The '''Shadow Council''' is a group of mortal [[warlock (lore)|warlock]]s that serve the [[demon]]s of the [[Burning Legion]].
The '''Shadow Council''' is a group of mortal [[warlock (lore)|warlock]]s that serve the [[demon]]s of the [[Burning Legion]].
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==History==
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==History==
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===Formation===
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===Formation===
When [[Gul'dan]] supplanted [[Ner'zhul]] as [[Kil'jaeden]]'s favorite pawn, he began to reorganize the clans into a single engine of destruction. To this end, he promoted a public figurehead, [[Blackhand]] of the [[Blackrock clan]] to the new position of [[Warchief]]. Though Blackhand was cunning, he lacked the loyalty to Kil'jaeden and deviousness needed to drive the [[Horde (pre-Thrall)|Horde]]. Thus, Gul'dan secretly brought together a collection of warlocks, necrolytes, chieftains, and even the occasional ogre into a clandestine council — the Shadow Council.
When [[Gul'dan]] supplanted [[Ner'zhul]] as [[Kil'jaeden]]'s favorite pawn, he began to reorganize the clans into a single engine of destruction. To this end, he promoted a public figurehead, [[Blackhand]] of the [[Blackrock clan]] to the new position of [[Warchief]]. Though Blackhand was cunning, he lacked the loyalty to Kil'jaeden and deviousness needed to drive the [[Horde (pre-Thrall)|Horde]]. Thus, Gul'dan secretly brought together a collection of warlocks, necrolytes, chieftains, and even the occasional ogre into a clandestine council — the Shadow Council.
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The Council made their headquarters at the [[Black Temple]] and oversaw the destruction of the draenei until Kil'jaeden mysteriously vanished. As the Horde began to fragment, the Shadow Council was contacted by [[Medivh]], who offered a new world to plunder.
The Council made their headquarters at the [[Black Temple]] and oversaw the destruction of the draenei until Kil'jaeden mysteriously vanished. As the Horde began to fragment, the Shadow Council was contacted by [[Medivh]], who offered a new world to plunder.
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===The First War===
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===The First War===
The Shadow Council operated a number of the Horde's workings during the war effort against the [[Kingdom of Azeroth]]. But their time was near.
The Shadow Council operated a number of the Horde's workings during the war effort against the [[Kingdom of Azeroth]]. But their time was near.
King [[Llane Wrynn]] was assassinated by one of the Shadow Council's finest killers: the [[half-orc]], [[Garona]]. Following the death of [[Medivh]], [[Gul'dan]] was incapacitated for several weeks. During this time, [[Orgrim Doomhammer]] killed Blackhand the Destroyer and seized the mantle of Warchief. He captured and tortured Garona to learn of the existence of the Shadow Council, and sensing it threatened his position, launched an attack on Gul'dan's citadel near the ruins of Azeroth, annihilating most of the warlocks of the Council. Their spirits were subsequently imbued into the [[death knight (Second War)|death knight]]s.
King [[Llane Wrynn]] was assassinated by one of the Shadow Council's finest killers: the [[half-orc]], [[Garona]]. Following the death of [[Medivh]], [[Gul'dan]] was incapacitated for several weeks. During this time, [[Orgrim Doomhammer]] killed Blackhand the Destroyer and seized the mantle of Warchief. He captured and tortured Garona to learn of the existence of the Shadow Council, and sensing it threatened his position, launched an attack on Gul'dan's citadel near the ruins of Azeroth, annihilating most of the warlocks of the Council. Their spirits were subsequently imbued into the [[death knight (Second War)|death knight]]s.
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===Beyond the Second Invasion===
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===Beyond the Second Invasion===
Even in the aftermath of the second invasion of the [[Burning Legion]], the Shadow Council still remains. It is not clear how the Council was reformed after the death of most of their members, including Gul'dan. It is known that some of its members, including [[Vorpil]] and [[Blackheart]], survived by hiding in [[Auchindoun]]. The current Shadow Council now includes members of all races, provided they possess the ideology of acceptance of the tenets of the Burning Legion.
Even in the aftermath of the second invasion of the [[Burning Legion]], the Shadow Council still remains. It is not clear how the Council was reformed after the death of most of their members, including Gul'dan. It is known that some of its members, including [[Vorpil]] and [[Blackheart]], survived by hiding in [[Auchindoun]]. The current Shadow Council now includes members of all races, provided they possess the ideology of acceptance of the tenets of the Burning Legion.
