Arcane

Arcane magic (also called Order magic,Lessons From Our Past arcane energy, or arcana)Dark Riders is a cold and intellectualThrall: Twilight of the Aspects, pg. 150 on e-book magic that warps time, space, and controls the flow of mana,Legion Class Preview Series: Mage which is just a measure of a fundamental power—if mana were water, then arcane would be steam pressure.Dave Kosak on Twitter (2014-04-27) - "Only as similar as, say, water and steam pressure." Though extremely volatile, arcane is so similar to an element it might as well be one, for all magical intents and purposes. As the manifestation of Order in the Great Dark Beyond and the Twisting Nether, arcane is the language of order and the opposite end of the spectrum from fel,Dave Kosak on Twitter (2015-12-03): "Fel is language of chaos, arcane is language of order. Same spectrum, opposite ends!" which represents Disorder.Dave Kosak on Twitter (2015-11-10): "Fel isn't death magic. It's the language of chaos, though, so it's pretty nasty stuff :)"
==Origins and characteristics==
Order is most commonly perceived in reality as arcane magic. Arcane energy is innately volatile, and wielding it requires intense precision and concentration. Disorder, on the other hand, manifests as highly destructive fel magic, a destructive and extremely addictive energy originating as a result of the mutual destruction of Light and Void as they collide on a cosmic scale in the Twisting Nether. Arcane energy counters and is countered by fel energy, its polar opposite.Opposites Repel Arcane has been described as the "base fabric" of the world,Mage-tastic Gizmonitor and like all other types of magic, can be animated, the prime example of this being the arcane elementals. It can be pulled from ley lines,War Crimes, pg. 359 on e-book channels of immense magical power that course through Azeroth itself.World of Warcraft: Paragons, pg. 584 on e-book The ley lines are like blood vessels of the planet, carrying arcane magic instead of scarlet fluid,Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, pg. 371 on e-book while volatile arcane energies has been described as the lifeblood of the nascent titan Azeroth.
In eons past, the titans of the Pantheon of Order, among the most powerful beings in the universe, used the primal "language of the arcane" to weave entire worlds into existence. Hailing from the far reaches of the cosmos, they shaped and brought life and order to countless planets across the Great Dark Beyond.World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue IV, pg. 71
Pure arcane appears white and/or violet.Sean Copeland on Twitter (20114-03-13) However, when used to bend other types of magic, it takes on the characteristics and appearance of those magics. Examples of this can be seen with element-based abilities used by mages,Fireball or the bronze glow of chronomancy.Weaver BelmarilHellscream
The successful restoration of the Sunwell indicates that the Light is compatible with arcane magic.Sunwell Plateau epilogue The quel'dorei managed to link their Runestones to Thas'alah, tying the power of Life to their arcane spells.Tales of the Hunt However, life and arcane magics may simply refuse to "cooperate" if there is any imbalance between them, which can prevent the intended effect or be dangerous for the spellcasters.Crimsastrasza#QuotesColdostos#Quotes
According to Medivh, when a mage creates fire with arcane magic, all they do is concentrate the inherent nature of the fire contained in the surrounding area into one location in order to call it into being.The Last Guardian, chapter 3 When they run out of mana, mages can no longer cast spells.Aluneth#Spells As stated by Antonidas, arcane magic draws its energy from the physical forces of the mage, and the only way to regenerate the body is by consuming food,Cycle of Hatred, pg. 39 especially protein.Cycle of Hatred, chapter 20 They can also use mana potions prepared by alchemists,Mana MarketsArathi Donations: Coastal Mana Potion or consume the essences of arcane creatures to gain mana.Keep the Secret Safe
==Uses==
In general, arcane magic can be used to do nearly everything and is seemingly limited mostly by imagination, as it can be used to manipulate both space and time, and bend reality. It can be used to create objects such as food or drinks or to conjure mana gems from nothing, and briefly enhance personal intelligence.On the Virtues of Magic Arcane can be used to turn yourself and your allies invisible, to become inaudible, to create multiple images of oneself or other creatures capable of distracting enemies or assisting you in combat, or to :polymorph objects and people into something else entirely, ranging from a variety of animals, to worgenAurosalia and elemental beings such as mana surgesArchmage Nakada and phoenixesManceroy Flamefist as well as to communicate from afar via projectionsImage of Kalec and even enable understanding of other racial languages.Mystical Tome: Arcane Linguist
Wielders of arcane magic are usually called mages, who usually use it to create portals or teleport people and objects. The magi Umbranse was notably able to speak to those in the realm of Death,In Eranikus' Own Words using Arcane Tesseracts to open rifts into other worlds.The Arcane Storm Within Arcane magic can be used with other types of magic to reinforce them, such as when Archmage Khadgar summoned an orb of fire and ice energy, along with an arcane orb, and combined them together.The Battle of the Forge Another example is Khadgar infusing ice with arcane, rendering it extremely resilient, so much that it nullified the fel assault of entirely.The Tomb of Sargeras Some Kirin Tor magi have used earth elementals in the past, implying the arcane can, under certain circumstances, bind other elements as well.Elemental Slave The Fire and Frost schools seem to be related to the Arcane, with several of their spells described as "simple manifestations of arcana" by Archmage Nakada, and can be even be combined as the Frostfire school. The draenei mage Valaatu has allegedly taught the arcane, frost and fire magics for over a century, feeling them just as strongly on Azeroth as she did other worlds.Mage Training (Alliance)
