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

[Yus atath]

Guys I'm convinced that the pic blizzard posted with the mounts is a hint

Nzoth is IN blizzcon

I dont see him

[huth]

Storms of Azshara confirmed?

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Or what if it's a time travel expansion called Sundering of Azeroth?

Yes, I'm still clinging on to the SoA "leak" as being real.

Sexy ol' Azshara

[Teriz]

How is Thrall hooking us into anything? Right now the Primalists (or whatever is left of them at the end of DF) might be bringing us to the next place.

Thrall is on the pre-BlizzCon 2023 key art. If you look at that list , the majority of them were also on the pre-expansion key art with the line seemingly starting with WoD and only being broken by COVID.

WoD also had a very very very vague link to Pandaria with Jailbreak + suddenly time travel.

Again, Garrosh was the hook for WoD.

We are not even close to the end of the expansion at this point, so let's not assume we already have all the lore hooks that we need.

The problem is that there's no way you can build a new character at this point to be a hook for an upcoming expansion. Even Xal isn't big enough to do it.

[Makorus]

Again, we had major characters hooking us into those expansions. For example, a Pandaren expansion brings in Chen Stormstout.

???? Chen was barely even relevant in the expansion. What a reach lmao.

We could have Tyr hook us into the expansion, or Odyn or whoever. Obviously, we don't know who because the expansion isn't out yet. Or 10.2. Or 10.2.5. Or 10.2.7.

What, do you assume we just go there and no one is gonna be there?

[Teriz]

???? Chen was barely even relevant in the expansion. What a reach lmao.

We could have Tyr hook us into the expansion, or Odyn or whoever. Obviously, we don't know who because the expansion isn't out yet.

What, do you assume we just go there and no one is gonna be there?

That is completely your opinion that simply isn't based in reality. Chen was in multiple forms of Blizzard merch leading up to MoP and Pandaren were reportedly one of the most requested races in WoW leading up to MoP's release. Blizzard had Chen Stormstout action figures in 2006 for example.



And it clearly says PANDAREN Brewmaster. If we're going to Pandaria, who is going to be there?

[Wangming]

???? Chen was barely even relevant in the expansion. What a reach lmao.

Yet he was on the box art and was in the CGI Cinematic.
Bloody hell he was the only pandaren and monk we knew before the game and ya think he wasn't the hook for an expansion bout pandaren and monks? This ain't exactly rocket scienece.

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While part of me wants to figure her out, simply because she's still such a puzzle while many of the other cosmic forces have been laid bare, another part also wants her to remain a mystery. Perhaps at least knowing her true cosmic affiliation would be enough, for example if she's of Life or Light, and whether she is the literal moon or not.

I vote mystery. I mean you can show her and be involved, but have her true nature and maybe even exact motives a secret.

[Makorus]

That is completely your opinion that simply isn't based in reality. Chen was in multiple forms of Blizzard merch leading up to MoP and Pandaren were reportedly one of the most requested races in WoW leading up to MoP's release. Blizzard had Chen Stormstout action figures in 2006 for example.

I didn't say Chen wasn't the most popular and recognizable (and obviously, up until MoP, only) Pandaren character.

However, Chen doesn't appear until 3/4 into Jade Forest, where he frankly doesn't do much.
Valley of the Four Winds is his zone, and the majority of the questing is about him. Once that is done though, that's it.

He has nothing to do with us coming to Pandaria, he doesn't "welcome" us to Pandaria, he is just a character that exists. I don't see the point you were trying to make originally.

[Teriz]

I didn't say Chen wasn't the most popular and recognizable (and obviously, up until MoP, only) Pandaren character.

However, Chen doesn't appear until 3/4 into Jade Forest, where he frankly doesn't do much.
Valley of the Four Winds is his zone, and the majority of the questing is about him. Once that is done though, that's it.

He has nothing to do with us coming to Pandaria, he doesn't "welcome" us to Pandaria, he is just a character that exists. I don't see the point you were trying to make originally.

He "welcomes us" in the cinematic.

He's also rather prominent in the Horde civil war where he saves Vol'jin's life and helps the rebellion against Garrosh.

Again, who's going to welcome us on Avaloren? Who are we looking forward to meeting/working with on K'aresh? If we can't name those characters, that's a problem.

[Wangming]

He "welcomes us" in the cinematic.

He's also rather prominent in the Horde civil war where he saves Vol'jin's life and helps the rebellion against Garrosh.

Again, who's going to welcome us on Avaloren? Who are we looking forward to meeting/working with on K'aresh? If we can't name those characters, that's a problem.

He is also the second most important character in the Vol'Jin novel.

[Baraden]

How do you want Blizzard to handle the potential reveal of Elune?

Upstart goddess

Sister of the Winter Queen, and possibly An'she and Lo'sho as well

White Lady

Mu'sha

Left eye of the Earth Mother

Mother Moon

The Night Warrior

Companion of Malorne

Beloved of Eonar?

Mother of Cenarius

Diety of the Night Elves

Mentor of Tyrande Whisperwind

She who sent Night Elves into the Maw by mistake

She who gave a branch of G'Hanir for Eonar to plant

She whose tears hold incredible power

While part of me wants to figure her out, simply because she's still such a puzzle while many of the other cosmic forces have been laid bare, another part also wants her to remain a mystery. Perhaps at least knowing her true cosmic affiliation would be enough, for example if she's of Life or Light, and whether she is the literal moon or not.

I don't want them to reveal her at all, implication like with ysera in legion is as much as a god should actually appear

[Makorus]

He "welcomes us" in the cinematic.

He's also rather prominent in the Horde civil war where he saves Vol'jin's life and helps the rebellion against Garrosh.

