Burning Legion

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The Burning Legion
Main leader	Kil'jaeden the Deceiver in the absence of the dark titan Sargeras
Secondary leaders	Mephistroth, Azgalor, Kazzak the Supreme
Race(s)	Eredar, Nathrezim, Annihilan, Ered'ruin, Mo'arg, Sayaad, Shivarra, Infernals, mortal followers, and many corrupted species
Capital	Argus (presumed)
Other major settlements	Xoroth (presumed)
Theater of operations	Twisting Nether, Outland, Azeroth
Language(s)	Eredun
Status	Active

"Beat or be beaten! This is the way of the Legion!"

—Brutallus

The Burning Legion, also known as the "great burning shadow", the Legion of the Lower Planes^{[citation needed]} , or simply The Legion, is a vast, innumerable army of demons, infernals, and corrupted races who seek to destroy any trace of order in the universe. They have thrice invaded Azeroth, and were only beaten back at a terrible cost. Much of Azeroth's history — including the First, Second, and Third War — were due to the Legion's influence. It can be said that the Legion is Azeroth's nemesis; it corrupted the orcs who then invaded Azeroth, created the Lich King and is the source of most of Azeroth's scars. It should also be noted that Azeroth is the only known planet that they have ever failed to conquer.

The Legion's mission is, in theory, to undo the works of the titans and restore the universe back to its original, chaotic and disorganized state. In practice, the Legion scours all life from the worlds it invades, they are cursed to roam the greater realms forever to consume the primal energies of magic to survive.

The Legion has ravished world after world in its mad lust for arcane power and is thus responsible for the genocide of thousands of races across the universe — billions, if not trillions of lives.

History

Genesis

The Titans, creators of order in the universe, were aware of the threat posed to their creations by the evil entities living in the Twisting Nether. These demonic beings existed only to devour the living energies of the universe. Over time, the demons began to make their way into the Titan's worlds from the nether. The Titans selected their greatest warrior, Sargeras, to act as their first line of defense. A noble giant of bronze, Sargeras carried out his duties for countless millennia, seeking out and destroying these demons wherever he could find them. Over the aeons, Sargeras encountered two powerful demonic races, both of which were bent on gaining power and dominance over the physical universe. Though Sargeras' nearly limitless powers were more than enough to defeat the demons he faced, he was greatly troubled by their corruption and all-consuming evil. Incapable of fathoming such depravity, the great Titan began to slip into a brooding depression.

While his confusion and misery deepened, Sargeras was forced to contend with another group intent on disrupting the Titans' order: the Nathrezim. This dark race of vampiric demons (also known as dreadlords) conquered a number of populated worlds by possessing their inhabitants and turning them to the shadow. The nefarious, scheming dreadlords turned whole nations against one another by manipulating them into unthinking hatred and mistrust. Sargeras defeated the Nathrezim easily, but their corruption affected him deeply.

As doubt and despair overwhelmed Sargeras' senses, he lost all faith not only in his mission, but also in the Titans' vision of an ordered universe. Eventually he came to believe that the concept of order itself was folly, and that chaos and depravity were the only absolutes within the dark, lonely universe. His fellow Titans tried to persuade him of his error and calm his raging emotions, but he disregarded their more optimistic beliefs as self-serving delusions. Storming from their ranks forever, Sargeras set out to find his own place in the universe. Although the Pantheon was sorrowful at his departure, the Titans could never have predicted just how far their lost brother would go.

Even Sargeras' titanic form became distorted from the corruption that plagued his once-noble heart. His eyes, hair, and beard erupted in fire, and his metallic bronze skin split open to reveal an endless furnace of blistering hate.

By the time Sargeras' madness had consumed the last vestiges of his valiant spirit, he believed that the Titans themselves were responsible for creation's failure. Deciding, at last, to undo their works throughout the universe, he resolved to form an unstoppable army that would set the physical universe aflame. In his fury, Sargeras shattered the prisons of the Nathrezim and all the other demon races he had imprisoned during his time as the Titans' champion, and set the loathsome demons free. These cunning creatures bowed before the dark Titan's vast rage and offered to serve him in whatever malicious ways they could. Thus was born Sargeras' unstoppable army — the Burning Legion.

On the planet Argus, Sargeras found the army he sought — the eredar, a race of highly intelligent beings with a natural affinity for magic in all its myriad forms. From the ranks of these mighty creatures, Sargeras picked two champions to command his demonic army of destruction. Kil'jaeden the Deceiver was chosen to seek out the darkest races in the universe and recruit them into Sargeras' ranks. The second champion, Archimonde the Defiler, was chosen to lead Sargeras' vast armies into battle against any who might resist the Titan's will.

Kil'jaeden's first move was to enslave the vampiric dreadlords under his terrible power. The dreadlords served as his personal agents throughout the universe, and they took pleasure in locating primitive races for their master to corrupt and bring into the fold. First amongst the dreadlords was Tichondrius the Darkener. Tichondrius served Kil'jaeden as the perfect soldier and agreed to bring Sargeras' burning will to all the dark corners of the universe.

The mighty Archimonde also empowered agents of his own. Calling upon the malefic pit lords and their barbarous leader, Mannoroth the Destructor, Archimonde hoped to establish a fighting elite that would scour creation of all life.

Once Sargeras saw that his armies were amassed and ready to follow his every command, he launched his raging forces into the vastness of the Great Dark. He referred to his growing army as the Burning Legion. To this date, it is still unclear how many worlds they consumed and burned on their unholy Burning Crusade across the universe.

In terms of exact dates, these events are difficult to pinpoint. The empowerment of the Dragon Aspects is listed as having occurred some 64,000 years ago, which most sources agree happened after Sargeras fell. However, the defection of the eredar didn't occur until 25,000 years ago, some 39 millennia later. This is confusing, as it means neither the eredar nor the Nathrezim (the most important minions of the Legion) joined until long after the Legion's foundation. Alternatively, the Legion was only formed after the eredar's defection 25,000 years ago, and not Sargeras's fall 39,000 years earlier. In other words, the foundation of the Legion is shrouded in mystery.

