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{{Race_links}}
{{npcbox
 
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{{Racebox
| image = Thrall Wei.jpg
 
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| image = ForsakenCrest.jpg
| name = Thrall, Son of Durotan
 
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| caption = [[Icon of Torment]]
| titles = {{C-inline}} Former Warchief,<br />{{Wow-inline}} - {{Wotlk-inline}} Warchief of the Horde,<br />Liberator of the Orcs,<br />Lord of the Clans,<br />Chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan
 
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| name = Forsaken undead, free from the Lich King
| gender = Male
 
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| capital = [[Undercity]]
| race = Orc
 
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| leader = [[Sylvanas Windrunner|Lady Sylvanas Windrunner]], Banshee Queen of the Forsaken
| creature = Humanoid
 
| level = ?? (Boss)
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| faction = [[Horde]]
| character = [[Far seer]] (WC3); [[Fighter]], [[Healer]], [[Blademaster]], [[Shaman]] (WRPG), [[Gladiator]] (Lore)
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| character = [[Mage]], [[Priest]], [[Rogue]], [[Warlock]], [[Warrior]], [[Death Knight]] (WoW); [[Fighter]], [[Dark ranger]], [[Dark Knight]], [[Shadow ascendant]], [[Apothecary]], [[Spymaster]], [[Necromancer]], [[Lightslayer]], [[Gunman]] (RPG), [[Assassin]]
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| mount = [[Skeletal horse]]
| affiliation = [[Horde]], [[Frostwolf clan]], [[Orgrimmar]], {{c-inline}}[[Earthen Ring]]
 
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| homeworld = [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]]
| faction = Horde
 
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| region = [[Lordaeron (continent)|Lordaeron]] ([[Tirisfal Glades]], [[Silverpine Forest]], [[Hillsbrad Foothills]], [[Western Plaguelands]], [[Eastern Plaguelands]])
| occupation = [[Warchief of the Horde]], Ruler of [[Durotar]], Chief of [[Orgrimmar]]
 
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| language = [[Gutterspeak]]
| location = [[Grommash Hold]], [[Orgrimmar]] or [[Crusaders' Coliseum]], [[Icecrown]] or {{c-inline}}[[Lost Isles]] or {{c-inline}}[[Maelstrom]]
 
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| slang = [[Goblin]], [[Low Common]], [[Thalassian]], [[Orcish]]
| status = Alive
 
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| exact = Varies widely depending on species, state of decay, and rigor mortis.
| health = 5,578,000
 
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| height = 5'7"(168 cm)(males),<br />5'5" (163 cm)(females)<ref>[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]], pg. 174.</ref>
| relatives = [[Durotan]] and [[Draka]] (parents)<br />[[Garad]] and [[Geyah]] (paternal grandparents)<br />[[Kelkar]] and [[Zuura]]<ref>''[[Warcraft: Legends Volume 4]]'', page 147</ref> (maternal grandparents)<br />[[Rhakish]] (maternal great-grandfather), [[Taretha Foxton]] (surrogate sister)<br />[[Aggra]] (Mate)
 
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| alignment = Usually [[Alignment|evil]]<ref>''[[Manual of Monsters]]'', 138.</ref><ref name="Mostly Evil">{{ref rpg|title=[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]|chapter=The Problem of Evil, and Other Philosophical Conundrums|pages=53|quote=Most Forsaken are pretty despicable, and their motivations as a race are evil and destructive.}}</ref>
| mentors = [[Orgrim Doomhammer]] (mentor, friend and former warchief), [[Drek'Thar]] (shaman mentor), [[Grom Hellscream]] ("big brother"), [[Aedelas Blackmoore]] (former slave master), [[Sergeant (character)|Sergeant]] (former gladiator trainer)
 
| companions = [[Snowsong]] (wolf companion), Unnamed black wolf (warcraft 3)
 
 
}}
 
}}
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{{this|the race referred to as "undead" in published materials|information on the living dead in general|undead|information on the Lich King's faction|Scourge}}
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{{for|the playable race of Undead|Undead (playable)}}
   
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The '''Forsaken''' are a [[race]] and [[faction]] of [[undead]] who broke away from the [[Scourge]] and took control of much of the kingdom of [[Lordaeron]], destroyed during the [[Third War]] by the death knight [[Arthas]]. They are currently allied with the [[Horde]], but in an alliance of convenience only. The Forsaken are led by their Banshee Queen, [[Sylvanas Windrunner]], the former Ranger-General of [[Quel'Thalas]]. Their capital is the [[Undercity]], in the royal catacombs beneath the ruins of the [[City of Lordaeron]].
'''Thrall''' (birthname '''Go'el'''), son of [[Durotan]] (born 2 years [[Dark Portal#Creation|ADP]])<ref>''[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', page 10</ref>, is the [[Warchief]] of the restored shamanistic [[Horde]], and ruler of the red land of [[Durotar]] in [[Kalimdor]]. In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', he is a level ?? (Boss) faction leader located in [[Grommash Hold]] in the [[Valley of Wisdom]], in the [[orcish]] city of [[Orgrimmar]], as well as inside [[Durnholde Keep]] in the [[Old Hillsbrad Foothills]] and the [[Crusaders' Coliseum]] in [[Icecrown]]. He can also occasionally be found at the [[Mag'har]] stronghold of [[Garadar]] in [[Nagrand]].
 
   
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==Introduction==
Thrall was going to be voiced by Clancy Brown in the unreleased game ''[[Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans]]''.<ref>http://www.gamespot.com/features/pcgraveyard/p4_04.html</ref> He is voiced by [[Chris Metzen]] in Warcraft III, ''World of Warcraft'' and their expansions.
 
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When the Lich King’s grasp on his vast armies faltered after the Third War, a contingent of undead broke free of their master’s iron will. Although this freedom seemed to be a blessing at first, these former humans were soon tormented by memories of the unspeakable horrors that they had committed as mindless Scourge agents. Those who did not descend into madness were faced with a chilling realization: the entirety of Azeroth sought their destruction.<ref name="Battlenet Undead">http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/forsaken</ref>
   
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Undead humans and elves freed from the [[Lich King]]'s control, the Forsaken are a strange and dark force. Hailing from the twisted, skittering darkness of Undercity, the Forsaken are nominally allied with the Horde but serve only themselves. Their objectives are twofold: eliminate the Scourge, and establish a place for themselves on Azeroth. Four years ago, the high elven Ranger General [[Sylvanas Windrunner]] fell in combat against the Scourge. Prince Arthas raised her as a banshee and compelled her to follow his command. When the Lich King's power waned in the incidents surrounding the Frozen Throne, Sylvanas harnessed her fury and tore herself free from his skeletal grasp. She freed many other undead as well, and recruited powerful allies from the Burning Legion and the surrounding ogre clans. Sylvanas dubbed her new force the Forsaken, and the undead established their capital in the labyrinthine crypts beneath Lordaeron's capital city. Their sprawling, subterranean realm is called Undercity. The Forsaken made allies of the Horde out of necessity and convenience. They have no love for orcs, tauren or any other living creature, but they need time to strike against the Scourge and allies to help them do it. The Forsaken claim that they joined the Horde to prove their desire to leave their evil ways behind, but no one really believes this. The Horde accepts the Forsaken's help, as they do indeed have a common enemy: the Scourge.
==Biography==
 
===Youth===
 
{{Novel-section}}
 
[[File:Aedelas and Tammis found Thrall.JPG|thumb|left|Blackmoore and Foxton finding Thrall as depicted in ''Warcraft Legends 2'']]
 
Thrall is the son of Durotan, former chieftain of the [[Frostwolf clan]], and [[Draka]]. As a baby, he was found amongst the bloody bodies of his murdered parents by [[Aedelas Blackmoore]], commander of the [[internment camp]]s which held orcs after the end of the [[Second War]]. Blackmoore gave him the name ''Thrall'', which was another word for "slave" in the [[Common (language)|human tongue]]. Blackmoore returned to his fortress, [[Durnholde Keep]], with Thrall, and raised him as a gladiator — with all the savagery of an orc, but with the keen strategic intellect of a human. He was trained and taught by many, wet-nursed by [[Clannia|a human woman]], and grew to befriend her daughter, [[Taretha Foxton]]. Thrall proved to be an excellent student and a phenomenal fighter.
 
   
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The Horde is leery of the Forsaken's tactics, however, and keeps watchful eyes on them. This caution is justified. Forsaken culture is strange, a perverse combination of the lives they once knew as mortals and the mindless slavery they experienced in the Scourge, colored by white-hot rage toward the Lich King and an almost equally intense devotion to their queen. Never sleeping, eating or falling ill, abandoned by those they once loved, the Forsaken have a brutal set of priorities. A great portion of their efforts focus on dark alchemy, and the [[Royal Apothecary Society]] commands great power in Undercity's oily tunnels. The apothecaries constantly send Forsaken on missions to gather odd materials for their twisted experiments. Rumors tell that the undead creatures are working to create a plague that will exterminate the Scourge and every living being on Azeroth. Are the Forsaken evil? At times it can be difficult to tell. Some Forsaken attempt to reclaim their humanity by acting in kind and helpful ways. Others allow hatred to fester into cruelty and rage. All that can be said is that the Forsaken follow their own agendas, and the rest of the world be damned; and if they have their way, it will be. Not all Forsaken are evil, but many are, and other races definitely view them as such. A non-evil Forsaken must work hard to prove his or her neutral (or perhaps, good) intentions. Few good Forsaken exist, but many evil ones do, and their leadership is definitely up to nefarious ends. Most Forsaken are pretty despicable, and their motivations as a race are evil and destructive.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken">{{ref rpg|title=[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]|pages=51-53|chapter=Undead, Forsaken}}</ref>
He was clever, quick and enormous even by orc standards. However Blackmoore's abusive beatings both in and out of the ring began to take its toll. Taretha began to write him letters and secretly delivered them to him in his cage within books, and he wrote back to her. Eventually, he wrote to Taretha that he wished to escape.
 
   
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==History==
[[File:Taretha allows Thrall to escape.JPG|thumb|Taretha assisting Thrall as depicted in ''Warcraft Legends 2'']]
 
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===Third War===
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During the Third War, the once-glorious capital of Lordaeron, Capital City, was decimated by a Scourge army under the command of Prince Arthas Menethil , Death offered no escape for the scores of humans killed during the Lich King’s campaign to scour the living from Lordaeron. Instead, the kingdom’s fallen were risen into undeath as Scourge minions and forced to wage an unholy war against everything… and everyone… that they once held dear..<ref name="Battlenet Undead"/>
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===After the Third War===
   
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In the wake of [[Illidan]]'s failed attempt to melt the icy continent of [[Northrend]], the powerful energies possessed by the Lich King inside his [[Frozen Throne]] slowly began to decay. Inexorably this resulted in a partial loss of control of the more distant [[Scourge]] forces. The result was that many undead under the Lich King's mental domination had their conscious will restored. Their spirits and memories were somehow returned to their undead bodies. (Although this freedom seemed to be a blessing at first, these former humans were soon tormented by memories of the unspeakable horrors that they had committed as mindless Scourge agents.) Even the Lich King's champion, [[Arthas]], began to weaken as the Lich King's power waned. Arthas the [[death knight]] and his lieutenant [[Kel'Thuzad]] the [[lich]] were suddenly thrust into an undead civil war. Still fanatically loyal to the Lich King, Arthas heeded the call of his master and returned to Northrend as Illidan launched his second attempt to destroy the Lich King directly. Arthas left Kel'Thuzad in command of his forces when he departed.
Taretha created a diversion inside Durnholde Keep which allowed Thrall to escape from his cell unnoticed. They met up outside the fortress by a cave, and Taretha gave him provisions and supplies. He then left Durnholde, hoping to never return.
 
   
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[[File:apothecary.jpg|thumb|Forsaken apothecary]]
However, Thrall was captured and taken to an internment camp run by one [[Major Lorin Remka|Lorin Remka]]. It was here that he met an old orc with glowing red eyes named [[Kelgar]], who told him of the corruption of [[Gul'dan]], and how the old ways had been so much better for the [[Horde]]. He told him that the only one still thinking of embracing this was the undefeated [[Grom Hellscream]], Chieftain of the [[Warsong clan]]. When another orc told Thrall that Blackmoore had arrived at the camp looking for him, Thrall escaped again, and sought out Grom Hellscream.
 
   
===The orcs===
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===Civil War in the Plaguelands===
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{{Novel-section}}
 
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With Arthas' departure from Lordaeron, the three [[Dreadlords]] [[Balnazzar]], [[Varimathras]], and [[Detheroc]] attempted to regain control over the undead forces in Lordaeron using their formidable mental powers. The former [[high elf]] [[Sylvanas Windrunner]] rallied many of the newly freed undead to counter the Dreadlords' efforts. Sylvanas was amazingly successful and not only [[A New Power in Lordaeron|crushed]] the Dreadlords' forces, but also utterly destroyed the last major contingent of [[human]] forces in Lordaeron. She forced Varimathras into her service in exchange for sparing his life and took control of the ruined capital of Lordaeron as her own. Within the sewer system of the ruined city Arthas had constructed his throne room; but with Arthas now gone, Sylvanas claimed this [[Undercity]] as her capital and set out to expand her ranks by freeing even more undead.
After finding the chieftain and proving himself, Hellscream took Thrall under his wing, teaching him the Orcish tongue, and telling him that—based on the tattered swaddling cloth Thrall showed him — he was a part of the exiled [[Frostwolf clan]]. After spending some time with Hellscream, Thrall decided to take his leave of them for a while in order to search out his roots in the [[Alterac Mountains]].
 
