Is the story of World of Warcraft Dragonflight “only” hiding old gods again? Many prophecies fit well with the story of the new addon…
When it comes to the story of World of Warcraft, there are always numerous theories. In particular, the whispers of the Old Gods from previous expansions are used again and again when it comes to major developments in the history of Azeroth. This seems to be the case again with the new Dragonflight expansion.
Many of the old quotes are now being wildly discussed again – and seem to fit extremely well.
What are the quotes? Especially around quotes from Il’gynoth. That 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 power of the Void. The Void has the ability to see all possible futures, but cannot tell which of them will actually happen. As such, there’s a good chance that quotes from these creatures are complete nonsense that will never come true—or exactly what the heroes of Azeroth are about to face.
Since their inception, these quotes have been the subject of heated debate, and this is now the case with Dragonflight. Some details have been compiled on the World of Warcraft subreddit.
“Five keys to open our path. Five torches to light our way.”
(“Five Keys to open our way. Five torches to light our path.”)
The number 5 keeps appearing in World of Warcraft. So there were already 5 Pillars of Creation in Legion, in Shadowlands 5 leaders of the great pacts and in Dragonflight there are 5 dragonflights with their 5 aspects.
The quote is especially interesting in connection with a second quote, because later Il’gynoth says:
“Five Lanterns, now darkened. The flame they seek will light the way of the masters.”
(“Five lanterns, now darkened. The flame they seek will light the masters’ way.”)
This also fits the aspects very well. Because they lost a large part of their power with the end of Cataclysm – so their “lantern was darkened” in a figurative sense. With the return to the Dragon Isles, the Aspects are also trying to regain their power to once again watch over Azeroth – so they are looking for a new “flame” to ignite their power once more.
“The surface shines brightly, masking the shadow beneath.”
(“Its surface blazes bright, masking shadows below.”)
This quote also fits perfectly with the cinematic of the Dragonflight expansion. After all, the beacon of Tyr shines brightly and Azeroth itself, as you can see at the beginning of the sea, shines with a magical glow. It is quite possible that one is talking about the corruption that gnaws at Azeroth underground and slowly but surely brings it closer to complete corruption.
WoW: Here is the bombastic cinematic for the new Dragonflight expansion
“He draws strength from the earth. Our earth. Our power.”
(“From the earth, he draws strength. Our earth. Our strength.”)
Beings who draw power from the earth, there are two main possible candidates. The first is Galakrond. This huge dragon may have been dead for thousands of years, but its skeleton survives. Datamining found out years ago that there is a new map of the Dragonblight that is missing the skeleton – although this has never been implemented. However, the NPC Rafaam, who had already awakened Galakrond in Hearthstone, also appeared. He might plan to do the same in WoW…
The second candidate could be Furorion. This is one of the remaining black dragons that were traditionally the Earth Wardens. Like Neltharion (Deathwing), he draws his power from the earth and could thus come into contact with the corruption – after all, the earth is contaminated by the old gods, which could also fit the next quote:
“At the master’s table the child-king serves. He tells you three lies.”
(“The boy-king serves at the master’s table. Three lies will he offer you.”)
Even if in the past much pointed to Anduin, who is already referred to as “Child-King”, the title would also apply to Wrathion. Because Wrathion is still extremely young, but should be able to take control of the black dragonflight and thus become the “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 promises our coming.”
(“At the hour of her third death she ushers in our comming.”)
It has long been suspected that this is Azeroth – but it could just as easily be Queen Azshara. This “died” a first time when her kingdom fell and she made a pact with N’Zoth. A second time she “died” fighting the heroes in Naz’jatar and was taken to Ny’alotha. From there, she escapes (thanks to our help), declaring that she must “go to the true throne of power.” A throne that may lie deep beneath the Dragon Isles. Because now several years have passed and Azshara will surely come back sooner or later.
The Theme of “Awakening”
A final point is the general theme of the Dragonflight addon. Blizzard had already stated that it will be about “awakening” – at first glance about the awakening of Azeroth, the awakening of the new strength of the dragons and generally the elemental energies that are slowly flooding the planet. But even in previous expansions, the topic always had a second, darker meaning, and in this case that would be the awakening of something dark.
Who knows if the forces of the void will stir again and the end of Dragonflight will not later lead to the next cosmic threat to the Old Gods. After all, Blizzard usually always switches between “cosmic, oversized” threats and then back to a somewhat simpler theme based on Azeroth.
How likely is all of this? Ultimately, of course, the whole thing is just speculation, just like in previous years. However, there are already indications in the game data of the alpha that we will penetrate underground into the dragon islands in the course of the addon and will probably find something there – that would at least fit thematically with the old gods and their corruption, as well as a possible return of the gigantic primeval dragon Galakrond.
But even if none of this should come true, there is an interesting detail in all the quotes: They are pretty well written and ensure that you can always spin new theories that never mention anything concrete, but are specific enough to to allow for many interpretations. Exactly how cool divinations should be.
And last but not least, speculating is just plain fun. After all, there are many ways that WoW could develop now…
What direction do you think the Dragonflight expansion will take? Will it be Old Gods, Azshara or Galakrond? Or will Blizzard stay away from these topics for now?