The eighth expansion for the popular MMORPG, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, is arriving in October. This newest content will bring players past the brink of death and edge of reality, and into the afterlife. However, the Shadowlands aren't as morbid as they might sound. Here's how the realms of the dead play into World of Warcraft's world and lore.
The Shadowlands have been featured in World of Warcraft before now. The Shadowlands can be glimpsed when a character dies, and the Shadowlands played a large part in Wrath of the Lich King, the second WoW expansion, as Alliance champions see visions of the dead realms during their quest to ultimately defeat the Lich King. Since then, the Shadowlands have been featured to some extent in various side quests or storylines in every World of Warcraft expansion.
In the Shadowlands, the dead are sent to an afterlife befitting the life they led. Mortal souls are judged by the Arbiter, a mysterious being who's even older than the titans. The Arbiter sends people to an afterlife realm based on their virtue, and each realm is ruled by a Covenant. Each Covenant's purpose is to maintain the afterlife in which they inhabit. In the newest World of Warcraft expansion, players will choose which Covenant they'd like to join. There are six afterlife realms in the Shadowlands, although some are definitely more ideal than others.
The Six Realms Of The Shadowlands
In World of Warcraft, there are six main realms in the Shadowlands. The six realms of the Shadowlands are Oribos, Revendreth, Ardenweald, Bastion, Maldraxxus, and the Maw. Realms like Oribos and Bastion are for those who've led good lives, and the zones are brightly colored and pristine. Other realms, like Maldraxxus and Revendreth are darker and significantly more grim. However, the most vile and horrible souls end up in the Maw.
The Maw is ruled by a mysterious figure known as the Jailer. This nightmarish realm serves as the endgame content for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, which shouldn't be too surprising. It's the vilest afterlife, and it's not exactly a place people hope to visit. Because it's the endgame content for Shadowlands, this is where players can expect to find some of the most powerful enemies in the entire expansion.
The Shadowlands have been an important part of Warcraft lore for decades. Now, thanks to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, players will be able to finally explore the afterlife.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands officially releases on October 27th, 2020 for PC.