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===Alliance with the Horde===
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Dubbing her band of free-willed undead the Forsaken, Sylvanas worked to ensure that the damned such as herself would have a home free from threats by the living. To ensure their survival, the Forsaken have forged an alliance of convenience with the Horde, which has some sympathy for the Forsaken's condition. The [[orc]]s, having been enthralled to [[demon]] masters for a generation, felt an obligation to help similarly liberated people. Among the [[tauren]] the Forsaken found a champion in [[Magatha Grimtotem]], who argued in favor of the alliance between the two peoples and who continues to work closely with them. Magatha claims she merely wants to aid the Forsaken in their quest to redeem themselves, although there are many who believe her true motives to be something very different and much less innocent. The [[Darkspear]] [[trolls]] are not particularly fond of the Forsaken because of their [[shaman]]istic beliefs, but tolerate them and have learned to trust them in times of war. The [[blood elves]] trust them more than the other members of the Horde and the trust is seemingly mutual as Sylvanas was a major component of the elves joining the Horde. While the Horde does not fully trust the Forsaken and vice versa, it is a start.
   
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All members of the Forsaken race are either humans or of elven descent (high elves and half-elves). However they also control a few [[abomination]]s as well. The [[Royal Apothecary Society]] has independently accepted in a few undead dwarves, leper gnomes, even some orcs, and trolls have joined the society, as [[Apothecary|apothecaries]], but these are not considered true '''Forsaken'''.<ref>[[Lands of Conflict]], pg. 164-165.</ref>
After trekking to exhaustion, Thrall was rescued by the Frostwolves and taken to their camp. There he met [[Drek'Thar]], who told Thrall that he was the son of the chieftain of the Frostwolves. After finding his place among the Frostwolves, Drek'Thar taught Thrall the old ways of the Horde, before [[Gul'dan]]'s corruption, and soon Thrall was accepted as a member of the clan. A [[frost wolf]] named [[Snowsong]] eventually chose Thrall as her companion. It was some time after that choosing that he was called away by Drek'Thar, and came upon a quiet place where he had never been or seen before. Here he was to be initiated.
 
   
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===Present day Forsaken===
In one of the most spiritual experiences of his life, Thrall befriended the spirits of Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the Wilds. He became the first new shaman since Gul'dan's vile corruption of the Horde. He returned to the camp a new orc and became fully immersed in the old ways of the shaman and his clan, embracing his role as son of the chieftain. This was a significant and symbolic event, since Thrall was the first shaman to be accepted by the spirits since Drek'Thar's time. Not only did this mean Thrall would be destined to be one of the greatest shamans in orcish history, but it also meant that the spirits finally forgave the orcish race for consorting with demonic powers, and deemed Thrall as the first of a brand new generation of shamans.
 
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{{wotlk-section}}
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Reports say {{npc||Sylvanas}} moves to and from Northrend; it's unknown if she is scouting for a possible attack on the Lich King, or if she has darker plans. There are rumors that Sylvanas Windrunner is setting up a Forsaken city somewhere in the continent.<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], pg. 180-182.</ref>
   
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It seems now with the threat of the Lich King's shadow looming greater than ever before, that Sylvanas has built up her forces sufficiently for a direct attack on Northrend. It appears that Sylvanas' plague is now fully ready for testing on the [[Scourge]]. With her navy now apparently on the shores of [[Northrend]], the Forsaken have begun setting up a stronghold from which they can now launch their own unique [[New Plague|plague]] onto the hateful Scourge.
The camp was soon visited by a wandering stranger. At first, Thrall spoke pleasantly with him, but began to grow angry when the stranger accused the Frostwolves of hiding away in the mountains. His fury — and orcish pride — growing within him, Thrall informed the stranger that he would join with Hellscream and the Warsong and lay siege to the encampments. The stranger dismissed Hellscream as a "demon-ridden dreamer", and said that the humans were not worth fighting. Enraged, Thrall challenged the stranger to single combat. The stranger threw aside his cloak to reveal well-worn black plate armor and a massive warhammer. After a short but brutal contest, Thrall managed to disarm him, but was prevented from throttling the stranger by some of his clan. It was then that the stranger revealed himself as [[Orgrim Doomhammer]] — the Warchief of the Horde. Doomhammer had been contacted by Drek'Thar about the return of the son of Durotan. The Warchief decided to provoke Thrall into a fight to see if Drek'Thar's praise was deserved — and it was. Not only was Thrall able to challenge Doomhammer's strength, he also was able to best him — a feat only once before accomplished by [[Durotan|Thrall's father]].
 
   
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In [[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King|Wrath of the Lich King]] a number of Forsaken under {{npc||Grand Apothecary Putress}} broke away from the Horde at the [[Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate]]. While the Horde and Alliance battled the Lich King, Putress triumphantly launched a surprise attack against both factions. At the same time {{npc||Varimathras}} successfully pushed the Dark Lady out of the Undercity, however the Horde and Alliance quickly destroyed Varimathras, his demon brothers, and the rebel forsaken in the [[Battle for the Undercity]].
===Liberation===
 
[[File:Thrall2004.jpg|thumb|Thrall, leader of the Horde]]
 
{{Novel-section}}
 
Doomhammer named Thrall his second-in-command and explained his strategy for liberating the encampments. Per Doomhammer's plan, Thrall infiltrated the camps masquerading as one of the downtrodden, lethargic prisoners, and then riled the orcs up with shows of his shamanistic powers. With the downtrodden orcs revitalized by their restored heritage, they quickly overran the encampments. On the first three encampments, this proved to be an effective tactic. On the fourth, Thrall was too easily recognized, and thus they had to resort to the numbers of the new Horde — and the shamanistic powers wielded by Thrall — to liberate the encampment. At the fifth, however, they were even better prepared — knights from Durnholde had been stationed at the remaining encampments, so that whichever camp they attacked, there would be a greater resistance. During the liberation of this encampment — now the Horde outpost of [[Hammerfall]] in the [[Arathi Highlands]] — Doomhammer was killed, impaled from behind by a knight's lance. With his dying breath, he gave Thrall his black plate and [[Doomhammer|warhammer]], and named him Warchief of the Horde.
 
   
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Ultimately, the Forsaken assisted the Horde with a massive offensive against the Lich King’s power base in Northrend and exacted vengeance upon their hated enemy.[http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/forsaken]
Thrall's first action as Warchief was to attack [[Durnholde]] in an effort to dismantle the entire internment camp system. He secretly met with Taretha, asking her to leave Durnholde with her family, but she refused, hoping that it would never come to battle and fearful of the consequences if Blackmoore noticed her missing (Blackmoore had taken her as his mistress, an arrangement she had never been happy with). When Thrall arrived at Durnholde with the Horde at his back, he confronted a drunken Blackmoore, and asked for a peaceful parlay in order to prevent useless bloodshed. Blackmoore went through a plethora of emotions — from amusement at Thrall's rise to power, anger at what the Warchief was demanding, and grief at how Thrall had supposedly betrayed him. Once again demanding that Blackmoore surrender or be killed; the master of Durnholde gave his response by tossing the severed head of [[Taretha Foxton]] into the courtyard, screaming that this was what he would do with traitors.
 
   
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===The second generation Forsaken===
Thrall screamed in rage and grief, the elements themselves echoing his fury, and he gave the command to attack. During the siege, Thrall cornered Blackmoore in his hidden tunnel, and tossed a sword at the traitorous man's feet. Blackmoore had sobered enough to hold his own against the Warchief — who had been holding back to allow Blackmoore a fighting chance — but when he tried to explain, and asked for Thrall's aid to help him subjugate the Alliance. The Warchief's rage at Taretha's fate broke all barriers, and struck him the mortal blow. As he lay dying, the master of Durnholde expressed pride in what Thrall had become — what Blackmoore had made him or so he thought.
 
 
Thrall emerged shaken from the castle to find his orcs victorious. Thrall gave a message to Blackmoore's second-in-command, [[Karramyn Langston|Lord Karramyn Langston]], to take to his superiors: to free the remaining orcs, and to cede land for their use. If the Alliance would let them be, they would not trouble the Alliance and would be willing to engage in cooperation and trade. If the Alliance chose to fight them, they would have made an enemy the likes of which had never been seen before — making the old warlock-controlled Horde shrink to insignificance. He then left Durnholde after allowing [[Sergeant (character)|Sergeant]] and the surviving humans to walk away unharmed. When they were gone he called upon the Spirit of the Earth to destroy the keep before leading his people to freedom.
 
 
Thrall later composed a ''[[lok'vadnod]]'' ("song of a hero") to commemorate Taretha's sacrifice.
 
 
===Flight to Kalimdor===
 
[[File:Thrall-WC3.jpg|thumb|Thrall as seen in [[Warcraft III]].]]
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
Thrall and Grom spent much time gathering together the dispersed forces of the Horde. But it was some time later, when Thrall was with a small force in the [[Arathi Highlands]], that he received a strange dream. He saw armies clashing, and fire raining from the sky, and a voice warning him of things to come.<ref>''[[Thrall's Vision]]''</ref>
 
 
When he awoke, he realized that it was no dream, it was a vision, granted him by the [[Medivh|mysterious Prophet]], who enigmatically told him that he was not what he seemed, that he had abandoned his humanity long ago, and that he had foreseen the future with the only hope for the orcs salvation was to leave [[Lordaeron]]—sail west to [[Kalimdor]], and there, they would find their destiny.<ref>''[[Chasing Visions]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall obeyed, and gathering the Horde, prepared to make their way across the [[Great Sea]]. The [[clan]]s begun assembling and he constructed a base to give the Horde a place to stay. However, Grom turned out to have been captured by humans, and Thrall quickly stepped in to save him. Hellscream then got the idea, to steal the human ships so that they could leave the human lands forever. With the Horde assembled, they stole the ships, and left across the Great Sea to the forgotten lands of [[Kalimdor]].<ref>''[[Departures]]''</ref>
 
 
===Exodus of the Horde===
 
[[File:Thrall2war3.JPG|thumb|Thrall, mounted for battle.]]
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
Halfway along their journey to [[Kalimdor]], Thrall's ships were beset by a fierce storm near the [[Maelstrom]] and forced to take shelter on a small island. There the orcs met the troll leader, [[Sen'jin]], who told them of a [[human]] outpost that attacked his tribe night and day on the island. Fearing for the Horde and the Darkspear Trolls' safety, Thrall and his warriors assaulted the human base, during his stay he reactivated a Fountain of Health and discovered that the isle had active volcanos. Aided by the Darkspear trolls he killed the human leader, an [[archmage]], but then many [[murloc]]s attacked the Horde, the humans and the Darkspear trolls. While the orcish and human forces were occupied with one another, the piscine monsters sought out sacrifices for their rituals.<ref>''[[Riders of the Storm]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall was then imprisoned within the murlocs' fiery dungeon. He learned from a troll head hunter, with whom he shared a cell, that the murlocs planned to sacrifice them both to a [[Zar'jira|sea witch]]. Fortunately, though the murlocs were strangely advanced, they were unaware of Thrall's shamanistic abilities, and the warchief was able to escape and free his warriors. One [[grunt]], however, reported that [[Sen'jin]] was not in the cells — and that he was taken as the first sacrifice. Thrall raced to the altar, but was forced to watch in horror as the murloc sorcerer killed Sen'jin. Thrall and his warriors were able to kill the three [[Murloc Guardian]]s maintaining the magic barrier which prevented their escape and the [[Murloc Sorcerer]], but it was too late for the troll leader. The dying Sen'jin revealed a vision — that Thrall would lead the [[Darkspear]] tribe to greatness. Thrall then offered the remaining trolls a place in the [[Horde]] for the kindness they had shown the orcs.<ref>''[[The Fires Down Below]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall emerged from the cave and was confronted by the [[Zar'jira|Sea Witch]]. She threatened vengeance for the destruction of her altar and worshipers. She placed a curse upon the warchief; that he and all his forces would be swallowed up by the sea. Upon returning to his base camp, Thrall discovered that his ships, damaged by the storm, were not yet ready to sail. He also learned that the island dormant volcano erupted and that the island had begun to sink. The Sea Witch, meanwhile, launched her [[Underworld Minions|murloc forces]] against the Horde, thirsty for vengeance. Nevertheless, aided by the trolls, the Horde was able to hold off their attackers long enough to repair their ships and managed to escape before the isle sunk. The Sea Witch then told to Thrall that a "Dark Tide" would swallow them all and that there will be nowhere to hide.<ref>''[[Countdown to Extinction]]''</ref>
 
 
''The sea witch's curse may have come true, depending on how close her island was to Kalimdor — because Thrall's force was shipwrecked. It can be assumed that other clans, such as [[Warsong clan|Hellscream's]], were not among those caught by the storm and driven to the island.''
 
