Ogre mage

Ogre magi, ogre-magi, or ogre-magesVibrating Arcane Crystal (singular: ogre mage, ogre-mage, or ogre magus)Spirestone Ogre MagusUrok Ogre Magus are two-headed ogre spellcasters who are typically larger and more intelligent than their one-headed brethren. They often enjoy an elevated position among the ogre clans.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 178
==History==
The early ogres' practice of sorcery and exposure to raw arcane magic had some unexpected side effects. Very rarely, children would be born with two heads. It soon became clear that these two-headed ogres were exceptional spellcasters, and their appearance was seen as a good omen. In time, Goria's arcanists even developed spells to replicate this phenomenon, causing normal ogres to grow a second head and increasing their intelligence and magical aptitude.
During the Second War, Gul'dan and his followers chiseled away at one of the high elven runestones of Quel'Thalas to create structures known as the Altars of Storms. Gul'dan then turned to the ancient arcane rituals that were once used by the Highmaul ogres to create two-headed ogres. Few living ogres knew of this technique, but Gul'dan's follower Cho'gall was one of them. He handpicked the ogres who would undergo the transformation and oversaw the rituals himself. Before long, ogre magi emerged from the altars, and they were just as powerful as Gul'dan had hoped, and more importantly, they secretly swore their loyalty to him.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Ground Units of the Orcish Horde, Ogre-MageWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Orc Buildings, Altar of Storms
==Biology==
Two-headed ogre magi are noted as being larger and stronger than their non-magical brethren, and having slightly different proportions; shorter arms, less bowed legs, and carrying themselves with greater alertness. The ritual to create ogre magi also creates an extra head.Tides of Darkness, pg. 196
===Two heads===
One especially notable feature of some ogre magi is that their twin heads act, think, and speak independently of one another. The most notorious example of this is Cho'gall, whose right head is shown to be more well-spoken and reserved while his left head is louder and more fanatical. Another notable example is Warbringer O'mrogg, whose two heads have always struggled to agree on even the simplest matters. Two years ago, O'mrogg began a twelve-step plan to develop a synergy between his warring personalities. His heads have yet to decide on which step to start with.Adventure Guide entry for Warbringer O'mrogg
However, this is not always the case: the twin heads of Dentarg, Torkus, and all speak in unison (although the former two refer to themselves as "we" rather than "I"). In fact, Mar'gok is puzzled when one of his heads begins to get dizzy after having stared out across Highmaul for hours, as he notes that his two brains have always worked together in much the same way two legs should. Directly thereafter, the imperator ponders how it would be to experience the world like one of his one-headed, one-brained, two-eyed subjects, and muses that it would be impossible to rule that way, as he would have to focus his entire gaze and all his thoughts on a single point at a time, and everything would seem blurry.Code of Rule, pg. 1
Some sources like the novel, Tides of Darkness and World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor depict all shown two-headed ogres as ogre magi with implications that all two-headed ogres are ogre mages. Other materials like Warcraft II and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos show most ogres as two-headed. Warcraft II distinguished ogre magi from regular two-headed ogres by runic markings, greater intelligence, and better teamwork, Warcraft III identified ogre magi by giving them blue skin.
As shown by Torkus and his children — Torkus Jr., Tork, and Torki — the offspring of a two-headed ogre magi will also have two heads and presumably magical abilities.
World of Warcraft: The Comic also depicts non-magi two-headed ogres, with World of Warcraft rarely showing the same like Stonard Ogre and Splinter Fist Enslaver mobs.
Additionally, Warlords of Draenor and Warcraft III: Reforged depict one-headed ogre mages on rare occasions.
