WARNING: Midnight spoilers in this post!
Return of the Lightbloom
Following from the second chapter of Eversong Woods and our battle with the Twilight's Blade cult, we receive word that the Lightbloom has once again resurged -- this time within a civilian center, Suncrown, along with Arator, we rush towards the toward to join Liadrin and rescue any survivors.
Lady Liadrin says: By the Light...
Lady Liadrin says: It is as if the wilds themselves devoured this place.
Arator says: This is horrific--Fairbreeze was nothing compared to it.
While much of the Ghostlands has healed from its past with a new renewed look, it seems poor Suncrown Village just can't catch a break. Instead of a Scourge infestation, the town has now been overtaken by Lightbloom, unnatural trees sprouting from every corner of its ruined buildings. Liadrin implores us to rescue what survivors we can, and we cull what Lightbloom creatures we can along the way.
Apprentice Erilia says: The Lightbloom was across the river--why did it surge here?
Magistrix Silanna says: There was a crash to the north, and then... the Lightbloom was everywhere!
Trainee Solanin says: It sounded as if someone felled a tree. The Farstriders left to investigate.
Outrunner Alarion says: I thought I heard trolls shouting to the north. That can't be right.
We regroup at the nearby Runestone Shan'dor, where Lor'themar and Turalyon have finally joined us in the open field. It seems rumors of trolls had pulled away the local Farstriders, leaving Suncrown exposed for the subsequent Lightbloom infestation. Looking to solve the problem at its source, we journey with Turalyon, Lor'themar, and Arator to find the Farstrider leader Halduron Brightwing.
Lor'themar Theron says: So the crash caused the Lightbloom to surge... thank you. Rest easy and leave this to us.
Lady Liadrin says: The Farstriders left to investigate that noise. Suncrown had no defenders.
Lady Liadrin says: I'll finish up here with the survivors.
Lor'themar Theron says: Thank you, Liadrin. I hope Halduron can tell us what's going on.
At the nearby troll encampment of Tor'watha, we find the cause of the Lightbloom surge -- one of the massive Lightwood trees has been cut down, by none other than the Amani trolls.
Ranger Captain Lilatha says: Regent Lord... the Amani have invaded Eversong. The Ranger-General took our forces to drive them back.
Lor'themar Theron says: That tree they felled--that's what caused Suncrown's destruction! The Amani will pay for this!
Amidst routing the trolls, we investigate their operation surrounding the fallen tree, with Arator questioning why the Amani are here in the first place. There, we meet Vanatha, who flees to warn their leader, Zul'jan. We also find various weapons in development, forged from the Lightwood of the tree the Amani had just felled.
Vanatha says: Zul'jan must be warned--our assault at the Pass begins! Deal with them!
Amani Watcher says: Zul'jan! The enemy is here!
Gather as much lightwood as you are able. The elves will know we are here soon enough. We must arm ourselves before they do. See it done!
- Zul'jan
Eventually, we find Halduron deep inside Tor'watha, having mostly handled the troll incursion. He comes with grave news, however -- the trolls are planning an incursion from Zul'Aman into the Amani Pass at the entrance of Eversong Woods. While Lor'themar and Turalyon head for the Pass, Arator beseeches us to join him in following the fleeing Amani.
Halduron also has a few words for us, speaking more on the Lightbloom before leaving to seek out Orweyna to deal with the threat properly.
Halduron Brightwing says: Lor'themar! I've secured the area, but they're making a push for Amani Pass.
Arator says: Lor'themar, we found evidence of a nearby hideout--
Lor'themar Theron says: The Amani Pass takes priority. I will not let them invade Quel'Thalas again.
High Exarch Turalyon says: Investigate if you must, Arator. But I expect you at the Pass in short order.
Halduron Brightwing says: The Amani were only the source of a bigger problem.
Halduron Brightwing says: The Lightbloom has never acted like this before. The forests had only small pockets of growth.
Halduron Brightwing says: But the moment the Sunwell surged--it changed everything. Every pocket of Lightbloom has grown into dense thickets, teeming with strange wildlife.
