Hello, Librarian Husky here! An exciting upcoming expansion called The War Within is on its way, kicking off a series of expansions that will unravel the World Soul Saga. Many have inquired about my documentation of the story so far. Whether you took a break after Shadowland or Dragonflight, or if you’re new to Warcraft, now is the perfect time to dive into this saga.

Outline of the Story

To address these inquiries, I have created this article to provide a comprehensive understanding of the narrative leading into The War Within. This spoiler-free, essential guide is crafted to enrich your experience with the expansion, helping you piece together the bigger picture of the story.

The Base

With the introduction aside, let’s explore. Our world’s destiny hangs in the balance, with our battle deeply rooted. It’s important to grasp that within the Warcraft universe, six Cosmic Forces are in constant conflict, engaged in an eternal struggle for supremacy.

Cosmic Energies

These forces, by nature competitive, continuously compete for dominance over each other. However, it’s essential that none can completely overpower the others, as it would plunge all worlds into chaos. The main forces are order and chaos.

Understanding the Cosmic Energies

You may identify the Titans as symbols of order and the Demons as embodiments of chaos, showing the fluidity of sides and allegiances. There are also the energies of death and life; the Shadowlands expansion focused deeply on death, while life was briefly explored in the Emerald Dream but holds much promise for further exploration.

Light and Darkness

The key theme highlighted during the BlizzCon reveal for The War Within and the World Soul Saga is light and darkness. This dichotomy goes beyond a simple good versus evil story. These forces are in conflict, with our world containing a potent entity within, desired by various cosmic entities for different reasons.

The Burning Legion

The Burning Legion is perhaps the most notorious, persistently invading the world, opening portals, and unleashing their dark magic. Their leader, Sargeras, nearly succeeded in wiping out Azeroth by thrusting a sword into it. Luckily, we were able to thwart his plan just in time, putting an end to the Burning Legion’s destructive campaign.

Recent Dangers

However, the threat of the Demons lingers. More recently, we faced the reign of the Jailer, who declared that death will claim the soul of our world. We managed to defeat this threat, achieving another victory. Now, the Void has returned, previously attempting to take control of Azeroth by corrupting it with the Old Gods.

The Dark Empire

The time when they ruled the planet is known as the days of the Black Empire, during which the Old Gods thrived. We journeyed back in time to witness Azeroth’s history. The Old Gods reveled in chaos, pitting the enslaved Elemental Lords Ragnaros, Al’Akir, Therazane, and Neptulon against each other, reveling in the resulting destruction.

The Appearance of New Races

The essence within the world’s organic matter seeped from the Old Gods‘ corrupted forms, giving rise to two distinct races. The first were the cunning and intelligent Naraki, also known as the Faceless Ones. The second were the Akir, insectoids of incredible endurance and strength. As the physical embodiments of the Old Gods‘ desires, both races served their masters with unwavering loyalty.

Evolving under the Old Gods

Over time, the Akir evolved under the influence of the Old Gods. C’thun transformed them into the Qiraji, Y’Shaarj into the Mantid, and Yogg-Saron molded them into the Nerubian. “The end of days is finally upon you and all who inhabit this miserable little seedling,” they proclaimed.

The Black Empire and the Titans

The Black Empire held sway over Azeroth until the Titans intervened. The forces of order defeated and imprisoned the Old Gods. The Titans, being immensely powerful, refrained from direct involvement to prevent further harm to the planet and its essence. Instead, they created Titan Keepers to wage the battle on their behalf.

The Titan-Forged

In response, these Keepers assembled the Titan-Forged to assist them in shaping the world and restoring order. The Titan-Forged included beings like the Mogu, Mechagnomes, and Earthen. They began by vanquishing the Elemental Lords and banishing them to their respective elemental planes: Ragnaros to the Firelands, Therazane to Deepholm, Neptulon to the Abyssal Maw, and Al’Akir to Skywall.

Imprisonment of the Old Gods

The subsequent objective was to conquer and confine the ancient deities. Completely eliminating them proved to be a challenging task due to their deep entrenchment in the planet. The Titans were apprehensive that their complete removal would adversely affect the soul of Azeroth. Consequently, they implanted devices into the planet’s crust to confine them.

The Role of the Titans

The tale goes that the Titans arrived with the purpose of nurturing and fostering Azeroth. However, a crucial inquiry remains unanswered: what have the Titans been engaged in since the inception of civilization? What is the true motive behind all their constructions scattered throughout the planet? Have we truly unraveled their intentions for our world?

