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  1. #1
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Nexus, a fanmade expansion idea. Discussion thread


    Hi! This is a project that started back in late 2015, after Eye of Azshara. This expansion aims to recover and revive the Mists of Pandaria feeling, rather than being after and stopping one big bad evil guy.

    I am aware that GoldenYak is also making up a wonderful void themed expansion involving Ethereals, but our approaches are different.

    I invite you to comment and discuss on the ideas! Here is a summary of what the expansion would feature:

    • 8 new areas to explore
    • Playable Neutral Ethereals
    • 2 new Allied Races: Rakzash (Alliance) and Iodari (Horde)
    • New class: Tinker, a mail-wearing hybrid class with 3 specializations: Siegecrafter (Tank), Specialist (DPS) and Medic (Healer)
    • New third Demon Hunter specialization: Oblivion
    • New artifact system: Cyphers
    • Revamped corruption system: Infusions, coming in x.2
    • Enclave of Tal'az - Neutral Capital (pronounced /tal'ath/).
    • 6 new raids over three tiers.
    • 16 new dungeons over three tiers
    • New factions
    • Professions reworked
    You can read all of the content and story that's up so far in this Google Doc: World of Warcraft: Nexus.

    Please keep in mind that everything is a WIP and subject to change.

    Synopsis:

    The naaru A’dal receives a signal coming from the Twisting Nether and summons Turalyon, Ishanah, Liadrin and Voren’thal among others to discuss the news in Shattrath. A’dal reveals the signal comes from a collapsed planet named K’aresh and that the emissor is M’ara, one of his brethren. Turalyon sees this as an opportunity to bring greatness to the Alliance, and bends A’dal’s reunion into an uncomfortable Alliance bias that the Blood Elves notice.

    Turalyon arranges further meetings exclusively with A’dal and the Aldor. Lady Liadrin and the Scryers, on their part, bring word to Lor’themar Theron of the ongoing events. The Lord Regent calls the Convocation of Silvermoon, adding not only Liadrin and Voren’thal as part of the government of the city, but also Tae’thelan Bloodwatcher to strengthen their people.

    Alleria has in the meantime mobilized Anduin and other groups of the Alliance to join A’dal’s campaign. Anduin argues that it would be a wise idea to start negotiations with the Ethereals in Netherstorm if they are to initiate an expedition to K’aresh. The leaders of the Horde, who had been alerted by Lor’themar, sent spies to gather intelligence from the Alliance. Gallywix suggests embittering the Alliance’s negotiations into the Horde’s benefit. The Goblins of Area 52, properly blackmailed by the Bilgewater Cartel, spread incriminating rumors among the Ethereals to create suspicion on the Alliance. In spite of this, Turalyon bonds with Commander Ameer, the Leader of The Protectorate and exherts his conviction to make Ameer’s Ethereals join the Alliance in their cause. Nexus-Prince Haramad and the less zealous Ethereals who suspect of Turalyon’s motives (secretly influenced by the Goblins), and after having a discussion with the Scryers and the Horde, see a very profitable opportunity in joining the Horde.

    Without further ado, the Alliance begins preparations to depart in the Vindicaar towards A’dal’s designated location. The Horde, however, does not have a vessel with which journey across the Twisting Nether and resorts to claim Tempest Keep through a mutiny against the Aldor inside the spaceship. This deals a strong blow to the Alliance, who cannot but see how the Tempest Keep warps away in front of their eyes.

    While the Alliance has a safe and steady but disheartened voyage to K’aresh, the Horde has a dangerous and turbulent but triumphant space dive into the Twisting Nether with no directions or coordinates.

    Set foot on an ancient shattered planet and unveil the secrets of K'aresh!


    Origins:

    K'aresh was once home to the soul of a nascent ageless being. That being was a primal Naaru. The amount of energy requested by the unborn soul to manifest allured countless amounts of astral material towards itself, even ripping off the crust of another worlds. The primal lightspawn was eventually encased in a cosmic cocoon containing layer over layer of otherworldly detritus. Remnants of ancient civilizations. Ruins and artifacts of ages gone by.

    With the course of aeons the nascent Naaru became prisoner to its own power. Unable to birth, the Naaru within became dormant. The cocoon, a husk of astral dust. Many forms of life evolved and spawned since then, mixing in a conflux of energy, forming anew a puzzle of ripped worlds in the Twisting Nether. This multiple layered alien world would be known as K'aresh.

    As they evolved, the inhabitants native to K'aresh had found themselves living in a world filled with life forms much older than them, both thriving and in ruins.






