Xavius


 * "You killed me and condemned me to a worse fate! I had failed the exalted one, the great Sargeras...and as was his right as a god, he punished me most severely. I had no mouth, yet I screamed. I had no body, yet I felt pain beyond comparison. I did not blame my lord and master, however, for he only did what had to be done. No, even throughout my ordeal, I kept in my mind one thing; I remember over and over who it was that had led me to such terror."

Lord Xavius was one of the Highborne's most powerful sorcerers and the high councilor to Queen Azshara during the time of the War of the Ancients. Since Azshara concealed her magical prowess, Xavius was considered the most powerful Highborne to whom the rest measured their skills. He was later transformed into the first satyr by Sargeras, before ultimately being transformed into the dreaded Nightmare Lord.

He makes his first appearance in World of Warcraft as an antagonist in World of Warcraft: Legion, where he once again helps the Burning Legion—while remaining first and foremost a loyal servant of the Old Gods. Xavius serves as the main antagonist of the Val'sharah storyline, corrupting the Shaladrassil and battling his old nemesis, Malfurion, and his allies. He also serves as the final boss of the Emerald Nightmare raid, where Nightmare Lord ultimately meets his end for the time being.

High councilor to Queen Azshara
Xavius may be the night elf most responsible for the Burning Legion's interest in Azeroth. It was Xavius who first became convinced that Sargeras, ruler of the Burning Legion, was a god sent to deliver Azeroth. Xavius, being the High Councilor of the night elves, also convinced the night elven queen Azshara of the necessity of turning the will of her mages, the so-called "Highborne", towards creating a portal into the Twisting Nether through which Sargeras and the Legion could enter into the world. Xavius was successful enough in his endeavors to welcome several ranking members of the Legion into Azeroth, including several felguard, Hakkar the Houndmaster, and Mannoroth. As suggested by Azshara, Xavius executed a plot to block any non-Highborne magic user from accessing the Well of Eternity. This allowed the Highborne to channel the extra energy gained into making the portal to the Twisting Nether strong enough for Sargeras to cross through. Xavius' plot was defeated by the intervention of the young druid Malfurion Stormrage, who after entering the Emerald Dream, destroyed the spell array holding the block and the portal; in the battle that ensued Malfurion destroyed Xavius completely and caused his tower to explode as well.

Reborn as a satyr
Xavius' master, Sargeras, was unhappy with Xavius, and he faced punishment for his failures. Sargeras tortured Xavius' disembodied spirit for a time, but eventually he showed a form of mercy. He decided that Xavius could be of further use after all. He returned Xavius to life, but not as he once was. To mark the traits Sargeras valued in him, and to brand him forever as an ally and servant of the Legion, Sargeras transformed and disfigured Xavius' body.

As the first of these beings ever to inhabit Azeroth, Xavius is considered the progenitor of the entire satyr race. As such, variations of his name are found frequently in satyr settlements (i.e. Xavian in Ashenvale). As a satyr, Xavius retained some resemblance to his former self along with the typical characteristics of all satyrs. Xavius was unique, however, in that he retained the black and ruby eyes he had possessed as a night elf.

Xavius had a two-pronged mission when he returned. First, he was to begin converting as many Highborne as possible into satyrs (the first was a personal friend of Xavius, a dedicated Highborne named Peroth'arn), a task he accomplished with zeal by promising the unfortunate elves power and a place at the right hand of Sargeras. The second objective Xavius was to complete upon his return was to bring back to Sargeras the one who had destroyed the portal, Malfurion Stormrage. This proved to be far more difficult than he had expected, and in a confrontation during one of the most intense battles of the War of the Ancients, Malfurion, with help from a young night elf named Shandris Feathermoon, was able to completely defeat Xavius. Using an arrow shot by Shandris, Malfurion was able to kill Xavius by growing a tree which absorbed his energy and body, and which was subsequently sent to the bottom of the sea in the Great Sundering. This was the second time Xavius died at the hands of Malfurion. The victory came at a great cost, however, as during this confrontation Malfurion's love Tyrande Whisperwind (High Priestess of Elune) was captured by Xavius' remaining satyrs. In a furious rage, Malfurion almost drowned the entire night elven army in a storm caused by his own sadness over the loss of Tyrande. Luckily, Krasus intervened and stopped Malfurion.

The Nightmare Lord
The tree containing the remains of Xavius' soul survived the Sundering through unrevealed means. Given his later state and presumed allegiance to the Old Gods, it is likely they intervened, much the same way they did for Queen Azshara. Many years later, the tree was located on the coast of Azshara near the Coral Sea, though Xavius had been transformed into a tree near Suramar and should have been consumed by the sea in the Great Sundering. The tree may have survived from being on the Broken Isles, a region around Suramar which was not destroyed by the Sundering, though it is not known how he reached Azshara.

