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

[Hitei]

If any villain should be Azeroth's champion, it should be Azshara.

[Nymrohd]

If any villain should be Azeroth's champion, it should be Azshara.

I'm team Azshara forever, love the bitch but she is no one's champion but her own.

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While I agree with you, I think Azeroth won't favor a race as its power seems to come in its ability to convert and to welcome alien races. This is purely theorized, but I think the Black Blood is a dark azerite created by Azeroth as a way to protect itself from titanic invasion. (or maybe something else ?)

If Azeroth ever had to choose a champion, it would be Anduin for multiple reasons :

-WoW's main storyline usually follows the most obvious way.
-Anduin's been the host of Light, Dark and Death magic so far. I think like Illidan and maybe Medivh, he's able to master any form of magic he's being given. This was a trope brought by Me'dan first and while the character was a failure, I think Blizzard won't give up on that concept. In my opinion, if he had to master every cosmic force, his travel would be in that way : Light > Void > Death > Life (Harranir) > Order (Last Titan) > Chaos (Last Titan too, maybe with Illidan's comeback)
Chaos would be the last because he knows it killed his father.
-Anduin somehow represents the journey of each player, starting as a kid and now being a gritty prince who saw a lot of shit. He's also got broken by Shadowlands like a lot of us.

I mean, Azeroth already has chosen a champion. The player. She's chosen the murderhobo who actually gets things done on this planet. Smart girl.

[allegrian]

Anytime I see this kind of lore discussion I feel that you take the story more seriously than blizzard, dont expect much

[Viridiel]

I wonder if we'll return to the Siren Isle at some point. The Song of Renilash talks about the "last star" fading, and we know that the Arathi call Beledar a star, so it's very possible that it refers to the world soul crystals. It seems to be relatively close to Northrend based on its residents and fact that the vrykul settled from Storm Peaks, so it wouldn't be much of a stretch for the events of the Last Titan to maybe affect it. It seems like a total throwaway, but maybe it's a seed being planted for later.

There was an old theory that Iridikron was imbued with the Light due to his yellow lightning effects, but it really does look like the lightning effect we've seen from Hymosul/Lorandel. Perhaps he's either already stolen power from it previously and what's left are just fragments of the original crystal, or perhaps it's visual foreshadowing that he'll consume it in the future. It seems like a bit too much of a coincidence that we're dealing with giant Light-imbued, titan-defying rocks while we're waiting to see how the titan-defying dragon made of rocks with a light-themed name will move.

I'm getting the feeling that the prophecy of Renilash has been completely misinterpreted and isn't about the war between Light and Shadow at all. I think it's very possible that Renilash is actually a war with us, and the story has already begun leading up to us fighting them on the other side of Azeroth. I really think the emperor is doing something over there that everyone else will find completely heinous, and I think it's tied to "the forgotten one". (I want it to be that he's torturing a captive Amitus, but I'm aware that it's very much baseless and unlikely.)

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Thinking more about this. I realised that this, my theory that Iridikron will shatter the Elemental Plane, and my theory that the world soul crystals lie in each of the previous domains of the Elemental Lords are compatible. We still don't really know what "elemental energy" is, but it being directly related to world soul essence is pretty likely. I don't quite know what the mechanism would be, but perhaps it's Iridikron's goal to absorb/destroy each of the world soul crystals to break open the Elemental Plane and free the elementals. Perhaps the crystals are somehow tied to the world soul's absorption of Spirit and the subsequent manifestation and rage of the elementals, meaning getting rid of them would allow for the Elemental Plane to be broken open without completely destroying the planet.

[Chickat]

If they allow free placement and noclipping for outside elements, you just know people will use that power to create phallic sculptures.

Yeah, or 1930s/40s German ummmm.. symbols.

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It's K'aresh.

The twist could be that it was Azeroth's Worldsoul, but I think that we can discard that option.