The First Invasion

Main article: War of the Ancients

Many thousands of years ago (10,000 years before Warcraft I) the Burning Legion became attracted to the world of Azeroth due to the reckless use of magic taking place on that world. The night elf "Highborne" under the direction of the Night Elf queen Azshara and her counselor Xavius had been undertaking experiments to draw greater and greater amounts of energy from the Well of Eternity, the source of magical power on Azeroth.

The Highborne's reckless use of magic sent ripples of energy spiraling out from the Well of Eternity and into the Great Dark Beyond. The streaming ripples of energy were felt by terrible alien minds. Sargeras — the Great Enemy of all life, the Destroyer of Worlds — felt the potent ripples and was drawn to their distant point of origin. Spying the primordial world of Azeroth and sensing the limitless energies of the Well of Eternity, Sargeras was consumed by an insatiable hunger. The great dark god of the Nameless Void resolved to destroy the fledgling world and claim its energies as his own.

Sargeras gathered his vast Burning Legion and made his way towards the unsuspecting world of Azeroth. The Legion was composed of a million screaming demons, all ripped from the far corners of the universe, and the demons hungered for conquest. Sargeras' lieutenants, Archimonde the Defiler and Mannoroth the Destructor, prepared their infernal minions to strike.

Queen Azshara, overwhelmed by the terrible ecstasy of her magic, fell victim to Sargeras' undeniable power and agreed to grant him entrance to her world. Even her Highborne servitors gave themselves over to magic's inevitable corruption and began to worship Sargeras as their god. To show their allegiance to the Legion, the Highborne aided their queen in opening a vast, swirling portal within the depths of the Well of Eternity.

Once all his preparations had been made, Sargeras began his catastrophic invasion of Azeroth. The warrior-demons of the Burning Legion stormed into the world through the Well of Eternity and laid siege to the night elves' sleeping cities. Led by Archimonde and Mannoroth, the Legion swarmed over the lands of Kalimdor, leaving only ash and sorrow in its wake. The demon warlocks called down searing Infernals that crashed like hellish meteors into the graceful spires of Kalimdor's temples. A band of burning, bloodletting killers known as the Doomguard marched across Kalimdor's fields, slaughtering everyone in their path. Packs of wild, demonic Felhounds ravaged the countryside unopposed. Though the brave Kaldorei warriors rushed to defend their ancient homeland, they were forced to give ground, inch by inch, before the fury of the Legion's onslaught.

It fell to Malfurion Stormrage to find help for his beleaguered people. Stormrage, whose own brother, Illidan, practiced the Highborne's magics, was incensed by the growing corruption amongst the upper class. Convincing Illidan to forsake his dangerous obsession, Malfurion set out to find Cenarius and muster a resistance force. The beautiful young priestess, Tyrande, agreed to accompany the brothers in the name of Elune. Though Malfurion and Illidan shared a love for the idealistic priestess, Tyrande's heart belonged to Malfurion alone. Illidan resented his brother's budding romance with Tyrande, but knew that his heartache was nothing compared to the pain of his magical addiction.

Illidan, who had grown dependent on magic's empowering energies, struggled to keep control of his nearly overwhelming hunger to tap the Well's energies once again. However, with Tyrande's patient support, he was able to restrain himself and help his brother find the reclusive demigod, Cenarius. Cenarius, who dwelt within the sacred Moonglades of the distant Mount Hyjal, agreed to help the night elves by finding the ancient dragons and enlisting their aid. The dragons, led by the great red leviathan, Alexstrasza, agreed to send their mighty flights to engage the demons and their infernal masters.

Cenarius, calling on the spirits of the enchanted forests, rallied an army of ancient tree-men and led them against the Legion in a daring ground assault. As the night elves' allies converged upon Azshara's temple and the Well of Eternity, all-out warfare erupted. Despite the strength of their newfound allies, Malfurion and his colleagues realized that the Legion could not be defeated by martial strength alone.

As the titanic battle raged around Azshara's capital city, the delusional queen waited in anticipation for Sargeras' arrival. The lord of the Legion was preparing to pass through the Well of Eternity and enter the ravaged world. As his impossibly huge shadow drew ever closer to the Well's raging surface, Azshara gathered the most powerful of her Highborne followers. Only by linking their magics together in one focused spell would they be able to create a gateway large enough for Sargeras to enter.

Malfurion, convinced that the Well of Eternity was the demons' umbilical link to the physical world, insisted that it should be destroyed. His companions, knowing that the Well was the source of their immortality and powers, were horrified by the rash notion. Yet Tyrande saw the wisdom of Malfurion's theory, so she convinced Cenarius and their comrades to storm Azshara's temple and find a way to shut the Well down for good.

Knowing that the Well's destruction would prevent him from ever wielding magic again, Illidan selfishly abandoned the group and set out to warn the Highborne of Malfurion's plan. Due to the insanity brought on by his addiction and the stinging resentment towards his brother's affair with Tyrande, Illidan felt no remorse at betraying Malfurion and siding with Azshara and her ilk. Above all else, Illidan vowed to protect the Well's power by any means necessary.

Heartbroken by his brother's departure, Malfurion led his companions into the heart of Azshara's temple. Yet as they stormed into the main audience chamber, they found the Highborne in the midst of their final dark incantation. The communal spell created an unstable vortex of power within the Well's turbulent depths. As Sargeras' ominous shadow drew ever closer to the surface, Malfurion and his allies rushed to attack.

Azshara, having received Illidan's warning, was more than prepared for them. Nearly all of Malfurion's followers fell before the mad queen's powers. Tyrande, attempting to attack Azshara from behind, was caught off-guard by the queen's Highborne guardsmen. Though she vanquished the guardsmen, Tyrande suffered grievous wounds at their hands. When Malfurion saw his love fall, he went into a murderous rage and resolved to end Azshara's life.

