What magic to Shadowweavers use?
This one has a simple answer, and a more complex explanation. The Nightbane pack’s Shadow Weavers are using Shadow magic.[1] They use the abilities “Shadow Bolt” and “Shadow Word: Pain”, are called Shadow Weavers, and summon Woven Shadows. Calor says these worgen “conjure foul shadows to tear their enemies apart from a distance”.[2] Shadow Magic is a type of magic using the energies of darkness and void.[3]
Why do worgen use Shadowmagic?
It’s easy to see that these wild worgen are using shadowmagic. The question next is, why? We know the original worgen were Kaldorei druids, so why isn’t their society founded more on druidic magic?
In short, the first worgen were druids, but were banished to the shadow afflicted Emerald Dream, where they did battle with Nightmare Satyr. The worgen that were let out by various means began packs in Silverpine, Felwood, and Duskwood, all three of which are seen using shadowmagic. For the full story, see Shadowmagic in Worgen History below.
Shadowmagic in Worgen History
The first worgen were originally Druids of the Pack, who used the (four legged) wolf form, among other druidic magic. When they became worgen (two legs), they no longer seemed to use druidic magic. After Malfurion Stormrage found them and called them abominations, he banished them to the Emerald Dream. Unbeknownst to him, the Emerald Dream was being attacked by Shadow magic, turning pockets of it into Emerald Nightmare ruled by Satyr, known as Lords of the Emerald Flame.
The archmage “Ur” studied shadowmagic, and even wrote a bestiary on his findings called “The Book of Ur”. In it, he described the shadowy nightmarish dimension he’d found, where the worgen lived in constant battle with Lords of the Emerald Flame. It was with his research that Archmage Arugal, under orders from Genn Greymane, used to summon those worgen. Not knowing that the shadowrealm was in fact the corrupt Emerald Dream, the worgen were banished wolf-elves, and the Lords of the Emerald Flame were evil demon-elves. The shadowmage Arugal betrayed Genn Greymane and swore loyalty to Alpha Prime, the first worgen and one of the many he summoned.
The Book of Ur
The worgen’s home is a dark place, a place of nightmare. If that world fosters locations safe from the cursed Worgen, then my research has revealed no such bastions. And if one considers the ferocity and wickedness of the Worgen, it is likely that no such bastions exist. It is surmised that the Worgen are content to remain on their world, for although some Worgen possess powerful magic, they have made no attempts to reach Azeroth of their own accord. And for this, we are fortunate. As mentioned above, some Worgen are skilled in the mystic arts, and their magic is of darkness and corruption. Curses and supernatural poisons are common, so be forewarned–those who face the worgen should arm themselves with wards against shadow.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/The_Book_of_UrAt the same time, we have Velinde Starsong using the Scythe of Elune to summon worgen in Felwood, then dying with the Scythe in Roland’s Doom, leading to their accidental release in Duskwood at the hands of the Defias Brotherhood. All three packs (Bloodfang, Terrowulf, and Nightbane) originated from worgen summoned from the corrupted Emerald Dream, where they had been in conflict with Nightmare (shadow) Satyr. And thus, all three have their own shadow-users in their ranks.
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Shadowfang_Darksoul
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Terrowulf_Shadow_Weaver
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Nightbane_Shadow_Weaver
Cited Sources
1 https://wow.gamepedia.com/Nightbane_Shadow_Weaver
2 https://wow.gamepedia.com/The_Rotting_Orchard_(quest)
3 https://wow.gamepedia.com/Shadow_(magic)