Patch 10.1 is full of Void and Old God hints so far, such as the N’Zoth fish that’s been discovered, and the ever-present Shadowflame. The Aberrus raid is no different, where several Void references can be found throughout:
What Does It Mean?
Aberrus is Neltharion’s laboratory, where he conducted many experiments in secret. It was within Aberrus where Neltharion created the Dracthyr.
In the Secrets of the Reach cinematic, the Primalist Incarnates discuss their intention to find a way into Aberrus, specifically to harness the molten fire that empowers it. Sarkareth overhears, and determines to enter the laboratory himself, in order to reclaim what remains of Neltharion’s legacy for himself.
Iridikron: The laboratory itself is of no consequence. But the molten fire that empowers it… that we can use.
Sarkareth: Keep eyes on them, Dezran. Whatever remains of Neltharion’s legacy… belongs to us.
It’s impossible to think about Neltharion’s legacy without immediately thinking about his fall to the whispers of the Old Gods. Embracing the powers of the Void ultimately led to Neltharion’s betrayal of his fellow Dragon Aspects, and his transformation into Deathwing. Neltharion’s fall meant the corruption of his flight, and the entire Black Dragonflight has been dealing with that ever since. Neltharion’s legacy is his corruption by the Old Gods, his fall to the Void.
It is unsurprising, therefore, to see the Echo of Neltharion using Shadow-themed abilities. By embracing the Old Gods’ whispers, Neltharion gained powerful Void magic, which we’ve seen him use before. The fact that the Echo of Neltharion encounter shorthand is also ‘faceless one’ in placeholder items has a few more interesting implications, however. Could this Echo be a Faceless One in disguise?
As for Sarkareth, the ultimate way for the Scalecommander to embrace Neltharion’s legacy is to embrace a deal with the Void himself.
Meanwhile, in Patch 10.1’s storyline, Fryakk, the Fire Primalist, bathes in the molten fire that empowers Aberrus – it empowers him with powerful Shadowflame magic that eats away at anyone it comes in contact with. When Sabellian is badly injured by this magic, Ebyssian recognizes it as the “dark forces” that “not even Neltharion” could master. Sabellian himself describes it as the thing that turned Neltharion into Deathwing.
Did Iridikron know this was here? Did he corrupt his brother? Or has Fyrakk fallen to the temptation?
Only ignorance or arrogance tempts fools to seek it out, believing they can master dark forces that not even Neltharion could. It infected him, slowly, like gangrenous lesion until finally he succumbed to madness.
Sabellian says: Hurry, <name>. I can feel it burning deeper into me. This is a nightmare! This is what turned my father into a monster.
