WARNING: Patch 10.1 Embers of Neltharion spoilers ahead!
Note: Cutscenes are not available on the PTR, usually being replaced by Captain Exposition explaining what you are supposed to see for each cutscene.
Previously on Chapter 2, it is discovered that Sarkareth has stolen Neltharion’s glove used to control the Dracthyr, the Oathbinder. However, Sabellian believes we’re diverting course, instead wanting to go after Fyrakk, the Primal Incarnate of Fire. We meet Sabellian and Ebyssian outside the Zaqali Caldera in the western end of Zaralek Cavern, the ancient home of the Djaradin elders. As we arrive in the Caldera, Ebyssian and Sabellian talk about the whispers they’re hearing while exploring the cavern, which has been previously mentioned in Chapter 1.
Ebyssian: The whispers grew louder for me as I approached. How are you faring, Sabellian? You do not look well.
Sabellian: I am managing. I have dealt with the dark beckoning all my life. I had thought it would be gone with the fall of N’Zoth, but evil always persists.
We then start fighting our way to get to the inner portion of the Zaqali Caldera, disabling totems and eventually reaching a watchtower. Once we reach this watchtower and disable the farsight totem within, a cutscene plays, in which we scout the Caldera and see Djaradin elders being awakened. Two of them, Gholna and Vakan, will serve as the World Bosses for Patch 10.1!
After you activate the totem, you are able to use the Zaqali’s shamanistic farsight magic to scope out the caldera.
Across the lava, you see two of the Djaradin elders — Gholna and Vakan — who have already been awakened. Zaqali guards swarm near them.
You also see another Djaradin elder, Igira, who has not yet awakened. The Primalists appear to be working on breaking her out of stasis.
Sabellian points out the shadowflame infusing the caldera’s lava. This troubles both of them greatly.
Sabellian then mentions that in the wake of their expedition to the Dragon Isles, he has been reading on the Djaradin, but has no recollection of reading anything on their elders, or a Zaqali tribe. We then start exploring the Caldera, learning what we can about the Zaqali, from stealing their weapons to reaching a shrine with a missing elder. Turns out this elder is Rashok, one of the raid bosses in Aberrus – An elder stolen by Neltharion, who kept him on the brink of death to use his blood to power the crucibles in his laboratory.
Sabellian then has an epiphany – The caldera itself is lightly guarded, so a decisive strike should give us access to whatever is going on there. At the Caldera, we see a Primalist and a Djaradin leader talking about their bargain – Fyrakk is supposed to wake up the Djaradin Elders.
After we defeat the two, a cutscene plays, in which Fyrakk emerges from the caldera bathed in shadowflame and chases us out. Sabellian attempts to shield himself, but he’s overpowered by Fyrakk, getting injured in the process. Ebyssian transforms us into a dragon and flies us out of the caldera.
After you killed Qanosh and Ku’siva, the lava in the center of the caldera erupted in a violent explosion of flame.
Fyrakk emerged from the eruption, blazing and terrifying, to menace you.
Eager to continue soaking up the caldera’s power, Fyrall unleashed a torrent of shadowflame on you and the dragons. Sabellian attempted to protect himself, but Fyrakk’s flame broke his shield. He was injured terribly.
Ebyssian transformed into a dragon to fly you both to safety.
Once we’re out of the caldera, Ebyssian talks about shadowflame – A dark force that not even Neltharion himself could master. Neltharion was slowly corrupted by the shadowflame, until finally succumbing to madness. As we inspect Sabellian’s wound, Sabellian claims he’s fine, but he’s clearly having a hard time even speaking, and mentions that the wound not only burns, but speaks to him.
Sabellian: He–He caught my arm with shadowflame. It was on his BREATH, Ebyssian! He was consuming– ARRRG! It burns! It speaks!
Ebyssian: I saw! I know! Let us tend to your wounds, then we can talk about defeating this monster.
Sabellian: My well-being is of no concern right now! Fyrakk is the only thing you should–
Ebyssian: You are my brother. I will not trade your life for Fyrakk’s, nor for anything.
Sabellian: Arrrrrrnnnng–Fine. Only so that I may help you in our coming battle.
Ebyssian believes that shadowflame behaves similarly to magma – flame conducted to earth, and tasks us to go look for elemental cores and flame totems to attempt to conduct the shadowflame out of Sabellian’s system. By using the Djaradin’s elemental cores and totems, Ebyssian is able to extract the shadowflame from Sabellian’s body.
Ebyssian: Sabellian, how is your pain?
Sabellian: I am still injured, but the shadowflame… It is gone. I no longer feel it creeping towards my soul.
Ebyssian: We acted quickly enough, then. You are cleansed.
Sabellian: I feared the worst… I feared I would end up like him.
As we clear the rest of the caldera, Sabellian comes up with a plan: The Djaradin created spears that are used specifically to hunt dragons, We explore the caldera to loot one of the elder’s spears and use it to kill Fyrakk while he’s still absorbing the caldera’s shadowflame…
Ebyssian: Has Fyrakk always been this huge? He looks bigger than when we last fought.
Sabellian: I have killed gronn that would dwarf this gnat twice over.
Ebyssian: I believe he is growing more powerful as he absorbs the energy of the caldera.
Sabellian: Then it is imperative to strike now before he grows beyond us. <Player>, you have dealt with monsters like this. you know this to be true.
Sabellian: The Black Dragonflight will never allow another shadow-spawned monster to arise!
… but the attack does nothing to Fyrakk, as the spear cannot pierce his hide. Fyrakk manages to awaken the Djaradin elder Igira, and orders her to attack us, managing to gear a clear shot on Ebyssian as he attempts to fly us to safety.
—
Captain Exposition’s description of the cutscene:
Sabellian’s attack failed. Fyrakk emerged from the lava pool in a blaze of shadowflame and shattered the magic imprisoning Igira. Ebyssian raised the earth itself to shield you from Fyrakk’s shadowflame.
Ebyssian then grabbed you and Sabellian and flew you out of the caldera. Fyrakk ordered Igira to stop you. She threw her massive spear at Ebyssian, puncturing his side. Ebyssian crash-landed just outside of the caldera, alive but very injured.
Assuming you were dead, Fyrakk flew away towards Loamm, burning everything in his path.
After removing the giant spear from Ebyssian with the help of Sabellian’s remaining strength to cauterize the wound, we head to Loamm, cleaning all the shadowflame we can in the way. As we arrive in Loamm, we can see the extent of Fyrakk’s power – He landed a direct attack on the Niffen hometown. Ebyssian’s earthen powers are used to help clear out the shadowflame raging across town, but we still see countless Niffen lose their life. And Fyrakk is now unleashed on the Dragon Isles, empowered by shadowflame.
Sabellian: Ebyssian… What have I done?
Ebyssian: This was not your fault, Sabellian. Fyrakk would have caused this suffering regardless of our actions.
Sabellian: I was unable to stop him. I have seen such a slaughter before. It stays with you.
Wrathion: What happened here?! What have you all done? I leave you alone for a moment and–
Ebyssian: Wrathion. Not now. Let everyone recover. Let us mourn those that died because of this monster.
Ebyssian: Come, my kin. We have a duty to report back to the Life-Binder. We must warn her that Fyrakk has been unleashed upon the Dragon Isles.
We then return to the Seat of the Aspects, to deliver the bad news to the other Aspects. A cutscene plays there, but no Captain Exposition to show us all the details. This ends Chapter 3 of the 10.1 campaign, unlocking World Quests in Zaralek Cavern.
