Pelagos

Pelagos is an Eternal One serving as the Arbiter, the being who rules over the Eternal City of Oribos and is responsible for judging mortal souls in the Shadowlands and assigning them to appropriate afterlives.For Every Soul He was formerly a mere aspirant of the kyrian who struggled to find his place in the afterlife of Bastion, but who—alongside his soulbind, KleiaA Soulbind In Need—found himself caught up in the momentous events unfolding across the Shadowlands. He volunteered to become the Arbiter in order to fill the vacancy created by the loss of the previous Arbiter. As an aspirant, Pelagos was known for his hope and compassion, qualities he retains in his new role.Souls Entwined
As a kyrian, Pelagos is one of the soulbinds available to members of the Kyrian Covenant. Together with Kleia, he can be invited to the Ember Court for the Venthyr Covenant.
==Biography==
In his mortal life, Pelagos presented as a woman, though he doesn't remember what his name or race was. He never felt that his body represented who he was inside and struggled with that identity his whole life. After his death, his soul was sent to Bastion and was reborn as a kyrian with a male form. He was greatly excited by this, as it meant that his appearance finally matched who he was on the inside.Elysian Hold gossip He has noted that his mortal family likely wouldn't recognize him anymore.A Temple in Need
As a kyrian, he befriended Kleia, another aspirant, and offered her support long after her first soulbind ascended and she lost all contact with her. Pelagos and Kleia grew closer and eventually became soulbinds themselves. Pelagos struggled with the ascension rituals that all kyrian undergo, failing every time he attempted the Rite of Purity to cleanse himself of his memories. At times he worried that he'd never manage to become an Ascended and that he'd get sent back to Oribos to be assigned to another afterlife, but Kleia assured him that he'd overcome his challenges.Things Remembered
===The Path to Ascension===
At the same time as a Maw Walker arrived in Bastion, Pelagos made another attempt at the Rite of Purity in Aspirant's Rest, but his violent memories began to overwhelm him. Kleia couldn't help him, since it's forbidden for aspirants to intervene in each other's trials, but the Maw Walker was allowed to save him and bring him back to his soulbind. The Maw Walker had come to Bastion to inform the Archon about kyrian serving the Maw, but to get an audience with her they needed to walk the same path of ascension as the kyrian. Pelagos and Kleia accompanied them to the Aspirant's Crucible,The Aspirant's Crucible where—after they'd helped Forgelite Sophone—they'd be put through a combat trial with Athanos. Pelagos first sent the Maw Walker to spar with the other aspirants to test their stamina.Assessing Your Stamina The Maw Walker's undergoing of the trials attracted the attention of Kalisthene, who simply said she'd shared the Maw Walker's news with the Archon.The Archon's Answer After this disappointing reply, Pelagos and Kleia returned to Aspirant's Rest, where Disciple Kosmas had come with news about trouble at the Temple of Purity.All An Aspirant Can Do
At the temple, Eridia the Hand of Purity told Kleia to assist the Paragon Vesiphone, and Pelagos and the Maw Walker to assist the struggling disciples in the temple grounds. They found that many of the aspirants were being overwhelmed by doubt,On the Edge of a Revelation including Eridia's disciple Nikolon, whom the Maw Walker found talking to Uther before they brought him to Eridia.A Wayward Disciple? Eridia tried to cleanse Nikolon's doubt and asked the Maw Walker to help her, but told Pelagos to stay out of it, as she worried that he more "fragile" than most when it came to cleansing. The cleansing failed, the corrupted Nikolon left, and moments later the temple was attacked by an army of Forsworn.Step Back From That Ledge, My Friend Kleia helped Pelagos escape to safety while the Maw Walker helped Eridia confront the Forsworn and their leader Lysonia.The Enemy You Know
Kleia and the Maw Walker later discovered that the Forsworn were planning an attack on another temple and met up with Pelagos and Kalisthene at Hero's Rest to get an audience with the Archon.Go in Service The Maw Walker summoned Polemarch Adrestes, who escorted them to Elysian Hold while Kleia and Pelagos flew there on Kleia's larion.On Swift Wings At the hold, the Archon finally appeared and told Adrestes to inspect the wards protecting Bastion's temples.Kyrestia, the Firstborne (quest) He delegated the job to the Maw Walker, Pelagos, and Kleia. While they were inspecting the wards, Uther appeared and disabled the Ward of Courage.The Wards of Bastion Adrestes immediately sent the outsider and the two soulbinds to the Temple of Courage, just in time for the Maldraxxi invasion of the temple.Imminent Danger Pelagos and Kleia initially helped the Maw Walker and Thanikos the Hand of Courage fight the invaders,Now or Never but then retreated from the battle.
