Kel'Thuzad

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For strategy on the World of Warcraft encounter, see Kel'Thuzad (tactics). For realms of the same name, see Server:Kel'Thuzad US and Server:Kel'Thuzad Europe.

Kel'Thuzad

Title	The Archlich, Lich Lord of the Plaguelands, Lord of Naxxramas
Gender	Male
Race(s)	Lich, Human (formerly)
Character class	Mage, Archmage (previously); Necromancer (WC3)
Affiliation	Scourge, Cult of the Damned
Former affiliation(s)	Kirin Tor
Occupation	Master of Naxxramas, Leader of the Cult of the Damned, Majordomo of the Lich King
Location	Kel'Thuzad's Chamber, Naxxramas or Plains of Nasam, Borean Tundra
Status	Unknown
Relative(s)	Mr. Bigglesworth (pet)
Mentor(s)	The Lich King
Student(s)	Helcular

Kel'Thuzad (pronounced /'kɛlθʔzɑːd/) was once a human mage of the Kirin Tor. He went on to became the founder of the Cult of the Damned and one of the principal agents of the Lich King responsible for the spreading of the plague of undeath across Lordaeron.^[1] After bringing the plague to Lordaeron, he was slain by the paladin Arthas. When Arthas became a death knight, he resurrected Kel'Thuzad as a lich so he could summon Archimonde the Defiler into Azeroth. Following Arthas' departure for Northrend, Kel'Thuzad was left to command the Scourge of Lordaeron from his necropolis, Naxxramas. Following his first defeat, he and his necropolis moved to Northrend.

Kel'Thuzad appeared in Warcraft III as a hero in the undead campaign. He appears in World of Warcraft as the final encounter of Naxxramas, implemented in patch 1.11 and re-tuned for level 80 in patch 3.0. He may additionally be found in Old Hillsbrad Foothills as his former, human self.

Biography

Kel'Thuzad of the Kirin Tor.

The Kirin Tor

By the period shortly before the Second War, Kel'Thuzad was a member of the Council of Six, the high council of the Kirin Tor — the masters of Dalaran. Of the Kirin Tor's leaders, Kel'Thuzad was the most eager to gain access to the Guardian's Library — the depository of knowledge hoarded by Medivh in his tower of Karazhan — and thus was most upset when the library was lost. After Medivh's death, Kel'Thuzad and the other senior members of the Kirin Tor questioned Medivh's apprentice, Khadgar, about what happened; Kel'Thuzad seemed particularly interested in discovering more about the mysterious Order of Tirisfal, which — as he pointed out to Antonidas, the leader of the Kirin Tor — was relevant when discussing Medivh.^[2]

Road to Damnation

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft novels or short stories.

Call of the Lich King

A handful of powerful individuals, scattered across the world, heard the Lich King's mental summons from Northrend. Most notable of them was the archmage Kel'Thuzad from the magical nation of Dalaran. Kel'Thuzad was one of the senior members of the Kirin Tor — Dalaran's ruling council — and had been considered a maverick for years due to his insistence on studying the forbidden arts of necromancy. Driven to learn all he could of the magical world and its shadowy wonders, he was frustrated by what he saw as his peers' outmoded and unimaginative precepts. Upon hearing the powerful summons from Northrend, the archmage bent all of his considerable will to communing with the mysterious voice. Convinced that the Kirin Tor was too squeamish to seize the power and knowledge inherent in the dark arts, he vowed to learn what he could from the immensely powerful being named the Lich King.

Forsaking his fortune and prestigious political standing, Kel'Thuzad abandoned the ways of the Kirin Tor and left Dalaran forever. Prodded by the Lich King's persistent voice in his mind, he sold his vast holdings and stored away his fortunes. Traveling alone over many leagues of both land and sea, he finally reached the frozen shores of Northrend. Intent on reaching Icecrown and offering his services to the Lich King, the archmage passed through the ravaged, war-torn ruins of Azjol-Nerub. Kel'Thuzad saw firsthand the scope and ferocity of Ner'zhul's power. He began to believe that allying himself with the mysterious Lich King would not only be wise, but potentially fruitful.