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==Structureandoperations==
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===Inthe Burning Crusade ===
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{{bc-section}}
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It appears a group of Shadow Council operatives has been operating in the relative open areas of [[Grangol'var Village]], [[Terokkar Forest]] and [[Deathforge]], [[Shadowmoon Valley]]. They have been discovered by both Alliance and Horde forces who have sent adventurers to help clear them out.<ref>{{questlong|Both|65|Kill the Shadow Council!}}</ref><ref>{{questlong|Both|69|Minions of the Shadow Council}}</ref>
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== Structure and operations ==
The shape of the original Shadow Council is unclear. Gul'dan is described as a "warlock of the Inner Circle" (also an "initiate of the Seventh Circle"<ref name=Warcraft II Manual 61>[[Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness]] manual pg. 61</ref>) and Cho'Gall as an "initiate of the Fifth." This means that there are at least five circles of the Shadow Council, the Inner Circle being the Seventh.
The shape of the original Shadow Council is unclear. Gul'dan is described as a "warlock of the Inner Circle" (also an "initiate of the Seventh Circle"<ref name=Warcraft II Manual 61>[[Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness]] manual pg. 61</ref>) and Cho'Gall as an "initiate of the Fifth." This means that there are at least five circles of the Shadow Council, the Inner Circle being the Seventh.
The hold of the current Shadow Council is extensive; they control cell-based organizations throughout [[Kalimdor]] including the [[Burning Blade clan|Burning Blade]] and [[Searing Blade clan|Searing Blade]] cults, which utilize the powers of the [[Demon Seed]]. Agents of the Council have even infiltrated areas of the Orcish capital city of [[Orgrimmar]]. It is also revealed from a questline in [[Darkshore]] that the [[Cult of the Dark Strand]] is another branch of the Shadow Council, and certain clues, like [[Argus Wake]] members they employ, [[Marez Cowl]], and [[Darbel Montrose]], lead some to believe that the [[Syndicate]] may be affiliated, if maybe loosely, with the Council. The Shadow Council is also present at [[Jaedenar]] in [[Felwood]], [[Grangol'var Village]] in [[Terokkar Forest]], and [[Kil'sorrow Fortress]] in [[Nagrand]]. Its headquarters are in the [[Shadow Labyrinth]] of [[Auchindoun]].
The hold of the current Shadow Council is extensive; they control cell-based organizations throughout [[Kalimdor]] including the [[Burning Blade clan|Burning Blade]] and [[Searing Blade clan|Searing Blade]] cults, which utilize the powers of the [[Demon Seed]]. Agents of the Council have even infiltrated areas of the Orcish capital city of [[Orgrimmar]]. It is also revealed from a questline in [[Darkshore]] that the [[Cult of the Dark Strand]] is another branch of the Shadow Council, and certain clues, like [[Argus Wake]] members they employ, [[Marez Cowl]], and [[Darbel Montrose]], lead some to believe that the [[Syndicate]] may be affiliated, if maybe loosely, with the Council. The Shadow Council is also present at [[Jaedenar]] in [[Felwood]], [[Grangol'var Village]] in [[Terokkar Forest]], and [[Kil'sorrow Fortress]] in [[Nagrand]]. Its headquarters are in the [[Shadow Labyrinth]] of [[Auchindoun]].
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===Cults and groups currently directed by the Shadow Council===
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===Cults and groups currently directed by the Shadow Council===
:"''Many cults exist within the Council, but only to hide its actions against the foolish. Groups like the Burning Blade, the Argus Wake, and the Searing Blade are tools of the Council. Consider them one and the same.''"
:"''Many cults exist within the Council, but only to hide its actions against the foolish. Groups like the Burning Blade, the Argus Wake, and the Searing Blade are tools of the Council. Consider them one and the same.''"
:—[[Thrall]]
:—[[Thrall]]
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Note that most Shadow Council members are orcs; although they worship demons, they are not fel orcs.
Note that most Shadow Council members are orcs; although they worship demons, they are not fel orcs.
