Council of the Black Harvest

Council of the Black Harvest
Main leader	The Netherlord
Formerly	See below
Secondary leaders	Ritssyn Flamescowl  Jubeka Shadowbreaker  Shinfel Blightsworn  Zinnin Smythe  Kira Iresoul /  Lulubelle Fizzlebang
Formerly	Zelifrax Wobblepox †
Race(s)	Blood elf  Dwarf  Forsaken  Gnome  Goblin  Human  Orc  Troll  Worgen  Demon
Character classes	Warlock, Acolyte, Summoner
Base of operations	Dreadscar Rift
Theater of operations	Azeroth, Outland, Twisting Nether
Formerly	Argus, Niskara
Language(s)	Common, Eredun, Various languages
Sub-group(s)	Dreadscar demons
Affiliation	Armies of Legionfall, Independent
Status	Active
Reputation
Quartermaster	Gigi Gigavoid

“Let us gather and give our oaths! Our leader has done what no other could do. The Council of the Black Harvest lives once again.
Under the First, our power will reach new heights. The secrets of the Burning Legion will be ours to unlock!”

— Ritssyn Flamescowl

The Council of the Black Harvest (also referred as the Black Harvest) is an order founded by six of the greatest warlocks of Azeroth, who gathered together after Deathwing's defeat to teach all warlocks advanced forms of magic stolen from their defeated foes. These powers would be shared with each other to further aid their kind against any future threats to Azeroth. During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the order was shattered by Overlord Jagganoth and his master Mephistroth, only to be reformed under the leadership of the Netherlord. From their order hall on the conquered demonic world of Dreadscar Rift, the warlocks fought the Legion alongside the other class orders united as the Armies of Legionfall. They are known as the takers of souls, commanders of demons, and masters of the dark arts.

History

Legacy of the Masters

This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

Main article: Legacy of the Masters (Part 1)

Kanrethad Ebonlocke after he transformed into his demonic form at the top of the Black Temple.

After the fall of Deathwing in 29 ADP, the sorcery of the warlocks was sorely lacking in bite when compared to the threats facing Azeroth. A council of six of the greatest warlocks eventually gathered, but refused to cooperate at first, bickering and tossing blame as easily as curses. After several nights, Kanrethad Ebonlocke spoke out about how the Alliance, the Horde, and various organizations around the world, such as the Knights of the Ebon Blade, had trained for war and kept getting stronger and stronger over time. United, they would become more powerful than they would have ever been alone.

After much debate, it was decided that each warlock would be partnered with another in order to obtain new powers, which would then be shared with the rest of the Council. Although none of the warlocks liked each other, they knew that what they would be doing would greatly benefit them all and their sects. To make sure greed did not set in with individual members, it was agreed that any warlock who broke the contract, failed to return, or returned alone, would be struck down by the rest of the Council, and their soul would be banished forever.

In Year 30 ADP, Ritssyn Flamescowl and Zinnin Smythe were sent to Sulfuron Keep in the Firelands to gather the powers left behind by the Firelord Ragnaros. Meanwhile, Shinfel Blightsworn and Zelifrax Wobblepox hunted down Cho'gall's remaining followers to persuade them to reveal anything they learned. Finally, Jubeka Shadowbreaker and Kanrethad Ebonlocke returned to the Black Temple in Outland, seeking to learn more about various demonic races and their powers, as well as the secret to how Illidan Stormrage was able to control them while not being a servant of the Burning Legion.

A few months after the duo harvested the power of the Shrine of Lost Souls, Kanrethad put into practice what he had learned about Illidan's demonic transformation, eventually becoming a demon himself after absorbing too much fel energy. At the top of the Black Temple, Kanrethad declared that the Black Harvest would enslave hordes of demons and destroy anyone who stood against them, on both Outland and Azeroth. This culminated in a battle between the warlock hero and Kanrethad, ending in the latter's banishment by Jubeka at the Altar of Damnation.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Main article: Council of the Black Harvest Campaign

The Dreadscar Rift, headquarters of the Council of the Black Harvest within the Twisting Nether.

