Knights of the Silver Hand

"Silver Hand" redirects here. For other uses, see Silver Hand (disambiguation).

Knights of the Silver Hand
Main leader	High Exarch Turalyon  The Highlord
Formerly	See below
Secondary leaders	Lord Maxwell Tyrosus   Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker   Justicar Julia Celeste   Vindicator Boros   Arator the Redeemer
Formerly	See below
Race(s)	Human Dwarf  High elf  Half-elf  Draenei  Night elf Nathrezim (one)
Formerly	Blood elf  Tauren
Character classes	Paladin, Priest, Mage Auradin
Capital	Sanctum of Light
Formerly	Stratholme
Base of operations	Cathedral of Light, Hall of Mysteries, Alonsus Chapel
Formerly	Hearthglen, Ruins of Lordaeron, Old Monastery, Andorhal, Silver Hand Bastion, Keeps across Lordaeron
Theater of operations	Azeroth, Outland
Formerly	Alternate Draenor, Argus
Language(s)	Common, Dwarven, Thalassian, Draenei
Sub-group(s)	See below
Affiliation	Church of the Holy Light, Alliance, Armies of Legionfall
Formerly	Kingdom of Lordaeron, Alliance of Lordaeron
Status	Active
Reputation
Quartermaster	Eadric the Pure
Tabard

“Esarus thar no'Darador—By Blood and Honor We Serve.”

— Motto of the Knights of the Silver Hand

The Knights of the Silver Hand (full name the Order of the Knights of the Silver Hand, often referred to as the Order of the Silver Hand, the Paladins of the Silver Hand, the Silver Hand, or the Paladin Order) is the order of holy knights, commonly called paladins, created by Archbishop Alonsus Faol as the martial branch of the Church of Light. They are followers of the Keeper Tyr, inspired by his legend. Empowered by the Holy Light, they brandish both their warhammers and holy fire in the battle against all who would trample the meek and innocent, as they seek to be an example of the Light's teachings, protecting the weak and vanquishing the evil of the world. Led by Uther the Lightbringer, they faced the Old Horde alongside the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War.

For years, they remained loyal to King Terenas Menethil II and kept the peace in Lordaeron, settling civil disputes and quelling any demi-human uprisings in the realm. During the Third War, the order was suspended by one of its own members, Prince Arthas Menethil, as Uther refused to purge the city of Stratholme infected by the plague of undeath. Although the paladins continued to fight against the Scourge, their leadership was decimated during the fall of Lordaeron, and Highlord Alexandros Mograine succeeded at the head of the survivors. Wielding the legendary Ashbringer, Alexandros became the symbol of human resistance until he was betrayed and murdered. His death shattered the remains of the Silver Hand, who eventually split up between the Argent Dawn and the Scarlet Crusade for ideological reasons.

However, a part of the organization still remained active in the Alliance, as human and dwarf paladins from Stormwind and Ironforge were still referred to as "Knights of the Silver Hand". Years later, Tirion Fordring came out of his exile and regrouped the remains of the order in Lordaeron to resume the fight against the undead and demons across Azeroth and Outland. At the time of the Scourgewar, Tirion led his knights during the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, and later merged them with the Argent Dawn to form the Argent Crusade, which began a campaign to defeat Arthas in Northrend. Following the fall of the Lich King, the Silver Hand paladins remained loyal to the defense of Azeroth and the Alliance, while those in the Argent Crusade worked to restore the Plaguelands of northern Lordaeron.

At the start of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Argent Crusade was decimated during the Battle for the Broken Shore, and in his last breath, Highlord Tirion Fordring handed the Ashbringer to a Champion of the Light whom he chose as his successor. In order to save Azeroth, the Order of the Silver Hand was formally reestablished and supported by each major paladin order: the Hand of Argus, the Blood Knights, the Sunwalkers and the remains of the Argent Crusade. From the Sanctum of Light beneath Light's Hope Chapel, they fought alongside the other class orders, united as the Armies of Legionfall. At the outset of the Fourth War, the Silver Hand split up its ranks to oppose their former allies who sided with the Horde and remained affiliated with the Alliance after the armistice.

History

Foundation of the Order

Archbishop Alonsus Faol, leader of the Church and founder of the Silver Hand during the Second War.

Uther the Lightbringer, the first human paladin.

As the Alliance of Lordaeron prepared for the Second War, its ranks were composed of disparate nations, some of which were rivals, and all had different customs and ways of life. Supreme Commander Anduin Lothar thus needed champions whom every human could rally behind, no matter where they came from. The clerics were the most obvious choice to fill this role, but they hadn't fared well as the Holy Order of Northshire Clerics had been devastated during the First War. Though they were brave, they lacked martial training and were better suited to using the Light to mend wounds off the battlefield.

Seeking to create an order that would suffer less attrition in battle, Archbishop Alonsus Faol of the Church of the Holy Light, who learned what had transpired in Stormwind and how the clerics had fared, met Lothar and offered him to create a new order that would represent the best qualities of humanity. An order that would include soldiers gifted not only in wielding the Light, but also possessing leadership qualities and mastering the arts of traditional warfare, while embodying the qualities of loyalty, bravery, and honor. With Lothar's consent, Alonsus and Uther recruited noble knights and members of the priesthood from Lordaeron, including Turalyon, Saidan Dathrohan, Tirion Fordring, Uther, and lastly Gavinrad the Dire of Stormwind.

The Archbishop welcomed his students with open arms, which he later named paladins, while the city of Stratholme would later serve as their base of operations. Yet for the time being, Lothar kept them close, ordering them to travel alongside the main Alliance army. Day and night, the holy warriors were trained vigorously by Faol who taught them how to use the Light to comfort their allies and smite their enemies, and also how to lead by example. They would be more than just weapons, as no matter how dire times became, the paladins would serve as lights in the darkness, as beacons of hope to guide the Alliance. He instructed them to live simple lives, as they would seek no fortune or glory in war. Until the end of their days, they would put the needs of others above their own. As training progressed, Faol presented them a set of enchanted librams, which he saw as a core trait of the order and challenged his students to become living embodiments of their holy tomes: the Libram of Protection for Turalyon, the Libram of Justice for Uther, the Libram of Retribution for Tirion, the Libram of Holiness for Saidan, and the Libram of Compassion for Gavinrad. The Order of the Silver Hand was born.

In Alonsus Chapel, Uther was appointed the first of the paladins and was followed by Dathrohan, Tirion, Turalyon, and Gavinrad. The order's name and symbol were derived from the silver hand of Keeper Tyr, an ancient symbol of self-sacrifice. During their formation, Lothar often checked in on the emergent order and was so pleased that he asked the new paladins Turalyon and Uther to serve as his lieutenants. Archbishop Alonsus Faol gladly agreed, but he did not release his students from his care yet, as it would be weeks before they were ready to set foot on the battlefield.

Paladins versus death knights during the Battle of Hillsbrad Foothills, the first major conflict of the war.

The Knights of the Silver Hand made their first appearance during the Battle of Hillsbrad Foothills, where they rode through the Alliance lines, their presence filling the soldiers with hope and courage. They used the Light to mend wounded soldiers and ease their fearful hearths, and when they faced the death knights of the Horde, they used their sacred powers in the form of blazing white light waves of energies that rippled over the Alliance soldiers, striking down the reanimated human corpses and sweeping away the death knights' corruptive fog. Both sides were evenly matched, neither able to gain an advantage over the other, and they continued to occupy each other for the duration of the battle.

In the following months, Alonsus recruited knights willing to learn how to wield the Light and clerics ready to take up arms for their noble cause, increasing the Silver Hand's ranks from five paladins to fourteen in a short time. Their leader Uther commanded such presence on the battlefield that his knights at times seemed both invincible and unstoppable. For the Alliance armies, they were truly a sight to behold, as the paladins healed the wounds sustained in combat and restored faith in the promise of freedom from orcish tyranny, while the sight of them wielding their mighty warhammers and holy powers gave others inspiration on the battlefield and the home front. Even some of the Alliance's greatest knights and warriors were in awe when they saw them smashing orcs down while healing fallen allies at the same time.

They were also known to minister to the masses during the war, gathering inside churches to deepen their faith. Through meditating, communing, and tithing at these sanctified sites, they discovered new ways to channel their healing and spiritual powers. They could cast their blessing upon soldiers, sense evil, and even heal grievous wounds with but a touch.

Subsequently, the paladins were instrumental in winning the war. They quell a peasant revolt at Tyr's Hand, and confronted the Horde forces in the city and Tyr's Bay until the orcs razed down the city with a massive naval assault. At the same time, Uther and his knights were watching over the northlands and came to offer comfort to those who were suffering the misfortunes of war on the recently attacked island township of Caer Darrow. During the journey, they faced pirates sent to assassinate the Lightbringer and destroyed the orc troops still present near the island. When the Horde managed to reach Lordaeron and began the Siege of Capital City, the paladins took part in the defense of the realm under the command of King Terenas Menethil II. After King Aiden Perenolde's betrayal was revealed by Anduin Lothar, and the Kingdom of Alterac was found guilty of its pact with the Horde, some paladins joined the Alliance troops led by the high elf Milan to save the captured peasants and magi, and to attack Alterac City in order to halt the advance of Horde reinforcements towards Capital City.

In the meantime, the support of the paladins enabled the Alliance to make a swift march south towards Khaz Modan in their pursuit of the orcs, with the holy warriors working day and night, mending the wounded and filling their hearts with resolve and courage. During the liberation of Ironforge and Gnomeregan from Kilrogg Deadeye and his Bleeding Hollow clan, the paladins under Turalyon led hunting parties to root out the orcs and drive them from the region, while Lothar ordered Uther and his knights to make sure that Lordaeron was safe again from the orcs.

During the Siege of Blackrock Spire, Uther and his men made their return and joined the throng. They ran forward to follow their fellow, auras springing up around them as well as they dove into the gathered Horde. Shortly after, Alexandros Mograine arrived with his men. Among the paladins, Uther was the first known to have manifested his powers on the battlefield, and Turalyon himself did not master his powers until after Lothar's death at the hands of Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer. Once he did, the orcish army cowered from his blinding light which shone "brighter than the brightest day", before he disarmed Doomhammer and struck him unconscious rather than kill him, so that he could stand trial in Capital City for all the crimes he has committed.

After the battle, control over the Alliance army fell to Turalyon. Uther expressed his happiness at seeing Turalyon's faith finally emerge, and Turalyon bestowed the title of "the Lightbringer" upon the older paladin. One week later, Turalyon led the Alliance's charge against the orc's last stand, the Dark Portal itself, in what was considered the bloodiest battle of the Second War. The Azerothian side of the Dark Portal was destroyed, thanks in part to the bravery and skill of Uther and the Silver Hand.

