Bolvar Fordragon

Bolvar Fordragon
Title	Highlord of the Ebon Blade Formerly: Lich King, Jailer of the Damned, Regent of Stormwind, Highlord, Lord, Lord of Icecrown
Gender	Male
Race	Human (Humanoid / Uncategorized)
Class	Paladin (formerly)
Affiliation(s)	Knights of the Ebon Blade
Former affiliation(s)	Scourge, Stormwind, Valiance Expedition, Alliance
Occupation	Highlord of the Ebon Blade, Master of Acherus
Former occupation(s)	The Lich King, Master of Fordragon Hold, High General of the Valiance Expedition, Regent Lord of Stormwind
Location	Frozen Throne, Icecrown Citadel
Status	Active
Relative(s)	Taelia (daughter), Deceased wife[citation needed]

“Death was not the end I believed it to be. No rest or joyous reunions in the Light awaited me. What I witnessed challenged all I knew. With my final breath, I saw impossible places – worlds within worlds brimming with beings that defied description. It wasn’t until the Helm of Domination was placed upon my head that I understood the truth I had seen: Death is not an end, but a beginning.”

— Bolvar describing the Shadowlands

Bolvar Fordragon is the Highlord of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, and the former Lich King, who took up the position after the death of Arthas Menethil.

Formerly a venerated paladin of the Alliance, Bolvar served as the Highlord and Regent of the kingdom of Stormwind following the disappearance of King Varian Wrynn. Upon Varian's return, Bolvar was named the commander of the Alliance forces sent to take the battle to the Scourge in Northrend. After the treachery of Grand Apothecary Putress at the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate, Bolvar was thought to have been killed by the Forsaken Blight. However, charred beyond recognition, he was reanimated by the flames of the red dragons.

Bolvar's body was altered by the dragons' flame, and was taken by the Scourge into Icecrown Citadel, where he was tortured by Lich King Arthas Menethil in an attempt to bend him to his will. However, the noble spirit of Bolvar resisted the Scourge lord's depravations. After the death of Arthas, Bolvar demanded that Tirion Fordring place the Helm of Domination on his head and turn him into the next Lich King to contain the threat of the Scourge. This imprisoned Bolvar within the Frozen Throne once more. After the Fourth War, however, Sylvanas Windrunner traveled to Icecrown Citadel to defeat Bolvar and destroy the Helm of Domination, ending his tenure as the Jailer of the Damned and opening the path to the Shadowlands.

Biography

Third War

When the Scourge hit Lordaeron, Bolvar sent his daughter Taelia, who he called "my shining star", to Kul Tiras to be raised away from the Third War. Taelia would be accepted as a ward of House Proudmoore and raised by the knight Cyrus Crestfall, who was hand-picked by Daelin Proudmoore himself. Bolvar regularly sent Taelia letters while they were separated. It is not certain exactly how many details Anduin Wrynn knew of this, but he did know Bolvar wrote to his child and of the nickname.

Regent of Stormwind

Bolvar in Stormwind Keep during Classic.

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

After King Varian Wrynn went missing under suspicious circumstances while en route to a diplomatic summit to Theramore Isle, Stormwind was believed to be going through a state of disarray. Young Anduin was given the crown so that order could be preserved within the kingdom of Stormwind, at the behest of the royal councilor, Lady Prestor. Highlord Bolvar Fordragon acted as Regent Lord of Stormwind or the Supreme Commander of Stormwind's forces on behalf of King Anduin. When Magistrate Solomon gave warnings of Blackrock orcs allying with the Black dragonflight, Bolvar was debilitated from sending Stormwind's thinly spread troops to aid Lakeshire without proof. Bolvar sent Alliance adventurers to Lady Prestor, who knew much of dragons and dragonkin. However, Lady Prestor thought very little of Magistrate Solomon's claims and advised against providing the military aid. Though Bolvar respected Lady Prestor's stance, he could not let Solomon's plight go unheeded and thought of a compromise to appease all parties: Bolvar deputized the Alliance adventurer and empowered them to solve Solomon's problems.

When Lady Jaina Proudmoore found evidence of the Defias Brotherhood being involved in King Varian's disappearance and had a powerful ally in Stormwind, she sent the evidence to Bolvar. With their newfound patronage and apparent role in the king's disappearance, Bolvar saw no choice but to plan a renewed offensive against the Defias. While Bolvar sought to pursue the Defias and their backers until King Varian's return, Lady Prestor tried to belittle the issue as just baseless speculation and a waste of Stormwind's resources.

