The War Within 11.X Patches & World Soul Saga Speculation Thread

[Wangming]

Also, were I to personally choose the trajectory of Wrathion's story, I'd have to say I'd prefer for him to go back to his Cata-era roots as a heroic crime lord. I think it would be very interesting to see him get cuckolded out of leadership by Sabellian and go off on his own in frustration to form his own benevolent conspiracy, or maybe to pull some strings with his old Ravenholdt connections to get him put in charge of the Uncrowned. I think it would be suitable to his personality and would allow him to stay proactive. It would also allow two elements of the Black Dragonflight's identity to remain—ironically, Sabellian, who experienced far more of the Black Dragonflight as an evil and deceptive force, would restore them to their original mode of operation and purpose (albeit perhaps more extreme), whereas Wrathion would continue the legacy of the Black Dragonflight and his Auntie Onyxia as shadowy puppetmasters, but also in pursuit of their original purpose. This could also have manifested in a long-term schism plotline, where neither permanently achieves control, or in which Sabellian is formally recognized as the leader but many Black Dragons break off to swear their allegiance to Wrathion.

Absolutely. If anything his new Jack Sparrow like personality makes him even more suited for the crime lord lifestyle.

[AOL Instant Messenger]

Absolutely. If anything his new Jack Sparrow like personality makes him even more suited for the crime lord lifestyle.

Indeed, not many adventure fiction clichés more endearing than the lovable rogue archetype, and the lovable crime lord would certainly be an interesting expansion of said archetype. I think there's something very appealing about the thought of a young Dragon with benevolent intentions but questionable methods at the nexus of a network of criminals.

[Nebron]

I've been wanting more Scarlet Crusade themed armor pieces for years. The set that comes from Scarlet Monastery is iconic, no doubt, but has not aged well.

I can't help but hope for more Scarlet Crusade content in the future. A more "down to earth" expansion would be perfect for them to have a resurgence and become a threat again. Although I think their numbers are so few at the moment that they would need an infusion of warm bodies in their ranks. According to the "Exploring Azeroth: Northrend" book the Bronzebeard brothers "reported that even with their leadership wiped out by the adventurers, there were still enough members of the Scarlet Onslaught in New Hearthglen to continue their twisted crusade against anyone they think an enemy. They also mentioned a surprising number of crusaders in the Onslaught Harbor."

I suppose a minor time skip like the one from Shadowlands to Dragonflight would have been the best opportunity to explain a surge in their ranks. But alas.

Absolutely! Dragonflight already went the "down-to-earth" storytelling style, which is quite promising for the future. Timeskip is also an option, since Bronze dragons are ever-present in that expansion, and Murozond part is teased all the time.
Scarlet Crusade, although simple in concept, have such a great opportunity as a main threat for expansion. Considering there are some "heretics" from Avaloren, it all adds up. Also, when it comes to naming, Avaloren reminds me of "New Avalon" which is a Scarlet Crusade place.

There are tons of updates to old-school gear, assets and zones - so world revamp could also be a thing. Turalyon sits on the throne, and he also seems to be a little light-themes skewed. I guess that if they ever wanted to go down the "world revamp" path, that would be making something like adapting "classic" vibes WoW to modern MMO approach. Talents in DF also were changed in the "classic WoW" manner. I guess, we shall see, but potential is enormous

[Wangming]

There are tons of updates to old-school gear, assets and zones - so world revamp could also be a thing. Turalyon sits on the throne, and he also seems to be a little light-themes skewed. I guess that if they ever wanted to go down the "world revamp" path, that would be making something like adapting "classic" vibes WoW to modern MMO approach. Talents in DF also were changed in the "classic WoW" manner. I guess, we shall see, but potential is enormous

Well it is high time people came to terms with the Cataclysm. It has been six expansions. Even more for the crash of the Exodar. Not sure this is what you mean with classic vibes, but the zones being less cataclysmic would make sense. Especially since at this point, they could make a Cataclysm - Classic server.

[Nymrohd]

Maybe when we get to Avaloren we find that several Scarlet Crusade ships landed there several years ago during WotLK and they've built a small state there.

[Jekyll]

Maybe when we get to Avaloren we find that several Scarlet Crusade ships landed there several years ago during WotLK and they've built a small state there.

I love this.

[Sondrelk]

Maybe when we get to Avaloren we find that several Scarlet Crusade ships landed there several years ago during WotLK and they've built a small state there.

I would be down for that. Would give a nice bit of conflict besides whatever rogue Titanforged we find there.

[Nymrohd]

I would be down for that. Would give a nice bit of conflict besides whatever rogue Titanforged we find there.

Or maybe we'd get no conflict from them. Could be our base of operations in an entirely hostile land.

[Wangming]

Maybe when we get to Avaloren we find that several Scarlet Crusade ships landed there several years ago during WotLK and they've built a small state there.

From a story hook and setup standpoint, that would be cool. On the other hand, this is a place with multiple failed excursions organized by Titan keepers. How did the SC survive? Unless Avaloren is not dangerous at all and the Titan expedition didn't return cause it has beer fountains and tig-biddy anime hookers.

[Nymrohd]

From a story hook and setup standpoint, that would be cool. On the other hand, this is a place with multiple failed excursions organized by Titan keepers. How did the SC survive? Unless Avaloren is not dangerous at all and the Titan expedition didn't return cause it has beer fountains and tig-biddy anime hookers.

The Titanforged expeditions happened thousands of years ago. Since then who knows what has happened to the local civilization and how many of their defenses are still operational.

