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Sylvanas' Plan - The End of Hope and Rise of the Lich Queen - War Campaign Finale Analysis (Spoilers)
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26.09.2019 um 10:56
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With the finale of the War Campaign, Sylvanas Windrunner closed one chapter of her plan to master death and embarked upon another step in her shadowy path. We'll examine Sylvanas' dialogue from the loyalist ending, her current bargains, and how likely it is we're going to the Shadowlands. Story spoilers.
If you enjoy this post, you may also be interested in our other War Campaign articles analyzing
Tyrande's absence
and
Saurfang's quest for honor
.
What is Sylvanas’ Plan - The Lich Queen?
We've long known of Sylvanas' plan to master death, avoiding at all costs a return to the dark endless void of anguish from which the Val'kyr first saved her from. Although it likely didn't turn out the way she had intended, the conclusion of the Patch 8.2.5 War Campaign both forced an advancement of her plans and let slip her true feelings: she cares nothing for the Alliance, the Horde, or even her own Forsaken, her only care is mastery of her own fate. While we've suspected that to be the case for quite some time, her utter disregard of both factions, as well as the greater threats facing Azeroth, was finally made clear in-game.
She first alludes to this at Windrunner Spire, her ancestral home and the location of the "Three Sisters" comic leading up to
Battle for Azeroth
which ends in her proclamation that all will eventually serve, inexorably linking herself with the power of death.
In the
Battle for Azeroth
pre-patch, she alludes to a similarly nefarious plan, beyond the mere invasion of Darkshore:
Elune had intervened. Perhaps she had even stayed Saurfang’s killing blow. And she wouldn’t be the only force beyond the Alliance to oppose Sylvanas’ true objective.
Sylvanas’s anger grew cold.
She had known this would happen. It had simply come sooner than expected. That was all.
The details of Sylvanas' plan are still unclear, as she frequently vanishes in order to make vague preparations, leaving others to carry out her will and conduct the campaign in Zandalar on her behalf, but we learn a few more details in the War Campaign finale.
First, she expected the war to go on for much longer, not truncated through Saurfang's sacrifice. Throughout
Battle for Azeroth
, Sylvanas has reacted to every setback with calm, with the heavy implication that she had prepared for each twist, playing an elaborate long-con. We saw how she wanted the Alliance and Horde to work together in order to save Baine, as well as allowing Baine to rescue the recently resurrected Derek Proudmoore. In the Loyalist finale, however, we finally see Sylvanas taken by surprise, as she had intended for much more blood to be shed - it seemed she had hoped for a bloody war over Orgrimmar, perhaps followed by an attack on Thunder Bluff, or even Stormwind.
Sylvanas' shock at Saurfang's attack also brings up the question of who truly has the upper hand. Most situations in
Battle for Azeroth
can either be read as Sylvanas failing to account for the optimism and hope of others, or deliberately luring her opponents into a false sense of victory, only to become victim to a devastating trap, in every case all seemed to be going according to her plan. Even in 8.2.5, as Saurfang prevents the Fourth War and turns public sentiment against the Banshee Queen, Sylvanas
still
escapes with confidence, citing "Countless souls have been fed to the hungering darkness."
It also doesn't appear that Sylvanas is retreading the same route taken by Illidan, who made several questionable decisions to ultimately serve a greater good. Sylvanas may have made a deal with Azshara to aid N'Zoth, but she doesn't seem to truly care who comes out on top, rather looking forward to all sides falling and feeding Death. The partnership unquestioningly caused significant loss of life on all sides between the Alliance fleet she lured, the Horde rebels she used as bait, and the denizens of Nazjatar itself, and while it served Azshara's plan to free N'Zoth, Slyvanas seems to be betting on the Old God also being subjugated by Death in the end.
The armies of Azeroth will fight her master, and he will line their streets with corpses. In the end, he too will serve Death.
Sylvanas no longer has any support from the Horde, or the unwitting manipulation of the Alliance... but does she still need it? Although she planned on their war continuing longer, weakening them further, and continuing to feeding Death, she doesn't seem at all upset at the turn of events. So what is her ultimate goal, considering that Azshara and even N'Zoth have simply been pawns?
