Transcript:
Hello everyone!
“How does today find you?”
Patch 11.1.7 is adding something incredible to the game, something I’ve been hoping to see for a very long time: LOREWALKING! From level 10 to max level, we get to join Lorewalker Cho and play through the story of Warcraft. In this first iteration we have 3 different stories, 3 different subjects to dive into. The history of the ethereals, the history of Xal’atath and the history of Arthas the Lich King. One of these is not like the others. What does Arthas one have to do with the war within? I don’t think a lot, but more so that Arthas is one of the most well known and beloved stories in the franchise. If you’re going to make something new related to the lore, why not use one of the best things they got to showcase what Lorewalking could be all about. That’s my assumption though, maybe they are planning something with Arthas, but personally I think it’s because it’s such a good, well known story.
“Now listen closely to my tale..”
Jim Cummings returns as the voice of Lorewalker Cho, stringing together these moments in history so for example: The ethereals. They play a part in the war within, connected to Xal’atath, Dimensius the all devouring, their home world of Karesh….so what is their story? Well Cho teleports us into Outland at the end of the Netherstorm questline, where for those unaware, we already partied with the ethereals and fought against Dimensius. This way everybody gets to experience that old content again and refresh themselves on what happened. They are the old quests we’ve done before which you can read or as more are inclined to do, just click and accept and have Lorewalker Cho summarize that which you did not read.
“The Ethereum. A ruling class once united in purpose had fractured. The protectorate suspected treachery, but more investigation had to be done.”
Off you go to do what needs to be done or if you’re interested, you can ask Cho for more details. What is karesh, what is a Dimensius, what are these different ethereal organizations? Extra information, imagine not having to go to Wikipedia and Cho right here right now what’s going on, what information is available.. After dealing with the main story that’s important from the burning crusade, Cho takes us into Legion, Argus to be precise, where we relive the moment of Alleria and the Locus Walker meeting up and you get to ask a bit more about their history. They’ve also integrated cutscenes and movies that we’ve seen in the past that you can ask Cho to replay. And after reliving Locuswalker’s story we get into something new and super exciting but since that’s spoiler territory, I’ll save that for the end of this video.
The second subject is all about Xal’atath starting with re-experiencing the artifact questline previously only available to shadow priests back in the expansion, Legion. Cho allows us to ask more details and even has the option to replay several specific whispers of Xal’atath that played out during legion.
“While wandering the world the high priest once heard Xal’atath whisper this:
It is ironic that the weakest of us may be the ultimate victor. C’Thun, Yogg-Saron, Y’Shaarj, and… well. Only one would remain to consume the world, that was always meant to be.”
Even back then she wouldn’t shut up and gave shadow priests some of the sickest little lore tidbits as they traveled through the expansion. Finish the emerald nightmare raid and Xal’atath would go on about how the prison was weakening, hinting at N’zoth releasing in battle for Azeroth . Why specifically these whispers? Worth a video on its own I think, but it’s really cool to have them available like this. Then we see her return with battle for Azeroth which was a questline available for everyone, but you can refresh your memory or maybe you were never playing back then followed by something new and super exciting but since that’s spoiler territory, I’ll save that for the end of this video.
The final storyline to Lorewalk through is one of the greatest stories told in Warcraft, Arthas Menethil becoming the Lich King. A clever reuse of resources of the past. What they call a Lordaeron garrison is actually an emptied out Scarlet Monastery repurposed for this lore scenario. Then we’re teleported into the purge of Stratholme dungeon specifically at the moment of RP that we need to see, but it’s not like they had to remake this whole thing. A couple of quests in Northrend displaying Arthas downfall as they burned the ships and picked up Frostmourne. Jaina going into the Halls of Reflection where we have to do a bit of dungeon. Then his ascent at Icecrown which is new and reminded me a lot of back in legion when they let us play like Illidan. Now they let us play like Arthas, taking on the heroes of Azeroth and secure our place as ruler of the damned. The ending is a bit bugged I think, we’re missing the shattering of Frostmourne and Arthas’ downfall but PTR will be PTR. You get the option to talk to a couple of lore characters and get some extra dialogue or just focus on the main objectives.
