Lore: Life after Lich
“Though my soul was one of the first to be devoured by your evil, there are thousands more bound within this blade, and they cry out for release. Look now to your defenses, my son, for the champions of justice gather at your gates!”
- Terenas Menethil
Arthas began his long and bloody ascension to the title of Lich King back in the 3rd war. This is all general Knowledge for most World of Warcraft players, or at least the WOTLK players. However a majority don’t seem to know where the Lich King came from in the first place; therefore I’d like to take this first article on “Lore” to discuss the history of the “Lich Crown” and the future of the Lich King himself.
Long ago, and I mean LONG AGO, there was an orc warchief and shaman named Ner’zhul. Ner’zhul was the presiding leader of the Shadowmoon Clan at the time of the 2nd war in Azeroth. This was the war when the Human alliance pushed the Orc Horde back through the dark portal originally and destroyed the portal in the Blasted Lands (which was reopened and served as the only way to Outland before patch 3.2, there are now portals located in major cities). The blast created by the destruction of the Dark Portal caused massive casualties and wounds among the Horde, creating epic civil wars among the clans. Their glorious crusade had fallen short and the leaders of the Horde needed a way to re-unite the clans. Aided by Teron Gorefiend; Ner’zhul decided to reopen not only one, but many different portals to many different worlds for the Horde to ravage. To this end he sought some of the most powerful artifacts of the time: The Skull of Gul’dan, the Book of Medivh, the jeweled Scepter of Sargeras, and the Eye of Dalaran. Using these artifacts Ner’zhul touched power he had only dreamed of. Abandoning the rest of the Orcs, and all else, Ner’zhul took the power and the artifacts through one of his new portals. The release of power by these portals and these items shattered Outland into the wild islands adrift in the twisting nether we see today. Immediately upon his passage through the portal Ner’zhul was captured by none other then The Demon Lord Kil’jaeden.
Kil’jaeden tore the elder shaman apart, destroying his physical form; however he kept the soul of the orc trapped in the twisting nether. To this end Kil’jaeden offered Ner’zhul one last opportunity for survival: serve the Burning Legion as it’s general, priming Azeroth for invasion. Ner’zhul agreed and Kil’jaeden bound him essence within the Frozen Throne to insure his compliance; at this point Ner’zhul ceased to be and The Lich King was born. Granted with increased power, extended mental abilities, and control of elements (even death it’s self) The Lich King was charged with the creation of a terrible undead scourge to scour the face of Azeroth in preperation for the Invasion. In a carefully thought out plan, The Lich King “thrust” Frostmourne from the Throne it’s self to be found by a champion worthy of becoming the physical host of the King, thus freeing him from captivity.
Enter Warcraft 3.
From here many of you know the story. Arthas follows Mal Gannis to Northrend, picks up Frostmourne, merges with The Frozen Throne, and the souls of Ner’zhul and Arthas merge to form The Lich King we know and want to kill so badly.
Then patch 3.3 goes live. It’s entitled The Fall of the Lich King.
So lets back up. The Lich King is charged by the Demon lords of the Burning Legion (Kil’jaeden and Archimonde) to create a legion of his own. This undead legion would scourge Azeroth of it’s living resistance. Thus the title “Scourge”, obv. Most undead members of the Scourge are unintelligent: case and point Lady Sylvannas. Syl was under the Lich Kings control from the moment he killed her and turn her into her Banshee form. It is my understanding that when the Power of the Frozen Throne started to deteriorate (the end of Warcraft 3) because of Frostmourne’s extended absence Syl became her own being and, once attaining her own power, became a “Dark Ranger”. This movement from enslaved to free is my evidence that: most Undead Scourge members are in fact controlled by the Lich King (or by proxy his will). This creates a growing concern, as the inevitable demise of the Lich King becomes a reality: what will happen to the masses of undead? Syl is proof that without the Lich King’s control: undead do not simply go back to being dead. They stay undead! So there are how many undead forces in existence? How many are kept at bay by the will of the Lich King? What would happen to the smaller towns and encampments if the Scourge no longer had a big picture mission?
I submit that there must be a proxy. Someone must step in to take the Lich King’s Crown! Looking at the Background research there are conflicting opinions here: some say that Arthas and Ner’zhul are now one being. Killing one will kill the other; other sources state that Arthas’ soul is dominant, and killing Arthas will open up the armor for another host. The death of Arthas is going to happen, and when it does who will take the Crown?