==Known==
;Main universe
Name 	Role 	Affiliation 	Status	Location
 	Leader of the Twilight's Hammer 	Twilight's Hammer, Old Gods' forces	 	
Various	 	 	 	
 	Enforcer of Ner'zhul 	Horde of Draenor, Shadowmoon clan 	 	Unknown
 	Member of the Cabal 	Cabal, Shadow Council 	 	Refectory, Shadow Labyrinth
 	Advisor to High King Maulgar 	Bladespire clan 	 	Gruul's Lair
 	Survivor of the Stonemaul Ruins 	Stonemaul clan 	 	Mudsprocket, Dustwallow Marsh
 	Chief advisor to King Gordok 	Gordok 	 	Dire Maul
 	Leader of the Bloodmaul clan 	Bloodmaul clan 	 	Bloodmaul Camp, Blade's Edge Mountains
 	Prominent member of the Stonemaul clan 	Stonemaul clan 	 	Brackenwall Village, Dustwallow Marsh
 	Foreman of the Deadmines 	Defias Brotherhood 	 	Deadmines
 	Advisor to High King Maulgar 	Bladespire clan 	 	Gruul's Lair
 	Advisor to High King Maulgar 	Bladespire clan 	 	Gruul's Lair
 	Used the Mind's Eye to drive Colonel Kurzen insane 	Mosh'Ogg 	 	Mosh'Ogg Ogre Mound, Northern Stranglethorn
 	Last sorcerer king of the Gorian Empire; slain by Cho'gall 	Gorian Empire 	 	Unknown
 	Leader of Ogri'la 	Ogri'la 	 	Circle of Blood, Blade's Edge Mountains
 	Hero of the Warmaul clan, former leader of the Laughing Skull clan	Warmaul clan 	 	Ring of Blood, Nagrand
 	Leader of the Twilight's Hammer attack on Llane's Oath 	Twilight's Hammer 	 	Llane's Oath, Deepholm
 	Gladiator of the Ring of Law 	Unknown 	 	Ring of the Law, Blackrock Depths
 	Advisor to High King Maulgar 	Bladespire clan 	 	Gruul's Lair
 	Leader of Twilight's Hammer forces at the Ruins of Drakgor 	Twilight's Hammer 	 	Ruins of Drakgor, Twilight Highlands
 	Brackenwall emissary at Domination Point 	Stonemaul clan 	 	Domination Point, Krasarang Wilds
 	Captive of the Razorfen Downs quilboar 	Unknown 	 	Murder Pens, Razorfen Downs
 	Stonemaul warlock 	Stonemaul clan 	 	Stonemaul Hold, Feralas
 	Mentor of Skulloc Soulgrinder 	Unknown 	 	Vim'gol's Circle, Blade's Edge Mountains
 	Transformed into a trogg by Urok Doomhowl 	Spirestone clan 	 	Formerly Hordemar, Lower Blackrock Spire
;Alternate universe
Name 	Role 	Affiliation 	Status	Location
 	Sorcerer King of the Gorian Empire 	Gorian Empire, Iron Horde	 	
Throne of the Imperator, Highmaul	 	 	 	
 	Former member of the 	Pale orcs 	 	
Various 	 	 	 	
 	Ogre king of Ashran 	Unknown 	 	Seat of Kor'lok, Ashran
 	First ogre to master the arts of enchanting	Unknown 	 	Unknown
==In the RPG==
===History===
Ogre magi came into existence in the Second War, when the orc warlock Gul'dan carved up the elven runestone at Caer Darrow and used its mystic powers to imbue Ogre enforcers with the ability and intelligence to cast spells. The experiment was a success, with the only noticeable side effect the fact that it turned the ogres' skin blue. A small price to pay for the power they wield — indeed, blue skin is now a sign of cunning, potential and might among ogres.Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 27
Other sources of history state that the ogre magi race was created by the magics of the Altar of Storms and that Cho'gall was the first to be changed, having been a normal ogre before hand.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 149
Following the Second War Ogre magi have become a lot more common. It is speculated that they can breed to produce their own kind (confirmed by Torkus and his many sons), while others think that some ogre magi — or darker forces — have developed a way to create more of them. Whatever the case, though ogre magi don’t appear in the numbers they did in the Second War, they are still a part of Azeroth. Because of their intelligence, and the fact that they often desire to search for arcane knowledge to enhance their spellcasting abilities, ogre magi are more likely to adventure than other ogres. Many remain with their own kind and have become advisors to the chieftains of their tribes or leaders in their own right. Their spells, combined with their physical might, make them self-sufficient. Adventuring ogre magi are uncommon, and meet with stares or violence in civilized towns, but they possess the smarts necessary to talk their way out of many volatile situations. Ogre magi allied with the Stonemaul clan are welcome in any Horde settlement, but the Alliance views all ogres as savages and enemies.Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 28
In many ways, ogre magi are similar to their less intelligent brethren. They belong to the same society. Because of their intellects and magic powers, ogre magi are often in leadership positions in an ogre clan. However, because they focus on developing their spellcasting potential, they are often not as strong physically as other ogres, and ogre chieftains and warlords are usually mighty barbarians or warriors instead of magi. However, such a leader usually has one or more ogre magi advising and assisting him.
