New Expansion Announced - Shadowlands

[Poisonenvy]

As you will know, Blizzcon is this weekend .. and so far it's been a doozy, with lots of announcements.

Focussing on WoW, there is a new expansion announced - Shadowlands. 

You can see the trailer for it below .. I'll be adding additional information in the replies to this post .. so those who don't want to see, don't have to.

 

You can already pre-purchase Shadowlands on the Blizzard Store, where there are three pricing levels: https://eu.shop.battle.net/en-us/product/world-of-warcraft-shadowlands

Base Edition

Includes a pre-purchase* of World of Warcraft®: Shadowlands™ and early access to Death Knights for Allied Races and Pandaren starting with the Visions of N’Zoth content update.

Heroic Edition

Includes everything in the Base Edition, plus instant access to a Level 120 Character Boost and the Ensorcelled Everwyrm flying mount. The flying mount grants a quest for the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler transmog set.

Epic Edition

Includes everything in the Heroic Edition, plus 30 days of game time, the Anima Wyrmling pet, an otherworldly Eternal Traveler’s effect for your Hearthstone, and Illusion: Wraithchill, a cosmetic effect for your weapon. As with other Illusions, Wraithchill cannot be applied to certain weapon types.

 

[Poisonenvy]

Features Overview video:

[Poisonenvy]

IRVINE, Calif.—November 1, 2019—Sylvanas Windrunner, fallen leader of the Horde, has pierced the veil between Azeroth and the realm of the dead, setting in motion a series of events that threatens to upset the cosmic balance between life and death. Blizzard Entertainment today revealed World of Warcraft®: Shadowlands, the latest expansion for the company’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game, in which Azeroth’s heroes will confront the wonders and horrors of the afterlife as they deal with the consequences of Sylvanas’ actions.

World of Warcraft players entering the fabled Shadowlands will find the realms of the dead in upheaval. Under the normal order, departed souls were delivered to a realm appropriate to the lives they led, but now, all souls are being funneled into the Maw, where the most wicked are damned to suffer for eternity. As they seek to right the cycle and uncover the extent of Sylvanas’ designs, players will forge bonds with the Covenants who hold domain over different planes within the Shadowlands:

• The steadfast Kyrian of Bastion, whose discipline and duty compels them to safeguard souls from the mortal realm as they pass into the Shadowlands.
• The mysterious Night Fae of Ardenweald, who fiercely defend the spirits of nature from those who would deprive them of rebirth.
• The cunning Venthyr of Revendreth, who feast on the souls of the prideful and vain in a gothic realm of opulence and torment.
• The warlike Necrolords of Maldraxxus, who forge the undead armies that serve as the first line of defense for the Shadowlands and honor those who seek power and glory in battle

In their journeys through the Shadowlands, players will also come face-to-face with some of the departed legends of the Warcraft® universe, such as Uther the Lightbringer, who struggles against dark forces that seek to transform him into a symbol of retribution, and Kael’thas, who pursues vengeance on an enemy from his past while confined to Revendreth for the crimes he committed in life.

“Shadowlands is taking us somewhere we’ve never dreamed of going in the Warcraft universe, and that’s incredibly exciting,” said J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard Entertainment. “We can’t wait to explore the great beyond, catch up with old departed friends, and forge an epic new chapter in the Warcraft saga together with our players.”

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands Features

A host of new features and activities await players in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. When they cross into the realm-between-realms, players will be able to:

• Explore the Realm of the Dead: For the first time ever in World of Warcraft, players will cross into the Shadowlands and experience the wonders and horrors of the afterlife across five new zones—the gleaming fields of Bastion, the scarred battlefields of Maldraxxus, the eternal twilight of Ardenweald, the opulent keeps of Revendreth, and the horrific Maw.
• Claim a Covenant’s Power: Players will be called upon to forge a bond with one of four Covenants that rule Shadowlands’ new zones, setting the tone for their journey through the expansion with a full Covenant Campaign. As they level up, they’ll get new abilities based on their choice, including class-specific abilities for each Covenant—as well as developing Soulbinds with specific Covenant members, which grant them access to that character’s specific traits and bonuses.
• Ascend the Tower of the Damned: At the heart of the Maw lies Torghast, Tower of the Damned, a cursed otherworldly prison where the wickedest souls in the universe are locked away. Highly replayable and inspired by roguelike games, heroes are invited to explore its ever-changing halls and chambers and do battle with the minions of the Jailer, Torghast’s vile ruler. Those who brave its trials can claim legendary treasures and help free the heroic spirits wrongfully trapped within.
• Every Level Is Meaningful: Shadowlands will introduce a new leveling system, meant to provide a meaningful sense of advancement with every level achieved. Current max-level characters will begin Shadowlands at level 50 and work toward the new level cap of 60.
• A New Army of the Dead Rises: To combat Sylvanas’ assault on Icecrown, Bolvar Fordragon— the revered former paladin who took on the mantle of Lich King to keep the Scourge at bay—has raised heroes from among all the peoples of Azeroth to bolster the Death Knights of Acherus. With Shadowlands, pandaren and all allied races will now be able to become Death Knights.
• Improved Character Customization Options: A host of new appearance options for all races will be made available to players when they create new World of Warcraft characters (or alter existing ones at the in-game barber shop).

Pre-purchase Options

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available for pre-purchase digitally from the Blizzard Shop starting today, with three different options all designed with player preference in mind. The Base Edition of Shadowlands is available for $39.99 SRP, providing a new lower entry point compared to previous expansions. The Heroic Edition ($59.99) includes the expansion; a level-120 character boost; and the Ensorcelled Everwyrm mount, which provides access to a questline through which players can earn the Vestments of the Eternal Traveler transmogrification set. The Epic Edition ($79.99) includes the Anima Wyrmling pet; the Wraithchill cosmetic weapon effect; the Eternal Traveler’s Hearthstone, designed with a unique visual effect; and 30 days of game time, in addition to all of the contents from the Heroic Edition.

All bonuses from the Heroic and Epic Editions are unlocked immediately upon pre-purchase. In addition, pre-purchasing any edition of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will open the ability for players to create pandaren and allied race Death Knights once the Visions of N’Zoth content update for the current expansion, Battle for Azeroth™, arrives in the coming months.

For more information on World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, visit www.worldofwarcraft.com.

Assets are available at blizzard.gamespress.com/World-of-Warcraft. World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will be available on or before December 31, 2020.

[Poisonenvy]

Some Art:

 

[Poisonenvy]

What are Covenants?

Covenants are the four powers governing over the Shadowlands. Before the Shadowlands expansion, each covenant governed over specific zones of the Shadowlands, helping them find a purpose in death.

However, in Shadowlands, there is a fifth zone called The Maw - A zone that serves a prison for the most vile souls, the domain ruled by the Jailer of the Damned. However, because of the constant wars in Azeroth and Sylvanas' machinations, The Maw is swelling, overcharged with souls, and stripping all other Shadowlands zones out of Anima, the life force responsible to maintain order within the Shadowlands. Thanks to the player's innate connection to Azeroth herself. they are able to escape The Maw and further explore the Shadowlands.

Your mission in the Shadowlands will be to choose one Covenant and help restore them to their former glory. Each Covenant has specific rewards such as abilities tailored after each Covenant and cosmetic rewards.

Bastion - Kyrian Covenant

In the zone of Bastion, we will meet with the Kyrian covenant. Ordered and purposeful, the Kyrian are souls that move on to become noble beings such as Spirit Healers or even full-blown Val'kyr. Souls that are sent into Bastion are zones that have gone through harsh burdens in life and seek the Kyrian to regain their virtue.

The Kyrian are steadfast guardians who carry the souls of the dead.