This author has given this a lot of thought. Sylvannas would be a good choice, she already knows quite a bit about undeath; however there is one obvious choice. It pains me to say it, Every Horde member loves him; even in the darkest hours of the Horde he has lead us to a new and bright future. Thrall. There have been plenty of hints that Thrall’s tenure as Warchief is coming to an end. Garrosh Hellscream is poised to take the mantle, title, and Doomhammer. With this new push, and the world at ends, the last thing Thrall would want would be the destruction of lives due to rampant scourge forces. He is a diplomat, and would be able to treatise with the Alliance figures, and such a selfless act would earn the respect of Varian Wrynn.
Maybe I’m wrong and there will be a massive event: Scourge Hunt. Maybe Thrall won’t have to sacrifice himself; I’ll leave that speculation to you.
Next Time with Lore and Speculation:
More on the Coming Cataclysm. Who is Neltharian?
Bolvar becomes the LK. End of Lore!
LOLLore!
*true accidents OR acts
Not shooting you down, Loremaster, but Derfel has a few good points.
While we do know that Thrall has a better understanding of honor and selflessness than most have ever given the Horde credit for, he would not be a likely candidate for the replacement Lich King. In my personal opinion, if any Horde figure were to take Arthas' place, It'd be Syl.
But, you also need to factor in the scales of equality. Blizzard has not (and will not) admit to this but, many of Azeroth's problems directly come from actions of the Alliance. (Most are true accidents of acts of retaliation.) All in all, it would only make sense (to me) to have an Alliance figure to balance the scales. Were this not to happen, and Syl takes the place as Lich Queen, who then would lead the Foresaken? We've already seen an uprising in their own ranks in a failed attempt to overthrow Slyvannas, thus she wouldn't dare to leave her people only to become the one thing they've fought so hard to destroy.
While, I disagree with the idea of Thrall becoming the new LK, I agree that Slyvannas would be the highest likely candidate. My only issue is on balancing burdens between the Horde and Alliance… I would like to see an Alliance figurehead sacrificed for the continuation of hard times on all the people, not just the Horde. An "eye-for-an-eye" if you will.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?top…
I know the above does not directly reference Thrall in any other way than he is no longer Warchief as of Cataclysm. Stated content does suggest something to do with ICC (No real reference of the Lich King) and Carine Bloodhoof is dead ( o.O?) also something to do with ICC. So, lord only Knows.
http://www.mmo-champion.com/general-discussions/u…
This post over at MMO suggests that Thrall is listed as the Gaurdian of the Newly Formed Tirsfal Council, sadly not the Lich King. this is, however, unconfirmed. it also attempts to Explain how Carine Bloodhoof is branded a traitor and executed for the betterment of the Horde. Bear in mind, it's 99% speculation and 1% mild foretelling. But we all know Blizzard can botch it up if you give them enough time and credit.
http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/misc/wccomic/issue…
This neither helps nor denies the theory of Thrall becoming the Lich King, but bring the thoughts down enough that you could argue against. This mini comic straight from Blizz suggests the reformation of the Council of Tirasfal and Jaina asking Thrall to join.
http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?top…
This post on the forums speculate over the comic. Some responses are hilarious. bear in mind tho, it is 4am as i am reading these.
Thrall is a diplomat in every sense, even .
this is all true. Bolvar seems to have survived the wrathgate; but would he really be a big enough player in the grand scheme of things to become the heir to the crown? Darrion Mograine would be a good option… Tirion I think is too "good" to rule the hordes of undead. The only way Tirion Fordring could take that title would be to give the Ashbringer to Darrion, which might make sense given the dialogue between him and his father in the memory at the end of the "Death Knight Noob Zone". "Someday you will command the ashbringer… …but that day is not today." could be some foreshadowing to this kind of event. That could be pretty cool. I like the way you think Derfel…
I do still think Thrall would be the best choice though. He has a good relationship with Sylvannas, and her undead, and he's the closest thing to an ambassador the Horde has. The alliance has Jaina… This is all from a Horde perspective. Maybe someone who plays Alliance would have other ideas?
i've played both sides. Thrall is a diplomat in every since. He present's the Horde in the best light he can, but it's up to the Alliance to accept that. Jaina literally is a neutral Ambassador, not even maintaining any presence in the Eastern Kingdoms. Her city is located in Kalimdor (For anyone who does not know much about Jaina Proudmoore) She's a mage through and through. She'd rather find away to save Arthas for herself than become the Lich King. Jaina's probably the worst suited Candidate for the job.
There's still Darrion Morgraine and Tirion Fordring. Not to mention, the kind reminder of Bolvar Fordragon, having survived the Wrath gate event. Considering that the Cataclysm Mini site mentions something along the line of a new Archdruid from a very unlikely source, i doubt Thrall would become the Lich King. that's be like the end all be all piss off to ever Horde player, just saying.