Twilight's Hammer
- For the in-game mace, see
[Twilight's Hammer]. For lore surrounding the maces and in-game fixed device, see The Hammer of Twilight.
The Twilight's Hammer, also known as the Twilight's Hammer clan, Hammer clan,[5] Twilight's Hammer cult, Twilight Cult,[6] Cult of Twilight's Hammer[7] or simply the Hammer,[8] is a nihilist quasi-religious sect[9] active across Azeroth that fanatically serves and worships the Old Gods and seeks to bring about the end of the world. Originally founded by Cho'gall as a clan of pale orcs, the cult has been active since before the First War but became a major worldwide threat to both the Alliance and the Horde after Deathwing's return and the great Cataclysm shattered Azeroth.
History
Creation
Beneath the land of Nagrand on Draenor, a society of exiled orcs known as the Pale lived in catacombs under Oshu'gun. They reveled in the powers of the Void that leaked from the injured naaru K'ure, and through the Void they communed with the void lords that sought to bring about an end to all existence. The Pale orcs' dark power rivaled even fel magic in potency, and rumors of the Pale and their otherworldly abilities eventually reached Gul'dan. Though he paid little heed to the stories, his master, the eredar lord Kil'jaeden, was intrigued. Because Kil'jaeden pressed Gul'dan to ensure victory over the draenei at any cost, that meant investigating the Pale to determine if their magic could strengthen the Horde. Gul'dan sent his apprentice Cho'gall to investigate the Pale, and if they proved as mighty as the rumors claimed, to bring them into the Horde.
Cho'gall stormed into the Underpale expecting a fight, but found none. The Pale did not resist his intrusion for they were eager to share their prophecy of doom: the Hour of Twilight, a time when the shadow would envelop the universe and snuff out all life in existence. Cho'gall had little interest in their prophecy but was very interested in their unfamiliar shadow magic. To win the Pale over, Cho'gall used their beliefs to his advantage and claimed that Horde was a weapon by which they could bring about the Hour of Twilight. The Pale reveled in the opportunity to serve as agents of the apocalypse. They committed themselves to the Horde and formed a new clan: the Twilight's Hammer clan.
As he too learned to master shadow magic, Cho'gall would see the truth in the Pale's prophecy. It would take him many years, but he would eventually devote himself to their quest.[10]
First and Second War
Obsessed with the notion that the Horde was the harbinger of apocalyptic doom to all the lands that it ravages, the Twilight's Hammer felt a sacrosanct gratification in the destruction of all that it encountered. Led by the cunning ogre mage Cho'gall, the Twilight's Hammer had strong ties to Gul'dan and the Stormreaver clan. Its loyalty to the Horde was not as strong as its belief in its sacred mission of oblivion.[11]
After coming to Azeroth the Twilight's Hammer clan, alongside with the Bleeding Hollow clan under the leadership of Kilrogg Deadeye, led the orcish forces in the first attack on Stormwind Keep. The battle went horribly, as the Horde had not expected such resilient persistence against them. The two clan leaders blamed each other.[12]
As the war raged, the Twilight's Hammer became a problem for Warchief Blackhand. The Pale were prone to disobey orders and too many wandered off, never to be seen again. Blackhand considered making an example of them and wiping the entire clan out, but Cho'gall intervened; so far, he had only been the Twilight's Hammer's de facto leader, and he offered to become their official chieftain to keep them in line. Blackhand let him try, and was pleasantly surprised when Cho'gall was able to keep the Pale obedient, effective soldiers almost overnight.
Cho'gall's success was in his understanding of the Pale and their beliefs. They worshiped the powers of the Void, and the moment they had arrived on Azeroth they felt the Void call out louder and clearer than they ever had before. The Twilight's Hammer had been hearing the whispers of the Old Gods, ancient evils imprisoned deep within the earth that served the void lords. Discovering them had overwhelmed the Pale, driving them into a state of pure ecstasy. It was seen by the clan as a sign of destiny, that they had found the place where they belonged: the place where they would bring about the Hour of Twilight. As for Cho'gall, while he had believed the Void was a force, he had cared little at first for his clan's mad ravings about dark gods. But now, he had proof they existed. He agreed to help the Pale and brought them under control with a simple notion: the Hour of Twilight was not far off, and the Horde's success was the best way to bring it to fruition. Until then, they had to keep up appearances to Blackhand and obey their true masters in secret. The Pale agreed, and the Old Gods seemed please with the Horde's lust for war and destruction, so it was no great sacrifice to proceed with the conquest of the world.
