Keeper
- This article is about the titanic beings. For the sons of Cenarius, see keeper of the grove. For the sethrak order of the same name, see Keepers (sethrak). For other uses, see Keeper (disambiguation).
The keepers are considerably powerful titanic watchers who were imbued by the titan Pantheon with their specific likenesses and powers. They are Archaedas, Loken, Thorim, Freya, Mimiron, Hodir, Tyr, Ra, and Odyn. These nine would lead the titan-forged armies against the Black Empire, imprison the Old Gods, defeat and seal the Elemental Lords, and later create most of their lesser brethren and shape the world of Azeroth.[1] Some keepers are considered to be legends and myths by other races.[2]
Background
Primordial Azeroth
The keepers led the titan-forged armies to victory against the Black Empire, stabilized the slumbering world-soul's bleeding thus creating the Well of Eternity, established Ulduar as their base of operations, created the Forge of Origination and Forge of Wills, and created more titan-forged races such as the earthen and mogu.
Dawn of the Aspects
After Tyr helped five proto-dragons — Alexstrasza, Ysera, Nozdormu, Malygos, and Neltharion — to combat Galakrond in Northrend, the Pantheon empowered the proto-dragons through the keepers, transforming them into the first Dragon Aspects.[3] The keepers' leader Prime Designate Odyn objected to this because the dragons were not titan-forged, and created his own army, the Valarjar, within the Halls of Valor to in his mind better fulfill the dragons' role.
Fall of the Pantheon
When the titans of the Pantheon were slain by Sargeras, Norgannon cast a spell that sent their spirits flying towards Azeroth and into the keepers, but the latter could not withstand the entire might of their souls. The keepers were overwhelmed by an influx of fragmented memories and, puzzled by this, they called out to the Pantheon for answers, but never received a reply.
Loken's betrayal
The corruption of Loken by the Old God Yogg-Saron within Ulduar led to the disunity of the keepers. After Loken accidentally killed Sif because of the Old God's influence, the wife of his brother Thorim, he was desperate to keep his actions a secret. This resulted in Mimiron, Freya, and Hodir being corrupted into complacency within Ulduar's halls, Thorim retreating to the Temple of Storms in depression, and Odyn being locked within the Halls of Valor by his adopted daughter Helya.
Tyr and Archaedas saw what was going on and confronted Loken, stealing the Discs of Norgannon before fleeing south along with their friend Ironaya and several earthen, vrykul, and mechagnomes. Tyr defended the escaping party from C'thraxxi sent by Loken in what would one day be known as Tirisfal Glades, while Ironaya and Archaedas continued on to Uldaman. With the Discs of Norgannon gone, Loken created the Tribunal of Ages as a false record of history to cover his tracks.
Later, Ra, far to the south, learned that the Pantheon had died and fell into despair. He remained within the Mogu'shan Vaults for thousands of years until he was found by Lei Shen, who took his power and vowed to continue the titans' goals.
Wrath of the Lich King
This section is a lore stub. |
During the war against the Lich King, adventurers of the Alliance and Horde invaded Ulduar and defeated Loken and Yogg-Saron, and freed the other keepers of Ulduar.
Legion
This section is a lore stub. |
During the Burning Legion's third invasion, Ulduar and its keepers came under attacks from the demons. The goal of the attacks might or might not have been the souls of the titans inside of the keepers.[4]
From above the Broken Isles, Odyn and his Valarjar from the Skyhold joined the effort against the Legion. With the help of the mortal adventurers, he was freed from his imprisonment when they killed Helya in Helheim. He said he would want to visit Ulduar once again.
