Patch 11.2.7 will feature the Midnight prologue campaign titled Visions of a Shadowed Sun.
Spoilers ahead in this post.
Overview
Arator, son of Alleria, seeks the council of his family–but the living Windrunners are scattered to the winds. Join Arator and his aunt Vereesa amongst the ruins on Oztan Isle, and together uncover hints of an ominous future yet to pass.
Chapter One – Radiant Visions
The questline starts off in Dornogal by receiving a summons from Arator to go to Oztan Isle. Arator mentions Vereesa has been experiencing visions, and they’re both trying to figure out what they are.
Arator says: Champion, my aunt Vereesa has been experiencing visions from the Radiant Song. They’re dire, but… hazy.
Arator says: We hope that being near the Coreway can bring more clarity to them. Will you meet us on the Isle of Dorn?
Once you arrive on Oztan Isle, you’ll see Vereesa and Arator together, with Vereesa saying the following:
Vereesa says: Dalaran… I should have come sooner.
Vereesa starts to fill you in on the status of her visions. She can’t trigger them on command, so in the meantime she wants to pay respects to Rhonin, former leader of the Kirin Tor and her husband, who was killed by the mana bomb in the Tides of War novel. She is going to throw her locket given to her by Rhonin into the water, on the North side of the Island.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Even this close to the Coreway, I cannot trigger my visions on command.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So while we wait, we’ve come here to… pay our respects. Mine are long overdue.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Rhonin gave me this locket on our first anniversary.
Vereesa Windrunner says: It seemed an apt offering for the home where we raised our family.
Arator says: He loved you with all his heart.
Vereesa Windrunner says: As he did you, Arator. Come. That cliff to the north looks like a good place.
Vereesa is interrupted by a vision, which shows different scenes – Silvermoon is overtaken by the Void; Turalyon, Lady Liadrin and Lothraxion overtaken by the power of the Light; Alleria being taken by the Void; and even Magister Umbric turning into a Devourer Demon Hunter.
As Vereesa collapses from her vision, you are ambushed by the Twilight’s Blade, being led by Voidbringer Aqu’lir. You join Arator in rescuing the Dalaran Custodians and slaying the Voidbringer.
Vereesa Windrunner says: The visions… I can’t…
Arator says: Don’t worry. [Your name] and I will deal with this.
While rescuing the custodians, Arator notices the similarity between them and a previous foe.
Arator says: The Twilight’s Blade–they must be the threat from my aunt’s vision.
Arator says: These cultists resemble the Twilight’s Hammer. Looks like they found a new doomsday to chase.
Arator says: Given their name, I think it’s obvious that these fanatics now serve Xal’atath.
Arator says: No matter what their goals are, the Twilight’s Blade must be stopped.
While fighting Voidbringer Aqu’lir:
Voidbringer Aqu’lir says: If these Twilight fools cannot defeat you, then I will.
Arator says: You can try, but I don’t like your odds.
Voidbringer Aqu’lir says: The void… will claim… this world…
Arator says: Not if we stop it.
After saving the custodians and killing the leader of the ambush, Arator urges us to find Alleria, since she’s the expert on the Void with deep ties to Silvermoon. Vereesa thinks Sylvanas is more likely to join, as she will do everything to defend her home.
Arator says: Despite her hesitance to discuss it, my mother is Azeroth’s foremost expert with the Void.
Arator says: She has yet to return from K’aresh. So we will have to seek her out.
Vereesa Windrunner says: My visions are still difficult to parse. But it’s clear that they are a warning: Xal’atath intends to lay siege to Azeroth.
Arator says: We must tell my mother. No one has more experience fighting Xal’atath than she does.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That is precisely why she will not return. Alleria prefers to chase her quarry to the ends of existence.
Arator says: And if Silvermoon comes under attack?
Vereesa Windrunner says: Then she would have even more reason to stay away. Her link to the Void makes her a danger to the Sunwell.
Arator says: Then… what about Sylvanas?
Vereesa Windrunner says: Though few agree with me, I believe Sylvanas would do everything in her power to defend our home.
Vereesa Windrunner says: But she has been condemned to the Maw until her penance is complete.
Arator says: I can’t just stand idle and wait for Xal’atath to strike. I have to at least speak with my mother.
Vereesa Windrunner says: I know, Arator. I will wait for you in Dornogal. We can journey to Silvermoon after you find Alleria.
Arator says: Thank you, Aunt Vereesa. I’ll return as soon as I can.
Vereesa Windrunner says: That may be sooner than you like. But… I do hope you succeed.
A portal is created to Tazavesh, ending the first chapter of our story.
