Shadow Priest Artifact Weapon: Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire

By Wowhead Last Updated: 2019/04/01 Changelog Patch: 7.3.5

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Xal'atath, Blade of the Black EmpireXal'atath, Blade of the Black EmpireSecrets of the VoidXal'atoh, Desecrated Image of GorehowlThe Whispers of Xal'atathAppearances and TintsArtifact CalculatorLegion Dressing RoomLight's ChargeForged for BattlePower RealizedPart of HistoryThis Side UpImproving on HistoryUnleashed MonstrositiesKeystone MasterGlory of the Legion HeroThe PrestigeCrest of HeroismCrest of CarnageCrest of DevastationMage TowerThwarting the TwinsClaw of N'ZothIl'gynothTransmog Recommendationssave and share an Outfit with this artifactBlade of the Black Empire + Season 3 PvPUnleashed + Tier 8Maddened + Tier 17Decrepit + OracleMindbent + Recolored Tier 10Artifact AcquisitionXal'atath, Blade of the Black EmpireYouTube Artifact Acquisition PlaylistPriestly Matters

I apologize for the secrecy, old habits die hard. I am Alonsus Faol. At times I have been the elader of a church, a mindless minion of the Scourge, and a commander ina secret war. But I have always been a priest first.
The Legion is a threat I cannot ignore so I have decided to step out from the shadows. I am working on gathering priesthoods of all denominations to address this threat together.
At its head would be a priest that has proven his or her ability so often they are a hero to all people. I believe you are that hero, but others still need convincing. Will you take on this challenge?

Light's Wrath

An ancient dagger of the Old Golds has resurfaced in a bid to restore the Twilight's Hammer to power. They are performing an unholy ritual nearby that must be stopped.

The Blade of the Black Empire is a powerful void-attuned sacrificial dagger that has been used in horrific rites to the Old Gods since time immemorial. It enhances its owners with powerful shadow energy.

Blade in Twilight

Stage 1: The Twilight Camp
The Twilight's Hammer has set up a temporary camp up here. Investigate the camp for clues:

Praise be to the new leader! Once the hand to the Twilight Father, the Shadow Deacon has decided now is the time to regain our past glory!

While the Twilight Father left to serve Deathwing, the Shadow Deacon maintained his "role" as a bishop in Stormwind. He continued infiltration and recruitment efforts there for some time until the fall of Deathwing and the Twilight Father. He then ordered what was left of our organization to go quiet and allow our foes their temporary victory.

But then he found it, or perhaps it found him, The Black Blade...

We have finished setting up a small base as per the Deacon's orders. He is driven, so sure this is the proper path for the Twilight's Hammer. We will be visible to our enemies, but he believes it is worth the risk.

There is some sort of broken seal leading to a complex beneath the lake. The lake itself looks like it suffered a titanic explosion thousands of years ago. Somehow the Shadow Deacon knew of this location and knows that a C'Thraxxi died here. His plan is bold. He will use the Black Blade to resurrect this ancient being and restore the Twilight's Hammer to its pinnacle.

Tomorrow I go in to command the forces holding the upper area. He has already dampened the wards and is preparing to enter the lower area.

The Shadow Deacon was a cautious and calculating master, preferring the secrecy of the shadows to direct action. Ever since he found the Blade, his entire demeanor has changed. Arrogant, commanding, audacious. He now favors a bold plan to restore power to the Twilight's Hammer.

The Blade is called Xala'tath. It has come from an age before most of our races existed. We only have the scrawlings of previous holders to go from. While it is mostly ravings of those that lacked the will to wield the Blade, many of them say the same things.

They speak of the Black Empire, a time when our true masters ruled all of Azeroth. Massive sacrifices, living buildings filled with void energies. Sometimes we can hear the Shadow Deacon speaking to...someone in his tent. He has mentioned the glory of the Black Empire as well.

