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Episode 20 - Burn Baby Burn
Warlocks are among the bane of society. They are usually outcast since they dabble in the magics that threaten the very existence of the planet and its people. But they are tolerated among the Horde and Alliance, but not trusted by far. Stormwind has a secluded tavern called the Slaughtered Lamb where Human and Gnome Warlocks frequently visit, and Orgrimmar has the Cleft of Shadows, which is shared with the elusive Rogues. Obviously both sides want to tuck away their most untrustworthy from the local populace.
Going back in history, it is presumed that the Eredar were the first Warlocks. After they were visited by Sargeras and part of their race joined the Burning Legion, their mastery of the Arcane and the Light got twisted and corrupted. They now had the abilities to control the chaotic Shadow magics of the Twisting Nether, where most demons come from. Current day Warlocks are descended from users of different kinds of magic. With the Alliance, they are Mages that delved too deep beyond the Arcane of the Nether, either willingly or accidentally. They lost control over most of their other magic, but the chaotic nature of Fire magic makes it possible for Warlocks to still use it.
On the Horde side of things, the first Warlock was Gul'dan. Being tricked by Kil'jaeden the Deceiver into believing the Draenei were going to kill the whole Orcish race, his teacher Ner'zhul rallied the Horde. The spirits that had helped the Orcs for generations abandoned them, which shocked Ner'zhul into sorrow when he found out. Gul'dan had witnessed Ner'zhul's epiphany about the Spirits, and told Kil'jaeden. He then offered Gul'dan mastery over Warlock magics under the condition that he'd rally the Horde under one banner, his banner. After recruiting some like-minded Orcs, Gul'dan founded the Shadow Council as the secret ruling entity of the Horde, leaving the chieftains in charge but still holding the reins. Since then, there are Orcs that have been trained as Warlocks.
The most famous Human Warlock has to be Medivh. Being possessed by Sargeras before he was even conceived, it was very easy to control and master the Demonic arts for him. It was he who, together with Gul'dan, that opened the Dark Portal between Azeroth and Draenor which made it possible for the Horde to attack though the portal. Medivh was slain in his tower home Karazhan by Khadgar, Lothar and Garona. Later he returned, now uncorrupted, as an Oracle to warn the world of the impending Invasion of the Burning Legion through the powers of the Scourge.
Warlocks are masters of shadow and flame, they are adept at causing pain and suffering, but most noticeably they are able to control summoned Demons. It is hard to control a direct link to the Twisting Nether through the Demon without going insane and trying to destroy the world, so only the most concentrated Warlocks can manage it. Earlier in their training they will learn to summon and maintain lower strength and intelligence Demons like Imps or Voidwalkers. After these minions Warlocks learn to summon and control Succubi and even Felhunters. The really advanced Warlocks can summon mighty Felguards, burning Infernals or even deadly Doomguards. On a rare occasion, their summons can get out of control, like what happened to Grand Warlock Wilfred Fizzlebang, who tried to summon a Doomguard for crusaders to fight in the Crusaders' Colliseum, but managed to summon one of the most powerful of demons, an Eredar Warlock named Lord Jaraxxus.
All in all, caution is advised around Warlocks. They are unstable due to their connection to the Nether, and they are just a tad bit evil overall. So it is in your best interest to maybe not trust the next Warlock you cross paths with...
Behold those who have power, and who are not afraid to wield it. Behold... the warlocks!
Gul'dan
Thanks for reading another episode of Lorewise! More suggestions are always welcomed
Also, if you want to look back for some older Lorewise articles, I've updated the Archive for it.
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