Knights of the Ebon Blade

The Knights of the Ebon Blade are an organization of renegade death knights. Freed from the grasp of the Lich King during the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, they regrouped under the banner of Highlord Darion Mograine, took control of Acherus: The Ebon Hold as their headquarters, and cooperated with the Argent Crusade to defeat Arthas Menethil during the Scourgewar. They fight as hard for the safety of Azeroth as anyone living.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 44
After getting their vengeance, the death knights found themselves without a cause and without a home. One by one they trickled into the land of the living in search of a new purpose.Classes of World of Warcraft They dedicated themselves to the protection of Azeroth, and some of their members rejoined the ranks of the Alliance and Horde, of which they were members before their death against the Scourge.
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the death knights and the Lich King Bolvar Fordragon come to an agreement: they will help him get revenge on the Legion, and in return, he will keep the Scourge contained and help them with powerful weapons. The Ebon Blade later fought alongside the other orders, and moved their order hall above the Broken Isles.
At the end of the Fourth War, the Ebon Blade expanded its rank with the heroes who died honorably on the battlefields. After he was defeated by Sylvanas Windrunner who destroyed the Helm of Domination, piercing the veil between Azeroth and the Realm of the Dead, Highlord Bolvar Fordragon took the lead of the Ebon Blade. While they assisted the Alliance, the Horde, and the Argent Crusade during the resurgence of the Scourge, the Knights of the Ebon Blade followed their Highlord in the Shadowlands to stop Zovaal the Jailer.
Since the fall of the Banished One, the death knights returned to Azeroth, focusing their efforts on safeguarding Icecrown Citadel and preventing the Scourge from spreading across Azeroth.
==History==
===Wrath of the Lich King===
The Knights of the Ebon Blade were originally an army of Scourge death knights trained in the halls of Acherus and were under the direct command of the Lich King. They were supposedly trained for the specific purpose of destroying both the Scarlet Crusade and the Argent Dawn, the last bastions of Light in the Plaguelands.
They managed to destroy Havenshire, New Avalon, and the Scarlet Crusade presence in the Scarlet landsAn End To All Things... before turning on Light's Hope Chapel.
====Battle for Light's Hope Chapel====
During the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, Highlord Darion Mograine, wielding the Corrupted Ashbringer, leads Orbaz Bloodbane, Koltira Deathweaver, Thassarian and a force of 10,000 Scourge against 300 Defenders of the Light and the Argent Dawn leadership located at Light's Hope.
The Scourge forces pound hard and take out an entire third of the Argent Dawn defense, but Mograine starts having problems attacking further defenders with the arrival of Tirion Fordring. The paladin emerged to defend Light's Hope Chapel, and along with the paladins of the Order of the Silver Hand and the Argent Dawn, he unleashed his holy fury against the invading armies of undead. Fordring's Light-given powers overpower and defeat Mograine, as well as immediately kill the Scourge forces in the immediate area, causing Orbaz Bloodbane to flee. The Light overwhelmed the might of the Scourge, and the death knights knew defeat. Darion orders the remaining death knight forces to stand down while Fordring berates him for his foolishness and tells him that Arthas sent him and his death knights on a suicide mission.
As they await the paladin's judgment, they witness a vision of Mograine's father, Alexandros, the legendary Ashbringer himself. He told his son that he would one day wield the Ashbringer and use it to mete out justice, but "that day is not today".
The Lich King himself arrives not long afterwards and confirmed that the attack on Light's Hope Chapel was merely a ploy to strike at Tirion. Realizing the depths of his betrayal, Darion was enraged that he had been used as fodder, and he lashed out at his master with his wrath. However, the Lich King easily cast him aside, and incapacitated Darion and the other death knights. He then focuses his attention on Fordring, incapacitating him with a crippling spell and knocking back the Argent soldiers who charged in. Remembering the words spoken by his father, Mograine throws the corrupted Ashbringer to Fordring, whose powers of the Light succeed in purifying it. With the purified blade in hand, Fordring charges into the Lich King and throws him back. Aware that even he stands little chance against the Ashbringer near the Chapel, the Lich King retreats, promising that the next time he meets Fordring, it will not be on holy ground.
After Arthas' departure, Fordring calls for the union of the Argent Dawn and the Order of the Silver Hand into the Argent Crusade, intended to bring the war to Icecrown itself. Mograine pledges himself and his knights to the same cause, naming his new order the Knights of the Ebon Blade. With their free will restored, Mograine and his death knights return to Acherus and capture it, destroying the Scourge remnants within. With their new base secured, Mograine then sends his knights to rejoin their people, sending them to throw themselves at the mercy of either King Varian Wrynn in Stormwind (if their race belonged to the Alliance) or Warchief Thrall in Orgrimmar (if they belonged to the Horde).
