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The Story of the Scarlet Crusade So Far - Prelude to Season of Discovery Phase 8
Geposted
06.04.2025 um 09:00
von
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Season of Discovery Phase 8 is proving to be one of the most highly anticipated Phases yet, and that is largely due to the presence of the Scarlet Crusade. The undead-fighting faction has long been a favorite villain of players, and the hype has been building ever since Blizzard teased new content back at BlizzCon 2023.
Season of Discovery Phase 8 Overview
But much of the story is still a mystery, hidden behind the entrance portal for the new Scarlet Enclave raid. To get an idea of what the Scarlet Crusade
might
be up to in Phase 8 (and how their story could end), let's take a look at the past. Because it is no coincidence that the founder of the order is the one to stir up trouble - the Dreadlord
Balnazzar
.
The Beginning
First, let's start with a summary of the important information leading to the formation of this infamous organization:
The Burning Legion created the undead Scourge, and against his will made the Orc Shaman, Ner'zhul, its leader - the Lich King.
In the pursuit of revenge against the Burning Legion, Ner'zhul corrupted Arthas Menethil, the prince of the human kingdom of Lordaeron. By manipulating Arthas into wielding the rune blade Frostmourne, the Lich King Ner'zhul turned the human prince into his greatest Death Knight champion.
Before the Battle of Mount Hyjal, where the Burning Legion general Archimonde was set to destroy the World Tree Nordrassil, the Lich King Ner'zhul betrayed his Legion masters. He instructed Arthas to inform Illidan Stormrage of the Legion's presence in Felwood, where Illidan was able to kill the Dreadlord Tichondrius and destroy the Skull of Gul'dan. This weakened the Legion and allowed the champions of Azeroth to defeat Archimonde at the Battle of Hyjal.
With the Burning Legion weakened, Ner'zhul broke free from his masters' control, thus making the Lich King and his Scourge a free faction - and an enemy of the Burning Legion.
In short, this is the story of Warcraft III. Go play it, it's a great game.
Arthas Menethil, the Lich King, sits on his Frozen Throne.
But, why are we talking about the Burning Legion and the Scourge? While it makes sense that we are talking about the Scourge (they are, after all, one of the sworn enemies of the Scarlet Crusade), where does the Legion fit in?
It turns out, that the Scarlet Crusade is a Legion ploy to weaken the Scourge
and
the rest of Azeroth's forces.
After the Lich King broke off from the Legion, the Nathrezim,
Balnazzar
, decided that it was time for some infiltration and division. The remaining forces of the Silver Hand were still fighting against the Scourge in the Plaguelands, and during an assault on Stratholme, Balnazzar killed Saidan Dathrohan and possessed his body.
Dathrohan was one of the first five paladins of the Knights of the Silver Hand, and as such, had a lot of influence in the order. Under the guise of Dathrohan, Balnazzar began to sow seeds of dissent and claimed that it wasn't just the Undead that was a threat, but anyone who had differing beliefs from their order.
Balnazzar knew that one of the few people who would stand in his way was Alexandros Mograine, the wielder of the legendary
Aschenbringer
. The dreadlord corrupted Mograine's son, who during a Scourge attack, picked up his father's blade and killed Mograine with it.
A contingent of the remaining Silver Hand saw what was going on under Balnazzar's leadership and broke off to create the Argent Dawn. Those who remained now officially started the Scarlet Crusade and made Balnazzar their leader -
Oberster Kreuzzügler Dathrohan
. This was the beginning of Balnazzar's (and by extension the Burning Legion's) plans of revenge on the Lich King and attack on the forces of Azeroth.
Grand Crusader Dathrohan, the Dreadlord Balnazzar... they are one and the same.
The Story Before Season of Discovery
Since Balnazzar started the Scarlet Crusade, the organization has been able to capture and fortify several important strongholds in Tirisfal and the Plaguelands. From the Scarlet Monastery training grounds to Hearthglen and Tyr's Hand, and even a portion of the fallen city Stratholme, the Crusade attempts to fight back the Scourge wherever they go.
But they quickly changed from only being hostile towards the Undead to considering anyone who isn't wearing their own Scarlet Tabard a potential carrier of the Plague of Undeath. This has led champions of both the Horde and Alliance to seek out these strongholds and attempt to rid the world of the Scarlet Crusade.
The Scarlet Monastery was posing a significant threat to the Forsaken of Undercity, under the leadership of
Scharlachroter Kommandant Mograine
. This is the very same mentioned earlier, the son of Alexandros Mograine, the Ashbringer. There isn't too much story to be noted in the Monastery itself, but there is a secret interaction that can be seen when wielding the
Verderbter Aschenbringer
in the dungeon. All Scarlet Crusaders become friendly, and when approaching
Scharlachroter Kommandant Mograine
, the spirit of Highlord Mograine appears and exacts vengeance on his son.
