At first, the Chaotic Void Maw looks just like a void-flavored decorative portal. But unlike other portal decor, this one is functional. There are a total of 23 potential locations that this portal can lead to – and all of them have a very definite theme. It might even contain story hints.
Even the origin for this piece is important. The Chaotic Void Maw drops from L’ura in the March on Quel’danas raid on any difficulty LFR and higher. L’ura is, of course, the dark naaru that was once within Alleria Windrunner, providing her with a great deal of her Void power. At the end of the Voidspire raid, Xal’atath released L’ura from Alleria’s body via the pretty straightforward means of simply stabbing her with a dagger and cutting her open – as it turned out, Xal’atath was never really interested in Alleria personally, she just wanted the power this naaru provided. With it, she was able to transform the Sunwell into the Darkwell, opening a portal that she and her forces were able to travel through. Though we defeated L’ura and transformed the Darkwell into the Dawnwell, Xal’atath still seemed to essentially get what she wanted. Last we saw her, she left through the Darkwell. So right from the start, the Chaotic Void Maw is associated with Xal’atath and her travels using the void.
Every Chaotic Void Maw Location
The Approach in Voidstorm. This one is obvious. It’s right next to the Voidspire raid entrance. This is where Xal’atath rallied her forces before launching her most recent attack on Quel’Thalas, and it’s where she released L’ura from Alleria.
Nexus Point Antius in Voidstorm. I wondered about this one for awhile, because yes, the reference could just be as simple as it’s another reference to Xal’atath’s zone. By why here? Why this area specifically? Possibly, it has something to do with our friend Decimus. Nexus Point Antius is where we first encountered and captured the Domanaar. Decimus explained that the Nexus Points were the source of the Voidstorm’s power, and, in fact, they were tasked with monitoring Nexus Point Antius specifically.
I also suspect this area may have something to do with Xal’atath’s own history. One of the side-questlines nearby introduces us to a spirit who reveals the Voidstorm used to be part of a world named Predacea, but it was destroyed by a great weapon. It was also shortly after meeting Decimus that they told us about Xal’atath’s claim that she was once a mortal, and there’s been plenty of speculation that Voidstorm is the planet that Xal’atath originally came from.
Either way, we knew this already because they’re a Domanaar, but it’s probably best to keep an eye on Decimus.
Magister’s Terrace in Quel’Thalas – right near the entrance to the March on Quel’Danas raid, and overlooking the entrance to the Magister’s Terrace dungeon. It was of course through the events of this dungeon that we were able to access Voidstorm to begin with, and the March of Quel’Danas is the raid that the Chaotic Void Maw itself can be found in. I do find it interesting that we spawn right next to this giant telescope. This is actually a feature on the original Sunwell Plateau as well – honestly it’s a lot more impressive in the original – and I wish I knew what it’s meant to be pointed at.
The Strait of Hexx’alor in Zul’Aman, sitting on the broken bridge that once led to Atal’Utek. This one is exceptionally straightforward – we already know that we’ll be heading to Atal’Utek in Patch 12.1. We also know that Atal’Utek is very likely the burial place of Kith’ix, one of two powerful C’Thraxxi generals of the Old Gods that were once unleashed against the Keeper Tyr. Kith’ix was also later resurrected, and led the Aqir in a great war against the Trolls, whose empire stretched across the Eastern Kingdoms back then. It was the Amani who finally managed to defeat Kith’ix.
And, speaking of C’Thraxxi generals, the next location is Tirisfal Glades, right next to the lake that Zakazj – the other C’Thraxxi general – used to be buried under. Throughout history, Zakazj’s body had acted as something of a beacon for the Void’s forces, and the Twilight’s Cult has, in particular, tried to resurrect it more than once. It was finally absorbed by Xal’atath herself, while she was still the Blade of the Black Empire.
Taelloch Mine in the Ringing Deeps. This was the location where we learned about the origins of the War Within’s Skardyn, monstrous dwarf-like creatures mishapen by the void. It turned out that the foreman of Taelloch had made a deal with Xal’atath, allowing her to transform earthen into Skardyn.
The Maddening Deep in Azj’Kahet. You may remember the world quests from this area – It’s covered in Black Blood, so much so that it’s an area that gives us pretty much direct access to the Unseeming, a distorted realm beyond our eyes, where monstrous creatures lurk.
The next area the Chaotic Void Maw takes us to is particularly interesting. A cave under the City of Threads in Azj-Kahet. Nearby is a fleshy grimoire, if we interact with it, it causes four evil copies of yourself to spawn. This is related to an achievement. Interestingly, what appears to be an eye of N’Zoth can be seen near the portal that allows you to leave the cave.
The Chaotic Void Maw also takes us to K’aresh, right on the edge – Shadow Point, facing the raid. Another fairly straightforward one, it’s where we faced Dimensius.
And, talking of Dimensius, the Chaotic Void Maw also takes us to the location that a fragment of Dimensius spawned at in Netherstorm – the one that we killed, thinking it was the Void Lord himself, back during the Burning Crusade.
