Kirin Tor – WoW Dragonflight

The Kirin Tor (sometimes spelled Kirin-Tor and Kirin’Tor), also known as the Wizard Council of Dalaran, or the Magus Senate of Dalaran, is an elite cadre of the most powerful wizards in the known world, and the ruling conclave of magi that leads the magical nation of Dalaran, one of the seven human kingdoms. More specifically, they are governed by the Council of Six. The Kirin Tor were members of the original Alliance of Lordaeron, and have also upheld an alliance with Silvermoon for over 2,000 years, with the Council of Six itself once included Quel’Thalas’ crown-prince Kael’thas Sunstrider and the blood elf Aethas Sunreaver, its sovereignty causing most contemporary human and elven mages to bow before it.

Once a secretive and selective order of magi that kept aloof from ordinary politics, the Kirin Tor has since become one of the foremost factions standing against the threats posed to Azeroth’s survival. Allied to the Alliance, but remaining neutral in its conflict with the Horde, they fought in recent years against the Scourge, the blue dragonflight, and the Iron Horde, with Dalaran becoming a focal point of the campaign against the Burning Legion and serving as a neutral ground where the heroes of every kingdom could join together against their mutual foe.

The Kirin Tor became a reputation faction in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King.

Dragonflight

Khadgar, Kalecgos, and Kirin Tor mages joined the expedition to the Dragon Isles, setting outposts in the Azure Span. They came into conflict with the Primalists.

Kirin Tor
Kirin Tor banner
Main leader The Six

  • Khadgar
    • Kalec
    • Karlain
    • Modera
    • Ansirem
    • Vargoth
Race(s) Human
High elf
Blood elf
Gnome
Dwarf
Half-elf
Highborne
Night elf
Draenei
Worgen
Pandaren
Character classes Various
Capital Dalaran
Other major settlements Dalaran Crater
Formerly Ambermill
Nethergarde Keep †
Base of operations Transitus Shield, Amber Ledge, Violet Stand, Violet Rise, The Overlook, Khadgar’s Tower
Formerly Kirin’Var Village †, Violet Bluff
Theater of operations Azeroth, Outland, Alternate Draenor, Argus
Language(s) Common, Thalassian, Dwarven, Gnomish, Darnassian, Draenei, Pandaren, Coded language
Sub-group(s)
  • The Violet Eye
  • Silver Covenant
  • Sunreavers
  • Kirin Tor Offensive
Former sub-group(s) Sorcerers’ League †,
Mages’ Guild †
Affiliation Magocracy of Dalaran, Alliance, Tirisgarde, Armies of Legionfall
Formerly Alliance of Lordaeron
Status Active
Reputation
Quartermaster Archmage Alvareaux
Tabard

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History

As Dalaran became the chief center of learning for magicians throughout the land, its Magocrat lords formed the Kirin Tor as a specialized sect that was charged with cataloging and researching every spell, artifact, and magic item known to mankind at the time. The Council of Six became the rulers of the Kirin Tor, and eventually replaced the Magocrats at the head of Dalaran.

Approximately five hundred years prior to the opening of the Dark Portal, the black dragon Sintharia, former prime consort of Deathwing, attempted to bring down the Kirin Tor with a curse that left all the wizards in the city unable to use their magic. Her scheme was foiled in part by Korialstrasz, consort to Alexstrasza, and when Sintharia was defeated, most believed her to be dead when her own magic had been turned on her.

With Aegwynn distancing herself and giving birth to Medivh, the Council of Tirisfal was without an official Guardian. They called on the Kirin Tor’s accomplished magi to keep watch and safeguard the world. Likewise, at the Council’s behest, the Kirin Tor sent agents to infiltrate Karazhan and spy on the young Medivh, taking parts in his parties in the magical tower. The spies, however, always left empty-handed – Medivh made sure of it.

Their members were present across all the Eastern Kingdoms, notably in the Kingdom of Stormwind, where Anduin Lothar was acquainted with the fellow wizards of the Kirin Tor in the realm.

During the First War

At the beginning of the First War, the resurgence of strange green-skinned creatures who attacked human settlements in Azeroth had thoroughly occupied the attention of the Council of Tirisfal and the Kirin Tor. The appearance of creatures never seen on this world, corrupted by demonic energies, far outweighed their concerns about Medivh. However, the Council still wanted to work with the Guardian and convinced the Kirin Tor to send another apprentice to Karazhan. For years apprentices had presented themselves to Karazhan, some sent by the Kirin Tor, others willingly, but Medivh was a severe master, and the slightest mistake led to being expelled, most of them only stayed for one day, the others less than a week. At the request of the Council, and recently learning that Medivh wished for the first time to have an apprentice, they sent the young Khadgar who came to be worthy of being the Guardian’s apprentice and spent several years studying with the latter. Several mage instructors of the Kirin Tor saw an opportunity to gain new information and asked Khadgar to learn various information for them.

Despite the war happening far away from them, the mages of the Kirin Tor still saw their fair share of troubles. Seven mages of the Violet Citadel died in mysterious circumstances, including Guzbah and archmage Arrexis. Besides Guzbah all of them were secretly members of the Council of Tirisfal.