Ten thousand years after his transformation, Xavius orchestrated the corruption of the Emerald Dream, turning parts of it into the Emerald Nightmare, and becoming the Nightmare Lord. This was instigated by the Old God N'Zoth. Xavius started by manipulating Fandral Staghelm, his puppet, into planting a branch of Xavius' own tree into the fledgling Teldrassil, ensuring that the new world tree would be corrupted from the start. By grafting Xavius' fel-tainted branch into Teldrassil, Xavius and the evil behind his transformation into the Nightmare Lord were given a tie to both Azeroth and the Emerald Dream Xavius acquired the power to be present both as a physical tree in Azeroth, as well as a corrupted tree in the Emerald Dream. The Nightmare Lord, as seen in the Emerald Dream, is described as being a massive, gnarled tree, greatly obscured by the dark fog of the Nightmare.

While Malfurion was investigating reports of disturbing sights in the Emerald Dream, Xavius was able to capture his dream-form. In such state, Malfurion was unable to wake, and nobody from the waking world knew what had happened to him. With the help of Fandral Staghelm, who was keeping Malfurion's body weak, Xavius kept Malfurion as his prisoner for several years. He delighted in torturing Malfurion in various ways, both psychologically (such as showing him Tyrande, as the lover of Illidan, being turned into a demon) and physically (by slowly turning him into a tree).

Xavius continued expanding the corruption of the Nightmare inside the Emerald Dream, capturing and corrupting more and more creatures. His plans culminated in a daring attempt to bind Azeroth and the Emerald Dream into one plane, seizing control of Azeroth's residents while they slept and giving shape to their nightmares. Malfurion Stormrage sensed, however, that while Xavius was strong, he was merely the servant of something even more powerful. Xavius nearly succeeded, but ultimately was killed by Malfurion who was assisted by Tyrande Whisperwind, Broll Bearmantle, Thura, Lucan Foxblood, Ysera, Eranikus and a host of others. With Xavius' defeat, what was left of the Nightmare receded into the Rift of Aln, where Xavius' master fought to keep its grip. Xavius' spirit was also sealed inside the Rift of Aln.

Cataclysm
Although Malfurion had removed the piece of Xavius that had infected Teldrassil, life on the world tree remained corrupt. Inhabitants of Teldrassil such as grell and furbolgs were tainted by Fel Moss that had been spread by the Bough of Corruption, the last remnant of Xavius on Teldrassil. The Bough of Corruption was defeated by night elf adventurers who were empowered by blessed waters from moonwells.

Legion
''Xavius once terrorized Azeroth with an affliction that almost obliterated the walls between reality and dream. His machinations ended in defeat, but he has been given another chance at vengeance. Now, Xavius leads the conquest of Val'sharah, where the tainted World Tree Shaladrassil spreads the Emerald Nightmare's corruption. With an army of vile satyrs at his command, Xavius will stop at nothing to vanquish all who oppose the Burning Legion. ''

Despite using the Emerald Nightmare to aid the Burning Legion, Xavius' true loyalties remain with the Old Gods. On Azeroth, Xavius manifests as a satyr, but within the Nightmare he can take on any shape he wishes.

Xavius makes his first appearance within the Emerald Dream's counterpart of Ursoc's Den at Grizzly Hills. The Nightmare has overtaken much of the region, and Xavius' satyr armies are attacking the bear Ancient Ursoc, allegedly to obtain his Claws of Ursoc. The attack, however, was a trap. While Ursoc boasts that Xavius cannot stand up to the powers of a god, Xavius replies that he has been shaped by the powers of the Old Gods and succeeds in capturing Ursoc. As Xavius leaves to attend to his new prisoner, he tasks Arch-Desecrator Malithar with exterminating the druids who had come to Ursoc's aid.

Xavius' return is revealed to the Cenarion Circle at large in Val'sharah, when he corrupts Thaon Moonclaw and leaves adventurers with no choice but to slay the archdruid. He attacks the region's temple to Elune and steals the Tears of Elune before Malfurion can use them to save Cenarius from an affliction caused by the Nightmare. Without the Tears Cenarius succumbs to corruption, and Malfurion pursues Xavius in his rage at the loss of his shan'do. Unfortunately, Xavius is not done taking from Malfurion: when Ysera and an adventurer locate Xavius, he uses the corrupted Tears of Elune to corrupt the former Aspect herself, turning her into a dragon of Nightmare. Xavius and Ysera retreat with Malfurion held captive, followed by the adventurer and Tyrande Whisperwind.

A reunion with Tyrande is something Xavius has longed for many years. With Malfurion held captive, Xavius lures Tyrande beneath the boughs of Shaladrassil and taunts her into chasing after illusions of her husband before giving the High Priestess an ultimatum: she can pursue Xavius and spend her husband's last moments at his side, or she can return to the Temple of Elune and protect it from Ysera. Mournful and distraught, Tyrande chooses her goddess over her love, though the decision hurts her. At the temple, Ysera is put to rest, and with her last breath she states that the nightmare felt so real. After the Dreamer's death, Tyrande tasks adventurers with following Xavius and Malfurion. At the Darkheart Thicket Malfurion is freed and Xavius' shade on Azeroth defeated, but his true form still lurks within the Nightmare.

