Shadow Realm

For the other plane referred to as the shadow realm, see Shadowlands.

The Shadow Realm (or the realm of shadow(s)) is a plane of existence on Draenor/Outland visited by the arakkoa. It is related to the Void.

Description

The arakkoa are able to travel to the realm of shadow at will, through use of magics, scrying orbs, and special elixirs. However, crossing over often takes quite a toll on the uninitiated, leaving them grappling with their own minds in confusion.

While within the realm of shadow, arakkoa claim to be able to move more quickly than in the normal world, although this may simply refer to traveling unhindered by their adversaries. Outcasts may hide in the Shadow Realm to escape their enemies, including the Adherents of Rukhmar, who appear unable to perceive their presence there. However, especially powerful individuals may attract unwanted attention from the Shadow Realm's inhabitants while within it. The Outcasts sometimes also hide powerful relics and items within the realm of shadow, usually at shrines to Terokk.

Squid creatures observed in the Shadow Realm.

The Shadow Realm of the Spires of Arak is filled with fleshbeasts and shades. Huge squid-like creatures float high above the trees above Veil Akraz, while the lower denizens of the realm feast on the dead, feeding on the stray life essence that seeps through from the living world.

 [Shadow Dust] can be collected from the remains of Face-Stealers and Essence Fiends; this is used to create the elixirs that allow crossing over into the Shadow Realm, and is also used in the rites of the talonpriests.

History

Historical appearances

In Draenor's ancient past, the dread raven god Anzu was cursed by Sethe. Ashamed of the broken, wingless being he had become, he hid himself in a world of shadow to hide from Rukhmar so she would not see him.

600 years before the Dark Portal, as the great king of the arakkoa Terokk grappled with the Curse of Sethe, he eventually came to hate the world and commit heinous atrocities in order to find a cure, such as sacrificing his own people. The Talonpriests sealed him away into the Shadow Realm in the hopes of rejuvenating their fallen king and some day bringing him back.

The Burning Crusade

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

During the invasion of Outland, the Sha'tari Skyguard worked with adventurers of the Alliance and Horde to collect  [Shadow Dust] from Skettis arakkoa and create  [Elixir of Shadows] to see hidden arakkoa. Upon drinking it, Sky Commander Adaris found Skettis Assassins at Blackwind Landing in Terokkar Forest.

Adventurers used the elixir to find and kill talonpriests Ishaal, Skizzik, and Zellek in Veil Ala'rak. The adventurers then called back the maddened Terokk himself and killed him.

The Sethekk, who had dominated the mind of Anzu, called him out of the shadow realm to attack the Emerald Dream.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

An adventurer enters into the shadow realm at the Shadowglade and Veil Akraz to locate talonpriests Ishaal and Zellek, respectively, for the Arakkoa Outcasts' plan to bring back Terokk. Although Shadow-Sage Iskar wants to bring Terokk back physically, Reshad is concerned that Terokk will lead the arakkoa further into darkness and does not want to repeat the mistakes of the past. Instead, Terokk imbues the adventurer with his power.

The Sethekk called Anzu out of the shadows to attempt to dominate him as they had in the main universe, but were stopped.

Notes

• An unrelated Shadow Realm is part of the Fel Lord Zakuun encounter in the Hellfire Citadel.