Lorewalking: The Blade's Past

During the quest, players can ask Lorewalker Cho for extra insights about the various aspects of the lore behind Xal'atath. For those who didn't notice this (or didn't want to attempt it due to initial bugs), I've recorded the responses below:

Legion Invasion

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It is a lengthy tale, but suffice it to say the Burning Legion is a horde of demons from other worlds, bent upon our utter destruction.

They are led by the fallen titan Sargeras, a cosmic creature so powerful that it is difficult to imagine.

The Legion has invaded our world several times, but this tale focuses on their third invasion.

Battle of the Broken Shore

<This will play a Legion cinematic. If you didn't get to see it and would still like to, the movie should be playable from the menu available on the log-in screen.>

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Keeper's Rest, the Old Gods, and the Twilight's Hammer

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Keeper's Rest

Keeper's Rest is another name for the Tomb of Tyr.

Once in this very location, the titan-forged keeper Tyr fought against a dark entity known as Zakajz the Corruptor. Although Tyr defeated Zakajz, he gave his life to do so.

This is the spot where he was buried--a most sacred place. It was guarded by a secretive group that called themselves the Tyr's Guard.

The Old Gods

The Old Gods--brr! They are terrifying entities, said to have been sent from the Void to corrupt this world. Long ago, they ruled over Azeroth. Their combined domains were known as the Black Empire.

One of these entities, Y'Shaarj, was said to have been defeated by the titan Aman'Thul. In ripping Y'Shaarj from Azeroth, Aman'Thul damaged the world. Thus, the other Old Gods were sealed away rather than removed--they did not wish to damage Azeroth further.

Over time, Azeroth's champions have defeated each of the Old Gods in turn.

The Old Gods: Y'Shaarj

Ah, my friend. Of all the Old Gods, this creature chills my bones the most. Once known as the beast of seven heads, Y'Shaarj was the Old God that fell to Aman'Thul so long ago.

As the titan ripped Y'Shaarj from Azeroth, it is said that the Old God breathed out one last, terrible breath. That breath manifested the seven sha that plagued Pandaria. Anger, Hatred, Violence, Fear, Doubt, Despair, and Pride. Was there any hope for my homeland when it loomed beneath such shadow?

The answer of course, was yes. The champions of Azeroth rose to the challenge, and the last vestiges of that terrible monster were at last destroyed.

The Old Gods: C'Thun

C'Thun was a terrible entity of madness and chaos that was imprisoned within the city of Ahn'Qiraj in Silithus. Although dormant, he surged into action when disturbed by the night elves.

This led to the War of the Shifting Sands, in which the kaldorei and dragonkind united to fight back C'Thun's qiraji and their silithid minions. The great Scarab Wall was erected to keep the Old God contained.

Of course, the Gates of Ahn'Qiraj were opened again centuries later, but champions of this world fought and successfully defeated C'Thun in the end.

The Old Gods: Yogg-Saron

Yogg-Saron--a most devious entity indeed. Imprisoned in the depths of Ulduar by the titans, his reach was still inescapable. His blood ran through the entire continent of Northrend, crystallizing into the mineral saronite.

With the blood came the Old God's whispers. Many fell to Yogg-Saron's machinations, including a warden of his prison--the keeper Loken. Yogg-Saron caused Loken to turn on his own kind, and bring down the rest of the Old God's wardens from within.

Thankfully, champions of our world defeated Yogg-Saron in due time.

The Twilight's Hammer

The Twilight's Hammer is an insidious cult that worships the Old Gods and seeks to bring about the end of the world.

It has worn many, many faces over the years, but its purpose has never wavered. And each time we seem to root the Twilight's Hammer out, it only twists its way into another form, in another place.

Perhaps it will always exist in some form, as long as there are those consumed with the idea of the apocalypse.

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Xal'atath's Whispers

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Xal'atath often spoke directly into the mind of the High Priest, whispering opinions, secrets, and memories. Fortunately, the High Priest kept a careful record of her words.

Would you like to hear more?

Xal'atath's Whispers: Netherlight Temple

Lorewalker Cho says: Netherlight Temple was a grand hall where priests gathered. There, the High Priest heard these whispers in their mind...