    • K'areshi Wastes: Initial zone. This is our first foothold on the remains of K'aresh. A crystalline cosmic desert that is at first sight devoid of life. The ancient city of Thalaz rests in the middle of the desert.
    • Amketh: The first area to encounter to the southwest path. Amketh is a zone of light. The manyfold strata of time are littered everywhere. Full of ruins and mysterious artifacts, this area is a delight for treasure hunters and archaeologists. Shazaad's Tower watches over the Valley of the Nexus-Kings and the neverfading rain region of Quramanas to the southeast.
    • Dunes of Na'karat: A desolate holy land watching to an eternal dawn. Floating sandy islands and ruins of past generations shape the area into a mosaic of devotion. Here is where High Archon Aetheras has set the order of the Edict of Archons. In addition, a new threat has sprung from the land into a colossal beryl bloom.
    • Vale of Naughts: The first area to encounter to the northwest path. Carved into the void-touched stone are countless passages and caverns leading to hidden vales and ridges. Here is where Nexus-Princess Tal'avyl settled along the Order of Naughts.
    • Velath'nul An alien area that is eternally shrouded in shadows. Raw void energy seeps into the very ground of this area, warping all on its wake. Velath'nul is a large zone that comprises a variety of imagery. Sundered Ethereal towns and warped lands contrast with the magnificent complex of abandoned factories to the northeast.

    • x.2Valley of the Nexus-Kings: A floating island to the south of Amketh and Na'karat. A metaphorical name for the area were Vyr and Vexelon went on their exodus. A myriad of tombs and crypts that hide secrets beneath them. This area holds an aeon lost mystery of the stars.
    • x.2Forges of Infinity: The main area of the factories of Velath'nul. It is a massive indoor zone filled up with the most advanced technology any mortal has ever witnessed. The Forges contain many answers for those willing to learn.

    • x.3The Conflux: Altering the sources of Light and Void across K'aresh have revealed its core, an alien astral crystalline area of distortion where both energies converge and clash with one another. Mythical creatures of the cosmos delve in this place. This area features a special mechanic reminiscing of both The Broken Shore and Argus to turn the Tides of Dawn and Dusk.



    New dungeons

    • Wake of Destruction: Located in K'areshi Wastes. A series of ruined and shattered halls that date from lost eras. It is believed it contains a source of great power.
    • Kaalai Shoals: Located in K'areshi Wastes. A series of caves and shoals alongside the Neverending Cliffs. Alien items are often washed away by the surging waves of nether.
    • Tomb of Shaal'nahar: Located in Amketh. The debris in which rascal Ethereal survivors hide and gather after razing the many ruins of their homeland seeking profit. This place happens to be the remains of an ancient Aldrachi sanctum honoring Shaal'nahar, a Wild God they encountered after their exile.
    • Shazaad's Tower: Located in Amketh. This Tower is a repository of invaluable knowledge prior to the Thalaz'ir gathering. Arcanist Shazaad's has claimed the tower and looks for help in purging the evil that has sprung within.
    • Quramanas Depths: Located in Amketh. The depths of the ancient waterway host a myriad of secret corridors and passages leading to the pools of Al'ubel.
    • Narouun'asar Mausoleum: Located in the Dunes of Na'karat. A hallowed buried necropolis beneath the dunes. It is the repose of Halphas, one of the Thalaz'ir.
    • Heavendrift Aerie: Located in the Dunes of Na'karat. A series of floating islands atop which rest the golden obelisks that bear the words of R'saat.
    • Mount Voidspire: Located in Vale of Naughts. Mount Voidspire is one of the highest mountains in the Vale of Naughts. However, it appears to be holding a volcano of boiling void inside. It appears it is going to erupt anytime soon.
    • Naastar Observatory: Located in Vale of Naughts. A mysterious observatory atop the northwesternmost plateau taken by the Devoid. Things that should not be seen appear when looking through its telescope.
    • Black Ice Sanctum: Located in Vale of Naughts. The core of the icy comet Val. The Legion raids could not retrieve the source of the planet's everlasting winter. Will we?
    • Altar of Ulvasar: Located in Velath'nul. A hidden shrine that has been warped by a mysterious pylon hovering over its grounds, but it is protected by the Ulvasari.
    • Fall of Aztal-Nur: Located in Velath'nul. An artifact of the void seems to be rending the space and time apart of the ruins of an Ethereal village. A dimensional rift sends trespassers back in time to a vision of the events of the Void War in that town.

