Summary
World of Warcraftjust revealed “Threads of Destiny,” the first animated short forThe War Within, which details the rise of Queen Ansurek, the final boss for the expansion’s raid. ThisWorld of Warcraftmotion story renders the history of Azj-Kahet, and how it fell into Xal’atath’s clutches, in stunning, vivid color.
EveryWorld of Warcraftexpansion sinceMists of Pandariahas received a series of animated shorts that help set up major plot points and characters in the expansion. Recently,World of Warcraftteased the new motion storieswith a picture of Xal’atath, hinting they would be released over the next several weeks leading up toThe War Within’s launch.
Now,World of Warcrafthas officially revealed “Threads of Destiny,” the first animated short forThe War Within. The story starts with the history of Azj-Kahet, the Nerubian kingdom beneath the Isle of Dorn on Khaz Algar, and how Queen Neferess broke away from the Old Gods and the Black Empire. However, after millennia spent in decline, the Kaheti Nerubians faced a crisis of poverty and stagnation. Xal’atath approached Neferess with a deal to aid them, and while she refused, her daughter, Ansurek, took the bargain, stabbing her mother and seizing the crown for herself.
The Rise of Queen Ansurek in WoW: The War Within
Notably, the motion story does not actually show Queen Neferess dying after she is betrayed, despite public opinion believing her to be dead. It could be that the former queen is being kept alive by her daughter somewhere, and that players may have the chance to rescue her – or fight her if the Nerubian has been corrupted byWorld of Warcraft’s infamous Harbinger of the Void.
Needless to say,World of Warcraftplayers loved this new animated short. The incredible visuals used to depict the Nerubian civilization, the snippets of lore pertaining to their history with the Black Empire, and the corruption of Ansurek and Azj-Kahet has evoked excitement from fans of the lore, and raiders have enjoyed getting to know the boss they will be fighting onceWorld of Warcraftopens the raid inThe War Within.
Players can probably expect at least two more animated shorts beforeThe War Withinreleases. Most series have had three episodes, and assuming more shorts release each week until the expansion, the third entry would come out mere days beforeWorld of Warcraftbegins early access forThe War Within. Fans will have to see if these shorts tell the stories of Faerin and the Arathi, the Earthen of Dornogal, or possibly even Orweyna and the Harronir.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
WHERE TO PLAY
In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.