Stage 2: Raiding the Tomb Raiders
The cultists have entered a tomb complex at the bottom of the lake. The ritual must be happening in there.

Stage 3: The Desecrated Tomb
The cultists have breached the tomb of an ancient titan keeper. Slay the guards and open the way into the complex.

Stage 4: The Tomb of Tyr
Enter the Tomb of Tyr

Can you believe they found the Tomb of Tyr himself?! He died here LONG ago fighting some monstrous general of the Old Gods. His comrades buried him 'here and the corpse o' that beast further in.

This tomb was also meant to guard the prison tomb o' that monster but the Twilight's Hammer put a stop ta that.

The Shadow Deacon used that blade o' his ta get in and his minions to keep the wards down while he went below.

The Hammer has been in disarray since their Twilight Father and Deathwing took a dive. I'm guessin' tha when the Legion attacked one o' the leaders that was left took to the idea of takin' over while everyone was distracted.

He dredged up an ancient artifact o' the Old Gods and is planning on using it on that dead monstrosity down there to cement his takeover o' the cult.

I dinna get a good look at the Deacon but he seems really familiar...

That blade...I knew Moira would want ta know. I think that dagger has been behind some of the worst nightmares Azeroth has seen if I remember me stories. It looks similar ta stories told about the War o' Three Hammers... and Grim Batol.

It oozes shadow and seems ta cut the verra light! I think it might have a mind of its own too. It seems the Shadow Deacon is sometimes talkin' and arguing, but to nobody at all!

We'd best stop this ritual and pry that blades loose o' the cult.

Stage 5: Reconsecration
Cultists are dampening the holy wards of the tomb. Displey their defenses and kill the ritualists to break the barrier.

Stage 6: Don't Fear the Reaper
The ritual has been thwarted but void energy remains! Defeat it!

Stage 7: Dark Passage
The way is open to the prison. Continue down the unsealed passage to whatever waits below.

Stage 8: Death to the Deacon
The Twilight Deacon is trying to bring the killer of Tyr back to life! Stop him!
It is revealed that Twilight Deacon Farthing is a corrupted version of Bishop Farthing

Stage 9: The Blade of the Black Empire
With the Deacon dead the blade is now yours. Take it.

Final Stage: The True Death of Zakajz
The C'Thraxxi general is still a threat. Use the Blade to kill it forever.

Artifact Book Text

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire

An ancient and terrible force trembles deep within Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire. Though this dagger can serve as a powerful tool for those who wield shadow magic, tread cautiously.

Xal'atath has a mind of its own. Ignore its maddening whispers. Do not trust the lies it spins. Take from it what you need, but always remember that the dark presence in the blade is not your ally.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part One

Xal'atath had its dark genesis in an age long before the Horde and the Alliance, an age when the legendary Old Gods and their Black Empire engulfed the world in shadow.

There are many theories concerning the blade's creation. The more outlandish claim that it is all that remains of a forgotten Old God who was consumed by its kin in the early days of the Black Empire. Other theories state that Xal'atath is the claw of Y'Shaarj, ripped from the Old God's monstrous form and bestowed upon its servants for use in ritual sacrifices.

As unbelievable as these stories are, perhaps there is truth to them. Xal'atath pulses with the foul essence of the Old Gods. It is even said that the blade can grant its owner visions of the Black Empire, but all who have looked upon such horrors have lost themselves to madness.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Two

Mighty beings known as the titan-forged eventually defeated the Black Empire. They shackled the Old Gods and their minions in prisons beneath the earth. Harmony descended on Azeroth, but it was not to last.

Xal'atath made sure of that.

The blade remained in the world, passing from mortal hand to mortal hand and leaving only death and chaos in its wake. One of the unfortunate souls who took up Xal'atath was a troll named Zan'do. The ambitious witch doctor hailed from the mighty Gurubashi tribe. His rivals had ousted him from a position of power and prestige, and Zan'do spent his days nursing dreams of retribution.