Known
Name | Empowered by | Title | Description | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|
Archaedas | Khaz'goroth | Keeper, Ancient Stone Watcher | Guardian of Uldaman. | Disabled |
Freya | Eonar | Keeper | Guardian of Ulduar. | Alive |
Hodir | Golganneth | Keeper, Titanic Watcher | Guardian of Ulduar, champion of the Valarjar. | Alive |
Loken | Norgannon | Keeper | Former guardian of Ulduar, servant of Yogg-Saron. | Deceased |
Mimiron | Norgannon | Keeper, The Grand Architect | Guardian of Ulduar, inhabits a mechagnome body after being killed by Loken. | Alive |
Odyn | Aman'Thul | All-Father, Prime Designate | Former guardian of Ulduar, master of the Valarjar and the Halls of Valor. | Alive |
Ra | Aman'Thul | Highkeeper, Fallen Keeper of Storms, Master | Creator of the mogu, his power stolen by Lei Shen, ultimately corrupted by N'Zoth. | Deceased |
Thorim | Golganneth | Keeper, The Stormlord, Lord of Thunder | Guardian of Ulduar, champion of the Valarjar. | Alive |
Tyr | Aggramar | Keeper | Keeper, Friend of the Dragon Aspects. | Alive |
Other names and titles
Notes and trivia
- The keepers are made from titansteel, and the ingots used in their construction were forged by Aggramar himself.[9]
- As home of the keepers, nearly every mountain of Storm Peaks carries their mark.[10]
- Many things attributed to the titans themselves in previous lore have been reframed into being actually the work of the keepers.
- Freya was shown to be able to leave an avatar of herself behind which would activate in times of need, the Avatar of Freya in Sholazar Basin.
- Before Chronicle Volume 1, Norushen,[11] Creteus,[12][13] Isiset, Ammunae, Setesh, and Rajh[14] were referred to as keepers. Yotnar has also since been called a keeper,[15][16] as has the Maiden of Vigilance,[17] the Maiden of Virtue,[18] and Saba-tok.[19] A few other titan-forged have "Keeper" in their names.[20][21]
- Freya and Ra are the only living keepers who are absent from Legion. While Ra may still be in his depression caused by Aman'Thul's death, Freya's absence is less explainable and has never been commented on, even after the Burning Legion attacked Ulduar twice. Ra does appear as an image of the past during [10-45] The Codex of Ra, using a new model before he was given his wounds and scars by Lei Shen.
- During the patch 7.3.0 PTR, Dark Keeper Aedis was a world boss with the following background: "Not all of the titans' creations chose to side with the Pantheon when Sargeras began his Burning Crusade. One such loyal subject, Keeper Aedis, went on to serve the Dark Titan as herald, announcing the destruction of countless worlds". There are still other "Dark Keepers" in the Antorus raid, namely Balesh, Tarneth, Nelal, and the dark keepers, although it is unclear if they are "true" keepers or if they only share a title.
- Despite being the last Keeper to be introduced, Odyn has made the most in-game appearances of any of them as of Dragonflight. In contrast the first Keeper introduced, Archaedas, has made the least appearances with his single role being his boss fight in Uldaman.
Videos
References
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 31
- ^ Dawn of the Aspects, part 3
- ^ Dawn of the Aspects, part 5
- ^ Jeremy Feasel on Twitter (2017-08-22): "You know how there were demons in Ulduar during Legion pre-launch week 2?"
- ^ [20-30 Daily] Power of the Great Ones
- ^ [10-80] Meeting a Great One
- ^ Shaper's Terrace
- ^ [45] The Sunken Vault
- ^ [Ancient Titansteel Ingot]
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 146
- ^ Norushen (tactics)#Quotes
- ^ [25-30] The Lonesome Watcher
- ^ [25-30] The Brothers Bronzebeard
- ^ [Staff of Ammunae]
- ^ [10-45] A Trial of Might
- ^ [10-45] The Blessing of the Watchers
- ^ [45R] Tomb of Sargeras: Aegwynn's Path
- ^ World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: The Eastern Kingdoms, pg. 30
- ^ [50] Assault: Amathet Advance
- ^ Lore Keeper of Norgannon
- ^ Ancient Stone Keeper