Summary
AWorld of Warcraftfan recently discovered a location inThe War Withinzone of Azj-Kahet that forcibly teleports players away if they attempt to fly past a certain point. This curious barrier could be a relic from development, but it could also be a teaser for a new zone in theWorld of Warcraftexpansion.
Azj-Kahet is thefourth zone inWorld of Warcraft: The War Within. The vast majority of the region is dominated by a Nerubian kingdom, but the parts bordering Hallowfall contain a massive network of roots where the Haranir dwell.
While exploring this region of the new zone,World of Warcraftfan and dataminer Marlamin flew directly upwards, past aSkyriding glyph inWoW: The War Within’s Azj-Kahet zoneand into the roots above. However, upon doing so, they were afflicted by the Drowsy debuff, which then filled the screen with green, teleporting them back to the ground near the Ruptured Lake. This impassable barrier is similar to the one used in places like the Dreamgrove inLegion, suggesting it, and the nearby roots, could have a connection to the Emerald Dream.
‘The Rootlands’ – Future Zone in WoW: The War Within?
A leaked map of Khaz Algar suggested a zone called “The Rootlands” was originally planned forThe War Within. The Haranir who guard the roots likely originate from this mysterious zone, which is almost certainly connected to Elune’Ahir – a great World Tree destroyed by the Titan Aman’thul and connected to the Emerald Dream, teased duringDragonflight. Given the evidence, and the fact that the Haranir were given a spotlight in the cinematic trailer forWoW: The War Withindespite their small role in the main story so far, a zone about these storied roots would fit perfectly in the story – and this off-limits barrier may be where players eventually enter it.
On the other hand, this in-game barrier could just as easily be a relic from early development. Fans have also discovered evidence of raids inspired by Goblins and Ethereals, which would not exactly fit in The Rootlands.World of Warcraft: DragonflightPatch 10.2 also took players to the Emerald Dream, so another nature-themed zone so soon after would need something to differentiate it. That said, it would also be the perfect time toadd the Haranir as an Allied Race inWoW, given the huge number of customization options they have.
Either way, fans won’t have to wait too long to find out.Patch 11.0.5 is expected to arrive aroundWoW’s 20th anniversaryin November, meaning 11.0.7 will likely arrive early next year. 11.1 – andThe War Within’s first post-launch zone – will probably drop in spring 2025, so players will have to keep an eye out for more clues between now and then.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
WHERE TO PLAY
In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