Following the Battle for Broken Shore in 32 ADP, the Council planned to summon powerful demons from the Twisting Nether. On their behalf, Ritssyn Flamescowl requested the warlock hero to become the Sixth of the Black Harvest, replacing Kanrethad Ebonlocke. Using demons as a distriction for the Underbelly Guard, the Council met at the Circle of Wills in Dalaran, where Ritssyn, Zinnin Smythe, Jubeka Shadowbreaker, Shinfel Blightsworn, and Zelifrax Wobblepox as the master summoner. However, an error during the ritual caused the pit lord Jagganoth to emerge from the portal, knocking back everyone except Zelifrax, whom he killed on the spot, while his jailers captured the warlocks with magical chains and took them to the Legion world of Dreadscar Rift.

After the Sixth escaped from their prison, they allied with the wyrmtongue Calydus to kill Jagganoth, the Overlord of the Dreadscar. While Calydus distracted the sentries, the warlock hero found Jubeka Shadowbreaker, then saved both Zinnin Smythe and Shinfel Blightsworn from the inquisitor demons torturing them. Once they reunited, except for the wounded Ritssyn left behind, Shinfel believed that the four of them would suffice to defeat the pit lord, but eventually agreed to escape at the silent request of Zinnin. At the Dreadscar's archives, Calydus revealed that Jagganoth was using the Tome of Blighted Implements to hunt several powerful weapons, which the Black Harvest could use against the Legion and to rule over Dreadscar Rift. During their escape, however, Jagganoth teleported upon the Council and defeated them once again, leaving only the Sixth able to escape after the gateway had been shattered by Jubeka.

Back on Azeroth, the Sixth and Calydus used the Tome of Blighted Implements to find three powerful artifacts in order to defeat Jagganoth, namely  [Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester], the  [Skull of the Man'ari], and the  [Scepter of Sargeras]. After they gathered them all, the Sixth confronted Jagganoth who revealed that the Council members had already been sent to his master, the nathrezim Mephistroth, as a gift for his amusement. Using their newfound powers, the Sixth overcame the pit lord and carved his demonic heart, took his place as the new Overlord of the Dreadscar Rift, and eventually received the allegiance of Bulzan, the champion at the head of the Dreadscar demons. In the aftermath, Jagganoth's corpse was chained above the Felblood Altar, and his very blood was used to charge the altar and empower the Netherlord's artifacts.

Now the target of Mephistroth's wrath for killing his general, the Sixth needed the support of powerful allies, such as Ritssyn who had not survived his wounds. After he was resurrected with a soulstone, the orc could not believe that one warlock was leading an entire army of demons, something the Black Harvest had always hoped for. Looking to rebuild the order, Ritssyn tasked their agents to locate their captured comrades, as well as any other warlocks who might join their cause. He then stepped down from his position, making the warlock hero the First of the Council, and was honored to serve as Second of the Black Harvest. Thankful for their help against his former master, Calydus pledged himself to the new Netherlord.

After his death, Overlord Jagganoth was hanged by the Black Harvest as an example to their enemies.

While Calydus and Ritssyn interrogated several Legion's minions, the Netherlord recruited Imp Mother Dyala to train packs of imps. The allied demons eventually rescued Archivist Melinda, a brilliant strategist who agreed to lend her skill and help strengthen the class hall. Meanwhile, the Black Harvest agents managed to recover a tome from their archives in Dalaran in order to locate the remaining Council members. After retrieving the Bloodstone to get help from Kira Iresoul, a former apprentice of Ritssyn versed in the field of demonic gateways, the Black Harvest opened a portal to the demonic world of Niskara, where the Netherlord rescued Jubeka Shadowbreaker and Zinnin Smythe from captivity. In his last breath, Shinfel Blightsworn's imp named Golarb revealed that she had been taken by Mephistroth, who would use her power and knowledge to mount a devastating attack against Dreadscar Rift.

In order to summon Shinfel with a powerful anchor, the Black Harvest had to harvest a large amount of soul shards across the Broken Isles. In Val'sharah, they halted the corruption caused by Squish the Vicious and his Nightmare imps at Moonclaw Vale. They later protected the citizens of Bradensbrook from Nanosh the Slicer and his bands of Black Rook assassins. In Highmountain, they slaughtered Soulscreamer and her harpies to stop the spreading of their foul curse, and also hunted Dawn the Hag and her group of poachers threatening the wildlife in the region. Finally, they exterminated several demons and their leader, the Rat King, hidden in the Underbelly of Dalaran.

