Dark Glare

PALADIN

''Blade with whom i lived, blade with whom now i die, serve right and justice one last time, seek one last heart of evil, still one last life of pain, cut well old friend, and then farewell''

A Paladin is holy knight, a paragon of virtue and goodness. A Paladin is a warrior devoted his life to a duty, defend the weak, give aid to poor and bring hope to the hopeless. Given that, the term Holy Knight is made of two words, holy and knight. The epitome of honor and valor, Paladins excel in martial combat while employing divine magic to enhance their abilities and strike down their enemies. By Invoking both protective, offensive and healing magic, the Paladin can survive battle that would crumble of those of lesser resolve.

Even though Paladin order was first founded with aim to fight against the Savage Orcish Horde, being enhanced by Holy Light gives Paladins of Azeroth, special abilities to crush Undead and demons. Paladins are the virtuous defenders of the weak and tireless, and unfaltering enemies of the Undead and Demons. Paladins in Azeroth mixes elements of warriors and holy clerics. They are tough melee fighters but also wield healing powers of holy light. Paladins are usually fanatical in their cause, its often told; a Paladin detects the evil first, smites it second and then questions it last.

HOLY LIGHT

''Fear not young one, for this crusader shall not taste death. In life Bridenbrad was the bearer of great deeds. Now, in passing he shall only taste paradise. The Light does not abandon it's champions''

Followers of the Religion of Light does not worship any gods, instead they seek the perfection and truth within themselves. Humans and Draenei are the main exercisers of the Holy Light, Dwarves and High Elves following them with lesser numbers. However order of the holy light has recently returned to Blood Elf community as well. Light has followers among almost every race in Azeroth nowadays.

Exercise of Holy Light, is a seeking of virtue rather then a simple worshipping.

The Holy Light teaches that there is a connection between the self and the universe. This connection manifests as
what we feel through both senses and emotions. When a person is moved, through seeing something breathtaking or
feeling love for another, that emotion connects him to the universe. Experiencing the emotion ensures that he exists, as
something within him felt the emotions or processed the sensual awareness. Because he exists, so must the universe that
gave him that feeling. From there, he can act upon the universe, causing more changes to create feeling in others. Thus,
the followers of Holy Light seek to make the world a better place by being true to their own emotions.

The next step in recognizing this connection between the self and the universe is developing the goodness
within and without. If one wishes for happiness, one must work to better the universe to make others happy.
Experiencing the glory and beauty of the world will in turn tap into the inner beauty and glory within one's soul.
However, giving in to greed, despair, and unhappiness will only darken the universe. The Holy Light is the glory of the
universe reflected upon the soul and mirrored back onto itself.'' Wowwiki

Followers of Light, often believe existence of a higher being, and it's been seen several times them mentioning the word God, however exercise of Holy Light doesn't involve any form of worshipping to a god. Since there is no entity of Light described in any writings. Except the race of beings known as Naaru which are a bodied form of Holy Light. Naaru are a source of Light and center of Draenei belief of Light. However they are not the only source of light. Draenei followers of the Prophet Velen are given knowledge and powers by these beings.

While studies of Holy Light does not mention a specific definiton of hell and heaven, idea of paradise and hell are often mentioned by Holy Light practitioners. The Church of Holy Light was founded in Eastern Kingdoms, located in Lordaeron effecting both Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas and spreading to whole continent. It is now located in Stormwind, mainly in Cathedral of Stormwind. It's current leader is Archbishop Benedictus. Archbishop is assited by a council of Bishops.

THE THREE VIRTUES

The philosophy of the Holy Light boils down to the three teachings, called the Three Virtues. These virtues — respect, tenacity and compassion — are each defined into a principle and a lesson.

Respect

The first virtue taught is respect. While the Holy Light teaches that awareness of the self and the universe is a goal, one must also see the connection between others and the universe. Destroying other's happiness and severing other's connections with the universe is not serving the world's well being, and therefore not your own. The practitioners of the Holy Light are not naive, however, and understand that trial, conflict, war, and suffering do happen; but they strive to make the universe a better place in spite of these hindrances.

