Eredar

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Eredar
Eredar2.jpg
Faction/Affiliation
Character classes
Racial capital

Neutral Argus (presumed)
Alliance Exodar

Racial leader(s)
Homeworld
Primary language(s)

The eredar are a species of supremely talented magic-wielders who arose on the planet Argus countless millennia ago. Exceptionally skilled in magic, their mastery of the arcane arts is renowned throughout the scattered worlds of the Great Dark Beyond.[2] Led by three wise and powerful leaders — Kil'jaeden, Archimonde and Velen — they built a vast civilization of wondrous cities and a peaceful way of life on their home world. However, 25,000 years before the First War, the Dark Titan Sargeras shattered the tranquility of Argus by offering the eredar immeasurable power and prestige.[3] Kil'jaeden and Archimonde accepted, transforming most of the eredar into demonic members of the Burning Legion, but Velen and his followers, who would later name themselves draenei, or "Exiled Ones", fled Argus with the help of the divine naaru.

The draenei refer to their demon-corrupted brethren as "man'ari", or "unnatural beings", but more commonly the word "eredar" is used for both the demonic members of the Burning Legion and the pre-Legion civilization on Argus. The man'ari now act as some of the most powerful weapons in the Burning Legion's arsenal.[3]

History

Long ago, on the planet of Argus, the noble and enigmatic[3] eredar race arose. They are one of the oldest known races in the universe.[2] They were extremely intelligent and had a natural affinity for magic in all of its forms. Using their gifts, they developed a vast and wondrous society,[4] in which art, science, magic and technology were all as one.[5] They were aided in this development by an ancient artifact known as the Ata'mal crystal, a triangular crystal whose origin was a mystery to the eredar,[6] though it had been a gift bestowed upon them by the naaru in ancient times.[7] The eredar hunted great horned beasts for sport,[8] and one of their greatest leaders, Thal'kiel, had unprecedented skill with summoning and binding magics. Driven by ambition, he reached into the Void and was answered with knowledge of dark creatures unlike any the eredar had seen before.[9]

Kurzon the False, a man'ari eredar

The dark titan Sargeras, in order to create a great Legion, planned to bolster his ranks by creating demons.[10] He was attracted by the eredar's magical affinity, and contacted them under the guise of a benevolent being, promising their three leaders, Archimonde, Kil'jaeden, and Velen, vast powers and that he would use his power to transform their race into an even greater one so they may spread his universal union. A troubling vision soon came to Velen, who saw the eredar transformed into unspeakable demons. But despite Velen's misgivings, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden agreed to join Sargeras' Burning Legion.[11] The eredar were the first sentient race to pledge their allegiance to Sargeras. Knowing that other sentient beings would inevitably join the Legion, the eredar declared that their primary language, Eredun, would be the Legion's common language.[10] Argus became a demon world, and the stronghold of the Burning Legion.[12]

With his fellow eredar already becoming corrupted by demonic power, Velen, along with those who would follow him, split from the man'ari — who were, by now, a "twisted demonic reflection of" the original eredar[13] — on Argus with the help of the naaru, renaming themselves the draenei, or "exiled ones" in Eredun.[11] The man'ari continued to call themselves "eredar"[13] under Kil'jaeden and were infuriated with what they perceived as a betrayal. They hunted Velen and the draenei across dozens of worlds for thousands of years as the draenei used a massive naaru dimensional ship called the Genedar to escape. Every time it seemed that the draenei had found a new home, the Burning Legion would fall upon them. One such world was Fanlin'Deskor, whose surface was ripped apart by the Legion, after which nothing was left behind.[14] The indigenous races of many worlds were oftentimes mutated by the eredar's malevolent warlock powers and turned into demons themselves.

Both factions continued to use the Eredun language, though specific dialects have evolved: the demonic Eredun and Draenei languages.

The draenei traveled through most of the cosmos and eventually discovered another, safer world to settle down upon. They named this world Draenor, or "exiles' refuge". At first there was peace with the native orcs living there, and they struck up trade and diplomacy with the shamanistic race. But soon the draenei's existence there was discovered by Kil'jaeden via his agent, Talgath. This time, however, Kil'jaeden decided that instead of launching a full invasion of the planet, from which the draenei had managed to escape in the past, he would use the native orcs to do his bidding for him; thus Velen and the draenei wouldn't realise the Legion was involved and flee, until it was too late to do so. Kil'jaeden and the eredar then began to corrupt the orcs, turning them into a bloodthirsty, war-like race by granting them access to warlock magics. The orcs formed the Horde and subsequently hunted down the draenei, almost wiping out the entire race; indeed, they believed they had, but Velen and a few others had managed to escape the onslaught.[11] The draenei used the dimensional ship known as the Exodar, a vessel of the great naaru fortress Tempest Keep to escape to the world of Azeroth to ally with the Alliance.

