Originally Posted by
Shakou
The full context of that situation is that she is prepared to do for the Blood Elves what they did for her people. There's other dialogue we've already talked about that establishes that Thalyssra does not like/trust the Night Elves. It's that simple. And it's made concrete with this bit of dialogue after they join the Horde:
Joining the Horde
When our city faced its darkest hour, the heroes of Azeroth fought with us to drive out the Legion. Some did so reluctantly.
But the sin'dorei--the blood elves--showed us respect and understanding. Their kinship proved there were others in Azeroth who share our values.
They choose the join the Horde because as I was already saying from the beginning here, the Horde have the same values as them. The Horde accepts people fully into their ranks without asking them to change their cultural identity and customs. The Alliance does not, they expect you to conform and do things their way or else.
Look the dialogue about testing her skills in Ashenvale is really hammy and all but it's not undermining her character and if it is, it's a small offense. On the whole by her joining the Horde they are establishing an evolution of her character. She is going from a person that needed allies to help her save her people, to a person willing to do the same for others.
Liadrin and First Arcanist Thalyssra: Invitation to Silvermoon
First Arcanist Thalyssra: Greetings, Lady Liadrin, $p. Welcome back to Suramar. I am pleased to receive you under more pleasant circumstances.
Lady Liadrin: It is good to see your city free, First Arcanist.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: For that, we owe you both a great debt. You proved instrumental to our cause.
Lady Liadrin: The Horde was proud to fight by your side against the Burning Legion, my lady.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: I must admit, when I first learned of the Horde, I was skeptical that we would share common ground.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: I thought our kin from Kalimdor would make obvious allies. But their arrogance and mistrust soon proved otherwise.
Lady Liadrin: Arcanist Thalyssra. I remember where your order stood in the War of the Ancients. How do we know you won't betray us and become the next Elisande... the next Azshara?
First Arcanist Thalyssra: We do not intend to be slaves to the Nightwell. We seek to drive the Legion from Suramar and put an end to Elisande's oppression.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: The kaldorei will fight to see the Legion defeated and the Nightwell destroyed. Beyond that... we shall see where Elune's wisdom guides us.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: It would seem "Elune's wisdom" guided her away from the bond we once shared. So be it.
Lady Liadrin: The sin'dorei are also scorned by Tyrande and her prideful lot. Yet for many ages her people slept in dens or hid in trees while my people fought to save this world.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: The Alliance feels too walled off... too cloistered. My people will never endure such stagnation again.
First Arcanist Thalyssra: That is why I am grateful for your invitation to Silvermoon. I would like to inquire whether there could be a place for the nightborne in your Horde.
Lady Liadrin: I am sure the regent lord will be pleased to learn of your interest. Are you ready to depart?
First Arcanist Thalyssra: It would be an honor, Lady Liadrin. Oculeth has the coordinates to your capital. I will gather Silgryn and Valtrois, and meet you in Silvermoon.
It could be better written out, but the story itself is well plotted and there are totally solid motivations, and I had predicted as much when people were speculating if Nightborne would ever be a playable race that they would join the Horde from the get go and this totally makes sense. The Blood Elves and them have a lot in common, and joining the Horde absolutely means fighting against the Horde's enemies.
It means they can't be neutral to the Night Elves.
You've got to remember, Blood Elves/High Elves are just Night Elves that adapted and were changed due to the Sunwell. These people are all related. So it's a family fued and that Elves are all Elves and often hate different factions of Elves is established very well not only here but in other places in 7.3.5 and was a huge part of the Battle for Suramar in Legion.
Master Umbric:
Silvermoon turned its back on us long ago. Today we are reborn... and it is fitting that we walk a new path. From this day forth, the Alliance has our loyalty.
High elf? Please. Why would you want to be a high elf when you can look all tragic and brooding?
I admit, purple was never my favorite color. But lately it's growing on me. Literally.
I suppose I can forgive you for not being a fan of elves. After all, half of us dislike the other half rather intensely.
Now there's some other reasons people might be pissed about that dialogue but it is what it is. More or less the Blood Elves are faced with a similar situation to what the Nightborne had just gone through, so of course they are sympathetic to that.
As for the rest, including speculation about Allied races in 7.3.5 and when the burning of Teldrassil happens...I am confident it will play out like this, for one in order for the Nightborne/Void Elve stuff to have a real impact it will have to be laid out now right on the heels of Legion and not brought up later.
