Official Blizzard quote ()
Let's journey through Mardum with the young demon hunter and discover what it means to be a warrior of Illidan. (Spoiler alert!)
Shattered Abyss
Mardum stretched out before me like a huge grinning mouth. Streams of Fel flow here freely, like rivers. They simultaneously attract and repel. I was not the only one who set off on a journey through these desert lands. There are others like me: followers of the Lord Illidan, who teaches us that to defeat the Burning Legion we must sacrifice... everything.
- Many eons ago, Sargeras created Mardum to hold captive demons here. He also created the Sargerite Key to isolate them from other worlds.
But when the fallen titan decided to destroy all things with his flame, he split Mardum, scattering its fragments throughout the Twisting Nether. This is how the Burning Legion was born.
Sargeras hid his key in this part of Mardum. This is a kind of master key that opens the way to any of the worlds of the Legion. With the help of the key, Lord Illidan plans to destroy the Legion.
We have two tasks: destroy the demons in their own stronghold and find the Sargerite Key.
Path through Mardum
Walking across this land, tormented by Fel, I kill all the demons that catch my eye. I know I was born for this. I'm trying to be careful to save energy and avoid getting seriously injured, but I'm not sure if that's necessary. I absorb the souls of demons - they support me and give me the strength to kill again and again. As Lord Illidan says, we turn the power of demons against themselves.
By opening the gates of the Legion, we will be able to call upon Ashtongues, nagas and shivarra to help us. Each gate requires a sacrifice - this is the payment for victory in our war.
The first to arrive was the warlord Gaardun and brought with him the gift of Illidan - the Fel Saber, a powerful beast that is able to survive in this hostile world. It will serve me well in battle.
Everything here is imbued with the energy of Fel. Damage is everywhere.
Obstacle on the way
Some Illidari were captured by the Legion. To continue the offensive, we will need all our fighters. I need to act quickly: get the keys from the jailers and free my brothers, and then they will join our ranks again.
On the Blazing Shore, Jace Darkweaver asks me to track the Legion's leaders. Doomguard Commander Beliash and Brood Queen Tyranna have conspired to prevent our advance into the volcano where the key is kept.
Urgency
Lady S'theno of the Ring Serpent clan reported that the situation in the Black Temple is becoming tense. We must find the Sargerite Key as quickly as possible in order to come to their aid in time.
Run, demon hunter!
At our stronghold, we decide whether to storm the fortress of the spider demons, where the Queen of the Pack, Tyranna, is hiding.
Legion Destroyers begin their bombardment, and Jace's totems of protection are threatened. It's time to take out the exterminators.
Our fighters act very quickly, and soon the exterminators are overwhelmed by the destructive force turned against them. I made a mistake and got too close to the first enemy, but quickly learned my lesson and stayed away from the next one.
From time to time I meet brothers who have fallen into the nets of hellish crawlers. They are everywhere. I free the Illidari - it doesn't take much time - and they again enter into a battle that seems to never end.
Enlightenment through desecration
The Mother of Imps, who is said to possess a tome of the secrets of Fel, has settled in the Unclean Refuge. If we can get it, we will have even greater power at our disposal, which will help us in the fight against the hordes of demons. Defeating the mother of demons will not be easy, but the same can be said about every demon. When we take the tome, it will weaken her somewhat.
The queen of the pack, Tyranna, did not like the fact that I stole the secrets of the Legion. Her cries make it clear how desperate she is. Meanwhile, our troops are approaching the place where the key is kept.
In an Illidari stronghold, I read the tome and learn even more about the power I can tap into - as can all who follow the path of the Illidari. Or better yet, "one of the possible ways“... Two paths lie before me: one of them is the path of extermination, which I have followed from the very beginning of my journey through Mardum. If I continue to follow it, the secrets of metamorphosis and demonic presence will be revealed to me. The other path is the path of vengeance, which will also help me understand metamorphosis, as well as the “Fellow Blood” ability. In addition, my piercing gaze will become more “sharp”... I will have demonic thorns at my disposal.
I chose the path of extermination, but if I wish, I can master the wisdom of the path of vengeance later. Not everyone can cope with Fel, so we share with each other the experience of coming into contact with it - this is a cup of bittersweet wine of personal experiences.
