Summary

  • "Threads of Destiny" marks the first animated short revealing Queen Ansurek's rise to power in World of Warcraft's upcoming expansion raid.
  • The story uncovers the history of Azj-Kahet and Queen Neferess' betrayal.
  • Fans are excited about the visuals and lore in the animated short, anticipating more episodes leading up to The War Within's release.

World of Warcraft just revealed “Threads of Destiny,” the first animated short for The War Within, which details the rise of Queen Ansurek, the final boss for the expansion’s raid. This World of Warcraft motion story renders the history of Azj-Kahet, and how it fell into Xal’atath’s clutches, in stunning, vivid color.

Every World of Warcraft expansion since Mists of Pandaria has received a series of animated shorts that help set up major plot points and characters in the expansion. Recently, World of Warcraft teased the new motion stories with a picture of Xal’atath, hinting they would be released over the next several weeks leading up to The War Within’s launch.

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Now, World of Warcraft has officially revealed “Threads of Destiny,” the first animated short for The War Within. The story starts with the history of Azj-Kahet, the Nerubian kingdom beneath the Isle of Dorn on Khaz Algar, and how Queen Neferess broke away from the Old Gods and the Black Empire. However, after millennia spent in decline, the Kaheti Nerubians faced a crisis of poverty and stagnation. Xal’atath approached Neferess with a deal to aid them, and while she refused, her daughter, Ansurek, took the bargain, stabbing her mother and seizing the crown for herself.

The Rise of Queen Ansurek in WoW: The War Within

Notably, the motion story does not actually show Queen Neferess dying after she is betrayed, despite public opinion believing her to be dead. It could be that the former queen is being kept alive by her daughter somewhere, and that players may have the chance to rescue her – or fight her if the Nerubian has been corrupted by World of Warcraft’s infamous Harbinger of the Void.

Needless to say, World of Warcraft players loved this new animated short. The incredible visuals used to depict the Nerubian civilization, the snippets of lore pertaining to their history with the Black Empire, and the corruption of Ansurek and Azj-Kahet has evoked excitement from fans of the lore, and raiders have enjoyed getting to know the boss they will be fighting once World of Warcraft opens the raid in The War Within.

Players can probably expect at least two more animated shorts before The War Within releases. Most series have had three episodes, and assuming more shorts release each week until the expansion, the third entry would come out mere days before World of Warcraft begins early access for The War Within. Fans will have to see if these shorts tell the stories of Faerin and the Arathi, the Earthen of Dornogal, or possibly even Orweyna and the Harronir.

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World of Warcraft The War Within

World of Warcraft: The War Within
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Released
August 26, 2024
Base Game
World of Warcraft
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Publisher(s)
Blizzard
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WHERE TO PLAY

DIGITAL
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In this opening chapter of The Worldsoul Saga, you’ll journey through never-before-seen subterranean worlds filled with hidden wonders and lurking perils, down to the dark depths of the Nerubian empire, where the inscrutable Harbinger of the Void has gathered her arachnid forces to bring Azeroth to its knees.

Franchise
Warcraft
Platform(s)
PC