Murder at Castle Nathria

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Murder at Castle Nathria banner.jpg
Welcome to Revendreth, in the darkest of seasons. Where ruthless eyes gawk for horrific reasons.
For a hidden hand has struck me down! With such ruthlessness, so deep and profound.
Then he comes with his Murlocian scowl, to uncover the truth of murder most foul.
The Anima drifts across the floor, highlighting the creatures who walked through my door.
The motives are as black as night: Avarice, power, revenge, and blight.
We watch the hero uncover the clues that lead to the truth behind this dark ruse.
Join us here, with the grim and impious. Choose your path without heavenly bias.
For at the end, they will burn in the fire, when it is known who slayed Denathrius, the Sire.
Wild format
Wild icon.png
With the arrival of the Year of the Pegasus, Murder at Castle Nathria is now a Wild format card set, which means cards from the Murder at Castle Nathria will no longer be playable in Standard format matches. For more information, see Game format.

Murder at Castle Nathria is Hearthstone's 21st expansion, featuring new 135 collectible cards released on August 2, 2022.[1] The expansion depicts a dinner party in Castle Nathria hosted by  Sire Denathrius, where he unexpectedly meets his end. Detective  Murloc Holmes has been called to solve the case and determine which of the ten suspects committed the crime.

Murder at Castle Nathria features a new keyword - Infuse - which allows cards to get more powerful as friendly minions die. The expansion also introduces a brand new card type - Location. Locations are played onto the battlefield for an initial cost, and then have an ability that can be activated for free on your turns, each time for a powerful effect.

How to get[edit | edit source]

Murder at Castle Nathria craftable cards can be obtained by one of the following methods:

  • Opening card packs with the usual prices and purchasing options

    Wild
    Murder at Castle Nathria
    Golden Murder at Castle Nathria
    Golden Wild
    Badlands Catch-Up
  • Crafting for the usual amounts of Arcane Dust depending on the cards' rarity
Uncraftable cards

These specific cards can be obtained through other means. For more information, see their respective articles.

Pre-order
  • Pre-purchase Mega Bundle

    Pre-purchase Mega Bundle

  • Pre-purchase Bundle

    Pre-purchase Bundle

Cards[edit | edit source]

Murder at Castle Nathria card set features 135 collectible cards, which can be recognized with a special watermark (the Venthyr symbol) behind the card text, not found on other cards.

The Mini-set, Maw and Disorder, is also considered to be part of the Murder at Castle Nathria set, and all 35 cards are categorized as "New Cards" in Collection manager.

Customize this list

Neutral

REV 338.png
REV 839.png
REV 841.png
REV 308.png
REV 956.png
REV 351.png
REV 945.png
REV 845.png
REV 916.png
REV 020.png
REV 378.png
REV 957.png
REV 900.png
REV 837.png
REV 251.png
REV 013.png
REV 012.png
REV 015.png
REV 014.png
REV 375.png
REV 016.png
REV 377.png
REV 901.png
REV 019.png
REV 946.png
REV 960.png
REV 023.png
REV 843.png
REV 370.png
REV 017.png
REV 022.png
REV 018.png
REV 238.png
REV 021.png
REV 906.png

Related cards

REV 957t.png
REV 956t.png
REV 012t.png
REV 019t.png
REV 013t.png
REV 843t.png
REV 375t.png
REV 017t.png
REV 906t.png

Demon Hunter

REV 834.png
REV 511.png
REV 509.png
REV 507.png
REV 942.png
REV 943.png
REV 506.png
REV 508.png
REV 510.png
REV 937.png

Related cards

REV 943t.png
REV 937t.png

Druid

REV 313.png
REV 307.png
REV 310.png
REV 333.png
REV 336.png
REV 311.png
REV 318.png
REV 365.png
REV 314.png
REV 319.png

Related cards

REV 336t2.png
REV 336t4.png
REV 314t.png
REV 336t3.png

Choice cards

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REV 311t.png

Hunter

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REV 350.png
REV 352.png
REV 362.png
REV 360.png
REV 369.png
REV 364.png
REV 361.png
REV 363.png
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Related cards

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REV 350t.png
REV 360t1.png
REV 350t2.png
REV 353t4.png
REV 353t3.png
REV 353t5.png
REV 360t2.png
REV 360t4.png
REV 352t.png
REV 353t.png
REV 353t2.png

Mage

REV 601.png
REV 513.png
REV 505.png
REV 000.png
REV 602.png
REV 840.png
REV 504.png
REV 516.png
REV 515.png
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Related cards

REV 601t.png

Paladin

REV 952.png
REV 947.png
REV 958.png
REV 983.png
REV 948.png
REV 950.png
REV 842.png
REV 961.png
REV 955.png
REV 951.png

