Domination



Domination (variously written in upper or lower case)   is a brand of powerful runic Death magic that allows the wielder to control and reshape souls. It is woven into the very fabric of the Maw and the tower of Torghast and is closely associated with the realm's prisoner/ruler, the Jailer. Domination was originally the power used to seal the Jailer away in the Maw, but over his eons of imprisonment, he has found a way to weaponize the magic and turn it against his enemies. The hallmark of Domination magic is its distinctive runes. Runeblades infused with Domination are known as mourneblades. It is separate from the magic of memory.

Domination magic was never seen on Azeroth before the arrival of the Lich King.

Uses

 * The Helm of Domination and the mourneblade Frostmourne, collectively referred to by the Jailer as "the vessels of Domination", were forged by the Runecarver against his will. The Jailer intended to use them to establish his influence on Azeroth and claim "the final prize", a secret that the First Ones sought to hide, but the Lich Kings who wore the Helm—Ner'zhul, Arthas Menethil, and Bolvar Fordragon—defied his will.  Frostmourne was shattered by the Ashbringer during the duel between Arthas and Tirion Fordring atop Icecrown Citadel, and its shards were later remade into the Blades of the Fallen Prince. Years later, the Helm of Domination was destroyed by Sylvanas Windrunner, an act which tore open a rift in the Veil separating the Shadowlands from the world of the living. Even after being broken by Sylvanas, however, the shards of the Helm still hold the magic of Domination and incredible power over the dead. Bolvar repeatedly used the broken Helm to gaze into Torghast, but the Jailer was able to sense this and peer back before eventually using the connection to strike at Bolvar in Oribos.
 * The Runecarver is able to create pieces of Domination armor for Maw Walkers by engraving runes on "rune vessels" (special armor pieces) using Soul Ash—the remnants of souls lost within Torghast.  The entrance to the Runecarver's Oubliette is sealed with a Domination Lock.
 * Runeforged shackles carved with Domination runes are used by the Mawsworn forces in Ruin's Cradle to subdue their most powerful prisoners.
 * A Domination Blade delivered by the brokers of Cartel Ba was intended to be used by Kel'Thuzad as part of a ritual to breach the Maw, a plan that was sabotaged by Balmedar and Necrolord Maw Walkers.
 * The Helm of the Dominated, which is described as "seeping with the Jailer's dominating energies", allows the user to disguise themselves as a Mawsworn.
 * Anduin Wrynn, after being captured by the Jailer, was equipped with armor covered in Domination runes that suppressed him to the Jailer's will, and his sword Shalamayne was turned into the mourneblade Kingsmourne.
 * The Forge of Domination can soulforge souls and stygia into servile constructs like shadehounds with a Soulforger's Tools and the proper rune binding.
 * Domination's Calling is created through Dominion Etching: Grief, Dominion Etching: Loss, and Dominion Etching: Pain.
 * Can be used to control fate.

Speculation

 * The Soulcage, an artifact of the Jailer's ally Helya which "held the power to compel the soul of any being", may have been an instrument of Domination.
 * A Wither Blade used to wound Baine's soul by a Mawsworn Sorcerer is similar to the magic used by the Shadowmoon clan according to Thrall, but this dagger is not stated to also have runes of domination.
 * Frostmourne can create Val'kyr from vrykul women, as seen with Svala Sorrowgrave, and Odyn could create Valkyra through a combination of runes and imbuing a vrykul woman with "storm" and "Light", as seen with Hyrja, and kyrian ascend and gain their wings through the Crest of Ascension, which has always required a Vessel of Ardenweald (containing the power of the Grove of Awakening). How this all ties together (retroactively) is unclear, but it could imply the Archon, being the Firstborne of the winged kyrian, could have been created through Domination.
 * Similarly, it has been stated Domination was used to seal away the Jailer, but it has also been stated that the Eternal Ones drew upon the magic of the Heart of the Forest to keep the Maw inescapable. This would imply that the Heart of the Forest is also tied to Domination.
 * The Medallion of Dominion is able to alter the very fabric of the Shadowlands with sufficient power, as well as forcibly subjugate venthyr to the control of the bearer; it thus may be related to Domination.