Argent Crusade

Argent Crusade
Main leader	Lord Maxwell Tyrosus
Formerly	Highlord Tirion Fordring †
Secondary leaders	Justicar Mariel Trueheart  Commander Eligor Dawnbringer
Race(s)	Human  Dwarf  Gnome  Night elf  Draenei  High elf  Orc  Jungle troll  Tauren  Forsaken  Blood elf  Goblin
Character classes	Confessor, Crusader, Footman, Knight, Mage, Monk, Paladin, Priest, Rider, Rifleman, Rogue, Scout, Soldier, Squire, Warrior
Capital	Hearthglen
Other major settlements	Light's Hope Chapel, Tyr's Hand, Argent Tournament Grounds
Theater of operations	Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, Northrend, Broken Shore
Formerly	Argus, Alternate Draenor
Language(s)	Common, Various languages
Sub-group(s)	Brotherhood of Light, Argent Dawn
Affiliation	Independent, Silver Hand (allied)
Status	Active
Reputation
Quartermaster	Veteran Crusader Aliocha Segard
Notable reward(s)	[Arcanum of the Stalwart Protector]  [Pattern: Brilliant Spellthread]
Tabard

“The Lich King must answer for what he has done, and must not be allowed to cause further destruction in our world. I make a promise to you now, brothers and sisters: the Lich King will be defeated! On this day, I call for a union. The Argent Dawn and the Order of the Silver Hand will come together as one! We will succeed where so many before us have failed! We will take the fight to Arthas, and we will tear down the walls of Icecrown! The Argent Crusade comes for you, Arthas!”

— Highlord Tirion Fordring at Light's Hope Chapel

The Argent Crusade is an order of holy warriors formed from the union of the remains of the Order of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron with the Argent Dawn. As a world-wide organization maintaining a status of neutrality, the Argent Crusade is not a political body, nor do their members ever wish to become one. Their cause is to fight swiftly and mercilessly against any element of evil that surfaces in Azeroth. To that end, they call both the Alliance and the Horde allies in the cause of stamping out evil, and therefore recruit from all races without distinction.

Founded by Highlord Tirion Fordring after the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, the Argent Crusade was a major contributor to the successful campaign in Northrend, where they temporarily allied with the Knights of the Ebon Blade to form the Ashen Verdict and topple the Lich King at the Frozen Throne. Since the Cataclysm, they worked to restore the Plaguelands of northern Lordaeron.

At the beginning of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Argent Crusade was decimated during the disastrous Battle for Broken Shore. Under the lead of Lord Maxwell Tyrosus, who succeeded the late Tirion, the remaining forces of the Crusade allied with all the paladin orders of Azeroth to reform the Order of the Silver Hand at the Sanctum of Light, beneath Light's Hope Chapel. Following the Fourth War, the Argent Crusade managed to reform its ranks and faced the resurgence of the Scourge alongside the Alliance and the Horde. Since the defeat of Zovaal the Jailer, the crusaders hold their positions in Northrend to prevent the masterless undead from threatening the rest of the world.

History

Main article: Battle for Light's Hope Chapel

The Argent Crusade was formed shortly after the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel by Tirion Fordring — leader of the Knights of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron — who reclaimed, and evidently purified the Ashbringer during a confrontation with the Lich King. As the new champion that the paladins could rally behind, Tirion lamented the loss of souls on both sides of the conflict, then he assumed a leadership position over the Argent Dawn and united the two factions in order to take the fight against the Lich King to Northrend.

The Argent Crusade became an organization where all people of Azeroth could come together to fight the Scourge, but the highlord took care to ensure they would never fall to blind fanaticism like the Scarlet Crusade, that they would remember always who they were fighting for and not just what they were fighting against.

Wrath of the Lich King

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

Main article: War against the Lich King

Northrend invasion

Highlord Tirion Fordring, founder and leader of the Argent Crusade during the Scourgewar.