Spreading your wings
I'm ready to spread my wings - or let the felbat do it, on which I will go to fight the Queen of the Pack Tyranna.
Tyranna has a couple of tricks up her sleeve, but the Illidari are just as good as her in this art. I will release mine new strength, which I stole from the demons I met on the way to this damned place. Once she is defeated, we will take the Sargerite Key.
Having obtained the key, we can open a portal to the Black Temple, but here things take an unexpected tragic turn...
Years later
Everything did not go as we expected: we fell into the hands of the guardian Maiev Shadowsong and languished in her dungeons for years. But now, at a time when the fate of Azeroth is being decided, she has asked for our help in the fight against the Burning Legion.
Together with Altruis and Kayn, we were freed from prison and are now breaking through the levels of the Vaults of the Guardians, freeing other Illidari. It's one thing to fight alongside your brothers, but to be on the same side as the guards after being imprisoned for so long is unusual, to say the least...
Tomb of the Penitent
Gul'dan found his way to where the guards kept Illidan's body. Now Illidan - even if dead - is in the hands of the Legion, and this does not bode well for us.
Maiev opens the entrance to the tomb, and to our great surprise, together with Gul'dan, we find the traitor Cordana Felsong there. They run away from us, and we have to fight two of their minions. Maiev told us that we must survive, find a way to freedom and find the Archmage Khadgar. That was the last we heard from her.
Having defeated Gul'dan's minions, we make our way to the lift and meet other Illidari fighting demons. Kain and Altruis went far ahead, but Jace Darkweaver had a felbat with him, and we continued our journey together.
Alarm in the demon block
It was not only the Illidari who were held captive here. There were other prisoners who posed a serious danger to us. We needed to contain them somehow. Here we go through the Casemate of Ice, the Casemate of Law and the Casemate of Mirrors to again imprison the creatures that have escaped into freedom. To get out of here, we need to get to the Hall of Justice.
Choice
Altruis and Kayn don't get along with each other, so I have to make a choice about who I'm with. The Source of Justice will help clear my mind - in its depths I will find the answer.
I made a decision, and now I have to fight Bastillax, take his power and finally gain freedom.
We find Bastillax in the Halls of Night, surrounded by a horde of demons - and fulfill our duty as Illidari by breaking through to him.
He turns the very shadow against us, but we stand to the end. Victory is ours! Bastillax's power goes to me. All that was left was to break free.
There, in the wild, the Archmage Khadgar is already waiting for us. It seems he knew we were coming. Khadgar asks for our help in saving Azeroth. Of course we will help. We sacrificed everything for this. This is our mission...my mission.
Azeroth awaits, and with it, freedom. We're going to Stormwind. I am marching toward my goal, and the Burning Legion will be defeated. I hope they'll be ready.
The first emotion that Corina the Silent felt when freed from captivity was irritation. Because nearby, Kain and Altruis were rising to their feet, emerging from the niches.
In general, while the captivity lasted, Korina managed to experience many emotions.
Anger at yourself, at your mistake.
Disappointment in the choice of path that led to this.
A sad misunderstanding of former sisters.
Dull bewilderment: why are they punished so terribly for a just cause?
Tired humility. After all, there are many years ahead...
Lord Illidan once said: only the first thousand years are hard. Then you get used to it. Corina got used to it much faster, in just a measly few years... decades? She didn't know how long she hung motionless, imprisoned in the crystal, looking at the world through the dull green, unable to even move her gaze. Just close your eyes, sinking into the even greater timelessness of your own silence.
At least it was familiar.
And then it was grossly violated.
No, Korin was grateful to the Guardians who split the crystal. Maybe all is not lost and Azeroth can still be saved. Maybe the Guardians realized that a common goal is already a guarantee of loyalty to the Illidari, which holds them much stronger than any chains.
May be...
Maybe these two will finally shut up?!
Clutching the hilts of her blades tighter, Korina bared her teeth, rushing at the creatures that had filled the Casemates. So at least silence reigned, the two behind them also only fought back in harmony, following behind as she led them along such familiar corridors.
