A World of Warcraft Fan recently discovered a place in The war within Zone of Azj-Kahet that forcibly teleports players away if they try to fly past a certain point. This strange 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. Most of the region is ruled by a Nerubian kingdom, but the parts bordering Hallowfall contain a vast root network inhabited by the Haranir.

As you explore this region of the new zone, World of Warcraft Fan and dataminer Marlamin flew straight up, past a skyriding glyph in WoW: The War Within‘s Azj-Kahet zone and into the roots above. However, they were affected by the Drowsy debuff, which then filled the screen with green and teleported them back to the ground near the Ruptured Lake. This impassable barrier is similar to the one found in places like the Dreamgrove in legionsuggesting that it and the nearby roots may have a connection to the Emerald Dream.

“The Rootlands” – future zone in WoW: The War Within?

A leaked map of Khaz Algar suggested that 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 that existed during Dragonflight. Given the evidence and the fact that the Haranir are featured in the theatrical trailer for WoW: The War Within Despite their small role in the main story so far, a zone around these fabled roots would fit perfectly into the story – and this exclusion zone could be where players finally enter it.

On the other hand, this barrier in the game could also be a relic from early development. Fans have also spotted references to Goblin and Ethereal-inspired raids, which wouldn’t really fit in The Rootlands. World of Warcraft: Dragonflight Patch 10.2 also introduced players to the Emerald Dream, so another nature-themed zone so soon after would need something to stand out. Aside from that, it would also be the perfect time to introduce the Haranir as an allied race in Wowgiven the large number of customization options they offer.

Whatever the case, fans don’t have to wait long to find out. Patch 11.0.5 is expected to be released at Wow20th birthday in November, which means 11.0.7 will probably be released early next year. 11.1 – and The war within‘s first post-launch zone – will likely arrive in spring 2025, so players will have to keep an eye out for more clues until then.