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This article is about Death as a cosmic force. For death as a gameplay mechanic, see Death (gameplay). For cultural practices related to death, see funerary practices.
Arbiter by Peter Mohrbacher

The Arbiter, an Eternal One responsible for judging all mortal souls that enter the Shadowlands, assigning them to appropriate afterlives.

“Death is not an end, but a beginning.”

Highlord Bolvar Fordragon[1]

Death is one of the cosmic forces that holds sway over every living thing in the Great Dark Beyond. Acting as a counterbalance to Life, it is an unavoidable force that breeds despair in mortal hearts and pushes everything towards a state of entropic decay and eventual oblivion.[2] While the living use the word "death" to refer only to the termination of one's mortal existence, "Death", from a cosmic perspective, is an eternal force of magic that permeates the spirit realm and beyond—one that offers new beginnings instead of only an end.[3][4] The Shadowlands are the realm of existence for Death and its denizens,[5] existing on the edge of reality and separated from the physical universe by a barrier known as the Veil. In the physical realm, Death manifests in the form of necromantic magic,[6] and serves as the main source of magic used to practice necromancy; the dark art of raising and controlling the dead.[7]

The undead are the main manifestation of Death in the physical universe, they are former mortals who died and were brought back through the practice of necromancy or curses, their souls now trapped between life and death. In the Shadowlands, they are all soldiers of the Necrolord Covenant, the armies that serve as the first line of defense in the realm of Death.[8]

Origins and characteristics[]

Breaking the Arbiter - Oribos

Oribos, the heart of the Shadowlands.

The cosmic force of Death was conceived by the First Ones, as well as the other forces five other governing forces of reality.[9] These enigmatic godlike beings, who shaped the cosmos and the fabric of all realities, created the Shadowlands as the realm of Death. Within it, they created Zereth Mortis to be a workshop where they and their servants—the automa—made everything in the Shadowlands and the realms beyond. It was within the Sepulcher of the First Ones that they created beings like the Eternal Ones of the Pantheon of Death, the rulers of the Shadowlands.[10] The brokers believe that the First Ones made the endless cycle of Life and Death the central part of their creation.[11]

Time and Death are not related, as Death is about eternity and not linear time,[12] while time is a construct of Order and structure. To a soul in the Shadowlands, circumstances are more chaotic, it can therefore feel like eons have passed since their arrival whereas only a few months or years have elapsed in the world of the living, much like a dream.[13][14]

When a living being dies, their spirit lingers in the Veil before being shepherded by kyrian into the Shadowlands. There, spirits face the Arbiter in Oribos, who judges their soul and places them in one of the realms of the Shadowlands, where they will spend their afterlife. When a mortal life expires, an echo of it remains behind. The most powerful mortals leave the most resonant echoes.[15] On some occasions, a living being may go to a different place than the Shadowlands. For example, the spirits of the Wild Gods are bound to the Emerald Dream,[16] where they go following a period of hibernation in Ardenweald upon their death.[17] Liches return to their phylactery,[18] and less fortunate souls may be raised into a necromancer's service. Elementals killed outside their planes simply reform over time in the Elemental Plane. Most brave Stormheim vrykul are brought to the Halls of Valor by Odyn's Val'kyr,[19] while the spirits of dishonorable vrykul spend eternity in Helheim, where they are turned into kvaldir to serve Helya.[20] Demons, when killed in mortal planes, are sent back to the Twisting Nether to reform.[21] Some souls appear to travel to a Light-based afterlife after dying, such as Uuna's parents, while the naaru are also able to bring mortal souls to the Light like A'dal did with Bridenbrad in order to save him from undeath.[22]

