Blizzard's new WoW Forever short gives Undead Paladins an origin story, and it hurts
His old crusader friends want him burned. His father’s lessons want him back.
Blizzard just shared "Unbowed," a new short story on the official World of Warcraft YouTube channel. The video tells the origin story of the Forsaken Paladin in about six and a half minutes, and it is absolutely worth a watch, especially if you plan on playing an Undead Paladin yourself when WoW Forever launches on November 4. It is the best look we have had at why a dead knight would keep reaching for a Light that burns him.
Light spoilers below, so watch the video first if you want to experience it before reading anything about it.
The Son of Gavinrad the Dire
The short is about a character named Cormack, son of Gavinrad the Dire, one of the original Paladins of the Silver Hand. Cormack is undead now, and his old crusader comrades are not exactly welcoming him back.
What makes it work is that nobody in it is fully right. The crusaders see a monster, the Forsaken see a former enemy, and Cormack is not sure which one he is either...
Why Would Anyone Undead Want to Be a Paladin?
The main focus of the story is a question every Undead Paladin player will face. Why keep calling on a Light that tears at you every time you use it? Danitha, a fellow Forsaken Paladin, has an answer. Ideally, you should watch the video to experience the reveal yourself. If you just want the quick version though, consider this another spoiler warning.
The purpose of a Paladin, apparently, does not die with the body. Paladins exist to protect those who cannot protect themselves, and the Light is there for anyone who asks for it with their whole heart, even if it hurts... The pain is the price it takes to receive the Light's answer, not a rejection.
Is it a lot of lore for six minutes? Yes, a lot is packed into this short video. But it gives the Forsaken Paladin a real story and a reason to exist, and that is more than most race/class combos ever got.
If you would rather read it, you can find the official PDF here.
For more World of Warcraft: Forever news, head over to our WoW Forever news hub.