Aftermath of the Second War

Alonsus Chapel in the Elders' Square of Stratholme.

After the war, the Silver Hand coordinated with the Church to help the Alliance move forward. On Archbishop Faol's decree, they healed the sick and granted shelter to the survivors broken by the war, with Turalyon and Uther helping in Stormwind City. At the same time, a number of large internment camps were constructed in southern Lordaeron to contain the orcish threat, guarded by both veteran soldiers and paladins, such as Captain Skarloc in the Durnholde military. The camps proved to be a great success, its wardens keeping the peace and a strong semblance of order.

Following the Invasion of Draenor, where only Turalyon had journeyed as he told his comrades to stay behind before the closing of the Dark Portal, the Silver Hand dedicated themselves to safeguarding the land from orc attacks by directing a few settlements across Lordaeron. During these times, the Bastion of the Silver Hand in Stratholme was considered as the barracks of the organization, containing countless of their treasures. The order also began to train new paladins in Stormwind City and Ironforge, swelling its ranks with a number of stout-hearted dwarves, and some high elves before the Third War, such as Mehlar Dawnblade, a paladin pupil of Uther the Lightbringer. The Old Monastery, a center for learning and enlightenment known as a proud bastion of Lordaeron's priesthood, was notably used as a seminary and major training ground for paladins in training, notably those of the kingdom of Stromgarde.

At some point, the Tyr's Guard felt an affinity toward the Order of the Silver Hand and learned how to wield the Light in their duty to protect the Tomb of Tyr.

During the Alterac crisis, Lord Duncan Senturus and his paladins of the Silver Hand encountered Rhonin and Vereesa Windrunner, sent by the Kirin Tor to save the Dragonqueen Alexstrasza in Grim Batol, and took them to an unnamed settlement of the order about three days from the port of Hasic. Despite their reluctance to cooperate with the mage, they agreed to help them in their quest, escorting them to Hasic which they found in ruins after an attack by a pair of dragon riders of the Dragonmaw clan. They subsequently allied with Falstad Dragonreaver and his wing of gryphon riders in order to reach Khaz Modan, and while en route, Senturus sacrificed himself to save Rhonin and his companions when they were ambushed by Dragonmaw dragonriders.

The Bastion of the Silver Hand in Crusaders' Square.

Years passed as tensions abated and a lasting peace settled over Lordaeron. With his paladins, the Supreme commander Uther the Lightbringer kept the peace in the kingdom, settling civil disputes and quelling demi-human uprisings throughout the realm, while his apprentice Arthas Menethil integrated the order through a ceremony performed at the Cathedral of Light by Alonsus Faol.

When Warchief Thrall began the liberation of the orc clans from the internment camps, King Terenas sent Uther and his paladins to quell the warchief's uprising while revolt against the orc internment camps was about to unfold. However, the crafty orcs could never be found as the young warchief proved to be something of a tactical genius – and evaded Uther's best efforts to corral his hit-and-run attacks. At the same time, the Silver Hand defended the settlements at the borders of Quel'Thalas from forest troll warbands. Prince Arthas gained fame for counterattacking and defeating the trolls, but Kedehern Falamar, another Silver Hand member, perished during the fight and was considered a hero. Kedehern's Silver Hand masters brought his armor back to his father, Brogan.

At some point, Tirion Fordring's life was saved by the orc Eitrigg. When Eitrigg was captured by Saidan Dathrohan' soldiers, Tirion felt he owed a debt of honor and fought to rescue him. For assaulting Alliance soldiers, Tirion was brought to Stratholme to stand trial before the jury composed of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, Arch-Mage Antonidas, Archbishop Alonsus Faol, and Prince Arthas Menethil. Despite the offer to be freed in exchange for breaking his vow, Tirion refused and Uther had no choice but to excommunicate his old friend from Lordaeron. The gnome Myranda the Hag, most trusted advisor of Tirion, was later banished after she openly dissented the verdict of the Order of the Silver Hand.

Prior to the Third War, King Terenas feared that Thrall would soon manage to gather all the remaining renegade orcs hidden in the lands of Lordaeron, which would be critical for the kingdom. He ordered Uther with the Knights of the Silver Hand and his son to ride towards southern Lordaeron, in order to contain the orcish threat and deal with them once and for all. In the Alterac Mountains, the paladins notably fought against the bandits of the Syndicate, and later the Blackrock clan who captured citizens from Strahnbrad to sacrifice them to the Burning Legion.

In the meantime, a faction largely led by General Abbendis started growing among the ranks of the Silver Hand. This faction was intolerant of what they deemed as the "lesser races".

The Scourging of Lordaeron

“Lord Uther, by my right of succession and the sovereignty of my crown, I hereby relieve you of your command and suspend your paladins from service.”

— Prince Arthas Menethil

Arthas Menethil purging the city of Stratholme.

At the beginning of the Third War, Uther the Lightbringer and his paladins investigated the infected regions of Lordaeron to find a way to stop the Plague of Undeath, but despite their efforts, the plague continued to spread and threatened to tear the Alliance of Lordaeron apart. While the undead swept across Lordaeron, Prince Arthas Menethil managed to track the shipment of infected grain to Andorhal, where he killed the Cult of the Damned's leader Kel'Thuzad. Frustrated and stymied by the seemingly unstoppable enemy, Arthas took increasingly extreme steps to fight against the Scourge, notably at Hearthglen in the Eastweald, where he was able to slay those infected before they could spread the disease to the entire town. Shortly after, the undead army laid siege to the town, its defenders barely holding back the undead long enough for the arrival of Jaina Proudmoore, Uther, and his paladins who helped to repel the undead.

Horrified, humiliated, and disturbed by his near-defeat, Arthas quickly left for Stratholme, followed by Uther and his paladins, where they found that the city had been infected with the plague by Mal'Ganis, as the necromancer had told him. When Uther refused to follow Arthas' command to kill the infected population of Stratholme before they could die and be reborn as undead, Arthas turned his back on the other paladins, calling their refusal an act of treason, then relieved Uther from command, suspended his paladins from service and sent them away, while he called all those still loyal to Lordaeron to follow their prince. Consequently, Uther took the paladins that remained loyal to him and left Stratholme, abandoning Arthas to his barbaric actions.

After the Culling of Stratholme, some former paladins, now called deathlords, also committed the same heinous act in many other cities across Lordaeron. When the Scourge swept again through Stratholme, the Silver Hand manufactured holy water to use against the invaders. They stored it inside small crates along with other vital supplies and distributed them throughout the city. Unfortunately, the remaining citizens turned into Scourge reinforcements before the supplies could ever be used.

At the same time, Alexandros Mograine organized a meeting in Southshore's inn, where he revealed the dark orb he kept after the Second War. With the efforts of Isillien, Fairbanks, Doan, and Abbendis, he succeeded in purifying the artifact and decided that it would be forged into a weapon of retribution. Despite being suspended, the paladins unofficially continued to explore all available options to wipe out the Scourge under the command of Alexandros and Saidan Dathrohan.

Following the purge, Prince Arthas took the fleet to Northrend, while the Silver Hand continued to defend Lordaeron villages. Uther informed King Terenas Menethil of his son's inhumane actions in Stratholme, and much to the sorrow of the king, they agreed that Arthas' judgment, and perhaps sanity, was wavering. Disenfranchised, the paladins still worked selflessly to protect humanity from the gnawing jaws of evil, and were stretched thin fighting the spread of the plague. However, the Scourge continued to grow, taking villages and its turned inhabitants, with a small help from Baron Rivendare and his corrupted food supplies. When a village he was stationed in was turned, Thomas Thomson reported Rivendare as a traitor to the rest of the Silver Hand.

Uther the Lightbringer during the Third War.

In the meantime, Arthas tracked the plague's source to Northrend, intending to end its threat forever, only for him to fall prey to the machinations of the Lich King and lost his soul to the cursed runeblade Frostmourne. After he became a death knight and killed slaughtered the 1st Legion, Arthas returned to Lordaeron with his armies of undead to kill his father and destroy Capital City. Four days after the death of Terenas, Uther ordered Gavinrad the Dire and his Champions of Peace to guard the cemetery near Andorhal, where the remains of Kel'Thuzad were buried. Despite the horrifying conditions, Andorhal was one of the few places in Lordaeron still under Alliance control. There, Uther and many of the surviving paladins had gathered in the city. They used it as a headquarters from which they launched attacks against the undead. As the Scourge swept over Lordaeron, panic seized the living and many gave in to despair, while some looked to the holy paladins for salvation. Uther was the greatest of them, and the only one who had the power to stop the fallen prince.

When Arthas arrived, Gavinrad refused to give the remains of Kel'Thuzad and was personally killed by the death knight, who then unleashed his undead upon the paladins Ballador the Bright and Sage Truthbearer, commanders of the Champions of Light and the Champions of Truth. In the city of Andorhal, Uther stood against his former apprentice to protect the enchanted Urn of King Terenas. Although he almost lost, Arthas used Uther's hesitation to take his soul with the cursed runeblade, then blasphemed his father's urn, before continuing the scourging of the kingdom.

During the Battle of Darrowshire, a contingent of paladins of the Silver Hand led by Davil Crokford allied themselves with the defenders of Darrowshire led by Captain Joseph Redpath, having learned of the Scourge's impending attack on the town. But despite the paladins' successful efforts in steadying the line and holding back the undead, they ended up being defeated by the death knight Marduk the Black after Davil Crokford managed to slay the ghoul lord Horgus the Ravager, before perishing from his mortal wounds.

After learning of the death of Terenas and Uther, Alexandros returned from Ironforge with the mighty Ashbringer in his hands and was reported to be paring down the Scourge's numbers. Subsequently, many paladins traveled to quarantined lands to ease the suffering of those left within the plague-ridden colonies, but although they were immune to disease of any kind, they were persecuted by the general populace who believed that they had been infected by the foul plague. Some of these paladins traveled to Northrend. When they finally reached Ner'zhul's icy fortress, embittered by the trials they had to suffer through, they had become dark and brooding. The Lich King offered them untold power in exchange for their services and loyalty. Those fallen paladins, whose souls were twisted and bound to the will of the Frozen Throne, became death knights, the Scourge's mightiest generals.

At the onset of the destruction of Dalaran, while Jaina Proudmoore was gathering troops and Lordaeronians refugees to sail for Kalimdor, the paladins stayed behind to defend those that couldn't get on the Kul Tiran ships, such as Krohm Dawnhammer who guided countless innocents to safety. A few also joined the Human Expedition to oppose the Burning Legion, notably Duke Lionheart who hunted down the demons left after the death of Mannoroth. During the Battle of Mount Hyjal, the paladin Halford Wyrmbane led the troops of the 7th Legion against the demons and undead.