The small detachment gradually grew, new Illidari joined it, and the cloaks of the Guardians flashed around. There were also enough vile faces of demons and other inhabitants of the cells; you had to cut your way to the exit, allowing yourself only rare breaks. And with each of them, the irritation grew, because as soon as they stopped and took a breath, Kain and Altruis grappled again.
Corina disliked both of them.
What about a relative who brought so much trouble there, in the Outlands, doubting and, in fact, betraying his brothers and sisters. Yes, Korina understood perfectly well that not everyone has the strength to restrain the demon, not everyone has the will to follow the chosen path... But it is difficult to achieve great success alone. Even Lord Illidan needed support. And he did not kill his former brothers, as Altruis did.
As for Kayn... It seems that it was in the blood of all those who once followed Dath'Remar. Blind, boundless devotion to the leaders, which cost the lives of many. Why look far: how the blood elves believed their Kael’thas and what came of it.
Corina could have expressed her opinion to both, but she habitually remained silent. Altruis was silent when he left, barking angrily at the end. She was silent when Kaine spoke later.
She made a decision, the only one that was true only for her. Perhaps Lord Illidan would not be happy with him... Just as Maeve was certainly not happy once when one of the Guardians went to the Illidari. But then it was the right path. And now Corina knew one thing: the decision whether to believe or not to believe Illidan was made only by herself.
She won't reject anything out of hand. She will watch. Weigh. Think.
And stand to the end in only one thing.
Stand to the end for Azeroth.
Although for a long time Altruis supported his mentor, eventually deciding that Illidan had become too distracted and obsessed with other problems instead of destroying demons. Altruis left the ranks of the Illidari and set out on a journey through Outland, dealing with demons with his own powers. His faithful companion was the Void dragon named Nethrandamus.
As long as transporters were available to the demons, raids on the camps would have no effect. Altruis began searching for a way to destroy the Legion's buildings, and while he was developing a plan, the hero was asked to distract enemy engineers and repairmen to slow down progress. However, it soon became clear that the fel iron from which the transporters were created was not so easy to destroy.
Altruis knew that all Legion camps were built according to a single plan, approved by the master planner. This planner usually carried a lot of drawings with him. The demon hunter asked the hero to get these drawings, which would allow him to turn to one of the Sufferer’s acquaintances for help.
This acquaintance was mo"arg named Salsalabim, who once served the Legion. Now he was in the Lower City Shattrath and, remaining in the bar, tried to drown his sadness in a glass. The hero, sent by Altruis along with the drawings, forcibly persuaded Salsalabeem to cooperate. Mo'arg, having checked the drawings, proposed to deploy the Fel cannons and shoot from them at the buildings of the camp. To turn the cannon, a key was required, which was kept by the overseers.
The Demon Hunter liked the idea of the camps being destroyed by the Legion's own weapons. He sent the same hero on a mission: to find guards in both camps, take away the keys and use them to activate the guns. So, the “Hate” and “Fear” camps were destroyed, which made it possible to contain the onslaught of the Legion in Nagrand.
Karabor training grounds
The Burning Crusade to World of Warcraft.
When the troops Aldorov And Seers began preparations for the invasion of Black Temple, the first target was the Karabor training ground, where new demon hunters were trained. Both factions knew rumors of a free hunter who remained in Nagrand. Altruis hated demons with all his soul and might have agreed to give the necessary information to the hero sent by the Aldor and the Seers. However, Altruis stated that he would not reveal anything until he received proof that the hero was fighting against the same enemies as him.
He invited the hero to deal with a demon named Xeletus, who was loyal only to himself and escaped from the ranks of the Legion. Primitive swamp creatures Zangarmarsh Xeletus was revered as a deity. When Draenor nearly died, the demon fell asleep under the waters of the Lake of Swampwisps. It could be awakened by stabbing a strong silver spear near the portal by the lake. When the hero summoned Xeletus, he mentioned that he still had a scar from the spear on his body. Altruis told the hero, who returned victorious, that he himself had once fought with this demon.
The sufferer demanded that the hero confirm that he is not an ally Illidan. Although Altruis still respected him and was grateful for his development as a demon hunter, Illidan had changed - his soul consumed by a lust for power and his mind darkened by defeat. The Mentor became the one Altruis swore to destroy, and the Illidari were no less an abomination than the demons of the Burning Legion. On the instructions of the Sufferer, the hero went to the Illidari Outpost in Shadowmoon Valley and killed Lieutenant Lotros.
