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All of the latest Mists of Pandaria newsBlizzard drops "Glimpses" screenshot with 3 unknown NPCs -- possible patch or expansion hint?
by Adam Holisky 
Aug 11th 2011 at 12:45PM
The above picture titled "Glimpses" was just posted on Blizzard's Facebook page. It shows ethereals hanging out, offering arcane reforging, transmogrification, and "void storage," whatever that is.
We don't know where this is from, and the picture is presented by Blizzard with the comment, "Interesting." So we know it's a glimpse at something coming up. What could that be? It's possibly related to patch 4.3 or the next expansion. And on that note, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibilities for Blizzard to start dropping hints for the next expansion now.
Our staff picked up that it's a generic Stormwind building right away. In fact, the NPC and layout looks very similar to Cordell's Enchanting in the Mages District in Stormwind; that's pictured below. Obviously, the doodads and room decorations are different, but the layout and NPC spacing are the same.
We don't know where this is from, and the picture is presented by Blizzard with the comment, "Interesting." So we know it's a glimpse at something coming up. What could that be? It's possibly related to patch 4.3 or the next expansion. And on that note, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibilities for Blizzard to start dropping hints for the next expansion now.
Our staff picked up that it's a generic Stormwind building right away. In fact, the NPC and layout looks very similar to Cordell's Enchanting in the Mages District in Stormwind; that's pictured below. Obviously, the doodads and room decorations are different, but the layout and NPC spacing are the same.
Filed under: News items
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 10)
hicks Aug 11th 2011 1:21PM
Upside down it's a time machine.
Maymer Aug 11th 2011 1:24PM
If I didn't know that was a Calvin and Hobbes reference, I might have guessed it was an Apeture Science joke....wait.....
Calvin Johnson here! Today, you are going to be testing the Transmogrifier with our loyal test subject, HOBBES (Humorous Object Blatantly Beaten Ethically with Science). Just use the tiger to tip the ethreal on its side, and duplicate items. Turn it upside down, and you have time machine.
The test boys are suggesting that I warn you about going back in time, and looking at yourself. They say it will wipe out time. Entirely. Forwards and back. So, if you see yourself using the new void system banking, or Transmogrifier....you just let that handsome devil go.
Anything you would like to say Susie? No? Alright. Pretty as a postcard she is. But married. TO TEST REALMS!
Alright, Calvin Johnson here, we're done.
Daedalus Aug 11th 2011 1:52PM
Okay, seen this a lot, but I must be missing something?
Is there anything besides the word "Transmogrifier" that makes this a Calvin and Hobbes reference? I mean, transmogrifier is actually a real word, pre-dating the comic by several hundred years, so is there something else to suggest it's an intentional allusion?
And at the risk of being a nitpicking pedant: @Maymer: that's CAVE Johnson. (Never screw up the name of a man who threatened to "burn life's house down" for giving him lemons.)
We're done here.
Andrew Aug 11th 2011 2:00PM
Couldn't have been an EATPIH reference, *that* cardboard box was a seismic reactor that, still, turned people into horses. Also, I don't see any branding paint in that shot.
Vrykerion Aug 11th 2011 2:19PM
The word transmogrify predates the comic because Calvin has a time machine. He obviously went back in time and spread the use of his new word. Also, Modern Day Football is derived from an ancient sport that is eerily similar to Calvinball. :D
( And if I'm lying, then I just created an alternate universe where it's true, so I'm not lying. Mwa ha ha ha!)
Maymer Aug 11th 2011 2:25PM
@Daedalus
It was a joke, acting like Calvin was Cave Johnson. And Susie replaces Caroline, and Hobbes....well, it's Hobbes.
So, I don't want your damn nitpicking! I DEMAND to see your manager! DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!?
I'M THE GUY THAT'S GOING TO BURN YOUR COMMENT DOWN...with the nitpicking!!!!
*gets a combustible lemon chucked at him by Dae* You fight dirty, sir.
Al Aug 11th 2011 2:42PM
Scientific progress goes "Boink!".
Daedalus Aug 11th 2011 2:48PM
@Maymer:
Ah, see, well, that's what I get for reading too quickly.
I humbly admit I was wrong, and offer you plate of warlock cookies by way of apology.
What? No, the white chunks aren't ground up moon rock... those are deadly poison. They're...um...marshmallows.
squig_masta Aug 11th 2011 4:45PM
Moonrocks in the Healthstones eh? I always wondered how locks learned how to teleport...
Qmage Aug 11th 2011 1:03PM
Maybe it is Blizzards character services just inside the game rather than through the web pages. Or Bind on Account realm transfer options.
Malon Aug 11th 2011 1:04PM
I very much doubt this is anything to do with a new race - can you imagine the outcry if one faction got Ethereals? People have been wanting them playable for ages.
UNLESS (/tinfoilhat) there will be two new races, Pandaren and Ethereals, and they'll BOTH be neutral and able to pick their faction...dun dun daah!
And just FYI, 'transmogrify' is changing something's appearance, so...well, I have no idea. Maybe a way to change your features ingame?
Noyou Aug 11th 2011 1:52PM
Kind of like how one faction got goblins? No. I can't imagine that at all. Oh the speculation factor just went up by at least 10 (or eleven).
Mattimaticus Aug 11th 2011 1:06PM
http://www.wowhead.com/item=51896 some items already in game from Thaumaturge
Ryan T. Aug 11th 2011 1:13PM
1. That's an Icecrown Citadel item.
2. "Thaumaturge" is not a name. It's a title.
Azi Aug 11th 2011 1:09PM
Ethereals are kinda like goblins though, only helping to further their profits. So, does this mean they decided the Alliance would be a profitable faction? Or do the Horde also have this?
Kriegle Aug 11th 2011 1:11PM
I don't even care what they're doing, I'm just glad to see Ethereals back in the game. If they were to get involved in a patch or expansion in a major way I would be a happy camper. It's way too cool of a unique skeleton and set of animations (not to mention lore) to waste in one expansion and then never see again.
Wilk Aug 11th 2011 6:09PM
Actually, I think the ethereal skeleton has been reused in ascended elementals, such as the Ascendant Council in Bastion of Twilight.
Radioted Aug 11th 2011 1:12PM
OMGOMGOMG
/runs around with arms flailing
Telwar Aug 11th 2011 2:15PM
I'd guess it's something from 4.3, possibly related to the Caverns of Time.
But certainly interesting.
Kar On E Aug 11th 2011 1:13PM
For those that may not know off hand, the definition of Transmogrification is "to change in appearance or form, especially strangely or grotesquely; transform." I've seen some comments on here about how it might be related to Warlock demons (male vs. female), but I'm not so sure I buy that. I'd imagine that you'd just summon a different demon for that, kind of like how you already do to change your demon's name.
Given that there appears to be a bank and a Reforger nearby, I'm thinking that we're looking at some sort of armor/weapon adjustor. Blizz did mention something about using the space gained from deleting the keyring for something else...is this it?
As for when, I vote 4.3. This seems like a small thing to show off to get people excited about the next expansion, especially this soon before it would be out. However, this seems to fit right in with the reopening of the PTR from the other day.