WARNING: Potential Midnight Story Spoilers in this post!
Blizzard has released a 'Doorstep Teaser' for the Midnight reveal happening next week at Gamescom, and alongside a tease of a potential in game event, we've also been given a few brief glimpses of Xal'atath in the upcoming cinematic! Along with her imposing elven visage, we also get a few teases of what the cinematic might involve.
Lor'themar in Danger
Most prominently, we are shown a shot of Xal'atath looming above a kneeling elf. Based on the distinct shape of the sword, shoulders, and high-strung white ponytail, this is almost certainly Lor'themar Theron, leader of the blood elves. What happened prior to this moment to bring him to his knees remains to be seen, but defeated enemies kneeling before Xal'atath have a bad track record of survival, so it may be wise to worry for the beloved Regent-Lord.
Elven Architecture
We also see Xal'atath standing before a small bit of elven architecture in the background, ones steeped in a fading golden light seen also in another shot. Based on the premise of the expansion, this is likely the fading sunlight as Xal'atath engulfs the world in an eternal midnight as seen in the Doom of K'aresh short story.
Reflections in her Eyes
In the final teaser shot, we get a close-up image of Xal'atath's eyes, and in their reflection we can see what looks like more elven architecture, which is no surprise given the setting. There are distinct glowing lights upon them, however, and whether those are simple lanterns, holy spells, or fires burning in the city, we'll have to wait and see.
In-Game Skybox Change
While not a cinematic tease, we did get a teaser of what seems to be the inciting incident for Midnight. The skies above Dornogal and Stormwind are engulfed in an unnatural void storm similar to the one shown in the Gamescom reveal announcement.
We saw an identical phenomenon described in the Doom of K'aresh short story, with the approach of Dimensius being heralded by the fall of eternal, unnatural night across the entire planet. With Xal'atath now approaching as a similar threat, it's likely that this void storm is the harbinger of her own arrival.
We rushed outside, and in the early-morning light we gasped in astonishment at the arc of sky above us. The two suns of our world seemed to dim, their warm glow faint and growing fainter. The sky blackened, as though night were falling with impossible speed at an impossible time. At first that darkness was a purple, then it brightened.
Violet, the color of the Void itself.
Beware, Locus-Walker.
The All-Devouring comes.
Those words haunted me, along with that terrible day when the sky had pitched into a purple-tinged night without stars, a night that many feared would prove unending.
And yet, this was not the day of K’aresh’s demise. Yes, there was unease. The markets remained closed, not just in Ma’nussa but in every city-state. People locked themselves indoors, fearful of the violet-purple glow that had cast the world into grim, unnatural shadow. Salhadaar convened the Council of Oracles, and many plans were discussed and debated as rumors grew, not just that the sky heralded the end of all things but that the Oracles were in hiding. Unrest churned among those who had seen the radiant visions and knew that action should have been taken long ago.
These images offer us a small glimpse of the full cinematic coming next week on August 19th at 11am PST, so be sure to tune in to Gamescom then!
