Afterlives

Afterlives is a series of animated shorts serving as a prelude to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. Each episode focuses on one of the four Covenants that rule over the zones of the Shadowlands. The series was announced on August 24, 2020 and the first episode premiered during gamescom's Opening Night Live on August 27, with subsequent episodes being released on September 3, September 10, and September 17.
==Afterlives==
==Description==
;Announcement
Just as our choices determine who we are in life – they pave the paths we take in the afterlife. Prepare to delve into four realms of the Shadowlands – Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth – and discover the journeys souls take once they cross the eternal veil.
;Afterlives: Bastion
Uther the Lightbringer, Paladin of the Silver Hand, met an untimely demise ... but his service is not done. When he passes into the afterlife, Devos – a Paragon of Bastion – takes Uther under her wing, only to learn that some mortal wounds run deeper than she could imagine.
;Afterlives: Maldraxxus
Draka, orc of the Frostwolf Clan, was not a warrior born, but a warrior made. In the fires of battle that forge the armies of the Maldraxxus, Draka must learn that nothing and no one—not even she—is what they seem.
;Afterlives: Ardenweald
Within the forests of Ardenweald, keepers tend to their groves, caring for the Nature Spirits who await their rebirth. But as one keeper fights to protect his dying grove in a time of drought, he is faced with a terrible choice.
;Afterlives: Revendreth
Sire Denathrius, Master of Revendreth, takes a moment out of his busy day to assure his citizens that despite the mysterious drought that plagues their realm, he has taken steps to ensure that they will prosper—so long as their faith in him remains absolute.
==Characters==
 	Major	Minor	Mentioned	
Bastion 	
* Uther
* Devos	
* Arthas Menethil
** Invincible
* Kyrestia
* Thenios	
* Terenas Menethil II
* The Jailer	
Maldraxxus	
* Draka	
* Akarek
* Krexus
* Go'el (flashback)	 	
Ardenweald	
* Ara'lon
* Ursoc
* Winter Queen	
* Unnamed sylvar
* Unnamed vorkai
** Unnamed huntmaster
* Malfurion Stormrage (flashback)	 	
Revendreth	
* Denathrius
**Remornia	
* Imprisoned orc	 	
==Locations==
===Bastion===
*Bastion
**Elysian Hold
*Western Plaguelands
**Andorhal
*Icecrown
**Icecrown Citadel
***The Frozen Throne
*The Maw
===Maldraxxus===
*Hillsbrad Foothills (flashback)
*Maldraxxus
**Nurakkir
**House of the Chosen
***Spire of War
*Unknown Legion world
===Ardenweald===
*Ardenweald
**Tirna Noch
*Emerald Nightmare (flashback)
**Grizzly Hills
===Revendreth===
*Revendreth
**Castle Nathria
**Catacombs of Regret
**Ember Ward
**Village Ward
*The Maw (mentioned)
==Credits==
To see the list of credits for each episode, click "Expand", to the right.
===Bastion===
*Directed by Terran Gregory
*Produced by Taka Yasuda
*Written by Andrew Robinson
*Art Direction by Laurel Austin
*Illustration by Adam Baines, Jasmine Goggins, Josh Tallman, Jungah Lee, Laurent Pierlot
*Storyboard by Ted Boonthanakit, Ae Ri Yoon, Jerry Gaylord, Sung Shin
*3D Motion Story by Matthew Mead, Emily Hsu, Jared Mayberry, Cathy Blanco, Crhsti Kugler, Michael Taranto, James Wright, Enrique Munoz, Kaz Shimada, Christopher Erickson, Ray Chih, Grham Cunningham
*Post Production: Jake Patton, Joanna Griebel, Aaron Woitas, Rebecca Lilienfeld, Hannah Dalrymple, Ed Decker
*Voice Performances by Josh Petersdorf, Max Mittelman, Marie Angelico, Tam Mutu, Omri Rose, Jeff Schine, Karen Strassman, Ray Chase, Patrick Seitz, Erica Schroeder, Michael McConnohie, Tim Russ, Courtenay Taylor, Debra Wilson, Dee Bradley Baker, Keston John
*Sound and Music by Paul Mnichini, Caroline Hernandez, Ariel Wang, Brian Johnson, Erik Magnus, Larry Peacock, John Thomas, Chris Battaglia, Derek Duke, Nicholas Papaleo, Neal Acree, Gary Summers, Nathan Nance, Isaac Hammons, Andy King, Andrea Toyias, Michael Roache, Ashley Collins, Alec Santos, Peter Steinbach
*Localization by Felice Huang, Thomas Floeter
*Creative Development: Jeff Chamberlain, Venecia Duran, Phillip Hillenbrand, Brian Horn, George Krstic, Dennis Bredow, Sean Copeland, Madi Buckingham, Jacob Rivera, Claver Knovick, Tim Loughran, Shannon Eric Denton
===Maldraxxus===
*Directed by: Brian Horn
*Produced by: Taka Yasuda
*Written by: Christie Golden
*Art Direction by: Laurel Austin
*Illustration: Adam Baines, Bayard Wu, Jasmine Goggins, Josh Tallman, Jungah Lee, Laurent Pierlot, Will Murai
*Storyboard: Mike Koizumi, Jerry Gaylord
