Lore Spotlight: Who is Xal'atath, the Harbinger?
A lot has been said about Xal'atath lately, who will play a major role in The War Within. First introduced in Legion as part of the Priest Order Hall campaign, she has proven to be incredibly popular. But what if you still don't know who Xal'atath is, and at this point, you're too afraid to ask? We're here to help.
Who is Xal'atath? Or should the question be, what is Xal'atath?
Blade of the Black Empire
Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire was introduced during Legion as the Shadow Priest Order Hall artifact. One of this blade's major features was that it would whisper to the player, but rather than simply reciting a few stables, Xal'atath's whispers were extensive and detailed — often offering unique commentary on specific locations or characters.
According to the Word of the Conclave, there are several theories about how the blade came to be made. One claims that it is the remains of a forgotten Old God who was consumed by its kin in the early days of the Black Empire. Another theory states it is made from the claw of Y'Shaarj, the most powerful and wicked of the Old Gods.
Either way, what is known for sure is that Xal'atath is more than just a blade — in fact, the physical blade was a prison for the entity bound within. During Battle for Azeroth, this entity finally escaped… but more on that later.
The blade has had many mortal «owners» since the Black Empire fell — reportedly always leaving death and chaos in its wake. Mortals who possessed the blade often found themselves guided by its whispers — often to their own ruin.
It was Xal'atath who convinced an ancient tribe of trolls to make blood sacrifices in order to awaken Kith'ix, a servant of the Old Gods who had remained dormant since nearly dying in a
