Now that World of WarCraft expands its universe into the afterlife, it's no question that players might find memorable characters long deceased in the Shadowlands expansion. While the return of many larger characters was announced early on, Blizzard left a large number of smaller ones scattered across the Shadowlands for players to discover on their own.
Some of these characters relate to zone quests while others simply exist for player interaction. It's fascinating to see where some of these characters are now and how they fare in the afterlife. Unfortunately, some of them are a bit difficult to discover, or their appearance is subtle enough that players may just miss them entirely.
WARNING: Spoilers for Shadowlands follow!
10 Zul'jin
In life, Zul'jin was an Amani Warlord that defended his people's territory from the encroaching elves. Players both meet and defeat him as a raid boss during patch 2.3, The Gods of Zul'Aman, of The Burning Crusade. They storm through the Amani city, defeating each of their demi-gods before approaching the Warlord, himself.
In eastern Revendreth, near the Halls of Atonement, is a cellar where the wrathful soul of the infamous warlord now resides. Head to the coordinates 65.7 42.7 to find the cellar entrance hidden under a carpet. Accessing the area in which Zul'jin awaits judgment requires either a Door of Shadows ability from the Venthyr Covenant or a Warlock with the Demonic Gateway ability. He has unique dialogue options for Blood and Void Elf players, understandably upset to see them.
9 Uther
Uther the Lightbringer was a famous hero of the Alliance and most prominent during the WarCraft RTS series. He dies in WarCraft III at the hands of his student, Arthas Menethil. World of WarCraft players see him as a ghost during the events of Icecrown Citadel in Wrath of the Lich King, however, his soul (or at least part of it) now resides in the Shadowlands.
In the Bastion cinematic, World of WarCraft fans get their first look at what happened to the hero after his death. He becomes a Kyrian of the angelic plane of Bastion for his deeds in life. Unfortunately, players first venturing into the Shadowlands discover a much different Uther. He appears to be a prominent member of the Foresworn, a fallen sect of Kyrian, and plays a large role in the story of Bastion and its Covenant.
8 Warbrave Oro
Warbrave Oro is a fierce warrior of the Highmountain Tauren who players first meet in Legion Dalaran, just before starting their adventure in his home region. Sometime later, both he and the player journey to Riverbend to defend his people against the drogbar. Sadly, their leader, Dargrul, has the legendary Hammer of Khaz'goroth and uses it to brutally slay the Warbrave.
Players find him once more as a spirit in Bastion in the Aspirant's Crucible at coordinates 53.8, 80.6. When spoken to, he expresses that he has moved on from the events that led to his death and no longer holds a grudge against Dargrul. This is the way of souls who The Arbiter sends to Bastion. They must relinquish the pains and struggles of their former life in order to move forward with ascension.
7 "Captain" Cookie
Long-time players are familiar with the story of Cookie. In the days before the cataclysm, Cookie was a chef and optional boss on the Defias ship at the end of the Deadmines dungeon. In the Cataclysm expansion, Blizzard revamped the dungeon, promoting Cookie to both primary boss and "Captain." As expected, players still defeat him as part of their objective.
It seems undead life is just as unfortunate as his former life as players find the corpse of "Captain" Cookie next to Halis's Lunch Pail at coordinates 30.8, 28.7 in the House of Constructs. His existence here sparks curiosity anyway as only those who enjoy being soldiers and war machines in life are sentenced to Maldraxxus.
6 Mankrik's Wife
In both vanilla and Classic, Mankrik's Wife is one of the most famous characters players never actually met. Finding her is an objective for the quest Lost in Battle. Mankrik, an orc in The Barrens, tasks the player to find his wife who went missing during a quillboar raid. Before the days of an in-game quest helper, the quest became notorious for the "Where is Mankrik's Wife?" spam in The Barrens chat.
Mankrik's Wife, or Olgra, returns in Shadowlands as a champion of Maldraxxus. Now known as Decimator Olgra, she's found at coordinates 27.3, 61.3 in western Maldraxxus. All these years later, players finally find her.
5 Anaya Dawnrunner
Fans of Classic or those who were around before Cataclysm may recall a ghostly Night Elf named Anaya Dawnrunner. She was part of an Alliance-only quest in Darkshore called For Love Eternal. Players were tasked with killing her and returning her lost pendant to Cerellean Whiteclaw. Upon doing so, Anaya's ghost appears to Cerellean where they have a brief and touching moment before her soul finally passes on.
As players now know, a character's story isn't over just because they die. Anaya Dawnrunner now resides in Ardenweald within Dreamsong Fenn at coordinates 38.4 39.6. She takes on the guise of the shadowstalker soulshape, appearing as a ghostly sabercat.
4 Alexandros Mograine
Alexandros Mograine was a famous hero of the Alliance, one of the leaders of the Silver Hand, and the original wielder of The Ashbringer. He fought valiantly against the Scourge before being tricked and killed by his son, Renault. The necromancer Kel'Thuzad rose him as a death knight. He was one of the original Four Horseman bosses in Naxxramas before Wrath of the Lich King.
Players meet him once again in Maldraxxus as a prominent character in the story. The former hero seems confused as to why he was sent to Maldraxxus rather than Bastion. His story reveals more of itself to members of the Necrolord Covenant as players follow Alexandros to Bastion for answers.
3 Amber Kearnen
One of the more interesting discoveries in the Shadowlands is of a character seen in multiple expansions, including vanilla and Classic. Amber Kearnen was an SI:7 agent first seen in Westfall, spying on the Defias Brotherhood. Players also worked with her during Cataclysm, Mists of Pandaria, Warlords of Draenor, and Legion. Unfortunately, in her final appearance, she is found dead.
Amber appears in the afterlife in Maldraxxus as an aranakk known as Kearnen the Blade. She is a member of the House of Eyes, working closely with Baroness Vashj, and stands at coordinates 53.4, 23.8.
2 Houndmaster Loksey
Houndmaster Loksey hails from the vanilla days and also Classic. He is a boss in the Library section of the Scarlet Monastery dungeon, in charge of training the hounds. Players defeat him and his hounds during the assault on the monastery.
The Houndmaster appears in Revendreth during the main questline. Players find him at coordinates 48.0, 70.0 and must dole out his punishment as part of the quest Let the Hunt Begin. Players must frighten him with the local hounds of Revendreth, just as he would do to prisoners in the monastery.
1 Lady Vashj
One of the most exciting character returns in the Shadowlands expansion is none other than Lady Vashj. She played a large role in the events of WarCraft III, joining forces with Illidan Stormrage and Kael'thas Sunstrider in Outland. She appears again in The Burning Crusade as the leader of the naga within Coilfang Reservoir, the final boss of Serpentshrine Cavern.
In death, she becomes Baroness Vashj, serving the House of Eyes in Maldraxxus. Interestingly, she retains her naga form rather than her original elven body, albeit slightly zombified. Vashj plays a large role in the zone's story.