Blademaster

Blademasters, also spelled as blade masters,Art of World of Warcraft, pg. 9 are known for their mastery over swords, axes, and polearms.
In the orc society, blademasters are known as legendary warriors of the Burning Blade clan. They fought in the First and Second Wars as part of the Old Horde, but eventually consumed themselves in demonic corruption. The proud blademasters later swore to free themselves and their brethren from demonic control and joined the New Horde in the service of Warchief Thrall.
==Background==
Among the draenei's most elite warriors who followed the naaru Xe'ra to wage war on the Burning Legion, Telaamon was a blademaster infused with the Holy Light and became a Lightforged draenei in the Army of the Light.
On Draenor, the blademasters are known to have existed long before the corruption of the orcs at the hand of the Burning Legion when the Burning Blade clan was still dwelling in Hallvalor in Nagrand and using elemental fire magic. Judging by the Ancient Blademaster, the way of the blademaster was already an ancient one years before the forming of the Old Horde. The blademaster Lantresor of the Blade was notably amongst the old Horde forces that invaded Azeroth, where he would serve under both Warchief Blackhand and Orgrim Doomhammer during the First and Second Wars, before returning to home.Diplomatic Measures (Horde)
===Third War===
Though their numbers are few, the seasoned blademasters represent an elite fighting force within the Horde. These skilled swordsmen were once part of the ill-fated Burning Blade clan which consumed itself in the throes of demonic corruption. With their clan scattered and broken, the proud blademasters swore a grim oath to free themselves and their brethren from demonic control once and for all. Under Thrall's command, the blademasters once again joined the Horde and came to serve as the young Warchief's personal honor guard. Though blademasters are masters of stealth and guile, they value personal honor above all else.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual, pg. 84
The Blackrock Scouts and Blackrock Warriors, sub-groups of the Blackrock clan loyal to the Burning Legion, were also led by blademasters.
====Outland====
Fel blademasters were numerous in the forces of Magtheridon and were the chieftains of each of his bloodthirsty sub-legions. Each of the four great fel orc fortifications on the Hellfire Peninsula, guarding the dark portals, was led by a blademaster. In the Black Temple under the control of Magtheridon, several blademasters led legions of fel orcs in defense. Illidan, Kael'thas, Lady Vashj, and Akama had great battles against the fel orc blademasters both in and outside of the temple.Gates of the Abyss (WC3 BloodElf)Lord of Outland (WC3 BloodElf)
===Cataclysm===
By the time of the Cataclysm, at least some blademasters remained loyal to the Horde. Blademaster Ronakada in Orgrimmar informed adventurers that while the blademasters' oath of freeing their people from demonic control had been fulfilled, his own honor remains unsatisfied. Thus, he would continue to fight for the Horde and train other warriors to do so until his death.Blademaster Ronakada#Quotes
===Mists of Pandaria===
During the campaign in Pandaria, Warchief Garrosh Hellscream employed several blademasters, with the Mag'har orc Ishi serving as his champion. Several blademasters were also stationed at Domination Point in Krasarang. Garrosh also recruited so-called Blind Blademasters into his True Horde during the Siege of Orgrimmar.
===Warlords of Draenor===
On the where the orc clans rallied into the Iron Horde as a result of Garrosh's actions, the , led by a blademaster known as Azuka Bladefury, willingly joined. Following 's takeover of the Iron Horde, a blademaster called Jubei'thos became a member of his Hellfire High Council.
===Dragonflight===
During the first Azerothian Kosh'harg festival, Lantresor of the Blade assumed leadership of the Burning Blade clan by virtue of being the eldest surviving blademaster.The Kosh'harg
==Abilities==
*Bladestorm
**By focusing their warrior energies, blademasters can become living cyclones of fighting rage. Spinning their great blades faster than the naked eye can see, they are capable of simultaneously damaging any enemy troops in their vicinity.
*Critical Strike
**By channeling their potent powers in one focused strike, blademasters can cause even greater damage to their enemies.
*Mirror Image
**One of the blademasters' more mystical abilities is to create duplicate phantom images of themselves. Though the phantom images can move about freely of their own volition, they are not true entities unto themselves.
*Wind Walk
**So adept and agile are the blademasters that they can move so quickly that they appear to be invisible to the naked eye.
==Burning Blade customs==
The blade is not the only important item a blademaster carries. Once they had passed their final tests in the Masters' Caverns, the blademaster was given the honor of wearing the Burning Blade's banner.Not Without My Honor The banners carried by blademasters are described as cumbersome, and it's hard to believe that they don't affect the blademasters' ability to fight.Blademaster's Banner In Warlords of Draenor, blademasters are shown to be capable of manipulating fire, with many of them using abilities such as "Blazing Coil".