Related cards

CS2 101t.png
REV 951t.png
REV 958t.png

Priest

REV 249.png
REV 253.png
REV 247.png
REV 002.png
REV 290.png
REV 252.png
REV 246.png
REV 248.png
REV 250.png
REV 011.png

Related cards

REV 248t.png
REV 252t.png

Rogue

REV 825.png
REV 827.png
REV 826.png
REV 938.png
REV 939.png
REV 750.png
REV 828.png
REV 959.png
REV 829.png
REV 940.png

Related cards

REV 938t.png
REV 750t2.png
REV 828t.png
REV 940t.png
REV 827t.png

Shaman

REV 917.png
REV 936.png
REV 517.png
REV 920.png
REV 923.png
REV 935.png
REV 924.png
REV 838.png
REV 925.png
REV 921.png

Related cards

REV 920t.png
NEW1 009.png
CS2 050.png
CS2 051.png
CS2 052.png
REV 935t.png
REV 936t.png

Warlock

REV 242.png
REV 374.png
REV 372.png
REV 371.png
REV 239.png
REV 244.png
REV 245.png
REV 240.png
REV 373.png
REV 835.png

Related cards

REV 373t.png
REV 244t.png
REV 372t.png
REV 835t.png

Warrior

REV 332.png
REV 930.png
REV 933.png
REV 990.png
REV 931.png
REV 006.png
REV 337.png
REV 334.png
REV 934.png
REV 316.png

Related cards

REV 334t.png
REV 933t.png
REV 316t.png

Themes[edit | edit source]

Ten Suspicious Suspects[edit | edit source]

Murloc Holmes full.jpg
Sire Denathrius had a lot of enemies. And it just so happens that 10 of them were under his roof at the time of his demise! Each class will have a Legendary minion that is a prime suspect in Sire Denathrius’s murder. They all have the means and the motive, but it is up to you and Murloc Holmes to determine who is guilty.[1]

New Keyword: Infuse[edit | edit source]

Priest of the Deceased full.jpg
Priest of the Deceased (Infused) full.jpg
Anima, drawn from wayward souls, powers all the Shadowlands—and those who consume it! Cards with the Infuse keyword sit in your hand and absorb anima from your friendly minions as they die. After the specified number of friendly minions die while the Infuse card is in your hand, the Infuse card transforms into a more powerful version. Infuse your cards to unlock their full power![1]

New Card Type: Locations[edit | edit source]

Muck Pools full.jpg
Castle Nathria is like no place Hearthstone has ever been before. Explore the castle grounds through the all-new Location card type! Locations are played onto the battlefield for an initial cost, and then have an ability that can be activated for free on your turns, each time for a powerful effect. Each activation costs 1 Durability and has a 1-turn Cooldown. Every class gets their own Location card in Castle Nathria which represents where they claim their suspect was at the time of the murder, and synergizes with the themes of the class.[1]

Venthyr[edit | edit source]

Prince Renathal full.jpg

Revendreth is home to the vampiric venthyr: punishers of the unworthy, charged with rehabilitating the sinful souls sent to them by the Arbiter.

The Suspicious[edit | edit source]

A scrapped concept from The Witchwood,[2] these minions Discover a card and represent the same options to the opposing player, allowing them to gain a copy if the same card was guessed correctly. Gnomenapper (Removed card) was one of the scrapped cards during The Witchwood development that used this effect.

Lore[edit | edit source]

Warcraft Wiki icon.pngThis section uses content from the Warcraft Wiki.

Revendreth[edit | edit source]

Afterlives - Revendreth WoW.jpg

"A realm of looming keeps and gothic villages, Revendreth is home to the venthyr, the harvesters of sin. The wretched souls who arrive here may find penance for their misdeeds... or merely indulge the appetites of their keepers."

Revendreth landscape.

"Souls burdened with prodigious pride in life are sent to Revendreth at their end. Anima is tormented from them to feed the appetites of their keepers. Learned humility was supposed to be the destiny of the souls entrusted to our care. I fear those archaic ways no longer have a place within Revendreth. Pride: It is the principal reason mortal souls are delivered unto Revendreth, we exist to relieve them of that troublesome sin and to be blessed by their anima."

The major vista of the region is its gigantic castle, sprawling over a misty forest. The castle's entry ward itself is suffering disrepair, as are the buildings and structures across the grounds, as the region is deprived of new souls and their precious Anima. Sinstones, gravestones with the soul's crimes listed upon it, litter each pathway. Souls sent here can etch these sins off their stones over time as they are prepared for the afterlife by the venthyr. The fog-filled forest is where the venthyr schedule hunts on tortured souls, sending them out with a false sense of hope and security, then track them down and "humble" them. The catacombs are where souls are locked away for eons until sufficiently humbled to warrant being transferred to the Halls of Atonement. There all souls must go through the Ritual of Absolution at least once to be cleansed of sin fully, and the Ritual of Judgment for their final fate to be decided. Some souls, however, are kept in Castle Nathria for the nobles to enjoy. Another notable area is the Ember Ward, found on the western side of the region. There the Light has actually broken through and is extremely harmful to Revendreth's residents. The crumbled walls and fragmented landscape is due to the anima drought and devourers.