If a being of Death is killed on the mortal plane, their essence returns to the Shadowlands to be reformed, similar to how demons reform in the Twisting Nether.[23] However, if such a being—either the soul of a former mortal or a member of an endemic Shadowlands race—is destroyed in the Shadowlands, they die permanently. Their energy then disperses and joins the greater whole of the magic of Death. This is the case both for souls of former mortals and for endemic Shadowlands races.[24][25][26] If a "workforce" creature like a dredger or steward dies, another member of the same race will eventually manifest to take the place of the one that was killed.[27][28] Should a soul fall in the Shadowlands, while not even a necromancer of the Maldraxxi could bring them back, necromancy could animate their fallen body as a mindless servant.[29]

The Purpose is the guiding principle of the Shadowlands, it is the belief that the realm of the dead follows a pattern laid out by the Arbiter in her infinite wisdom.[30] According to Fatescribe Roh-Tahl, the Purpose keeps the realms of Death in balance, and all beings in the endless cycle serve it—even those who do so unknowingly or unwillingly.[31]

Necromantic magic[]

Main articles: Necromancy, Domination
Prime Arcanum rune circle

Maldraxxi necromancy runes.

In the Shadowlands, Maldraxxus is the birthplace of necromantic magic,[32] where necromancy was developed by the Primus. He is responsible for the creation of Maldraxxi rune magic, who devised this unique language of intricate symbols, each individually representing a specific word tied to the very foundations of Maldraxxus, from simple commands, to necromantic energy manipulation.[33] In order to imprison his brother, Zovaal the Jailer, the Primus also invented an even more potent death runic language: Domination. Behaving in a matter similar to a language, it alters the victim's thoughts so powerfully that it interferes with their sense of self.[34] Its sole purpose was to be the utter suppression of another.[35]

In the Great Dark Beyond, the souls of the undead are imperfectly attached to their bodies; the necromantic magic that sustains them is a buffer that prevents their souls from properly joining with their bodies. This is why undead feel only faint sensations of pain or discomfort from most physical stimuli, and why the Light is so painful to their existence.[36]

In the Shadowlands, anima is the source that is drawn upon when using death magic, and is comparable to the mana used in the Great Dark Beyond.[37] The most common practitioners of necromancy are known as necromancers and others include death knights, necrolytes, and the necrolords.

Prominent figures[]

Covenants of the Shadowlands

From left to right: Margrave Krexus, a Maldraxxi of the House of the Chosen; Kyrestia the Firstborne, Archon of Bastion; the Winter Queen, ruler of Ardenweald; and Denathrius, Sire of Revendreth.

Shadowlands[]

Main article: Shadowlands
Help From Beyond - Troops

Various races of Death in Zereth Mortis.

The Shadowlands are the realm of Death, an infinite plane where the souls of deceased mortals go to be reborn, serve, find peace, do battle, or endure endless torment.[38] The Shadowlands exist on the edge of reality,[39] separated from the physical universe by a barrier known as the Veil, and consist of an infinite number of diverse afterlives sustained by the flow of anima from the recently dead.[40] Anima is the essence of mortal souls that enter the Shadowlands,[41] the product of all of the soul's experiences and actions in life. It infuses the Shadowlands[42] and acts as the lifeblood of the afterlife, making trees grow and rivers flow, flowing through creatures,[43] and connecting all the realms of the Shadowlands together.[44] The five main realms are Bastion, Ardenweald, Revendreth, Maldraxxus and the Maw, though countless others exist.[45]

The Covenants are four ancient and powerful orders who rule over the different realms of the spirit world. They have existed since the Shadowlands were shaped long ago and bear sacred duties to help maintain the afterlife's ecosystem.[46] Each of them is affiliated to a realm ruled by one of the Eternal Ones, ensuring the protection of the cycle of life and death.

Beings of death are ancient and powerful, and it is dangerous to meddle in their realm. When Odyn peered into the Shadowlands, he saw some of its inhabitants: souls in torment, the husks of the dead, ghostly wraiths with no face, and others with no form, all made of death itself.[48] Many beings in the Shadowlands are souls of deceased mortals, some of which have been transformed to serve a new purpose, such as the kyrian. Other creatures—such as dredgers, faeries, and stewards—are endemic to the Shadowlands and are naturally born from the magic of Death to serve the different realms and help facilitate the process of the afterlife.[49][50] Here are some examples of races that can be encountered in the realm of the dead:

Zereth Mortis[]

Main article: Zereth Mortis
Forge of Afterlives

The Forge of Afterlives above Zereth Mortis.