 
===Kalimdor===
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
The ships had been scattered and many of those on board barely made it to the shores of Kalimdor alive. The clans were scattered, and Thrall slowly roamed the coast, collecting the orcs and trolls he came across as he did. But Grom could not be found. This new land held many strange new creatures, but the most brutal were the [[centaur]]s, particularly in their treatment of the [[tauren]].<ref name=orc1>''[[Landfall]]''</ref>
 
 
When Thrall battled a group of centaurs who were attacking tauren, he was unexpectedly greeted by [[Cairne Bloodhoof]], chieftain of the [[Bloodhoof tribe]]. Impressed by their fierce but noble behaviour, Cairne offered to help him find the destiny of his people. Thrall told Cairne of the centaur army he had seen advancing to the north, and they quickly departed, as Cairne reported that his village was in danger. Thrall's forces followed Cairne back to their village, where they defended it from the centaurs.<ref name=orc1/>
 
 
Since the centaurs had driven off all the game in the region, the Bloodhoof tribe would need to abandon their home and travel to [[Mulgore]] if they hoped to avoid starving. Cairne agreed to tell the location of the [[Medivh|Oracle]], who would help the orcs with their quest for destiny, if they would help protect Cairne's caravan to Mulgore. Thrall agreed to these terms, and helped the tauren on their lengthy journey, protecting them and their lumbering [[kodo]] beasts from marauding centaurs.<ref name=orc2>''[[The Long March]]''</ref>
 
 
Cairne told Thrall of the mystical [[Oracle]] of [[Stonetalon Peak]], who could help them find their destiny in these strange lands. Thrall, glad at having made a new friend in the foreign land, thanked Cairne gratefully, and they parted as allies.<ref name=orc2/>
 
 
When Thrall arrived at the base of [[Stonetalon Peak]], he was shocked to find [[Grom Hellscream]] and the [[Warsong clan]] battling humans under the command of [[Jaina Proudmoore]]. Her forces had cordoned off much of the pass going up the mountain, and Thrall suspected that hiring some [[goblin]]s to ferry them up the mountain in zeppelins would allow them to bypass any defenses. However, as Thrall tried to make his way stealthily up to the goblins, the impatient Hellscream unexpectedly attacked the humans, who retaliated by attacking to him and to Thrall's forces. Thrall was forced to stay their wrath by attacking their bases. Finally, he managed to acquire some [[zeppelin]]s. Thrall confronted Grom, but Hellscream argued that "a true warrior" would have fought the humans without question instead of trying to sneak past them and avoid a battle.<ref name=orc3>''[[Cry of the Warsong]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall, worried that Grom's impetuous bloodlust would lead to nothing but trouble, ordered his friend and his clan to remain behind in [[Ashenvale]] as Thrall journeyed up the mountain. Grom reluctantly agreed.<ref name=orc3/>
 
 
Thrall made his way up the mountain, and was surprised to find his path crossing that of [[Cairne]] once again. However, Thrall would not be able to access the summit without any air support. So, Cairne suggested that they ally with the [[wyvern]]s of [[Stonetalon Mountains]]. The wyverns were imprisoned by a group of vile [[harpies]], and after a short battle, they were defeated, and the wyverns, grateful, lent their services to Thrall and the Horde. With their help, Thrall [[Where Wyverns Dare|defeated]] the humans guarding the Peak, and entered the mountain.<ref>''[[Where Wyverns Dare]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall and Cairne separated and searched the caverns themselves. After much time, they found the Oracle's chamber, but they also found Jaina Proudmoore, and were about to battle when the [[Medivh|Oracle]] appeared, revealing himself to be the Prophet that Thrall and Jaina had met in Lordaeron. He told Thrall of Grom's corruption, and that the orcs and humans must join forces or be destroyed. Reluctantly, Thrall agreed, desperate to save Grom.<ref>''[[The Oracle]]''</ref>
 
 
===Lifting of the Blood Curse===
 
[[File:Mannarothbattle.JPG|thumb|Thrall and Grom face Mannoroth.]]
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
They returned to [[the Barrens]] to find Grom in command of the corrupted [[Warsong clan]], and he moved against them as the demonic invasion of Kalimdor began. An epic battle took place between the Warchief and Hellscream's forces as the fire of falling [[infernals]] lit up the night sky. Thrall, with the help of Cairne, fought his way through the ranks of blood-maddened [[chaos orc]]s, determined to reach Hellscream at all costs. Finally, after all but defeating Hellscream's cadre of [[doomguard]]s, [[felhound]]s, and warlocks, Thrall faced his old friend. Hellscream taunted the Warchief, revealing to him that the demons didn't forcefully corrupt the orcs, but that the orc chieftains themselves willingly chose to drink the demon's blood, in full knowledge that it would forever enslave them to the Legions dark rule. Enraged at this revelation and betrayal, Thrall charged at his old friend and the armies of Thrall and Grom along with a swarm of doomguards battled. After a long and desperate struggle, Thrall regained control of himself and managed to capture Grom's essence in a [[Soul Gem (WC3)|Soul Gem]] and returned it to a Ritual Circle, where with the combination of [[orcish]] [[shaman (Warcraft III)|shamanism]] and [[Priest (Warcraft III)|elven]] magic, the demonic energy was purged from Grom's system. Grom, realizing what he had done, was instantly apologetic, and he and Thrall immediately set out to face Mannoroth in a canyon carved by the falling infernals.<ref>''[[By Demons Be Driven]]''</ref>
 
 
Thrall put an initial assault against [[Mannoroth]], but was subdued quickly, and would have been killed, had Grom not gathered his strength and made a devastating blow against Mannoroth, shattering his plate and driving [[Gorehowl|his axe]] deep into his belly. This was enough to kill the pit lord, but as Mannoroth died explosive energies burst forth from his body and hit Grom at point blank range. The chieftain of the Warsong clan was mortally wounded. As the demonic, red haze lifted from the eyes of Grom Hellscream and his clan mates, Grom was told that he had freed himself. Thrall approached Grom telling to him that he had freed not just him, but all the orcs from demonic corruption.<ref>''[[The Death of Hellscream]]''</ref>
 
 
===Battle of Mount Hyjal===
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
Thrall and Jaina went into Ashenvale, but found a new threat behind them as well as in front. The night elves, cursing them for the killing of [[Cenarius]], attacked them as they attempted to make a new settlement.<ref>''[[Enemies at the Gate]]''</ref>
 
 
The demons and undead, orcs and humans, and night elves were all battling one another for survival,<ref>''[[The Awakening of Stormrage]]''</ref><ref>''[[The Druids Arise]]''</ref> until finally, Thrall received a vision to bring Jaina to a grove at the base of [[Mount Hyjal (mountain)|Mount Hyjal]]. There, he met the leaders of the night elves, [[Tyrande Whisperwind]] and [[Malfurion Stormrage]]. They were surprised at finding each other there, until the Prophet appeared once more, and revealed himself to be [[Medivh]], the Last [[Guardian]] of the Tirisfal. He convinced them that they must all ally against the [[Burning Legion]] or they would surely and quickly be defeated.<ref>''[[The Last Guardian (interlude)|The Last Guardian]]''</ref>
 
 
Though uneasy, Tyrande and Malfurion agreed, and they all allied against [[Archimonde]] and his plethora of demonic and undead followers.<ref name=hyjal>''[[Twilight of the Gods]]''</ref>
 
 
All the allied races collectively defended [[Nordrassil]] and [[Mount Hyjal]] with three fortified settlements going up the mountain, Thrall's base having [[orc]]s, [[Darkspear troll]]s, [[tauren]] and [[goblin]]s, everyone doing their best to slow [[Archimonde]]'s ascend until the night elves' trap was prepared.<ref name=hyjal/>
 
 
As Archimonde made his way up the mountain towards Thrall's base, he taunted Thrall by saying that his race wasn't worth bothering with and that the orcs were weak. Thrall replied that their spirit is strong and if they are to be defeated at least they are free, and struck out, attacking Archimonde and hurting him a little with a [[Chain Lightning]], before Jaina teleported him away. After a great battle Archimonde was finally destroyed and the Burning Legion was defeated.<ref name=hyjal/>
 
 
===Founding of Orgrimmar===
 
[[File:Thrall hrone.jpg|thumb|Thrall, Lord of the Clans]]
 
[[File:thrall-wow.jpg|thumb|Thrall in ''World of Warcraft''.]]
 
[[File:Warchief Thrall.JPG|thumb|Thrall from the Warcraft TCG]]
 
{{WC3-section}}
 
Following the victory at Mount Hyjal and the defeat of the Burning Legion, Thrall gathered his people and resolved to find a place for them in the rugged, beautiful lands of the Barrens. He founded [[Durotar]], named after his heroic father.<ref>[[File:WC3x-O01-01.jpg|50px]]</ref> Its capital city was [[Orgrimmar]], named for [[Orgrim Doomhammer]]. After many months, things began to pull together. The orcs were fleshing out Durotar,<ref name=bonus1/> the tauren had gone into [[Mulgore]],<ref>''[[Old Hatreds]]'', Mulgore''</ref> and the [[troll]]s had settled on the [[Echo Isles]] off the coast.<ref>''[[To Tame a Land]]'', Echo Isles</ref>
 
 
Thrall was soon met by [[Rexxar]], a son of the [[Mok'Nathal]], who had tried to save his scout [[Mogrin]] from a group of [[quilboar]]s, and delivered a message. Thrall read it carefully, saddened by Mogrin's death, and welcomed Rexxar to the newly crowned land. Rexxar considered staying, but said that he would need to earn his keep. Thrall agreed, and sent Rexxar to speak to various citizens of Orgrimmar and see what he could do to assist them in their tasks. He also asked [[Rokhan]] the [[shadow hunter]] to assist Rexxar. The two were later joined by a wandering [[pandaren]] brewmaster named [[Chen Stormstout]], who had been searching the area for ingredients to use in his new concoction. After Rexxar helped him find those ingredients, Chen tagged along with the troll and the Mok'Nathal, eager for adventure. Thrall waited in Orgrimmar, helping build the city.<ref name=bonus1>''[[To Tame a Land]]'', To Tame a Land</ref>
 
 
Rexxar performed his deeds successfully, and Thrall began to respect the beastmaster. But soon he brought ill news that humans were amassing on the shores of Durotar. Thrall was troubled. The treaty he had made with Jaina had hoped to keep such incursions from happening. After several more encounters with human hostiles, there was a summit arranged between Thrall and Jaina. Rexxar encouraged Thrall to send him in his place, sensing a trap. Thrall reluctantly agreed. Sure enough, the "[[emissary|emissaries]]" were uninterested in talk and unsuccessfully tried to kill Rexxar and his friends, after expressing disappointment that Thrall himself had not come to be slaughtered.<ref name=bonus1/>
 
 
Rexxar returned and told Thrall that there had been a deception. Unable to believe that Jaina would order such a thing, Thrall prepared a note for Rexxar to secret into Theramore to arrange a parlay with Jaina herself. Only by meeting face to face could they ensure any sort of peace between the two races.<ref name=bonus1/>
 
 
After hearing Rexxar's report of [[Admiral Proudmoore]]'s arrival and intent against the orcs, Thrall realized that the only way to prevent yet another war was to assault Admiral Proudmoore's base and kill him. With Rexxar's help, Thrall enlisted the aid of his old friend Cairne and the tauren, as well as the [[Stonemaul]] ogres.<ref>''[[Old Hatreds]]'', Old Hatreds</ref> While preparations were being made to storm Theramore, Thrall was informed that the island was surrounded by a blockade of ships that the assembled force had no way of breaching. Thrall was frustrated by this news. Then Jaina teleported onto the scene. She assured everybody that she came in peace. She had known nothing of her father's plans and didn't know what to do, she said. Thrall was sympathetic, but told her that her father's actions could destroy Durotar and that the only way to ensure the security of the new nation and his people was to kill Daelin.<ref name=bonus3>''[[A Blaze of Glory]]'', A Blaze of Glory</ref>
 
 
Jaina understood and was willing to help, even if it meant the death of her father. She told Thrall the location of a nearby goblin shipyard which could supply him with ships to break through the admiral's blockade. She begged Thrall to spare as many of her men as possible in the coming battle; even though most of them were following her father, they were the only family she had left after the fall of Lordaeron. Thrall gave her his word that he would try to keep bloodshed on the human side to a minimum and advised Jaina to get to safety, since the battle was about to start.<ref name=bonus3/>
 
 
Using the ships acquired from the goblins, Thrall's forces were able to fight their way onto the isle, where they proceeded to engage Daelin Proudmoore's troops.<ref name=bonus3/> Rexxar, Rokhan, Chen, and Cairne fought their way directly to Admiral Proudmoore himself and engaged him in combat. Before the battle was over Thrall tried to tell the admiral that this Horde was different from the one he had faced years ago, that they had no interest in conquest or murder. Proudmoore raged that Thrall's race was guilty of genocide, that they would never be able to atone for their rampage through Stormwind and Lordaeron that had left countless innocent people dead. He grimly vowed that he would never stop fighting the orcs, and thus Rexxar was forced to kill him as Thrall had predicted.<ref name=bonus3-2>''[[A Blaze of Glory]]'', Theramore City</ref>
 
 
As soon as Daelin Proudmoore fell, Rexxar shouted that the battle was over and ordered the human forces to stand down. They complied. Jaina fell to her knees near her father's body, asking him why he couldn't have listened. Rexxar tried to ease the sorceress' pain by telling her that her father was a proud warrior above all else, and that he should be remembered as such. Thrall proclaimed that the Horde had no quarrel with the surviving humans and that they would leave Theramore in peace. He then took his forces back to Durotar and left Jaina to her mourning.<ref name=bonus3-2/>
 
 
Grateful to Rexxar for all he had done, Thrall extended an invitation to the Mok'Nathal to stay and make a home for himself in Durotar. Rexxar politely declined, telling Thrall that he was a wanderer and his place was in the wilds. But he promised Thrall that he was part of the Horde, and that if his help was ever needed again he would be there. So Thrall said goodbye to Rexxar and resumed building Durotar. For the moment, all was well.<ref name=bonus3-2/>
 
 
===Cycle of Hatred===
 
{{Novel-section}}
 
Three years passed, and Orgrimmar swelled. However, a series of minor incidents between the Durotar orcs and Theramore humans threatened the stability of the entire area. Thrall and Jaina desperately attempted to keep the peace, but the Horde grew out of his control when his chief warrior [[Burx]] took an army of orcs and trolls to [[Northwatch Hold]], the same keep Proudmoore used for his operations, and demanded they dismantle it. After the battle began, however, Jaina contacted Thrall with information that his Burx was working for the orcish end of the [[Burning Blade clan|Burning Blade]] cult. Infuriated at the idea that an orc would once again serve the Legion (the demon [[Zmodlor]] was pulling the strings of the cult), Thrall immediately stopped the battle (with some impressive aid from the Spirits) and denounced Burx. When the warrior protested that he was acting within the Horde's interests, Thrall smashed his skull with the Doomhammer.
 