Halduron Brightwing says: I cannot leave this unchecked. Lor'themar said you had someone knowledgeable with you in Fairbreeze?
Halduron Brightwing says: I need to speak with them. My expertise lies with the forests. This problem, I can surely solve.
Halduron Brightwing says: The other issues... well, you've proven yourself competent many times over. Take care.
Pursuing Zul'jan
Following after Aratow, we journey to the old Amani Catacombs from Ghostlands, now renamed to the Watha'nan Crypts. The Amani who fled inside have activated the old defenses, but we disable them with Arator to investigate their reasons for being here.
Arator says: This is the place--covered in runes and well warded, it seems.
Arator says: I suspect the Amani didn't want any uninvited guests. Lucky these wards are old.
Arator says: If they were this well guarded, we'll want to take care ahead. Follow me, and keep quiet.
In an unimplemented cutscene, we meet Zul'jan for the first time, the leader of the Amani incursion. We also learn an important truth: Zul'jan and the Amani are also fighting the Twilight's Blade cultists, and their incursion into Quel'thalas was simply to gather more weaponry for their fight against the Void. \
When Arator tries to approach Zul'jan with an offer of peace, he's met with immediate refusal. Zul'jan activates the crypt's wards, leaving to attend to the battle at the Amani Pass and leaving us trapped inside.
Thankfully, the ancient Amani were seemingly fond of riddles, and the key to the tomb's defenses lie in knowledge of the troll Loa.
Arator says: This riddle must be the key to getting us out of here.
Arator says: The mist ward is gone! Let's find Zul'jan.
In the next chamber, we're met with yet more puzzles, as well as an additional reflection from Arator regarding the original ownership of the Watha'nan Catacombs and their surrounding lands in Quel'thalas.
Arator says: I'd heard this land belonged to the Amani, long ago. I hadn't really thought about it beyond recorded history.
Arator says: But these ancient bones--there must be generations of Amani buried here. Resting where no one can reach them.
Arator says: We elves do not revere our ancestors as the orcs do, but we still honor our dead.
Arator says: The Amani cannot even do that much. We've taken it away from them. Little wonder they hold such hatred for elvenkind.
Arator says: We should get moving.
Arator says: Ha! You did it!
Arator says: We have to find Zul'jan before it's too late.
In the final chamber of the catacombs, we find Vanatha, the leader of the incursion at the Lightwood tree. Despite Arator's protests, she attacks us, and we are forced to kill her in our pursuit of Zul'jan.
Arator says: Wait! There's no need for bloodshed.
Vanatha says: First blood was yours. You will die!
Vanatha says: Zul'jan... no...
Arator says: None of this had to happen! Let's go.
Outside the crypt, we regroup with Arator and come up with a plan: if we reach the Amani Pass in time, we can inform Lor'themar and Turalyon of the Amani's true motives, and try to work with them to fight against the Twilight's Blade instead of each other.
Arator says: Quickly, we need to get to Amani Pass and tell them the truth of what is happening!
The Battle at Amani Pass
When we reach the Eversong side of the Amani Pass, tensions have unfortunately escalated too far. Lor'themar has already gathered the available armies of Silvermoon, and Turalyon has already breached into the Amani Pass in pursuit of Zul'jan. Despite Arator's wishes, Lor'themar refuses to see reason against the Amani and advances forward.
Arator says: It's the Twilight's Blade! They're the true threat!
Lor'themar Theron says: If you will not fight, get out of my way!
Arator says: This bloodshed... it's madness. Where is my father? He must see this by now!
In the ensuing quest, the player is offered three choices: to try and prevent the bloodshed by dissuading the blood elven forces, or to join them in battle in burning the Amani banners to replace them with Silvermoon ones. The attempts to dissuade the blood elves are largely in vain, and they are especially contemptuous towards a player blood elf or void elf who tries to stop them.
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Eversong Farstrider says: Have you lost your mind? They have threatened us for generations!
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Eversong Spellbreaker says: Are you mad? Perhaps I should be silencing your words as well as the Amani!
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Eversong Arch Magister says: Have you forgotten your history? Given the opportunity, the Amani would gladly take our lands and our lives!
