The latest build of the Cataclysm beta opened Deepholm, Azeroth's elemental plane of earth, for questing and leveling. Understandably, the big question on everybody's mind was "how exactly do we get there?" It's underground, after all, in another dimension.
Well, as it turns out, it involves a certain orc shaman, a particularly large whirlpool, and a very brave flying mount. Check out the incredibly epic entry into Deepholm in our video after the break, and then try to imagine how anything else in the expansion can top that flight -- or that zone.
The Maelstrom is where the Well of Eternity imploded, where the whole of Azeroth was sundered. For the story of Cataclysm, Deathwing is going to use the Maelstrom as a weak point to escape out of Deepholm, and in the process he will destroy that world-pillar the Titans made.
The purpose of the Well of Eternity was never really explained, but we know that the Titans imprisoned the elementals in the Elemental Planes after the war with the Old Gods, so it's possible that they originally created it as an entrance into the Elemental Planes, and its role as a massive found or arcane energy came about as an unintended or added benefit.
"Sorry guys, can't run Ogrimmar anymore. Gotta keep this giant swirling portal of doom open for the next 2.5 years, 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. I get every Tuesday morning off though!"
Awesome. I have always liked Thrall, and I hate that he felt so negative about his leadership. Peace is the way to go, and obviously that has been shown with the fact that it took both the Alliance and the Horde to take out all the past evil in the past 5 years. :)
Several in-game NPC's have totem weapons, I doubt players will receive them anytime soon. Makes sad 'cos I've wanted one ever since WoW started so I could be like the Tauren in wc3
Not being able to get those Tauren totems is the most disappointing thing about playing a shaman.
The reason they don't give them to us is that it is just a totem model and is not modified to be held so the characters hand just disappears inside it.
WoW is really starting to feel like a legitimate single player RPG, in a good way i mean. The stories, while interesting, never seemed to grasp me like this one. Maybe its cuz you knew Azeroth was always safe and the same. Now with this, its ever changing and in danger. Also, in the previous expansions the lower level players never felt the gravity of the story cuz it didn't affect them. Now that's changed, & the use of phasing helps. I'm excited to see how the story plays out.
Jul 15th 2010 at 5:00PM 
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)
Tokhand Jul 15th 2010 5:43PM
The Maelstrom is where the Well of Eternity imploded, where the whole of Azeroth was sundered.
For the story of Cataclysm, Deathwing is going to use the Maelstrom as a weak point to escape out of Deepholm, and in the process he will destroy that world-pillar the Titans made.
Suzaku Jul 16th 2010 2:16AM
The purpose of the Well of Eternity was never really explained, but we know that the Titans imprisoned the elementals in the Elemental Planes after the war with the Old Gods, so it's possible that they originally created it as an entrance into the Elemental Planes, and its role as a massive found or arcane energy came about as an unintended or added benefit.
Task Jul 15th 2010 5:37PM
I watched the video earlier as well and it tells us this:
The Maelstrom flushes counterclockwise unlike Dalaran's well...
Thank you Thrall for being our plumber...
Orkchop Jul 15th 2010 5:49PM
So wait,.. which one's in Australia then?
Al Jul 16th 2010 3:28PM
Neither, Blizz prefer not to acknowledge our existence.
Westane Jul 15th 2010 5:49PM
"Sorry guys, can't run Ogrimmar anymore. Gotta keep this giant swirling portal of doom open for the next 2.5 years, 24 hours a day, 6 days a week. I get every Tuesday morning off though!"
Suzaku Jul 16th 2010 2:17AM
He's not keeping it open, he's keeping it from tearing apart and destroying Azeroth. Show some gratitude, punk. :|
thebl4ckd0g Jul 16th 2010 3:39PM
Awesome. I have always liked Thrall, and I hate that he felt so negative about his leadership. Peace is the way to go, and obviously that has been shown with the fact that it took both the Alliance and the Horde to take out all the past evil in the past 5 years. :)
Tapukimastra Jul 15th 2010 5:59PM
THRALL DITCHED HIS LEVEL 30 GREENS!
Deathknighty Jul 15th 2010 6:30PM
And replaced his level 30 green plate with....level 30 green cloth.
/facepalm
Jamz Jul 15th 2010 7:50PM
No thats Shaman T8 w/o the shoulders
Darky Jul 15th 2010 5:59PM
Don't worry thrall I'll itch your nose for you :D
slythwolf Jul 16th 2010 3:39AM
And I will lend him a helping hand with...other stuff.
*fangirls*
aramis Jul 17th 2010 9:23AM
@slythwolf
Not if Jaina has anything to say about it. >.
Min Jul 15th 2010 6:03PM
Did anyone else notice that questgiver tauren had a totem as a weapon? Maybe a possibility for players?
Alanid Jul 15th 2010 6:47PM
Several in-game NPC's have totem weapons, I doubt players will receive them anytime soon. Makes sad 'cos I've wanted one ever since WoW started so I could be like the Tauren in wc3
theRaptor Jul 16th 2010 2:56AM
Not being able to get those Tauren totems is the most disappointing thing about playing a shaman.
The reason they don't give them to us is that it is just a totem model and is not modified to be held so the characters hand just disappears inside it.
Sergel Jul 15th 2010 6:05PM
WoW is really starting to feel like a legitimate single player RPG, in a good way i mean. The stories, while interesting, never seemed to grasp me like this one. Maybe its cuz you knew Azeroth was always safe and the same. Now with this, its ever changing and in danger. Also, in the previous expansions the lower level players never felt the gravity of the story cuz it didn't affect them. Now that's changed, & the use of phasing helps. I'm excited to see how the story plays out.
Olania Jul 15th 2010 6:06PM
Is Thrall wearing tier 8? The leader of the Horde, the most powerful shaman alive... can't get some sanctified tier 10?
Darky Jul 15th 2010 6:10PM
Yeah lets give thrall some gear that was essentially made with materials from THE LICH KINGS POWERS, I'm sure he loves that guy, biffles and what not.