The Titans’ True Intentions

Perhaps the actions of the Titans mirrored those of other celestial powers, aiming to possess the soul of the world. The true motives of the Titans will eventually be brought to light. For now, tales recount the period when the Titans established order in Azeroth. Among them was Eonar the life-giver, whose mission was to bring optimism and restoration.

The Gift of Life

Eonar bore a gift from Elune, a mysterious goddess associated with the realm of life. This gift was a sprig of G’hanir, the mother tree. Eonar was convinced that the influence of life would dispel darkness, so she planted the sprig. It swiftly grew into a tree with roots extending deep into the ground.

Birth of a New Tree

Azeroth thrived as new life emerged wherever the roots reached. Eonar christened the tree Elun’eth, in honor of her profound connection with Elune. As the giver of life, it was reasonable that Eonar felt a strong kinship with Elune, demonstrating that the Titans, despite their alignment with order, could also embrace other domains.

Conflict Among the Titans

However, not all Titans concurred with Eonar’s deeds. Aman’Thul, their leader, decreed that Eonar’s actions were not orderly but chaotic. He believed she had tainted Azeroth. This internal discord among the Titans underscores the intricacy of their mission and their significant impact on the development of Azeroth.

The Destruction of the World Tree

In a world on the brink of chaos, the high father grasped the trunk of the world tree and yanked it from the earth. Azeroth shed bitter tears that cascaded down into the resulting crater. Yet, as she surveyed the desolate land, the titan realized a truth she did not disclose to the high father. Despite destroying the tree, its intricate roots remained firmly entrenched beneath the ground, nurtured by her tears.

The Guardians of the Roots

As the world transitioned into a new epoch, enigmatic guardians emerged, dedicating their lives to safeguarding the roots. We aspire to gain more insight into these guardians as time progresses. Although Aman’Thul‘s actions caused great sorrow to Azeroth, they might have been somewhat extreme. Nonetheless, life and light have proven they can exhibit aggression and destruction akin to other Cosmic Forces.

The Balance of Cosmic Forces

Upholding equilibrium is crucial, yet there are always forces seeking to disrupt it. For an extended period, I have observed all, beginning with the conflict within, alongside the perpetually grinning zealot of the Void. Her origins, age, and true essence remain shrouded in mystery, but she appears to be aligned with team shadow. She may resemble a lovely faceless being, as the body she occupies is not her own.

The Enigma of the Zealot

Numerous enigmas surround an individual who has existed for such an extensive duration. We first encountered the zealot during the legion expansion, where shadow priests wielded the blade imprisoning her. She whispered to them during the final legion invasion. Although Sargeras succeeded in plunging his sword into the world, total devastation was averted by us, with shadow priests wielding the zealot.

The Aftermath of the Legion

Shadow priests relinquished their power to purify the blade left behind, yet this did not signify the end of the zealot’s influence. The legacy and impact of these Cosmic Forces persist in shaping Azeroth’s fate, as we delve deeper into their origins and true motives. The mysteries surrounding the zealot and the guardians of the roots continue to be pivotal in comprehending the ongoing cosmic turmoil.

The Return of the Zealot

We would encounter her anew, reunite, and gain physical dimensions until she handed us to the ancient goddess of Ander. The covenant was freed from her blade—a fair exchange. Shadows guide you, my dear companion; we shall meet again, I am certain. While the heroes continued to rescue Azeroth and purge her of the ancient god contamination, the zealot lingered in the shadows.

Dragonflight and the Primal Incarnate

We missed her for several years

We missed her for numerous years until the dragonflight expansion, where she allied herself with the primal incarnate, Iridikron. Iridikron harbors no fondness for the Titans or the

Guiding into the Next Expansion

The zealot is set to lead us into the next expansion, orchestrating events from the shadows—a harbinger of sorts. But to what end? It turns out that the zealot is known beyond Azeroth. We’ve encountered Locus-Walker, an ethereal who has mentored many, including Alleria Windrunner, in mastering the Void as a weapon.

The Harbinger’s Legacy

From Locus-Walker, we learn that he is familiar with the zealot and considers her title of Harbinger quite apt. Once, his people on the planet of K’aresh heard a similar song that’s now echoing on Azeroth—radiant visions that warned them before their world was consumed by the Void lord Dimensius the All-Devouring. History suggests that the ethereals facilitated the arrival of some dimensions into our domain, but is that the whole story, or did the zealot play a part?

The Arrival of the Masters

I yearn for the day when our masters can fully enter this realm. You have only glimpsed fragments, shadows, the faintest of echoes. Ask the ethereals about the capabilities of one of these manifestations. The war between K’aresh and Dimensius saw their people struggle to hold the line and ultimately transform into the ethereal.