Castle Nathria[edit | edit source]

Castle Nathria

Castle Nathria is a raid in World of Warcraft: Shadowlands. It is a Gothic castle located in Revendreth, a winged raid starting with 2 wings with 3 bosses each. The raid has 10 bosses in total.

Long has  Sire Denathrius ruled the denizens of Revendreth as they harvested anima from prideful souls. But as drought and fear gripped the Shadowlands, Denathrius revealed his true loyalties. In defiance of his former Master, the noble  Prince Renathal gathers his few remaining allies for a desperate mission to infiltrate Castle Nathria and remove Denathrius from power.

Denathrius[edit | edit source]

Denathrius Address WoW.jpg
Denathrius Afterlives WoW.jpg
 Sire Denathrius in World of Warcraft.

Sire Denathrius, the Master, is the creator and the former leader of the realm of Revendreth and its inhabitants, the venthyr people, which he ruled from Castle Nathria. Calculating and methodical, Denathrius is ancient beyond measure and one of the most powerful beings in all the Shadowlands. He created the venthyr in his likeness, forging them from the souls of the redeemed. The first venthyr were born directly from Denathrius' will, such as Prince Renathal who considers him his father. He is also the creator of the nathrezim, cruel and cunning beings with the purpose to be the greatest spies and infiltrators in all of reality, in order to spread the influence of Death throughout the cosmos.

In a midst of a rebellion caused by the anima drought that's swept over the Shadowlands, rumors suggested that Denathrius may no longer be fit for the role of Master of Revendreth. Crowning a new Sire could return the plane to its former glory, or leave it mired in the same decadence and sin it is charged with cleansing. Consequently, Denathrius beseeched Azeroth's champions to help him quell the rebellion led by Prince Renathal, which threatened to destroy the venthyr way of life, but not all was as Denathrius claimed.

In truth, Denathrius has been corrupted by the very sins Revendreth swore to punish. Cooperating with Zovaal the Jailer, he wished to rule all the Shadowlands and to free the Jailer from his bonds by channeling massive amounts of anima into the Maw. Although he accomplished his plan, he was later defeated by the Maw Walkers in his own castle, while his essence was absorbed by his sentient blade Remornia. At Dawnkeep, Denathrius was placed under the watch of the naaru Z'rali to fulfill his repentance, until he was freed by the nathrezim who infiltrated Revendreth.

In Hearthstone[edit | edit source]

Expansion overview[edit | edit source]

Come investigate Hearthstone's next expansion!  Sire Denathrius, the ruler of venthyr, was accused of causing an anima drought in the Shadowlands. He thought a nice gathering at Castle Nathria might help clear the air, but instead he has been found dead! Now  Murloc Holmes has been called to solve the case. Join him as he investigates 135 new cards, featuring 10 Legendary suspects, the new Infuse keyword, the all-new Location card type, and more!

Blog overview[edit | edit source]

The Shadowlands is normally where souls go after they die, so when someone dies in the Shadowlands, that's a special kind of mystery. Sire Denathrius invited 10 of his counterparts and enemies to Castle Nathria for a dinner party so that he could address the malicious rumors that he is hoarding anima, the life-energy that is drained from tortured souls and used to power the Shadowlands. But just after the festivities started, Sire Denathrius was found dead! It seems a gaggle of enemies does not a good dinner party make. Now the illustrious Murloc Holmes, and his trusty sidekick Watfin, have been called to solve the case. Scour new Location cards, follow the trail of Infused minions, question the 10 Legendary suspects, and help determine who committed Murder at Castle Nathria!

Murloc Holmes and the Murder at Castle Nathria[edit | edit source]

A short story by Christie Golden and Brandon Easton.[3]

The Murder at Castle Nathria is a chilling tale of death and deception, and a detective most cunning. An instant classic in murloc-based literature, perfect for dramatic reenactments. Now you can follow along as Murloc Holmes and Dr. Watfin explore the many Castle Nathria Locations looking for clues and interviewing the 10 prime suspects in this Murder at Castle Nathria script! Grab some friends and your deerstalker hat, as the drama unfolds over the coming days. Do you have what it takes to solve the Murder at Castle Nathria?

Part 1[edit | edit source]

Click 'Expand' to read part 1

Sounds of CRACKLING CAMPFIRE, DISTANT HOWLS, and SCREECHING of DANGEROUS FOREST CREATURES. Our spooky narrator begins:

NARRATOR

Welcome, friends and fiends. Are you ready to shiver at another spine-tingling tale? Then you’re in luck... or NOT.