The surviving death knights that remained loyal to the Scourge formed the Host of Suffering with Orbaz Bloodbane, who fled when the Scourge was defeated at Light's Hope, as their leader.
====Northrend invasion====
When the War against the Lich King began, the Ebon Blade launched the invasion of Northrend alongside the Alliance, the Horde, and the Argent Crusade. Following the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate, only the Ebon Blade and the Argent Crusade had remained fully dedicated to the war against the Scourge. The two neutral factions had rallied their forces and readied themselves to unleash a new offensive against the Lich King and his servants across the continent.
The disastrous Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate broke a tenuous trust that had only just begun to form between the Alliance and the Horde, and nearly ended the war against the Lich King before it had truly been joined. It was then the Ebon Blade and the Argent Crusade that took over the push for the Lich King's head, and kept both factions from forgetting entirely who the true enemy was.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 145
Working in tandem, the death knights and paladins focused their attention on Zul'Drak, entrenching themselves in the region. In the region, they established Ebon Watch as a small outpost and from there conducted their own operations—and some in cooperation with the Argent Crusade.
In Icecrown, after the Shadow Vault fell under the control of the Knights of the Ebon Blade led by Duke Lankral, the destruction of the vrykul village Jotunheim was one of the projects of Ebon Blade.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 132 At first, the Ebon Blade sent adventurers to fight the vrykul at the Savage Ledge,Honor Challenge and then to kill Thane Ufrang the Mighty.Shadow Vault Decree (quest) After this, the adventurers were sent there to free their captive death knights,Ebon Blade Prisoners to weaken the vrykul resolve by burning their banners,Vandalizing Jotunheim to help the Bone Witch wreaking havoc from within,The Bone Witch (quest) to burn down their buildings,Vile Like Fire! to plant their banners in the bodies of their fallen warriors,Leave Our Mark and also to slay their proto-dragons.Shoot 'Em Up
As the sole way for any kind of force to invade Icecrown Citadel would be to breach Mord'rethar: The Death Gate, Aldur'thar: The Desolation Gate and Corp'rethar: The Horror Gate, each made almost entirely of saronite, near indestructible, and manned by massive Scourge constructs, the efforts of the death knights Thassarian and Koltira Deathweaver working with the Alliance and the Horde was what allowed them to pass these defenses.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 140
====Icecrown Citadel====
As armies began to prepare for the assault on Icecrown Citadel, the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade launched preliminary attacks on its defenses. In the lead-up to the final battle, the Argent Crusade forged a new alliance with the Knights of the Ebon Blade, one which would lead the assault on the Icecrown Citadel's defenses, the Ashen Verdict was born; united, they gathered in the mighty fortress's shadow to begin the assault. Having swept aside opposition and seized the Citadel's entrance, the gates were battered down and the Ashen Verdict secured a foothold just inside the entrance, from which they would push deeper into the complex.
===Cataclysm===
Although the members of the Argent Crusade still stand by the Forsaken heroes who joined them in the battle against the Scourge, Sylvanas Windrunner's actions since the slaying of Arthas Menethil had deeply concerned the crusaders. They, along with certain members of the Ebon Blade, decided to watch Sylvanas and the Forsaken very closely, as similarities between her and the Lich King kept increasing in number by the day.Ask CDev#Ask CDev Answers - Round 2
===Warlords of Draenor===
The death knights of the Ebon Blade offered their aid to the commander of the Alliance or Horde's forces and joined their garrison. Having an exalted status with the Ebon Blade even offered the commander the possibility to have death knights defend their base.
Among them, Human Death Knights were notably taken out by the followers sent from the Frostwall garrison of the Horde, while Orc Death Knights were taken out by the followers sent from the Lunarfall garrison of the Alliance.
Taking the chance to discover the secrets of , Darion Mograine had traveled to alternate Draenor and could be found in the Lunarfall Inn (Alliance) and the Frostwall Tavern (Horde). Though the Lich King had been defeated, Darion claimed that they were no closer to unlocking the secrets of the Frozen Throne than they were when jousting pointlessly at the Argent Tournament. Bolvar remained resigned to his fate. Darion believed that perhaps there was something there that could aid their cause. Ner'zhul was not always the Lich King, he explained. Once, he was a mere orc dabbling in dark powers beyond his comprehension. He asked the commanders of the Alliance and Horde's forces to find whatever they could of Ner'zhul's early studies, and they returned with a Dark Parchment from the Shadowmoon Burial Grounds, which Darion brought back to the Ebon Hold.Shadowy Secrets
A death knight adventurer also appeared in the Spires of Arak.