Some time after Medivh’s death and the end of the war, Aegwynn gave Aluneth to the Kirin Tor. The mages locked it in an enchanted vault.

During the Second War

Following the fall of Stormwind to the Orcish Horde, the Kirin Tor was present during the Council of Seven Nations, represented by the Archmage Antonidas. After heated debates, and Turalyon’s encouraging speech to unite them, Antonidas pledged the support of Dalaran with the other kingdoms to the newly formed Alliance of Lordaeron. Archmage Khadgar personally served as their liaison.

Among the mages that participated in the Second War, some were the former students of the Conjurers of Azeroth who fell during the First War as they were unprepared for the rigors of warfare. Whether in their sanctum at the Violet Citadel in Dalaran or on the many battlefields of Lordaeron, the mages were resolute in their efforts to defend the people.

Though the Dark Portal was destroyed by Khadgar and his fellow magi in the aftermath of the Second War, the Kirin Tor noticed that a rift remained that connected Azeroth and Draenor together, and so created Nethergarde Keep in order to watch over the rift. Additionally it took several members of the Kirin Tor working together in order to halt the taint that was spreading from the rift’s location.

During the war that would follow between the Alliance of Lordaeron and Horde of Draenor, Teron Gorefiend and his death knights, aided by Deathwing, found themselves able to successfully enter Dalaran’s Arcane vault and steal the Eye of Dalaran from the Kirin Tor, a relic they crafted that could focus and amplify magical energies. When Gorefiend shattered the containment wards placed around the artifact, he attracted the attention of one of the most powerful leaders in the Kirin Tor, the Archmage Antonidas, who raced to investigate the source of the disturbance. He and a handful of magi battled the death knights in the vault, but the element of surprise was on the Horde’s side, and one of the magi was killed before they escaped with the artifact. Antonidas gave chase for as long as he could, but once the death knights had reunited with the black dragons, they vanished into the skies. Antonidas would quickly inform Khadgar of the theft and, sometime after, the Alliance Expedition would journey to Draenor in order to put an end to the orc threat.

Aftermath of the Second War

Following the destruction of Draenor, the Kirin Tor studied the imprisoned orcs and their magics. The magi knew that elements of the Horde were still lurking throughout the Eastern Kingdoms. They wanted to learn as much as they could about their enemy in the event that another war broke out, and later found out that the defeated orcs had fallen into a strange lethargy, suffering from a withdrawal of the demonic energies that they had become addicted to.

For years, the Kirin Tor had watched Natalie Seline, greatly troubled by her dark teachings. After her death, they set out to scour her writings from history. Magi picked through the villages and cities Seline had traveled, gathering up every scroll and tome that she had penned. Her writings were then locked away in the Kirin Tor’s vaults of Dalaran, hoping that would be the end of Seline’s dangerous brand of magic. Yet despite their efforts, they could not bury the doctrine of balance she had preached.

At some point, it came to Antonidas’ attention that Kel’Thuzad, another member of the Council of Six, had begun to experiment with the arcane art of necromancy. As this threatened the safety and reputation of Dalaran, Antonidas and the other leaders of the Kirin Tor decided to put a stop to it. They had Kel’Thuzad’s properties searched, and all items tainted by dark magic were confiscated and destroyed. Antonidas warned Kel’Thuzad that he would be stripped of his rank and holdings, and exiled from both Dalaran and Lordaeron, if he did not abandon that path. Kel’Thuzad chose to leave Dalaran and swore to serve the Lich King.

As a representative of the Kirin Tor and the Alliance of Lordaeron, Antonidas held the position as one of the four jurors during the court of the paladin of the Silver Hand Tirion Fordring in Stratholme. Like the other judges, he was shocked when Tirion admitted his guilt, which led the paladin to his excommunication and his exile.

While the Alliance of Lordaeron was unaware of the death cults forming in their lands before, the departure of Quel’Thalas who stated that the humans’ poor leadership had led to the burning of their forests during the Second War, alongside the liberation of the orcs from internment camps by Thrall, led to the departure of Gilneas and Stromgarde from the Alliance. However, several kingdoms made it known that they had no intention of letting the Alliance collapse, among them the nation of Dalaran.

At the time of the Third War, most contemporary human and high elven mages bowed to the sovereignty of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor. Elven sorceresses served the Kirin Tor as its agents. However, the city was noted for being politically aloof and secretive – magi of the Kirin Tor did not get involved in “ordinary” politics, and outsiders were rarely welcome in Dalaran, even visiting royalty.

During the Third War

Near the beginning of the Third War, the Kirin Tor took notice of a mysterious plague gripping the northlands. As such, their Ambassador to King Terenas Menethil II revealed that the Kirin Tor were prepared to place the villages under strict quarantine. However, the King declared that there would be no quarantine without proof of these claims as the people of Lordaeron had suffered enough. Suspecting that the plague was magical in nature, the Kirin Tor sent Jaina Proudmoore to investigate, accompanied by the paladin of the Silver Hand Arthas Menethil and his envoys sent by King Terenas to assist her. The Kirin Tor eventually learned that their suspicions were not only correct but that Kel’Thuzad, a former member of the organization, was responsible for spreading the plague.