===Chains of Domination===
During the campaign in Korthia, a Maw Walker obtained the lost soul fragment of Uther, who repented his actions among the Forsworn and needed help mending his soul. Pelagos, Kleia, Adrestes, and the Maw Walker tried to help him connect with the soul fragment, but the ritual failed.Wounded Memories Thenios concluded that Uther's memories had been twisted and that he needed to relive them in order to heal. The Maw Walker, Pelagos, and the others helped guide him through his past,Step Into the LightHe Was My Student eventually allowing him to start on the path to healing. Pelagos told Uther that he could rid himself of the painful memories in time, but he replied that they served as a lesson and that he'd never let them go if given the choice.I Intend to Live Forever
The kyrian had planned to name a new Paragon of Loyalty and retake the Forsworn-occupied Citadel of Loyalty in order to recreate their lost covenant sigil, but Uther's words caused Adrestes to realize that Bastion needed to follow a new path. Along with Nikolon and other Forsworn who regretted their alliance with the Maw, Adrestes told the Archon in Elysian Hold that the virtue of Loyalty should be replaced by Devotion. The Archon agreed and declared that from then on, all kyrian would be offered a choice between keeping their memories or letting them go. Adrestes would become the Paragon of Devotion and Kleia would be his Hand.Blind Loyalty Pelagos volunteered to stay in Elysian Hold and prepare for Adrestes' promotion ceremony while the others went to retake the Citadel of Loyalty and transform it into a Temple of Devotion.Compassion in Devotion
Once this was done, Pelagos and the others gathered at the Seat of the Archon to witness Adrestes' promotion and the recreation of the kyrian sigil. Pelagos exchanged some words with Nikolon, saying that he was glad the former disciple had returned to them, and Nikolon thanked him for his compassion. To the Maw Walker, Pelagos expressed pride over how far Kleia had come and admitted that he wasn't sure how he'd become involved in such momentous events since he was still just a struggling aspirant. He decided that he'd become one of the first acolytes of the Temple of Devotion and, along with Nikolon, help facilitate conversation between the newly reunited Forsworn and kyrian. However, he also stated that he felt that his journey was far from over. After the ceremony, Pelagos asked Uther what had happened to the soul of Arthas Menethil, and the Lightbringer revealed that he and Devos had cast it into the Maw. Pelagos realized that Arthas could've had a chance at redemption if he'd been brought to the Arbiter instead. He added that he didn't think any soul deserved to be sent to the Maw and that while some might never be forgiven, Uther had shown that they must at least be treated with compassion.New Sigil of the Kyrian
Pelagos also traveled to Keeper's Respite in Korthia, where he wanted to help the local attendants by collecting offerings they'd left in the Sanctuary of GuidanceA Semblance of Normalcy and preserving some of the memories of attendants who'd died.Random Memory Access
===Eternity's End===
====Into the unknown====
The Primus summoned a Maw Walker and various covenant representatives, including Pelagos and Kleia, to the Crucible in Oribos to open a portal to pursue the Jailer into the land of Zereth Mortis.Call of the Primus The plan was for the Maw Walker to go through the portal alone and find a foothold so the covenants could follow them. However, as the hero prepared to leave, Pelagos unexpectedly asked the Primus for permission to accompany them, which the Eternal One granted. As the two were about to take off, the Mawsworn attacked and the kyrian and hero only just managed to fly through the portal before the Mawsworn disabled it, leaving them stranded on the Path of Inception in Zereth Mortis.A Hasty Voyage There they encountered the broker Firim,Strangers in a Strange Land who got them to obtain a strange core from the Genesis Vestibule for himA Mutual Exchange and in exchange escorted them to his estranged kin, the Enlightened in Haven, before leaving.The Road to Haven The Enlightened initially assumed Pelagos and the Maw Walker to be part of the Mawsworn attacking Haven,Forging Connections but the Maw Walker earned their trust by helping to defend the village. Elder Ara brought the outsiders to an Ancient Waystone which the Maw Walker activated, allowing them and Pelagos to reunite with their allies in OribosThis Old Waystone and bring them through to Haven.The Forces Gather