(evil chuckle)

Hold fast to your courage as you listen to the story of...

LIGHTNING and CRASH OF THUNDER!

NARRATOR

Murder... at Castle Nathria.

Denathriusthumb.jpg

DRAMATIC ORGAN MUSIC crescendos.

NARRATOR

Ah, Castle Nathria. A dangerous place, where ruthless eyes gawk in the night. Where even the most powerful cannot reverse the implacable turn of the dark wheels of fate. And where it is generally unwise to accept party invitations delivered by gargoyles.

OMINOUS MUSIC swells.

INT: The Great Hall. WE HEAR the sounds from a party—murmurs, clinking glasses, appropriate music.

NARRATOR

After his dinner party guests had assembled in the Great Hall, Sire Denathrius, the Master of Revendreth, raised a golden goblet of red, misty anima—perhaps blissfully unaware that he had invited his worst nemeses!

CLINK, CLINK; the sound of a fork tapping on metal. The crowd goes quiet.

DENATHRIUS

Welcome to my humble home! I know all are eager to become better acquainted over a grand feast and harmless, innocent parlor games. For instance, I myself wonder... What did each of you hope for by accepting my invitation? Riches? Knowledge? The cachet of being seen with me? Or perhaps you have heard vile rumors that I, Sire Denathrius, have been ruthlessly hoarding anima! True, it is heady and intoxicating... frighteningly good... and makes you powerful beyond—

Denathriusthumb2.jpg

DENATHRIUS coughs, realizing he is about to prove the rumors true.

DENATHRIUS

But as I was saying, I hope tonight will be an evening you’ll never forget. I have a few final touches to prepare for the evening’s festivities. Please—explore my home till you are summoned for dinner.

Denathrius’s HOOFSTEPS fade into the distance.

A door slams shut.

NARRATOR

While the guests were confused by their host’s departure, they took the Sire’s suggestion, and for some time wandered about the castle and its grounds... all by themselves...

when suddenly—

The CRASH of a goblet. Sound of the anima wafting upward like a soft wind.

A shrill scream from STEWART.

STEWART

Help, help! Sire Denathrius has been murdered!

Stewartthumb.jpg

Dramatic music!

INT: Dining Hall

NARRATOR

It was true—Denathrius, the Sire, lay on the floor of the dining hall. How the mighty have fallen! The ten guests—every one of them now suspects—all gathered around.

Running feet and hooves, slamming doors, gasps of surprise.

NARRATOR

But who had done this dreadful deed?

The mysterious broker, Artificer Xy’Mox?

XY’MOX

Ah, he was so good for business.

Xymoxthumb.jpg

NARRATOR

The ethereal with the spot-on title of Archvillain Rafaam?

RAFAAM

My very good and dear friend Sire Donatrio, noooo!

Rafaamthumb.jpg

NARRATOR

The orcish baroness, Draka

DRAKA

(scoffs, sarcastic) Clearly, you were very close to him, Rafaam.

Drakathumb.jpg

NARRATOR

Or two others who hailed from Maldraxxus—

Decimator Olgra, another orc, who had come on a mission?

OLGRA

He can’t be dead! I needed... something from him.

Olgrathumb.jpg

NARRATOR

Perhaps it was Baroness Vashj, the naga,

who, like Draka, was formerly of the House of Spies?

LADY VASHJ

(sarcastic) Who could possibly have wanted him dead?

Vashjthumb.jpg

NARRATOR

Or was it the Sire’s ally, the power-hungry lich Kel’Thuzad?

KEL’THUZAD

I am devastated and outraged! How could you be so careless, Denathrius? Now NONE of our schemes are going to be hatched.

KTThumb.jpg

RAFAAM

(whispering in a sympathetic tone)

I think you said the quiet part out loud.

NARRATOR

Could the killer be one of the two visitors from Ardenweald, the sylvar Ara’lon or Sesselie the tirnenn?

ARA’LON

What a tragic turn.

Aralonthumb.jpg

SESSELIE

(rustling their leafy hair)

I cannot say our queen will be... un-happy...

Sesseliethumb.jpg

NARRATOR

Surely it couldn’t have been the kindly kyrian invitee, Pelagos?

PELAGOS

Such events are always tragic, but he was not the nicest person... was he?

Pelagosthumb.jpg

NARRATOR

It definitely wasn’t the loyal steward, Stewart. Or was it?

STEWART

(softly crying)Hooo, hoooo... Poor Sire... hooo...

NARRATOR

The guests all stared at one another with suspicion:

someone here... was a killer.

Not long after the accusations started to fly, there was a flash of lightning!

KRAKA-THOOM!

NARRATOR

And a rumble of thunder!