Marshal Reginald Windsor apparently had warned Bolvar of Lady Katrana Prestor's treachery but Bolvar would not act against her without proof. Despite Bolvar's good intentions he unwillingly became Onyxia's pawn, his mind and body being held captive after receiving the Drakefire Amulet from Lady Prestor. The medallion also gave him glimpses into the dragon's own mind.

During the first Scourge Invasion, the Scourge attacked Stormwind City, which later led to an Alliance counterattack. Bolvar Fordragon recruited Alliance heroes who raided Naxxramas and defeated Kel'Thuzad.

World of Warcraft: The Comic

Bolvar in Through the Mirror Darkly.

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft manga or comics.

Highlord Bolvar Fordragon was seen in the welcome parade in Stormwind City, escorting the recently found and returned King Varian Wrynn. As time went on, he noticed a change in King Varian whenever he was around Lady Katrana Prestor. King Varian that returned became more frivolous, uninterested in matters of state, and deferred to Lady Katrana's judgments on rulings that would have in the past, offended the king's sense of honor. Changes that even the young Prince Anduin Wrynn noticed as well. Although these changes are new in the returned Varian, it was clear that the returned king still harbored an undeniable love for his son. Under Prince Anduin's insistence, Bolvar investigated the circumstances of King Varian's abduction. Aside from his investigation, Bolvar also had to keep Prince Anduin safe and tried to keep the kingdom and the Alliance from falling apart from Lady Katrana's harmful advice.

One day, in Stormwind City, King Magni Bronzebeard was on a visit and was discussing war plans against the orcs and Dark Iron dwarves with King "Varian" and Bolvar Fordragon. However, Varian Wrynn was counseled by Lady Katrana Prestor to not send troops to help the dwarves fight against the dark irons, who have recently taken Thandol Span. King Magni left disappointed in Varian's subservience to Lady Prestor's wishes and his dishonorable demeanor. Bolvar tried to keep relations with King Magni amicable by explaining to him that he could not understand how Thandol Span had fallen as he thought he had ordered a contingent of reinforcements to the area. It was only until Lady Katrana chimed in that she revealed that she had rescinded his orders.

The Highlord continued to watch over Prince Anduin until Marshal Windsor returned to the keep with another King Varian named "Lo'Gosh". Marshal Windsor revealed Lady Katrana to be the broodmother Onyxia. With Onyxia's ruse uncovered, several Stormwind Guards transformed into dragonspawn to defend their matriarch; leading to a fight in Stormwind Keep. Anduin, who heard the commotion, ran off to investigate the ruckus. Highlord Bolvar followed in pursuit and joined the battle to secure the keep. The heroes of the Alliance managed to secure the keep but unfortunately, Onyxia got away with Prince Anduin as a hostage. The two King Varians, whom Bolvar noticed had certain parts of the original King Varian's personality, left Bolvar in charge of Stormwind while they led an army to slay Onyxia and rescue the prince.

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Bolvar at Fordragon Hold.

Bolvar at the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate.

Bolvar and Dranosh fought together against the Scourge in the Wrathgate.

Upon Varian's return, Bolvar aided in the defense of Stormwind against a surprise Scourge attack, and afterwards led the armies of the Alliance to Northrend, where he aids Alliance players in defeating the lich Thel'zan the Duskbringer. In a bold maneuver, his forces laid siege to Angrathar the Wrathgate, the rear entrance to the dread Icecrown Citadel. Both Bolvar and Dranosh Saurfang, commander of the Horde's Kor'kron Vanguard, confronted the Lich King himself, with both Alliance and Horde armies in the battle. During the encounter, in which Saurfang fell to Frostmourne, a plague explosion rang out among the Alliance and Horde army, and out came Grand Apothecary Putress. Announcing to the Scourge leader that the Forsaken have neither forgotten nor forgiven him, a number of catapults moved behind him and launched an unprovoked attack on both Alliance and Horde forces as well as the Scourge. Bolvar ordered his troops to fall back, but was brought down by the gas. As he gasped his last breaths, Alexstrasza the Life-Binder and her red dragons arrived and breathed cleansing flames across the battlefield, searing away the poison from the air and the plagued flesh from the bodies, leaving only charred remains.