Chapter Two – A Meeting with Minn’da
Our next chapter starts with finding Alleria in K’aresh. Arator names a couple brokers, Trader Ba’kril and Associate Xy’gav, who might have an idea where Alleria is.
Arator says: I have a few people to ask. One of them must know where we can find Alleria.
Trader Ba’kril says: Alleria? She is not in the city, so she is not my concern.
Arator says: How helpful of you. Come on, [Your name]. Let’s go.
Associate Xy’gav says: I’m afraid I don’t know where Alleria is. But her colleague Umbric frequents the northern terraces.
Arator says: If anyone will know where to find her, it’s Umbric.
After travelling to the north of Tazavesh, you’ll meet up with Magister Umbric. You tell him of Vereesa’s visions, and he says and his people will be happy to defend Silvermoon. He last heard that Alleria was hunting a Shadowguard Lieutenant in the Fracture of Laacuna, in the north of K’aresh.
Magister Umbric says: Champion, Arator, what brings you to K’aresh?
Magister Umbric says: I will gather my people and return to Azeroth. We’ll be there to help, Arator.
Arator says: Thank you, Umbric. With both you and my mother, Silvermoon will surely be safeguarded.
After travelling to the Fracture of Laacuna in the north of K’aresh, you and Arator find “Alleria” who is scouting a Shadowguard camp and ignoring your presence. When you try and get her attention, it turns out that Alleria had set a trap that only looked like her, in order to try and capture and ambush Shadowlord Vesheen. Setting off the trap does make Alleria appear, which surprises her when she sees it’s us. She recruits us to help her capture the Shadowlord, so we can learn about what his orders are from Salhadaar and what he knows about Xal’atath.
Arator says: Mother?
Alleria Windrunner says: Now I’ve got–Arator? What are you doing here?
Arator says: Looking for you.
After describing Vereesa’s vision to Alleria:
Alleria Windrunner says: Is this true? Vereesa had a vision of Azeroth being attacked?
Arator says: Yes. The vision wasn’t quite clear, but she said some of the building resembled Silvermoon.
Arator says: If Quel’Thalas is in danger, it is our family’s responsibility to defend it.
Alleria Windrunner says: Arator, I’m exiled from Silvermoon. My mere presence would put the Sunwell in danger.
Alleria Windrunner says: This is where I need to be. Hunting Xal’atath’s lieutenants and tearing her secrets from their minds.
You and Arator agree to help Alleria capture the Shadowlord Vesheen, which means sneaking through their camp to find out where he is. While sneaking through the camp, Alleria tells Arator why she can’t come home. She believes she is the one who has to hunt and track and Xal’atath, to stop her. She also warns about the dangers of the Maw.
Alleria Windrunner says: [Your name], you take the lead. Arator, stay close.
Alleria Windrunner says: The observers here can see through my shroud.
Arator says: What’s so important here that you can’t return to Azeroth? Even Umbric has recalled the Riftwalkers.
Alleria Windrunner says: All the more reason for me to remain. After Locus-Walker–
Alleria Windrunner says: Few can hunt the prey I’m after, and fewer still can extract their knowledge. It has to be me.
Arator says: If you won’t help, I’ll ask Sylvanas.
Alleria Windrunner says: Absolutely not! You’d risk your soul in the Maw only to have her refuse!
Arator says: Vereesa thinks she’d return to defend Silvermoon.
Alleria Windrunner says: Vereesa… always saw the best in her. Even when it was brutally clear what our sister had become.
We eventually catch up to Shadowlord Vesheen, hiding behind some barrels to eavesdrop on his conversation. He has already found out that Arator has arrived on K’aresh, and demands that we are killed on sight.
Alleria Windrunner says: There he is!
Arator says: Let’s hide behind those barrels next to him.
Alleria Windrunner says: Quiet. Here he comes.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Be on the lookout. Our mistress has informed me Alleria’s son has come to K’aresh.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Kill them on sight. I am off to the ruins above Shan’dorah.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Soon we will strike the void elves and be done with them.
Alleria Windrunner says: Follow me.
Alleria Windrunner says: Now we know where Vesheen will be. Time to set a new trap.
After learning he’ll be in Shan’dorah, Alleria wants to set a new trap for the Shadowlord, a cage, in order to interrogate him and discover what he knows about Xal’atath. She says that Ve’nari will most likely have a cage that we can use, but it will come at a cost.
Alleria Windrunner says: Arator and I will wait for you in Shan’dorah.
Alleria Windrunner says: Be prepared, Raphah. Ve’nari will want something in exchange for the cage.
