Let the lore geeks at WoW Insider help you out a bit. We've put together a scene by scene analysis of the lore behind the Fury of the Sunwell trailer, and we're presenting it to you here. Hopefully, it sheds some more light on this whole "Did Kael'thas go crazy or didn't he, and what is up with Kil'jaedan anyway?" thing.
"...He put Kel'Thuzad's bones in the Sunwell to resurrect Kel'Thuzad, and this is something new we've learnt in the 2.4 lore..."
Umm, I already knew this waaaaaaaaay back in the WC3 campaign.
The only new thing that we learnt from the video is that Arthas didn't destroy the sunwell. It was corrupted, giving BEs the green eyes, and Kael had to destroy the sunwell to prevent further corruption.
Good insight on the point that Kael had intentions of getting demonic assistance in the first place.
Yeah, that is indeed true.Using the Sunwell to revive Kel'thuzad (by submerging his remains in it) was a major plot point of WC3, and was Arthas' sole purpose for infiltrating Quel'thalas to begin with.
Some say it's Malygos the Blue Flight Aspect in the world. Which is why some raise questions about "Do we kill him in WotLK or will he mearly be beaten back to common Sense?"
Since it was Malygos that blessed the mortal races with the ability to learn arcane magics (Atleast it started with the Night Elf highborne(later bloodelves) and was taught to humans by the High Elves(still bloodelves) during the founding days of Dalaran.
Arthas actually put the pot that held Kel'thulzad's bones in the sunwell. He had to kill Uther the Lightbringer for it, so that's why I'm clarifying. Otherwise, good analysis! :D
1. You totally skated over half of Kael'Thas' reasoning for turning to the burning leagion. The alliance had completly left the High Elves hang to dry. They went to defend the south leaving Quel'Thalas wide open. At this point the horde wasnt an option so the only place to turn was the Burning Legion.
Now once he got to outland he went over the edge. Attacking Shat and such. Speaking of such things.
2. Kael'Thas once tells Arthas "You've taken everything I've ever cared for, Arthas. Vengeance is all I have left" is it a streach to think that maybe that is his ultimate goal? Also, "And there is nothing you or that fool, Illidan can do to stop me". He much admiration for him to begin with, I think that he wanted revenge and needed to feed the Blood Elves so this was his way of killing two birds.
Finally...is Lor'Themar King now or what...kind of disrespectful to leave him as "regent lord", imo.
There's a strictly practical reason for leaving Lor'Themar as regent: if they actually make him ruler, the poor blood elves will have to replace all of those Kael'thas statues around Silvermoon, without the aid of the Sunwell. ;)
Why "without the aid" of the Sunwell? I don't want to spoil the aftermath of the battle with Kil'Jaeden, but... There shouldn't be any problems with replacing those statues.
Of course, they could very easily just claim that those statues are of Dath'remar Sunstrider, who Kael is the spitting image of.
You talked about why Kael'thas believes that Kil'jaeden is going to "deliver" him and his people. See, the expansion is called "the Burning Crusade" because that's what the Legion is doing; conducting a religious crusade which, according to their ideals, means burning and destroying as many worlds as they can, until anyone that survives worships Sargeras and believes in his dogma.
So, I guess we can infer that Kael'thas's lust for power finally DID make him go insane, by "drinking the Legion's kool-aid", as it were. He sees Kil'jaeden as the Pope to Sargeras's god-like stature.
Given the blizzard lore, it's not too much of a stretch to believe that Kaelthas is delivering his people to the Burning Legion. Given the preferential treatment other races have gotten (Eredar come to mind, but also Nathrezim and so on and so on) it is not unthinkable that he thought that would be a good idea.
Of course, Kil'jaeden was the Legion recruiter before becoming head honcho after Sargeras' untimely exit, so Kil'jaeden was probably more forthcoming than any of his previous masters. Add to that the corrupting influence of vast amounts of fel energies and you get a good mixture.
To be quite honest, Kael'thas choice is not even such a bad one given the circumstances.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-08-2008 @ 9:33AM
Balasan said...
"...He put Kel'Thuzad's bones in the Sunwell to resurrect Kel'Thuzad, and this is something new we've learnt in the 2.4 lore..."
Umm, I already knew this waaaaaaaaay back in the WC3 campaign.
The only new thing that we learnt from the video is that Arthas didn't destroy the sunwell. It was corrupted, giving BEs the green eyes, and Kael had to destroy the sunwell to prevent further corruption.
Good insight on the point that Kael had intentions of getting demonic assistance in the first place.
The way I see it Kael is crazy. End of story.
Good analysis. Interesting to watch :)
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 5:29PM
Suzaku said...
Yeah, that is indeed true.Using the Sunwell to revive Kel'thuzad (by submerging his remains in it) was a major plot point of WC3, and was Arthas' sole purpose for infiltrating Quel'thalas to begin with.