I am pretty confident that K'aresh is 11.2, especially after seeing Orweyna's farewell, which was... kind of offscreen? I almost didn't notice. K'aresh also seems to have a link with Xal'athat, and it is about time that we learn more about her. I believe that we will probably find answers there.

Hence Ethereals will most likely become playable in 12.0 pre-patch, as a bonus for buying Midnight.

I hope that they don't make something like Evoker again. I mean, give us another class, but do NOT tie it to a single race.

I assumed that K'aresh would be the final patch of midnitght similar to Argus for Legion. If they give us K'aresh now, what will happen in Midnight? Maybe some twist where we deal with the void in the first patch with the lights help and then they turn on us. And we have to fight back to Arathi that have been helping us or something driving them back to Avaloren. That would put a pin in the light for a while. Then something happens in the last patch of 12.2.7 that leads us to go back to Northrend. 14 or 15.0 being us going to Avaloren to fight them for some reason?

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It could be that Dimensius attacking K'aresh happened VERY LONG AGO. Like, before the Void Lords created the Old Gods. So it was a test run on how they could manifest on the material plane, it failed and then they created the Old God scheme. This would mean Xal'atath could have even been on K'aresh since it would have happened before she got trapped on Azeroth. Heck it could have happened before the Pantheon was created, perhaps K'aresh was OLDER than Aman'thul.

Or alternatively, the Void Lords are not of one mind. Which makes absolute sense given that the Void is all about individuality.

What if Xal'atath is the last remnant of K'aresh's world soul that didn't get devoured. It was corrupted by the void and then eaten, but a small piece escaped?

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Ugh, I really hope Sargeras does not get a redemption arc. Redemption arcs in WoW work with a very certain set of parameters.

I'd argue that Illidan's was, narratively, worse than Sylvanas' but beyond that, Sargeras entire history is tied with Warcraft's franchise.

EDIT: By "worse" I mean not only what the story was for their specific redemptions, but how it was also told to us.

It could end up being "I did what I thought I had to" kind of deal, with a chance for Sargeras to realize his fault and change his tune... and when that fork in the road arrives, I do hope he sticks to his guns. I believe that some villains should remain villains despite what prompted them to turn to evil. Arthas is such a case. The road to his damnation was paved by (initial) good intentions. He became what he became, realized what was working against him that essentially made him go down this path, and stayed true to it.

I'm probably rambling at this point. I suppose I just don't want to see one of the biggest of biggest bads of the Warcraft franchise -- one who, compared to other shoehorned big bads (The Failure Jailer), is actually received positively from the community -- have a last second face turn.

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Worldsoul projection? Perhaps the titans can manifest their spiritual selves.

I think if Sargeras turns, it wont be good, but neutral. He will help us against the other titans, but promise us that if Azeroth is ever taken over by the void again or something that he would end us. An anti hero type character just kinda floating out there on the shelf for a break glass emergency.

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I don't see a redemption from what Sargeras did...

Could be that he changes his mind like I just said but isn't "good". Just decides to leave us alone for the time being seeing as Azeroth will probably be cleansed by the end of TLT.

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I personally hope Sargeras survives TLT and remains a villain

Would you be fine with a lawful neutral anti hero type with a mean streak, but not true lawful or chaotic evil? I guess kinda like a meaner larger Illidan?

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Blizzard: "We really want neighborhoods to feel communal and tight knit, this feature being social is a big part, also it's easier to put a lot of effort into a limited number of zones, so we're going to only have two to start with and maybe have more later."

Players: "Do you guys think they'll have Quel'thalas and Azuremyst themed neighborhoods in Midnight as homage to BC? Also do you think this NPC's one line about another part of the zone means we're getting a secret goblin neighborhood?"

I don't think anyone's suggesting that at launch, but the final patch could definitely add 2 new neighborhoods. 2 new ones per expansion seems totally feasible.

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The cringefest hasn't started finished yet. You think they're gonna write a story about the Windrunner Sisters saving Silvermoon without her?!

