Magisters

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HordeMagisters
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The magisters are wise and will plot a prosperous course for our future.
Priest Kath'mar

The Magisters[1][2] are a prominent group of blood elf mages and are one of three major factions in the government of Quel'Thalas, along with the Farstriders and the Blood Knights. They are led by the Grand Magister of Quel'Thalas, Rommath, a powerful archmage who succeeded Grand Magister Belo'vir after the Scourge invasion. They are a politically powerful group, its leaders having strong historic ties to the upper echelons of Silvermoon.[3]

Origin

The Magisters' exact origin and time of ascension to authority are unknown, but it is presumed that they existed maybe before, or during the founding of Quel'Thalas. They have been Silvermoon's top authority on all things pertaining to magic, and have been in possession of a vast reservoir of knowledge on all things arcane, for many years. Like the Farstriders, the Magisters have been a cornerstone of Thalassian society for many years, and a common career choice for studious and ambitious elves.

For many years, the Magisters' leadership has been an elected position.[3] The grand magister also appoints a Seeker of Wisdom, who travels across Azeroth in search of further magical knowledge on the Magisters' behalf.[1]

History

Fall and rise of Quel'Thalas

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At the crux of the Third War, the high elven magi of Quel'Thalas were mostly stationed within the illustrious elven capital of Silvermoon, and on Quel'Danas (possibly the Magisters' Terrace).[4] The magi were largely unaware of the initial stages of the Scourge attack, residing on Quel'Danas with King Anasterian and the Convocation of Silvermoon.[4] The Farstriders under Ranger General Sylvanas sent out numerous messengers to Quel'Danas, though these proved to be vain attempts of getting the word to them in time. Sylvanas herself held out hope that the magisters could turn the battle around if word reached them in time, though the Scourge had already reached Silvermoon by the time the bewildered elves became aware of the threat.

The Magisters were rallied by Grand Magister Belo'vir after Sylvanas's downfall. The grand magister took over the defense of Silvermoon in the fallen general's stead, organizing the combined efforts of the magi and rangers. However, despite Belo'vir's best efforts and strategies, the Scourge overcame all obstacles. Belo'vir was slain on Quel'Danas, along with the entire Convocation of Silvermoon.

Much of this destruction came about due to the Magisters having been betrayed by one of their own - an ambitious, slighted, and vain mage called Dar'Khan Drathir sold out the high elves to Arthas in return for power, and personally murdered many Convocation of Silvermoon members and other magisters near the Sunwell Plateau, which he then bound and cut off from the elves. Several deceased magisters were raised into spectres and left at the defiled Sunwell.[5]

The surviving magisters rallied behind Kael'thas Sunstrider when the prince returned to take his murdered father's place. They accompanied him to Quel'Danas, now overrun with the undead, and confirmed that the Sunwell was fouled and corrupted by the Scourge's necromantic energies. A raid of Farstriders, warriors, and priests accompanied the magisters back to the isle to destroy the tainted Sunwell and avert further calamity, and undead magisters were spotted among the Scourge's ranks. Lor'themar Theron hoped that they lacked in death the great powers they had wielded in life.

Following the fall of Quel'Thalas, the culling of the high elves, as well as the loss of the Sunwell, the surviving high elves cast off their name and rose to became "blood elves" in honor of their fallen brethren. At the behest of Prince Kael'thas, rightful monarch of Quel'Thalas, many powerful magi traveled with him to serve the Alliance remnants and later Illidan Stormrage in Outland in order to secure a new homeland for their people and to find a relief for their race's magical addiction. The magi were among the first to dabble in the volatile new powers advocated by the powerful half-demon, and Prince Kael'thas sent back a number of magi along with Grand Magister Rommath to share these new teachings with the elves back in Quel'Thalas.[6]

The elven homeland, shattered by the Scourge attack, remained infested with the Scourge in spite of the blood elves' (led by Lor'themar and Halduron Brightwing) attempts to reclaim it for their people. However, this was to little avail, until Rommath and the magisters returned - bringing with them the radical teachings advocated by Illidan - smoothly attributed to Kael'thas - which involved forcibly taking arcane energy from various external sources, such as arcane crystals and mana-bearing creatures. Coming under the total leadership of Rommath, the new Grand Magister, the magisters rejoined with the blood elves within Quel'Thalas and stormed the undead-infested areas of northern Eversong, eradicating the undead still lingering within.[6]

Revitalized by this turn of events, the blood elves generally took well to this efficient new method, and Rommath and the magisters went about reclaiming and rebuilding Silvermoon City -- "almost overnight". Once complete, the magisters quickly re-established themselves as one of the most respected political groups within Quel'Thalas.[6] The towering spires of Silvermoon stood standing skyward once again, powered by the magisters' volatile magics. With their homeland back under sin'dorei control, the blood elves hailed Kael'thas as their savior and hero, emboldened by the notion that the Prince would someday return to lead his people to power and glory.

