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:''Were you looking for the article on the [[eternal ingredient]]s in [[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King]]?''
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{{RPG}}
  
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:''For other beings of reverence see [[religion]]s, [[Ancient guardian]] and [[demigod]]s.''
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[[Image:Savagekin.JPG|thumb]]The most [[primal]] of [[druid]]s, '''savagekin''' bear an ancient but obscure legacy. Whereas some druids seek to command nature or bond with it, the savagekin surrenders himself to the natural world, abandoning much of his humanity to live with the beasts. Those who adopt this role may find they pay a steep price for power.
  
   
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'''Eternals''' are Azeroth's immortal beings. These [[demigod]]-like beings are immortals with nearly divine powers.<ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 9</ref> Eternals are conduits to divine power for several faiths; these include titans, [[Elune]] and other Ancients such as [[Cenarius]], [[Ursoc]] and [[Ursol]], [[Malorne]] the Waywatcher, [[Agamaggan]], [[Aviana]], [[Queen Azshara]] and [[Lord Xavius]],<ref>''[[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', 250-251</ref> the voodoo [[Loa]] spirits,<ref name="MoM22">''[[Manual of Monsters]]'', 22</ref><ref name="MoM45"/> the Elemental Lords and Old Gods,<ref name="MoM22"/><ref name="S&L67"/><ref name="S&L99"/> etc. Eternal is the term used for many of the gods, goddesses, demigods, deities, divinities, and other revered beings who have interacted in Azeroth's history and molded the world.
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Savagekin are druids who spend most of their time in animal form. They travel in packs with their fellow beasts. As animals they gain strength and finesse, but come close to becoming irreversibly feral. Savagekin constantly battle the inner beasts that threaten to consume them, clinging to their last vestiges of sentience.
  
   
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==Background==
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[[Half-elves]], who straddle the world between [[human]] and [[elf]], and [[night elves]] are the most common savagekin, though hermitic humans who wish to be closer to the animal world occasionally adopt this class. Most people think of savagekin only as "druids who've gone feral." Savagekin hate species that practice cruelty toward animals (particularly [[ogre]]s, though some [[human]]s and [[orc]]s qualify), and usually adventure solely to hunt them down and kill them.{{cite|APG|60-62}}
  
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Eternals are the divine-like beings of Azeroth and the other planes, who shape the large arcs of history for good and ill.<ref name="S&L67">''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 67</ref> Many beings transcend the bounds of mortal power and play key roles in the world’s long history, either obvious or subtle. These beings are known as eternals. Wielding godlike powers, they battle to destroy or save the world, to disrupt or cultivate life upon Azeroth (and elsewhere).<ref name="S&L69">''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 69</ref>
   
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These are beings known only in legends to the peoples of Azeroth. Yet they are beings who have shaped not only the course of history in the world of Azeroth, but often the world itself: the Elemental Lords, ruling over planes of pure power and awaiting the time when they will once again serve the banished Old Gods; the Titans, whom the dwarves believe created Azeroth and many of its races; the great and powerful dragons who watch over the titans’ creation; the moon goddess Elune, and the demigod-like beings She created to protect and guide the creatures of the land. They are the ancient powers. While mortals fight wars to lay claim to villages and kingdoms, the powers wage a perpetual struggle to determine who will dominate the whole of the universe, with Azeroth the nearest battlefield. Though rarely seen, the influence of the ancient powers is ever-present. It is known that They wrought Azeroth from pure chaos and formed it into the world it is today.<ref name="S&L67"/><ref name="S&L69"/>
   
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Most of the divine beings of Azeroth (known as eternals) are distant entities. They exist to assist those caught in the conflicts of a cruel, violent world. Never directly intervening in the affairs of the world, They use divine magic as a proxy. With their many healing and protective spells, practitioners of divine magic are at the vanguard of the Gods’ efforts to ensure Their peoples' survival. Priests whisper prayers to evoke power from beings such as Elune the Moon Goddess. Shadow hunters invoke the names of dark Gods (loa), ancient powers whose legends are stained in cruelty and bloodshed, but who are also capable of benevolence when appeased. For example a shadow hunter might venture onto grounds consecrated to the Old Gods and spill his own blood to entice the forces of primeval cruelty to come and visit their worst afflictions upon him.<ref>''[[Magic & Mayhem]]'', 22, 45</ref>
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==Famous/Named==
  
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*[[Aliastra]]
  
