Cover-Credits:
Over the last few hours, several teasers have been posted by Valve and Wykrhm Reddy on social media. These teasers include modifications to the Aghanim’s Scepter and a cryptic riddle in the Summer Event tab of the TI10 Battle Pass. Many speculate that this foretells the coming of Aghanim, a new Dota 2 Character, and that the summer event will be related to him in some way.
So before we attempt to decipher what this means, let’s get some background information on who Aghanim is.
Who is Aghanim?
Aghanim was the most powerful wizard in the Dota 2 world whose abilities approached that of a demi-god. He owned and is speculated to have created the original Aghanim’s Scepter. Although many heroes believe that he is dead, some including Grimstroke and Vanessa from Artifact have their doubts and believe that he simply disappeared.
Rubick claims that he is the son of Aghanim and has claimed the Aghanim’s Scepter as his own. He closely guards his secret against heroes like Mireska, the Dark Willow who desire its power.
- Dark Willow: I want your father's secrets!
- Dark Willow: Give me that staff, Rubick
However, Vanessa from Artifact has her doubts about this.
Vanessa also made another statement. A statement that may be the key to unlocking the true meaning behind these latest teasers. She says:
Aghanim is the greatest wizard of all time. There is no question. There is no debate. No one is his equal. So when he vanished one day, we never wondered 'how' we wondered 'why'. Some say he feared for his life and ran into hiding, but I don't believe that for a second. You ask me, Aghanim is working on something. Something important. Something that will change the world.
Aghanim’s Scepter’s Recent Changes in Dota 2
Over the last 24 hours several changes have been made to the Aghanim’s Scepter. The in-game icon for the item has changed, representing a Scepter that has been broken.
This in turn has caused a glow to appear under every hero when equipping the Aghanim’s Scepter.
When purchasing an Aghanim’s Scepter on any hero, a weird voice of an old man says “Scepter”, instead of the hero’s original voice.
Perhaps this voice is Aghanim’s.
Is Aghanim Trapped in ‘The Narrow Maze’?
It’s possible that the greatest wizard of all time wasn't ready for a certain something (perhaps The Great Confluence) and was hence beaten and trapped somewhere. Could this somewhere be the Narrow Maze?
What is the Narrow Maze?
The Narrow Maze is a complex system of twisted passageways that newly deceased souls must navigate before reaching the realm where souls go after death. Only a few heroes have returned to life from the Narrow Maze (Monkey King, Lion and maybe Axe). It is guarded by many including Razor and Visage.
Recent lore also revealed that the Narrow Maze is not only a place in the Underscape but also an event. In fact, we got an addition to the lore just a few weeks ago in the Queen of Pain Arcana comic. The very first sentence is “It was the Eve of the Narrow Maze” and describes it as “the spectacle of souls fighting for their freedom”.
Our Speculation with Reference to the Recent Hints From Valve About Summer Event
Aghanim could be trapped in the Narrow Maze after being defeated by an Unknown Power.
"Knowledge wilts in the shadow of the unknown"
He has found a way to escape and is using his Aghanim’s Scepter to ask for help or manipulate heroes into helping him. This also explains the shattered Aghanim’s Scepter and the weird old man’s voice.
“Strength succumbs to knowledge”.
After all, the only way to beat the unknown is by using strength.
“Unknown only yields to strength”.
So to sum it up. We think that the Summer Event will be about heroes (a.k.a the players, us) helping Aghanim make his way out of the Narrow Maze.
Do you think this is the case? What are your theories? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
