Summary
The War Withinis the tenth expansion for the critically acclaimed MMORPG,World of Warcraft. Each expansion released provides players with a brand-new story, new landmass, dungeons, raids, mounts, pets, and often new systems. One of the latest introductions isthe Delves system.
Each expansion release isn’t just limited to these features, however. Every new zone inWorld of Warcraftis always full of easter eggs, secrets, references, and other small world-building details that make each zone feel alive.The War Withinis no different, and each of its four zones has an array of details not immediately apparent to most players.
1Xal’ataths' Coin
A Familiar Fountain
The introduction scenario ofThe War Withinis an incredibly memorable and cinematic way to start the expansion, as players must fight back a Nerubian invasion of Dalaran and attempt to save the many citizens of the famous floating city. Dalaran is an incredibly well-known city, especially for those who played theWrath Of The Lich KingorLegionexpansions.
To reference the past of Dalaran,The War Withincontains a small secret that can be found by fishing in the fountain. If players fish in the fountain, they will receive Xal’atath’s Rusty Coin. This item is not just a secret in itself but also references the two prior iterations of Dalaran inWrath of The Lich KingandLegion, wherein players could also fish for an array of coins. InWrath of The Lich King, players could achieve the “The Coin Master” achievement, and inLegion, players could achieve the “The Wish Remover” achievement, each by fishing for all of the coins that could be found in the Dalaran fountain.
2Kaja Cola Machine
Easy 34-Slot Bag
In eachWar Withinzone, as players will expect from aWorld of Warcraftexpansion, treasures can be found and looted. All of these treasures lead toward the achievement for obtaining all the treasures in each zone. These treasures often allow for the developers to include some fun and unique mechanics, flexing their creativity and allowing players a change of pace, be it through puzzles or simply through fun secrets.
An example of one of the more unique and fun treasures can be found in The Ringing Deeps zone, in the form of the Kaja Cola vending machine. This vending machine appears to be of goblin design, as likely expected by players and contains a series of fun drinks that players can obtain and consume. This secret, however, is more than just that. If players press the buttons corresponding to “Bluesberry Blast,” “Orange O-pocalypse,” “Oyster Outbreak” and “Mangoro Madness” in that order, they will receive a 34-slot bag called the Goblin Mini Fridge. A useful and fun reward for the completion of an abstract task.
3Hearthstone Table
A Colorful Assortment Of Players
Hearthstone is an in-universe card game played by people all over Azeroth. This was featured inWorld of Warcraft, and eventually became its own incredibly well-received competitive card-battler, obtaining an audience of players, some entirely outside theWorld of Warcraftfanbase. It follows a relatively standard format, whereinplayers must summon cardsand defeat the hero card of the opponent before their own is defeated.
In Dornogal, players can stumble upon a rather unique gathering ofWorld of Warcraftcharacters, all gathered around a Hearthstone table. Valeera can be seen playing against Milhouse Manastorm, while Bartender Bob watches on. As an extra detail, mages can talk to Valeera and receive a quest that gives them the new polymorph appearance, Mosswool.
4Spongebob Reference
Who Lives In A Pineapple…
SpongeBob SquarePantsis an animated TV series that likely needs no introduction to most. It is a beloved and tenured animated series thatmaintains its cultural relevancelike few other series manage. The main cast includes SpongeBob, a sponge that lives in a pineapple, along with his pet snail Gary. He lives next door to his best friend Patrick Star, a starfish, and works at a burger restaurant, under his boss, Mr. Krabs.
North of the shore players find themselves on after the opening scenario ofThe War Within, players with some patience and plenty of means to travel on and underwater will be rewarded with a fun reference. Under the water, players will be able to find a sponge, a starfish, a snail, and a crab holding onto a hamburger. A reference to some of the main characters ofSpongeBob SquarePants.
5Shoulder Rat
A New Friend
In Dornogal, there is a small area known as The Fissure that contains aportal to Azj-Kahetas well as a series of buildings and vendors. The Fissure is a somewhat shady and hidden area, housing the Black Market Auction house along with a series of less-than-reputable individuals skulking in the various shadowy corners of the area.
Outside the Black Market Auction House, players can find a group of rogues named displaced rogues. These tough-looking individuals are sitting in the darkness, playing games and hoarding various piles of gold and jewels. One of these rogues is sitting alongside two sewer rats, the smaller of which is interactable. When interacted with, this rat appears on the shoulder of the player and comes alongside a buff entitled “Shoulder Rat” which reads, “You have a friend!” The rat will remain on the player’s shoulder for ten minutes.
6Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Dalaran Sewer Story Continues
For many years,World of Warcrafthad a famous reference located in the Dalaran sewers. This was a collection of four small turtles, surrounded by various flasks of green fluid and watched over by a rat. This is a reference to theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a famous media franchise that centers around four mutant turtles, trained to be ninjas by their adoptive father, Master Splinter, who is a rat. This reference is continued inThe War Within.
After completing theWar Withinintroduction scenario, players may come across a sad sight, wherein a seemingly dead rat is being watched over by a lone turtle. This is the same rat and one of the turtles from the Dalaran Sewers, and players must bring the turtle five fish to aid in the recovery of the rat. After doing so, players will then find the rat, now healthy, alongside his four turtles in Dornogal. The turtles are each wearing a bandanna, signifying the colors worn by each of theTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Interacting with one of the turtles willreward players with a battle pet, in which they can summon one of the four turtles at random.