When the Third War began, some of the aspiring geniuses of the magocracy were allured by the dark arts and forsook their very souls, becoming necromancers in service to the Scourge. When King Terenas Menethil II was killed by Arthas and Capital City fell, magi from Dalaran went to the ruined kingdom of Lordaeron along with other Alliance soldiers to deal with the rampaging undead army, but soon found themselves overwhelmed.

Under the direction of the demon lord Archimonde who wished to come to Azeroth to begin his invasion, the undead Scourge, led by the death knight Arthas, prepared to invade Dalaran in order to claim the Book of Medivh, protected by the Kirin Tor since a messenger from Khadgar brought them the artifact before he destroyed the Dark Portal from Draenor. The idea of ​​using this artifact to open the way for demons was from the Lich King, the latter knowing that it would be possible to access it with the help of the now resurrected lich Kel’Thuzad, who had been one of Dalaran’s rulers.

With the Scourge approaching Dalaran, Archmage Antonidas and the Kirin Tor readied themselves for battle. They evacuated most of the city’s civilians, leaving behind only a small resistance force. Though these defenders were few, they were some of the greatest magi in the world. Not only that, as Dalaran itself was a weapon, whose magic coursed through the streets, and arcane barriers blanketed the city. Many of these wards would destroy any undead that touched them. In Dalaran, the Scourge met resistance every bit as formidable as that of Lordaeron or Quel’Thalas. Perhaps even more so. The Kirin Tor’s magi battered the undead with barrage after barrage of arcane energy, wreaking havoc on the invaders. However, this frontal assault was nothing more than a diversion, while a small force of Scourge was led by Arthas in the city, accompanied by Kel’Thuzad and the dreadlord Tichondrius. They killed the wizards maintaining the auras and arcane barriers, and met the Kirin Tor’s leader Antonidas who faced them until his last breath, before claiming the Book of Medivh.

While the Scourge prepared to summon Archimonde into the world, surviving wizards of the Kirin Tor had teleported in an army. As the Kirin Tor began their attack, Arthas ordered the Scourge to defend Kel’Thuzad at all costs; and despite their best efforts, the Kirin Tor failed in stopping the Scourge. Successfully summoned, Archimonde destroyed Dalaran completely, claiming its annihilation heralded the Legion’s first strike against the mortal world.

After the fall of Dalaran, surviving agents of the Kirin Tor such as Jailor Kassan pledged their support to Grand Marshal Garithos and the Alliance resistance. The blood elves, led by Council of Six member Kael’thas Sunstrider, came to reside in Dalaran and fought in its defense; however, the elves came under Garithos’ prejudice against their kind and were eventually imprisoned in the city’s dungeons for consorting with the naga, slated for execution. However, thanks to the timely arrival of Lady Vashj, the blood elves were freed and eventually found their way to Outland. When the blood elf Prince Kael’thas was fleeing the dungeons, he found the ghosts of Antonidas and several of his kindred, and finally released them, allowing them peace after so many months.

While elves such as Aethas Sunreaver would vouch for the Kirin Tor’s innocence in these events, others like Rommath would accuse the organization of looking the other way. What role the Kirin Tor had in this, if any, is largely unknown. They were, however, known to have partial control of the city. The destruction of Dalaran was a massive blow to the Kirin Tor, leaving its surviving members scattered and its leadership in disarray, while some of them fought and were killed by the pets of Hakkar the Houndmaster.

At some point, the Kirin Tor cleared the naga from the Tomb of Sargeras and sealed the place.

World of Warcraft

At some point, the surviving wizards of the Kirin Tor returned to the ruins of Dalaran and constructed a vast, magical dome around the heart of their city. Some believe it was for protection from the violence of these times, others say they merely wanted solitude, to study and plot. The shield was opaque and completely impenetrable by any known means warding off any new attack while the magi slowly regained their strength. The area and ruined outskirts of their city were patrolled by the wizards and their rock elemental minions, but the dome was powerful enough to destroy creatures that venture too close. Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver was present among those who remained outside the dome.

They sent Sorcerer Ashcrombe to Shadowfang Keep to check on Archmage Arugal’s progress against the undead, ignorant to the fact that the archmage had been driven mad with guilt over the fact that he summoned the worgen to Gilneas.

The Kirin Tor also have forces stationed in Ambermill, Nethergarde Keep, the Lordamere Internment Camp and parts of Silverpine Forest. Dalaran also has a strong presence in Outland. Dalaran’s army is largely responsible for the survival of Alliance power in Silverpine; without the aid of the magi, the town of Pyrewood Village would have fallen to the Scourge long ago. The Kirin Tor were also not knowledgeable about the Forsaken at first, believing them to be just another clan of undead. The mages of Dalaran would eventually come into conflict with them, notably over the control of Ambermill in Silverpine Forest.

At some point, after the Scarlet Crusade failed to properly create a second Ashbringer in the form of [Light’s Wrath], the elite magi of the Kirin Tor hid it away lest it unleash further deadly calamities. Fearing its unbridled power, the Kirin Tor entrusted its safekeeping to the blue dragonflight in order to secure it away from the hands of men.