As a reward we get some boxes with gear which weren’t massively interesting item level wise but it’s nice to get. There’s also a toy after finishing the entire campaign, in this case a toy that turns us into an ethereal, but there’s also a buff that has Xal’atath whisper to you when you’re killing stuff, just like she would if you’d equipped her blade, and a toy that makes you look like Arthas the Lich King. As I said, this system is available at level 10 so you could use this to level up your characters. I did a test run for the Arthas scenario which is very heavy on RP but it took me around 30 minutes to complete and I walked away with 2 levels. This is during the Winds of Mysterious Fortune buff, but all in all, I think 2 levels is decent but probably not optimal if you really want to level quickly and that’s ok. It’s an option besides what we already have of Timewalking or Chromie time or spamming dungeons or insert the many options for leveling. This is an extra bonus with the main objective playing through these lore moments while getting all that sweet, sweet lore in an interactive, interesting way. Cho even throws in a book at the end, a synopsis of what we just went through and my mind immediately shot to player housing and putting it in a bookcase.
Some of this is a refresher on the story so far and imagine all the scenarios they could put into this. Broken questlines of the past like the Battle for Undercity or Wrathion’s legendary cloak or the Darkspear rebellion could all return in a more summarized version as we join Cho in the story of Sylvanas or the fall of the Black Dragonflight or the rise of Vol’jin. They could even go a step further and add moments that we’ve never seen in-game before but did make it into the outside material like Varian’s kidnapping by Onyxia and his journey of becoming whole again. Darion’s fall with the Ashbringer. Alternate timelines with the Infinite Dragonflight. The War of the Ancients. There are so many potential scenarios they could add in this system. It’s insane and I couldn’t stop playing this. I stayed up till like 5 in the morning testing this its been an absolute blast…but…that’s all about retelling stories so far…they’re also parts of these to build up the story going forward but as I mentioned, this is the part where we entering spoiler territory so if you don’t want to be spoiled, now would be the time to turn off the video…
SPOILERS
“Ahh my son.
You no longer need to sacrifice for your people. You no longer need to bear the weight of your crown. I’ve taken care of everything.
What is this? What are you doing my son?”
“Succeeding you father!”
Arthas’ storyline is preserved as it was, unless that ending is going to give a completely new twist, I think Arthas ’ was there as a cool showcase for what this system could do. A well known, beloved story.
Then the ethereals. Cho takes us to Outland, takes us to Argus and then…takes us into the Shadowlands to learn more about the Brokers that we met back then, and while going through this I was like … Cho…why are we doing this? Yeah there are similarities between the brokers and the ethereals. I remember back when, a lot were asking why did you come with the brokers could you not have just used the ethereals as they walk talk and act pretty much the same. SO I thought, Cho is pointing out that they are similar and they are, they have a connection! After redoing the Tazavesh intro quest from Shadowlands and a small bit with the broken Ve’nari from the maw, who you might remember faking her own death near the end of the Shadowlands. Then, as Cho wraps up the story told…we’re rudely interrupted…
“Oh? Who is this?
An excellent tale, and pertinent. Ve’nari has need of your aid, hero”
Om’rajula apologizes for interrupting our conversation but it was our discussion that drew Ve’nari’s attention. She hears much after all – especially when her name is involved. I’ve been sent with an object for you to deliver to the Locus Walker.
“I recommend you don’t keep her waiting.”
The Shadowguard is still hot on the attack trying to bringing Locuswalker down, but nothing we can’t handle…
“Oh. As I suspected. The Shadowguard are after you as well?
I have not seen you since the destruction of our world. As I preferred it.
Such fangs Locus Walker. You wound me. Yet unfortunate as it may be, it seems we must work together one last time. Come. We have much to discuss. As for you, my capable courier…return to your storyteller. With my thanks. “
What was once speculated is now confirmed, the brokers and the ethereals share a common history. The destruction of Karesh too which then their path separated into the brokers that we mainly know from the Shadowlands and the ethereals with their war against the Dimensius the all devouring. The Shadowguard also strike at Ve’nari meaning that both sides are dragged into this overarching conflict. A reunion and partnership for the sake of their history. Time will tell how this will play out but I love seeing Ve’nari as she was one of the highlights of the Shadowlands not to mention the possibilities going forward. If you want to know more about Ve’nari, I’ll link her video in the description. Can’t wait to get all the details on Ethereal and Broker history!
“The ethereals and the brokers both hail from Karesh? Is it possible they were once one people? Fascinating. Although the ethereals are not the most forthcoming, their history is one of survival in the face of horrors beyond imagining. Their world was destroyed yet they still managed to thrive. Perhaps one day we’ll learn more of their story, but for now we must admire their resilience and strive for it ourselves. And now I shall add this final chapter you uncovered to their tale. Thank you my friend.”
But this was just the start as then Xal’atath. A mysterious entity we know a lot about but also very little. Alleria describes her as not an old god but something else. A survivor from the depths of time. Yet Alleria also said that the ethereals in Undermine were working for Xal’atath and turns out that they were really not so, unreliable narrator and all that. Regardless…. we met Xal’atath by the time that she was trapped in a blade…but how did she end up there? Well, Cho and the lorewalkers have been hard at work.