Aftermath of the Third War

Highlord Alexandros Mograine and the Ashbringer.

Several months after the end of the Third War, the surviving paladins joined the last bastions of human resistance. However, some of them were captured by Illidan Stormrage and his naga, and were brought to the ruins of Dalaran. Among them was Magroth the Defender, who was later freed by Malfurion Stormrage and Maiev Shadowsong, and subsequently pledged himself to their cause.

Afterward, detachments of paladins emerged again from the rubble of Lordaeron to form a resistance, protecting those who fled to Dalaran under the control of Grand Marshal Garithos and the Alliance resistance. Some joined the Garithos' Elite Guard, notably one who led a few surviving royal guards from the King's Guard. After Archimonde's defeat, the others guarded the ruined Lordaeron palace gardens under the command of Dagren the Orcslayer, Magroth the Defender, and Halahk the Lifebringer, respectively directing the Crippling Force, the Defenders of Justice and the Circle of Holy Light. However, their combined efforts were not enough as they were defeated by Arthas Menethil, Kel'Thuzad, and Sylvanas Windrunner, allowing the Scourge to destroy the resistance.

Among the survivors, some were rallied by Dagren the Orcslayer to join the ranks of the Human Settlers. Under the orders of Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, they traveled to Kalimdor to fight the Horde and locate Jaina Proudmoore. During the Invasion of Durotar, Dagren, Janet Kaitway, Chief Petty Officer, and the other paladins were assigned to the protection of Theramore Isle.

The paladins who remained in Lordaeron continued to fight against the Scourge for the next years. Elusive and resourceful, the undead were unable to defeat them in battle. Under the leadership of Lord Commander Saidan Dathrohan and Highlord Alexandros Mograine, wielder of the Ashbringer, the Knights of the Silver Hand banded together to continue the war against the undead throughout the Plaguelands. However, dissensions started appearing in the leadership of the human resistance. Lord Maxwell Tyrosus suggested that in order to retake their fallen cities, the order should recruit among the night elves of Kalimdor and the dwarves and gnomes of Khaz Modan. Other prominent leaders such as High General Abbendis disagreed, considering the fate of Lordaeron the affairs of men.

From their base at Hearthglen, used as a rallying point due to Taelan Fordring's offer for refuge, they were able to gain some victories during the next years. Worried about the Forsaken entrenching themselves in the Ruins of Lordaeron, the paladins established a base in the now-abandoned Monastery of Tirisfal Glades, that would later be known as the Scarlet Monastery. Hoping to recruit additional personnel, they also made an alliance with Lord Valdelmar of Tyr's Hand, extending their protection to the fortified city from daily attacks of the undead. However, Saidan Dathrohan was killed during an attack on Stratholme, his corpse possessed as a fleshly costume by the dreadlord Balnazzar, who then started slowly working against the Silver Hand's objectives from the inside.

Fearing that the Ashbringer might destroy the Forsaken before his plans could come to fruition, Varimathras had Balnazzar arrange Alexandros's death by manipulating and corrupting his son, Renault Mograine, to lead his father and Fairbanks to Stratholme where an army of undead waited for them. While Highlord Mograine managed to destroy all the undead, he dropped his blade in fatigue to the ground, and coming from behind his son Renault picked up Ashbringer and ran it through Mograine's heart. The death of Alexandros shocked the paladins, creating divisions among them, while the corpse of the Highlord and the Ashbringer were later recovered by Kel'Thuzad. The lich raised the legendary paladin into undeath and transformed him into an obedient servant as the leader of the Four Horsemen, while the Ashbringer was no more than an unholy shadow of what it was once after having been used for such an atrocious purpose.

The possessed Saidan Dathrohan then reorganized what remained of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron into the Scarlet Crusade. These paladins strove fanatically to destroy evil, without any regards to the means used, and despised all non-human races. Other paladins disgusted with the Scarlet Crusaders' immoral zealotry, suspicious of Saidan and his closest companions, and who believed that their comrades had fallen from their once-noble purpose, left to form the Argent Dawn, which took a less extreme approach by remaining faithful to the principles of the Light, and accepted members from all of Azeroth's races into their ranks. At Light's Hope Chapel, Maxwell Tyrosus and a few others were chosen for the secret task of unearthing the bodies of a thousand fallen heroes of the Light, bringing them to be interred once more in sacred ground, in order to protect the honored dead from being raised as nothing more than cogs in the Lich King's undead army.

World of Warcraft

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

“The death of my son at the hands of these monsters will not pass without incident. Take solace in knowing that the Order is reborn. I now take my place as Highlord of the new Order of the Silver Hand.”

— Lord Tirion Fordring

The Cathedral of Light in Cathedral Square, headquarters of the Silver Hand in Stormwind City.

Following the Third War, the Cathedral of Light became the main spiritual hub for the Church of Light and the paladins in the kingdoms of Stormwind and Ironforge, with Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker and Valgar Highforge at their head. Upholders of the Holy Light and defenders of the Alliance, these paladins were present from the northern forests of the Tirisfal Glades, fighting back the advance of the Forsaken, to the southern reaches of the Blasted Lands, ceaselessly upholding their vigil against demonic forces from beyond the Dark Portal.

After his death, Uther was buried in a great tomb built for him to the south of the ruins of Andorhal, at Sorrow Hill, vigilantly guarded by High Priest Thel'danis, the caretaker of the tomb.

After their induction, some human paladins traveled to Northshire Valley to continue their training and help keep the kingdom's peace. At the Northshire Abbey, Marshal McBride marshaled paladins and adventurers to get rid of the kobolds that infested the Echo Ridge Mine. In Dun Morogh, some dwarf paladins also helped the inhabitants of the Coldridge Valley. All of them were later summoned by Duthorian Rall, one of the most influential paladins of the Alliance, to continue their training and studies, but also to perform holy trials to show themselves worthy of serving the Light. They were then sent on missions to fight the Defias Brotherhood and the Dark Iron clan, but also against the Scourge in the Western Plaguelands.

Everyone in the Silver Hand thought that Merideth Carlson was mad for coming up with the idea of a special horse feed destined to nourish spiritual horses. Relationships with the horse breeder were eventually mended, in order to allow the young paladins to be able to obtain their own charger, a tedious task guided by Lord Shadowbreaker.

When Taelan Fordring was killed by Grand Inquisitor Isillien, his father Tirion avenged him and vowed over his son's body to reform the Silver Hand once more as a force of good dedicated to extinguishing the evil, regardless of its politics or pleasantries, that plagued the world. The order was mentioned to be active during the initial assault on Naxxramas. When the tone rose during a meeting between Argent Dawn and the Scarlet Crusade at Light's Hope Chapel, Eligor Dawnbringer threatened Scarlet Commander Marjhan to inform the Silver Hand that they were no longer here on amicable terms, and that Lord Fordring would take great pleasure in seeing to their "atonement".

Season of Discovery

The subject of this section is unique to the World of Warcraft Classic: Season of Discovery.

The Hall of Mysteries in the Mystic Ward, headquarters of the Silver Hand in Ironforge.

In Season of Discovery, an Alliance paladin adventurer discovered an Echoing Orb in the Tower of Althalaxx, which was used by an unknown entity to watch Azeroth from the Twisting Nether. After an examination was requested by Delgren the Purifier, Katherine the Pure at the Cathedral of Light required help from the Slaughtered Lamb's warlock coven to destroy it, since it was impervious to most damage. An unknown group, with spies among the SI:7 and Silver Hand, soon attempted to trap the paladin adventurer by reporting a merchant on Theramore Isle with another orb. One of them posed as Elrick, a fake paladin of the Silver Hand, but the trail ended up cold after he was killed. The Mannoroc Orb later surfaced in Felwood, where Aeonas the Vindicated ended up collaborating with the death knight Gregory, once known as Sage Truthbearer of the Champions of Truth, to recover it from the Mannoroc Coven. When Gregory tried to sacrifice the paladin adventurer to perform a ritual to destroy the orb, Aeonas struck Gregory down with the Light, and with no known way to destroy it, the orb was stored in the Silver Hand's deepest vault.

At some point, the young paladin Ada Gelhardt apostatized herself from the Light and joined the Cult of the Damned by getting in touch with an undercover agent.

When Quel'Danil Lodge in the Hinterlands was plagued by a series of supernatural deaths, Magister Falath traveled to the Hall of Mysteries of Ironforge as the Highvale's emissary, where he petitioned for the aid of the paladins of the Silver Hand since their magics have been ineffective. The paladin adventurer later discovered that a Vengeful Spirit was responsible and exorcised it.

In spite of his efforts to destroy the orb, some members of the order still distrusted Aeonas for his past opinions on the Light. They summoned him to explain why he withheld his prolonged involvement with a known agent of the Lich King, but as a former paladin of the Silver Hand, Aeonas simply refused to obey and informed Katherine he would come when he was ready. Meanwhile, the Silver Hand's vault in Stormwind City was robbed and the Mannoroc Orb stolen. After questioning the vaultkeeper Julien Faranister, the paladin adventurer found that Ada Gelhardt was the culprit. They arranged a meeting on the island of Caer Darrow, where Gregory revealed that as soon the Cult of the Damned discovered the Burning Blade's plan to attack the Silver Hand's vault, he tasked his apprentice Ada to intervene and secure the orb.

After the Blood of the Lightbringer was recovered in Blackwing Lair, Ada and the paladin adventurer helped Gregory to perfom a ritual to destroy the orb in Darkwhisper Gorge. However, Diathorus the Seeker intervened, allowing the annihilan Azgaloth to enter Azeroth in preparation for the next Legion invasion. With the help of the bronze dragon Chromie, Aeonas and the paladin adventurer traveled back in time to the Third War. Under magical disguise, they witnessed the death of Uther and his paladins against Arthas Menethil in Andorhal, and managed to recover some of the Lightbringer's blood in order to retry the ritual. However, they were then ambushed by Rotgut, and while Aeonas died of his wounds, his wish to fall that day with his brothers and sisters of the Silver Hand was fulfilled. The blood of the Lightbringer was later used by the paladin adventurer to consecrate their weapon and kill Azgaloth in the Demon Fall Canyon.

The Burning Crusade

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

See also: Old Hillsbrad Ashbringer event

The Knights of the Silver Hand facing the armies of Ragnok Bloodreaver in front of the Dark Portal.

