Bright Mantle

Archmage Aethas Sunreaver
Title	<Kirin Tor>
Race	Blood elf (Humanoid)
Level	80 Elite
Class	Archmage of Kirin Tor
Reaction	Alliance Horde
Affiliation(s)	The Sunreavers, Kirin Tor
Occupation	Member of the Council of Six
Location	The Violet Citadel, Dalaran
Status	Alive

"Quel'Delar rises again, as we sin'dorei have risen from the ashes of defeat and betrayal."

— Archmage Aethas Sunreaver

Archmage Aethas Sunreaver is one of the members of the Council of Six — the ruling council of the Kirin Tor, and the leader of the Sunreavers. He is found standing next to Rhonin and Archmage Modera in the Violet Citadel. He is a strong supporter of the Horde, and through his efforts, though traditionally barred from Dalaran, the Horde have been granted sanctuary. Also, the Horde district of Sunreaver's Sanctuary is named after him, referring to his high position within the Kirin Tor. He is the first blood elf known to be part of the Council of Six, as Kael'thas was a high elf at that time.

Following a Horde player delivering him the legendary blade Quel'Delar, Aethas will announce that the blade has been restored.

His image resides in the Dragonblight in the Horde fortress of Agmar's Hammer.

History

In the Shadow of the Sun

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Shortly before the Northrend war, Aethas sends several letters to the Regent Lord of Quel'Thalas, Lor'themar Theron, to arrange an audience. Lor'themar deliberately ignores them at first, though Aethas simply announces his intention to visit Silvermoon City.

He is greeted by Lor'themar, Halduron Brightwing, and less enthusiastically - Grand Magister Rommath. Aethas informs the three of Malygos the Spellweaver's intention to wipe out all mortal magic users, and that as such, The Kirin Tor had become the crazed Aspect's enemies. He asks for his peoples' aid in the matter, noting that the Kirin Tor are eager to mend their bridges with Quel'Thalas; though Rommath immediately denies him, accusing his plight of being the work of other members of the Council of Six such as Archmage Modera, and that the Kirin Tor would turn to the elves for help when desperate for their mastery over the arcane, but discard them soon after. Referencing the sin'dorei's slated execution in the dungeons of Dalaran, while the Kirin Tor did nothing to intervene, Rommath simply notes that they can all "rot in hell" for all he cares. He assures Aethas that none of his magisters will aid the Kirin Tor, and that as the Grand Magister, Aethas has no authority on the matter. Aethas informs him that the Kirin Tor is under new leadership, though Rommath correctly notes that several of the same members reside on the Six that did so back during the Third War too. Lor'themar stops their bickering, and has Aethas shown to his quarters.

Following Lor'themar's return from failed negotiations at Quel'Lithien Lodge, Aethas reveals that several high elven members of the Kirin Tor under Vereesa Windrunner share a similar attitude. Aethas had hoped that as a ranger, Lor'themar could have helped bridge the gap between them, though concludes that it was to no avail.

Sylvanas Windrunner later travels to Sunfury Spire to enlist the sin'dorei's aid against the Lich King, reasoning that as members of the Horde they are obligated to commit support. Despite Lor'themar's apprehension to commit troops so soon after the battle on Quel'Danas, Sylvanas is able to twist his arm enough to warrant co-operation, citing that their refusal to battle the Lich King would likely lead to further death in Quel'Thalas - and the loss of Horde support. With the sin'dorei's presence in Northrend confirmed either way, Lor'themar agrees to support Aethas' endeavor, though makes a point that it will not be on behalf of the Kirin Tor. Lor'themar instructs Aethas to confer with Rommath, a notion Aethas expresses will probably not end too well.

Wrath of the Lich King

Archmage Aethas Sunreaver's projection in Agmar's Hammer.

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

As a member of the Council of Six, Aethas was able to secure his people a place in the magical (and traditionally Alliance) city of Dalaran. Through his efforts, the blood elves' allies in the Horde were also welcomed, and Dalaran proclaimed itself an independent city. Aethas' followers took up his name, and the Horde was granted a sanctuary within the city that also bears the name of Sunreaver. Aethas sent blood elven members of the Kirin Tor to the various Horde cities and bases in Northrend, and Aethas himself appeared via projection to advise Overlord Agmar from the Horde fortress of Agmar's Hammer.

