Cataclysm Lore and Concept

This page is dedicated to the Cataclysm expansion concept and lore, and will be updated when Blizzard release more information on the Cataclysm. Please note the all the information is categorized as "leaks" and not official information releases, and represents info summery of various information sites.

Cataclysm Background Story

Long lost evils have returned to Azeroth, and a violent eruption has changed its surface, altering several zone (Azshara, Barrensm, Thousand needles) as well as opening zones that were closed to players in previous expansions (Hyjal, Glneas, Uldum).

The whole concept behind the cataclysm expansion is revamping a lot of the areas in Azeroth, and enabling some areas there that were once locked, as opposed to previous expansions where a new continent was added.

The cause for the Erruption:

    To keep Azeroth safe from these threats, the titans imprisoned the Old Gods underground and banished the savage elementals to the titan-constructed Elemental Plane, a secure dominion where the elementals could dwell without harming Azeroth.

    Four domains were created within this primordial realm to serve as ideal environments for each type of elemental. For ages since, the elementals of air, water, earth, and fire have engaged in endless strife with each other, waging titanic battles in the confines of their realm. One of the Elemental Plane's domains, a vast ocean known as the Abyssal Maw, is home to the water elementals. Legend says that Neptulon the Tidehunter, the powerful being who rules over the aquatic realm, possesses a potent weapon that allows its owner to control the very seas of Azeroth. Thus far, the artifact has remained secure inside the water elementals' domain... but that will soon change.

    Within Deepholm, the domain of the earth elementals, the malefic Dragon Aspect Deathwing is on the verge of executing a catastrophic act: to burst forth from the Elemental Plane into Azeroth. Doing so will ravage the surface of the world and breach the barrier that separates Azeroth from the elementals' realm. Whether Neptulon and his subjects have entered into an alliance with Deathwing remains unknown. Regardless, if Deathwing's actions create an opening into the Abyssal Maw, nefarious and honorable factions alike will seek out the fabled weapon carried by Neptulon. Whoever secures the artifact will have control over the world's seas, a power that perhaps no one, not even members of the Horde or the Alliance, should possess.

Lore NPCs in the Cataclysm

DeathWing shows up as a dark force that had the chance to plot its plans while botht the horde and the alliance were busy with the lich king. At Grim Botal he managed to create a dragonflight.

DeathWing "enslaves" the Goblin race to aid him in his plans, but some of them escape his slavery, and find a shelter off the coast of the barrens, there they rescue Thrall from captivity.

Thrall in return offer them to join sides with the Horde, and they do so.

Queen Azshara will appear as well in the Cataclysm expansion, though it is not clearly knows how exactly, but we will probably face a lot of Nagas in this Expansion because of her.

Malfurian Stormrage will play important part in the Expansion. He will be turn Thrall into the new Guardian of Azeroth, thus trying to join the forces of both the Horde and the Alliance.

Thralls place as the Horde leader will be taken by Garrosh Hellscream, who takes more radical steps as a leader, declares war on alliance, as well as announces (and executes) Cairne Bloodhoof as a traitor.

The Worgnes race

The Cataclysm eruption also reveals the hidden Gilneas, whose citizens (the Worgen), now re-finding their human roots, turn to, and side with, the alliance. Players playing the Worgen will be able to shapeshift between human and Worgen form, as well as customize both of these forms.

Additional Cataclysm Guides:

Cataclysm Guide

WOW Cataclysm Lore & Concept

WOW Cataclysm Leveling Guide

Level 85 Talents

Coming Soon:

WOW Cataclysm Download FAQ

Related Links:

* Ultimate Complete WOW Guide.