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The ancient powers rule supreme in their particular bastions, unsurpassed in power, knowledge and ability. Each also possesses its own personality and agenda, which has led each to interact with mortals in its own way. In some cases, an ancient power may take an interest in a hero early in her life. The powers have an innate understanding of prophecy and divination surpassing that of mortals, and they are often aware of a hero’s fate long before the hero takes her first steps onto the path of adventure. A power may send monsters to kill a nascent hero years before she has an opportunity to meddle in the power’s schemes, or it may subtly assist her by quietly guiding her toward allies, information or hidden artifacts that will help her achieve her destiny. When unable to act or unwilling to show their hands, the ancient powers use mortal heroes and villains as agents to further their own agendas — Sargeras used Azshara as his servant in an attempt to open the Well of Eternity, and the human wizard Rhonin was the cat's-paw of the dragons during the Second War. Heroes may be approached by an ancient power and asked to undertake a quest. They must take care when serving an Eternal, however, as completing a task for a power may mean incredible reward in thanks for a service well performed — or utter destruction as the Eternal hides its tracks.<ref name="S&L67"/>
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[[Category:Classes]][[Category:Lore]][[Category:Druids]][[Category:RPG Classes]][[Category:Prestige Classes]]
  
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A number of the eternals died during the War of the Ancients. This doesn’t, however, mean that those powers can have no influence in later eras. Many of the fallen powers still have followers 10,000 years later, such as the furbolg who follow in the path of the long-dead ursine demigods Ursoc and Ursol. Further, though written history says they perished, can eternals who possess the special quality of immortality truly die? Perhaps a "fallen" eternal simply sleeps away centuries while his wounds heal...<ref name="S&L68">''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 68</ref>
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Eternals usually only appear before mortals only when they have truly earned the audience through their actions, such as by performing a great service to the eternal or by making a formidable stand against its plans. The tangled web of relationships among the eternals means that a favor performed for one may be a slight to several others.
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Ancient powers operate not just on levels of power far above mortals, but also on a vastly different time scale: the youngest have lived a hundred mortal lifetimes, and their goals can lay millennia away. Events of the mortal world may be more than meaningless in the larger scope of history to Eternals. For those who are asked to undertake a mission on behalf of an Eternal, the Eternal may be unable or simply unwilling to explain the reasons behind the task to "mere mortals" who cannot possibly comprehend. The immortal lifespan of Eternals allows them to collect on debts from many decades previous, and they hold grudges much longer. For example; the great dragon Neltharion spent a lifetime disguised as a human noble, infiltrating the royal courts of Lordaeron and consolidating power in order to avenge himself upon the other dragon Aspects.<ref name="S&L69"/><ref name="S&L68"/>
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Eternals in the [[Warcraft universe]] include the [[titan]]s, the [[Old God]]s, [[demigod]]s, and other powerful entities worshipped or venerated by the mortal races on Azeroth, often as part of [[Creation Myth]]s of various people in the world.
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==History of the Eternals==
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Below is a brief history covering eternals from the earliest known accounts to the present.
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===The Dawn of History===
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Most of the ancient powers were encountered during Azeroth's earliest days. It was the golden age of the powers, the dragons and Elune's servants watched over the young world, [[Elemental Lord]]s thought the untamed land as comfortable as their home plane. Legends claim that the world's creators still lurked in the shadows finishing the details of their creation.<ref name="S&L67"/>
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===The Shattered World===
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In the aftermath of the War of the Ancients and the sundering of the world, the Burning Legion was forced off Azeroth. Azshara vanished, and the dragons went into hiding. Even the elementals retreated, and thousands of years would passed before mortal spellcasters discovered how to summon them back across the planar boundaries. Though the eternals who survived were largely unseen for almost 10,000 years, they were occasionally encountered. The eternals were humbled by Azshara's bold attempt to rise to their level of power, and remained reserved and distrustful of both mortals who sought them out and mortals whom they employed.<ref name="S&L67"/><ref name="S&L68"/>
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===Current Age===
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Seers and scholars maintain that the Horde's arrival through the Dark Portal heralded the return of the ancient powers to mortal events. In the years since, the great dragons and the Elemental Lords have involved themselves in the war, and both Cenarius and Sargeras have returned. As the dwarves delve deeper into the lost secrets of the Titans, some have wondered whether the Titans ever truly left. Some have found they have unwittingly been drawn into or run afoul of the schemes of a returned eternal. The Eternals appear to have recovered from any uncertainty they suffered during their millennia of retreat, however, and those who seek them out do so at their own risk.<ref name="S&L68"/> Nearly every eternal has followers in the current age, from the worshippers of Elune among the night elves to the demon cults that revere the Burning Legion.<ref name="S&L69"/>
