Death Knight

File:Arthas.jpg

Overview

Not to be confused with Shadow Knights Death knights are former paladins who have forsaken the Holy Light and entered the service of the Lich King. During the fall of Lordaeron, the Order of the Silver Hand was disbanded, and its leader Uther Lightbringer slain. Some of the paladins traveled to the plague-ridden colonies, seeking to continue to help the people of the land. Though the Paladins were immune to disease of any kind, they were persecuted by the general populace who believed that they had been infected by the foul plague. Embittered by this rejection, a few traveled north to find the plague's source.

Much as Arthas had before them, these renegade paladins succumbed to bitter hatred over the course of their grueling quest. When they finally reached Ner'zhul's icy fortress in Northrend they had become dark and brooding. The Lich King offered them untold power in exchange for their services and loyalty. The weary, vengeful warriors accepted his dark pact, and although they retained their humanity, their twisted souls were bound to his evil will for all time. Bestowed with black runeblades and shadowy undead steeds, death knights serve as the Scourge's mightiest generals.

It is more than likely that Death Knights travel across the land, fighting those opposed to the Scourge or secretly sowing discontent and rebellion in Alliance lands.

If discovered a Death Knight would most defiantly be pursued by followers of the Light and the Alliance and if caught, killed.

A Death Knight would have to be of an Evil Alignment.

Abilities

Death Knights and paladins are dramatically opposed, but not complete opposites. Many of the abilities of a Death Knight mimic or replace abilities of a paladin. Such as, where a Paladin can cure disease Death Knights can cause diseases of undeath.

A Death Knight gains the ability to rebuke undead rather than turning undead like a paladin. A rebuked undead will be stunned in awe of the Death Knight, while a commanded undead will become the Death Knights servant.

Becoming a Death Knight

To become a Death Knight one would have to make the long and perilous journey to Ice Crown, upon the continent of Northrend in the far north of Azeroth. There they would pledge their service to the Lich King.