Recently, World of Warcraft announced the final major content patch of Shadowlands titled Eternity’s End. While sifting through the files that reach the Public Test servers, dataminers have discovered details about the impending Anduin Wrynn encounter that suggest a direct connection with the former Lich King, Arthas Menethil.
Spoilers and speculation for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands to follow.
World of Warcraft will take players into the First Ones realm of Zerith Mortis in Eternity’s End, where they will confront Anduin Wrynn in the Sepulcher of the First Ones raid. Abilities, lines, and enemies discovered from the encounter not only invoke the Lich King boss from Wrath of the Lich King, but pull abilities and mechanics directly from it.
The first phase of the battle against Anduin in the Sepulcher of the First Ones is called “Kingsmourne Hungers,” which is a direct reference to one of the Lich King’s most iconic lines, “Frostmourne Hungers.” Anduin’s eponymous ability banishes a player’s soul in a similar way to the Lich King’s Harvest Soul ability back in his own battle. The intermission phase is also called “Remnant of a Fallen King.” In this phase, this Remnant emerges to battle alongside or instead of Anduin, using two more spells used by the Lich King–Soul Reaper and Remorseless Winter.
Players have speculated an appearance or connection to Arthas since Shadowlands was announced, especially due to his appearance in Uther the Lightbringer’s Shadowlands: Afterlives cinematic. This was further enforced by the actions of the Jailer, the villain responsible for the creation of the Lich King, and who uses at least one of the Lich King’s abilities in his own encounter later in the raid. While he was corrupting Anduin’s sword to create Kingsmourne, the Jailer retrieved a soul fragment many suspect belonged to Arthas himself, which could explain who and what the Remnant of the Fallen King is.
Long-time Warcraft fans have been buzzing about any and all references to the iconic Lich King they could find across Shadowlands. The tragic downfall of Prince Arthas is one of the most iconic tales told in the universe since Warcraft 3, and the many references and connections hidden across Shadowlands have had many wondering if he would make a direct appearance in the story.
Other players would rather see Arthas stay buried. His tale was neatly told between Warcraft 3 and Wrath of the Lich King, and many believe pulling him back into the narrative directly would lessen his story. Steve Danuser, WoW’s Narrative lead, has previously said Blizzard had no plans to revisit Arthas’s story. Though he may or may not appear directly, Arthas’s legacy, power, and perhaps even his essence will certainly play a part in the fate of Anduin and the cast of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands.
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is available on PC. Eternity's End is currently in development.
Source: Wowhead