After long months of trekking through the harsh Arctic wastelands, Kel'Thuzad finally reached the dark glacier of Icecrown. He boldly approached Ner'zhul's dark citadel and was shocked when the silent undead guardsmen let him pass as though he was expected. Kel'Thuzad descended deep into the cold earth and found his way down to the bottom of the glacier. Within the endless cavern of ice and shadows, he prostrated himself before the Frozen Throne and offered his soul to the dark lord of the dead.

The full version of his flight from Dalaran and encounter in Icecrown, where he meets Anub'arak and realizes, too late, the full plans of the Lich King, is told in the short story, The Road to Damnation.

The Lich King was pleased with his latest conscript. He promised Kel'Thuzad immortality and great power in exchange for his loyalty and obedience. Kel'Thuzad, eager for dark knowledge and power, accepted his first great mission: to go into the world of men and found a new religion that would worship the Lich King as a god.

To help the archmage accomplish his mission, Ner'zhul left Kel'Thuzad's humanity intact. The aged, yet still charismatic wizard was charged with using his powers of illusion and persuasion to lull the downtrodden, disenfranchised masses of Lordaeron into his confidence. Once he had their attention, he would offer them a new vision of what society could be — and a new figurehead to call their king.^[3]

Cult of the Damned

The necromancer Kel'Thuzad.^[4]

Kel'Thuzad returned to Lordaeron in disguise, and over the span of three years, he used his fortune and intellect to gather a clandestine brotherhood of like-minded men and women. The brotherhood, which he called the Cult of the Damned, promised its acolytes social equality and eternal life on Azeroth in exchange for their service and obedience to Ner'zhul. As the months passed, Kel'Thuzad found many eager volunteers for his new cult amongst the tired, overburdened laborers of Lordaeron. Surprisingly, Kel'Thuzad's goal to pervert the citizens' faith in the Holy Light towards belief in Ner'zhul's dark shadow was easily attained. As the Cult of the Damned grew in size and influence, Kel'Thuzad made sure to keep its workings secret from the authorities of Lordaeron at every turn.

Compendium of the Fallen

With Kel'Thuzad's success in Lordaeron, the Lich King made the final preparations for his assault against human civilization. Placing his plague energies into a number of portable artifacts called Plague cauldrons, Ner'zhul ordered Kel'Thuzad to transport the cauldrons to Lordaeron where they would be hidden within various cult-controlled villages. The cauldrons, protected by the loyal cultists, would then act as plague generators by sending the plague seeping out across the unsuspecting farmlands and cities of northern Lordaeron.

The Lich King's plan worked perfectly. Many of Lordaeron's northern villages were contaminated almost immediately. Just as in Northrend, the citizens who contracted the plague died and arose as the Lich King's willing slaves. The cultists under Kel'Thuzad were eager to die and be raised again in their dark lord's service. They exulted in the prospect of immortality through undeath. As the plague spread, more and more feral zombies arose in the northlands. Kel'Thuzad looked upon the Lich King's growing army and named it the Scourge — for soon, it would march upon the gates of Lordaeron and scour humanity from the face of the world.^[5]

War of the Undead

Contact with Archimonde

Kel'Thuzad, upon the Lich King's instruction, oversaw the infection of the small town of Brill where he was discovered by Jaina Proudmoore and Prince Arthas. From there he quickly fled and they followed him back to Andorhal, where he told Arthas of Mal'ganis in Stratholme. Arthas, in a rage, hunted Kel'Thuzad down and killed him, but not before Kel'Thuzad told him his death would mean little. But they were not finished yet.

After Arthas had traveled to Northrend, and slain Mal'ganis with Frostmourne, he returned to Lordaeron and betrayed his kingdom and became a servant of the Lich King. Kel'Thuzad began to appear to him as a ghostly apparition after his protector, Gavinrad the Dire, was slain by Arthas and Kel'Thuzad's remains were reclaimed. He appeared only to Arthas, and told him that he was not to trust the dreadlords, explaining to Arthas that they were the Lich King's jailors, and promised to explain all of the Lich King's plans to Arthas once he walked the earth again in Quel'Thalas.