Wrath of the Lich King

As Malygos intended to siphon from every source of arcane power on Azeroth and dispose of the energy where no mage could reach it, the magi of Azeroth quickly noticed that something was amiss. A few powerful magi of the Kirin Tor set out to investigate. When they arrived at the Nexus, they were confronted by Malygos himself who hid nothing from them. He told them that the use of the arcane had put the Burning Legion’s eye on Azeroth, repeatedly, and that now the armies of the Horde and the Alliance were abusing those energies to settle their factional disputes. He showed the magi the damage that had already been done to Azeroth, and demanded that they join his cause. Some high-ranking magi of the Kirin Tor were swayed by his argument, and they pledged themselves to the blue dragonflight. Others were horrified and attempted to escape, but none succeeded, as they were killed to stop word from getting back to the Kirin Tor. The magi who joined Malygos soon became known as mage hunters, dedicated to erasing all resistance to the blue dragonflight’s new purpose.

During the Scourgewar, after the fall of Naxxramas, the Kirin Tor finally uncovered what was happening at the Nexus, where Malygos and his dragonflight were draining away Azeroth’s arcane magic, killing every mage who dared to oppose them. Archmage Rhonin and the ranking members of the Kirin Tor were shocked to learn that some of their own had defected to the blue dragonflight’s cause. The danger posed by Malygos and the Scourge was so great that the magi of Dalaran did something unprecedented: they pooled their power and teleported their entire city to the skies above Crystalsong Forest in Northrend, leaving only a crater in its place. From their new vantage point, the city subsequently served as a base of operations for many actions taken against the growing threat of the Lich King, while the Kirin Tor engaged the Nexus War to stop Malygos’s campaign, but progress was slow. The blue Dragon Aspect and his servants were too strong for even the great magi of Dalaran to contend with, and the presence of the Kirin Tor was indeed met with deep-seated revilement from the crazed Malygos, who made numerous attempts to destroy the city.

In time, the Kirin Tor proclaimed themselves neutral in the conflict between the Horde and the Alliance, and instead sought to help bridge the gaps between the two factions, starting with reaching out to Quel’Thalas for magical support against Malygos. Consequently, the elven population of the Kirin Tor underwent something of a split: the portion of the elves who converted to the blood elven philosophy took up the name “the Sunreavers”, named for their leader, Aethas Sunreaver, the only non-human on the Council of Six who ensured the Horde a sanctuary within the city. Conversely, some high elven members opposed the notion of allowing the sin’dorei back into the Kirin Tor’s ranks and formed the Silver Covenant to oppose it. Consequently, as base of operations, the Alliance was given the Silver Enclave which was the base of the Silver Covenant. Its leader, Vereesa Windrunner, however, held no political sway within the city, thus leading to the blood elves officially being readmitted as members of the Kirin Tor.

The Kirin Tor then called upon the factions to aid them. The idea of diverting resources from the war against the Lich King did not sit well with Garrosh Hellscream or Bolvar Fordragon, but both agreed that it was necessary, and joined the Kirin Tor in the Nexus War. Alexstrasza and her red dragonflight allied with the Kirin Tor to fight, later joined by representatives of the other dragonflights who had also grown wary of Malygos. Together, they attempted to contact the Aspect of Magic and convince him to end his destructive crusade, but their efforts were met with open hostility. With the help of the Wyrmrest Accord, an agreement between all the dragonflights, and both factions, the Kirin Tor assaulted the Nexus, and Malygos was ultimately killed before his vengeance could be fulfilled.

When Brann Bronzebeard of the Explorers’ League barely escaped from Ulduar, he immediately notified Archmage Rhonin of the Kirin Tor that a living nightmare was stirring within the forgotten stronghold. The leader of the Kirin Tor notified the Alliance and the Horde, hoping they would see fit to set aside their differences again, but it was a failure because of the recently disastrous battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate. Consequently, the Kirin Tor later implored members of the Horde and the Alliance to join them in the final assault on the stronghold, and since the request came from neutral parties, they agreed. The assault was more difficult than anyone imagined, but they managed to reach Yogg-Saron’s prison chamber and defeat the Old God.

During the War Against the Nightmare, most of the mages of the Kirin Tor, including Rhonin, were trapped in their nightmares. Archmage Modera and her remaining comrades, however, were holding against the shadowy attackers, despite their exhaustion.

Interlude

Between the Cataclysm and the discovery of Pandaria, Dalaran and the Kirin Tor remained in Northrend. At Dalaran Crater, Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver left the region, while only workers and summoners of the Kirin Tor remain at the crater, some of them discussing that the area was unstable. They are friendly with members of the Alliance, but still hostile with those of the Horde following their conflict with the Forsaken who also conquered Ambermill.

When the nation was invited by the leadership of the Alliance to send a representative to their diplomatic meeting in Darnassus, the Council declined, citing its desire to retain its neutrality and continue to help bridge the gaps between the Alliance and the Horde.

Tides of War

Years later, as she learned of Garrosh Hellscream’s ambitions to conquer the whole of Kalimdor, Jaina Proudmoore urged the Kirin Tor to support Theramore against the Horde armies massing at Northwatch Hold. Despite their initial reluctance to involve the neutral Kirin Tor into a conflict, the council agreed to send mages to help defend the island nation. Aethas Sunreaver cast the decisive vote in support of Theramore, reasoning that to do nothing would be to implicitly support the Horde’s expansionism.

