Unveiling What Could Have Been: The Astonishing Altered Timeline of World of Warcraft if the Burning Legion Triumphed

Highlights

In the Dragonflight update, players are tasked with averting a timeline wherein the Legion has triumphed over Azeroth, utilizing corrupted Highmountain Tauren as their main warriors.

If the Legion were to achieve victory, the consequences would be catastrophic. The World Soul residing within Azeroth would be poisoned, leading to dire ramifications, and the planet's distinctive features would be completely obliterated. As the primary and iconic antagonist of World of Warcraft, the Burning Legion holds a notorious reputation and immense influence, serving as the catalyst for the entire franchise. It comprises an unending horde of demons driven by the sole purpose of annihilating and enslaving all life forms, rapidly spreading like an unstoppable plague throughout the universe. Despite numerous past assaults on Azeroth, players of World of Warcraft might ponder the truly calamitous outcome that would ensue if the Legion were to emerge victorious.

Despite numerous prior appearances, Sargeras, the fallen Titan, along with his entire army, was ultimately defeated once and for all in World of Warcraft: Legion. The remnants of the surviving demons are now dispersed across the Twisting Nether, ensuring that they can never again invade Azeroth as a unified force. However, in the Dragonflight’s Fractures in Time update, glimpses of a completely transformed world have emerged.

World of Warcraft's Burning Legion Enslaves or Kills Those It Conquers

The impact of the Legion on the World of Warcraft universe cannot be underestimated. It played a pivotal role in the orcs' invasion of Azeroth, which ultimately led to the formation of both the Horde and Alliance. Additionally, the Legion was instrumental in the creation of the Scourge, a powerful weapon of mass destruction. However, the interference of the Infinite Dragonflight in WoW: Dragonflight has caused a divergence in the timeways, resulting in a reality where the Legion successfully conquered Azeroth. It is now the players' responsibility to rectify this alternate reality and restore balance.

In this specific darker timeline, it is evident that the Legion emerged victorious in their most recent attack on Azeroth, rather than during the War of the Ancients or the Third War. This deduction can be made based on the presence of corrupted Highmountain Tauren, also known as Shu'halo, who serve as the main soldiers in this timeline. These Tauren are exclusively found on the Broken Isles, which served as the primary base for the Legion's invasion in World of Warcraft: Legion.

Furthermore, the availability of a Felstorm Dragon mount from the Time Rift vendors provides another clue regarding the timing. This particular mount is a green variation of the Stormheim drakes introduced in Wow's Legion expansion. The description of this mount explains how even the independent dragons had to choose between succumbing to fel corruption and serving the Legion or facing extinction for their kind. This insight into the lore offers a fascinating glimpse into the destiny of almost all sentient beings on a world under the dominion of the Burning Legion: either subjugation or extermination.

Illidan Stormrage, a renowned hero who played a vital role in defeating the Legion, has ironically become a pawn of the very enemy he fought against. According to this particular timeline, Illidan is believed to have killed his own twin brother, Malfurion Stormrage, and kept his skull as a trophy. However, there is a possibility that the figure we see as Illidan is not actually him. During the Legion expansion, Sargeras had plans to possess Illidan's body and use it as his own vessel. This explains why players encounter Illidan as the boss in this Time Rift, rather than facing Sargeras' other lieutenants, Kil'Jaeden or Archimonde.

What is truly alarming is the potential outcome if the Burning Legion in World of Warcraft were to succeed. The World Soul, which resides within Azeroth, would likely be corrupted by Sargeras, just as we witnessed with the World Soul of Argus in Legion. This corruption resulted in the birth of the Titan of Death, who eventually succeeded in killing the players. When the other Titans resisted this plan, Sargeras, in a final desperate act before his imprisonment, attempted to impale his sword into Azeroth in an effort to destroy the World Soul. He came dangerously close to succeeding, and one can only imagine the catastrophic consequences if the essence of the planet were to be extinguished.

In summary, the Burning Legion winning over Azeroth would have disastrous consequences. The timeline would be distorted and tainted with evil, with everything succumbing to the Legion's mission against life. Thankfully, the Bronze Dragonflight sought the assistance of players to ensure that this timeline never merged with the actual one. As a result, Azeroth's heroes can currently rest easy, knowing that the Legion's threat to the world has been averted.

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is currently accessible for PC users.