As the weeks passed and Cho'gall attuned himself to the Old Gods, he branded the Twilight's Hammer's prophecies onto the skin of the Pale orcs. He then cut off their flesh to form pages, making a book that codified teachings of the Void: the Twilight Canticle. The book would become a source of power and motivation for the followers of the Old Gods for decades.[13]
Cho'gall survived the rise and fall of Blackhand, and the destruction of the Shadow Council. He served a useful purpose to Orgrim Doomhammer who, with Gul'dan, wished to bring ogres through the Portal to enforce inter-clan civility. Cho'gall was placed as overseer for the oil refineries in Grim Batol.[14]
When Gul'dan discovered the Tomb of Sargeras, Cho'gall believed that it would herald the end of the world, and so was quick to unlock its secrets. Orgrim Doomhammer ordered the traitorous clans destroyed and while Cho'gall was thought to have been killed in the battle it later turned out that he had survived the battle and then sailed west to the mysterious continent of Kalimdor, drawn in by the whispers of the Old Gods.[15]
Afterward, those of the Twilight's Hammer, Stormreaver, and Blackrock clans who died in the Broken Isles kept reliving the battle in their undeath, until the night elf warden Maiev Shadowsong put them to rest.[16]
Aftermath of the Great Wars
Arriving in southern Kalimdor, the Twilight's Hammer were followed by Garona, who was eager to hunt out the last members of the Shadow Council. Hoping to break free the Old Gods, restore the Black Empire, and bring about the Hour of Twilight, Cho'gall meditated for months submerging his minds in the will of the Old Gods, and they guided him on his journey throughout Kalimdor. The ogre mage and his Twilight's Hammer followers built a base in the cavern system beneath Tanaris, and sensed they were close to C'Thun to the west. When his fellow cultists began to disappear, Cho'gall initially suspected treason, but soon the culprit behind the murders was revealed - Garona. The Twilight's Hammer placed traps in the caves, but the area was her hunting ground, so Cho'gall and his remaining followers had no choice but to flee the caves.[17]
For the years to come, Garona continued to hunt and kill the cultists. Cho'gall became infuriated so he devised a plan. He sent his cultists away, and lured Garona to attack him in the forests of Feralas. The two fought, both injured, but Cho'gall managed to best her and took control of her, like Gul'dan did years ago. With Garona under his thrall, he took what remained of his Twilight's Hammer followers and returned to his original quest - to reawaken the Old Gods, starting with C'Thun in Silithus.[18] Eventually they arrived in the desert area and performed a ritual that pierced into C'Thun's prison. Although its bonds were shattered, the energy also killed a majority of the cultists. Those who survived were left catatonic, unable to speak or move. Cho'gall had no more use for them so he abandoned them. Under the orders of C'Thun, Cho'gall went to recruit new members for the Twilight's Hammer. The cultists secretly spread to every corner of Azeroth. They would infiltrate every city, guild, and faction like an unseen plague. Then, when the time came, the Old Gods would call on the cult to rise up and herald the Hour of Twilight.[19]
World of Warcraft
After several years undisturbed on Kalimdor, the orcish clan was able to recover and expand into a large multiracial cult of the Old Gods, employing a myriad of classes from simple warriors to aquamancers and shadowmages. Former members of the Alliance and Horde flocked to join the service of the cult and help bring about the complete destruction of Azeroth. Under the leadership of Twilight Lord Kelris they also show strong resistance in the Blackfathom Deeps of Ashenvale, in the submerged domain of the Old God's favored pet, the ancient beast Aku'mai. In the nearby Darkshore, cultists of the Twilight's Hammer may be found at the Master's Glaive, the site of a large skeleton of a colossal N'raqi named Soggoth the Slitherer.
The largest groups of the Twilight's hammer waited outside the ruined city of Ahn'Qiraj in Silithus for the mighty C'Thun's awakening, using Windstones to summon powerful Elementals of the Abyssal Council, which may direct the movements of the organization.
Among the active cultists on the continent of the Eastern Kingdoms, the largest group serve Ragnaros in the Blackrock Depths, even having ambassadors among the elemental lord's other servants, the Dark Iron dwarves in the court of Emperor Dagran Thaurissan.
