Cult of the Dark Strand

Cult of the Dark Strand
Main leader	Athrikus Narassin †
Secondary leaders	Ilkrud Magthrull †
Race(s)	Highborne  Orc  Human  Forsaken  High elf  Jungle troll  Dark Iron dwarf  Satyr
Capital	Tower of Althalaxx †
Theater of operations	Darkshore, Ashenvale
Affiliation	Shadow Council
Status	Annihilated

The Cult of the Dark Strand was a dark cult of various races devoted to Athrikus Narassin, an evil Highborne of great power. Based at the Tower of Althalaxx in Darkshore, several cultists were present at the Ruins of Ordil'Aran in Ashenvale as well. The organization was later revealed to be a "strand" of the Shadow Council and has since been destroyed by the adventurers.

Background

One of the soul gems in Satyrnaar.

During the War of the Ancients, Athrikus Narassin was near the Well of Eternity when it exploded, blasting him far away. When he awoke, he found that he was missing all the items he had so loved and that the Well's explosion had made him immortal, giving him the power to sap the energies of other magi to augment his own. In the ruins of Ameth'Aran, Athrikus appeared to guide Sargath and the Highborne survivors to safety, only to betray them by trapping their souls into gems for his interests.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

10,000 years later, Athrikus resided at the top of the Tower of Althalaxx and still possessed three soulgems, which were being held in Night Run, Bashal'Aran, Satyrnaar, satyr-held areas affiliated to the Felmusk, Bleakheart and Deth'ryll groups. Empowered by his soulgems, the corrupted Highborne also used the Althalaxx Orb to communicate with a powerful entity in the Twisting Nether.

By the Year 25 ADP, Athrikus had founded the Cult of the Dark Strand with many warlocks, assassins and cultists at his side. They all received power by draining those Glowing Soul Gems, but there were only a few left. His most loyal servant was the orc warlock Ilkrud Magthrull, who commanded part of the Cult from the Fire Scar Shrine in southern Ashenvale, and carried a tome listing the positions of the soul gems.

At some point, Delgren the Purifier and Feero Ironhand of the Argent Dawn offered the night elves of Ashenvale their help to protect their forests from the demons and undead. They traveled to Maestra's Post in order to annihilate the Cult of the Dark Strand, something they accomplished after the adventurer was sent by Balthule Shadowstrike to attack the cult and bring back Athrikus's head.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Following the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the Tower of Althalaxx had been razed, while the Ruins of Ordil'Aran have been taken over by furbolgs. The corpses of the cultists were still strewn among both areas. In time, the ruins of the tower were being searched by Forsaken scavengers looking for Athrikus's research, while the night elves of Darkshore wished to keep theme out of enemy hands.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

During the Battle for Darkshore in 34 ADP, Athrikus Narassin returned as a spectre at his ruined tower, only to be destroyed by the Alliance and Horde adventurer.

Members

The Tower of Althalaxx after the Cataclysm.

Named

Name	Role(s)	Status	Location
Athrikus Narassin	Leader and founder of the cult.	Deceased	Tower of Althalaxx, Darkshore
Delmanis the Hated	Satyr follower of Athrikus.	Killable	Tower of Althalaxx,Darkshore
Ilkrud Magthrull	Athrikus' most loyal servant.	Killable	Fire Scar Shrine, Ashenvale
Marlowe the Felsworn	Warlock agent.	Unknown	Unknown

Types

• Dark Strand Adepts
• Dark Strand Assassins
• Dark Strand Cultists
• Dark Strand Enforcers
• Dark Strand Excavators
• Dark Strand Fanatics
• Dark Strand Voidcallers

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

The Darkstrand Cult is an orc and Forsaken cult. Delgren the Purifier and Darian Thunderhammer were investigating it. Briefly, Brann Bronzebeard assisted Delgren. It is led by the blood elf warlock Athrikus Narassin from the Tower of Althalaxx. He has become powerful enough to command over a dozen felhounds.

Trivia

• A French RP-PvP server is named after this faction. In French, it is Culte de la Rive noire.

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.

• Ba'so the troll from Season of Discovery might be a member of the Cult of the Dark Strand.
• The satyrs Balizar the Umbrage, Aligar the Tormentor and Caedakar the Vicious who attacked Feero Ironhand at the end of  [24] Supplies to Auberdine, may have been connected to the cult.

See also

• The Tower of Althalaxx quest chain