Anguish Fortress in Shadowmoon Valley in Alternate Draenor. This one is interesting. It definitely has that strong void connotation – we spawn right on top of the raid entrance to Shadowmoon Burial Grounds. During Warlords of Draenor, alternate Ner’zhul ended up embracing the Void’s power, calling on the forbidden power of the Dark Star – a fallen Naaru named K’ara. So yes, some definite parallels to L’ura there. Within the dungeon, Ner’zhul himself is finally defeated at the Edge of Reality – an area floating in the Void.
The Triad’s Conservatory in Eradeth, should come as no surprise, especially since it’s right near the Seat of the Triumvurate entrance. This, of course, was the dungeon where Alleria found and consumed L’ura in the first place.
Gate of the Queen, the entrance to Azshara’s Palace in Nazjatar. This one excites me. More and more, it’s looking like we’ll be seeing Azshara again soon.
The Precipice of Oblivion in Stormsong Valley, facing the entrance to the Crucible of Storms. This is where N’Zoth was buried for so many years. It’s also where Xal’atath and N’Zoth made good on their deal – whatever that was – with Xal’atath handing the Black Blade over to N’Zoth and he in turn freed her from the dagger.
The Caverns of Time, facing the Dragon Soul raid. This is where we fought against and defeated Deathwing, who infamously fell to the whispers of the Old Gods. In fact, the Old Gods are a theme that comes up a lot in these locations.
Ramkahem, the capital city in Uldum. Uldum itself is a super weapon – able to wipe out all life on Azeroth. It’s one of those fun little safeguards the Titans put in place should they ever lose control over Azeroth. Uldum also helps to regulate the worldsoul’s form – so it’s very much part of the Manifold that is helping to make sure Azeroth be born a Titan. Uldum has history with Deathwing and the Twilight’s Hammer – the location we arrive in also faces one of the two places that the entrance to Ny’alotha can spawn. Ny’alotha is, of course, the raid that N’Zoth is faced in.
The Twilight Citadel in the Twilight Highlands, at the entrance to the Bastion of Twilight. Another location that doesn’t need a lot of explanation. The Twilight Cult has been playing a major role in Midnight – even now, after Xal’atath has abandoned them. It might be worth mentioning that Sintharia was the secret heroic-only mode final boss of that raid. She was the creator of the Twilight Dragonflight, and though we killed her, she apparently still whispers from beyond the grave.
The Seat of the Chosen in Mount Hyjal, in the middle of the Twilight’s Cult’s camp. Once again, the Twilight’s Cult very clearly continues to play an important role in the current story. The area is also within Darkwhisper Gorge, which connects Hyjal and Winterspring, and used to be inhabited by powerful demons – remnants of the Third War, who fled after Archimonde was killed. There have been hints that the Legion isn’t quite as done as we thought, so that’s just something to keep in mind.
Grizzly Hills near Grizzlemaw, which is built in the remains of Vordrassil. This World Tree was grown from a branch from Nordrassil, and was intended to stop the spread of Saronite’s corruption in Northrend. Saronite is ore formed from the blood of the Old God Yogg-Saron. While at first it appeared to be working, it eventually became so badly corrupted itself, the Night Elf Druids were forced to fell the tree – but not before it gave the Old Gods access to the Emerald Dream, allowing them to create the Emerald Nightmare. Of all the World Trees on Azeroth, Vordrassil is the only one whose roots do not reach Harandar – they were intentionally severed due to the corruption that had spread even deep within its roots. This is actually something we can learn from one of a few rare Haranir that have journeyed to the surface, seeking World Trees. Kawayn can be found sitting on top of the fallen Vordrassil.
Whisper Gulch in Northrend. This area is populated by deranged explorers who have fallen to the whispers of Yogg-Saron, thanks to the presence of Saronite in the area. You can actually hear the whispers yourself if you hang around long enough. This is also the area that has helped confirm Yogg-Saron’s whispers are still around and having an effect – in the book Exploring Northrend, the Bronzebeard Brothers even comment on the fact that the explorers are still affected by the whispers, despite Yogg-Saron’s defeat.
Storm Peaks, facing Ulduar. Another fairly obvious one. Ulduar is, of course, where Yogg-Saron was found and defeated. And with this whole Old Gods are never really quite dead trend, and the knowledge that we’re heading to Northrend in the Last Titan, we can probably rest assured that we’ll be in Ulduar itself again at some stage.
The Summer Fields in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. This one is associated with two Old Gods really – first, the obvious one, which is Y’Shaarj – whose heart played a major role in Mists of Pandaria. The Chaotic Void Maw takes us to right outside the entrance to the Siege of Orgrimmar raid – that of course ends with Garrosh Hellscream, almost completely corrupted by the heart of Y’Shaarj. The Vale of Eternal Blossoms is also the other location for the entrance to the Nyalotha raid, giving it an association with N’Zoth.
Finally, the Chaotic Void Maw takes us to just outside the Temple of Ahn’Qiraj raid entrance in the fallen kingdom of Ahn’Qiraj. The final boss of this raid was, of course, the Old God C’Thun.