Living beings have wished to become something greater than themselves since time immemorial. Souls deemed noble enough can prove themselves in Bastion, land of pristine spires and crystalline skies, where those who surpass their trials earn the honor of ascension to a higher calling beside the Archon, first among the winged kyrians.

The kyrians are eternal beings who draw only the most accomplished, principled, and pure into their ranks. But, as souls plunge into the Maw and upheaval rocks the Shadowlands, scores of aspiring kyrians find that they are unable to continue their journey to ascension. With the number of kyrians dwindling, their charge to ferry souls to eternity is in jeopardy. Will the Archon’s devoted stand together, or will this test of faith sunder their shining kingdom?

A famous soul that has found their way to Bastion and the Kyrian is that of Uther the Lightbringer, who was murdered by crown prince Arthas Menethil while defending the ashes of his father, King Terenas Menethil II.

Maldraxxus - Necrolord Covenant

Maldraxxus is a darker zone within the Shadowlands, where we will meet the Necrolord covenant. As the Necrolords believe in survival of the fittest above all, they are not inherently evil, just struggling for survival within the Shadowlands. Because of this resourcefulness, the Necrolord Convenant is considered to be the heart of the military in the Shadowlands.

The Necrolords are necrotic soldiers who wage war throughout the cosmos.

In the skull-and-bone laboratories of Maldraxxus, strength is rewarded, and weakness cast aside. Necromancers experiment on the souls of the ambitious and contentious, reforming only the greatest into undead soldiers who protect the Shadowlands. Those who are determined rise to positions of power. The less-promising become fuel for Maldraxxus’ malign weapons.

Maldraxxus’ brutal selection process has built a vast and capable militia… but its hierarchy is wobbling. The longtime leader of the realm has vanished. In his absence, five of the most eminent necrolords vie for the position, and the responsibility to advance the cause of death throughout the cosmos. Each bids on newly-arrived souls, filling their personal guard with capable soldiers and building armies larger than any yet known.

When they march, will it be towards one another… or the realms they swore to defend?

A famous soul that is aligned with the Necrolords is that of Draka, murdered by Gul'dan's Shadow Council forces after giving birth to Thrall.

Ardenweald - Night Fae Covenant

Ardenweald is an enchanted magical forest, considered to be a darkened reflection of the Emerald Dream in Azeroth. Ardenweald and the Night Fae Covenant believe that the journey in the Shadowlands is not the end, and focus on resting their souls to prepare for rebirth and continue their purpose in the world.

The Night Fae are defenders of nature who uphold the cycle of rebirth.

If the Emerald Dream mirrors the spring and summer of life, then the star-hued plane of Ardenweald reflects life in its twilight.

Those who pass on with a deep connection to nature are tended here by the mystic night fae, who retrieve anima from mortal souls and infuse it into slumbering spirits, rejuvenating their lives with the remnants of the old.

Ardenweald has suffered more keenly from soul-drought than any other realm in the Shadowlands. For the first time in endless ages, the night fae's Winter Queen must choose which of the land’s formerly lush groves—and which souls—will be fed the last precious drops of anima… and which will fade away forever.

A famous soul aligned with the Night Fae is that of the demigod Cenarius, who was corrupted by the Nightmare and purified in the Emerald Nightmare raid.

Revendreth - Venthyr Covenant

Souls that were flawed and prideful in life end up in Revendreth, a zone full of gothic architecture and secrets that reflect the dark tone of the zone. In Revendreth, we find the Venthyr Covenant, who assist souls sent there that are attempting to atone for their sins in life.

The Venthyr are eaters of sin who harvest anima from wicked souls.

The venthyr have a good thing going. They lord over Revendreth’s castles and ceaseless twilight while arrogant souls are delivered to their tables. The harvesters’ otherworldly punishments strip the pride from their thralls, sparing them an even worse fate: eternal torment in the Maw.

