Illidan and Sargeras: An Eternal Vigil

The ultimate fate of Sargeras, the Fallen Titan and architect of the Burning Legion, is intrinsically tied to Illidan Stormrage. He doesn’t fight Sargeras, instead Sargeras is chained to his chair, and Illidan watches him for eternity. This act is not a victory in the traditional sense, but an eternal imprisonment, a cosmic sentinel duty that places Illidan as Sargeras’s jailor. Illidan, forever bound to this task, gets to “talk him to death,” similar to how he bombards the players during the Argus campaign with his often cryptic pronouncements. This ultimate sacrifice secures the cosmos from Sargeras’s influence, but at a great personal cost to Illidan.

The Pact and the Betrayal

Illidan’s history is complex and often contradictory. His initial motivations were born of a desire for power and the adoration of Tyrande Whisperwind. This led him to make a fateful pact with the Burning Legion, aiming to facilitate Sargeras’s entry into Azeroth through the Well of Eternity. This betrayal earned him the infamous title of “The Betrayer,” marking the beginning of his long and tumultuous journey. While his intentions may have been warped by ambition, his understanding of the Legion’s threat was ultimately prescient.

The Downfall of the Dark Titan

Sargeras’s corruption is a point of debate among lore enthusiasts. Initially, it was believed that Sargeras was driven to madness by his exposure to the horrors of the Void and the Old Gods. However, more recent narratives suggest the influence of the Nathrezim, or Dreadlords, who subtly manipulated his perception and drove him to abandon the Titans’ vision of an ordered universe. This concept aligns with earlier lore interpretations which depict Sargeras as a noble warrior driven to madness, rather than inherently evil.

Aegwynn initially defeated Sargeras’s avatar with the help of the dragons, however his spirit entered her body. After she defeated Sargeras’s avatar, she interred his corpse in the ruins of Suramar, along with the artifacts that he bore.

Outland and the Black Temple

Following his defeat at the hands of Arthas in The Frozen Throne, Illidan retreated to Outland. He declared himself Lord of Outland and started to assemble a Fel Orc army under the banner of the Black Temple. His actions were driven by a conviction that Kil’jaeden would seek vengeance for his failure, and that Azeroth would be vulnerable to another Legion invasion. Illidan’s preparations, while appearing tyrannical, were a proactive attempt to fortify Azeroth against future demonic incursions.

The Final Sacrifice

In the cinematic accompanying the defeat of Argus in Legion, Sargeras is impaled and imprisoned. As this occurs, Illidan makes the ultimate sacrifice. He volunteers to become Sargeras’s eternal warden. This pivotal moment showcases his transformation from a power-hungry renegade to a reluctant savior. Illidan’s dedication to the defense of Azeroth and the cosmos as a whole becomes his defining act.

FAQs about Illidan and Sargeras

What did Illidan do for 10,000 years before Warcraft III?

Illidan’s activities during his 10,000-year imprisonment primarily involved plotting and consolidating his power. The main reason he was imprisoned for 10,000 years was he remade the well of eternity. He spent much of that time planning for his eventual escape and gathering followers to aid him in his schemes. He was also haunted by visions and prophecies, further fueling his paranoia and driving his actions upon his release.

Was Illidan truly good or bad?

Illidan’s alignment is a complex matter, eluding simple categorization. He consistently decieved his allies, leading no one to trust him, however he was very good at planning in secret and enacting his will behind everyone. Many see Illidan as an anti-hero. His actions were often ruthless and selfish, yet his ultimate goals were frequently aligned with the protection of Azeroth. He’s more of an obscure hero, as he resides between black and white. He wasn’t a villain, but he wasn’t a true hero.

How did Sargeras turn evil?

Sargeras’s descent into darkness was a gradual process. While fighting the demons of the Twisting Nether, he witnessed the Void’s corruption firsthand. Sargeras defeated the Nathrezim easily, but their corruption affected him deeply. This led him to believe that the Titans’ ordered universe was fundamentally flawed and that the only way to prevent the Void from consuming everything was to destroy all life and rebuild reality anew.

Who is the only orc to have physically wounded Sargeras?

Broxigar is the only orc to have ever physically wounded Sargeras. Armed with the Axe of Cenarius, Broxigar held the line against countless demons during the War of the Ancients. He leaped onto Sargeras’s leg and inflicted a small wound before being overwhelmed. Broxigar has never been associated with the Saurfang surname.

What was Illidan’s most significant act of betrayal?

