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For other uses, see Reckoning (disambiguation).

Reckoning is a cinematic that serves as the finale to the War Campaign in Battle for Azeroth, focusing on the final confrontation between the united rebellion and Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner. The cinematic plays during the quests B [60] Before the Gates of Orgrimmar (for Alliance players and Horde players who side with the rebellion) and H [60] A Line in the Sand (for Horde players who side with Sylvanas), both released with patch 8.2.5 on September 24th, 2019.

Cinematic[]

Description[]

  • The faction war reaches its inevitable climax at the gates of Orgrimmar as Alliance soldiers stand together with Saurfang's rebels against the Banshee Queen.[1]

Characters[]

Main Major Minor

Locations[]

Mentioned[]

Transcript[]

Backed by the combined armies of the Alliance and Horde, Varok Saurfang, Anduin Wrynn, and Thrall approach the Gates of Orgrimmar. The final battalions of Stormwind soldiers march into position beside the Horde army and stop, silence now reigning over the battlefield.
Thrall: Varok... It's time.
Saurfang takes notice of Sylvanas's own army gathered atop the gates.
Varok Saurfang: Those who defend Orgrimmar are Horde as well. Our brothers and sisters.
Glancing off to the side, Thrall steps up closer to Saurfang's shoulder.
Thrall: These warriors have sworn to fight. For you. Many lives will be lost.
Having inclined his head to Thrall while listening, Saurfang returns his gaze to their brethren on the gate.
Varok Saurfang: Or perhaps... just one.
Saurfang steps towards the gates by himself and calls out at the top of his voice.
Varok Saurfang: Sylvanas Windrunner! I challenge... Mak'gora!
The gates open, and Sylvanas and a single Forsaken banner-carrier walk out to meet Saurfang. Sylvanas looks upon those gathered before her.
Sylvanas Windrunner: A traitor leading traitors. Why should I accept your challenge?
Varok Saurfang: You want to make me suffer.
Sylvanas gives a slight smirk, then gestures for her banner-carrier to hand over two daggers. As she turns around to accept them, Saurfang turns to face Thrall, who hands him his axe.
Thrall: Brother... you cannot win.
Varok Saurfang: My old friend. You... and I...
Saurfang places his hand on Thrall's shoulder, who nods his understanding and responds soon after.
Thrall: We don't get to hide.
Saurfang quietly smiles and nods, then turns to face the approaching Anduin.
Anduin Wrynn: I set you on this path.
Varok Saurfang: And we knew where it could lead. Walk with me the rest of the way.
Anduin unsheathes Shalamayne from his side and holds it out in both hands, offering it to Saurfang for his duel. Saurfang accepts it, taking the grip in his right hand, with another faint nod. He turns and rolling his shoulders, advances towards Sylvanas with Anduin following slightly behind him. Suddenly, Zekhan rushes out from the crowd and attempts to approach Saurfang, but Thrall holds him back, then places his hand on the troll's shoulder. Saurfang and Sylvanas face each other with their weapons in hand, and Saurfang adjusts his grip.
Varok Saurfang: Let it be finished.
Saurfang charges Sylvanas in an attempt to land the first blow with the axe, but she parries him and disarms him of it. She lands a number of hits on him, which leave shadowy wounds over his body. Saurfang falls to his knees as Sylvanas looms over him and taunts the orc before kneeling into frame.
Sylvanas Windrunner: The High Overlord falls. I trusted you.
Thrall and Zekhan look upon Saurfang from afar.
Sylvanas Windrunner: And so did they. Death comes old soldier. And all their hope dies with you.
Saurfang and Zekhan exchange looks for a moment, the former with a ghost of a smile seemingly determined once more.
Varok Saurfang: You cannot kill hope.
Saurfang gets up, then begins attacking Sylvanas once again, each consecutive blow of Shalamayne parried but his swings becoming stronger and more confidant.
Varok Saurfang: You tried at Teldrassil. You failed. Hope remains. You set us to kill each other at Lordaeron. You failed. Here we stand. You just keep failing. The Horde will endure. The Horde is strong.
After an increasingly irritated Sylvanas knocks him back from their blade lock, Saurfang spins away with Shalamayne at a low angle. Obscured by his body, he splits the sword into Shalla'tor and Ellemayne, and completing the spin, swings both back around at a high angle at her. The first is intercepted with the right dagger, but Sylvanas is disarmed of it and the second successfully slices at her right eye, leaving behind a nick on the brow and cuts right through the lower eyelid. An upset Sylvanas visibly recoils from the attack.
Sylvanas Windrunner: The Horde... is nothing!
The angrily barked last word echoes out that everyone can hear. The Forsaken banner-bearer at Sylvanas's side gives her an aggrieved, accusatory glance. Realizing she unintentionally betrayed her true thoughts, Sylvanas seemingly drops her facade and yells towards everyone in her presence.
Sylvanas Windrunner: You are all nothing!
Knowing that he's already won whether he lives or dies, Saurfang stands with a triumphant smile for a moment, then charges Sylvanas.
Varok Saurfang: For Azeroth!
Sylvanas suddenly lets her remaining dagger drop and unleashes a stream of dark magic from both hands at Saurfang, instantly killing him. His lifeless, steaming corpse falls backward to the ground. She gloats as she walks forward.
Sylvanas Windrunner: If you could see yourselves as I see you. Toy soldiers in tin plate. Beasts who howl for honor. Standing as one. Savor it... Nothing lasts.
Sylvanas raises her hands, with wisps of shadowy smoke enveloping her as she lifts off and flies away, vanishing. Zekhan and Thrall rush to Saurfang's side, the former distraught as he kneels beside the body. He gently places his hands on Saurfang's chest and touches his necklace with his forefinger.
Zekhan: What... do we do now?
Anduin's armor and footsteps can be heard moving as he walks up to join them.
Thrall: We bring him home.
Anduin, Thrall, and Zekhan lift up Saurfang's body, Anduin and Zekhan each taking a leg, Thrall cradling the head with one hand, and he stares forward at the Forsaken banner-carrier. The banner-carrier stares back for a moment, then stamps her banner into the ground twice, turning to watch as the Gates of Orgrimmar open to admit them and then stands aside at attention. As the three carry Saurfang's body into Orgrimmar, the rest of the Forsaken atop the walls one by one begin to stamp their banners together in an identical fashion until they all join in, the two continuous clanks together sounding like a vast heartbeat, pledging their loyalty to the Horde over Sylvanas.