Again, who's going to welcome us on Avaloren? Who are we looking forward to meeting/working with on K'aresh? If we can't name those characters, that's a problem.

Him being relevant in post-Launch content, once again, means nothing for your argument.

Karesh, we got Alleria, we got Locus Walker, we got Xalatath.

Avaloren, we got Tyr, we got Odyn.

[Wangming]

Him being relevant in post-Launch content, once again, means nothing for your argument.

Karesh, we got Alleria, we got Locus Walker, we got Xalatath.

Avaloren, we got Tyr, we got Odyn.

Of all these, the only one who is actually native to the place you connect them to is Locus Walker.
Yes, Chen is a Wandering Isles Pandaren, but that is a bit too pedantic.
And as Teriz mentioned, none of the people you mention are on the key art. We have Thrall. Are we still going to K'aresh and/or Avaloren regardless? Perhaps. Do I find it likely? Nope. At least not as the "main continent"

[Makorus]

Of all these, the only one who is actually native to the place you connect them to is Locus Walker.
Yes, Chen is a Wandering Isles Pandaren, but that is a bit too pedantic.
And as Teriz mentioned, none of the people you mention are on the key art. We have Thrall. Are we still going to K'aresh and/or Avaloren regardless? Perhaps. Do I find it likely? Nope. At least not as the "main continent"

Do we need someone who is local? I mean, we are talking about an expansion hook here, not naming characters who are native to an area lmao.

Implying that Thrall is gonna be relevant is also a stretch. Thrall was, funnily enough, on the Blizzcon 2011 Keyart, the Blizzcon we got MoP, which is gonna be a left-field expansion just like the ones we are getting now.

[Raetary]

Is he a keeper or just higher tier Keeper minion?

Archaedas is a full keeper.
Blessed by Khaz'goroth and everything.

[Nightshade711]

Light would condemn your kind to obedience and stagnation, I offer the gifts of strength and freedom, I hope you will always remember my kindness.

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https://www.reddit.com/media?url=htt....jpg&rdt=62304

There’s another thread for AI art

[Teriz]

Him being relevant in post-Launch content, once again, means nothing for your argument.

Again, he's in the opening cinematic welcoming us to Pandaria. At that point he could be an NPC selling us alcohol and he'd still be relevant.

Karesh, we got Alleria, we got Locus Walker, we got Xalatath.

Alleria is the only character there that could work, but even that's pushing it because there's zero reason for her to go to K'aresh. We'd need someone actually from there to make it matter, and the Locus Walker simply isn't enough. If we had Locus Walker popping up on a consistent basis whining about returning to his homeworld and rescuing it from the void, then we'd have something. However he's never done that. Ethereals seemingly view K'aresh as a lost cause.

Avaloren, we got Tyr, we got Odyn.

You think Tyr and Odyn are on the same level as Thrall, Jaina, Sylvanas, Gul'dan, Illidan, Chen etc.?

[Alanar]

Archaedas is a full keeper.
Blessed by Khaz'goroth and everything.

I also though he was just some lower tier keeper as well.
Oo well..

[Teriz]

Do we need someone who is local? I mean, we are talking about an expansion hook here, not naming characters who are native to an area lmao.

Yes, because you need to make the player care about the place where we're going.

Implying that Thrall is gonna be relevant is also a stretch. Thrall was, funnily enough, on the Blizzcon 2011 Keyart, the Blizzcon we got MoP, which is gonna be a left-field expansion just like the ones we are getting now.

You got Thrall on the MoP key art because putting Chen on it would be a dead giveaway, and Chen had a connection to Thrall via their first encounter and Chen being a champion of the Horde. Which leads me to believe that the true nature of 11.0 is also going to be a major group of characters that would also be a dead giveaway if they were on the key art, yet are related to Thrall via the lore.

[Makorus]

Again, he's in the opening cinematic welcoming us to Pandaria. At that point he could be an NPC selling us alcohol and he'd still be relevant.



Alleria is the only character there that could work, but even that's pushing it because there's zero reason for her to go to K'aresh. We'd need someone actually from there to make it matter, and the Locus Walker simply isn't enough. If we had Locus Walker popping up on a consistent basis whining about returning to his homeworld and rescuing it from the void, then we'd have something. However he's never done that. Ethereals seemingly view K'aresh as a lost cause.



You think Tyr and Odyn are on the same level as Thrall, Jaina, Sylvanas, Gul'dan, Illidan, Chen etc.?

I'd rather have Tyr than Thrall randomly show up out of nowhere and tell us to go somewhere, sorry.


"I remember Thrall " is the only pro from Thrall randomly showing up lmao.

[Sondrelk]

Again, he's in the opening cinematic welcoming us to Pandaria. At that point he could be an NPC selling us alcohol and he'd still be relevant.



Alleria is the only character there that could work, but even that's pushing it because there's zero reason for her to go to K'aresh. We'd need someone actually from there to make it matter, and the Locus Walker simply isn't enough. If we had Locus Walker popping up on a consistent basis whining about returning to his homeworld and rescuing it from the void, then we'd have something. However he's never done that. Ethereals seemingly view K'aresh as a lost cause.



You think Tyr and Odyn are on the same level as Thrall, Jaina, Sylvanas, Gul'dan, Illidan, Chen etc.?

I think peopel have this idea that since Outland was an expansion, and since Argus was a major patch, that K'aresh is somehow the exact same situation. Which os forgetting that Outland was a location from Warcraft, as well as being the homeworld of the playable race Orcs. And that Argus was the Legion homeworld, as well as the homeworld of the playable race Draenei.

K'aresh are none of these things. Ethereals are barely present as anything but transmog vendors, and the location itself was only given to give some sligth backstory ot the Ethereals in TBC.