In addition to the Scarlet Crusade, the Silver Hand found a rival in the newly-emerged Blood Knight order. Some of these blood elves were once knights of the Silver Hand before the Third War, such as Mehlar Dawnblade, who held his former master Uther indirectly responsible for the fall of Quel'Thalas. He defiled Uther's Tomb, believing he was responsible for Arthas' betrayal and his failure to stop him. To prove their dominance over the Light, Blood Knights were sent to defile the Alonsus Chapel, the Silver Hand's founding place. The ghostly paladins Aelmar the Vanquisher, Cathela the Seeker, Gregor the Justiciar, Vicar Hieronymus, and Nemas the Arbiter appeared to defend the chapel alongside Lord Aurius Rivendare, who was ultimately defeated.

Following the reopening of the Dark Portal, a few Ironforge paladins joined the Azerothian defenses to repel the attacks of the demons led by a gigantic Pit Commander at the Stair of Destiny.

Some time after the reopening, a battalion of knights of the Silver Hand led by Lord Irulon Trueblade launched an expedition into Outland to help secure the other side of the Dark Portal against the demons of the Burning Legion; helping the Alliance and Horde forces already there to fortify their positions. When one of their paladins accused of desertion, Jorad Mace, returned with the news that an army of fel orcs and nether dragons was on its way to the Dark Portal, Trueblade vouched for him and urged Commander Duron to put the army on high alert. The combined strength of the Alliance, Aldor, Silver Hand, Horde, and Broken troops ultimately confronted Ragnok Bloodreaver's forces at the Stair of Destiny, stopping them from getting a foothold on Azeroth.

Shortly before the war against the Lich King, Korialstrasz decimated a large Scourge army somewhere in Lordaeron. The red dragon noticed that some of the undead wore paladins' armor.

Wrath of the Lich King

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

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

At the head of the paladins of the Silver Hand and the Argent Dawn, Highlord Tirion Fordring emerged at Light's Hope Chapel to defend it from the Scourge, unleashing his holy fury upon the armies of undead until the Death Knights of Acherus were ultimately defeated. During his confrontation with the Lich King, Tirion reclaimed and purified the Ashbringer, leading the Dark Lord of the Scourge to retreat and at the same time freeing the death knights from his grip. After the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, Tirion called for a union between the Argent Dawn and the remains of the Order of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron. Together they formed the Argent Crusade, which sailed to Northrend and fought to end the reign of the Lich King.

During the Scourge Invasion, a few reverent paladins of the order were present in Shattrath City to protect Bishop Lazaril's altar and her priests, as they were creating holy artifacts from the concentration of light of the naaru, to protect the Alliance capitals and destroy the floating necropolises of the Lich King.

In the beginnings of the Scourgewar, Tirion Fordring managed to set foot at Valgarde in Northrend under the disguise of a Cleric of the Crusade, while an envoy of the Silver Hand named Ares the Oathbound was entrusted to transport the Ashbringer separately, in order to protect the Highlord should the Lich King's forces attempt to intercept him. During the transport, Ares was fatally wounded by an undead, and later directed an adventurer to retrieve the artifact in the Utgarde Catacombs. With his dying breath, he implored them to deliver it to Lord Irulon Trueblade who returned the weapon to Tirion. In honor of the knights who sacrificed themselves for their sacred duty, the Highlord revealed his identity and declared that the Silver Hand had arrived, and that they would advance until they defeated the Lich King. Later, Trueblade mentioned that the Silver Hand worked toward Icecrown, and that Tirion remained their greatest hope with the Ashbringer to stand a chance against Arthas.

In the Culling of Stratholme instance of the Caverns of Time, adventurers were sent by the bronze dragonflight to protect Arthas from the deceptions and assassination attempts of the Infinite dragonflight, which sought to change the course of time by preventing the purge from occurring. Thus, they witnessed the suspension of the Silver Hand and the purge of Stratholme.

Cataclysm and aftermath

Following the Cataclysm, the paladin trainers in the kingdoms of Stormwind and Ironforge were still greeting new members as part of an Order of the Silver Hand that did not merge with the Argent Crusade. Those paladins who remained loyal to the Alliance were sent in the Blackrock Depths, in order to prevent the deaths of allies at the hands of the Dark Iron clan and the Twilight Hammer, but also at the cursed Shadowfang Keep in Silverpine Forest to obtain unique materials, so that Therum Deepforge could create weapons at the height of their dedication.

Among his reasons for betraying the church and helping Deathwing accomplish the Hour of Twilight, Archbishop Benedictus was overcome for years with questions over why the Light had seemingly abandoned Prince Arthas, King Terenas II, the paladins of the Silver Hand, and the other good people of Lordaeron in their hour of greatest need.

During Tyr's Hand's conquest, Crusade Commander Korfax of the Brotherhood of the Light ordered adventurers to retrieve some priceless artifacts of the order in the fortified city, among them the  [Shroud of Uther] and  [Gavinrad's Sigil], hidden in chests within the barracks as these artifacts were too holy for the now-undead scarlet crusaders to touch. Once in his possession, Korfax announced that he intended to deliver them to Maxwell Tyrosus at Light's Hope Chapel.

In Stratholme, the Knight of the Silver Hand Aurius Rivendare, who succumbed to Baron Rivendare, fell to the corruption of the Scourge and was raised as a death knight. Following his resurrection, Aurius took control of the city in his father's absence until Eligor Dawnbringer sent adventurers to defeat him. The ghost of Lord Raymond George also sent some adventurers into the burning city to retrieve valuable relics of the Silver Hand, among them lost volumes of the  [Annals of the Silver Hand] under the watchful eye of Instructor Galford, considering them as fitting additions to the rededicated Light's Hope Chapel. Under the command of Eligor Dawnbringer, the Scarlet Bastion was reconquered after the defeat of Balnazzar and the Risen, and following their victory, he mentioned that the former Bastion of the Silver Hand was now back in the hands of its rightful owners, with the countless treasures of the order still inside.

During the Invasion of Pandaria, a few paladins were present among the ranks of the Operation: Shieldwall forces and during the Alliance assault of Domination Point.

During the war against the Iron Horde in alternate Draenor, paladins of Stormwind joined the ranks of the Wrynn's Vanguard in Ashran. Among them, Valant Brightsworn was mobilized as the paladin leader at the Stormshield Outpost, where he managed the patrols on the island, while Guardian knights, Holy knights, and Retribution knights were seen fighting against the Horde forces on the battlefield. Some of them could also be encountered as followers at the Lunarfall garrison.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

“On this day, the Order of the Silver Hand is reborn! Together, Sargeras himself shall shudder at our might!”

— Lord Maxwell Tyrosus

The rebirth of the Silver Hand in the Sanctum of Light.

Following the failed Argent Crusade's assault on the Broken Shore, and the loss of Highlord Tirion Fordring during the Battle for Broken Shore, Lord Maxwell Tyrosus came into contact with a paladin hero in order to reunite those who still have the conviction to save their home, but also to find and secure the holy legendary artifacts that are  [The Silver Hand], the  [Truthguard] and the  [Ashbringer], the only weapons that would allow them to fight back against the Legion.

During the demonic invasions across Azeroth, Marshal Gryan Stoutmantle led the defense of Westfall and managed to repel the attacks. In Dun Morogh, some crusaders came to help defend Ironforge after being rescued from demons by adventurers of the Alliance.

After successfully securing all of the artifacts, and bringing back Tirion's body to be buried with dignity amongst the ancient heroes of the Light, a ceremony took place within the hidden Sanctum of Light beneath Light's Hope Chapel to unite every paladin order on Azeroth. The reformed Silver Hand grew and was made up of the paladins of Stormwind and Ironforge, the remnants of the Argent Crusade led by Lord Maxwell Tyrosus, the Hand of Argus led by Vindicator Boros, the Blood Knights led by Lady Liadrin, and the Sunwalkers led by Aponi Brightmane. Each of them pledged their order's loyalty to the paladin hero, now the new Highlord as Tirion Fordring's heir.

During the Burning Legion's third invasion, the Order of the Silver Hand began to mobilize on the Broken Isles, with the support of Lord Shadowbreaker who has volunteered to coordinate their forces on the ground, sending reconnaissance troops across the islands to watch over the legion's movements and bring back the survivors they found. Subsequently, the Silver Hand organized the recruitment and training of new troops with the help of Commander Ansela, Commander Born, and Crusader Kern. The ongoing offensive on the Broken Shore also drew the interest of many paladins who wished to join the ranks of the Silver Hand, some were judged by the Highlord itself who eliminated the Legion infiltrator among them.

Although Stratholme was still under the control of the Scourge led by Raemien the Soultaker, the Silver Hand managed to regain control of Alonsus Chapel as their base of operations in the Elders' Square.

Later, the Sanctum of Light was attacked 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. They overpowered Maxwell Tyrosus, then made their way to the bottom of the catacombs where Lady Liadrin tried to stop them, but was defeated as well. Just as they were about to claim Tirion, the Light itself intervened and burned the surrounded death knights, forcing them to flee and granting victory to the paladins.

During one of their expedition, Maxwell Tyrosus and his scouts reported to Archmage Khadgar and the Highlord that an extraordinarily luminescent object had emerged from the Felstorm, before it crashed towards the coast of Suramar. Their discovery was in fact the  [Light's Heart], the heart of the naaru Xe'ra bearing Turalyon's message for Azeroth, and according to him, the key that must be brought to the Prophet Velen to defeat the Legion, or all the universe would be doomed. In another message for Arator, Turalyon informed his son that the dreadlord Balnazzar has been sent to Azeroth to destroy all that he holds dear, and that he must gather the defenders of the Light to fight.

The Conclave, the Army of the Light, and the Silver Hand united against Balnazzar at the Netherlight Temple.

With the information sent by Turalyon, the war council of the Silver Hand sent their troops on different missions, notably to pursue Balnazzar by pinpointing his movements in eastern Azsuna, to bolster their forces by increasing recruitment efforts and seeking for new allies, and to dealt with demons incursions across the Broken Isles. Under the command of Vindicator Boros and Justicar Julia Celeste, the Silver Hand kept a close eye on Legion movements at Faronaar in Azsuna, where their intel suggested that Balnazzar was possibly present. They managed to sabotage the advance of the Legion by killing the Imp mother Ozram and a large number of demons, and also found Balnazzar's Codex of Command. As they were unable to access the information inside, Delas Moonfang was contacted to help, and deciphered it with a Fel Lexicon and demon blood.

The contents of the Codex taught the paladins about a Legion invasion force at Felblaze Ingress, where they planned to open a portal directly to the demon world of Niskara. Alongside the Conclave, Aponi Brightmane and Arator the Redeemer led an assault with their troops. However, the paladins gave no further news after their departure. They were later rescued by the Highlord, who learned from Aponi's libram that their assault was a failure when Balnazzar appeared through his portal and defeated them, before imprisoning them on Niskara. They also learned from a Mysterious Stranger that Balnazzar and his armies were about to attack the Netherlight Temple, headquarters of the Conclave hidden in the Twisting Nether.