 
The events prompted Jaina and Thrall to pursue a more official Horde/Alliance treaty. Despite the rise of tensions in the last year or so, their actions have halted, though not completely broken, the cycle of hatred.
 
 
Thrall currently resides in his palace, located in the Valley of Wisdom in Orgrimmar. Despite the defeat of the Burning Legion and the elder Proudmoore, the Warchief's life is still far from dull. Threats to Durotar from outside and within force him to remain ever vigilant.
 
 
===Return to Draenor===
 
{{Bc-section}}
 
[[File:Thrall-in-nagrand.jpg|thumb|Thrall arrives in Garadar to meet his grandmother, Greatmother Geyah.]]
 
A faction of orcs exists in Outland, who remained untouched by demonic corruption. These orcs call themselves the [[Mag'har]], and are comprised of various orcish clans who chose not to join Magtheridon's legion of fel orcs, and appear to have been completely unaffected by the corruption wrought by Kil'jaeden. Upon hearing of them, Thrall immediately made plans to journey to Outland and make contact with the Mag'har. However his advisors urged Thrall to make the proper preparations, instead of leaving Orgrimmar and the rest of the orcs on Azeroth open to attack.
 
 
Later on, Thrall makes a brief appearance in Outland for a quest chain to meet his grandmother [[Geyah]] and show [[Garrosh Hellscream]] his father Grom died a hero's death, and ended the [[Blood Curse]]. During this meeting, [[Greatmother Geyah]] reveals Thrall's birth name: Go'el, son of Durotan — rightful chieftain of the Frostwolves.
 
 
===Meeting with Varian===
 
{{Comic-section}}
 
After he returned from [[Draenor]], Thrall brought with him [[Garrosh Hellscream]], son of [[Grom Hellscream]], to be his adviser. Later on the retired gladiator master [[Rehgar Earthfury]] also became one of Thrall's advisers. Rehgar and Garrosh had a great discussion: while Garrosh wanted to destroy the Alliance, who he considers the Horde's enemies, and take Azeroth for their own; Reghar wanted to remain open to diplomacy with the Alliance and conserve their treaty of non-aggression with [[Theramore]]. Then suddenly Thrall received a call from [[Jaina]] to meet at [[Razor Hill]]. At their meeting, Jaina told him that [[Varian]] had returned and narrated to Thrall the history of Varian's abduction. With Varian's return and willing attendance, Jaina wanted to schedule another peace summit at Theramore in the hopes of easing tensions between the Horde and Alliance. Though Thrall felt uneasy about leaving [[Orgrimmar]] during a period when the orcs were feeling restless with Thrall's passive tolerance with the Alliance, Thrall none the less agreed to attend the summit.<ref>[[Conflicting Loyalties]]</ref>
 
 
When Thrall decided to go to a new meeting with the [[human]] King [[Varian]], he brought with him his two advisers: Rehgar and Garrosh<ref name=comic16>[[Threat!]]</ref> and some [[Kor'kron]].<ref name=comic17>[[Gathering Thunder!]]</ref> Reghar recommended Thrall not to bring Garrosh with them but the Warchief thought it would be a good idea as it would help Garrosh to re-think his attitude toward the humans.<ref name=comic16/>
 
 
[[File:Thrall Comic.jpg|thumb|Thrall in the comic.]]
 
 
Thrall traveled in a [[zeppelin]] to [[Theramore]],<ref name=comic16/> where he had a peaceful discussion with an eye toward mutual gain. They first talked of their pasts and then discussed resource problems; like the Horde's war against the night elves for lumber. Varian offered to provide Thrall's people with lumber and in exchange the Warchief offered copper and exotic hides in return. Varian had to end the summit early as [[Goldshire]] and [[Southshore]] were reported to be under simultaneous distress by the Scourge. Thrall and Varian were about to depart amicably but upon exiting Theramore, the [[Twilight's Hammer clan]] invaded the city. The Alliance races of the Twilight cultists attacked the Horde representatives while the Horde races of the Twilight cultists attacked the Alliance representatives. After catching a glimpse of [[Garona]], Varian thought that Thrall had sent her to assassinate him as the [[Shadow Council]] had done in the past with [[Llane Wrynn I|his father]].<ref name=comic17/> After a time battling, the Twilight's Hammer's casualties began to rise. [[Med'an]] then entered to protect his mother, and in seeing this, the cultists appointed their attention to the kidnapping of Med'an, while leaving Garona to die. Garrosh blamed the Alliance for the attack while Varian blamed the Horde; specifically Garrosh. Thrall tried to calm down the heated parties and remind them to not jump to conclusions. Thrall tried to convince King Varian that Garona's unexpected assassination attempt was not of his people's making yet Varian remained skeptical of the honor of orcs. Rehgar and [[Valeera]] both were sure that neither Thrall nor Varian would stoop to an assassination tactic on neutral ground and tried to rationalize the surprising turn of events. Jaina and Thrall bid each other farewell, both sorry that any chance of a human-orc alliance was ruined. This attack shook the delicate human-orc tolerances, leaving both factions in distrust of one another. Shortly after, Thrall departed back to his home of Orgrimmar.<ref>[[Showdown!]]</ref>
 
 
===Echoes of Doom===
 
[[File:Thrallvgarroshdc9.jpg|thumb|Duel between Thrall and Garrosh]]
 
{{comic-section}}
 
Thrall arrived to [[Orgrimmar]] but the [[Lich King]] executed his plan and made a [[Zombie Infestation]]. [[Grand Apothecary Putress]] however, was able to find a cure from the [[Scourge]]'s [[plague]].<ref>[[quest|Desperate Research]]</ref> Seeing this threat, Thrall met with [[Lady Sylvanas Windrunner]], [[Garrosh Hellscream]], [[Varok Saurfang]], [[Grand Apothecary Putress]]<ref name=scourgeinvasion>[[Scourge Invasion#Orgrimmar]]</ref> and [[Rehgar Earthfury]]<ref name=comic20>[[The Winds of War]]</ref> in Orgrimmar to discuss what to do about the [[Scourge]].<ref name=scourgeinvasion/>
 
 
After consulting Saurfang and the spirits, Thrall favored a more cautious approach to dealing with the Scourge: an advance scouting party to the frozen continent before committing troops, as well as meeting with [[Jaina Proudmoore]] to find out what the [[Alliance]] were planning to do about the [[Lich King]].<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> Garrosh however, felt that dealing with the Alliance would put the Horde in danger and wanted to take the Horde's armies and conquer the humans and then march to [[Northrend]] and crush the Scourge; advocating that the Horde should rule all of Azeroth.<ref name=comic20/> Thrall, irritated by Garrosh's recklessness and bold challenges to his authority, answered that the humans were not a threat<ref name=comic20/> and that he would not underestimate the Lich King by walking blindly into a Scourge trap.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> In order to make an example of Garrosh's impudence, Thrall then provoked Garrosh to challenge him to a duel by saying that he would not make the same mistakes as his father, Grom Hellscream. Frustrated with his leader's apparent lack of action and the insults to his father, Garrosh challenged Thrall to a duel in the [[Ring of Valor]] to settle the matter.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/><ref name=comic20/> The two orcs fought for some time until it seemed Garrosh had gained the upper hand.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> He began to taunt Thrall, but the battle was interrupted by a [[Herald of the Lich King]] threatening Orgrimmar with destruction.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> Hearing this, Thrall used [[Chain Lightning]] on Garrosh<ref name=comic20/> and both left the ring, with Thrall telling the younger Hellscream that they would settle their dispute later.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/><ref name=comic20/> The city was attacked by countless [[abomination]]s and [[frost wyrm]]s<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> and a few [[death knight]]s.<ref name=comic20/>
 
 
Thrall and Garrosh led the forces of the Horde in repelling the Scourge attack, with the help of Saurfang, Sylvanas,<ref name=scourgeinvasion/> Reghar,<ref name=comic20/> the city defenders, and some [[adventurer]]s. After the Scourge assault force had been dealt with, Garrosh asked to be sent to Northrend again. This time, Thrall agreed and ordered Saurfang to begin preparations for war.<ref name=scourgeinvasion/>
 
 
===Broken Peace===
 
[[File:Thrall undercity.JPG|thumb|Thrall as he appears right before The Battle For The Undercity]]
 
{{Wotlk-section}}
 
As the combined Horde and Alliance forces began their assault upon [[Angrathar the Wrathgate]], an uprising broke out within the [[Forsaken]] capital [[Undercity]]. [[Varimathras]] and hordes of his demonic brethren overran the city, slaying all those who would not submit to their dark rule. Sylvanas herself was nearly killed in the coup, but managed to escape with a number of loyalists and fled to [[Orgrimmar]]. Determined not to allow the [[Dreadlords]] a foothold in Horde territory, Thrall and Sylvanas planned an immediate counter-attack. In the midst of their planning, [[Jaina Proudmoore]] arrived bearing terrible news: in the wake of [[Bolvar Fordragon]]'s death, Varian had ordered an assault on Undercity to bring Bolvar's murderer Grand Apothecary Putress, a Varimathras loyalist, to justice and to retake [[Lordaeron]] for the Alliance.
 
 
Thrall along with Sylvanas and [[Vol'jin]] led the assault into Undercity itself to reclaim it for the Horde. After fighting the Forsaken rebels and the demons within, the combined might of the Horde slew the traitorous demon Varimathras. However, the joy of victory was short-lived as Varian, having killed [[Putress]] and hearing the orcish cries of victory, arrived on the scene. He confronted Thrall and declared that peace could never be achieved after discovering the horrors the Forsaken had created in Undercity. Just as the two forces charged at one another, Jaina stopped them from killing each other by teleporting Varian, herself and the Alliance army back to [[Stormwind (region)|Stormwind]]. As Thrall lamented on the broken peace between the Alliance and the Horde, [[Varok Saurfang]] arrived and reminded Thrall of his duty to lead their people. In order to ensure that no more Legion-aligned abominations crawled out of the Apothecarium, Thrall sent a legion of [[Kor'kron Guard]] led by [[Bragor Bloodfist]] to guard the Undercity from threats outside of it and any that may remain within following {{questlong|Horde|74|The Battle For The Undercity (Horde)|The Battle For The Undercity}}.''
 
 
===Secrets of Ulduar===
 
{{Wotlk-section}}
 
[[File:Thrall Jaina Ulduar Trailer.jpg|thumb|left|Thrall and Jaina watch Garrosh fight Varian.]]
 
When [[Brann Bronzebeard]] learned that the [[Old God]] [[Yogg-Saron]] had escaped his ancient prison in [[Ulduar]] he hastily informed [[Rhonin]], who asked Jaina to summon Thrall and [[Varian]] to the [[Violet Citadel]] for an emergency council. Correctly guessing the gravity of the situation, Thrall made haste to Dalaran with Garrosh. Upon arriving at the Violet Citadel, he was intercepted by Jaina, who was desperate to avoid a confrontation with Varian, who was already within. When Jaina told them what had happened, Thrall listened to Garrosh's doubt with irritation, then proceeded to Rhonin's chambers, where, predictably, Varian and Garrosh exchanged harsh words that eventually led to a fight.
 
Thrall was unable to stop the fight, but a frustrated Rhonin succeeded in doing so. Rhonin pleaded to all in the room to put aside their differences and work together against their common threat. Varian flatly refused citing the events of the [[Wrathgate]] as reason to never work with the Horde again and departed, while Garrosh offered the opinion that a true warchief would never partner with cowards. Thrall expressed disappointment at Garrosh's actions.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/underdev/3p1/index.xml#ulduartrailer</ref>
 
{{clear|left}}
 
 
===Crusaders' Coliseum===
 
{{Wotlk-section}}
 
Thrall, accompanied by Garrosh Hellscream, attend the [[Crusaders' Coliseum]] in [[Icecrown]], surrounded by various champions and representatives of the Horde.
 
