Why is Outland Floating? Unraveling the Mystery of Draenor’s Shattered Remnant
Outland, the desolate and fragmented realm featured prominently in World of Warcraft, is floating because it is the remnant of the planet Draenor after a cataclysmic event. Specifically, the shaman Ner’zhul recklessly opened numerous portals across Draenor in a desperate attempt to find new worlds for the Orcish Horde to conquer. This uncontrolled magical surge shattered the planet, tearing it apart and flinging portions of it into the Twisting Nether, a dimension of chaotic magic and demonic influence. The remaining landmasses, now infused with Nether energies, became the floating islands we know as Outland, forever suspended in the turbulent cosmic void.
The Cataclysmic Sundering of Draenor
The key to understanding why Outland floats lies in the circumstances surrounding the sundering of Draenor. After the Orcs’ initial defeat in Azeroth, Ner’zhul sought to escape retribution by opening portals to new, unsuspecting worlds. However, his power was insufficient to control the immense energies unleashed. The portals destabilized, tearing rifts in the fabric of reality and causing a chain reaction that violently fractured the planet. This explosion ripped Draenor apart, leaving behind shattered landmasses that were saturated with chaotic energies.
These landmasses, no longer bound by the planet’s original gravitational core, were effectively untethered and drawn towards the Twisting Nether. The Nether’s influence imbued these fragments with unusual properties, causing them to levitate and drift endlessly within its chaotic embrace. This is why, when players traverse Outland in World of Warcraft, they find themselves navigating a series of floating islands rather than a cohesive planet.
The Twisting Nether’s Influence
The Twisting Nether plays a crucial role in Outland’s continued existence, or perhaps more accurately, its continued un-existence. The Nether is a dimension of pure, unbridled magic, heavily influenced by the Burning Legion. It is a chaotic and turbulent realm where the laws of physics often bend or break entirely.
Outland’s proximity to the Twisting Nether subjects it to constant exposure to this chaotic energy. This exposure not only prevents the shattered fragments from coalescing back into a single planet but also contributes to their ongoing degradation. The Nether’s energies warp and twist the land, giving rise to bizarre flora and fauna, and creating an environment that is both dangerous and otherworldly. It’s also theorized that the continuous influx of Nether energy is what allows the large fragments of the planet to defy gravity and remain suspended.
Beyond Gravitational Laws
Understanding why Outland floats requires moving beyond the conventional laws of planetary physics. While gravity certainly still exists within Outland, the massive infusion of magic and its connection to the Twisting Nether fundamentally alter its behavior. The residual magic from the planet’s destruction, combined with the Nether’s influence, creates a sort of anti-gravitational field that counteracts the natural tendency for the fragments to collapse upon themselves or be drawn into other celestial bodies. Think of it as a form of magical levitation, sustained by the inherent chaos of the Nether and the lingering energy of Draenor’s destruction.
The floating nature of Outland is, therefore, not a natural phenomenon but a direct consequence of extreme magical disruption. It is a testament to the destructive power of unchecked ambition and a visual representation of the devastating impact of the Burning Legion’s influence on the Warcraft universe. If you want to explore more educational content about the design of the game, visit the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Outland
1. Are Draenor and Outland the same place?
Yes, they are the same planet at different points in time. Draenor existed before its destruction, while Outland is the shattered remnant that persists in the present. A trip to Draenor is also possible in the game through timewalking.
2. What planet is visible in the sky of Outland?
Azeroth is visible from certain locations in Outland, most notably from the courtyard of the Black Temple.
3. Is Outland located in space?
While Outland is floating in a cosmic void, it’s more accurate to describe it as being partially within the Twisting Nether, an interdimensional realm of chaotic magic.
4. Why does Draenor look different from Outland?
Draenor was a whole planet with diverse ecosystems, while Outland is a collection of shattered fragments twisted by Nether energies.
5. Who ruled Outland after the sundering?
The Pit Lord Magtheridon initially ruled Outland for the Burning Legion, but he was eventually overthrown by Illidan Stormrage.
6. How did Illidan gain control of Outland?
Illidan, with the help of Kael’thas Sunstrider and Lady Vashj, defeated Magtheridon and claimed the Black Temple as his base of operations.
7. Are there any habitable areas on Outland?
Despite its ravaged state, Outland contains several habitable zones, such as Nagrand and Zangarmarsh, which support diverse ecosystems and settlements.
8. What races inhabit Outland?
Outland is home to a mix of races, including Orcs, Draenei, Blood Elves, demons, and various native creatures.
9. What is the significance of the Black Temple?
The Black Temple was originally a Draenei temple but was corrupted by the Orcs and later became Illidan’s stronghold and a symbol of his power in Outland.
10. How did people travel to Outland from Azeroth?
The Dark Portal, a magical gateway connecting Azeroth and Draenor (and later Outland), was the primary means of travel.
11. Is there a way to restore Outland to its former state?
While there is no explicit storyline in the game focused on fully restoring Outland, certain factions, like the Sha’tar, aim to heal and stabilize the land.
12. What is the role of the Burning Legion in Outland?
The Burning Legion seeks to control and exploit Outland’s resources and use it as a staging ground for their invasions.
13. How does Outland’s environment affect its inhabitants?
The harsh and chaotic environment of Outland has forced its inhabitants to adapt and survive, often leading to mutations and altered behaviors.
14. What is the geographical relationship between Frostfire Ridge and Blade’s Edge Mountains?
When Draenor shattered and became Outland, Frostfire Ridge and Gorgrond were pressed together to become the Blade’s Edge Mountains. This explains their strange proximity in the Outland map.
15. How long has Outland been in its current state?
Outland has been in its current state for roughly 35-40 years (in World of Warcraft’s timeline) since the sundering of Draenor. The exact timeline can vary depending on in-game events and lore developments.
By understanding the circumstances surrounding Draenor’s destruction and the influence of the Twisting Nether, we can begin to comprehend the bizarre and fascinating phenomenon of Outland’s perpetual floatation. It stands as a somber reminder of the consequences of unchecked power and the enduring legacy of conflict in the World of Warcraft universe.