The Order of the Silver Hand agreed to support the Conclave, and accepted Delas' request to join them as the first night elf paladin, alongside her uncle Nerus Moonfang after the Highlord freed his family from Oathbinder Zorak's curse. Subsequently, the paladins were sent in recovery and supply missions across the Broken Isles, notably to collect Blood of Sargeras and Lumenstone for the creation of weapons and armors. The Silver Hand and the Conclave eventually fought against the demonic invaders, until Balnazzar was killed with the help of Lothraxion and the Army of the Light.

Following their victory, the Knights of the Silver Hand joined the other class orders in Dalaran, represented by Gryan Stoutmantle during the meeting, to form the Armies of Legionfall. The paladins then helped to repel the legion's assault on Dalaran, and fought alongside their allies during the Assault on Broken Shore, with the Highlord and Captain Ridgers at their head at Deliverance Point.

During the Argus Campaign, the Silver Hand troops were present on Argus under the orders of the Highlord, Lady Liadrin, Arator the Redeemer, and Vindicator Boros, 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 paladin champion among other champions of Azeroth drained the sword of its corruption with a sacred artifact of the Silver Hand, using it as a vessel for its vast power.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

High Exarch Turalyon and the paladins of the Silver Hand during the Battle for Stromgarde.

During the Battle for Stromgarde, the paladins of the Alliance bore the banner of the Silver Hand and planted Blessed Banners on the battlefield. They only employed Alliance races and fought once more on the side of the Alliance against the Horde, notably Lady Liadrin and her Blood Knights alongside the Sunwalkers, indicating that the Silver Hand has splintered once again at the beginning of the Fourth War. Under the orders of High Exarch Turalyon, they fought alongside several elite members of the Army of the Light, while Turalyon scoffed at the idea of the Horde armies being led by a paladin, Lady Liadrin, questioning what has happened on Azeroth to allow this. He then claimed he would take pleasure in enacting justice from a "misguided paladin of the Horde".

In Arathi Basin, the paladins Kyara Bladeturner, Matron Dreya, and Nella Slagheart fought against Horde soldiers during the Brawl: Comp Stomp.

During the Battle of Dazar'alor, the Champion Frida Ironbellows fought the Horde as the vanguard for the Alliance's assault, she was accompanied by the Darkforged Crusader.

During the Faction Assaults, paladins of the Silver Hand were present among the 7th Legion and the Stormwind Army troops sent in missions on Zandalar and Kul Tiras.

After the armistice, Mathias Shaw reported that the Knights of the Silver Hand were still present in the Sanctum of Light, where its halls have been cleared to store many artifacts mostly recovered from Scholomance, Stratholme and the Plaguelands. These artifacts were far too dangerous to be stored elsewhere, and above all far too tempting for anyone to resist, which requires sacred protections. After Lorekeeper Mykos removed the mark from the Athenaeum on The Light and How to Swing It, a book written by Uther for Arthas Menethil, he donated it to the Sanctum's archives.

Shadowlands

This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

After the Alliance sent an expedition to Exile's Reach, but lost all contact with it, they sent another expeditionary force. Aboard the ship, young paladins were charged to find out what happened.

In Stormwind City, the Silver Hand made its appearance in the Training Hall, represented by Gilda Silvershield and one of the foremost paladins in the realm, Ezul'aan, who met young paladins who impressed him with their rapid progress. He sent them to fight the enemies of the Alliance in Blackrock Depths, and at Shadowfang Keep to obtain materials for the creation of weapons at the height of their dedication.

In the Shadowlands, through Uther's memories, the Maw Walkers witnessed the creation of the Silver Hand in Alonsus Chapel, where the first paladins and Archbishop Alonsus Faol inducted Uther into their ranks. In Uther's corrupted memories of the Culling of Stratholme, some Silver Hand Betrayers torched the city when Arthas began his purge. In Uther's final memory, paladins of the order were seen fighting the undead in Andorhal, while some of them were healed by priests of the Church.

Dragonflight

This section concerns content related to Dragonflight.

After they collected one of Tyr's memories in his tomb, Travard of the Tyr's Guard followed Watcher Koranos and the adventurer to Tyrhold. Honored to help the Dragon Aspects in the restoration of the legendary keeper, the old paladin decided to alert the Knights of the Silver Hand, considering that they may know something, and as followers of Tyr, that they deserved to hear what he witnessed and would certainly help their cause. A representative of the Silver Hand was later sent at Tyrhold and was consulted by Travard and Watcher Koranos to find worthy recruits to reforge the ranks of the Tyr's Guard. However, while the Silver Hand envoy gave them the names of a few of their paladins, none of them were what they were looking for.

During the Time-Lost Battlefield in the Dawn of the Infinite, paladins of the Silver Hand could be seen fighting on the battlefield under the leadership of an alternate version of Anduin Lothar.

Following the defeat of Fyrakk, Vindicator Boros and Justicar Julia Celeste traveled to Tyr's Rest. Both leaders were impressed by the efforts of the Tyr's Guard in the resurrection of Tyr, and Boros noted the cooperation of Alliance and Horde races among them, which reminded him of the union of the paladin orders during the third invasion of the Burning Legion and the unbreakable bonds those dark days forged. After the resurrection of Tyr, both leaders were delighted to learn of their success, and Boros said that it could only be a good thing for the world and for the Silver Hand. When Lady Liadrin came to meet the resurrected keeper, she was hopeful for the future of the Tyr's Guard who managed to unite so many different races under one banner, and that Travard would certainly succeed where the Silver Hand failed. Although he felt he had no place in this new world, Tyr later said he was pleased to see that his legacy continued to live on through the Tyr's Guard and the Silver Hand.

Culture

“I will establish a new branch of the Church, the paladins. I have already selected the first candidates for this order. Some were knights before but others were priests. I chose these men for both their piety and their martial prowess. They will be trained, not only in war but in prayer and in healing. And each of these valiant fighters will possess both martial and spiritual power, particularly in blessing themselves and others with the strength of the Holy Light.”

— Archbishop Alonsus Faol

Uther's Tomb, a monument dedicated to the Lightbringer.

The Order of the Silver Hand was founded on the moral foundation of five core traits, inspired by five holy tomes that were some of the church's most ancient relics. Each libram represented what Archbishop Alonsus Faol saw as a core trait of the order: retribution, holiness, protection, justice, and compassion.

The paladins seem to have a thousand different rites for every minor occasion, and are also known to be very sanctimonious. For them; any service, however humble, that helped another was of the Light. Nevertheless, they are known for their experience in meting out justice, which can sometimes turn into an inquisition.

According to Archmage Khadgar, they have an aura about them, a sense of calm and wisdom and even majesty, as if they were above the problems of this world. It was a magic he did not understand but one he respected a great deal, and in many ways it was the opposite of his own magic, which sought to control the elements and other forces.

Not all paladins come from noble families, like Sir Thomas who owned a pumpkin farm in Tirisfal Glades. After their ceremony they can change their name, like Davil Lightfire, originally Davil Crokford. As paladins, they consider themselves to be “Brothers” and “Sisters”. Along with their shoulders and warhammer, they received their paladin symbol and their own libram, which are holy relics that have guided their order since its creation and that can help them strengthen their connection to the Light. When the paladins obtain their steed, they name it by a quality they admire, following the informal tradition inherited from the knights and nobles of Lordaeron.

They have a more ritualistic way of looking at battle and focus more on the attitude one brought into the fight than the actual mechanics of swordplay. In battle, they charge their enemies onto their steeds, using mainly swords and warhammers, but also maces, axes, and their shields. During a fight to the death, their holy code asks them to give a reprieve to their enemy if they collapse, as butchering a fallen foe in the midst of single combat is unquestionably dishonorable. They cannot slay a foe who is either unable to fight, asleep, or unconscious, as the stain would be too great for their oaths.

Before a dangerous mission, the Knights of the Silver Hand take no risks, the chief paladin of the group gives their seal of command to their second in case something happens to them. If the leader dies, their second in possession of the seal of command rises to the rank of their predecessor and takes charge of the troops. After being killed on a mission or on the battlefield, the armor of a fallen paladin is retrieved by its comrades and later brought back in honor to the family by the master(s) of the deceased. Paladins can be buried in conventional cemeteries, or in the resting places of the honored dead such as the catacombs of the Cathedral of Light, the cemetery of Light's Hope Chapel, and the crypts of the Sanctum of Light.

In times of peace, some of them exchange their weapons and armor for simple robes, applying the teachings of Faol on the dichotomy of paladins to serve humbly in devastated communities after wars; as they are both warriors and healers. They also support the society through charitable works, are sent on missions to protect the Alliance and their allies, and allow the undead and spirits to rest, either by purging them or using a holy censer to exorcise them.

The paladins do not mistreat their prisoners, and do not deny them any basic rights, including food, drink, and the right to defend themselves with their side of the story. During interrogation, they disapprove the practice of torture or brutality, instead asking the accused to confess, or seeking to negotiate with them. In case of total refusal to comply, they use the Light to make them answer their questions, forcing them to tell the truth although it is very painful.

In case of treason, desertion, or any acts contrary to the rules of the Order, paladins can be excommunicated. After having stand trial, their light-given powers are stripped, and they are then banned from the paladinship and exiled. Though it had only been used a few times, every paladin lived in mortal fear of it. Sometimes used by some of the more fringe elements of the priesthood and the paladinhood, the scourges are instruments of self-flagellation meant to cleanse impurities.

Faith and beliefs

See also: Church of the Holy Light#Culture

As the martial branch of the Church of Light, the paladins are followers of the philosophy of the Light, which boils down to the three teachings called the Three Virtues. They apply them at all times in order to make the world a place everyone can appreciate; a world of honor and justice, and embody the qualities of loyalty, bravery, and honor. Compassion, patience, bravery mean as much to a paladin as strength in battle, and sacrifice is a key component in what it takes to uphold their duties.

Prior to the Third War, the Silver Hand was rigidly dogmatic in their views on the Light, as challenging its rightness and righteousness was borderline heretical. However, this perspective changed after the Culling of Stratholme and the rise of the Scarlet Crusade, which had brandished the Light to torture and kill countless innocents. When Aeonas the Quiet suggested that the Light was neither good nor evil but a force of nature, and that they should be prepared to possibly fight other Light users, his "very unpopular opinions" led him to public disagreements with the order's leadership. After he received a formal censure, he became a pariah and a constant target of chastisement, until he renounced his rank and left the ranks of the Silver Hand. A few years later, the paladins understood that Aeonas was right, and none of them any longer doubted his forethought and wisdom, revealing an evolution of the order's perspective on the nature of the Holy Light.

Just like the Church considered the Kirin Tor and its magi as heretics for centuries, some paladins showed hostility for Rhonin and all the others wizards, seeing them as damned souls, but also as an occasional and necessary evil, which they would do without at any other time. In fact, they treated Rhonin with minimal civility only because their oath to King Terenas Menethil demanded it of them, but otherwise he remained a pariah in their eyes. Even Uther the Lightbringer had never been very comfortable with magi, sharing the common perception that their magic was unholy and possibly even demonic, but he learned to accept it.

Before the Third War, the paladins seemingly could embark on a pilgrimage through Lordaeron, since Arthas described the Scourging of the kingdom as "a dark version of a paladin's pilgrimage".

Formation

The creation of the Order of the Silver Hand in Alonsus Chapel, as incorrectly remembered by Uther in his vision.

The training to become a paladin can take several months for priests and knights, and up to several years for younger and inexperienced apprentices, although training can be accelerated for squires if necessary. Becoming an apprentice requires attending to an establishment of the Church or the Silver Hand, and proving itself worthy of receiving the teachings of the Light. Whether young or adult, those who succeed are admitted and begin their training, the unworthy are dismissed but may retry later.

Prior to the Third War, the Old Monastery was a proud bastion of Lordaeron's priesthood, which also served as a seminary and major training ground for paladins in training. Nowadays, they are mainly trained by their seniors in the Sanctum of Light, Northshire Abbey, Cathedral of Light and Training Hall of Stormwind City, and in the Hall of Mysteries of Ironforge.

Despite the Church's wishes to bolster its ranks, it understands the sacrifices needed to ensure the paladins serving it are worthy, thus requiring long training and several tests that could take their lives. Apprentices are trained to use a variety of weapons, they learn combat tactics and many techniques, as well as how to ride and fight on their steed. Their training sessions are long and difficult, lasting up to several hours a day until exhaustion, and this for days and nights. Training at arms is important for a paladin, so are prayer and meditation, as they must be able to cut down their enemies but must also be able to heal their allies and themselves. In places of worship, they are instructed to pray, to meditate for hours, and often discuss the nature of paladins and the rigorous disciplines they must observe. They study many sacred texts, learn to take care of church duties and religious services, are instructed on the ways of the order and its code of honor, but also on the protocols of politics and knighthood. They also learn to abnegate themselves through meditation, in order to become conduits for the Light and use its powers.

After being deemed worthy, officially joining the organization requires passing a ceremony of induction headed by a high member of the Church, in the presence of priests and fellow paladins, where they take their oath of allegiance on a banner of the Silver Hand. When Delas Moonfang became a paladin, she was instructed to "speak the vows". Following the ceremony, these new paladins receive their tabard and the Badge of the Silver Hand to formalize their status.

Arthas Menethil's ceremony

Alonsus Faol: In the Light, we gather to empower our brother. In its grace, he will be made anew. In its power, he shall educate the masses. In its strength, he shall combat the shadow. And, in its wisdom, he shall lead his brethren to the eternal rewards of paradise. The Archbishop closed the book and turned toward the men on the left. Alonsus Faol: Clerics of the Northshire, if you deem this man worthy, place your blessings upon him. One of the clerics comes with a blessed dark blue embroidered stole in his hands, which he placed reverently around Arthas' neck. Then, he dipped his thumb in a small vial of sacred oil and anointed Arthas' forehead. Cleric: By the grace of the Light, may your brethren be healed. The Archbishop turned to the men on the right. Alonsus Faol: Knights of the Silver Hand, if you deem this man worthy, place your blessings upon him. Two of the armored men comes, the first laid the warhammer before Arthas' feet. The second, Uther the Lightbringer, placed the silver plates upon Arthas' shoulders. Gavinrad: By the strength of the Light, may your enemies be undone. Alonsus Faol: Arise and be recognized. Arthas stood up in front of the Archbishop. Alonsus Faol: Do you, Arthas Menethil, vow to uphold the honor and codes of the Order of the Silver Hand. Arthas Menethil: I do. Alonsus Faol: Do you vow to walk in the grace of the Light and spread its wisdom to your fellow man? Arthas Menethil: I do. Alonsus Faol: Do you vow to vanquish evil wherever it be found, and protect the weak and innocent with your very life? Arthas Menethil: By my blood and honor, I do. The Archbishop closed the book and walked back toward the center of the altar, he turned to face the entire assembly. Alonsus Faol: Brothers — you who have gathered here to bear witness — raise your hands and let the Light illuminate this man. Each of the clerics and knights raised their right hands and pointed toward Arthas, empowering him with the holy light. Alonsus Faol: Arise, Arthas Menethil — Paladin defender of Lordaeron. Welcome to the Order of the Silver Hand.

Delas Moonfang's ceremony

Delas walks down the aisle and then kneels at the steps leading up to the Altar of Ancient Kings. Delas Moonfang says: Here, in the presence of eternal champions, I take this sacred oath: Delas Moonfang says: To protect the weak, uphold justice, and walk the righteous path. Delas Moonfang says: I pledge my life to the Order of the Silver Hand, Delas Moonfang says: And join my brothers and sisters in humble service. After Delas has completed the vow, the Highlord used the ability  Rise, Paladin to complete the induction. Delas stands and walks the rest of the way to the altar before kneeling again. Upon arising, she is reborn as a paladin.

Thereafter, they continue to be trained by their master, in order to learn how to use their new holy powers. Once their training is complete, and to improve their new abilities, young paladins are given various missions and trials. One of the most influential paladins of the Alliance, Duthorian Rall, is notably responsible for placing the new members on the path to greater virtue, as they devote themselves to the Light and defend Azeroth from any threats. They must succeed to prove themselves worthy to learn the use of the perception of the undead, but above all, to access to one of the paladin's greatest honors, the power of resurrection.

Young paladins get a warhorse as their first mount. After proving themselves, Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker helped them to obtain their own charger. Those holy steeds are devoted to the cause of their owner, and are the spirits of former deathchargers recovered from death knights and redeemed by a sacred ritual. Once a tedious task that involved months of obtaining materials all over Azeroth, the Silver Hand has now most of those materials at hand since the Cataclysm.

Organization

The Sanctum of Light beneath Light's Hope Chapel.

As the martial branch of the Church of the Holy Light, the Knights of the Silver Hand seek to be an example of the Light's teachings as well as enforce its laws, to protect the weak and vanquish the evil of Azeroth. Therefore, the order has its own hierarchical structure to organize its activities. The Sanctum of Light is the secret hall located beneath Light's Hope Chapel, a catacomb that houses the remains of a thousand heroes of Lordaeron and serves as the headquarters from where the paladins operate since the third invasion of the Burning Legion.

Leadership

Once under the command of the Supreme Commander, the Silver Hand is led by an Highlord since the Third War. When they succeed their predecessor, the new Highlord must record their name in the Libram of Ancient Kings during a ceremony attended by all the paladins. They act as the order's highest authority, and the one to whom all paladins swear fidelity.

•  The Highlord of the Silver Hand
  •   High Exarch Turalyon
•   Highlord Tirion Fordring ^†
•   Highlord Alexandros Mograine ^†
•   Supreme Commander Uther ^†

History													Interlude
Ruler	Supreme Commander Uther the Lightbringer									Highlord Alexandros Mograine						Highlord Tirion Fordring									None									The Highlord of the Silver Hand			The Highlord of the Silver Hand & High Exarch Turalyon

The war council

The "war council" gather all the high-ranking members entrusted with a position of authority in the organization. They advise and assist the Highlord, take care of organizing and directing the missions of their paladins, make decisions to determine the future objectives and actions of the Silver Hand, and represent it when the Highlord is not present.

•   Lord Maxwell Tyrosus – Leader of the Argent Crusade
•   Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker – Chief paladin of Stormwind
•   Arator the Redeemer – Champion of the Silver Hand
•   Justicar Julia Celeste – Veteran of the Scourgewar
•   Vindicator Boros – First of the Triumvirate of the Hand of Argus

During the Third War, many leaders of the Silver Hand were killed by Arthas and the Scourge. Others such as Lord Commander Saidan Dathrohan, High General Abbendis and Grand Inquisitor Isillien survived and founded the Scarlet Crusade. During the Fourth War, the leaders Lady Liadrin of the Blood Knights and Aponi Brightmane of the Sunwalkers left the ranks of the Silver Hand and fought under the banner of the Horde during the Battle for Stromgarde.

Membership

Main article: List of Knights of the Silver Hand paladins

Pursuit of Justice in Hearthstone.

Once only made up of humans, the Silver Hand began recruiting dwarves from Ironforge and high elves from Quel'Thalas after the Second War. After their integration into the Alliance, the draenei and Dark Iron dwarves were also recruited. The night elves Delas Moonfang and Nerus Moonfang, and the nathrezim Lothraxion, are unique cases recruited by the Highlord.

At the Sanctum of Light, the recruitment of new troops is organized by Commander Ansela, a grizzled war veteran and seasoned teacher, and Commander Born, a hard teacher who has trained some of the greatest paladin knights in the recent times. With some officers, Lord Grayson Shadowbreaker is in charge of coordinating the forces of the Silver Hand, thus they organize the missions, assaults, and investigations for the paladins, but also the meetings between the leaders of the organization, the recruitment of potential allies, the establishment of defenses to counter enemy attacks, all of this with the consideration of dozens of logistics: communications, resources, weapons, armors, creation of supply lines for foods and medicines, and many others.

Under the orders of a military hierarchy, including captains, commanders, generals, and champions, the paladins dedicate their lives to the protection of Azeroth:

• The Squires are at the lowest rung, they aspire to one day become paladins themselves, and many see it as an honor to serve someone who has given themselves fully to the Light.
• The Shieldbearers specialize in defensive combat, forming an impenetrable wall of protection, while most paladins of the Silver Hand charge into battle on warhorses.
• The Knights devote themselves as diligently to combat training as much as they do to their daily prayers, honoring their battle skills in order to best defend the weak and the innocent.
• The Templars are not only the most skilled in battle, but also the most righteous in their demeanor. Strength of arms and purity of mind are strict requirements, and only those who possess both are named champions. They act as officers in the Order of the Silver Hand.
• The Crusaders are the Silver Hand's answer to an immovable barrier, and are deployed to only the most vicious battlefields.

Some paladins may become protectors who defend their allies in battle, while others may become menders acting as healers. The mission of the highguards is to protect the Sanctum of Light and the Highlord when they are on a mission. The scouts are sent to perform reconnaissance on the field and obtain information for their superiors. The order has its own blacksmiths, who recently learned to produce weapons and armor made of  [Lumenstone]. Valgar Highforge acts as the Grand Smith of the Order. It is the task of the scholars, with Sister Elda as their Head Archivist, to preserve, study and archive in their libraries all the knowledge the order accumulated over time.