To this day, the draenei remain loyal members of the Alliance, and the man'ari, now the most stalwart enemy of the draenei, comprise the commanders and strategists of the Burning Legion.[2][15]

The RPG Icon 16x36.png This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

The eredar consumed all life around them and set out to find more places of mystical power. Until now, only the titans have ever challenged them. Each of the leaders, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden, built a hierarchy of demons, jealously protected from the will of the other. These groups strove for dominance of Azeroth and other worlds. But now, at long last, Archimonde is dead, killed by the forces of Azeroth. Individual eredar and a few hopeful heroes of the lesser races have decided that they are the best candidates to replace him. These prideful few have taken their first careful steps toward locating and eliminating the presumptuous competition that might seek to displace them.[16]

Other accounts

Titan's origins

Eredar warlock.

The RPG Icon 16x36.png This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

All demons, including the eredar, were mortal once, but have been transformed into demons by corruption caused by Fel Energy. This change included a powerful command of arcane energy.[17][18] It is said that Sargaras believed that the demons originally were not corrupt, and that it was the Titan's ordering of the universe that was ultimately responsible for the demons corruption.[19] In this scenario, it would imply that the titans considered the various natural races that pre-existed on worlds they visited to be demons, but were actually corrupted by the titans themselves. Sargeras later came back and freed many of them, bent on using them to destroy the Titan's work.

Original lore

Eredar were supreme sorcerers at the dawn of the universe. Some believe that they devoured their own world by using radical warlock magics. They consumed all life around them and set out to find more places of mystical power.[16]

Over the eons, Sargeras encountered two powerful demonic races, both of which were bent on gaining power and dominance over the physical universe.[20] One of them was the eredar, an insidious race of devilish sorcerers, who used their warlock magics to enslave a number of worlds that they had invaded. The indigenous races of those worlds were mutated by the eredar's chaotic powers and turned into demons themselves.[20] Though Sargeras' nearly limitless powers were more than enough to defeat the vile eredar, he was greatly troubled by the creatures' corruption and all-consuming evil. Unable to fathom such depravity and spite, the great Titan began to slip into a brooding depression. Despite his growing unease, Sargeras rid the universe of the warlocks by trapping them within a corner of the Twisting Nether.[20][21]

Still, Sargeras went mad and decided to undo the Titan's works throughout the universe, he set out to form an unstoppable army that would set the physical universe to the flame. In his fury and madness, Sargeras shattered the prisons of the eredar and the nathrezim and set the vile demons free. The cunning demons, bowing before the dark Titan's vast rage and power, offered themselves to him and swore to serve him in whatever malicious way they could.[20][21] The eredar were Sargeras's first recruits in the Burning Legion, serving as tactical advisors and intelligence officers.[16]

From the ranks of the powerful eredar, Sargeras chose two champions to lead 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's ranks. The second champion, Archimonde the Defiler, was chosen to lead Sargeras's vast armies into battle against any who might resist the Titan's will.[20][21]

New lore

Eredar Wand of Obliteration TCG.jpg

The idea that eredar were previously mortal before being corrupted has existed long before The Burning Crusade's release.[19] Chris Metzen stands by the lore described in the history section, who for better or worse are among the primary antagonists, more firmly in the backstory.[22]

In the newer lore, Sargeras' first battles with demons may not have been with the eredar; it is possible he may have fought some other demonic race from the Twisting Nether before his battles with the nathrezim.[22]

This is confirmed in the WOW magazine which shows Sargeras also fought the ered'ruin, mo'arg, sayaad, and infernals.

Biology

The eredar are physically similar to their original shape, with a few minor differences (the original eredar shape has been preserved in the draenei). The most obvious difference is their skin color; though several man'ari, such as Archimonde and Lady Sacrolash, retain a blue-gray skin color, most have blood-red skin. Their eyes glow fel-green; much like draenei,[23] the glow in an eredar's eyes will fade away when they die.[24] Many male man'ari lack cranial hair, and man'ari females have longer tails than their draenei counterparts. Eredar hands are clawed.

Most significantly, most man'ari tend to be much larger than draenei, though few could match Archimonde's preferred height (he has been shown of being capable to change his size at will).

Kil'jaeden shows a greater amount of physical variation, having sprouted both horns and wings in his most recent incarnation in addition to the more regular man'ari mutations; though these additional appendages could be a result of his shape-altering abilities rather than the influence of fel magic.

Any draenei that allows themselves to become corrupted can become a man'ari eredar, transforming from humanoid to demon. Two recent examples are Levixus, an eredar who was born as a draenei, and Exarch Othaar, who became a man'ari and took the name Socrethar when he swore himself to the Burning Legion.