But souls thus drained can’t just leave Revendreth for a better place. They have years of penance to slog through while they reflect on the precarity of their afterlives. And, after eons of service, the venthyr are increasingly ruled by their decadence and pride. The very purpose of the plane may be flawed… and those who were once accusers have become gluttonous and corrupt.

Revendreth must always have a master, and rumor suggests that Denathrius, foremost among the venthyr, may no longer be fit for the role. Crowning a new Sire could return the plane to its former glory… or leave Revendreth mired in the same decadence and sin it is charged with cleansing.

One of the famous souls you can find aligned with the Venthyr is that of Kael'thas Sunstrider, former Lord of the Blood Elves, who died in Magister's Terrace after falling from grace by following the Legion.

[Poisonenvy]

Trolls - New Warpaints

Troll characters will be able to cover themselves in warpaints! One of the not-shown options will be blood troll paints similar to those from Nazmir!

Dwarves - New Warpaints

Dwarves can also cover themselves in markings. Wanting to look like a Wildhammer Dwarf? Now you can!

Undead - More Flesh

You will be able to hide your bones and make your character not so decomposed! You are able to also customize what bones will be shown. Previously one of the least customizable races, this adds a whole new layer of customization for Forsaken characters!

Humans - Racial Features

Humans will be able to choose from a myriad of facial features to better represent more variations of humans! You are now able to more faithfully look like an asian or african archetype.

 

[Poisonenvy]

In Shadowlands, Azeroth’s heroes journey into the realm of the dead after Sylvanas Windrunner tears open the veil between life and death. As they explore four otherworldly zones—Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth—players will meet the Covenants that rule the afterlife realms in the Shadowlands. The first stop is the spiritual realm of Bastion.

HOME OF THE PURE

When first arriving in Bastion, you’ll be greeted by elysian vistas, resplendent skies, gleaming spires, and ethereal sights. This paradisiacal realm is inhabited by the steadfast Kyrian, who safeguard mortal souls as they pass into the Shadowlands. If you wish to untangle the Banshee Queen’s nefarious plans, you’ll need to earn an alliance with them.

BASTION’S INHABITANTS

Meet the denizens of Bastion.

KYRIANS
The noble inhabitants of Bastion who shepherd the souls of the dead to Oribos so that they can be judged by the impassive Arbiter before being sent to their final destinations. Fresh arrivals to Bastion will become Kyrian Aspirants—wingless beings who train for eons to one day earn their wings and join the ranks of the Ascended.

STEWARDS
Born of the magic of Death, these otherworldly groundskeepers and artificers keep Bastion pristine. Along with maintaining the realm, they assemble Centurions—the anima-fueled guardians that train Kyrian Aspiriants and defend Bastion. Each steward dotes on a Paragon and keeps mementos of their achievements. Perhaps you will catch their eye and they’ll pledge themselves to you!

THE FORSWORN
Rarely, an Aspirant will fail to complete a rite of passage. These once-bright souls darken and become lost, wandering the plains of Bastion to lament. Containing the Forsworn is key, for if left unchecked, doubt can spread like a disease . . .

THE CENTURIONS
A legion of anima-fueled automatons that drill Kyrian Aspirants in meditative combat as well as defend Bastion.

Praetor: These flying automatons are charged with training Aspirants who show particular martial promise.
Goliath: Unyielding bulwarks and powerful warriors that enforce order in Bastion.
Colossus: Eternal protectors, these guardians have stood watch and defended Bastion for ages.

MANIFESTATIONS
As the Kyrian shed the burdens of their past lives, physical manifestations of their tormented thoughts are expelled from their bodies. Only by striking them down can the Kyrian cleanse themselves and achieve ascendance.

These are but a few of the entities you’ll encounter in Bastion. While adventuring, it's best to stay vigilant—you might even cross paths with Uther the Lightbringer and other long-passed heroes of Azeroth who now wander this world. . .

