A fan theory about World of Warcraft receives a lot of support from players. The real battle is not between Horde and Alliance.
While players in the official World of Warcraft forums tear each other apart over which faction is better or who has done worse things, new lore theories are bubbling up on Reddit. User shadovv93 has an intriguing theory about the “Battle for Azeroth”. According to his theory, it does not actually take place between Horde and Alliance, but rather between Yogg-Saron and N’Zoth.
The endless fight between Yogg-Saron and N’Zoth
The basic idea behind this theory is the notion that the Old Gods are indeed a common threat, but they do not actually cooperate with each other. This is supported by quotes from the Warcraft Chronicles. The various empires of the Old Gods were always in conflict with each other, as each one wanted to eliminate the others in order to conquer Azeroth for themselves and corrupt the sleeping Titan.
Since both N’Zoth and Yogg-Saron have lost a significant part of their armies, they simply instrumentalize other races as their servants. The theory assumes that Yogg-Saron manipulates the Horde, while N’Zoth claws at the Alliance.
Yogg-Saron is still alive
The Old God Yogg-Saron, whom players seem to have defeated in Ulduar, is also the “God of Death”. That he is not quite dead, as one might think, was shown in the pre-event of Legion. There, players had to accompany Brann and Magni Bronzebeard, along with Khadgar, to Ulduar and were attacked by Saronite creatures.
Brann explains that he “would feel something that seems familiar to him and he does not like it” – since Brann sensed Yogg-Saron in Ulduar back then and warned the players, this is a clear hint.
The Watcher unit also states: “Not again! The Guardians are making me fill out an incident report again.” – Just like last time when Yogg-Saron became active.
At the same time, an unknown voice whispers: “You are a vassal of unseen powers.”
Yogg-Saron may not be fully energized, but he is alive, active, and continues to try to expand his influence.
Sylvanas – A servant of Yogg-Saron?
It can be easily substantiated with indications that Yogg-Saron manipulates the Horde and uses Sylvanas. After all, Sylvanas jumped from Icecrown after the final death of the Lich King Arthas. In the official short story “The Dawn of Night”, it is described how Sylvanas lets herself be impaled on a Saronite spike, so that not only her body but also her soul would be annihilated. Saronite is nothing more than the blood of an Old God – that Sylvanas was corrupted in the process cannot be ruled out.
Further evidence can also be found in the precise wording of certain characters in World of Warcraft. Thus, Sara (an illusion of Yogg-Saron) explains in Ulduar: “Let hatred and rage guide your blows!” (“Let your strikes be guided by hatred and rage!”)
In “Warbringer: Sylvanas”, Delaryn (the dying elf) then asks Sylvanas why she wants to attack the tree. Sylvanas replies, “That is war,” to which Delaryn says, “No. This is hatred, rage.” – “No, this is hatred, rage.” Exactly the two terms by which one is supposed to be guided according to Yogg-Saron.
In the comic “The Three Sisters”, Sylvanas explains at the end: “In the end… they will serve death. They will serve me.” Yogg-Saron refers to himself as the God of Death – during the fight players repeatedly hear “Kneel before the God of Death!”
The burning of Teldrassil – An attack on N’Zoth
In the sense of this theory, the attack on Teldrassil and its subsequent destruction by fire is more than just a cruel act. It is a deliberate manipulation of Sylvanas by Yogg-Saron to inflict damage on N’Zoth. The Old God N’Zoth was the most successful in corrupting the Emerald Dream. For him, the World Trees are now places of power from which he can exert more influence.
If Yogg-Saron really wanted to eliminate his opponent N’Zoth, burning a World Tree would be an important act.
The Alliance – Manipulated by N’Zoth
But the Alliance has also long been infiltrated by the will of the Old Gods, namely N’Zoth. It is important to know that the boss Il’gynoth from the Emerald Nightmare is a servant of N’Zoth. After all, he explains at his death, “N’Zoth… I travel … to Ny’alotha …”
This also explains why Il’gynoth willingly reveals that the “Young King serves at the Master’s table” and “the Diamond King was made a vassal.” Why would an Old God reveal his own plans? Right, he only does that because it is not his plans – but those of an opponent.
Particularly important here are also the whispers that Alleria hears during the comic “The Three Sisters”. Every now and then, we see that she has voices in her head. She receives whispers as she encounters Sylvanas:
“This one is dangerous. She is a threat and must be destroyed. Beware of her. She seeks the death of all things… all possibilities. End the threat. Kill her. Kill her. Save yourselves and kill her. Save the world and kill her.”
The whisper fits perfectly with N’Zoth, who wants to eliminate a servant of Yogg-Saron, namely Sylvanas.
How exactly Anduin and Magni are corrupted in this matter or how it will affect things is yet to be seen. So far, N’Zoth does not need to do much – as the Alliance is already preparing to strike back in Undercity.
According to this theory, the “Battle for Azeroth” is therefore not a conflict between Alliance and Horde. Instead, it is about which of the two Old Gods can ultimately claim Azeroth for themselves and completely corrupt it. Both parties are unaware that they are already being manipulated – and it is only a matter of time before this comes to light and one of the two Old Gods emerges victorious.
What do you think of this theory? A cool idea that sheds new light on Battle for Azeroth? Or is it too unlikely?
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