    • x.2Vyr'aat Arcspiral: Located in the Valley of the Nexus-Kings. Vyr, one of the Thalaz'ir, managed to alter the very essence of Ethereals and transform their once corporeal body into purer lifeforms. His teachings were of use in the shaping of the Ethereals, but his legacy is darker than it would seem.
    • x.2Null Sector: Located in the Forges of Infinity. One of the deepest halls of the Forges of Infinity and Azymmeth's testroom. Though the void seems to have taken root deep inside, there seems to be a new artificial energy fending void off.

    • x.3Tal'azir Conduit: Located in K'areshi Wastes. A bottomless pit beneath the Obelisk of Thalaz where the Ley-Lines of K'aresh converge. The shattering of the planet has caused the energies to grow unstable. Could Thalaz be the key?
    • x.3Verge of Sound: Located in The Conflux. The very edge of light and void into the abyss. An adimensional being called Satra has materialized there to warn adventurers about the chapter of the Eternal Conflict involving K'aresh and its origins that is about to take place.

    • OtherEndless Halls of Dal Karos: Located in Amketh. These are the twisted remains of the upside down tower of Dal Karos, a place so warped that reality is merely an illusion. Adventuring into the everdescending halls of the tower holds innumerable trials and challenges. What will await at the bottom of the tower, should there exist any at all?




    New raids

    • Well of Silence: Located in Vale of Naughts. Deep beneath the pit of the Monastery of Naughts lies the Well of Silence, a prison where voidfallen Ethereals hide. Nexus-Princess Tal'avyl asks adventurers to explore the prison and check what fate has fallen upon them.
    • Atrium of Plenitude: Located in Dunes of Na'karat. Archon Venkatrath suspects High Archon Aetheras has found something disturbing and may end up becoming what Nexus-King Salhadaar was: a vengeful zealot. Access the deeper halls of the Shrine of Na'karat and intervene.

    • x.2Cradle of the Starbound: Located in the Valley of the Nexus-Kings. Buried deep beneath the catacombs of the many kings lies a hidden complex revealing Constellar architecture. Delve inside and find out about the Constellar and their relationship with the origins of the Ethereal race and how they came to be fleshy beings.
    • x.2The Warpcore: Located in the Forges of Infinity. The very heart of the forges, where the void has reached most. Fight the voidwarped engines and defeat Chief Voidmaster Zaathir.

    • x.3Xyl'xureth, the Twofold Nexus: Located in The Conflux. An adimensional abstract space that once was the core of K'aresh. Heed Satra's words, fight out the convergence of the surges of light and void and erase V'iru, the Twofold Light from existence... at a cost.

    • OtherWorld Bosses K'aresh is full of world menacing threats. Check out what world bosses there are and their special drops!
    • OtherThe Holosphere: Located in Velath'nul. A holographic plastic space floating in the Twisting Nether that can take the form of many realities. The Holosphere's elastic existence allows the recalling of encounters with increased difficulty. Certainly a fearsome yet marvelous place.
    Last edited by Azalar; 2023-10-28 at 10:19 AM. Reason: new name

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
    #TeamK'aresh #TeamWorldRevamp

  2. #2
    The Undying Lochton's Avatar
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    Looks good but my question is about surviving. Sadly, our Ethereal friends didn't look like they do now. They raised barriers on their homeworld but they weren't able to protect them from the tearing energies that in the end turnt them to their state of inscribed binds and torment. That is why I've never really had a hope for K'aresh, it is a planet torn by arcane and shadow.
    FOMO: "Fear Of Missing Out", also commonly known as people with a mental issue of managing time and activities, many expecting others to fit into their schedule so they don't miss out on things to come. If FOMO becomes a problem for you, do seek help, it can be a very unhealthy lifestyle..

  3. #3
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gehco View Post
    Looks good but my question is about surviving. Sadly, our Ethereal friends didn't look like they do now. They raised barriers on their homeworld but they weren't able to protect them from the tearing energies that in the end turnt them to their state of inscribed binds and torment. That is why I've never really had a hope for K'aresh, it is a planet torn by arcane and shadow.
    That chapter of the Void War is one of the parts of the Ethereal starting zone.

    And yes, K'aresh is very much destroyed and few parts of it remain, held together by the gravitational forces of the core of the planet (which is also pulling the Outlands to it).

    The previous form of the Ethereals before they became Ethereals like we know is a major story arc in this concept.

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
    #TeamK'aresh #TeamWorldRevamp

  4. #4
    The Undying Lochton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Azalar View Post
    That chapter of the Void War is one of the parts of the Ethereal starting zone.

    And yes, K'aresh is very much destroyed and few parts of it remain, held together by the gravitational forces of the core of the planet (which is also pulling the Outlands to it).