In Ironforge, Gerrig Bonegrip founded the shop Bonegrip's Runes and Dooms for the Twilight's Hammer and assists those seeking to free Princess Myzrael, and the Forsaken Keeper Bel'dugur in Undercity secretly works for the cult as well.
Midsummer Fire Festival
During the Midsummer Fire Festival celebrations, the Twilight Cult tries to summon Ahune. The Twilight Hammer planned to have him battle Ragnaros to start an elemental war on Azeroth.[20]
War in Outland
By the time the forces of the Alliance, Horde, and the Shattered Sun Offensive defeated Kil'jaeden at the Sunwell, the Twilight's Hammer transformed and expanded greatly, often preying on the survivors of the Third War, especially those who survived the horrors of Lordaeron. As such, the cult managed to recruit Archbishop Benedictus of the Church of the Holy Light due to the loss of the paladins.[21] Shortly before the War against the Lich King, Cho'gall and the Twilight's Hammer snuck into Ulduar in Northrend. There he weakened the chains on the Old God Yogg-Saron, which would allow Yogg-Saron's influence over Ulduar's Keepers to grow.[22]
World of Warcraft: The Comic
Following the death of C'Thun by the Might of Kalimdor, the Twilight's Hammer and Cho'gall himself moved into the Temple of Ahn'Qiraj. Shortly before the war against the Lich King, Cho'gall and the Twilight's Hammer traveled to Northrend and snuck into the titan city of Ulduar. There they weakened the restraints on the prison of the Old God Yogg-Saron, allowing his influence over Ulduar's Keepers to grow stronger.[23]
Around the same time as the Alliance and Horde were dealing with the Scourge Invasion, Cho'gall kidnapped and brainwashed Garona Halforcen to be his assassin, using her as a tool to sow seeds of distrust between the Alliance and Horde. Cho'gall intended to sacrifice Med'an, the prophesied child of three worlds, to release his dark master from his bonds. However, Med'an and his compatriots founded the New Council of Tirisfal. As the Guardian of this new Council Med'an was able to defeat Cho'gall and foil his schemes.[24]
Wrath of the Lich King
Twilight's Hammer cultists could be found in Ahn'kahet: The Old Kingdom deep in Azjol-Nerub. Led by Jedoga Shadowseeker, they prepared for the glorious day that Yogg-Saron would be free.[25] While Cho'gall returned to his base at Ahn'Qiraj after weakening Yogg-Saron's prison, a part of the Twilight's Hammer remained in Ulduar, and together with General Vezax fought adventurers when they came to vanquish the Old God. Twilight's Hammer flags and banners could be found in the Ruby Sanctum when the black and twilight dragonflights assaulted it, though no actual cultists were present.
At some point after the war in Northrend, some cultists managed to find 
[Light's Wrath] and were planning to reverse the purification ritual performed on it some years ago. In so doing, the cultists would have transformed Light's Wrath into its antithesis: a weapon of pure darkness. The Kirin Tor mage Israen later found them and stormed their encampment just before they completed their ritual. Their resistance was short-lived, and he recovered the weapon for transport to Dalaran.[26]
Elemental Unrest
During the Elemental Invasion, members of the Hammer appeared under the name Doomsday Cult in Stormwind and Orgrimmar, preaching apocalypse and trying to destroy those cities. They were ultimately stopped and imprisoned.
The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
Some time prior to the Cataclysm the Twilight's Hammer was responsible for two mass murder incidents in Ashenvale, in a calculated plot to sabotage any remaining relations between the Alliance and Horde. Not only were tensions between both sides increased, but Hamuul Runetotem would severely be injured during the second mass murder incident. Receiving Hamuul's message and under the belief that the orcs were sent by Garrosh Hellscream, who highly disagreed with any treaty between the Alliance and the Horde, the mighty Cairne Bloodhoof would confront Garrosh. In the subsequent duel between them, Cairne would lose his life due to Magatha Grimtotem, who exploited Hellscream's ignorance of his own culture. As such the Twilight Hammer is indirectly responsible for Cairne's death and in a stroke of good luck their role in Ashenvale has remained undiscovered. As such the perpetrators of the mass murder incidents have yet to be found, and have not made any in-game appearance.
