Rhonin Rhonin was an adventurer and the former leader of the Kirin Tor . A powerful human mage , he was also known to be skilled with the sword . Rhonin was instrumental in breaking the power of the orc s at the end of the Second War by freeing the Dragonqueen Alexstrasza from her imprisonment by Nekros Skullcrusher , an orc warlock and leader of the Dragonmaw Clan who used the Demon Soul to keep her prisoner . He later traveled back to the War of the Ancients in order to heal a rift in time . As the war in Northrend intensified , Rhonin came to the forefront , leading the Kirin Tor from the Violet Citadel in the rebuilt city of Dalaran . He announced the defeat of Algalon the Observer and was involved in the final quests after defeating him . During the attack on Theramore Isle , Rhonin sacrificed himself in order to confine the explosion of a mana bomb created by the Horde that destroyed Theramore Isle . He also saved Jaina Proudmoore who succeed him as leader of the Kirin Tor , as he had foreseen beforehand . Biography . Rhonin was once a promising mage of the Kirin Tor until a disastrous mission involving the reckless use of magic cost the lives of all his comrades — whilst Rhonin was casting a spell , others in his group got in the path of his attack . He was cast into probation until the opportunity for penance arose with a dangerous mission into Khaz Modan . Krasus a Kirin Tor senior mage , and one of The Six , convinced Rhonin to take up this dangerous mission to regain his honor and respect of the Kirin Tor . He was assisted in this mission by the high elven ranger Vereesa Windrunner , the warrior dwarf Falstad Dragonreaver , and the dragon - mage Krasus ( who was the instigator of this mission ) . He was also assisted ( at first ) by the evil black dragon Deathwing , but Deathwing ' s true purpose was to steal some of Alexstrasza ' s eggs to replenish his own decimated dragonflight . With a gemstone created from Deathwing ' s scale , Rhonin was able to destroy the Demon Soul and release Alexstrasza . During this mission , Rhonin and Vereesa fell in love , and were later married . Along with Vereesa and Krasus , Rhonin was among the few well - known survivors of the Scourge that destroyed Lordaeron , Dalaran , and Quel ' Thalas after the corruption of Prince Arthas . Most of Rhonin ' s family , including his father , were killed during the fall of the town of Andorhal . While he and Vereesa were preparing for the birth of their twin offspring , Rhonin was once again summoned by Krasus for help . Apparently , the dragon - mage had discovered a rift in time , which swallowed both of them , along with the orc veteran Broxigar . The three were sent 10 , 000 years back in time to the first invasion of the Burning Legion . While in the past , Rhonin encountered legendary beings such as Cenarius , Malorne , and Aviana . He became friends with the heroes Illidan Stormrage , Malfurion Stormrage , Tyrande Whisperwind , Jarod , Maiev Shadowsong , and Shandris Feathermoon . Rhonin actually became Illidan ' s mentor , not in the least to try and harness his reckless power , but despite Illidan ' s admiration much of Rhonin ' s work involved cleaning up Illidan ' s mistakes . When Illidan defected , Rhonin assumed command of the Moonguard . As a reward for Rhonin ' s courage , Nozdormu allowed Rhonin to return to Vereesa at the moment she went into labor to ensure he would not miss a moment of the twins ' lives . Nozdormu also offered the children the friendship of the bronze dragonflight . In more recent years , Rhonin has found himself in the position as the leader of the Kirin Tor and Dalaran , having been approached by the Kirin Tor in desperation . In Rhonin ' s own explanation to Iridi , " the Alliance is still looking to Dalaran for a lot and the wizards are looking for me to think different than they ' ve been doing for the past several hundred years . " However , even though all he really wants is to be with his family , his sense of responsibility impels him from ever abandoning such important roles , or his people . Much like Tirion Fordring , he is still loyal to the Alliance despite its recent hostilily against the Horde . No surname has been confirmed , though he is sometimes referred to as " Rhonin Redhair " , based on his hair color . It is unclear if this is his surname or just a title . " Night of the Dragon " also mentions that many in the current time - frame refer to him as " Rhonin Draig ' cyfail " or by the simpler , translated " Rhonin Dragonheart " . He is apparently able to speak or translate Ursine . He has also become a skilled swordsman from his experience during the Legion invasion . Personality . Rhonin is a studious type who knows a little bit about a great many things , but generally keeps his knowledge to himself . He is very young , but his youth disguises a spellcaster of great power and flexibility . He is reckless and hot - headed , and is known frequently not to look before he leaps , a character flaw he recognizes in himself and yet is hard pressed to keep under control . He also has a great sense of humour and is used to seeing huge dragons ( such as Alexstrasza and Dargonax ) . Combat . As a quick study of his spell selection will indicate , Rhonin prefers to use his sorcerer abilities for versatility in combat while his wizard spells are usually left to more mundane tasks . He generally starts off a fight with the most powerful spells at his disposal , working his way down to employing searing arrows in concert with his crossbow once all his other combat spells are exhausted . He is also known to be skilled with the sword . In Burning Crusade . An epic cloth chest piece known as the drops off Archimonde in the Caverns of Time raid Battle for Mount Hyjal . Presumably , these may have been robes worn by Rhonin himself . This raises the question of how Archimonde came to possess his robes ( possibly during the War of the Ancients when Archimonde incapacitates Rhonin ) . In Wrath of the Lich King . Rhonin appears in the " " expansion as the leader of the Kirin Tor . He is located in the rebuilt and relocated city of Dalaran in Northrend , with Vereesa Windrunner , Archmage Modera , and Archmage Aethas Sunreaver at his side . He is fighting the blue dragonflight and their leader Malygos , who is determined to destroy mortal magic - users . He is involved in the following quests : Initially , Rhonin had a much lighter , almost blonde hair color ( resulting in some players referring to him as Rhonin " Gold " hair ) ; this appears to have been changed to a redder hue ( befitting the lore ) as of Patch 3 . 1 . When your character hits level 80 , Rhonin will mail him or her a Magically Wrapped Gift , containing 5 each of the following items : Runic Healing Potion , Runic Mana Potion , Potion of Speed , and Dalaran Firework . Secrets of Ulduar . In the Secrets of Ulduar patch preview cinematic , Rhonin calls Varian Wrynn , Jaina Proudmoore , Thrall , and Garrosh Hellscream to Dalaran to discuss dealing with the threat within Ulduar . When Varian and Garrosh begin fighting , Rhonin stops them , claiming that the Horde and Alliance must work together . Defeat of Algalon . After Algalon the Observer has been defeated . Rhonin makes an announcement to the citizens of Dalaran . In Mists of Pandaria . Jaina is later to be revealed the new leader of the Kirin Tor as Rhonin ' s successor , but she will not be leading as a neutral party due to the fact that the orcs destroyed Theramore Isle . Jaina sees a new light with a new antagonism towards orcs . Rhonin dies in Tides of War during a desperate attempt to dampen the mana bomb explosion by using magical defenses of Theramore in the mage tower and names Jaina as his successor . His efforts were at least partially successful . Saving his wife Vereesa , Sentinel General Shandris Feathermoon and their scouting parties from explosion . Kalecgos later notes that without this sacrifice , the explosion would have been far more devastating . Memorable quotes . Ulduar trailer . As of Patch 3 . 1 . 3 , he is still silent when clicked on , despite having voiced quotes in the aftermath of .