WoW: Shadowlands is the upcoming expansion for World of Warcraft, set to take players beyond the veil of death itself. With the afterlife as its setting, fans will not be surprised to learn that many fan-favorite Warcraft characters will be making their returns.
Two important characters from WoW's past are already confirmed to have roles in the next game. Not only were their fates strangely entangled in life, but this is not the first time that either of them has returned from death itself. The pair will likely remember the heroes that slew them all those years ago, and may still be out for each other’s blood in WoW: Shadowlands.
Kael’thas Sunstrider
Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider is one of the most iconic characters in WoW history, and is either a villain or a tragic hero, depending on which players are asked. The character made his first appearance in Warcraft III as the leader of the Alliance's High Elves, before their Sunwell was corrupted by Arthas in order to raise the Lich Kel’Thuzad.
Severed from the Sunwell and renaming themselves the Blood Elves in honor of their fallen kin, Kael’thas’ subjects began to feel the effects of severe mana withdrawal. Seeking to placate his people, the prince pledged himself to Illidan Stormrage, who promised the Blood Elves enough magic to sustain them forever. Kae’thas first appeared in-game as the final boss of Tempest Keep in Burning Crusade.
After his defeat there, Kael’thas returned as the final boss of the 5-man dungeon Magister’s Terrace, where he had summoned Kil’jaeden, a chief lieutenant of the Burning Legion. Sustained by a large fel crystal placed in his chest, it was there that Kael’thas uttered his famous and much-memed phrase, “Tempest Keep was merely a set back.”
Kael’thas was killed in Magister’s Terrace, but it seems that was just a setback too. The prince returns in WoW: Shadowlands as the principle prisoner of Revendreth, a realm of death ruled by the vampiric Venthyr, who sustain themselves off of the souls of the prideful. In theory, punishing these souls allows them to be redeemed. Kael’thas’ focus, however, is to avenge his people. He carries a “sin stone” on his back, representing the weight of his choices in life, including abandoning his people and serving the Burning Legion. He must overcome these to be truly redeemed.
However, Revendreth has its own problems. Some of its inhabitants have become servants of Kel’Thuzad, the Lich whose resurrection corrupted the Sunwell to begin with. With Kel’Thuzad also in the Shadowlands, WoW players will likely witness Keael’thas’ quest for vengeance. Whether or not he will redeem himself, however, remains to be seen.
Kel’Thuzad
Kel’Thuzad was the founder of the Cult of the Damned in life and a power lich after death, leading Arthas to the Frozen Throne on his quest to become the Lich King. Kel’Thuzad not only died before he was brought back as a lich, but was defeated in Naxxramas in both Vanilla and Wrath of the Lich King.
Now, he is extending his sinister influence throughout the Shadowlands itself. Datamined dialog shows how this story connects Kael’thas, Kel’Thuzad, and Draka, Thrall's mother seen in the Afterlives: Maldraxxus short. “This lich imperils both our realms,” she says to the fallen prince. “When our forces are prepared to strike, we will send the call for Revendreth to join the fight.” Kel’Thuzad has a new model in the game, indicating that he will make a personal appearance. The existence of another “Spectral Cat” model even implies that his feline companion, Mr. Bigglesworth, will likely make a return at his master’s side.
It seems likely that players will accompany Kael’thas Sunstrider on his quest for retribution against the Lich Kel’Thuzad, and maybe even Arthas in the Maw. But whether the last prince of Quel’Thalas can have both revenge and redemption remains to be seen in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands.
World of Warcraft is available now for PC. At this point, World of Warcraft Shadowlands releases on October 26 or 27 (depending on time zone) for PC.