BOOOOOM!

NARRATOR

And the front doors were flung open!

Smash of the doors swinging open hard.

NARRATOR

In the doorway stood a figure. Small, but mighty.

One to give hope to the innocent and strike fear in the hearts of the guilty. It was none other than that great detective—

MURLOC HOLMES

MRMGGGGGRRRLLLLEEE!

Holmesthumb.jpg

NARRATOR

Murloc Holmes! Yes, it was he himself,

and his friend and colleague, Dr. Watfin.

DR. WATFIN

<CROAKS>

Holmesthumb2.jpg

NARRATOR

Everyone gasped!

Exaggerated, nigh-simultaneous gasps.

NARRATOR

Like the master detective he is, Holmes took control of the room at once. The suspects were instructed not to leave while he examined the body.

Underneath the following, Holmes is mrrglling, as if saying the things attributed to him.

NARRATOR

Holmes found it curious that he could unearth nothing to indicate the cause of death. He asked the Sire’s servants to remove the body, then he drew a chalk outline on the floor. He must discover whodunnit before he could discover... howdunnit. Where were the suspects at the time of the murder?

Denathriusthumb2.jpg

ARA’LON

I was in the Kennels.

SESSELIE

The Maze.

LADY VASHJ

The Muck Pools.

DRAKA

The Sinstone Cemetery.

NARRATOR

The game was afoot! Holmes decided to begin his investigation at the locations outside the castle. The first stop... the Kennels.

CastleKennelsthumb.jpg

EXT: THE KENNELS. Terrible SOUNDS of the gargon hounds (living stone beasts) in the Kennels.

ARA’LON

Huntsman Altimor wasn’t here, so he cannot vouch for me.

But the gargon hounds can.

The terrible sounds of threat turn to equally terrible sounds of affectionate greeting.

ARA’LON

(warmly) Hello again, friends. May I pet your dog too, Draka?

DEATHFANG’s three heads all growl.

DRAKA

No. (to Murloc) Where to next, Mr. Holmes?

NARRATOR

So many suspects...so many sites. What clues might the great detective find in his effort to solve the murder? Perhaps Draka was eager to distract him from something important. It was time to investigate her alibi...and visit the sinister Sinstone Cemetery.

Part 2[edit | edit source]

Click 'Expand' to read part 2

NARRATOR

Detective Murloc Holmes has been interrogating the suspects and retracing their steps. His fins…er, feet?...have brought him to The Sinstone Cemetery, home to tortured souls and stoneborn beasts. A place where someone plotting the murder of Sire Denathrius might well choose to lurk...someone like Baroness Draka?

SinstoneGraveyardthumb.jpg

EXT: SINSTONE CEMETERY. Footsteps. Wind in the trees. Deathfang digs and pants happily.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrrgle... mrflagggrl.

DRAKA

Yes, Mr. Holmes, the Sinstone Cemetery is muddy.

Drakathumb.jpg

RAFAAM

Look! A clue! The footprints of a gigantic hound!

DRAKA

...those are Deathfang’s.

DEATHFANG woofs.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrg gligslrrgh graaa?

DRAKA

Some people, I’m sure, attended Denathrius’ dinner party for dishonorable reasons. So, I kept watch to see if anyone reentered the castle. Besides, it’s a good place for Deathfang to dig.

(to Deathfang, in a high, “I’m talking to my dog” voice)

Isn’t it? Who’s a good boy?

It’s DEATHFANG, and he knows it, all his heads making happy sounds.

NARRATOR

Holmes nodded, as if he knew something they didn’t.

They continued on, to the Muck Pools…to confirm Vashj’s alibi…

MuckPoolsthumb.jpg

EXT: MUCK POOLS. Sounds of mud bubbles, trees creaking; soft sounds of swamp-dwelling creatures. Briskly striding feet come to a halt. Sound of VASHJ slithering up to speak.

NARRATOR

Ah, the Muck Pools, burbling birthplace of budding butlers…at least, dredger butlers. How easy it would be to drop a murder weapon into this putrid place, and let it rest forever undiscovered… Baroness Vashj certainly seemed fond of the location…but why?

LADY VASHJ

There—that’s the trail where I slithered in and out of the pools. Mud is SO good for the skin. Does no one else wish to take a quick dip?

Vashjthumb.jpg

DR. WATFIN

<Ribbit! Ribbit!>

MURLOC HOLMES (annoyed with Dr. Watfin) MURGLE! Gribblegrumb.

LADY VASHJ

We’ll come back later, Dr. Watfin, when all this unpleasantness has been wrapped up.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrrgl glrr drrgle mur?

LADY VASHJ

It’s no secret that Draka and I—and others—suspected our host planned the destruction of the House of Eyes.

It’s Denathrius we’re talking about, after all.

