Shadowlands Preview - Bastion and the Kyrian Covenant
Originally Posted by Blizzard (Blue Tracker / Official Forums)
The next expansion, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, has been announced along with a reveal of a new zone—Bastion—and the Kyrian Covenant!

In Shadowlands, Azeroth’s heroes journey into the realm of the dead after Sylvanas Windrunner tears open the veil between life and death. As they explore four otherworldly zones—Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth—players will meet the Covenants that rule the afterlife realms in the Shadowlands. The first stop is the spiritual realm of Bastion.

Home of the Pure
When first arriving in Bastion, you’ll be greeted by elysian vistas, resplendent skies, gleaming spires, and ethereal sights. This paradisiacal realm is inhabited by the steadfast Kyrian, who safeguard mortal souls as they pass into the Shadowlands. If you wish to untangle the Banshee Queen’s nefarious plans, you’ll need to earn an alliance with them.

Bastion’s Inhabitants
Meet the denizens of Bastion.

Kyrians
The noble inhabitants of Bastion who shepherd the souls of the dead to Oribos so that they can be judged by the impassive Arbiter before being sent to their final destinations. Fresh arrivals to Bastion will become Kyrian Aspirants—wingless beings who train for eons to one day earn their wings and join the ranks of the Ascended.


Stewards
Born of the magic of Death, these otherworldly groundskeepers and artificers keep Bastion pristine. Along with maintaining the realm, they assemble Centurions—the anima-fueled guardians that train Kyrian Aspiriants and defend Bastion. Each steward dotes on a Paragon and keeps mementos of their achievements. Perhaps you will catch their eye and they’ll pledge themselves to you!


The Forsworn
Rarely, an Aspirant will fail to complete a rite of passage. These once-bright souls darken and become lost, wandering the plains of Bastion to lament. Containing the Forsworn is key, for if left unchecked, doubt can spread like a disease . . .


The Centurions
A legion of anima-fueled automatons that drill Kyrian Aspirants in meditative combat as well as defend Bastion.

Praetor: These flying automatons are charged with training Aspirants who show particular martial promise.
Goliath: Unyielding bulwarks and powerful warriors that enforce order in Bastion.
Colossus: Eternal protectors, these guardians have stood watch and defended Bastion for ages.

Manifestations
As the Kyrian shed the burdens of their past lives, physical manifestations of their tormented thoughts are expelled from their bodies. Only by striking them down can the Kyrian cleanse themselves and achieve ascendance.

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

Kyrian Covenant
When players reach maximum level and have explored the first four zones, they’ll be able to pledge themselves to a Covenant, like the Kyrian. Each Covenant offers its champions abilities, along with other powers and cosmetic rewards that can be unlocked through a Covenant Campaign—an epic storyline unique to the faction—and other activities over time. This alliance also gives the player access to a Covenant Sanctum, a city only open to players who have forged a pact with its rulers.

Power of the Kyrian
If you choose to join the Kyrian Covenant, you’ll gain two unique abilities—one class ability used in combat, as well as an ability that allows them to maneuver through the world in a special way.

Here is the movement-based ability that the Kyrian bestow upon their champions:

Unburden: Dissolve into pure anima to increase your movement speed, slow your falling speed, and propel you forward. Greatly reduces the radius at which enemies will detect you.

Soulbinding
When you join a Covenant, you’ll be able to undergo an ancient rite to bind your soul to some of its most powerful members. By doing so, your character harnesses their power, gaining access to powerful bonuses. Over time, you can unlock new tiers of power and even switch Soulbinds when strategy demands it.

Kyrian Covenant Spoils
For your contributions to the Kyrian Covenant’s cause, you’ll be rewarded with several cosmetic rewards including: a mount, a pet, Kyrian-forged armor, and back attachments that rival the beauty of Kyrian wings.


Armor up with specially-crafted armor forged in the heart of Bastion (pictured: plate gear).

There are more mysteries yet to unravel in Bastion, and not all as it seems—a shadowy force threatens the peace in this realm. Perhaps some of Azeroth’s greatest heroes can champion the cause of the Kyrian and drive back their adversaries!