When Garrosh Hellscream’s true plan – to detonate a mana bomb over Theramore – was revealed, Rhonin sacrificed his life by teleporting Jaina and a few wounded defenders to safety. Rhonin pulled the bomb into the Theramore Tower, minimizing the damage caused by the explosion.

In the aftermath, the Kirin Tor, while refusing to launch an attack on Orgrimmar in retaliation for Theramore’s decimation, chose Jaina as Rhonin’s replacement and as the new leader of the Council of Six and the Kirin Tor, with Kalecgos also joining the Kirin Tor. Due to Thalen Songweaver’s betrayal at the defense of Theramore, the Sunreavers’ credibility was damaged, though Aethas later denies responsibility and vowed to atone for Thalen’s treachery. Soon afterward, many, if not nearly every member of the Kirin Tor who could come, attended the funeral ceremony for Rhonin, led by Jaina. It concluded as the mages and denizens sent small arcane orbs floating upwards.

Kalec also joined the Kirin Tor and stayed in the city for a time, but he saw distrust from the other magi, so he often found excuses to be away.

Mists of Pandaria

When Jaina Proudmoore discovered that the Sunreavers helped Garrosh Hellscream steal the [Divine Bell] by using Dalaran portals to infiltrate Darnassus, she mobilized the Kirin Tor, Alliance forces, and the Silver Covenant to purge the Horde from Dalaran. Though Aethas Sunreaver claimed he knew nothing of Garrosh’s scheme, Jaina nonetheless chose to incarcerate him and his Sunreavers after Aethas refused to order his people to leave the city peacefully. Those that surrendered were imprisoned in the Violet Hold while those that resisted were put to the sword, after which Jaina pledged the Kirin Tor to Varian’s war cause, effectively bringing Dalaran back into the Alliance (for game purposes Dalaran remains unchanged after the questline is completed).

The purge also put an end to Dalaran’s alliance with Silvermoon, which had stood for over 2,000 years.

Ignited by Jaina’s fury, the Kirin Tor Offensive seek to seize Thunder Isle and the treasures contained therein, in the interest of the Alliance. Composed of Silver Covenant high elves combined with war mages and warriors of the Kirin Tor. Their main goals are to prevent the Horde from obtaining powerful artifacts from Emperor Lei Shen and to also fight the coalition of Zandalari and mogu threatening Pandaria.

Warlords of Draenor

The Kirin Tor’s expedition into the alternate Draenor of thirty-five years ago was led by Khadgar. While the Alliance-Horde expedition was mostly busy dealing with the Iron Horde, Khadgar, feeling responsible for the release of Gul’dan after the Assault on the Dark Portal, leads agents of the Kirin Tor to track down the mad warlock.

Based at Zangarra in Talador, the Kirin Tor were friendly with the Alliance adventurers, but remain neutral with the Horde adventurers, as Jaina Proudmoore has ordered that all outsiders to Dalaran – especially the Horde – are not allowed on Kirin Tor grounds. Despite this, Khadgar says that as he is a member of the Council, his friends – regardless of faction – are allowed in, and if Jaina has a problem with it she can take it up with him. When Jaina arrives on Draenor, she expresses distaste that Khadgar allows the Horde to work with him at Zangarra. Jaina says the rest of the Council of Six would not approve and that she certainly does not.

A Kirin Tor expedition was also sent to Gorgrond. They asked the forces of Frostwall and Lunarfall to help them with the natives. They were responsible for maintaining a supply line between Draenor and Azeroth, but their holdout within the Everbloom, the Violet Bluff, was overgrown by Primals and most of its population infested. This turn of events nearly ended in a disaster, when the genesaur Yalnu crossed the mage portal into the Kirin Tor overlook above Stormwind, where he was stopped before he could muster his strength and infest the city or even worse.

Another Kirin Tor force, led by Modera, fights the forces of Socrethar and the Sargerei at Socrethar’s Rise.

Kirin Tor mages accompanied Khadgar to the Hellfire Citadel and are seen at the entrance and at the site of the disabled Black Gate maintaining portals.

Legion

During the battle for the Broken Shore, a squad of Kirin Tor Battle-Mages led by Jaina Proudmoore fought alongside King Varian Wrynn and Genn Greymane.

After the disastrous battle, Jaina Proudmoore and the Kirin Tor moved the entire city to Deadwind Pass with a giant Blink spell, in order to aid in the protection of the Eastern Kingdoms, hovering over Karazhan. At the same time, the local forces of Dalaran in Hillsbrad Foothills were trying to reconstruct the remaining ruins of the Dalaran Crater, overseen by Archmage Cedric.

Later, Khadgar called for a vote to have the Horde return to Dalaran in order to have the Kirin Tor fight the Burning Legion at its utmost capability. Jaina was vehemently opposed, especially after the events of the Broken Shore, but she was outvoted in the Council of Six with only Ansirem Runeweaver voting “no” alongside her. Jaina left Dalaran and the Kirin Tor in anger and Khadgar became the council’s replacement leader. When the council next assembled, Kalecgos was seen as the sixth in Jaina’s place. The council later voted to allow Aethas Sunreaver back into Dalaran, although not as a member of the Six.