Most of the interactions players can have with the Scarlet Crusade outside of the Monastery take place in Western and Eastern Plaguelands. Most of the quests are nothing more than "push back Scarlet Crusade forces and reclaim our lands", except for one very impactful storyline, often referred to as "In Dreams". Upon meeting
Tirion Fordring
in the Eastern Plaguelands, players are sent on a journey to retrieve mementos of Fordring's life, to finally bring them to his son
Hochlord Taelan Fordring
, Highlord of the Scarlet Crusade.
It's a heart-wrenching story of family and redemption, but also sorrow. Tirion attempts to reconcile with his son Taelan and bring him back from the corrupted Scarlet Crusade. Taelan sees reason and is about to reunite with his father when
Großinquisitor Isillien
kills him. Isillien was one of the founders of the Scarlet Crusade and was a part of creating the
Aschenbringer
. Tirion is too late to save his son, but he slays Isillien in retribution.
Tirion Fordring fighting Grand Inquisitor Isillien.
The final important storyline is the uncovering of
Oberster Kreuzzügler Dathrohan
as
Balnazzar
. After venturing into Stratholme to cleanse it, not only of the Scourge but also of the Scarlet Crusade's presence, we are faced with
Oberster Kreuzzügler Dathrohan
. Halfway through our battle with him, he reveals his true self - the Nathrezim Balnazzar.
We collect his head, and
Die Wahrheit zeigt sich mit Macht
. The Scarlet Crusade has been a puppet of this demon, and now the Argent Dawn knows it.
In Vanilla World of Warcraft, this seemed to be the end of the story for the Scarlet Crusade. But Season of Discovery has other plans...
The Story In Season of Discovery
While it was implied in WoW Classic that the Scarlet Crusade aided in the assault on Naxxramas (
Scharlachroter Kommandant Marjhan
can be found at Light's Hope Chapel, saying
"Your message did reach us, Commander, but by no means is our involvement here sanctioned by the Grand Crusader."
), it was made clear in Season of Discovery Phase 7 that a truce was met.
Scharlachroter Inquisitor Caldoran
, a Scarlet Inquisitor, was present in Naxxramas. He was the one who allowed us to Empower different wings of the raid, which acted as the Hardmodes. Not much more was known of him in Phase 7, but it remained clear that the Grand Crusader (Balnazzar) had not sanctioned their partnership with the Argent Dawn.
Caldoran says: Give your strength to the crystal, champions!
While this was the only nod to the Scarlet Crusade in Phase 7, there is much more to come in Phase 8.
What is to Come in Phase 8
While the endgame is still to be revealed inside the Scarlet Enclave raid, we have been able to learn a great deal through the PTR. One of the most impactful discoveries was that
Scharlachroter Inquisitor Caldoran
is now wielding the
Verderbter Aschenbringer
!
It seems like Caldoran took the legendary weapon from
Hochlord Mograine
after he was defeated in the Four Horsemen encounter. There is much more we could say about Caldoran and the Ashbringer in Phase 8, but we have already discussed that in a previous article which you can read
here
.
But for the larger story at hand, it has come to light that the contingent of the Scarlet Crusade that helped us in Naxxramas is aware that their Grand Crusader is a demon - and they do not approve of it. Early in Phase 8, players will encounter
Kommandantin Beatrix
, a High General of the Crusade, who informs us that
Oberster Kreuzzügler Dathrohan
has retreated from Stratholme and taken up residence in Tyr's Hand. When we attempt to inform her of Dathrohan's true identity, she scoffs and tells us that she already knows about his ploy. Which is why she and her troops have been banished from Tyr's Hand.
High General Beatrix of the Scarlet Crusade.
She begrudgingly admits that they need the help of the Argent Dawn to fight back against Balnazzar and retake the Scarlet Enclave. Thus our infiltration of New Avalon and the Scarlet Crusade itself begins.
At first glance, all of this seems to point to some sort of redemption for part of the Crusaders, as we team up with them to take down the corruption within the order. However, on closer look, it might not be that simple. We have uncovered the
Scarlet Enclave boss encounters
in the data, and both Caldoran and Beatrix are listed. This could mean two things: either the versions of them that we fight in the raid will be part of Balnazzar's tricks, or they will end up backstabbing us after we deal with the dreadlord.
It could be a very interesting angle to see part of the Scarlet Crusade redeemed, but it also fits quite well with the Crusade's overall agenda to backstab us "filthy non-humans". After all, even if Caldoran and Beatrix have seen the truth behind Balnazzar, they have still devoted their lives to the Scarlet Crusade. Having Caldoran and Beatrix betray us allows for a neater bow on the story, as it effectively ties up any plot holes leading into the Wrath of the Lich King and the Scarlet Onslaught.
Are you ready to assault the Scarlet Enclave?
Whichever way the story goes, it is shaping up to be a worthy
final phase
for Season of Discovery.
Are you hoping for a Scarlet Redemption, or are you excited to pry the Ashbringer from Caldoran's cold, dead hands? Let us know in the comments down below!
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