We meet up with Ve’nari, who is surprised to see us, but happy to get us a cage and a portation tag to help capture the Shadowlord. For Ve’nari, we have to repossess some Ancestral K’areshi Relics from the Sufaadi’s and Lesser Artifacts.
After returning them to Ve’nari, she will give us the cage and portation tag.
Ve’nari says: Your cage, as promised. I will even include a portation tag, free of charge.
Ve’nari says: Do give my regards to Alleria.
Alleria sets up the trap upon our return, and sends us and Arator to go fight and weaken the Shadowlord, in order to capture him and interrogate him.
Alleria Windrunner says: Good, you’re back with the cage. Now we capture Vesheen.
Alleria Windrunner says: You’ll have to weaken Vesheen for the tag to work. Try not to kill him.
Arator says: Don’t worry. I’m perfectly capable of holding back when needed.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Come to surrender, child?
Arator says: I was just about to ask you the same!
Arator says: Get the tag on him and let’s get out of here!
Shadowlord Vesheen says: This isn’t over!
Arator says: I’ll see you back down there.
After we capture Shadowlord Vesheen and start the interrogation with Alleria and Arator, we get into an epic fight with the Shadowlord, where he throws volleys of Void at us that we have to dodge, and we help Arator after he gets attacked by Vesheen, as a way to try and throw Alleria off. We fight back against him, and Alleria is able to get some information out of him, before we have to kill him.
Alleria Windrunner says: Champion, place the foci. They should limit Vesheen’s power.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Fools! What do you hope to accomplish against me?
Alleria Windrunner says: He’s stronger than I thought. Champion, come lend me your power.
Alleria Windrunner says: Where is Xal’atath? Where is her army?
Shadowlord Vesheen says: I… am the master here. You are… nothing… elf!
Alleria Windrunner says: I see it in your mind. The “Devouring Host,” lurking in the Void…
Alleria Windrunner says: Whatever they call themselves, they can’t hide from me.
Shadowlord Vesheen says: That’s enough interference from you, fleshling.
Arator says: Champion! Watch out!
Shadowlord Vesheen says: How disappointing. Let’s see how your offspring fares.
Alleria Windrunner says: Arator! No!
Arator says: Champion, help me turn… his power… back against… him!
Shadowlord Vesheen says: Your son will die quickly, Alleria. Then I’ll deal with you.
Alleria Windrunner says: I… will… kill… you!
Arator says: We’re almost there! Keep pushing…
Shadowlord Vesheen says: You cannot defeat me, boy. I will crush you!
Alleria Windrunner says: Xal’atath will take nothing more from me!
Shadowlord Vesheen says: You… have no… idea…
Arator says: Did you get the information you needed?
Alleria Windrunner says: I got enough.
Ve’nari says: Ah, I see you put my materials to good use.
We check in with Alleria and Arator after the fight with Vesheen, where Arator and Alleria talk about why Alleria left Silvermoon, and her sister Sylvanas.
Arator says: Silvermoon needs the Windrunner sisters. If you won’t come back, then I have to seek out Sylvanas.
Alleria Windrunner says: Arator, I… I know I can’t stop you. Just don’t lose yourself in the Maw.
Alleria Windrunner says: I swear, Arator… sometimes, you’re as stubborn as your father.
Arator says: And as rebellious as you.
Alleria Windrunner says: Oh so this is payback, then? For all the times I disobeyed my own mother.
Arator says: I wish I could have known her.
Alleria Windrunner says: She was… stern, but loving. She too wanted me to remain in Quel’Thalas, to defend its borders as was our family’s duty.
Alleria Windrunner says: But I wanted to leave the kingdom. So I did. And by the time I came home…
Alleria Windrunner says: Sylvanas took up the mantle of Ranger-General after our mother died. And we all know how that turned out. If I had stayed, I…
Arator says: You couldn’t have known any of those things would happen.
Alleria Windrunner says: Perhaps not. But they did happen, and they can’t be undone.
Alleria Windrunner says: That holds true for my choices, and even more so for Sylvanas. Remember that when you go to see her.
Ve’nari shows up to check on her cage, which is when we get a chance to ask her how to access the Maw. She says we can open up a portal in Tazavesh using the power of the city, she doesn’t think it’s the smart thing to do, but says we will find a way anyways so she decides to help. We meet with her and Arator in Tazavesh to create a portal and access the Maw. Once in the Maw, we meet up with Arator at Forlorn Respite in the Planes of Torment, thus concluding Chapter two.
