{"id":264378,"date":"2025-03-12T01:24:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-12T01:24:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=264378"},"modified":"2025-03-12T01:24:10","modified_gmt":"2025-03-12T01:24:10","slug":"what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Lich King&#8217;s real name?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#What_is_the_Lich_Kings_Real_Name\" title=\"What is the Lich King&#8217;s Real Name?\">What is the Lich King&#8217;s Real Name?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#Introduction_to_the_Lich_King\" title=\"Introduction to the Lich King\">Introduction to the Lich King<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#Understanding_the_Lich_Kings_History\" title=\"Understanding the Lich King&#8217;s History\">Understanding the Lich King&#8217;s History<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#1_Who_is_the_Original_Lich\" title=\"1. Who is the Original Lich?\">1. Who is the Original Lich?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#2_What_is_Arthass_Full_Name\" title=\"2. What is Arthas&#8217;s Full Name?\">2. What is Arthas&#8217;s Full Name?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#3_Who_is_the_Lich_King_Before_Arthas\" title=\"3. Who is the Lich King Before Arthas?\">3. Who is the Lich King Before Arthas?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#4_Is_the_Jailer_the_Lich_King\" title=\"4. Is the Jailer the Lich King?\">4. Is the Jailer the Lich King?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#5_Who_is_the_2nd_Lich_King\" title=\"5. Who is the 2nd Lich King?\">5. Who is the 2nd Lich King?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#6_Who_Canonically_Killed_the_Lich_King\" title=\"6. Who Canonically Killed the Lich King?\">6. Who Canonically Killed the Lich King?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#7_Who_is_the_Red_Lich_King\" title=\"7. Who is the Red Lich King?\">7. Who is the Red Lich King?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#8_Why_did_Bolvar_Become_the_Lich_King\" title=\"8. Why did Bolvar Become the Lich King?\">8. Why did Bolvar Become the Lich King?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#9_What_if_Arthas_Never_Took_Frostmourne\" title=\"9. What if Arthas Never Took Frostmourne?\">9. What if Arthas Never Took Frostmourne?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#10_Did_Arthas_Have_a_Son\" title=\"10. Did Arthas Have a Son?\">10. Did Arthas Have a Son?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#11_Who_is_the_Strongest_Lich\" title=\"11. Who is the Strongest Lich?\">11. Who is the Strongest Lich?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#12_Does_a_Lich_Have_to_be_Evil\" title=\"12. Does a Lich Have to be Evil?\">12. Does a Lich Have to be Evil?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#13_What_Happens_When_a_Lich_Dies\" title=\"13. What Happens When a Lich Dies?\">13. What Happens When a Lich Dies?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#14_Who_is_Sylvanas_in_Love_With\" title=\"14. Who is Sylvanas in Love With?\">14. Who is Sylvanas in Love With?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/#15_Is_Lady_Sylvanas_a_Blood_Elf\" title=\"15. Is Lady Sylvanas a Blood Elf?\">15. Is Lady Sylvanas a Blood Elf?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Lich_Kings_Real_Name\"><\/span>What is the Lich King&#8217;s Real Name?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The <strong>Lich King&#8217;s<\/strong> real name is <strong>Arthas Menethil<\/strong>, who was the default starting hero for the <strong>Death Knight<\/strong> class in <strong>Hearthstone<\/strong>, introduced in the 2022 <strong>March of the Lich King<\/strong> expansion, but before him, the original <strong>Lich King<\/strong> was <strong>Ner&#8217;zhul<\/strong>, the <strong>First Lich King<\/strong>. The <strong>Lich King<\/strong> is a powerful and iconic character in the <strong>World of Warcraft<\/strong> universe, with a rich history and complex lore surrounding his <strong>true identity<\/strong> and <strong>origins<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction_to_the_Lich_King\"><\/span>Introduction to the Lich King<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_the_Lich_Kings_History\"><\/span>Understanding the Lich King&#8217;s History<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>Lich King<\/strong> has undergone several transformations, with <strong>Arthas Menethil<\/strong> being the most well-known incarnation, and his story is deeply intertwined with that of <strong>Ner&#8217;zhul<\/strong>, the original <strong>Lich King<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Who_is_the_Original_Lich\"><\/span>1. Who is the Original Lich?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The original <strong>Lich<\/strong> is <strong>Ner&#8217;zhul<\/strong>, who was instrumental to the forces of the <strong>Legion<\/strong> in the <strong>Second War<\/strong> and opened several portals to other worlds before his mortal form was destroyed and turned into the first <strong>Lich King<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_What_is_Arthass_Full_Name\"><\/span>2. What is Arthas&#8217;s Full Name?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Arthas Menethil<\/strong> was born to <strong>King Terenas Menethil II<\/strong> and <strong>Queen Lianne Menethil<\/strong>, four years before the start of the <strong>First War<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Who_is_the_Lich_King_Before_Arthas\"><\/span>3. Who is the Lich King Before Arthas?