---

KYRIAN COVENANT

When players reach maximum level and have explored the first four zones, they’ll be able to pledge themselves to a Covenant, like the Kyrian. Each Covenant offers its champions abilities, along with other powers and cosmetic rewards that can be unlocked through a Covenant Campaign—an epic storyline unique to the faction—and other activities over time. This alliance also gives the player access to a Covenant Sanctum, a city only open to players who have forged a pact with its rulers.

Power of the Kyrian

If you choose to join the Kyrian Covenant, you’ll gain two unique abilities—one class ability used in combat, as well as an ability that allows them to maneuver through the world in a special way.

Here is the movement-based ability that the Kyrian bestow upon their champions:

• Unburden: Dissolve into pure anima to increase your movement speed, slow your falling speed, and propel you forward. Greatly reduces the radius at which enemies will detect you.
  Soulbinding

Soulbinding

When you join a Covenant, you’ll be able to undergo an ancient rite to bind your soul to some of its most powerful members. By doing so, your character harnesses their power, gaining access to powerful bonuses. Over time, you can unlock new tiers of power and even switch Soulbinds when strategy demands it.

Kyrian Covenant Spoils

For your contributions to the Kyrian Covenant’s cause, you’ll be rewarded with several cosmetic rewards including: a mount, a pet, Kyrian-forged armor, and back attachments that rival the beauty of Kyrian wings.

Armor up with specially-crafted armor forged in the heart of Bastion (pictured: plate gear).

There are more mysteries yet to unravel in Bastion, and not all as it seems—a shadowy force threatens the peace in this realm. Perhaps some of Azeroth’s greatest heroes can champion the cause of the Kyrian and drive back their adversaries!

Rewards and abilities are still in development and subject to change, so be sure check back for periodic updates on worldofwarcraft.com as we approach the release of Shadowlands.

[Poisonenvy]

Uuna's Return

Uuna, the draenei child's ghost, is slated to make a return in Shadowlands. Uuna has been very involved with dark subjects before, as we rescue her from an Ur'zul and help her regain her light during Legion. Later on, Uuna helps us obtain a dark Battle Pet, Baa'l. According to Muffinus, we should try to see what Uuna thinks of the Shadowlands.

Personally, I'd like the opportunity to see what Uuna thinks of the Shadowlands.

Secrets Returning in Shadowlands

Muffinus has been heavily involved with many past head-twisting secrets, such as the Lucid Nightmare and The Hivemind mounts. The Jenafur secret is still ongoing, but Muffinus has already stated that he wants to work on bigger and more intricate secrets.

Will there be more secrets in Shadowlands?

Yes, I can promise there will be at least one really big, fun secret.

Covenant Pets - Secret Interactions

One of the upcoming rewards from each of the Shadowlands Covenants is a Battle Pet exclusive to each Covenant. These pets will have secret interactions! An example given by Feasel is a slime that comes from the Necrolords of Maldraxxus that can eat slime pools and spit out items.

(...) a covenant specific pet, some of which have specific purposes in the zone. bring out your slime pet in Maldraxxus, it has a specific function, where it goes and eats up slime pools and gets you items. We want everything to feel like it interacts more with the world.

 

[Poisonenvy]

After many hints and a lot of speculation, in our exclusive BlizzCon interview, Frank Kowalkowski and Steve Danuser confirmed that all races will be able to be Death Knights in Shadowlands, including Pandaren and all Allied Races.

Original Death Knights races will still have the same DK starting zone introduction, with Arthas in the Plaguelands. Meanwhile, Pandaren and the Allied Races will have new, albeit very short, experiences, similar to the Allied Race introduction questlines.

We also learned that the Allied Race introduction questlines takes place right before the Shadowlands cinematic. Bolvar senses that Death is on the rise and tries to bolster his army, which explains the new races that can be Death Knights.

The timing is notable as this means Bolvar was aware of Sylvanas' plan and was trying to prepare for her attack in advance--he wasn't taken by surprise.

