Arthas finally did die in the maw when the furnaces of the jailer burn a soul down into something degraded for use. Probably the most evil thing in existence. There is no purpose more evil really than to forcefully forego one's will (domination magic/ shaving down souls) to do good, burn a soul down into nothing but to be a weapon of darkness. Dooming one's fate to the penalty of Sin (as Satan attempts us to do). Zovaal is Satan powerscaled for WoW.
As Varian put, referring to Arthas and his presence on the sword as "darkness", which implies Arthas was no longer a being, but just a force.
The blue luminant light his soul was implying that all light, or life in the universe no matter how evil is something that should be considered sacred, delicate, and precious, but the jailer would corrupt it all.
So Uther threw his soul into the maw. Feels regretful that he lead to his soul's degradation in all things except for becoming an evil force for Kingsmourne.
Arthas' soul was unique because the Jailer would have use for a his particular half soul, which used domination magic before (as the lich king) instead of burning it whole into the maw.
Uther blames himself for hating him, and causing the Jailer to become whole since if it were not for Arthas' half soul Anduin may not have become possessed. And Uther was consumed in Hate to the point of also being a monster at one point this xpac. (Arthas inadvertently destroyed himself by killing Uther as Uther would be waiting for him in the afterlife to throw him into the Maw out of hate… , so what's ironic is that when Arthas says "I intend to live forever" he created his own eternal Death by killing Uther.
Uther says "I hope there is a special place in Hell waiting for you Arthas" and ironically Uther helped create that by having Arthas become the empowerer for Kingsmourne, which in turn caused the threat of the Jailer to get SERIOUS in taking the Archon's sigil.
Sylvanas feels regeretful she became evil like he once was, and hated him. Seeing him reduced to nothing was in a way a sign of how disgusted she is with herself to become a monster like Arthas, and perhaps enjoying seeing that to him. Arthas was a microcosm for being ashamed in how happy she would have been years earlier seeing someone reduced to utter nothing. Having pity on Arthas because his path of evil and destruction brought him a wave of being broken down, suffering she felt he didn't deserve for his well-intentioned vengeance against Mal'Ganis.
No amount of hatred should mean taking absolutely everything from someone else. Uther and Sylvanas looking with pity on Arthas when he is stripped to nothing is evidence of that. Uther for becoming evil, and doing that to Arthas. And Sylvanas for becoming like Arthas. This is a very dour arc for a character, but it fits as it shows a unique take instead of generic vader redemption. It shows pity in the eyes of those who became monsters for the monster that made them monsters. And it fits the evil of the Jailer. Those who work for their fate to be good in life will end up in Hell anyway, and be turned into weapons for the Jailer.
Not saying this is the ending I would have chosen but it's not a bad ending if you think about it thematically.
Arthas is truly a tragic character, and was wholly consumed by the Jailer unlike Anduin. Anduin had family, friends, a hero's story.
Arthas sadly implies some people in fate are not meant to be happy, or be saved. Terenas was an indecisive shrewd king, and didn't have the same kind of great willpower Varian had to be strong, and alert in all situations, and one with his people. Terenas was more coldly direct, and taking the easy way out in comparison (with how he is implied in the dealings with the internment camps with the orcs) than Anduin who would be strong, forthright in his dealings. It implies Terenas didn't want to necessarily be a King, and was doing the job more as just a job, and not a passion as Varian would. This resulted in Arthas having less conviction to stay Good or strong willed. Someone with an abusive or neglectful father will confuse toxic behavior as a form of strength, unlike Anduin who had more love in his life, and more valor/ honor to follow.
Essentially Arthas was a broken injured parallel fighting Anduin, and the incompatibility shows the true ultimate tragedy of Arthas referred to as "Darkness" by Varian. Fallen Humanity vs Strong Humanity, and the compassion which made it Strong.
The morale Warcraft III's fallen human kingdoms was that if you live too long in avoiding taking a genuine stand, and lack of will, and let things stagnate without willpower/ courage then darkness is inevitable to grow (As Terenas was not actively doing anything, staying on his Throne in Lordaeron, Medivh alludes to how his people were prisoners in their lands). (And resulting in a more dour outlook of "justice" from Arthas).
Stormwind had to be strong against the Horde since they suffered the bulk of the invasion. Lordaeron dealt with Orcs in a more low willpower/ low courage/ low valor approach (Second war, look up internment camps). Like a real world society probably would. Blizzard encourages us to be heroes, and not middle of the road.
Anduin was born in a time when war was already well accustomed with, and people were forced to be strong, and made connections and bonds strong enough to break him out of Domination, as did Varian. Arthas always felt alone in his attempts to do what had to be done to save Lordaeron because of the safe easy route Terenas had.
Arthas, and Anduin show the difference between Lordaeron and Stormwind. The Indecision of Arthas' father shows that cowardice, and not resounding will eventually leads to people having cold bitterness, and strong will is the only way to keep things truly good, pure. Whereas we adventurers fight in the Alliance resoundingly in the WoW area.