There is a dialogue between Korialstrasz and Alexstrasza after the Wrathgate event. Due to a bug which allowed some players to speak Draconic, some players were able to read and translate Alexstrasza's words:

Alexstrasza: [Draconic] They must not discover the fate of the young paladin. Not yet.

Bolvar's shield is recovered by Alliance warriors at the behest of Alexstrasza and returned to King Varian in  [74] Reborn From The Ashes. The Forsaken attack was considered by the Alliance to be outright treachery on the part of the Horde, giving King Varian — who had considered Bolvar a brother — a reason to purge the Horde from Lordaeron. Enraged, Varian led Alliance forces in a battle for the Undercity to bring Putress to justice.

Fall of the Lich King

As the forces of the Horde and Alliance made their way into Icecrown Citadel, it was revealed that Bolvar had been captured by the Scourge, having been saved by the flames of the red dragonflight which had also horrifically charred him beyond recognition. He was tortured mercilessly by the Lich King. Despite the Lich King's extensive efforts to corrupt him, Bolvar refused to yield.

During the final battle with Arthas, atop Icecrown Citadel, Bolvar can be seen chained above the Frozen Throne.

Jailer of the Damned

After Arthas Menethil, the Lich King, was slain, the spirit of King Terenas warned that an uncontrolled Scourge would be all the more dangerous. For the good of Azeroth, "there must always be a Lich King." Somebody would have to take Arthas's place. Tirion Fordring took up the Helm of Domination, the crown of the Lich King, preparing to do it himself. As he did so, Bolvar intervened, calling from his seat upon the Frozen Throne, his body warped by the red dragonflight's fire. As a last act of service to Azeroth, Bolvar asked that Tirion place the Helm of Domination on his head. As the self-appointed "Jailer of the Damned," Bolvar sought to keep the Scourge under control. As Bolvar encased himself and the Frozen Throne once again in ice, he warned Tirion that no one could know what happened. Bolvar instructed Tirion to tell the world that the Lich King was dead — and that Bolvar Fordragon died with him.

While encased in ice, Bolvar bound many Scourge to his will, including the remaining Val'kyr until they were freed by Sylvanas. However, the Scourge and Cult of the Damned operating in the Plaguelands are autonomous. Both of these cases were a result of Bolvar struggling to control his new powers. The incident with Sylvanas, in particular, made him realize how dangerous the power of the undead were should they fall into the wrong hands, and he resolved to not only contain the Scourge but also guard against any intruders from the outside world who would try to steal their power for themselves.

The only thing that Bolvar's daughter Taelia was told about her father's fate was that he gave his life to defeat the Lich King.

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  Chained.

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  Bolvar, prisoner of Arthas.

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  Fordragon as seen in the Icecrown Citadel finale.

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  The new Lich King.

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  Bolvar Fordragon on the Frozen Throne.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

Darion Mograine traveled to alternate Draenor to find something that would allow the Ebon Blade to unlock the secrets of the Frozen Throne.

Legion

Bolvar, the Lich King.

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Several years before the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Lyandra Sunstrider traveled to Icecrown to locate Felo'melorn and was killed by the remaining Scourge within the citadel. When a mage adventurer arrives on request of Aethas Sunreaver to locate Lyandra and Felo'melorn, Bolvar states that the mage can try to take the sword, but if they fail they too will join the Scourge.

The Lich King and the Knights of the Ebon Blade come to an agreement: the death knights will serve as the arm for his vengeance against the Legion, and in return, he will keep the Scourge contained in Northrend and help the death knights locate powerful weapons to combat the demonic invasion. Bolvar directs death knights to Apocalypse and the Maw of the Damned, but is heavily involved in the Blades of the Fallen Prince. Calling a champion of the death knights to Icecrown, he has the champion gather the shards of Frostmourne, defeat tortured souls that remained within the shards and reforge them into two new blades. As one final test, the champion must enter the blades and quell the darkness inside. Within the shards of Frostmourne, echoes of Ner'zhul and Arthas can be found with Ner'zhul tempting Arthas to take up Frostmourne.

As each of the three artifacts are obtained, Bolvar brings the death knights to the Frozen Throne and bestows his blessing upon them. Under Bolvar's orders, the Ebon Blade are to follow the artifact wielders' orders as if they were his own.