The War on K’aresh

You might recall joining forces with them during the Burning Crusade, collaborating to defeat Dimensius as millions of ethereals cheered for our victory. Apparently, Dimensius is still out there, suggesting a minor revision to the story might be needed. Perhaps what we faced back then was only a fraction of Dimensius’ true power. Who knows, but the zealot’s involvement could introduce an intriguing twist.

The Zealot’s Manipulation

She thrives on manipulation, even when confined within a dagger. As we uncover from Azeroth’s history, through scrolls connected to artifacts, she orchestrated trolls to conduct blood sacrifices to resurrect Hakkar, who was subsequently slain at a great cost by the trolls. The survivors established a settlement on the site of his death, now known as Zul’Gurub.

Influence in the War of the Three Hammers

She also empowered the Dark Iron Queen Modgud during the War of the Three Hammers, a conflict where the three dwarven clans, once united under High King Modimus Anvilmar in Ironforge, turned against each other. At the crucial moment, when Modgud unleashed darkness upon Grim Batol, history records that the zealot abandoned her. As she lay dying, Modgud repeated one phrase over and over: “You promised.”

The Darkness Unleashed

The darkness released upon Grim Batol rendered it uninhabitable for the Wildhammer dwarves, and its corruption transformed those still inside into members of the Dark Iron Clan. The death of his beloved wife, Modgud, deeply affected Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan, leader of the Dark Iron Clan. This emotional turmoil influenced his spellwork, leading him to inadvertently summon Ragnaros back into Azeroth.

The Rise of Ragnaros

This event led to the creation of Blackrock Mountain and the subsequent enslavement of the Dark Iron Clan by the Firelord. The final historical figure we need to discuss is Natalie Seline, who, influenced by the zealot’s whispers, delved deeply into the power of shadow. The interplay between these forces reveals power and knowledge that surpasses anything the Church of the Holy Light had ever disclosed.

Influence of the Void

Naturally, there were repercussions, but we resurrected her during the Legion expansion. Her teachings significantly impacted the Forsaken and the emergence of the Cult of Forgotten Shadows, thus spreading the influence of the Void among both the Alliance and the Horde. There could be other instances, possibly even involving time travel, where the zealot has subtly influenced crucial historical moments.

Intentions of the Zealot

Her ultimate objectives remain unknown, but her actions are anything but random. The Locus-Walker believes she aims to replicate the events of K’aresh on Azeroth. The Void that mentions the All-Devouring may be targeting the soul within our world.

The War Within Azeroth

This represents The War Within—the struggle for what lies deep within Azeroth. However, the title and theme are more profound, reflecting numerous internal conflicts within key characters. One such character is Alleria Windrunner, a disciple of the Locus-Walker, who was not always the immensely powerful Void wielder we see today.

Alleria Windrunner’s Journey

Alleria was once a formidable ranger, part of the Alliance of Lordaeron, defending the world against the first orcish invasion. This story began with Warcraft 1 and 2, a war that Azeroth eventually won. They closed the Dark Portal, which the orcs had used to travel from their home world of Draenor.

The Return of the Orcs

But the Dark Portal would reopen, and the orcs would return. This time, the Sons of Lothar, named in honor of their fallen leader Anduin Lothar, stepped through the portal themselves to stop the Horde once and for all. They managed to close the Dark Portal from Draenor’s side as the planet exploded, transforming into Outland as we know it today.

The Return of the Orcs

However, the Dark Portal would reopen, and the orcs would return. This time, the Sons of Lothar, named in honor of their fallen leader Anduin Lothar, stepped through the portal themselves to stop the Horde once and for all. They succeeded in closing the Dark Portal from Draenor’s side as the planet exploded, transforming into Outland as we know it today.

The Burning Crusade

Our heroes survived this catastrophic destruction, but Azeroth remained unaware—until the Dark Portal reopened, reuniting them during the Burning Crusade. During this time, their fate was unknown. Statues in front of Stormwind commemorated their sacrifice, but here they were, alive: Khadgar, Kurdran Wildhammer, and Danath Trollbane.

The Search for Alleria and Turalyon

However, Alleria and her beloved Turalyon were missing. Their son Arator, left behind as a baby before they stepped through the portal, had journeyed far to find them. Arator is haunted by persistent dreams—a crimson skyline, a legion of incomprehensible size battling in the distance.