Illidan’s most infamous act of betrayal was giving the Demon Soul to Sargeras during the War of the Ancients. This action enabled Sargeras to enter Azeroth and nearly destroy the world. As the article states, most of the bad things that are currently happening with the Burning Legion is because Illidan gave Sargeras the Demon Soul.

Who corrupted Sylvanas Windrunner?

Sylvanas Windrunner was corrupted by Arthas Menethil during the Third War. The Scourge overwhelmed her forces, and Prince Arthas Menethil (now a death knight) killed Sylvanas himself and raised her as an incorporeal banshee in his service as punishment for hindering his invasion. This transformation twisted her spirit and turned her into a powerful but vengeful force.

Is Sargeras more powerful than the Jailer (Zovaal)?

Based on current lore, Sargeras is significantly more powerful than the Jailer. The Jailer isn’t even close to being that large. Sargeras is more powerful. The Eternals are more similar to or somewhat above the titanforged Keepers on Azeroth in terms of power. Sargeras is powered by two cosmic forces, and he managed to kill his own pantheon in a matter of seconds. Zovaal lost against his kin and got imprisoned.

How did Illidan survive being killed by Frostmourne?

Illidan survived because, as a demon, he would simply have been regenerated in the Twisting Nether by Argus’ power. Now, he may have been at the mercy of the Burning Legion as soon as he regenerated, but it’s entirely possible that Frostmourne couldn’t steal his soul.

Why does Illidan have hooves and wings?

Illidan’s demonic features are a result of his consumption of fel energy and his absorption of the Skull of Gul’dan. He didn’t gain those traits until he absorbed the massive amounts of fel energy from the Skull of Gul’dan. This mutated him into the demon form we see. This transformation fundamentally altered his physiology and appearance, granting him immense power at the cost of his original form.

Who hunted Illidan for 10,000 years?

Maiev Shadowsong relentlessly hunted Illidan for 10,000 years. For 10,000 years, Maiev Shadowsong served as Illidan’s jailor, pursuing him across Azeroth and Outland until she defeated him at the Black Temple. The hunt changed her as she was unable to rejoin night elf society, and Maiev reunited with her fellow wardens to continue her eternal watch. Her obsession with capturing him consumed her life and shaped her into a ruthless and uncompromising figure.

Who is considered the strongest orc in Warcraft lore?

Thrall is generally considered the strongest orc in Warcraft lore. He raised and given knowledge by Humans. The combination of strength of a Orc and the keen intellect of a human made him very powerful. He is a powerful shaman with a deep connection to the elements and possesses strong leadership abilities. Thrall’s command of the elements continue to grow over time.

Did Sargeras create the Lich King?

Sargeras did not create the Lich King. He was created by the Burning Legion to serve as a weapon against Azeroth. Current lore is that Kil’jaeden commanded the Nathrezim to create the Helm so that he could place Ner’zhul inside it, as well as creating Frostmourne.

Why did Kael’thas Sunstrider betray Illidan?

Kael’thas Sunstrider betrayed Illidan due to his desperate desire to aid his people, the blood elves. Kel’Thas was a bit blinded by his pursuit to help his people. After he saw that Illidan is descending into madness he decided to ditch him and go on his own path. He believed that joining forces with the Burning Legion would provide the salvation his people needed.

Why did Malfurion banish Illidan?

Malfurion banished Illidan for several reasons, primarily stemming from Illidan’s use of fel magic and his transformation into a demon. To ensure victory, Illidan consumed the fel power of the Skull of Gul’dan. In so doing, he grew wicked curved horns, cloven hooves, and leathery wings and became the very thing he hunted—a demon. This transformation forced Malfurion to exile him from their home.

Who is stronger, Illidan or Arthas?

The answer to this question depends on the circumstances. If you would go back in time 30 minutes, Illidan would have wiped the floor with level 5 Arthas. It is only with the power of the Lich King that Arthas was able to stave off defeat long enough to fight Illidan on better terms. Arthas, empowered by the Lich King, ultimately proved victorious in their duel at Icecrown Glacier.

A Legacy of Sacrifice

Illidan’s transformation into Sargeras’s jailor represents the culmination of his complex and often tragic journey. From a power-hungry renegade to a reluctant savior, Illidan’s story is a testament to the potential for redemption even in the darkest of souls. His eternal vigil ensures the safety of the cosmos, forever binding him to the fate of the Titan he once sought to serve. To explore further the educational aspects of games and their potential, visit the Games Learning Society website.