Tenacity

The second virtue is tenacity. The adherence to this virtue is, incidentally, the part of training under the Holy Light that weeds out the unfaithful, as true dedication takes years. Fresh-faced acolytes often lose hope and the true meaning of the Holy Light when they realize that it takes a lifetime to serve the philosophy. The world is much bigger than one lone soul; and while the world can change a soul in a day, it takes much more time to change the world. Only through tenacity can a servant of the Holy Light hope to affect the universe. If some young students feel like this is an impossible task, others take heart in the realization that if you truly believe there is a connection between the self and the universe, one cannot help but affect the other, no matter the size. Affecting the world can include anything from teaching and instilling hope in others to joining with other like-minded individuals to work together to create a bigger change.

Compassion

After the first two concepts are mastered, the student can take on the final virtue: compassion. The connection between the self and the universe is strong, but it still is only one connection. If a follower of the Light serves another to increase his happiness, his bond with the universe grows stronger. The happiness he receives by helping someone also strengthens himself and the universe, and he is able to affect the universe even more.

Compassion is perhaps the most powerful — and yet most dangerous — virtue.
If someone is too compassionate, he can give help where none is needed — or wanted. This oversight can hinder one's growth and happiness. For example, one may help another with a seemingly impossible quest, when such a quest is not actually out of the abilities of the one making the attempt. Thus, Compassion (However well intentioned) has resulted in that person's inability to grow as the quest was essentially "done for them", hindering their growth and happiness.

Some helpers can be awkward and do more harm than good with their actions, increasing the suffering and unhappiness in the world. A well meaning follower of the Light may rush to the aid of an adventurer(s) and wind up gaining too much interest of those attacking, and thus force those they try to help to rush to the follower's aid.
This is why compassion is taught last; only the wise and those fully understanding compassion may identify who is truly in need and who can grow on their own ( Wowwiki)

CODE OF PALADINS

A Paladin must be of good allignment at all costs, otherwise all powers given to him/her by light will be taken back, as soon as he commits an act of evil or injustice. A Paladin who violates this code will no longer be a paladin. That being said, to be able to wield powers of holy light a paladin only has to truely believe his cause is right and just. Light will continue to serve him even if his path is actually wrong, as long as he believes he is just. Makes faith most powerfull element of paladin code.

KNIGHTS OF THE SILVER HAND

Alonsus Faol is the founder of the 1st Paladin order in Warcraft lore. You can see Faol's statue in Cathedral Quarter of the Stormwind city and Faol is buried near Scarlet Monastery in Tirisfal Glades at Faol's Rest. There is also a Chapel in Stratholme named after him, Alonsus Chapel, birthplace of the Paladinhood. When Orcish invasion of Azeroth has begun, Alonsus Faol directed his clerics in Holy Order of the Northshire Clerics to battle. Even though they are wielded with healing and destructive powers of the Holy Light they suffered heavy loses in battlefield and war is eventually lost, remaining of the order has fled to the Northrend. Faol has recruited former clerics of the order and some noble Knights to the restored order, this time trained more in physical waves and arts of war. First 5 paladins were Uther The Lightbringer, Saidan Dathrohan, Tirion Fordring, Gavinrad the Dire and General Turalyon. Uther being the 1st of paladins, appointed in Alonsus Chapel in Stratholme; making it founding place of the Order of the Silver Hand. Paladins have became a insturmental on winning of the war, a devastating and fearsome force for the Alliance. Order was run from Silver Hand Bastion in Stratholme.

King Terenas Menethil, Prince Arthas Menethil, High General Abbendis, Sir Maximus Adams, Aelmar The Vanquisher, Arathor the Redeemer, Cathela The Seeker, Dagren the Orcslayer, Commander Duron, Highlord Bolvar Fordragon, Highlord Taelan Fordring, Katherine The Pure, Morgan Ladimore, Alexandros Mograine The Ashbringer, Sir Zeliek and Highlord Leoric Von Zeldig are some of the notable members of the order.

Unfortunately Order was destroyed, when Prince Arthas killed Uther the Lightbringer. Ironically Arthas himself was a member of the order, before his dark reborn.

The Knights of the Silver Hand, grew out of humanity’s culture, and its greatest heroes and fiercest proponents are humans. Ironforge Dwarves possess the toughness needed to withstand the onslaught of the paladins' many enemies. After the destruction of the Order some of the Paladins formed The Scarlet Crusade, a zealous order that hunts undead and trying to reclaim their lost lands. After the Inflataration of Balnazaar in the order, betrayal of Renault Mograine and corruption of the Ashbringer paladins who broke away formed the Argent Dawn.