===Legion===
Following the return of the Burning Legion, the Knights of the Ebon Blade come to an agreement with the new Lich King, Bolvar Fordragon: The Ebon Blade will willingly act as the Lich King's agents against the Legion, if the Scourge remains contained to Northrend. The Lich King offers powerful weapons to champions of the Ebon Blade, directing students of to the world of Niskara to defeat and take the Maw of the Damned, and sending the students of to the catacombs beneath Karazhan to obtain Apocalypse from the Dark Riders. For those trained by , the Lich King summons them directly to Icecrown Citadel, where they gather the broken shards of Frostmourne to forge into a pair of new weapons, the Blades of the Fallen Prince. Once these three weapons are obtained, the death knights wielding them are brought to the Frozen Throne and granted the Lich King's blessing, empowered to act in his name against the Legion.
The Knights of the Ebon Blade set out to reform the Four Horsemen, adding new powerful champions into their ranks.
At one point, the champions of the Ebon Blade entered the Monastery in order to retrieve the saddle of Thomas Thomson's steed, killing Faralis the Fanatic in the process.Fallen Steeds: Saddle of the Headless Horseman
Later they assaulted the Scarlet Monastery, now led by High Commander Goodchilde, in their quest to resurrect Sally Whitemane as a member of their new Four Horsemen.The Zealot Rises Thassarian declared they would not leave until every last crusader had been killed and every banner burned.The Scarlet Massacre
The Knights of the Ebon Blade aided in the war against the Burning Legion by sending out packs of ghouls to fight against the demons,Recruiting the Troops (death knight) as well as creating new death knights from the casualties of the Alliance and the Horde.Knights of the Ebon Blade (quest)
Thassarian also asked death knight champions to aid him in rescuing Koltira Deathweaver from his imprisonment in the Undercity.A Personal Request Koltira is successfully rescued after the two death knights fight through the guards.
===Battle for Azeroth===
Under Bolvar's command, the Four Horsemen acquired fallen champions of both the Horde and Alliance through the battlefields and graveyards of Azeroth.We Ride Forth
Thus the Knights of the Ebon Blade welcomed a new generation of death knights into their fold, being raised by the Lich King in preparation for times ahead.Death's Power Grows They were then sent by Darion Mograine to travel to Orgrimmar or Stormwind. Defender of Azeroth
Following the Fourth War, Mathias Shaw's reports mentioned that the Scarlet Crusade was effectively totally wiped out by the Ebon Blade.World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 109
===Shadowlands===
After Sylvanas Windrunner destroyed the Helm of Domination, Bolvar was no longer the Lich King. Several undead in Acherus attacked the Four Horsemen, but they made a short work of them and secured the Ebon Hold. As the rift between the Shadowlands and Azeroth was opened, Bolvar took the direct leadership of the organization as their new Highlord. Following the return of the Scourge, the Ebon Blade stepped forward to help the Alliance and Horde combat the threat.Return of the Crusade Sally Whitemane and Nazgrim became the Ebon Blade's emissary to the factions, while members of both factions were called to Icecrown Citadel to work against Sylvanas and the Jailer within the Shadowlands.Shadowlands: A Chilling Summons
Aboard Acherus, they and Lord Darion Mograine went atop the Citadel where the rest of the Knights of the Ebon Blade and Bolvar were waiting alongside the leaders of the Alliance and the Horde. After explaining how dire the situation was, the Highlord directed the adventurers to use the shattered fragments of the Helm of Domination to conjure a portal to enter the Maw with the troops of the Ebon Blade.Through the Shattered Sky
However, the chaotic energies of this place have scattered the death knights, and their forces were already depleted after only mere moments there.A Fractured Blade They had to face the Mawsworn forces,Mawsworn MenaceRuiner's End losing a large number of their troops during their advance,A Monument to Vengeance enough for Jaina Proudmoore to be shocked at the few death knights remaining.Fear to Tread
Having no choice but to continue to advance before enemy reinforcements arrive, Darion led the Ebon Blade's charge alongside an adventurer to save the captured leaders of the Horde and Alliance. When they finally arrived at the exit, the Jailer's forces attacked them and only the adventurer made it out, with the others including Darion captured.Stand as One