[Poisonenvy]

Custom Legendaries:

Highlights

• Blizzard liked how Legendaries worked in Legion, but not its acquisition method.
• In Shadowlands, we will go to the Forge of Domination, where crafters will be able to learn to create Domination Armor
• Domination Armor combined with other materials to make customized legendaries.
• Once you obtain a certain material to give a specific power, it can be added to a legendary piece in any slot.
• Works similarly to Punchcards in Mechagon
• The Forge of Domination is where Frostmourne was crafted. We will also learn who was its blacksmith.

Blizzard:

We liked some of the elements from the Legion legendary system. We really liked the feeling that a ton of things to do in the world had this really exciting moment associated with it, where you'd go "OH WOAH, I just got this thing from my Emissary cache. I can't believe it. " Or you'd go "Woah, I just go Prydaz. " So we wanted to bring back the legendaries and some of the things that we want to involve are, again regards to player agency, we want you to build your own legendary. During your adventures in the Shadowlands, you're going to find the forge where Domination armor is created, where they made the Helmet and where they made Frostmourne and you're going to learn about how that process works and who is the Blacksmith there and ultimately all of the crafting professions are going to get the ability to make these base-level pieces that you can combine and turn into a customized legendary. Some of the themes we are talking about say, finding souls which are part of the Domination kit, and then combining them with this crafted piece to form a legendary with specific powers that you want. What would have been legendary bracers back in Legion that had additional casts of Fireblasts for your Fire Mage, I might be able to find the soul that has that particularly cool ability and then put it on some boots.

So it's kind of like the punchcard system in Mechagon?

It's evolving a lot of stuff we did in Mechagon. The current idea is that you can put that piece on just about any piece that you want. So I can build a legendary helm, or legendary boots, etc.

How it actually crafts
You will take the piece that's crafted, you will take other components that you find in the world, you'll take the abilities that you want, and then you'll take it down to the Domination Forge, and then combine it together to form your legendary.

[Poisonenvy]

Leveling Improvements in Patch 9.0 (Pre-Patch and Beyond)

• The current max level (120) will be squished to level 50 in the Shadowlands pre-patch.
• The new max cap will be level 60 in the Shadowlands expansion.
• Blizzard is completely overhauling the leveling experience to make it more meaningful and streamlined.
  • You will feel rewarded with each level by unlocking abilities, a talent row, dungeon access, and more.
• Levels 1-10 provide a new introductory experience where you'll learn everything about your class and Azeroth.
• You will be able to level anywhere in the world in the 10-50 range. Do you like Mists of Pandaria? Simply, talk to Chromie and play from the start (level 10) until the end (level 50) in Pandaria and then head straight to the Shadowlands. Do you like the Burning Crusade better and just hate Draenor? No problem! You can level all the way to 50 in Outland! 
  • Note: This does not imply that you will be locked to a specific expansion and must finish it completely. You'll be able to head back and pick another one if you don't like the one you've chosen.

New characters will participate in an introductory voyage from 1-10, then pick their favorite expansion that scales to level 50 and continue their journey (50-60) in the Shadowlands.

LEVELED-UP LEVELING

World of Warcraft: Shadowlands will smooth out the leveling experience and better prepare new adventurers for what’s to come. Players will level up to 50 before heading to the Shadowlands (new level cap: 60). 

We’ve adjusted the experience curve to make it faster than ever to prepare for the newest challenges, and each level along the way will provide more meaningful increases in progress and power. All expansion zones are getting more flexible, too; they’ll be able* to scale to you and your friends while you level to 50, so it’s easy to try a zone you’ve never played.

*You can still outlevel dungeons and crush them for transmogs or fulfillment.

Alts in Patch 9.0

• Game Director Ion Hazzikostas mentioned that you'll be able to play alts as "New Game+ experience" by picking a Covenant immediately with no need for additional farming. 
• It's also important to point out that there will be no endless Artifact Power grind in Shadowlands.
• You'll be able to earn endgame progression while you level.

