Reaching the Eternal City: A Guide to Getting to Oribos on a New Character

So, you’re a fresh face in Azeroth (or perhaps an alt eager to see the Shadowlands). You’ve heard whispers of Oribos, the eternal city, a hub of souls and a gateway to the afterlife. But how do you get there on a brand new character? Fear not, aspiring champion, for this guide will illuminate your path.

The primary method for reaching Oribos on a new character involves following the Shadowlands intro questline. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. Level Up (Slightly): While some sources suggest you can technically start the Shadowlands content at level 48, it’s highly recommended to be at least level 50. This ensures you can smoothly handle the initial quests and enemies. Leveling can be achieved through questing in previous expansion zones (using Chromie Time, explained below), dungeons, or even through professions like gathering.

2. Find Chromie: Once you’re at the appropriate level, head to your capital city. For Alliance, find Chromie near the Stormwind Embassy. For Horde, she’s near Grommash Hold in Orgrimmar.

3. Chromie Time (Optional, but Recommended): Speak with Chromie. She offers you the option to choose a “timeline,” essentially scaling older expansion content to your level. This is called Chromie Time. Select “The Realms of Death” to focus your leveling experience on the quests that will lead you seamlessly to the Shadowlands. If you skip Chromie Time, you will level through Battle for Azeroth content until level 60, then Shadowlands content. If you are above level 60, you won’t be able to use Chromie Time at all.

4. A Chilling Summons: After selecting the Shadowlands timeline, you should automatically receive the quest “Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons.” This quest will direct you to a specific NPC in your capital city – usually near the very location where you found Chromie. Accept this quest. If you don’t immediately get it, head to Darion Mograine at Grommash Hold (Horde) or Stormwind Keep (Alliance).

5. The Maw Introduction: The “Chilling Summons” quest will lead you to the Maw, the inescapable prison of the damned. You’ll go through a linear questline here, experiencing the horrors of the Maw and meeting key figures. Pay close attention to the story, as it sets the stage for the entire Shadowlands expansion.

6. Escape to Oribos: After completing the introductory quests in the Maw, you will be transported to Oribos, the gateway city to the Shadowlands. Congratulations, you’ve made it! Once in Oribos, you’ll be directed to the Enclave, where you will choose a Covenant to align with.

Following these steps will ensure a smooth and lore-rich entry into the Shadowlands. Remember to enjoy the journey, as the Maw, while bleak, offers crucial context to the overarching narrative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What level do I need to be to start the Shadowlands?

Technically, some older information suggests level 48 can start the Shadowlands, but level 50 is highly recommended for a smoother experience. Level 50 ensures you can handle the initial quests and enemies in the Maw without struggling too much.

Can I skip the Maw introduction?

No, the Maw intro cannot be skipped on your first character. It’s a mandatory part of the initial Shadowlands experience. On subsequent characters, an alt skip becomes available once you’ve completed the first 3 chapters of the main Shadowlands campaign. Talk to Tal-Inara near the Enclave in Oribos.

How do I use Chromie Time to level to Shadowlands?

Go to Chromie near the Stormwind Embassy (Alliance) or Grommash Hold (Horde) and choose “The Realms of Death” timeline. This will scale older content to your level, allowing you to level efficiently while experiencing relevant quests. Remember, you must be below level 60 to access Chromie Time.

I don’t see the “Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons” quest. What do I do?

Make sure you’re at least level 50. Head to Darion Mograine at Grommash Hold (Horde) or Stormwind Keep (Alliance). The quest should automatically appear as you approach him. If you’ve already started another expansion’s questline, complete the introductory quests for that expansion first, as this can sometimes interfere with the Shadowlands quest appearance.

Where is Chromie located?

Chromie is found near the Stormwind Embassy in Stormwind (Alliance) and near Grommash Hold in Orgrimmar (Horde).

Can I go to Oribos directly from Orgrimmar or Stormwind without doing the Maw intro?

Not on your first character. The Maw introduction is mandatory. After completing it once, you can use portals in Orgrimmar and Stormwind on subsequent characters.

Where are the portals to Oribos located in Orgrimmar and Stormwind?

The portals are located in the portal rooms of both cities. In Orgrimmar, the portal room is located near the zeppelin towers. In Stormwind, it’s in the mage tower.

Can I fly to Oribos?

You cannot fly directly to Oribos from outside the Shadowlands. Once you’re in the Shadowlands, you can use Flight Masters to travel between zones, including Oribos. You can’t fly in Oribos itself. Flying in Shadowlands zones (Bastion, Maldraxxus, Ardenweald, and Revendreth) requires completing specific achievements and campaign progress.

How do I unlock flying in the Shadowlands?

Unlocking flying requires:

• Earning 44 Renown with your Covenant.
• Completing all 9 chapters of the Covenant Campaign.
• Completing up through the 3rd chapter of the 9.1 “Chains of Domination” Campaign (ending with The Primus Returns).

Is Shadowlands content free now?

Yes, Shadowlands Base Edition is free for all Battle.net accounts that previously had any expansion license attached, and includes a Level 50 Character Boost.

What level do I need to be to use the Oribos portal in Orgrimmar or Stormwind?

You must be at least level 48 to use the Oribos portal in Orgrimmar or Stormwind.

Can I skip the Covenant campaign on alts?

You can skip the first two chapters of your Covenant campaign if you have completed them on another character. Talk to Tal-Inara by the Enclave in Oribos. However, it is not possible to skip the entire Covenant campaign.

How do I enable the Oribos portal?

The Oribos portal becomes available after completing the Maw introduction questline on your first character.

Why can’t I see the portals in Orgrimmar or Stormwind?

If you don’t see the portals, make sure you’ve completed the Legion introductory questline. This can sometimes block access to later expansion portals.

Where is the Enclave in Oribos?

The Enclave is in the southwestern quadrant of the Ring of Fates in Oribos. It’s where you’ll find representatives of the four covenants and key NPCs.

By following this guide and addressing these common questions, you’ll be well-prepared to embark on your Shadowlands adventure. Enjoy exploring the realms of death, forging alliances with powerful covenants, and uncovering the secrets of the afterlife. Remember that learning through gaming is always a fun and engaging experience. Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ to see how games are used in education and research.