The Lich King exclaims that the greatest heroes of Azeroth have gathered to face the Burning Legion. Of course heroes that stand alone against this threat will not save Azeroth for salvation will come at a price that the living could not pay. He thought of planning to recreate the Four Horsemen for their own to stand against the Legion. The first among them is Nazgrim, the fallen general of the Horde. Followed by Thoras Trollbane upon the cliffs of Arathor in the fallen kingdom of Stromgarde, for his prowess strength in battle was without rival and shall be even more powerful in undeath. Then High Inquisitor Whitemane to his knowledge was a priest whose personal tragedy forged an intense connection with the Light and her zealous power of will is necessary to strengthen the bond of the Four. Yet, there was one who needed to be appointed for the crucial role: someone to lead. Without a leader, there will be no unity among the Four. The Deathlord, Darion, and the three horsemen travel to Light's Hope Chapel to recover the body of Tirion Fordring who had recently fell in action and brought to the tomb underneath the chapel. In the end they failed and with Darion's sacrifice he opened a Death Gate back to Acherus. The Lich King has decided that fate of the deeds of his father come to fruition for he has sacrificed more for the Ebon Blade than any other. The Four Horsemen were assembled with Darion leading them.

Legionfall

A projection of Bolvar atop Acherus.

The Deathlord returned to Icecrown to claim Rimefang's Harness, but the Lich King explained that invading vrykul were trying to use it to bind frost wyrms to their will. He ordered the Deathlord to slay them in his name.

Atop of Acherus, he tells the Deathlord that the Helm of Domination showed him many things that he could not comprehend. In a vision he saw thousands of undead marching to the far reaches of Northrend in search of a great power. Every time he reached out through the cold tendrils of endless ice, he sensed nothing. He then tells the Deathlord to go to the end reaches of Icecrown to be shown of what he saw. Once there, he described it as the undead swarming across an icy shelf, seeking a prize coveted by Arthas: the bones of a dragon most ancient, and powerful beyond reckoning. Yet all that remains here is the sea, and he doesn't sense any trace of undead in the area. Curious, he told the Deathlord to go seek out the dragons that reside at Wyrmrest Temple; the bronze dragon Trizormu. After strangulating the dragon, Tariolstrasz of the red dragonflight hurls the Deathlord out of Wyrmrest. The Lich King then says that dragonflight knows something, for they kept secrets within the Ruby Sanctum. He proclaimed to the Deathlord either spare the dragons, or slay them. If you do kill them all, he mentions to you that you are empty inside just like him.

The red dragon named Kyranastrasz fell doing battle with "a great corruption" on an iceberg to the north. The Lich King tells the Deathlord to find it and consume this life essence, blight it, and raise it into undeath. He comments when the Deathlord arrives at the Lost Glacier that their supplies have likely frozen. Interestingly enough, he senses feral undead buried in the ice and declares it is time to test the Deathlord's will. He warns that should the Deathlord fail to survive that he shall claim Acherus as his own, though while Arthas may have sought revenge on the citadel, Bolvar has other plans. Upon arriving at Kyranastrasz' Rest, the Deathlord approached the corpse of the ancient dragon on the hilltop and felt as though it reminded them of something that's happened in the past. They then raised it and claimed it as their own.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Vol'jin, the late Warchief of the Horde, sought to find out who had told him on his deathbed to name Sylvanas the new warchief. He had come to believe it was not the loa that did so but in fact something darker and stronger. Vol'jin, Baine Bloodhoof, Talanji, and a Horde adventurer traveled to the Frozen Throne to confront the Lich King about it. The Lich King told Vol'jin that he was not responsible and that Sylvanas was upsetting the balance of life and death. Furthermore, the Lich King informed Vol'jin that he had been altered more than he realized and that as neither undead nor damned he did not belong in the Frozen Throne. The Lich King sent ghouls after them, forcing them to flee.

Throughout the Fourth War, Bolvar had the Four Horsemen acquire fallen champions of both the Horde and Alliance, and following its completion raised a new generation of death knights as his champions. He formally told these death knights that it was their burden and privilege to defend Azeroth while being forced to endure the scorn of the ignorant. He then ordered them to speak with Darion Mograine and use his death gate to travel to the land of the living in order to choose their destiny.

Bolvar after he was defeated by Sylvanas.

Bolvar atop Icecrown Citadel.