Many years ago, a stone tablet from Stormsong Valley made its way into my library. It took years to break the cipher and translate the fragments of runes etched into it. I will tell you what we have pieced together. A tale of yet more treachery…
“This tablet is a record of a battle from long ago, when the Black Empire ruled all.
The old gods sent all of their forces to Ny’alotha to counter an unexpected attack from Xal’atath.”
“Come forward, Chosen. Xal’atath seeks to usurp the masters! Lord N’zoth will not tolerate this betrayal!”
“Go forth with N’zoth’s gifts of power. Your mission is too important to fail minion.”
“Lowly though you are, your contributions are seen… and acknowledged. Bring the others to me.”
Nyalotha is this other reality, a realm which we went into during battle for Azeroth to take care of N’zoth once and for all. Turns out that millennia ago, before the titans arrived on Azeroth and brought order to the planet, there was a battle. A betrayal. Xal’atath striking at the old gods. Bringing with her an army of shadows and tricks. These beings of chaos and destruction realized the threat she posed and put their differences aside to unite, stand as one against Xal’atath…
Y’shaarj: “N’zoth should have known Xal’atath would target Nyalotha when she learned what he was building. Fortunately, our aid will leave him in our debt.
C’thun: “Xal’atath underestimates us. Her attempts to distract us have failed. Even we will work together, when faced with such blatant betrayal.”
“GO. This creature Xal’atath is not like lord N’zoth and his kin. She does not appreciate their power or our Black Empire. Show her the error of her ways.”
And Yogg’saron says that Xal’atath’s betrayal was inevitable…but she has played her hand too soon. We will crush her. What was it that N’zoth was building? Some in the chat thought they were talking about the blade which could be true. All the same, it was enough for her to play her hand and attack, betray the old gods as they would describe it. Together they’re enough to overpower her and this is apparently what she truly looks like , although we do gotta keep in mind that this is Cho and the lorewalkers trying to bring something to life inscribed on a tablet worked on by N’zoth and locked away. Again, unreliable narrators and all that but still, this is what we got!
“Xal’atath! You betrayed not only the strength of the black empire, but the very darkness that embraced you. As punishment for your craven selfishness, you will suffer in confinement.”
Cutscene:
Eternally sealed! You shall only watch this world as it gains untold power without you. You shall never lay claim to it.
Eternally? Pathetic. You are mere pestilence parading as lords. This is not the end of the game, only the beginning… And I have all eternity to play. Agh!
The last desperate cries of one who has witnessed… the inevitable.
AAAAAGH!
But that was not all Xal’atath said. The tablet states she whispered in a voice only N’zoth could hear.
Consider what greatness could be yours, if your siblings did not stand in your way. The offer stands. You need only reach out and claim it.”
“This was how Xal’atath became the Blade of the Black Empire eons ago. I fear this raises more questions than it answers. What is Xal’atath? Is she related to the old gods? What does she ultimately intend to achieve? Although Xal’atath’s origins remain a mystery, her actions have brought harm to everyone. Perhaps that is all one needs to know in order to oppose her.”
What did Xal’atath last words to N’zoth mean? Did she foresee their future collaboration? Was it her plan from the start? Lorewalker Cho wonders and I’m personally hoping that they’re not going to give her the power to predict the future to such a degree. More that she’s more like a manipulator. Making use of opportunities. Throwing spaghetti at the wall and see what sticks.
An open ended bargain if and when N’zoth desires it, a promise that would not be fulfilled until Battle for Azeroth where she brought him the torch that would light the way and in exchange was liberated from the blade. This also relates to her promo cut-scene where she says:
“The World Soul so long denied me, shall be mine.”
Her punishment was not an eternity but she did spend a long time in the blade, manipulating events in the background and we’re gonna do a much more detailed video on what she’s been up too. For this video, in this moment, Lorewalking is amazing. Obviously one of my favorite things they’ve added to the game. An interactive way of getting to know the lore of Warcraft which has the potential to expand massively, 30 years of storytelling and scenarios they could dive into. What an amazing addition, thank you blizzard and thank you very much for watching everyone! Say that you want to read up on all the things we talked about today, make sure to check the Wowhead article in the description down below. Subscribe if you like my videos, leave a like if you enjoyed this one aaand until next time…see ya!
You can check out more of Nobbel87’s lore expertise on his You Tube Channel and on Twitch, and you can follow him on X/Twitter @Nobbel87!
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