So, uh, hi everyone - I’ve been lurking here since the beginning of BFA. Nice to meet you ![:stuck_out_tongue:](https://d1bg94bbsh66ji.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/stuck_out_tongue.png?v=6" ":stuck_out_tongue:")
I thought I’d write about an idea I’ve been toying with. I expect you’ll find it very stupid. Its long, but there is a tl;dr at the bottom.
Let’s assume:
1 - Sylvanas used Baine to free Derek
2 - Derek is not brainwashed
3 - Sylvanas is actually the strategic genius she is lauded to be and her - questionable - actions in game come from poor writing
This would mean:
1 - Sylvanas never intended to complete the brainwashing of Derek, even if she was capable of doing so in the first place
2 - No assassinations occur
So what could be her reason/s could for this? Well two suggestions (which I wont elaborate on) are:
1 - To expose and make an example of dissenters in her ranks (Baine and Zelling).
2 - Some sort of back-up diplomacy plan should her war fail (I saw this on the US forums. I don’t agree with it as it seems very out of character for her, but there it is.).
3 - My silly idea!
I’ve been thinking about the (apparent) Scarlet Crusade propaganda data-mined a while ago. Particularly one called “The Would-Be Queen”. Its description is: “Our beloved princess has been transformed into a CORPSE BRIDE!”
The princess is most likely Calia. But, as an undead, who would she marry and why? Well, what about Derek?
Now I’m not saying that Sylvanas is playing match maker, but perhaps she has become aware of the Scarlet Crusade’s rising animosity towards the Alliance and deduced that Calia is a major reason for it. So thinks to capitalise on this and places another. And not just anyone, but, Jaina Proudmoore’s own brother. Sibling to the leader of the entire Kul Tiran forces (as I understand her position).
So now there are 2 major undead characters within the Alliance. Each one favoured by a Faction Leader. Surely, the Crusade would see this as a huge threat.
This, I expect, is - almost (more below) - as far as Sylvanas’ planning goes.
However, something else happens then that the Lich Queen did not expect. Calia lightforges Derek. This allows him to become emotionally complete again. Fully capable of empathy and, importantly, love.
Outsiders believe undead are monsters and incapable of such feelings. So what they see is a marriage of convenience. An alliance between two undead that will use their sway over the two human Alliance leaders to realise their terrible plans.
The Scarlet Crusade lives up to its names and becomes a 3rd (NPC only) faction in this war. Their focus solely on the enemy within. However, they are not powerful enough to be of any major concern. Or would not be if it weren’t for their new benefactors.
There is a whisper that informs us: “The Light has struck a bargain with the enemy of all”
Recently, there was a quest datamined where we are sent to save a Dark Ranger from the Scarlet Crusade. She is apparently investigating them under her own initiative. But why? What made her choose to do so and why now of all times?
The Mag’har unlock quest was originally intended to come much later than it did, with the Zandalari happening first. Assuming their release dates were swapped, that would mean the Mag’har were meant to be released now and the Horde would just be learning of Yrel’s army (as far as I know, the Alliance still have no clue). So Sylvanas learns about this from the Mag’har and sends someone to infiltrate the Scarlet Crusade. This agent arranges for the Crusade to contact Yrel, which leads to them becoming part of her army. (It is the pursuit of this agent that brought our Dark Ranger to the monastery and might be how the Alliance learning about Yrel and her army).
Anyway, bolstered by their new masters, the Crusade attack. The Alliance finds themselves facing war on two fronts. Where once they had assured victory over the horde, they now face obliteration.
Victory finally in sight, Sylvanas prepares to take Stormwind, as she always wanted. But just as she is about to, the schism occurs. Saurfang returns (presumably with Thrall) and…yes we have another Civil War. Sylvanas is overthrown but, presumably, escapes.
BFA concludes with both the Alliance and Horde too weak to continue. Im not sure what happens with the Crusade and Yrel’s army. They are either set up to be the antagonists of the next expansion, or beaten back for use in the future.
tl;dr
Sylvanas arranges contact between the Scarlet Crusade and Yrel’s army. She uses Derek as a tool to provoke the now super-fanatical Scarlets into attacking the Alliance.
![:frowning:](https://d1bg94bbsh66ji.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/frowning.png?v=6" ":frowning:")