We Ride Forth

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Believing that Sylvanas Windrunner would seek to become the Lich King, Bolvar employed a daring gambit. He deceived the Four Horsemen into thinking that he had fallen under the dark powers of the Lich King so that when Sylvanas inevitably confronted him, the horsemen would arrive soon after and finish off the winner. When Darion prematurely attempted to kill him, Bolvar forcibly controlled the former's body and made him return to Acherus: The Ebon Hold, while taunting him about requiring his fellow horsemen. As he anticipated, Darion rallied his fellow horsemen for battle, while he was confronted by Sylvanas. Unbeknownst to Bolvar, the horsemen were able to use their connection with him to witness him fighting Sylvanas, and subsequently learn about his gambit.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

Despite tapping into the Helm's power and attempting to use abilities such as [Remorseless Winter] as well as saronite spikes to destroy Sylvanas during their confrontation, neither Bolvar nor the Scourge forces he had slowly gathered to Icecrown were enough to stop her. After winning the battle, Sylvanas took the Helm of Domination, causing Bolvar to remark that it would be her prison as he assumed she intended to don it and become the lord of the Scourge. However, Sylvanas countered that the world itself was a prison and split the helm in two—thereby piercing the veil between Azeroth and the Shadowlands—after which she declared that she would set everyone free. Sylvanas' actions have set in a series of events that threaten to upset the cosmic balance between life and death, however, Bolvar believes that the denizens of the Shadowlands are the key to restoring this balance.

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  Sylvanas in front of the Frozen Throne

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  Bolvar sitting on the Frozen Throne

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  Bolvar after his eyes turned blue

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  Chains forming from Sylvanas' arrows trapping Bolvar

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  Sylvanas removing the Helm of Domination from Bolvar

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  Sylvanas holding the Helm of Domination

Following his defeat, Nazgrim and Whitemane brought Bolvar to Acherus: The Ebon Hold. Bolvar's daughter Taelia learned that he was still alive and that he had, until now, been the Lich King. Though angry that no one had told her, she vowed to join her father's side.

After the rift between the Shadowlands and Azeroth was opened, members of the Alliance and Horde were called to Icecrown Citadel. Aboard the Acherus necropolis, them and Lord Darion Mograine went atop the Citadel where the rest of the Knights of the Ebon Blade and their leader, Highlord Bolvar Fordragon, were waiting. The Highlord explained how dire the situation was and directed the adventurers to use the shattered fragments of the Helm of Domination to conjure a portal into the forbidden depths of the Maw. Bolvar later managed to travel to Oribos, alongside Darion and other Ebon Blade death knights.

Taelia later reunited with Bolvar in Oribos and pleaded for him to use the Helm to seek out his old ward Anduin as well as their other allies, who had been captured by Sylvanas within the Maw. Despite his initial reluctance, as such attempts seemed to be costly and dangerous, Bolvar was eventually moved by his daughter's repeated pleas, and he agreed to honor the request of his "Shining Star". He subsequently was deeply troubled by the vision he expressed, though declared that they must not give up hope.

Bolvar personally directed the efforts to rescue the captured leaders from Torghast, Tower of the Damned, and had adventurers turn to Ve'nari for aid. After they returned with Baine Bloodhoof, Bolvar remarked on their bravery but warned that it was only the beginning. He then implored them to return to Torghast in order to discover information in regards to the whereabouts of the others. After they returned with  [Soul-Touched Key], Bolvar remarked that the presence was familiar, and believed that the holder of the key may have been involved in the capture of Jaina Proudmoore. After concluding his research, he confirmed that Jaina was being held within the tower, and then had them rescue souls and acquire objects from brokers Ve'ken and Ve'nott in order to obtain information for the search for Jaina.

With all the information in hand, he had pinpointed Jaina's location and sent his allies to rescue her. With Jaina safely in Oribos, Bolvar turned his attention to Thrall and Anduin. Thus, he sought to discover if the other captives had seen their whereabouts. Though heartened to learn that Thrall still lived, he feared for Anduin and declared that "Darkness hungers for his soul." He then directed the rescue of Thrall, however, warned that each time he gazed into Torghast, he sensed malevolent eyes staring back. However, despite the growing risk, he knew that they could not relent.