4-08-2008 @ 9:47AM
Angus said...
We knew Kael was a bit kooky prior to this.
Come on, a few hundred years old and he's hitting on Jaina Proudmore when she's a teenager?
As the lore says, "Date Jaina and you end up as some undead, zombie sorta nutjob working for another power."
Ask Arthas.
I think I know why Thrall has been keeping his distance...
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 9:53AM
Dakira said...
Nice commentary!
A cool change up to the written word!
btw what is the source of true Arcane Magic?
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 12:13PM
Unmei said...
Some say it's Malygos the Blue Flight Aspect in the world. Which is why some raise questions about "Do we kill him in WotLK or will he mearly be beaten back to common Sense?"
Since it was Malygos that blessed the mortal races with the ability to learn arcane magics (Atleast it started with the Night Elf highborne(later bloodelves) and was taught to humans by the High Elves(still bloodelves) during the founding days of Dalaran.
4-08-2008 @ 9:54AM
Zeldaguard said...
Arthas actually put the pot that held Kel'thulzad's bones in the sunwell. He had to kill Uther the Lightbringer for it, so that's why I'm clarifying. Otherwise, good analysis! :D
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 10:41AM
Skuling said...
It was a good analysis buit dammit, lildaaan and kaalthas.
It's just so annoting.. sorry, but comeon, your voice isent the greatest.
But looking over that :P it was a very well done analysis, gg
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 10:43AM
Skuling said...
but* annoying*.. :S
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 11:38AM
Wormfather said...
1. You totally skated over half of Kael'Thas' reasoning for turning to the burning leagion. The alliance had completly left the High Elves hang to dry. They went to defend the south leaving Quel'Thalas wide open. At this point the horde wasnt an option so the only place to turn was the Burning Legion.
Now once he got to outland he went over the edge. Attacking Shat and such. Speaking of such things.
2. Kael'Thas once tells Arthas "You've taken everything I've ever cared for, Arthas. Vengeance is all I have left" is it a streach to think that maybe that is his ultimate goal? Also, "And there is nothing you or that fool, Illidan can do to stop me". He much admiration for him to begin with, I think that he wanted revenge and needed to feed the Blood Elves so this was his way of killing two birds.
Finally...is Lor'Themar King now or what...kind of disrespectful to leave him as "regent lord", imo.
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 12:15PM
Unmei said...
I'm hoping we get a Female Racial leader.... >> that Pali Matriach looks nice... let's promote her.
4-08-2008 @ 12:51PM
Chris Anthony said...
There's a strictly practical reason for leaving Lor'Themar as regent: if they actually make him ruler, the poor blood elves will have to replace all of those Kael'thas statues around Silvermoon, without the aid of the Sunwell. ;)
4-08-2008 @ 5:29PM
Suzaku said...
Why "without the aid" of the Sunwell? I don't want to spoil the aftermath of the battle with Kil'Jaeden, but... There shouldn't be any problems with replacing those statues.
Of course, they could very easily just claim that those statues are of Dath'remar Sunstrider, who Kael is the spitting image of.
4-08-2008 @ 2:36PM
Sean said...
You talked about why Kael'thas believes that Kil'jaeden is going to "deliver" him and his people. See, the expansion is called "the Burning Crusade" because that's what the Legion is doing; conducting a religious crusade which, according to their ideals, means burning and destroying as many worlds as they can, until anyone that survives worships Sargeras and believes in his dogma.
So, I guess we can infer that Kael'thas's lust for power finally DID make him go insane, by "drinking the Legion's kool-aid", as it were. He sees Kil'jaeden as the Pope to Sargeras's god-like stature.
Reply
4-08-2008 @ 3:34PM
censorman said...
good stuff!
Reply
4-09-2008 @ 8:26PM
ErsatzPotato said...
Interesting idea, but the audio is from a transistor radio at the bottom of a deep well.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 6:48AM
Eldin said...
Given the blizzard lore, it's not too much of a stretch to believe that Kaelthas is delivering his people to the Burning Legion. Given the preferential treatment other races have gotten (Eredar come to mind, but also Nathrezim and so on and so on) it is not unthinkable that he thought that would be a good idea.
Of course, Kil'jaeden was the Legion recruiter before becoming head honcho after Sargeras' untimely exit, so Kil'jaeden was probably more forthcoming than any of his previous masters. Add to that the corrupting influence of vast amounts of fel energies and you get a good mixture.
To be quite honest, Kael'thas choice is not even such a bad one given the circumstances.
Reply
4-10-2008 @ 6:11PM
RetPallyJil said...
Does anyone else think that the BE woman at 3:29 looks like Lady Liandrin?
Anyhow, great work on the summary :)
Reply