Credits[]

Trivia[]

  • Similarly to Zekhan, the Forsaken banner-bearer who allowed the rebellion entrance into Orgrimmar has become popular among fans, generating many nicknames, notably "Tink Tink", referring to the sound of her banner against the ground, which was also tweeted by Blizzard.[6][7] When further asked what her name was, Blizzard responded: "Bannerbae, First of Her Name, Bearer of Flags, Gatekeeper of Orgrimmar. Nickname: Flaggygirl."[8]
  • This short was re-enacted live at BlizzCon 2019, with the voice actors reprising their roles in stageplay. Marc Messenger narrates the play.

Gallery[]

References[]

 
  1. ^ Cinematic: "Reckoning" (Spoiler)
  2. ^ a b c d Joanna Griebel on Twitter (archived): "It was an honor &privilege to have edited this. Starting w/ Old Soldier then Lost Honor &Safe Haven to this. As @Wowhead said this contains spoilers, so be warned! Also please enjoy! Directed by Marc Messenger, written by @ChristieGolden music by @neal_acree plus many more!"
  3. ^ Kim on Twitter - "Here are the shots I #animated from the #WorldofWarcraft #Reckoning #cinematic. #Saurfang receives #Shalamayne from #Thrall, #Zekhan #reacts to his fallen hero after an unfair #makgora, and then carries him into the gates of Orgrimmar. We will miss you, old soldier."
  4. ^ a b Shannon Thomas on ArtStation
  5. ^ Aaron Hamman on ArtStation
  6. ^ Warcraft on Twitter (archived): "*Tink tink* #FridayFeeling"
  7. ^ Terran Gregory on Twitter: "Tink tink."
  8. ^ Warcraft on Twitter (archived): "Bannerbae, First of Her Name, Bearer of Flags, Gatekeeper of Orgrimmar. Nickname: Flaggygirl"
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