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==List of eternals==
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All Eternals are demigod-like beings. They are immortal and wield divine power, but not all of them aspire to be Gods.
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===Burning Legion===
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The Burning Legion is undoubtedly potent and some of its leaders possess demigod-like power. Those who worship demons draw terrible divine magic from their dark faith.<ref name="WRPG155"/> Most demons are not eternals. [[Sargeras]], [[Archimonde]], and [[Kil'jaeden]] are the only confirmed exceptions.<ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 58-60</ref>
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*{{RaceIcon|DarkTitan|Male}} [[Sargeras]] - The Fallen Titan and Lord of the burning Legion
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*{{RaceIconExt|Kil'jaeden}} [[Kil'jaeden]] - The deceiver, and the acting leader of the Burning Legion
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*{{RaceIconExt|Archimonde}} [[Archimonde]] - The left hand of the fallen titan Sargeras and field commander of the Legion's forces
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===The titans===
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The [[titan]]s are immortal entities who travel across the cosmos bringing order to worlds such as [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]], the Titans were powerful enough to chain the Old Gods, and some accounts give them titles such as "Patron of All Life".
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They are led by a group called the [[Pantheon]] which includes:
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* {{RaceIcon|Aesir|Male}} [[Aman'Thul]] - the High Father.
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* {{RaceIcon|Titan|Female}} [[Eonar]] - the Lifebinder.
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* {{RaceIcon|Aesir|Male}} [[Norgannon]] - the Lorekeeper.
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* {{RaceIcon|Titan|Male}} [[Khaz'goroth]] - the Shaper.
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* {{RaceIcon|Aesir|Male}} [[Golganneth]] - the Thunderer.
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* {{RaceIcon|Titan|Male}}[[Aggramar]] - the Avenger.
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===The Old Gods===
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The [[Old Gods]] were the evil rulers of [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]] before being defeated by the [[titan]]s.<ref name="S&L67"/> They were the masters of the Elemental Lords.<ref name="S&L99">''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 99</ref> Three remain imprisoned beneath the world, but continue to be worshipped by the [[Twilight's Hammer]] Cult and the [[naga]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|OldGod}}{{RaceIconExt|GiantEye}} [[C'Thun]] - God of Qiraj
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*{{RaceIconExt|Yogg-Saron}}{{RaceIconExt|Vrykul|Female}} [[Yogg-Saron]] - The Beast with a Thousand Maws
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*{{RaceIconExt|OldGod}} [[N'Zoth]] - The spark of the Emerald Nightmare
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*{{RaceIconExt|Serpent}} [[Ula-tek]] - A serpent goddess, believed to be a old god.{{RPG-inline}}
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The old gods exist beyond Azeroth
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*{{RaceIconExt|OldGod}} [[Summoned Old God|Ancient and powerful evil]]- The master of the [[Sethekk]] and [[Dark Conclave]] [[Arakkoa]] in the [[Outlands]].
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===God===
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[[God]] was a deity connected to certain members of the Church of the Holy Light, referenced in early Warcraft Lore and sources, and alluded to in ''Day of the Dragon''. The belief also included [[angel]]s, Heaven, and Hell.
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===Drakkari God===
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A group of four gods in form of statues, that the drakkari give sacrifices and receive blessings, although they could be considered loas, they were never stated to be such.
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*[[Zim'Torga]] - The Mother of Prosperity
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*[[Zim'Abwa]]
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*[[Zim'Rhuk]] - The Wise One
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*[[Dubra'jin]]
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===The Earthmother, Skyfather and the Deepmother===
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The [[Earthmother]] is a benevolent and primitive earth goddess whom the [[tauren]] worship above all else. She is the harmony of nature itself.<ref name="WRPG52">''[[Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]'', 52</ref> She is described as the creator of the land, of the sun and moon, and of the tauren people.
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The [[Sky Father]] is a mysterious deity that the tauren worship as a equal of the Earthmother.
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The [[Deep Mother]] is much like the earthmother, however it's a Murloc deity never associated with the tauren mythology, but instead is primitive sea goddess.{{RPG-inline}}