Though Baine, Jaina, and Thrall had been liberated Bolvar was of the opinion that the Jailer holding any hero of Azeroth meant he had power over all of them. Thus, he sought clues to Anduin's location, and though they found signs of Anduin's presence, they did not find Anduin himself. Fearing that they could spend a lifetime searching the tower's endless corridors to no avail, Bolvar knew the best chance to find Anduin was to peer into Torghast with the helm once more. After discovering that Sylvanas and the Jailer intend to turn Anduin into a weapon, Bolvar warned that they must be careful in their rescue efforts as the Jailer may discard Anduin if he believed his prize was in jeopardy.

Following the defeat of Sire Denathrius, an ally of the Jailer, Bolvar felt a darkness calling to him within Torghast. By focusing his mind, Bolvar was able to learn that a new mourneblade was being forged within the tower. Though Calia was worried over the effects of peering within Torghast would have on him, Bolvar declared that they must know the truth. He and his allies thus learned that the Jailer had decided that regardless of Anduin's choice, he would be turned to their side, a task left to Sylvanas. Though the vision ended on an ambiguous note if Slyvanas would respect Anduin's refusal or forcefully convert him, Bolvar declared it dire news. Thus suggesting that Bolvar felt Sylvanas would turn Anduin by force.

As Bolvar told his allies that the link was severed, the Jailer, through the Helm of Domination, attempts to turn Bolvar into his service. While Jaina and the Maw Walker were able to severe the connection, the Jailer revealed that the Lich King was always meant to herald his coming, and declared Bolvar and his predecessors were failures for their defiance of him. After thanking his allies, Bolvar agreed with Jaina's assessment the Jailer would use their knowledge of Anduin's fate against them. Though Baine called for an outright attack on Torghast to rescue Anduin, Bolvar agreed with Thrall's and Jaina's decision to hold back and rally the covenants. He thus implored the Maw Walker to continue their efforts and declared that when the time came, they would claim victory.

Chains of Domination

Bolvar will be in front and center in Chains of Domination, serving as a pillar to rally around.

Abilities

•  Fordragon's Resolve — Increases melee, ranged, and spell casting speed by 35% for all party members. Lasts 30 seconds.

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 3.0.2 but is present in Classic Era.

•  Cleave — Inflicts Physical damage to an enemy and its nearest allies, affecting up to 3 targets.
•  Highlord's Justice — Stuns nearby enemies, rendering them unable to move or attack for 5 sec.
•  Shield Wall — Reduces the Physical and magical damage taken by the caster by 75% for 5 sec.

Quests

Please add any available information to this section.

1.  [15-30] To Fordragon Hold!
2.  [15-30] Audience With The Dragon Queen
3.  [15-30] Return To Angrathar

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 3.0.2 but is present in Classic Era.

•  [54] The True Masters
•  [54] The True Masters
•  [54] The True Masters
•  [60R] The Great Masquerade
•  [60R] The Dragon's Eye
•  [60G] The First and the Last
•  [30R] The Lord of Blackrock
•  [60G] The Blightcaller Cometh
• Order Must Be Restored (quest)
•  [60] Victory for the Alliance
•  [60] Celebrating Good Times

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 3.0.2 but is present in Burning Crusade Classic.

•  [37] Warn Bolvar!
•  [37] Return to Jaina

Quotes

After suffering betrayal at the doorstep of his nemesis, a brave paladin was reborn in the searing heat of enchanted dragon flames. No longer fit to dwell among the living, alone he shall endure as the steward of a misbegotten throng.

In the Trading Card Game

This section contains information from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game and is considered non-canon.

"Today, we celebrate this glorious victory!"

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Stormwind Keep

Gossip

I am Bolvar Fordragon, Highlord of Stormwind.

Dialogue

Main article: The Great Masquerade#Notes

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Dialogue

Main article: An End And A Beginning#Notes

Valiance Keep monument of Varian Wrynn.

Invasion

Our efforts in Lordaeron have been all for naught. Despite numerous setbacks, the Scourge remain unfazed. We must cut them off at the source.

The time draws near to sail for Northrend. I don't know what awaits us; only that our enemies are numerous and are eager for our slaughter.

But we cannot pursue any other path in good conscience. Azeroth depends on our vigilance.

Varian monument in Valiance Keep

• A statue of King Varian, alias Lo'Gosh, stands in Valiance Keep in the Borean Tundra, bearing an inscription by Bolvar.