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before <strong>Arthas<\/strong> donned the <strong>Lich King&#8217;s<\/strong> armor, it was the spirit of the former <strong>Orc Shaman Ner&#8217;zhul<\/strong> whose soul was attached to the armor and then imprisoned (physically) inside the <strong>Frozen Throne<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Is_the_Jailer_the_Lich_King\"><\/span>4. Is the Jailer the Lich King?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, he&#8217;s not, as <strong>Bolvar Fordragon<\/strong> makes a reference to the <strong>Helm of Domination&#8217;s<\/strong> \u201ctrue master\u201d which is strongly implied to be the <strong>Jailer<\/strong>, and since <strong>Arthas<\/strong>, as the <strong>Lich King<\/strong>, was under the command of the helm, he couldn&#8217;t also be its \u201ctrue master.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Who_is_the_2nd_Lich_King\"><\/span>5. Who is the 2nd Lich King?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In <strong>World of Warcraft<\/strong>, <strong>Arthas<\/strong> is a raid boss and the primary antagonist of the <strong>Wrath of the Lich King<\/strong> expansion, and he was succeeded as the <strong>Lich King<\/strong> by <strong>Bolvar Fordragon<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Who_Canonically_Killed_the_Lich_King\"><\/span>6. Who Canonically Killed the Lich King?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>At the climax of the war for <strong>Northrend<\/strong>, <strong>Arthas<\/strong> the <strong>Lich King<\/strong> was defeated by <strong>Highlord Tirion Fordring<\/strong> and his champions.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Who_is_the_Red_Lich_King\"><\/span>7. Who is the Red Lich King?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Bolvar<\/strong>, revealed to have been altered by the <strong>red dragons&#8217;<\/strong> flame, steps forward and voluntarily becomes the new <strong>Lich King<\/strong>, promising to keep the <strong>Scourge<\/strong> contained in <strong>Northrend<\/strong> as its eternal jailer.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Why_did_Bolvar_Become_the_Lich_King\"><\/span>8. Why did Bolvar Become the Lich King?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Bolvar<\/strong> wanted to provide one last act of service for <strong>Azeroth<\/strong>, and he took up the mantle of <strong>Lich King<\/strong> and encased himself into ice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_What_if_Arthas_Never_Took_Frostmourne\"><\/span>9. What if Arthas Never Took Frostmourne?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>If <strong>Arthas<\/strong> never took <strong>Frostmourne<\/strong>, he and <strong>Sylvanas<\/strong> would be fast allies, united by their hatred for <strong>Kel&#8217;Thuzad<\/strong> and <strong>Ner&#8217;zhul<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Did_Arthas_Have_a_Son\"><\/span>10. Did Arthas Have a Son?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Prince Uther Menethil<\/strong> is the infant son of <strong>Arthas Menethil<\/strong> and <strong>Jaina Proudmoore<\/strong> from an alternate timeline.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_Who_is_the_Strongest_Lich\"><\/span>11. Who is the Strongest Lich?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The strongest <strong>Lich<\/strong> would be <strong>Vecna<\/strong>, the god of <strong>liches<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_Does_a_Lich_Have_to_be_Evil\"><\/span>12. Does a Lich Have to be Evil?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>Lich<\/strong> can be of any alignment, retaining whatever alignment it had in life, and it does not have to be <strong>evil<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_What_Happens_When_a_Lich_Dies\"><\/span>13. What Happens When a Lich Dies?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>Lich<\/strong> stores its soul inside a <strong>phylactery<\/strong>, an enruned box or other object which protects the <strong>Lich&#8217;s<\/strong> life force, and should the <strong>Lich<\/strong> be killed, its body reforms next to the <strong>phylactery<\/strong> within days.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Who_is_Sylvanas_in_Love_With\"><\/span>14. Who is Sylvanas in Love With?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Sylvanas<\/strong> is in love with <strong>Nathanos<\/strong>, and in death, she became the only thing that mattered to him.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Is_Lady_Sylvanas_a_Blood_Elf\"><\/span>15. Is Lady Sylvanas a Blood Elf?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Sylvanas Windrunner<\/strong> is originally a <strong>high elf<\/strong> of <strong>Quel&#8217;thalas<\/strong>, but she received a <strong>Blood Elf<\/strong> model with a unique texture for her <strong>Wrath of the Lich King<\/strong> appearance.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is the Lich King&#8217;s Real Name? The Lich King&#8217;s real name is Arthas Menethil, who was the default starting hero for the Death Knight class in Hearthstone, introduced in the 2022 March of the Lich King expansion, but before him, the original Lich King was Ner&#8217;zhul, the First Lich King. The Lich King is &#8230; <a title=\"What is the Lich King&#8217;s real name?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/what-is-the-lich-kings-real-name\/\" aria-label=\"More on What is the Lich King&#8217;s real name?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-264378","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264378","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=264378"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/264378\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=264378"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=264378"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=264378"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}