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===Elune===
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Elune - [[Elune]] is the benevolent [[moon]] Goddess of the [[Night elf|night elves]]. She is one of the few full deities on Azeroth, the personification of the [[White Lady]], and one of the Ancient Guardian. The tauren refer to her as Mu'sha, the Left Eye of the Earthmother. She is the counterpart to An'she.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/encyclopedia/442.xml</ref><ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/encyclopedia/392.xml</ref>
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===An'she===
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[[An'she]] is a male sun deity in [[tauren mythology]], the right Eye of the Earthmother and the counterpart to the goddess Mu'sha (Elune), the moon. It gives the [[Sunwalkers]], the tauren paladins, their power and acts much like the [[Light]], wherever he is not the light is unknown.
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===Loas===
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The [[Loa]]s are primal troll gods, each representing a different animal or domain. The ages following the Sundering were dark ones, and the Gurubashi trolls prayed to their pantheon of primitive gods to help them.
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The trolls of Zul'Aman worship primal beings they call the Forest Gods.<ref>''[[Lands of Conflict]]'', 115</ref>
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*{{RaceIconExt|Bear}} [[Nalorakk]], the [[Bear]]. {{Bc-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Eagle}} [[Akil'zon]], the [[Eagle]]. {{Bc-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Dragonhawk}} [[Jan'alai]], the [[Dragonhawk]]. {{Bc-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Lynx}} [[Halazzi]], the [[Lynx]]. {{Bc-inline}}
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Originally part of the Gurubashi Empire, the Darkspear also continue to worship many of the Gurubashi loa.<ref>[[Ask CDev|Ask CDev - Round 1]]</ref>
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*{{RaceIconExt|Bwonsamdi}} [[Bwonsamdi]], the Guardian of the Dead. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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Drakkari Loas:
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*{{RaceIconExt|Serpent}} [[Sseratus]], the [[Serpent]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|SpiritLeopard}} [[Har'koa]], the [[Snow Leopard|Snow leopard]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Bear}} [[Rhunok]], the Arctic [[Bear]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Hakkar}} [[Quetz'lun]], the [[Wind serpent]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Mammoth}} [[Mam'toth]], the [[Mammoth]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Rhino}} [[Akali]], the [[Rhino]]. {{Wotlk-inline}}
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Gurubashi Loas:
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*{{RaceIconExt|Hakkar}} [[Hakkar the Soulflayer|Hakkar]], Blood God, and his [[Avatar of Hakkar|avatar]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|Spider}} [[Shadra]], the [[Spider]], God of Spiders, Mother of Venom, Silk Dancer, Death's Love.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Tiger}} [[Shirvallah]], the [[Tiger]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|Panther}} [[Bethekk]], the [[Panther]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|Bat}} [[Hir'eek]], the [[Bat]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|Snake}} [[Hethiss]], the [[Snake]].
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Sandfury Loas:
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*{{RaceIconExt|Tiger}} [[Kimbul]], God of Tigers, Lord of beasts, King of Cats, the Prey's Doom.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Mueh'zala]], God of Death, Father of Sleep, Son of Time, the Night's Friend.
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Vilebranch Loas:
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*{{RaceIconExt|Eagle}} [[Akil'darah]], the [[eagle]] spirit of the [[Hinterlands]]. {{Cata-inline}}
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Zandalar Loas:
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*{{RaceIcon|UndeadTroll|Male}} [[Zanza the Restless|Zanza]], worshiped by the [[Zandalar Tribe]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|Raptor}} [[Gonk]] the Great Hunter, is an ancient spirit [[Zandalarian]] tales. {{cata-inline}}
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The loas which the shadowhunters pledge for their powers:
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Legba]], Loa of Speed. {{RPG-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Lukou]], Loa of Healing and Respite. {{RPG-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Ogoun]], Loa of War. {{RPG-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Dambala]], Loa of serpents and treachery. {{RPG-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Samedi]], Loa of the cemeteries and the restful sleep of the dead. {{RPG-inline}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Unknown}} [[Shango]], Controller of the Realm of Storms. {{RPG-inline}}
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===Ancient Guardians===
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The Ancient Guardians are eternals of [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]].
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===Elemental Lords, the elemental spirits and other elementals===
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Former servants of the evil [[Old God]]s, the [[Elemental Lord]]s once ruled Azeroth. Yet when the titans defeated the Old Gods, they banished the Elemental Lords and all elementals to a planar prison known now as the [[Elemental Plane]].
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*{{RaceIconExt|EarthLord}} [[Therazane]] the Stonemother, Lord of [[Deepholm]]
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*{{RaceIconExt|FireLord}} [[Ragnaros]] the Firelord, Lord of [[Firelands]]
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*{{RaceIconExt|AirLord}} [[Al'Akir]] the Windlord, Lord of [[Skywall]]
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*{{RaceIconExt|WaterLord}} [[Neptulon]] the Tidehunter, Lord of [[Abyssal Maw]]
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[[Draenor]] seems to have it's own version of the elemental lords of which only Cyrukh is known:
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*{{RaceIconExt|FelFireLord}} [[Cyrukh the Firelord|Cyrukh]]
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The shamans draw their power from five natural elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the Wilds. The [[Elemental Spirits]] are primordial [[elementals]] which embody these elements. They do not appear to be connected with the Old Gods, nor do they appear connected to their Elemental lieutenants. The Spirits communicate with the shamans through trances, dreams, images and emotions. Their exact motivations remain unknown, and it is unclear whether they act according to some grander design, or whether they act in reaction to events that threaten the balance. Each World seems it's own version of the 5 elemental spirits.<ref>[[Unbroken]]</ref>
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There is one elemental that differs from all other Murmur the Primordial essence of sound
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*{{RaceIconExt|SoundLord}} [[Murmur]] - the essence of sound
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===Dragon Aspects===
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Before leaving Azeroth, the titans empowered five dragons with tremendous power. They were to serve as [[Dragon Aspect|Aspects]], guardians over the world, together with their dragonflight.
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*{{RaceIconExt|DragonBronze}}{{RaceIconExt|Nozdormu}} [[Nozdormu]], the Timeless One.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Alexstrasza}}{{RaceIconExt|Alex}} [[Alexstrasza]], the Life-Binder.
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*{{RaceIconExt|DragonGreen}}{{RaceIconExt|Ysera}} [[Ysera]], the Dreamer.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Malygos}}{{RaceIconExt|Malygos2}} [[Malygos]], the Spell-Weaver.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Kalec}}{{RaceIconExt|Kalecgos}} [[Kalecgos]] succeeded Malygos after his death.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Deathwing}}{{RaceIconExt|DeathwingHuman}} [[Neltharion]], the Earth-Warder, who would succumb to madness and take the name [[Deathwing]].
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===Mortals===
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These are mortals that have been claimed to be Eternals.
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*{{RaceIconExt|Medivh}} [[Medivh]] - The Guardian <ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 44</ref>
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*{{RaceIconExt|Satyr}} [[Xavius]] - First of the Satyr and Nightmare Lords
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*{{RaceIconExt|NagaSeaWitch}} [[Queen Azshara]] - Empress of Naztajar
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==Notes==
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*The term "eternal" was coined by [[Bob Fitch]] and [[Chris Metzen]] because “immortal” didn’t feel right and “divine” also felt a bit awkward, although it was used in ''[[Warcraft III]]'' for units such as Cenarius (''Whitewolf Quarterly'', Fall 2004).
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*All eternals are immortal, but not all immortals are eternals.
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*Any [[dragon]], [[elemental]], [[fey]], [[humanoid]], [[monstrous humanoid]], [[outsider]], or [[undead]] could potentially become an eternal.<ref name="S&L69"/>
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*Note that in the RPG game, contacting an eternal is the same as an [[Outer Plan]]e demigod for the purpose of the ''Contact Other Plane'' ability. No beings are generally more powerful than eternals in the Warcraft universe, so making contact with a "lesser deity" or anything more powerful than a demigod is impossible.<ref>''[[Shadows & Light]]'', 46</ref>
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== References ==
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{{reflist|2}}
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{{Gods and demigods}}
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{{Nature and Divine}}
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[[Category:Eternals| ]]
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[[Category:Lore]]
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[[Category:Religions]]
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[[Category:Demigods]]
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[[Category:World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]
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[[Category:Manual of Monsters]]
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[[Category:Shadows & Light]]
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[[Category:Magic & Mayhem]]
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[[Category:Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]]
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[[Category:Dark Factions]]
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[[Category:Alliance Player's Guide]]