Cataclysm
When the Cataclysm hit and Deathwing continued his campaign of terror by indiscriminately burning towns and cities across Azeroth for months, it was in this time of prolonged fear and desperation that many turned to the prophecy and teachings of the Twilight's Hammer.[27] Seduced by the promises of power and the destructive intentions[4] of the twisted Aspect of Death, the cultists joined him in his quest to unmake the world of Azeroth. Loyal to the Old Gods, the cultists forged new plates to hold Deathwing's torn body. Their goal was to bring Armageddon to the world.[28]
As Moira Thaurissan's grip on the Dark Irons was tenuous, more of her people, the Dark Iron clan, were falling away from her rule with each day, joining the Twilight's Hammer whose emissaries continued to operate in the Depths. Adventurers sent from Stormwind and Orgrimmar were tasked with thwarting the Twilight's Hammer and Dark Iron alliance.[29]
After the death of Nefarian in Blackwing Lair, the Twilight Hammer cultists recovered his broken corpse, as well as that of Sintharia, and reanimated them with Void magics. The dragons retained a sliver of their former personalities, but they were now obedient servants of the cult. It was their knowledge of how to craft monsters that the Hammer wanted. Thus, Nefarian returned to his own experiments and forged a new generation of chromatic dragons, while Sinharia worked on twilight dragons.[30]
They claimed the ancient dwarven fortress of Grim Batol and the surrounding Twilight Highlands, turning it into their main base of operations under the leadership of their chieftain, the ogre mage Cho'gall, wreaking havoc wherever they can. They also have enlisted the help of the dangerous twilight dragonflight to bolster their ranks. They led various campaigns against the world such as the assault on Mount Hyjal, performing a ritual to connect the Vashj'ir ancient with a powerful creature far below[31] or undermining the efforts of rebuilding the World Pillar in Deepholm. They also maintained a strong presence within Blackrock Caverns, where they ascended to transform into drakonid and were sending supplies back and forth through subterranean tunnels the length of Azeroth itself.
Notably, their role in the game is very similar to that of the Cult of the Damned in Wrath of the Lich King, and may be considered a Cataclysm-version of it.
Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects
With the Twilight Cult in disarray following the demise of its leader, Cho'gall, an enigmatic figure known as the "Twilight Father" had taken on a more active role in the cult's affairs. Arygos delivered his sister, Kirygosa, to the cult. The Twilight father sent a group of Twilight dragons to the reunion of the four dragonflights. The assault had to destroy Ysera and did a diversion to corrupt the eggs of all dragonflights. Thanks to the sacrifice of Korialstrasz, the sanctum was destroyed and the eggs too. The loss was heavy for the dragonflights especially for Alexstrasza. The dragons were chased away from the Wyrmrest Temple and it became the cult's base. They sent an infinite assassin to kill Thrall wherever he goes. Arygos, wanting to become the aspect of magic, wanted to deliver the whole blue dragonflight to the cult. Kalecgos, however, became the new aspect and the Twilight Father betrayed the blue dragon. Aedelas Blackmoore killed him in the Eye of Eternity. His blood activated the Focusing Iris, and the flux of arcane magic gave life to Chromatus.
Kirygosa had to breed with Chromatus in order to create a new chromatic dragonflight, stronger and more stable. The cult spent his time hunting the elk in the Dragonblight feeding the five-headed dragon and keeping an eye on Kyrigosa. Thrall ended up killing Aedelas. Kyri killed some cultists and escaped. On the back of Chromatus, the Twilight Father assisted the final assault on the aspects. However, thanks to Thrall, for a little time, the aspects were once again five and ended the Chromatus' life. The Twilight Father fled and in spite of his failure wasn't killed by Deathwing but took his role as Archbishop Benedictus back on.[32]
Rage of the Firelands
The Druids of the Flame are members of the cult under the leadership of Fandral Staghelm. Fandral with his servants arrived during the Earthen Ring and the Cenarion Circle union to jail Thrall's soul in the elemental plane.[33]
During the opening of the portal on Nordune Ridge, Leyara led an assault of fire minions to lay waste to the invaders.[34] The flame druids resurect Alysra into Alysrazor. A long time after that, she attempted to kill Hamuul during a rendezvous at Leyara's Sorrow. Alongside the fire elementals, the flame druids didn't stop the attack on the Molten Front.[35] The Druids of the Flame attempted to perform a ritual here, but were stopped by the Shadow Wardens.[36] Later, Leyara was spotted in the Igneous Depths and killed by four Shadow Wardens.
