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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsPatch 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 3 of 8)
Noah Apr 29th 2011 4:49PM
Dude. She's an orc. You're a human. Haven't you read the shattering? When Eitrigg is talking to Thrall about Jaina and finding a mate? How he tells Thrall that "It is a pity that she is not an orc, and so cannot be yours"??? Granted in this case, the roles are reversed, but the principle is the same.
Also, touch Aggra even once and she'll tear you a new one. And then Thrall will tear you a new one, then another one, and then ANOTHER one.
Drakkenfyre Apr 29th 2011 7:38PM
I don't think the comment was about physical incompatibility, as much as who they were, the leader of the Horde, the leader of Theramore Island.
Garona herself, before being retconned, was half-Orc, half-human.
Britty Apr 29th 2011 11:23PM
@Noah - Holy crap, they make reference to Jaina and Thrall in the books?(even if it's to shatter my favorite Warcraft pairing)
Well, that settles what book I'm going to read first. I know very little on the lore; so I hope I can at least follow it.
Drakkenfyre Apr 29th 2011 12:45PM
Something tells me he's coming back not quite like he was before, and made the Aspect of Earth, giving an excuse why mortals were never made them before.
Aticus Apr 29th 2011 2:09PM
I think you hit the nail on the head. I would love to see Thrall be the new aspect.
The only argument to your theory would be that we have yet to kill Deathwing. However, if we bring Thrall's spirit back together and he helps us through Deathwing's raid, then I think he will def be the new aspect. The alliance got the Lich King; the horde get an aspect.
Nawaf Apr 29th 2011 2:51PM
But Thrall isn't from Azeroth. He's an orc.
I don't want someone from another planet becoming the aspect of our earth!
Dreyja Apr 29th 2011 3:04PM
@ Nawaf Racially, yes. However, he was born here so if you think about it like citizenship - he's from here.
I get what you are saying though.
Feldring Apr 29th 2011 4:04PM
Nawaf, funny you should mention that! Solo players will be able to participate in the epic quest chain by helping to find the four scattered pieces of Thrall's [Long-Form Birth Certificate].
Fraeda Apr 29th 2011 4:13PM
@Dreyja Thrall was born on Azeroth? Prove it! Where's the birth parchment?? What are you hiding, Thrall?
ziis Apr 29th 2011 12:45PM
i doubt that it will involve raiding blizz whats every one to see this and they know some people dont raid but it will most likely be just dungeon quest
Ilmyrn Apr 29th 2011 12:48PM
You think this means Aggra might get a new model? Or at least a new outfit. It's a little hard to take her as seriously as a major player in the story when I'd be hard pressed to pick her out of the crowd in Nagrand.
Bikhai Apr 29th 2011 12:50PM
You know the most disappointing part of this is that it pretty well cements Garrosh into place as the permanent Warchief. At least until Vol'jin whips his ass. And yeah, I kinda knew that already, but you know, there was still that little glimmer of hope up till now that maybe, just maybe, Thrall would come back.
Tirrimas Apr 29th 2011 12:53PM
THRALL!!!!
*cries*
Sports72Xtrm Apr 29th 2011 3:55PM
@Drack
Thank you for proving my point. Any "Alliance" who spout Horde propaganda like that and points out that he plays Alliance to make himself look "unbiased" is a hordie in alliance clothing. Speking of the Alliance capturing Thrall in the Lost Isles, I still haven't found irrefutable evidence that Varian or the Alliance was behind that attack. And seeing as the Twilight's Hammer are the one's who are gunning for him, it smells more and more like Twilight Hammer's plot by the second.
And the feeling is mutual. I don't want you to associate yourself to the Alliance as you're submissive demeanor towards the Horde is similar to Lord Godfrey turning over Genn to the Forsaken because he thinks he can save Gilneas that way. That's cowardly traitor talk.
Vlad Apr 29th 2011 12:54PM
Can the orc die already ? Pretty please ! You took Magni away seems like fair compensation
Udderpowered Apr 29th 2011 12:55PM
We got Garrosh as a leader, surely that's punishment enough?
Swifteye Apr 29th 2011 1:13PM
I thought your "fair compensation" was when *&%$ing CAIRNE BLOODHOOF died. The Horde already lost one great leader, and we can't seem to get rid of the pain in the ass that is Sylvanas; what's yer problem with Thrall?
I would say that in order for Thrall's death to be "fairly compensated" by your standards that Varian Wrynn would need to bite it, but unfortunately that would be doing the Alliance more favors than harm.
Hmph... sorry to be a jerk, but that comment really rankled.
Drack Apr 29th 2011 1:29PM
As an Alliance player, I staunchly disapprove of this statement.
Saying you want Thrall to die is like a Horde saying they want Velen dead. Thrall is the best chance of reaching a reconciliation between the Horde and Alliance, and without that reconciliation, the Horde will crush the Alliance. That. Is. Fact.
If you want a Horde leader to die for compensation (Which doesn't even exist with Cairne being dead), then at least hope for Sylvanas, she's the one who would really tip the balance in the war with her plague.
Swifteye Apr 29th 2011 1:51PM
I can't uprate your comment enough, Drack... would that I had your patience and simple eloquence!
For the record, I do apologize for my hostile attitude. I'm not even that huge of a Thrall fan... don't get me wrong; I think he's awesome as many others do, but he's just not one of my "OMG *UBER* FAVORITES!".
... but Cairne IS. And I took such offense at the original comment because his attitude that SOMEONE needs to die to make it "fair" shows complete and utter disregard for the fact that Cairne DID.
I'm sorry I made an immature ass of myself in trying to convey that opinion, but I do still feel Cairne deserves recognition and respect. We Tauren acknowledge and sympathize with the Dwarves' loss; we appreciate the same courtesy in return.
Sports72Xtrm Apr 29th 2011 2:01PM
Drack you're what I like to call a Hordie in Alliance clothing. F### reconciliation with the Horde. Justice for Southshore and Gilneas. I'd rather the Alliance die in a blaze of glory than let those murderers go free.