Arcane spells can be used for protection. For example, Jaina Proudmoore and Thalyssra have been able to generate larger arcane barriers shielding entire groups of people,The Battle for Lordaeron (Alliance)Trail of EchoesThe Stormwind Extraction and the Kirin Tor is able to maintain city-wide shields capable of repelling the blue dragonflight from Dalaran.Mage The Highborne night elves of Suramar and Eldre'Thalas were able to use arcane energy to shield their cities from the devastating effects of the Great Sundering. Arcanist Doan was able to temporarily render himself completely immune to all spells and attacks, magical and otherwise, by encasing himself in an arcane bubble. It is also possible for high-level magi to temporarily negate others' arcane abilities, sometimes with inhibitor crystals,Stay of Execution even imprisoning them for an extended period of time,The Dungeons of Dalaran (WC3 BloodElf) and it is not particularly difficult to block unwanted portals, as most civilized cities just use wards to prevent them.Vaeldrin's JournalThe Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
In-game, in addition to the usual mage abilities, the arcane has been used to protect, knock back,Prince TortheldrinLightforged Battlemage charm,Lor'themar Theron#Tactics stun,Shal'dorei Archmage disorient,Kael'thas Sunstrider (tactics) bind,Aethas Sunreaver#Abilities suffocate,Sorin Magehand reflect spells,Duskwatch SpellshieldAzuregosArcanagos conjure spellswords,Magister Phaedris control humanoids,Star Scryer restore health by reversing time,Nightborne SageNightborne Tempomancer siphon health,Duskwatch Astralite drain energy,Ael'Yith increase and decrease size,Terrace Grove-Tender (mob) increase movement speed,Warpwalking summon enchanted tomes serving as effective mailboxes,Cantrips and generate a barrier capable of automatically preventing death and restoring health.Ward of the First Arcanist
It can be used to animate constructs and objects such as arcane golems or brooms, power machinery, manipulate the fabric of time (usually by rewinding, reversing, slowing or hastening its flow), access alternate timelines,For the Alliance! (quest)For the Horde! (quest)The Everbloom#Dungeon Journal scry other places and peoples,Heart of Rage (BC Classic) (Horde) view the past,The Last Guardian sense the future by discerning fortunes,Sayge open locked doors,Sorcerer Ashcrombe summon objects or individuals from other locations,Three Is a Lucky Number share visions of others' memories,Battle for Azeroth: Tides of War project visions of past events complete with sound,Thalyssra's Estate preserve and record messages inside enchanted crystals,Moments of Reflection form empathic bonds,Scenes from a Memory strip others of their spells and use them as your own, conjure illusions by disguising yourself entirely, remove negative magical effects, erode others' magical resistances, create runes of power capable of greatly amplifying your spells, knock nearby enemies into the air, briefly fade into other realms such as the astral plane and avoid all attacks,Ley-Guardian Eregos or simply cause massive destruction.
The individual members of the Kirin Tor, both past and present, are especially adept at manipulating arcane energies for various potent effects. For example, Kael'thas Sunstrider was able to suspend and lapse gravity itself in his immediate surrounding area, and created and enchanted seven legendary weapons able to fight remotely by themselves.Kael'thas Sunstrider (tactics) Antonidas enveloped all of Dalaran in auras powerful enough to destroy any undead of the Scourge which passed through its boundaries, and erected barriers blocking all teleportation into the city.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King Khadgar once channeled a spell capable of briefly stopping time in his vicinity.Khadgar's Plan Arugal was able to awaken and pull the banished worgen from their long seclusion in the Emerald Dream to fight for Gilneas, despite having no connection with either them or the druids, and provided his favored servants with a semblance of sanity and human intelligence.Ask CDev The Great Akazamzarak simultaneously opened and maintained eight portals to locations scattered across three continents,The Only Way to Travel (Dalaran) and contained a pocket dimension capable of housing animals within his top hat.Down the Rabbit Hole The Kirin Tor magi in Ambermill were able to shunt their town into a nearly impenetrable pocket dimension in order to hide themselves from the Forsaken. The Council of Six have been able to :teleport the city of Dalaran across vast distances, notably from Hillsbrad Foothills to Northrend, and from Karazhan to the Broken Isles in the blink of an eye. Jaina Proudmoore was able to raise her father's battleship from the depths of the ocean, and later flew it into the skies above Lordaeron Keep to destroy part of the stronghold's defenses using cannons charged with raw arcane energy.Strategic Deployment (Alliance)
Older and more experienced spellcasters are capable of even more extraordinary and formidable feats using the arcane. The Aspect of Magic Malygos was able to channel raw energy allegedly sufficient to destroy his entire planet ten times over through the Eye of Eternity. The Aspect of Time Nozdormu made the entire kaldorei race immortal for 10,000 years through his blessing of temporal magic upon Nordrassil. Former Guardians of Tirisfal such as Alodi and Aegwynn were able to permanently bind and tether spirits to the living world, as Alodi did with himself, and even return the dead back to life, as Aegwynn did with Medivh. Aegwynn was able to extend her natural life span by nearly a thousand years, and created Karazhan itself by harnessing the full potential of :Aluneth's energies near a confluence of ley lines, causing the great tower to rise from the earth.Archive of the Tirisgarde#Aluneth, Greatstaff of Magna 
