Alonsus Faol

Alonsus Faol was the Archbishop of the Church of the Holy Light during the Second War. He organized the creation of paladins - knights who wielded the Light - to defend the Alliance of Lordaeron. His apprentice Uther became the first paladin and together they founded the Knights of the Silver Hand paladin order. Faol died at some point, and became an undead. During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, he joined the Conclave and helped in the fight against the demons, eventually attaining the title of Archbishop once more.

Biography
Alonsus was short and stout with a snow-white beard, and was occasionally compared to Greatfather Winter. He wore ceremonial robes and wielded a staff. Faol was a loved and generous man, many would enjoy his presence, even those who had just met him.

Tides of Darkness
Alonsus was present with the other leaders of Lordaeron in the Capital City to hear Anduin Lothar. Faol was deeply troubled by the loss of Northshire Abbey and by the terrible attrition its clerics suffered in that conflict. Aided by his apprentice, Uther Lightbringer, whom he first met when he was just a bishop, Faol created the Knights of the Silver Hand and equipped the followers of the Holy Light with the armaments of war. Alonsus Chapel, in Stratholme, was the site where he anointed Uther as the first of the paladins.

He also gave encouragement to Khadgar and Anduin Lothar days before the Second War started. Before introducing him to the paladins, Faol told Lothar that the Church would aid in Stormwind's restoration by raising funds once the crisis had been dealt with.

After the Second War
Following the Second War, Archbishop Alonsus Faol worked ceaselessly to rebuild the Kingdom of Lordaeron and bring aid to the remaining nations of the Alliance. Faol helped to reform the Brotherhood of Northshire and raised vast funds to rebuild Stormwind City. Faol and his protégé Bishop Benedictus also oversaw the construction of the Cathedral of Light. In Year 15, Faol led a ceremony in Stormwind during which Prince Arthas Menethil became a paladin of the Silver Hand. Some time later, he held the position of one of the four jurors during the court of Tirion Fordring in Stratholme. Like the other judges, he was shocked when Tirion admitted his guilt, which led the paladin to his excommunication and his exile. Faol died at some point, when Anduin Wrynn was just a child.

During the Scourging of Lordaeron, Alonsus was raised as a mindless minion of the Undead Scourge though he would later gain free will when the Forsaken, led by Sylvanas Windrunner, freed themselves from the Scourge control. At some point, while escaping from mindless undead, Princess Calia Menethil of Lordaeron was found by Alonsus to his great joy at finding her alive, who she recognized. The former archbishop showed her that not all undead had lost their minds and there were some who still were themselves even after death. This made her understand that the Forsaken and the Scourge were two separate entities, with the former still deserving of dignity and compassion. After becoming his pupil, Calia and Faol went into hiding for some time.

Legion
Faol returned after years of absence hiding in the shadows. He has also been working with Moira Thaurissan in her fight against the Twilight's Hammer.

After directing the priest adventurer of the Conclave to search for various artifacts, Faol joined Moira and Velen in Dalaran. From there, the trio journeyed to Netherlight Temple, an ancient draenei prison for Saraka the Lighteater. There, Alonsus along with the artifact wielder and several other priests were able to cleanse the naaru, bringing it back to its original state. To celebrate, Alonsus changed the prison into the priest order hall and promoted the artifact wielder as the leader of the order.

The first thing on the agenda was spreading the word to gather more priests to the Temple and get rations up and running to the maximum extent against the Legion. Alonsus asked the priest to go see Gilner Greymoss to find out what's troubling the gnome. He thinks it's more spouting nonsense, but Velen told him that they cannot afford to make careless assumptions. Faol requested the priest to go into the Halls of Valor to recover the Spark of Light to recruit a potential ally. Another individual to be soon joining the ranks of the Conclave lies towards an enemy. Upon returning with the new recruit, Alonsus saw it as times such as this that the Conclave cannot afford to turn away those willing to help. Thus, she was welcomed as their new ally.

Then a night elf priest named Delas Moonfang rushed and apologizes for the interruption for she bear important news. She has been working with Aponi Brightmane and the leader of the renewed Silver Hand. Together they translated a codex that details the Legion's plans to establish an invasion point at Felblaze Ingress. Delas wanted to take a small group of priests to accompany the paladins in their search of this demon world known as Niskara. If the dreadlord Balnazzar was there, they would find him. Alonsus told her to return to the temple at once when she had any information the Conclave can act on.