Revision as of 20:57, 22 July 2011

Were you looking for the article on the eternal ingredients in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King?
For other beings of reverence see religions, Ancient guardian and demigods.

Eternals are Azeroth's immortal beings. These demigod-like beings are immortals with nearly divine powers.[1] Eternals are conduits to divine power for several faiths; these include titans, Elune and other Ancients such as Cenarius, Ursoc and Ursol, Malorne the Waywatcher, Agamaggan, Aviana, Queen Azshara and Lord Xavius,[2] the voodoo Loa spirits,[3][4] the Elemental Lords and Old Gods,[3][5][6] etc. Eternal is the term used for many of the gods, goddesses, demigods, deities, divinities, and other revered beings who have interacted in Azeroth's history and molded the world.

Background

Eternals are the divine-like beings of Azeroth and the other planes, who shape the large arcs of history for good and ill.[5] Many beings transcend the bounds of mortal power and play key roles in the world’s long history, either obvious or subtle. These beings are known as eternals. Wielding godlike powers, they battle to destroy or save the world, to disrupt or cultivate life upon Azeroth (and elsewhere).[7]

These are beings known only in legends to the peoples of Azeroth. Yet they are beings who have shaped not only the course of history in the world of Azeroth, but often the world itself: the Elemental Lords, ruling over planes of pure power and awaiting the time when they will once again serve the banished Old Gods; the Titans, whom the dwarves believe created Azeroth and many of its races; the great and powerful dragons who watch over the titans’ creation; the moon goddess Elune, and the demigod-like beings She created to protect and guide the creatures of the land. They are the ancient powers. While mortals fight wars to lay claim to villages and kingdoms, the powers wage a perpetual struggle to determine who will dominate the whole of the universe, with Azeroth the nearest battlefield. Though rarely seen, the influence of the ancient powers is ever-present. It is known that They wrought Azeroth from pure chaos and formed it into the world it is today.[5][7]

Most of the divine beings of Azeroth (known as eternals) are distant entities. They exist to assist those caught in the conflicts of a cruel, violent world. Never directly intervening in the affairs of the world, They use divine magic as a proxy. With their many healing and protective spells, practitioners of divine magic are at the vanguard of the Gods’ efforts to ensure Their peoples' survival. Priests whisper prayers to evoke power from beings such as Elune the Moon Goddess. Shadow hunters invoke the names of dark Gods (loa), ancient powers whose legends are stained in cruelty and bloodshed, but who are also capable of benevolence when appeased. For example a shadow hunter might venture onto grounds consecrated to the Old Gods and spill his own blood to entice the forces of primeval cruelty to come and visit their worst afflictions upon him.[8]

The ancient powers rule supreme in their particular bastions, unsurpassed in power, knowledge and ability. Each also possesses its own personality and agenda, which has led each to interact with mortals in its own way. In some cases, an ancient power may take an interest in a hero early in her life. The powers have an innate understanding of prophecy and divination surpassing that of mortals, and they are often aware of a hero’s fate long before the hero takes her first steps onto the path of adventure. A power may send monsters to kill a nascent hero years before she has an opportunity to meddle in the power’s schemes, or it may subtly assist her by quietly guiding her toward allies, information or hidden artifacts that will help her achieve her destiny. When unable to act or unwilling to show their hands, the ancient powers use mortal heroes and villains as agents to further their own agendas — Sargeras used Azshara as his servant in an attempt to open the Well of Eternity, and the human wizard Rhonin was the cat's-paw of the dragons during the Second War. Heroes may be approached by an ancient power and asked to undertake a quest. They must take care when serving an Eternal, however, as completing a task for a power may mean incredible reward in thanks for a service well performed — or utter destruction as the Eternal hides its tracks.[5]

A number of the eternals died during the War of the Ancients. This doesn’t, however, mean that those powers can have no influence in later eras. Many of the fallen powers still have followers 10,000 years later, such as the furbolg who follow in the path of the long-dead ursine demigods Ursoc and Ursol. Further, though written history says they perished, can eternals who possess the special quality of immortality truly die? Perhaps a "fallen" eternal simply sleeps away centuries while his wounds heal...[9]

Eternals usually only appear before mortals only when they have truly earned the audience through their actions, such as by performing a great service to the eternal or by making a formidable stand against its plans. The tangled web of relationships among the eternals means that a favor performed for one may be a slight to several others.

Ancient powers operate not just on levels of power far above mortals, but also on a vastly different time scale: the youngest have lived a hundred mortal lifetimes, and their goals can lay millennia away. Events of the mortal world may be more than meaningless in the larger scope of history to Eternals. For those who are asked to undertake a mission on behalf of an Eternal, the Eternal may be unable or simply unwilling to explain the reasons behind the task to "mere mortals" who cannot possibly comprehend. The immortal lifespan of Eternals allows them to collect on debts from many decades previous, and they hold grudges much longer. For example; the great dragon Neltharion spent a lifetime disguised as a human noble, infiltrating the royal courts of Lordaeron and consolidating power in order to avenge himself upon the other dragon Aspects.[7][9]

Eternals in the Warcraft universe include the titans, the Old Gods, demigods, and other powerful entities worshipped or venerated by the mortal races on Azeroth, often as part of Creation Myths of various people in the world.

