"The Archmage Antonidas" is a three-part story told by the different books in Dalaran.
Content
Antonidas was but a mere boy when he became an apprentice to one of the Kirin Tor. He was a tenacious learner, pouring over books in the magical libraries of Dalaran. After only a few short years of studying under the sect, Antonidas had outclassed his peers and earned their admiration, as well as the respect of his elders.
At the age of 12, Antonidas' thesis, "The Ramifications of refined Reverse Time Travel Phenomena into Quantifiable Magical Practice", earned him the Kirin Tor Sash of Supreme Acumen, the youngest ever to receive the award. Shortly thereafter the Ruling Council offered him official placement in the Kirin Tor Advanced Research and Illumination Sect, also the youngest to receive an official invitation.
As the mage grew older, he continued to learn and hone his abilities. His natural talent for defensive magic and wisdom beyond his years made Antonidas an ideal candidate for a position on the Council of Six, which he eventually attained. Antonidas proved not only wise and fair, but infinitely regimented in goal to become more knowledgeable. He quickly became one of the dominant voices of Dalaran.
Before the Second War, leaders of each of the Azerothian nations met in Lordaeron to discuss the threat of the orc invasion. Archmage Antonidas attended the summit on behalf of the Council of Six, pleding loyalty to the Alliance on Dalaran's behalf. He also monitored the progress of the young but extremely talented mage Khadgar, who had served as Medivh's apprentice during the first war. In the aftermath of the Second War, Antonidas promoted Khadgar to the rank of archmage and placed him in a position of authority over the mission to enter the Dark Portal and investigate Draenor.
After the Second War, Antonidas investigated the lethargy of the orcs. The archmage published several theses on his research:
"The Causality of War: A Comprehensive Study on Orc Lassitude."
"The Contrast of Orc Tradition, Sociology, and Psychological Practices from Before and After the Second War."
"Empirical Study on the Formulation and History of High Profile Fel Magics, and their Relation to the Orc Race."
The consensuses of many of these reports are largely inconclusive. Antonidas himself has said on occasion that finding a cure for the malaise of the orcs would be an almost unachievable venture. His formal conclusion was that the orcs' only path to a healthy lifestyle would be a spiritual one.
Stresses on the fragile Alliance increased following the Second War due to overflowing internment camps and the taxes that were raised to support them. The lack of a common enemy meant there was no reason to put aside the politics and petty squabbles that had defined the Azerothian nations before the orcs invaded from Draenor during the First War.
In addition to this, a plague had developed in the north. Having investigated the matter, Antonidas discovered that Kel'Thuzad, a member of the Kirin Tor, had been practicing necromancy, and suspected that the plague of the north was magical in nature. Headed by the Archmage, the rulers of Dalaran suggested quarantining the affected areas.
Fearful of the backlash it would create, King Terenas failed to listen to their pleas. It was in this climate that a prophet came to the now elderly Archmage. He warned of the plague, telling Antonidas that Azeroth was lost. The prophet advised Antonidas that the only way to save his people was to head west to the continent of Kalimdor.
But Antonidas was now in his seventies. He was wise, but also increasingly cautious and stubborn. Even though his apprentice, Lady Jaina Proudmoore, sensed the prophet's great power and suggested heeding his words, Antonidas dismissed the prophet's words as those of a madman.
The archmage decided instead to continue his efforts to investigate the plague in the north from the safety of his city. See: "The Journal of Archmage Antonidas" for his research on the plague. Ultimately, he sent Jaina to investigate the matter. She was to be accompanied by Prince Arthas Menethil.
While Antonidas investigated ways to stop the plague, Arthas had fallen into madness, razing Stratholme and traveling to Northrend to hunt the Dreadlord Mal'Ganis. Before the aging archmage could find a cure, Arthas, accompanied by the Lich Kel'Thuzad and an undead army, marched south through Tirisfal and Lordaeron, destroying everything in their path and fueling the war machine with their wake.
Soon they were at Antonidas' doorstep, looking to destroy Dalaran and take the Book of Medivh, with which they planned to summon the demon Archimonde.
Antonidas stood before Arthas and his undead army, refusing to give up the book or the city. Using his unparalleled skills of defensive magic, Antonidas set up a magical field that would destroy any undead that touched it (an earlier version of the defensive shields used today).
Sadly, this was not enough, and Arthas found a way to dispel the enchantment. He marched straight into Dalaran and murdered Antonidas in cold blood. Kel'Thuzad and Arthas entered the Violet Citadel, took the Book of Medivh, and summoned Archimonde.
As the undead army left the city in search of new targets, Archimonde demolished its structures, bringing its magical spires crashing to the ground. Antonidas' Dalaran, now leaderless and in shambles, was no more.
[Epilogue]
Having fallen in battle defending the only home he knew, Antonidas' legacy continues to be an example for those who live on. His accomplishments, valor, and memory are a testament to the survival of the old world and its new legacy. In this world of constant war, the fragile bonds of a new alliance are but a tribute to the memory and fortitude of one of Lordaeron's bravest sons and greatest heroes.