As the battle raged inside and outside of the temple, Illidan appeared from the shadows near the shores of the great Well. Producing a set of specially crafted vials, Illidan knelt and filled each with the Well's shimmering waters. Convinced that the demons would crush the night elves' civilization, he planned to steal the sacred waters and keep their energies for himself.

The ensuing battle between Malfurion and Azshara threw the Highborne's carefully crafted spellwork into chaos. The unstable vortex within the Well's depths exploded and ignited a catastrophic chain of events that would sunder the world forever. The massive explosion rocked the temple to its foundations and sent massive quakes ripping through the tortured earth. As the horrific battle between the Legion and the night elves' allies raged around and above the ruined capital city, the surging Well of Eternity buckled in upon itself and collapsed.

The resultant catastrophic explosion shattered the earth and blotted out the skies (see The Great Sundering).

As the aftershocks from the Well's implosion rattled the bones of the world, the seas rushed in to fill the gaping wound left in the earth. Nearly eighty percent of Kalimdor's landmass had been blasted apart, leaving only a handful of separate continents surrounding the new, raging sea. At the center of the new sea, where the Well of Eternity once stood, was a tumultuous storm of tidal fury and chaotic energies. This terrible scar, known as the Maelstrom, would never cease its furious spinning. It would remain a constant reminder of the terrible catastrophe... and the Utopian era that had been lost forever.

Somehow, against all odds, Queen Azshara and her Highborne elite managed to survive the ordeal. Tortured and twisted by the powers they had released, Azshara and her followers were dragged down beneath the raging sea by the Well's implosion. Cursed — transformed — they took on new shapes and became the hateful serpentine naga. Azshara herself expanded with hate and rage, becoming a massive monstrosity, reflecting the wickedness and malice that had always hidden within her core.

There, at the bottom of the Maelstrom, the naga built for themselves a new city, Nazjatar, from which they would rebuild their power. It would take over ten thousand years before the naga would reveal their existence to the surface world.

Sargeras' return

Main articles: Aegwynn and the Dragon Hunt, The Song of Aegwynn

Somewhere in Northrend, the demon forces invaded once again. Aegwynn fought against them here and even faced, and defeated, the avatar of Sargeras himself.

The Second Invasion

Main article: Second Invasion

For years, since their defeat at the hands of Malfurion Stormrage, the Legion had watched and waited for the moment to be right for a second attempt to conquer Azeroth. Kil'jaeden was given orders to plan the second invasion of Azeroth and was unwilling to take any chances on the Legion's success. He decided that a new force would be necessary in order to weaken the defenses of Azeroth before the Legion's main invasion force arrived.

Around this time Kil'jaeden discovered the world of Draenor and its two races, the shamanistic, clan based orcs and the peaceful Draenei. Of the two races, Kil'jaeden surmised that the orcs, a race seemingly bred as warriors, would be the perfect tool of the Legion. By bending the elder Shaman Ner'zhul to his will, Kil'jaeden was able to enact a series of events that would see to the enslavement of the orcs to the will of the Legion. Complete control was established when Kil'jaeden orchestrated a meeting between the orc chieftains and Mannoroth. At this meeting, the orcs were convinced to drink the blood of Mannoroth and thus cursed themselves to bloodlust and savagery.

The orcs attempted to invade Azeroth twice through the Dark Portal. However, the natives of the planet formed together into an alliance led by the humans, fought back with unexpected determination and casualties were high on both sides. At the end of the Second War, the Alliance of Lordaeron had defeated the orcs and their homeworld of Draenor destroyed by Ner'zhul's attempt to escape into another dimension. The remaining orcs were rounded up and placed in various internment camps by the Alliance.

After the defeat of the orcs, Kil'jaeden determined to create a new force, one that would succeed where the orcs had failed. To this end he captured Ner'zhul and remade him as the Lich King. Trapping his essence in the Frozen Throne, a large block of ice, Kil'jaeden hurled the Lich King to Azeroth, where he crashed on the frozen continent of Northrend. The Lich King's new mission was to prepare Azeroth for subjugation through the release of a Plague of Undeath. Thus, the Scourge was born.

Where the orcs had failed the Scourge succeeded impressively. Within months the Eastern Kingdoms were in disarray. Each soldier or townsfolk who fell to the Scourge was reborn as an undead minion of the Lich King. Finally, the time for the Legion's return was nigh.

Servants of the scourge were able to summon Archimonde himself to lead the assault...with him came the myriad demons of the legion. The second invasion had truly begun. The forces of the Legion swept across the Eastern Kingdoms and soon reached the shores of Kalimdor, home of their old enemy, the night elves.

The Legion chose as its main goal the consumption of the World Tree on Mount Hyjal, which contained the essence of all life on Azeroth and granted immortality to the night elves. At the final hour, an alliance of humans, orcs, and night elves fought desperately to hold back Archimonde and the legion while Malfurion Stormrage performed a desperate druidic ritual upon the World Tree itself. Finally, Malfurion gave the signal that he was ready and the Legion was allowed to reach their goal...the World Tree stood exposed to Archimonde. As the demon embraced the tree, and began to feed upon it's magics, Malfurion's spell took hold. The World Tree released all of its energy into Archimonde at once, destroying both the World Tree and the demon. The ensuing explosion destroyed the tree and laid waste to Hyjal summit. The Legion had been defeated once again, but at the cost of the night elves' immortality.

With Archimonde finally defeated, Kil'jaeden has assumed complete control of the Legion.

Aftermath

Kalimdor

After the defeat of the Burning Legion Azgalor returned to the Twisting Nether to plot a revange. However many of their followeres are still in Kalimdor, scattered and leaderless, some of these cultists have abandoned the Legion and leave in normal villages, but others are still serving their demon masters.

