Patch 4.2 preview: Thrall's fate revealed in epic quest [SPOILERS!]
by Mathew McCurley 
Apr 29th 2011 at 12:30PM
Blizzard has just released a preview of the patch 4.2 epic quest line that awaits players involving Thrall, former warchief of the Horde. After the events of Hyjal and the successful thwarting of Ragnaros' invasion, things were quiet for a short while. A meeting between the many heroes of Hyjal, the Earthen Ring, and the dragon aspects took place at Nordrassil, where Thrall's fate was severely changed.
We'll talk about it more after the break, which has some spoilers for those who are concerned about such things.
THRALL DIES. Sort of. At the Nordrassil meeting, a Twilight's Hammer agent infiltrates and strikes down Thrall, shattering his elemental spirit into the four domains of the elements.
Is Thrall gone for good? Who was the Twilight's Hammer agent who successfully interrupted the meeting and took out Thrall? Will we be able to enter each of the elemental realms and save Thrall's spirit? We'll have to wait until patch 4.2, Rage of the Firelands, to find out!
Patch 4.2 -- Elemental Bonds
After the druids and their allies thwarted the invasion of Hyjal by the Twilight's Hammer and Ragnaros, an air of peace settled on the sacred mountain. As new growth bloomed across the region, members of the Earthen Ring and Cenarion Circle, along with the noble Dragon Aspects, convened at the ancient World Tree of Nordrassil. Among the gathered heroes were the legendary archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, the former Horde warchief and accomplished shaman Thrall, and his strong-willed companion, Aggra. Together, this illustrious assemblage was to unite its wondrous powers and restore the World Tree for the good of Azeroth.
Yet this auspicious event ended in tragedy. The details are still unclear, but word has spread that an incredibly powerful Twilight's Hammer agent, shrouded to hide his identity, interrupted the ceremony and struck down Thrall with dark magics... casting his spirit into the four domains of the Elemental Plane. If these terrible rumors hold true, the Earthen Ring -- indeed, all of Azeroth -- has potentially lost one of its greatest champions.
...Is this the end of the Son of Durotan?
In patch 4.2, level-85 characters will have the opportunity to answer this question and more.
While even the Aspects concede that Thrall may be lost to the elements forever, there is one who still believes that he can be saved from this bleak fate. Aggra, a powerful shaman in her own right, will call upon you to assist her as she travels to the ends of the earth and beyond -- to Skywall, the Abyssal Maw, Deepholm, and Firelands -- to rescue her beloved from an eternity of torment.
Thrall is no ordinary mortal, though, and this will be no ordinary quest. You will not only have to face the denizens of the elemental planes, but the very essence of Thrall himself and everything that has shaped him into the orc he is today. Before you can return his spirit to the natural world, you must overcome his doubts, his willfulness, his desires, and his rage -- for it is these aspects that bind him to his elemental cage.
Are you up for this challenge? Can you break Thrall from his elemental bonds and ensure the restoration of the World Tree? The fate of the world, and one of its foremost heroes, hangs in the balance.
Yet this auspicious event ended in tragedy. The details are still unclear, but word has spread that an incredibly powerful Twilight's Hammer agent, shrouded to hide his identity, interrupted the ceremony and struck down Thrall with dark magics... casting his spirit into the four domains of the Elemental Plane. If these terrible rumors hold true, the Earthen Ring -- indeed, all of Azeroth -- has potentially lost one of its greatest champions.
...Is this the end of the Son of Durotan?
In patch 4.2, level-85 characters will have the opportunity to answer this question and more.
While even the Aspects concede that Thrall may be lost to the elements forever, there is one who still believes that he can be saved from this bleak fate. Aggra, a powerful shaman in her own right, will call upon you to assist her as she travels to the ends of the earth and beyond -- to Skywall, the Abyssal Maw, Deepholm, and Firelands -- to rescue her beloved from an eternity of torment.
