World of Warcraft just began alpha testing for its last zone in Dragonflight, meaning a good deal of the expansion’s data is within range of dataminers. A new piece of information discovered by World of Warcraft fans seems to hint the return of a beloved character might come at the cost of another. Warning: Spoilers for the World of Warcraft: Dragonflight expansion below.
Ysera is the former Aspect of the Green dragonflight in World of Warcraft. Though she died during the events of Legion, she returned in Shadowlands, albeit tied to the afterlife realm of Ardenweald. However, evidence has suggested Ysera will almost certainly return in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.
In Shadowlands Patch 9.2.5, Ysera suggested her return to Azeroth would come at a great cost, and the recently-discovered dialogue confirms that fact. The conversation takes place between some manifestation of Ysera, Tyrande Whisperwind, and her husband, Malfurion Stormrage. During the conversation, Malfurion reveals the cost of Ysera’s return is himself: by swapping places with Ysera, she can return to Azeroth to lead the Green dragonflight. Though initially adamant against this decision, Tyrande eventually relents to her husband’s sacrifice.
It is important to emphasize this dialogue was datamined from the alpha of Dragonflight–it has not even appeared in the alpha servers. Without the context before and after it takes place, players cannot be certain where, when, or even if these events will take place, and if they do, how things could change before release. Everything in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight’s alpha is still subject to change, and this exchange hasn’t even made it to the alpha yet.
That said, there is an overwhelming amount of evidence Ysera will return in Dragonflight. Ysera appears in the pin set for the Collector’s Set of Dragonflight, and is featured alongside Wrathion and the other Aspects on the loading screen art for the expansion. Additionally, weapon models, tooltips, and other files that suggest her return have been datamined from Dragonflight as well.
Fans are not pleased with this development in Dragonflight. In recent years, the Night Elves of World of Warcraft have suffered a great deal, most notably the Burning of Teldrassil. Depriving them of Malfurion, one of their major leaders, is yet another blow on the growing list of losses. Though fans love Ysera, most would rather her daughter, Merithra, take up the mantle of Green Aspect, rather than have Ysera return at such a high cost. Until Dragonflight officially launches, players won’t know for sure what the final fates of Ysera, Malfurion, and the Night Elves will truly be.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC. The Dragonflight expansion is set to launch later this year.
Source: Wowhead