Of course, Altruis’s main enemy remained the Legion, which continually seduces the souls of mortals. The hero needed to prove that he was not on the side of the demons. Altruis asked to destroy a demoness named Satal, who at one time eluded him due to her incorporeality. The hero arrived at the Gehenna forge base, where the sinister priestesses worshiped Satal. The shed blood of one of the priestesses forced Satal to take on a material form for the sake of retribution, and the hero managed to deal with her at that moment. Altruis admitted that the hero's soul was not corrupted by the Legion.
Varedis
Finally Altruis told the story of the one who was in charge at the Karabor training ground - Varedis. This blood elf was one of the first of his people to be given the opportunity to become demon hunters by Illidan. At first there were five blood elves, and they had to go through incredibly difficult trials. Three candidates died, another went mad. Only Varedis remained, who not only survived the tests, but also demonstrated unprecedented control over his newfound power.
Illidan saw great potential in Varedis and forced three of his best students to train him. In just a year, Varedis surpassed all three and realized that his mentors could no longer teach him anything more. He made his way into the ranks Shadow Council and learned about an artifact called the Book of Fel Names. He read the book and carefully remembered all the information that was indicated in it. Knowing a demon's true name was believed to grant some control over the bearer of the name, and the Book of Fel Names contained the names of every demon that had ever existed. Having memorized the names, Varedis gained access to a source of energy comparable to Gul's skull is given, which Illidan used. When Varedis finally returned to the Black Temple, Illidan ordered him to train new demon hunters. Three of Varedis' former mentors assisted him in this task.
The hero expressed a desire to stop Varedis and his followers, but Altruis cooled his ardor - to fight Varedis, it was necessary to find the very artifact that endowed him with power. It was rumored that the owner of the Book of Fel Names was a warlock named Blackheart Instigator, who was hiding in the Dark Labyrinth in Auchindone. The hero was able to obtain the artifact and delivered it to Altruis. The demon hunter shuddered, feeling the power of the book from afar. He was almost tempted by the desire to preserve this unprecedented power, but was able to restrain himself. The sufferer told the hero that the book must be destroyed at the moment when Varedis uses his transformation so that he loses his powers.
Legion
The source of information in this section is the supplement Legion to World of Warcraft.
Despite Altruis' help, after Illidan's fall, he was captured by the Guardians along with the rest of the demon hunters. He found himself in Casemates of the Guardians, where he slept for several years until a new invasion of the Burning Legion began. Maiev Shadowsong awakened Altruis and the other Illidari to grant them freedom in exchange for help in destroying the demons.
Although Altruis was reunited with his brethren, he still considered Illidan's actions to be wrong. After his release he met with Kayn Sunfury- one of Illidan's most trusted assistants, who considered Altruis a traitor, because of whom many demon hunters died. Kayn refused to forgive Altruis, and Altruis refused to repent of his actions. The new Illidari leader, chosen in Illidan's absence, had to choose one of them as his closest lieutenant.
