Halfkin

How do different races and cultures view the death knights?

The havoc wrought by the Scourge in the last decade and a half has left a deep scar on the psyche of both the Alliance and the Horde. The deaths of countless innocents, the fall of kingdoms, and the unholy twisting of the fallen has made the living reluctant to trust any of the undead, no matter their new allegiances. It should come as no surprise, then, that many of Azeroth’s inhabitants still revile the death knights today, years after they broke free from the Lich King’s grasp [NPC: Darion Mograine Dialogue].

In the Beginning

The death knights who deserted from the Scourge were not initially well received by their new living allies in either the Horde or the Alliance. Those who had personally felt the impact of the plague condemned the death knights as traitors, some going so far as to blame them for the demise of their own families [Quest: Where Kings Walk, Comic: Death Knight, Chapter Four]. Moreover, many of the living were wary of the death knights’ former position as servants of the Lich King, which did little to alleviate their distrust [Quest: Thassarian, the Death Knight, Quest: …All the Help We Can Get.]. Although the death knights sought to reintegrate back into society, many, such as Thassarian, felt stigmatized and that they had not been accepted by their peers [Comic: Death Knight, Chapter Five].

When Trag, a tauren raised as a death knight by the unholy power of the Orb of Ner’zhul, returned to his tribe to find a cure for his undeath, they tricked him and attempted to kill him [Legends: Volume One, Fallen]. Although the tauren race had allied with the Forsaken and promised to help those previously under the Lich King’s thrall, the shaman of his tribe – worried that Trag would ultimately succumb to Arthas’ control – plotted to put an end to his life [Legends: Volume One, Fallen]. The taunka, on the other hand, were much more accepting of Trag when he stumbled across them on his journey through Northrend. They welcomed the lone tauren with open arms in part because they felt kinship for him and his fight to survive, being engaged in a constant struggle against the Lich King themselves [Legends: Volume Three, Fiend].

Present Day

While the death knights have now been free from Arthas’ control for approximately six years, some of the living still continue to treat them with heavy disdain. Of course, the death knights’ dark past is not totally to blame for the uneasy relationships they have formed. Many of their recent actions are also viewed as morally questionable and, in some cases, even borderline treasonous. Without a doubt, the death knights’ need to increase their numbers by raising their fallen comrades on the battlefield draws the ire of their living allies [Quest: Knights of the Ebon Blade]. In fact, Darion Mograine recently remarked that turning both Nazgrim and Thoras Trollbane into undead horsemen would greatly upset the Horde and the Alliance [Quest: Return of the Four Horsemen, Quest: The Ruined Kingdom].

Even members of neutral factions such as the Argent Crusade have openly declared they barely tolerate the death knights, which is little surprise seeing as undead forces have attacked Light’s Hope Chapel no less than four separate times [NPC: Argent Sentry Dialogue, Ashbringer: Issue Four, Dust to Dust, Quest: The Light of Dawn, Quest: The Fourth Horsemen, Object: Compendium of Fallen Heroes]. When Darion led the charge to infiltrate the chapel barely a year ago in an attempt to raise Tirion Fordring as the final of the Four Horsemen, it weakened an already tenuous peace between the Knights of the Ebon Blade and the Knights of the Silver Hand. Moreover, the death knights’ attack on their own allies and flagrant disregard for the dead that day also drew the anger of prominent members of the Alliance and the Horde, including Lady Liadrin [Quest: The Fourth Horseman].

Specific Races and Their Views

Most night elves – and perhaps tauren by extension, as evinced by Trag’s story – canonically abhor the death knights because of their unnatural existence, which goes against everything they stand for [Ask CDev, Round Four].

Unfortunately, there are few specifics on how many other races view the undead among their ranks. While it is safe to say humans and blood elves certainly despise the death knights given their personal past with them, there are not many in-game examples to corroborate this.

Having said all that, it appears some death knights seem to have fully reintegrated back into society and adopted something close to a normal lifestyle without much of an issue. Libbiara Blightrunner, for example, is a wealthy sin’dorei socialite who dresses up and spends much of her free time watching Brawler’s Guild fights [Quest: Undercover Agent: Nugg Lumbo]. Even Thassarian, who initially struggled to find acceptance among the Alliance, was eventually lauded by his brothers-in-arms [Quest: Thassarian, the Death Knight].

Dark Ranger Velonara: S C A R Y.

