Lorewalking: The Protectorate

Try to /reload if quests aren't completing or bugging out.

Kill Ethereals until you receive Ethereum Essence. Then drink it and you can see the Ethereum Relays, which look like mana worms.

As the quest progresses, players can ask Lorewalker Cho for extra insights about the various aspects of the lore behind the Ethereals. For those who didn't notice this option, I've recorded the responses below:

Ethereals: Netherstorm

Spoiler

According to locals, the shattered fragments that make up Netherstorm used to be a lush island called Farahlon. This was, of course, before the planet of Draenor shattered into what is now called Outland.

Here, the energies of the Twisting Nether and the physical realm bleed together into a most chaotic landscape. Some have discovered ways to harness the Twisting Nether's energy, though not necessarily for good.

The blood elves led by Kael'thas Sunstrider built massive manaforges here, using them to siphon magic. The more they bled the Nether, the more unstable the region became, as you can see.

-
Ethereals: Nexus-King Salhadaar

Spoiler

Nexus-King Salhadaar ruled the ethereals after Dimensius destroyed their home of K'aresh. Intent on his people's survival, Salhadaar led them to other worlds.

He encouraged those loyal to him to seek revenge--even if they needed to use the Void to achieve it.

But the power of the Void overcame even his desire to seek vengeance on Dimensius. Power, it seemed, was all he craved now.

-
Ethereals: Dimensius

Spoiler

Dimensius the All-Devouring is a terrifying entity, a void lord that destroyed the ethereal homeworld of K'aresh long ago. Little is known of how he first discovered K'aresh, but the result was much the same as you see here--the world was rent asunder.

K'aresh was not the only place attacked by this being. A world called Karkora also suffered, but the naaru T'uure arrived to protect it. T'uure sacrificed its own life to save the world's inhabitants. Unfortunately, the ethereals were not as fortunate.

The ethereals escaped K'aresh, and swore vengeance on Dimensius for what he had done. But that quest for vengeance would soon turn to... darker pursuits.

-
The story Lorewalker Cho tells during the quest:

Spoiler

Lorewalker Cho says: Who are the ethereals? Enshrouded in mystery, we first encountered them in Outland--but that was not where they originated.
Lorewalker Cho says: Their own world, K'aresh, was destroyed long ago by a monstrous creature of the Void.
Lorewalker Cho says: Left to their own devices, the ethereals traveled the cosmos in search of trade, knowledge... and vengeance for their beloved home.

Lorewalker Cho says: Now listen closely to my tale...
Lorewalker Cho says: Our story begins with the Protectorate--a group of ethereals who had gathered in Netherstorm.
Lorewalker Cho says: The Ethereum, a ruling class once united in purpose, had fractured. The Protectorate suspected treachery--but more investigation was necessary.

Lorewalker Cho says: The ethereals are meticulous record keepers. Evidence of the Ethereum's treachery had to exist somewhere.
Lorewalker Cho says: Of course it was not that simple. The Ethereum used relays to exchange information--which meant that one had to intercept the relays to extract that information as evidence.

Lorewalker Cho says: Unthinkable, but true--the Ethereum was attempting to embrace the very same Void that had destroyed the ethereal homeworld so long ago. Their efforts had to be stopped.
Lorewalker Cho says: Although Salhadaar may have been defeated, there was an even greater threat to contend with--Dimensius.

Lorewalker Cho says: Long ago, Dimensius shattered the ethereal homeworld of K'aresh. And now he threatened Outland as well. The Protectorate would not let this happen.
Lorewalker Cho says: The Protectorate used the fragments of Dimensius to disable a conduit that gave Dimensius a link to the Void and physical immunity. Only then could they launch a final assault.

Lorewalker Cho says: It was done. Dimensius was defeated... though some questioned whether he was truly gone.