Dra'gul

"Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens."

- Dra'gul

Dra'gul se Elyon (29 February 3833 BKC - present), originally known as Elamandur se Elyon, was a Quel'thalasian Marquis until his defeat at the Battle of Blackrock and is an elder warlock, artificer and mage-smith. Dra'gul resides in the Kingdom of Stormwind.

Dra'gul was most notable for his contribution to the life of the burgeoning Dark Craft. He has written many scholarly works over his lifetime, including the original translations of demonic runes from the Orcish Shadow Council tomes into Thalassian known as Demonology.

Biography
Born into nobility, Dra'gul was destined for greatness one way or another. A keen intellect and a curiosity for gadgetry led him into the academy, where he proved himself more than clever – he proved himself to be a natural-born leader. Little else is written about his early life until he ascended to his seat.

Taking over from his father, Dolvald, Dra'gul inherited a violent border territory constantly probed by Troll raids. Leading his people to victory and expanding his territories over his near 4,000 year reign, Dra'gul was a mainstay in the court of Quel'thalas. He built close ties with the human kingdoms who possessed the civility the elves admired. All seemed prosperous and peaceful. That was until the Orcs came.

Joining the Alliance of Lordaeron with his kin, he participated in the many battles of the Second War. His lands were destroyed by the orcish invasions and he was forced to retreat back into the capital. Eventually forcing the orcs south, the combined armies of Lordaeron and Stormwind battled and battled.

It was at the Battle of Blackrock that everything changed. A human contingency of Royal Infantry fell under his command, and, while in full-charge against the orcs, Dra'gul was struck by Fel fire. Unseated, he toppled to the ground, cradling the wound which had struck his back – it had come from his own forces.

Dragged off the battlefield and treated, Dra'gul slowly regained his health over the coming week. He went and spoke to the mage who had been arrested for the act of demonic aggression. The man, Thomas Cabbage, a master-sergeant in the Royal Infantry, insisted it was accidental. The mage was released due to his effectiveness on the field but Dra'gul never forgot the man's face.

After the war, Dra'gul sought out the mage who had harmed him and studied with him, uncovering the mysteries of the new warlock magic at their shore. This was when Dra'gul shed his name Elamandur and took Dra'gul; and Thomas Cabbage took the name Valkynere Portsmouth.

The pair were near inseparable for decades. Their studies were vast and grand, and the sowed fear into the hearts of men. Particularly, Dra'gul became enthralled by the Nether and crafting magics and items out of the purity of that extradimensional cauldron. His skill in craftsmanship was legendary, earning him the honorific: The Maker.

But, some years later, a disagreement occurred involving Valkynere's student, Carlingford Darktongue. Whatever occurred caused Dra'gul to disappear for some years. Many believed he retreated into his fortress in the Nether, others speculated he was murdered. Whatever the rumours, he has returned. The world of men awaited.

Magical Ability
Dra'gul is one of the most experienced and knowledgeable warlocks on Azeroth. He represents the pinnacle of devotion to his craft. He has mastered nethermancy and is a legendary artificer.

Nethermancy
Dra'gul studied the Arcane for more than 3800 years. His knowledge in the field was immense and has only grown since his forays into the Nether. But, his knowledge of Arcane was matched by his pioneering efforts into the mystical and terrible magic of Fel. His specialty would always remain as an artificer. He was obsessed with crafting items of tremendous magical might. This was particularly evident in his construction and utilisation of the Netherforge.

The Netherforge was a place within the Twisting Nether carved out by Dra'gul. There, he could manage the raw energy of the Nether and bend it into trinkets and weapons and armour. But, of late, he was more obsessed with crafting the raw energies into new spells; it was believed many of the spells used today were crafted in his forge.

Soul Magic
Soul magic was his second specialty. He was obsessed with crafting items and twisting the energies of souls to fashion new items and spellcraft. He mastered the art of soul magic.

Shadow Magic
Dra'gul was skilled in shadow magic, but it was never a focus of his. He found its methods to be too... mindless. He preferred the rigor and power of the Nether.

Demonology
Demonology was one of Dra'gul chief implements navigating and constructing his projects within the Nether. He had hundreds of demons bound and working for him in his twisting spires of Nethercraft. Despite this, he never went into the advanced magics of demonology, more focused on its practical utility.

Necromancy
Dra'gul practiced necromancy for a few years, but found it dreadfully messy. There was also little he could do with the magic in terms of artificing. It never took him, but he has a grounded knowledge of how the magic works.

The Maker
"“It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.”"

- Dra'gul

Dra'gul was a maker of things. He has crafted many powerful artifacts in his day. Notably, he forged the Staff of Portsmouth, the Ring of Fallen Empires, the Trident of Markunn and the Coronet of Tew. He was always interested in crafting new items and spells.

Among the spells he crafted were those listed in The Black Book. This legendary book was often possessed by the reigning Grand Warlock of Stormwind. While immensely gifted in spellcraft, his use of the craft was tied so tremendously to the Nether that the further he went from it, the more drained he became. But, in the Nether, there would be little distinction between him and a god.