The loyal cultists are divided in three groups: the "mad servants", many of whom have forgotten their lives and now live only to kill; the "depraved ones", who want to destroy Azeroth, understanding the Legion goals; and the "true diciples", who know the purpose of the Burning Legion and seek to turn this to their adventage, among this disiples are those of the new Shadow Council, reformed by surviving warlocks. These cults do not present a threat to Kalimdor, however.

The corruption continues expanding in Felwood, principally for the Shadow Council, satyrs and twisted furbolgs inhabit this region. The corrupted furbolgs join with the other corrupted creatures to do the Legions aims; there are cursed ancients who wander these lands and kill anyone who they encounter; the satyrs are allied with the Shadow Council; and some members of the Burning Legion have made their homes in this zone. All these Legion forces are trying to spread the corruption to all Ashenvale Forest to finish the Legion's plans to destroy Kalimdor. Satyrs and corrupted furbolgs sometimes bypass to Moonglade.

The cults left behind by the Burning Legion follow an unified agenda to regain their power. Some demons, survivors of the Battle of Mount Hyjal, still roam the Kalimdor and more are summoned from the Twisting Nether by the cults.

Warlocks sometimes take control over small towns or villages. The demons are slowly destroying towns, hamlets and even cities, thanks to the cults. Although leaderless the cults and demons work as a cohesive entity, acting cordinately, and with the capacity of launching assaults to various place at the same time, they are scattered to protect themselves but comunicate from each other via the Twisting Nethers. Many are looking for oppening a permanent portal so that the Legion can invade Azeroth once more, others continue spreading the corruption, guarding sites of power or some just reunite for unknown purposes.

Lordaeron

Although the Burning Legion was defeated and scattered in Kalimdor, in Lordaeron they continued ruling under Balnazzar.

Continent of Azeroth

The Burning Legion in the Blasted Lands were under the command of Lord Kazzak. Thanks to the efforts of Razelikh the Defiler the Burning Legion blostered its ranks with Grol the Destroyer and his Dreadmaul Ogres, Lady Sevine, and Archmage Allistarj. This sect of the legion also includes Ilifar, the only death knight who sided with the legion during the scourge rebellion.

Outland

Magtheridon ruled as the Lord of Outland even after the Legion's defeat in Azeroth.

The Frozen Throne

Aftermath of the Third War

However, an army of human and blood elves arrised, the New Alliance, under the leadership of Lord Garithos and Kael'thas Sunstrider. This New Alliance fought back against the Scourge and the Burning Legion, they managed to retake Dalaran and fought against the undeads in Silverpine Forest and Alterac Mountains.

The blood elves were overunned by the Scourge but made an alliance with the night elves. With their help they defeated many undeads and even some dreadlords, then the night elves fought against Illidan's Naga while the blood elves defended them from the Scourge, commanded by a dreadlord. After some battles Kael'thas Sunstrider managed to kill Dalvengyr, but he was betrayed by Garithos, had to flee to Outland and join Illidan's forces.

Defeat in Outland

Main article: Magtheridon's Forces

Magtheridon still ruled Outland after two year later of the Legion's defeat, but, with the help of the escaped blood elves, Illidan Stormrage stormed his citadel and claimed Outland for his own. Although the pit lord was chained and his forces are now part of Illidan's forces, there are still numerous Legion strongholds over the planet and the Cabal, cultists of the Shadow Council, are trying to provide adventage to thier demon masters. The draenei are resisting to the Legion, even a group led by Akama had to join Illidan to defeat Magtheridon.

Defeat in Lordaeron

Although the New Alliance suffered a great loss with the blood elves, they continued fighting against the Scourge. However, they were not a serious threat to the Burning Legion. Rather, the dreadlords Balnazzar, Detheroc, and Varimathras who were in charge of the Scourge were impatient for orders from Archimonde and ensured that the Scourge was ready for action, ignorant of the death of their leader. Soon after, Arthas returned to Lordaeron's Capital City. He told the undead leaders that the city was now his and that he wouldn't require the dreadlords' services to watch over it. When Balnazzar retorted that the Scourge belonged to the Legion, Arthas replied that their masters had been defeated, and that the Burning Legion was "undone." He then tried to slaughter the dreadlords but they managed to escape, warning Arthas that he would pay for their humiliation. Later, the dreadlords found out that the Lich King was weakening, and together with Sylvannas Windrunner planned to overthrow Arthas.

Luckily for the scourge Arthas escaped the Capital City and Sylvanas's assassination attempt was thwarted by Kel'thuzad. Soon after Varimathras invited Sylvanas to join the dreadlord's new order, Sylvanas however had no intention of losing her freedom again denied the offer and knew it was only a moment of time before she would be attacked. Using her sister banshees Sylvanas possessed Blackthorn, Mug'thol, Snarlmane, and possibly the Murloc Puddle Lord to bloster her forces and not only did she destroy the attacking undead, she even "turned" Varimathras to her side. Soon after the future forsaken killed Detheroc and acquired an ally in the freed Garithos.

The banshee and her forces laid siege to Balnazzar's base, which he had fortified within the city ruins. Even armed with demons as his minions, Balnazzar found himself attacked from both ends by Sylvanas and Garithos, and despite his many threats, Balnazzar's forces were defeated.

Varimathras "kills" Balnazzar.

Sylvanas, Varimathras, and Garithos approached Balnazzar. Sylvanas ordered Varimathras to kill his brother as a testament to his loyalty to her. Varimathras was reluctant. Killing another nathrezim was forbidden, but Sylvanas was adamant. Balnazzar was sure that Varimathras would never take that final step. He was wrong. However, Balnazzar survived — Varimathras allowed his brother to fake his death in order to fool Sylvanas. Varimathras then killed Garithos on Sylvanas orders.

With all their enemies dead, Sylvanas made a proclamation to Varimathras. They would rule the Plaguelands as the Forsaken, and would stake out their own destiny, where none would get in their way.

At some point Balnazzar killed and possessed Saidan Dathrohan's body and began using the Scarlet Crusade.