After the Burning Legion had launched an attack on the city, the Council moved the city to the southern shores of the Broken Isles in close proximity to Azsuna, so it would once again serve as a hub for Azeroth’s heroes at the front lines in the renewed war against the Legion when countless forces pour from the Tomb of Sargeras.

In order to fight the Burning Legion, the Tirisgarde was reformed by Meryl Felstorm and the Conjuror of the Tirisgarde in the Hall of the Guardian. Several members of the Kirin Tor, including members of the Council of Six, joined the ranks of the Tirisgarde. Some of the Magisters who studied amongst the Kirin Tor also joined the Tirisgarde, convinced and led by Esara Verrinde. Later, the unified Tirisgarde managed to capture the dreadlord Kathra’natir in the [Nightborne Soulstone], now used to power a weapon defense system located in the tallest spire atop Dalaran’s Violet Citadel.

Khadgar asked the Unseen Path for help against Hakkar who had captured several Kirin Tor mages. The Archmage, Baron, and the Huntmaster found them in Meredil in Suramar, but they were too late, the mages have just been fed to Hakkar’s felhounds.

The Kirin Tor also participated in the Nightfallen rebellion, and supported the Armies of Legionfall in the Assault on Broken Shore and further incursions on the island, while the Archmage Kesalon was sent to scour the Broken Isles for anomalies and arcane artifacts.

Some mages of the Kirin Tor were present on Argus under the orders of the Conjuror of the Tirisgarde, Archmage Khadgar, and Aethas Sunreaver, in order to fight demons on the battlefield at Darkfall Ridge, and protect the Vindicaar from Legion’s attacks.

After the Argus Campaign, several Kirin Tor mages were seen among the gathered crowd at the memorial ceremony at Lion’s Rest in Stormwind City.

Battle for Azeroth

During the Fourth War, the Kirin Tor remained largely neutral and did not provide significant assistance to either side, although King Anduin Wrynn briefly attempted to reach them during the War of the Thorns. Their leader Khadgar remained in Karazhan throughout the course of the Fourth War, and even after its conclusion.

At some point, emissaries of the Kirin Tor settled in both portal rooms of Stormwind and Orgrimmar, offering access to a portal for the Broken Isles. Unlike the Pathfinder’s Den of Orgrimmar, the recently renovated Wizard’s Sanctum of Stormwind City was decorated with banners bearing the crest of the Kirin Tor, and one of their magus maintained a portal for Stormshield. Some Arcane Golems also regularly patrolled the Sanctum, similar to the ones used by the Kirin Tor. This seems to indicate that the Kirin Tor was involved in the renovations, remaining an ally to the Alliance, while maintaining its neutrality with the Horde during the war.

However, some were able to join the ranks of the Alliance during the war, notably the Quartermaster Tomas Riogain who replaced his tabard and was aboard the Alliance fleet who chased the remains of the Horde fleet sailing from Zandalar after the Battle of Dazar’alor. He managed to survive Queen Azshara’s trap and joined the survivors in Mezzamere, regretting having left Dalaran.

Some Kirin Tor Keepers also assisted Kalecgos in securing the [Charged Scale of the Blue Aspect] at the Nexus.

Shortly before the end of the Fourth War, Vereesa Windrunner and the Silver Covenant participated in the events of the battle at the Gates of Orgrimmar, as high elven ballistae were present during the conflict to support the Alliance in front of the gates of Orgrimmar.

Organization and headquarters

As the elite cadre of the most powerful magi in the known world, and the ruling conclave that leads the magical nation of Dalaran, the Kirin Tor has its own hierarchical structure to organize its activities around the world.

Joining the Kirin Tor requires years of study in magic schools, then to become the apprentice of one of their mages, in order to prove itself worthy of being integrated as a member of the organization. Thereafter, nothing advanced a wizard in the Kirin Tor quicker than reputation, although none of the senior council would have ever admitted to that base fact. As agents of the Kirin Tor, their mission is to collect knowledge and magical artifacts found across all Azeroth, and even beyond.

The Kirin Tor’s headquarters is the Violet Citadel, an impressive building so named for its stone walls which gave off a faint violet light. Separately, the conclave’s senior council met in the Chamber of Air, a room with no visible walls — the gray stone floor with its central diamond symbol stood beneath an open sky that shifted and changed rapidly as if time was speeding past within the chamber.

Leadership

Within the conclave, there is an inner council: the Six, who are the actual rulers of the city. This governing body appoints one of their own as Head of the Kirin Tor (also known as Grand Magus of the Kirin Tor); this master wizard is essentially the ruler of Dalaran.

  • Antonidas – Killed by Arthas Menethil during the Scourge invasion of Dalaran.
  • Rhonin – Killed in the mana bomb explosion that destroyed Theramore Isle.
  • Jaina Proudmoore – Resigned in protest after the Horde was readmitted into Dalaran, shortly after the Battle for the Broken Shore.
  • Khadgar – Current leader of the Kirin Tor and Dalaran.