Rewards and abilities are still in development and subject to change, so be sure check back for periodic updates on worldofwarcraft.com as we approach the release of Shadowlands.
This article was originally published in forum thread: Shadowlands Preview: Bastion and the Kyrian Covenant started by chaud View original post
Comments 18 Comments
  1. evodas's Avatar
    This just seems so....boring and not interesting. The whole direction of the expansion is just off to me - it looks stunning visually, but the story and whole setup is just...not WoW. Really envy the people who find this interesting, because for me this just totally killed the hype for Warcraft in general.
  1. Yoshhh's Avatar
    Looks so good !
  1. LadyLisanna's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by evodas View Post
    This just seems so....boring and not interesting. The whole direction of the expansion is just off to me - it looks stunning visually, but the story and whole setup is just...not WoW. Really envy the people who find this interesting, because for me this just totally killed the hype for Warcraft in general.
    They go join the dreamers of Classic and wallow in the past.
  1. evodas's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by LadyLisanna View Post
    They go join the dreamers of Classic and wallow in the past.
    Couldn't care less about Classic either. What WOULD have been good if they actually followed their own world building and made a Black Empire expansion instead of rushing it into a patch and making a whole expansion about nothing.
  1. dogdashdos's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by evodas View Post
    Couldn't care less about Classic either. What WOULD have been good if they actually followed their own world building and made a Black Empire expansion instead of rushing it into a patch and making a whole expansion about nothing.
    ok boomer go back to the old days follow the old times, fear the new things and changes. Change and experimentation is what made u able to type these letters on a piece of plastic/metal and send it through a complex box to display it on someone else's multi light source box
  1. Kayze's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by evodas View Post
    Couldn't care less about Classic either. What WOULD have been good if they actually followed their own world building and made a Black Empire expansion instead of rushing it into a patch and making a whole expansion about nothing.
    Wait, the Shadowlands isn't Warcraft to you but... The Black Empire is? I think you're looking for Diablo.
  1. Uko's Avatar
    I would love these blue humans as an allied race for the horde or neutral so we can get some proper fitting and looking geared race.
  1. Paraka's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by evodas View Post
    Couldn't care less about Classic either. What WOULD have been good if they actually followed their own world building and made a Black Empire expansion instead of rushing it into a patch and making a whole expansion about nothing.
    Welcome to The Emerald Dream, Argus and Nazjatar patches.

    Honestly, I feel like they rush story elements each tim they do that.
  1. ombus's Avatar
    Just saw someone playing and saw the npc says " now you have the covenant blablabla that will be yours forever..." lol give it 2 years and that forever is puff next expansion.
  1. Crookids's Avatar
    I mean, of course I don’t mind them adding other RL ethnicities to the humans but would have much preferred body type options. I’m also assuming the high elf crowed is going to get their pale skinned options for void elves so at least that is good.

    Step in the right direction. It’s nice to see some focus on customization.
  1. Averrix's Avatar
    So now the priest class hall mounts are walking, talking beings?
  1. Kyphael's Avatar
    I think I would have preferred Class re-skins, but I suppose I have to see this in action to fully understand.
  1. Gurluas's Avatar
    I don't get how these Kyrians are related to Val'kyr. Val'kyr are Vrykul who follow a rite to become Val'kyr, and then you have the original Val'kyr who were Vrykul converted into Val'kyr by Odyn.
    So are the original Val'kyr the Kyrians?...or what? I'm confused.
  1. Keristrasza's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Gurluas View Post
    I don't get how these Kyrians are related to Val'kyr. Val'kyr are Vrykul who follow a rite to become Val'kyr, and then you have the original Val'kyr who were Vrykul converted into Val'kyr by Odyn.
    So are the original Val'kyr the Kyrians?...or what? I'm confused.
    I could be way off, but the way I had looked at it was: Since the arbiter existed since the beginning, that means the Kyrians existed before Odyn. He got his idea for the Val'kyr after he saw into the shadowlands with the eye he sacrificed. Later down the road, Arthas got his idea for Val'kry (somehow) from Odyn.
  1. kornek21's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by Gurluas View Post
    I don't get how these Kyrians are related to Val'kyr. Val'kyr are Vrykul who follow a rite to become Val'kyr, and then you have the original Val'kyr who were Vrykul converted into Val'kyr by Odyn.
    So are the original Val'kyr the Kyrians?...or what? I'm confused.
    They are the original race that the val'kyr originated from.
  1. Gurluas's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by kornek21 View Post
    They are the original race that the val'kyr originated from.
    What exactly does that mean? Val'kyr are Vrykul, so how are the Kyrians related to the Val'kyr? The poster above you may be on to something but it's still odd.
  1. LadyLisanna's Avatar
    Quote Originally Posted by evodas View Post
    Couldn't care less about Classic either. What WOULD have been good if they actually followed their own world building and made a Black Empire expansion instead of rushing it into a patch and making a whole expansion about nothing.
    The Black Empire is very weak at this point N'zoth just broke free. MAke sense to not give him time to build a real force to invade azeroth
  1. Sophie90's Avatar
    This is actually a main account, so I dont know why you are attacking me

Site Navigation