World of Warcraft: Shadowlands – Maldraxxus Preview

Maldraxxus, the birthplace of necromantic magic, is one of the new areas you’ll be able to explore once World of Warcraft’s Shadowlands expansion goes live. This article on the game’s website talks about this grim place, the Necrolord covenant that inhabits it, and more. Here’s an excerpt:

Within war-torn Maldraxxus, might—of all kinds—makes right. Here, in the birthplace of necromantic magic, those who master the powers of death turn legions of ambitious souls into relentless immortal armies.

WELCOME TO MALDRAXXUS

Chaos has erupted in the Shadowlands. In the midst of fighting the Forsworn, the kyrian were ambushed by the very forces charged with defending the infinite realms of the Shadowlands: the militant Maldraxxi. The Archon of the Kyrian Covenant has sent you on a special mission to Maldraxxus to discover who ordered the attack—and demand answers.

It quickly becomes apparent that not all is well with the Necrolords. Two of the five ruling houses lie in ruins, and their collective leader, the Primus, is nowhere to be found. With order in freefall, the remaining three houses ruthlessly fight and sabotage one another by any means necessary to claim the Seat of the Primus—for whoever holds this ancient fortress commands the armies of the Shadowlands.

The Primus was a master strategist and tactician, nigh unbeatable on the field of battle. Long absent from his impenetrable sanctum, he left behind cryptic messages and prophecies pointing to the coming of one who could embody the might of Maldraxxus and save the realm from itself.

MALDRAXXUS’ INHABITANTS

Meet the denizens of Maldraxxus.

ABOMINATIONS

The corpses of the slain are brought to the House of Constructs, where the finest pieces of flesh and bone are skillfully assembled into a new form. These reanimated monstrosities are given new purpose in a body that is greater than the sum of its once separate parts.

GLADIATORS

The most powerful warriors and champions become gladiators within the ranks of the House of the Chosen. These peerless battlefield tacticians tirelessly train with a variety of rune-forged weapons and are unmatched in martial combat.

LICHES

Practicing their craft in the House of Rituals, liches are scheming skeletal sorcerers who use anima to fuel their potent magic.

PLAGUE HOUSE REMNANT

After the destruction of the House of Plagues, some of the most wretched experiments congealed into animated creatures that now mindlessly wander the plains and crags of Maldraxxus.

SOUL-ROTTED FLESH

Should outsiders be foolish enough to invade Maldraxxus, they will find themselves cowering in fear before these behemoths. Amalgamations of countless fallen warriors, these monolithic guardians make the earth beneath them tremble with every step they take during their patrols.

ARANAKK

Once master assassins and scouts of the fallen House of Eyes, aranakk now find themselves bannerless nomads. While their necropolis lies in ruins, they still retain their sense of purpose and are willing to share the secrets they’ve unraveled from the tangled webs of truth—for a price.

These are but a few of the entities you’ll encounter in Maldraxxus. While adventuring, it’s best to stay vigilant—you might even cross paths with long-passed heroes of Azeroth who now wander this realm.