 
===Cataclysm===
 
[[File:Thrall magazine cover.jpg|thumb|Thrall dressed in new garb, weilding the Doomhammer]]
 
[[File:Thrall at Gallywix Docks.jpg|thumb|Thrall at [[Gallywix Docks]] in [[Lost Isles|The Lost Isles]].]]
 
 
{{cata-section}}
 
{{cata-section}}
  +
The second generation Forsaken are individuals who were raised into undeath by the [[Val'kyr]], the powerful new allies of the Forsaken. After the Lich King's death, a number of the more intelligent former [[Scourge]] members were accepted into the Forsaken's ranks by Queen Sylvanas, and have brought with them a new age for the Forsaken—the ability to "procreate" via their necromantic abilities, bolstering their numbers. As such, the difference between the first and second generation Forsaken can seem complicated.
''Thrall, the Horde's warchief, is a living symbol of nobility, strength, and unwavering courage. He led the orcs from the internment camps of Lordaeron into a new era of freedom and prosperity, and under his leadership the Horde has established itself as a major force on Azeroth. As a shaman, Thrall has a deep connection with the elements, and their wisdom has proven to be a great boon to the warchief. But although the Horde's faith in its warchief remains strong, some orcs who relish the tales of orcish ferocity and martial prowess are frustrated with Thrall's decisions. It remains to be seen whether his recent differences with Garrosh Hellscream are a one-time event or a hint at the shape of things to come.''<ref>[http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/cataclysm/features/lore.html World of Warcraft: Cataclysm - Features - Lore]</ref>
 
   
  +
During the [[Cataclysm]], the Forsaken starting zone was revamped a total of three times to better convey how this process works—the risen dead are given a choice of what to do next. This is shown through the characters encountered who had been raised by this method— {{npc||Valdred Moray}} accepts his fate, and seems keen to make himself useful and serve the Forsaken in death, much like how the player's storyline unfolds.
Thrall has been confirmed to play a major role in the events of ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]''. He appears on the [[Lost Isles]], part of the [[goblin (playable)|goblin]] starting zone.<ref>[[Wowpedia:Kirkburn's BlizzCon 2009 Report#Ooh, spoiler alert!|Kirkburn's BlizzCon 2009 Report]]</ref> As the storyline plays out, we learn that Thrall was captured by agents of [[SI:7]], and the goblins, having recently fled [[Kezan]], play a part in rescuing him. In gratitude Thrall aids the goblins in their battles across the Isles, where after beating [[Trade Prince Gallywix]], he proclaims that the Cartel will join the Horde and have a home in [[Azshara]], and allows Gallywix to remain as the Cartel's leader.
 
   
  +
Most interestingly, the resurrected Prince {{npc||Galen Trollbane}} seems resigned to the fate that befell him, and while not particularly enthusiastic about killing his former allies,{{fact}} he personally gives the quests to slay them for the good of the Forsaken.
As one of (if not ''the'') pre-eminent shamans of Azeroth, Thrall steps away from his duties as Warchief to join with the [[Earthen Ring]]. He journeys to the [[Maelstrom]] at the center of the Great Sea, where [[Deathwing]] made his return to Azeroth from the depths of [[Deepholm]]. The corrupted Aspect's entry has shattered the barriers between Azeroth and the Elemental Plane, and Thrall lends his powers to stabilize the rift. In his absence, Thrall names Garrosh Hellscream as Warchief of the Horde. He will receive a new model.
 
   
  +
{{npc||Lilian Voss}} reacts in horror to what she had become, and {{npc||Marshal Redpath}} is not happy with his fate, and attacks Deathknell after the transition. It is unknown if this is due to the damage of being raised or due to the Forsaken's destruction of [[Southshore]]. {{npc||Dumass}} is perhaps the most extreme case of how the process can strip away rational thought and intelligence. Some of the new Forsaken simply kill themselves on the spot.
[[File:Thrall & Cairne saving babies.jpg|thumb|Thrall and Cairne rescue the Horde's children.]]
 
Promotional art showed Thrall and [[Cairne Bloodhoof]] rescuing small orc and blood elf children from a pile of rubble,<ref>{{ref web|url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdvT0yPsvHk&feature=related|title = Blizzcon 2009 - Preview Panel Part 4: Upheaval|accessdate = 2009-08-25|author = [[Chris Metzen]]|work = Youtube video|language = English}}</ref> probably from a quake brought on by the Cataclysm itself.
 
   
  +
In Cataclysm the Forsaken have launched an offensive against Gilneas. The Forsaken appear to be taking on a more offensive stance regarding the war with the Alliance, and without the limitations placed upon them by nature (lack of procreation), their stranglehold on Lordaeron has become tighter than ever. The Forsaken have also began to fortify their own territories, stepping up from their previous preferences of run down human-esque buildings in favour of their own culture, seen briefly in [[Northrend]].
==Personality==
 
Despite Thrall’s open acceptance of visitors into his society, the orcs have not yet relinquished all of their old hatreds and preconceptions about other races. Still, they honor his leadership and will treat visitors to Durotar fairly, albeit somewhat roughly. He takes individuals at face value and treats them with respect until their actions prove that they should be dealt with otherwise. Even when crimes are committed, the harshest punishment that Thrall will mete out is exile — banishment into the almost lifeless wastelands of the Barrens, where the elements judge who lives and who dies. However, if someone under his leadership causes dishonorable and unnecessary bloodshed, or worse, consorts with demons, Thrall's policy is clear: a death sentence carried out with the help of the Doomhammer.<ref>''[[Cycle of Hatred]]'', page ??</ref>
 
   
  +
===Free will===
To friends, Thrall is warm and generous, freely swapping stories and information. Hospitality is extended to everyone, but Thrall expects all visitors to contribute in some way to Orgrimmar’s survival. Visiting hunters often bring meat or fur in exchange for refuge from the elements, and human traders from Theramore Isle periodically bring casks of salt ale and seed for crops. While in Orgrimmar, visitors are under Thrall’s protection and he will not tolerate any threats or violence against them.<ref name="S&L54">''[[Shadows & Light]]'', page 54</ref>
 
  +
During the [[Cataclysm]] [[beta]],The free will aspect of the Forsaken is Still present, as evident by the choice given to each individual. On at least one occasion this has been compromised somewhat, as during the [[Battle for Andorhal]], {{npc||Koltira Deathweaver}}'s negligence caused Sylvanas to step in and turn the battle around, forcing the rebelling farmers into obedience to this end. It is unknown whether or not mind control was used again.
  +
(however in Cataclysm Live the charm was removed From the quest And mind control made no reference At all)
   
  +
==Notable Forsaken==
==Combat==
 
Thrall is a natural-born leader. He is rarely alone, and in battle often spends much of his time directing his troops. In solo combat his tactics are subtle. He mixes a judicious amount of melee with powerful spellcasting.<ref name="S&L54"/>
 
   
  +
{| class="darktable zebra"
==Thrall's orcish name==
 
  +
! Name !! Role !! Condition !! Location !! Allegiance
"Go'el" was the name chosen by Durotan and Draka for their only son, but they could not give him that name until the [[Naming Day]] of that cycle; when Durotan and Draka were killed, his name remained unknown to him until he met his grandmother in Garadar over two decades later.
 
  +
|-
{{speculation}}
 
  +
||{{RaceIconExt|Sylvanas|Small}} {{npc||Sylvanas Windrunner}}
The name Go'el in Hebrew is derived from the verb lig'ol, "to free". A Go'el was a close Kinsman, whose duty was to perform any task a man could not perform by himself. Another duty of the Go'el was to free his kinsman from slavery — appropriate, considering Thrall's role in liberating the orcs from generations of enslavement to fel magics, as well as being held in human internment camps.
 
  +
|Banshee Queen of the Forsaken
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
| [[Undercity]]
  +
|The Forsaken, [[Horde]]
  +
|-
  +
||{{RaceIconExt|Nathanos}} {{npc||Nathanos Marris}}
  +
|Champion of the Forsaken
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
|[[Undercity]]
  +
|The Forsaken, [[Horde]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIcon|Undead|Male|Small}} {{npc||Master Apothecary Faranell}}
  +
|Overseer of [[Royal Apothecary Society]]
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
|[[Undercity]], [[The Apothecarium]]
  +
| The Forsaken, [[Horde]], [[Royal Apothecary Society]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIconExt|Putress|Small}} {{npc||Putress}}
  +
|Grand Apothecary
  +
| <font color="red">Deceased</font>
  +
| [[Shattrath City]], [[Angrathar the Wrathgate]], [[Undercity]]
  +
| The Forsaken, [[Royal Apothecary Society]], [[Varimathras]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIcon|Undead|Male|Small}} {{npc||Alexi Barov}}
  +
|Heir to the [[Quest:Barov Family Fortune (Horde)#Objectives|Barov Fortune]]
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
| [[The Bulwark]]
  +
|The Forsaken, [[Horde]], [[Barov]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIcon|Undead|Male|Small}} {{npc||Leonid Barthalomew}}
  +
|Argent Commander
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
|[[Light's Hope Chapel]]
  +
|[[Argent Dawn]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIcon|Undead|Female|Small}} {{npc||The Black Bride}}
  +
|[[Arathi Basin]] [[Battlemaster]] and Leader of the [[Defilers]]
  +
|<font color="purple">Undead</font>
  +
|[[Arathi Highlands]], [[Hammerfall]]
  +
|The Forsaken, [[Horde]], [[Defilers]]
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIconExt|Godfrey}} {{npc||Lord Vincent Godfrey}}
  +
|Former Gilnean nobleman and traitor to both Gilneas and Forsaken.
  +
|<font color="orange">Killable</font>
  +
|[[Shadowfang Keep]]
  +
|Himself, formerly [[Gilneas]] and later the Forsaken.
  +
|-
  +
|{{RaceIconExt|UndeadGalen}} {{npc||Galen Trollbane}}
  +
|Fallen Prince of Stromgarde.
  +
|{{text|purple|Undead}}
  +
|[[Galen's Fall]]
  +
|The Forsaken, [[Horde]]
  +
|-
  +
|}
   
  +
==Culture==
==Relationship with Jaina Proudmoore==
 
  +
Before the time of the Scourge, many of those that would become Forsaken were devout priests of the Light. It would seem, however, that the Forsaken have abandoned the light. However some are still able to channel it.
After Jaina and Thrall's forces were forced to work together after the meeting with Medivh, the two leaders soon became good friends. Thrall stated that Jaina reminds him strongly of [[Taretha Foxton]], but Jaina has stated no specific reason for her trust in Thrall. Their relationship is nonetheless strong, even having endured the battle of Durotar, which cost Jaina her father and Thrall many of his warriors. They still consider each other allies. Some fans have speculated that Thrall and Jaina were (or will be) romantically involved at some point, but lore usually denies this.<ref>''[[Alliance & Horde Compendium]]'', page 61</ref>
 
  +
{{novel-section}}The figure wore the robes of a priest of the Holy Light - not uncommon among the Forsaken, who mocked the order by wearing their garments and allowing the sacred robes to be soiled and tainted by their bloody work. Somehow, Andarin sensed, this figure was different; the robes seemed to be in almost tolerable condition, even if the body wearing them was not.<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 170</ref> "You wear the robes of a priest, Trevor. Why do you not channel the Light in battle, if you seek redemption?" The priest seemed to wince at that. "While I refuse to wield the shadow, the Light has refused me, or so it seems. And so, I am truly a broken man; I learned to wield spears of Light like Uther's knights did in the Second. Without the Light, I am unarmed and unarmored -- but not entirely helpless, as you see." Andarin couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the fallen priest, if his story was true. Perhaps a man, no matter how virtuous, could not channel holy power while in such a form."<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], pg. 173.</ref>
  +
===Balance===
  +
Forsaken culture reflects its people; just as the Forsaken stand on the line between life and death, their culture balances between the beliefs each Forsaken held in life and each one's quest for a place in the present. Former healers find this transition more difficult than most Forsaken find it. Priests of the Holy Light in particular struggle to reconcile the philosophy that guided their life with their unfortunate new condition. Some balance their own beliefs with their new forms, but most follow one of two paths." (It goes on to give very brief descriptions of the Forgotten Shadow and the Echo of Life.)<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], pg.87.</ref>
   
  +
Perhaps the greatest element of Forsaken culture, and their culture’s only universal element, is their reverence of death. Every Forsaken respects the dead, and damns those who do not. General society coddles new Forsaken like children, while venerating those who are losing themselves to the Scourge, giving them the greatest comforts before they are put out of their misery. Forsaken treat each other with a measure of respect, as it takes a strong soul to rise, and a stronger soul to not fall to mindless undeath (more on this later). Arthas earns their greatest ire, as the Lich King shows no respect for the living or dead. While Forsaken create undead, they do so with respect to the souls and bodies they use. Life and death is a balance. The Lich King, however, enslaves the dead, sripping their free will. His path is an abomination to the Forsaken.<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], pg.151.</ref>
The [[White Punch Card]] that drops in [[Gnomeregan]] for the {{quest|Data Rescue}} Alliance quest has many lines of binary code printed on it. When decoded, it reads "Thrall and Jaina sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G", as an in-joke for the fans.
 