The Council of Six

The Council of Six is the Kirin Tor high council of Dalaran. These six individuals are the leaders of both the city and all territories under the control of Dalaran. The Six are usually the most senior, but not necessarily the most gifted. They are chosen by several means, magic but one of them.

The Violet Council

The Violet Council, composed of nine of Dalaran’s elite wizards, was present to fight against the Scourge during the Siege of Dalaran, spreading throughout the city to summon reinforcements and guard treasures, resources and experiments contained in the various vaults of Dalaran. One of them was present in the Violet Hold, where he summoned various prisoners to help repel the undead forces.

Following the defeat of the Kirin Tor, and as they have not been mentioned since the destruction of the city, the wizards of the Violet Council were most certainly eliminated by Arthas and his hordes of undead.

Membership

Though primarily a human kingdom, the Kirin Tor has always housed a sizeable Thalassian minority. For over two thousand years, it was not uncommon for some of the long-lived elves to study and serve in Dalaran as well as Silvermoon. Relations were strained between the two magical kingdoms after the Third War, and further compounded by Silvermoon’s alliance with the reformed Horde, however, the readmitted Sunreavers continued tradition somewhat, even if they were excluded and subsequently readmitted in Dalaran in the last years. Most of the Kirin Tor’s current high elf population is now part of the Silver Covenant, a militant wing of Kirin Tor defenders. The Kirin Tor also has gnomes, dwarves, half-elves, worgen, and even a small handful of draenei and pandaren in their ranks. The organization also seems to accept some of its members who became undead after the Third War, notably Old Fillmaff, although the latter does not seem to know that he is dead.

The gradual reintroduction of arcane magic into night elf society has in turn also slowly produced mages of that race. By the time Azeroth was ready to invade Tanaan Jungle on Draenor, night elf and Highborne mages had joined the Kirin Tor, carrying out work such as maintaining a portal between Lion’s Watch and Stormshield in Ashran.

The elite of the Kirin Tor are the archmages, who represent the pinnacle of magical power. It is an honorary title given to the most powerful and experienced mages of the Kirin Tor, in which they obtain a position of authority in the hierarchy. They take care of directing their subordinate mages in their activities and missions for the organization, while some of them represent the Kirin Tor in other realms, notably as appointed Archmage in the Royal Court of one of the Seven Kingdoms. At the same time, they also continue to do their research on different types of knowledge and artifacts.

Depending on their choice of school of arcane magic, their talent, or the function in which they specialize, the mages and agents of the Kirin Tor carry different titles which specify their work, as well as the studies and research they are in charge for the organization.

  • Archmage
  • Arcanist
  • Pyromancer
  • Cryomancer
  • Abjurer
  • Conjurer
  • Diviner
  • Enchanter
  • Illusionist
  • Transmuter
  • Wizard
  • Sorcerer
  • Sorceress
  • Battle mage
  • Warmage
  • Warcaster
  • Arcanomancer
  • Magister
  • Summoner
  • Emissary
  • Inspector
  • Scholar
  • Archivist
  • Librarian
  • Professor
  • Apprentice
  • Peacekeeper
  • Guardian
  • Defender
  • Mage-Priest