Later, Bolvar managed to travel to Oribos, alongside other Ebon Blade death knights, where they united with the denizens of the city to defend the Shadowlands.The Maw (quest) In time Darion was rescued,The Brand Holds the Key and joined his fellow death knights within Oribos. In order for new allies from Azeroth to come in the Shadowlands, acolytes of the Ebon Blade were ordered to establish portals to access Oribos from the Wizard's Sanctum in Stormwind City and the Pathfinder's Den in Orgrimmar.A Doorway Through the Veil
As the covenants rallied together to defend Ardenweald from Sylvanas and the Mawsworn, the Knights of the Ebon Blade remained behind in Orbis to defend the city.The Battle of ArdenwealdReport to Oribos
Following the departure of Zovaal to an unknown destination at the Sanctum of Domination, Bolvar ordered the death knights to take the unconscious Sylvanas Windrunner prisoner within Oribos in the hopes that they could interrogate her about the Jailer's plan.Sanctum of Domination ending cinematic and post-cinematic dialogue Sylvanas was eventually released from their custody, after Uther was able to aid her, and she decided to join the fight against the Jailer.News from Oribos
Several members of the Ebon Blade accompanied Bolvar and the other heroes into Zereth Mortis and the Sepulcher of the First Ones. Following the death of Zovaal, Darion declared that the Ebon Blade no longer needed to maintain a presence within Oribos and would soon make their exodus from the city and return to Azeroth. However, the death knights' vigil was far from over, as without the Helm of Domination to control them, the Scourge threatened to spread across the world like the plague that created them. Thus, the Ebon Blade's mission was to return to Northrend and keep the Scourge in check, while safeguarding Icecrown Citadel.Penance and Renewal
After the san'layn Vorath was killed and his Scourge attack on Quel'Thalas thwarted, Lor'themar promised to inform the Ebon Blade of these events. He also feared that things were far worse in Northrend.Victory for the Sin'dorei
===Exploring Azeroth===
Following the war against the Jailer, the brothers Bronzebeard reported that Ebon Watch in Zul'Drak remained out of an abundance of caution for years, and that caution turned out to be rather prescient, as they face the unleashed Scourge in the region. According to Muradin Bronzebeard, the Ebon Blade knights led by Duke Lankral still control the Shadow Vault in Icecrown, but now that the Scourge is no longer under Bolvar Fordragon's control, it is only a matter of time before a counterattack, since it's such a plum location.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 133
==Members==
===Notable===
Name 	Role 	Status	Locations
 	Former Lich King, now Highlord of the Ebon blade 	 	Various
The Deathlord	Champion and leader of the Ebon Blade 	 	Azeroth
 	Former master of the Ebon Blade, now member and leader of the Four Horsemen 	 	Various
 	Former General of the Horde, now member of the Four Horsemen 	 	Various
 	Former King of Stromgarde, now member of the Four Horsemen 	 	Various
 	Former High Inquisitor of the Scarlet Crusade, now member of the Four Horsemen	 	Various
 	First death knight to rejoin the Alliance 	 	Various
 	Notable Death knight of the Horde 	 	Various
 	Second-in-command of Acherus 	 	Various
 	Creator of the Four Horsemen's steeds and leader of the Dark Riders of Acherus	 	Various
 	Commander of the Ebon Blade 	 	Death's Rise and Onslaught Harbor, Icecrown
 	Commander of the Ebon Blade 	 	Shadow Vault, Icecrown
 	Blood trainer 	 	Various
 	Frost trainer 	 	Various
 	Unholy trainer 	 	Various
 	Grand Champion of the Ebon Blade 	 	Argent Tournament Grounds, Icecrown Citadel
 	Armor Vendor 	 	Various
 	Quartermaster 	 	Acherus: The Ebon Hold
 	Quartermaster 	 	Shadow Vault, Icecrown
 	Recruiting Officer 	 	Frostwall, Frostfire Ridge
 	Recruiting Officer 	 	Lunarfall,
 	Death knight who attempted to turn the dragon Vadekius into a frost wyrm 	 	Vadekius's Rest, Drustvar
 	Death knight who died soon after the adventurer finds her in the Maw 	 	The Maw
===Troops===
They deploy pack of ghouls, zombies, geists, skeletons, gargoyles, wights, banshees, abominations, Ebon Knights, Ebon Ravagers, and Ebon Knights Frostreavers.
*Though individually frail and unintelligent, ghouls serve the Ebon Blade as fodder, overwhelming their enemies with sheer numbers.
*Raised from the grave by the Lich King, Ebon Knights are made for one purpose: Kill or be killed.
*Hardened veterans, Ebon Ravagers have survived many wars, slain many enemies, and are the epitome of the Ebon Blades's fiercest soldiers.