    The previous form of the Ethereals before they became Ethereals like we know is a major story arc in this concept.
    Aye, but then again, would've been suicide for the first 'heroes' as the Ethereals barriers don't protect you from all the dangers. Unless some crystal-tech draenei/blood elf enhances their barrier to hold out all the tormenting energies.
    FOMO: "Fear Of Missing Out", also commonly known as people with a mental issue of managing time and activities, many expecting others to fit into their schedule so they don't miss out on things to come. If FOMO becomes a problem for you, do seek help, it can be a very unhealthy lifestyle..

  5. #5
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gehco View Post
    Aye, but then again, would've been suicide for the first 'heroes' as the Ethereals barriers don't protect you from all the dangers. Unless some crystal-tech draenei/blood elf enhances their barrier to hold out all the tormenting energies.
    True that, but we do not know the status of the planet to this day. We don't really know whether the barriers are still up or all the energy has washed away.

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
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  6. #6
    That map is amazing!

  7. #7
    Read "Tinker" and stopped there

  8. #8
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Jyggalag View Post
    Read "Tinker" and stopped there
    What's so wrong with tinkers?

    I know there's been controversy over there about Tinkers with someone on the forum but still.

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
    #TeamK'aresh #TeamWorldRevamp

  9. #9
    I like the name. The most original name so far including the expansions. Blizzard has a pretty dull naming scheme, lacking in any literary flares, or clever wordplay.

    One comment: The forlorn canyon looks nothing like a canyon.
    Dragonflight Summary, "Because friendship is magic"

  10. #10
    It's nice to see an entirely new concept. An expansion like that could very well feel as filler, however, because none of these lands, nor the races we could find there, have any previous importance to us players.

    One thing I didn't like is to separate zones per level range. With the scaling tech from Legion, that has turned obsolete.

  11. #11
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by prwraith View Post
    I like the name. The most original name so far including the expansions. Blizzard has a pretty dull naming scheme, lacking in any literary flares, or clever wordplay.

    One comment: The forlorn canyon looks nothing like a canyon.
    Well, the map is only the silhouette.

    Quote Originally Posted by DeicideUH View Post
    It's nice to see an entirely new concept. An expansion like that could very well feel as filler, however, because none of these lands, nor the races we could find there, have any previous importance to us players.

    One thing I didn't like is to separate zones per level range. With the scaling tech from Legion, that has turned obsolete.
    Yes, the map is utterly outdated regarding level range. Anyway, what I want to emphasize on is that Na'karat continues the storyline of the Forlorn Canyon, and the same with Velath'nul to Vale of Naughts.

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
    #TeamK'aresh #TeamWorldRevamp

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Azalar View Post
    What's so wrong with tinkers?

    I know there's been controversy over there about Tinkers with someone on the forum but still.
    I personally don't agree they fit thematically in WoW. Sure, there's goblins and gnomes and engineer spec, etc. But IMO the steampunk thing as a class doesn't belong in a swords/magic/dragon fantasy setting. Massively takes away from hunters and warriors who aren't relying on magic for the most part. Why would anyone bring bow & arrows or a melee weapon to a gun fight? Doesn't make sense from a lore PoV that a knight, no matter how skilled with a blade, can hope to defeat something with a machine gun and bombs and the likes.
    Yes I'm aware guns already do and have always existed, but Tinker would be a step too far in killing immersion for me. Guns work for other classes from a gameplay perspective, but when you think of a hunter in the lore you don't imagine them firing 100 arrows a minute. Just my opinion.

    The map is pretty sick BTW.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Jyggalag View Post
    I personally don't agree they fit thematically in WoW. Sure, there's goblins and gnomes and engineer spec, etc. But IMO the steampunk thing as a class doesn't belong in a swords/magic/dragon fantasy setting. Massively takes away from hunters and warriors who aren't relying on magic for the most part. Why would anyone bring bow & arrows or a melee weapon to a gun fight? Doesn't make sense from a lore PoV that a knight, no matter how skilled with a blade, can hope to defeat something with a machine gun and bombs and the likes.
    Yes I'm aware guns already do and have always existed, but Tinker would be a step too far in killing immersion for me. Guns work for other classes from a gameplay perspective, but when you think of a hunter in the lore you don't imagine them firing 100 arrows a minute. Just my opinion.

