Illidan Cinematic Review - Rejection of the Gift

This covers my reaction and thoughts on the new Argus cinematic involving Illidan and his rejection of the Naaru gift.

[JamesInvi]

I just wanted to point out Il'gynoth's Dialog while we fight him:
"Its surface blazes light, masking shadow below."
"Her heart is a crater, and we have filled it."
"At the hour of her third death, she will usher us in" (xe'ra died twice already)
anyone believe its related?

[TiuNetuno]

Thanks Mr Thete, awesome video like always!

[Jedran]

I'm so glad someone in a video finally pointed out that the Void Lords/Naaru conflict might not be as good vs. evil as it seems.

My favorite example of this is the Klaaxi and their tradition to strengthen themselves against the Pandaren while they wait to see the rise of the old gods again. They aren't just evil, mindless bugs that see life only on the scale of what's directly in front of them. They have culture and architecture and even RESPECT us as players for our strength.

Their hostility ceased once it was beneficial to extend a hand to help one another...granted the idea did have to come from one of their war heroes(xenophobia isn't exactly uncommon after all). Still, we helped them take down their Sha-corrupted queen and allow themselves to rebuild.

WE ENABLED that instead of trying to genocide their race. The Klaaxi have stated would willingly ally again if we pledged service to the old gods.

All of this makes me wonder are we going to find a way to "balance the force" as it were, and allow light and void to both exist. To perpetuate both order and chaos in the name of strengthening all of those to come. I'm not saying "one united Azeroth", more hoping that lore-wise we won't just eradicate all the bad and then be forever victorious.

The horde and alliance can still exist for player purposes, but even now the concept of factions in the lore is breaking down.

As it is, the classes are more cohesive as a group than multiple races among factions are. Everyone is finally working together toward the same goal and yet we are just going to defer to faction loyalties as soon as the legion isn't a threat?

[MBH]

It also makes me wonder that we have seen examples of Naruu who have gone dark for various reasons, so maybe the void lords are just another aspect of the Naruu?

[HonorBoundBurus]

I view the events of this cinematic a tad different. Blizzard had pushed hard this notion of "prophecy" and Illidan being this chosen one. I think X'era did this on purpose she needed to see how far Illidan would go to continue his beliefs. Remember Illidan has been known to take matters into his own hands to achieve his goals. I believe X'era is doing the same thing except shes not doing it for what she believes no, she FORCED Illidan into a corner to make certain he has the willpower needed to do what was necessary to beat the burning legion regardless of the sacrifices that needed to be made. This was the pre-destined prophecy she talked about.

[samman]

Regarding Turalyon's eye color, they are a reflection of Xera's light. You can see them turn from Brown to gold when Xera is first revived.

[sueschneider]

Ahh, Babylon 5 still remember that; an all time favourite. This is one of the best reviews I've seen - thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[BRose-nfep]

When Xe'ra mentioned to Turalyon that he found the chosen one....look at Turalyon's face. His expression only lasts for a second, but it speaks volumes.

[hctaz]

On the subject of titans: there are four different forces at work in the story right now: Void, Light, Arcane (titans), and Fel. According to the Chronicles, the Void and the Light seems to be much bigger than Fel or Arcane, as if they were the ultimate forces at work. You sort of see this reflected in the story as well.

You'll notice that the titans and their constructs are not always 100% in their mission. Algalon was turned away from ordering the destruction of our planet and Loken was swayed by the void (Yogg'saron) and corrupted. It would appear that the Naaru and Void followers are not so easily swayed. They both do the things they do because they want to. When have you ever seen an example of either being reasoned with? People have always just followed the Naaru because they believe they, the Naaru, doing good for their race(s). Velen always believed the Naaru were leading their people to safety so he never questioned their actions. This is the first time we've seen the Naaru directly opposed and Xe'ra was completely unyielding.


Another good example of a battle of Light and Dark and NOT good and evil comes from the Soul Calibur series. It's a fighting game focused around the conflicts created by two swords: one who causes destruction, chaos, death, and "corruption" in the form of possession or bending the minds of those near it, and another which seemingly does good for the people by opposing these "evil" forces.
In reality, the "good" sword ends up being just as evil and uses the humans as pawns in an effort to completely destroy the opposing sword. It tries to take over the body of the main hero in the fifth game after he refuses to kill his own sister who, at the time, was under the influence of the evil sword.

