9.2 Epilogue - Sylvanas's Judgment Questline and Important NPC Reactions (Story Spoilers)

Live Posted 2022/03/29 at 2:04 PM by Neryssa

Story Spoilers Ahead.

Epilogue QuestlineThe Jailer's DefeatJailer Finale cutscene from the Sepulcher of the First Ones raidA Long Walk

Uther: Come. Let us be on our way.
Sylvari Artisan: You defiled our sacred groves!
Apprentice Ritualist: Torment is all you deserve!
Venthyr Aristocrat: Your sins are beyond measure!
Kyrian Aspirant: How many souls have you doomed?!
Orc Soul: We trusted you! You betrayed us all!
Night Elf Soul: My home! My family! All burned to ashes!
Uther: Is it justice they seek? Or vengeance?
Sylvanas: Anger and pain make it difficult to tell the difference.

The Fate of SylvanasPeace and Renewal

Vereesa: ...and now, after so long... there is much we need to say to one another...
Sylvanas: I know, sisters. But judgment comes.

Tyrande: The Banshee's penance will save countless lost souls. A fate that would not come to pass had I slain her in Ardenweald.
Tyrande: Perhaps this is why Mother Moon stayed my hand.
Tyrande: The Horde inflicted a grievous wound upon my people, <player>. You may never earn my trust... but you have my thanks for setting things right.

Post-Questline NPC DialoguesSylvanas (Rebeller)

Ah, <player>. Before I face the coming judgment, I would share words with you.

I was recently reminded that we cannot change the past. If you choose to hate me for the things I've done, I could not blame you for it.

But know this. We shared common cause once, and you have proven your dedication to the Horde time and again. I hope that you will continue to defend it, no matter what may come.

Sylvanas (Loyalist)

<player>. It is fitting that we share a few final words here, as I stand upon the precipice of judgment.

You have shown me loyalty time and time again, even when others spurned you for it. Even when my own actions did not merit such dedication.

I'm not certain what fate awaits me. But if one day I have need of trusted allies, I know that I can call upon you.

Sylvanas (Alliance)

Ah, <player>. You have little reason to listen to my words, but I offer them nonetheless.

Nothing I can say or do can change what I have done. My judgement is at hand, and I accept whatever comes.

In life, I fought to protect my home. It is good that Azeroth has you and your allies to defend her.

Farewell.

Tyrande

The Banshee tore a gaping wound in the soul of my people. She set our home aflame and sent countless kaldorei to the Maw.

Whatever judgment the Arbiter hands down can never balance the scales. Nothing he can do or say will ever be enough.

Uther

In life, Sylvanas Windrunner served as Ranger-General of Silvermoon. If you had told her then of the atrocities she would commit in undeath, she wouldn't have believed you.

We all sometimes harbor darkness in our hearts. I nearly succumbed to mine. What I did to Arthas could have become the first step on a path to damnation.

Yet from understanding flows compassion, and compassion can save us from any darkness. It is an ideal to which we must all aspire... though we must never forget that it does not come easily.

Jaina

Hatred is a cycle, <player>. One that is all too easy to perpetuate. And forgiveness does not come easily to those who have been wronged.

Years ago, I implored others to set aside their grievances and bring that cycle to an end. Only now, after so much has happened, do I grasp the enormity of what I was asking.

Hatred and guilt have haunted me, as they have so many others. I still believe the cycle can be broken, though it takes relentless effort... and a great deal of time.

Anduin

The shadow of the things I've seen... what the Jailer forced me to do... hangs over me.

For the part you played in setting me free, I'll always be grateful.

But I cannot pretend that I can simply go back to being the person I was. I need... time.

I must ask more of you. The Alliance will need your dedication, now more than ever.
No doubt the Horde will rely upon your courage in the days ahead. Defend Azeroth, <player>. No matter what comes.

Greymane (Alliance)

I will never forgive the Banshee for what she did to Teldrassil. Or Gilneas.

Or my son.

<Greymane clenches his fist.>

But for now, our focus must turn to Anduin. He will need our help to recover from what he's endured.

Greymane (Horde)

I refuse to believe that your fallen Warchief feels even the slightest remorse for her crimes.

When will she answer for what she did to my people? To my son?

<Greymane clenches his fist.>

You have much to answer for as well.

