So last night Blizzard showed off a brand-new trailer for the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion, Warlords of Draenor, and it was probably one of the very best cinematics the company has ever put out.

But not just because of the top-notch visuals, the actual scene itself was fascinating. Particularly for long-time fans as it has to do with a massively significant event in the Warcraft universe, but with a huge twist, one that is the foundation of the Warlords of Draenor expansion for World of Warcraft. Check it out:

If you’re not a Warcraft veteran, however, you may not understand what, exactly, is happening, which is a pity as it’s here where the creative genius of Blizzard’s writing team shines through. So here’s a quick rundown on what’s going on, courtesy of my own knowledge of the game as well as a huge nerd over at Cinemablend called Pete Haas.

Context is everything

So you noticed the big green dude almost drinking the oozy green stuff that looks suspiciously like demon’s blood, right? Well, that is Grom Hellscream, the Horde leader and he was indeed about to drink the blood of a demon called Mannoroth and enter into a “Blood Curse” that would have enslaved the Orcs to the Burning Legion, an army of demons intent on destroying Azeroth.

The demons’ plan was to use the Orcs – now strengthened by the Blood Curse – as part of their invading force, which invaded Azeroth through the Dark Portal – a pathway between Draenor and Azeroth – as told in the stories of Warcraft 1 and 2.

But in the events of Warcraft 3, Grom kills Mannoroth and ends the Blood Curse but he dies in the process, and while that freed the Orcs it also closed the portals linking Azeroth to their home world of Draenor. Cut off, the Orcs were forced to ally with trolls, tauren and other races in their fight against the humans, dwarves and elves of the realm.

In the most recent World of Warcraft expansion, Mists of Pandaria, the Horde is led by Garrosh Hellscream, Grom’s son, but his warmongering ways and desire for Orcs to rule Azeroth alone alienate just about every other race, who unite against him and bring about his downfall. As Mists of Pandaria closes, he’s seen being defeated and led off in chains.

Not for long

Of course he escapes through the Dark Portal, which by this time had been closed and reopened a number of times, but refuses to let go of his dreams of an Orc-ruled Azeroth. Only problem is that now everyone – Orcs included – hate him. So naturally he decides to go back in time to the moments before Grom entered into the Blood Curse with the Burning Legion in order to change things, armed with future technology.

And that’s what you see in the trailer for Warlords of Draenor. Garrosh has warned Grom about the price he was about to pay, leading to Grom refusing the demons’ offer and killing Mannoroth just like he did in Warcraft 3. But instead of also dying as he was destined to do (somehow, historic patterns seem to want to assert themselves even when they’re out of chronological order) Garrosh is there to save him, which he does.

And now, it’s 35 years in the past, the Orcs are united behind Grom and Garrosh and while they aren’t super-strong since they’re not cursed, they have the weapons technology and knowledge brought back through time by Garrosh. That’s a pretty good advantage, and a great place to start World of Warcraft’s latest expansion.

To see how it all unfolds, you’ll need to reactivate your World of Warcraft subscription and buy Warlords of Draenor, which launches on November 13.

[Source – Gamespot (video), Cinemablend (backstory)]