice, and well understood his withdrawal from active Horde duty. But even so, he still served in the way he could, as part of the remaining forces in Northrend.