Later, Pelagos asked the Maw Walker to help him take care of the devourers, the other major threat to Zereth Mortis. Upon reaching the devourer-infested Genesis Fields, the two heard a voice calling for help in the Cradle of Nascence.Danger Near and Far They helped defend the source of the voice—an automa oracle—from devourers, but she fell unconscious despite their efforts.A Mysterious Voice They brought her back to the Enlightened in Haven, who warned them against meddling with servants of the First Ones and refused to help,Core of the Matter so instead they went looking for Firim in Exile's Hollow, who was being beset by assassins from Cartel Xy.Finding Firim While the Maw Walker helped Firim, Pelagos brought the oracle from Haven.Security Measures Her presence activated the automa core the Maw Walker had obtained for Firim earlier, causing it to awaken into Pocopoc, a small automaNow You May Speak who led the hero and Firim on a trip around Zereth Mortis and began teaching the former how to understand the Cypher of the First Ones.Cyphers of the First Ones (quest) Pelagos stayed with Firim in Exile's Hollow to keep watch over the oracle while the Maw Walker returned to Haven to report the news to Highlord Bolvar.The Way Forward
Pelagos and Kleia accompanied the Maw Walkers' allies when they headed to the Chamber of First Reflection in Bastion to gaze into their memories and find a way to resist Domination magic.What We Wish to ForgetWhat We Overcome
====The new Arbiter====
Some time later, the body of the oracle—Saezurah—started acting up and Firim sent Pelagos to fetch the Maw Walker from Haven. When they arrived with Pocopoc,Something Wonderful Saezurah took control of the small automa and used it to guide the Maw Walker on a journey to the Resonant PeaksWhat A Long Strange Trip to obtain the dormant vessel of an Eternal OneSearching High and Low and bring it back to Exile's Hollow.You Light Up My Life Pocopoc then released its gathered energy into Saezurah to revive her, and she revealed that the vessel would be used to create a new Arbiter in order to restore balance to the Shadowlands, which had been in disarray ever since the previous Arbiter stopped directing souls.Oracle, Heal Thyself A dumbfounded Pelagos sent the Maw Walker to report this development to Bolvar while they waited for Saezurah to finish her preparations.Arbiter in the Making
When the time came, Pelagos summoned the Maw Walker back to Exile's Hollow,A Monumental Discovery where Saezurah explained that the vessel needed to be filled with a soul from the Crypts of the Eternal in order to become an Arbiter. However, the Crypts had been overrun by Mawsworn, so they'd need the help of the covenants to get past them.Restoration Project Kleia went to rally the kyrian while Pelagos and the Maw Walker headed out to speak with the others: the venthyr in the Catalyst Gardens, the night fae at the Forge of Afterlives, and the necrolords at Provis Esper. As they recruited each covenant, Pelagos reflected on the responsibility the Arbiter had over the Shadowlands and on how he hoped that every soul would be able to find redemption and their deserved afterlife.Help From Beyond After some preparations, the covenants, Firim, and Saezurah fought their way through the Endless Sands and entered the Crypts,Knocking On Death's Door where Pelagos helped the Maw Walker clear out some Mawsworn intrudersUnforgivable Intrusion and restore the flow of souls that the Mawsworn had tampered with.The Order Of Things
As Pelagos, Kleia, and Firim watched, Saezurah and a group of automa scryers began the ritual to infuse the vessel. However, the ritual was interrupted by a nathrezim, who summoned the Echo of Argus to take the vessel, killing the scryers and incapacitating everyone else but the Maw Walker in the process. The hero was able to defeat the echo with Pelagos and the others' aid,Acquaintances Forgotten but the vessel was left without a soul and the scryers were irreparable.The Turning Point Kleia was at a loss for what to do, but Pelagos spoke up, saying there had "always been just one path". He then offered his own soul to be placed in the vessel in service to the Shadowlands. Kleia protested, unwilling to let him go, but Pelagos insisted that this was his purpose—perhaps the reason he'd never been able to ascend in the first place—and reminded her that, as soulbinds, they would never truly be apart. After exchanging a hug with Kleia, Pelagos went up to Saezurah, who greeted him as "a worthy soul, pure and unburdened" and placed his soul in the vessel, transforming him into the new Arbiter.