When the War against the Lich King began, the Argent Crusade launched the invasion of Northrend alongside the Alliance and the Horde. It began its invasion from Valgarde, where Tirion Fordring managed to set foot on the continent under the disguise of a Cleric of the Crusade, and where he retrieved Ashbringer from Lord Irulon Trueblade after Ares the Oathbound sacrificed his life to protect and transport the legendary weapon, while Tirion was avoiding the Lich King's agents sent to intercept him. Despite Trueblade's request, the Highlord revealed his identity and declared loud and clear that the Argent Crusade had arrived, and that they would advance until they defeated Arthas.

The Argent Crusade was present in Dragonblight where they had two outposts: Dawn's Reach which is directly south of Naxxramas, and Light's Trust just outside Jintha'kalar, from where they fought the Scourge by freeing the damned souls at the Forgotten Shore, and by shattering the undead defenses at the entrance to Zul'Drak. The disastrous Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate soon broke a tenuous trust that had only just begun to form between the Alliance and the Horde, and nearly ended the war against the Lich King before it had truly been joined. It was then the Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade that took over the push for the Lich King's head and kept both factions from forgetting entirely who the true enemy was.

While the main focus of the Argent Crusade was Icecrown, Zul'Drak was a natural place for them to fight the Scourge. From there, they conducted their own operations and some in cooperation with the Knights of the Ebon Blade. In the first tier of Zul'Drak, the Argent Crusade had two outposts, Light's Breach and Crusader Forward Camp, from which they directly fought the hordes of undead trolls. At some point, when the Scourge invaded Zul'Drak, the Drakkari didn't go quietly and brought down the necropolis Kolramas. Unfortunately for them and the detachment of the Argent Crusade that was nearby, the crash didn't kill all the Hath'ar nerubians inside. Under Malas the Corrupter, undead nerubians began to emerge from the necropolis and started raising up any dead they could get their nasty claws on, including fallen Argent crusaders which they used against them.

Under the command of Crusade Commander Korfax, the Argent Crusade chose the Argent Stand as their main base in the region, and used it as a defensive position to keep the Scourge from taking the second tier of Zul'Drak. This effort failed, but the crusade had not given up. They then worked with agents of both the Horde and Alliance to disrupt Overlord Drakuru's plans, which included using the plague to transform the ice troll inhabitants of Zul'Drak into undead minions of the Lich King. They also collected and did some research on a dark cursed metal used by the Lich King for his army. Ultimately, Drakuru's death at the hands of the Lich King for his failure marked the end of the Scourge power in Zul'Drak, leading the Argent Crusade to continue to push further into Northrend.

Advance on Icecrown

The Argent Vanguard, the main forward base of the Argent Crusade in Icecrown.

With the majority of preliminary threats behind them, the Argent Crusade found themselves faced with the daunting prospect of invading Icecrown, the Scourge's base of operations. Having mustered a large army to fight the Scourge, the Argent Crusade, led personally by Highlord Tirion Fordring, advanced into the region from the nearby Crystalsong Forest. The Argent Vanguard was their first forward base when they breached Icecrown. Located in the Valley of Echoes, the crusaders proceeded to create a breach in the cliffs, giving them a path into Scourgeholme, which the highlord hoped to conquer and remake into an Argent Crusade fortress.

The encampment immediately came under heavy attack by waves of undead of every sort assaulting its battlements from the Scourge stronghold of Scourgeholme. The Argent Crusaders fought back with zeal, using melee weapons and cannons to repel each undead attack, also aided by some members of the Alliance and Horde. Withstanding even hosts of frost wyrms, the Argent Crusade succeeded in throwing the Lich King's minions back from the valley. Not pausing, the breach was reopened and the Argent Crusade began working to establish a foothold on the far side. To achieve this, however, the Crusade's leaders deemed it necessary to pacify Scourgeholme. Under the supervision of Highlord Darion Mograine, the lords of Scourgeholme were slain and the garrison became unable to resist any further action by the invaders.

Justice Keep, built by the Argent Crusade after the Battle for Crusaders' Pinnacle against the Scourge.

Pressing their advantage, the Argent Crusade next assaulted the nearby height, mockingly known as Crusaders' Pinnacle, and held the position against repeated Scourge counterattacks. Having sanctified the once-blighted ground, the Argent Crusade began construction of a new fortification, Justice Keep, atop the Pinnacle. The base would mark the Crusade's establishment inside Icecrown, and stand in direct defiance to the Lich King and the Scourge.