If the Old Gods want to corrupt the current version Azeroth, what would be a greater manifestation of Death than killing the very world soul itself? Throughout
Battle for Azeroth
, the Warcraft team has
drawn parallels
between Sylvanas and Arthas' stories, even juxtaposing them in the Warbringers cinematic. We've also seen her wrest control of the Val'kyr from Bolvar, the current Lich King, raise Undead on the battlefield, and use blight indiscriminately. Over and over she's told us that she cares nothing for the living and only wishes to master Death, which is certainly believable at this point, so it seems plausible that seizing the Lich King's mantle and gaining control of a new large and unquestioning Undead army is a part of her goal.
Sylvanas pursuing a Lich Queen story would also conveniently reintroduce characters from past
Battle for Azeroth
expansions - notably
Vol'jin's Shadowlands arc
which included both the Lich King and Bwonsamdi - none of whom like Sylvanas. Though should the Banshee Queen attempt to wrest control of Undeath from the Lich King, she may need some powerful allies, which brings us to our next section.
Sylvanas' Bargain with Azshara
In the
Loyalist War Campaign ending
, we learn that Sylvanas has entered into a pact with Queen Azshara. This was strongly implied in
Rise of Azshara
, with Nathanos using the Blade of the Black Empire to lead anti-Sylvanas members of the Horde and the Alliance fleet chasing them into a whirlpool which shipwreck them on Nazjatar. Sylvanas is also pleased that the factions end up working together to oppose Azshara, as it leads them into the Eternal Palace and ultimately to the prison of N'Zoth where the power of the Heart of Azeroth can be used to free the Old God, just as Azshara intended.
But Sylvanas' isn't only interested in freeing N'Zoth, although she intends to manipulate him as well. Her goal the entire time seems to be very specific - to cause bloodshed, feeding a cycle of death and feeding more souls to the "hungering darkness." Although Saurfang's risky gambit breaks this cycle and prematurely ends the war, Sylvanas is surprised but not perturbed.
Sylvanas' decision to trick N'Zoth may also backfire, as it didn't seem to work out very well for Azshara either, despite believing she also had the upper hand over N'Zoth. Azshara taunted N'Zoth in early
Rise of Azshara
, lording over her relative freedom next to the Old God's imprisonment, but was violently sucked into the Void after her
defeat in the Eternal Palace
, a turn of events that caused her to show fear for perhaps the first time since her Night Elf death and rebirth as a Naga. While we're certain Azshara will resurface eventually, only time will tell whether her fate was reward or punishment.
As N'Zoth plays upon the hubris of others to secure his deals, Sylvanas' cocky belief that the Old God too will serve her mission of death may not end so well. Throughout
Battle for Azeroth
, she's misjudged how others will react to her, consistently stymied by the hope and persistence of her enemies. While N'Zoth does not have any of these characteristics, he is extremely manipulative and skilled at exploiting weakness in others, which in Sylvanas' case may be her inability to predict human behavior and fear of the Void. As Xal'atath reminds us, many have underestimated N'Zoth:
It is ironic that the weakest of us may be the ultimate victor. C'Thun, Yogg-Saron, Y'Shaarj, and... well. Only one would remain to consume the world, that was always meant to be.
The Old Gods may also be playing both sides, brokering a deal with Sylvanas on one end, while sending Alleria messages to kill and unseat Sylvanas on the other, as we see in the comic "Three Sisters."
This one is dangerous. She is a threat and must be ended. Beware this one, she seeks the death of all things...all possibilities. End her threat, murder her. Murder her, save yourself and murder her. Save the world and murder her.
She is a violation, she serves the true enemy. Kill her now kill her kill her now, remove her from this world and take from her what you need now now now.
This is nothing, you should have destroyed her. Now it is too late. You have sacrificed greatness for false feelings. They will leave you. You will watch as she claims them.
It remains to be seen how Alleria controls her Void powers in Battle for Azeroth, as she's acutely aware of N'Zoth breaking free from his prison, and previously saw visions of herself serving N'Zoth and ushering in chaos. The
Eye of the Corruptor
in Nazjatar offers similar warnings, noting "The queen threatens the king. There is no way to win. Listen." which could refer to Sylvanas and Anduin, or Sylvanas and N'Zoth.