Foal then sent the priest to Micah Belford to recruit another follower of priesthood. After freeing Natalie Seline from the void, she quickly joins the Conclave in hopes of using Light and Shadow magic as priests to defeat the Burning Legion. Alonsus comments that the Forsaken priests will rejoice at Natalie Seline's return, and the Conclave as well, knowing that Velen's prophecy is being fulfilled. An urgent message from Lord Maxwell Tyrosus of the Order of the Silver Hand reveals that both groups have been captured by the Legion. After rescuing the paladins and priests from Niskara, the intel on the planet confirmed that the Legion was going to attack Netherlight Temple. Faol then asked the priest to go beneath Light's Hope Chapel in the Sanctum of Light and speak to the war council there. The Order of the Silver Hand agrees to aid the Conclave and all that remains is preparing for the worst when Balnazzar strikes at Netherlight Temple. Faol wanted as much supplies as he can obtain for the priests to prepare for the battle to come. Eventually the Legion found Netherlight Temple and Alonsus told the priest to inform the paladins to arrive at the temple at once. With the paladins led by the priest adventurer, Velen tells the Conclave that there is a chance of victory or so it seemed. Balnazzar unleashed his true potential power in Netherlight Temple since it was located in the Twisting Nether, which meant he can permanently die. After the long struggle against the Legion at the priest order hall, thanks to the aid of the holy dreadlord Lothraxion alongside the Army of the Light and the paladins of the Silver Hand, Balnazzar was no more. To celebrate this victory, Alonsus announced the title of High Priest given to the adventurer as well as becoming a follower of the priest order hall. He also tells the High Priest that their artifact over the course of the Conclave's campaign was evolving with them.

Legionfall
Faol was one of the order hall champions who met Khadgar and Velen at Krasus' Landing to discuss the Pillars of Creation.

Alonsus had it brought to his attention of a curious contagion that is spreading through a small coastal region within Highmountain. The local tribes have abandoned the area for fear of catching this ailment that currently has no known cure at this time. Aelthalyste traveled there when her companion Roland Abernathy fell ill of the contagion and tells the High Priest to lead them a hand. Eventually, with a cure in hand, he informed the High Priest that the Broken Shore needed its attention for using it on their allies and prevent the contagion from spreading.

Before the Storm
Alonsus Faol graciously welcomed King Anduin Wrynn when Prophet Velen and Moira Thaurissan brought him to the Netherlight Temple to recruit the Conclave in their mission to restore Azeroth from Sargeras' destruction. Alonsus' warm and friendly demeanor changed Anduin's perceptions of the undead and he came to see the Forsaken as just ordinary people in another form. Alonsus also introduced Anduin to his friend Calia Menethil. After the Alliance leaders addressed the Conclave about the plight of Azeroth and recruited them to their efforts, Alonsus commended Anduin for his leadership and as a fellow priest, invited him to take part in Conclave affairs whenever he wished.

Alonsus was doing his part in organizing the healing efforts by traveling to Horde cities and spurring them to support their cause. When King Anduin returned to Netherlight Temple to discuss with Faol and Calia the progress of their mission, Anduin transitioned the conversation to be about his plan to formalize a Gathering between the Forsaken and their human loved ones. Anduin sought to enlist Alonsus' aid in his endeavors. However, Alonsus had doubts of the two races' ability to move past their prejudices or theirs to overcome the obstacles that sought to oppose such a unity. Yet with Calia's urging, Alonsus agreed to work with his fellow priests to lay the groundwork for the event. He later traveled to the Undercity to relay King Anduin's missives to Vellcinda Benton and Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner, which concerned the proposal of the Gathering. When Nathanos Blightcaller reproached Alonsus for fraternizing with the Alliance High King, Faol claimed he was politically neutral as he was not a member of the Horde, but a simple priest of the Light. He remained in the Undercity for a few days to address any questions or concerns about the Gathering. According to Blightcaller, at one point he suggested that Faol pledge fealty to Sylvanas and the Horde, but the archbishop demurred, saying he preferred "'to serve the Light rather than kings or queens.'"

One late evening, King Anduin summoned High Exarch Turalyon and King Genn Greymane to the Cathedral of Light and reunited them with Alonsus Faol, officially dressed as he was in life as an archbishop, in a last-ditch effort to convince them of the righteousness of his cause. Genn was outraged that Anduin would traumatize them by using an abominable version of their old friend in order to make a point. He accused Alonsus of manipulating the king, but Faol retorted to Greymane that his hatred of him stems from fear; fear that if he acknowledges the Forsaken as people, then he would also be acknowledging that his son died for nothing. Though Genn was about to assault Faol in fury, Turalyon stopped him as he would not permit violence in a sacred place. Faol tried to convince Genn his rage and pain was prohibiting him from understanding a truth that could change his perceptions, but Genn wanted to cling to hatred and sorrow as it was what fueled him to fight. Faol sympathized but when he asked if he would still hate the Forsaken if Faol came to him with a Forsaken Liam, Genn was shaken to the core. Unable to face the truth, Genn howled in fury and fled the Cathedral. After Genn left the cathedral in rage, Turalyon told Faol that he blasphemed what was once a good man and had stolen his form, and if there was anything left of his old friend Turalyon would kill him in mercy. But when Faol told Turalyon to look for the Light within him, Turalyon did not strike; when he did indeed find it, with tearful joy he knelt in front of the archbishop who gave him a blessing. Overjoyed Turalyon changed his mind about the Gathering and immediately admitting his views had been wrong, offered his help to Anduin.