Zereth Mortis is the forbidden[51] realm of the First Ones, tucked away in the fabric of the Shadowlands itself. It was crafted by the First Ones to act as their workshop and is intended to create afterlives, a process carried out by the enormous Forge of Afterlives floating at the center of the realm. A race of mechanical caretakers called the automa were left behind by the First Ones to facilitate this process. The realm's most notable feature is the Sepulcher of the First Ones, which contains knowledge that could rewrite reality.[52]

Funerary practices[]

Main article: Funerary practices

On Azeroth and beyond, each race has its own funeral rites according to their culture and beliefs, whether by burials, cremations, mummifications, or other processes. Even after the war against the Jailer, death is still an uncertainty to most citizens of Azeroth, as they didn't come to the Shadowlands with the adventurers, and not everyone came back from the realm of the dead.[53]

Notes[]

  • While necromancy brings the dead back as undead, it is possible for casters to perform true resurrection, which can be accomplished with different sources of magic.
  • As servants of Denathrius, the nathrezim attempted to manipulate the void lords, but they appeared somewhat aware of their machinations,[54] and regarded Death as "the true enemy" which seeks the death of all possibilities and all futures.[55]

See also[]

References[]

 
  1. ^ The Art of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, pg. 5
  2. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 11
  3. ^ N [50] A Doorway Through the Veil: Ebon Blade Acolyte says: I thought death was the end of existence. Here, it seems, Death is a power that offers new beginnings.
  4. ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 9
  5. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 13
  6. ^ Steve Danuser on Twitter: "Remember that in the Shadowlands, "necromany"[sic] simply refers to the magic of Death. The necrolords are the experts at wielding it, but even they have limitations. In any case, I agree the wording for that text is unclear. It will be clarified in a future update."
  7. ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 21
  8. ^ N [60] Power of the Primus
  9. ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 150 - 151
  10. ^ Kit 2021-11-11. Shadowlands, Eternity’s End Q&A with Steve Danuser and Morgan Day: End of Book One?. GamerBraves. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11.
  11. ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 56
  12. ^ Ezgi Pajecki 2020-09-26. Maldraxxus, Shadowlands and Beyond - Interview with Steve Danuser. Lorekeeper. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27.
  13. ^ WoWChakra 2020-05-15. Entrevista a Ion Hazzikostas sobre Shadowlands | Shadowlands interview with Ion Hazzikostas [EN/ES] (08:35). YouTube. Retrieved on 2020-05-19.
  14. ^ Bellular 2020-07-13. …SCOURGE INVASION! Pre-Patch, Shadowland’s Anti Grind, LESS RNG, New Gearing + MORE | Ion Interview (06:15 - 08:40). YouTube. Retrieved on 2020-09-27.
  15. ^ N [50-60] The Eternal Traveler
  16. ^ N [30-35] Return to Nordrassil
  17. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2020-06-03. Shadowlands Preview: Ardenweald and the Night Fae Covenant. Archived from the original on 2020-06-03.
  18. ^ Nyorloth on the official forums (dead link)
  19. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 57 - 58
  20. ^ N [10-45] Scavenging the Shallows
  21. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 14
  22. ^ N [25-30] The Boon of A'dal
  23. ^ Ezgi Pajecki 2020-09-26. Maldraxxus, Shadowlands and Beyond - Interview with Steve Danuser. Lorekeeper. Archived from the original on 2020-09-27.
  24. ^ Wam 2020-09-24. Maldraxxus Deep Dive With Steve Danuser. GamerBraves. Archived from the original on 2020-09-25.
  25. ^ Cass Marshall 2020-09-24. World of Warcraft’s Maldraxxus is the grittiest zone in the Shadowlands. Polygon. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24.
