Crucible (Oribos)

The Crucible

The Crucible, also known as the Arbiter's Chamber,^[1] is the very peak of Oribos, where the Arbiter judges the endless stream of souls.^[50, 50] Surrounding this sacred place are gateways to the infinite realms of the Shadowlands. When each soul is judged by the Arbiter, a gateway is opened to that soul's appropriate afterlife.^[1] It is the traditional gathering place for the Eternal Ones that rule the Shadowlands.^[2]^[3]

Initially, players do not have normal access to this area and only visit it during specific quests. After completion of [60] Penance and Renewal at the tail end of the Zereth Mortis campaign, they unlock permanent access to the Crucible and can teleport to it whenever they like by speaking to Tal-Inara^{[38.9, 69.97]} in the Enclave. They can teleport back down to the Ring of Fates by talking to Tal-Inara in the Crucible or by using the exit portal at the western edge of the main platform.

Appearances

The first time players visit the Crucible is at the beginning of the Shadowlands campaign in [50] Audience with the Arbiter, in which Tal-Inara brings them to the area to see the dormant Arbiter. It is seen again in [60] The Looming Dark, but only in a cutscene as the Eternal Ones convene to discuss the growing Maw. Players visit it again for another meeting with the Eternal Ones to discuss the Jailer's attack on the Archon in [60] A Gathering of Covenants at the beginning of the Chains of Domination campaign.

The final phase of the Sylvanas Windrunner encounter in the Sanctum of Domination raid takes place in the Crucible. After players and their allies fight Sylvanas at the Pinnacle of Domination, the Jailer creates chains connecting the Sanctum to Oribos. The group pursues him across the Edge of the Abyss until Jaina is able to teleport them to the Crucible, where the Jailer tries to break through the Arbiter's defenses. While Jaina, Thrall, and Bolvar fight the dominated Anduin Wrynn on the central platform, the players battle Sylvanas on four of the surrounding covenant pillars, which expand in size to give the combatants more room. The Crucible also engages an Invigorating Field, a "defensive configuration"^[4] that allows players to jump from pillar to pillar by running up to the edges, which becomes a necessity as Sylvanas gradually desecrates each one and makes it impossible to stay on them. The encounter ends with the Jailer absorbing the Arbiter's sigil and escaping with Anduin, with the unconscious Sylvanas (and her loot) being left behind with the players and their allies.

In [60] Call of the Primus at the start of the Zereth Mortis campaign, the Primus summons players to the Crucible to witness the creation of a portal to Zereth Mortis. The area is subsequently attacked by Mawsworn in [60] A Hasty Voyage before players manage to fly through the portal.

After Pelagos becomes the new Arbiter, he moves to the Crucible. Kleia and the players briefly visit him during [60] Souls Entwined.

During [60] A Long Walk and [60] The Fate of Sylvanas at the end of the Zereth Mortis campaign, Sylvanas is brought before the Arbiter to be judged by him, and a number of covenant members and Azerothians are allowed to enter it to witness the event.

After Sylvanas' departure to the Maw in [60] Penance and Renewal, Pelagos invites players to visit him whenever they like, unlocking permanent access to the Crucible via talking to Tal-Inara in the Enclave.^[5]

Inhabitants

Permanent inhabitants after [60] Penance and Renewal

Arbiter Pelagos
Kleia
Tal-Inara <Honored Voice>
Anduin Wrynn
Genn Greymane <King of Gilneas>
Lor'themar Theron <Regent Lord of Quel'Thalas>
Baine Bloodhoof <High Chieftain>

Notes

Although five large pillars float around the Crucible, only four are used by the covenant leaders during [60] The Looming Dark and [60] Voices of the Eternal. The fifth—which is located directly opposite of the Arbiter and has a noticeably damaged appearance—apparently belonged to Zovaal before his banishment, as shown by the covenant leaders directing their gazes at it while discussing him in [60] Voices of the Eternal and by him standing on it while attacking the Arbiter during the Sylvanas encounter.
Invisible walls surround the Crucible's central platform, preventing players from jumping off it.