Kel'Thuzad watched over Arthas as he made the slow procession to the Sunwell in Silvermoon against the stratagems of Sylvanas Windrunner. Eventually, Arthas ravaged his way through the two Elfgates and finally laid siege to Silvermoon itself, breaching through to the fabled Sunwell. Arthas placed Kel'Thuzad's remains within the well, and with the help of Tichondrius, Kel'Thuzad was reborn into the terrifying form of a lich.

As they traveled to Alterac, Kel'Thuzad explained that the Scourge was merely the harbinger of the Burning Legion, and that he would summon the first of the demons, the eredar warlock Archimonde to the mortal world. After slaying the orcs guarding the Demon Gate, Kel'Thuzad communed with the dark lord who told him that he must go to Dalaran and steal the Book of Medivh.

After Arthas led the attack on Dalaran and killed Antonidas, the book was retrieved and Kel'Thuzad began the lengthy summoning process, with Arthas defending him from the many attacks of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor. When all was complete, Archimonde stepped through the portal and was free to act according to his plans. His first act was to promote Tichondrius to leader of the Scourge, rendering Arthas and Kel'Thuzad of little use. However, Kel'Thuzad was confident in the Lich King's grand design and disappeared amidst the chaos of Dalaran's destruction. He had other plans...

After the War

Kel'Thuzad resurfaced as the Legion raked across the Plaguelands, and in the aftermath of the invasion, he remained in the Capital City as one of the Lich King's lieutenants. Arthas had gone to Kalimdor on Ner'zhul's command to find the rogue demon hunter, Illidan, leaving only Kel'Thuzad and the banshee Sylvanas Windrunner remaining in his stead. However, both knew that the Legion was defeated long before the Dreadlords who remained in Lordaeron did.

Arthas returned in a fury and chased the dreadlords out of the Capital, and Kel'Thuzad was relieved to see him. With the Legion's generals gone, they turned to the human villages who were escaping to the mountain passes. Kel'Thuzad thought that perhaps they would be a fitting sacrifice to the Lich King. But as they cut a swath through the human forces, Arthas suffered some violent seizures, and Kel'Thuzad considered recalling their forces, but the King forbade it, and they continued on their macabre mission. In the aftermath, Arthas received a vision from Ner'zhul, who told him to return to Northrend. Kel'Thuzad immediately prepared for his departure, but they were abruptly ambushed by the dreadlords, and separated. The dreadlords unleashed their forces against Arthas, but Kel'Thuzad found his own way out of the city.

Kel'Thuzad later came upon Arthas in the clutches of Sylvanas and her wicked banshees. She was about to strike when Kel'Thuzad unleashed his forces against her and her sisters. With the banshees dead, Sylvanas was forced to retreat. Kel'Thuzad escorted Arthas to the shore, where he had prepared a fleet of ships for his departure. Arthas asked Kel'Thuzad, as his most loyal servant and twisted friend, to remain in Lordaeron and ensure that his legacy endured. Kel'Thuzad swore on what was left of his life to carry out that mission at any cost. While Sylvanas and her Forsaken claimed the Tirisfal Glades, Kel'Thuzad returned to the Eastern Plaguelands, which he ruled from the flying necropolis Naxxramas.

Ashbringer

This section concerns content exclusive to the World of Warcraft: The Comic.

The Four Horsemen and Kel'Thuzad.

After being manipulated by Saidan Dathrohan (who was possessed by the dreadlord Balnazzar), Renault Mograine betrayed and murdered his father, Alexandros Mograine. Renault slew his father using the Ashbringer - an act of evil that corrupted the sword. Collecting the body and blade, Kel'Thuzad transformed Alexandros into a death knight - the leader of his Four Horsemen.

With assistance from members of the Argent Dawn, Renault's younger brother Darion managed to infiltrate Naxxramas and defeat his undead father. He then fled the necropolis with the Ashbringer. After conferring with Tirion Fordring, Darion learned that his father's soul was trapped in the sword, and that only a great act of love could set it free.

When Kel'Thuzad staged an attack on Light's Hope Chapel, Darion ran the Ashbringer through his own heart - sacrificing his life to release his father's soul. An explosion of light destroyed most of the lesser Scourge, but Kel'Thuzad was unaffected. He reanimated Darion as a death knight. While his primary goal had eluded him, he was content to take Darion as his prize, reasoning that the Scourge could always return to Light's Hope.