Lor'themar

We sin'dorei are no strangers to suffering and tragedy. I have seen my people massacred, my kingdom razed, and all I revere defiled.

When Silvermoon at last rejoined the world, it was Sylvanas who extended her hand and welcomed us into the Horde.

Those days are long behind us now. The devastation and loss inflicted upon Azeroth by the Banshee Queen is nigh incalculable.

The knowledge that I stood by while so much of it happened still haunts me. Perhaps, in the end, judgment will come for me as well.

Baine

Sylvanas had me imprisoned and tortured for defying her, though the pain she inflicted upon me pales in comparison to that of her other victims.

For a time, I hated her for what she did to me and to the Horde. But hatred is a poison. Once it seeps into your veins, it will spell your doom.

It is right that Sylvanas faces justice for all she has done. The guilty must stand before those they have wronged... and answer for their crimes.

Thrall

When Sylvanas sent her Mawsworn to capture me, all I wanted was to escape. To leave the Shadowlands behind and return to my home. My family.

And yet, this journey has taught me so much. About my mother, about myself, and about the legacy we all leave behind.

This was not the path I would have chosen. But perhaps it was the path I needed to walk.

Bolvar

As I sat for years upon the Frozen Throne, I felt a malevolent shadow upon my mind. I did not realize it was the Jailer attempting to twist me into yet another of his pawns.

It took all of my resolve to resist his influence. And still, I have no way of knowing how many of my actions furthered Icecrown Citadel's true purpose.

That is what is most insidious about him. Even after the Jailer's defeat, the doubt he sowed within each of us lives on.

Alleria

As I fought demons for centuries across the Twisting Nether, I clung to the hope that I would one day hold my son again, and stand beside my sisters once more.

I could never have imagined the fate that befell Sylvanas, or the monstrous choices she would make thereafter.

Vereesa desperately hopes that the return of her soul fragment means that our sister has been returned to us. I am less certain.

But I have learned to be patient. I will be watching...

Vereesa

After witnessing Sylvanas's deeds during the war, I feared the last vestige of the sister I knew was gone forever.

But when I heard what transpired here in the Shadowlands, I had to come and see for myself.

I'd understand if you thought me a fool for still having hope, but... I have lost so many that I loved.

If there is even a chance that a spark of the Sylvanas I knew has returned, then I refuse to give up on her.

Shandris

The kaldorei--those who burned as well as those who survived -- have long awaited this moment. To know that the Banshee will be made to answer for all she has done.

Many called for her head. Some still do. and I doubt that anything less will satisfy them.

But Sylvanas spoke true when she said death would be a mercy. And if she can spare souls from the torments of the Maw, then perhaps her penance will prove more valuable than her execution.

Maiev

Do you believe this to be justice, warlock? That Sylvanas be allowed to endure after slaughtering countless innocents?

There was a time when rage clouded my vision and I turned my glaive against my own people.

And after my beloved comrade, Sira, was struck down and raised into undeath, she unleashed her hatred against us.

By rights, both our lives were forfeit. Yet I was given a chance to mend that which I had sought to tear asunder. Not for my sake, but for those whom I had wronged. I pray Sira may receive that chance as well.

As for Sylvanas, I do not know if this is justice. But I believe that it is right.

Sylvanas' Judgement Cinematics

Sylvanas Judgment Questline and Important NPC Reactions

What's Next for Anduin? Greymane and Anduin Dialogue

Bolvar and Darion Reflect on the Scourge

Alleria and Vereesa Reflect on their Sister's Legacy

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Comment by tarc<player>. It is fitting that we share a few final words here, as I stand upon the precipice of judgment.

You have shown me loyalty time and time again, even when others spurned you for it. Even when my own actions did not merit such dedication.

I'm not certain what fate awaits me. But if one day I have need of trusted allies, I know that I can call upon you.Comment by tarccould someone explain the Rebeller and Loyalist thing to me?.Comment by zingzangbingSo, now we will turn in the weekly quest to....Sylvanas...since she's looking for souls? Where is she at in the maw? Torghast?Comment by SaruyaI'd have shut Genn up by shoving a squeaky dog toy in his face, squeaking it, and throwing it into the Well of Souls.