Within the Rift of Aln, adventurers face Xavius as the final boss of the Emerald Nightmare raid. A bloated, grotesque monstrosity, Xavius wields the might of the Nightmare and commands armies of elemental corruption and n'raqi against his foes, but is ultimately brought down. Upon his death, he turns back into a night elf and the Nightmare vanishes.

It is uncertain if he is dead or not, but the results of the battle at Emerald Nightmare caused Xavius to become "deader" than his last death.

In the RPG
''The beast-like creature carries himself with an elven grace, but hoofed goat's legs and a long, serpentine tail hunch him forward. Red eyes peer out from the face of a handsome night elf noble, as his long, clawed fingers gather the ragged remains of a sorcerer's silk robes around his shoulders. Though he is a monstrous creature, he is also strangely alluring, moving with a grace that seems almost supernatural…''

As a night elf, Xavius was renowned for two things in particular: his skill at subtle political maneuverings and his lack of eyes — he replaced his eyes with magic black crystals that bore streaks of crimson.

It is unlikely for an eternal to be completely destroyed, they may regenerate or continue on in a non-corporeal form. After the sundering of the world, the eternal satyr Lord Xavius sought to build his dark army without attracting Elune's attention. Night elves still fear that he may yet be waiting to take his final revenge upon the Kaldorei. The satyrs of Kalimdor's perverted forests worship Lord Xavius. He sows discord and mistrust, and his satyr children take their trickster natures from his guidance. It is uncertain whether the satyrs still found in Ashenvale Forest and elsewhere are still directly following the will of the Satyr Lord, or merely following his path. Satyr tricksters, in particular, revere and mimic Lord Xavius' manipulations of his enemies. Most satyr know he fell during the War of the Ancients, but continue to honor Xavius as their creator. There still remain those of nearly every race hungry for power at any cost who worship Xavius quietly but fervently, hoping that one day he will step out of the shadows to make them one of his minions.

As Xavius had not at any point been specified as more than a normal Kaldorei, who had merely replaced his eyes with artificial ones, there may be other explanations. Judging from his later transformation into the Nightmare Lord, it could very well be that his soul or spirit was taken by the Old Gods, and they conserved him. Or, they might have come upon him later on, as he may not even have been destroyed, but some part of his soul still living on in the tree Malfurion created.

Dirk of the Beast
This blade is a large, golden dagger magically crafted by Sargeras and granted to Lord Xavius to help him spread the curse of the satyr. A critical hit from the Dirk of the Beast can transform others into satyr, regardless of race.

War of the Ancients

 * "Elune... There is only one god... and his name is Sargeras."
 * "The power of the great one is with me!"
 * "You are no match for us both!"
 * "An interesting thought occurs to me. How long do you think it will take your body to die without your spirit within? We shall just have to see, shall we?"
 * "From this one, you shall not escape..."

In Hearthstone
Xavius appears as HS Xavius (a legendary card) in Hearthstone, introduced in the Ashes of Outland expansion as a replacement for Illidan Stormrage after the latter was "promoted" from a HS Illidan Stormrage (removed) (minion card) to the HS Illidan Stormrage (default hero) for the demon hunter class. Xavius summons a HS Xavian Satyr whenever his owner plays a card, and his flavor text reads: "Xavius has grand nightmares of summoning Sargeras into this world, but a few Satyr will have to do for now."

Notes and trivia

 * There is a sub-zone in Ashenvale that is named after Xavius, Xavian.
 * Many satyr possess names similar to his, such as Prince Xavalis (who is speculated to be his son), Xavaric, and Xavathras. Necrolord X'avius seems completely unrelated to him.
 * Lady Benel'derath mentions Xavius in her dialogue with Lord Ro'minate; she mentions that he has a private tower in Ashenvale.
 * The Scepter of Xavius can be obtained through archaeology, while The First Satyr's Spaulders can be looted on him.
 * Xavius' eyes worked similarly to Spectral sight, giving him the ability to see energies and colors unseen by others, even dream forms.
 * Xavius' form in the Rift of Aln uses the skeleton of a C'Thrax. This may or may not be meaningful, considering his role.
 * Like Xavius, Vydhar is another character who was transformed into a tree. Unlike Xavius, Vydhar did so willingly to make his wisdom eternal.
 * Xavius is voiced by Michael Donovan.
 * One of the realms in World of Warcraft is named after Xavius. See: Realm Names and their place in Warcraft Lore

Speculation
How exactly Xavius returned in Legion despite his apparent death in Stormrage is left unstated, but implied to be the work of N'Zoth to some extent. One possibility, given how his death within the Rift of Aln appears to be final, is that much like elementals and demons, he could only be killed for good in that one specific spot.