As the last ruler of the Kaldorei Empire, Queen Azshara's mastery of the arcane far surpassing and predating even the greatest of the human magi.The Old Wizard's AlmanacThe Eternal Palace: Queen's Gambit In "a frightening display of arcane power", she notably shatter the :Tidestone of Golganneth, a Pillar of Creation able to hold Neptulon at bay,The Lords of Water and trapped the Court of Farondis in an eternal ghostly state in Azsuna, unable to pass on from the world of the living even after ten millennia spent trying to break her spell.Ancient Highborne Tome The Highborne of Shandaral accidentally caused an enormous explosion which forever transformed part of their continent Northrend into Crystalsong Forest. The high elves of Quel'Thalas bathed their land, including Eversong Woods, in eternal springtime after creating the Sunwell, while their Runestone and mooncrystal-empowered barrier Ban'dinoriel not only masked their magical activities from others, it made their realm nearly impenetrable for millennia. Empowered by the Nightwell, Grand Magistrix Elisande was able to place an entire invasion force comprised of three elven armies in a long-term temporal stasis or "time lock",Gates of the Nighthold and could scry countless possible futures to predict likely outcomes; in combat, she was able to stop the flow of time for all but herself and send her enemies back in time, repeatedly saving herself from being killed, although this required a considerable amount of even her energy.Grand Magistrix Elisande (tactics) Illidan Stormrage nearly destroyed the Frozen Throne and its Lich King by tapping into the nexus of potent ley lines near Dalaran, and unleashing a massive "tempest of arcane energy" towards Northrend, causing fissures to erupt around the world.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3
===Effects on beings===
Through Well of Eternity, the night elves became virtually immortal by feeding on its potent source of arcane energy.The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Night Elves Over their lengthy isolation, the exposure to the Nightwell gradually transformed the night elves of Suramar from their original appearance to their present darker, more night-based, form as the nightborne.
The high elf race was fundamentally changed from being constantly suffused in magic, and became addicted to the Sunwell's energies. With their source of magic gone, they all suffered acute pangs of withdrawal. Only the very old, the very young, and elves already in poor health died from it, however, the withdrawal also result in permanent mental or physical damage. Certain magical artifacts can ameliorate and even suppress the symptoms.The Warcraft Encyclopedia - High ElvesThe Warcraft Encyclopedia - Blood Elves The wretched are those who failed to control their innate addiction to magic. Desperate and demented, they siphoned arcane magic in amounts exorbitant, causing them to physically transform them into emaciated, reckless, black-hearted fiends who would gladly kill for a few mana crystals.World of Warcraft: Paragons, pg. 686 on e-book
As the Demon hunters embrace fel magic, believing it necessary to challenge the Burning Legion, they mark their bodies with arcane runes in order to keep their fel forces in check. On the other hand, Jace Darkweaver, a former night elf mage, lost most of his former abilities (aside from occasionally glimpsing into faraway places) after becoming a demon hunter.One Battle at a Time
When Draenor was torn apart from the magical stress of Ner'zhul's multiple portals, the arcane energies released altered the black dragon eggs left there by Deathwing. This resulted in the nether drakes: ethereal dragons whose bodies are composed of energies from the Twisting Nether.
The arcane energies released by the mana bomb dropped on Theramore turned its people purple for a fraction of a heartbeat, before they exploded in a cloud of lavender ash. Those further from the center of the blast were frozen like statues but crumbled into shining violet dust when touched. Saved by a portal of Rhonin, Jaina barely surviving the blast and found herself radiating with arcane energy, which turn nearly all of her once golden hair to moonlight white.
When Dimensius the All-Devouring opened countless gateways into the void and the Twisting Nether around K'aresh, bathing it in arcane and dark energies, the unimpeded flood of arcane energy tore away the then-mortal race's corporeal shells and infused their souls with enough energy so that they could subsist without a body. Members of this race, now called ethereals, took to binding themselves with enchanted strips of cloth to provide their souls with enough structure to survive.Ask CDev Answers - Round 1
==Arcane-related items==
In the ancient past, Neltharion used a titan artifact called the Oathbinder to infuse his dracthyr soldiers with Order magic, binding them to his will. When the artifact was shattered, their unity was dispelled.Legacies: Chapter Three
Mages have the ability to store mana into gems for future use without alchemical aid,Heroes of Azeroth, 57 while Arcane bombs are weapons designed to fight spellcasters, they drain mana, inflict damage, and prevent spellcasting for a short time.
Surge needles are massive constructs made of stone and arcane energy used to tap into or manipulate ley lines. Malygos used them to redirect the ley lines of Azeroth to the Nexus.Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, chapter 15
Manaforges are arcane machines created by the Sunfury blood elves in order to harvest the chaotic magics of the Twisting NetherAnnual 2015, pg. 20 from the Netherstorm.
The Focusing Iris is an orb of immense power, capable of magnifying and focusing arcane energy.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 533 Malygos used it to create and direct surge needles.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 52 Its energy was used to animate Chromatus, and Jaina Proudmoore once used it to bind together thousands of water elementals into a colossal tidal wave which nearly destroyed Orgrimmar.
Mana bombs are powerful explosive devices developed by the blood elves. They are fueled by pure arcane energy and kill instantly.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 383 (ebook) With the Focusing Iris, Thalen Songweaver manufactured a massive mana bomb able to destroy an entire city's population and permanently scar the surrounding region,Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 552 - 553 (ebook) as well as projecting a dampening field disrupting and preventing all magical means of escape.
During the War of the Thorns, the Horde used demolishers and arcane-enhanced payloads to fire on the Sentinels fleet, and later to shoot from Darkshore on Teldrassil, burning it down.ElegyA Good War
In Outland, there are eco-domes and manaforges made from the arcane in the Netherstorm.