It was a simple thing for Xal'atath to latch onto Zan'do's anger and twist him into a pawn.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Three

Guided by Xal'atath's whispers, Zan'do and a handful of loyal witch doctors sought out a strange mound of blackened stone. Troll mystics had forbidden their people from disturbing this site, but Zan'do ignored the taboo. He believed the mound held great power-power he could use to defeat his rivals.

He and his followers would soon discover what the mound really was: the body of a slumbering servant of the Old Gods named Kith'ix.

Xal'atath urged Zan'do to make blood offerings to the creature. With his mind corrupted by the blade, the witch doctor did not hesitate. He dismembered some of his companions with the dagger, and then he used their blood and organs as reagents to awaken the monstrosity. In a final act, Zan'do buried his gore-stained dagger into Kith'ix's hide... and the giant rumbled to life.

Zan'do and his followers were never seen again. Trolls would later visit the site and find only scattered bones picked clean of flesh.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Four

After Kith'ix awakened, it brought the shadow of war upon Azeroth. The monstrous creature rallied other Old God minions to its side and launched a campaign to grind troll civilization into dust.

Unlike the trolls who had roused it, Kith'ix knew how to harness Xal'atath's true potential. Calling on the blade's power, the C'Thrax spread pestilence among the trolls to weaken their bodies, and it bombarded them with visions of death to weaken their minds.

Though the trolls would eventually destroy Kith'ix and defeat its armies, Xal'atath would haunt the dreams of the war's survivors until the end of their days. Many tribes would recount legends about the black blade that had nearly driven them to extinction.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Five

From chapter four of Modgud's Doom, concerning the day the Dark Iron sorceress acquired Xal'atath:

""Modgud embraced her clan's long history of studying arcane magic. As the wife of Sorcerer-Thane Thaurissan, she had first pick of the Dark Irons' most powerful enchanted artifacts. Yet she was never quite satisfied with the offerings on hand. Modgud would often dispatch her servants to find new relics that she could study and use as instruments in the creation of spells.

""One of these dwarves returned with a blade that thrummed with dark energy. Modgud was immediately taken by it. For days, she retreated into her archives to unravel the dagger's mysteries. At times, she could be seen talking to the weapon. When she later emerged, Modgud called for the dwarf who had brought the blade in order to thank him.

""No one could find him. No one could even remember his name or his face. It was as if he had simply vanished into thin air.""

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Six

From chapter twenty-three of Modgud's Doom, concerning the battle between the Dark Iron clan and the Wildhammer clan in Grim Batol:

""War golems smashed through Grim Batol's gates, and the Dark Iron soldiers poured into the Wildhammer capital. Bitter rivals these two clans were. Neither side showed the other mercy.

""The Wildhammers' bravery was their greatest weapon, and Modgud sought to take that from them. Under the thunderous clash of hammer against axe, she screamed an incantation and wove her profane spellwork. She slid her enchanted dagger over her palm and let her blood spill onto the stones.

""Modgud's foul ritual brought Grim Batol's shadows to life. They sprang from the city's dark nooks and crannies, falling upon the Wildhammers with blades forged of night.""

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Seven

From chapter twenty-seven of Modgud's Doom, recounting the final moments of the Dark Iron invasion of Grim Batol:

""By some feat of courage, Thane Khardros rallied his remaining Wildhammer warriors and launched a desperate counterattack against the Dark Irons. Khardros bulled through his enemies with the single-minded focus of a war golem, only coming to a stop when he found Modgud.

""Here, the fate of Wildhammer and Dark Iron would be decided.

""The sorceress unleashed her dark power on Khardros, but he pressed his attack. Then Modgud reached for her black blade-the weapon that had turned Grim Batol into a den of nightmare. It was not there.

""She had lost her cherished weapon. Or, as some would claim, the weapon had abandoned her.