The RPG Icon 16x36.png This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

These creatures are of impressive size, far larger than any human or orc, with a bulky muscular body and a long tail. Long pointed ears sweep back from its bestial face and horns sprout from its wide brow[16]

Sociology

The RPG Icon 16x36.png This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG and is considered non-canon.

A demonic eredar in action.

Pre-eminence in eredar warlock society depends almost entirely upon magical power. Those who command the greatest selection of paramount spells — and thus in theory the greatest magical arsenal — rise to higher ranks. Those whose arcane abilities top out at such pitiful cantrips as wish and shape change are grunts and lackeys, scarcely worthy of notice.[16] Because of the very nature of magic, rank, magical power, and overall intelligence go hand-in-claw.

This rule of rank is never deviated from; Archimonde's status among his brethren is backed up by his mastery of the most destructive forms of magic, and his adeptness of all others (recall his single-handed destruction of Dalaran). However, while Archimonde is violent and destructive, Kil'Jaeden is ruthlessly cunning, and coupled with his powerful magic, may even make him an even more dangerous demon than Archimonde.

Sub-species

Notable eredar

Man'ari

Name Role Affiliation Status Location
Neutral  Archimonde The Defiler; commander of the Burning Legion's military Burning Legion Alive Hyjal Summit; Black Gate, Hellfire Citadel
Neutral  Kil'jaeden The Deceiver; acting leader of the Burning Legion Burning Legion Alive Twisting Nether
Combat  Adept Vatrusta Disciple of Tyrant Velhari Sargerei, Burning Legion Killable Desolation of Gorefiend, Talador
Combat  Arazzius the Cruel Legion commander at the Pools of Aggonar Burning Legion Killable Pools of Aggonar, Hellfire Peninsula
Combat  Baelmon the Hound-Master Hound Master Burning Legion Killable Death's Door, Blade's Edge Mountains
Combat  Demos, Overseer of Hate Overseer of Forge Camp: Hate Burning Legion Killable Forge Camp: Hate, Nagrand
Boss  Grand Warlock Alythess One of the Eredar Twins Burning Legion Killable Witch's Sanctum, Sunwell Plateau
Neutral  Illidari Lord Balthas Servant of Illidan Illidari Alive Dragonmaw Base Camp, Shadowmoon Valley
Boss  Lady Sacrolash One of the Eredar Twins Burning Legion Killable Witch's Sanctum, Sunwell Plateau
Combat  Levixus The Soul Caller; binds the tortured souls of the dead to his will Shadow Council Killable Auchindoun, Terokkar Forest
Boss  Lord Jaraxxus Summoned by Wilfred Fizzlebang at the Argent Tournament Burning Legion Killable Trial of the Crusader
Boss  Prince Malchezaar Eredar prince occupying Karazhan Burning Legion Alive Netherspace, Karazhan
Combat  Reth'hedron the Subduer Leader of the Legion forces in Nagrand Burning Legion Killable Twilight Ridge, Nagrand
Neutral  Satiel First necrolyte to walk Azeroth Burning Legion Deceased Unknown
Combat  Sironas Leader of the Sunhawk forces on Bloodmyst Isle Burning Legion Killable Vector Coil, Bloodmyst Isle
Combat  Socrethar Leader of the Legion forces in Netherstorm Burning Legion Killable Socrethar's Seat, Netherstorm
Neutral  Alternate Socrethar Leader of the Sargerei, former member of the Council of Exarchs Sargerei, Shadow Council, Burning Legion Killable Elodor, Shadowmoon Valley; Shattrath City, Talador; Halls of the Sargerei, Hellfire Citadel
Neutral  Talgath Agent of Kil'jaeden, responsible for discovering the location of the draenei on Draenor Burning Legion Alive Unknown
Boss  Tyrant Velhari High-ranking Sargerei Sargerei, Burning Legion Killable Halls of the Sargerei, Hellfire Citadel
Combat  Warbringer Razuun Overseer of the Deathforge Burning Legion Killable Deathforge, Shadowmoon Valley

Other

Name Role Affiliation Status Location
Alliance  Velen Leader of the draenei, prophet of the naaru Exodar, Alliance Alive Various Locations
Alliance  Anchorite Tessa Valiance Expedition Alive Wintergrasp
Alliance  Exarch Hataaru Chief Artificer, member of the Council of Exarchs Council of Exarchs Deceased Elodor Fields, Shadowmoon Valley
Alliance  Jessera of Mac'Aree Mushroom collector Exodar Alive Blood Watch, Bloodmyst Isle
Neutral  Nitrin the Learned Father of Levixus Alive Abandoned Armory, Nagrand
Neutral  Thal'kiel One of the greatest leaders of the eredar prior to their corruption, killed by Archimonde for dabbling in Void magic Deceased Unknown
Neutral  Valok the Righteous Argent Dawn member taken prisoner by the Scourge Argent Dawn Killable Chapel of the Crimson Flame, Plaguelands: The Scarlet Enclave

