World of Warcraft’s newest update features an amazing cutscene starring Alexstrasza the Life-Binder and Vyranoth the Fronzenheart. This incredible video sets up the relationship between the two characters, as well as their inevitable conflict in World of Warcraft’s future.
Warning: Spoilers for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight and Fractures in Time below.
World of Warcraft just released Patch 10.1.5, Fractures in Time. Though not one of its major content patches, the update has tons of things for players to do, including a continuation of the major plot of Dragonflight via the Dawn of the Infinite megadungeon, which involves the dark destiny of Nozdormu’s transformation into Murozond.
However, players got a surprise when they logged on after maintenance was concluded. At the new Eon’s Fringe daily hub, players can get a quest from Nozdormu to check up on Alexstrasza. When they find her, they are treated to a cinematic conversation between the Dragon Queen and Vyranoth, the Primal Incarnate of ice introduced in Dragonflight. The short scene establishes the close friendship the two shared in the past–and the betrayal that hardened Vyranoth’s heart to the Life-Binder.
This cinematic has huge implications for the story of Dragonflight. By showing that Alexstrasza was complicit in the forceful infusion of proto-dragon eggs by the Titans, World of Warcraft casts a shadow over the Pantheon’s benevolence–and on the Dragon Queen for supporting them in spite of some questionable actions. It also highlights the justification for Vyranoth’s opposition to the Aspects, the Primal Incarnate's icy resolve in comparison to her brothers' evil scheming, and Alexstrasza’s pain in having to battle her dear friend once again.
There is no doubt that the struggle highlighted in this cutscene will be a major focus of Dragonflight moving forward. World of Warcraft recently revealed War of the Scaleborn, a novel covering the first conflict between the Primal Incarnates and the Aspects, set to release on October 31. Considering this focus on Vyranoth, it would not be surprising to see her set up as a major antagonist in Patch 10.2 in the same way Fyrakk was in Embers of Neltharion.
Many World of Warcraft players were shocked and impressed by this new cutscene. Fans have been eager to see more of Vyranoth considering the spotlight Iridikron and Fyrakk have gotten so far, and many have hoped Alexstrasza would get a chance for some real character development in an arc of her own sometime soon. What’s more, Blizzard did a fantastic job keeping the cinematic a secret until the patch went live. Hopefully, World of Warcraft can continue to delight players with more quality storytelling in the future of Dragonflight.
World of Warcraft is available now for PC.