Hot Take (waiting for server thoughts)

Community General Discussion
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So, as I sit twiddling my thumbs waiting for the servers to go live again, I find myself thinking about TWW and HPL. There is no denying that the lore of WoW is HEAVILY inspired by HPL’s Cthulhu mythos. And many of the Old Ones have already had face time with us. If you’re unaware there are many good YT vids that will elaborate (I recomment Hiru personally but there are lots of WoWtubers). And I’m reminded of a thought I had about a month ago, thinking we are about to meet the 5th Old God and true leader of the Old Gods (as it would be the only one who didn’t want the surface but instead focused on the “heart/core”).

Now, my first thought was Xal’Atath, it’s a popular rumor making the circuits, but her epitaph is “The Harbinger” which… I’ll keep it simple, that’s what The Silver Surfer is for Galactus. So Cal isn’t our 5th Old God. Perhaps the herald of the 5th? But I digress. Who or what could this 5th Old God be? One who was so mature and understand the importance of not wasting time on the surface. An Old God who is smart enough to play the long game instead of looking for an insta win mechanic. And I decided I needed to delve into HPL’s lore a bit more. And stumbled into a new theory that involves the full WSS trilogy (TWW, Midnight, Last Titan)… Azeroth IS the final Old God…

As I said in my original theory, there has been a metric ton of lore that’s happened before our eyes on the planet that could usher corruption into Azeroth’s core. 4 Old Gods, 4 Global Wars, Titans attacking, Dragon Aspects charring and terra forming. There has been an absolutely insane amount of things that would corrupt a being happen on this planets surface. And the only confirmation we have that she isn’t corrupted is a shaman (albeit a powerful one) saying the world soul has settled or a diamond dwarf telling us what the world soul wants us to know. I’m not downplaying Thrall or Magni because they are both incredibly important. But they aren’t Azeroth and at best commune with her. And the one who does that is out of commission now (suspiciously). I just mean to say that as a player base we have no reason to believe the words of either of these powerful characters. They may be the best informed, but they are both at the will of the world soul.

Now, to wrap this up by revealing the HPL lore that has me convinced… In HPL’s books, it is stated many times that Azethoth is the oldest of Old Gods. The originator of all outer entities as well as reality itself. Often times being stated as creating reality to represent the dreams they experienced. And when Azethoth wakes, he always wants to come to our universe. So a napping Outer God named Azethoth who is the oldest of entities and is responsible for shaping our reality. Azeroth, the oldest planet we know about. Potentially the oldest Titan (no one knows how long Azeroth has been sleeping) A SLEEPING TITAN to match Azethoth’s constantly sleeping nature. The Emerald Dream, an almost direct reference to Azethoth shaping our reality. And most importantly, the actual confirmed events in game, Xal is Heralding in something insane. It deals with the core of the planet, and we will see the world soul awaken. That along with the Expac names (TWW, Midnight and Last Titan) insinuate that not only will Azeroth be awakened finally, but she will also be the only known living Titan at the end and (if I had to bet my bottom dollar) the rest of the pantheon will work with us to cleanse Azeroth in Midnight. To allow Azeroth to take over as the New progenitor (or originator) of the pantheon and even potentially reshape the universe in her divine image.

Final thought, there’s a small part of me that believes Azeroth won’t be cleansed and we will just have a Void Titan ruling the cosmos who took pity on us and allowed us to live because we constantly fought to protect her as she napped. Think Sargeras and the Legion on steroids haha

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I apologize for typo’s my phone autocorrected “Xal” to “Cal”

Also, don’t know why Blizz decided I was done with Barlofist and rebranded my account under another (no longer existing) toon

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So Xal’Atath is Nyarlathotep, and she’s gonna try to drag the Champions to the court like Randolph Carter? I think it was him. Been forever since I read that one.

I think a lot of it is circumstance because I don’t see the writers having this deep a plot in place, but it’s neat to think about.

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Right. As a One Piece mega fan, I thoroughly enjoy coming up with these theories. Even if they get picked apart :rofl:

But, much like Oda, perhaps WoW started off with no definite direction. But as the world has grown to Meta everything,it wouldn’t be surprising to see Blizz decide to put work into an actual story about their franchise. Why not capitalize on all the manga fans who play your game and want a Meta narrative? I do admit this is head canon and my own wishes.

But to your question, similar yes. But not exactly drag. She will bread crumb us to the core and maybe even be the “Sylvanas” fight of Midnight (not the final raid tier but the penultimate that preps us for final raid tier) but, as I consider the implications of your question, I find myself wondering about the LOTR side of these expacs. Because Anduin is going to be a major part again, and his character has historically represented the LOTR references. I’m sure he will be the reason we win in the end (Like Thrall with Deathwing vibes) but, my theory hasn’t considered this other story and how it might effect events.

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I don’t know anything about Once Piece other than one of my patients told me I look like the captain, and when I googled it there are like 20 captains.

re: LOTR and Anduin… I don’t see the connection. What were the references?

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The Anduin river is the primary body of water that pops up throughout the books. All 6. It’s the largest river on the middle earth. Anduin as a character has been shaped by the idea of the Anduin River from LOTR

And that’s cool as heck. I’m wondering which captain they see you as because some are super awesome and cool while others are the epitome of evil :rofl::rofl:

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Not going to lie I didn’t come in here expecting to see someone namedrop Randolph Carter but I’m glad it happened.

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Yeah I know the river but I don’t see the link to the character other than the name… are there other references I missed?

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It’s more a metaphorical reference as it’s difficult to have a human follow the story of a non intelligent entity. But just as the story of LOTR followed and was in a way guided the main casts, Anduin Wrynn has been responsible for guiding and help shape many of the biggest names in the alliance. Most notable his dad Varian (after returning post Classic and during pandaria and the war’s), Wrathion has basically been an intellectual student of Anduin’a since MoP (in essence tho, not literally), Velen and the lightforged listen to Anduin. Basically, just as the Anduin river guided the group, watching as they grew and matured/developed, Anduin Wrynn has been an anchor, a mainstay in WoW that has guided and watched characters develope.

But since he’s a living breathing being he has to so more than just move from A to B as a river does. He had to participate with the group. But that’s why I say, it’s a deep cut metaphorical reference.

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The Old Gods/Void are an homage to the Cthulhu Mythos. Nothing else is. But it’s unlikely that someone would only just now figure that out. I mean…the first two named Old Gods were C’thun and Yogg-Saron. It’s prettty obvious what they are a reference to.

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And Elbaf was a reference to viking civilization and Giants until One Piece got huge and the story needed to involve them. Now they represent more. Stories age and develop and no story that runs 20+ years lives without changes/retcons. Perhaps you’re right, but being closed minded and not enjoying a fun thought will lead you to disappointment friend.