==Arcane wells==
===The Well of Eternity===
The Well of Eternity was made from the very lifeblood of the nascent Azeroth. When Aman'Thul ripped the Old God Y'Shaarj out from Azeroth, it created a gaping hole in the planet's crust itself from which arcane energy was hemorrhaging. After the war against the Black Empire, the Keepers healed the wound in the form of a lake of scintillating energies that they named the Well of Eternity. Its potent energies would nurture the bones of the world and empower life to take root in the land's rich soil.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual#The Titans and the Ordering
Volatile arcane magic was once concentrated in the Well of Eternity, but its destruction during the War of the Ancients spread arcane power throughout the world.Ultimate Visual Guide The well collapsed into itself, and became the center of the Great Sea as an immense, violent whirlpool, named the Maelstrom. Its waters churns constantly in a dizzying storm of tidal and arcane energy that seems to have no end.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 18 Before the Great Sundering, Illidan had filled several vials with enchanted liquid from the original well. He poured some of them into the lake atop Mount Hyjal, transforming the idyllic waters into another fount of arcane power. The dragon Aspect Alexstrasza would then plant the world-tree Nordrassil in the fount to prevent the Burning Legion from using it as an entry to Azeroth.
===The Sunwell===
Just before the Highborne had been exiled from Mount Hyjal, Dath'Remar Sunstrider had secretly taken one of Illidan Stormrage's remaining vials from the custody of the night elves. Dath'Remar poured the vial into a small lake at the center of a nexus, and a brilliant fount of energy tore through the skies of Azeroth. The Highborne dubbed this glorious cradle of power "the Sunwell", a name chosen in honor of Dath'Remar and his bold quest to reignite their culture.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 251 on e-book It was destroyed during the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas. The prophet Velen sanctified the legendary Sunwell using the spark of the naaru M'uru, reigniting it as a fount of both arcane power and Light.Wrath of the Lich King manual, pages 8 - 9: Winds of Change: From Dark Horizons to a Beacon of Hope in the World of Warcraft
===Moonwells===
Moonwells are hallowed repositories of a mix between the sacred waters of the Well of EternityWarcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual#Moon Well and the magic of nature. The waters were created by the night elves to maintain and restore their magical powers. Druids also take advantage of the moonwells' properties, which provide growth and protection to their surrounding lands, and the Sentinels revere the wells as shrines to Elune.Crown of the Earth
===The Nightwell===
Following the the War of the Ancients, Elisande and her followers harnessed the Eye of Aman'Thul, one of the Pillars of Creation, to create an immense fount of arcane magic. Known as the Nightwell, this source of power would nourish the sorcerers for thousands of years, and protect them from future threats. The Arcway is a complex labyrinthine built thousands of years ago that runs beneath the foundations of Suramar's largest buildings, delivering the Nightwell's energies throughout the city. Before the creation of the Nightwell, it was used to deliver the energy of the ley lines beneath the land of Suramar. Star Augur Etraeus, a skilled astromancer, used the Nightwell to directly draw upon the energies of planets he scryed from other star systems.
===The Shrine of Lost Souls===
Illidan used the Shrine of Lost Souls beneath the Black Temple to free demons of their addiction to the Legion's fel magic and bind them to his service. Kanrethad Ebonlocke believed that this same power source is what Illidan intended to offer the blood elves to free them of their addiction to the Sunwell.Infiltrating the Black Temple Strangely, its properties resembled greatly the Well of Eternity's.
==Arcane wielders==
In the Warcraft universe, there is an instability, and those skilled in arcane magic have learned how to exploit that instability,Ask CDev Answers - Round 4 being able to control the elements and other forces such as time.Weaver Belmaril#Quotes
On Azeroth, the Kirin Tor is the elite cadre of the most powerful wizards in the known world,Blood of the Highborne and the ruling conclave of magi that leads the magical Magocracy of Dalaran.Day of the Dragon
Some sensitive mortals have the ability to naturally sniff out fel and arcane magic, being able to detect demons, wizards and possessed people on their own.Cycle of Hatred, chapter 15
===Arcane creatures===
* Arcane elementals, Mana surges, and Arcane wraiths are manifestations of volatile arcane energy.
** Arcane Constructs are intelligent but unpredictable, spawned of pure mana, and allow their user to quickly assimilate large amounts of arcane knowledge.
* Arcane golems are robotic constructs powered by arcane energy. They prominently serve as public defenders.
* Mana wyrms are small, simple, glowing critters that float around feeding off of stray pockets of arcane energy.World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue II
* Sparks are arcane elemental creatures that appear in certain places where magic is prevalent.
