Aberrus the Shadowed Crucible
Millennia ago, Neltharion established Aberrus as a secret laboratory where he conducted world-altering experiments, like the creation of the Dracthyr. Recently rediscovered, Aberrus is now under attack from all sides as forces seeking to claim the Earth-Warder’s legacy search for any power that remains.
The Djaradin are looking for their Elder, while Scalecommander Sarkareth of the Sunderd Flame hears the whispers and wants to claim his legacy. A goal shared by Wrathion and Sabellian, both eager to claim the title of leader of the Black Dragonflight, but what does it mean to follow in their father’s footsteps? Is Ebonhorn right or is there more to it?
Kazzara, the Hellforged
Kazzra’s appearance might remind you a lot of Deathwing with the plates holding their body together.
Although Neltharion would not use them himself until much later, he experimented with elementium plating in the early days of Aberrus. The end result of elementium and shadowflame was Kazzara, who was deemed far too unstable for release. Driven mad by the excruciating pain of her elementium plates, she now serves as the guardian of the Shadowed Crucible.
Interestingly enough, Deathwing did not start with elementium plates to hold himself together. He used adamantium steel, forged by Goblins and placed upon his body by the enslaved Drogbar. The upgrade to elementium wouldn’t happen until millennia later at the start of the Cataclysm, shown in its full glory during the introductory cutscene.
Seeing what the pain did to Kazzara, it might not have been the craziest idea of not wanting to go through the same thing.
Wrathion says: Finally, its grip weakens.
Sabellian says: Does Sarkareth wield some power that can tear at our minds?
Neltharion says: The betrayer holds no such power, my son. Sinister forces are awakening… they sense your presence.
Sabellian says: Father?
Neltharion says: I am but an echo. I cannot stop intruders from attempting to plunder my secrets. Now that my heirs have arrived, we can ensure no outsider claims what is rightfully yours. I assume you have heard many stories of this place, and the role it played in my downfall. Do not let them temper your perception. These halls are your birthright, and the outsiders must not be allowed to take them from you.
The shade of dear old dad accompanies Wrathion and Sabellian, giving them a tour of the place, the legacy that’s theirs to claim… except it does require embracing all that Neltharion has done.
Our Wrathion actively recruited rogues to help get rid of his father – as well as cut out the corruption within the Black Dragonflight – surely he won’t fall for the whispers of his father… right?
Neltharion says: Within these halls I forged wonders that would shape the world. After millennia unattended, they have become… unruly. It will take a strong will to ensure their obedience.
Wrathion says: I… I was also a product of experimentation. One that your previous incarnation attempted to destroy.
Neltharion says: You are of my blood. The fact you had the strength to survive proves it.
Amalgamation Chamber
Within the Amalgamation Chamber we can see just what destruction the combination of Shadow and Flame can produce.
The stuff that corrupted Neltharion and even now infuses and whispers to beings like Fyrakk – it’s certainly powerful, but also uncontrollable.
The Eternal Blaze burns with the heat of a thousand suns, while the Essense of Shadow blooms with darkness incarnate. Although exceptionally powerful on their own, when combined they surge with the unchecked might of shadowflame, creating a whirlwind of ultimate destruction.
Neltharion says: Do you see, now? The secrets that shadowflame holds?
Wrathion says: There is no denying its strength, but it seems too dangerous to truly control.
Neltharion says: You possess the will to master it, my son. Just imagine what you could accomplish.
It must be one hell of an experience for Wrathion to be able to talk with his dad like this. Let’s not forget that he was born or created during the Cataclysm, a time in which Neltharion was long gone. All that remained was the madness of Deathwing, a threat which Wrathion helped to take out. During Mists of Pandaria we saw him deal with the lingering shadow of his father and his own identity until ultimately stepping up as the thing we helped create, a true Earth-Warder, one that would do anything it takes to protect Azeroth.
Now the child gets to have a taste of what Neltharion was like back in the day, but as we’ve seen outside of Aberrus – with failed experiments just tossed to the side – here it becomes all the more clear once again: the darkness of Deathwing was already present, even now…
Neltharion says: I had such high hopes for the dracthyr, but ultimately the venture was just another disappointment. You, Wrathion, must succeed where they failed and carry on my vision.
Wrathion says: Of course, father.
The Forgotten Experiments
Here we face three different experiments, number 4, 147, and 328. Who knows how many more took place and were discarded before the dracthyr as we know them as today were finally created. Despite not being allowed onto the field or into his ranks, these failed experiments still put up quite the fight.
The development of the dracthyr produced many iterations, some more sucessful than others. Early versions of the experiment proved far too volatile to destroy. Kept dormant for thousands of years, these creations have now awakened, and seek to test their prowess against the chambers of Azeroth.
Neltharion says: Your performance is beyond my expectations.
Wrathion says: Wait. You knew these creatures were waiting to be unleashed?
Neltharion says: Of course! And you rose to the challenge, as I knew you would.
Wrathion says: This all seems… questionable. How malleable is this vision of yours?