At some point, the crusaders arrived for the assault of one of the region's first obstacles: Mord'rethar: The Death Gate. There, they discovered that the Alliance, the Horde, and the Scourge forces had mutually annihilated each other during the battle. They were only able to recover a portion of the wounded and dead, while the Scourge remained in control of the Death Gate.

During the most intense phase of the battle in Icecrown, the Argent Crusade received information about the existence of the heart of Arthas Menethil. With it, Tirion Fordring decided there could be a chance to make Arthas human again, redeeming him and ending the threat of the Lich King simultaneously. He planned to seize the frozen organ in an ambush as it was being transported from Icecrown Citadel to the Cathedral of Darkness. However, before the trap could be sprung, the Lich King himself appeared and immediately seeing through the paladins' trick and claiming that, unlike last time, they would not be fighting on holy ground and Tirion would lose. To the surprise of the Lich King, Tirion proceeded to strike the organ with the Ashbringer, giving up all hope of bringing redemption to Arthas, critically injuring the Lich King, and triggering an explosion that knocked Tirion unconscious. As the Argent champions moved to defend Tirion from the surrounding cultists, Darion Mograine and a force of Ebon Knights arrived, holding back the tide of Scourge forces and allowing those gathered to escape through a portal.

The Argent Tournament

The Call Of The Crusade.

Before progressing through the territories of Icecrown, Tirion Fordring handpicked every member in the Argent Crusade in order to avoid infiltration by the Cult of the Damned, this was presumably to prevent a repeat of the Inigo Montoy incident which resulted in Naxxramas returning to Northrend and Kel'Thuzad regaining corporeal form. In time, the Argent Crusade recognized that the time was fast approaching when they would be forced to finally deal with the Lich King, and began to make preparations for the inevitable assault on the Scourge's greatest fortress: Icecrown Citadel.

While Garrosh Hellscream and King Varian Wrynn were eager to see the Lich King destroyed, Tirion warned them to hold back as he believed that a full, overwhelming assault was exactly what Arthas wanted. The Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade had both carved out small footholds near Icecrown Citadel and spent weeks carefully observing the tactics and movements of the Scourge. Despite their differences, the paladins and the death knights had shared information with one another and reached the same conclusions: the Lich King was prepared to absorb heavy losses in a ground assault because the Scourge would inflict heavy losses in return, and everyone who died would rise again as his minions.

The Argent Tournament, an event to determine the best fighters to charge into Icecrown Citadel.

The Highlord believed there was only one way to conquer Icecrown: a small, surgical strike force could punch a hole in the citadel's defenses and fight its way to the Lich King. To this end, the Crusade announced the beginning of the Argent Tournament, an event that would, among other things, attempt to create some semblance of order between the ever-disparate Horde and Alliance, but also to train this large army in preparation for an assault on the Lich King's bastion, and more importantly, to determine the very best fighters present who would join Tirion's strike force. The reasoning behind using a small force to spearhead their assault lay in the fact that any great loss of life that they might suffer would only serve to reinforce the Scourge, and subsequently might leave the rest of the world open to attack.

Though criticized by members of both factions, they all trusted Tirion Fordring who had shown exemplary bravery in his fight to protect Light's Hope Chapel, while the Horde remembered his commitment to justice in defense of the orc Eitrigg many years earlier. None doubted his sincerity and single-minded desire to see the Lich King destroyed, and there was no shortage of heroes willing to march at his side, no matter their faction. The tournament went ahead in the far northeast of Icecrown and achieved a good start, with both factions in full attendance (the Alliance championed by the high elven Silver Covenant and the Horde by the blood elven Sunreavers), as well as the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Both King Varian Wrynn and Warchief Thrall also made appearances and agreed to observe some of the tournament's trials in the Crusaders' Coliseum. Argent Peacekeepers maintained a constant vigil throughout the grounds, policing the tournament to ensure there was no conflict.