Aethas assisted members of the Horde in their battles against the Blue Dragonflight; learning of the ley lines connected to the Nexus and Malygos' plans to destroy them - sending their power back to the Nexus in turn. Aethas presents himself to Alexstrasza the Lifebinder, revealing his position on the Council of Six in the process.

After the Argent Crusade procured a foothold in Icecrown, the legendary elven blade Quel'Delar was unearthed in the frozen ice in its northern region. Though shattered by its twisted former wielder, Blood-Queen Lana'thel, the blade is ultimately restored. In the outcome of the Horde version of events, Horde heroes are tasked by Grand Magister Rommath to hand the blade to his uneasy ally in Dalaran, Aethas. For a non-blood elf, Aethas expresses curiosity that the blade would bind itself to someone not of Quel'Thalas, though praises the player nonetheless and informs them that Quel'Delar is adapting itself to their own unique abilities.

For a blood elf, Aethas is elated; giving the sin'dorei hero similar words of support as Rommath did before him.

Quotes

Archmage Aethas Sunreaver yells: As the leader of the Sunreavers, it is with great pride that I present <name> as the new bearer of Quel'Delar!

• "What took you so long? Time waits only for Aspects, <race>. We have much work to do, you and I."
• "Nonetheless, that's two less worms we'll have to worry about. Let us get on to more important business."

• Archmage Aethas Sunreaver: "For someone who claims to care so little, you seem to be rather well informed, Grand Magister."

• Grand Magister Rommath: "Which would be one of the reasons I am the grand magister of Quel'Thalas, and you are not, I would think."

Presentation

My queen.

It has been discovered that the ley line intersection at Moonrest Gardens was unfettered by the blue dragonflight. Their forces used a surge needle to destroy the capstone, but instead of flowing the power back to the Nexus, they utilized a series of foci to clumsily run and augment the power under the land to the Azure Dragonshrine.

Needless to say, this has had dire consequences wherever the magic shot up through the ground. The Ancients of the woodlands, the Kalu'ak, and other creatures have been adversely affected. <name>, the <race> who stands before you, was very helpful in tracking down and dealing with these issues.

In my opinion, <name> could be useful for Wyrmrest in dealing with the problems that the temple currently faces. I humbly ask that you consider <him/her> an asset, one which I found to be quite acceptable.

Yours ever respectfully,

Aethas Sunreaver
Archmage and Member of the Six

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• Unlike his Alliance equivalent, Vereesa Windrunner, in World of Warcraft Aethas bears the title of the <Kirin Tor> as a blanket statement rather than his sub-faction of Dalaran, the Sunreavers. This is likely due to his presence on the Council of Six.
  • This is also possibly a gameplay mechanic; both the Silver Covenant and the Sunreavers being (biased) extensions of Dalaran rather than their own faction-bound organizations.
• Exactly when Aethas was elevated to his place on the council of six is unclear, though due to his cultural identity as a sin'dorei it was most likely following the rise of the blood elves.

Trivia

• At some point, Aethas' seemingly "out-of-no-where" appearance in the position Kael'thas Sunstrider once held was speculated to be more than coincidence - some players suggested that Archmage Sunreaver could, in fact, have been a redeemed Kael'thas; his lack of a head being obscured by his helmet. Though clearly unlikely, a number of lore fans have taken amusement in the thought.
•  [Aethas' Intensity] is named after him.
• Despite Aethas' high rank as both an archmage and a member of the enigmatic Council of Six, Aethas does not appear to be a particularly aloof individual. He is portrayed as having far less political experience than Lor'themar, Halduron and Rommath; and despite his considerable power, has been noted as lacking some of the typical grace associated with a man of his rank. Whether this is a mask on Aethas' part or not is unclear, as it seems curious that such a powerful mage would be noted as displaying such traits.
• Aethas apparently entrusts the task of washing his clothes to Shandy Glossgleam and his pet water elemental Aquanos, though on at least one occasion has been mortified to see his pants flung in Dalaran's fountain.
• Though Aethas and Grand Magister Rommath hold a highly antagonistic relationship, the two appear to have found some common ground during the quest to restore Quel'Delar.

Patch changes

• Patch 3.2.0 (2009-08-04): Aethas now wears the Sunreaver's Tabard.
  
• Patch 3.0.3 (2008-11-04): Added.
  

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB