Deathstalkers
 Deathstalkers | |
|---|---|
 Deathstalker Leanna | |
| Main leader |
 Deathstalker Commander Belmont[1] |
| Formerly |
 Varimathras |
| Race(s) |
  Forsaken |
| Character classes | Rogue, Assassin, Scout |
| Capital | Ruins of Lordaeron |
| Formerly | Undercity † |
| Theater of operations | Azeroth |
| Sub-group(s) | Defilers[citation needed] |
| Affiliation | Forsaken (Hand of Vengeance), Horde, Uncrowned |
| Status | Active |
The Deathstalkers (also called Darkstalkers[2] and Rogues' Guild[3]) are the assassins' guild of the Forsaken. Their numbers grew with the sanction of Lady Sylvanas.[4]
Originally, they acted as the elite guard of the dreadlord Varimathras, but after the Battle for the Undercity, they do the same for the Banshee Queen.[5]
In the Horde, the Deathstalkers roughly function as the Forsaken's equivalent of the Shattered Hand. A rogues' guild and spy network, Deathstalkers can often be found carrying out missions for the betterment of the Forsaken nation on the front lines.[citation needed]
Deathstalkers are highly trained and extremely dangerous. The fact that they are undead helps them immensely in their role as assassins. As Forsaken; they have no need to sleep or even breathe air. They possess tremendous willpower. They can remain submerged in water indefinitely without any need to rise, and can wait as long as it takes for their target to arrive.[citation needed] [6] They can even pose as corpses, since by all means, that is exactly what they are.[citation needed] Executors are seen to held an authority on the Deathstalkers, sending them on various missions.[7][8]
History
World of Warcraft
The Deathstalkers were originally led by Varimathras. The group became an elite unit of the Forsaken and also the bodyguard of the Dreadlord. They spied on Andron Gant for clues of betrayal and others, like Vincent and Adamant were deployed to Shadowfang Keep while the Yorick siblings were doing reconnaissance through northern Silverpine Forest about the Scourge threat.[9] One agent with the help of the adventurers also infiltrated Pyrewood and killed its Council.[10] They also spied on the humans of the Hillsbrad Foothills.[11] They were collecting data on the Scarlet Crusade outside of Stratholme for Nathanos.[12]
Rogues among the Forsaken who newly gained their free will from the Lich King were introduced into the Deathstalkers after completing certain tasks. These tasks were often very dangerous and could mean the potential Deathstalker's death.[13]
Wrath of the Lich King
Some Deathstalkers joined the group called The Hand of Vengeance which went to Northrend to fight the Lich King. During an attack on Lich King in Dragonblight, leader of the Deathstalkers, Varimathras, raised a revolt wanting to summon the Burning Legion to Azeroth. Since the organization still exists after Varimathras' defeat, it can be assumed that most Deathstalkers remained loyal to their Queen.
Cataclysm
The Deathstalkers participated in the invasion of Gilneas. Deathstalker Commander Belmont has become the commander of the assassins in Silverpine and Gilneas. He organized the majority of operations during the war with Gilneas, dealt with the reviving of Lord Godfrey and subsequently avenging the queen when he ventured into Shadowfang Keep to kill its new leaders.
They expanded their field of operations within Hinterlands and Arathi Highlands as the Forsaken invaded the places.
Legion
During the Burning Legion's third invasion, they also traveled with Warchief Windrunner to Stormheim.
Belmont joined the Uncrowned based in the Hall of Shadows.
During the Gathering, they spied on the Alliance in Stromgarde Keep.[14]
Battle for Azeroth
During the Fourth War, several members of the Deathstalkers participated in Faction Assaults and the Battle for Darkshore.
Shadowlands
At an unknown point Belmont became the Deathstalkers' leader. They joined their fellow Forsaken in mustering in Tirisfal Glades in order to retake their territory. At Belmont's command, a group of Deathstalkers aided champions in removing the blight from the Ruins of Lordaeron and killing Amalgam, which liberated the ruins from the blight once and for all.[15]
Members
Named
Unnamed
- Arathi Deathstalker
- Deathstalker Agent
- Deathstalker Lookout
- Deathstalker Invader
- Deathstalker Bodychopper
- Deathstalker (NPC)
- Forsaken Deathstalker
Notes and trivia
- The Deathstalkers use gloaming powder to conceal soldiers for infiltrations undertaken at night.[16]
- During early development, an individual named Cyrik was said to have killed the old leader of the Deathstalkers.[17]
Speculations
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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.
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- Aleric Hawkins was presumed to be the new leader of the Deathstalkers after Varimathras due to his blatant insistence that he was not. Later, Belmont was confirmed to be the leader, but it is not known if that means Aleric was never their leader, or if Belmont ascended to leadership either from Aleric stepping down, defecting from the Horde, or being killed.
- The Deathstalkers may have originally been members of the bandit army led by Blackthorn shortly after the Third War, raised as undead by Sylvanas. When capturing Blackthorn, she thought that the idea of having her own band of assassins was intriguing.[18]
- Shadowstalkers and Dreadguards may be subgroups of the Deathstalkers.
- Shadowstalkers serve the exact same function as the Deathstalkers but in Northrend and already share a similar name.
- Dreadguards serve as the elite guard of the Dark Lady, a task that has also been accredited to the Deathstalkers,[19] hence "Dreadguard" may be the moniker of an elite Deathstalker tasked to guard Sylvanas.
References
- ^ Belmont's Shadowlands gossip lines
- ^
[15] Arugal's Folly
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 142
- ^ David Trias#Quotes
- ^
[13] The Deathstalkers
- ^ Forsaken Biology
- ^ [12] Lost Deathstalkers
- ^ [25D] Deathstalkers in Shadowfang
- ^
[Deathstalker Report]
- ^ [15] Pyrewood Ambush
- ^ [25] Battle of Hillsbrad
- ^ [60G] The Crimson Courier
- ^ [13] The Deathstalkers
- ^ Before the Storm
- ^
[60] The Remedy of Lordaeron
- ^
[Deathstalkers' Gloaming Powder]
- ^ Wowhead
- ^ The Dark Lady (WC3 Undead)
- ^ [13] The Deathstalkers
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