However, the tournament drew the attention of the Lich King who sent forces to disrupt, such as with assaults and kidnappings from the Cult of the Damned, the infiltration of the Black Knight, and attacks from Val'kyr in an attempt to free some of their kind captured by the paladins, though they were unable to inflict any lasting damage. As part of the tournament's program, potential champions were sent to rescue as many of the captured aspirants as possible, before they could be used in the Cult's dark rituals. Similarly, aspirants were also dispatched to the Court of Bones in front of the dreaded Icecrown Citadel in order to begin preliminary attacks on the Citadel's defenses. This involved launching forays against the Boneguard, an army of undead guarding the approaches to their master's fortress.

Towards the end, the Trial of the Crusader was held, the culmination of the entire Argent Tournament. Just as the event concluded, and Highlord Tirion announced the long-awaited attack on Icecrown Citadel, the Lich King himself appeared in the coliseum. Despite being outnumbered, he seemed unconcerned and reminded those gathered that the nerubian empire extended far across and beneath the entire continent, then proceeded to shatter the very floor of the arena, dropping the Crusade's champions deep into a series of underground tunnels to confront a resurrected Anub'arak. Despite the ambush, Anub'arak was vanquished, marking the conclusion of the tournament, and the beginning of the assault on Icecrown Citadel.

Countless heroes had participated in the tournament's trials, and before long, Tirion had winnowed the ranks to find his chosen few. The Argent Crusade now had their champions, and together, they would bring final judgment upon the Lich King.

Fall of the Lich King

The Fall of the Lich King.

Tirion launches the assault on Icecrown Citadel.

As armies began to prepare for the assault on Icecrown Citadel, the Argent Crusade and the Knights of the Ebon Blade launched preliminary attacks on its defenses. In the lead-up to the final battle, both organizations forged a new alliance, one which would lead the assault on the Icecrown Citadel's defenses, the Ashen Verdict was born; united, they gathered in the mighty fortress's shadow to begin the assault. Having swept aside opposition and seized the Citadel's entrance, the Argent Crusade were the ones who breached its gates; they sacrificed much, and without question, to see the Lich King fall. The Ashen Verdict eventually forged a staging ground just inside the citadel's main entrance, which they named Light's Hammer, while the champions of Azeroth leaped forward to bring down the Lich King.

Once the citadel's defenses were down, the way to the Frozen Throne was finally opened for Tirion and his champions. However, after the highlord declared that Arthas would pay for the many thousands he had slain, the Lord of the Scourge casted a powerful spell on him, freezing and incapacitating him in a block of ice. Though outnumbered, Arthas ferociously fought the champions until he called upon all of the fury contained within Frostmourne to finish them all. He then revealed that each challenge the champions had encountered since arriving on Northrend had been specifically placed to test them, and that Tirion had just delivered him the most powerful heroes in the world. Under his command, they would usher in a new age of Scourge dominion on Azeroth.

With a prayer to the Light asking for the power to escape from his bonds, Tirion shattered his icy prison and managed to destroy Frostmourne with one swing of the Ashbringer. Immediately, the souls of the many thousands slain by the blade escaped, swirling around Arthas and raising him into the air. The released spirit of Terenas Menethil II then used his remaining power to quickly resurrect the champions, and together, they struck at the now-vulnerable Lich King, marking the end of the war and the birth of the new Lich King Bolvar Fordragon, crowned by Tirion to seal the fate of the Scourge on Azeroth.

The victorious champions of the Crusade returned to Dalaran, where a golden statue named Dedication of Honor was built in honor of the heroes who died during the Scourgewar. At the very top of this monument stood a statue of Tirion, with four soldiers of the Alliance and the Horde circling beneath him, with the Ashbringer raised, and standing over a shattered Frostmourne.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

“We among the Argent Crusade are always looking for promising new recruits, and you have indeed shown great promise.”

— Highlord Tirion Fordring to the adventurers

Hearthglen, the headquarters of the Argent Crusade after the war against the Lich King.

By the time of the Cataclysm, the Argent Crusade has resumed the Argent Dawn's original mandate: to fight swiftly and mercilessly against any element of evil that surfaces in Azeroth as a non-governmental organization. They also have strengthened their presence in the Plaguelands, claiming not only outposts formerly held by the now-defunct Argent Dawn such as Light's Hope Chapel, but also the town of Hearthglen from the remnants of the Scarlet Crusade, and the four towers that span through the Eastern Plaguelands; around which the plague has receded.