===Mages===
Magi (also called magus, magician, sorcerer or wizard) are arcane spellcasters who favor magiks involving the cardinal elements of the universe. Students gifted with a keen intellect and unwavering discipline may walk the path of the mage. The arcane magic available to magi is both great and dangerous, and thus is revealed only to the most devoted practitioners. To avoid interference with their spellcasting, most magi wear cloth armor, but arcane shields and enchantments give them additional protection. To keep enemies at bay, magi can summon bursts of fire to incinerate distant targets and cause entire areas to erupt, setting groups of foes ablaze.World of Warcraft > Game Guide > Classes > Mage When mages cast a spell, they employ magic formulas which they pronounce word by word in an intelligible manner,Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 16 whether aloud or by mumbling like Rhonin,Day of the Dragon, chapter 3 and which according to Krasus sound like "the language of Lordaeron spoken backwards, with the wrong syllables emphasized".Day of the Dragon, chapter 6
Mages of the arcane are diviners of secrets, balancing the ebb and flow of incredible mystic energies. Unparalleled skill is required to manipulate the volatile forces of the universe. These practitioners push their magical knowledge to its very limits—often to the brink of their own exhaustion, and at great risk to the world around them. Those who master this craft are capable of releasing a barrage of unrelenting power upon their enemies, drawing upon replenishing energies to maintain their assault for as long as the battle demands. Mages are often aged from the stress of the magical energies they wield, causing their hair to prematurely turn gray.The Last Guardian, pg. 31 (ebook)
Every mage wielded the forces of magic differently, and if one was sensitive enough, one could tell the differences from one mage to the next.Cycle of Hatred, chapter 8
Depending on their choice of school of arcane magic, their talent, or the function in which they specialize, the mages may carry different titles: Archmage, Arcanist, Pyromancer, Cryomancer, Abjurer, Conjurer, Diviner, Enchanter, Illusionist, Transmuter, Battle mage, Warmage, Warcaster,Warcaster Fanoraithe Arcanomancer,Addled Arcanomancer Summoner or Mage-Priest.
===Blue dragons===
The blue dragons are the foremost experts on arcane magic. After the ordering of Azeroth, the titan Norgannon blessed Malygos and his flight with immense knowledge and power over the arcane, and the duty of ensuring it would never be abused.Charge of the Dragonflights Magic is what most concerns the members of the blue dragonflight. Acquiring it, researching it, cataloging it. Blue dragons are masters of the arcane and they wield it with a natural, almost intrinsic, ease. Even the flight's dragonspawn armies are flush with magical aptitude. The blues believe that with this power comes a certain responsibility and so members of the blue flight can often be found in positions policing and monitoring the use of magic by non-dragons.
Some blue dragons are seemingly immune to arcane magic.Indigos
===Draenei===
The Draenei, once known as the Eredar, are a race of supremely talented magic-wielders who arose on the planet Argus countless millennia ago. Exceptionally skilled in magic, their mastery of the arcane arts were renowned throughout the scattered worlds of the Great Dark Beyond.The Burning Crusade Bestiary - Eredar They are extremely intelligent and have a natural affinity for magic in all of its forms. Using their gifts, they developed a vast and wondrous society,The Burning Crusade Townhall/Draenei in which art, science, magic, and technology were all as one.Invisible Ramparts
It was their magical affinity that attracted Sargeras the Dark Titan, who planned to bolster his ranks by transforming them into demons,The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Burning Legion and led to the fall of their civilization. In the Army of the Light, few draenei wield arcane magic since it was what tempted their brethren who joined the Burning Legion.Archmage Y'mera#Quotes
===Elves===
Around 15,000 years ago, a tribe of dark trollsWorld of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume 2 Issue 1 came to settle near the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Over generations, the Well's cosmic power affected this tribe, and transformed them into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings. The tribe gradually abandoned their ancient heritage and tradition. The mystics began worshiping the moon goddess Elune, who they believed slumbered within the fount's depth during daylight hours. The former trolls also discovered the name "Kalimdor" and other titan-forged words from communing with Elune, and adopted the name kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 93
The early night elf priests and seers studied the Well with an insatiable curiosity. Queen Azshara shared their curiosity, and ordered the educated Highborne to plumb its secrets and reveal its true purpose in the world. The Highborne buried themselves in their work and studied the Well ceaselessly. In time they developed the ability to manipulate and control the Well's cosmic energies.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual#The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity According to :Aluneth, the Highborne night elves of ancient Kalimdor purportedly had the potential to rival the Titans.Aluneth
The surviving Highborne were forbidden to practice arcane magic and soon grew bold in defying the new laws. Rather than execute the Highborne, the rest of the night elves sentenced them to exile. The Highborne were not unhappy at the prospect of exile; on the contrary, they looked forward to it.The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Dath'Remar Sunstrider#Escape from Zin-Azshari Banished to the Eastern Kingdoms, the Highborne began seeking a new homeland, within which they could practice their magic freely. They founded the nation of Quel'Thalas and created the Sunwell, a new magical fount, using water from the original Well, and became high elves. The Sunwell's arcane magic was the heart of high elf society, empowering many of their day-to-day spells. The high elves, some of them eventually renaming themselves the blood elves, retain a deep affinity for the arcane.Blood of the Highborne
According to the broker Ta'lora, arcane magic, along with nature magic, are used by night elf healers to mend the body of a deceased individual for a final viewing as part of their traditions.
===Others===
The ogres, as descendants of Aggramar's creation Grond, used the arcane to shape and bend rock and stone to their will, coming to prize Apexis Crystals in particular for their immense potential.World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 The Highmaul magic breakers were strong enough to completely dampen, negate and nullify any particular school of magic using their Forger stone, even rendering fel magic useless against them.Code of Rule
Some warlocks were former mages that delved too deeply into the roots of demonic power,http://web.archive.org/web/20031002110845/http://www.blizzard.com/wow/townhall/classes.shtml#warlock while some deliberately chose to follow this path to understand how to fight demons better.Daio the Decrepit
By leveraging the sacred powers of the moon, the sun and the stars, balance druids access arcane and nature magics, made more potent still through shapeshifting into a moonkin,Legion Class Preview Series: Druid and apparently bolstered by the lunar goddess Elune.
