World of Warcraft: Shadowlands players are currently in the middle of a content gap since finishing all Covenant campaigns and defeating Sire Denathrius in Castle Nathria. While most heroes just log in to do tasks for their weekly vaults, the Chains of Domination patch on the Public Test Realm is giving a glimpse of what to expect in several months. With many storylines continuing where they left off, Blizzard is finally giving more familiar faces their time in the spotlight.
Prior to the expansion launch in November, players were looking forward to meeting Warcraft characters who had previously died over the franchise's twenty-seven year history. Though a number of deceased figures appeared in all fives zones, there was rarely any discussion of their old life. The most egregious example happened at the end of the Venthyr/Necrolord campaign where former allies Kael'thas Sunstrider and Lady Vashj appeared in the same room but didn't even acknowledge each other. Thankfully, Patch 9.1 follows up to fix this moment along with other interactions that should have happened. 9.1 STORY SPOILERS AHEAD
During the new Unseen Guests storyline, Vashj arrives in Revendreth and requests the help of Kael'thas due to their shared history fighting together in Warcraft 3 and The Burning Crusade. Citing that past experience and their combined knowledge of dealing with dreadlords, Vashj manages to get him released with the player's supervision. While on a later quest, both chat about Illidan's fate post-Outland with Kael'thas shocked to learn the Betrayer managed to survive.
Similarly, Thrall gets a moment with his mother Draka as part of the Korthia quest chain. With the combined Covenants faction preparing to storm Desmotaeron in the Maw, Thrall requests to join the group. During the initial siege, both orcs comment on several things such as Orgrim Doomhammer's armor and the Frostwolf clan but Draka cuts the conversation short when Thrall attempts to reveal he is her son citing more important matters at hand. After taking down the traitorous Vyraz, Draka acknowledges Thrall as Go'el followed by their first real talk as family.
As one of Shadowlands' major selling points, lore fans should be happy about the Kael'thas and Vashj interaction which opens up possible future topics including their previous servitude to the Burning Legion and Old Gods respectively. Likewise, players were waiting for the inevitable reunion between Thrall and Draka since the Maldraxxus reveal because this is their first true family moment rather than talking with an alternate universe version back on Draenor. With the Necrolords and Venthyr represented this way, it seems likely Uther the Lightbringer will reflect on the past with someone as well.
Ultimately, the positive reception to these interactions could mean other additions are planned before the Chains of Domination patch arrives during summer. In the meantime, World of Warcraft players can download the PTR client and see it for themselves or catch up on the retail story leading to these future character discussions.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available on PC.
Source: Wowhead