The transformed Pelagos retained his personality and identity and assured Kleia that he was still who he'd always been but also "so much more". After exchanging goodbyes, he traveled back to Oribos to take his place in the Crucible and direct the flow of souls to the afterlives they deserved. The attendant Tal-Inara became Pelagos' Honored Voice, just as she'd spoken on behalf of the previous Arbiter. Pelagos resolved to listen to the counsel of others before passing eternal judgment and, unlike the previous Arbiters, decided to give each soul a voice in which afterlife they wanted to be sent to. He also decided that no soul would ever again be sent to the Maw, as he believed that everyone deserved a chance at redemption and recent events had shown that every soul had the potential to change the fate of the Shadowlands.Penance and Renewal
Kleia mused that Pelagos had now ascended higher than any kyrian, and traveled with a Maw Walker to the Crucible to meet with him. Pelagos asked Kleia to tell Adrestes that he was sorry he couldn't become an acolyte of Devotion like he'd planned. He also thanked his friend the Maw Walker for helping him find his path, but then continued that the Jailer still had to be defeated in order to truly restore balance to the Shadowlands.
====Judgment of Sylvanas====
With help from their allies and the Crown of Wills, the Maw Walkers defeated the Jailer in the Sepulcher of the First Ones. Afterward, to begin healing the damage caused to the Shadowlands, the Jailer's former ally Sylvanas Windrunner was brought to the Crucible to be judged by the Arbiter for her past crimes. Bolvar also traveled to Oribos and gave the Crown of Wills to the Arbiter.Prisoner of Interest Pelagos invited a number of Azerothians and covenant representatives to the Crucible to witness the event.A Long Walk
Pelagos began by noting that Sylvanas' actions showed signs of the Jailer's influence, but she replied that she'd been in control of her own actions and that she'd accept the consequences for them. She then handed herself over to the judgment of her archenemy, Tyrande Whisperwind. After asking if there were any objections from the trial attendants and not receiving a response, Pelagos allowed Tyrande to decide on Sylvanas' punishment, as it was she and her people, the night elves, who'd been most wronged by SylvanasThe Fate of Sylvanas and he trusted in Tyrande to make a wise decision. The night elf leader announced that Sylvanas would begin her penance by finding all of the souls that had been unfairly trapped in the Maw and send them to the Arbiter so he could send them to their rightful afterlives. Sylvanas agreed to this and disappeared into the Maw to begin her work.
Afterward, Pelagos invited his Maw Walker friends to visit him in the Crucible whenever they chose, giving them free access to the previously-restricted chamber.
==Soulbind traits==
Kyrian Covenant members can soulbind with Pelagos after completing Soul Meets Body.