  26. ^ Sybia 2020-09-24. WoW Shadowlands : Interview exclusive de Steve Danuser à propos de Maldraxxus (in French). Millenium. Archived from the original on 2020-09-24.
  27. ^ Warcraft Radio 2019-11-03. John Hight & Johnny Cash SHADOWLANDS Interview! | BLIZZCON 2019! (10:15 - 12:40). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-11-07.
  28. ^ The Lost Codex 2019-11-05. BlizzCon 2019 Interview: Steve Danuser & Frank Kowalkowski - Story and Systems | The Lost Codex (18:00 - 19:58). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-11-07.
  29. ^ Steve Danuser on Twitter: ""Necromancer" has a different meaning in Maldraxxus. They can take a fallen body and infuse it with energy to make a mindless servant, or move a soul from one body to another. But if say Draka was killed, they could not raise her from the dead. Her soul would be gone."
  30. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2020-05-21. Shadowlands Preview: Oribos. Archived from the original on 2020-05-21.
  31. ^ Fatescribe Roh-Tahl#Quotes
  32. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment. Shadowlands - Home. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
  33. ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 118 - To do this, he devised a unique language of intricate symbols, each individually representing a specific word tied to the very foundations of Maldraxxus and the might of the five houses, from simple commands to necromantic energy manipulation. One example keenly relevant to our interests on Azeroth are the runes found on the weaponry of its champions, known as death knights. Their massive two-handed runeblades are emblazoned with words of power set in runes - each with quaint translations such as "Razorice" and "Fallen Crusader."
  34. ^ Primus dialogue in Zereth Mortis
  35. ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond - [...] the Primus [...] was recently confirmed to be the devisor of the language of Domination - the very force used to bind the Jailer within the Maw.
  36. ^ Nyorloth on the Official Forums - 09/02/2012
  37. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-01. BlizzCon 2019 - World of Warcraft: What's Next. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
  38. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-02. World of Warcraft at BlizzCon® 2019 News Round-Up. Retrieved on 2021-03-07.
  39. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-26. BlizzCon 2019 | World of Warcraft: What's Next | Full Panel. YouTube.
  40. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-01. World of Warcraft: What’s Next Panel Recap. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
  41. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment. Shadowlands - Home. Retrieved on 2019-11-03.
  42. ^ Inv aetherserpentmount [Ensorcelled Everwyrm]
  43. ^ Anima Wyrmling
  44. ^ MrGM 2019-11-02. Blizzcon Shadowlands Interview: Frank Kowalkowski & Steve Danuser - Titanforging/Tier Sets & More! (23:30 - 25:00). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
  45. ^ BlizzCon 2019
  46. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-01. BlizzCon 2019 - World of Warcraft: What's Next. Retrieved on 2019-11-02.
  47. ^ a b c d Blizzard Entertainment Blizzard Entertainment 2020-04-06. Shadowlands: A Look at Covenant Class and Signature Abilities. Archived from the original on 2020-04-06. Retrieved on 2020-04-06.
  48. ^ The Legend of Odyn
  49. ^ Warcraft Radio 2019-11-03. John Hight & Johnny Cash SHADOWLANDS Interview! | BLIZZCON 2019! (10:15 - 12:40). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-11-07.
  50. ^ The Lost Codex 2019-11-05. BlizzCon 2019 Interview: Steve Danuser & Frank Kowalkowski - Story and Systems | The Lost Codex (18:00 - 19:58). YouTube. Retrieved on 2019-11-07.
  51. ^ B [60] Doorway in the Dark
  52. ^ Blizzard Entertainment 2021-11-11. Shadowlands: Watch the Eternity’s End developer preview. Archived from the original on 2021-11-11.
  53. ^ MMO Champion - Dragonflight Developer Interviews
  54. ^ Inv misc book 05 [Enemy Infiltration - Preface]
  55. ^ Windrunner: Three Sisters
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