The Burning Crusade continues...

Even with their defeat in Azeroth the Legion continues invading planets.

Attempted Third Invasion

Attempt to enter throught the Dark Portal

After Illidan's failure to destroy the Frozen Throne, Kil'jaeden sent forces to Outland to destroy him, however, Illidan's forces proved to be equally as powerful and the Legion has so far been unable to gain revenge. During the invasion of Outland, the Legion managed to open the Dark Portal and send troops into Azeroth, led by Highlord Kruul, but the Argent Dawn managed to hold the area surrounding the portal until reinforcements from the Alliance and Horde arrived. After that, the Azerothian resistance pressed on and managed to drive the demons back into Outland where they fought at The Stair of Destiny.

The Alliance and Horde managed to defeat the Burning Legion in the first battle and entered through the Dark Portal, going to the middle Hellfire Peninsula, there the Horde established Thrallmar and the initial Expeditionary Force of the Alliance reinforced Honor Hold. However, a Pit Commander and more Legion forces blocked the reinforcements of both factions, and they stood together to fight in The Stair of Destiny for a long time. Lieutenant General Orion sent an Horde adventurer for reinforcements of Thrallmar, after the notice General Krakork sent out what forces he could. The Legion stationed dreadlords in Felspark Ravine, but the Alliance and Horde defeated them, their imps and infernals. The Alliance and Horde finally managed to destroy the portals defeating the Legion's forces by ground and by air. However the Burning Legion continued to produce fel reavers in Forge Camp: Mageddon, the Alliance and Horde detected this and sent adventurers that defeated this force and destroyed the fel reavers. After the defeat of the fel reavers they aimed Thrallmar with fel cannons, but both Alliance and Horde destroyed the cannons, The final Legion's base, commanded by Warbringer Arix'Amal, still housed warp-portals from which they were drawing reinforcements, but the Alliance located the base and both Alliance and Horde sent adventurers which destroyed the portals and defeated the Legion in Hellfire Peninsula. Kil'jaeden's invasion may have been unsuccessful, but few people know just what he has planned for Azeroth next...

Activities in Outland

Doom Lord Kazzak is the commander of the Burning Legion in Outland, he resides in the Throne of Kil'jaeden. Although the Burning Legion in Hellfire Peninsula was defeated, there is presence throught all other zones of Outland with the exception of Zangarmarsh.

Terokkar Forest

Main article: Cabal

In Terokkar Forest the Shadow Council is still active, there are many cultists, who are part of a branch called Cabal.

Blade's Edge Mountains

In Blade's Edge Mountains the Legion done several things:

• Sent imps, fire elementals and basilisks to defile Skald, causing the destruction of the living places for many ancients and the death of most of them.
• In the Bladed Gulch, they use Fel Corrupters to corrupt the creatures of the land. Those creatures became Felsworn and the Cenarion Expedition had to fought against them.
• At Forge Camp: Anger, the Fel Corrupters used Felsworn Gas Masks to communicate with their masters. The leader of this Fel Corrupters was called Doomcryer. The Cenarion Expedition sent out adventurers that decieve the masters and caused the killing of many mo'args and even the leader Doomcryer.
• The Legion has also control of the Death's Door, one of the portals that connects to the twisting nethers that was closed by Illidan, and two warp-gates. Evergrove Druids and some adventurers managed to destroy the warp-gates and defeat Baelmon the Hound-Master, the one that keeps the portal functioning.

Netherstorm

See also: Kael'thas' forces

In Netherstorm the main activities are of the blood elves allied with the Legion, the Kael'thas' forces, with mainly the Sunfury outside of Tempest Keep and other groups inside of it. The demons in the zone were led by the eredar Socrethar and did several things:

• A group of demons took control of Arklon Ruins to make an excavation, and they were led by the shivarra Ekkorash the Inquisitor. Ekkorash posses the  [Archmage Vargoth's Staff], but removed staff's crystalline headpiece not realizing that it works in concert with the rest of the staff. The dreadlord Pentatharon came into the possession of  [Arklon Crystal Artifact], however it wasn't anything special and the Burning Legion continued searching for something in particular.
  • Ravandwyr sent adventurers to retrive the staff and Ekkorash was killed in the prosses, while Nether-Stalker Khay'ji sent adventurers to defeat Pentatharon.
• Culuthas, a dreadlord, took [Ata'mal Crystal] and betrayed the Legion. He killed the demons of Farahlon and summoned Hounds and Eyes of Culuthas to aid him. A projection of Socrethar threaten Culuthas to give him the crystal or die, but the Consortium killed the dreadlord and obtained the crystal.
• A group of mo'args and gan'args set in Scrap Field, so the goblins of Area 52 feared that it was a problem for them. For that reason, they sent adventurers to dealt with them.
• Demons at the north of Netherstorm were aiding the Sunfury blood elves at Manaforge Ara and had some bases. The Aldor and Scryer fought aganist these demons:
  • First, because of their presence in Manaforge Ara, the alliance between the the blood elves and the Burning Legion was discovered by the Aldor and Scryer.
  • The demons of Manaforge Ara were killed by the Aldor.
  • Kaylaan, a draenei Aldor, joined the Legion when he heard of the alliance between Kael'thas' forces and the Burning Legion.
  • At Forge Base: Oblivion the Legion was led by Forgemaster Morug and had in their possession the [First Half of Socrethar's Stone]. However, Morug was killed by adventurers in order to fight Socrethar.
  • At Forge Base: Gehenna the Legion was led by Silroth and had in their possession the [Second Half of Socrethar's Stone]. However, Silroth was killed by adventurers in order to fight Socrethar.
  • High Priestess Ishanah led the Aldor to fight against Socrethar, but the found Kaylaan the Lost in their way. While fighting Kaylaan, Socrethar killed Ishanah; but Kaylaan, seeing his mentor dying, proceeded to resurrect her. Socrethar then killed Kaylann accusing him of attrition.
  • Finally, Aldors and Scryers attacked Socrethar; with  [Voren'thal's Presence] the eredar was weakened and was killed in the battle.