The Champions of the Silver Hand are chosen by the Highlord to lead the paladin troops against the enemies of the Silver Hand, and also to perform the function of bodyguard for the Highlord. Since the reformation of the Silver Hand, the actual champions are: Delas Moonfang, Nerus Moonfang, Maximillian of Northshire, and Lothraxion. Before his corruption, Prince Arthas Menethil was known as the revered champion of the Silver Hand.

In times of great need, the Silver Hand can rally its mightiest forces into one pure destructive form, the Vanguard of the Silver Hand. Through a Libram in which the paladins had channeled their power, the Highlord can unleash that power to send his army for an important mission or battle. In the Sanctum of Light, Terric the Illuminator is the one who takes care of rallying the troops to form the vanguard.

At the time of the Third War, the Silver Hand counted among its ranks some priests, such as Isillien and Fairbanks, but also possibly mages, the only one known being Arcanist Doan.

High-ranking officials of the Silver Hand wear the Dueler's Snowy Shoulder Cape during ceremonies.

Sub-groups

• Detachments

  Name	Leader(s)	Status
  Champions of Peace	Gavinrad the Dire †	Defeated
  Champions of Light	Ballador the Bright †	Defeated
  Champions of Truth	Sage Truthbearer †	Defeated
  Circle of Holy Light	Halahk the Lifebringer †	Defeated
  Defenders of Justice	Magroth the Defender †	Defeated
  Crippling Force	Dagren the Orcslayer (MIA)	Defeated

• Allied orders

  Name	Leader(s)	Status
  Hand of Argus	Vindicator Boros Vindicator Kuros Vindicator Aesom	Active
  Argent Crusade	Lord Maxwell Tyrosus	Active
  Blood Knights‎ (formerly)	Lady Liadrin	Active
  Sunwalkers (formerly)	Aponi Brightmane	Active

Relations

Through their dedication and heroic actions during the Great Wars, the Knights the Silver Hand are recognized as valiant and mighty champions of humanity. As the most staunch supporters of the Alliance of Lordaeron, they were the only military unit trusted by all the monarchs of the Seven Kingdoms, and served as protectors during meetings of great importance in Lordaeron's palace, while they would not have been a part of the defense under normal conditions.

They are close allies of the Argent Crusade, and their remaining members in Lordaeron were known to cooperate with the Argent Dawn. Following the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel, they merged together to form the Argent Crusade under the command of Highlord Tirion Fordring. Conversely, they oppose the Scarlet Crusade and consider them as an aberration of the Silver Hand, since their extreme and corrupt fanaticism led to the death of many innocent people.

The Wildhammer dwarves respect, if not like the Knights of the Silver Hand, as they know the prowess of the holy order in battle. During the Battle of Grim Batol, Falstad Dragonreaver and his wing of gryphon riders even agreed to let Lord Duncan Senturus ride with them on their gryphons for a battle against Dragonmaw dragonriders.

Despite being allies against the Legion, the Silver Hand and the Blood Knights maintain a strained and aggressive rapport. They are factionally opposed, with a different philosophy on their relationship with the Light. Once, the Blood Knights considered themselves to be better than the other paladins, and the true masters of the Light, going so far as to attempt to assert their dominance by assaulting Alonsus Chapel. This duality resurfaced noticeably during the Fourth War.

The Silver Hand have a conflicting relationship with the Knights of the Ebon Blade. Despite their alliance to defeat the Lich King, the death knights led an assault on the Sanctum of Light to retrieve Tirion's body and make him the last member of the Four Horsemen. Although they managed to make their way through the paladins, their attempt was interrupted by the Light itself, leaving the Ebon Blade at odds with the Silver Hand, but also with the Argent Crusade.

The paladins at the Cathedral of Light are aware of the warlock sect operating in Stormwind City. While they officially reject their presence, unofficially, they think their knowledge can be of use and may contact them when dealing with demonic forces.

Following the introduction of the void elves into the Alliance, the paladins of Stormwind expressed mixed reactions ranging from understanding, to doubt, to rejection in their presence at the Cathedral of Light.

Items

•  [Silver Hand Blade]
•  [Ring of the Silver Hand]
•  [Discarded Silver Hand Spaulders]
•  [Legplates of the Silver Hand]
•  [Greathelm of the Silver Hand]
•  [Badge of the Silver Hand]
•  [Tabard of the Lightbringer]
•  [Glorenzelg, High-Blade of the Silver Hand]
•  [Annals of the Silver Hand]
•  [Mace of the Order]
•  [Gavel of the Order]
•  [Warhammer of the Order]
•  [Helm of the Order]
•  [Faceguard of the Order]
•  [Headguard of the Order]
•  [The Silver Hand]
•  [Legends of the Silver Hand]
•  [Greatsword of the Silver Hand]
•  [Warhammer of the Silver Hand]
•  [Blade of the Silver Hand]
•  [Bulwark of the Silver Hand]
•  [Crown of the Silver Hand]
•  [Spaulders of the Silver Hand]
•  [Breastplate of the Silver Hand]
•  [Gauntlets of the Silver Hand]
•  [Bindings of the Silver Hand]
•  [Girdle of the Silver Hand]
•  [Legplates of the Silver Hand]
•  [Sabatons of the Silver Hand]
•  [Arsenal: Armaments of the Silver Hand]
•  [Gilded Warhammer]
•  [Ardent Warhammer]
•  [Ardent Defender]
•  [Gilded Defender]
•  [Ardent Gavel]
•  [Ardent Hammer]
•  [Purity's Edge Greatblade]
•  [Death Warden's Greatblade]

In Warcraft III

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

The Silver Hand was a human faction led by Uther. Among their ranks it counted the hero units paladins, and regular units like footmen, knights, riflemen, and some militias. They appeared as an allied faction in The Defense of Strahnbrad, Blackrock and Roll, and as an enemy faction in Digging up the Dead.

In the RPG

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

Epic paladin warrior art from Shadows & Light.

Although the study of the Holy Light lends itself to scholars and priests, they are not the only faithful followers. The Knights of the Silver Hand is an organization of paladins who have also studied and devoted themselves to the three virtues. It is the holy order that gives the paladins their sense of righteousness and allows a sense of community to strengthen their resolve. Although it is a proud organization, the paladins must give up a great deal to join, including their independence. Uther Lightbringer founded the Order before the Alliance launched the Second War. The paladins were instrumental in winning the war and actually helped the Holy Light catch on with the citizenry of Azeroth when people saw the mighty paladins do battle with their holy power.

In recent years, the Knights of the Silver Hand entered a dark period when one of their own, Prince Arthas, turned his back on the Order in his dark pursuit of vengeance. He fully embraced the evil he thought he was hunting and became a death knight in service to the Scourge. This event dealt a great blow to the paladins of the Order, as they had to watch one of their best turn into a mighty enemy. Many paladins feel responsibility for him because the Holy Light teaches that every person can strengthen other people. Since they were unable to strengthen Arthas, the entire world suffered.

Many Knights of the Silver Hand remained on Lordaeron for several reasons ranging from missing the fleeing boats, to a sense of duty to clear their homeland of the undead. With the destruction of Lordaeron in front of them and the knowledge that Arthas had betrayed them, some knights actually went mad. Following the invasion of the Scourge, many of the Order's paladins joined a zealous group of followers of the Light known as the Scarlet Crusade. However, many of these paladins have become fanatical towards their ambition of destroying the Scourge, to the point that those not wearing their colors are deemed corrupted. They hunt the undead in Lordaeron with a zeal that frightens. Many innocent mortals have been killed through misunderstandings, or simply "just making sure". These paladins have a frightening policy: When in doubt, assume the person is undead and kill him. These knights would never admit that they walk the same dark road that led to Arthas’s damnation, but few of them continue to follow the three virtues. Those who question their leaders are assumed to be undead sympathizers and are slain. Many serve the Scarlet Crusade out of fear, as to speak up means instant death.

After leaving the Crusade, some paladins decided to join the Argent Dawn. Some paladins of the Silver Hand, brought to their knees by their failure to do anything to stop the plague and save Lordaeron from the Lich King's depredations, have also turned from the light and joined Arthas Menethil as death knights. Others fled south, to the Kingdom of Stormwind. The paladin order, still referring to themselves as the Order of the Silver Hand, now thrives under new leadership at the Cathedral of Light in Stormwind City. Over time, the followers of the Holy Light spread their philosophy to the dwarves of Ironforge, who soon adopted the tenets of the Order as well. Though decimated, the Knights of the Silver Hand eventually bounced back.

Paladin warrior art from the Warcraft RPG.

• Even after the triumph at Mount Hyjal, the paladins remembered Arthas's betrayal and just how close their order and all of Azeroth had come to complete destruction. Many paladins felt responsibility for Arthas because the Holy Light teaches that every person can strengthen other people. Since they were unable to strengthen Arthas, the entire world suffered. After such an enormous breach of trust, the paladins resolved anew to eliminate all traces of corruption in their ranks.
• While the Knights of the Silver Hand survived the Scourge, few paladins were left in the Order. The remaining knights started hunting Arthas's servants, the undead, with a ruthlessness that frightened some, but they were determined to fix their mistakes.
• The stalwart paladins of the Silver Hand who traveled to Kalimdor worked to establish a new church there.
• Humans founded the Knights of the Silver Hand, and though they remained the bulk of its membership, the new order started to accept dwarves into the ranks to replace paladins lost during the Third War (they had previously accepted a few dwarven paladins as far back as the Second War, though it was uncommon). The Order was not nearly as active as it once had been, but those belonging to the organization became some of the most active members of the Alliance.
• In addition to the night elves, many guests and diplomats from elsewhere reside in Darnassus, including Knights of the Silver Hand.
• Auradins are paladins of the Silver Hand who focus the power of their faith and of their traditions solely into their auras.
• Templars see corruption in their homes and many other organizations, including the Knights of the Silver Hand. While the templars see paladins as allies and vice versa, templars feel that the Silver Hand overemphasizes tradition and order over general goodness and the other values of the Light.
• Verius attempted to infiltrate the Order of the Knights of the Silver Hand after the Third War.
• Brann believes that blue dragons may be found in the ranks of many mortal orders, including the Knights of the Silver Hand.
• Delgren the Purifier is a Knight of the Silver Hand.
• Forthisal D'Neve is studying with the Knights of the Silver Hand to become a paladin.
• The Phylactery of Faithfulness, a small box containing religious scripture affixed to a leather cord and tied around the forehead, is commonly used by night elves and members of the Silver Hand.
• In the Scarlet Crusade, it is the duty of the Scarlet inquisitor to transform a broken Knight of the Silver Hand into a loyal zealot of the Scarlet Crusade, such as Highlord Taelan Fordring.
• Once indoctrinated, a lightslayer receives missions to combat the Holy Light, particularly the Scarlet Crusade (though Knights of the Silver Hand and ordinary priests and parishioners are also fair game).
• According to Brann Bronzebeard:

We have the Knights of the Silver Hand on our side, but this is a group that has experienced more hardships than most during these dark days. Once the pinnacle of enlightenment, goodness, purity and light, they are forever shamed that the powerful Lich King who sits upon the frozen throne was one of theirs. They wrack their brains on where they went wrong, why they couldn't see the streak of evil that obviously lurked inside Arthas. If he were truly a paladin, as they are, then there is no way he would have been corrupted. I think they have rather a too high opinion of the paladins, but I'm not the one to tell them.