MURLOC HOLMES

Hrrrmmmm...

NARRATOR

The strange little group continued to the Hedge Maze.

HedgeMazethumb.jpg

EXT: THE HEDGE MAZE

NARRATOR

It’s easy to get lost while wandering in a hedge maze, isn’t it? And so hard to find your way out…especially when the plants themselves don’t want you to…Perhaps Sesselie had been hoping to lure Denathrius into its dark heart…forever.

SESSELIE

Isn’t it beautiful?

Sesseliethumb.jpg

PELAGOS

Yes... yes, of course, it is, ah... lovely. MURLOC HOLMES

Mrgll... grgll belach raaak?

SESSELIE

(sighs) Yes. I did attend on behalf of the Winter Queen.

She suspects Denathrius is behind the anima drought. I thought I would ask the Hedge plants if they knew anything, and... well, I got lost in conversation. The plants can vouch for me.

Creaking sounds from the Hedge.

SESSELIE

You see?

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrrrgl mrrgle... glorp.

SESSELIE

Oh. I wish you did understand them, because otherwise

I do not know how else to convince you!

MURLOC HOLMES

(pondering) Hrrrmmmmm...

NARRATOR

But was he convinced?

Only one location remained to explore outside the castle proper: the only place in Revendreth where a Bastion resident might feel comfortable enough to ponder...or, perhaps, plot.

Part 3[edit | edit source]

Click 'Expand' to read part 3

NARRATOR

Revendreth hardly comes to mind when you think of cathedrals, does it? And yet, there it is...the Cathedral of Atonement. Once it was a symbol of Revendreth’s sincere mission to help save souls, but in recent times...well...not so much. Was it the noble past, or the unscrupulous present, that drew Pelagos here?

CathedralofAtonementthumb.jpg

INT: Cathedral of Atonement. Inspirational, haunting music. The footsteps are slower, quieter.

PELAGOS

I regret to tell you, Mr. Holmes, no one accompanied me, or saw me here. I came to meditate on the rumors that Sire Denathrius was hoarding anima. That is all.

Pelagosthumb.jpg

OLGRA

Is it? Then tell me... why did you choose the Cathedral of ATONEMENT, unless you had something to atone for?

PELAGOS

(pauses mockingly) Because it’s the only cathedral in Revendreth?

OLGRA

Oh. Never mind.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrggle mrrgl... blep ghaagh... Mrgle brakk bleargh?

PELAGOS

If Sire Denathrius truly did cause the anima drought...

and he confronted me... then, quite honestly...

I do not know what I would do.

MURLOC HOLMES

Hrrrmmm...

NARRATOR

With the grounds explored, it was time to return to Castle Nathria... and investigate what transpired within that dread place.

INT: THE KITCHEN. Sounds of fire crackling and cauldron bubbling.

NARRATOR

More specifically…within the kitchen. Kitchens are associated with nourishment, and warmth. Fellowship. They also have quite a lot of sharp knives, and boiling liquids, and fire, and—well, you get the idea.

LADY VASHJ

It seems like every party winds up in the kitchen, doesn’t it?

ARA’LON

(tired, to Murloc) Can’t you at least tell us if you’ve eliminated anyone thus far?

MURLOC HOLMES

Grrpp. Blearglgy ghaak mrugggle.

STEWART

Ara’lon looks tired. Would you like something soooothing?

Here, drink this! (extends gold goblet to Ara’lon)

Stewartthumb.jpg

MURLOC HOLMES

MGRLLRRRLG!!!! GLIBBLE BRRRAAAAK!

A slap... then the goblet CRASHES TO THE FLOOR.

Everyone gasps.

ARA’LON

Ow... that hurt my hand!

Aralonthumb.jpg

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrrrrrgggllle!!! STEWART

Yes, I do indeed have holy spice in my kitchen! And yes, I am aware it is bad for venthyr like Sire. But I personalize goblets to be extra safe!

ARA’LON

He’s right. There’s a cute little medallion around the stem that says, “Ara’lon, this is for you... hooo.”

KEL’THUZAD

(accusingly) But, Stewart... I overheard you saying you had something special prepared for Sire Denathrius!

KTThumb.jpg

STEWART

Yes, yes! Here... smell!

MURLOC HOLMES

(sniffs) BLECK!!!!

STEWART

Yes, garlic! I am certain Mr. Holmes knows that it is harmless to venthyr such as Sire, who loves... loved... it... hooo...

MURLOC HOLMES

Hrmmm... glarby mrrrrglee... bek ghaaa? Ghaa blurgl?

KEL’THUZAD

I was in the Nightcloak Sanctum.

It’s a private room, but if you insist, Mr. Holmes...

INT: THE NIGHTCLOAK SANCTUM. Eerie music.

