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

[Cheezits]

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

It's kind of the benchmark on what a Revamped Eastern Kingdoms would look like so they like to use it because of that. It also helps that it actually is relevant with Faerin.

[Khaza-R]

The Val'kyr maybe? Did they betray him?

Technically they didn't side with Sylvanas until after he was defeated. Unless its just more context there.

Could be Kel'thuzad maybe? Or him betraying his own DKs. Or Drakuru betraying his own people. Honestly a lot of possibilities.

[Darkarath]

Really really hyped by lorewalking. Could be an amazing way to make us go back to old questlines and rewarding us with some extra quests with cool lore.

Also K'aresh is going to be 11.2, little doubt about that now. But going back to Arathi? Arthas questline? Northren Eastern Kingdoms revamp incoming in Midnight hype train here I comeeeee ¡¡¡¡

[Throren]

Honestly it's about time they had some story regarding the Arathi interacting with Stromgarde so Im happy for that!

Cause Trollbane showed up with Stromgarde soldiers in the war campaign but never interacted with the Arathi, they were just kinda there as background npc and that it, which considering Stromgarde is the modern day version of the Arathor empire and the direct modern day descendants of the original Arathor people, same as the Arathi, I thought there'd more of a crazy interaction between the two groups

so Im glad to see we are finally getting some crossover between them - and Faerin actually getting to leave Khaz Algar and see the old world/the birthplace of Arathor and Arathi people

[Makorus]

It's kind of the benchmark on what a Revamped Eastern Kingdoms would look like so they like to use it because of that. It also helps that it actually is relevant with Faerin.

I mean...

it's not really relevant with Faerin. She was an offshoot of the Arathor that hasn't lived on known Azeroth for the last two thousand years.

Them having the same name is the only thing they have in common. In fact, Arathor pretty much was every known human kingdom anyway.

[Kathranis]

So brokers are ethereals now? Is that a retcon?

There was always an implied but unspecified connection between them due to their numerous obvious similarities (disembodied energy beings with a mercantile culture, cartels, dimensional technology, and an Arabic aesthetic). The nature of that connection was left ambiguous... until now.

[Trazzle]

I mean maybe Ethereals experience “death”differently and thus convert/form into a different kind of energy and become brokers?

[Nymrohd]

Kind of weird how they picked expacs for Turbulent TImeways. I get picking the new one twice but no Cata or Wrath (which would give you Ulduar and Firelands TW)?

[Kathranis]

I mean...

it's not really relevant with Faerin. She was an offshoot of the Arathor that hasn't lived on known Azeroth for the last two thousand years.

Them having the same name is the only thing they have in common. In fact, Arathor pretty much was every known human kingdom anyway.

It's relevant in the sense that she's the first member of the Arathi Empire to revisit the site of ancient Arathor since they broke away and crossed the Veiled Sea.

I personally suspect that in the future we will see Arathi Empire zealots attempt to settle the Arathi Highlands and demand the blood elves fulfil their blood oath by submitting to the will of the Emperor.

[Nize]

Goblins and Ethereals are seeming to have more and more in common with the Tazavesh connection. Perhaps Undermine's inclusion in TWW has more to do with the overall story Blizz is trying to tell than we may have thought.

[Cheezits]

Goblins and Ethereals are seeming to have more and more in common with the Tazavesh connection. Perhaps Undermine's inclusion in TWW has more to do with the overall story Blizz is trying to tell than we may have thought.

The Gallywix cameo in Tazavesh seemed like a fun easter egg at the time but now it seems there is actually a plot thread going on. Which is pretty great.

- - - Updated - - -

I mean maybe Ethereals experience “death”differently and thus convert/form into a different kind of energy and become brokers?

That would make sense. I also thought they may be a huge chunk of Kareshi that got vaporized but died instead of turning Ethereal.

[Kathranis]

Goblins and Ethereals are seeming to have more and more in common with the Tazavesh connection. Perhaps Undermine's inclusion in TWW has more to do with the overall story Blizz is trying to tell than we may have thought.

Could be a cool way to hook back in the Shadowlands and Denathrius ahead of our return to Northrend, which could also open up potential for Kael'thas and Vashj to also reenter the story in some capacity as we delve into the reunification of the elven tribes in Midnight.

[Nymrohd]

The Gallywix cameo in Tazavesh seemed like a fun easter egg at the time but now it seems there is actually a plot thread going on. Which is pretty great.

Honestly I think even if they had not planned a connection, they probably would after the fact given how easy it would be to tie them together.

[Makorus]

The Arthas Lorewalking quest is interesting.

Both the Ethereal and the Xalatath ones are obviously relevant, but what's the deal with the Arthas one? Just nostalgia-baiting? The other two feel like refreshers, so it's weird to have a left-field one like that.

[Cheezits]

The Arthas Lorewalking quest is interesting.

Both the Ethereal and the Xalatath ones are obviously relevant, but what's the deal with the Arthas one? Just nostalgia-baiting? The other two feel like refreshers, so it's weird to have a left-field one like that.

Potential for Stratholme/Lordaeron in Midnight I'm going to guess, plus the Scourge in general.

Just realized- do we think we'll get some hints of updated Org/Horde assets in the new AH? Because the Maghar live there now.

[Lorgar Aurelian]

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.

Best bet would be to set stuff up in Nothrend for TLT, that or Metzen wants to adress the dropping of the ball in SL.

[Cheezits]

Kind of weird how they picked expacs for Turbulent TImeways. I get picking the new one twice but no Cata or Wrath (which would give you Ulduar and Firelands TW)?

BFA and then Mists feels like a direct nod to how BFA was inspired by Mists. TBC-WOD-Legion is obviously a reference to how the demon story went. Then we get BFA again at the end for further testing.

[Cheezits]

So Lorewalking and the Arathi Highands campaign are probably the two biggest clues for what's next, right? But how the heck do they combine. What's filler content to build for the distant future and what's relevant in 11.2? In other words, what is this patch's version of "Dreamsurges" from Dragonflight?

I don't think the Highlands campaign is relevant to future patches. In fact it may be just ending Faerin and the Arathi storyline until Midnight, dropping her off in Stromgarde to watch over the peace while the OG cast goes to 11.2.

Note that besides Danath and Geyarah, who will likely stay in Highlands after the patch, everyone remaining from Launch besides Gazlowe (occupied) and the SL Gang (Anduin/Jaina/Thrall) is a Son of Lothar: Khadgar, Alleria, Turalyon, Kurdran. So Blizz may be using 11.1.7 to trim the cast down for a Karesh trip- SL Gang and Sons of Lothar. Maybe Faerin too or they are putting her in plot daycare.

I did forgot Durgran but whatever.

[Kathranis]

The Arthas Lorewalking quest is interesting.

Both the Ethereal and the Xalatath ones are obviously relevant, but what's the deal with the Arthas one? Just nostalgia-baiting? The other two feel like refreshers, so it's weird to have a left-field one like that.

There's been some speculation that Midnight might include a revamp of modern Eastwald with Light's Hope Chapel and/or Stratholme as potential staging grounds for our expedition into Quel'thalas. We'll also be returning to Northrend in TLT; the Scourge is over as a threat, largely, but don't be surprised if they have some involvement.

[Kiivar86]

8. Some type of betrayal (guessing Arthas' turning).

The wording to me seems to indicate the betrayal happens in Wrath of the Lich King itself, though. I was thinking the Wrathgate since that's a pretty big betrayal event in WotLK but that wasn't a betrayal against Arthas.