WARNING: Patch 10.1 Embers of Neltharion spoilers ahead!
Previously in Chapter 4, we converge with Drakonid forces near Aberrus to dispatch the Zaqali Djaradin, and discover a nest of serpent dragons created by Neltharion’s experiments, saving them from being brought back to Aberrus by Neltharion-aligned dragonkin and earning a new Dragonflight mount in the process.
Chapter 5 starts with us meeting Scalecommander Emberthal by Brimstone Garrison, still looking to engage Scalecommander Sarkareth and try to make him see reason. Sarkareth is found using Oathbinder, Neltharion’s glove used to control the Dracthyr in the past, to gain access to Aberrus. We’re unable to stop Sarkareth from gaining access to the fortress.
Emberthal: I do not know what Sarkareth is planning, but it cannot be anything good.
Aberrus Observer: Accessing the powers of Aberrus. Querent unknown.
Emberthal: Stop this, Sarkareth!
Sarkareth: I am no coward like you. I will embrace the power available to me!
Aberrus Observer: Querent identified. Oathbinder recognized.
Aberrus Observer: Aberrus welcomes you, wielder of Oathbinder. You may now command its forces.
Sarkareth: Finally!
Emberthal: Follow the dark whispers if you must, but do not drag our people down with you. Let them make their own choice!
Sarkareth: The Sundered Flame are mine to use as I please!
Sarkareth: We are the children of Neltharion! Everything within Aberrus is ours by right!
—
Sarkareth: No matter. You are beneath my attention, Emberthal.
Emberthal: I want to save my people… but Sarkareth has the protection of Aberrus now. We may be unable to stop him.
Ebyssian wants to use the might of the Black Dragonflight to strike Brimstone Garrison, but that would require all Black Dragon leaders to assemble and attack as one. First he approaches Sabellian, knowing his black dragon entourage he brought from Outland, as well as Sabellian’s experience in tactics, would be invaluable. Ebyssian appeals to Sabellian wanting to discover the legacy left by Neltharion, and thus he accepts joining the cause.
Ebyssian: I believe in my flight. They will unite for a good cause.
Sabellian: Should I expect a lecture?
Ebyssian: Far from it.
Ebyssian: We all have been avoiding Aberrus, but the time has come. Lend me your strength, Sabellian. Emberthal needs to break through the Brimstone Garrison. We can do it if we work together.
Sabellian: Aberrus. You believe Emberthal is worth the blood of my dragons?
Ebyssian: It is no secret that you seek to unravel the legacy of the Earth-Warder hidden within Aberrus. If you must break through the defenses surrounding it, why not now, side by side with allies?
Sabellian: … Very well. We will be there.
Next up, we meet with Wrathion back in Obsidian Rest, Ebyssian seeking the cunning and stealth abilities of Wrathion and his Blacktalon agents. Wrathion is a little easier to convince, as he has been wanting to get to Aberrus since we got to Zaralek Cavern.
Wrathion: Ebyssian! What a joy to see you again so soon.
Ebyssian: The time is now, Wrathion. Are you prepared for battle?
Wrathion: Color me intrigued. Is this about Aberrus?
Ebyssian: The forces of Aberrus stand against us all. I need your strength to break it–yours, and that of the Blacktalon.
Wrathion: Yes, of course… We must secure Aberrus. But I fear what I will see inside.
Ebyssian: I cannot do this without your strength, Wrathion. We must all stand together if we wish to succeed.
Wrathion: You are right. Annoyingly, you usually are. Rest assured the Blacktalon — and my talons — will be where you need them.
We then meet again with Emberthal at the entrance to Brimstone Garrison, together as a team once more. Emberthal is touched that the three black dragons would come to her support. With all forces in tow, we storm into Brimstone Garrison – Killing Aberrus forces, gathering historical Black Dragonflight weapons and obtaining armaments while Emberthal figures out how to reach Sarkareth.
Sarkareth is reached after we manage to gain a foothold with Brimstone Garrison, but he is still protected by Aberrus, with magic effect that resemble the void. Sarkareth sends a titan protector from Aberrus to stop us, which gives him just enough time to gain access to Neltharion’s laboratory. This ends Chapter 5 of the 10.1 Campaign.
Chapter 6 is available for testing, but it requires slaying Sarkareth in the Aberrus raid to progress, and as Sarkareth will not be tested in the raid testing sessions of Patch 10.1, it is likely that this chapter won’t be testable at all.