Even though paladins are some of our most powerful weapons against the Scourge, with their holy power over undead, the paladins are not what they once were. Some have been driven into obsessive madness, forming the Scarlet Crusade and killing living and undead alike in their eagerness to eradicate the Scourge. Others traveled across the sea with Jaina Proudmoore to help defeat the Burning Legion and now reside on Theramore. They certainly do what they can to destroy undead they discover on Kalimdor, but the Scourge's numbers there are like a thimble of beer compared to the great kegs that are Lordaeron and Northrend. We'll need the paladins to defeat the Scourge, but they are not up to the task right now, and I don't know how much longer we can wait.

Brann also fought with a good number of Uther's knights in the Second War. He says that they were good folk, if a bit too righteous for their own good, but he finds some habits of the knighthood stubborn.

In the TCG

This section contains information from the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game and is considered non-canon.

• "Although the act of sacrifice is not exclusive to the Knights of the Silver Hand, they consider it to be a staple of their creed."
• "Antonidas' Aegis of Rapt Concentration was originally created as a holy shield for the Silver Hand, but its energies have been twisted by close proximity to the Burning Legion."
• "The Order was shattered when Lordaeron fell to the Scourge, but the relics of the Silver Hand persevere."
• "Uther, the first paladin of the Knights of the Silver Hand, was betrayed by his favorite pupil, the young prince of Lordaeron, Arthas Menethil."

In Hearthstone

This section contains information exclusive to Hearthstone and is considered non-canon.

The paladin Cariel Roame in Hearthstone.

In Hearthstone, the following cards represent the members of the Silver Hand:

• The Silver Hand
• Uther Lightbringer
• Prince Arthas
• Cariel Roame
• George
• Karl
• Nalaa the Redeemer
• Silver Hand Crusader
• Silver Hand Knight
• Silver Hand Recruit
• Silver Hand Zealot
• Silver Vanguard
• Silver Hand Regent
• Silver Hand Recruit (Human 2)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Human 3)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Human 4)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Human 5)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Draenei)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Dwarf)
• Silver Hand Recruit (Night elf)
• Silver Hand Murloc

In Heroes of the Storm

This section concerns content related to Heroes of the Storm and is considered non-canon.

• "The Knights of the Silver Hand breed their warhorses to serve fearlessly on the battlefield. Even the hardest of orcs quake with fear at the sight of paladins upon these mighty steeds."
• "Despite surviving Arthas's brutal assault, Uther was unable to prevent Lordaeron's fall. Now under Varian's banner, he leads the Silver Hand into Northrend to mete out justice."

Notes and trivia

• The Highlord of the Silver Hand is a heroic figure among the paladins, many want to impress them, and a few rumors circulate about them. Some even wonder if they could be a demigod.
• The Judgement Armor is meant to be an Inquisitor-like outfit for the Knights of the Silver Hand. It is the paladin's embodiment of delivering their sentence upon the enemy. This armor does not represent the defender aspect of the holy knights, but the commanding, faceless aspect of justice and judgment, as there is more to a paladin than shining armor. It's a suit of plate armor fitted with precious icons and scripture of justice from the paladins' tenets of Holy Light.
• Contrary to popular belief, the paladins are not subject to the vows of celibacy and chastity. They can freely marry and have children.
• The testimony of Fairbanks before his execution was written in the Libram of Ancient Kings, allowing the Silver Hand to learn the truth about the murder of Alexandros Mograine.
• As a boy, Bolvar Fordragon was impressing his paladin mentors with his determination and noble spirit.
  • In his childhood, Stephon Marris wanted to become a paladin of the Silver Hand.
  • As a young man, Jordan Stilwell was to become a paladin, but instead became an incredible smith in his father's footsteps.
  • When he felt a connection to the Light as an inquisitor of the Order of Embers, Hadwin sought out the Silver Hand to train him as a paladin, but he wasn't satisfied and left the order.
• The Silver Hand is the only Order Hall from Legion to have gone back on its neutrality, and there have been no depictions of any Horde-race Silver Hand members since the end of Legion.
  • To this end, the Silver Hand is also the first Order Hall to also take a side in the faction war; with the Silver Hand explicitly serving the Alliance during the Battle for Stromgarde warfront.
  • Functionally, the Tyr's Guard seems to have replaced the Silver Hand as the 'neutral paladin order'; going as far as using similar iconography due to their inspirational origins being identical.
• According to A Cleansing Fire, the Silver Hand splintered into the Argent Dawn and Scarlet Crusade four years after the death of Terenas Menethil. In the current timeline, it happened only two years after.
• During early Legion development, there was a quest to christen the Order of the Silver Hand using the Libram of the Order in Light's Hope Sanctum.
• The Roleplaying server Silver Hand US is named after the paladin order.

Symbolism

The Silver Hand's new iconography in Legion, featuring an open hand. The closed fist iconography is still used.

• The order derives its name and symbol from the legend of Tyr, a titan-forged keeper who lost his hand in a battle against the proto-dragon Galakrond and subsequently replaced it with a hand of pure silver, which would come to symbolize his belief that true justice can only be accomplished through personal sacrifice. The vrykul passed down the story of Tyr and his hand to their early human descendants.
• As of Legion, the Silver Hand's banner has an alternate depiction used predominantly throughout the expansion, from a closed fist, to that of an open one.
  • Both are still used, however, as the tabards depict the closed fist, and Turalyon's forces use the closed-fist banner during the Battle for Stromgarde.
  • The open hand seems to be in reference to the Ashbringer, as the symbol can be seen on the "disk" of the blade.
• In Battle for Azeroth, the Path of Uther and Uther's Tomb were updated with Silver Hand banners.
• In Shadowlands, early versions of the Barracks had Silver Hand symbols on display, this was later removed entirely and replaced with its current version.

Status during the Third War

• Most sources state that Uther was accused of treason and relieved of his command with his paladins being suspended from service by Prince Arthas Menethil near Stratholme.
  • Other sources contradict this issue. Most notably, Uther's dialogue implies that Arthas did not have the power to disband the paladins, and the premise of the "Dissension" mission implies that King Terenas agreed.
• The Ultimate Visual Guide stated that Arthas disbanded the Knights of the Silver Hand. Its updated version, however, stated that Arthas just sent Uther and his knights away and that they were decimated during the war.
• World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3 states that Arthas turned his back on the paladins and called their refusal an act of treason.

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 codices written by Mereldar, and the other early human prophets, might have become the five librams given to the first Knights of the Silver Hand.
• As the Brotherhood of Light existed before the Argent Dawn, it may have been a faction that grew in the ranks of the order before the Third War, like the Scarlet Crusade.

Gallery

• 

  Old banner in Stratholme.
• 

  Old banner in Stratholme.
• 

  Modern banner in the Sanctum of Light.
• 

  Alternate version.
• 

  Alternate version.
• 

  Alternate version.
• 

  Silver Hand Claymore
• 

  Silver Hand shield
• 

  Silver Hand Armor
• 

  Battleplate of the Highlord (Mythic version).
• 

  Silver Hand Uther in Heroes of the Storm.
• 

  Silver Hand Yrel in Heroes of the Storm.

Art

• 

  Alternate version of paladins versus death knights from Chronicle Volume 2.
• 

  Paladin facing a death knight from Chronicle Volume 2.
• 

  Anthology promo artwork for Legends.
• 

  Concept art of the Battleplate of the Highlord.
• 

  The Silver Hand by Yee-ling Chung for Legion: Celebrate the Classes.
• 

  Paragon of Justice by Veli Nyström for the class mount artwork series.
• 

  Paladin on the cover art for Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game.
• 

  Ring of the Silver Hand in the Trading Card Game.
• 

  Early Warcraft movie concept illustration.

Warcraft series

• 

  Paladin unit portrait in Warcraft II has glowing eyes.
• 

  Paladin unit sprite in Warcraft II.
• 

  Paladin in the Warcraft II manual.
• 

  Charge of the Silver Hand by Chris Metzen.
• 

  Mounted paladin Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition wallpaper, a knight in the manual.
• 

  Human Paladin concept art from Warcraft III original website.
• 

  Paladin unit portrait in Warcraft III: Classic.
• 

  Paladin hero unit model in Warcraft III: Classic.
• 

  Paladin unit portrait in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Paladin hero unit model in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

  Paladin at the front of a battle against the Horde.
• 

  Ranked Gold badge in Warcraft III: Reforged.
• 

Hearthstone

• 

  The Silver Hand
• 

  Silver Hand Recruit, reused TCG art for Seal of Light.
• 

  Human Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Human Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Human Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Human Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Draenei Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Dwarf Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Night elf Silver Hand Recruit
• 

  Silver Vanguard
• 

  Righteousness
• 

  Level Up!
• 

  Rise to the Occasion
• 

  Stand Against Darkness
• 

  A Light in the Darkness
• 

  Jury Duty
• 

  City Tax
• 

  Backup
• 

  Silver Hand Murloc
• 

  A Silver Hand Recruit in the cinematic trailer of March of the Lich King.

Fan art

• 

  Paladins of the Silver Hand by Jiang Feng.
• 

  Silver Hand Recruit by Andrew Theophilopoulos.
• 

  Warcraft Paladin by X WH.
• 

  Paladin by Cole Eastburn at the BlizzCon Art Demo 2017.
• 

  The Silver Hand, as featured in Chronicle Tribute: Hourglass of Time.

See also

•  [Silver Hand Aspirant's Codex]
•  [Silver Hand Orders]
•  [Silver Hand Ornament]
• [Blessings of the Silver Hand]
• [Bulwark of the Silver Hand]
• Echo of the Silver Hand
• [Ferocity of the Silver Hand]
• [Light of the Silver Hand]
•  [Obsolete Silver Hand Orders]
• [Power of the Silver Hand]
•  [Torque of the Silver Hand]