History of the Eternals

Below is a brief history covering eternals from the earliest known accounts to the present.

The Dawn of History

Most of the ancient powers were encountered during Azeroth's earliest days. It was the golden age of the powers, the dragons and Elune's servants watched over the young world, Elemental Lords thought the untamed land as comfortable as their home plane. Legends claim that the world's creators still lurked in the shadows finishing the details of their creation.[5]

The Shattered World

In the aftermath of the War of the Ancients and the sundering of the world, the Burning Legion was forced off Azeroth. Azshara vanished, and the dragons went into hiding. Even the elementals retreated, and thousands of years would passed before mortal spellcasters discovered how to summon them back across the planar boundaries. Though the eternals who survived were largely unseen for almost 10,000 years, they were occasionally encountered. The eternals were humbled by Azshara's bold attempt to rise to their level of power, and remained reserved and distrustful of both mortals who sought them out and mortals whom they employed.[5][9]

Current Age

Seers and scholars maintain that the Horde's arrival through the Dark Portal heralded the return of the ancient powers to mortal events. In the years since, the great dragons and the Elemental Lords have involved themselves in the war, and both Cenarius and Sargeras have returned. As the dwarves delve deeper into the lost secrets of the Titans, some have wondered whether the Titans ever truly left. Some have found they have unwittingly been drawn into or run afoul of the schemes of a returned eternal. The Eternals appear to have recovered from any uncertainty they suffered during their millennia of retreat, however, and those who seek them out do so at their own risk.[9] Nearly every eternal has followers in the current age, from the worshippers of Elune among the night elves to the demon cults that revere the Burning Legion.[7]

List of eternals

All Eternals are demigod-like beings. They are immortal and wield divine power, but not all of them aspire to be Gods.

Burning Legion

The Burning Legion is undoubtedly potent and some of its leaders possess demigod-like power. Those who worship demons draw terrible divine magic from their dark faith.[10] Most demons are not eternals. Sargeras, Archimonde, and Kil'jaeden are the only confirmed exceptions.[11]

  • IconSmall DarkTitan Male Sargeras - The Fallen Titan and Lord of the burning Legion
  • IconSmall Kil'jaeden Kil'jaeden - The deceiver, and the acting leader of the Burning Legion
  • IconSmall Archimonde Archimonde - The left hand of the fallen titan Sargeras and field commander of the Legion's forces

The titans

The titans are immortal entities who travel across the cosmos bringing order to worlds such as Azeroth, the Titans were powerful enough to chain the Old Gods, and some accounts give them titles such as "Patron of All Life". They are led by a group called the Pantheon which includes:

The Old Gods

The Old Gods were the evil rulers of Azeroth before being defeated by the titans.[5] They were the masters of the Elemental Lords.[6] Three remain imprisoned beneath the world, but continue to be worshipped by the Twilight's Hammer Cult and the naga.

  • IconSmall OldGodIconSmall GiantEye C'Thun - God of Qiraj
  • IconSmall Yogg-SaronIconSmall Vrykul Female Yogg-Saron - The Beast with a Thousand Maws
  • IconSmall OldGod N'Zoth - The spark of the Emerald Nightmare
  • IconSmall Serpent Ula-tek - A serpent goddess, believed to be a old god.Icon-RPG

The old gods exist beyond Azeroth

God

God was a deity connected to certain members of the Church of the Holy Light, referenced in early Warcraft Lore and sources, and alluded to in Day of the Dragon. The belief also included angels, Heaven, and Hell.

Drakkari God

A group of four gods in form of statues, that the drakkari give sacrifices and receive blessings, although they could be considered loas, they were never stated to be such.

The Earthmother, Skyfather and the Deepmother

The Earthmother is a benevolent and primitive earth goddess whom the tauren worship above all else. She is the harmony of nature itself.[12] She is described as the creator of the land, of the sun and moon, and of the tauren people.

The Sky Father is a mysterious deity that the tauren worship as a equal of the Earthmother.

The Deep Mother is much like the earthmother, however it's a Murloc deity never associated with the tauren mythology, but instead is primitive sea goddess.Icon-RPG

Elune

Elune - Elune is the benevolent moon Goddess of the night elves. She is one of the few full deities on Azeroth, the personification of the White Lady, and one of the Ancient Guardian. The tauren refer to her as Mu'sha, the Left Eye of the Earthmother. She is the counterpart to An'she.[13][14]

An'she

An'she is a male sun deity in tauren mythology, the right Eye of the Earthmother and the counterpart to the goddess Mu'sha (Elune), the moon. It gives the Sunwalkers, the tauren paladins, their power and acts much like the Light, wherever he is not the light is unknown.