*On the frozen wings of their steeds, they fall upon their victims with fury and vengeance. Those who face the Frostreavers quickly learn to fear the sky above them.Class Hall followers
==Reputation==
All players, with the exception of death knights, start out at with the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Upon the completion of The Light of Dawn (quest), death knights are raised to reputation.
Reputation with Knights of the Ebon Blade can be earned by completing the following daily quests:
*At the Shadow Vault:
** Leave Our Mark (250 reputation)
** Vile Like Fire! (250 reputation)
** Shoot 'Em Up (250 reputation)
*At Death's Rise:
** From Their Corpses, Rise! (250 reputation)
** Intelligence Gathering (250 reputation)
** No Fly Zone (quest) (250 reputation)
Additionally, as with some other factions, reputation can be gained through Championing via the , or by trading 1 Emblem of Triumph for 1 Ebon Blade Commendation Badge at the Emblem of Triumph Quartermaster in Dalaran.
===Rewards===
These rewards can only be purchased after completing the It's All Fun and Games (Alliance) | It's All Fun and Games (Horde) questline in Icecrown. The questline is available starting at level 77 from on the The Skybreaker, on the Orgrim's Hammer, or from at the Shadow Vault.
Rewards are bought from at the Shadow Vault.
===Quests===
The following quests award reputation to the Knights of the Ebon Blade:
====Icecrown====
=====Shadow Vault=====
9442 Reputation
# It's All Fun and Games (Alliance) / It's All Fun and Games (Horde) (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# I Have an Idea, But First... (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Free Your Mind (+350 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# If He Cannot Be Turned (Alliance) / If He Cannot Be Turned (Horde)
# The Shadow Vault (Alliance) / The Shadow Vault (Horde) (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# The Duke (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Honor Challenge (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Shadow Vault Decree (quest) (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Get the Key (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Let the Baron Know (+25 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#* Crush Dem Vrykuls! (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#** Vile Like Fire! (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#* Vaelen Has Returned (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#** Ebon Blade Prisoners (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#* Leave Our Mark (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#* Vandalizing Jotunheim (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#* Shoot 'Em Up (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Parting Gifts (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#
#*From Whence They Came (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*An Undead's Best Friend (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Honor is for the Weak (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#
#*Seeds of Chaos (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Amidst the Confusion (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# Vereth the Cunning (quest) (+75 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# New Recruit (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# The Vile Hold (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#
#*Generosity Abounds (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Matchmaker (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Stunning View (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#
#*The Rider of the Unholy (+350 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*The Rider of Frost (+350 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*The Rider of Blood (+350 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#The Fate of Bloodbane (+500 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
====Zul'Drak====
=====Light's Breach=====
#In Search Of Answers
#Orders From Drakuru (quest)
#The Ebon Watch (+25 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#Kickin' Nass and Takin' Manes
=====Ebon Watch=====
#An Invitation, of Sorts... or Darkness Calling (+150 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#Near Miss or Close Call (+75 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#You Can Run, But You Can't Hide or Silver Lining (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#Dressing Down or Suit Up! (+150 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Feedin' Da Goolz
#Infiltrating Voltarus (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Dark Horizon or Reunited
#So Far, So Bad (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*It Rolls Downhill
#Hazardous Materials (quest) (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
#*Zero Tolerance
#Sabotage (+250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
##Fuel for the Fire (quest)
##Disclosure
#Betrayal (+500 Knights of the Ebon Blade) 
=====Death's Rise=====
3211 Reputation
# To the Rise with all Due Haste! (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# The Story Thus Far... (+10 Knights of the Ebon Blade)Optional daily side quests:
#* Intelligence Gathering +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
#* From Their Corpses, Rise! +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
# Blood in the Water (quest) +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
# You'll Need a Gryphon +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
# No Fly Zone (quest) +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
Started from a drop:
# The Grand (Admiral's) Plan +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade)
# In Strict Confidence +250 Knights of the Ebon Blade
# Second Chances +350 Knights of the Ebon Blade
# The Admiral Revealed +350 Knights of the Ebon Blade
==Notes and trivia==
*The title of the short story Silver Hand, Ebon Blade by Raphael Ahad, that won the 2010 Blizzard Global Writing Contest, is a direct reference to the Knights of the Silver Hand and the Knights of the Ebon Blade.
==Patch changes==
*
==References==
==External links==
 
Category:Death knight organizations
Category:Undead organizations
Category:Acherus: The Ebon Hold
Category:Class Orders
es:Caballeros de la Espada de Ébano
fr:Chevaliers de la lame d'Ebène