Arator’s Dreams

In his recurring nightmares, Arator kneels beside the body of a man, presumably his father, weeping as he gasps for breath, his body utterly crushed. He tries to whisper something, but despite Arator’s desperate efforts, he cannot discern the words. While in Outland, they remained hidden and would not emerge until the Legion expansion.

Army of the Light

Alleria and Turalyon were discovered by the Army of the Light in Outland. This army, led by the holy naaru X’era, was engaged in a vast, ongoing war against the Burning Legion. Turalyon felt a sense of belonging among the light-wielders. The Light’s power was potent within him, and thanks to X’era’s blessing, his lifespan was extended well beyond that of a typical human.

Alleria’s Struggle

This was fortunate, as time in their battleground did not pass as it did on Azeroth. To us, they have been absent for around 25 years; for them, it has been millennia. Alleria tried to embrace the Light, but it never felt right to her. The Light lacked the answers she sought and the power she needed to protect her loved ones.

Alleria’s Embrace of the Void

The Void offered her the power she craved, leading Alleria to seek out the Locus-Walker, proving herself worthy of his teachings. She felt a sense of destiny. Perhaps she might one day succumb to madness or betray her allies; she was capable of such acts. But she would never, under any circumstance, harm her son.

Alleria’s Unbreakable Bond

She would never harm Arator, even if he killed her for what she had become. She would accept it willingly. This truth kept her anchored, and the shadows could not comprehend it. They did not understand the unbreakable bonds between mortals; they did not grasp that some things are incorruptible.

Powerful Allies

That day may come, but for now, Turalyon and Alleria have been extraordinarily powerful allies. They helped defeat Sargeras and the Burning Legion, and upon returning to Azeroth, they rejoined the Alliance. However, Alleria hadn’t visited her home of Quel’Thalas for centuries. During that time, the high elves had transformed into blood elves and allied with the Horde.

The Call to the Sunwell

The beloved Sunwell still stands, even though it now has a core of naaru within it. Alleria felt compelled to visit her old home, but controlling the Void is not always easy. “I did not intend for my presence to be enough. We need to cleanse this corruption before the well is lost. Something seeks to open a rift into the chamber. If it comes through, we may lose the Sunwell.”

Alleria’s Inner Struggle

“I can close the rift, but I will need help.” As a formidable Void wielder, Alleria battles constant whispers assaulting her mind, sometimes losing control. This is Alleria’s war within. She has chosen this path to secure a future for her loved ones, like Arator and Turalyon.

The Rift Between Loved Ones

However, the more she delves into the Void, the greater the rift between her and her two paladins grows. The anchors that help her control the Void are the same things she pushes away the deeper she goes. Arator has had his visions—what would happen to Alleria if those visions came true?

Mortality and Defiance

“Your mortal struggles, your proud defiance, the loneliness you pretend not to feel.” From a powerful Void wielder, let’s turn to someone with a deep connection to the Light—or at least, he used to have one. Anduin Wrynn, named Anduin in honor of the great Anduin Lothar, who gave his life defending the world against the first orcish hordes.

Formation of the Council

Instead, the Council of Three Hammers was established, representing Dark Iron, Bronzebeard, and Wildhammer clans under one mountain. Each clan had a leader and a voice for the future. Perhaps one day, when her child comes of age, he will claim the throne and lead them all into the future.

Moira’s Leadership

Initially, Moira was cunning and manipulative, but she soon ruled with honesty, earning the trust of the other clans. This was no small feat, given their tumultuous history. She proved that the clans could coexist under one roof, paving the way for a united future.

The Awakening of Magni Bronzebeard

As her son grew, her father remained silent beneath the ground until the Legion expansion. Magni, transformed, warned of Azeroth’s impending danger. He could hear her voice and interpret her messages. With no drama over Ironforge’s leadership, Magni embraced a higher calling.

Magni’s Higher Calling

This journey took us beyond Azeroth, where we witnessed the return of the Titans and the imprisonment of Sargeras. However, before his capture, the dark titan managed to stab Azeroth, causing wounds that required healing. Magni could not lose her, so we helped him eliminate the Old God infection that had plagued her since the Titans first imprisoned them and brought order to the planets.

Aftermath of the Old Gods

Although the Old Gods are gone, their legacy lingers. Their blood, the creatures of the Black Empire, and eldritch horrors still pose threats to our minds. But with the day saved and the task completed, what remains for Magni?

Magni’s Isolation

Magni Bronzebeard remains trapped in his diamond form, unable to feel his kin’s touch. Despite his success in healing Azeroth’s wounds, the rift between him and his daughter grows, and his grandchild quickly approaches adulthood. What once seemed like a higher purpose and a grand destiny now feels like endless isolation.