Does Duskwood Play a Role in the Next Hearthstone Expansion?
Earlier today, the Hearthstone LATAM Twitter account posted a peculiar image which features characters from all the sets released during Year of the Mammoth. In this image, seen below, they're sleuthing about looking for something in the Warcraft zone of Duskwood. Are they there looking for clues that will lead them to their next friend (the new expansion)?
It may seem like a bit of a stretch, but Blizzard has been known to run teaser content in the past. What do you think?
References in the Image
All non-evergreen sets present in the Standard Rotation of Year of the Mammoth are showcased in the image.
- Raven - Year of the Raven (Leading everyone else!)
- Kobolds - Kobolds & Catacombs
- T-Rex - Journey to Un'Goro
- Unidentified Human - Possibly Karazhan
- Yeti - It's a stretch, but Knights of the Frozen Throne.
- Right-side Tree w/ Eye and Tentacles - Whispers of the Old Gods
- Jade at bottom of right-side Tree - Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, Jade Lotus
- Potion on left-side Tree - Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, The Kabal
- Spiked Baseball Bat at left-side Tree - Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, Grimy Goons
- Far Background Tower - Karazhan itself!
The Year of the Raven Teaser
In Blizzard's Year of the Raven announcement, all three of this year's sets were teased just like what happened during Year of the Mammoth.
The dark tree branches and overall palette for expansion 1 certainly give this old World of Warcraft player a huge Duskwood vibe. The interior "portal" certainly could be referring to the Dream Portal that exists within the Twilight Grove area of Duskwood which allows for travel into the Emerald Dream via the Emerald Dreamway.
Tell me More About Duskwood?
Sure! The Wowpedia article for Duskwood is great though so you should check that out; We're just going to go over some interesting quick bits of info!
- Duskwood is located in the Eastern Kingdoms.
- Surrounding Duskwood is Elwynn Forest, Westfall, Stranglethorn Vale, and Deadwind Pass (Karazhan!)
- It's always dark in Duskwood - it's cursed!
- Creatures that inhabit the land include Humans, Worgen, Undead, Ogres, Spiders, Wolves, Ghosts, and Abominations.
- One of the sub-zones of Duskwood is Raven Hill - Caw Caw!
Here are some screenshots of Duskwood in the World of Warcraft. It's a level 20 zone so if you're interested, start a WoW Trial Account and make an Alliance character. I recommend the Bleeding Hollow PVP realm, you won't be killed, I swear.
Well, the first portal could lead to Tol Barad, the second one to Dalaran and the third one to Shattrath City (or the opposite between shattrath and tol barad).
Year of the Kraken was quite mystical, ancient and dark.
Year of the Mammoth was big and strong monsters, spells and heroes that seek and explore power and gold.
This year seems to be rather dreamy, magical but more human and story telling about the past. A raven symbolize I think stories and scary fairy tails. Since, the last year was more minion based, this one will be more spell based!
So, when Ben going to speak to us?
I say the devs are trolling and the actual clue is the magnifying glass.
New Expansion: Mysteries in the Tavern
And Ben Brode tells the story:
The Year of the Raven has started, and the entire tavern wants to celebrate. But Harth Stonebrew, of all people, seems worried. Strange people have been going around lately. Some of his old friends went missing. Some even believe that a murderer is running around. The tavern might be in danger! Investigators from all of Azeroth have been summoned to the scene. Before the party can start, we need to uncover the Mysteries in the Tavern.
I know people hope for an actual Warcraft related expansion and cool characters or even raid bosses added as cards or PvE encounters, but it might as well be something super silly and lighthearted again, with some very few minor references to actual Warcraft lore. Even IF the expansion is related to Duskwood or even the Emerald Dream, it could still be something super silly like going alternate universe, where these places are turned into themeparks or something like that.
Some people also think the second expansion is Outland-related, and I can see why, but the way Hearthstone expansions have been lately, I think there is a good chance it will be NOTHING like the Outland you know.
I just wouldn't get too excited too early. ;)
Kind of sounds like you're describing a Murder Mystery. An expansion based off of Clue! How off the charts would that be!?
No, the color palette is way too off for it to be emerald dream, even a corrupted emerald dream is red. You can see the real emerald dream at the end of the Emerald Nightmare in Legion, its very bright shades of green.
I like the speculation.
So I'm giving my three guesses on what the expansions themes could be. I'm gonna try 3 things other's haven't really suggested just for the fun of it.
First one: It has Fel infected wood at the bottom and thorn branches. I'd have to say that Felwood looks like a good match. Altough, there's a slight possibility it could have something to do with Razorfen as well. Charlga Razorflank incoming, Amnennar perhaps? :D
Second one: Really hard to tell, though that is the void we see in the background if I had to guess, though I reminds me of another place (The Star Sky background, the arcane layline). This one is really hard though one guess would be that it is placed without Outland. Perhaps, Nether Storm?
Third one: Those are Troll' (the WoW race) colors through and through. Also the subtle paint on the wood suggest a Tribe. Hard to tell exactly what though, it's so plentiful. Insert "Zul" here I guess.
Well, it could be something with emerald dream.
In the right corner at the bottom of the picture, there is a emerald digged to the ground.
EDIT: They say its a jade lotus? for me it is a emerald *hm*
The purple portal is giving me a Violet Hold/Dalaran vibe. Could it be an expansion about the Kirin Tor?
It's pretty much settled that it's Netherstorm/Tempest Keep expansion with Ethereals most likely being one of the prominent factions of the expac. If you've ever been to Netherstorm, you won't mistake this purple-colored void energy mist for anything. And here's a side-by-side comparison of the teaser and ethereal portal, which are abundant throughout Netherstorm, notice how the circles and the notch on the top line-up perfectly?
I don't know there is too much spooky places in Wow it looked like Blackwald to me where the scythe of elune located. Also man look like from Salem during witch hunts. It might be related with Gilneas.
Stitches hype? Pogchamp
- The Green Portal on the teaser that lead to the Emerald Dream
- CenarionCircle.com domain is probably owned by Blizzard
- Lunara, daughter of the demi-god Cenarius
- Illidan card animation rework, he is the brother of Malfurion, a notable Druid
Emerald Dream Confirmed
I dont know the color palette used doesnt look like emerald dream or emerald nightmare to me. If u kill xavius at the end of emerald nightmare it turns into emerald dream, the color palette doesnt really fit.
War of the Ancients or Duskwood, maybe.
Could be Terrokar/Arakkoa, the style of Terrokar is fitting the teaser, it's the Year of the Raven, the Arakkoa are Raven guys, there's a faction of them worshipping Anzu, the Raven god, etc :)
Fun fact: Anzus will has been broken and dominated by the Sethekk cult, who have brought him out of the world of shadows to attack the Emerald Dream.
I doubt it's teaser for Hearthstone expansions, but I'm hoping for Darkmoon Faire expansion.
Oh my god, PLEASE!!!
I really enjoyed leveling there in the good old vanilla days. This area has such a great atmosphere. I would love to see it in HS!
the guy in the picture is a buttler, reference to Karazhan
I just love these speculations so much! A huge thanks to hearthpwn and to all you columbo soul enthusiasts for digging into the details! More, more, more!