[Poisonenvy]

 

 

New Feature - Infinite Dungeon

Torghast, Tower of the Damned

Once, the Jailer kept only the most dangerous souls in the cosmos confined in this eternal prison. Now, some of Azeroth’s greatest heroes are trapped here, and you’ll need to rescue them from the Jailer’s tower before he expends their very souls.

Torghast is an endlessly replayable, ever-changing dungeon that you can challenge alone or in a group. Your runs will differ each time, but you’ll need to explore cautiously. Death comes at a terrible cost. Defeat enough of Torghast’s unpredictable challenges, and you’ll be rewarded with unique abilities and items to ensure your present survival or bolster your next run. The further you progress, the greater your likelihood of retrieving materials to craft the legendary weapons and armor that will help you restore balance to the Shadowlands.

Other secrets lie within the tower… but they’re yet to be revealed.

 

 

[Poisonenvy]

 

Covenants

Necrolord

Zone: Maldraxxus

Necrotic soldiers who wage war throughout the cosmos.

In the skull-and-bone laboratories of Maldraxxus, strength is rewarded, and weakness cast aside. Necromancers experiment on the souls of the ambitious and contentious, reforming only the greatest into undead soldiers who protect the Shadowlands. Those who are determined rise to positions of power. The less-promising become fuel for Maldraxxus’ malign weapons.

Maldraxxus’ brutal selection process has built a vast and capable militia… but its hierarchy is wobbling. The longtime leader of the realm has vanished. In his absence, five of the most eminent necrolords vie for the position, and the responsibility to advance the cause of death throughout the cosmos. Each bids on newly-arrived souls, filling their personal guard with capable soldiers and building armies larger than any yet known.

When they march, will it be towards one another… or the realms they swore to defend?

 

Kyrian

Zone: Bastion

Steadfast guardians who carry the souls of the dead.

Living beings have wished to become something greater than themselves since time immemorial. Souls deemed noble enough can prove themselves in Bastion, land of pristine spires and crystalline skies, where those who surpass their trials earn the honor of ascension to a higher calling beside the Archon, first among the winged kyrians.

The kyrians are eternal beings who draw only the most accomplished, principled, and pure into their ranks. But, as souls plunge into the Maw and upheaval rocks the Shadowlands, scores of aspiring kyrians find that they are unable to continue their journey to ascension. With the number of kyrians dwindling, their charge to ferry souls to eternity is in jeopardy. Will the Archon’s devoted stand together, or will this test of faith sunder their shining kingdom?

 

Venthyr

Zone: Revendreth

Eaters of sin who harvest anima from wicked souls.

The venthyr have a good thing going. They lord over Revendreth’s castles and ceaseless twilight while arrogant souls are delivered to their tables. The harvesters’ otherworldly punishments strip the pride from their thralls, sparing them an even worse fate: eternal torment in the Maw.

But souls thus drained can’t just leave Revendreth for a better place. They have years of penance to slog through while they reflect on the precarity of their afterlives. And, after eons of service, the venthyr are increasingly ruled by their decadence and pride. The very purpose of the plane may be flawed… and those who were once accusers have become gluttonous and corrupt.

Revendreth must always have a master, and rumor suggests that Denathrius, foremost among the venthyr, may no longer be fit for the role. Crowning a new Sire could return the plane to its former glory… or leave Revendreth mired in the same decadence and sin it is charged with cleansing.

 

Night Fae

Zone: Ardenweald

Defenders of nature who uphold the cycle of rebirth.

If the Emerald Dream mirrors the spring and summer of life, then the star-hued plane of Ardenweald reflects life in its twilight.

Those who pass on with a deep connection to nature are tended here by the mystic night fae, who retrieve anima from mortal souls and infuse it into slumbering spirits, rejuvenating their lives with the remnants of the old.

Ardenweald has suffered more keenly from soul-drought than any other realm in the Shadowlands. For the first time in endless ages, the night fae's Winter Queen must choose which of the land’s formerly lush groves—and which souls—will be fed the last precious drops of anima… and which will fade away forever.