Sticky, smelly, and highly flammable, blazegrease is liberally applied to the swords and axes of the Burning Blade clan before battle. Though some warriors choose to ignite their weapons before battle, most let the inevitable contact of blades and armor spark the blazegrease for unpredictable intimidation.Flask of Blazegrease
==Notable==
===Named===
Name	Role(s) 	Affiliation(s) 	Status	Location
 	Master of Arms for the Horde during the Argent Tournament. 	Orgrimmar, Horde 	 	Sunreaver Pavilion, Icecrown
 	Warlord of the on . 	, Grom'kar, Iron Horde 	 	Various locations
 	Blade of the Warchief Garrosh Hellscream in Pandaria. 	Horde 	 	Domination Point, Krasarang Wilds
 	Former Warlord of the on . 	, Iron Horde 	 	Masters' Cavern,
 	Leader of Blackrock Warriors, killed by Arthas and Kel'Thuzad. 	Blackrock clan, Burning Legion 	 	Alterac Mountains
 	Sent by Rehgar to teach his gladiators a lesson, killed by Lo'Gosh. 	Crimson Ring, Horde 	 	Crimson Ring, Dire Maul
 	Champion of Warchief Garrosh Hellscream, killed by the adventurers. 	Horde 	 	Garrosh'ar Advance, Kun-Lai Summit
 	Member of the Hellfire High Council, serving as a highguard. 	Shadow Council, Iron Horde 	 	Court of Blood,
 	Champion of Azuka participating in the . 	Iron Horde 	 	Ring of Blood,
 	Leader of Blackrock Scouts, killed by Arthas and Kel'Thuzad. 	Blackrock clan, Burning Legion 	 	Alterac Mountains
 	Blademaster of the Blackfang on . 	Blackfang tribe 	 	Fang'rila, Tanaan Jungle
 	Chieftain of the ogre Boulderfist clan and the Burning Blade clan. 	Boulderfist clan, Burning Blade clan	 	Burning Blade Ruins, Nagrand
 	The Keen-Eyed; brother of Azuka and Burning Blade instructor. 	, Iron Horde 	 	Masters' Cavern,
 	Commander of the Horde of Agony, killed by Illidan Stormrage and his allies. 	Magtheridon's Forces 	 	Black Temple, Shadowmoon Valley
 	Commander of the Legion of Torment, killed by Illidan Stormrage and his allies.	Magtheridon's Forces 	 	Black Temple, Shadowmoon Valley
 	Leader of the Waveblade, in crusade against the naga and Queen Azshara. 	Waveblade clan 	 	Mezzamere, Nazjatar
 	Hired by Zhahara Darksquall to find the Pearl of Pandaria. 	Zhahara Darksquall 	 	Unknown
 	Blademaster and warrior trainer within the Valley of Honor. 	Orgrimmar, Horde 	 	Barracks, Orgrimmar
 	On a pilgrimage in search of redemption for his fallen clan. 	Burning Blade clan, Horde 	 	Last seen in Durotar
 	The Ligtbringer; prominent member of the Army of the Light. 	Army of the Light, Alliance 	 	Hir'eek's Lair, Nazmir
===Warcraft III===
===Unnamed===
==Items and objects==
*Blademaster Leggings
*Blademaster's Honor
*Mirror of the Blademaster
*Shadowy Blademaster's Greatsword
*The Blademaster's Necklace
*Triumphant Blademaster's Greatsword
*Burning Blade (toy)
*Blademaster's Banner
*Blademaster Sword
==In the RPG==
thumb|Moogul the Sly, a blademaster as seen in the Warcraft RPG.
Among the Horde, orcs with the gladiator class are known as blademasters.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 104Horde Player's Guide, pg. 194
Blademasters lead their people into melee combat, unhesitatingly seeking the most vulnerable enemy champions — magi, druids and the like. Blademasters willingly go toe-to-toe with other melee experts as well, drawing from ages of tradition to fuel their combat prowess. Their banners allow their troops to identify them on the battlefield and move to where the action is thickest. Many act as bodyguards for other Horde champions. Banner of the Black Wolf is in the same style as those worn by orcish blademasters.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 138
Chieftain of the Warsong clan and an orc legend, Grom Hellscream is a blademaster of the old traditions.Shadows & Light, pg. 40 Thrall is also a blademaster.Shadows & Light, pg. 53
* - Warlord of Kargath.
* - Diplomat to the Alliance.
* - Sage in the Horde.
==Notes and trivia==
*Eliminating blademaster's mirror images weakens the blademaster.Breaking Mirrors
*Maki Waterblade is a saurok samurai, wearing items similar as a blademaster.
*Players can don the banner and weaponry of masters of the blade by using Burning Blade (toy).