Chapter Three – Paths Forward
In the Maw, as we start tracking down Sylvanas we notice some void portals. The Devouring host has found its way into the Maw! You and Arator get to work eliminating the Devouring Host, and cleansing the Voidstained Souls that they have been drowning in void magic because of them.
Arator says: Look… traces of the Void! But how?
Arator says: This place… I… nothing could have prepared me to see this.
Arator says: I don’t know how the Devouring Host got into the Maw, or what they want… but I know we can’t let them stay here.
While we’re fighting off the Devouring Host and rescuing souls, Arator notices a humming. A calm melody that his instincts are telling us to follow. While following this sound, we find freshly woven baskets, Gorgoa Reeds, and corpses of Devouring Voidwalkers. At the end of the trail, we run into the third of the Windrunner sisters, Sylvanas.
Arator says: That sound… Do you hear it, too?
Arator says: I can’t shake the feeling we should follow that sound…
Arator says: Someone wove these baskets recently. Let’s keep going.
Arator says: Dead. And this lingering magic–there’s no mistaking it. She must be close.
Arator says: Sylvanas!
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Lirath? No… Arator? What are you doing here?
Sylvanas Windrunner says: When last I saw you, that sword would have been too heavy for you to lift.
Arator says: It stayed that way for a time. Lor’themar was a harsh taskmaster, but his training regimen paid off.
Arator says: Now I use that strength to protect our world. I’ve come to ask you to do the same, as the Ranger-General you once were.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: A man grown, but still a child at heart. This is no place for such sentiment, Arator.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: But… neither is it a place for the Void. Let’s put Lor’themar’s vaunted training to the test.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: It was foolish of you to come here. But now that you have, you can assist with ending this incursion.
Arator says: …And she’s off. Just like mother.
We join Sylvanas in dealing with the Devouring Host that have infiltrated the Tremaculum. With her and Arator’s help, we fight off more of the Void and close the portals they’ve been spawning from. Afterwards, we climb to the top of the Tremaculum to defeat their leader.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Struggling to keep pace, Arator?
Arator says: Hah… Please! This is merely–a brisk workout.
Arator says: Is this a bad time to mention that I’m not terribly fond of heights?
Arator says: How’s this for “keeping pace?”
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Kill it, and their reinforcements will cease.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: It is done.
Arator says: Good. Sylvanas, we need to–
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Not here. Come.
After defeating the leader of the assault, Sylvanas creates a portal to the Planes of Torment to accomplish her main goal – finding four souls that fell into the Maw without proper judgement. She urges us to leave, but after Arator refuses, she tells us that she might “find time for a chat” should we help her with this task. This requires us to collect Gorgoa Reeds, Soulthreads, a Pristine Soul-Eater Hide, and 100 Mawrat teeth for a ritual to safely ferry the souls beyond the Maw. We also must find the four souls. This takes us throughout the Planes of Torment, finding the reagents and freeing the souls.
Stalwart Soul says: The Warchief leads us to victory! FOR THE HORDE!
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Rest, brave warrior. The Horde stands. It will never fall.
Stalwart Soul says: Then… it’s over? Thank the Earthmother…
Arator says: I never took you for such a loyalist.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I told him what he needed to hear.
Plagued Soul says: Monster! Traitor! She damned us all!
Arator says: Sylvanas! Look out–
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Hold. Let them quell their rage.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Come. There is more to do.
Betrayed Soul says: Has the Banshee Queen come to finish what she started?
Betrayed Soul says: You had me executed. You twisted Derek’s mind.
Betrayed Soul says: I would rather suffer for eternity than have you grant me peace.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: If that is what you wish. Come, Arator. We still have more to do.
Smoldering Soul says: Save the children! Teldrassil burns!
Arator watches wordlessly as Sylvanas brandishes her otherworldly lyre.
Smoldering Soul says: Mother Moon… I hear you. Please, save us from this torment…
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I hope your Goddess awaits you beyond the Maw.
There’s also another soul, not one of the four, called Familiar Soul, implied to be Nathanos Blightcaller. He appears and disappears every so often, following Sylvanas.
Arator says: Another spirit?
Sylvanas Windrunner says: A silent one. He follows me and then departs, only to return again later.
After accomplishing that task, Sylvanas completes the ritual, leading to this cutscene showing her ferrying the souls safely.
Now that we’ve fought off the Devouring Host and freed some souls from the Maw, Sylvanas has time to listen to Arator about Quel’Thalas and the danger coming to Azeroth. Like Alleria, she refuses because she feels she has a duty elsewhere. In this case, to save the souls of those trapped in the Maw. She’s also hesitant because of her actions at the burning of Teldrassil. Despite Arator saying he would vouch for her and the work she has done in the Maw, Sylvanas continues to refuse, saying she doesn’t need redemption, and tells him that if Silvermoon needs a Windrunner, he is one.