During the final assault, the druids defended their master. The blazing talon assisted Alysrazor during his fight while Majordomo Staghelm and his men were defending the Sulfuron Keep. However, the Avengers of Hyjal won the war and the Druids of the Flame were annihilated.
Hour of Twilight
Thrall, with the aid of adventurers, faced off with the Twilight Prophet during the Hour of Twilight once and for all. The Twilight Prophet is defeated, however the Twilight's Hammer continued to lay siege to Wyrmrest. The cultists fled once Morchok was defeated. Some members led by Hagara the Stormbinder guarded the Focusing Iris within the Eye of Eternity, but Hagara and her group were also slain by heroes. The Twilight's Hammer then makes one final attempt to stop the Dragon Aspects, and a war party of Twilight Dragons accompanied by their Vrykul riders damaged the engines of The Skyfire in an attempt to stop them from catching up to Deathwing as he fled back to Deepholm. Once the Dragons and the Vrykul were slain, however, Warmaster Blackhorn accompanied by Goriona boarded the ship and attempted to dispose of the heroes, but were ultimately slain, allowing the Skyfire to catch up to Deathwing and finally destroy him with the power of the Dragon Soul.
Mists of Pandaria
While the cult has fallen, some remaining members infiltrated the Ragefire Chasm and founded the Dark Shaman. The legacy of the Hammer is still pursued by several groups such as Council of the Black Harvest, bent on unlocking the mysteries of the cult's dark arts.[37]
Warlords of Draenor
A still active cell of Twilight's Hammer led by an elemental ascendant, Twilight Lord Bathiel has persisted within Blackfathom Deeps. Acting on the orders of the Old Gods themselves, they intend to summon Aku'mai the Devourer into the world of Azeroth. The cult has been capturing prisoners in order to perform blood sacrifices that will serve as a catalyst for the monstrosity's summoning.
Horde adventurers raided Blackfathom Deeps and killed the mad servants of the Old Gods,[38] including Bathiel.[39]
Legion
At the time of the Burning Legion's third invasion of Azeroth, the remnants of the Twilight cult traveled to the tomb of the heroic titanic watcher Tyr, hidden beneath the Whispering Forest in Tirisfal Glades. There, led by the human traitor now known as Twilight Deacon Farthing, they attempted to resurrect an ancient monstrosity — Zakajz the Corruptor — using Xal'atath.[40]
As the "Mistress of Twilight", a mature twilight drake named Zeryxia took the scattered remnants of the Hammer and led them to Deepholm. Leading a reborn twilight dragonflight, she claimed to have heard the whispers of Sintharia from beyond the grave, and also learned of a way to use the power of the void to subjugate the elements to their will. The Farseer of the Earthen Ring and Muln Earthfury later led an attack to stop their plans.[2]
In the Deep Roads of Highmountain are drogbar, former slaves of Deathwing, allied with the Twilight's Hammer. Twilight Shardkeepers commanded bound elementals while Twilight Orelifters carried elementium through the tunnels.
When Sargeras destroyed Silithus in a last-ditch attempt to kill Azeroth, most of the local Twilight's Hammer cultists were killed in the attack. However, a few still survived and were led by Michiel Voidstrider. Michiel was killed by adventurers before he could rally the cult into action.[41]
Battle for Azeroth
During the Fourth War, the remnants of the Twilight's Hammer took advantage of the chaos between the Alliance and Horde at the Battle for Darkshore. They successfully revived Soggoth the Slitherer and were able to call forth massive elementals to do their bidding by harnessing the elemental breaches within Darkshore. Dark Ranger Velonara and Thisalee Crow respectively sent Horde and Alliance agents with disrupting their efforts.[42]
Exploring Azeroth
After the Fourth War, Rexxar and Zekhan entered Blackfathom Deeps in order to confirm that the cultist remained dead, just as the Horde left them. According to the mok'nathal, the cult members had been drawn to the ruined temple through strange whispers and visions sent by their Void lords. In the ruins, their charge was to protect Aku'mai that would be needed in the Hour of Twilight.[38] Zekhan then reported that since Bathiel's death, no other cultist seemed to have stepped in as leader.[39]
The remnants of the cultists at the Twilight Outpost in Silithus: The Wound remain active following the death of Michiel Voidstrider and despite the efforts of raids ordered by Grol Warblade on the outpost.[43]
Dragonflight
A few years later, a Twilight's Hammer ogre named Cygenoth used an illusion to disguise himself as a dragonspawn and convinced several dragonspawn and drakonid to become a Deathwing-worshiping cult known as the Worldbreakers. An adventurer and the red dragonspawn Ayasanth later exposed his deceit.[44]
Notable members
Doomsday Cult
These members appeared during the patch 4.0.3a pre-event.
