SoD/TWW connection (theory)

Community General Discussion
1

So, I just got done with an article about Seasons of Discovery. Usually, one wouldn’t expect to find relevant NEW lore in a rerelease of an old title. But, SoD presents a unique angle to WoW not many are mentioning. An alternate timeline. I’m sure most of the events of WoW’s past are still canonical in SoD, but it isn’t farfetched to think they may weave some hints into a potential alternate timeline. Especially since we know that timeline is coming to a close soon as I’m pretty sure I read season 7 of SoD is believed to be it’s final Hooray.

And by the end of SoD, they are being gifted (quoted) a “Larger than Life encounter”. This will certainly be where we find out if it’s just a retelling, or if it’s an alternate timeline. As it will end with a revamped Naxx (final raid of Vanilla) or a potential Xal’Atath encounter as our counterparts in the alternate timeline try to do their part to prevent what’s to come in TWW (assumedly failing and “dying” with the end of SoD’s story)

Now to the Lore concerning TWW.

Twice now, a “Shadowy Figure” has been seen in SoD. Initially she was interacted with and crafted Void Touched items for heroes (first instance of history being changed as we never had those in Vanilla) and, now in season 6 this Shadowy Figure has been spotted watching players fight through Ahn’Qiraj. And if said players have a Void Touched cosmetic theme on their weapon (another reference to Xal’Atath, as the Shadow Priest Artifact weapon) “she” will whisper about the “So-Called Old God’s” as “Washed Up Has-Beens” but “Useful in their own way.”…

So, theory time, Xal’Atath is going to be the final boss of Seasons of Discovery and perhaps bring versions of, say, Princess Ky’Veza or other BFA/Legion/WoD NON final bosses that survived their encounter. But point being, they were there to steal C’Thun moments before his imprisonment to serve her in the future/alternate future. Offering a path for a return fight of the Old Gods. Admittedly, time travel ALWAYS needs to handled delicately. BUT, if C’Thun was “kidnapped” at the end of the Ahn’Qiraj raid would offer an explanation as to why it never attempted another escape from its prison when Yogg tried… Or when N’Zoth tried… Because both of those events put the Old God prisons in uncertain territory where attempting another escape just makes sense. If all three jumped at the same time then it would have been incredibly difficult to counter. And, they don’t even have to agree to work together, just when one of the others jumps you jump.

And, I realized this late, but if SoD does turn out to be an alternate timeline then it’s not even time travel that needs to be overcome. Xal’Atath can just do what Garrosh wanted, although since she’s smart as well as strong then she would be much more likely to transplant something from another timeline into ours.

I don’t claim to know everything about Lore, I have gaps, but I’m always willing to hear out anything that might prove my theory wrong… After research on the topic.

5 Likes
2

This is a neat idea. However, I read that SoD is less an alternate timeline, and more “lost photographs” or the like (hey Blizzard give my mage her healing runes she “lost” back)… unless they changed that? Still, I can dig it!

1 Like
3

Theyve been nodding to Xal for all of SoD.

SoD low-key has the most exciting lore rn cus it’s all up in the air for what’s going on with Xal.

Phase 1 misdirection imo. Theyve quadrupled down on Xalathath being in SoD since this quote occured.

1 Like
4

But, even in this example, wouldn’t that make it an alternate timeline too? Because we know we didn’t have those items, or “lost” them. Having them in SoD is the same as calling it an alternate timeline, canon or not, because it is established that things happened in SoD that didn’t happen in Vanilla. Namely, this Shadowy Figure being present and an interactable person at one point.

Or did I misunderstand?

Sorry replied to wrong comment haha

5

To me, it’s more of a Classic ‘Remix’, in all but name.

All the content in SoD is pretty much canon, and it doesn’t break the existing lore, just built on top of it.

You can look at SoD as basically a retcon of sorts, it ‘happened in the past’ even though it’s presently being played.

We know where the lore ultimately leads, but they’re filling in some extra parts.

2 Likes
6

It was just something said by Metzen in Phase 1. Since than Xal has appeared a bunch more times. It’s obvious misdirection because theyre trying to bread crumb new lore into Vanilla. I imagine we will see Cthuun return in retail soon.

1 Like
7

Not for nothing, I’m hopeful they will take the recently released classic servers up to Wrath and then diverge from the retail timeline, keeping the original format but creating new content that focuses more on azeroth-based threats instead of alien ones. Pipedream, I know, but it’d be neat.

8

the connection is that they ruin the classic like they do with retail.

9

I know, well I guess I can assume, SoD players get connected to their characters just like live players. We’re putting real time into these beings. They are like our children in a way. But, if the New Lore being added to the alternate timeline that SoD is, then it could be w way to try to get players to give Live another chance now that Chris Metzan is back. I know I know, he came back at the end of DF, but TWW/WSS is going to be the first time since Legion his hands have had a direct impact on shaping the direction of the Lore.

So, if SoD is intended to be an alternate timeline and connect to the Lore of Live, then the Player Characters dying in their final fight… Against the Live antagonist… Would make sense AND be heroic in an “Infinity War” kind of way.

Yes they lost, but they set the stage for the win where it matters. And, this finale of SoD is supposed to be “Larger than Life” and what’s more that then going out in a blaze of glory against an Op you know you don’t stand a chance against. Even with your extra 15 person raid size. You stand proud and fight to the bitter end to create an opportunity.

I hope this doesn’t devolve into a Marvel debate because the reference is just that… A reference so you have an idea of what I’m getting at. No one wants to see their player characters die permanently. But Classic Hardcore has made that a thing, WoD made alternate timelines a thing. Garrosh made using alternate timelines INSIDE ours an idea. I’m not saying I’m right, or even close or onto something. I’m just saying, looking at what’s established alongside what’s happening shines a light on the fact the basis of all this has been established in the current Era of WoW.