Burning Crusade

The Burning Crusade This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

Under the leadership of Grand Magister Rommath, the magisters have re-established themselves as one of the most (if not the most) influential and authoritative groups within Quel'Thalas, more so than the Farstriders and the newly-emerged Blood Knights, a group the magisters had a hand in creating. The Magisters were supporters of Silvermoon's alliance with the Horde, and had any dissidents speaking out against it magically silenced.[7] Using the Arcane Guardians patrolling the city, they also spread positive propaganda regarding the blood elves' looming destiny and their prince.

The Magisters have taken a more direct approach to gaining power within Silvermoon's political climate. Their authority on magic has led to them having an easily establishable sense of power over the addicted masses of Silvermoon and thus, won them the favor and allowed them to control many citizens with ease. They are true to the Jingoist philosophy that elves have always practiced, although after the Third War, they have begun to enforce it rigorously. The Magisters' successes in retaking and rebuilding Quel'Thalas was not seen as a good thing by all of the blood elves, however. One notable pair held a rally against the state, claiming that the Magisters' work had been excessive, at too high a cost, and too reliant on the magic they felt had damned them all in the first place, going so far as to call them traitors.

Although even the regent lord of Quel'Thalas, Lor'themar Theron did not condone all of their methods, Grand Magister Rommath spoke with Prince Kael'thas's full approval.[3]

While the Magisters and the Farstriders rarely see eye-to-eye, the two sin'dorei organizations found some very common ground against Dar'Khan Drathir, one of Quel'Thalas' greatest traitors. Military might alone would not suffice against the undead forces streaming from Deatholme, yet with their guile and unmatched knowledge of the arcane,[8] the Magisters reconstructed the Sanctum of the Sun to stand defiant against the Scourge invaders. Magister Kaendris and his magi coordinated the final strikes against Dar'Khan, ending with the traitor's head sent back to Silvermoon's regency. The Magisters also took an interest in the Scourge-infested Dead Scar, hoping to find ways to reverse its taint.[9]

Post-Quel'Danas

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With the threat that the crazed aspect Malygos posed to the world of magic on the horizon, the Kirin Tor turned to those who had always been allies of Dalaran, friends from the past - the Magisters of Quel'Thalas.[10]

Rommath, still with fresh memories of how the Kirin Tor had turned a blind eye to the blood elves' slated execution at the hands of the Alliance resistance, decreed that none of his magisters would be assisting Archmage Aethas Sunreaver if it would be for the benefit of the Kirin Tor. Lor'themar Theron, though in agreement with Rommath's reasoning, overruled this.

Several blood elven magisters were thus seen supporting the Horde in Northrend, though most of which were affiliated with the Sunreavers.

Magister Keldonus apparently betrayed the Magisters becoming a mage hunter.

Mists of Pandaria

Mists of Pandaria This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

Following the expulsion of the Sunreavers from the Kirin Tor, their strength is added to that of the Magisters.[11] Rommath and his magi later assisted the Sunreaver Onslaught on the Isle of Thunder.

Legion

Legion This section concerns content related to Legion.

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In the past, many Magisters studied together with the Kirin Tor in Dalaran. Some wonder if it is time put their recent conflicts behind them and fight the Burning Legion together.[1]

Grand Magister Rommath named the magistrix Esara Verrinde to be the Magisters' Seeker of Wisdom. She traveled from Silvermoon to investigate the Empyrean Society and find anything of use. Esara is invited to join the reformed Tirisgarde, and supports its new leader.

Rommath led several Magisters to Suramar to support the Nightfallen rebellion. The grand magister believes that only his Magisters and Lady Liadrin's Blood Knights are capable of achieving victory against the city's Burning Legion-aligned masters.[12]

Organization and power

The Magisters are foremost a political group, and have little presence outside Quel'Thalas. Unlike the Sunreavers, who while mostly blood elves also have a number of other races within their ranks, the Magisters are comprised entirely of sin'dorei. Magisters commonly take on apprentices, and sometimes run magical schools.[13] Others are seen to rule towns and villages in Eversong. The Magisters have long been renowned for their vast magical knowledge; according to Grand Magister Rommath, the Kirin Tor was known to frequently ask for their aid when in over their heads.[10]

Officially, the Magisters are non-military personnel,[14] but higher-ranked Magisters have commanded and overseen military operations in the past. During the Scourge invasion, Grand Magister Belo'vir took over overall command of the battle when Sylvanas Windrunner fell, and Rommath was placed in charge of evacuating the non-combatants from Silvermoon. Magister Kaendris and his magi played an active part in assisting the Farstriders in defeating Dar'Khan Drathir and invading the traitor's citadel.