Alonsus and his fellow priests attended the Gathering to supervise the event and to provide the participants with their blessings. The Gathering ended in tragedy, however, and his friend Calia was killed on the field by Sylvanas. He took her corpse back to Netherlight Temple and regretted authorizing her participation in the event. Miraculously, Calia's body was not decomposing. With Saa'ra's guidance, Saa'ra, Alonsus, and Anduin raised Calia back to life with the power of the Light, but as an undead.

Elegy
As night elves began to flee Teldrassil for Stormwind after the Horde's invasion of Ashenvale under Sylvanas' command, Anduin mentioned sending someone to the Netherlight Temple and asking the Conclave priests for help caring for the newly arrived kaldorei refugees, saying that he was certain that Faol would be glad to assist them.

Legionfall

 * A Curious Contagion
 * Safekeeping
 * To the Broken Shore (priest)

Death and remembrance
Faol died prior to the Third War, when Anduin Wrynn was just a child. He was buried at Faol's Rest, a graveyard in the now-plagued Tirisfal Glades, located near Scarlet Monastery.

A statue and fountain formerly standing in front of the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City honored all the hard work done by Faol following the Second War, raising funds to help rebuild the city and reestablishing the Brotherhood of Northshire.

In Cataclysm, the monument was replaced by one dedicated to Uther the Lightbringer.

Quotes

 * I knew from the moment we met in the quiet fields of Tirisfal that you would be the one to unite the priests. I'd like to take credit for finding our leader, but I really think the truth of it is, you found us. Our time together has only just begun,.


 * Greetings
 * I will hide in shadows no longer.
 * How may I help you?
 * We will accomplish much together.


 * Pissed
 * I wonder what would happen if you split someone into pure light and pure void. Interested in volunteering?
 * Bored? I could arrange discourse with a shadow fiend.
 * You do know there's an invasion going on, right?


 * Farewell
 * Until next time.
 * Let us get to work.
 * May light and shadow guide you.


 * Combat ally
 * say
 * say
 * say


 * A Legend You Can Hold flavor text
 * I've heard that this Blade dates back to antiquity, even before the titans! An excellent choice, unless you are reconsidering.
 * The Beacon is strongly linked to the naaru, having their aid could be exactly what we need to turn the tide! Are you sure?
 * This staff has great power that can be used for good, if you have the will to control it. It could also immolate you. Are you sure?

Retcons

 * According to older accounts, the aged Faol was the Abbot of Northshire Abbey and fled with the surviving citizens of Stormwind to Lordaeron. Later sources changes his story to already being in Lordaeron during the First War, and only learned about the destruction of Northshire Abbey when he spoke with Lord Lothar in Lordaeron's Capital City.
 * In Day of the Dragon, set in Year 10, a person exclaims "By the spirit of Alonsus Faol!", and people speak about his "legacy" of the creation of the Silver Hand, implying that he was already dead at the time. This was retconned by Arthas: Rise of the Lich King and Of Blood and Honor, both taking place after Year 10, where he is still alive.

Notes and trivia

 * Alonsus Chapel is named after him.
 * It was previously said that he freed himself from the Scourge and became a Forsaken.
 * Alonsus Faol's Copper Coin can be fished from the Dalaran fountain.
 * Faol's Signet of Cleansing belonged to him.
 * Faol is voiced by Gideon Emery.
 * Although Before the Storm calls Faol a Forsaken, it also reiterates that he is not a member of the Horde. This is not the first time that the term Forsaken has been used for non-Horde undead.
 * He was quite fond of his beard, although as an undead, it seems he accepted that he can't grow another one.
 * The story of Alonsus Faol and Calia Menethil might have been inspired by the one of Trevor from the non-canon RPG.
 * The non-canon RPG book Shadows & Light called him "Farol", likely a typo.
 * Alonsus Faol has a server named after him.

Speculation
An aged Archbishop led the ceremony where Taelan Fordring became a paladin. It could have been Faol.