Warcraft III's were the perfect events to come before an MMO. It shows the folly of mankind attempting to do justice without self reflection (Lordaeron) and Stormwind (while having made mistakes has no room for bullshit being at the front since the beginning. And Varian/ Anduin adapt unlike Arthas who was a brute out of low willpower, and Terenas who was a broad brushstroker out of a desire to stay comfortable in conviction).
But it is also unfair as the threat that destroyed Lordaeron was insanely different, and was frog in a boiler pot (quiet corruption/ plague taking over) which is perfect for any society in a complacent position (as Lordaeron was trying to be in after the 2nd war, at the expense of having the human kingdoms come together more tightly).
It's very nuanced but essentially, Arthas is the Anduin who shows the sad, depressing aspects of how Humanity with good intention fails. And Anduin shows the strength of how humanity comes together in times of war.
The moral of the story though isn't his redemption. It's seeing sylvanas, and uther regret being consumed by so much hate they didn't see the humanity in Arthas until it was way too late.
And that Lordaeron was a good example of how a kingdom, unlike Stormwind, dies. Where Humanity there le's corruption sow without having the same Willpower as Arthas, and having corruption set in among those who have to pick up the pieces. Like Arthas.
Unlike Arthas, Anduin has many who will be with him. Anduin tries to rally people together instead of feeling like the one who is pouty in being the only right one in the room for vanity's sake. As Arthas unconsciously did.
This assumes that Stormwind is the model human kingdom as it's implied to be, and doesn't suffer the corruption as Lordaeron did.
Ultimately in a vacuum Terenas vs Varian as Kings. (hence why it's called King's mourn weirdly).
Terenas would be a broad brush stroke instrument without care in his leadership (implied by crisises where he sent Arthas and others, but not himself out to deal with the plague (and not quarantining his kingdom until the Scourge invasion grew too strong), and resulting in Arthas without the compassionate conviction Varian's heroics gave to Anduin, which allowed Anduin to break domination when Arthas was tearing into his soul to ensure his control.
Since Arthas was burned by the Jailer's forges to be his pure evil self, and never had the connection with his father, then he didn't imagine Anduin would break free.
Nidhogg eyes greeting you from heavensward finale
5 years ago👀
The cutscenes from wII were better. Much better.
I found it beautiful.
There's a good moral here.
Arthas finally did die in the maw when the furnaces of the jailer burn a soul down into something degraded for use. Probably the most evil thing in existence. There is no purpose more evil really than to forcefully forego one's will (domination magic/ shaving down souls) to do good, burn a soul down into nothing but to be a weapon of darkness. Dooming one's fate to the penalty of Sin (as Satan attempts us to do). Zovaal is Satan powerscaled for WoW.
As Varian put, referring to Arthas and his presence on the sword as "darkness", which implies Arthas was no longer a being, but just a force.
The blue luminant light his soul was implying that all light, or life in the universe no matter how evil is something that should be considered sacred, delicate, and precious, but the jailer would corrupt it all.
So Uther threw his soul into the maw. Feels regretful that he lead to his soul's degradation in all things except for becoming an evil force for Kingsmourne.
Arthas' soul was unique because the Jailer would have use for a his particular half soul, which used domination magic before (as the lich king) instead of burning it whole into the maw.
Uther blames himself for hating him, and causing the Jailer to become whole since if it were not for Arthas' half soul Anduin may not have become possessed. And Uther was consumed in Hate to the point of also being a monster at one point this xpac. (Arthas inadvertently destroyed himself by killing Uther as Uther would be waiting for him in the afterlife to throw him into the Maw out of hate… , so what's ironic is that when Arthas says "I intend to live forever" he created his own eternal Death by killing Uther.
Uther says "I hope there is a special place in Hell waiting for you Arthas" and ironically Uther helped create that by having Arthas become the empowerer for Kingsmourne, which in turn caused the threat of the Jailer to get SERIOUS in taking the Archon's sigil.
Sylvanas feels regeretful she became evil like he once was, and hated him. Seeing him reduced to nothing was in a way a sign of how disgusted she is with herself to become a monster like Arthas, and perhaps enjoying seeing that to him. Arthas was a microcosm for being ashamed in how happy she would have been years earlier seeing someone reduced to utter nothing. Having pity on Arthas because his path of evil and destruction brought him a wave of being broken down, suffering she felt he didn't deserve for his well-intentioned vengeance against Mal'Ganis.
No amount of hatred should mean taking absolutely everything from someone else. Uther and Sylvanas looking with pity on Arthas when he is stripped to nothing is evidence of that. Uther for becoming evil, and doing that to Arthas. And Sylvanas for becoming like Arthas. This is a very dour arc for a character, but it fits as it shows a unique take instead of generic vader redemption. It shows pity in the eyes of those who became monsters for the monster that made them monsters. And it fits the evil of the Jailer. Those who work for their fate to be good in life will end up in Hell anyway, and be turned into weapons for the Jailer.