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==Known members==
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==Known members==
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{| class="darktable"
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==Races==
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==Races==
*{{Race|Orc}}
*{{Race|Orc}}
*{{Race|Forsaken}}
*{{Race|Forsaken}}
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*{{RaceIconExt|Succubus}} [[Succubus]]
*{{RaceIconExt|Succubus}} [[Succubus]]
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==Seealso==
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== Connection to the Council of the Black Harvest ==
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*[[Rise of the Horde (History of Warcraft)|Rise of the Horde]], part of the [[History of Warcraft]]
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{{speculation}}
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After the [[Cataclysm (event)|Catclysm]], evidence and rumors of a new powerful warlock directed group have arisen from the ashes of [[Deathwing]]'s defeat. This organization, known as the [[Council of the Black Harvest]], currently has no known direct connections to the Shadow Council, but they have been known to have visited the [[Black Temple]] for some reason. Since the Black Temple was once the main headquarters of the Shadow Council in Outland, the connection is disturbing.
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==References==
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== See also ==
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* [[Council of the Black Harvest]]
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* [[Rise of the Horde (History of Warcraft)|Rise of the Horde]], part of the [[History of Warcraft]]
When Gul'dan supplanted Ner'zhul as Kil'jaeden's favorite pawn, he began to reorganize the clans into a single engine of destruction. To this end, he promoted a public figurehead, Blackhand of the Blackrock clan to the new position of Warchief. Though Blackhand was cunning, he lacked the loyalty to Kil'jaeden and deviousness needed to drive the Horde. Thus, Gul'dan secretly brought together a collection of warlocks, necrolytes, chieftains, and even the occasional ogre into a clandestine council — the Shadow Council.
The original purpose of the Council was to ensure the stability of the Horde in their quest to destroy the draenei, manipulate the clans and spread the use of warlock magics. When the time came, the Shadow Council fed the blood of Mannoroth to the clans, apart from the Frostwolf clan (whose chieftain, Durotan, forbade them from partaking) and a few other individuals.
The Council made their headquarters at the Black Temple and oversaw the destruction of the draenei until Kil'jaeden mysteriously vanished. As the Horde began to fragment, the Shadow Council was contacted by Medivh, who offered a new world to plunder.
The Shadow Council operated a number of the Horde's workings during the war effort against the Kingdom of Azeroth. But their time was near.
King Llane Wrynn was assassinated by one of the Shadow Council's finest killers: the half-orc, Garona. Following the death of Medivh, Gul'dan was incapacitated for several weeks. During this time, Orgrim Doomhammer killed Blackhand the Destroyer and seized the mantle of Warchief. He captured and tortured Garona to learn of the existence of the Shadow Council, and sensing it threatened his position, launched an attack on Gul'dan's citadel near the ruins of Azeroth, annihilating most of the warlocks of the Council. Their spirits were subsequently imbued into the death knights.
Even in the aftermath of the second invasion of the Burning Legion, the Shadow Council still remains. It is not clear how the Council was reformed after the death of most of their members, including Gul'dan. It is known that some of its members, including Vorpil and Blackheart, survived by hiding in Auchindoun. The current Shadow Council now includes members of all races, provided they possess the ideology of acceptance of the tenets of the Burning Legion.
It appears a group of Shadow Council operatives has been operating in the relative open areas of Grangol'var Village, Terokkar Forest and Deathforge, Shadowmoon Valley. They have been discovered by both Alliance and Horde forces who have sent adventurers to help clear them out.[1][2]
The shape of the original Shadow Council is unclear. Gul'dan is described as a "warlock of the Inner Circle" (also an "initiate of the Seventh Circle"[3]) and Cho'Gall as an "initiate of the Fifth." This means that there are at least five circles of the Shadow Council, the Inner Circle being the Seventh.
Cults and groups currently directed by the Shadow Council Edit
"Many cults exist within the Council, but only to hide its actions against the foolish. Groups like the Burning Blade, the Argus Wake, and the Searing Blade are tools of the Council. Consider them one and the same."
Argus Wake - Primarily humans. Concerned with sowing chaos among the areas of Lordaeron controlled by the Alliance and Horde. Allied with the Syndicate of the Alterac Mountains. The Wake's leader is unknown, but its members in Alterac are led by the orc Nagaz.
Connection to the Council of the Black Harvest Edit
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.
After the Catclysm, evidence and rumors of a new powerful warlock directed group have arisen from the ashes of Deathwing's defeat. This organization, known as the Council of the Black Harvest, currently has no known direct connections to the Shadow Council, but they have been known to have visited the Black Temple for some reason. Since the Black Temple was once the main headquarters of the Shadow Council in Outland, the connection is disturbing.
Shadow Council
Edit
[65] Kill the Shadow Council!