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Blessed Lightbringer says: How do you not see the enemy that stands before you? They strike, we deliver retribution!
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Veteran Blood Knight says: How could you think that when your own people lay dead or dying around us?
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Blessed Lightbringer says: I will fail neither the Light nor Turalyon! Press the attack!
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Eversong Magister says: And give them the upper hand? Glory belongs to the sin'dorei--have you forgotten?
Stop! The Amani are not the real threat here!
Veteran Blood Knight says: Your people fight for their freedom and their lives, and this is all you have to say? Get out, then!
Amani Spiritwarden says: Pride is your downfall!
Amani Spiritwarden says: Fall back! Fall...
Amani Grunt says: We fight!
Amani Grunt says: Fall back! Fall...
Amani Grunt says: I die... for my people...!
Grand Magister Rommath says: How dare the Amani threaten the sin'dorei again!
Arator says: We have to stop this!
Lady Liadrin says: It is too late, Arator. But we can heal those in need.
Regardless of the choice made, we ultimately join Arator at the entrance to Zul'Aman, where Turalyon and Lor'themar prepare for a battle with Zul'jan.
High Exarch Turalyon says: Wretched Amani! By the Light, I will see these monsters purged!
Lor'themar Theron says: Champion! We've cornered Zul'jan--it is time to bring this incursion to an end!
These monsters deserve nothing more than swift retribution. For Silvermoon. For the sin'dorei.
<Turalyon's eyes blaze with Light.>
For Alleria. This will be finished!
In an unimplemented cinematic, Turalyon duels with Zul'jan and wins. Arator has no desire to see the troll leader cut down, however, and so he steps in between his father and Zul'jan to prevent the killing blow. In a state of Light-blinded wrath, however, Turalyon ends up striking his own son, dealing a near-mortal wound and granting Zul'jan the chance to flee into Zul'Aman.
In the aftermath of the battle, Arator leaves on his own, Turalyon is left listless, and the blood elf leaders are left stunned. While Liadrin stays behind to secure the area, we return with the other leaders back to Silvermoon.
Lor'themar Theron says: Were we blind to Arator's truth?
Lor'themar Theron says: Lady Liadrin, secure the pass. For good or ill, we've taken a stand here. We should keep it.
Lor'themar Theron says: The rest of us will return to Silvermoon. There is... much to discuss.
The Next Zone: Branching Story Choice
Back in Silvermoon, we gather with Lor'themar to contemplate our actions thus far. Very little is left better than when the zone began: the Lightbloom continues to surge, the conflict with the Amani has escalated, and the problem of the Voidstorm has only barely begun to be solved. Ahead of us are many different problems to solve, listed out neatly by our leaders.
Lor'themar Theron says: Champion, you've uncovered many threats that besiege Quel'thalas. We must plan our next move together.
Lor'themar Theron says: The Amani crossed a line. We need to make sure their encroachment has ended.
Lor'themar Theron says: Lady Liadrin is in Zul'Aman now, looking into the situation. She'll need backup.
Grand Magister Rommath says: The Lightbloom is still an ever present threat.
Grand Magister Rommath says: Your... contact has been investigating the overgrowth. Perhaps she has found something of value.
Lor'themar Theron says: The Sunwell can only be empowered for so long. Those who are maintaining its current state are under immense strain.
Lor'themar Theron says: Turalyon, how does our army fare?
High Exarch Turalyon says: The Vanguard... stands at the ready. But even we cannot hold the line should the Sunwell falter.
High Exarch Turalyon says: The Light... we must trust in the Light. We must.
It is here that the story of Eversong Woods comes to an end, but instead of a linear zone to follow, players will have a choice of three separate campaign chapters, selectable from a map in the center of the Sanctum of Light.
In any order, we can pursue the threat of the Lightbloom to Harandar with Orweyna and Halduron, assess the situation with the Amani in Zul'Aman alongside Liadrin, or journey with Arator and Alonsus Faol to help the Vanguard of the Light in maintaining the Sunwell.
Which zone are you looking to choose first? Are you enjoying the story thus far? Let us know!
