The Archmage Antonidas - The Compendium

Admin Posts : 598 Join date : 2012-07-07 Age : 38

Journal of Archmage Antonidas

Oct 8.

As I have said before, I am becoming increasingly disturbed by the dangerously vast potential of certain schools of magic, and the contrasting amount of laws and boundaries that should be set to limit them. Furthermore, comprehensive research on these volatile schools shows a trend of decreasing academic prerequisites yielding increasingly powerful outcomes.

A student of mine asked me today, "Why are there so many limitations on traditional portals, when Fel portals can be made twice as large and last ten times as long?" The student was not yet educated in the abstraction of what is practical versus what is achievable, yet the question held within me a certain duality: What future is there for the established practices of magic when so many wild variations threaten to overshadow them?

I do all I can to stifle studies of Fel magics and necromancy here, yet I find myself both disturbed and enthralled by their potential. I refuse to believe that that their efficiency so soundly trumps the common criticisms of being unstable or "evil" that these schools hold the monopoly of avenues for magical progress. Yet when witnessing the massive infernal for one's self, or seeing acres of land blighted at the wave of an hand, I fear my beliefs may soon shift from gospel to dogma in the minds of my peers.

Oct 16.

My primary focus has shifted to research of the plague that ravages the north. I've canceled most of my classes to focus on research of this terrible anomaly.
With immense precaution I've procured a shipment of the infested grain. Immediately I was both impressed and suspicious with how innocuous the whole package presented itself. There was no discoloration, no discernable odor, and no variation at all from any other sheaf of grain.
At that moment it was no longer a mystery of this plague spread so quickly.

Oct 17.
Further study of the plague has yielded disturbing conclusions, and even more disturbing implications.
Initial testing showed the plague had only minor effects on non-human creatures. Symptoms ranged from fatigue, nausea, fever, to minor hallucinations, but rarely resulted in death. On human tissue, however, the plague acts uniformly and unprecedented expediency towards necrosis.

It would be foolish to think that such an efficient human killer only being found in human rations is a coincidence. While it's certainly possible that these two occurrences are unrelated, I've decided to delegate more resources towards finding the source of this plague, for I fear there are intelligent hands pushing it upon our kin.

More research must be done here at Dalaran, however, I will decide who to investigate in my stead at a later date, after some heavy deliberation.

Oct 18.

I've stumbled upon a key factor of this plague, one so cleverly hidden in its methodology that I've come to two immutable conclusions: That its development was for the singular prupose of ending human life, and its inception was at the hands of an intelligent being.
Long term affliction of the plague causes a certain reanimation of activity in the dead. This activity is very small at first, and I disregarded it as a minor side-effect. However, this energy remained persistent and unwavering. A thought struck me, one which was both surprising and strong: The corpse was waiting for something.

At that moment I did not have any evidence to prove it, but I nonetheless spent time pursuing it. I used my limited knowledge of necromancy and casted simple curses on the corpse. At the time I had no motivation to raise the dead, only to change or distinguish the radiating energy off the corpse. Imagine my surprise when it sprung to life and attacked me.

I did not hesitate to incinerate it to dust, and I now regret doing so. But I was able to prove my unprovoked theory, that the corpse (and by extension the plague that saturates it) was indeed waiting for further commands. It's clear that those who die by this plague are only lying dormant in their graves, awaiting one skillful in necromancy to awaken them.

In short, it is indisputable that the plague is magical in nature.

Oct 20.

I have decided to send my most trusted disciple, Jaina Proudmoore, to investigate the source of the plague. Based on my research, I believe only my skillful disciple will be able to handle the unknown challenges that await such an endeavor. She will take with her a copy of this journal and my other research documents regarding the plague. Indeed I will make it public, for all people need to become aware of this imminent threat.

I only wish I could investigate it myself, but Terenas has proved to be predictably stubborn to my requests. It is paramount that I convince him to quarantine the north. Little else matters at this point in time. Regardless, I have the fullest faith in Jaina's cunning. If she or I cannot put an end to this infestation, I doubt anyone can.

-Antonidas-
<This is marked with the seal of the Council of Six>

The Archmage Antonidas - Part 1

Antonidas was but a mere boy when he became an apprentice to one of the Kirin Tor. He was a tenacious learner, pouring over books in the magical libraries of Dalaran. After only a few short years of studying under the sect, Antonidas had outclassed his peers and earned their admiration, as well as the respect of his elders.

At the age of 12, Antonidas' thesis, "The Ramifications of refined Reverse Time Travel Phenomena into Quantifiable Magical Practice", earned him the Kirin Tor Sash of Supreme Acumen, the youngest ever to receive the award. Shortly thereafter the Ruling Council offered him official placement in the Kirin Tor Advanced Research and Illumination Sect, also the youngest to receive an official invitation.