*In Warcraft III, Grommash Hellscream is classified as a blademaster, but isn't one lorewise.Micky Neilson on Twitter: "I wouldn't consider him one."
*Before blademasters were even a concept, Samwise Didier drew a katana-wielding orc character in which would later inspire Samuro.
*The orc Na'Shra was originally intended to be a blademaster.
*Blademasters draw clear inspiration from Japanese and Asian culture, particularly the . Most blademasters have very Japanese-sounding names, some wield -like swords that looks like Daikatanas or the giant Katanas, many wear oversized around their necks (similar to the larger version of the prayer beads worn by Shaolin monks), and their distinctive banners are seemingly inspired by , small banners carried on the backs of soldiers in feudal Japan (the banners are even outright called "sashimono" in the non-canon RPG). Japanese influence can also be seen in the fact that blademasters, and the Burning Blade clan in general, are said to value honor above all else.
==Speculation==
*From their positions in Magtheridon's army, it seems that fel orcs are led by blademasters. As the fel orcs live only for carnage and slaughter, it is plausible that they would follow those who are most capable of carrying it out.
*Captain Galvangar and Takata Steelblade may be blademasters.
*Given that blademasters wear neck-beads similar to some shaman and monks, and some possess elemental (Blazing Coil, Molten Weapon) or supernatural (Wind Walk, Mirror Image) abilities, it is possible that they also utilize their spirit to empower themselves or draw from the elemental spirits either by command or request.
==Gallery==
File:Mag'har Blademaster.jpg|Mag'har orc blademaster.
File:BlademasterJubei'thos.jpg|Jubei'thos, a fel orc blademaster.
File:Lightbound Blademaster draenei.jpg|Lightforged draenei blademaster.
File:Krell the Serene.jpg|Krell the Serene, a saberon blademaster.
File:Kor'thik Elite Blademaster.jpg|Mantid blademasters.
File:Injured Blademaster.png|Maldraxxi blademaster.
File:HykuSteeledge.jpg|Blademaster Hyku Steeledge in The Comic.
File:Rahjak.jpg|Rahjak, a fel orc blademaster in Pearl of Pandaria.
File:Blade vs King WC3 wallpaper.jpg|Duel at Thunder Ridge between a blademaster and a mountain king.
File:Orcgladiator.jpg|thumb|Orc gladiator, a blademaster in the RPG.
File:Blademaster concept.jpg|Blademaster art in The Art of World of Warcraft.
File:WC3Blademaster2.jpg|BlizzCon 2007 art.
File:Samuro early art.jpg|Early art of the character that would serve as the basis for Samuro.
;Warcraft III
File:Blademaster2.gif|Blademaster (Warcraft III) unit model.
File:Warcraft III Reforged - Blademaster.png|Samuro Reforged model.
File:Blademaster Reforged Model.jpg|Blademaster model Reforged.
File:HeroChaosBladeMaster Reforged.jpg|Fel orc blademaster Reforged.
File:Blademaster Starcraft II editor.jpg|Unique Starcraft II editor remodeled asset from Warcraft III. 
File:Raneman Anniversary Artwork.jpg|A blademaster with other heroes from Warcraft III.
File:WC3Blademaster 2.jpg|Warcraft III concept art.
File:WC3Blademaster.jpg|Warcraft III concept art.
File:Orc Blademaster by Twincruiser.jpg|Warcraft III concept art.
File:Warcraft III Reforged - BM AM DL KotG panel concept art.jpg| Warcraft III: Reforged concept art (on the left).
;Hearthstone
File:Blademaster Samuro HS.jpg|
File:Samuro Mercenaries 1.jpg|Samuro in .
File:Samuro Mercenaries 2.jpg|Samuro in Mercenaries.
File:Samuro Mercenaries 3.jpg|Samuro using Mirror Image in Mercenaries.
;Heroes of the Storm
File:SamuroArt2.jpg|Heroes of the Storm art for Samuro.
File:Samuro HotS.jpg|Samuro, the Blademaster from Heroes of the Storm.
File:Samuro HotS Burning Blade.jpg|Burning Blade Samuro (formerly Master Samuro).
File:Mirror Image Icon HotS.png|Icon for Samuro's Mirror Image ability in Heroes of the Storm.
File:Blizzard DOTA Samuro models.jpg||Early Samuro model for Blizzard DOTA.
File:All-Stars.jpg|Artwork for Blizzard All-Stars.
;Fan art
File:Blademaster fan art.jpg
File:Blademaster by Cosmin Tirlea.jpg
File:Blademaster by April Dede.jpg
File:Redskin Orc Blademaster by Woohyun Kim.jpg
==References==
 
Category:Orcs
Category:NPC occupations
es:Maestro de las Espadas