Some hunters can conjure arcane ammunition.Arcane Shot They can also tame arcane-related creatures such as the nether ray and the warp stalker.
==Schools of arcane magic==
The mages of the Kirin Tor have divided the eldritch arts into eightThe Schools of Arcane Magic - Introduction says there are eight, but Transmutation is noted to be the ninth. There are only seven books available in the game. different categories. All schools of magic can be combined to create formidable spells that utilize multiple sources of power. Mages are cautioned about the dangers of combining multiple types of magic.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Introduction There are also multiple spells and branches of arcane research forbidden to members of the Kirin Tor.Regarding Prohibited Magics
While the Kirin Tor considered necromancy to be a school of arcane and it has been described as an arcane art,Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual#The Destiny of the Orcish Hordes, " Using the arcane powers of our Warlocks and Necromancers."Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual#The Rise of the Shadow Council, "In pursuit of furthering our magical resources, I opened a new school of magical discipline that became known as Necromancy. We began training young Warlocks in the arcane mysteries of life and death."Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual#The Undead, "These unfortunate warriors gave their lives in battle only to be brought back into soulless servitude by arcane Orc magiks to fight for the Horde." it is in truth a separate branch of Death magic.
===Abjuration===
Abjuration is the study of protective magic. The most generalized abjuration spell is the mana shield, a spell that transmutes raw mana into a barrier that protects the caster from attacks. Elemental armor spells require far less raw energy than a mana shield and are more easily maintained over time, but lack the raw potency of the mana shield. Ward spells are quick, potent incantations to protect the caster against a form of magical damage, often caused when magic slips out of a mage's control.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Abjuration
===Conjuration===
Conjuration is the study of magically creating creatures and objects. There is nothing more enjoyable for a mage than creating a fresh slice of bread or a glass of water.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Conjuration Mages can combine water and air vapors into a water elemental for a short time before they deconstruct into their base liquid forms.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual#Archmage The elemental attacks that mages use are a form of conjuration.Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual#Conjurer Spells
===Divination===
Divination is the school of magic dedicated to gathering information. Powerful divinations can allow the mage to see targets from a great distance, or even view what may normally be invisible. One of the most common uses of divination magic is scrying, which is the art of seeing something that may be far away—perhaps even on another plane of existence.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Divination Divination spells can be used to counteract Illusion spells.
===Enchantment===
Enchantment is the process of imbuing an object—or person—with magical power. Some enchantments are temporary, while others can offer permanent benefits. Disenchanting is the process of dispelling or removing magic. The dispel magic spell is among the most important in a mage's arsenal, as it can potentially reverse the catastrophic effects of a misfired spell. It is also possible to permanently disenchant a magical item. This process produces a unique form of crystallized mana that can be used in the process of imbuing another item with magical abilities.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Enchantment Conjured water elementals could possibly be considered to be water animated by enchantment.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual#Water Elemental "Water elementals were a favorite tool of the Conjurors of Azeroth during the First War, and now the enchanted creatures have come to aid the defenders of freedom once again."Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 25, pg. 533 (ebook): "Jaina laughed. Then she made more. And more still, until there was scarcely any unenchanted water to be seen."
Servants of the undead study arcane in order to imbue their weapons and armor with unholy power.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual
===Illusion===
Illusion is the art of deceiving reality itself. The mists of illusion can make a mage invisible or inaudible to the world or twist the image of a location into something entirely different. Illusion can be used for disguise or manipulation, but spells to counteract illusions exist in the divination school. Illusions can be used to trick your enemies into fighting each other and be used to display several images of a mage's body that are nearly indistinguishable from the caster's real form.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Illusion
===Transmutation===
The ninth and final school of magic is transmutation. It is among the most popular and useful of all of the schools, allowing a mage to manipulate time and space. Perhaps the most iconic Transmutation spell is polymorph, which allows a mage to temporarily turn something—or someone—into something else. It is possible, but unadvised, to increase the intelligence or power of a creature through polymorph, polymorph into exotic creatures, and polymorph inanimate objects.Polymorphic Rules & Regulations
The second most famous use is teleportation. The most basic teleportation spell is blink. Attempts to cast a teleportation "on the fly" often result in one very dead mage inside a wall, chair, or another mage. A properly used portal is just as safe as the average zeppelin trip, but frequent use of teleportation wears down the infrastructure of the ley lines.Thinking with Portals - A Memorandum on Proper Portal Usage
Spells that manipulate time also fall into this category, such as Slow Fall (ability), Slow, and spells that increase movement speed.The Schools of Arcane Magic - Transmutation This particular arcane art is known as chronomancy.
===Evocation===
Evocation may be one of the schools of arcane magic. The in-game book on Abjuration mentions Evocation alongside Abjuration, noting that Arcanist Doan had perfected a spell that combines Evocation with Abjuration to shield himself for a short time while preparing a powerful area-of-effect spell. 
The non-canon World of Warcraft RPG includes Evocation as one of its eight schools. However, its inclusion may be a result of the RPG being based off of , in which Evocation is one of the nine schools of magic.
==The laws of arcane magic==
===The four rules===
There is a set of rules that governs the destiny of every person that chooses to continue down the path of a mage. These guarantees are:
:*Magic is powerful.
:*Magic is corrupting.
:*Magic is addicting.