As the mage grew older, he continued to learn and hone his abilities. His natural talent for defensive magic and wisdom beyond his years made Antonidas an ideal candidate for a position on the Council of Six, which he eventually attained. Antonidas proved not only wise and fair, but infinitely regimented in goal to become more knowledgeable. He quickly became one of the dominant voices of Dalaran.

Before the Second War, leaders of each of the Azerothian nations met in Lordaeron to discuss the threat of the orc invasion. Archmage Antonidas attended the summit on behalf of the Council of Six, pledging loyalty to the Alliance on Dalaran's behalf. He also monitored the progress of the young but extremely talented mage Khadgar, who had served as Medivh's apprentice during thefirst war. In the aftermath of the Second War, Antonidas promoted Khadgar to the rank of archmage and placed him in a position of authority over the mission to enter the Dark Portaland investigate Draenor.

After the Second War, Antonidas investigated the lethargy of the orcs. The archmage published several theses on his research:

"The Causality of War: A Comprehensive Study on Orc Lassitude."

"The Contrast of Orc Tradition, Sociology, and Psychological Practices from Before and After the Second War."

"Empirical Study on the Formulation and History of High Profile Fel Magics, and their Relation to the Orc Race."

The consensuses of many of these reports are largely inconclusive. Antonidas himself has said on occasion that finding a cure for the malaise of the orcs would be an almost unachievable venture. His formal conclusion was that the orcs' only path to a healthy lifestyle would be a spiritual one.

Admin Posts : 598 Join date : 2012-07-07 Age : 38

The Archmage Antonidas Part II

Stresses on the fragile Alliance increased following the Second War due to overflowing internment camps and the taxes that were raised to support them. The lack of a common enemy meant there was no reason to put aside the politics and petty squabbles that had defined the Azerothian nations before the orcs invaded from Draenor during the First War.

In addition to this, a plague had developed in the north. Having investigated the matter, Antonidas discovered that Kel'Thuzad, a member of the Kirin Tor, had been practicing necromancy, and suspected that the plague of the north was magical in nature. Headed by the Archmage, the rulers of Dalaran suggested quarantining the affected areas.

Fearful of the backlash it would create, King Terenas failed to listen to their pleas. It was in this climate that a prophet came to the now elderly Archmage. He warned of the plague, telling Antonidas that Azeroth was lost. The prophet advised Antonidas that the only way to save his people was to head west to the continent of Kalimdor.

But Antonidas was now in his seventies. He was wise, but also increasingly cautious and stubborn. Even though his apprentice, Lady Jaina Proudmore, sensed the prophet's great power and suggested heeding his words, Antonidas dismissed the prophet's words as those of a madman.

The archmage decided instead to continue his efforts to investigate the plague in the north from the safety of his city. See: "The Journal of Archmage Antonidas" for his research on the plague. Ultimately, he sent Jaina to investigate the matter. She was to be accompanied by Prince Arthas Menethil.

Admin Posts : 598 Join date : 2012-07-07 Age : 38

The Archmage Antonidas Part III

While Antonidas investigated ways to stop the plague, Arthas had fallen into madness, razingStratholme and traveling to Northrend to hunt the Dreadlord Mal'Ganis. Before the aging archmage could find a cure, Arthas, accompanied by the Lich Kel'Thuzad and an undead army, marched south through Tirisfal and Lordaeron, destroying everything in their path and fueling the war machine with their wake.

Soon they were at Antonidas' doorstep, looking to destroy Dalaran and take the Book of Medivh, with which they planned to summon the demon Archimonde.

Antonidas stood before Arthas and his undead army, refusing to give up the book or the city. Using his unparalleled skills of defensive magic, Antonidas set up a magical field that would destroy any undead that touched it (an earlier version of the defensive shields used today).

Sadly, this was not enough, and Arthas found a way to dispel the enchantment. He marched straight into Dalaran and murdered Antonidas in cold blood. Kel'Thuzad and Arthas entered theViolet Citadel, took the Book of Medivh, and summoned Archimonde.

As the undead army left the city in search of new targets, Archimonde demolished its structures, bringing its magical spires crashing to the ground. Antonidas' Dalaran, now leaderless and in shambles, was no more.

[Epilogue]

Having fallen in battle defending the only home he knew, Antonidas' legacy continues to be an example for those who live on. His accomplishments, valor, and memory are a testament to the survival of the old world and its new legacy. In this world of constant war, the fragile bonds of a new alliance are but a tribute to the memory and fortitude of one of Lordaeron's bravest sons and greatest heroes.

Admin Posts : 598 Join date : 2012-07-07 Age : 38

In GHI

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