Maw Walker
- For the quest from the Maldraxxus storyline, see
[53-60] Maw Walker.
Maw Walker is a rare title given to beings who are able to enter and leave the normally inescapable Maw by activating the First One waystones between the Maw and the rest of the Shadowlands. Other mortals and Shadowlands denizens can temporarily attune themselves to a Maw Walker's soul to also gain access to the waystone.[1][2] In addition, magi can attune their teleportation spell to a Maw Walker in order to teleport out of the Maw.[3] Through the use of an ancient spell, the Curator was able to use a Maw Walker as a conduit to travel back along the same path they used to get into the Maw. However, this spell is painful, may kill the Maw Walker in question, and can only be used once.[4][5]
Sylvanas Windrunner became the first Maw Walker when she escaped the Maw through her pact with the Val'kyr.[6][7] Maw Walker is the term used by inhabitants of the Shadowlands to refer to adventurers (player characters), who are able to activate the waystone[8] thanks to their unique connection to Azeroth's world-soul.[9] There are canonically multiple such heroes,[10][11][12] but prophecies from Korthia also foretell of a single true Maw Walker, connected to a unique world-soul, who will be able to save Korthia from disaster. The city's attendants have a duty to aid this Maw Walker by empowering their anima.[13] The prophecies also state that the Maw Walker would have need of the dormant waystone in Keeper's Respite, and that this stone will prove crucial to the fate of the Shadowlands.[14]
Known
Sylvanas Windrunner, the first Maw Walker[6][7]
Adventurers
References
- ^ [53-60] Maw Walker
- ^
[60] Time to Reflect
- ^ [60] Torment Chamber: Jaina
- ^ [58-60] Torghast, Tower of the Damned
- ^ Lore Book (Shadowlands)#Prince Renathal
- ^ a b BlizzCon 2019 - All-Access Interview with Executive Producer John Hight[dead link]
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 140
- ^ [50] Stand as One
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment 2019-11-26. BlizzCon 2019 | World of Warcraft: What's Next | Full Panel (25:55). YouTube. Retrieved on 2020-12-02. “[...] We, heroes of Azeroth, with a unique bond to the world-soul of Azeroth herself, find ourselves uniquely able to escape the Maw.”
- ^ Jez Corden 2020-03-12. World of Warcraft interview: Looking back at Battle for Azeroth, and looking ahead to Shadowlands. Windows Central. Retrieved on 2020-03-13. “In Shadowlands, the player's character becomes known as a Maw Walker, though this is not a singular title; fictionally, a number heroes of Azeroth like yourself have demonstrated the ability to enter and leave the Maw. We want a sense that it will take many heroes working together and strengthening all four covenants if there is to be any hope of achieving victory over the Jailer.”
- ^ [60] A Gathering of Covenants, Jaina and Thrall's gossip text
- ^ World of Warcraft: Grimoire of the Shadowlands and Beyond, pg. 8
- ^ [60] Who is the Maw Walker?
- ^ [60] Opening to Oribos