Abyssal Maw Cataclysm zone preview posted to the official site
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Sep 14th 2009 at 11:25PM
The Abyssal Maw is the elemental plane of water, one of the four such planes created by the Titans to contain the elemental servants of the Old Gods so that their own creations could thrive on Azeroth. Deathwing's prison break will break the walls between the elemental planes and Azeroth, with the Abyssal Maw being no exception.
But this is where the lore gets very interesting. It is said that Neptulon the Tidehunter, ruler of the plane of water, possesses a powerful weapon that allows the wielder control of the very seas of Azeroth. In the expansion, many interested parties, both malevolent and less malevolent, will be after this weapon, the Horde and Alliance included.
Of course, as anyone who watched At World's End could tell you, giving mortals control of the seas via supernatural means really never ends well. But the idea that the Horde and Alliance are now vying for dominance over the elements themselves gives a very intriguing glimpse into the depths of the coming conflict in Cataclysm, and definitely leaves me hungry for more.
The preview includes a collection of screen shots, although they are all (to the best of my knowledge) recognizable from BlizzCon 2009. Still, it's a new update, and hopefully this may just mark an opening of the information floodgates as we look forward to an Azeroth without Arthas.
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it. Nothing will be the same. In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion. From Goblins and Worgens to Mastery and Guild changes, it's all there for your cataclysmic enjoyment.Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, News items, Expansions, Lore, Cataclysm
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ezlo Sep 14th 2009 11:35PM
Just wait one moment there! Who said a World without Arthas? We never know what might happen to him after Icecrown until after Icecrown! Although I hope he does die, we can't count our dead princes before they fall. Remember Tempest Keep? It was just a setback.
Charlie Sep 14th 2009 11:56PM
I think we really will be killing Arthas. 'We' probobly wont, but Tirion or Darion most likely will.
I like the idea that Tiron tries to, but is killed by arthas. Darion than picks up the ashbringer and kills Arthas, but has a backlash and kills himself in the process (he is undead afterall).
Jeff Sep 15th 2009 2:46AM
If Arthas does die, I hope they handle it by not having the raid kill him, but perhaps having the success of the raid unlock a solo quest for each player, which covers the end of Arthas' story.
That would allow solo players to witness such an important lore event at their own pace, without having to worry about rushing through it because the raid's in a hurry.
Bubsa Sep 15th 2009 6:44AM
There is no Arthas, or Ner'zhul. Only the Lich King
Daedalus Sep 15th 2009 8:29AM
I'm still not convinced he's going to go out like that. Let's not forget: Ner'zhul is the absolute master of saving his own hide.
I wouldn't be surprised if the cataclysm is somehow brought about (or at least foreseen) by the Lich King as a massive diversion to let him escape at the last minute.
After all, it wouldn't be the first time Ner'zhul ripped a planet apart just so he could get away.
Loki Sep 15th 2009 8:59AM
@ Daedalus
I'm going to guess that you haven't read "Rise of the Lich King." I strongly suggest you do.
Alanid Sep 15th 2009 11:29AM
@Daedalus
It seems you also haven't read the Cataclysm info. I suggest you do that also.
JLocke Sep 14th 2009 11:37PM
I like to think we kill him, that or have another unique twist that keeps him alive or weakened in another state, like Deathwing
Finnicks Sep 15th 2009 1:47AM
I'm holding out for the Forsaken to hit him w/ some kind of superplague at the moment of death, reducing him to a moaning pile of gooey agony for the rest of eternity, which Sylvanas gets to keep in a magical jar.
Domi Sep 15th 2009 4:27AM
Please let Sylvanas figure out how to do this!
So badass...
Alanid Sep 15th 2009 11:33AM
"I've got a jar of diiiirt, and guess what's inside it!"
Cyanea Sep 14th 2009 11:41PM
The screenshots look like the ones from the trailer.
Nice to know the lore behind the zone though.
Tzivya Sep 14th 2009 11:51PM
Because, I say again, no MMO has ever focused on the elemental planes in an expansion that revamps much of the base game.
Still looks fun!
Mechageo Sep 15th 2009 2:33PM
Is this expansion going to make Wizards useless because everyone will be able to use the planes as a teleport hub to get between, say, Kelethin and Freeport?
Tzivya Sep 15th 2009 5:09PM
Oh how I hope so!
Rai Sep 14th 2009 11:53PM
We're not going to have to dig through Talbuk excrement for water-breathing cherries to kill any elementals we meet here too, are we?
Bjara Sep 15th 2009 12:04AM
Fire elemental poo, imo.
Ametrine Sep 15th 2009 12:55AM
Fire elemental poo? What would that be, charcoal briquettes?
Jason Sep 15th 2009 11:19AM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA im sorry that charcoal comment made me actually laugh out loud... good one!
Trent Sep 15th 2009 12:27AM
Interesting information about the Abyssal Maw. I've been wondering since the announcement of Cataclysm just what role the Elemental Lords would play. Really the only one we know anything about is Ragnaros, in spite of the fact the way into all four realms has been opened. My personal theory has been that some of the Elemental Lords may actually work with the mortal races against Deathwing (namely Therazane the Earthmother).
Since we already know Ragnaros and Neptulon hate each other, and Ragnaros and Blackwing are likely working together through the Twilight's Hammer...could we be going into the Abyssal Maw on behalf of Neptulon himself, perhaps to recover this weapon? In fact, it seems as if this weapon could actually be used to control Neptulon and his Water Elementals. After all, the Gurubashi trolls drew his ire with a similar weapon long ago.
BTW, was it ever stated before that the Titans created the Elemental Planes? I know it was well established the Titans banished them there, but I was always under the impression that the Elemental planes always served as their home, and that the Titans merely...well, locked the door and threw away the key. Another ret-con to Titan/Old God lore? Perhaps.