Neltharion says: I was afraid of this. The process used to create you weakened your spirit. An issue I doubt I’ll have with my true born heir.
Assault of the Zaqali
Apparently Wrathion does not live up to the standards of dear old dad. Perhaps Sabellian will have a better shot as together, we’re going to take on a whole invading Djaradin army.
Neltharion says: Sabellian, as my blood I look to you to inherit. But know there are many who would steal your birthright. Even now, Djaradin forces use the chaos to launch an assault. They must be stopped.
Sabellian says: I will not yield any ground.
Led by Warlord Kagni, the Zaqali warband has launched an all-out assault against the Shadowed Crucible in search of their missing Elder, Rashok. The others we either confronted during the campaign in the caverns or as world bosses but one of them has been taken into Aberus. Brutal and ruthless, Kagni is willing to employ any tactic to succeed.
All the same, victory is ours and the Zaqali warband fails to liberate their elder.
Sabellian says: Their ranks are broken! We have won!
Neltharion says: A fine victory, my son. I expected nothing less. Yet, the crucible is not yet secure. There is one last obstacle that stands in your path.
Sabellian says: Name it, and I will see it removed.
Rashok says: I will be free!
Sabellian says: How did this elder get past our lines?
Neltharion says: This beast was not in the attack. It was what they were hoping to free. It served as effective fuel for the crucible for millenia.
Sabellian says: You were training this djaradin for your experiments?
Neltharion says: Such a pity. Now we must dispose of it before the conduits overload and destroy us all.
Rashok, the Elder
The dungeon journal says that Rashok the Elder has been imprisoned within Aberrus for “a millennia”, which had me curious considering Neltharion has been gone for longer than just “a millennia”.
Imprisoned within Aberrus for a millennia, the Zaqali elder Rashok has been perpetually drained of the raging flame within him to power Neltharion’s twisted laboratory. Existing on the edge of death for so long has driven the elder mad. Should he break free, his vengeance will scour the Shadowed Crucible’s halls.
This would imply that the laboratory was operational even without its master and that the elder was imprisoned only recently, which would not be impossible but it would be interesting.
Turns out that it was just a small typo as Neltharion says here that the elder has been drained, being used as fuel for the crucible “for millennia”.
The Djaradin once started as Earth Giants that burrowed deep inside the earth. The legends do not agree what happened down there, but they all end the same way. Their elders emerged, touched by the fires of the world to be true Djaradin, commanding full control over fire and earth – and this one here is infused with shadowflame itself – a battery of sorts used by Neltharion to keep things going. Not willingly mind you, and not gently either.
Held on the brink of death, perpetually drained of the raging flame, the elder is quite mad and “his vengeance would scour the Shadowed Crucible’s halls”. Best to put an end to his suffering.
Neltharion says: Well done. The conduit will remain dormant though we need to restore it soon. Perhaps there are fresh djaradin outside that you can harvest.
Sabellian says: You expect me to… I will not.
Neltharion says: I expected more of you Sabellian, no matter. Perhaps Wrathion will have the resolve you lack.
Like Wrathion, this must be an experience for Sabellian as well, reliving his days under the wings of his father.
Sadly his time on Outland is only explained after the fact and not something we’ve been able to experience first hand but still… Sabellian has come a long way since the days that he followed his mad – under the control of the Old Gods – Aspect. It must be shocking to see this echo of the past and, of course, neither child can truly live up to what the Echo of Neltharion wants… which, for us, is a really good thing.
The Vigilant Steward, Zskarn
Experimenter Zskarn quickly left after we took care of his failed dracthyr experiments, and even now he doesn’t seem overly concerned about our presence.
Long ago, Zskarn was tasked with testing the mettle of Neltharion’s experiments. Only the most powerful would pass muster and keep their lives. The latest visitors to the Shadowed Crucible have attracted his unwavering attention–but his approval will be much harder to earn.
Neltharion says: With that mewling wretch dealt with, I can now assist you. Enough, at least, to clear this lava and open the way to Sarkareth.
Sabellian says: Wrathion, I’m beginning to question the wisdom of all of this.
Wrathion says: As am I, but we must stop Sarkareth. Be on your guard.
Magmorax
Further down we go clearing the magma worms while Magmorax swims around us in circles.
Raised from a pup by Neltharion, the only thing stronger than the loyalty of Magmorax is his appetite. The lava hydra guards the passage into the deepest chambers of the Shadowed Crucible, keeping his master’s secrets safely hidden from prying eyes.
Echo of Neltharion
With Neltharion’s pet defeated we can move on again, fight our way through sundered flame forces of all the different colored flights until we’re left alone with just the image of Neltharion…
Neltharion says: We have come to the end of your journey, champions.
Sabellian says: What do you mean? Where is Sarkareth?
Wrathion says: You were never leading us to Sarkareth.
Neltharion says: Always the clever one, Wrathion.
Sabellian says: I cannot…move…
Wrathion says: What… are you?