Former members
| Name | Role | Status | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
  Dark Shaman Koranthal
|
Member of the Dark Shaman | Killable | Ragefire Chasm |
  Hermit Ortell
|
Hermit who later assisted the Guardians of Hyjal on Mount Hyjal | Alive | Ortell's Hideout, Silithus; Darkwhisper Pass, Mount Hyjal |
 Millhouse Manastorm
|
The Forgemaster, defected from the cult sometime after his defeat in the Stonecore. | Alive | Various Locations |
  Morridune
|
Locked with Aku'mai and offered a portal to Darnassus to Alliance heroes who slayed the beast | Unknown | Formerly Blackfathom Deeps |
| Sab'aoth
|
Reagent vendor and author | Alive | Cosmowrench, Netherstorm |
 Theldurin the Lost
|
Drinking and telling tales to Lucien Tosselwrench and Martek the Exiled | Alive | Scar of the Worldbreaker, Badlands |
 Zamael Lunthistle
|
Deserter who sought the forgiveness of Elune but was found out and executed | Active | Firewatch Ridge, Searing Gorge |
  Zaruk
|
Seeking to stop the earth elemental Myzrael | Alive | Hammerfall, Arathi Highlands |
Teachings
The Twilight's Hammer is obsessed with bringing the End Times or other scenarios of reckoning in the name of the Old Gods upon the world. This may have been already started on Draenor, as archaeology revealed a set of Doomsday Prophecies marked with the iconography of a flaming hammer. With this apocalyptic mindset, new recruits are often sent on difficult or impossible tasks,[45] such as obtaining a black dragon scale or phoenix feather, and sorted out with deadly trials.[46] Their fanatical views can also be seen in their newspaper in Silithus, the True Believer, which is gathered from Encrypted Twilight Texts. Other texts, like 
[Yagyin's Digest], the 
[Lorgalis Manuscript] or the 
[Book: The Powers Below], speak of their worship and sacrifices to the Old Gods.
Around the time of the Cataclysm, an unknown person began nailing disturbing letters to the doors of residences in Darkshire in the middle of the night. The letters consisted of the following chant to the Twilight's Hammer:[47]
“The master calls, echoing death and destruction across the globe.
The earth bellows, fissures devouring the weak and the strong alike.
The wind howls, snatching up bodies like leaves in the breeze.
The water screams, shearing coastlines with the ease of scythe through grain.
The fire roars, turning plains and forests to charcoal and ash.
The Twilight's Hammer descends, and all of Azeroth will hear its knell.
Add your Voice to our glorious chorus,
For it is the song that will end the world.”
Twilight cultists who accompanied Cho'gall in Ahn'Qiraj at one point used the following chant:[48]
“Twilight's Hammer!!! Twilight's Hammer!!! May chaos reign forevermore!”
Those who betray the faith of the Twilight's Hammer, and are accused of blaspheming the Old Gods and their cult, are sentenced to death to serve as an example for the others cultists.[49]
In Warcraft II
Chieftain: Cho'gall the Ogre-Mage
Clan Colors: Violet
Background: Obsessed with the notion that the Horde is the harbinger of apocalyptic doom to all the lands that it ravages, the Twilight's Hammer feels a sacrosanct gratification in the destruction of all that it encounters. Led by the cunning Ogre Mage Cho'gall, the Twilight's Hammer has strong ties to Gul'dan and the Stormreaver clan. Its loyalty to the Horde is not as strong as its belief in its sacred mission of oblivion.[11]
Domain: Northshire, Azeroth
In the RPG
The history of the Twilight's Hammer begins with Cho'gall. Cho'gall was made the leader of an orc clan after its previous chieftain was executed for disobeying the Shadow Council. The clan's name was then changed to Twilight's Hammer; its original name and that of its former chieftain was stricken from all records.[50] Havunth was a member of the original clan.