Here is information on some classes. Honestly stolen from the forum. [b]The warriors will meet Magni in Ulduar and will help Odin make his Valarjars. They will also help Thorim save Hodir, who was kidnapped by demons. And they will carry the spirit of Ymiron to the Halls of Courage. [b]The paladins learn that Alleria and Turalyon fought for a thousand years against the demons in the Twisting Circle at the head of the Army of Light. They will also help the priests recapture their stronghold, the Netherlight Temple, and help Velen recapture the Exodar. There will be the death of the naaru and the son of Velen will be shown in the service of demons. [b]Hunters. Nothing is really known. [b]Robbers - similar. But they are spying on demon-worshipping cults, so their campaign may be dedicated to secretly fighting them with espionage and assassination. [b]Priests. There are only fragments here. There will be a story with an attack on the Scarlet Onslaught outpost in Northrend, from where the priests will save those priests of the order who did not succumb to the corruption of demons. We will also need to awaken Natalie Selin, who has been in the Abyss all this time. [b]Shamans unite elemental lords. They call on Neptulon, he agrees, not without dissatisfaction, at the same time ordering Ozumat to sit still. Then the shamans revive Thunderaan, who becomes the new ruler of the Heavenly Heights and sides with the Earth Rings. There will also be an uprising of air elementals who decide to join the demons. Next comes Therazane. She would be ready to help, but the Twilight's Hammer army invaded the Underdark: they subjugate the elementals with the help of new knowledge about the Abyss, which was received by their leader, the twilight dragon and Sintharia's daughter, in her own words from the voice of Sintharia herself, whispering from somewhere beyond borders of the Great Darkness. And it turns out that the flock of twilight dragons has been revived. But they manage to recapture the Underdark, and all that remains is to find a new fire lord. This will be an elemental with a Baleroc model. Its plot is not yet available. There are no special details about [b]warlocks yet either. But they are actively putting a spoke in the wheels of the Shadow Council. They managed to steal not only the Scepter of Sargeras, but also the Book of Medivh with the Eye of Dalaran. The book was kept by the necromancers of Scholomance all this time. They still live there. [b]Demon Hunters. I haven't looked through everything with them yet. But there it will be necessary to help the Guardians, kill the hunters who went over to the side of the demons, and still have to return Akama to the Illidari. If you go with Cain, then it will all end with not Akama joining them, but his revived shadow. And with Altruis, it will be possible to convince the Broken One himself to join. You will also need to cleanse the heart of Nightmare's corruption in Val'shar with the help of Kalecgos and Senegos. [b]Monks. So far I have seen little information about them. But they help the Celestials.
Here is information on some classes. Honestly stolen from the forum.
Warriors will meet Magni in Ulduar and will help Odin make his Valarjars. They will also help Thorim save Hodir, who was kidnapped by demons. And they will carry the spirit of Ymiron to the Halls of Courage.
Paladins They learn that Alleria and Turalyon fought for a thousand years against the demons in the Twisting Circle at the head of the Army of Light. They will also help the priests recapture their stronghold, the Netherlight Temple, and help Velen recapture the Exodar. There will be the death of the naaru and the son of Velen will be shown in the service of demons.
Hunters. Nothing is really known.
Robbers- similar. But they are spying on demon-worshipping cults, so their campaign may be dedicated to secretly fighting them with espionage and assassination.
Priests.There are only scraps here. There will be a story with an attack on the Scarlet Onslaught outpost in Northrend, from where the priests will save those priests of the order who did not succumb to the corruption of demons. We will also need to awaken Natalie Selin, who has been in the Abyss all this time.
Shamans unite the elemental lords. They call on Neptulon, he agrees, not without dissatisfaction, at the same time ordering Ozumat to sit still. Then the shamans revive Thunderaan, who becomes the new ruler of the Heavenly Heights and sides with the Earth Rings. There will also be an uprising of air elementals who decide to join the demons. Next comes Therazane. She would be ready to help, but the Twilight's Hammer army invaded the Underdark: they subjugate the elementals with the help of new knowledge about the Abyss, which was received by their leader, the twilight dragon and Sintharia's daughter, in her own words from the voice of Sintharia herself, whispering from somewhere beyond borders of the Great Darkness. And it turns out that the flock of twilight dragons has been revived. But they manage to recapture the Underdark, and all that remains is to find a new fire lord. This will be an elemental with a Baleroc model. Its plot is not yet available.
About warlocks There are no special details yet either. But they are actively putting a spoke in the wheels of the Shadow Council. They managed to steal not only the Scepter of Sargeras, but also the Book of Medivh with the Eye of Dalaran. The book was kept by the necromancers of Scholomance all this time. They still live there.
Demon Hunters. I haven't looked through everything with them yet. But there it will be necessary to help the Guardians, kill the hunters who went over to the side of the demons, and still have to return Akama to the Illidari. If you go with Cain, then it will all end with not Akama joining them, but his revived shadow. And with Altruis, it will be possible to convince the Broken One himself to join. You will also need to cleanse the heart of Nightmare's corruption in Val'shar with the help of Kalecgos and Senegos.
Monks. So far I have seen little information about them. But they help the Celestials.
