A new quest is available in World of Warcraft. It gives a small insight into what is happening with the Warchief of the Horde.
As of today (04/17/2019), the new raid “Tides of Vengeance” is available in World of Warcraft. The pre-quest with Xal’atath was playable last week, but now the continuation has arrived. We will reveal what happens in the quest line and what impact it might have for Sylvanas.
Spoiler Warning: If you do not want to know what happens after the raid “Tides of Vengeance”, do not continue reading. You have been warned.
This happens after the fight against Uu’nat: Once the last of the two bosses in the current raid Tides of Vengeance is defeated, the Old God N’Zoth speaks up and gives the players a few ominous words:
“Yes … you are indeed those I seek. Those who will turn the tide.”
“Receive now the greatest of all gifts. My dream has become yours. The circle of stars formed of flesh.”
“It will guide you. Come … Come. The hour is nigh when all eyes will be opened.”
N’Zoth
Afterward, players can find a dagger on the ground that gives them a quest – it is the blade Xal’atath. The very blade that we previously brought here in a quest.
The players are being manipulated: The unsettling aspect of the quest is that it represents a rather direct form of mind control. The characters of the players are apparently being manipulated by N’Zoth and forced to take the blade. For the quest text says:
<The blade known as Xal’atath rests on the ground before you. Although the consciousness that once resided in the blade is gone, you still feel a resonance of power …
It almost seems as though the blade speaks with another voice. With another purpose …
You feel the compulsion to bring this blade to your Warchief.>
Apparently, the players of the Horde are forced through mind manipulation to hand the blade over to Sylvanas.
Sylvanas is very pleased: Sylvanas is also very satisfied when she gets the blade in her hands. In the conclusion of the quest, it says:
<As you present the dagger to Sylvanas, a brief smile crosses her lips. For a heartbeat, it seems as though her eyes darken. Surely just an optical illusion, without a doubt.>
“Once again you have proven yourselves worthy champions, [player]. This blade is the compass that will lead us to victory.”
Whether this darkening of her eyes is a sign that Sylvanas is being controlled by another power, such as the Old Gods, remains to be seen. But her subsequent brief speech is also troubling.
“The Alliance believes they have broken us by decimating the Zandalari fleet and defeating Rastakhan. They think the Horde will soon shatter.
Fools. The child king has lied to himself and his people. He has not the slightest idea what he is truly fighting against.
War is a living thing. It writhes, it grows, it twists and bends until its final shape is revealed.
This war will change again soon. And it will be this blade that leads us on the path to victory.”
Sylvanas, Warchief of the Horde
We already know that Sylvanas is sending her troops to sea in Patch 8.2, and the Alliance follows her. Meanwhile, the ships of both factions are pulled into the depths and end up in the new zone Nazjatar. The blade Xal’atath seems to be responsible for this, though the exact reason remains to be seen…
It remains exciting in the story of Sylvanas and the Old Gods. Patch 8.2 Azshara’s Ascension will surely further advance this story.
What do you think of the story development in World of Warcraft? Is it cool how the story is progressing? Or do you not like the current plot at all?