A different version of how Cho'gall obtained the clan is presented when the greatest ogre mage, Cho'gall (the leader of the ogre magi and loyal follower of Gul'dan), impressed Doomhammer so much that the orc warchief granted the ogre mage his own clan, Twilight's Hammer.[51]
They had a strong tie with the Stormreaver Clan, although their methods and goals proved much different. the Twilight's Hammer proved to be a destructive juggernaut, nearly unstoppable in battle. The ogres and orcs of the Twilight's Hammer embraced raw fury, enjoying the feeling of annihilating everything in their path. They remained loyal to the Horde for a time, only because it gave them a means to focus their slaughter; as the Horde weakened and the Stormreavers died, the remainder of the Twilight's Hammer abandoned both. It is likely that Cho'gall died defending Gul'dan at the Tomb of Sargeras, but the Twilight's Hammer retreated for a time, rebuilding its forces and biding its time. While the truth behind how this happened remains a mystery, the modern Twilight's Hammer retains the destructive nature of Cho'gall's clan, but almost nothing else. Somehow, one of the Old Gods has managed to make this clan its pawn; and since that time, the clan's numbers and power have dramatically increased. Even humans and other former members of the Alliance flock to join the service of the elemental lords and help bring about the complete destruction of Azeroth. The largest groups of the Twilight's Hammer now camp near the locations where they believe the Old Gods and their minions are sealed away; many wait for C'Thun's awakening in Silithus, and others serve Ragnaros in the Blackrock Depths alongside the Dark Iron dwarves. The Twilight's Hammer clan's color was violet.[52]
At some point after the Third War, Vyral the Vile was known to be the leader of the entire cult.[53]
Military forces
What the Twilight's Hammer lacks in military training, it more than makes up for in fervor. Every member would willingly die for the cult, fully believing the Old Gods would reward them for their sacrifice.[54]
Members of lower echelons of the Twilight Hammer (which is most of them) are predominately of the non-magical classes, mostly barbarians, rogues, and warriors. Other non-magical classes are known, but less common. As one ascends through the ranks of the organization, spellcasters become more common. The twilight overlords are almost exclusively spellcasters. Most of the spellcasters are arcanists, specifically elementalists.
This hierarchical pyramid is also indicative of how the Twilight's Hammer cult approaches defense. The first cultists the heroes encounter are likely to be low-level initiates. Only if that fails to deter them do the heroes face higher-ranking members, increasing in rank and power as they plunge into the depths of the temple. To catch sight of the inner circle, the heroes must breach the inner sanctum. The twilight lord deigns to fight only if the sect as a whole is threatened (in other words, to preserve his own life or goals). By that point, of course, the heroes are depleted from fighting the cultists, in theory making them easy prey for the twilight lord (which makes him look even more impressive to his followers).
Should a Twilight's Hammer sect be incited to attack another group, their offensive tactics differ little from their defense. Low-level members act as scouts, while the main force attacks in waves of incrementally increasing power, until they subdue their foe, and the twilight lord — or one of his representatives — can swoop in and claim victory. The Twilight's Hammer rarely uses such overt measures, however, preferring instead to scare off those who stand in its way. Accompanying each act of sabotage, kidnapping, or assassination is always an unambiguous — and gruesome — sign that the Twilight's Hammer is responsible.[55]
Redesigning
Since the early stages of Cataclysm's development, the Twilight's Hammer Cult was intented to be a face of the Cataclysm, with entire dungeons and zones devoted to them. What was once Cho'gall and his clan became an enormous, world-hating cult that involved all races of Azeroth. The developers felt that they could use existing art of all races and add it to the pre-existing art of the Cult. However, the only art direction the developers came up with was the banner found in the Cult's camps, so they didn't have much to give the Cult their own unique look. One angle that was explored was the Old God connection: statues of Faceless Ones and lamps with the same motif worked into them were designed. The final art direction for the Cult's environment were dragon's heads, scales, and horns, purple flames, and elementium blades. Elementium was chosen to be the Cult's "key-mineral," like saronite was the Scourge's in Wrath of the Lich King. Since the Twilight's Hammer was summoning elementium up from the ground, the developers decided to give unforged elementium the organic, spiny look found within the Bastion of Twilight and the Twilight Highlands.[56]
Notes and trivia
- It was originally hinted that the Twilight's Hammer was previously a normal orcish clan that was transformed into a murderous cult obsessed with the Old Gods by Cho'gall[57] instead of having been founded by already-devoted pale orcs. The RPG even implied that the "Twilight's Hammer" name wasn't the clan's original one.