*3D Motion Story: Matthew Mead, Emily Hsu, Jared Mayberry, Cathy Blanco, Christi Kugler, Michael Taranto, James Wright, Enrique Munoz, Kaz Shimada, Scott, Trosclair, Jon Styles, Graham Cunningham
*Post Production: Jake Patton, Joanna Griebel, Aaron Woitas, Rebecca Lilienfeld, Hannah Dalrymple, Ed Decker
*Voice Performances: Josh Petersdorf, Max Mittelman, Maria Angelico, Tam Mutu, Omri Rose, Jeff Schine, Karen Strassman, Ray Chase, Patrick Seitz, Erica Schroeder, Michael McConnohie, Tim Russ, Patrick Seitz, Courtenay Taylor, Debra Wilson, Dee Bradley Baker, Keston John
*Sound and Music: Paul Menichini, Caroline Hernandez, Ariel Wang, Brian Johnson, Erik Magnus, Larry Peacock, John Thomas, Chris Battaglia, Derek Duke, Nicholas Papaleo, Neal Acree, Gary Summers, Nathan Nance, Isaac Hammons, Andy King, Andrea Toyias, Michael Roache, Ashley Collins, Alec Santos, Peter Steinbach
*Localization: Felice Huang, Thomas Floeter
*Creative Development: Jeff Chamberlain, Venecia Duran, Phillip Hillenbrand, Brian Horn, George, Krstic, Dennis Bredow, Sean Copeland, Madi Buckingham, Jacob Rivera, Claver Knovick, Tim Loughran, Shannon Eric Denton
===Ardenweald===
*Directed by: Marc Messenger
*Produced by: Taka Yasuda
*Written by: Robert Brooks
*Art Direction by: Laurel Austin
*Illustration: Adam Baines, Jasmine Goggins, Josh Tallman, Laurent Pierlot, Will Murai, Yewon Park
*Storyboard: Chap Yaep
*3D Motion Story: Matthew Mead, Emily Hsu, Jared Mayberry, Cathy Blanco, Christi Kugler, Michael Taranto, James Wright, Enrique Munoz, Kaz Shimada, Daniel Kruse, Scott Trosclair, Benjamin Conner, Christopher Erickson, Ray Chih, Mike Hardison, Jon Styles
*Post Production: Jake Patton, Joanna Griebel, Aaron Woitas, Rebecca Lilienfeld, Hannah Dalrymple, Ed Decker
*Voice Performances: Josh Petersdorf, Max Mittelman, Maria Angelico, Tam Mutu, Omri Rose, Jeff Schine, Karen STrassman, Ray Chase, Patrick Seitz, Erica Schroeder, Michael McConnohie, Tim Russ, Patrick Seitz, Courtenay Taylor, Debra Wilson, Dee Bradley Baker, Keston John
*Sound and Music: Paul Menichini, Caroline Hernandez, Ariel Wang, Brian Johnson, Erik Magnus, Larry Peacock, John Thomas, Chris Battaglia, Derek Duke, Nicholas Papaleo, Neal Acree, Gary Summers, Nathan Nance, Isaac Hammons, Andy King, Andrea Toyias, Michael Roache, Ashley Collins, Alec Santos, Peter Steinbach
*Localization: Felice Huang, Thomas Floeter
*Creative Development: Jeff Chamberlain, Venecia Duran, Phillip Hillenbrand, Brian Horn, George Krstic, Dennis Bredow, Sean Copeland, Madi Buckingham, Jacob Rivera, Claver Knovick, Tim Loughran, Shannon Eric Denton
===Revendreth===
*Directed by: Marc Messenger
*Produced by: Taka Yasuda
*Written by: Andrew Robinson
*Art Direction by: Laurel Austin
*Illustration: Adam Baines, Jasmine Goggins, Josh Tallman, Laurent Pierlot
*Storyboard: Ted Boonthanakit, Mike Koizumi, Sung Shin
*3D Motion Story: Matthew Mead, Emily Hsu, Jared Mayberry, Cathy Blanco, Christi Kugler, Michael Taranto, James Wright, Enrique Munoz, Kaz Shimada, Daniel Kruse, Scott Trosclair, Benjamin Conner, Christopher Erickson, Cynthia Dickson
*Post Production: Jake Patton, Joanna Griebel, Aaron Woitas, Rebecca Lilienfeld, Hannah Dalrymple, Ed Decker
*Voice Performances: Josh Petersdorf, Max Mittelman, Maria Angelico, Tam Mutu, Omri Rose, Jeff Schine, Karen Strassman, Ray Chase, Patrick Seitz, Erica Schroeder, Michael McConnohie, Tim Russ, Patrick Seitz, Courtenay Taylor, Debra Wilson, Dee Bradley Baker, Keston John
*Sound and Music: Paul Menichini, Caroline Hernandez, Ariel Wang, Brian Johnson, Erik Magnus, Larry Peacock, John Thomas, Chris Battaglia, Derek Duke, Nicholas Papaleo, Neal Acree, Gary Summers, Nathan Nance, Isaac Hammons, Andy King, Andrea Toyias, Michael Roache, Ashley Collins, Alec Santos, Peter Steinbach
*Localization: Felice Huang, Thomas Floeter
*Creative Development: Jeff Chamberlain, Venecia Duran, Phillip Hillenbrand, Brian Horn, George Krstic, Dennis Bredow, Sean Copeland, Madi Buckingham, Jacob Rivera, Claver Knovick, Tim Loughran, Shannon Eric Denton
==Notes==
*Afterlives: Maldraxxus reuses a shot depicting three felguard from Harbingers - Illidan. According to Steve Danuser, the reused shot is an intentional reference to Harbingers and is intended to imply to viewers that the Necrolords sometimes travel beyond the Shadowlands to neutralize potential threats. This also implies that the verdant planet Draka and Akarek visited is the same as Azgoth's wasteland planet which was invaded by the Illidari, a connection seemingly confirmed by the flavor text of the Azgoth's Tattered Maps item in-game.
