What went wrong between the Horde and Alliance? We summarize the story of “Before the Storm”, the WoW novel, for you.
With the upcoming expansion Battle for Azeroth, the story of World of Warcraft continues. And although much of it is already told in the pre-event, there are a whole lot of contents that players on PC do not experience.
A large part of the backstory is not told in World of Warcraft, but in the novel “Before the Storm”, which has been available in English for a few weeks now. We summarize the story of the novel and reveal what consequences this had for the Horde and Alliance.
In WoW, players have still experienced what happens after the discovery of Azerite. Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner and High King Anduin Wrynn try to bring the resource under their control. But while Sylvanas sees the potential in Azerite to cause great destruction, Anduin sees the possibility of healing and rebuilding.
Anduin’s Desire for Peace
Anduin travels to the Netherlight Temple and witnesses how the races cooperate across the board. Forsaken, humans, Draenei, and trolls work hand in hand, regardless of their actual origins. Here, Anduin also meets Alonsus Faol, a Forsaken and former founder of the Silver Hand.
He also meets Calia Menethil – the still-living sister of Arthas, the former Lich King. She is also a priestess and works at the Netherlight Temple.
Anduin devises a plan to bring the Horde and Alliance closer together, choosing the Forsaken as the target. He proposes to Sylvanas that some Forsaken should meet with their still-living family members from Stormwind for a day. Here, both sides could find out in a peaceful meeting whether they can still accept each other.
Sylvanas Seeks Destruction
Sylvanas actually wants to reject the offer, but the Desolate Council is open and eager about the idea. Many Forsaken wish to see their family members again.
What is the Desolate Council? After Sylvanas was chosen as Warchief, she could spend very little time in Undercity. In her absence, a second government has formed that rules Undercity in her name: the Desolate Council. Sylvanas considers this council of Forsaken a threat to her power position but allows them to operate as long as they do not openly oppose her.
Sylvanas allows the meeting in the hope that it will fail. The Forsaken are to realize that they will never have a place among the living again and will subsequently serve their Dark Lady even more loyally.
The Meeting in Arathi
After some back and forth, the meeting takes place in the neutral area of the Arathi Highlands. A few humans retreat at the sight of their decaying relatives at the last moment, but many remain. An adult daughter falls into the arms of her deceased father. “Old Emma” (an NPC from Stormwind) meets all three of her sons who fell in Lordaeron and were reanimated.
The meeting is guarded and accompanied by priests of the Light from the Netherlight Temple – and that leads to disaster.
During the meeting, one of Sylvanas’ spies recognizes that one of the priestesses is Calia Menethil – the rightful heir to the throne of Lordaeron. The Banshee Queen sees the meeting as an opportunity to challenge her for the Forsaken and help Calia to the throne. She cannot tolerate a usurper of Lordaeron. She intervenes with her dark rangers. However, it is not the humans she executes – but the Forsaken. All present sympathizers of the humans are executed, to the horror of their living relatives.
Calia Menethil is also shot by Sylvanas so that there will be no Menethil left who could claim the throne of Lordaeron. Even Anduin is spared by Sylvanas, although she could easily eliminate him. However, she decides not to start a war at this time.
Licking Wounds in the Netherlight Temple
But Calia’s death is not permanent. Although Anduin desperately tries to save her, he fails. A few days later, in the Netherlight Temple, the priests discover that Calia’s body does not decay. In a ritual by Anduin, Alonsus Faol, and the present Naaru, Calia is resurrected by the Light, even though her heart no longer beats. She is now an undead being, but still not Forsaken.
Whether Calia Menethil will still play a role in Battle for Azeroth remains to be seen. The enmity between Anduin and Sylvanas is certainly solidified, and neither will be quick to agree to a new truce.
After the disaster in Arathi, Anduin resolves that peace will still be his highest goal – however, that would never be achievable with Sylvanas at the head of the Horde.
Cortyn says: I can only recommend everyone to read the book or at least enjoy the audiobook version while farming. The story manages to portray the Forsaken as an actual people with their own desires, and there are also exciting details about Anduin and his feelings and thoughts. However, those hoping that Sylvanas will be portrayed as “morally grey” will be disappointed – in this novel, she is dark, calculating, and destructive.
If you want to read the complete (very good) story yourself, you can order the book or audiobook here on Amazon:
*Affiliate-Links. Wir erhalten bei einem Kauf eine kleine Provision von Amazon. Vielen Dank für Eure Unterstützung!