[Thomond]

Finally someone who is reminded of B5 after seeing this

[Mjsmecha]

As a paladin player I just like that Blizzard addressed the importance of free will when it comes to redemption. Since Lothraxion came into the game, I've been hoping that we would see more demonic characters redeemed with the Light. But that can NEVER be forced. Or us paladins are as bad or worse than the Legion. Great lore moment Blizzard.

[grip]

I was thinking along the same lines. The Naruu is starting to be more like "light demons" and it turns kind of dark souls-ish if that is true, which I personally love. It's just us Azerothians against everything. Bring back Seal of Vengerance cause we are going to bend a Naruu to our will ;)

[joshuagarner]

The legion is trying to stop the void, the naruu are trying to stop the legion, the naruu are void l gods in disguise.

[permeusnd]

so when xera grabs illidan i feel that one of the newcomers (the players, velen or khadgar) should have shouted ""Xera?"" or something to indicate hey what do you think you're doing? but as we are walking up the ramp to do this bit we hear Turalyon and Alleria talking about how Alleria was imprisoned for looking into the void and will likely be back in prison when Xera gets back up, so after hearing this it added to my already growing suspicions that Xera was evil.

just to clarify why the Naaru are evil, so we can all agree that Sargeras is a bad guy and most would say he is evil? well he is only trying to save the galaxy from the void just like the Naaru, and we know that the light doesn't care if you're good or bad as long as you have faith and conviction (that's why the scarlet crusade can use the light to kill lots of people) and the Naaru are as far to the light as you can go, its my thinking that Xera isnt a one off case but just how they think ""you do what we say or YOU DO WHAT WE SAY!!!""

with sargeras its ""you join us willingly or we crush you and move on"" with the the Naaru its ""you join us or we make you join us"" this may explain Lothraxion maybe he was forced into the army of the light? but more interesting is now that Xera is chunks in our forge will he start to go bad to old habits?

ah B5 is great if you watch it for the first time start with season 2 and stop at the end of 4, season 1 is setup and while worth watching is no where near as good as season 3 and 4, but ye the naaru are so much like the vorlons its kind of funny (though a vorlon is much harder to kill)

[Terrados]

What if, Xe'ra ... X'era ... Xer'a whatever wanted Illidan to destroy it, so its fragments can power that netherlight machine. It simply lied because the army of the light would never had done what had to be done. Now we, the champions, use that machine .. thing to fight the burning legion. Xera knew all this would happen cause magic.
Second theory, Xera was suicidal. You just don't mess with the Dan!
In any case, Illidan was used yet again. "Illidan! Save Tyrande! Now piss off!" - "Illidan! Save us from the burning legion! OMG you did what we asked of you! Now piss off!" - "Illidan! Kill me cause that Paladin is a wuss! That prophecy was a lie btw, k thx bye!"

[nirodi]

i think it cant be a reflection in his eyes, cause when Illidan grabs his Blade and he tries to push it he is very very close to his blade, which is made of the same light that Xe'ra is. but no reflection there, and i even think that i can see a bit of doubt in his eyes when illidan tells him there can be no choosen one. Edit. The Titans were created the moment the cosmos was created. but the titans are infinitly more powerfull than the naaru. i mean illidan killed the prime naaru. but against a titan he couldnt even have the slightest chance if he would be 100x more powerfull.

[garouchieflol]

the naaru are beings any being can be corrupted or twisted examples are sargeras and the naaru : fel magic, light, void energy, arcane are there they are not bad nor good it depends on the being that uses this source of power and its will to do good or evil thats why we have dks wls and shadow priest or undead priest and illidian a kind of good demon.-

[hankg]

Maybe Illidan is the first Nephalem in the WOW universe?

[AKRenlor]

Same as The Force. Light/Dark balance back and forth.

[mindlesssheepthing]

A'dal would never have pulled that shit.