In tribute to King Varian Wrynn
known to some as LO'GOSH the "Ghost Wolf"

His miraculous return from long years of exile and hardship has ignited a new fire of spirit and courage within the Alliance.

We shall march boldly into these perilous lands holding his valor and his tenacity in our hearts.

- Highlord Bolvar Fordragon

Battle of Angrathar the Wrath Gate

Main article: Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate#Transcript

Icecrown Citadel

Main article: Light's Hammer#Quotes

Main article: Lich King (tactics)#Quotes

Shadowlands

Please add any available information to this section.

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

Oribos gossip at arrival

The living do not belong in the Shadowlands. Tread carefully, and do not trust all that you perceive.

Oribos gossip during introductory questline

The Shadowlands was never meant for mortal eyes.

Do not trust your perceptions. And be wary.

Always wary.

Oribos gossip after Jailer's Grasp

We know the Jailer is watching us. And that he has Anduin.

Our only hope is for you and other heroes to make the covenants strong, <name>.

The day will soon come that the Jailer and Sylvanas reveal the next phase of their plan.

When they do, it will require all our strength to overcome them.

In the RPG

Bolvar in the Alliance Player's Guide RPG book.

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Lord Bolvar Fordragon is as stalwart and loyal of a soldier as they come, perhaps to a fault. While he does his best to look after Stormwind's interests, he seems to have fallen under the charm of the alluring Lady Katrana Prestor, much like many others in the kingdom. By deferring to her judgment, he has allowed for some crucial gaps in the defenses of human-controlled territory.

Lady Katrana Prestor and Lord Bolvar Fordragon serve as the king's main advisors, and they pretty much call the shots. Bolvar is a good man, and a damn good fighter. The thing is, he is not one to insult the judgment of an "educated" lady like Katrana Prestor. That is a problem, because it seems like her advice is pretty much the exact opposite of anything a logical person with half a brain would come up with. For whatever reason she has managed to keep both King Anduin Wrynn and Lord Bolvar following her directions, and some of them are clearly nonsense.

Bolvar leads his troops well, and he is a great boon to Alliance forces when he is out in the field. He is one of the few who is aware that the true king of Stormwind, Varian Wrynn, is probably alive—and missing. This is one of the justifications for keeping most of Stormwind's army centralized; Katrana has convinced Bolvar that the boy King, Anduin, will be the next target of whoever captured or killed the real King on his diplomatic mission. It is suspected that Varian was captured because his trip to Theramore signified an effort to make peace with the Horde, and a number of forces wish the fighting between the Alliance and the Horde to continue.

In his RPG art, Bolvar is seen with the Lordaeron symbol, hinting he might come from that kingdom.

In the TCG

This section contains information from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game and is considered non-canon.

Highlord Bolvar Fordragon is featured in the TCG set Servants of the Betrayer. The card image shows him fighting Onyxia's Elite Guards. He is also featured in the Wrathgate set.

He is also quoted on the " [60R] Order Must Be Restored" card.

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  Bolvar on the left in the TCG Anduin Wrynn card.

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  Bolvar in the TCG (Servants of the Betrayer).

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  Bolvar in the TCG (Wrathgate).

In Hearthstone

This section contains information exclusive to Hearthstone and is considered non-canon.

Bolvar appear as a legendary card for the paladin class in the Goblins vs Gnomes expansion for Hearthstone. His flavor text reads: "Spoiler alert: Bolvar gets melted and then sits on an ice throne and everyone forgets about him."

He reappears in the Knights of the Frozen Throne expansion as the legendary paladin card Bolvar, Fireblood. His flavor text reads: "He's so hot right now."