Neltharion says: I am the whisper in the dark. I had hoped you would see the value of the gifts I offered. Yet you rejected them. The dracthyr eagerly accepted. They were designed to serve.
Winglord Dezran says: We will never bow to you, deceiver
Winglord Dezran only recently stepped away from Sarkareth, but is now instrumental in giving us a chance to stand up against this whisper of Neltharion.
Tucked away in the depths of the Shadow’s Crucible, Neltharion’s sanctum was a place of refuge and research for the Earth-Warder. Some say that echoes of the Earth-Warder’s powerful presence still linger here, contemplating the future of the black dragonflight and how to obtain the power to ensure its success.
Call it Neltharion’s “dark side” or the “infusion of the Void” or the “whispers in the shadows”. All the same, this Neltharion has judged his children, and since neither one of them is willing to follow in his footsteps, they’ll have to be taken care of.
Not only does he wield the might of the earth, Neltharion also calls upon the gifts from beyond, the darkness of the Void to empower his strikes and aid him in the fight. The gateways opened, while painful, do give us a chance to hide away from his lethal Ebon Destruction, giving us the chance to put an end to the madness of Deathwing… the darkness of Neltharion once again.
Neltharion says: The whispers…never….fade…
Scalecommander Sarkareth
From his sanctuary, we move to the final section of Neltharion’s domain, the Edge of Oblivion. The art team has done a spectacular job here, reminding me a lot of Karazhan being reflected upside down within the Twisting Nether – reflecting the corruption of its guardian. Here too we see the tower flipped upside down, the immediate access to powerful forces that would shape Deathwing and his flight’s future forever.
Scalecommander Sarkareth Boss Arena in Aberrus Raid Patch 10.1
As leader of the Sundered Flame, Scalecommander Sarkareth broke away from the rest of the dracthyr to forge a new future. He has since led his forces to Aberrus, intent on claiming the legacy he believes rightfully belongs to his kind and willing to do anything to obtain it.
Our boy Sarkareth has been basking in those same powers. The fight starts off hurting quite enough, but only gets worse as the dracthyr dives deeper into the powers of the void.
Scalecommander Sarkareth yells: Father…grant me your strength!
Scalecommander Sarkareth yells: Witness my ascension!
All bets are off, all boundaries are shattered, and Sarkareth fully embraces the void in a final bid for power. History has a way of repeating itself, he truly lives up to the legacy that he’s been chasing.
Scalecommander Sarkareth Void Transition & New Void Empowered Model
He throws everything he has, but like Neltharion – like Deathwing before him fully empowered by the Old God N’zoth – this here Dracthyr falls to the champions of Azeroth…
Winglord Dezran says: What is this foul place?
Wrathion says: It feels as though it is somewhere beyond. Teeming with raw dark energy.
Winglord Dezran says: Sarkareth lost himself to his pursuit of power. Now what will happen to my people?
Scalecommander Sarkareth says: I was…your loyal soldier, father. Did I not…uphold your legacy? Was it all just…an illusion? Empty…promises… leading us only… to oblivion…
A Flame, Extinguished
That’s where the story of Aberrus ends, leaving me with the feeling of this can’t be it, there has to be more – and according to the achievement… there is. There’s one more chapter to the Embers of Neltharion main story called “A Flame, Extinguished” which I imagine they’ve timegated to next week… which is honestly a real shame.
Keeping that mind, the expectation that we’ll get more story next week, what we have right here in my opinion is a reflection: a parallel between Sarkareth and Emberthal as well as Sabellian and Wrathion.
The two black dragons have been competing, fighting each other over claiming the legacy of the black dragonflight without stopping to think what that means, what kind of future they want for their kind. With 10.1, going down into the caverns and hearing the voice of their father, the whispers of the Void, their competition turned up to 11, up to the point where for moments they even followed Neltharion himself just to get what he had left behind – until their realization came that they couldn’t follow him, they couldn’t be as ruthless and dark as he was.
Not Sarkareth though. His reward for serving loyally was to be placed in stasis for thousands of years. Upon awakening, he found the truth of what had happened – and where Emberthal chose to look towards the future and find a new destiny for their people, away from their general and father, Sarkareth held on to the belief that they were owed something. That the legacy of the Black Dragonflight, the Mad Aspect Deathwing, was theirs to claim. Upon entering the caverns, that too was turned up to 11 and nothing would stop him, no sacrifice too much, not even his own troops. He would do anything only for the whispers to lead him down into oblivion, just like it had with Neltharion.
Leaving the question, what now for the future of the Dracthyr and the future of the Black Dragonflight? Bringing the story of 10.1 to a conclusion – which I really hope is in that last chapter which should have played out right after the raid. Ah well, I guess we’ll have to wait for next week to see what’s going on.
Of course, let’s not forget that the Primal Incarnates are also still out there. All our adventures in the cave, while pushing the story of the Black Dragonflight forward, does nothing to stop Iridikron, Fyrak, or Vyranoth. Story for the future I suppose – but for now you’re up to speed on the story that goes down in Aberrus.
