Urthudar's Studies

These writings are fanon interpretations and can be acknowledged at the reader's discretion.

The Void
There are many interpretations of the Void and its properties. There are those who view it as an all-consuming force that can destroy Azeroth. There are some who consider it to be a realm in which wicked souls are tormented for eternity. Others see it as what a man can twist and use as "shadow magic".

Fools.

The Void is not what a warlock casually calls "shadow magic". Any warlock that does is an amateur and an idiot. I will be willing to elaborate on this later.

The Void can be seen in two of the ways listed above. Indeed, it can be considered as a "realm", one of nothing but darkness, presumably punishment for mortal souls that have committed heinous crimes in their time. This has been studied in the past, and even experienced by one Sylvanas Windrunner, if I am correct. All of the studies theorized to this void's existence, and Windrunner has ascertained its existence. This is one of the more common associations of the term of "Void".

The other accurate view of the Void is one that relates to Void magic, Void energies, and further on. These include the use of Void magic, and the existence of creatures of the Void's origin, including the legendary Void Gods, which I am studying continuously. However, I digress, so allow me to explain.

The energies of the Void have, according to my research, a relationship with the Light-loving Naaru. Amusingly enough, when a Naaru is weakened and gravely injured, they begin to exude Void energies. From this, true Void magic can be drawn. I have also noticed the existence of Void-related creatures, most commonly in the forms of "Voidwalkers".

I have no doubt that Voidwalkers exist as a form of the Void's entities. However, what is also amusing is that these Voidwalkers are likely the very lowest of the branch of the Void's creatures to be used or exploited. I maintain my own Voidwalker solely for basic research, and this is no feat of any note. Any spellcaster who deems himself great for the use of a Voidwalker is fooling themselves.

The greatest of the Void's entities to be discovered thus far are the Void Gods, immense beings of Void energies that are formed from a dying Naaru. This is the result is the ironic twist of a Naaru becoming a dark being of enormous destructive power. So much for their saintly nature, I suppose.

Just below the Void Gods are Void Lords, a higher form of Voidwalker that holds much greater power. Warlocks are not beyond being seen with such creatures, but again, these are pitiful examples of power. The Void Lords any mortal warlocks on Azeroth command for the Alliance or the Horde are minute in comparison to the size of a true Void Lord, and are obvious indicators of a weaker Void Lord.

In a released form, free from subjugation from the minimal minds of warlocks, Void Lords are quite powerful. One subject, known as "Zuramat the Obliterator" could've been enough to give even Malygos, the former Aspect of Magic itself, a pause. Research has also been able to determine that the homeworld of the Ethereals - unnamed due to lack of information - was no doubt eradicated by Voidwalkers led by a Void Lord.

I can also recall my accidental - a shameful term for myself - summoning of a Void Lord in the Blasted Lands, a summoning that resulted in widespread destruction and took both my allies and enemies to defeat. Truly, a wondrous creature of power.

However, the Void can no doubt expand beyond what it is now. I have begun working with an experimental subject to determine the extensive properties of Void magic and improve upon it. It is quite possible that this may lead to the creation of a powerful entity, beyond that of what any has experienced thus far.

The Void as a Realm
As stated above, the Void can also be considered as a realm of sorts. What is this realm, though?

I do not truly know. No one truly can, unless one is subject to the apparent miracle of venturing to the Void, only to return. All I can base upon is what I learned of research of my own, alongside the findings of Avoren Söcretha.

If we'd like to know what the Void entails, perhaps one might consider resurrecting Arthas. I supppse he has a good idea.

Darkness
As I stated above, the Void is not what some call the idea of shadow magic. Such a blunt term, so inaccurate and so basic, belongs elsewhere.

You see, the magic of darkness is not necessarily drawn from the sources that Void magic is, but more from oneself. It is a product of inner pride and selfishness. Rather than assuming one's power of the darkness is drawn from an external source like Void magic, I speculate that darkness comes from what it is: darkness, of one's own heart.

Anyone can practice darkness as a magic. The most basic of warlocks can accomplish this, and it's all because of the above properties.

Does one every wonder why there are no good warlocks? No warlock holds good intentions, it simply doesn't exist. The only reason a warlock serves a king is to serve himself. The only a warlock will bow to the warchief is because he knows the warchief will soon reward him. Warlocks operate under selfishness and with a desire for power.

That's why any warlock can master darkness and its powers. Darkness is born from inner pride, selfishness, desire for power, and many other things your local paladin will try to exorcise. It should not be seen as something drawn from an external source, simply because it really isn't. If it was, every novice warlock would no doubt be dying from lack of mana because of how difficult summoning that shadow magic would be.

Building on this, shadow magic is arguably one of the least costly methods of magic, aside from the magic of the Light. As it is built upon one's own nature and self, it will likely cost little to nothing in regards to a cost of mana. Now, whether or not it is truly effective hinges on one's ability to master their own darkness for their own purposes.