   
==Legacy==
+
=== Alignment ===
The [[Thrallmar]] outpost on the [[Hellfire Peninsula]] in [[Outland]] is named after the Warchief. It is the Horde's staging area to recolonize the orcs' former native planet. Although few individuals will remember their planet before it exploded (Drek'Thar, for example, told the Mok'Nathal Rexxar that he fought alongside other Mok'Nathal on Draenor), all orcs will be shocked to see the state in which it lies now.
 
   
  +
Although most of the race is evil,<ref name="Mostly Evil"/> the Forsaken cannot be thought of in purely dualistic terms entirely. Although undead, the Forsaken are still inherently human, the majority of whom were victims of the plague spread by Kel'Thuzad. Thus some of the Forsaken are still good beings, if no longer living. As the above suggests, some individuals among them are capable of a tragic form of nobility, in that they do not allow their inability to obtain redemption to prevent them from trying.
==Quests==
 
From his position in Orgrimmar, he starts the following quests:
 
*{{questlong|Horde|12|Hidden Enemies}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|12|Hidden Enemies}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|15 D|Hidden Enemies}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|16|Hidden Enemies}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|race=Blood elf|21|Allegiance to the Horde}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|54|The Eastern Kingdoms}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60|What the Wind Carries}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60|The Champion of the Horde}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60|The Lord of Blackrock}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60|For All To See}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60D|For The Horde!}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|60D|The Royal Rescue}}
 
*{{questlong|Horde|68|Hero of the Mag'har}}.
 
   
  +
Those that try often leave the Forsaken, seeing its flaws, and join other causes. These Forsaken rebel against their race, seeking a better way to end the Lich King's reign or search for a way to reclaim their lost humanity,<ref>[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]], pg. 173.</ref> while others work to reform it from within, such as [[Roberick Dartfall]].
In the [[Old Hillsbrad Foothills]] instance, he starts the quest {{questlong|Neutral|68 D|Escape from Durnholde}}.
 
   
  +
[[Leonid Barthalomew the Revered]] of the Argent Dawn is probably the greatest example of this. ([[Trevor]] in fact aspires to leave and join Leonid.) Others that have left include [[Kegan Darkmar]].
See [[List of Orgrimmar NPCs]].
 
   
  +
It is arguable that such nobility is the only truly genuine form that exists, in that it comes not from duty, religion, or custom, but from a decision born purely of free will.
==Strategy==
 
  +
The most critical part of the strategy is to give the Horde as little warning as possible. Mainly since Horde players tend to feel more obligated and passionate about defending Thrall than any other WoW leader. The slightest mention of an attack on Thrall is enough to send a fair number of players to his side. Diverting attention can be done either by using a warlock to summon, or if you are careful, gathering across the bridge west of Orgrimmar, then riding to Thrall's room at full speed.
 
  +
===Faith===
Approaching from Ratchet may not be the best option because of the number of Horde leveling in the area, so the best option is riding by the river from Azshara, making good use of a [[death knight]]'s [[Path of Frost]].
 
  +
Even as they believe they have been abandoned by their faith, so have the Forsaken abandoned the faiths of their living days.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/> Some still adhere to their old faiths, such as the [[Church of the Holy Light|Holy Light]].<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Magic in the Horde":87. ''"Priests of the Holy Light in particular struggle to reconcile the philosophy that guided their life with their unfortunate new condition. Some balance their old beliefs with their new forms, but most follow one of two paths."''</ref><ref name="Chancellor Velora">{{ref tcg|set=March of the Legion|number=12|title=Chancellor Velora|quote=The Light rewards faith, not form.}}</ref> Many no longer cling to any religion, placing their faith in their queen and their dark science.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/> Most, however, have embraced new philosophies of their own creation: the [[Cult of Forgotten Shadow|Forgotten Shadow]], the [[Echo of Life]], or the simple value of knowledge.<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Magic in the Horde":87-88.</ref> Some have even turned to the [[Burning Legion]] as a source of power, believing that only it is potent enough to defeat the [[Lich King]].<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/>
Once on Thrall's room, use AoE spells to take care of the guards, then a simple tank and spank strategy on Thrall. Vol'jin may be offtanked at the same time, or Thrall can be taken down first by approaching from the left side of the room as you enter and Vol'jin may be optionally taken care of afterward. Two raids (80 people) are recommended.
 
   
  +
The [[Cult of Forgotten Shadow]] is largely based out of [[Deathknell]] and the warrior quarter in [[Undercity]].<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Forsaken Knowledge":154.</ref> Priests of the Forgotten Shadow believe that the faiths they held in life have failed them, and so they instead rely on the power and teachings of the Shadow.<ref>{{ref game|title=World of Warcraft|zone=[[Tirisfal Glades]]|npc=Dark Cleric Duesten|quote=...the Holy Light no longer concerns you, the spirits of your forefathers are fairy tales, and creatures from the Nether don't want you.|quest={{questlong|Horde|1|Hallowed Scroll|race=Undead}}}}</ref><ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160. ''"They felt that the Light forgot them, and turned to the Shadow instead."''</ref><ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Magic in the Horde":87. ''"Forsaken who feel betrayed by the Holy Light's failure to protect them sometimes find that turning their backs on the Holy Light is not enough; they throw aside the Holy Light and embrace its dark twin out of spite."''</ref> The members of the Cult vary between lawful and chaotic, evil and neutral,<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160. ''"'''Alignment:''' Lawful evil, though chaotic neutral and neutral evil individuals are just as prevalent."''</ref> and are taught to eradicate anything having to do with the Holy Light — and life in general.{{Citation needed}} It is also a philosophy of [[Cult of Forgotten Shadow#Divine Humanism|divine humanism]].
He can be done easily with a 40 man raid if done right. With a well geared 40 man raid group you can drop him easily if summoned in and done without alerting many Horde.
 
   
  +
Priests of the Forgotten Shadow teach that there must be a balance between Light and Shadow, and while they should never forget that they are from the Shadow, members of the cult must learn the Light as well.<ref name="Garments of Darkness">{{ref game|title=World of Warcraft|zone=[[Tirisfal Glades]]|npc=Dark Cleric Beryl|quote=But before you can know the dark, you must also know the light.|quest={{questlong|Horde|4|Garments of Darkness|race=Undead}}}}</ref><ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160.</ref> Being intelligent undead, the Forsaken fully understand the limitations and vulnerabilities associated with unlife. One of these disadvantages is that they can be turned, rebuked or even commanded by powerful positive or negative energy forces. Naturally, the Forsaken are always on the lookout for ways to limit or negate this vulnerability.<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], "Technological Devices":126.</ref>
The arena inside Orgrimmar is a great spot for summoning if you manage to successfully place a warlock and his summoning support in there. A decoy may be used as well, most likely a couple rogues attacking the bank or some other crowded area as this will take the Horde's attention from the attack, having them to think it's just an isolated act from bored players.
 
   
  +
Some Forsaken priests continue to wield the Light.<ref name="Chancellor Velora"/><ref name="Garments of Darkness"/> Recent information provided by the Blizzard Creative Development team says that, while it is possible for Forsaken with intensely strong willpower to use the Holy Light, it is very painful for them to do so. Holy Light spells can still heal the Forsaken but they must suffer nobly.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=25626575587#1|title= Ask CDev #1 Answers - Round 1|work=World of Warcraft - English (NA) Forums}}</ref>
With the advent of the Wintergrasp battleground, a new technique is to wait until Wintergrasp has initiated and then storm Orgrimmar. Note that success is limited due to it being predictable, after being used once, it will be expected later.
 
   
  +
===Relations===
==Memorable quotes==
 
  +
Undercity is the home of the Forsaken. They also have control of Tirisfal Glades and have several towns in the region. Forsaken patrols have tried to secure Silverpine Forest for the past couple years, but they are unable to do so. Though the Forsaken do not trust anyone and no one trusts them, they are members of the Horde and, for now, do their best to help their allies and placate their ambassadors. Forsaken have even less love for the Alliance, particularly because they clash constantly with the human organization called the Scarlet Crusade.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/> The only other Horde faction they even have a semblance of trust with is Silvermoon City and the blood elves.<ref>Forsaken and blood elves start as Friendly to each other, but Neutral to the other Horde factions</ref> This is probably because Sylvanas was a high elf ranger in life and finds trust in her former companions. The Forsaken and blood elves even took control of the village of Tranquillien in the Ghostlands to fight the Scourge in the area together.
===Lore quotes===
 
*"The beginning of wisdom is the statement 'I do not know.' The person who cannot make that statement is one who will never learn anything. And I have prided myself on my ability to learn."<ref>''[[Cycle of Hatred]]'', page 77</ref>
 
*"[[Aedelas Blackmoore|Blackmoore]] gave me the name so I would never forget that I was something he owned, that I belonged to him. I never will. I will keep the name, and one day, when I see him again, he will be the one who remembers what he did to me, and regret it with all his heart."<ref>''[[Lord of the Clans]]'', page 136</ref>
 
*"[[Aedelas Blackmoore|Blackmoore]]! Tonight you sleep in hell!"<ref>[[Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans]] trailer</ref>
 
*"How easily the mind can be turned to hate from a place of fear - an instinctive, natural, protective response. Instead of focusing on the things that unite us, we focus on what divides us."<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'', page 123</ref>
 
*"To pretend it [the demonic corruption] did not exist is to forget how dreadful the impact was. To make ourselves into victims, rather than claiming our participation in our own destruction. We chose this path, we orcs. We chose it right up until it was too late to turn back. And having made that choice, we can, with the knowledge that we have of the end of that dark and shameful road, choose ''not'' to take it."<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'', page 139</ref>
 
*"I can only pray to the ancestors that I am never placed in the same position as [[Durotan|my father]]—torn between what I know in my heart is right and the defense of my people. It is why I continue to strive to uphold the tenuous peace between us and the [[Alliance]]. Because few offenses and insults in this or any other world are sufficient to warrant the slaughter of children."<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'', page 242</ref>
 
*"I offer no judgment on anyone save a handful of individuals who knew full well what they were doing, knew that they were trading the lives and destiny of their people for gratification in the moment, and did so gleefully. For the others...I can only shake my head and be grateful that I was not forced to make the choices they did."<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'', page 292</ref>
 
*"When I reached adulthood, I became [[Orgrim Doomhammer|Orgrim]]'s friend, as had [[Durotan|my father]] before; and it is I who have fulfilled the prophecy of the Doomhammer. In their honor, this land is named [[Durotar]], its greatest city, [[Orgrimmar]]."<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'', page 353</ref>
 
   
===Warcraft III quotes===
+
===Languages===
  +
Forsaken speak [[Gutterspeak]] and [[Common]]. Forsaken learn the languages of their enemies and their allies (who may become their enemies).<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/>
*'''Grom:''' ''"Thrall, the [[Blood Curse|blood haze]] has lifted... [[Mannoroth|the demon]]'s fire has burned out in my veins. I have freed myself..."''
 
:'''Thrall:''' ''"No, old friend. You've freed us all."''<ref>''[[Warcraft III]]''</ref>
 
*''Our spirit is stronger than you know [[Archimonde|demon]]! If we are to fall, then so be it! At least now... [[orcs|we]] are free!''
 
   
  +
===Names===
===World of Warcraft quotes===
 
  +
Like their Dark Lady, Forsaken keep the names they had when they were alive. As most Forsaken are human, these tend to be human names. If a Forsaken cannot remember their name, they may make up a suitable name or read one from a headstone. Some invent surnames that imply their desire to eradicate the Scourge.
*{{text|yell|Honor your heroes! On this day, they have dealt a great blow against one of our most hated enemies! The false Warchief, Rend Blackhand, has fallen!}}
 
  +
* Male names: Roberick, Magan, Danforth, Lansire.
*{{text|yell|Be bathed in my power! Drink in my might! Battle for the glory of the Horde!}}
 
  +
* Female names: Yellen, Limmy, Sarias, Mierelle.
  +
* Family names: Dartfall, Blacksling, Ghoulhunter, Blastlich.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/>
   
  +
===A cure for undeath?===
;Greeting
 
  +
Many of the other races (mainly the tauren) pity the Forsaken and a number of Horde healers all over Azeroth, such as [[Mani Winterhoof]], work tirelessly in the hopes of creating a cure for undeath. Some of the Forsaken feel that their undeath is an illness or curse and long for a cure, but many think it is impossible to attain one.
*''"Lok'tar, friend. What is it you wish?"''
 
*''"Welcome to [[Orgrimmar]]. Have you come to serve the Horde?"''
 
   
  +
Forsaken with an undead soul can be brought back with raise dead and [[reincarnate]]. The spells work normally on them. Resurrection, true resurrection and similar effects restore them to their undead life rather than to the being they were before they became undead. A Forsaken's body of this type is undead… and so is its soul, corrupted and changed to such a degree that it belongs to its new body now, rather than its old one.<ref>[[Horde Player's Guide]], pg. 37.</ref> Forsaken priests have the power to restore those foolishly slain in battle, though only to unlife. Nothing short of a [[miracle]] can return true life.<ref>''[[Horde Player's Guide]]'', 161</ref>
;Aggro
 
*''"Lok'narosh!"''
 
*''"For Doomhammer!"''
 
*''"Your time has come!"''
 