 

 

 

[Poisonenvy]

The Tower

 

Within the Maw looms an immense structure known as the Tower of the Damned. Inside, players will discover a new kind of experience to take on and explore.

 

Torghast, Tower of the Damned is an instanced dungeon scalable from 1 to 5 players, with difficulty that adjusts to the size of your party. As you ascend the tower, both you and your enemies will grow in power. You’ll also encounter new challenges with increasing complexity to overcome.

 

The tower will change each time you enter it, providing variability in your experiences and encouraging you to explore. Where you may have turned right during one foray into the tower, you may find you that you can only go left the next time. Not only do the floorplans change within the tower, but so too do the monsters you face, the traps, the bonuses, and the rewards for overcoming each new challenge.

 

As you climb, you’ll need to be wary of the fast rate at which your enemies become more difficult on each new floor. The Jailer will send more and more deadly creatures to thwart you and your party. Each floor will also become more complex. To overcome these challenges, you’ll need to search out and collect Anima.

 

The tower is not a timed experience, so exploration of each level could make the difference between success or failure, as that’s how you’ll discover the powers that can help you as you ascend. Anima in the Maw presents itself as a form of potential energy that you’ll come across, which offers you a choice of how you want it to benefit you. As an example, you might be given the choice between something like Obleron Endurance, which increases your maximum health by 10%, or Obleron Talisman which increases your mastery by 5%. You could stack lots of damage this way, but you may find that you’re still dying to the challenges of the tower if you don’t also choose to bolster your survivability too.

 

As another example, you could find an ability like Corruption Antenna, which gives your attacks a chance to curse your target, dealing 35,440 Shadow damage to your target over 8 seconds. Later, you might find Shadowed Iris, which makes it so when you deal Shadow damage, it has a chance to blind the target, reducing their chance to hit by 75% for 12 seconds. These abilities could work well together, creating a synergy that makes your attacks more effective.

 

Within the tower you’ll also find epic powers to use, such as the Golden Idol, which grants the ability to see which enemies are carrying Anima. This provides you and your party with the ability to determine which enemies will be most beneficial to kill, helping you determine if your party should take them on or leave them be and move on.

 

The abilities your party acquires through Anima can lead to a wide variety of interesting experiences as you play through the tower. You’ll want to try to coordinate between your allies to maximize your effectiveness as a party—but beware becoming overconfident. Powers that may work well on one floor may not benefit you on another. As an example, you could take Bloating Fodder, which will cause Mawrats within the tower to explode on death, dealing 10,631 Plague damage to all other nearby enemies. With enough stacks of this ability on these annoying creatures, you could do a massive amount of damage to anything nearby. This is useful when you’re on a floor with plenty of Mawrats to put to your use, but not as useful if you progress to a floor without any crawling around.

 

The tower is always changing from run to run—but it is also changing over time. As you press further into the Maw, the Jailer may change his tactics against you.

 

Within the first couple of weeks of the Shadowlands expansion, the Jailer will unleash a horde of monstrosities into the Maw and the tower itself in an event called The Beasts of Prodigum, changing the experience. During this event you may gain some new powers that can help you counter these beasts, such as the Chain of Command, which calls forth Horgul, a powerful Shade Hound that can stun individual enemies and draw their attention. You might also come across a Shade Essence-Lure that calls forth Valloc, a powerful Soul Eater that can inflict area damage and silence enemies.

 

Runes and Legendaries

 

Great rewards await those you push themselves to their limits to climb the tower. As you progress through Torghast, you’ll gather runes along the way that you can take to a runeforge, where the Runesage will help you forge legendary items. You’ll also be able to learn a bit more about origins of iconic legendary items such Frostmourne or the Helm of Domination. You’ll also have more control over how you craft your legendaries, meaning you’ll be able to determine what slot they go in, what benefits they give you, and maybe even what secondary stats they have.

[Poisonenvy]

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