To become a magister is to have achieved a high status in blood elf society.[15] The station of Grand Magister is one of the most powerful positions to hold in the kingdom.[3] A mage falling out of favor with the Magisters usually results in them being reassigned to less pleasant duties outside of Quel'Thalas.

The Magisters enforced a regime which heavily emphasized the importance of unity in Quel'Thalas, at its harshest to the point of totalitarianism.[16] Their more vocal critics and dissenters were even mind controlled into singing the state praises. The Magisters were also behind other less savory ideas, such as the exploitation of M'uru. Their power was not uncontested - in fact, Rommath frequently argued with both Lor'themar and Halduron over many matters - but the grand magister ultimately spoke with Prince Kael'thas's full authority, even if the regent lord did not condone the action.[3] With Kael's death and Lor'themar now the sole head of state, this is no longer the case.[10]

Experiments and creations

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The Burning Crusade This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

The Magisters are responsible for several ambitious magical projects in Quel'Thalas.

Ban'dinoriel, the great magical shield that once protected Silvermoon, was also able to be upheld by the magi themselves even without access to the Sunwell's power; Grand Magister Belo'vir made use of this during the Scourge invasion, when the Sunwell was bound and unable to passively empower the shield. Through the runestones, the magi also maintained a dampening field within Quel'Thalas, restricting the magical power of all non-elves, although this was dwarfed by Ban'dinoriel's seemingly impenetrable strength.[3]

It is strongly implied that the magi were the ones who created the mana wyrms, small mana-bearing creatures who were once used to defend elven crystals. They were maddened by the Scourge invasion, and have even begun attacking their creators.[17] The magi of the Sunreavers have deployed more powerful, friendly mana wyrms in recent times.[18]

The Magisters were the ones who originally devised the Blood Knight order. After months of extensive research into M'uru, the naaru shipped back to Silvermoon for the elves to feed upon, they discovered a more pragmatic way to use the gift, and were able to manipulate his energies to grant the powers of the Light to elves who had no interest in following its teachings or tenets. Rommath and the magister Astalor Bloodsworn were key figures in this experiment, the latter of whom went on to become a recurring figure within the Blood Knight order.

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They repurposed the large, green crystals (known as fel crystals) found around Silvermoon, using the power stored within them (demonic magic) to empower the city, which had begun to deteriorate without the Sunwell's energies to hold it together.[19] It is implied that living in proximity to this is the reason so many blood elves acquired their fel-eye glint despite the use of fel being largely hidden from the general public.[20] Some bolder magisters siphoned these crystals directly, and also used them to empower the various extravagances that blood elves enjoy indulging in. The need for these has become apparent as many of the Arcane Sanctums in the land have either begun to weaken or malfunction due to the various problems caused by sabotage and remnants of the Scourge Invasion. When the Sunwell was restored at the end of the conflict on Quel'Danas, the crystals were removed,[21] though the blood elves have continued to employ standard arcane crystals.

The magi of Quel'Thalas were also responsible for bathing their kingdom in perpetual springtime, leading to Quel'Thalas becoming known as the Land of Eternal Spring.[3]

Stance on magical addiction

The Magisters, who spread Kael'thas Sunstrider's teachings within Quel'Thalas, encouraged the addicted masses to sate their magical cravings carefully and with good judgement. Their belief was that finding the key balance between deficiency–arcane withdrawal was weakening many elves, growing worse, and even killing some of them–and overindulgence–overusing the mana siphoning was also hazardous, giving birth to the Wretched–would allow the blood elves to maintain their health and allow them to thrive.[3]

Current activities

Following the betrayal of Kael'thas and the revitalization of the Sunwell, the future of the Magisters is unclear. It is known that despite this turn of events, some blood elves have found difficulty in adapting to the more positive path the Sunwell has given them (and others even prefer the old ways), though it appears the Magisters have remained one of the most powerful groups within Quel'Thalas.

Ranking system

There are several ranks within the Magisters, each one a title that showcases their mastery of the arcane, as well as their importance within the order.