Kil'jaeden's summoning

Kil'jaeden was not finished yet however, for he had found a new pawn to manipulate in Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider. After his defeat at Tempest Keep, and still blinded by his lust for power, Kael become an all too willing participant in The Burning Legion's next attempt to invade and conquer Azeroth. Kil'jaeden restored Kael'thas' life and power through demonic means and empowered many of his followers will fel energy. Kael'thas sent his new Felblood elves to Silvermoon, where they captured M'uru from Kael's own people and took him to the Sunwell. Kael'thas also discovered that the energies of the Sunwell still existed, in the form of the human girl Anveena, and she was imprisoned and taken to the Sunwell, with Kael hoping to use her energies to reignite the Sunwell, to both bring his new master Kil'jaeden into Azeroth, and to supply himself with a new font of limitless power. However, with the intervention of the Blue Dragonflight and numerous mortal heroes of Azeroth, Kael'thas was killed once and for all in the Magister's Terrace and Kil'jaeden's plans to enter Azeroth were foiled. Anveena sacrificed herself to weaken Kil'jaeden so that the mortal heroes battling him could finally defeat him and send him back through the Sunwell. After the battle at the Sunwell, Velen used what was left of M'uru "body" to reignite the Sunwell, saving the blood elves from their addiction to demonic power and allowing them to continue to use the powers of the Light.

The Royal Coup

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

Varimathras' new model.

In the wake of the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate, it is revealed that Varimathras has plotted his way into controlling a substantial part of the Forsaken faction, using them and his chief underling, Grand Apothecary Putress, to launch a surprise assault upon the combatants at the Wrathgate. This ambush resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Alliance and Horde soldiers, including Bolvar Fordragon and Dranosh Saurfang. At the same time Burning Legion forces under the command of Varimathras successfully took control of the Undercity and nearly killed The Dark Lady herself.

He is eventually faced and defeated by Thrall, Sylvanas, and players during  [74] The Battle For The Undercity, after which he is not seen in-game again by the player(s) who completed the quest (as part of the "phasing" system used in the Scarlet Enclave and areas of Northrend). During the battle, Varimathras makes reference to "years of planning" (attempting to undermine Sylvanas) and the voice of an unseen "Master" is heard berating Varimathras for his failure to prevent the Horde party from reaching the throne room, after which point Varimathras enters the fray himself — where he is defeated.

Notable entities

Lords

They are the Burning Legion leaders:

• Sargeras is the creator and the leader of the Burning Legion. He was once the Champion of the Pantheon before becoming their greatest enemy. His current whereabouts are unknown.
• File:IconSmall Kil'jaeden Small.gif Kil'jaeden is the acting leader of the Burning Legion, aswell as the chief lieutenant of Sargeras.
• File:IconSmall Archimonde Small.gif Archimonde was the Legion Field Commander on Azeroth, and led the armies of the Burning Legion. He was killed during the Battle of Mount Hyjal.
• File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif Mannoroth was the General of the Burning Legion, and the King of the Pit Lords. He was killed by Grom Hellscream.
• File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Tichondrius was the leader of the Nathrezim of the Burning Legion, as well as it's Chief infiltration specialist. He was killed by Illidan Stormrage.

Commanders and allies

• File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Anetheron took command of the Scourge at the death of Tichondrius, killed at the Battle of Mount Hyjal.
• File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Mephistroth asisted to an important meeting and is considered to be one of the leaders of the Nathrezim.
• File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif Azgalor took command of the Annihilan at the defeat of Mannoroth, he now resides in the Twisting Nether ploting his vengeance.
• File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [62] Balnazzar was one of three dreadlords that ruled the Scourge in Archimonde's name, and who now corrupts the Scarlet Crusade (taking the form of Grand Crusader Saidan Dathrohan) for the Legion's purposes.
• File:IconSmall Gul'dan Small.gif [??] Gul'dan the Warlock was the first leader of the Shadow Council and Master of the Inner Circle of the Shadow Council. While pursued by the angry clans of the Horde, he was killed by demons in the Tomb of Sargeras.
• File:IconSmall Doomlord Small.gif [??] Kazzak the Supreme, leader of the doomguards, was the Legion field commander on Azeroth; he is now the field commander in Outland.
• File:IconSmall Doomlord Small.gif [??] Highlord Kruul is the Legion field commander on Azeroth in the place of Lord Kazzak.
• File:IconSmall KaelWretched Small.gif [72] Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, lord of the blood elves and formerly a servant of Illidan Stormrage, is now one of Kil'jaeden's lieutenants.
• [??] Lord Jaraxxus, a man'ari eredar found within the Crusaders' Coliseum. Judging by his title, he's a probably one of the influential members of the Legion.
• File:IconSmall Man'ari eredar Small.gif Talgath, one of the highest ranking agents of the Legion, tasked with scouring the Nether for the draenei.
• File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif Xavius was a Highborne advisor to Queen Azshara and aided in the summoning of Sargeras. He later became the first of the satyrs. He was transformed into a tree by Malfurion Stormrage, and sent to the bottom of the newly-formed Great Sea after the Sundering.

Former allies

• Queen Azshara, formerly believing herself "betrothed" to Sargeras, was likely enticed by the Old Gods to become the Empress of Nazjatar, progenitor of the serpentine naga.
• File:IconSmall Ner'zhul Small.gif Ner'zhul, the elder shaman responsible for the foundation of the Horde (and later transformed by Kil'jaeden into the Lich King) openly betrayed the Legion after the Battle of Mount Hyjal and — despite Illidan's attempts to destroy him — remains in command of the undead Scourge.
• File:IconSmall ArthasDK Small.gif Arthas Menethil, followed the instructions of the dreadlord Tichondrius. He was told to help summon Archimonde. He then aided the Lich King (Ner'Zhul) in overthrowing the Legion. He now is merged with the Lich King.
• [??] Kel'Thuzad, the necromancer who aided the Lich King in spreading the Scourge, was tapped as the destined summoner of Archimonde into Azeroth. However, Kel'Thuzad remains eternally loyal to the Lich King even in death, and is one of his most powerful lieutenants.
• File:IconSmall Illidan Small.gif [??] Illidan Stormrage, former ally of the Burning Legion, was the undisputed Lord of Outland, before his recent death.

