Mograine's Fatebringer Sword Origins (Story Spoilers)

Posted 2020/09/06 at 8:45 AM by Neryssa

Fatebringer Originsevents of the Maldraxxus leveling storylinelearn more about the missing leader of Maldraxxus and his relationship with the JailerShadowlands Lore Interview with Steve Danuser

How does Mograine have the Ashbringer when I happen to personally know, and play, the current wielder of the Ashbringer?

So that's just a little bit of confusion over some data mining. Early on when our quest designers are putting in content, we don't always have the final models for things. And so, for a while, they were using a version of one of the Ashbringer appearances, but recently we put in a unique sword for Mograine. It still looks similar to the Ashbringer, but it's not the Ashbringer - It's actually a sword called Fatebringer.

One of the storylines that you’ll see as you’re playing through the different Covenants... in Maldraxxus for example - that is a culture that celebrates who you were in life and the accomplishments that you had - Maldraxxus is all about striving to climb this pyramid and become the best that you can be. And so it was natural for Alexandros Mograine, the original Ashbringer, to fashion himself a sword that recalled the blade that had made him famous long ago. There are some questlines that people haven't played yet, where it calls out the name of that sword, but it is not the Ashbringer. It's something that he had forged for himself in Maldraxxxus.

> Can you tell me more about Alexandros's sword?

Fatebringer, eh? I made it for him when he was named baron. He wanted somethin' similar to what he used in life. Based on yer reaction, I'm guessin' you recognize the shape a bit. I guess if I shared a title with a sword I'd be pretty attached to it.

It's one of my finer creations. Alexandros fought hard to come by some of the materials that went into it. Not sure where the skull came from, but it's certainly not from Maldraxxus.

The Skull in the SwordWho's Skull Is In The Sword?Corrupted Ashbringer

Editor's note: This event was slightly retconned with Wrath of the Lich King - The Corrupted Ashbringer was canonically given to Darion Mograine, then a recruit of the Argent Dawn, after the first assault on Naxxramas. Alexandros' spirit within the Corrupted Ashbringer guided Darion to Scarlet Monastery, and Darion was the one to confront Mograine, with Alexandros' spirit eventually coming out of the blade to kill Renault. Darion would eventually manage to free Alexandros from the sword by sacrificing himself via plunging Corrupted Ashbringer through his heart. Alexandros was free, but Darion was now a servant of the Scourge.

These events can be read on the Ashbringer series of comics.

taught why he was sent to Maldraxxus and not Bastion

Alexandros Mograine: Renault. My eldest... my demise.
Alexandros Mograine: His betrayal haunts me, even in death. My son... Would this pain be best forgotten?
Alexandros Mograine: Please... let us move on.
---
Xandria: The Arbiter saw that your memories are not a burden, but your source of strength. This is why you belong in Maldraxxus.
Alexandros Mograine: I see that now. Honor may have forsaken Maldraxxus... but together, we will restore what has been lost!

Comment by KushiriOh I like that kind of lore. More please! Regarding the Skull, yes I do think that it really is Renault's Skull that is crafted into the FatebringerComment by AlarialasI love that this is not only great character lore, but also shows the differences between the philosophy of the Maldraxxians vs the Kyrians. Really good stuff!Comment by Alechs777Renault's skull would be cool, but I don't think it's a human skull. Looks more orcish/demonic.Comment by AniulThe skull has fangs. Might be for stylistic reasons, or it's not a human skull.Comment by NerukIf it is Renault's skull it's a severely warped version. THe fangs always had me thinking it was a Dreadlord, perhaps Balnazzar. After all it was Balnazzar who deceived and manipulated the Scarlet Crusade and Renault into killing his father in the first place.Comment by ArceptorUnless it falls into player hands as a legendary i want to know nothing of it!Comment by AlakeiThancanIf Blizzard actually had an cool origin in mind for this skull, it's unlikely to be anyone's else than Renault. That is the only significant "enemy" he had in life, other than Arthas and Kel'Thuzad. And I doubt he got the skull of either of them ...Comment by KushiriIf it is Renault's skull it's a severely warped version. THe fangs always had me thinking it was a Dreadlord, perhaps Balnazzar. After all it was Balnazzar who deceived and manipulated the Scarlet Crusade and Renault into killing his father in the first place.Comment by AlakeiThancanIf it is Renault's skull it's a severely warped version. THe fangs always had me thinking it was a Dreadlord, perhaps Balnazzar. After all it was Balnazzar who deceived and manipulated the Scarlet Crusade and Renault into killing his father in the first place.Comment by RajanAqRgmcould be Renault's skull from the form he took in the shadowlands?Comment by JaceRaifelI'm curious why everyone seems to think the Skull needs to be a relic from his Past. Blade itself is in the shape of his past but is still a NEW blade. It's a merging of his past and current self, thus Skull could easily just be a powerful invader to the Shadowlands that he slew which prompted his promotion to Baron... at this that's my take on it.Comment by Aspros1stI don't like it being the skull of Renault. That's too extreme.
Renault wasn't an evil prick from the get go. He was just a boy who grew up knowing he was second favorite to his father (Alexandros himself confesses showing selfish favoritism for Darion to Taelan Fordring) and believing his younger brother was the reason he lost his mom.
If a teenager grows up on those ideas and then a dreadlord ups that up, you can rest assured that he's going to become a real prick!Comment by AlakeiThancanI'm curious why everyone seems to think the Skull needs to be a relic from his Past. Blade itself is in the shape of his past but is still a NEW blade. It's a merging of his past and current self, thus Skull could easily just be a powerful invader to the Shadowlands that he slew which prompted his promotion to Baron... at this that's my take on it.Comment by AlakeiThancanI don't like it being the skull of Renault. That's too extreme.
Renault wasn't an evil prick from the get go. He was just a boy who grew up knowing he was second favorite to his father (Alexandros himself confesses showing selfish favoritism for Darion to Taelan Fordring) and believing his younger brother was the reason he lost his mom.
If a teenager grows up on those ideas and then a dreadlord ups that up, you can rest assured that he's going to become a real prick!Comment by jorge2580But there's another way: that bit of dialogue by Heirmir about the origins of the blade can be read if you're leveling, after opening the Seat of the Primus, and before going to Oribos (no needed to join the Necrolords at lvl 60)Comment by AerbaxMaybe this is what Khadgar did with did with the Skull of Gu'ldan.Comment by AlakeiThancanMaybe this is what Khadgar did with did with the Skull of Gu'ldan.Comment by JoshmaulUnless it falls into player hands as a legendary i want to know nothing of it!Especially when you consider that Mograine wasn't "just" Renault's father, but also the most promising hope in ending the Scourge, as the Ashbringer. So by killing him, he quite literally doomed all of Lordaeron.Comment by ispear6The skull is very clearly an orc skull, it looks almost identical to the skull of gul'dan. Though it is obvious it isn't the skull of gul'dan. My guess is it's the skull of the warlock he slew in order to obtain the crystal of the original ashbringer.Comment by vindurzaRenault's skull would be cool, but I don't think it's a human skull. Looks more orcish/demonic.