==Abilities==
;Bastion storyline
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;Gormhive, Ardenweald during the Kyrian Campaign
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*
;Zereth Mortis campaign
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*
==Quests==
;Bastion storyline
#A Soulbind In Need 
;Korthia dailies
*A Semblance of Normalcy 
*Random Memory Access 
;Into the Unknown
#A Hasty Voyage 
#Strangers in a Strange Land 
In Haven:
#Forging Connections 
;Forming an Understanding
#Danger Near and Far 
#A Mysterious Voice 
#Core of the Matter 
#Seeking the Unknown 
#Finding Firim 
Later:
#The Way Forward 
;A Means to an End
Opening:
*Something Wonderful 
Ending:
*Arbiter in the Making 
;Starting Over
*Help From Beyond 
;Epilogue: Judgment
#A Long Walk 
#The Fate of Sylvanas 
#Penance and Renewal 
===Removed from alpha===
*On Your Level 
==Quotes==
===Dialogue===
;Bastion storyline
;Chains of Domination campaign
;World quests
;Korthia dailies
;Into the Unknown
;Forming an Understanding
;The Crown of Wills
;A Means to an End
;Starting Over
;Epilogue: Judgment
;On approach at the Chamber of First Reflection if part of the Venthyr Covenant and are a Stranger to Buddy
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;On approach in Chamber of First Reflection if part of the Venthyr Covenant and are a Friend or higher
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;On approach in Chamber of First Reflection if part of the Venthyr Covenant and are a Best Friend
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===On-click===
====As a kyrian====
;Greetings
*Do you need a training partner?
*Greetings, my friend!
*Have you read anything interesting lately?
*I am here for you.
*It is good to see you.
*My ear is yours.
*Share your words of wisdom.
;Irritated
*I have been struggling with cleansing a certain memory.
*The first time, I felt as if it was clinging to me. I just could not shake it.
*The second time, I opened my eyes and it was ACTUALLY clinging to me. Physically! It scared me so badly I ran away!
*The last time, I think it bit me! Kleia had to tend to my wounds, but next time... next time, I'll cleanse it for sure!
;Farewell
*Happy to help.
*I believe in you!
*If at first you don't succeed, pick yourself up and try again.
*If there is anything I can do for you, please, let me know.
*Lift up those around you.
*There is a long road ahead.
*Together, we can achieve anything.
====As the Arbiter====
;Greetings
*Greetings, my friend.
*I am honored to serve.
*I will judge souls with compassion.
*This is my calling.
;Farewell
*Go in peace, Maw Walker.
*Thank you for all you have done.
*Thank you for helping me find my path.
*The Shadowlands are in your debt.
===Gossip===
;Temple of Purity
:I am glad the Hand of Purity asked us to stick together. You seem like you have this situation well in hand. I will be here to bolster you, should you need it. I will be fine.
:<Pelagos looks around uneasily.>
;Temple of Purity after accepting A Wayward Disciple?
:How awful. All those aspirants... Perhaps Eridia is right. I should stay here.
;Temple of Purity after completing Step Back From That Ledge, My Friend
:Oh no! This is terrible... I hope Kleia is safe!
;Entrance to Purity's Pinnacle
:Kleia will protect me while we escape. Do what you need to do, <name>. I believe in you.
;Elysian Hold (Kyrian Covenant only)
:Greetings.
:
:Precious little, in recent times.
:The memories fade naturally as my former life draws ever more distant, and many others I have let go of willingly to fulfill my duties here.
:Except...
:
:Except for one.
:It can be difficult to think about. I know I should let it go but...I want...maybe need...to remember it.
:It is too much a part of who I am to forget.
:
:I appreciate your listening. Truly. As soulbinds, I know I can trust you.
:<Pelagos takes a deep breath, then exhales slowly.>
:I had a female form in life. I don't recall my former name, or even my race, but I...never felt like my physical form represented who I was inside.
:It never felt as clear to me then as it does now. I struggled with that identity for my entire life...
:
:But when I arrived in Bastion I became an aspirant that looked like, well...
:<Pelagos gestures to himself.>
:This! A male form!
:I felt...comfortable! Excited! Like who I was inside matched what others saw for the first time!
:All of those feelings in my life finally made sense.
:
:I may not reach ascension as fast as some, but I am truly happy on the path I follow.
:Not many kyrian discuss their pasts, or even remember them! I believe we have much to learn as a people in that regard.
:When I told Kleia, she listened--just as you have. And she has been as steadfast a friend as I could have hoped for--just as you have.