Alternate Universe

In the alternative timeline where Thrall died as an infant, Kel'thuzad did not take up necromancy but instead became chief adviser to King Aedelas Blackmoore of Lordaeron. As a result, the Scourge never existed.

In World of Warcraft

Kel'Thuzad as seen in World of Warcraft.

Shadow of the Necropolis

This section concerns content exclusive to World of Warcraft.

Kel'Thuzad was the last encounter of the dungeon Naxxramas, implemented in the Patch 1.11, and was the end game boss of the original game of World of Warcraft. He was ultimately defeated by the players, but does not die. As a lich, he may reform using a magic item known as a phylactery. Had Kel'Thuzad's phylactery been destroyed along with him, Kel'Thuzad would have been defeated forever, but some things do not happen as they should.

The quest [60R] The Fall of Kel'Thuzad describes how the player, who likely wanted to destroy the phylactery, is manipulated by some mental force to give the phylactery to Father Inigo Montoy in Light's Hope Chapel. Something very unusual was going on there, and the Argent Dawn reported that the phylactery did not reach their hands.

Wrath of the Lich King

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

Kel'Thuzad at the Plains of Nasam

Commander Eligor Dawnbringer: "The lich, Kel'Thuzad. He serves the Lich King without question, a necromancer of great prowess in life, turned into a master of necromancy after his death. It is said he is the most loyal of the Lich King's subjects. Kel'Thuzad has survived trials that would have long since shattered the souls of even the greatest of the Brotherhood. He readily gave his life at Arthas' hand, later to be brought back - reborn in the power of the Sunwell. In the Plaguelands, Kel'Thuzad was again defeated by the agents of the Argent Dawn. However, his phylactery was delivered to a false agent of the Brotherhood. We have yet to discover who stole his phylactery or why."

Kel'Thuzad once again returned as the final boss of the relocated Naxxramas — now floating above the Carrion Fields in the Dragonblight, besieging Wintergarde Keep. When the phylactery was given to Father Montoy, it was not delivered to the Argent Dawn; his hoarding of the artifact (instead of destroying it or giving it to the Argent Dawn) allowed Kel'Thuzad to regain corporeal form. (Montoy appears to have been rewarded for this effort as he is now a lich himself — known as Thel'zan the Duskbringer — and located within the Wintergarde Mausoleum below Wintergarde Keep, which is currently under siege by Naxxramas.)

In the quest [71] The Plains of Nasam, Horde players are sent to the Plains of Nasam in a siege tank to destroy Scourge forces in the area and rescue injured Warsong Hold troops. They are also called on to identify the leader of the Scourge in the region — Kel'Thuzad himself, who stands upon a dais and is surrounded by Stitched Warsong Horrors, Plague Spreaders, and other Scourge constructs.

In a manner very similar to how he was originally defeated, the champions of Azeroth again stormed the dread citadel Naxxramas and defeated the lich lord once again.

Kel'Thuzad did not have his phylactery on his person during his second defeat. His current status remains unknown.

Quotes

Warcraft III box artwork featuring Kel'Thuzad.

Ruler of Naxxramas.

Kel'Thuzad in the Trading Card Game.

Hello again, children. I am Kel'Thuzad, and I've come to deliver a warning: leave well enough alone. Your curiosity will be the death of you.
We have been discovered, my brothers! Flee and continue with the operations! (After Jaina and Arthas uncovered his operations in Brill.)
Trust not the Dreadlords! They are the Lich King's jailors! (To Arthas, referring to Tichondrius.)
I am reborn, as promised! The Lich King has granted me eternal life! (After the Sunwell was used to transform Kel'Thuzad into a lich.)
I've been reading through Medivh's spellbook. His knowledge of demons alone is staggering. I suspect he was far more powerful than anyone ever realized.
I shall await my eternal reward.
Who dares violate the sanctity of my domain? Be warned: All who trespass here are doomed!
"Enjoy! ... or I will FREEZE THE BLOOD IN YOUR VEINS."^[6]
"Minions, servants, soldiers of the cold dark... Obey the call of Kel'Thuzad!" ^[7]
"Naive... fool. My death will make little difference in the long run... for now... the scourging of this land... begins."

