The story of the night elves of World of Warcraft continues in Dragonflight. It’s time for new victims – and not everyone should like them.
Many details of the story of the upcoming expansion Dragonflight are still unknown. But the dataminers are already busy sifting through the World of Warcraft game data for clues and details. A major chunk of the Night Elf story has now been unveiled, covering some key characters such as Tyrande, Malfurion, and Ysera. They have to make a momentous decision…
Spoiler alert: The article covers important details of the Dragonflight story. If you don’t want to read spoilers, you should stop reading here.
What is the status of the night elves? With the end of Shadowlands, the night elves received a new seed from the winter queen, which will (presumably) be used for a new world tree. At the same time, Tyrande’s hunt for Sylvanas is over, the green dragon Ysera exists as an awakened wild spirit in the Ardenwald and Malfurion is still on Azeroth.
A Sacrifice for the Green Dragons: In the course of Dragonflight, the night elves come to a momentous decision. Because apparently the green dragonflight needs help and is dependent on the return of Ysera – but she is stuck in the shadow lands. Already in Patch 9.2.5 it was said that Ysera might one day be able to return to Azeroth, but that would require “a great price”. Now this price is known:
Malfurion Stormrage.
In order for Ysera to return to Azeroth, Malfurion must take her place in Ardenweald. At least that’s what emerges from a dialogue that probably belongs to an in-game cutscene.
We have translated the corresponding dialogue between the two for you here:
Tyrande: Ysera, your crush needs you.
We need you.
Whatever the price of your return to Azeroth, name it.
Malfurion: Tyrande…
Tyrande: tell us!
Malfurion: It’s me.
It’s me who has to stay behind.
Tyrande: What?
Malfurion: Ysera knows that – but she would never ask me to.
Tyrande: no
We’ll find another way.
Malfurion: When she gave her life for me in Val’sharah, her time had not yet come.
And now… the balance must be restored.
Tyrande: Then…then I will stay as well.
Shandris and the others can…
Malfurion: Tyrande…
If everything we hope happens to happen, the kaldorei will need you.
Tyrande: I am so tired, Malfurion.
Don’t ask that of me.
After all we had to endure…
Malfurion: My love.
You have always been the strength of our people.
They will follow you forever and you will never be alone.
Tyrande: Until we meet again …
I’ll dream of the night we can finally rest… together.
Why is this happening? Similar to Tyrande as a night warrior, Malfurion is one of the most powerful beings on Azeroth. Although shown primarily in the stories (such as the War of Thorns and books), the Archdruid Malfurion is so powerful that the Horde as a whole fears him.
At the same time, it’s easy to find reasons why Malfurion might qualify for this “trade”. For one thing, it’s true that Ysera was only corrupted by the nightmare because Malfurion stormed into Val’sharah in a blind rage. At the same time, Ysera has long been a mentor to Malfurion, having spent many years together in the Emerald Dream.
Also importantly, it’s not entirely clear from the dialogue whether Malfurion actually dies or lives. It is quite possible that he will remain in the Ardenweald as a mortal and, in his position as Archdruid at the side of the Winter Queen, ensure that the forest regenerates. After all, a large part of the Ardenwald has died off due to the anima drought and must be cultivated again.
Last but not least, this decision could also have simple narrative reasons. Pushing a few current, very powerful characters aside opens up more room for new characters that can be more prominent – like Shandris in recent expansions.
However, keep in mind that this is just data mining from the alpha. On the one hand, a lot could change before the release and on the other hand, important context is missing, for example from previous quest lines, which explains how this decision and this sacrifice came about. It’s easy to criticize something when you only know the result, but not the way to get there.
Assuming this story decision is final, what do you think? A good way to push something aside for Malfurion?