Is it just the Old Gods hiding behind the story of World of Warcraft Dragonflight? Many prophecies fit well with the story of the new expansion …
When it comes to the story of World of Warcraft, numerous theories continually arise. Especially the whispers of the Old Gods from previous expansions are frequently referenced when it comes to major developments in the history of Azeroth. This seems to be the case again with the new expansion Dragonflight.
Many of the old quotes are now being wildly discussed again – and they seem to fit exceptionally well.
Which quotes are we talking about? Mainly quotes from Il’gynoth. He was a boss in the “Legion” expansion and later again in “Battle for Azeroth.” He is a servant of the Old Gods and thus belongs to the cosmic force of the Void. The Void has the ability to see all possible future variants but cannot recognize which of them will truly come to pass. Therefore, it is quite possible that quotes from these creatures are complete nonsense that will never come true – or exactly what the heroes of Azeroth are soon to face.
Since their introduction, these quotes have been wildly discussed time and again, and that is also the case with Dragonflight. In the World of Warcraft subreddit, some details have been compiled.
„Five keys to open our way. Five torches to light our path.”
(“Five Keys to open our way. Five torches to light our path.”)
The number 5 appears repeatedly in World of Warcraft. For example, in Legion there were already 5 Pillars of Creation, in Shadowlands 5 leaders of the major covenants, and in Dragonflight there are 5 Dragonflights with their 5 aspects.
The quote is particularly interesting in connection with a second quote, as Il’gynoth later says:
„Five lanterns, now darkened. The flame they seek will light the masters’ way.”
(“Five lanterns, now darkened. The flame they seek will light the masters’ way.”)
This also fits exceptionally well with the aspects. They lost a significant part of their power with the end of Cataclysm – in other words, their “lantern has darkened” in a metaphorical sense. With the return to the Dragon Isles, the aspects are also trying to regain their power in order to watch over Azeroth once more – they are seeking a new “flame” to rekindle their strength.
„Its surface blazes bright, masking shadows below.”
(“Its surface blazes bright, masking shadows below.”)
This quote also fits wonderfully with the cinematic of the Dragonflight expansion. After all, the beacon of Tyr shines brightly, and Azeroth itself, as seen at the beginning by the sea, glows with magical brilliance. It is quite possible that this refers to the corruption that is gnawing at Azeroth underground and slowly but surely bringing it closer to complete corruption.
„From the earth, he draws strength. Our earth. Our strength.”
(“From the earth, he draws strength. Our earth. Our strength.”)
There are mainly two possible candidates for beings that draw strength from the earth. The first is Galakrond. This gigantic dragon has been dead for many millennia, yet his skeleton still exists. Datamining discovered years ago that there is a new map of the Dragonblight where the skeleton is missing – even though this has never been implemented. However, the NPC Rafaam has also appeared, who had already awakened Galakrond in Hearthstone. He might intend to do the same in WoW …
The second candidate could be Wrathion. He is one of the remaining black dragons, who traditionally were the Earth Warders. Like Neltharion (Deathwing), he draws his strength from the earth and could thus connect with the corruption – after all, the earth is tainted by the Old Gods, which could also fit with the next quote:
„The boy-king serves at the master’s table. Three lies will he offer you.”
(“The boy-king serves at the master’s table. Three lies will he offer you.”)
Although in the past much pointed to Anduin, who is already referred to as the “boy-king”, the title would also apply to Wrathion. For Wrathion is still extremely young but might be able to take control of the black dragonflight and thereby become a “king”. Through his connection to the earth – and thus possibly to the Void – he could become a servant of the Old Gods.
„At the hour of her third death she ushers in our coming.”
(‘At the hour of her third death she ushers in our coming.‘)
For a long time, it was suspected that this referred to Azeroth – but it could just as easily refer to Queen Azshara. She “died” the first time when her kingdom fell and she made a pact with N’Zoth. The second time she “died” in battle against the heroes in Naz’jatar and was taken to Ny’alotha. From there, she escapes (thanks to our help) and declares that she must go “to the true throne of power.” A throne that may lie deep beneath the Dragon Isles. After several years, Azshara will surely reappear sooner or later.
The Theme of “Awakening”
One last point is the overall theme of the Dragonflight expansion. Blizzard has already explained that it will be about “awakening” – at first glance, about the awakening of Azeroth, the awakening of the new power of the dragons, and generally the elemental energies that are slowly flooding the planet. However, in previous expansions, the theme always had a second, darker meaning, which in this case would be the awakening of something dark.
Who knows if the forces of the Void will stir again and if the end of Dragonflight won’t later lead to the next cosmic threat of the Old Gods. After all, Blizzard generally alternates between “cosmic, large-scale” threats and then returns to a somewhat simpler, Azeroth-based theme.
How likely is all of this? Ultimately, this is of course just speculation, as it has been in past years. However, there are already hints in the game data of the Alpha that we will push underground into the Dragon Isles during the course of the expansion and likely find quite a bit there – thematically at least aligning with the Old Gods and their corruption, as well as a possible return of the gigantic primordial dragon Galakrond.
But even if none of this comes true, the entire quotations show an interesting detail: They are quite well-written and ensure that one can always spin new theories that never mention anything concrete but are specific enough to allow many interpretations. Just like cool prophecies should be.
And finally, speculating is simply fun. After all, there are many possibilities for how WoW could now develop …
What do you think, in what direction will the Dragonflight expansion develop? Will it be about Old Gods, Azshara, or Galakrond? Or will Blizzard steer clear of these themes for now?
