Template:Battle
The Culling is chapter 6 of The Scourge of Lordaeron. It was the slaughter of a large portion of the civilian population of Stratholme at the hands of Prince Arthas, who sought to prevent the spread of the Plague of Undeath at any cost necessary. This event also marked the (temporary) disbanding of the Silver Hand, as Uther the Lightbringer refused to follow the order of executing civilians. More importantly, the event marked Prince Arthas's first major step to becoming a death knight by slaughtering his own people.
Creeps
- 3 Enforcers
Zoo animals
- 1 Lightining Lizard
- 1 Sludge Fingler
- 5 Sludge Minions
- 1 Wildkin
Criters
- Filson the Rat
- 1 sheep
- 5 rats
Villagers
- Countless unnamed villagers (males and females)
Battle
As Arthas begins the massacre, the dreadlord Mal'Ganis appears and begins "collecting" those civilians who have already been transformed into mindless zombies (he teleports the zombies into the Twisting Nether for safe keeping). Mal'Ganis gloats that soon the people of Lordaeron will belong to the Scourge. Arthas refuses to let that happen and quickens his slaughter of the populace. The two sides proceed to ravage the city building by building. Finally, when most of the city is in ruins and its inhabitants either dead or converted, Arthas and Mal'Ganis confront each other face to face. Arthas demands that Mal'Ganis fight him here and now. Mal'Ganis, however, tells Arthas to gather his forces and come to Northrend. It is there that they will settle this conflict. Mal'Ganis then teleports away. Arthas vows to hunt Mal'Ganis "to the ends of the earth."
Dialogues
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: Glad you could make it, Uther.
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: Watch your tone with me, boy. You may be the prince, but I'm still your superior as a paladin.
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: As if I could forget. Listen, Uther, there's something about the plague you should know. Oh no. It's too late. These people have all been infected. They may look fine now, but it's a matter of time before they turn into the undead.
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: What?
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: This entire city must be purged.
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: How can you even consider that? There's got to be some other way
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: Damn it, Uther. As your future king, I order you to purge this city.
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: You are not my king yet, boy. Nor would I obey that command if you were!
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: Then I must consider this an act of treason.
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: Treason? Have you lost your mind, Arthas?
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: Have I? Lord Uther, by my right of succession and sovereignity of my crown, I hereby relieve you from your command and suspend your paladins from service.
- File:IconSmall Jaina Small.gif Jaina: Arthas, you can't just...
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: It's done! Those of you who have the will to save this land, follow me. The rest of you... get ot of my sight
- File:IconSmall Uther Small.gif Uther: You've just crossed a terrible threshold, Arthas.
- File:IconSmall Arthas Small.gif Arthas: Jaina?
- File:IconSmall Jaina Small.gif Jaina: I'm sorry, Arthas. I can't watch you do that.
Caverns of Time
Players are able to experience this event in the Caverns of Time: Culling of Stratholme in Wrath of the Lich King.