World of Warcraft: The War Within’s Intro Quest Shows How History Repeats Itself

World of Warcraft’s newest expansion, The War Within, has just seen its worldwide release. It begins with a heart-stopping questline and cinematic, where players are whisked into the action after being formally introduced to the expansion’s main antagonist. But as players grapple with the consequences, they might experience a sense of deja vu.

Dalaran, the floating city of mages, has been around in one form or another since the earliest days of theWarcraftuniverse. It tends to move locations to best combat Azeroth’s greatest threats, and has been merrily levitating over the Broken Isles sinceWorld of Warcraft: Legion. But as tensions stirred, the Council of Six and its leader, Khadgar, decided to move the city to the Isle of Dorn.

World of Warcraft The War Within

WoW Characters Moving Dalaran Was A Huge Mistake

However, the moment the city is teleported, it’s set upon by hordes of Nerubians at the behest of their new master, Xal’atath. It soon becomes apparent that battling these arachnoid invaders was merely a distraction, as Xal’atath herself began to siphon the potent arcane energy powering Dalaran. Khadgar tries his best to stop her, but her mastery of the void quickly overwhelms the legendary Archmage.

Khadgar’s Sacrifice Saved Alleria Windrunner

With the last of his strength, Khadgar teleports Alleria to safety, knowing that Xal’atath will kill them both. Alone before theHarbinger herself, Khadgaraccepts his fate. The city is fully consumed by shadow, exploding into a shower of marble and rock. Alleria is left speechless, watching as one of Azeroth’s greatest protectors vanishes into nothing.

Now, given that players don’t technically see Khadgar die, many cautiously doubt his end. That being said, as far as characters like Alleria are concerned,Khadgar was murdered by Xal’atath. But this isn’t the first time malefic forces have utterly destroyed a city, as the famousWarcraftmage Jaina Proudmoore can attest to.

The War Within Echoes The Tragedy of Theramore

Years earlier, taking place justafterWorld of Warcraft: Cataclysm, the small Alliance city of Theramore was obliterated by Garrosh Hellscream. The errant Warchief of the Horde used a stolen arcane artifact to make a mana bomb, which, when dropped on Theramore, reduced it to pebbles. Luckily, Jaina had caught wind of this plot and had largely evacuated the city of civilians. But her longtime friend and mentor, the Archmage Rhonin, was still inside.

Rhonin, husband ofAlleria Windrunner’s youngest sister, Vereesa, valiantly gave his life to save many others. He drew the brunt of the mana bomb toward himself, teleporting a distraught Jaina to safety moments before. Jaina could only watch as the city she loved was annihilated, along with so many of her dear friends.

The destruction of Dalaran echoes this event to a tee, complete with a noble Archmage who, despite vehement protest, teleports a friend to safety at the last moment. Just like Rhonin, Khadgar was a selfless soul, though hisimpact onWorld of Warcraftfar exceeds that of Rhonin. Khadgar has been an integral part of theWarcraftuniverse since its conception, and his loss will be felt deeply by all.

Characters Like Jaina Proudmoore Are Seeing History Repeat

No doubt, questions abound concerning whyThe War Within’s opening storyso closely mimics previous events. Some might wonder whether it’s meant as a simple nod to the past, a coincidence of storytelling, or an unimaginative flaw. Time will tell if events turn out differently, but for now, the loss of Dalaran remains an eerie retelling of an event that was only seen in theWoWlore novel, Tides of War, written by Christie Golden.

Khadgar, the last guardian, may be lost, but his legacy lives on, as does the sacrifice of Rhonin. Both Jaina and Alleria are alive because of these altruistic mages, carrying on the realfight against Xal’atathto this day. The two of them knew that what mattered most was Azeroth and her people, and all of them were given a fighting chance because of their courage.