After his return from Northrend, Highlord Tirion Fordring resumed command of Hearthglen and personally welcomed the adventurers, inviting them to stay in town as long as they wish to continue training, and maybe, to help their cause one day as a member of the Argent Crusade. When supplies from Hearthglen went missing, Daria L'Rayne along with an adventurer discovered them among the Redpine gnolls at Taelan's Tower, who also learned the arts of necromancy. After questioning several members of the Crusade in town, they eventually found out that Magus Bisp, one of the town's most preeminent arcanists, was the culprit and killed him in self-defense. Rather than facing trial, Tirion thanked them for eliminating the traitor they had been searching for for weeks.

The Argent Crusade also joined forces with the Cenarion Circle to help heal the Plaguelands from its blighted state, Field Agent Kaartish notably intended to find out what prevented local wildlife from healing. When he discovered a new blight that was infecting the wildlife, and that remains of the Cult of the Damned led by Instructor Malicia were inoculating the animals, he tasked adventurers to kill her and disrupt their reanimating operations.

Light's Hope Chapel, expanded into a full-fledged fortified outpost since the Cataclysm.

At Light's Hope Chapel, Lord Maxwell Tyrosus supervised the admission of prospective recruits into the Argent Crusade, while reducing the Scourge numbers in the region through some imposed trials. The first test was to enter the small crypt behind the chapel, where are buried the bodies of fallen heroes who gave their lives during the Scourgewar, then to read the Argent Scroll in order to summon and fight the spirit of Maxwell's predecessor, Lord Raymond George. The second test was to reduce the number of undead and cultists present in the Noxious Glade, because despite their proximity to the chapel the Crusade could not completely remove them. Finally, the last test was once again to reduce the number of undead in the region, but this time in Northdale.

The Brotherhood of the Light, a subsection of the former Argent Dawn's ranks, now the Argent Crusade, also began their own campaign against the remaining Scourge and Risen forces in Lordaeron with an assault force of one hundred men; which ended with the capture of Tyr's Hand from the undead. They also took control of the Scarlet Bastion and Alonsus Chapel after the death of Balnazzar and Lord Aurius Rivendare, which became safe territories for the Argent Crusade within Stratholme. Though both organizations were still allied with one another, the Argent Crusade was concerned with the Brotherhood's recklessness, and their dislike to the Crusade's rigid code of ethics.

Although the Argent Crusade still stood by the Forsaken heroes who joined them in the battle against the Scourge, Sylvanas Windrunner's actions since the slaying of Arthas Menethil had deeply concerned the crusaders. They, along with certain members of the Knights of the Ebon Blade, decided to watch the Banshee Queen and her forces very closely, as similarities between her and the Lich King kept increasing in number by the day. Argent Apothecary Judkins was once one of Sylvanas' apothecaries, but when he sensed that she was changed after Arthas' death, he broke his vows to the Forsaken and joined the Crusade, using his knowledge of alchemy to seek a counter-plague on his own.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

During the war against the Iron Horde, several members of the Crusade came to Draenor. Soulare of Andorhal supported the factions' garrisons, while Gidwin Goldbraids, Talren and Argus Highbeacon, and Tarenar Sunstrike accompanied Fiona's caravan into Shadowmoon Valley. There, the group fought against the botani and was aided by the Alliance. Leonid Barthalomew the Revered also visited the garrisons, seeking more insight into his undead condition from Auchindoun in Talador.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

The Argent Crusade facing the Legion forces to save Highlord Tirion Fordring.

At the beginning of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, a joint council of war took place in Dalaran, where the faction leaders agreed to lead their forces against the Legion. The paladins of the Argent Crusade had vowed on the day of their order's creation to fight only with creatures of pure evil. Though their focus had remained on containing the remaining Scourge in the Plaguelands, the paladins could not ignore the threat the demons presented. Highlord Fordring thus pledged the Crusade's support; whether they won or lost, he would share in the fate of the order he had founded.