Races

The Burning Legion races consists mainly in demons, but other non-demonic races serve them as well.

Major races

File:The Legionnares.jpg

The various races of the Burning Legion. (Fanmade)

• File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif Annihilan, the pit lords
• File:IconSmall Doomlord Small.gifFile:IconSmall Doomguard Small.gif Ered'ruin, the doomguards
• File:IconSmall Fiend Small.gif Fiends, a special type of demon still shrouded in mystery
• File:IconSmall Gan'arg Small.gif Gan'arg, stunted Mo'arg, serving as engineers
• Man'ari eredar, Commanders of the Legion
• File:IconSmall Felguard Small.gifFile:IconSmall Mo'arg Small.gif Mo'arg, the felguard and Chief Engineers of the Legion
• File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Nathrezim, the dreadlords
• File:IconSmall Succubus Small.gif Sayaad, the succubi
• File:IconSmall Shivarra Small.gif Shivarra, religious leaders of the Legion
• File:IconSmall Tothrezim Small.gif Tothrezim, Infernal craftsmen
• File:IconSmall Wrathguard Small.gif Wrathguard, man'ari eredar subspecies, elite warriors

Other races

• Blood elves (Sunfury, Firewing, Sunhawk, Crimson Hand, Dawnblade and Sunblade)
• File:IconSmall Daemon Small.gif Daemons
• File:IconSmall DemonicHound Small.gif Demonic hounds
• Devils
• File:IconSmall Dreadsteed Small.gif Dreadsteeds
• File:IconSmall Felguard Small.gifFelguards
• File:IconSmall Felhunter Small.gif Felbeasts
• Felblood elves (Shadowsword)
• File:IconSmall FrostWyrm Small.gif Fel dragons
• Fel orcs
• Highborne night elves (during the War of the Ancients)
• File:IconSmall Imp Small.gif Imps
• Incubi
• File:IconSmall Dreadsteed Small.gif Nightmares
• File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif Satyrs
• Shadow-hounds
• File:IconSmall VoidTerror Small.gif Voidterrors
• File:IconSmall Voidwalker Small.gif Voidwalkers
• File:IconSmall WarpStalker Small.gif Warp Stalkers

Constructs

• File:IconSmall Abyssal Small.gif Abyssals
• File:IconSmall FelReaver Small.gif Fel reavers
• File:IconSmall Infernal Small.gif Infernals

Races of other organizations

This list includes the organizations that serve the Burning Legion.

• Shadow Council races

Manual of Monsters

Appart from the mentioned above, the Appendix Three of Manual of Monsters mentions the following allies of the Burning Legion: Belsamaug, Blight Wolf, Celestian, Demonss, Dragon, Firewrack, Dragon, Seawrack, Dragon, Woodwrack, Fatling, Feral, Fleshcrawlers, Gorgon, High (presumed), Gorgon, Low (presumed), Hag, Brine, Hag, Cavern, Hag, Ice, Murdersprite, Narleth, The Proud, Ratman, Savant Hydra, Skin Devil, some Sleet Devil, Vengaurak, Arcane Devourer (suspected), Bitter Tree, Blood Crone, Blood Reaper, Blood Sprite, Carnivorous Tree, Gristly Minstrel Daemon, Plague Angel Daemon, Abyssal Larva Demon, Demon, Blade, Blood Horror Demon, Gauntling, Skullworm, Surged Giant, Wickerman, Forlarren, Cerberus, Daemons and Devils, Death Dog, Demonic Knight, Shadow Demons and Screaming Devilkin; however the validity of the source is disputed.

Organization

Numbers

The number of demons in the Twisting Nethers are infinite. However not all demons are part of the Buring Legion. During the War of the Ancients, Sargeras gathered the Burning Legion, at that time it consisted of one million demons, although the Legion was defeated in both of their invasions and many demons were slain, their ranks have grown once again and it's estimated to consists in one million demons yet again.

Organizations who serve the Legion

Currently

• Kael'thas' forces
• Marapor
• Shadow Council and the cults who serve them.
• Varimathras & Putress' loyalists (During Battle for the Undercity)
• Underblade
• Scarlet Crusade
• Scarlet Onslaught

