The third cinematic in patch 9.2.5 of World of Warcraft focuses on the Forsaken, Calia Menethil, and Lilian Voss.
Patch 9.2.5 has ultimately brought significantly more than expected by WoW players. Above all, a multitude of small cutscenes advanced the story and brought several narratives to a reasonable conclusion. It also finally moves forward in Lordaeron, finding a future for the Forsaken.
What is happening with the Forsaken? Since “Battle for Azeroth”, the Forsaken have faced quite a problem. In retaliation for the attack on Teldrassil, the Alliance attacked Lordaeron and thus Undercity. The city was considered lost and was ultimately flooded with the plague on Sylvanas’ orders to make it unusable for the Alliance as well.
Now, without Sylvanas, the Forsaken are trying to reclaim their “homeland” and find a new path for the Forsaken.
In the questline for the unlocking of the Dark Rangers, the city is cleansed of the plague and the Forsaken establish the “Desolate Council”, which will govern the Forsaken in the future.
Calia Menethil and Lilian Voss are part of this council and meet in the halls of Lordaeron for a conversation.
Calia is the sister of Arthas, the former Lich King. She is viewed skeptically by the other Forsaken – after all, her brother is responsible for them becoming undead. At the same time, Calia became undead in a different way, through the influence of the Light, which means she never had to experience the rule of the Lich King.
What happens in the cinematic? The cinematic takes place immediately after the new “Desolate Council” is formed. However, only Horde players get to see the cutscene. Alliance members leave shortly after the quest and miss this calm, yet emotional and significant scene:
Calia and Lilian enter the former throne room of Lordaeron. This is the place where Arthas killed his father in Warcraft III and then brought down the kingdom with the Scourge.
Calia expresses her regret over what this place means to her. She once experienced festivals and celebrations here – and a huge tragedy. The name of her family is forever tainted. Lilan recognizes that Calia has always run away from this and advises her to simply stop. Only then could she realize that the Forsaken have long since become her family.
The conversation continues, as Calia worries that she will never be accepted by the other Forsaken, which Lilian tries to soothe. After all, they are all Forsaken. And as such, they must face the future. Together.
What will happen to Calia now? Many players feared back then that Calia would simply become the new leader of the Forsaken, although this seems imposed on her. With the new outcome, namely that Calia is only part of a council where the other members view her with suspicion, many can live better with it.
That Calia is in the council of the Forsaken also gives Genn Greymane hope. Because Calia intends to propose in the coming years to return the land of Gilneas to the Worgen, even though the introduction of such an idea will take some time.
What do you think of this development in Lordaeron and with the Forsaken? A good step in the right direction? Or would you have wished for a different outcome?
