Angel

From WoWWiki

see Belief retcon.

Angels are winged creatures mentioned or witnessed throughout the Warcraft universe. They are rarely referred to specifically as "angels". They are often described as being from a higher plane of existence, often from the heavens or a heaven like place.

In mainstream Christianity, these creatures are sometimes separated into sub-categories of cherubim (child-like in appearance, but usually a confused reference to putti; singluar: cherub) and seraphim (adult in appearance; singular: seraph) which are also sometimes referred to or represented in Warcraft games.

Contents 1 Warcraft I 2 Warcraft II 3 Warcraft III 4 World of Warcraft 5 The role playing game 6 Sources

Warcraft I

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (aka Warcraft I).

The first reference to angels exists in Warcraft I manual;

As the archangels took up swords of light to defend the heavens, so must we take up holy arms to defend our lands.

Warcraft II

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft II.

The second reference to angels is seen in Warcraft II manual;

As the guardians took up swords of light to defend the heavens, so must the holy men of earth be prepared to combat the dark tide that was quickly approaching from the south.

This example is probably referring to guardian angels, the archangels from WC1, rather than the Guardians of Tirisfal, which have never been to the "heavens".

Warcraft III

This section concerns content exclusive to Warcraft III.

When paladins evoked the Resurrection spell, angelic beings appeared to raise fallen allies (see above picture).

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content exclusive to World of Warcraft.

The Spirit Healer is an angelic being that helps resurrect fallen individuals, and priests can become an angelic being known as a Spirit of Redemption upon death. Paladins are also said to become angels while under the effects of Avenging Wrath.

[Iblis, Blade of the Fallen Seraph], was apparently the blade of a fallen angel.

Cherubs can be seen on the roof of opera house in Karazhan.

The naaru act in a similar manner to the angels.

The archangel Tyrael is seen as an in-game pet.

The spell Avenging Wrath gives Paladins angelic wings.

The role playing game

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG.

It is said that when the divine spell, Mass Revival, is cast, it summons an angelic form to appear as the caster's fallen allies rise again.^{M&M 92}

When the spell Divine Ascension is cast, the caster transforms into a "beautiful",^{MM&M 74} angelic version of themselves. Their skin, hair and nails change into metal — silver, bronze or gold, and they gain the ability to cast healing faster.^{MM&M 74} The spell sounds similar to the Spirit of Redemption, which also causes the priest to transform into an angelic being.

The RPG speaks of two more angelic beings known as hope & celestials.^{MoM 191, 197} The latter are specifically said to be angels and kind spirits. It is said that these celestials once walked the lands of Azeroth teaching peace and cooperation, bestowing gifts to those that chose to follow their path^{MoM 191}. Hopes are described as emissaries of the light that covertly guide and aid followers of the light in Azeroth...refusing to reveal any divine will.^{MoM 197}

Another angel spoken of in the Warcraft RPG are the plague angels. Similar to the idea of fallen angels, they are a kind of daemon of the Burning Legion. It is said they once wandered Azeroth weakening the resolve of the Alliance, and laying waste to villages.^{LoM 196}

Sources

• Myth for more information.