Koltira: You go out there and claim your happy ending right now young lady. Grab it by the horns.

Dark Ranger Anya: Pretty girl with horns???

Koltira: Nope, no, it’s... it’s an expression...

Dark Ranger Alina: I want a pretty girl with horns!

Koltira: I’ve decided to not give motivational speeches directed at lesbians anymore.

Velonara: That’s fair.

Dark Ranger Lyana: Wait but is there a pretty girl with horns?

Perhaps one of the most gifted sorceresses to train in Dalaran for generations, Jaina is a bright, inquisitive young woman who constantly strives to expand her powers and knowledge of magic [...], she never let her disappointment interfere with her studies or her rigorous investigations. Her mentor, the Archmage Antonidas, has claimed that she may become the greatest sorceress humanity has ever produced.

JAINA PROUDMOORE APPRECIATION WEEK day 1: Favorite moment from books/comics or quests

It was too late for Antonidas to go west. As the Kirin Tor’s leader, he could not abandon Dalaran. Protecting the city and its vaults of arcana was his duty. However, there was someone who could act on the stranger’s advice and save innocent lives: Jaina Proudmoore. The sorceress was initially hesitant to leave. She wanted to stay by Antonidas’s side and defend Dalaran. She also wanted to see what had become of Arthas. Jaina sensed the death knight among the approaching Scourge. She still wrestled with guilt about abandoning him at Stratholme, and she wondered if there were some way to save him. It was only after much debate that Jaina relented. She understood, just as Antonidas did, that the city could not hold out against the Scourge. If she and the archmage died, who would be left to heed the stranger’s warning? The master and apprentice parted ways. Though neither of them said it, they both knew that this was the last time they would ever see each other. In the days to come, Jaina worked tirelessly to rally as many refugees as she could. Not everyone she met agreed to go with her, but many did. When she finally set sail for Kalimdor, her force included members from nearly every Alliance race. Some were survivors from Lordaeron and Quel’Thalas. Some were dwarves and gnomes from the Alliance military. And some were humans from Stromgarde, Kul Tiras, and other nations in the region. Though they came from different places, they followed Jaina Proudmoore for the same reason. She represented something that had almost entirely vanished from the Eastern Kingdoms. She represented hope.

Supporting Women

Thrall shook his head. “Another woman in your military. Humans astound me sometimes.”Jaina‟s tone grew frosty; again, she tightly gripped the staff. “What do you mean? Can men and women not be equals in your world?” “Of course not. Nor would I say,” he added quickly before Jaina could interrupt, “that they are unequal—any more than I would say that an insect and a flower could be equals. They serve completely different purposes.”Grateful for the opening, Jaina said the same thing to Thrall that she had said to Antonidas when as a brash young woman she had insisted on becoming his apprentice. Back then, the archmage had said to her, “It is no more women‟s nature to become wizards than it is a dog‟s nature to compose an aria.”As then, she now said to Thrall: “Is not what separates us from animals that we can change our nature? After all, there are those who would argue that an orc‟s nature was to be a slave.” Then Jaina shook her head. “However, there are many who think as you do. It is why women have to work twice as hard to achieve the same position as a man—which is why I trust Lorena more than any of my other colonels. She will learn the truth.” Thrall shook his head. “Another woman in your military. Humans astound me sometimes.”Jaina‟s tone grew frosty; again, she tightly gripped the staff. “What do you mean? Can men and women not be equals in your world?” “Of course not. Nor would I say,” he added quickly before Jaina could interrupt, “that they are unequal—any more than I would say that an insect and a flower could be equals. They serve completely different purposes.”Grateful for the opening, Jaina said the same thing to Thrall that she had said to Antonidas when as a brash young woman she had insisted on becoming his apprentice. Back then, the archmage had said to her, “It is no more women‟s nature to become wizards than it is a dog‟s nature to compose an aria.”As then, she now said to Thrall: “Is not what separates us from animals that we can change our nature? After all, there are those who would argue that an orc‟s nature was to be a slave.” Then Jaina shook her head. “However, there are many who think as you do. It is why women have to work twice as hard to achieve the same position as a man—which is why I trust Lorena more than any of my other colonels. She will learn the truth.”