[Wangming]

The Titanforged expeditions happened thousands of years ago. Since then who knows what has happened to the local civilization and how many of their defenses are still operational.

Thousands of years unbothered by the outside world? It better look like freakin Amaurot.

[Cheezits]

I am very curious about the human heritage storyline. The Defias on the move again, attacking Northshire and robbing Stormwind Keep, and with an unlikely ally (probably Vanessa lets be real) that may have lore implications (if it's Vanessa, who stole the Defias from her?)

They made a point to encrypt these two heritage quests so I think there may be some pretty big details in them. The Defias in the Human one and then Outland shenanigans with Orcs.

Regarding Scarlets: they absolutely will be a plot thread given the BFA foreshadowing and the "Heir of Lordaeron" they seem to have (who is now conveniently aged up post timeskip).

[Wangming]

I am very curious about the human heritage storyline. The Defias on the move again, attacking Northshire and robbing Stormwind Keep, and with an unlikely ally (probably Vanessa lets be real) that may have lore implications (if it's Vanessa, who stole the Defias from her?)

Thank fucking god. The VanCleefs are the only good villains Blizzard produced for WoW.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

I am very curious about the human heritage storyline. The Defias on the move again, attacking Northshire and robbing Stormwind Keep, and with an unlikely ally (probably Vanessa lets be real) that may have lore implications (if it's Vanessa, who stole the Defias from her?)

They made a point to encrypt these two heritage quests so I think there may be some pretty big details in them. The Defias in the Human one and then Outland shenanigans with Orcs.

Regarding Scarlets: they absolutely will be a plot thread given the BFA foreshadowing and the "Heir of Lordaeron" they seem to have (who is now conveniently aged up post timeskip).

Im......gonna not judge just yet. Wary with how things will play out.

[draugril]

That's actually a fairly clever idea I didn't think of. Absorbing Iridikron's power would be a nice way to empower either of them with Neltharion's old charge.

I think Sabellian and Wrathion are both doomed to failure in the pursuit of the Obsidian Throne. Ostensibly, Blizzard offered us a “choice.” So now for them to choose a victor is to tell many players that their choice was the wrong one, which they are loathe to do.

It’s going to be a dark horse candidate. Ebonhorn, Iridikron himself, or even a time-displaced Neltharion… I find all of them more likely, given the philosophies of the current writing stable. Iridikron with a face turn being the front runner by that logic, as he is also an original creation of this team.

[Cheezits]

I think Sabellian and Wrathion are both doomed to failure in the pursuit of the Obsidian Throne. Ostensibly, Blizzard offered us a “choice.” So now for them to choose a victor is to tell many players that their choice was the wrong one, which they are loathe to do.

It’s going to be a dark horse candidate. Ebonhorn, Iridikron himself, or even a time-displaced Neltharion… I find all of them more likely, given the philosophies of the current writing stable. Iridikron with a face turn being the front runner by that logic, as he is also an original creation of this team.

Without getting into spoilers its looking fairly likely to be Ebonhorn/Ebyssian. Wrathion being locked into the aspect role means he won't be able to get spammed around expansions like Blizzard wants him to be.

[Nymrohd]

I think Sabellian and Wrathion are both doomed to failure in the pursuit of the Obsidian Throne. Ostensibly, Blizzard offered us a “choice.” So now for them to choose a victor is to tell many players that their choice was the wrong one, which they are loathe to do.

It’s going to be a dark horse candidate. Ebonhorn, Iridikron himself, or even a time-displaced Neltharion… I find all of them more likely, given the philosophies of the current writing stable. Iridikron with a face turn being the front runner by that logic, as he is also an original creation of this team.

There is also the chance that the Aspects cease to exist as a concept so NOONE gets to be the Black Dragonflight Aspect.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

There is also the chance that the Aspects cease to exist as a concept so NOONE gets to be the Black Dragonflight Aspect.

That would be completely unfun. Hyping up dragons and the aspects and then "Lol sorry no aspects now."

[Foolicious]

I think Sabellian and Wrathion are both doomed to failure in the pursuit of the Obsidian Throne. Ostensibly, Blizzard offered us a “choice.” So now for them to choose a victor is to tell many players that their choice was the wrong one, which they are loathe to do.

It’s going to be a dark horse candidate. Ebonhorn, Iridikron himself, or even a time-displaced Neltharion… I find all of them more likely, given the philosophies of the current writing stable. Iridikron with a face turn being the front runner by that logic, as he is also an original creation of this team.

They where pretty open that "choosing" sabellian or wrathion is of no consequence and is purely a fun way to change up reputations a bit. It's the community that is spreading rumours about blizzard counting the keys given to each to choose an aspect or other theories.

They also told all the sylvanas loyalists that they made the wrong choice multiple times in shadowlands so theres that.

[Sondrelk]

I think Sabellian and Wrathion are both doomed to failure in the pursuit of the Obsidian Throne. Ostensibly, Blizzard offered us a “choice.” So now for them to choose a victor is to tell many players that their choice was the wrong one, which they are loathe to do.

It’s going to be a dark horse candidate. Ebonhorn, Iridikron himself, or even a time-displaced Neltharion… I find all of them more likely, given the philosophies of the current writing stable. Iridikron with a face turn being the front runner by that logic, as he is also an original creation of this team.

Alternatively they might choose the best option narratively, and just ignore the players who complain bout which one they chose.
It hardly even matters in the grand scheme. Both Sabellian and Wrathion could be the leader for equally valid reasons. You could even hve a co-leader deal just to cut the proverbial knot.

Just anything so long as it isn't Ebyssian. Just leaving the choice of aspect for an eternal cliffhanger would be better than that.