Afterlives: Revendreth - Anima, Corruption, and the Good People of Revendreth

Beta Posted 2020/09/20 at 3:08 AM by Paryah

Afterlives: RevendrethWorld of Warcraft: ShadowlandsPlease be aware that this article is an analysis of Afterlives: Revendreth and absolutely contains spoilers. If you have not yet watched the short, and don't want to be influenced or spoiled before doing so, please watch it before reading on. Setting the SceneSire Denathrius

To the Good people of Revendreth, It is with optimism that I address you today...

ususUSThe Purpose of Revendreth

...our most holy mission to help the most violent and wicked souls atone for their sins is, and always will be, our utmost priority. We Venthyr remain committed to bringing eventual redemption to all who desire it. It is through your faithful work that even the most evil and prideful beings may ultimately be spared an eternity in the Maw.

The Good People of RevendrethThe Not Good People of RevendrethThe ThreatThe Good Lord of RevendrethAnd What of Garrosh Hellscream?

Comment by TilnitThis one was my favorite of the four. Reason being that all the others relied on already established characters in the lore (Arthas and Uther, Draka, Ursoc) to tell the story of respective covenants. This one, on the other hand, used Garrosh just so we can connect to the zone better, but it could easily use some random orc or completely different race altogether and the cinematic would still work. Amazing work!Comment by lastword112Insane in-depth analysis :) Kudos.Comment by JenetikittyGosh the animation team is so amazing.Comment by MelilithiaWonderful analysis.

"Don't believe everything that you are told, evaluate the evidence, and just because a person in power speaks sweetly, it doesn't mean they have your best interests at heart."Comment by fatboysebRemovedComment by NeronnEvilknightGreat analysis. Sometimes ones need to show all the work behind a cinematic, all the elements we can miss. Thanks for the article. :)Comment by endolexThe movie "Daybreakers" comes to mind. Pretty much the same topic, mood and message. Go watch it.Comment by vultrazSome observant players have noticed that the troll has a scar on his chest. In the very same spot where Rastakhan stabbed Zul with his Bwonsamdi-powered sword in the cinematic. Soooo, can it be?Comment by UnowhatSome observant players have noticed that the troll has a scar on his chest. In the very same spot where Rastakhan stabbed Zul with his Bwonsamdi-powered sword in the cinematic. Soooo, can it be?Comment by FixiHa, interesting. For me the only one of the 4 that brought a reaction was what happened to Ursoc - that really got me riled up and angry (mainly at the decision of that panzy satyr who now needs to die). I also liked the Uther one more.

This one just felt like it was really missing a plot-moving device at the end, just simply an "ominous feel" vibe. Sure, maybe asking too much, but for forward momentum, this piece was "meh."Comment by JanysaIs the "Shadowlands Anima" the same as the "Throne of Thunder Anima"? (remember animagolems, dark animus and so on)Comment by culinundHa, interesting. For me the only one of the 4 that brought a reaction was what happened to Ursoc - that really got me riled up and angry (mainly at the decision of that panzy satyr who now needs to die). I also liked the Uther one more.

This one just felt like it was really missing a plot-moving device at the end, just simply an "ominous feel" vibe. Sure, maybe asking too much, but for forward momentum, this piece was "meh."Comment by BwonsamdiTheDeadSome observant players have noticed that the troll has a scar on his chest. In the very same spot where Rastakhan stabbed Zul with his Bwonsamdi-powered sword in the cinematic. Soooo, can it be?Comment by GwiezI think they were right to start with the ones with more action, and end with the one that just left you with an ominous mood. It did feel some like something was missing, but perhaps that was intended, to leave you wanting more. It is the prologue to their main event, after all.

As far as Garrosh supposed to have been sent to the Maw, maybe. I'm not sure someone has to start remorseful in order to be capable of remorse, though. There is a point of technicality, Garrosh died on Alternate Draenor, and he ended up in the same shadowlands we're going to. Is there only one Shadowlands, does it matter that he's from the Main Universe, from Azeroth and a world connected to it? There are other planets out there, would they get their own collection of realms that only connect when their planets' populations connect? Even without the cosmology headaches from WoD timelines, where are the dead from other worlds?

And the unidentified troll, I guess the blue light could signify that he should be done with his penance, but they're still able to draw red anima from him, so maybe not. It's unclear, and I don't know if an ID would make it more clear or less clear.Comment by BwonsamdiTheDeadAs for my reaction to this video, I'm going to quote Tidus

'It was strange, and somehow... horrifying. I never wanted to see it again'Comment by orca2017Ok im confused shadowlands is the land of the dead but there not dead? How can you die if your already dead...and the venthyr are vampires I thought they were something else..but with a vampire theme..so shadowlands is like purgatory not actual.final resting place..that would be the only way this makes sense..there between the light and the darkComment by LimeRegit*checks posts*

ah ok so this is the only one of these youve done, makes senseComment by Vezon64I like to imagine that Sire Denathrius and the Winter Queen are opposites to each other.

Both leaders had to make dire choices for the good of their people, but whereas the Winter Queen has Ardenweald's best interests at heart, is willing to offer her people the choice whether to help out or not (even if it's not much of a choice), and is clearly pained to having to make the sacrifices, Denathrius only wishes to elevate himself and his elite inner circle, imposes his rule on the unwilling (all the while lying about being for the "greater good"), and almost relishes in the pain and suffering he's causing.

It doesn't hurt that they have opposing colors to each other: Winter Queen has soft blues, Sire Denathrius has harsh reds.Comment by RichardMNixonThis reads like an art student's essay as they try really hard to explain what the artist meant by painting a blue square. Interesting to read through but obviously very subjective and an attempt to craft a full narrative from a teaser.Comment by MakorusSome observant players have noticed that the troll has a scar on his chest. In the very same spot where Rastakhan stabbed Zul with his Bwonsamdi-powered sword in the cinematic. Soooo, can it be?