Thrall is no ordinary mortal, though, and this will be no ordinary quest. You will not only have to face the denizens of the elemental planes, but the very essence of Thrall himself and everything that has shaped him into the orc he is today. Before you can return his spirit to the natural world, you must overcome his doubts, his willfulness, his desires, and his rage -- for it is these aspects that bind him to his elemental cage.
Are you up for this challenge? Can you break Thrall from his elemental bonds and ensure the restoration of the World Tree? The fate of the world, and one of its foremost heroes, hangs in the balance.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on the new quest hubs. Plus, new Tier 12 armor!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 8)
Miri Apr 29th 2011 12:34PM
Holy...wow..this patch is sounding pretty incredible so far!
jfofla Apr 29th 2011 5:21PM
Before it is over, Cataclysm is going to be Universally acknowledged as The Best Expansion Ever.
Elmouth Apr 30th 2011 1:54AM
Yeah nah, not gonna happen.
Hurbster Apr 29th 2011 12:36PM
Wonder if Thrall gets a sweet new dress ?
Pumabackup Apr 29th 2011 1:04PM
he does...its big, and its blue.
The Angry Intern Apr 29th 2011 1:16PM
Does he go around singing "I feel pretty, oh so pretty!" ??
loreaddict Apr 29th 2011 1:24PM
@Pumabackup
Thumbed up for referencing a Cranius song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z29Rk8814w
Britannic Apr 29th 2011 4:05PM
It's actually a line from a Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim song from the musical West Side Story.
Deborah Apr 29th 2011 4:23PM
@Britannic
I believe Loreaddict was talking about the post above I Feel Pretty.
Taus Apr 29th 2011 12:36PM
I'd like to make a suggestion - for those of us who use RSS to read the site, there is no "break" as we're loading directly into the article. Usually if I suspected spoilers I'd read up until the quoted blue post. In any case, the immediately-following spoiler is hard to miss. =D
Not a big deal - I have no doubt I'd find out anyway, but just something to keep in mind.
tatsumasa Apr 29th 2011 1:23PM
they should just put a disclaimer at the top of the main page saying if you visit this site you will see spoilers.
Vaeku Apr 29th 2011 2:20PM
It's not really a spoiler, as Blizzard posted it on their official page, and none of the other WoW news sites (MMO-C, etc.) noted that there were spoilers.
Taus Apr 29th 2011 2:21PM
I know. It was just a note because they cared enough to point it out, and they might not know that a lot of people use RSS to open individual articles. No big.
Amaxe Apr 29th 2011 7:38PM
I came here via RSS and saw the Spoilers in the title.
Mattimus Apr 29th 2011 12:36PM
I wonder if this is a quest that requires entering raid dungeons to complete (and thus, need to be currently raiding during 4.2)? Or if it's phased, like the Sunwell Plateau was when you were on the Quel'delar quest chain.
Drakkenfyre Apr 29th 2011 12:45PM
According to them the other day, completely solo'able.
Mperiolat Apr 29th 2011 12:37PM
WHAT???
Whoa, did NOT see this coming! Makes me wonder how this will tie into Golden's next Thrall novel this summer.
Come to think of it, June/July might be a good time to release 4.2. Still... wow.
Jollyroger Apr 29th 2011 2:29PM
Come on, Metzen kill thrall? no way no how.
The truth is someone in a Lore meeting brought up this idea and this is what happen to Metzen's soul when he even fathomed the idea of killing off Thrall.
Thrall is Metzen, Metzen is Thrall.
Dreyja Apr 29th 2011 2:55PM
Yeah this is just setting the stage for him to come back in the role... that Metzen told us he'd be fulfilling. It makes a lot of sense considering where he's been "sent".
This is going to be very interesting. I can't wait.
Fletcher Apr 30th 2011 12:10AM
While upon reading it I immediately cried "Yes! YES! DEATH FOREVER to the Mary Sue! Death! DEATH!" or words to that intent ... you are unfortunately correct. It seems ever more likely that Thrall actually *will* end up as Aspect of Earth ... at which point I shall devote my gametime to raiding him for phat purples. Uncorrupted Black Dragon Egg for Earth Aspect! DEATH FOREVER for the Mary Sue!