There's also the question of how in control Sylvanas really is. She begins the Mak'gora against Saurfang calm and collected, but snaps after he wounds her eye, a relatively minor injury compared to the flurry of strikes she already landed, but also a suspiciously symbolic piece of Old Gods imagery. Although always skilled in some amount of dark magic, she seemingly has access to new powers as well, as shadows spill forth from her hands before the duel even begins, and as we learn from Alleria, keep these powers in check is a constant struggle. Sylvanas' personality has also grown harsher since the start of BFA, though it's hard to say if her initial kindness toward her kin in "Three Sisters," and repeated expression of pride in being the Warchief in "Before the Storm" was true or just another part of her long con. Her claim that she no longer cares for the Forsaken is also a bit of a shock, as she previously placed their propagation and survival above all else and was the focus of several previous plots, including her plan to subjugate the Val'kyr in Stormheim in order to ensure the longevity of the Forsaken.
Sylvanas may think she is getting closer to her ultimate goal, without realizing she is changing over time and serving other powers besides her own. We've long known that Old Gods are aligned with the Void, and if they do have any knowledge of her ulterior motives, they would be wise to manipulate them in order to set her on a new track which doesn't clash with their own plans to reconquer Azeroth.
Sylvanas' Other Bargains
Sylvanas' bargain with Azshara is relatively new, but similar to her deals with otherworldly powers from previous expansions - the Val'kyr and Helya.
With the close of the War Campaign, we know that several groups are still trying to track down the Banshee Queen, including Tyrande as the Night Warrior, the Troll Headhunters, and Elven Farstriders. The
Night Elves are particularly unhappy
that the humans and orcs are so quick to broker peace, feeling their vengeance for Teldrassil may go unanswered with the now disposed Warchief still on the loose.
All this talk of the war winding down...Sylvanas is still out there. Have they all forgotten what she did?
Not Tyrande. She is still out there too. Hunting Sylvanas and Nathanos like the dogs they are.
May the might of the Night Warrior lay waste to those walking corpses.
Sylvanas has managed to cheat death several times thanks to her Val'kyr, who pledged loyalty to her in return for freedom from the Lich King, but their numbers have dwindled with only three of the original nine remaining, coincidentally the same number originally needed to resurrect her after her "death" in Silverpine Forest. As such an important part of her longevity, we could see her opponents focus on hunting the remaining Val'kyr, which would further up the stakes and push Sylvanas towards more drastic options in order to avoid eternal torment in the Shadowlands, as previously seen after committing suicide at Icecrown Citadel in the short story "Edge of Night."
Here she was, her spirit once again feeling whole, only to feel it suffer. To feel once more, only to feel abject pain. Cold. Hopelessness. There were others in the darkness. Things she didn't recognize, because nothing so terrible could exist in the world of the living. Claws tore at her, but she had no mouth with which to scream. Eyes looked at her, but she couldn't look back. Even Arthas’ spirit was there. If any part of Sylvanas's soul were not at that moment torn and tormented, she might have even felt—for the first time—the slightest glimmer of pity for him. In the grand landscape of all the world's suffering and all the evils of the infinite, the Lich King was… insignificant. This was to be her eternity: the endless void, the dark, unknown realm of anguish.
There's also the mystery of Sylvanas' pact with Helya, teased in
Eine verzweifelte Bitte
during
Legion
. Although thought to have died at the end of Trial of Valor,
Ring der Riffe
confirms Helya still lives, that you cannot kill Death. Since Sylvanas' obsession with Death has been made abundantly clear at this point, it seems reasonable to assume their pact could still be active. Helya has been regaining power throughout
Battle for Azeroth
, perhaps as a direct result of Sylvanas' increasing destruction, referenced in "Countless souls have been fed to the hungering darkness."
<A light mist twists and curls around this ring as if caressing it. Holding this object makes you uneasy, deep within your soul. It feels as if invisible, icy hands from the lands of the dead are pulling at you. There is no mistaking Helya's power. The Valarjar will want to hear about this.>
Another ring? Hmph. Yes, we have been seeing them more frequently.
<Valdemar grimaces.>
Helya is growing in power.
What, small one, are you surprised? Did you think she was defeated?
<Valdemar laughs heartily.>
You cannot kill death!
