Tichondrius

Tichondrius is a fictional character in the fictional Warcraft universe. He was the original leader of the Dreadlords sent to police the Lich King, Ner'zhul, by the Burning Legion.

History

Overseer of the Scourge
Tichondrius the Darkener was first in the ranks of the vampiric Nathrezim (by the human tongue of Azeroth known as Dreadlords), and served as a royal messenger to the demonlords of the Burning Legion, under his master, Archimonde. He originally resided in the Twisting Nether and returned there occasionally to commune with the second and third Dreadlords; Anetheron and Mephistroth, respectively.

After Mannoroth's failure with the Orcs during the Second War, Tichondrius was ordered to watch over the Lich King, Ner'Zhul in Northrend, and ensure that the Undead Scourge worked towards its goal; preparing the way for the return of the Burning Legion into Azeroth. He oversaw the early years of the Scourge, the War of the Spider, and the eventual Plague of Undeath that spread south into Lordaeron. There, he sent a lesser Dreadlord, Mal'Ganis, to oversee the Scourge agent Kel'Thuzad as he infected the northern areas of the kingdom. Ironically, he became commander of the man that killed them both, as well.

Advisor to Arthas
When Arthas Menethil joined the Scourge, Tichondrius acted as his overseer, ordering Arthas to rally the Cult of the Damned and gather Kel'Thuzad's remains. Tichondrius oversaw Arthas during the destruction of Quel'Thalas though he did not assist the Scourge. When Arthas pointed this out, Tichondrius replied, "I am here to ensure that you do your job, little human, not do it for you.

Tichondrius also appeared after the reanimated Kel'Thuzad summoned Archimonde into the world at Dalaran. To Archimonde, the Lich King had served its purpose and was irrelevant now that the Legion had arrived on Azeroth. Thus, among the first orders Archimonde gave Tichondrius was to take control of the Scourge. Ner'zhul, however, had known of the inevitable treachery of the Legion and thus had planned for the eventual removal of his former overseers.

Kalimdor
Tichondrius and the Legion crushed the remaining northern kingdoms easily. He left three lesser Dreadlords, Balnazzar, Detheroc, and Varimathras, to control the Scourge in Lordaeron and left with the rest of the Legion to attack the Night Elves in Kalimdor. Their surprise attack was a complete success. The Night Elves were unable to hold back the onslaught of the Scourge and the Legion together. The one obstacle they observed would be the demigod, Cenarius.

Tichondrius informed the Pit Lord Mannoroth that his failed, former tools, the Orcs, were found in the forests of Northern Kalimdor. Though Mannoroth was immediately insensed at the reminder of his humilation and intended to crush them immediately in recompense, Archimonde ordered his tolerance. Tichondrius, displaying typical Dreadlord skill at manipulation, suggested to Mannoroth that he regain control of his Orcs. By creating a fountain of demonic blood in the forests, the Orcs would be drawn to its power and be corrupted by it, killing Cenarius for the Legion. The plan was a success, the Warsong Clan, led by Grom Hellscream, drank from the pool and became Chaos Orcs.

Tichondrius oversaw the corruption of Felwood and Ashenvale Forest. There, he gained control of the powerful demonic artifact, The Skull of Gul'dan, and he settled himself in the dark forests of Felwood. He took control of the wayward Satyrs and united them to aid the Legion along with the Chaos Orcs and the Scourge.

After Illidan Stormrage had escaped from his imprisonment, he was confronted by the Lich King's agent, Arthas. Arthas told Illidan of the skull of Gul'dan, and of Tichondrius' presence nearby. Illidan consumed the skull and with his newfound power, killed Tichondrius. Thus, the greatest and most cruel of the Dreadlords to ever roam Azeroth was vanquished. With his death, the Lich King had stymied the Legion's efforts, eventually contributing to its defeat and the Scourge's liberation from the Legion.

Succession
After the death of Tichondrius, the Second of the Dreadlords, Anetheron ruled in his stead. Anetheron and Archimonde were both killed shortly thereafter at the battle of Mount Hyjal. Mephistroth, the third, remained in the Twisting Nether and became ruler of the Dreadlords.
The Dreadlords in Lordaeron, once finding out about the Legion's demise, tried to take control of the Scourge, and succeeded in doing so to an extent when Illidan attacked Northrend. They made the mistake of trying to kill the undead Sylvanas Windrunner for not joining their cause. Sylvanas then killed Balnazzar and Detheroc and gained the loyalty of Varimathras. The remaining Dreadlords were absorbed into the Scourge as servants of the Lich King.

Abilities
Tichondrius only appeared in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. He had abilities greater than standard Dreadlords, and a unique appearance among them. He also seemed to wield the element of fire, as he held an Orb of Fire. The rest of his dreadlords had a chosen element of their own, as well.

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See Also

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