Loas

The Loas are primal troll gods, each representing a different animal or domain. The ages following the Sundering were dark ones, and the Gurubashi trolls prayed to their pantheon of primitive gods to help them.

The trolls of Zul'Aman worship primal beings they call the Forest Gods.[15]

Originally part of the Gurubashi Empire, the Darkspear also continue to worship many of the Gurubashi loa.[16]

Drakkari Loas:

Gurubashi Loas:

Sandfury Loas:

  • IconSmall Tiger Kimbul, God of Tigers, Lord of beasts, King of Cats, the Prey's Doom.
  • IconSmall Unknown Mueh'zala, God of Death, Father of Sleep, Son of Time, the Night's Friend.

Vilebranch Loas:

Zandalar Loas:

The loas which the shadowhunters pledge for their powers:

  • IconSmall Unknown Legba, Loa of Speed. Icon-RPG
  • IconSmall Unknown Lukou, Loa of Healing and Respite. Icon-RPG
  • IconSmall Unknown Ogoun, Loa of War. Icon-RPG
  • IconSmall Unknown Dambala, Loa of serpents and treachery. Icon-RPG
  • IconSmall Unknown Samedi, Loa of the cemeteries and the restful sleep of the dead. Icon-RPG
  • IconSmall Unknown Shango, Controller of the Realm of Storms. Icon-RPG

Ancient Guardians

The Ancient Guardians are eternals of Azeroth.

Elemental Lords, the elemental spirits and other elementals

Former servants of the evil Old Gods, the Elemental Lords once ruled Azeroth. Yet when the titans defeated the Old Gods, they banished the Elemental Lords and all elementals to a planar prison known now as the Elemental Plane.

Draenor seems to have it's own version of the elemental lords of which only Cyrukh is known:

The shamans draw their power from five natural elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and the Wilds. The Spell shaman feralspirit [Elemental Spirits] are primordial elementals which embody these elements. They do not appear to be connected with the Old Gods, nor do they appear connected to their Elemental lieutenants. The Spirits communicate with the shamans through trances, dreams, images and emotions. Their exact motivations remain unknown, and it is unclear whether they act according to some grander design, or whether they act in reaction to events that threaten the balance. Each World seems it's own version of the 5 elemental spirits.[17]

There is one elemental that differs from all other Murmur the Primordial essence of sound

  • IconSmall SoundLord Murmur - the essence of sound

Dragon Aspects

Before leaving Azeroth, the titans empowered five dragons with tremendous power. They were to serve as Aspects, guardians over the world, together with their dragonflight.

Mortals

These are mortals that have been claimed to be Eternals.

Notes

  • The term "eternal" was coined by Bob Fitch and Chris Metzen because “immortal” didn’t feel right and “divine” also felt a bit awkward, although it was used in Warcraft III for units such as Cenarius (Whitewolf Quarterly, Fall 2004).
  • All eternals are immortal, but not all immortals are eternals.
  • Any dragon, elemental, fey, humanoid, monstrous humanoid, outsider, or undead could potentially become an eternal.[7]
  • Note that in the RPG game, contacting an eternal is the same as an Outer Plane demigod for the purpose of the Contact Other Plane ability. No beings are generally more powerful than eternals in the Warcraft universe, so making contact with a "lesser deity" or anything more powerful than a demigod is impossible.[19]

References

 
  1. ^ Shadows & Light, 9
  2. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 250-251
  3. ^ a b Manual of Monsters, 22
  4. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named MoM45
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Shadows & Light, 67
  6. ^ a b Shadows & Light, 99
  7. ^ a b c d e Shadows & Light, 69
  8. ^ Magic & Mayhem, 22, 45
  9. ^ a b c d Shadows & Light, 68
  10. ^ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named WRPG155
  11. ^ Shadows & Light, 58-60
  12. ^ Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 52
  13. ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/encyclopedia/442.xml
  14. ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/encyclopedia/392.xml
  15. ^ Lands of Conflict, 115
  16. ^ Ask CDev - Round 1
  17. ^ Unbroken
  18. ^ Shadows & Light, 44
  19. ^ Shadows & Light, 46
Titans
Eternal Ones
Old Gods
Ancient Guardians
Loa
Elemental Lords
Other
Icon-RPG Exclusive
Nature and Holy sapient species
Wild Gods
Elemental
Nature
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