- Lord Gregor Lescovar was under suspicion of being a contact for the cult.[58]
- The cultists of the Twilight's Hammer use their powers to draw elementium metal from deep beneath the earth. They coax it out into twisted spikes to form their buildings, rooted right into the defiled ground.[59]
- The
[Frostwolf Banner] unintentionally display the old banner of the Twilight's Hammer clan instead. - The Twilight's Hammer cult was initially concepted to be present in Uldum, having three camps there.[60] In the live version of the game, the cultists have no presence in the zone.
- The dead body of a Twilight's Hammer clan grunt could be found in the canceled Warcraft Adventures.
- Although the Twilight's Hammer had no presence in the alternate Draenor, art for their banner has been made and shown in Annual 2015 alongside other orc clan banners.
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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- Seeing as he's an old orc who wandered through Outland for years searching for the truth of the Void, Ogath the Mad might have been a member of the clan.
- The amount of members from the Stormwind branch of the Church of the Holy Light who joined the Twilight's Hammer is quite high - Archbishop Benedictus, Bishop Farthing, the Black Bishop. It is known that the Twilight's Hammer occupied Northshire Abbey during the Second War; maybe they left behind some books (such as the Twilight Canticle) that eventually ended up in the hands of impressionable members of the Church.
- With the fall of N'Zoth liberating Azeroth from the Old Gods, the Twilight's Hammer could deny such claims and carry out the work of their fallen masters or seek out a new patron to bring their dream of apocalypse into reality.
Gallery
A Warcraft II artwork with a orc Grunt with the Twilight's hammer sigil on his shoulderpads.
Warcraft II artwork, the orcs to the side have the Twilight's Hammer symbol on their armor.
Dead grunt in Warcraft Adventures.
Warcraft II banner.
World of Warcraft original banner.
Post-Cataclysm banner.
Banner from Annual 2015.
A cleaned up version of the Annual 2015 icon.
- Concept arts
Twilight's Hammer Wall from the Cataclysm credits sequence.
Twilight's Hammer Ramparts from the Cataclysm credits sequence.
Twilight's Hammer Keep from the Cataclysm credits sequence.
References
- ^
Twilight's Return
- ^ a b
[45] The Twilight Master
- ^ Twilight Vindicator
- ^ a b [30-35] Graduation Speech
- ^
[Faceguard of the Hammer Clan]
- ^ [1-70] Unusual Activity
- ^ [80D] Earth Girls Aren't So Easy
- ^
[Evidence Against Samuelson]
- ^ Threat!, pg. 5
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 84
- ^ a b Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Clans of the Horde, Twilight's Hammer Clan
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, The History of Orcish Ascension, The Mastery of Forces - Medivh and Blackhand
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 127 - 128
- ^ The Badlands (WC2 Orc)
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 198
- ^ The Broken Isles (Warcraft III)
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 26 - 27
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 104
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 123 - 125
- ^ [1-70] An Innocent Disguise
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 162
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 163
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 163
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Comic
- ^ Jedoga Shadowseeker#Adventure Guide
- ^ Word of the Conclave#Light's Wrath
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 102
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 58
- ^
[20-30D] Twilight Scheming
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 199
- ^ [30-35] Twilight Extermination
- ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects
- ^ Elemental Bonds questline
- ^ [35] A Ritual of Flame
- ^ [35 Daily] Traitors Return
- ^ [35 Daily] Enduring the Heat
- ^
[Legacy of the Masters (Part 1)]
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 71
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 73
- ^ [10-45] Blade in Twilight
- ^
[45] The Twilight Survivor
- ^ [50] Tapping the Breach
- ^ World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 107
- ^ [60-62] The Shadow of His Wings
- ^ [30-35] In Bloom
- ^ [30-35] Trial By Fire
- ^ The Art of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, pg. 16
- ^ Armageddon, pg. 7
- ^ Zamael Lunthistle#Quotes
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 162
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 156
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 169
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 164 - 165
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 187
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 188
- ^ BlizzCon 2010 - WoW Art Panel
- ^ Cho'gall (tactics)#Adventure Guide
- ^ [31] Items of Some Consequence
- ^ [5-30] Clutching at Chaos
- ^ File:UldumZone.jpg
External links
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