Finally, by partnering with Azshara, there may be an implied fourth bargain with Sylvanas - one with Xal'atath. Now freed from the Blade of the Black Empire in return for bringing the player to N'Zoth in the Crucible of Storms, Xala'tath wanders Azeroth unfettered. As part of Azshara's plan was to let the Blade of the Black Empire fall into the hands of Sylvanas, Xal'atath is linked to Azshara, and therefore Sylvanas as well. Xal'atath's motives are unclear, except that she enjoys her newfound freedom, firmly supports the Old Gods, and enjoys manipulating past wielders of the blade. With Sylvanas losing her mortal allies, she could be turning towards otherworldly beings like Xal'atath for assistance instead.
Shadowlands - What Comes Next?
It’s looking increasingly likely that BlizzCon 2019 will not only reveal the next expansion, but the final patch of
Battle for Azeroth
. Sylvanas is on the BlizzCon key art and we’ve had patches highlighting the other two Warbringers already - Jaina in 8.1 and Azshara in 8.2. If Sylvanas were the focus of 8.3, we could learn more about her history as the Ranger-General of Silvermoon and the harrowing visions she saw in the short story “Edge of Night.” After the actions of that novella, Sylvanas went from a character resigned to suicide after the death of the Lich King to waging an aggressive war to master death in
Battle for Azeroth
, but since this transformational event was only published in a story, many players are unaware of its impact, which makes it a good subject for a future quest series or cinematic.
Lining the Streets with Corpses
Since the ending of
Battle for Azeroth
is still unknown, leak season has been more robust than ever, with most pointing to the Shadowlands. The end of the War Campaign discredited many of those leaks, as their finer points now contradict the actual events, such as Saurfang dying and Sylvanas losing most of her allies makes it unlikely that Sylvanas could muster the forces to attack Thunder Bluff, or pull a trick that would make the Alliance and Horde suddenly turn on each other, but it is possible that as we focus our efforts on the Old Gods, Sylvanas will show up to throw a wrench in our plans, striking when we our backs are turned. As stated in the loyalist ending:
The armies of Azeroth will fight her master, and he will line their streets with corpses. In the end, he too will serve Death.
One popular leak claimed Sylvanas would take over Stormwind, and we'd fight to reclaim the city, all dying at the end of 8.3 and then awakening in the Shadowlands. While the line "he will line their streets with corpses" could tie into the leak, Sylvanas has lost all of her allies in the Horde so the invasion seems unlikely. Instead, this line could refer to us taking the fight to N'Zoth in the horrible city of Ny'alotha, either in 8,3 or a future expansion. Sylvanas looks forward to us fighting N'Zoth, as it will lead to more casualties, weakening the Old Gods, Alliance, and Horde in her plan to master death. Patch 8.2, notably the Za'qul encounter, hinted we'd be
venturing to N'Zoth's sleeping city
soon, and there's still the mystery of
N'Zoth's moving prison
to solve.
As covered in our
Horde
and
Alliance War Campaign Finale Dialogue
posts, the threat of the Old Gods still lingers on the horizon:
Fewer and fewer ships heading out to sea as of late. It's not safe out on the tides.
I've heard much the same. Strange tales, whispers over the water, shadows in the depths.
Ill omens all around. There's a storm coming, mark my words.
Are you feeling well?
I... don't know. I keep hearing things... voices... whispers...
Strange... so do I. Perhaps... it's best we not tell anyone.
Return of Vol'jin
The concept of the Shadowlands was hinted at before leak season even begun; it's been referenced many times by Old Gods, and the current Lich King, Vol'jin, and Bwonsamdi are all inhabitants of that land of the dead. Could that be a part of our eventual confrontation with Sylvanas? Could she try to pull a Lich King, intending to kill the heroes of Azeroth in order to raise us as unwilling champions bound to her service?
We also know from
Kerkermeister der Verdammten
that the Frozen Throne is apparently a gateway between Azeroth and the Shadowlands, which could indicate some new story for Bolvar Fordragon (and his daughter, Taelia!). Neither of them like Sylvanas very much, opposed to her ambition and disruption of the balance between life and death, so this could be a part of eventual confrontation as one or the other try to oppose whatever plan she puts in motion.
