Faroth'arn

"Study the past if you seek to change the future. That is our quest." - Master Faroth'arn Oakwarden

Faroth'arn Oakwarden, affectionatly named "Old Oak" by his students, was an elderly Elven wizard during the conflict between the Horde and Alliance on Azeroth. He has stood as an instructor to the younger generations of magi and sorcerors for several centuries and began to take an active part in the shaping of Quel'thalas' future when He formed The Suncrown Conclave with the aid of Master Shiraiyas Lightwhisper. He now educates his people on new philosophies regarding proper use of magic and the role of the Elves in regards to the younger races.

Appearance:
As the ancient race goes, Faroth'arn isn't irregular. As a tall, frail Blood Elf possessing a long head of hair that has reaches past his shoulders and a similarly long, kempt bearded-chin, the definate sign that forces him to stand out from the rest is his age. His hairs are fully white, formerly a radiant blonde. His eyes of a sickly green glow are often deeply knowing and inviting but are prone to periods of immense disapproval or anger. Weathered, wrinkled skin, marred by age, is also another obvious sign of his frailty from two-and-a-half thousand years of life. However, it is misleading as Faroth'arn stands as firm as the oak tree after which his family is named. His voice is similarly affected by the centuries, losing its handsomely rich, deep upper class tone to a lighter and whispier memory of his youth.

Class/Skills/Attributes:
From the days of the Well of Eternity, magic had been stored in one tangible location, easily tapped by the Highborne to use in their spellcasting. After the sundering occured, magic has permeated everything and magi now harness the ever-present nature of magic into their spells rather than draw from the Well itself. The powerful wizards of the Elves are among the most learned of their craft. Faroth'arn is an experienced caster who's long years have been spent pouring over tomes and scrolls. He has written numerous studies and notes himself from his vast knowledge. His age has brought him wisdom and and a broader mind. The Elves have long held preferance towards the destructive yet cleansing nature of fire and Faroth'arn readily employs its gifts to battle his foes. The intricate details regarding space and time, portal and teleportation magic, are at his command; a method of travel he often employs to cheerfully amaze his students or in times of great haste, otherwise prefering the use of a hawkstrider.

Equipment/Apparel:
During formal occassions He is found dressed in his extravagant wizard's robe, however He is normally found clad in a much simpler variant during study and research. A tome or a scroll case are common sights attached to his cloth sash. His stave is a finely crafted redwood shaft with detailed Elven engravings, attached to a metal head in the form of a Sin'dorei symbol. As with most wizards, it is a focus for more difficult and time-consuming castings.

The Second War
As the Orcish Horde descended from the mountains to catch the High Elves by surprise, the Amani Trolls continued their slaughter deeper and deeper into the woods. Alarmed at this bold move by the Trolls, Master Faroth'arn demanded to know what had provoked their aggression outside of Amani territory. Along with several of his apprentices, the aged wizard reached the forests' edge where the Orcs had already begun to burn and fell the ancient trees. With the rumours of an Orcish Horde proven true, Faroth'arn battled at the edge, his apprentices striking down the brutish warriors with fire and ice. This display of retribution attracted the attention of those few Orcs who lagged behind the advance into Quel'thalas, namely the powerful shaman Hrisskar.With the Elven runestones limiting magic spells, such as the Horde's warlock's own, rather than the powers of the spirits, Hrisskar proved to be a formidable challenge as the arcane and furious lightning clashed, each fighting for their people's cause. As his apprentices began to fall to the axes of the green killers and the warped magic of the warlocks, Faroth'arn ceased his duel and cast he and his followers to the Elven capital, where already the Horde stood before the gates. The Convocation of Silvermoon invoked the incredible essence of the Sunwell to erect a magical barrier that protected the city from harm. Even the red dragons, who had fallen under the Orc's control, could not penetrate it. After days of sparring with the barrier, the Horde abandoned their conquest of the High Elves.

Spurred on by the outrageous invasion, the High Elves fully backed the Alliance of Lordaeron. Meanwhile, Orgrim's Horde raced west through Alterac, bearing down upon the lands of Lordaeron where the proud Capital City lay unaware of the approaching tide.

The Third War
The lush forests of Quel'thalas would recover from their treatment at the hands of the Orcs. Peace returned to the kingdom of the High Elves where Faroth'arn would begin again his guardianship at the Academies of Silvermoon. The subject of the Orcs and the study into their lethargy and the internment camps would rise again and again, especially in the violet halls of Dalaran, at the request of Antonidas. Faroth'arn showed little interest in solving the mystery surrounding the now-placid beasts that had threatened to overwhelm his lands, instead focusing on actively tutoring his students to better defend themselves against the Forest Trolls, who'm had eagerly allied with the Orcs. The High Elves were too unprepared for the coming of the Scourge, with their withdrawal from the Alliance of Lordaeron nearly blinding them from the outside world, further aided by the remnants of the Amani invasion who still lingered in the Eversong woods. With their attention focused on internal matters, the Scourge, led by the traitor-prince, battered through the forests on a direct path through several outlying towns such as Goldenmist and Suncrown. Responding with the swiftness and decisiveness for which she was famous, Ranger-General Sylvanas Windrunner harried Arthas at every stage, destroying the bridge to the inner forests and striking from the shadows of the trees. It only served to anger the Scourge, which continued its trail of destruction to the gates of grand Silvermoon City itself. Rallying his apprentices, Master Faroth'arn struck at the fiendish invaders with fiery fury, smiting the undead with fire. The battle progressed through the city with the desperate Elves fleeing into the woods to escape the Scourge. Confident that the undead could not reach Quel'danas Isle, the Convocation let out a weary sigh of relief, already mourning for the loss of so many lives. Until the death knight surprised them once again. Forming a bridge of ice with the powers of Frostmourne, The Scourge dueled with the Lords of Quel'thalas and eventually triumphed, King Anasterian himself falling to Frostmourne's deathly strike. As the survivors sought shelter, the Sunwell was defiled and destroyed with the rebirth of Kel'thuzad.

With all but lost, Prince Kael'thas returned from Dalaran to lead his scattered people, dubbing them the Sin'dorei; Blood Elves.

As the Blood Elves stood over the ruins of their capital, the Scourge continued its advance southwest to Dalaran, home of the Kirin Tor. The ultimate destruction of the Human city by Archimonde and the entrance of the Burning Legion to Azeroth ignored by the grieving Sin'dorei, who began the lengthly process of rebuilding their kingdom. The call went out for the Alliance of Lordaeron to reassemble under the stern hand of Grand Marshal Garithos. Prince Kael'thas pledged his support and that of his people, bringing a selection of his followers to join with the Alliance, leaving the rest of the Elves under the guidance of individuals such as Master Faroth'arn, who's age and knowledge made him an important figure in ensuring the history of the Elves was never lost.

Influences
I'd have to say Malygos, Lord of Magic, was the main influence in Faroth'arn's creation. I am highly fond of the ancient aspect of magic's cheery outlook, and mirthful use of his powers to entertain the younger; like a grandfatherly figure. His serious attitude when faced with a magical challenge is also something i've brought into my vision of my wizard. I'm quite unhappy with Malygos' portrayal in WoW and Faroth'arn stands as a reminder of what I loved about the lord of the blues.

Confucius, too, with his many interesting sayings came to mind. I'm a philosophy student myself and playing to my strengths as the philosophical wizard was a no-brainer.