:*Magic draws the denizens of the Twisting Nether to those who wield the arcane.Glyphic Letter
===Law of sympathy===
:"When someone handles an item, they leave a part of their own magical aura attached to it."WoW TCG - Khadgar's Kilt of Abjuration (Betrayal of the Guardian)
The sympathy between a subject and the object used by her becomes stronger with a more constant and thoughtful use. As auras vary with individuals, the vibration makes it possible to connect to the individual by affecting the item, and vice versa.The Last Guardian, 40 (ebook) Even before Warp-Scryer Kryv deciphered the Burning Legion Missive, he had been able to sense the hatred and urgency woven into the scroll.The Dark Missive
Among its practical uses, sympathy may allow a lock of hair to be used in a love charm, or a coin to be tracked back to its original owner. Similarly, an expert can read handwritten letters or books without having to actually read them.
==In the RPG==
Important note: While many elements differ between the RPG and game canon, this is especially true for information on arcane and divine magic. Though the origin of the sources of magic is the same, their implementation and effect on the world is wholly different. In the RPG, Divine magic is overall good, while arcane magic is overall bad. In canon, arcane magic still has more corruptive elements than divine magic, but it is not corruptive in and of itself.
===History===
Arcane magic is the gift of titans to the world, a gift that comes with the highest price. Thousands of years ago, the titans placed the Well of Eternity in the center of Kalimdor to serve as a source of restoring, life-giving energy. They intended that the Well's energies would empower life of all forms to emerge on Kalimdor — plants, animals, monsters, races. After a time, the titans left Azeroth, leaving Kalimdor in the hands of the five dragon Aspects. Yet the Well of Eternity proved too great a lure to remain hidden for very long, particularly from Sargeras and the Burning Legion.
The Well was discovered by the kaldorei, who were later known as night elves. Ever eager to uncover secrets hidden in dark places, the Kaldorei listened to the Well as it promised to give them great power. At the Well's behest, the Kaldorei learned spellspeech and used it to weave the first arcane spells. Within decades, Kaldorei mages had attained sufficient mastery over arcane magic that they built a great civilization. They founded the imperious city of Zin-Azshari, from which they extended their domination over most of Kalimdor.
Ultimately, the magic corrupted them. The kaldorei had been a simple folk who gazed blissfully at the stars, enjoying the immortality given to them by the Well, but their haughtiness robbed them of that gift forever. Each succeeding generation became prouder and more decadent, and the lust for power only made the Kaldorei more of a beacon to the lords of the Twisting Nether. Their greatest mage, Queen Azshara, cast a spell in the heart of the Well of Eternity itself — and a way was opened for evil to invade the world. Through Azshara's breach came the Burning Legion, the most terrifying warriors in existence. This fiendish horde ravaged Azeroth, pillaging entire kingdoms, destroying all that stood in its path, mocking anyone who begged it for mercy.
When the Burning Legion ravaged the land, great heroes recognized that arcane magic posed a continuing threat to all living creatures, so they elected to destroy the Well of Eternity and put an end to arcane magic forever. Unfortunately, among their number was one Illidan Stormrage, an arcane spell caster who dreaded the thought of losing his powers. Secretly he stole some of the well's water and used it to create a new Well of Eternity at Mount Hyjal, thus preserving the power of the arcane. This theft allowed future elven generations to follow in the footsteps of Illidan and Queen Azshara. These elves called themselves the Quel'dorei, "the high elves" (for they believed that their mastery of the arcane elevated them to higher status). They also taught the arcane arts to the newly discovered race of humans, who showed a natural aptitude.
These human mages, however, were even more reckless than the night elves had been. The high elf mages warned their human pupils that magic was addictive, but the acolytes dismissed any suggestion that the tragedies that had befallen the elves would also afflict them. The humans were no better at resisting corruption than the elves had been, and eventually the arrogance of wizards brought the Burning Legion to Azeroth once more. Once again, great acts of heroism were needed to spare Azeroth from destruction. Elsewhere, on the orcish home world of Draenor, arcane sorceries corrupted the once noble race of orcs, transforming them into the Horde, a nigh invincible army. After ravaging their home world, the orcs came to Azeroth; and with their warlocks, they waged two great wars against the races of human, elf, and dwarf. The orcs failed to seize control of Azeroth; during these wars, Draenor itself was utterly destroyed, and the orcs were forced to relocate to Azeroth.
In the wake of the Third War against the Scourge and Burning Legion, the orc Warchief Thrall has rejected arcane magic and embraced his race's traditional shamanistic ways. Yet orc warlocks still walk the world, and demons whisper in their ears each time they cast a spell. Neither human nor high elves have abandoned the pursuit of the arcane; if anything, the defeat of the Burning Legion at the Battle of Mount Hyjal has fed the arrogance of many spell casters, who believe the world is now protected from demonic influences and that arcane spell casters may practice their art in relative safety. Nothing sows the seeds of the fields of tragedy quite like arrogance.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 14 - 15
===The four laws===
*Magic is powerful.
Magic in Azeroth is the difference between a slave and a master, a foot soldier and king. Few races and nations can operate without powerful mages and warlocks. The use of arcane magic is growing; historically, each time this has happened before, a great disaster shortly follows. However, even though the history of the arcane is well known, mages and their patrons invariably come to the same self-serving conclusion: It won't happen to them.
*Magic is corrupting.
Magic corrupts the soul; if the humblest person in Azeroth became a practitioner of the arcane, by the time the practitioner reached the higher levels in their art, all traces of her humble roots would be lost. Magic breeds pride and arrogance. Magic corrupts the body; it ages the caster before their time and hastens the blight that the world inflicts on things fair and beautiful. Those who claim that only necromancy and fel magic have a corrupting influence are fooling themselves.