Not saying this is the ending I would have chosen but it's not a bad ending if you think about it thematically.
Arthas is truly a tragic character, and was wholly consumed by the Jailer unlike Anduin. Anduin had family, friends, a hero's story.
Arthas sadly implies some people in fate are not meant to be happy, or be saved. Terenas was an indecisive shrewd king, and didn't have the same kind of great willpower Varian had to be strong, and alert in all situations, and one with his people. Terenas was more coldly direct, and taking the easy way out in comparison (with how he is implied in the dealings with the internment camps with the orcs) than Anduin who would be strong, forthright in his dealings. It implies Terenas didn't want to necessarily be a King, and was doing the job more as just a job, and not a passion as Varian would. This resulted in Arthas having less conviction to stay Good or strong willed. Someone with an abusive or neglectful father will confuse toxic behavior as a form of strength, unlike Anduin who had more love in his life, and more valor/ honor to follow.
Essentially Arthas was a broken injured parallel fighting Anduin, and the incompatibility shows the true ultimate tragedy of Arthas referred to as "Darkness" by Varian. Fallen Humanity vs Strong Humanity, and the compassion which made it Strong.
The morale Warcraft III's fallen human kingdoms was that if you live too long in avoiding taking a genuine stand, and lack of will, and let things stagnate without willpower/ courage then darkness is inevitable to grow (As Terenas was not actively doing anything, staying on his Throne in Lordaeron, Medivh alludes to how his people were prisoners in their lands). (And resulting in a more dour outlook of "justice" from Arthas).
Stormwind had to be strong against the Horde since they suffered the bulk of the invasion. Lordaeron dealt with Orcs in a more low willpower/ low courage/ low valor approach (Second war, look up internment camps). Like a real world society probably would. Blizzard encourages us to be heroes, and not middle of the road.
Anduin was born in a time when war was already well accustomed with, and people were forced to be strong, and made connections and bonds strong enough to break him out of Domination, as did Varian. Arthas always felt alone in his attempts to do what had to be done to save Lordaeron because of the safe easy route Terenas had.
Arthas, and Anduin show the difference between Lordaeron and Stormwind. The Indecision of Arthas' father shows that cowardice, and not resounding will eventually leads to people having cold bitterness, and strong will is the only way to keep things truly good, pure. Whereas we adventurers fight in the Alliance resoundingly in the WoW area.
Warcraft III's were the perfect events to come before an MMO. It shows the folly of mankind attempting to do justice without self reflection (Lordaeron) and Stormwind (while having made mistakes has no room for bullshit being at the front since the beginning. And Varian/ Anduin adapt unlike Arthas who was a brute out of low willpower, and Terenas who was a broad brushstroker out of a desire to stay comfortable in conviction).
But it is also unfair as the threat that destroyed Lordaeron was insanely different, and was frog in a boiler pot (quiet corruption/ plague taking over) which is perfect for any society in a complacent position (as Lordaeron was trying to be in after the 2nd war, at the expense of having the human kingdoms come together more tightly).
It's very nuanced but essentially, Arthas is the Anduin who shows the sad, depressing aspects of how Humanity with good intention fails. And Anduin shows the strength of how humanity comes together in times of war.
The moral of the story though isn't his redemption. It's seeing sylvanas, and uther regret being consumed by so much hate they didn't see the humanity in Arthas until it was way too late.
And that Lordaeron was a good example of how a kingdom, unlike Stormwind, dies. Where Humanity there le's corruption sow without having the same Willpower as Arthas, and having corruption set in among those who have to pick up the pieces. Like Arthas.
Unlike Arthas, Anduin has many who will be with him. Anduin tries to rally people together instead of feeling like the one who is pouty in being the only right one in the room for vanity's sake. As Arthas unconsciously did.
This assumes that Stormwind is the model human kingdom as it's implied to be, and doesn't suffer the corruption as Lordaeron did.
Ultimately in a vacuum Terenas vs Varian as Kings. (hence why it's called King's mourn weirdly).
Terenas would be a broad brush stroke instrument without care in his leadership (implied by crisises where he sent Arthas and others, but not himself out to deal with the plague (and not quarantining his kingdom until the Scourge invasion grew too strong), and resulting in Arthas without the compassionate conviction Varian's heroics gave to Anduin, which allowed Anduin to break domination when Arthas was tearing into his soul to ensure his control.
Since Arthas was burned by the Jailer's forges to be his pure evil self, and never had the connection with his father, then he didn't imagine Anduin would break free.
Wait a minute…this isn’t the exact same scene from the end of Heavensward??
LOL
I LOVE that Blizz wrote this so Sylvanas would say Arthas will be forgotten,
but also working on a WotLK Classic!
Classic!
Yeah. I think that’s good bye, wow.
Soooo no more Arthas in the future
Why is sylvanas still alive