Notes

Name

"Eredar... this word once held meaning."[13]
Exarch Admetius

"Man'ari" is an Eredun term that translates to "unnatural beings".[27] It was originally described as a word with no specific translation, use to describe something considered "horrifically wrong, something twisted and unnatural and defiled".[28] "Man'ari" most often used by the draenei to describe the eredar followers of Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, and some demonic eredar appear to refer to themselves as such, however, usage of it as a species name to refer to the eredar of the Burning Legion can be considered grammatically correct as Kil'jaeden appropriated the term for his own use.[29] However, the man'ari mostly refer to themselves simply as "eredar"[13] and the draenei no longer call themselves eredar,[30] likely because the name is mostly associated with the demonic man'ari.

Speculation

Questionmark-medium.png
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.

Icon-time.svg This section contains information that is out-of-date.

New and old lore

  • Some speculate that the nathrezim or even the Old Gods may have been the ones that caused the corruption of Sargeras instead of the eredar.
  • Another reconciliation suggestion is that the eredar are evil to begin with and that it is only after Velen's vision that a faction within the eredar started to seek salvation, helped by the naaru. However, Rise of the Horde contradicts this by stating that the Eredar are peaceful and curious race that wish to explore other worlds for the sake of knowledge. Furthermore, Velen's horrified reaction of what his people will become and the evil they will cause clearly shows that the Eredar are actually a benevolent race.
  • Yet another theory speculates the eredar did corrupt Sargeras, or at least affected his mind, but he might have imprisoned them in Argus binding them there to prevent the Eredar warlocks from spreading to other worlds. With the help of the Naaru, the dark Eredar slowly abandoned the ways of arcane magic using the Ata'mal crystals gifted to them. Thousands of years later, Sargeras's corruption finally sunk in and he transformed into Sargeras the Destroyer. Thus he returned to those demonic races he had formerly defeated, to free them if they served him, thus re-corrupting the Eredar. The flaw in there is that we haven't been told yet if demons can be purified, and converted over time into good-doers with the use of Ata'mal crystals. However, in Warcraft magazine, there is no Eredar amongst the demons Sargeras battles, which thus contradicts this theory, meaning that the Eredar are mortal to begin with.
  • Kil'jaeden is known as the Deciever, and given that it was he who claimed the eredar corrupted Sargeras, it's always possible that Kil'jaeden was simply lying.

Other relatives?

It is unclear if the ered'ruin, and possibly terrorguards, have also diverged from the original eredar.

References

  1. ^ The Demon Soul pg. 408
  2. ^ a b c The Burning Crusade Bestiary - Eredar
  3. ^ a b c Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 39
  4. ^ The Burning Crusade Townhall/Draenei
  5. ^ A [91] Invisible Ramparts
  6. ^ Rise of the Horde, 4
  7. ^ Golden, Christie. "Prologue", Rise of the Horde, 11. ISBN 978-0-7434-7138-1. “"Take the ata'mal crystal with you. Long, long ago, did we give it to you; it is how we will find you again."” 
  8. ^ Kuros during B [100] Nemesis: Hunter - Hunted: "On Argus, we hunted powerful horned beasts like your Tauren for sport. Prove your might over this worthy adversary!"
  9. ^ Legion: Warlock Artifact Reveal (2015-10-23). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.
  10. ^ a b The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Burning Legion
  11. ^ a b c The Story So Far (Burning Crusade)
  12. ^ Adventure Guide entry for Azzakel
  13. ^ a b c d A [15] What Argus Means to Me
  14. ^ Prophet's Lesson
  15. ^ Exodar Holographic Emitter
  16. ^ a b c d e Manual of Monsters, pg. 119
  17. ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 112
  18. ^ Monster Guide, pg. 188
  19. ^ a b Shadows & Light, pg. 122
  20. ^ a b c d e Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual, pg. 133, 134
  21. ^ a b c Blizzard Entertainment. Chapter I: Mythos (English) (HTML). History. Retrieved on 2009-12-27.
  22. ^ a b Metzen on lore
  23. ^ B [95] The Battle for Shattrath
  24. ^ Hellfire Citadel ending cinematic
  25. ^ Well of Eternity, pg. 325, 327, 359
  26. ^ Demon Soul, pg. 50, 84, 86
  27. ^ Ultimate Visual Guide
  28. ^ Rise of the Horde, pg. 5
  29. ^ Rise of the Horde, pg. 18
  30. ^ A [8] An Alternative Alternative: Anchorite Fateema says: Man'ari... But how... We are not eredar! She must know! If there are others like her, we must find them and explain...
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