Formerly

• New Alliance
• Illidan's forces
• Scourge
• Horde
• Highborne

Command structure

• Sargeras , Supreme commander (exact status unclear)
  • File:IconSmall Archimonde Small.gif [??] Archimonde (deceased) (lead the armies of the Legion)
    • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [??] Anetheron (deceased) (Commander of the Scourge, reported information to Archimonde, took control of the scourge at the death of Tichondrius)
    • Rage Winterchill (deceased) (One of the commanders of the undead army allied with the Legion)
    • File:IconSmall Fiend Small.gif Hakkar the Houndmaster (deceased) (Master of the felhounds, slain during the War of the Ancients)
      • [68] Baelmon the Hound-Master
        • File:IconSmall DemonicHound Small.gif Wrath hounds
    • File:IconSmall Imp Small.gif Zmodlor (Infiltration Specialist, banished by Aegwynn)
    • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif Mannoroth (deceased) (Under Archimonde, corruptor of the orcish race)
      • Horde (the curse blood was lifted and the Horde became free once again)
      • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [??] Azgalor (took command of the pit lords after Mannoroth was killed)
        • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [??] Magtheridon (Imprisoned within Hellfire Citadel, but still loyal to the Legion)
          • Magtheridon's Forces
        • Other pit lords
    • DoomguardsTemplate:Cite
    • Some other eredars
  • File:IconSmall Kil'jaeden Small.gif [??] Kil'jaeden acting Supreme Commander
    • Talgath, agent
    • File:IconSmall FelDragon Small.gif [??] Felmyst
    • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [??] Brutallus
    • [??] Lady Sacrolash
    • [??] Grand Warlock Alythess
    • File:IconSmall VoidGod Small.gif [??] Entropius
    • File:IconSmall KaelWretched Small.gif [72] Kael'thas Sunstrider (chief lieutenant, leader of the blood elves of Outland, Summoner of Kil'jaeden)
      • • felblood elves
        • [69] Master Daellis Dawnstrike
          • Sunfury blood elves
        • [65] Sharth Voldoun
          • Firewing blood elves
        • [20] Sironas
          • Sunhawk blood elves
        • The Crimson Hand
        • Shadowsword felblood elves
        • Dawnblade blood elves
        • Sunblade blood elves
        • File:IconSmall Shivarra Small.gif [70] Priestess Delrissa
        • [71] Selin Fireheart
        • File:IconSmall Voidwalker Small.gif [71] Vexallus
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Tichondrius (deceased) (Minion of Kil'jaeden, first among the dreadlords and the commander of the Scourge)
        • Scourge (The Lich King betrayed the Legion)
        • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Mephistroth (presummed current leader of the dreadlords beacuse of his presence during an important meeting)
        • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [62] Balnazzar (The most powerful of his dreadlords left in Lordaeron possessed the corpse of Saidan Dathrohan)
        • The Scarlet Crusade (Unknowingly)
        • The Crimson Legion (His elite group)
        • File:IconSmall Varimathras Small.gif [??] Varimathras (possibly deceased, led a coup d'etat against Sylvanas)
          • File:IconSmall Putress Small.gif [??] Putress (Grand Apothecary, sided with Varimathras when he betrayed & almost killed Sylvanas)
          • Forsaken (The ones loyal to Varimathras and Putress)
        • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Detheroc (deceased)
          • New Alliance (released from Legion mind control and slain by the Forsaken)
      • File:IconSmall Varimathras Small.gif Mal'Ganis (Possessed the corpse of Barean Westwind)
        • The Scarlet Onslaught (Unknowingly)
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [62] Lord Hel'nurath (Ruler of Xoroth, and Stable-keeper of the dreadsteeds)
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [??] Sathrovarr the Corruptor
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [59] Lord Banehollow (Left in Jaedenar to cultivate a network of spies, the Shadow Council)
        • The Shadow Council
          • File:IconSmall Gul'dan Small.gif [??] Gul'dan (deceased)
            • Stormreaver Clan (decimated)
            • File:IconSmall Cho'gall Small.gif Cho'gall (Apprentice of Gul'dan, defected to the Old Gods)
              • Twilight's Hammer clan (defected to the Old Gods)
          • [57] Fel'dan (Alive, Leader of the council on Azeroth)
            • [37] Neeru Fireblade
              • The Burning Blade clan (puppet organization)
              • Fizzle Darkstorm
            • [16] Jergosh the Invoker and File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif [16] Bazzalan
              • The Searing Blade
            • [40] Nagaz
              • The Argus Wake (organization active in Alterac.)
                • The Syndicate (under partial control by the Argus Wake)
            • [31] Athrikus Narassin
              • The Cult of the Dark Strand
          • [72] Grandmaster Vorpil (Alive, Leader of the Council on Draenor.)
            • File:IconSmall Ogre Mage Small.gif [72] Blackheart
            • N. Kagnito
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif Dalvengyr (deceased)
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [32] Diathorus the Seeker
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [32] Gorgannon
      • File:IconSmall Dreadlord Small.gif [59] Razelikh the Defiler (Overseer of demonic activity in the Blasted Lands)
        • File:IconSmall DeathKnight Small.gif [60] Ilifar
        • [59] Lady Sevine
        • [58] Grol the Destroyer
        • [58] Archmage Allistarj
      • Other dreadlords
    • File:IconSmall Doomlord Small.gif [??] Kazzak the Supreme (Kil'jaeden's right hand, Legion Field Commander in Outland, led third invasion into Azeroth)
      • [63] Arazzius the Cruel, Legion overlord of the Hellfire Peninsula
        • [62] Warbringer Arix'Amal, head of Invasion Point: Annihilator
      • File:IconSmall Doomlord Small.gif [??] Highlord Kruul (Legion Field Commander on Azeroth, minion of Doom Lord Kazzak)
    • Some other eredars
  • File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif Xavius (Under Sargeras, Eternal, currently at the bottom of the Great Sea)
    • File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif Satyrs
  • File:IconSmall Demonhunter Small.gif [??] Atiesh, Hand of Sargeras (the hand of Sargeras)
  • Unknown if they serve Archimonde or Kil'jaeden
    • [??] Prince Malchezaar
      • File:IconSmall Satyr Small.gif [??] Terestian Illhoof
        • File:IconSmall Imp Small.gif [70] Kil'rek
      • Ghost of Karazhan
    • [??] Lord Jaraxxus
    • [72] Socrethar
    • [73] Reth'hedron the Subduer (Leader of the Burning Legions forces in Nagrand)
      • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [68] Xirkos (Overseer of Forge Camp: Fear)
      • [68] Demos (Overseer of Forge Camp: Hate)
    • File:IconSmall Doomguard Small.gif Azzinoth (deceased) (Demon Commander, slain by Illidan Stormrage during the War of the Ancients)
    • [69] Warbringer Razuun (Legion Field Commander on Shadowmoon Valley)
      • [69] Deathbringer Jovaan
        • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [68] Makazradon
        • File:IconSmall PitLord Small.gif [68] Morgroron
        • File:IconSmall Shivarra Small.gif [68] Prophetess Cavrylin
    • Felguards

External links

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