Who is the Current Lich King?
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The current Lich King is Bolvar Fordragon, a former human paladin and a member of the Alliance. He assumed the mantle of the Lich King following the defeat of Arthas Menethil, the previous Lich King, at the end of the Wrath of the Lich King expansion in the popular massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft. Bolvar’s transformation and subsequent role are crucial to understanding the narrative of the game and the ongoing struggle against the undead Scourge.
Bolvar’s Transformation into the Lich King
Bolvar’s journey to becoming the Lich King was born out of a need to contain the rampant undead Scourge. After Arthas was defeated and his weapon, Frostmourne, was shattered, the threat of the Scourge’s unyielding advance across Azeroth loomed. The Scourge, a massive army of undead, required a master to control it, lest it descend into mindless chaos.
Initially, Tirion Fordring, commander of the Argent Crusade, intended to take up the mantle. However, Bolvar intervened, urging Tirion to place the Helm of Domination upon him instead. This act was a sacrifice on Bolvar’s part; he believed it was his duty to become the jailer of the Scourge, ensuring they remained confined to Northrend. Bolvar then encased himself in ice atop the Frozen Throne.
The Red Dragonflight’s Intervention
A key element in Bolvar’s transformation was the Red Dragonflight’s fire. During the battle that led to his transformation, Bolvar was engulfed in the flames of the Red Dragons. It is this fire that is believed to be part of what changed Bolvar, enhancing his powers and altering his physiology in a way that made him a more suitable, albeit reluctant, Lich King. These unique circumstances also led to speculation about the kind of control he has over the Scourge compared to Arthas.
The Purpose of the Lich King
The primary role of the Lich King is to act as the master of the Scourge. Without a Lich King, the undead would run rampant across Azeroth, causing untold devastation. Bolvar’s assumption of the mantle was not motivated by a desire for power but by a selfless act to protect the world from the undead menace. He became the eternal jailer of the Scourge, maintaining a constant vigil to prevent another outbreak. His reign as Lich King was about containment, not conquest. This makes Bolvar different from his predecessor Arthas, whose motivation was much darker.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions regarding the Lich King, providing further insight into his lore and role within the World of Warcraft universe:
1. How did the Lich King become a baby?
The concept of the Lich King becoming a baby pertains to a different storyline within the animated series Adventure Time, where a character named the Lich is transformed into an oversized baby named Sweet P. This narrative is unrelated to World of Warcraft.
2. Is the current Lich King evil?
The Lich King, in the Warcraft universe, is a powerful entity of evil, inherently linked to the Scourge. However, Bolvar’s reign as Lich King is more complex. While he wields the power associated with the Lich King and, by extension, controls the Scourge, his intentions are less malevolent compared to Arthas. He sees himself as a jailer, not a conqueror.
3. Who was the most powerful Lich King?
Arthas Menethil is generally considered the most powerful Lich King. He was driven by a powerful vision and personal motives, defied his masters, and had a strong personal connection to the powers associated with the Lich King. His ambition and will were a significant factor in his power. Bolvar, while powerful, was primarily focused on containment and thus didn’t harness the full potential of his Lich King powers.
4. Why is Bolvar weaker than Arthas?
Bolvar is considered weaker than Arthas because he assumed the mantle of the Lich King with the primary intention of containing the Scourge. He didn’t engage in aggressive expansion or seek to enhance his power significantly like Arthas did, who had a more ambitious and active approach to the role.
5. Was the Jailer the Lich King?
No, the Jailer was not the Lich King. However, in the Shadowlands expansion, it is strongly implied that the Helm of Domination, which grants the power of the Lich King, was created by the Jailer. Therefore, the Jailer was the “true master” behind the Lich King’s power, but not the Lich King himself.
6. Who wields Ashbringer?
Tirion Fordring wielded the Ashbringer, a powerful legendary weapon, during his battle against Arthas at the Frozen Throne. It was Ashbringer that shattered Frostmourne, ultimately leading to Arthas’ defeat.
7. Why was the Lich King getting weaker?
The Lich King was getting weaker because the Frozen Throne was fracturing. This damaged the connection between the Lich King and the power that sustained him, causing him to lose his strength. This event also played a significant role in leading to the events that culminated in the Lich King’s downfall.
8. Who killed Bolvar?
Bolvar was not directly killed but was seemingly incapacitated by the Forsaken attack and then subsequently altered by the Red Dragons’ fire. It was this combination of events that led to his transformation into the Lich King.
9. How did Arthas become the Lich King?
Arthas Menethil became the Lich King by taking up Frostmourne, a runeblade that was imbued with the Lich King’s power. He was corrupted by the blade and merged with the Lich King’s spirit. Ultimately, he donned the Helm of Domination, merging fully with the entity.
10. Who was the Lich King before Arthas?
Before Arthas, the Lich King was Ner’zhul, an Orcish shaman. Ner’zhul’s soul was trapped within the Frozen Throne and forced to become the first Lich King, before Arthas merged with him.
11. What is the Helm of Domination?
The Helm of Domination is an artifact of immense power that is the source of the Lich King’s control over the Scourge. It was crafted by the Jailer and used to bind the Lich King and the Scourge to his will.
12. Who is Anduin in relation to the Lich King?
Anduin Wrynn is not the Lich King. In the Shadowlands expansion, he was controlled by Zovaal, the Jailer, as his “soulbind,” but never became the Lich King. He was subjected to Zovaal’s will, but his situation is entirely different from that of the Lich King. Anduin is a prince and later King of Stormwind, and is a key character within the Alliance, with no genetic or spiritual connection to the Lich King.
13. Can a Lich beat a dragon?
A Lich can indeed beat a dragon depending on various factors, such as the lich’s power and how well-hidden its phylactery is. Liches are masters of necromancy, magic, and possess immortality, while dragons often lack magical prowess, and a lich has an unending supply of time, making the odds of lich winning favorable.
14. Which faction canonically killed the Lich King?
The Lich King, Arthas, was canonically defeated by Tirion Fordring, with the help of 25 heroes from the Horde and Alliance during the raid on Icecrown Citadel. While it was a combined effort, the canon ending has Tirion shattering Frostmourne and defeating the Lich King.
15. Has there ever been a good Lich?
While liches are typically portrayed as evil entities, there are rare examples of good or neutral liches, known as archliches in some settings. These are liches who retain their morality even after their transformation. They are less common than their evil counterparts, which often seek power and destruction.
Conclusion
Bolvar Fordragon is the current Lich King, acting as a vigilant warden over the Scourge. His story is one of sacrifice and duty, a sharp contrast to the ambition and malevolence of his predecessor, Arthas Menethil. Understanding his role is essential to grasping the ongoing narrative within World of Warcraft and the eternal struggle against the forces of the undead. The Lich King, whether Bolvar or Arthas, remains a central and compelling figure in the Warcraft universe, shaping the destiny of Azeroth.