Then the girl said, “You can deny your accomplishments all you wish, but it changes nothing. You were an inspiration to all—” She smiled. “—to all the little girls who wanted to grow up to become mages. At the citadel, my favorite story was always the one about how you were chosen to be the first female Guardian by Scavell, who was the first mage to see the value of a female apprentice, and how the Guardians of Tirisfal applauded the choice and—”

don't disrespect her

Erik frowned. At those words, the tavern suddenly got rather quiet. Lots of people had been muttering assent or disagreement, either with the sentiments expressed or the people expressing them. But as soon as Margoz mentioned Jaina Proudmoore—worse, mentioned her in a disparaging manner—the place got quiet. Too quiet. In the three years Erik had been a tavern owner, he learned that there were two times when you expected a fight to break out: when the place got too loud, and when it got too quiet. And the latter times usually brought on the really nasty fights. Another soldier stood up next to the first one—this one was wider in the shoulders, and he didn‟t talk much, but when he did, it was in a booming voice that made the demon skull behind the bar rattle on its mount. “Don't nobody talk bad 'bout Lady Proudmoore 'less he wants to be livin' without teeth.” Swallowing audibly, Margoz quickly said, “I would never dream of speaking of our leader in anything but reverent tones, good sir, I promise.” He gulped down more of the corn whiskey than it was advisable to drink in one sip, which caused his eyes to greatly widen. He shook his head a few times. “Lady Proudmoore's been very good to us,” the merchant said. “After we drove back the Burning Legion, she made us into a community. Your complaints are fair, Margoz, but none of it can be laid at the lady's feet. I've met a few wizards in my day, and most of 'em aren‟t fit to be scrapings off my sandals. But the lady's a good one, and you'll find no support for disparagements of her.”

That is, everyone except for Lorena, who unsheathed her sword and put the point right at Jalod's throat. The old man seemed surprised at that, and his blue eyes grew wide with fear, even under the folds of wrinkly flesh that covered his face. Speaking in a low and dangerous tone, Lorena said, “Never speak ill of Lady Proudmoore in my presence again, Sergeant. I don't care who you served with or how many trolls and demons you've killed, if you ever even think such thoughts about Lady Proudmoore, I will tear you open stem to stern and feed the pieces to the dogs. Do I make myself clear?”

Sometimes... sometimes there's no way to save everyone. But we do the best we can... and we never give up hope.

JAINA PROUDMOORE APPRECIATION WEEK day 1: Favorite moment from books/comics or quests

It was too late for Antonidas to go west. As the Kirin Tor’s leader, he could not abandon Dalaran. Protecting the city and its vaults of arcana was his duty. However, there was someone who could act on the stranger’s advice and save innocent lives: Jaina Proudmoore. The sorceress was initially hesitant to leave. She wanted to stay by Antonidas’s side and defend Dalaran. She also wanted to see what had become of Arthas. Jaina sensed the death knight among the approaching Scourge. She still wrestled with guilt about abandoning him at Stratholme, and she wondered if there were some way to save him. It was only after much debate that Jaina relented. She understood, just as Antonidas did, that the city could not hold out against the Scourge. If she and the archmage died, who would be left to heed the stranger’s warning? The master and apprentice parted ways. Though neither of them said it, they both knew that this was the last time they would ever see each other. In the days to come, Jaina worked tirelessly to rally as many refugees as she could. Not everyone she met agreed to go with her, but many did. When she finally set sail for Kalimdor, her force included members from nearly every Alliance race. Some were survivors from Lordaeron and Quel’Thalas. Some were dwarves and gnomes from the Alliance military. And some were humans from Stromgarde, Kul Tiras, and other nations in the region. Though they came from different places, they followed Jaina Proudmoore for the same reason. She represented something that had almost entirely vanished from the Eastern Kingdoms. She represented hope.

She’d counted ten sunrises since that terrible day. And every night since, Jaina had relived the horror of that moment in her dreams, as the city of light and wonder was plucked from the sky over Khaz Algar like a child’s toy. But that nightmare had been real. And Jaina knew that it was just the start.