Shadowlands annihilated her character beyond redemption but I'd say a very high chance of it.

I think shes going to die saving Alleria from herself thus completing her redemption Grom style.

[Viridiel]

It could be really interesting if Sargeras ends up released but unable to rally the Burning Legion because it's been covertly taken over by the nathrezim, forcing him to run off to amass power in some corner of the universe to return for a much later storyline. I don't want a redemption for him, I don't want to work with him, but I also don't want him dead yet. He's a really legitimate connection between Azeroth and anything cosmic, so I think if we return to anything First Ones adjacent or otherwise cosmological, he should be involved in a big way. Medivh is still out there somewhere too.

[Mackud]

It could be really interesting if Sargeras ends up released but unable to rally the Burning Legion because it's been covertly taken over by the nathrezim

Covertly? It was part of the Natherezim. Then Sergeras mutiny'd it and put that Dreadlords soul inside the Affliction Warlock Artifact weapon...
Soul inside an artifact weapon.. where have we seen this before...

It's obvious to keep the lifecycle of WoW expansions in 5, 10, 15 years time they're eventually going to bring him out and re-do the whole Xala'tath cycle again.

[Viridiel]

Covertly? It was part of the Natherezim. Then Sergeras mutiny'd it and put that Dreadlords soul inside the Affliction Warlock Artifact weapon...
Soul inside an artifact weapon.. where have we seen this before...

It's obvious to keep the lifecycle of WoW expansions in 5, 10, 15 years time they're eventually going to bring him out and re-do the whole Xala'tath cycle again.

I must've missed that? My understanding is that Sargeras created the Burning Legion and imprisoned Ulthalesh inside the scythe when he refused to join him. I'm not aware of a time where the Burning Legion has been explicitly under the leadership of anyone other than Sargeras. We know the nathrezim have been manipulating him the entire time and are responsible for the Scourge etc., but they've never outright controlled the Legion as far as I know.

[huth]

Covertly? It was part of the Natherezim. Then Sergeras mutiny'd it and put that Dreadlords soul inside the Affliction Warlock Artifact weapon...
Soul inside an artifact weapon.. where have we seen this before...

It's obvious to keep the lifecycle of WoW expansions in 5, 10, 15 years time they're eventually going to bring him out and re-do the whole Xala'tath cycle again.

Sargeras was the one to create the Burning Legion. Which the Nathrezim deliberately goaded him into doing.

[Joshuaj]

Covertly? It was part of the Natherezim. Then Sergeras mutiny'd it and put that Dreadlords soul inside the Affliction Warlock Artifact weapon...
Soul inside an artifact weapon.. where have we seen this before...

It's obvious to keep the lifecycle of WoW expansions in 5, 10, 15 years time they're eventually going to bring him out and re-do the whole Xala'tath cycle again.

No. Prior to the Legion's creation, the Dreadlords infiltrated the realm of Disorder and headed much of the demonic "factions". After his departure from the Titan Pantheon, Sargeras created the Burning Legion, and thus made a bunch of the Dreadlords bend the knee. And to those that refused to follow his command? He either killed them or he put their souls/made their souls into weapons (Like Ulthalesh).

The Legion never existed prior to Sargeras' fall from grace.

[Makabreska]

If any villain should be Azeroth's champion, it should be Azshara.

That would be so weird. She literally invited Sarg to Azeorth, helping him in World Soul killing attempt. All because her ego was Mount Neverest sized.

[Limayria]

It could be really interesting if Sargeras ends up released but unable to rally the Burning Legion because it's been covertly taken over by the nathrezim, forcing him to run off to amass power in some corner of the universe to return for a much later storyline. I don't want a redemption for him, I don't want to work with him, but I also don't want him dead yet. He's a really legitimate connection between Azeroth and anything cosmic, so I think if we return to anything First Ones adjacent or otherwise cosmological, he should be involved in a big way. Medivh is still out there somewhere too.

