Theory: The Illidari Delivered the Tidestone to Azshara; Azshara is a Savior

[Elestia]

Azshara got the stone in 8.2, this much is clear. Why and how is not so clear.
In all likelihood the Illidari ultimately would have delivered the stone for Azshara.

The TL;DR version being, Azshara would have been smart enough to play both sides, and the common denominator is the Illidari. It is still currently UNKNOWN who, what or how Azshara obtained the stone, only that she did. What's more interesting than trying to prove this assumption is what, if true, it actually means since literally the decisions of this group cascade into saving Azeroth not just in Legion but also in BfA and Shadowlands.


What has been suspect for years has been the strange alliance existing between Azshara's / Vashj's naga and the Illidari.
The facts that have been known since WC3 are: (There's more to this list, but these are the basics.)

• Vashj is loyal to Azshara
• Illidan and Vashj, and by extension Azshara desire to destroy the Frozen Throne
• Vashj, by her decision, made the call to save the Belfs from the humans for unknown reasons

This being given, what was suspect in Legion was:

• Why are Coilskar fighting against the naga attempting to seize the tidestone in Legion and at the Tomb of Sargeras?
• Why does Azshara have reason to launch, back and sponsor a campaign against the Lich King?
• Why was it necessary to commit resources to save the Belves?

If it is the case that the Illidari delivered the Tidestone, it would mean Azshara herself foresaw the role the Illidari would play in both restoring the titan pantheon and taking down Sargeras, but also resolving and defeating Nzoth's corruption AND enabling Sylvannas' path into Shadowlands to correct and restore it.

While it would make sense for Azshara to play her hand with Illidan as a long play, it makes less sense for her to deal with Sylvannas since this risked everything in order to obtain Xalatath. Until you consider the survival of Alliance and Horde forces in this gambit hinged on obtaining the tidestone, to both set the trap AND keep the survivors alive. This also secured Xalatath in striking a mortal blow to Nzoth and limited the damage an extended engagement/ war with both the Alliance and Horde would bring.

Azshara is and has been a keystone role in Azeroth's survival, even in necessarily furthering Sylvannas' adgenda. Her vision, in all likelihood, doesn't stop with Shadowlands, whereas we know since day one she desires an end to the Frozen Throne period. In enabling Sylvannas, Azshara has provided the path to restoring the dramatic imbalance of sufferring in the Shadowlands which has been coopted and abused by the Legion via necromantic magic by hijacking death in bringing undead armies to Azeroth. Her actions demonstrably hit at all three threats against Azeroth: The Legion, The Old Gods, The Undead.

Azshara: Savior of Azeroth

Edit: Formatting

[Rustedsaint]

...nah a wizard did it,Like how a wizard stoped the space goats from sending their spaceship and assault mechs to save that damn tree.
Stop trying to justify blizzard bad writing with bad fan fics.

[OpieOP]

I guess you're up to something, cept that Sylvanas will do a kerrigan.

[david0925]

You should submit this to Blizzard for when they want to pull another redemption arc.

[DemonHunter18]

Sylvanas, Savior of Azeroth

Azshara, Savior of Azeroth

What's worse xd

[Elestia]

You should submit this to Blizzard for when they want to pull another redemption arc.

Too late, it's all already there. Take it or leave it, love it or hate it.

[Sagenod]

It makes a ton of sense and I wouldn't mind it at all. Not because I think Azshara is the sleeper hero of the story but quite the opposite. She wants to rule Azeroth, all of it. As well as the rest of the cosmos ideally, hence her original deal with Sargeras in the first place. We know she's the greatest mage to ever exist, which undoubtedly requires great intellectual power. She's a super genius sociopath who will stop at nothing until she is the queen of all reality.

I mean this is some serious 4D chess we're talking about. Undoubtedly she's had these strategic capabilities because of N'zoth, who she was using like she does everyone else. Think about that, an Old God, some of the most powerful and manipulative beings in all reality, possibly a pawn of Queen Azshara. She's essentially at the level of the Nathrezim, creatures that have been manipulating events since the literal start of the universe.

And should we be surprised? Who are the three warbringers, the characters that were given cinematics before BFA launched? Jaina, Sylvanas and Azshara. All three of those characters are clearly instrumental in the overall plot of Warcraft. I'm stoked to see what's next!

[DarkTZeratul]

I think the more likely scenario is the simplest one: we left it in the Tomb of Sargeras when we went to Argus, and the naga went in and grabbed it.

[Kithelle]

Sylvanas, Savior of Azeroth

Azshara, Savior of Azeroth

What's worse xd

Sylvanas.....DEFINITELY Sylvanas.

[Hellspawn]

Azshara is the true child of shadow and light obviously

[Saltysquidoon]

Sylvanas, Savior of Azeroth

Azshara, Savior of Azeroth

What's worse xd

Why not both?

[Skytotem]

Illidari giving her the tidestone makes sense, Azshara might think she's gonna try and be a good leader... but Sylvanas trying to fix the afterlife rather than being selfish is garbage and out of character for her.

[TheFirstOnes]

Pretty sure the Players are the Savior's of Azeroth.

Azshara is just a boss we beat tf out of.

[DemonHunter18]

Sylvanas.....DEFINITELY Sylvanas.

Why not both?

hm one will inevitably get something where they'll try to portray her as not being evil while the other one has God complex so if I had to pick who would be the true savior then it would be Sargeras

he has good intentions

[Super Dickmann]

Khadgar, who had access to it last, gave it to her in exchange for premium access to her OnlyFans. Why do you think he's been gone this entire expansion?

[Kithelle]

hm one will inevitably get something where they'll try to portray her as not being evil while the other one has God complex so if I had to pick who would be the true savior then it would be Sargeras

he has good intentions

I'll take Sargeras over Sylvanas being the savior

[DemonHunter18]

I'll take Sargeras over Sylvanas being the savior

Sargeras even went so far to have a go with her but they had to stop him so he marked her for the rest of eternity

[Tanaria]

Why would the Illidari do that, unless we're specifically talking about the Illidari Naga and Lady S'theno.

Illidari Blood Elves and Night Elves wouldn't even dream of doing that. For the latter, she is the main reason why they became demon hunters in the first place.

[Powerogue]

Absolutely a conspiracy theory where it's way simpler to say "a naga snuck in and stole it." But hey, it's interesting at least.

[david0925]

Absolutely a conspiracy theory where it's way simpler to say "a naga snuck in and stole it." But hey, it's interesting at least.

where's the fun in that? Better to do some conspiracy theory and be wrong 99% of the time for that off chance to go HAHA I TOLD YOU SO. That's why people do conspiracy theories to begin with.