JAINA PROUDMOORE APPRECIATION WEEK day 1: Favorite moment from books/comics or quests

It was too late for Antonidas to go west. As the Kirin Tor’s leader, he could not abandon Dalaran. Protecting the city and its vaults of arcana was his duty. However, there was someone who could act on the stranger’s advice and save innocent lives: Jaina Proudmoore. The sorceress was initially hesitant to leave. She wanted to stay by Antonidas’s side and defend Dalaran. She also wanted to see what had become of Arthas. Jaina sensed the death knight among the approaching Scourge. She still wrestled with guilt about abandoning him at Stratholme, and she wondered if there were some way to save him. It was only after much debate that Jaina relented. She understood, just as Antonidas did, that the city could not hold out against the Scourge. If she and the archmage died, who would be left to heed the stranger’s warning? The master and apprentice parted ways. Though neither of them said it, they both knew that this was the last time they would ever see each other. In the days to come, Jaina worked tirelessly to rally as many refugees as she could. Not everyone she met agreed to go with her, but many did. When she finally set sail for Kalimdor, her force included members from nearly every Alliance race. Some were survivors from Lordaeron and Quel’Thalas. Some were dwarves and gnomes from the Alliance military. And some were humans from Stromgarde, Kul Tiras, and other nations in the region. Though they came from different places, they followed Jaina Proudmoore for the same reason. She represented something that had almost entirely vanished from the Eastern Kingdoms. She represented hope.

Jaina and Anduin

Jaina tossed it to Anduin, who caught it easily. "It's pretty," he said, examining it and tracing the runes with his fingers. "Pretty, and rather rare. Hold it lightly for now. Don't close your fingers over it. Recognize the runes?" He peered at it. "It has your name and the word… 'Home,'" he said. "That's right. I see you've been keeping up with your studies. I had this created just for you. Even before… today… I had thought that you might enjoy coming to visit your old Auntie Jaina." He scowled at her, brushing a lock of blond hair off his face. 'You're not old," he said. "And you've been keeping up with your diplomacy, too," she said, grinning. "But yes. It's called a hearthstone." "But the rune means 'home." *** Light, let him stay a boy a little longer. Let him know at least something of peace before he has to take on adult responsibilities… again. 'You might regret this, Aunt Jaina," he said, pulling away and regarding her seriously. Her heart lurched at his tone of voice. "Why do you say that, Anduin?" " Because I'm probably going to be visiting you all the time." Relief swept through her. "That hardship I think I can handle." Jaina Proudmoore, ruler of Theramore and a powerful sorceress, laughed like a girl and mussed the prince of Stormwind's bright golden hair.

— The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

“Aunt Jaina!” said Anduin, relief on his face as he hurried toward her. “You’re alive!” He hugged her tightly. Jaina was stiff in the embrace. He sensed it at once and pulled back. His eyes went wide as he fully took in her arcane-altered appearance. “What are you doing here?” she asked, more sharply than she had intended. “I was worried about you,” he said. “When word reached us about what happened in Theramore… I wanted to be here. I knew that if you had survived, you’d come to Stormwind.” — Tides of War

Two whom Anduin loved had been in attendance then who were not here today. One, of course, was his father. The second was the woman he had fondly called Aunt Jaina: Lady Jaina Proudmoore. Once, the lady of Theramore and the prince of Stormwind had been in agreement regarding the desire for peace between the Alliance and the Horde.And once there had been a Theramore. But Jaina’s city had been destroyed by the Horde in the most horrific manner possible, and its bereft lady had never been able to ease the pain of that terrible moment fully. Anduin had watched her try repeatedly, only to have some fresh torment reinjure her wounded heart. Finally, unable to bear the thought of working alongside the Horde even against so dread a foe as the demonic Legion, Jaina had walked out on the Kirin Tor, which she led, on the blue dragon Kalecgos, whom she loved, and on Anduin, whom she had inspired his whole life.

— Before the Storm

JAINA PROUDMOORE APPRECIATION WEEK Day 6 - Moments of mercy or vengeance art by Dmitry Prozorov

“How could you aid Baine, Jaina? How could you give him funds?” Varian exploded as soon as they reached Violet Rise. Varian had erected a large canopy near his tent, where he conducted whatever business he needed to. There were chairs provided, the seat of the king of Stormwind no grander than any other, but no one sat. Rain beat a steady tattoo on the fabric. “I gave him my own personal funds, not Theramore’s, and not the Alliance’s. And you cannot possibly think that having Magatha Grimtotem as leader of the tauren would have been a good thing for anyone, including the Alliance!” Jaina shot back. “I didn’t have a chance to say what I thought, because you never consulted me!” “He didn’t come to you; he came to me. And Theramore has”—Jaina turned pale and then gulped—“had gotten quite used to taking care of itself! Besides, you would not have been inclined to listen anyway, just as you are not inclined to listen now.”