The crusaders were the first to launch an assault force against the armies of demons pouring from the Tomb of Sargeras on the Broken Shore. However, the battle was ultimately a disaster, and the Argent Crusade was decimated while many prisoners were taken, including Highlord Tirion Fordring. When the Alliance and Horde fleets arrived, many of the crusaders were impaled on spikes or put on body piles, but some of them were still alive and were saved by the adventurers. Further inland, Gul'dan held Tirion above a pool of lava as a trap to lure in Azeroth's forces, before summoning the giant Krosus who spews a storm of fel at the paladin, destroying his Divine Shield and gravely wounding him. Gul'dan then dropped him into the lava as a final way to erode the Alliance and Horde's morale.

In the aftermath, Lord Maxwell Tyrosus succeeded at the head of the Crusade and helped the Tyr's Guard in the recovery of the  [The Silver Hand] at Tyr's Fall, alongside the Champion of the Light. Meanwhile, Orik Trueheart was accompanied by Tahu Sagewind, Cato and the paladin adventurer to recover the artifact known as  [Truthguard], a shield crafted by Keeper Tyr long ago for his vrykul champion to carry into battle. The Crusade was also involved directly in the recovery of the  [Ashbringer] at the Broken Shore, as the spirit of Uther the Lightbringer revealed that Tirion had survived and was held captive and tortured by Jailer Zerus. He was later freed but the torture he received was too much for him, and after choosing the champion as his successor, the Highlord passed away. His body was later buried amongst the ancient heroes of the Light in the Sanctum of Light beneath Light's Hope Chapel, where a memorial service was held in his honor.

Following the ceremony, Maxwell told the hero that they could assume the mantle of Highlord of the Argent Crusade. However, the decision was ultimately made to reform the Order of the Silver Hand with the help of the Sunwalkers, the Hand of Argus, the Blood Knights, the survivors of the Crusade, and the Silver Hand members from Stormwind City and Ironforge, all united under the command of the new Highlord. Lord Tyrosus then pledged himself as the right-hand man for the new Highlord.

During the Assault on Light's Hope Chapel by the Knights of the Ebon Blade, who came to retrieve Tirion's body in order to make him the last member of the Four Horsemen, a number of Argent sentries fought alongside the Silver Hand forces to repel the undead invaders. While they were defeated, the Light itself intervened and burned the surrounded death knights, forcing them to flee and granting victory to the paladins.

Several members of the Argent Crusade were later present at Deliverance Point during the Assault on Broken Shore, where they could be seen fighting against the demons.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Since the Fourth War, the status of the Argent Crusade with the Silver Hand remains unknown as the paladin order once more affiliated itself with the Alliance. At the same time, the Crusade was still active and neutral, such as when Sean Wilkers worked with adventurers from both factions to clear out of the Stratholme Service Entrance after the Scourge activity increased in the ruined city.

Forsaken Argent mages could later be found within the Pathfinder's Den in Orgrimmar, conjuring a portal to Dalaran. Interestingly enough, they are wearing the old Tabard of the Argent Dawn.

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

After the Fourth War, Mathias Shaw mentioned in his reports that the Argent Crusade was still active in the Plaguelands. At Hearthglen, Mardenholde Keep had become a training ground for new recruits, and the place where artifacts recovered by the Crusade are stored under the supervision of Lieutenant Myner, such as the  [Barovian Family Sword] and the  [Barovian Ritual Hood].

In the Eastern Plaguelands, the Argent Crusade forces were scattered all over the region where corruption was slowly starting to fade away, where they maintained and protected the towers that serve as true oases for those who pass through these devastated lands. They also continued to control parts of Stratholme, most notably the Scarlet Bastion.

The Crusade's reports also mentioned that Scholomance was still in operation as a school of necromancy, and was under investigation. They also reported that some of the Barovs were still there and Darkmaster Gandling had many puppets to play with. This includes Jandice Barov and Rattlegore.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

Argent crusaders surrounding Nathanos Blightcaller at his home during Death Rising.