:Thank you. I am glad that I was able to share my story with you.
:
;Keeper's Respite
:It pains me to see the tragedy these people have suffered. We must help them.
:
:Pelagos runs towards the Venthyr camp.
:
:
:
:
:
:
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;Into the Unknown
:All we can do is keep moving forward.
;A Means to an End
:This is a challenge we must overcome.
;Deserted Overlook and Crypts of the Eternal
:When we stand together, none may stand against us.
;The Crucible after Penance and Renewal
:May the Shadowlands at last know peace.
:
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:
:
:
:
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;Gossip at the Chamber of First Reflection if part of the Venthyr Covenant at below Friend level
:Do you need a place to stay and rest for awhile, Maw Walker?
:The Shadowlands will not be saved by the exhausted.
;Gossip if part of the Venthyr Covenant and are a Friend or higher
:I had no idea that courts could be so compelling, <name>. Truly the Ember Court is an incredible endeavor on your part.
:Uniting the Shadowlands, one teacup at a time!
:Obviously, it's much more than that. But still... who would've thought?
;Gossip if part of the Venthyr Covenant and are a Best Friend
:If you have a moment, <name>, I've wanted to say something
:<Pelagos takes a breath.>
:I was hurt when you chose to champion Revendreth in our shared fight to save the Shadowlands. I had believed that you would have chosen to fight alongside me and the kyrian covenant.
:But I see now why you chose the venthyr. Your Ember Court is uniting the entirety of the Shadowlands, as it once was--as it should be.
:All that to say, I am glad we have become friends through all of this. We may not be soulbinds, but I feel we are bound together in another way.
;At the Ember Court
:Even if your prince does not achieve his intended goals, this court is already a success, Maw Walker.
:Look around us.
:Denizens of different realms, side by side, attempting to find common ground with one another.
:It inspires hope.
:May the hope lead to unity, and unity to peace.
;If the player writes to him with the Quill of Correspondence, he responds with a Humble Letter
==Notes==
*During the A Vessel of Ardenweald chapter of the :Kyrian Campaign, Pelagos' generic name is Kyrian Companion. During the Into the Unknown and Starting Over chapters of the Zereth Mortis campaign, his generic name is Dutiful Aspirant.
*At the end of For Every Soul, the transformed Pelagos is referred to as just The Arbiter, but from Souls Entwined and onward his name is Arbiter Pelagos.
*Pelagos broke ground as the first explicitly transgender character in the Warcraft series.
*During the Shadowlands alpha, dialogue and quest text originally referred to Pelagos with the gender-neutral pronouns "they"/"them". This was changed after Blizzard received feedback that using "he"/"him" would be more respectful of the character's wishes to be identified as a man.
*Pelagos, in his aspirant form, appears as in the expansion for Hearthstone. In the story of the expansion, he is one of ten guests who were invited to a dinner party in Castle Nathria by Sire Denathrius, and consequently one of the prime suspects when Denathrius is found murdered. Pelagos' flavor text reads: He's a great judge of character, alluding to his later transformation into the Arbiter.
*Pelagos is voiced by Elliot Fletcher.Andrea Toyias on Twitter: "So grateful you’re celebrating our brave & noble Pelagos. Was an incredible experiencing bringing him to life since trans representation is very personal & near & dear to my heart. Thrilled to share that the amazing actor, Elliot Fletcher, kindly lent his talents to our game. xx"
==Videos==
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==Patch changes==
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==References==
==External links==
Pelagos/Arbiter Pelagos	The Arbiter	Kyrian Companion	Dutiful Aspirant
 	 	 	
Category:Eternal Ones
Category:Kyrian characters
Category:Judges
Category:Quest givers
Category:Bastion NPCs
Category:Ardenweald NPCs
Category:Revendreth NPCs
Category:Ascension Coliseum NPCs
Category:Ember Court NPCs
Category:Elysian Hold NPCs
Category:Seat of the Archon NPCs
Category:Korthia NPCs
Category:Oribos NPCs
Category:Zereth Mortis NPCs
Category:Hearthstone legendary cards