Desolate Council | |
---|---|
Members of the Desolate Council | |
Main leader |
Lilian Voss Calia Menethil Faranell Belmont Velonara |
Formerly | Prime Governor Vellcinda[1] † |
Race(s) |
Forsaken Darkfallen |
Capital | Ruins of Lordaeron |
Formerly | Undercity |
Theater of operations | Lordaeron |
Affiliation | The Forsaken |
Status | Active |
The Desolate Council is the governing body of the Forsaken.
History[]
The Desolate Council was originally created as an interim organization of Forsaken who took it upon themselves to lead the Undercity in the absence of Sylvanas Windrunner, with her Warchief duties bringing her out of her homeland,[2] initially counting 22 individuals in its ranks. It was established by its leader Vellcinda. It was also a response to the strict culture of the Forsaken that stated there was no need to remember their previous life, as well as a response to Sylvanas' coercion to force the undead to continue their lives in undeath.[1]
It consisted of its leader the Prime Governor who along with four other governing councilors made up the Governors. Below them were the seven Ministers who implemented the policies handed down to them. Finally, there were ten Listeners who went out every day to poll citizens of the Undercity on needs, opinions, and concerns that needed attention. They governed from the same room as Sylvanas, the throne room of the Royal Quarter.[3]
Following the Gathering in the Arathi Highlands some councilors were killed by dark rangers on orders of Sylvanas after some tried to defect after Calia Menethil revealed herself, though others who were in the process of returning to Sylvanas's side were also killed to the point that even Nathanos Blightcaller was surprised by Sylvanas's actions.[4] There were members who were spared from the slaughter as they had returned before the Gathering began as their living family and friends refused at the last minute to see them. Sylvanas remarked that they are now truly desolate and that she trusts them.[5] Following the event, the Alliance buried the deceased in a graveyard near Highlands Mill within the Arathi Highlands. The deaths of the majority of their members including their Prime Governor, Vellcinda, and the political shift of the Forsaken and overall Horde following the Fourth War left the fate of the council uncertain.
In light of how poorly Sylvanas dealt with something that wasn’t complete and utter obeisance, Genn Greymane opined that the council had unintentionally signed their own death warrants simply by existing as a governing body. If Sylvanas hadn't had the Gathering to use as an excuse, "she’d have done something to them sooner or later."[6]
Shadowlands[]
Following the Forsaken reclaiming the Ruins of Lordaeron, a new Desolate Council consisting of Lilian Voss, Calia Menethil, Deathstalker Commander Belmont, Dark Ranger Velonara, and Master Apothecary Faranell was created to lead the Forsaken.[7]
One of the first topics that Calia plans on proposing to her fellow council members is the withdrawal of Forsaken troops from the Kingdom of Gilneas.[8]
The Vow Eternal[]
Voss and Calia, accompanied by Derek Proudmoore, served as the Forsaken delegation to the wedding of Lor'themar Theron and Thalyssra.[9]
Dragonflight[]
After the Scarlet Crusade forces led by Scarlet Commander Forsythe seized control of Fenris Isle, they used it as a staging ground to strike against the Forsaken within the Ruins of Lordaeron.[10] However, the Desolate Council were successfully able to launch a counterattack, where they claimed Fenris Isle and killed Forsythe. In the aftermath of the battle, the council declared that the Forsaken champions represented what it means to be Forsaken.[11]
Meanwhile from within the Maw, Sylvanas Windrunner sent Dori'thur to deliver a message to her loyalists, in which she declared that the Desolate Council were the Forsaken's rightful leaders and future.[12]
Members[]
Original Council[]
- Prime Governor Vellcinda †
- James "Jem" Felstone †
- John "Jack" Felstone †
- Jacob "Jake" Felstone †
- Parqual Fintallas †
- Annie Lansing
- Tomas Gray †
- Wilmer †
- Nine unnamed members
- Five unnamed members †
New Council[]
- Calia Menethil
- Lilian Voss
- Master Apothecary Faranell
- Deathstalker Commander Belmont
- Dark Ranger Velonara
Trivia[]
- Prior to becoming members of the Desolate Council, Lilian Voss and Calia Menethil served under Horde adventurers as champions, while Velonara served as a garrison follower.
- Faranell is currently the only member of the council who was part of the game (and a leading figure among the Forsaken) since its release. Lilian, Belmont, and Velonara were added in Cataclysm, while Calia was added in Legion (although she was first introduced in Tides of Darkness almost nine years earlier).
References[]
- ^ a b Before the Storm, chapter 12
- ^ Before the Storm, prologue
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 19
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 33
- ^ Before the Storm, chapter 34
- ^ Before the Storm, Epilogue
- ^ [60] The Desolate Council
- ^ [Letter to Greymane]
- ^ The Vow Eternal
- ^ [50-70] Our Enemies Abound
- ^ [50-70] I Am Forsaken
- ^ [50-70] The Long Hunt
Preceded by: Lilian Voss (interim leader) |
Position: Ruler of the Forsaken |
Succeeded by: Incumbent |