WoW Lore Rumors

[Chazwozel]

So, I just want this rumor to get out here and discussed. There's a rumor going around that Thrall is going to be made the new aspect of the Earth during the events of Cataclysm. Are these well founded rumors (stuff found from datamining), or just speculation?


Personally, I think this is a great idea and direction for the lore of Warcraft cannon to go. What better way to fully incorporate the orcs as beings of Azeroth.

 

[Hailey Knight]

I wouldn't think you could find that in datamining since that sounds so huge as to be an end of expansion's patch content, something they'd do before the next expansion rather than now.

 

[Baerdog]

There have been rumblings that Thrall, if not exactly becoming the new aspect of earth, will at least be involved in getting the other aspects rallied together to fight against Deathwing and filling in for the earth aspect. I'm not sure if it will be a temporary or permanent thing though. I'm sure ScytheRexx has more details.

 

[Dei]

Would Thrall become a dragon and eat Garrosh? Otherwise I'm opposed.

 

[Piotyr]

Here's where the rumor comes from, from the Lore Q&A at Blizzcon:

Q: We've seen over the years the overarching dangers etc, it has been getting bigger bigger and bigger. Are there any plans to take some more bigger things down? Will we take down Alexstrazsa for example?

Chris Metzen: She's the Aspect of Life man, can you really punk her down for long? A careful way to answer this question is, obviously Deathwing is the bad guy and in the subsequent patches similar to how WotLK worked, ultimately when we develop the final combat with Deathwing to put him down, there is really good money on the fact the family will get involved. Their greatest and most horrible hour, the will perform the function they were created for. It's probably best to let the specifics breathe at this point. Deathwing is so gnarly, how do you defeat something undefeatable? Can he be defeated by any martial mean? How will the family (AND THRALL) pull this off?

Oh I just have to say it, you know Thrall is a shaman now. So what Aspect is missing from the family? Neltharion is out, the family has been broken for 10,000 years, what of the 5 aspects are you missing? Earth. So I'm just saying. Maybe that's a way Thrall can distinguish himself helping the family back together for a big win.

EDIT: And a second question from the same panel:

Q: When we first met Garrosh Hellscream he was kind of an annoying kid? Now he's the leader of the Horde. Are we going to get a Warchief out of this guy?

Metzen again: We know that the whole Garrosh thing is "contentious" and it's part of a much larger storyline involving Thrall. Thrall is the most important person on Azeroth, the Garrosh storyline has a lot to do with Thrall. Thrall is a Clark Kent type character who doesn't really know his true strength, he was pushed into leadership very young and Garrosh is used as a counterpoint to Thrall. He's a hothead against someone who thinks a lot. Ultimately the story isn't about Garrosh, it's going to be some of the best storytelling that WoW has ever done.

---------- Post added at 11:08 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:02 AM ----------

So, really, it's largely speculation that Thrall would be the aspect of Earth, but he'll definitely have something to do with Deathwing and he has a greater purpose than Warchief of the Horde. Metzen has often said that Thrall is his favorite character (which I imagine is only partly because he voices him), so I imagine he'll be really important by the end of all this.

It was stated outright that Kalecgos would become the new aspect of Magic, though.

 

[Baerdog]

Reading the rumors about the Thrall/Garrosh story has got me wishing somewhat that the guild had decided to go Horde-side. >_>

 

[Piotyr]

Reading the rumors about the Thrall/Garrosh story has got me wishing somewhat that the guild had decided to go Horde-side. >_>

On the plus side, one side-effect of Thrall going to the Earthen Ring and Garrosh becoming Warchief of the Horde is that Thrall will be assisting both Alliance and Horde in Cataclysm.

 

[Dei]

This is why I maintain characters on both factions.

 

[ScytheRexx]

Piotyr already beat me to the punch when it comes to the source of the rumors. Really, I don't take it as Thrall becoming the new Aspect of Earth, but to sort of become a surrogate of the role until a proper one can be assigned.

One of the big quests in the new Badlands is that, using a Titan relic, one of the red dragons is able to purge the genetic corruption that has taken over the flight. It is assumed that this uncorrupted progeny will take over as Earth-Warder once he is old enough, but it will be awhile before he hatches, grows, and matures.

I have a feeling Thrall will definitely step in to become the Aspect of Earth during the final battle with Deathwing, but will give up the power by the end.

Also, this is just wishful thinking, but I kind of want another Ulduar-style situation only over the whole world. Let me explain. I think Deathwing shouldn't have a specific dungeon, but should be all over the planet.

You enter at a specific spot that is the "beginning" of the dungeon. Deathwing had just before defeated all the other aspects (including the new Aspect of Magic, Kalec) and corrupted them. We join Thrall and maybe some others and fight the Aspects, each one being "freed" of the corrupt thanks to Thrall cleansing them with the elements. Once you free them all Deathwing decides to destroy the world by reopening the scar at the Maelstrom. Thrall, the Aspects, and the players all converge on him there. The Aspects all give you a buff based on their powers, and then Thrall gives you the ability to ride the wind to fly around the Maelstrom to the various rocks to attack Deathwing, finally defeating him and having him crash and get incinerated by the Deepholme rift as it closes again.

Just an idea.