*All four cinematics can be seen in-game:
**Bastion is available after completing Spires of Ascension for the first time and defeating Devos during the Kyrian Campaign. After completing Mysterious Soul Mirror (quest), a Soul Mirror unlocks at the Eonian Archives, which can be clicked to play it.
**Maldraxxus is available by speaking to Draka as soon as players reach the House of the Chosen during the Maldraxxus storyline.
**Ardenweald plays during Echoes of Tirna Noch during the Ardenweald storyline.
**Revendreth plays when clicking on A Proclamation From Sire Denathrius on the wall outside of the inn in Sanctuary of the Mad. The proclamation can also be found in Darkhaven on the doorway to the crypt and in Pridefall Hamlet next to the innkeeper Roller, but these only contain the script and do not play the cinematic.
==Gallery==
===Promotional artwork===
Afterlives title 2.jpg
Afterlives header - Bastion.jpg
Afterlives header - Maldraxxus.jpg
Afterlives header - Ardenweald.jpg
Afterlives header - Revendreth.jpg
===Screenshots===
;Bastion
Afterlives - Arthas vs Uther.png
Afterlives - Uther.jpg
Afterlives - Bastion.png
Afterlives - Uther kyrian Aspirant.jpg
Afterlives - Uther and Devos.png
Afterlives - Uther meditation.png
Afterlives - Uther's wound.png
Afterlives - Uther's soul split.png
Afterlives - Runes of Frostmourne.png
Afterlives - Archon's Rise.png
Afterlives - Thenios.png
Afterlives - Devos and Archon.png
Afterlives - Devos.png
Afterlives - Uther ascends.png
Afterlives - Frostmourne Shattered.png
Afterlives - Arthas dying.png
Afterlives - The Maw.png
Afterlives - Justice.png
Afterlives - Into the Maw.png
Afterlives - Justice met.png
;Maldraxxus
Afterlives - Draka's last stand.png
Afterlives - Draka and Go'el.png
Afterlives - Maldraxxus.png
Afterlives - House of Constructs.png
Afterlives - House of Rituals.png
Afterlives - House of Plagues.png
Afterlives - House of the Chosen.png
Afterlives - House of Eyes.png
Draka of the House of Eyes.png
Afterlives - Felguard.png
Afterlives - Draka training.png
Afterlives - Draka and Akarek.png
Akarek.png
Afterlives - Draka's departure.png
Afterlives - Destruction of the House of Eyes.png
Afterlives - Maldraxxus necromancer.png
Afterlives - Draka vs traitors.png
Afterlives - House of the Chosen area.png
Afterlives - Draka and Krexus.png
Draka of the House of the Chosen.png
Afterlives - Protectors of Maldraxxus.png
;Ardenweald
Afterlives - Ursoc the corrupted.png
Afterlives - Malfurion and Ursoc.png
Afterlives - Ardenweald.png
Afterlives - Ursoc in Ardenweald.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon.png
Afterlives - Winter Queen.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon and Winter Queen.png
Afterlives - Ardenweald in drought.png
Afterlives - Sacrificing wildseeds.png
Afterlives - Vorkai in combat.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon vs Wild Hunt.png
Afterlives - Vorkai.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon and Wild Hunt.png
Afterlives - Ardenweald's future.png
Afterlives - Ursoc's wildseed.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon's sorrow.png
Afterlives - Ursoc's end.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon's oath.png
Afterlives - Ara'lon close-up.png
;Revendreth
Afterlives - Garrosh's torture.png
Afterlives - Revendreth.png
Afterlives - Denathrius' address.png
Afterlives - Holy mission.png
Afterlives - Venthyr.png
Afterlives - Revendreth in drought.png
Afterlives - Garrosh.png
Afterlives - The greater good.png
Afterlives - Those most in need.png
Afterlives - Venthyr vagrants.png
Afterlives - Miscreant's punishment.png
Afterlives - Ember Ward.png
Afterlives - Fairness and mercy.png
Afterlives - Scorching venthyr.png
==References==
Category:Animated shorts
Category:Shadowlands (expansion)