The upcoming expansion of World of Warcraft revolves around the Void – but that’s not all. Another enemy could be worse.
The alpha of World of Warcraft Midnight has been live for a few weeks now. With each new update, more questlines and details come to light. Some details have already been seen that perhaps should not have been shown yet. Because we now know: Not only the Void is causing serious problems in Midnight. Another enemy is also moving into the spotlight.
Spoiler warning: This article discusses parts of the story of Midnight and also covers endgame content. You have been warned!
The Light is the new enemy in WoW
Although the initial conflict in Midnight is clearly aimed at the Void – after all, it wants to corrupt the Sunwell with Xal’atath at the helm – the exact opposite also plays an important role: the Light. Because even though the well calls upon all “Armies of the Light” for help at the beginning of the expansion, the Light simultaneously becomes more aggressive and exerts a stronger influence on the world and its loyal followers.
Part of this has to do with the Sunwell. Since the Sunwell was cleansed and blessed with light at the end of “The Burning Crusade,” there have been changes in Quel’thalas. At various locations, “Lightbloom” is sprouting, roughly translating to “Light Blossom.” Gardens where nature grows rapidly and is simultaneously filled with light.
However, since the Sunwell “erupted” during the defense against Xal’atath, these Lightbloom locations have spiraled out of control. They spread aggressively and faster than any gardener or magic can contain. Worse still: They actively resist containment. The Light is getting out of control.
But elsewhere, the Light feels stranger too. Even though Silvermoon is supported by the Armies of the Light, many Blood Elves state that it feels more like Silvermoon has been occupied by a foreign army – many of the paladins behave arrogantly and pompously. This ultimately leads to some succumbing to “Light Blindness.”
What are the Light-blinded? In the game, enemies who have perhaps devoted themselves too much to the sacred Light are referred to as “Light-blinded.” Fanatics who want the Light to fill all of Azeroth and essentially convert every being to the Light – whether they want to or not. Several characters are affected by this Light-blindness.
One who may be affected is Turalyon. He is also present in Silvermoon – and refers to himself as the “Redeemer of the Sunwell,” while demanding that Lor’themar (the leader of the Blood Elves) provide him with all the resources of the city.
Throughout the story, Turalyon is repeatedly overwhelmed by the Light and behaves more aggressively – always guided by what he perceives as righteous, yet often brutal and ruthless. Something he does not seem to fully control, but rather a kind of control that emanates from the Light itself.
It becomes even clearer with Lothraxion. We encounter the Lightforged terror lord in a dungeon – where he also attacks us. Apparently, we do not serve the Light “enough” and the Light-blindness convinces him to do exactly what the Light always wants: eliminate everything that does not serve the plan of the Light.
Does this come entirely unexpectedly? No, that is not the case. That the Light can also be used for rather sinister purposes has been known since the vanilla times, when the Scarlet Crusade showed very fanatical tendencies.
But even later, during the Legion expansion, we could see that the Light and especially the Naaru are not exactly advocates of “free will.” Illidan was to be Lightforged against his will to become a hero of the Light – something that Illidan resisted, killing a Naaru in the process.
In the audio drama Thousand Years of War, released with the Legion expansion, Alleria experienced some visions. In these visions, she saw, among other things, that worlds were not only burning in the demonic green fire of the Legion – but were also completely engulfed and destroyed by the Holy Light. Something the Light apparently also desires for Azeroth.
Are you looking forward to finally seeing a bit more of the “evil” side of the Light? Or do you not like that at all and would prefer that the Light remains a pure force for good? More about the entire story of WoW can be found here.