Arator says: Sylvanas, that was–
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Enough. You wished to talk? So talk. Why have you come here?
Arator says: Sylvanas… Azeroth is in danger. The people of Quel’Thalas need the Windrunners. They need you.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: And the people of Teldrassil? How would they feel about my return?
Arator says: You’ve done terrible things. I won’t deny that. But what good is penance if it leads to more harm?
Arator says: I’ve seen what you do for the souls who are trapped here. I could vouch for you. Help convince–
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Your fellow paladins may call you “the Redeemer,” but I do not seek redemption.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I have worn many titles myself. Ranger-General. Dark Lady. Banshee Queen. Warchief.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I set them all aside when I descended into the Maw. My place–my duty–is here. Not among the living.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: You say Quel’Thalas needs a Windrunner. So go, Arator. Be a Windrunner.
Arator says: Sylvanas… Very well. I think I understand.
Before we leave to return to Tazavesh, Sylvanas wants to have a private conversation with us, without Arator. She pulls us aside and thanks us for taking care of Arator, and talks about her past, and how there seems to be a lot more to the Shadowlands then we’ve been led to believe. Could the Shadowlands play a bigger role in Midnight and The Last Titan?
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Thank you for tempering my nephew’s exuberance. He’s skilled, but tends to rush into danger. It runs in the family.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Arator is correct about one thing. I am a Windrunner. And I have not forgotten where I came from.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: But as I told him, now is not the time for me to return to the world of the living.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: You have noticed, have you not? The Maw. The Shadowlands. All of it. The question that has plagued me since the Jailer’s demise.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I know the truth of death better than most. This? It is too convenient. Too ordered.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I have made many foes on the path that brought me here. Most of them once called me an ally.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: I do not regret the choices I made, nor do I bear ill will toward those who met me with their fangs bared.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: But know this: I cannot stop now. I MUST NOT stop now, or all I have done will have been for naught.
Sylvanas Windrunner says: Return to Azeroth. Fight the battles ahead of you. One day, our paths will cross again.
Once we return to Tazavesh, we catch up with Alleria and talk to her about Sylvanas and the Windrunner Sisters.
Arator says: We found her, mother. She was… not how I expected her to be.
Alleria Windrunner says: I take it you spoke to her?
Arator says: And she refused. Just as you said she would.
Alleria Windrunner says: Of course she did. Sylvanas is…
Arator says: She’s a bit like you, to be honest.
Alleria Windrunner says: Excuse me?
Arator says: Sorry. I didn’t mean… I know that for a long time, you feared that you would become like her.
Arator says: Led astray by a dark force that eclipsed you, becoming less and less… yourself.
Arator says: But mother, what I saw in her today… she’s a Windrunner, the same as you.
Arator says: Driven by a sense of sacrifice and duty. Enduring personal hardship for the sake of those you wish to protect…
Arator says: And refusing to follow anyone’s path but your own. I think you’re more alike than you realize.
Alleria Windrunner says: You… always see the best in people, Arator. Vereesa truly was the one to raise you.
Alleria Windrunner says: I will have to thank her for that.
Arator says: I’ll… pass it along to her for you.
Alleria Windrunner says: Take care, my precious Arator. Guard Silvermoon well. As a Windrunner.
We can finally return with the news to Vereesa in Dornogal. We start off with a cutscene that is not yet implemented, but has the following text on the screen:
The camera pans up from Arator and Vereesa, fading back to the space of K’aresh.
While tracking an ethereal through a rift, Alleria encounters Xal’atath from afar.
Xal’atath brandishes the Dark Heart, beginning the process of conjuring the Voidstorm over Silvermoon.
Arator and Vereesa have a quick conversation recapping the outcome of our adventure, before they both head off towards Quel’thalas, thus concluding the final chapter of The War Within.
Vereesa Windrunner says: So you’ve seen them both, then. I’m sorry you couldn’t sway them.
Arator says: I may never fully understand why my mother or Sylvanas choose to walk alone. But I can respect their decisions.
Arator says: I can’t imagine what each of them has gone through. My own life has been… tranquil by comparison.
Vereesa Windrunner says: As was Alleria’s wish. That you enjoy the halcyon youth that we never could.
Arator says: A wish you granted a thousand times over. She wanted to thank you for that.
Vereesa Windrunner says: Yes, well… perhaps one day she’ll thank me in person. Now come, Arator. Quel’Thalas awaits.