Using the soul from Amalgam of Souls in the Black Rook Hold, and Shinfel's staff, the Black Harvest summoned her body back to the Dreadscar Rift, but not her mind. With the help of Ernest Carlisle, they concocted an elixir to weaken the demonic curse affecting Shinfel. Once she awoke, the blood elf warlock revealed she had been cursed by the Eredar Twins, Lady Sacrolash and Grand Warlock Alythess. With the Council restored, Kira Iresoul chose to stand beside the Netherlord, whom she commended for doing right by their fellow warlocks, contrary to those who chose the pursuit of power over the needs of others.

In order to successfully summon the man'ari sisters, the Black Harvest looked after a warlock skilled in summoning greater demons. They eventually chose Lulubelle Fizzlebang for this task, who agreed to help the Council after the Netherlord helped her clear her name. Using Kira's bloodstone fueled by the blood from hundreds of demons, the Netherlord and their champions used the magical stone on both sisters after having forcefully summoned them, thus stealing one of the most powerful weapons in Mephistroth's arsenal. In the aftermath, Ritssyn asked the Netherlord to rebuild the council with its final member, leaving them the choice of giving the title of Sixth of the Black Harvest to either Lulubelle Fizzlebang or Kira Iresoul.

During the Battle for the Exodar, Calydus and Ritssyn Flamescowl helped the Netherlord in driving High General Rakeesh and the Legion forces out of the draenei capital.

Legionfall

“It seems fitting that the council chose you as its leader in my absence. Rest assured, I have no desire to challenge their decision. I owe you my life.
Let me serve you and the council. There is much we can learn from each other.”

— Kanrethad Ebonlocke to the Netherlord

The Council reunited at the Seat of the Overlord.

Following their victory, the Black Harvest, represented by Ritssyn Flamescowl, joined the other orders to discuss the Pillars of Creation and form the Armies of Legionfall. Their warlocks later helped to repel the legion's assault on Dalaran, and could be seen fighting the demons during the Assault on Broken Shore. With the help of Black Harvest Acolytes and Invokers, Ritssyn notably provided a Demonic Gateway to access the Legion ship where Mephistroth resided. On Archmage Modera's request, he also helped to stop the summoning of a succubus named Agatha in Dalaran.

At Deliverance Point, Maggie "Slither" Masterson was in charge of managing the Nether Disruptor with the help of Legionfall agents. Meanwhile, Zardeth of the Black Claw could be seen maintaining a Dreadscar Gateway with Hunrik Blackiron in the area, while Mordak Darkfist helped Elithys Firestorm interrogate a Captured Inquisitor held captive with fel chains.

At some point, the Cult of the Green Flame had been lured by Kanrethad Ebonlocke's demonic power and sought to share in it. As they were attempting to undo his banishment, Kanrethad called out to Jubeka Shadowbreaker, telling her not to let the Legion take him, for he could not endure such a fate. Realizing that some of her friend remained in the demon he had become, Jubeka and the Black Harvest used crystals stolen from the cult to siphon the fel from Kanrethad, turning him back into a human. Still recovering, Kanrethad was brought to Dreadscar Rift, where he recognized and assured the Netherlord that he had no intention of becoming the leader again, and rather asked to serve the council for there was much they could learn from each other.

With the help of Mor'zul Bloodbringer and his researches into the dreadsteeds, the Netherlord learned that Lord Hel'nurath had been working to create a more powerful steed for the fel knights of Xoroth, the Wrathsteed. After collecting various materials across the Broken Isles, the warlocks performed a ritual on the Summoning Platform of Dreadscar Rift, where they lured and killed Arax'ath to enslave the [Netherlord's Chaotic Wrathsteed].

During the Argus Campaign, the Black Harvest troops were present on Argus under the orders of the Netherlord, and were sent to fight the Legion and protect the Vindicaar at Darkfall Ridge. When Sargeras impaled Azeroth with his sword, gravely injuring its world-soul, a warlock champion among other champions of Azeroth drained the sword of its corruption with a demonic artifact of the Black Harvest, using it as a vessel for its vast power.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

Following the Fourth War in 34 ADP, the Black Harvest made its appearance in the Training Hall of Stormwind City and the Barracks of Orgrimmar, with Laphandrus Voidheart, Evelyn Thorn, and Kazak Darkscream as warlock trainers.