NARRATOR

The Nightcloak Sanctum. An exclusive place for private conversations...plans...plots...and also for safely stashing some darn fun things for wacky, wholesome fun!

NightcloakSanctumthumb.jpg

KEL’THUZAD (cont.)

I may not be the nicest person, but I am loyal. After the toast, Denathrius asked me to come to the Sanctum and find something we would need for the after-dinner... conviviality. He said it was important.

(KEL’THUZAD obviously despises the term “conviviality.”)

MURLOC HOLMES

Blargly?

KEL’THUZAD

This classic board game.

We hear the rattle of pieces inside a cardboard box. Perhaps cheesy music a la 1980’s board game commercials.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrglgll, glep blargghh mrgg.

RAFAAM

Me? Well, while that horrible deed was being done to my very good and dear friend Sire Danabrius, I was... just walking around. You know. Innocently.

Rafaamthumb.jpg

MURLOC HOLMES

Bleck Blargh? Mrggls...

RAFAM

Th-the library? (strained laugh) Oh, we don’t need to go there.

INT: LIBRARY DOORS. Footsteps lead us there.

NARRATOR

The library—a place for books…and secrets. And maybe a nap.

VileLibrarythumb.jpg

RAFAAM

(whispering) Oh, so this is the door to the library! MURLOC HOLMES

(also whispering)

Mrrgll gleeble Blurrskkk?

XY’MOX

Why are you whispering?

Everyone goes SHHHHHH!

BASTION

(whispers) It’s a library.

RAFAAM

(whispering indignantly)

That is definitely NOT a piece of... my wrapping... caught in the door...

(shouting)

NO, WAIT, DON’T OPEN—

Sound of doors being flung open. EVERYONE gasps. From this point, all speak in normal tones; clearly no patrons to disturb.

ARA’LON

(normal voice) I knew I smelled smoke!

STEWART I saw Rafaam on fire! But there was no time to get water.

I’m relieved you are all right.

RAFAAM

It was burned when I got...

FWOOF sound. Crackling of felfire. Imp chatters. Rafaam sighs.

RAFAAM

All right, it was me. Er, them. I confess fully: I was trying to steal a tome of rare spells. I did it.

LADY VASHJ

(laughing) You buffoon. That’s not what you were being accused of. You’ve just confessed to stealing from and burning the library for nothing... but you did provide your alibi regarding Sire Denathrius.

RAFAAM

I... what? I mean... Yes! Look, my wrappings are still smoking a little bit. See?

We hear the sound of flames and Rafaam SLAPPING HIMSELF to put them out.

NARRATOR

Now it was time to descend into Castle Nathria’s twisted heart: first the Vault, and then... the Sanguine Depths.

Part 4[edit | edit source]

Click 'Expand' to read part 4

NARRATOR

The murder investigation was now leading Murloc Holmes into some very dark places...and perhaps even into danger. The Vault certainly was not for the faint of heart. But perhaps it would yield its secrets to the greatest detective of all.

RelicVaultthumb.jpg

INT: THE VAULT.

XY’MOX

I was here when the... incident occurred.

Xymoxthumb.jpg

MURLOC HOLMES

Blrafghl, blepp. Mrrgl, glarb bek murrrglle?

XY’MOX

To protect the Relics, of course. With such a rogues’ gallery of guests—

DRAKA

Watch it.

XY’MOX

—someone would be sure to steal something.

RAFAAM

That would be me. I stole something. Because I was definitely not killing my very good and dear friend Denapaloozapolusim…us.

DRAKA

Now you’re not even TRYING.

MURLOC HOLMES

Grlargla bahk rmurgggg?

XY’MOX

What, this? It’s the Relic of Extinction. Someone... had dropped... it? Oh all right, I was trying to steal it.

MURLOC HOLMES

Mrrrrgle glub blub pakk Mrrrgggl... Ksssshhhh Glack!

Ominous music.

PELAGOS

Must we... all go, Mr. Holmes? I hear what happens there is... painful to witness... KEL’THUZAD

I think the souls sent there would say it is painful, period.

NARRATOR

Kel’Thuzad’s words were an understatement. Truly, save for the horrific Maw itself, the Sanguine Depths are the darkest place in all the Shadowlands.

SanguineDepthsthumb.jpg

INT: THE SANGUINE DEPTHS. Faint cries and shrieks. The whirl of anima.

NARRATOR

For it is here that condemned souls suffer and work off the sins of their lives by having their prideful anima...extracted.

ARA’LON

I do not like this place...

OLGRA

It is not made to be liked. It is made to torture. And that was why I was here. I was searching... for my husband, Mankrik.

I had heard rumors that he was here, and I accepted the invitation to find out. I did not have much time to look for him. Now... I may never know.

Olgrathumb.jpg

STEWART

I am sad for you.