Bye Genn!Comment by aquavenThere is nothing at all that indicates that the way the Shadowlands was working before was faulty in any way. Comment by MurzacThe book came in the mail today and it fits with this perfect.

Sylvanas isn't rescuing just the night elf souls. EVERY soul in the Maw that was ever put here has to be rescued and sent to Pelagos for judgement. The new Arbitor doesn't believe in damnation. If nothing else, the worst souls will remain in Revendreth where they will work towards their redemption.

It was that darkness that drove her. Her parents, her little baby brother, she would never see them again as The Maw was her fate until she decided to change that. Destroy the system. And in the end, she now travels endlessly in the Maw in service of the damned, where she hopes to find Nathanos' soul too. She knows Tyrande has given her an impossible task. For millions of years souls have been condemned to this darkness, this realm of torment. And it will take longer than that to find them all.

Personally, I think it's beautiful. It shows that we did make a difference in the afterlives. The covenents we worked with have been given a different perspective, have been aided. Kyrians are getting to keep their memories now, Revendreth is ACTUALLY working to save souls, and no soul will ever be condemned to the Maw again.

Stripped of her titles, the former Banshee Queen will navigate hell for eternity, saving each soul condemned or otherwise, with the tiniest smidgeon of hope from a Little Lion that she will one day reunite with her Little Sun (brother).Comment by GeliousHey, Greymane? The hell am I supposed to answer to you for? I didn't do prepatch event, nor did this character did the Gilneas questline. Literally the only time you and me met in combat, is when you attacked us at Broken Isles. Go be mad at the banshee, but leave me out of this.Comment by Harashiits a smart move , they can bring sylvanas back in 1-2 expansion and say she spent years in the maw collecting souls cause time in the shadowlands(maw) is different.Comment by PriestessAurIf rescuing Maw souls is such a great goal, why is is only Sylvanas doing it? Ever since 9.1, the forces of the Covenants were able to enter the Maw, so now that the Jailer's forces are defeated, why shouldn't everybody start rescuing souls? Is dragging out Sylvanas's punishment more important than saving unjustly banished souls from Torment and sending them to their proper afterlives? In what world does this make sense? Lol.Comment by SarthoriusWonder where Calia, Voss and Derek are...seems weird that those impacted by her more recently, aren't present. Especially since Calia was there when we jumped into the Shadowlands. NVM she is next to Lor'themarComment by bluebird91We learn among the Necrolords that there were people who were sent to Maldraxxus that did deeds in life that should have sent them to Revendreth, but they did not.perspectiveThe point of the Kyrian campaign is to learn that their entire covenant is faulty. People are sent to Bastion because they lived with honor and valor, yet there were many who were ready to turn against the Archon, and plenty of others that were tricked into doing so. The Archon herself exclaims that memories may actually help the Kyrian be better, because she saw that mortals were the ones that helped the Shadowlands. They even change one of their paragons from Loyalty to Devotion to reflect this. If these souls were truly valorous from the start, this wouldn't have ever happened. they saidThe story literally proves why Kyrians still having their memories hinders them in performing their duties impartially. things that arise from the Jailer's attemptslack of loyaltySylvanas was sent to the Maw when she threw herself from ICC after Arthas' death, but she hadn't done more than most of the people we've seen in Revendreth.to circumvent how the Shadowlands normally workshow the Shadowlands normally worksAnd on top of all of that, the previous Arbiter wasn't even a being of their own. They were a machine that made calculated decisions, which doesn't work when morality is concerned. stillthe one time against an impartial constructshould be impartial and all-knowingComment by aces2kjHope anduin jumps in with sylvanas. I honestly cant stand his character.Comment by MrKamexSooo, technically we all side with Sylvanas now. We still got that quest to save 20 souls which directly helps Sylvanas go through the whole process quicker^^Comment by NathasilI liked this ending a lot. It ticked all the important boxes for me. Compare that to Grommash standing right next to Yrel at the end of WOD and joining the winning team after he was knowingly and willingly responsible for not only the murder of her sister but countless others, too.

Shadowlands storytelling was a very mixed bag for me, personally, trending more towards the negative side of the scale....but this specific piece was beautiful and well thought out and delivered, imho.Comment by jkurkulNobody thought to take away her bow and quiver?Comment by tupolew519and where is talanji?

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