To give a little real world background here: Wars don't break out suddenly because of a battle or attack happening out of nowhere, politics and the need for resources are actually a primary and good reason that wars break out. So if you thought that the war breaks out because of either the Battle at Undercity or Teldrassil burning you were already off. The war breaks out before then.
I think how this is gonna go down is like the Broken Shore scenario in Legion. You will play the Battle of Undercity after Teldrassil burns.
And actually more data mined dialogue backs a lot of this up:
Archmage Khadgar
It seems our victory on Argus was a hollow one. With his final blow, Sargeras has done much more than bury his blade in the heart of our world.
I had hoped that after the war against the Legion, the people of Azeroth would build a new future together. But now the unity we forged has been shattered.
As the life essence of Azeroth bleeds out, the leaders of the Alliance and Horde scramble to claim it as a resource. Blades are drawn, and the tides of war are rising once again.
Horde Embassy Dialogue
Sylvanas Windrunner: Leaders of the Horde, I summoned you here--along with one of our greatest champions--because our enemies are gathering their strength.
Sylvanas Windrunner: War is coming. We need fresh blood added to the ranks of the Horde. What say you?
Baine Bloodhoof: Warchief, the tauren of Highmountain fought boldly alongside us in our campaign against the Burning Legion, just as our ancestors did long ago.
Baine Bloodhoof: I have invited their leaders to a great feast in Mulgore. This could be a chance to bring them to our side.
Sylvanas Windrunner: A simple people, but strong. They would be a boon on the battlefield.
Lady Liadrin: I too have a suggestion, Warchief. The sin'dorei have maintained diplomatic ties with the nightborne since we helped liberate Suramar from the Legion.
Lady Liadrin: The regent lord and I agree that our kingdoms have much in common. We believe the nightborne would make valuable allies.
Lady Liadrin: Even without the Nightwell, Suramar holds vast arcane resources. A most useful arrow added to my quiver.
Sylvanas Windrunner: Each option would have its uses. I believe $n knows both these peoples. Which potential ally do you suggest we pursue first?
Anduin:
The strength of the Lightforged is most welcome in our ranks, High Exarch.
Both these qualities will be needed in the days to come. And thank you for your part in bringing them to our cause, $p.
For the Alliance!
I am eager for the Lightforged to join the Alliance. Turalyon, bring our champion with you to the Vindicaar so that you may address your troops together.
It may take time for these void elves to earn the trust of some in our ranks. But so long as they adhere to your teachings, they are welcome in the Alliance.
You have done us a great service this day, Lady Windrunner, $p. You have my thanks.
For the Alliance!
Welcome, friend $p. I am King Anduin Wrynn. As a new member of the Alliance, I wished to greet you personally.
The Lightforged may be a recent addition to our ranks, but I know the draenei well. I am confident you will embody the dedication and courage of the Army of the Light.
The void elves may be a recent addition to our ranks, but Alleria Windrunner is one of our greatest heroes. Under her tutelage, the powers you wield will aid our cause.
These are troubled times for Azeroth. In the days to come, you will face many trials... fight many foes. Know that you are never alone against the darkness, for the Alliance stands with you.
I look forward to hearing of your progress. Something tells me we will speak again soon.
Safe travels, $p. May the Light be with you always.
Safe travels, $p. Though you walk among the shadows, you are a beacon of hope to us all.
Thank you for joining us, champion. These are dire times indeed.
We all know the Alliance incurred heavy losses in the war against the Legion. And even now, the world bleeds in the aftermath of Sargeras's final strike.
Meanwhile, the Horde musters its forces and arms for war. Their aggression must not go unanswered.
Our future depends on bringing other like-minded allies into the fold. I call upon those of you gathered here for your suggestions.
Thank you, High Exarch. Lightforged soldiers would indeed bring strength to our numbers.
Stormwind has suffered at the hands of those who succumbed to the shadow's whispers. But if others could master its power as you have, they would make formidable allies.
Thank you both for your counsel. I would like to hear our champion's perspective on which of these potential allies we should reach out to first.
Lady Windrunner, please begin the search for your exiled kin. Perhaps our champion here can assist you.
You have seen the devastation in Silithus with your own eyes, $p. You know what is at stake.
The Horde will stop at nothing to claim the lifeblood of Azeroth. I fear that after the war against the Legion, our ranks are too depleted to stave off their aggression.
It is time for the Alliance to bring in new members to join our cause. We have established an embassy in Stormwind to spearhead these efforts. Meet me there.
Pure speculation, the Horde won't be responsible for burning Teldrassil, I think it's another ploy by Wrathion who is well due to become a major character in the game again.