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

[Joshuaj]

What interests me about the Ethereal part of things is it then goes to Tazavesh and the Brokers. Definitely going to learn a connection there.

Always assumed there was one tbf. Similar practices, the wrappings around the Ethereals look very Broker-esc, etc.

[Cheezits]

Yeah I agree, but my point is that then the Ethereal one isn't necessarily suggesting that 11.2 is about K'aresh. Might just be future expansion teasers/refreshers.

I think the Tazavesh namedrop in Undermine plus linking Ethereals to the Brokers two patches later is a little too on the nose.

Interesting that there doesn't seem to be any 11.2 prologue, unless they are just hiding it? Or 11.1.9?

[Kiivar86]

Always assumed there was one tbf. Similar practices, the wrappings around the Ethereals look very Broker-esc, etc.

Oh same, it seemed blatant to me, but there hadn't yet been any confirmation. I'm happy to see we may get it.

Also yay, tier 2 recolors!

[Cheezits]

I wonder why they are pushing this "tensions are rising between the factions" narrative, though?

Are they really preparing us for a new faction war in Midnight? At least between two splinter groups of the two factions? How would that work with a Quel'thalas, Light vs. Void expansion?

It's probably more to wet the whistle of people complaining about World of Peacecraft. Heartlands was very good but reading isn't popular these days, so why not put it into the game? Also it may lead to something happening around that area in Midnight as it's Northern EK.

[Marlamin]

I wonder why they are pushing this "tensions are rising between the factions" narrative, though?

Are they really preparing us for a new faction war in Midnight? At least between two splinter groups of the two factions? How would that work with a Quel'thalas, Light vs. Void expansion?

And we thought Plunderstorm was just for funsies.....

[Foreign Exchange Ztudent]

Stromgarde Tabard. We're so close, just implement the Darkmoon Faire Tabard like you almost did before.. Its time.

Also thank fuck we're getting a bit more context in this bloody game, that's happy happy energy from me.

[Reive]

I wonder why they are pushing this "tensions are rising between the factions" narrative, though?

Are they really preparing us for a new faction war in Midnight? At least between two splinter groups of the two factions? How would that work with a Quel'thalas, Light vs. Void expansion?

we've already had faction conflicts while facing bigger threats. it's doable and i hope it's going to happen. i don't want silvermoon hosting both alliance and horde

[Eldryth]

Judging from the Ethereal and Xal'atath ones, Lorewalking sounds like a good way to refresh us on different storylines before they become relevant again. Which is something we sorely needed, really, given that they're split up across small parts of so many expansions. I mean, it may be common knowledge here, but how many people really know that Dimensius and the Ethereum had questioned all the way back in BC?

Arthas is the odd one out though. I know there's been some speculation that Statholme might be in Midnight, but other than that... I have to wonder if they might have just felt like throwing in something very iconic.

[Joshuaj]

This explains the Tazavesh shout in Undermine as well. I wonder if the Brokers have a part of Gallywix's soul with them, or, even better, Arthas's.

Also:

and go back in time to the Black Empire to experience Xal’atath’s encounter with the Old Gods.

"Xal'atath's encounter with the Old Gods"

Hehehe. Hahaha. AHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

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About fuckin time...

[Cheezits]

It's not Heartlands, though. It's the escalation of the events from Heartlands.

But a majority of players didn't know that that happened at all. So it's just the same themes- Stromgarde rebels vs Mag'har settlers. A v H. Except Faerin and Danath settle it with the players instead of Thrall and Jaina.

[Kiivar86]

Another curveball too, it is amusing to me that we just assumed Legacy of Arathor would involve the Arathi in Hallowfall but nope, Arathi Highlands, though as we see Faerin's involved.

Also, BfA timewalking now too, so that should be neat with whatever cosmetics it brings.

[Cheezits]

Judging from the Ethereal and Xal'atath ones, Lorewalking sounds like a good way to refresh us on different storylines before they become relevant again. Which is something we sorely needed, really, given that they're split up across small parts of so many expansions. I mean, it may be common knowledge here, but how many people really know that Dimensius and the Ethereum had questioned all the way back in BC?

Arthas is the odd one out though. I know there's been some speculation that Statholme might be in Midnight, but other than that... I have to wonder if they might have just felt like throwing in something very iconic.

Oh yeah, it's probably because of Stratholme TBH. But they may do something with him in TLT especially if Brokers are coming back.

Looks like they may actually touch on the Jailer's soul pathway in the Forge of Souls.

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Also double triple confirming that Xal'atath is not an old god and somehow Lorewalker Cho of all people knows what she is- in PATCH NOTES- is diabolical work. What the hell?

[Khaza-R]

A lot of cool stuff in this patch. Pretty excited. Lore-walking has some great potential for expanding on old events in meaningful ways and refreshing players.

I am guessing the new stuff in the lore-walking wiill be Ven'ari for the Ethereals (she's totally going to show up on K'aresh). Xal confronting the Old Gods for her story.

What will new bit in Arthas's story. "feel the stinging cold of betrayal in Wrath of the Lich King" kind of sounds different?

[infinitemeridian]

So brokers are ethereals now? Is that a retcon?

[Kiivar86]

I'm kind of amazed at how the hunter tier 2 looks better to me when it isn't so bright purple.

Also, there's at least another set of colors they haven't used too, as the first monk tier 2 was a different color than the one in this. So we'll likely see them crop up again.

[Cheezits]

So brokers are ethereals now? Is that a retcon?

It was never stated what they actually are, in any of the lorebooks or quests, so no. People assumed they were Danuser's OC ripoff of Ethereals but there was always some ambiguous wiggle room that they may be related.

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What will new bit in Arthas's story. "feel the stinging cold of betrayal in Wrath of the Lich King" kind of sounds different?

The Val'kyr maybe? Did they betray him?

[Nize]

all this talk of Tazavesh makes me hope it returns in S3 as one of the legacy M+ keys

[Nymrohd]

Well that's a ton of content for a x.x.7 patch.

[Kiivar86]

What will new bit in Arthas's story. "feel the stinging cold of betrayal in Wrath of the Lich King" kind of sounds different?

I'm assuming its the whole Wrathgate situation.

[Foolicious]

Someone at blizzard is really proud of the arathi highland redesign. They are using it every chance they get

Why Arthas, though? Based on the fact that TLT is also in the future, this could just be small reminders of past lore for future expansions.

Based on the other lore events we might finally get the answer if it was a good idea to build a castle out of old god blood.