The War Within

This section concerns content related to The War Within.

In Year 42 ADP, during Xal'atath's attack on Dalaran, Kaela Grimlocket was a prisoner of the nerubians until she was rescued by Anduin Wrynn and the adventurer in the Hall of Shadows. When the magical city imploded above Khaz Algar, Ritssyn Flamescowl was impaled on the broken gateway to Dreadscar Rift. Nonetheless, he had preserved his soul within his soulstone and was revived by the heroes on the Isle of Dorn, where he used a Soulwell to treat the wounded. At the Tranquil Strand, Surviving Warlocks could also be seen defending themselves from attacking nerubians.

Blood Ties

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

Since the end of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Black Harvest continued to work to defend the world. Their focus was on demonic activity, since it was what they were best at. They were kept surprisingly busy, and not all of them were currently present in Dreadscar Rift, including the Netherlord, who was currently away with the Council's bloodstones. About a decade after the Legion's defeat, Arator the Redeemer and Turalyon met with the Black Harvest to seek their help with Sarothar, a man'ari eredar seeking to begin a fourth Legion invasion.

Organization

Warlock champion wielding Ulthalesh, the Deadwind Harvester as part of Legion: Celebrate the Classes.

The Dreadscar Rift serves as the headquarters of the Council of the Black Harvest. Once a demonic world of the Burning Legion, it once served as the lair of the annihilan Jagganoth, until the Netherlord and their warlocks conquered it during the third demonic invasion of Azeroth. The organization also had its own archives in the city of Dalaran, which once contained an immeasurable amount of magical knowledge that had been collected by the Black Harvest from various sources over time.

Leadership

The Black Harvest is currently led by the Netherlord. Originally, the order was under the command of Kanrethad Ebonlocke, who gathered the most powerful warlocks of Azeroth into a council that would share advanced forms of magic stolen from their defeated foes. After his banishment, he was succeeded by Ritssyn Flamescowl who voluntarily gave up his leadership position to the warlock adventurer, whom he recruited as the Sixth of the Black Harvest, after the latter became the Overlord of Dreadscar Rift.

Name	Role(s)	Status
The Netherlord	First of the Black Harvest and Overlord of the Dreadscar.	Alive
Ritssyn Flamescowl	Second and former leader of the Black Harvest.	Alive
Kanrethad Ebonlocke	Founder and Champion of the Black Harvest.	Alive
Jubeka Shadowbreaker	Master Demonologist of the Black Harvest.	Active
Shinfel Blightsworn	Champion of the Black Harvest	Alive
Zinnin Smythe	Champion of the Black Harvest	Alive
Zelifrax Wobblepox	Master summoner killed by the pit lord Jagganoth.	Deceased
Kira Iresoul	Sixth of the Black Harvest* using the Bloodstone.	Alive
Lulubelle Fizzlebang	Sixth of the Black Harvest* and Master summoner.	Alive

*The First of the Black Harvest chose their Sixth between Kira Iresoul and Lulubelle Fizzlebang.

Membership

The Black Harvest's scouting map.

The ranks of the Council of the Black Harvest are made up of warlocks from all over Azeroth. Among their recruiters, Jared is in charge of screening candidates, only selecting the warlock acolytes that possess the skills they desire to serve the Netherlord. Imp Mother Dyala uses her stomach as a portal to produce squads of imps for the interests of the order.

In times of great need, Demonia Pickerin and the Black Harvest can rally their mightiest forces into one pure, destructive form. At the request of the Netherlord, they can perform a ritual to enslave a powerful infernal in a Demonic Phylactery, which they can unleash to complete a quest of great value.

In order to devise their strategies and missions for their agents on the Broken Isles, the Black Harvest used a scouting map to complete vital assignments across the Broken Isles with the help of their Mission Strategist, Gakin the Darkbinder. On the battlefield, the Council deploy Packs of Imps, Swarm of Wild Imps, Black Harvest Acolytes, Black Harvest Invokers, and Felguard Brutes.

