InWorld of Warcraft: Shadowlandsplayers were once again united with Uther the Lightbringer. The last time fans ofWorld of Warcraftsaw him alive was all the way back inWarcraft 3: Reign of Chaoswhere he lost his life at the hands of those he called family. Many believed that his story ended there, but it had just begun.
SinceWarcraft 3: Reign of Chaosreleased,theWarcraftfanbase has grown immensely. While many players know of Uther the Lightbringer now, not as many know where he came from or how his story started. He has played an integral part in the story of Azeroth and needs to be remembered for the selfless paladin he was.
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Uther’s Early Life
Ever since Uther was young, he worshipped the Holy Light.Before the First War, he would become an apprentice cleric under Archbishop Alonsus. Alonsus would serve as Uther’s spiritual advisor and mentor, and Uther would go on to become an accomplished Knight, just in time for the orcish Horde to come through the Dark Portal.
After the fall of Stormwind, Alonsus would come to realize that faith was not enough to combat the encroaching dangers. So, he created the Knights of the Silverhand and offered Uther a place in this new order, and the paladins were born. Alonsus gifted each of these paladins an enchanted libram from the church’s treasured relics. Uther was gifted the Libram of Justice and was appointed the first member of the order and their leader.
The Second War of Azeroth
Uther would go on to become a huge participant in the Second War of Azeroth. He would aid the Alliance in victory against the Horde during the siege of Lordaeron. Uther dispatched himself to aid those affected by the war in Darrowmere Lake. On his way, he was ambushed by Alteraci pirates, but Uther was able to beat back these attackers and discover a conspiracy within Alterac. Alterac wanted to betray the Alliance and would confess their planned treachery under interrogation, which would prove to be their downfall.
Uther assisted in eliminating the orcs from Lordaeron, retaking the city for the Alliance. He would also go on to aid Lothar in the battle of Blacrock Spire, where Lothar would lose his life. Lothar’s lieutenant and Uther’s fellow paladin Turalyon named Uther Lightbringer after the battle had ended. With his new name, Uther the Lightbringer would lead the charge against the Burning Blade clanat the Dark Portaland end the Second War.
After the war had ended, Uther and the Knights of the Silver Hand would assist the survivors ofthe war throughout Stormwind City. He would continue this service for years, and he would also help the Alliance against any dangers that would arise while maintaining peace in Lordaeron.
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Uther’s Mentorship of Arthas Menethil
Throughout Uther’s years of service, he would grow to be one of the most elite of the paladins. With all of his knowledge, he would begin tutoringKing Terenas’ son Arthas Menethil.He would train Arthas in the ways of the light and in the art of war, and the two of them would grow very close over the years. Uther would eventually consider Arthas more of a nephew than a pupil.
Uther tooka vested interest in Arthas’ development, he hoped that one day Arthas would be worthy of the crown. While he had many thoughts of retirement, his duty to train Arthas and guide him through the world kept him working. At Arthas’ ceremony to become a paladin, Uther would gift him a pair of ceremonial shoulder plates and the blessings of the light. They would continue to train with each other well after the ceremony.
The Start of The Third War
Peace did not last on Azeroth for long,and the Third War quickly arrived. Uther and Arthas went out to defend the town of Strahnbrad from raiding orc parties from the Blackrock Clan. Uther would defend the town while Arthas engaged with the encampments. Together, they would beat back the orcs and kill their leader.
Later in the war, Lady Jaina Proudmoore would seek out his help urgently. The town of Hearthglen had comeunder attack by the undead Scourge, and they needed all the help they could get. Uther took the Silver Hand and rushed off to defend the town, and they arrived just in time to assist Arthas and beat back the Scourge. Arthas was angered by his near defeat and rushed off to Stratholme, while Uther and his Silver Hand followed slowly behind.
Together they discovered that Stratholme had been infected by the Plague that turned them into the undead.Arthas ordered Uther and his paladinsto purge the entire city. Uther was horrified by this command and refused to kill innocent civilians. In response, Arthas accused them of treason and purged the city himself.
When Arthas left for Northrend, Uther met with King Terenas to discuss the prince’s actions. They both agreed that he had been compromised due to stress and that they needed to call him back to Lordaeron.Arthas would return to the city, but he had been corrupted, and he plunged his new sword Frostmourne into King Teranas’ chest.
Uther’s Final Moments
King Teranas would be cremated and placed in a magical urn which was placed in Uther’s care in Andorhal. Uther was left alone, saddened by the fact he had lost two friends to this evil. Arthas andhis undead Scourge would soon arrivein Andorhal seeking the urn, and Uther would defy him once more.
Uther and Arthas would engage in a deadly battle, and Uthersucceeded in knocking Frostmourneout of the prince’s hand. The light shone through Uther, and he went for the killing blow, but before he could end Arthas’ life, Frostmourne flung back into his hands and the battle commenced once more. Uther would eventually fall to his knees covered in blood and prayed to the light.
Arthas delivered the killing blow, and Uther was gone from Azeroth. Players who haveventured into the Shadowlandsknow that his story is far from over, but his time amongst the living was. Once he was the leader of the Knights of the Silver Hand, but he was tragically killed by those he considered family; a pain he would take with him into the realm of Bastion.