   
  +
==Appearance==
;Other
 
  +
<blockquote>Forsaken, unsurprisingly, look like dead people. Their skin is gray and rotting, showing bone and flesh in places. Their pupil-less eyes glow with dim, white ghostlight. Their muscles are withered, making them scrawny. Their movements are slow but jagged. Forsaken hardly ever smile (unless their lips have rotted away - in which case they can appear to be smiling all the time). Necromantic magic keeps them somewhat preserved, but natural decay still proceeds, just slower than normal.<ref name="Undead, Forsaken"/></blockquote>
*''"I am sorry that I did not come sooner, [[Garrosh Hellscream|young Hellscream]]. There is so much that I have to tell you about [[Grom Hellscream|your father]], but first you must tell me where I may find the [[Greatmother Geyah|Greatmother]].
 
*''"I have dreamed of this moment all my life, Greatmother. 'Till now, all I've had were [[Orgrim Doomhammer|Orgrim]]'s stories about my parents and their adventures on [[Draenor]]. He was my greatest teacher and dearest friend. He died a hero... They all died as heroes - and for all of them, a song of honor remains."''
 
*''"Blood and thunder, champions of the [[Horde]]! We fight on [[Battle for the Undercity|this day]] for our fallen brothers and sisters! Mourn them not for they all died with honor in their hearts! Though we face great conflict, our might combined shall obliterate those who would oppose us! The grave injustices committed against the Horde will be met by an unstoppable force of reckoning!"''
 
*''"[[Varimathras|COWARD]]! You think to stop the Warchief of the Horde with pebbles? I will show you the true power of the elements!"''
 
*''"It ends like [[First War|it began]]...All that we have fought for in this world is lost. The hopes and dreams carried by [[Durotan|my father]] and [[Draka|mother]]... by Doomhammer... Gone...If only you were here right now, old friend. You would know what to do."
 
   
==Speculation==
+
==See also==
  +
*[[Horde_technology#Forsaken_technology|Forsaken technology]]
Thrall might be somewhat inspired by Caesar of 'Planet of the Apes'. Caesar was the son of a pair of talking chimpanzees (who also were murdered like Durotan and Draka) and was also raised as a slave, until he finally rebelled and led the Apes to freedom. Like Thrall, Caesar wishes to live in peace with the humans.<ref>[[wikipedia:Caesar (Planet of the Apes|Caesar (Planet of the Apes]])</ref>
 
   
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==Relations with the Horde==
==Gallery==
 
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Though initially the Forsaken alliance with the Horde was one of pure convenience, in recent times it appears that their position in the faction has begun to solidify and many, though not all, of the Forsaken appear to be more or less loyal to the Horde now. Though the events at the [[Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate]] may seem to contradict this, in the following quests it is revealed that [[Grand Apothecary Putress]]'s actions were [[The Battle for the Undercity|not very well received]] among most of the city's denizens. This seems to suggest that the Forsaken consider themselves part of the Horde now, or are at least upset by the new [[Kor'kron Overseer|limitations]] his failure has placed on them.
<gallery captionalign="left">
 
File:Thrall as a gladiator.JPG|Thrall the arena gladiator as depicted in ''Warcraft Legends 2''
 
File:Thralltransformedintodwarf.jpg|Thrall being transformed into a dwarf as a disguise in ''Warcraft Adventures''
 
File:Thrall prisoner.jpg|Thrall imprisoned in Durnholde Keep.
 
thrall.jpg|Teenage Thrall as seen escaping Durnholde Keep in the Caverns of Time
 
File:SOTS Thrall.jpg|Thrall, the warrior
 
Thrall's Vision Warchief.jpg|Thrall in his Vision from the Prophet.
 
Thrall's Vision Thrall Wakes Up.jpg|Thrall wakes from his dream, a crow visibile in the background.
 
File:Thrall model.jpg|Thrall's Warcraft 3 cinematic model
 
File:Argent Coliseum H.jpg|Thrall standing next to [[Garrosh Hellscream]] in the Horde section of the Crusaders' Coliseum
 
</gallery>
 
 
==Patch changes==
 
*{{Patch 4.0.3|note=
 
**Now has a new model.
 
**Now an NPC at the Maelstrom; replaced by Garrosh as faction leader.}}
 
*{{Patch 3.0.2|note=Updated for level 80.}}
 
*{{Patch 2.0.1|note=Updated for level 70.}}
 
*{{Patch 1.7.0|note=Racial "Leaders" have been strengthened, and are now worth slightly less honor.}}
 
 
==Video==
 
{| class="darktable"
 
! Thrall battles Garrosh during the Scourge attack on Orgrimmar
 
|-
 
| <youtube>iA6DvBvUQPk</youtube>
 
|}
 
   
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
{{reflist|2}}
 
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{{undead}}
==External links==
 
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{{species}}
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{{elinks-NPC|4949}}
 
{{elink|type=wowus|link=http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/downloads/wallpapers/wallpaper130.html|site=Thrall's official wallpaper.}}
 
 
{{Succession|[[Orgrim Doomhammer]]|[[Warchief]] of the [[Horde]]|[[Garrosh Hellscream]] {{cata-inline}}}}
 
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Revision as of 19:16, 20 January 2011

Core races
Allied races

Template:Racebox

This article is about the race referred to as "undead" in published materials. For information on the living dead in general, see undead. For information on the Lich King's faction, see Scourge.
For the playable race of Undead, see Undead (playable).

The Forsaken are a race and faction of undead who broke away from the Scourge and took control of much of the kingdom of Lordaeron, destroyed during the Third War by the death knight Arthas. They are currently allied with the Horde, but in an alliance of convenience only. The Forsaken are led by their Banshee Queen, Sylvanas Windrunner, the former Ranger-General of Quel'Thalas. Their capital is the Undercity, in the royal catacombs beneath the ruins of the City of Lordaeron.

Introduction

When the Lich King’s grasp on his vast armies faltered after the Third War, a contingent of undead broke free of their master’s iron will. Although this freedom seemed to be a blessing at first, these former humans were soon tormented by memories of the unspeakable horrors that they had committed as mindless Scourge agents. Those who did not descend into madness were faced with a chilling realization: the entirety of Azeroth sought their destruction.[1]

Undead humans and elves freed from the Lich King's control, the Forsaken are a strange and dark force. Hailing from the twisted, skittering darkness of Undercity, the Forsaken are nominally allied with the Horde but serve only themselves. Their objectives are twofold: eliminate the Scourge, and establish a place for themselves on Azeroth. Four years ago, the high elven Ranger General Sylvanas Windrunner fell in combat against the Scourge. Prince Arthas raised her as a banshee and compelled her to follow his command. When the Lich King's power waned in the incidents surrounding the Frozen Throne, Sylvanas harnessed her fury and tore herself free from his skeletal grasp. She freed many other undead as well, and recruited powerful allies from the Burning Legion and the surrounding ogre clans. Sylvanas dubbed her new force the Forsaken, and the undead established their capital in the labyrinthine crypts beneath Lordaeron's capital city. Their sprawling, subterranean realm is called Undercity. The Forsaken made allies of the Horde out of necessity and convenience. They have no love for orcs, tauren or any other living creature, but they need time to strike against the Scourge and allies to help them do it. The Forsaken claim that they joined the Horde to prove their desire to leave their evil ways behind, but no one really believes this. The Horde accepts the Forsaken's help, as they do indeed have a common enemy: the Scourge.

The Horde is leery of the Forsaken's tactics, however, and keeps watchful eyes on them. This caution is justified. Forsaken culture is strange, a perverse combination of the lives they once knew as mortals and the mindless slavery they experienced in the Scourge, colored by white-hot rage toward the Lich King and an almost equally intense devotion to their queen. Never sleeping, eating or falling ill, abandoned by those they once loved, the Forsaken have a brutal set of priorities. A great portion of their efforts focus on dark alchemy, and the Royal Apothecary Society commands great power in Undercity's oily tunnels. The apothecaries constantly send Forsaken on missions to gather odd materials for their twisted experiments. Rumors tell that the undead creatures are working to create a plague that will exterminate the Scourge and every living being on Azeroth. Are the Forsaken evil? At times it can be difficult to tell. Some Forsaken attempt to reclaim their humanity by acting in kind and helpful ways. Others allow hatred to fester into cruelty and rage. All that can be said is that the Forsaken follow their own agendas, and the rest of the world be damned; and if they have their way, it will be. Not all Forsaken are evil, but many are, and other races definitely view them as such. A non-evil Forsaken must work hard to prove his or her neutral (or perhaps, good) intentions. Few good Forsaken exist, but many evil ones do, and their leadership is definitely up to nefarious ends. Most Forsaken are pretty despicable, and their motivations as a race are evil and destructive.[2]

History

Third War

During the Third War, the once-glorious capital of Lordaeron, Capital City, was decimated by a Scourge army under the command of Prince Arthas Menethil , Death offered no escape for the scores of humans killed during the Lich King’s campaign to scour the living from Lordaeron. Instead, the kingdom’s fallen were risen into undeath as Scourge minions and forced to wage an unholy war against everything… and everyone… that they once held dear..[1]

After the Third War

In the wake of Illidan's failed attempt to melt the icy continent of Northrend, the powerful energies possessed by the Lich King inside his Frozen Throne slowly began to decay. Inexorably this resulted in a partial loss of control of the more distant Scourge forces. The result was that many undead under the Lich King's mental domination had their conscious will restored. Their spirits and memories were somehow returned to their undead bodies. (Although this freedom seemed to be a blessing at first, these former humans were soon tormented by memories of the unspeakable horrors that they had committed as mindless Scourge agents.) Even the Lich King's champion, Arthas, began to weaken as the Lich King's power waned. Arthas the death knight and his lieutenant Kel'Thuzad the lich were suddenly thrust into an undead civil war. Still fanatically loyal to the Lich King, Arthas heeded the call of his master and returned to Northrend as Illidan launched his second attempt to destroy the Lich King directly. Arthas left Kel'Thuzad in command of his forces when he departed.

Apothecary

Forsaken apothecary

Civil War in the Plaguelands

With Arthas' departure from Lordaeron, the three Dreadlords Balnazzar, Varimathras, and Detheroc attempted to regain control over the undead forces in Lordaeron using their formidable mental powers. The former high elf Sylvanas Windrunner rallied many of the newly freed undead to counter the Dreadlords' efforts. Sylvanas was amazingly successful and not only crushed the Dreadlords' forces, but also utterly destroyed the last major contingent of human forces in Lordaeron. She forced Varimathras into her service in exchange for sparing his life and took control of the ruined capital of Lordaeron as her own. Within the sewer system of the ruined city Arthas had constructed his throne room; but with Arthas now gone, Sylvanas claimed this Undercity as her capital and set out to expand her ranks by freeing even more undead.

Alliance with the Horde

Dubbing her band of free-willed undead the Forsaken, Sylvanas worked to ensure that the damned such as herself would have a home free from threats by the living. To ensure their survival, the Forsaken have forged an alliance of convenience with the Horde, which has some sympathy for the Forsaken's condition. The orcs, having been enthralled to demon masters for a generation, felt an obligation to help similarly liberated people. Among the tauren the Forsaken found a champion in Magatha Grimtotem, who argued in favor of the alliance between the two peoples and who continues to work closely with them. Magatha claims she merely wants to aid the Forsaken in their quest to redeem themselves, although there are many who believe her true motives to be something very different and much less innocent. The Darkspear trolls are not particularly fond of the Forsaken because of their shamanistic beliefs, but tolerate them and have learned to trust them in times of war. The blood elves trust them more than the other members of the Horde and the trust is seemingly mutual as Sylvanas was a major component of the elves joining the Horde. While the Horde does not fully trust the Forsaken and vice versa, it is a start.

All members of the Forsaken race are either humans or of elven descent (high elves and half-elves). However they also control a few abominations as well. The Royal Apothecary Society has independently accepted in a few undead dwarves, leper gnomes, even some orcs, and trolls have joined the society, as apothecaries, but these are not considered true Forsaken.[3]

Present day Forsaken

Wrath-Logo-Small This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Reports say Sylvanas moves to and from Northrend; it's unknown if she is scouting for a possible attack on the Lich King, or if she has darker plans. There are rumors that Sylvanas Windrunner is setting up a Forsaken city somewhere in the continent.[4]

It seems now with the threat of the Lich King's shadow looming greater than ever before, that Sylvanas has built up her forces sufficiently for a direct attack on Northrend. It appears that Sylvanas' plague is now fully ready for testing on the Scourge. With her navy now apparently on the shores of Northrend, the Forsaken have begun setting up a stronghold from which they can now launch their own unique plague onto the hateful Scourge.

In Wrath of the Lich King a number of Forsaken under Grand Apothecary Putress broke away from the Horde at the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate. While the Horde and Alliance battled the Lich King, Putress triumphantly launched a surprise attack against both factions. At the same time Varimathras successfully pushed the Dark Lady out of the Undercity, however the Horde and Alliance quickly destroyed Varimathras, his demon brothers, and the rebel forsaken in the Battle for the Undercity.

Ultimately, the Forsaken assisted the Horde with a massive offensive against the Lich King’s power base in Northrend and exacted vengeance upon their hated enemy.[1]

The second generation Forsaken

Cataclysm This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

The second generation Forsaken are individuals who were raised into undeath by the Val'kyr, the powerful new allies of the Forsaken. After the Lich King's death, a number of the more intelligent former Scourge members were accepted into the Forsaken's ranks by Queen Sylvanas, and have brought with them a new age for the Forsaken—the ability to "procreate" via their necromantic abilities, bolstering their numbers. As such, the difference between the first and second generation Forsaken can seem complicated.