• Lowly among demons, imps are often underestimated due to their singular lack of toughness. Yet when in a group, they quickly replace the fallen, and their real threat is in how difficult it is to kill every single one of them.
• The Acolytes of the Black Harvest are ready to sacrifice everything for the forbidden knowledge they pursue, including each other. Many of the newer acolytes are often found dead after experimental rituals.
• It is rare for Acolytes of the Black Harvest to reach the rank of Invoker, as they are often consumed by the dark energies they call upon as part of their ascent.
• Massive brutes that thrive on destruction, many believe them to be mindless, but they actually are quite intellectual, for a demon.

Mile Raitheborne and his researchers are in charge of learning more about the artifacts' lore and power, and record the information into the Tome of Blighted Implements.

Archivist Melinda is a brilliant strategist, with a meticulous and unsurpassed knowledge of the warlock craft, who agreed to lend her skill and help strengthen the Dreadscar Rift.

Notable members

Main article: Members of the Council of the Black Harvest

Kanrethad Ebonlocke, champion and former leader of the Council of the Black Harvest.

Name	Role	Status
Alythess &  Sacrolash	Champions of the Black Harvest	Alive
Bulzan	Champion of the Dreadscar demons	Alive
Calydus	Champion of the Black Harvest	Alive
Gakin the Darkbinder	Mission Strategist of the Black Harvest	Alive
Laphandrus Voidheart	Warlock trainer in Stormwind City	Alive
Lurr	Blacksmith of Dreadscar Rift	Alive
Maggie Masterson	Supervisor of the Nether Disruptor	Active
Mile Raitheborne	Head Archivist of the Black Harvest	Active
Mordak Darkfist	Warlock of the Burning Blade clan	Alive
Unjari Feltongue	Warlock trainer in Orgrimmar	Alive

Original storyline in MoP

Former WoW game designer Alexander Brazie, also known as Xelnath, shared the original plans for the quests depicting the adventures of the members of the Council of the Black Harvest during the events of Mists of Pandaria:

Shinfel and Zinnin go into Ahn'Qiraj to investigate the old gods after torturing some twilight dudes to death. Zinnin brings a bunch of Kobolds in explicably. They discover Curse of Enfeeblement, learn Harvest Life from a dying Qiraji. Zinnin attempts to learn a more powerful curse, but goes insane. Shinfel is forced to drag him back to the council to survive.

The Orc and the Worgen go into firelands, build respect for each other after fighting off lava spiders. They literally rip runes off of the walls in Sulfuron, and discover a way to pull lava directly from the well Ragnaros created. This power became cataclysm.

The Orc and the Worgen work together to empower Chaos Bolt, and nearly annhilate each other, then discover the power of Ember Tapping to rapidly cauterize their wounds from an imp.

The council meets up together, share their powers with the Warlocks of the world. Kanrethad takes the knowledge gained, calls the council a success and proposes a master plan once the Ata'mal crystal was purified in the arcane well of Black Temple. He awaits its completion.

Player brings the crystal, transfers too much power into Kanrethad. He loses control, summons a Pit Lord and passes out. While fighting the pit lord, you're overwhelmed, when the Ata'mal crystal fuses with your being, allowing you to control the Fel Energies of the Pit Lord without being completely corrupted. You use that power to defeat the pit lord, Kanrethad recovers, horribly wounded and acknowledges your mastery.

He questions his ability to handle the power alone. Summons the council and uses you, rather than him, as the focus spell to open the portal to Xerrath. Inside, you lead the council in daily quests to drive the legion out and conquer the island.

[...]

My hope was to create a group of Warlocks who are power-hungry, driven and powerful, but aren't completely consumed by that power... for once. Maybe only Player Warlocks can be that kind of character.

Notes and trivia

• Three of the six Black Harvest champions in Legion have different specializations than what they were presented with in Mists of Pandaria. Zinnin is Affliction despite his interest in the destructive powers of Ragnaros and Sulfuron Spire, and Jubeka and Kanrethad are respectively Destruction and Affliction despite their research in Demonology and demons in Outland.
• During 5.1 PTR, they were known as the Council of Six Daggers. Each member had a quote in the warlock talents. Wrathion had become concerned in their interest for his father's power. This, however, did not make it to live servers, and Wrathion is thus not involved with the Council.
• The title of the order leader was originally going to be "Overlord". It was changed to "Netherlord" during the alpha.
• The Council was created with the intention of memorializing six long-time warlock players who helped Alexander Brazie overhaul the warlock class for Mists of Pandaria.

Gallery

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  Felblood Altar
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  Tome of Blighted Implements