I have been wondering what medivh is up too, it'd be cool if he and sargery end up going to zereth order land or something or maybe the disorder zereth? With events that kickstart some disorder content maybe like shadowlands but backwards with us following a lead to the disorder zereth and end up causing problems and needing to confront them with disorder

[Nymrohd]

I think Medivh is kept for cosmic lore reveals.

[Worldshaper]

Both Sargeras and Queen Azshara could end up as antiheroes during the Worldsoul Saga.

For Azshara, it seems less likely given that she wants power and went into space to find more of it. She's incredibly vain and it does seem a little bit too soon for her arc to have gone far enough for it to become a redemption arc in which she takes on the role of saviour. But what speaks for it is the fact that she was likely very bitter towards N'Zoth, especially after what happened during BfA. So out of spite she might be seeking power so that she may topple the leadership of the Void, as it were. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Besides, it's no secret she desperately wanted to save her Empire when it was collapsing around her. That's why she turned in the first place. Maybe that instinct is still there. She wants to save Azeroth, but also rule it.

For Sargeras, while he has undoubtedly done horrific things that irrevokably harmed Azeroth and resulted in the deaths of millions, I think he has a decent chance of being far enough along his own arc that he might be headed towards redemption. Primarily because of two things: his Crusade has ended, and he he's had lots of time to discuss matters with Illidan. Illidan is an antihero who went to extreme lengths to save the world, but he didn't go as far as Sargeras (literally destroying worlds to prevent them from being corrupted). He might convince Sargeras that there's "another way". But also because Sargeras once saw the worldsoul in a vision, basically visiting it. His reaction wasn't "I have to destroy this thing," but rather "wow, that's amazing and I'm overwhelmed with awe for this". So it is possible that he changes course and becomes the Last Titan, the one to save the worldsoul.

[Dracullus]

Probably many people ignore it, but I'm hyped for new leveling event, gives some Remix vibes. Problem for me is that I don't need any fresh characters, but has ton of lvl 70s, so unless Dragon Isles caches will have some cosmetics unique from Khaz Algar ones, it will be dead content for me.

Chromie time should be extended to max level at least with start of season 2 of each expac. That's one of reasons why timewalking leveling is so popular (even before Blizzard noticed it and made special timewalking weeks), it's only environment when it works like that.

When I think more about it, event shouldn't be even about Khaz Algar at all, I would put all focus on Dragon Isles. People who experienced them have some nostalgia, and many didn't even had opportunity.

[Nymrohd]

Probably many people ignore it, but I'm hyped for new leveling event, gives some Remix vibes. Problem for me is that I don't need any fresh characters, but has ton of lvl 70s, so unless Dragon Isles caches will have some cosmetics unique from Khaz Algar ones, it will be dead content for me.

Chromie time should be extended to max level at least with start of season 2 of each expac. That's one of reasons why timewalking leveling is so popular (even before Blizzard noticed it and made special timewalking weeks), it's only environment when it works like that.

When I think more about it, event shouldn't be even about Khaz Algar at all, I would put all focus on Dragon Isles. People who experienced them have some nostalgia, and many didn't even had opportunity.

We are already in Khaz Algar most of the time, taking the focus to a different zone makes sense. I used Turbulent Timeways to level so many of my low level characters so like you most of those left are already 70. I want to keep at least 2-3 concepts for Legion Remix

[Black Rider]

I think Medivh is kept for cosmic lore reveals.

Long time no see Medivh, I think we will get him in the next expansion

[Viridiel]

Long time no see Medivh, I think we will get him in the next expansion

Midnight? I'd expect something in TLT, but it depends on how Midnight develops.

[Limayria]

Long time no see Medivh, I think we will get him in the next expansion

Midnight really is gonna be legion 2

[Cheezits]

Just noticed a forsaken table asset used in the housing clips, hope that's a nod towards Forsaken areas in Midnight.