World of Warcraft has finished the story of Shadowlands with the dual release of the Sylvanas novel and the “Judgment” epilogue. However, World of Warcraft fans have discovered hints within both that suggest an unexpected future in store for Anduin Wrynn after the events of Shadowlands. Warning: SPOILERS for Shadowlands: Eternity’s End and the Sylvanas novel follow.
The in-game “Judgment” epilogue of Eternity’s End featured Sylvanas’ punishment for her many crimes: to retrieve the souls trapped within the Maw. Meanwhile, Sylvanas, written by Christie Golden, is a companion novel released the same day which details Sylvanas’ life, including her reasoning for allying with the Jailer.
During “Judgment,” Alliance players can listen in to a conversation between Genn Greymane and Anduin regarding his return to Azeroth. In it, Anduin states he is not ready to return home yet, entrusting Turalyon to continue leading in his absence. Meanwhile, during the epilogue of World of Warcraft: Sylvanas, the former Banshee Queen is joined by an unidentified figure after diving into the Maw. Sylvanas describes hearing a familiar and unexpected sound: the clank of metal armor. The book then concludes with Sylvanas recalling a quote from Anduin about hope and healing.
At various points during Sylvanas, Golden goes out of her way to describe the clinking and clanking of Anduin’s armor–a fact that seems deliberate when examining the final passage. Though Golden never confirms he is the one who joins her, the evidence from “Judgment” and Sylvanas seems to suggest it is Anduin, voluntarily seeking to help her with her task.
Fans are torn on how to feel about this ending as it adds further uncertainty to the fates of both characters in the future of WoW. Some players tired of the characters fear it could mean Anduin or Sylvanas could return faster than they might want them to, while their fans fear they may both be out of the picture for too long. Many are not fans of this new connection between Anduin and Sylvanas in World of Warcraft and don’t like their fates being tied together at all.
Still, it is possible Golden omitted confirmation for a reason. Some players theorize it could be another armor-wearing character, such as Saurfang, Varian, or Uther–all of which have a history with Sylvanas in WoW. If it is indeed Anduin, some theorize he wants to help because of what sympathy and guilt he gained from his own ordeals involving Sylvanas and the Jailer, and wishes to help himself by helping others. These players hope both characters could benefit from their exiles, self-imposed or otherwise.
Regardless, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is almost over. With Patch 9.2.5 on the horizon, with both cross-faction play and Heritage Questlines involving Azeroth, and an expansion announcement in the works for April 19th, World of Warcraft is entering a new era, for better or for worse.
World of Warcraft is available now on PC.
Source: Wowhead
