In Patch 9.2 of World of Warcraft, the Dreadlords are back in action. They have learned a thing or two by now – and are pulling everyone’s strings in a nasty way.
In Patch 9.2, the Dreadlords – the Nathrezim – are also in the mix again. After the heroes of Azeroth kicked their butts in Patch 9.1, they have a new trick up their sleeve – it’s pretty nasty, but also funny at the same time.
It works only because we are all absolute super-heroes, whom the Warcraft legends trust almost blindly.
Spoiler warning: This article covers parts of the story from Patch 9.2 in World of Warcraft. If you do not want to know about it, please do not continue reading.
What happens in Patch 9.2? During the campaign of Patch 9.2, players arrive in Zereth Mortis. This is the legendary land with the Forge of the First. Here, all the realms of the afterlives were created. As players try to understand the land and its peculiarities to solve the puzzles, the Jailor is already set to put his plans into action and has sent his minions everywhere.
As is now customary, the player is the chosen champion, even foretold by a prophecy. Our character is quite an important hero and enjoys the corresponding respect from the high personalities in the Shadowlands.
However, the Dreadlords take advantage of this in Patch 9.2. Because while we are still stumbling somewhat aimlessly through Zereth Mortis trying to solve problems at every turn, there are always dissatisfied leaders among our ranks. They report that “we” have tampered with the protective mechanisms or lured allies into critical areas.
After a short time, it becomes clear: It was a Dreadlord who simply took on the form of your character. None other than Mal’Ganis pretended to be the great hero and deceived so many leaders. When he is ultimately found out, he even comments on it:
Surprised?
Mal’Ganis in Patch 9.2 (via wowhead)
It was so easy to cause chaos. They follow you blindly.
They would die for ‘you’ without knowing who you truly are.
You are just a face and a name. The rest is without consequence.
If I had truly replaced you, would anyone have noticed?
This leads for the first time to the role of the “great champion” actually bringing real disadvantages within the story. The Dreadlords exploiting the blind trust of all those characters shows for the first time that players are not only quite heroes – but at the same time represent one of the greatest dangers.
What are the Dreadlords? The Dreadlords were driving forces behind the conflicts in Warcraft III. These demons belonged to the Burning Legion and sought to sow chaos in the universe – or at least that was thought.
In Shadowlands, it was revealed that the Dreadlords actually descend from Lord Denathrius, who sent his servants to all corners of the cosmos. They are part of the Legion, but also among the Army of Light and other cosmic forces, manipulating the powerful from the shadows.
Furthermore, the Dreadlords are known for simply “replacing” some people and filling their positions to slowly but surely achieve their goals. This was already the case during the Scarlet Crusade, but it also occurred repeatedly in the expansion Legion – most recently even in the campaign of Patch 9.1.
What do you think of this questline? Is it cool that even the “champion status” can turn into a disadvantage?