Notable members

Name Role Status Location
The Conjuror Archmage of the Kirin Tor and leader of the Tirisgarde Alive Azeroth
Aethas Sunreaver Leader of the Sunreavers, former member of the Council of Six, expelled from the Kirin Tor but later rejoined it Alive Various locations
Alonda Constantly searched for information about the fifth troll species Unknown Unknown
Alvareaux Quartermaster of the Kirin Tor Alive Violet Citadel, Dalaran
Andromath Member of the Tirisgarde, High Sorcerer of the Wizard’s Sanctum in Stormwind Alive Wizard’s Sanctum, Stormwind City; Hall of the Guardian
Ashcrombe Sent to investigate Arugal’s activities in Silverpine Forest Unknown Formerly Shadowfang Keep
Baihu Kirin Tor commander who leads the battle against Yalnu Alive Stormwind, Everbloom
Berinand Archmage and leader of the Transitus Shield Alive Transitus Shield, Borean Tundra
Tomas Riogain Inhabitant of Dalaran and quartermaster for the Alliance Alive Eventide, Dalaran; Stormshield, Ashran
Delth Scholar of elven history Unknown Unknown
Dorfus Alphamage Mage who provide directions to various locations in the Underbelly Alive Underbelly, Dalaran
Elandra Assists Jaina Proudmoore in the Frozen Halls and the Auchenai in Talador Alive Various locations
Donathan Loyal representative of Dalaran sent to investigate the abduction and imprisonment of Azerothian mages Alive Amber Ledge, Borean Tundra
Guzbah Scholar of demon lore and instructor of Khadgar; killed by demons Deceased Killed in Dalaran
Kallistia Starlance Searching for her lost parents in Azsuna alongside her brother Alive Ruins of Nar’thalas, Azsuna
Kesalon Undermage of the Violet Bluff, later promoted to archmage in the Broken Isles Alive Violet Bluff, Everbloom; Broken Isles
Kinndy Sparkshine Apprentice to Jaina Proudmoore, killed in the Attack on Theramore Isle Deceased Killed on Theramore Isle
Kreimhold Archmage of the Kirin Tor, in charge of the Barrels o’ Fun game Alive Various locations
Korrigan Librarian and lore seeker of the demon worshipers Alive Unknown
Lan’dalock Archmage and Master of Fate Alive Various locations
Nielthende Archmage, study series of ley energy in the Broken Isles Alive Broken Isles
Old Fillmaff Member of the Kirin Tor and Librarian of the Tirisgarde Active Hall of the Guardian
Olothil Starlance Searching for his lost parents in Azsuna alongside his sister Alive Ruins of Nar’thalas, Azsuna
Pentarus Helped fund Hemet Nesingwary’s Sholazar Basin expedition and Brann Bronzebeard’s Ulduar expedition Alive Krasus’ Landing, Dalaran; Expedition Base Camp, Ulduar
Raethan Corrupt Underbelly guard captain Alive Underbelly, Dalaran
Ravandwyr Apprentice to Archmage Vargoth and member of the Tirisgarde Alive Various locations
Rhydian Archmage who assists in the attempt to save Crusader Bridenbrad and the Ulduar expedition Alive Crusaders’ Pinnacle, Icecrown; Expedition Base Camp, Ulduar
Sathera Friend of Antonidas and Kael’thas, killed when death knights attacked Dalaran Deceased Killed in the Violet Citadel
Silva Warmage and Emissary of the Kirin Tor Alive Violet Citadel, Dalaran
Ur Mage known for researching the worgen and other worlds, killed by the Scourge Deceased Killed in Dalaran
Varenthas Invites adventurers in Northrend to Dalaran, later becomes High Forgeguard of the Tirisgarde Alive Vengeance Landing, Howling Fjord; Hall of the Guardian
Unnamed
  • Arcane Destroyer
  • Injured Kirin Tor Guardian
  • Kirin Tor Battle-Mage
  • Kirin Tor Construct
  • Kirin Tor Captive
  • Kirin Tor Defender
  • Kirin Tor Emissary
  • Kirin Tor Guardian
  • Kirin Tor Keeper
  • Kirin Tor Mage
  • Kirin Tor Magus
  • Kirin Tor Magus
  • Kirin Tor Manafiend
  • Kirin Tor Peacekeeper
  • Kirin Tor Protector
  • Kirin Tor Scholar
  • Kirin Tor Summoner
  • Wounded Kirin Tor Guardian

Former members

Name Role Current affiliation Status Location
Angela Dosantos Protector of Atiesh Brotherhood of the Light Alive Tyr’s Hand, Eastern Plaguelands; Stratholme
Arugal Unleashed the worgen upon Azeroth, later raised by the Scourge Scourge, Wolfcult Deceased Various locations
Ataeric Protector of Ambermill, killed and raised by the Forsaken Undercity Active Ambermill, Silverpine Forest
Bethor Iceshard Killed by the Scourge, now a Forsaken Undercity Active Magic Quarter, Undercity
Corla Twilight’s Hammer herald transforming cultists into drakonid Twilight’s Hammer Killable Halls of Awakening, Blackrock Caverns
Dalar Dawnweaver Killed by the Scourge, now a Forsaken Forsaken Active Sepulcher, Silverpine Forest
Gunther Arcanus Killed by the Scourge, now a Forsaken Undercity Active Gunther’s Retreat, Tirisfal Glades
Jaina Proudmoore Former leader of the Kirin Tor, left Dalaran at the start of the Burning Legion’s invasion Alliance, Proudmoore Admiralty Alive Various locations
Kael’thas Sunstrider Prince of Quel’Thalas, turned to the Illidari and ultimately the Burning Legion Burning Legion Deceased Buried on the Isle of Quel’Danas
Kalynna Lathred Left the Kirin Tor in pursuit of forbidden knowledge Independent Alive Area 52, Netherstorm
Kel’Thuzad Lieutenant of the Jailer and founder of the Cult of the Damned, formerly majordomo of the Lich King, master of Naxxramas, and Archmage of the Kirin Tor and the Council of Six Mawsworn Deceased Various locations
Levia Laurence Banned from Dalaran for dabbling in shadow magic Independent Active Den of Fiends, Azsuna
Naberius Former apprentice to Archmage Vargoth, betrayer of Kirin’Var Village Independent Killable Chapel Yard, Netherstorm
Normantis Former librarian of Amber Ledge, now pursues vengeance against the blue dragonflight Independent Killable Amber Ledge, Borean Tundra; Lair of the Deposed, Azsuna
Phin Odelic Former mage of Southshore, later became a worgen Refugee Leadership Deceased Silverpine Forest
Rommath Cut ties with the Kirin Tor after the Third War, now serves as Grand Magister of Quel’Thalas Magisters, Silvermoon City Alive Various locations
Thalen Songweaver Horde spy and Garrosh loyalist who played a key role in the destruction of Theramore True Horde Alive Unknown
Thule Ravenclaw Necromancer, former ruler of Fenris Keep Scourge Killable Silverpine Forest
Urom Defector who sided with Malygos during the Nexus War Blue dragonflight Killable Band of Transmutation, Oculus

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