One World of Warcraft Fan Might Have Found The War Within’s Next Zone

Key Takeaways

• Players discovered a mysterious barrier in WoW’s Azj-Kahet zone that teleports them away if they try to fly past a certain point.
• The barrier may hint at a new zone called “The Rootlands,” connected to the Emerald Dream and the Haranir.
• Patch 11.0.5 is expected to arrive around WoW’s 20th anniversary in November, with potential clues leading to the new zone.

A World of Warcraft fan recently discovered a location in The War Within zone of Azj-Kahet that forcibly teleports players away if they try to fly past a certain point. This curious barrier could be a relic from development, but it could also be a teaser for a new zone in the World of Warcraft expansion.

Azj-Kahet is the fourth zone in World of Warcraft: The War Within. The vast majority of the region is dominated by a Nerubian kingdom, but the parts bordering Hallowfall contain a massive network of roots where the Haranir dwell.

While exploring this region of the new zone, World of Warcraft fan and dataminer Marlamin flew directly upwards, past a Skyriding glyph in WoW: The War Within‘s Azj-Kahet zone and into the roots above. However, upon doing so, they were afflicted by the Drowsy debuff, which then filled the screen with green, teleporting them back to the ground near the Ruptured Lake. This impassable barrier is similar to the one used in places like the Dreamgrove in Legion, suggesting it, and the nearby roots, could have a connection to the Emerald Dream.

‘The Rootlands’ – Future Zone in WoW: The War Within?

A leaked map of Khaz Algar suggested a zone called “The Rootlands” was originally planned for The War Within. The Haranir who guard the roots likely originate from this mysterious zone, which is almost certainly connected to Elune’Ahir – a great World Tree destroyed by the Titan Aman’thul and connected to the Emerald Dream, teased during Dragonflight. Given the evidence, and the fact that the Haranir were given a spotlight in the cinematic trailer for WoW: The War Within despite their small role in the main story so far, a zone about these storied roots would fit perfectly in the story – and this off-limits barrier may be where players eventually enter it.

On the other hand, this in-game barrier could just as easily be a relic from early development. Fans have also discovered evidence of raids inspired by Goblins and Ethereals, which would not exactly fit in The Rootlands. World of Warcraft: Dragonflight Patch 10.2 also took players to the Emerald Dream, so another nature-themed zone so soon after would need something to differentiate it. That said, it would also be the perfect time to add the Haranir as an Allied Race in WoW, given the huge number of customization options they have.

Either way, fans won’t have to wait too long to find out. Patch 11.0.5 is expected to arrive around WoW’s 20th anniversary in November, meaning 11.0.7 will likely arrive early next year. 11.1 – and The War Within’s first post-launch zone – will probably drop in spring 2025, so players will have to keep an eye out for more clues between now and then.