Notes and trivia

• Chris Metzen stated that when they wrote and finished the Wrathgate cinematic they didn't necessarily know how things would play out. But due to a massive feedback of the community regarding the fate of Bolvar they decided to make him the new Lich King.
• The sentence from the Ultimate Visual Guides, "The flames of the red dragonflight had reanimated Bolvar after Angrathar" alone would imply that Bolvar died and was brought back to life, implying he's undead. However, in the books it is also stated that, in fact, Bolvar was "kept at the edge of life",^{[citation needed]}  meaning he did not die. This is supported by another sentence a bit further: "Thought to have been killed by the plague at the battle of the Wrathgate, Bolvar was saved but charred beyond recognition."
• Even though he asked Tirion not to tell anyone about his fate, some other characters know about him, including Darion Mograine, Varian Wrynn, Jaina Proudmoore, Mathias Shaw and Genn Greymane. Bishop Farthing, and Bishop Arthur after him, both claim to have heard some "nasty rumors" about Lord Bolvar.
  • After killing Archbishop Benedictus in the Hour of Twilight, you get the option of talking to Bishop Farthing within the Cathedral of Light. He dismisses claims of Benedictus' betrayal as mere rumors, and makes a mention that there have been similar rumors of Bolvar's current identity circulating in Stormwind. Aethas Sunreaver told Archmage Modera that "nothing happens in Icecrown unknown to "Him". That means that they both know there is a new Lich King but if they know it's Bolvar is unknown.
• The idea for Bolvar's appearance could be likened to pirate Raithen of the Diablo novel The Black Road. Burned to death by the Demon Kabraxxis's fire, then resurrected by traces of a spell the demon used to raise skeletons, he walked the line between dead and alive. This is similar to Bolvar: Doomed to die by the Forsaken attack, but held in a living state by the red dragons' fire.
• Bolvar appears on the loading screen for Northrend with the introduction of the Cataclysm expansion.
• Bolvar appears to be in the Vision of the Forlorn.
• When Bolvar was stationed in Stormwind City, he used a combination of warrior and paladin abilities: [Cleave], [Shield Wall], [Lay on Hands], [Retribution Aura], and Highlord's Justice (an AoE version of [Hammer of Justice]).
•  [Bolvar's Devotion] is named after him, a reward from the Alliance version of  A Tribute to Insanity (25 player).
• Bolvar is voiced by Carlos Larkin.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• Since he is a paladin and Tirion called him brother and old friend, Bolvar may have been part of the Knights of the Silver Hand.
• Judging by their surname, he may be related to Mara Fordragon.

Gallery

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  Bolvar Fordragon in Stormwind Harbor.

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  Wrathgate TCG set art, with Bolvar and Dranosh at the Wrathgate.

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  Tortured by the Lich King as the Immolated Champion, as seen in Yogg-Saron's brain room.

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  Bolvar on the Northrend loading screen (Cataclysm).

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  Bolvar in Hearthstone.

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  Bolvar, Fireblood in Hearthstone.

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  Cinematic still.

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  Shadowlands key art, depicting Bolvar and his new death knights in the Maw.

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  Cover art for the Game Informer magazine, depicting Bolvar and his death knights.

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  Cover art for the Game Informer magazine, depicting Bolvar and other Blizzard characters.

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  BlizzConline key art for World of Warcraft

Videos

• Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate
• Fall of the Lich King
• The Story of Bolvar Fordragon
• The Story of Bolvar The Lich King

Patch changes

• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Relocated to Fordragon Hold with a new model; replaced by Varian Wrynn as faction leader.
  
• Patch 2.0.1 (2006-12-05): Updated for level 70.
  
• Patch 1.7.0 (2005-09-13): Racial "Leaders" have been strengthened, and are now worth slightly less honor.
  
• Patch 1.5.0 (2005-06-07):
  • Highlord Bolvar Fordragon should no longer despawn when "The Great Masquerade" is activated.
  • Highlord Bolvar Fordragon is once again the Stormwind faction leader.
    
• Patch 1.4.1 (2005-05-05):
  • Archbishop Benedictus staged a temporary coup, and has taken the title of NPC leader of Stormwind City from Highlord Bolvar! Horde seeking to take out the leader of Stormwind should focus their efforts on Archbishop Benedictus for the duration. These changes will remain until the next content patch, when Highlord Bolvar reclaims his rightful throne:
  • Highlord Bolvar should be respawning between 5 and 8 minutes.
  • Bolvar will give no contribution points.
    

See also

• Highlord Bolvar Fordragon TCG card
• Bolvar, Highlord of Fordragon Hold TCG card

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB

Preceded by: Arthas Menethil (alone)

Position: Lich King of the Scourge (alone)

Succeeded by: None (position abolished)

Preceded by: Varian Wrynn (as King)

Position: Ruler of Stormwind (as Regent Lord to Anduin Wrynn)

Succeeded by: Varian Wrynn (as King)

Preceded by: Darion Mograine

Position: Highlord of the Ebon Blade

Succeeded by: Incumbent