When the Helm of Domination was destroyed, the uncontrolled Scourge began to rampage across Azeroth. The Argent Crusade sent emissaries and troops to Stormwind City and Orgrimmar, in order to protect both capitals and their surrounding regions from undead invasions and attacks of the Cult of the Damned. If the adventurer was a death knight, the Argent Sentries told them that they have not forgotten what the Knights of the Ebon Blade attempted at Light's Hope Chapel, and that while they may not be enemies, they were not allies either.

On one of their patrols, the Argent Crusade saw Nathanos Blightcaller sitting on his front porch in the Eastern Plaguelands, not even trying to hide. They alerted the Alliance and Horde, before fighting alongside the champions of Azeroth against the Blightcaller, and witnessed his death at the hands of Tyrande Whisperwind.

In Icecrown, the Argent Tournament Grounds came under concentrated attack by the Scourge and became the Crusade's main base of operations in fighting the undead back. As the attack was as sudden as it was unexpected, many valiants laid wounded, while the civilians participated in defending the area as best as they could. Consequently, Justicar Mariel Trueheart requested the support of the Crusade's forces in the Eastern Kingdoms and Kalimdor, and with the help of adventurers, they managed to repel the undead and save the lives of many injured.

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Following the war against the Jailer, the brothers Bronzebeard mentioned in their exploration report that the Argent Crusade maintained its settlements across Northrend to fight against the Scourge. While many forces have been drawn down in Northrend, the Argent Crusade presence remains strong as there are still so many Scourge.

In Zul'Drak, the crusaders continued to use Light's Breach and Argent Stand, the latter hosting quite the population of crusaders, as positions to repel the undead who threw themselves against their fortifications.

While the Argent Crusade maintained a presence in Icecrown, they mostly drew down the Argent Vanguard in favor of the stronger and more permanent fortifications of the Argent Tournament Grounds, but still used it as a way station into Icecrown for their soldiers. After the Jailer's defeat, the tournament grounds have been remade into a place for the Argent Crusade and any who would fight the Scourge to train, and they still get the occasional incursion of the Scourge.

Notable characters

Main article: Argent Crusade characters

Bases throughout Azeroth

• Plaguelands

  Western Plaguelands
  • The Bulwark
  • Chillwind Camp
  • Hearthglen
  • Menders' Stead
  • Northridge Lumber Camp
  Eastern Plaguelands
  • Light's Hope Chapel
  • Sanctum of Light
  • Tyr's Hand
  • Scarlet Bastion
  • Crown Guard Tower
  • Eastwall Tower
  • Light's Shield Tower
  • Northpass Tower
  • Plaguewood Tower

• Northrend

  Dragonblight
  • Dawn's Reach
  • Light's Trust
  Zul'Drak
  • The Argent Stand
  • Crusader Forward Camp
  • Light's Breach
  Icecrown
  • Argent Tournament Grounds
  • The Argent Vanguard
  • Crusaders' Pinnacle

Reputation

The Argent Crusade banner.

Description

Led by Tirion Fordring, the Argent Crusade combines the reformed Order of the Silver Hand with the Argent Dawn in one final push against the forces of the Lich King.

Quests

Main article: Argent Crusade quests

Daily quests

•  [25-30 Daily] Slaves to Saronite
•  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol
  • Captain Brandon:
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Can You Dig It?
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: High Standards
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Something for the Pain
  • Captain Grondel:
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Couldn't Care Less
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Creature Comforts
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Whatdya Want, a Medal?
  • Captain Rupert:
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Done to Death
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Intestinal Fortitude
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: Throwing Down
  • Alchemist Finklestein
    •  [20-30 Daily] Troll Patrol: The Alchemist's Apprentice
•  [20-30 Daily] Congratulations!

Also six quests at the Argent Tournament once you reach a high enough rank.

Note: that these quests will give Knights of the Ebon Blade reputation instead for death knights.

•  [25-30] A Champion Rises
•  [25-30 Daily] Taking Battle To The Enemy
•  [25-30 Daily] Among the Champions
•  [25-30 Daily] Battle Before The Citadel
•  [25-30G3 Daily] Threat From Above
•  [25-30 Daily] Contributin' To The Cause

Reputation can also be gained by purchasing  [Tabard of the Argent Crusade] 1 from Veteran Crusader Aliocha Segard in the Argent Vanguard. This tabard, while worn in level 80 dungeons, awards 2 to 30 reputation per mob depending on its difficulty and 300 reputation per boss to your standing with the Argent Crusade.