    The map is pretty sick BTW.
    I agree to a point. But seeing as the entire gnomish race is basically steampunk it's hard to really say it doesn't fit wow.
    Dragonflight Summary, "Because friendship is magic"

  14. #14
    Quote Originally Posted by prwraith View Post
    I agree to a point. But seeing as the entire gnomish race is basically steampunk it's hard to really say it doesn't fit wow.
    You could argue that the gnomes are the exception because from a lore PoV it makes sense (to me at least) they need machines to make up for what they lack physically. When you imagine an orc or tauren warrior vs a gnome warrior, do you picture the gnome effortlessly jumping with 2x 2h bigger and heavier than they are similar to how Yoda moves against Dooku in attack of the clones, or do you picture them with an array of technology to help them? Such as mechanical limbs, etc.
    Given WoW currently indicates that the former is closer to the intended fantasy but you could argue that's just because common sense/physics/lore doesn't always make good gameplay mechanics.

  15. #15
    The Undying Lochton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by prwraith View Post
    I agree to a point. But seeing as the entire gnomish race is basically steampunk it's hard to really say it doesn't fit wow.
    The tinker card is a big card, as for steampunk itself - you have gnomes, goblins and dwarves.

    As for the tinker card, as I said, it is a big card; Orcs, Draenei, Goblins, Gnomes, Blood Elves, Dwarves, Humans and Forsaken - all these use Tinker, or have their own kind.

    - - - Updated - - -

    As for the Tinker as well, a big spokes person would be the man himself, Gazlowe (One|Two].
    FOMO: "Fear Of Missing Out", also commonly known as people with a mental issue of managing time and activities, many expecting others to fit into their schedule so they don't miss out on things to come. If FOMO becomes a problem for you, do seek help, it can be a very unhealthy lifestyle..

  16. #16
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    Wow...this just looks amazing man. Congratulations, it's an expansion just as I would like to see them. Wish it was true.

  17. #17
    Brewmaster Azalar's Avatar
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    Just updated the map with some zones I did not include in the first one. I love how the Forges of Infinity look!

    An expansion concept based on K'aresh
    #TeamK'aresh #TeamWorldRevamp

  18. #18
    So...wait...

    This looks like something out of DBZ/Madoka/Other Universal-High-dimensionl shit...

    Sadly, though, WOW has been this way since late WoD (Could also say TBC..but...nahh).

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Lobosan View Post
    Some people have a little too much time on their hands lol. Also cmon, enough with the Tinker crap. It's been talked to death for nearly a decade. Bad enough we have to deal with emo tryhards running around as Demon Hunters now.
    We've been dealing with those emo's since the DKs....

  19. #19
    The Unstoppable Force Friendlyimmolation's Avatar
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    I'd enjoy this.


    So...wait...

    This looks like something out of DBZ/Madoka/Other Universal-High-dimensionl shit...

    Sadly, though, WOW has been this way since late WoD (Could also say TBC..but...nahh).
    this stuff has been referenced since BC.
    Last edited by Friendlyimmolation; 2017-05-03 at 03:27 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by WoWKnight65 View Post
    That's same excuse from you and so many others on this website and your right some of threads do bully high elf fans to a point where they might end up losing their minds to a point of a mass shooting.
    Holy shit lol

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by DeicideUH View Post
    It's nice to see an entirely new concept. An expansion like that could very well feel as filler, however, because none of these lands, nor the races we could find there, have any previous importance to us players.

    One thing I didn't like is to separate zones per level range. With the scaling tech from Legion, that has turned obsolete.
    Not quite.
    There is I think a good reason why it should at the very least be bracketed, with upper and lower levels for given content.
    Player experience and toolkit progression.
    A max level player has greater experience and a greater toolkit than one at a level lower by any reasonable amount.
    They will not have the same experience in content scaled to any player with a lesser toolkit.

    There has to be content mechanics-wise designed for players at varying levels of experience, those levelling their first character.
    A max level player scaled down will find it increasingly trivial the further from that they are.
    Therefore I think that should be at the very least lower limits, minimum requirements for a player level before that content scales to the player.

    I do think that the player progression and how the current zones and associated dungeons are no longer in line with that and could do with some reworking.

    Level ranges are an important necessity for scaling, though I would agree less so for an expansion continent when the issues I described from varying toolkit would be hugely reduced, there being less difference between the start and end than there is during the rest of the levelling process.

    Does it reduce or near eliminate the necessity for zones within a tight level range to have that differentiation ?
    That I will agree with.

    Is the idea of level ranges obsolete due to scaling ?
    No, not at all.
    Last edited by ComputerNerd; 2017-05-03 at 03:36 AM.
    Quote Originally Posted by DeadmanWalking View Post
    Your forgot to include the part where we blame casuals for everything because blizzard is catering to casuals when casuals got jack squat for new content the entire expansion, like new dungeons and scenarios.
    Quote Originally Posted by Reinaerd View Post
    T'is good to see there are still people valiantly putting the "Ass" in assumption.

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