In addition to all the famous characters linked to the Shadowlands, there's the matter of the "countless souls" Sylvanas has fed to the darkness through the carnage of Battle for Azeroth. Where exactly have they been going, and why? The Shadowlands is a logical choice, as it's the land of the dead. Sylvanas, in her plans to wrest control, could be building an army there, either to face the Old Gods after getting what she wants from Azshara's deal, or bringing the souls to Azeroth to battle and defeat the living--should she pursue the Lich Queen route. Early in the War Campaign finale, Alleria Windrunner references the strength of Sylvanas' army against the Old Gods, although, she has no way of knowing Sylvanas plans to subdue the Old Gods as well:
Alleria Windrunner says: But Sylvanas is not the only threat we face. The Old God has been freed. I can hear his whispers... sense his unseen tendrils writhing all around us.
Anduin Wrynn says: I know, Alleria. What are you suggesting?
Alleria Windrunner says: Sylvanas commands what may be the only army capable of defeating N'Zoth. For the sake of Azeroth... perhaps we should stand aside and let her.
A trip to the Shadowlands could conveniently pick up the threads of Vol'jin's story, who disappeared earlier in the expansion to search for answers--who appointed Sylvanas Warchief, and brought him back? As former Warchief of the Horde, Vol'jin likely has opinions as well on the Fourth War and how leadership should progress in the future. Vol'jin also served as an adviser to Talanji in Battle for Azeroth, who was conspicuously absent from the War Campaign finale as she likely does not share the popular sentiment of cross-faction peace due to the Alliance killing her father at Dazar'alor.
And who knows, if the Shadowlands patch revisits old plot lines...the story with Helya and her bargain with Sylvanas could resurface as well, leading to the return of Odyn and the Halls of Valor, the resting place for the greatest warriors. Would we encounter Saurfang there, and other familiar faces? Early in the Legion alpha, it was intended that the spirits of famous Warriors would populate Skyhold such as
Orgrim Schicksalshammer
and
Anduin Lothar
, but it was removed for launch, as explained in the
Legion Artifact Q&A
, as it wouldn't make sense for Humans and Orcs to co-exist. But in a post-Fourth War world emphasizing unity, maybe the fallen spirits could mingle together.
The Warrior Order hall, Skyhold, is an interesting case. In early Alpha, the Order Hall had ghosts for many famous Warriors--the hall of heroes, famous characters from all different posts in history. However, it felt strange to have fallen Humans and Orcs all together in a Vrykul Hall--would be out of character.
Forsaken Succession
There's also the question of Calia Menethil and Forsaken succession; she's poised to take over leadership of Lordaeron, but the Horde may be in for some radical leadership changes as their newfound ceasefire and recent power vacuum rearranges their leadership. Should the factions dissolve further, Calia, Derek, and Lilian Voss could serve as Forsaken emissaries for a new wave of player characters, as each were raised after the death of the Lich King. It's unlikely that Sylvanas would rule a third Undead player-faction, as she makes it clear in the loyalist finale that she despises even the Forsaken now.
Though I cared nothing for the living, I did pity the Forsaken. For the great injustice that made them what they are. I understand the cruelty of fate better than anyone.
But despite all I taught them, they stubbornly clung to hope. To life. They will learn the truth, along with all the rest.
Certainly a far cry from her iconic line "We are the Forsaken. We will slaughter anyone who stands in our way."
However, in light of Sylvanas' plan to master death, the question of Forsaken succession
might just
pale in comparison to the larger threat of her plans to kill everything that lives and hopes.
When looking towards the future of
Battle for Azeroth
, we also have to consider why Sylvanas doesn't want to work with the Old Gods and how their goals may conflict. The Old Gods hunger for corruption, transforming many planets and twisting World Souls, creating the Black Empire on Azeroth. Sargeras, in response to discovering the presence of the Void Lords, wanted to obliterate all life instead of having a system ruled by the Void - a decisive choice which led to the creation of the Burning Legion and repeated attacks on Azeroth. With Sargeras imprisoned for now due to the events at the end of
Legion
, the Old Gods remain as our immediate threat.
It's unlikely Sylvanas wants a world ruled by Old Gods, as their connection to the Void is clearly something she wishes to avoid, and she isn't one to serve beneath another, and Azshara would likely take her role anyway. Instead, she would seemingly prefer to kill everything, ending all hope and life, to rule over a cold dead Azeroth devoid of fate. For although the world may be dead, it won't be crueler than life.
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