Xal'atath whispers: Do the naaru speak of the eternal conflict? That the entire history of your world is but a fraction of the time that has passed? Of those that came before the draenei? No? <short chuckle>
Xal'atath whispers: I know the naaru consider us horrors to be resisted. We do not share this view. They are merely beloved brethren that lost the true path. They will return to their masters... in time.

Xal'atath's Whispers: Old Gods

Lorewalker Cho says: While wandering the world, the High Priest once heard Xal'atath whisper this...

Xal'atath whispers: 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.

Xal'atath's Whispers: Mindflayer Kaahrj

Lorewalker Cho says: Mindflayer Kaahrj was a powerful n'raqi, a servant of the Old Gods. As the High Priest defeated it in the assault of Violet Hold, Xal'atath whispered this...

Xal'atath whispers: For this idiotic pustule of N'Zoth to have lived so long... it does little to refute my opinion of this world's new owners.

Xal'atath's Whispers: Seat of the Pantheon

Lorewalker Cho says: In one of their final battles against the Legion, Azeroth's greatest heroes fought upon the Seat of the Pantheon, the titan's very cradle of creation. When there, the High Priest heard these ominous words from Xal'atath...

Xal'atath whispers: Long have we sought entry to this realm! To think we have a mortal to thank for giving us our foothold. Your service will be remembered!

Xal'atath's Whispers: Darkened Naaru L'ura

Lorewalker Cho says: In a stronghold on Argus, the destroyed home planet of the draenei, the High Priest and Alleria Windrunner encountered L'ura, a naaru fallen to the Void. Here, Xal'atath whispered...

Xal'atath whispers: Now this is true beauty! At least one of the mortals in your midst can appreciate what it offers.

Lorewalker Cho says: After L'ura's defeat, Alleria did something unprecedented... she absorbed the naaru's Void energy into herself. Xal'atath's whispers grew eager...

Xal'atath whispers: The caterpillar has become the butterfly. She is all but ours now.

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Sargeras's Sword and the End of the Battle

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The final fight against the Legion took place on Argus--the ruined homeworld of the eredar. There, heroes were able to triumph with the aid of the titanic Pantheon.

The Pantheon was able to pull Sargeras away from Azeroth before his plans could be realized. But he still managed to strike one last terrible blow before he was ripped away, plunging his blade deep within the desert of Silithus and damaging the very heart of our world.

Sargeras's Defeat

<This will play a Legion cinematic. Players who progressed to a certain point in Legion gameplay can watch the movie by using the [item=142536].>

Cleansing the Sword of Sargeras

<This will play a Legion cinematic. Players who progressed to a certain point in Legion gameplay can watch the movie by using the [item=142536].>

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N'Zoth, the "Gift", and Ny'alotha

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There are those who would say that N'Zoth was the weakest of the Old Gods. A misconception, perhaps, for research would indicate that N'Zoth was responsible for many of the troubles that plagued our world.

It was N'Zoth who corrupted the black dragon Neltharion into Deathwing. N'Zoth who was responsible for twisting Queen Azshara and her Highborne into the naga. It is even said that N'Zoth helped craft the Emerald Nightmare!

For a "weak" creature, N'Zoth was still a force to be reckoned with.

Gift of N'Zoth:

The so-called Gift of N'Zoth allowed one to easily discern who had allied with the Old God and speak with them. Indeed, it is said that his gift granted the ability to speak the language of the Old Gods themselves...

Yet one must wonder what the cost of such a gift truly was. If you chose to embrace this gift, you accepted N'Zoth's dominion, did you not?

Ny'alotha

Ny'alotha... a home of the Old Gods and their minions. Not a place so much as a different reality--a vision in which the Black Empire had been restored and conquered our world.

N'Zoth sought to merge Azeroth with his twisted version of reality. But the heroes of our world put an end to his plans before they could succeed.

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The portion of the story that Lorewalker Cho tells during this quest:

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Lorewalker Cho says: Xal'atath was freed from the blade and took a mortal form. Her past remained a mystery, but we Lorewalkers are never satisfied with an incomplete story.
Lorewalker Cho says: This tablet is a record of a battle from long ago, when the Black Empire ruled all.