DR. WATFIN

<CROAK>

OLGRA

Thank you both.

RAFAAM

Can we FINALLY go now?

NARRATOR

Holmes told the group he now knew what had been done... and who had done it. They returned to the place where it had all started... the dining hall.

GreatHallthumb.jpg

INT: THE GREAT HALL. Tense music. Holmes gurgles conversationally quietly under the following narration and continues to do so throughout.

NARRATOR

There, standing beside the chalk outline of the felled Sire, the Great Detective explained his reasoning. It had been a rainy night... yet there were no muddy footprints other than those clearly made when everyone had returned.

ARA’LON

Thank goodness! So all of us who were outside... are innocent!

NARRATOR

Holmes replied that it was possible, but there were still many secret passages in the castle. They were not necessarily in the clear.

DEATHFANG whimpers sadly.

NARRATOR

Olgra would not have killed Sire Denathrius, Holmes told the guests.

She needed him to find the answers she sought about her mate.

OLGRA

Thank you for believing me, Mr. Holmes.

DRAKA

The love between you and Mankrik was legendary, Olgra.

I hope you find your mate one day.

OLGRA

I hope the same for you, friend.

RAFAAM

Ugh, let’s get on with this, shall we? We all know that I am entirely innocent of murder. So that leaves Kel’thuzad, Xy’mox, and...

EVERYONE

Stewart?!

STEWART

Whooooo, me? No, no, not Stewart!

NARRATOR

Holmes announced that he was, at last, certain as to who was responsible for what happened to Sire Denathrius. It was—

MURLOC HOLMES

MRRGGGLLLL!

Holmesthumb3.jpg

Dramatic music! EVERYONE but Rafaam gasps.

RAFAAM

Wait... who was it? I must confess, I haven’t understood a single word he’s said tonight.

NARRATOR

Ah, my friends and fiends... Would you, too, like to know?

Of course you would. You must solve the murder yourself...

if you can...

NARRATOR’s voice changes into a monstrous one. He laughs diabolically.

NARRATOR

MUAHAHAHAHA!

DRAMATIC EXIT MUSIC.

History[edit | edit source]

Development[edit | edit source]

The Hearthstone team has been considering the idea of a murder mystery expansion for a long time, even during The Witchwood.[2][4]

When asked about how the idea for the theme of murder mystery was introduced to the Hearthstone development team, Cora Georgiou, who led the design for this expansion, offered a lot of insight. “The idea for a murder mystery in Hearthstone is something that I’ve wanted to see for a long time. Every brainstorm session that we do for a new expansion, we bring the whole team together and everybody sort of comes out with what they think would be a really awesome idea for an expansion. And for several sets, the first thing that I pitched was: let's do a murder mystery.”[4]

According to Cora, the general idea and basic design for the theme were already in mind, but they didn’t know where they wanted to set the expansion. “A lot of the development team had Gilneas in mind but that had already been done for the Witchwood. Around this time, Shadowlands had come out but this was before even the Raid at Nathria. Someone had suggested Revendreth, where the Venthyr throw parties at the Ember Court so if you wanted to do a murder mystery party set it’s kinda perfect. So, I did some research, and I came away saying, what’s cooler than a murder mystery dinner party is a murder mystery dinner party with vampires. It was really just perfect.”[4]

Teasers and announcement[edit | edit source]

On June 25th, 2022, the official Hearthstone Twitter posted a short video of Castle Nathria, where a painting of  Sire Denathrius was seen cracked. The tweet had the accompanying text of "Spotted—Castle resident losing something nobody even knew he had. His life."[5] It was announced in the video that reveals would begin on June 27th.

On June 27th, the expansion was announced along with new cards being revealed.

Trivia[edit | edit source]

  • Murder at Castle Nathria was the second expansion to introduce a new card type, after the hero cards in Knights of the Frozen Throne.
  • Many things seen in Murder at Castle Nathria, including the theme and card types, were originally concepts for The Witchwood, including:
  • The atmospheres of Revendreth and Gilneas in general are also very similar to each other, featuring Victorian English themes.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

Battlefield
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  • Key art

    Key art

Cinematic trailer

Videos[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

 
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Blizzard Entertainment (2022-06-27). Announcing Murder at Castle Nathria, Hearthstone’s Next Expansion!. PlayHearthstone. Retrieved on 2022-06-27.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Hearthside Chat with Peter Whalen: Echo - YouTube. (2018-03-22). Retrieved on 2018-03-22.
  3. ↑ Christie Golden and Brandon Easton (2022-07-05). Murloc Holmes and the Murder at Castle Nathria. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Haroon Sultan (2022-07-07). Everything you need to know about Hearthstone’s latest expansion Murder at Castle Nathria + Interview with Developers. 
  5. ↑ PlayHearthstone on Twitter. (2022-06-27). 
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