Like normal ogres, some ogre magi have two heads. Their heads usually get along with each other. A two-headed ogre mage is not different from a one-headed ogre mage having the same characteristics, including equal intelligence.
Half-ogre mage is the term for the theoretical half-breed offspring between ogre magi and orcs. However, the ogre magi refused to mate with orcs for the purpose of creating mok'nathal. Their existence is rare if unlikely.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 7
===Culture===
Ogre magi are less chaotic than their brethren. Their intellect creates an awareness of power structures and allows them to understand political machinations. Ogre magi respect power; thus they served Gul'dan in the Second War. Most ogre magi are ambitious and seek to secure both political and magic power.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 214 These ogre magi have since become the spiritual leaders of the ogre tribes. They provide spells and magical items to protect the tribes from more established civilizations. Magi are the healers, record-keepers, and advisors to the chieftains.Manual of Monsters, pg. 74 A given tribe will have ogre magi, usually one for every ten individuals. That is a twenty-member tribe will have two ogre magi or one ogre magus. Occasionally a chief will be an ogre magus, but this is rare. They favor the sorcerer class, though healers, shamans, and warlocks are common. A few rare ogre magi become wizards, but the need for writing materials can limit their pursuit of magic.Manual of Monsters, pg. 75
===Language===
Ogre magi speak Common and Low Common. Ogre magi enjoy learning other languages including Goblin, Orcish, Taur-ahe, and Zandali.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 28
===Appearance===
In addition to gaining intelligence, a newly created ogre mage’s skin turns blue.Horde Player's Guide, pg. 214 Those who pursue the path of the warlock develop a blue tinge to their skin, a side-effect of wielding necromantic energies.Manual of Monsters, pg. 74
==Notes==
*The deep purple wings of the Royal Moth are highly sought after by ogre magi believing that they can bring prolonged life when added to potions.Royal Moth
*In Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, the ogre magi were said to have been infused with the magical energies of dead warlocks from the Shadow Council.
**The ogres were also depicted as two-headed, prior to their enhancement by Gul'dan. Later lore, such as Tides of Darkness, depicts that their magical empowerment gave them an extra head.Tides of Darkness, pg. 64 World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor implies that this was true, with future magi showing up with one head. World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 keeps this view.
**The idea that two-headed ogres and ogre magi are the same thing probably comes from the development of WoW, where nearly all "caster" ogres had two heads and melee-focused ogres had one. 
*Warcraft II depicts the ogre magi unit as smart and talking in a sophisticated tone. Most other material follows this as well, but World of Warcraft occasionally depicts ogre magi like Or'Dac and Mogor as unintelligent and speaking in third person.
*Though the name of the subspecies is ogre magi, not all ogre mages are of the mage class with them frequently using all magical classes. One ogre mage, Cho'Rush the Observer uses all the abilities of the mage, priest, and shaman class all at once.
**In the RTS games, the ogre magi units tended to use a mixture of mage, warlock, and shaman spells.
*In the Warcraft RPG, the ogre magi were considered sorcerers. In the World of Warcraft RPG, they were instead classified as mages.World of Warcraft RPG Conversion Document, pg. 2
*Ogre magi are rather common among the generic warlocks encountered in the world.
*The plate over the eye of high-ranking Outland ogre magi may be a reference to the character Stark from Farscape.
==Gallery==
;Warcraft II
File:Ogre-Mage.png|An ogre mage in the Warcraft II manual.
OgreMage.gif|Ogre-Mage portrait.
File:OrcOgre.gif|Sprite, same as regular nonupgraded Ogre unit.
File:BTNOneHeadedOgreMagi.png|One headed Ogre Magi portrait from Warcraft III: Reforged.
File:BTNOgreMagi-Reforged.png|Two headed Ogre Magi portrait from Warcraft III: Reforged.
;Other
File:Fel Covenant TCG.jpg|An ogre mage in the TCG.
File:Rage of the Elements.jpg|Another ogre mage in the TCG.
File:Statue OgreMage Pose.png|Ogre mage in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
==Patch changes==
*
==See also==
*Quotes of Warcraft II: Ogre-Mage
*Half-ogre
*Half-ogre mage
==References==
 
Category:Races
es:Ogro mago