Lore

In the weeks leading up to the launch of World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Midnight, we've gotten a peek into the trials and tribulations of some of the important characters we know play a role in the expansion -- first Xal'atath, the instigator of the whole expansion, then Lady Liadrin, the very first character we see in Midnight's cinematic.

Last week, we got to take a look at the origins (maybe) of Midnight's baddie supreme, Xal'atath, in "Supremacy." This week, we got a look at the past of another important figure in World of Warcraft, and one who's on our side this time: Lady Liadrin, the iconic Blood Elf Paladin, in "All That Is Sacred." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CoJgQA4Uhks We also get to see someone new in this animation: High Priest Vandellor, Liadrin's adoptive father who took her in after her parents were slain by Amani trolls, and who first inspired her faith and awe for the light -- in fact, she would eventually follow in his path as High Priestess Liadrin (which you get to see if you're a Blood Elf pursuing your heritage armor, or during the Lorewalking chapter on Elves).

Our readers dutifully sent in questions, and our three hosts -- Joe, Matt, and Eric -- gave them all the answers they could want, and more.

Blizzard has given us all an early weekend gift with the release of a new Warcraft short story: The Void Between by Alex Acks, which revolves around former Magister Umbric and Grand Magister Rommath.

In this birthday episode of Lore Watch, Joe gave Matt a gift, and let Matt talk about whatever called to him -- and that was the lore of The Outer Worlds.

It's easy to overlook the other features that dropped with World of Warcraft's patch 11.2.7 because Player Housing has taken up all of our playing time, but when you need a break from interior decorating you can spend some time with Lorewalker Cho brushing up on Elvish history in preparation for Midnight.

Arator the Redeemer son of Alleria Windrunner and High Exarch Turalyon has been an occasional presence in the narrative of World of Warcraft until now but with Midnight he'll be moving to the forefront, stepping out from the light and the shadow cast by his famous parents to forge his own story.

Midnight opens with the heroes of Azeroth called to the desperate defense of the Sunwell by Lady Liadrin, but before we accept the summon request we should refresh ourselves on the background of the Blood Knight Matriarch.

With the rigidity of the structure of the Kirin Tor and the Jedi Order, and their propensity for keeping secrets about power -- and sometimes that power for themselves -- there are a ton of parallels between these two organizations.

Rumors of a Haranir Allied Race have been swirling ever since they made an appearance in an early trailer for The War Within, but Haranir are finally becoming a playable race in World of Warcraft Midnight.