  • Grand Magister - Leader and overseer.
  • Seeker of Wisdom - A unique position given to an individual who travels beyond Silvermoon in search of arcane knowledge.
  • Magister / Magistrix - A rank of prestige and power in blood elf society.
  • Arcanist - A middle-ranked mage, with a slight amount of authority, though the connotations of this title can be of differing origins.
  • Apprentice - A newly inducted member into the order.
A magister as depicted in the TCG.

Other ranks

A number of blood elven casters are seen with other ranks, though their affiliation to the Magisters is unclear. Such titles include "Astromancer", "High Astromancer", "Summoner", "Star Scryer", Instructor and Blood Mage.

Leadership

The Magisters are centralized in their leadership: The Grand Magister of Quel'Thalas serves as their supreme leader and highest figure of authority, holding more influence than even the highest sin'dorei archmages,[10] Today, the Grand Magister is Rommath, who acquired the title after his return from Outland with several of the Magisters.

The grand magister is an elected position. Rommath and Belo'vir are the only known grand magisters, the latter of whom was elected as such several years before the Third War.[3]

Magisters and arcanists

The divide between a magister and an arcanist is unclear in blood elven society. It might be that an arcanist is simply another rank of magister, such as Arcanist Torseldori and his bloodmages in Hellfire Peninsula.

Magister relations

The Magisters seem to be somewhat above the political divide within Silvermoon City, and the majority of the friction stems from and between the Farstriders and the Blood Knights. The Magisters were essentially the creators of the Blood Knights, and seem to be supportive of their mindset, though reference has been given to several disagreements between Grand Magister Rommath and the Farstriders' leader, Halduron Brightwing. Their relations have mostly improved since Kael'thas's betrayal.[10]

Once, it was not uncommon for mages of Quel'Thalas to study in Dalaran (Kael'thas and Rommath both did so), but this ceased after the Third War. The Sunreavers, whose ranks include many who bear the title of magister, later rejoined the Kirin Tor, but were banished during the Horde-Alliance war. The Magisters' most bitter grudge is reserved for the Kirin Tor, whom they believe to have enabled the great injustice Kael'thas and his troops suffered in the Dungeons of Dalaran. Rommath completely denied the Kirin Tor the aid of any of his magisters, but was overruled in the matter by the regent lord.[10] Some of the Sunreavers feel similarly betrayed by the Purge of Dalaran.[22]

Members

Named

Name Location
Horde IconSmall Rommath.gif Grand Magister Rommath Sunfury Spire Silvermoon City The Burning Crusade
Neutral IconSmall HighElf Male.gif Grand Magister Belo'vir Isle of Quel'Danas (deceased)
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Esara Verrinde Various Legion
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Astalor Bloodsworn Hall of Blood Silvermoon City The Burning Crusade
Neutral IconSmall Dar'khan.gif Dar'Khan Drathir (former) Deatholme Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Duskwither Farstrider Retreat Eversong Woods The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Jaronis Falconwing Square Eversong Woods The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Erona Sunstrider Isle Eversong Woods The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Landra Dawnstrider Fairbreeze Village Eversong Woods The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Eredania Saltheril's Haven Eversong Woods The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Darenis Tranquillien Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Idonis Sanctum of the Sun Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Kaendris Sanctum of the Sun Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Sylastor An'telas Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Aminel Tranquillien Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Quallestis Tranquillien Ghostlands The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Elosai Freewind Post Thousand Needles (deceased) The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Aledis Falcon Watch Hellfire Peninsula The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Bloodhawk Thrallmar Hellfire Peninsula The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magistrix Carinda Falcon Watch Hellfire Peninsula The Burning Crusade
Neutral IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Foreman Sundown (former) Trelleum Mine Netherstorm The Burning Crusade
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Female.png Magistrix Nizara Silvermoon City gates Eversong Woods Cataclysm
Horde IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magus Sendath Suramar City Legion
Neutral IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Keldonus (former) Moonrest Gardens Dragonblight Wrath of the Lich King
Neutral IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Summoner Kanthin Manaforge Duro Netherstorm The Burning Crusade
Neutral IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Voren'thal the Seer (former) Shattrath City The Burning Crusade
Neutral IconSmall BloodElf Male.png Magister Krelas Alternate Draenor Warlords of Draenor
Alliance IconSmall BloodElf Male.png IconSmall Umbric.gif Umbric (former) Telogrus Rift Legion -
Magisters in the ranks of the Sunreavers and the Kirin Tor
Magisters in the ranks of the Scryers and the Shattered Sun Offensive
High elven magisters

Units

Notes & trivia

References
https://wow.gamepedia.com/Magisters
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