The Focusing Iris
- For the item, see
[The Focusing Iris].
The Focusing Iris is an ancient artifact of the blue dragonflight[1] and an item of immense arcane power.[2] Keys to the Focusing Iris are held by the most ancient members of the blue dragonflight. At minimal power, they can be used to open the iris a fraction, drawing Malygos's ire.[3] Adventurers of the Alliance and Horde did so in the Eye of Eternity during the Nexus War, which allowed them to engage and kill the blue Aspect with the help of Alexstrasza.
History
Twilight of the Aspects
During the Nexus War in 27 ADP, Malygos had used his own blood to activate and control this orb, which had lain dormant for millennia. With the open Focusing Iris, Malygos had been able to direct (and create[4]) powerful surge needles, using them to pull arcane magic from Azeroth's ley lines and channeling that magic into the Nexus.[5] The slain Arygos' blood, he being a son and direct blood relative of Malygos, was used by Aedelas Blackmoore to use a surge needle (with energies flowing from the Nexus) to animate Chromatus.[6]
It was previously mentioned that once harnessed, the energies are focused through the Nexus' ascending rings and blasted into the Twisting Nether.[7] In Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, this function of the Nexus is not mentioned. It is implied that the diverted energies were stored there.
The Demon Soul
During the siege of the Wyrmrest Temple in 29 ADP, Kalecgos sent adventurers to get the Focusing Iris so the Dragon Aspects could refocus their power into the Dragon Soul to use the Demon Soul artifact against Deathwing.[8]
Tides of War
Reflecting on its misuse in the past and its potential for future misuse, Kalecgos ordered the Focusing Iris moved to a more secure location - encased in enchanted ice, magically warded, and dumped at the bottom of the Frozen Sea. However, the dragons sent to escort it were ambushed and killed by members of the Horde, who stole the Focusing Iris and used it to augment a mana bomb built by Thalen Songweaver to obliterate Theramore Isle in 30 ADP.
While walking through the ruins of her city, Jaina Proudmoore discovered the Focusing Iris at the bottom of the blast crater and decided to use it to exact vengeance on the Horde. Studying a book of powerful magic originally discovered by Antonidas, she went to Fray Island and used the Focusing Iris first to summon thousands of water elementals, and then to bind them together into a massive tidal wave with the intention of destroying Orgrimmar. After being talked down by Thrall and Kalecgos, she returned the Focusing Iris to the latter, who decided that the safest place for it would be in the Kirin Tor vaults in Dalaran.[9]
Legion
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion in 32 ADP, the Focusing Iris was stolen from Dalaran's vault by Archmage Xylem, whose mind had been eroded by a grimoire he found in the Legash Encampment. Now serving the Burning Legion, he sought to use it to become the most powerful mage ever, until he was confronted by an adventurer sent by Kalecgos. The archmage fled to the Eye of Eternity through a portal,[10][11] where he could use the artifact to wreak untold havoc on Azeroth's ley lines and siphon their energy directly into himself. Drained of magic, Azeroth would be ripe for destruction by his demon masters, and his power would become limitless. However, Xylem's sanity was eventually restored and the Focusing Iris returned to Dalaran.[12][13]
The War Within
Following Dalaran's destruction in 42 ADP, countless irreplaceable artifacts of immense power were shattered.[14] Others were taken by kobolds and then retrieved by the Kirin Tor,[15] and more still were taken to Azj-Kahet by nerubians.[16] It is unknown if the Focusing Iris was among any of their number.
Notes and trivia
- Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War states that the Focusing Iris diverted the arcane energy of Azeroth.[17] The feat of diverting the ley lines was attributed to the Arcanomicon during the Nexus War.[18]
- It can be speculated that Malygos used both artifacts to divert the ley lines and the arcane magic they contain, the latter acting as a map and the former to change their direction.
- The "Focusing Iris" is seemingly also the name of a massive arakkoa superweapon located atop Skyreach.[19][20]
Speculation
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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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The fate of the Focusing Iris following Dalaran's destruction is unknown; it may have been stolen during the nerubian attack on the city, absorbed into the Dark Heart, or shattered alongside other artifacts within the city.
Patch changes
- Patch 4.2.0 (2011-06-28): No longer requires
[Key to the Focusing Iris] or [Heroic Key to the Focusing Iris] to activate. 
Patch 3.0.2 (2008-10-14): Added.
Gallery
References
- ^ [The Focusing Iris]
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, 13 (ebook)
- ^
[30] The Key to the Focusing Iris
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 52
- ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, pg. 196
- ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, pg. 199 - 202
- ^ Wrath of the Lich King Expansion Features/The Nexus
- ^ The Deathwing Raid: Interview with Scott Mercer
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War
- ^ [45] The Thieving Apprentice
- ^ [45] The Archmage Accosted
- ^ [110] Closing the Eye
- ^ [110] In Safer Hands
- ^ [80WQ] Arcane Riddles
- ^ [80] Trinkets, Curios and Other Powerful Objects
- ^ [80] Arcane Cold War
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 14 (ebook)
- ^ Nexus#Description from the official site
- ^ High Sage Viryx (tactics): High Sage Viryx activates the Great Spire's Focusing Iris.
- ^ Ranjit: Ranjit activates the Great Spires Focusing Iris.