Since Cataclysm, Argent Crusade reputation is also provided by most quests in the Western and Eastern Plaguelands.

Rewards

Veteran Crusader Aliocha Segard
<Argent Crusade Quartermaster>

Rep	Item	Cost	Type
Friendly	[Tabard of the Argent Crusade]	1	Tabard
Honored	[Cloak of Holy Extermination]	21 9 13	Back
	[Standard Issue Legguards]	46 18 42	Plate Legs
	[Special Issue Legplates]	46 36 29	Plate Legs
Revered	[Argent Skeleton Crusher]	89 56 27	2H Mace
	[Battle Mender's Helm]	32 72 90	Mail Head
	[Design: Guardian's Twilight Opal]	4	Jewelcrafting
	[Fang-Deflecting Faceguard]	37 96 85	Plate Head
	[Purifying Torch]	52 35 6	Wand
	[Zombie Sweeper Shotgun]	53 94 17	Gun
Exalted	[Boots of the Neverending Path]	35 83 98	Leather Feet
	[Helm of Purified Thoughts]	53 67 12	Plate Head
	[Pattern: Brilliant Spellthread]	5	Tailoring
	[Polished Regimental Hauberk]	61 23 79	Mail Chest
	[Signet of Hopeful Light]	28 49 83	Finger

Notes

• In addition to their distinctive tabard, the members of the Argent Crusade wear an insignia to mark their membership in the organization.
• Following the end of the Scourgewar, an unnamed Argent Crusader wrote a detailed report of all military operations made in pursuit of the Lich King.
• Alchemist Finklestein is known as the the Crusade's best alchemist.
• According to Master Craftsman Omarion, the Argent Crusade has become too much like the church that they seceded from: too rigid, too governed by honor and order.
• It should be noted that, despite the new Tabard the Argent Crusade uses, several of their members can be found using the old tabard of the Argent Dawn - this is referring to members of the Argent Crusade faction in Northrend, not the Argent Dawn members who are found in Eastern Kingdoms/Kalimdor. Those who wear the old tabard range from the common infantry to the commanders and senior members of the Crusade. This may mean that the two tabards are interchangeable in the Crusade, and the old Argent Dawn tabard may still be in production as part of the uniform for the members of the Crusade. Avenger Metz, for example, still uses the Argent Dawn tabard instead of the newer Argent Crusade one.
• According to Chris Metzen, the Church of the Holy Light fully supports the Argent Crusade and hates the Scarlet Crusade.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

The Argent Crusade and its predecessor the Argent Dawn, both have an unusually high number of undead holy men and women in their ranks compared to any other faction, including the Forsaken. They come as Clerics, Priests, Healers, Initiates and Lightbringers. As such, it is possible that these faithful of the Light are members of the Lordaeron branch of the Church of the Holy Light who were initially freed with the other undead and decided to band apart because of the tendency of the Forsaken to instead be shadow priests.

Gallery

Trading Card Game

• 

  Argent Crusader
• 

  Argent Defender
• 

  The Call of the Crusade

Hearthstone

• 

  Argent Horserider
• 

  Argent Watchman
• 

  Lance Carrier
• 

  Lowly Squire
• 

  Protect the Innocent
• 

  Squarring Partner
• 

  Argent Commander, reused TCG art for Grand Marshal Goldensword.
• 

  Argent Protector, reused TCG art for Graccus.
• 

  Argent Squire, reused TCG art for Sarina the Immaculate.
• 

  Coliseum Manager, reused TCG art for Father Kamaros.
• 

  Tournament Attendee, reused TCG art for Veteran Crusader Aliocha Segard.

Patch changes

• Hotfix (2009-04-22): Players who are exalted with the Argent Crusade will no longer be able to complete the quest " [25-30 Daily] Contributin' To The Cause" in the Argent Pavillion.
  
• Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Added.
  

External links

World of Warcraft Community Site 

• Wowhead
• WoWDB