""With one mighty blow of his hammer, Khardros mortally wounded Modgud and secured victory for the Wildhammers. It is said that as the sorceress lay dying, she repeated one phrase over and over again: 'You promised...'""

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Eight

Decades after Modgud lost Xal'atath, the blade was taken up by a human bishop named Natalie Seline. She had lived through the First War, when the orcish Horde invaded Azeroth and conquered Stormwind.

After the war, Seline realized that to defeat the green-skinned orcs, humanity would need to study the strange powers they wielded. She closely examined their magics, and she visited battle sites where their dark arts had befouled the land.

From her investigations, she learned of an otherworldly blade that the orcs had once used in their bloody rituals-a blade that held sway over the shadows themselves. Troubled that such a profane weapon could exist, Seline swore to hunt it down and destroy it in the name of the Light.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Nine

From The Secrets of the Void, by Natalie Seline:

""The moment I touched the blade, a name was spoken in my mind: Xal'atath. I knew then that I could not destroy the dagger. Not yet. How can one defeat a power she does not understand?

""And I had much to understand. Very much indeed. Xal'atath whispered to me in waking and in dreaming. It taught me that there is more to this world than Light. There is also Void.

""In the ebb and flow between these two forces, one can find power and knowledge beyond anything the Church of the Holy Light has ever revealed to us. One can cross the divide between Light and Void. One can pull strands from each side and weave a tapestry of day and night.

""Of course, there are consequences. There always are when walking in the shadows.""

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Ten

By the time of the Second War, Natalie Seline had learned how to wield shadow magic from Xal'atath. She had taught her dangerous arts to other worshipers of the Light and rallied them against the Horde. Seline and her followers waged their war in secret, hunting down orcs across the human kingdoms.

Xal'atath continued whispering in Seline's mind, slowly unraveling her sanity. Despite her noble intentions, she became more and more obsessed with the blade and the mysteries of the Void.

And so did Seline's companions. They were overzealous in their campaign against the orcs, putting innocent lives at risk. Some strayed too far into shadow, forsaking the Light completely. Though Seline urged her followers to use caution, her calls were ignored and even treated with suspicion.

It is unclear exactly what happened to the former bishop, but some sources state that Xal'atath incited rebellion among her allies. It convinced them that Seline was holding them back from their true potential--holding back knowledge and power that they could have if they killed her.

In the dead of night, the conspirators murdered Seline and then took Xal'atath for themselves.

Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire,
Part Eleven

For years, the Kirin Tor magi in Dalaran had watched Natalie Seline, greatly troubled by her dark teachings. After her death, they set out to scour her writings from history. Magi picked through the villages and cities Seline had traveled, gathering up every scroll and tome that she had penned.

The Kirin Tor hid these writings in Dalaran, hoping that would be the end of Seline's dangerous brand of magic. Yet despite their efforts, they could not bury the doctrine of balance she had preached. In the years to come, others would take up her teachings and devote themselves to the Light and the Void.

The magi also knew of Xal'atath, but they never found it. Like Seline's teachings, the blade would not simply fade away.

It had more minds to twist, more pawns to use, and more innocents to terrorize.

Comments

Comment by zothor

Starts out as a clean dagger.... then sprouts some moving eyes and a little gooeyness.... then turns into a full on meatdagger made of bones eyes and blood.

Xal'atath is suffering from the curse of the flesh.

Comment by Brugarude

Ok so for people out there like me who have completed the ENTIRE Priest campaign and want to go back and get your shadow artifact. DO NOT send Alonsus Foal on a mission, if you send him on a mission he will NOT be in the netherlight temple when you try to go pick up the quest (yeah hes on an 11 hour mission for me atm) I literally just spent the past 30-45 mins trying to figure out why i couildnt find him or the intro quest for my shadow artifact till i realized he was on a mission and was not in the temple. So yeah....just in case anyone else was losing their mind trying to figure out why they couldnt pick up the quest.

Shadow Priest Artifact Weapon: Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire

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