Naxxramas preview monologue

I was cast out by my comrades. Exiled. Forced to wander the frozen wastes...but I was not alone. Not entirely. The voice, now my only companion, guided me to my destination. Strange, nightmarish creatures awaited me at the entrance. I felt my blood run cold, as cold as Icecrown itself.

Inside, I bore witness to horrific acts, demonstrations of power, power that could be mine for the asking. Terrified, I ran...but did not get far. All too soon, my choice was made. Too late did I realize that such power does not come...without a price.

Now, the world shall pay a far greater toll, for I have returned.

I am Kel'Thuzad...

Your curiosity will be the death of you.

Conversation with Helcular

Kel'Thuzad appears in human form along with Helcular in the Old Hillsbrad Foothills wing of the Caverns of Time. He patrols between the main road through Hillsbrad and Southshore. At some point he stops and converses with Helcular:

Kel'Thuzad says: Keep your voice down, Helcular. Strangers abound...

Helcular nods.

Helcular says: So you can teach me this...this...

Kel'Thuzad says: Necromancy. It is called necromancy. And yes, I have it within my power to bless you with this gift.

Helcular says: And the Kirin Tor? What have they to say of necromancy?

Kel'Thuzad says: That is none of your concern, Helcular, as you are neither Kirin Tor nor a necromancer.

Kel'Thuzad says: But to be perfectly frank, I do not give a damn what the Kirin Tor think! They are fools, set in their archaic ways.

Helcular says: Then teach me, Kel'Thuzad. Teach me everything you know...

Kel'Thuzad nods.

Kel'Thuzad says: In due time, Helcular... All in due time...

If the pair encounter the captured critter that has been killed by the children Sally Whitemane and Renault Mograine, then Kel'Thuzad continues:

Kel'Thuzad says: Come, Helcular, let me give you a small taste...

Kel'Thuzad utters some unintelligible words.

The critter is brought back to life.

Kel'Thuzad says: Now do you see, Helcular? Do you doubt the power? I control life!

Kel'Thuzad says: And death...

The critter dies again.

Kel'Thuzad says: I'm still working out some minor details...

He is still seen wearing the robes of the Kirin Tor, but due to the nature of the conversation, it is presumed that he has already joined the Lich King, or was in the process of doing so.

Warcraft III quotes

Main article: Quotes of Warcraft III/Undead Scourge#Kel'Thuzad

World of Warcraft quotes

Main article: Kel'Thuzad_(tactics)#Quotes

Trivia

Kel'Thuzad was voiced by Michael McConnohie in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne and his original appearance in World of Warcraft.
Kel'Thuzad is voiced by a different (unknown) actor in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, as Mr. McConnohie also portrays The Lich King and the producers thought this might "confuse the players".^[8]
Despite having a new voice actor in Wrath of the Lich King, Kel'Thuzad still uses his original laugh. This can be sometimes heard when he kills a player during his encounter. Those wishing to avoid a repair bill can fly to his location at the Plains of Nasam in southwest Borean Tundra, where Kel'Thuzad will laugh every 30 seconds or so.
[Kel'Thuzad's Gold Coin] is an in-game item. The description says, "Sometimes... I wish someone would come along and just give me a big, long hug."
Kel'Thuzad was a wizard in the Warcraft RPG and a necromancer in the World of Warcraft RPG.^[9]
The Alliance warlock Tier 9 set is named after Kel'Thuzad. Though is he not normally classified as a warlock, Kel'Thuzad did learn a great deal about demons by studying the Book of Medivh (which allowed him to summon Archimonde).
He has a pet based on him, Lil' K.T.. Kel'Thuzad himself will mail the player the pet and congratulate them on joining his fanclub.
The Lich King drops [Bloodsurge, Kel'Thuzad's Blade of Agony]. The blade had no prior in-game appearances.
Nyorloth (creator of the WoW Story Forum and the Ask CDev project) seemingly confirmed Kel'Thuzad's continued existence by mentioning that he has "survived two separate Lich Kings".^[10]