Pretty sure it was just a Revenant.
Formerly known as Arafal
Thank God they didn't get to butcher the story as well.
On topic: It's an elemental. The inscription on Frostmourne's pedestal was also written in Kalimag, the language of elementals. The similarities are only there because this model was originally supposed to be the model for the Death Knight hero and the Maw is just stolen Death Knight aesthetics.
Hardly "just an influence" when your agents are the ones that lead to the corruption of Sargeras and the creation of the Burning Legion.
Last edited by Nerovar; 2021-09-25 at 10:47 AM.
The absolute state of Warcraft lore in 2021:
Kyrians: We need to keep chucking people into the Maw because it's our job.
Also Kyrians: Why is the Maw growing stronger despite all our efforts?
There isn't much to butcher in this case. It's one of the few things Blizzard have wisely not bothered to try to explain as no matter what elements new or old you add on it works best as a mood piece and gameplay tool, rather than any kind of element of the plot. The twist on the motif of a prince finding a magical sword in the stone + the need for a neutral boss fight in the way of the sword for the mission is what counts, as a story beat it's nonsense. It hinges on Ner'zhul chucking the keystone of his plan into the middle of the wastes where its guardians are a completely unrelated party who carefully craft an aesthetically appropriate pedestal with a warning that 99% of people can't read.
Last edited by Super Dickmann; 2021-09-25 at 11:02 AM.
Dickmann's Law: As a discussion on the Lore forums becomes longer, the probability of the topic derailing to become about Sylvanas approaches 1.
Tinkers will be the next Class confirmed.
Come on, you are not giving then the credit they deserve, they can butcher anything
i was 100% expecting then to retcon the orc campaign saying grom came in, burning trees(only using the fire coming out of his eyes) and eating night elves babies, and only then theu attack him.
Dickmann's Law: As a discussion on the Lore forums becomes longer, the probability of the topic derailing to become about Sylvanas approaches 1.
Tinkers will be the next Class confirmed.
I wasn't talking about that part of story in particular but more referring to the general idea of "lore upgrades" that make WC3 more compatible with WoW's totally-not-retcons that have accumulated over the years.
In regards to this particular story: If I recall correctly, back in WC3 we didn't yet know how Frostmourne got there. We only knew it was related to Ner'zhul (who possibly created it) and that he channeled his will through the blade. WC3 itself also doesn't mention the language of the inscription (that was Rise of the Lich King iirc). I always assumed that the pedestal was just some sort of spell that was supposed to contain Frostmourne. So there's not really any issue with that story beat if you look at WC3 in isolation.
The absolute state of Warcraft lore in 2021:
Kyrians: We need to keep chucking people into the Maw because it's our job.
Also Kyrians: Why is the Maw growing stronger despite all our efforts?
While it is an interesting observation, there was no way out of the Maw at the time.
It's more likely this was yet another case of the Scourge imitating the things found in the Shadowlands. Most of the Scourge is based on Shadowlands archetypes after all.
Most of WC3 works totally fine in isolation and didn't really need changing. There are some parts that the MMO is better about, like the night elf-blood elf relationship for instance or the orcs not all being reskins of the Author's OC who're perfunctory to the overall plot. Those however aren't relevant to the enjoyment of the RTS by itself, where both elements work and I also don't trust the writers not to make a dog's breakfast out of such changes. I am upset they sold a bugged skinpack with terrible shading without custom campaigns or working ladder at full price, but that horse is so dead it's part of the sediment.
As for the plot beat itself, you're right, the Kalimag thing is from Wrath/Rise of the Lich King, as are revenants being elementals and the saronite in the cavern. This wasn't in WC3, in WC3 the inscription and the Guardian weren't explained and the story wisely didn't waste its time explaining logistical bullshit in favor of focusing on the meat and theme of the story. The warnin being there at all, as is the LK letting the sword that is the crux of his plan get guarded by what were at the time independent undead is dumb. It also doesn't matter as compared to Arthas' reaction to the warning and what it says about where his character has gone by that point. If they later decide to say that they were actually put there by Yogg or that the Guardian and the pedestal were part of a set with Frostmourne or what have you is thus also irrelevant, so long as the plot beat regarding Arthas doesn't change.
Which is why all of the above is moot but Muradin being alive was bullshit, but beside the topic.
Dickmann's Law: As a discussion on the Lore forums becomes longer, the probability of the topic derailing to become about Sylvanas approaches 1.
Tinkers will be the next Class confirmed.
Mawsworn yeah rogue idk? Maybe Frostmourne works like Thor's axe it amplifies existing power so the Jailer has the Mawsworn there was a test to make sure that someone adequately powerful would acquire the blade?
Sure, if you lack any sense of immersion, and will to see the story as a cohesive whole.
You're not some genius for pointing out that the Jailer and Maw existing, and the Scourge being inspired by the Shadowlands, were not conceived yet, 20 years ago, when Warcraft 3 was being forged. This is a progressive story. Like any game, book, comic, movie or tv-show series, you'll have new information emerge about old situations, to tie into the old stuff and build upon it. Such retro-active continuity is normal.
This thread is about how a certain thing fits into the current lore. Pointing out that the current lore contains details not conceived of at the time of a previous chapter doesn't serve any purpose. Trust me, we know.