During the Cataclysm, the Forsaken starting zone was revamped a total of three times to better convey how this process works—the risen dead are given a choice of what to do next. This is shown through the characters encountered who had been raised by this method— Valdred Moray accepts his fate, and seems keen to make himself useful and serve the Forsaken in death, much like how the player's storyline unfolds.

Most interestingly, the resurrected Prince Galen Trollbane seems resigned to the fate that befell him, and while not particularly enthusiastic about killing his former allies,[citation needed]  he personally gives the quests to slay them for the good of the Forsaken.

Lilian Voss reacts in horror to what she had become, and Marshal Redpath is not happy with his fate, and attacks Deathknell after the transition. It is unknown if this is due to the damage of being raised or due to the Forsaken's destruction of Southshore. Dumass is perhaps the most extreme case of how the process can strip away rational thought and intelligence. Some of the new Forsaken simply kill themselves on the spot.

In Cataclysm the Forsaken have launched an offensive against Gilneas. The Forsaken appear to be taking on a more offensive stance regarding the war with the Alliance, and without the limitations placed upon them by nature (lack of procreation), their stranglehold on Lordaeron has become tighter than ever. The Forsaken have also began to fortify their own territories, stepping up from their previous preferences of run down human-esque buildings in favour of their own culture, seen briefly in Northrend.

Free will

During the Cataclysm beta,The free will aspect of the Forsaken is Still present, as evident by the choice given to each individual. On at least one occasion this has been compromised somewhat, as during the Battle for Andorhal, Koltira Deathweaver's negligence caused Sylvanas to step in and turn the battle around, forcing the rebelling farmers into obedience to this end. It is unknown whether or not mind control was used again. (however in Cataclysm Live the charm was removed From the quest And mind control made no reference At all)

Notable Forsaken

Name Role Condition Location Allegiance
File:IconSmall Sylvanas Small.gif Sylvanas Windrunner Banshee Queen of the Forsaken Undead Undercity The Forsaken, Horde
IconSmall Nathanos Nathanos Marris Champion of the Forsaken Undead Undercity The Forsaken, Horde
IconSmall Undead Male Master Apothecary Faranell Overseer of Royal Apothecary Society Undead Undercity, The Apothecarium The Forsaken, Horde, Royal Apothecary Society
File:IconSmall Putress Small.gif Putress Grand Apothecary Deceased Shattrath City, Angrathar the Wrathgate, Undercity The Forsaken, Royal Apothecary Society, Varimathras
IconSmall Undead Male Alexi Barov Heir to the Barov Fortune Undead The Bulwark The Forsaken, Horde, Barov
IconSmall Undead Male Leonid Barthalomew Argent Commander Undead Light's Hope Chapel Argent Dawn
IconSmall Undead Female The Black Bride Arathi Basin Battlemaster and Leader of the Defilers Undead Arathi Highlands, Hammerfall The Forsaken, Horde, Defilers
IconSmall Godfrey Lord Vincent Godfrey Former Gilnean nobleman and traitor to both Gilneas and Forsaken. Killable Shadowfang Keep Himself, formerly Gilneas and later the Forsaken.
IconSmall UndeadGalen Galen Trollbane Fallen Prince of Stromgarde. Undead Galen's Fall The Forsaken, Horde

Culture

Before the time of the Scourge, many of those that would become Forsaken were devout priests of the Light. It would seem, however, that the Forsaken have abandoned the light. However some are still able to channel it.

WoW-novel-logo-16x62 This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

The figure wore the robes of a priest of the Holy Light - not uncommon among the Forsaken, who mocked the order by wearing their garments and allowing the sacred robes to be soiled and tainted by their bloody work. Somehow, Andarin sensed, this figure was different; the robes seemed to be in almost tolerable condition, even if the body wearing them was not.[5] "You wear the robes of a priest, Trevor. Why do you not channel the Light in battle, if you seek redemption?" The priest seemed to wince at that. "While I refuse to wield the shadow, the Light has refused me, or so it seems. And so, I am truly a broken man; I learned to wield spears of Light like Uther's knights did in the Second. Without the Light, I am unarmed and unarmored -- but not entirely helpless, as you see." Andarin couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the fallen priest, if his story was true. Perhaps a man, no matter how virtuous, could not channel holy power while in such a form."[6]

Balance

Forsaken culture reflects its people; just as the Forsaken stand on the line between life and death, their culture balances between the beliefs each Forsaken held in life and each one's quest for a place in the present. Former healers find this transition more difficult than most Forsaken find it. Priests of the Holy Light in particular struggle to reconcile the philosophy that guided their life with their unfortunate new condition. Some balance their own beliefs with their new forms, but most follow one of two paths." (It goes on to give very brief descriptions of the Forgotten Shadow and the Echo of Life.)[7]

Perhaps the greatest element of Forsaken culture, and their culture’s only universal element, is their reverence of death. Every Forsaken respects the dead, and damns those who do not. General society coddles new Forsaken like children, while venerating those who are losing themselves to the Scourge, giving them the greatest comforts before they are put out of their misery. Forsaken treat each other with a measure of respect, as it takes a strong soul to rise, and a stronger soul to not fall to mindless undeath (more on this later). Arthas earns their greatest ire, as the Lich King shows no respect for the living or dead. While Forsaken create undead, they do so with respect to the souls and bodies they use. Life and death is a balance. The Lich King, however, enslaves the dead, sripping their free will. His path is an abomination to the Forsaken.[8]

Alignment

Although most of the race is evil,[9] the Forsaken cannot be thought of in purely dualistic terms entirely. Although undead, the Forsaken are still inherently human, the majority of whom were victims of the plague spread by Kel'Thuzad. Thus some of the Forsaken are still good beings, if no longer living. As the above suggests, some individuals among them are capable of a tragic form of nobility, in that they do not allow their inability to obtain redemption to prevent them from trying.

Those that try often leave the Forsaken, seeing its flaws, and join other causes. These Forsaken rebel against their race, seeking a better way to end the Lich King's reign or search for a way to reclaim their lost humanity,[10] while others work to reform it from within, such as Roberick Dartfall.

Leonid Barthalomew the Revered of the Argent Dawn is probably the greatest example of this. (Trevor in fact aspires to leave and join Leonid.) Others that have left include Kegan Darkmar.

It is arguable that such nobility is the only truly genuine form that exists, in that it comes not from duty, religion, or custom, but from a decision born purely of free will.

Faith

Even as they believe they have been abandoned by their faith, so have the Forsaken abandoned the faiths of their living days.[2] Some still adhere to their old faiths, such as the Holy Light.[11][12] Many no longer cling to any religion, placing their faith in their queen and their dark science.[2] Most, however, have embraced new philosophies of their own creation: the Forgotten Shadow, the Echo of Life, or the simple value of knowledge.[13] Some have even turned to the Burning Legion as a source of power, believing that only it is potent enough to defeat the Lich King.[2]

The Cult of Forgotten Shadow is largely based out of Deathknell and the warrior quarter in Undercity.[14] Priests of the Forgotten Shadow believe that the faiths they held in life have failed them, and so they instead rely on the power and teachings of the Shadow.[15][16][17] The members of the Cult vary between lawful and chaotic, evil and neutral,[18] and are taught to eradicate anything having to do with the Holy Light — and life in general.[citation needed]  It is also a philosophy of divine humanism.

Priests of the Forgotten Shadow teach that there must be a balance between Light and Shadow, and while they should never forget that they are from the Shadow, members of the cult must learn the Light as well.[19][20] Being intelligent undead, the Forsaken fully understand the limitations and vulnerabilities associated with unlife. One of these disadvantages is that they can be turned, rebuked or even commanded by powerful positive or negative energy forces. Naturally, the Forsaken are always on the lookout for ways to limit or negate this vulnerability.[21]

Some Forsaken priests continue to wield the Light.[12][19] Recent information provided by the Blizzard Creative Development team says that, while it is possible for Forsaken with intensely strong willpower to use the Holy Light, it is very painful for them to do so. Holy Light spells can still heal the Forsaken but they must suffer nobly.[22]

Relations

Undercity is the home of the Forsaken. They also have control of Tirisfal Glades and have several towns in the region. Forsaken patrols have tried to secure Silverpine Forest for the past couple years, but they are unable to do so. Though the Forsaken do not trust anyone and no one trusts them, they are members of the Horde and, for now, do their best to help their allies and placate their ambassadors. Forsaken have even less love for the Alliance, particularly because they clash constantly with the human organization called the Scarlet Crusade.[2] The only other Horde faction they even have a semblance of trust with is Silvermoon City and the blood elves.[23] This is probably because Sylvanas was a high elf ranger in life and finds trust in her former companions. The Forsaken and blood elves even took control of the village of Tranquillien in the Ghostlands to fight the Scourge in the area together.

Languages

Forsaken speak Gutterspeak and Common. Forsaken learn the languages of their enemies and their allies (who may become their enemies).[2]

Names

Like their Dark Lady, Forsaken keep the names they had when they were alive. As most Forsaken are human, these tend to be human names. If a Forsaken cannot remember their name, they may make up a suitable name or read one from a headstone. Some invent surnames that imply their desire to eradicate the Scourge.

  • Male names: Roberick, Magan, Danforth, Lansire.
  • Female names: Yellen, Limmy, Sarias, Mierelle.
  • Family names: Dartfall, Blacksling, Ghoulhunter, Blastlich.[2]

A cure for undeath?

Many of the other races (mainly the tauren) pity the Forsaken and a number of Horde healers all over Azeroth, such as Mani Winterhoof, work tirelessly in the hopes of creating a cure for undeath. Some of the Forsaken feel that their undeath is an illness or curse and long for a cure, but many think it is impossible to attain one.

Forsaken with an undead soul can be brought back with raise dead and reincarnate. The spells work normally on them. Resurrection, true resurrection and similar effects restore them to their undead life rather than to the being they were before they became undead. A Forsaken's body of this type is undead… and so is its soul, corrupted and changed to such a degree that it belongs to its new body now, rather than its old one.[24] Forsaken priests have the power to restore those foolishly slain in battle, though only to unlife. Nothing short of a miracle can return true life.[25]

Appearance

Forsaken, unsurprisingly, look like dead people. Their skin is gray and rotting, showing bone and flesh in places. Their pupil-less eyes glow with dim, white ghostlight. Their muscles are withered, making them scrawny. Their movements are slow but jagged. Forsaken hardly ever smile (unless their lips have rotted away - in which case they can appear to be smiling all the time). Necromantic magic keeps them somewhat preserved, but natural decay still proceeds, just slower than normal.[2]

See also

Relations with the Horde

Though initially the Forsaken alliance with the Horde was one of pure convenience, in recent times it appears that their position in the faction has begun to solidify and many, though not all, of the Forsaken appear to be more or less loyal to the Horde now. Though the events at the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate may seem to contradict this, in the following quests it is revealed that Grand Apothecary Putress's actions were not very well received among most of the city's denizens. This seems to suggest that the Forsaken consider themselves part of the Horde now, or are at least upset by the new limitations his failure has placed on them.

References

 
  1. ^ a b http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/forsaken
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "Undead, Forsaken", World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game: 51-53. 
  3. ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 164-165.
  4. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 180-182.
  5. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 170
  6. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 173.
  7. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg.87.
  8. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg.151.
  9. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named Mostly Evil
  10. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 173.
  11. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Magic in the Horde":87. "Priests of the Holy Light in particular struggle to reconcile the philosophy that guided their life with their unfortunate new condition. Some balance their old beliefs with their new forms, but most follow one of two paths."
  12. ^ a b World of Warcraft Trading Card Game: March of the Legion. Blizzard Entertainment. 12: Chancellor Velora:"The Light rewards faith, not form.".
  13. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Magic in the Horde":87-88.
  14. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Forsaken Knowledge":154.
  15. ^ H IconSmall Undead MaleIconSmall Undead Female [1] Hallowed Scroll, World of Warcraft. Blizzard Entertainment. Tirisfal Glades. Dark Cleric Duesten: "...the Holy Light no longer concerns you, the spirits of your forefathers are fairy tales, and creatures from the Nether don't want you.".
  16. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160. "They felt that the Light forgot them, and turned to the Shadow instead."
  17. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Magic in the Horde":87. "Forsaken who feel betrayed by the Holy Light's failure to protect them sometimes find that turning their backs on the Holy Light is not enough; they throw aside the Holy Light and embrace its dark twin out of spite."
  18. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160. "Alignment: Lawful evil, though chaotic neutral and neutral evil individuals are just as prevalent."
  19. ^ a b H IconSmall Undead MaleIconSmall Undead Female [4] Garments of Darkness, World of Warcraft. Blizzard Entertainment. Tirisfal Glades. Dark Cleric Beryl: "But before you can know the dark, you must also know the light.".
  20. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Cult of Forgotten Shadow":160.
  21. ^ Horde Player's Guide, "Technological Devices":126.
  22. ^ Ask CDev #1 Answers - Round 1. World of Warcraft - English (NA) Forums.
  23. ^ Forsaken and blood elves start as Friendly to each other, but Neutral to the other Horde factions
  24. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 37.
  25. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 161

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