*Magic is an addiction.
When one feels the power of an arcane spell coursing through one's body as it's being cast, resisting the urge to cast it again is difficult. Frequent use leads to a desire for more and, eventually, to a desire for the evil fel energy.Dark Factions, pg. 118
*Magic attracts the Twisting Nether like flies to honey.
The Burning Legion has invaded Azeroth three times, drawn by the power of the Well of Eternity and those who employ it. Magic is a literal gateway drug that allows dark titans such as Sargeras to bring evil influences to the world. Those who employ arcane magic must deal with demons and other servants of the Twisting Nether.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 15
==Warcraft film universe==
Arcane magic has a pale blue color and is used for various purposes including .Warcraft: The Official Movie Novelization, chapter 6
The young , , and faced against a jungle troll warlord. He used magic and was invulnerable to arcane magic. However, Medivh used it to cause an explosion and collapse a building on the troll.Bonds of Brotherhood
At some point, shouted a spell, and a blast of arcane lightning shot from his hand. It struck an orc full in the chest and sent him flying.Warcraft: The Official Movie Novelization, chapter 7
==Notes==
*Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners is a product of nature and arcane magic.
*The arcane blade Felo'melorn was crafted on an arcane forge by Luminarian.Archive of the Tirisgarde#Felo'melorn
*When Illidan Stormrage absorbed the power of his Moon Guards, he used the arcane power of the cosmos and stars to annihilate the Burning Legion.Ravencrest's Legacy (quest)
*Aluneth is described as an entity of pure arcane energy from another dimension beyond Azeroth's plane of existence.
*In the Halls of Origination, the Titanic watcher was created to regulate the arcane energies contained within the halls, and to protect its ancient relics.Halls of Origination#Dungeon Journal
*Several Ancients of the Arcane exist as a rarity, despite ancients being overwhelmingly associated with Life.
*According to Medivh, stress and anxiety make it more difficult for a mage to read a person's mind.The Last Guardian, chapter 2
*Arcane was once described as chaotic in nature,The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Sisterhood of Elune The Sisterhood never quite approved of way in which higher-caste night elves made use of arcane magic, due to the magic's chaotic nature. this has been changed so fel represents chaos while arcane represents order. That being said, there are still many instances where arcane is described as being chaotic or volatile:
**The Rift within the Nexus released arcane beings such as Chaotic Rifts, Crazed Mana-Wraiths, and Anomalus (whose dialogue is particularly chaos-aligned).Anomalus#Quotes 
**Those skilled in arcane magic are said to exploit the "inherent instability" of the universe.
*Shaman were once described as arcane masters.
==Gallery==
;Trading Card Game
Arcane Blast TCG.jpg|Arcane Blast (Fires of Outland)
Arcane Burst TCG.jpg|Arcane Burst
Arcane Essence TCG.jpg|Arcane Essence (Icecrown)
Arcane Intellect TCG.jpg|Arcane Intellect (Heroes of Azeroth)
Arcane Missiles TCG.jpg|Arcane Missiles (Through the Dark Portal)
Arcane Power TCG.jpg|Arcane Power (Through the Dark Portal)
Arcane Shot TCG.jpg|Arcane Shot (Heroes of Azeroth)
Arcane Spikes TCG.jpg|Arcane Spikes
Arcane Tactics TCG.jpg|Arcane Tactics (Scourgewar)
Arcane Torrent TCG.jpg|Arcane Torrent (Through the Dark Portal)
Boundless Magic TCG.jpg|Boundless Magic
Chimera Shot TCG.jpg|Chimera Shot (Scourgewar)
Counterspell TCG.jpg|Counterspell (Assault on Icecrown Citadel)
Extinguish.jpg|Extinguish
Frost Ward TCG.jpg|Frost Ward (Icecrown)
Ice Block TCG.jpg|Ice Block (Through the Dark Portal)
Lesson of the Arcane TCG.jpg|Lesson of the Arcane
TCG-Reverse_Polarity.jpg|Reverse Polarity
TheTasteOfArcana.jpg|The Taste of Arcana
Unstable Infusion TCG.jpg|Unstable Infusion (Worldbreaker)
;Hearthstone
Arcane Blast HS.jpg|
Arcane Bolt HS.jpg|
Arcane Breath HS.jpg|
Arcane Brilliance HS.jpg|
Arcane Defenders HS.jpg|
Arcane Overflow HS.jpg|
Arcane Quiver HS.jpg|
Astral Rift HS.jpg|
Cinderstorm HS.jpg|
Combustion HS.jpg|
Conjured Arrow HS.jpg|
Devolving Missiles HS.jpg|
Evocation HS.jpg|
Flurry (Rank 3) HS.jpg|
Font of Power HS.jpg|
Incanter's Flow HS.jpg|
Netherwind Portal HS.jpg|
Ray of Frost HS.jpg|
Ricochet Shot HS.jpeg|
Runed Orb HS.jpg|
Scholar Krosiss Full.jpg|
Shattering Blast HS.jpg|
Shooting Star HS.jpg|
Siphon Mana HS.png|
Stall for Time HS.png|
Tear Reality HS.jpg|
==See also==
*Technomancy
*Time (chronomancy)
==References==
 
Category:Game terms
Category:Monster Guide
Category:Magic & Mayhem
Category:Dark Factions