Tirion Fordring reformed the Order and took his place as Highlord of the Order after murder of his son Highlord Taelan Fordring ( whom was the Highlord of The Scarlet Crusade ). He has been trying to save his son from twisted order of Scarlet Crusade by remembering him his past. Unfortunately it resulted in death of Taelon. ( You can see this event Quest named In Dreams, at Western Plaguelands ) After the Battle of Light's Hope Chapel, Highlord Tirion Fordring united the of the Order of the Silver Hand with the Argent Dawn creating The Argent Crusade.

STORY OF THE ASHBRINGER

During the assault on Blackrock Spire in the Second War, Mograine of the Silver Hand witnessed an orcish warlock channeling magic through a dark orb. After the warlock's death, Mograine went to claim it for the Alliance, but his hand was badly mangled as soon as he touched it. Though describing the orb as the "living embodiment of shadow," he was still curious as to what power it might hold and kept it in an iron chest.

Mograine kept the orb a secret until the Scourge reached Lordaeron. He revealed it to several other members of the Silver Hand, suggesting that they search for the orb's polar opposite - a manifestation of the Light itself - to be used against the impending undead holocaust. Mograine's peers, appalled at the sight of this dark crystal, attempted to destroy it with a holy spell. Unexpectedly, the crystal absorbed the spell and became its antithesis, the very crystal of pure light that Mograine suggested moments before, and even restored life to his mangled hand. It was decided that from this crystal a weapon would be forged that would smite the undead with such power that only a cloud of ash would remain in its wake.

Under the command of Saidan Dathrohan, Mograine and Fairbanks traveled to Ironforge to ask King Magni Bronzebeard to forge the mighty blade. Magni, having only just learned of his brother's apparent demise, was more than willing to craft a weapon to battle the undead, and described it as the greatest creation wrought by his hand. —The Ashbringer.
Mograine and the other former Knights of the Silver Hand banded together to continue the war against the Lich King. Alexandros was appointed Highlord and the Ashbringer was the Order greatest weapon. However, the blade caught the attention of Kel'Thuzad. Striking a deal with Balnazzar, who had covertly taken control of the Order by possessing Dathrohan and wished to use it against the Lich King, the two planned to kill him.( There is evidence prooving Dathrohan have led Scarlet Crusader's elite force Crimson Elite to a raid in Naxxramas but failed. However it's believed Balnazaar whom was in possession of his body made the deal with Kel'Thuzad in same raid )

To do so, Balnazzar corrupted Mograine's son Renault and had him lead his father into a trap. Renault led his father and High Inquisitor Fairbanks to Stratholme where an army of undead waited for them. Renault fled and Fairbanks, being the first to fall, was trapped under the pile of undead corpses. Mograine stood alone against the undead, yet managed to destroy all sent at him. In fatigue, Alexandros dropped his blade. Renault returned and killed Mograine with his own sword, corrupting the Ashbringer. Unable to use the blade, Renault left it with his father's corpse.
However, Kel'Thuzad raised the Ashbringer's corpse turning him into a death knight of the Scourge, and reclaimed his blade. Kel'Thuzad took Mograine back to Naxxramas to have him serve as one of the Four Horsemen.
Making his way back to the Scarlet Monastery, Fairbanks told the tale of betrayal to anyone who would listen. Those who believed him broke away from the Crusade to found the Argent Dawn. Fairbanks was subsequently murdered by the remaining crusaders for his blasphemy.

Corrupted Ashbringer was wielded by Alexandros Mograine in Naxxramas, where he resided after being resurrected as a Death Knight. Players who obtained the weapon from him used to be able to take the weapon to Scarlet Monastey to see a special event, where Alexandros Mograine's ghost returning to place and killing his son for his betrayal, resurrecting Fairbanks. When Naxxramas returned to Northrend after betrayal of Inigo Montoy, Alexandros Mograine was not there anymore, because his other son Darion Mograine used Corrupted Ashbringer to kill himself in order to free his father's soul. After the event Darion Mograine has become a Death Knight as well, however he broke away from Lich King's will after Battle of Light's Hope Chapel and now leading the Order of Ebon Blade Knights. An Order of Death Knights who seek revenge from Scourge. At the Battle of Light's Hope Chapel, where Darion attacked the last resistance point of Light in Plaguelands commanding Scourge Armies and Death Knight's of the Ebon Blade, Tirion Fordring have confronted him. At this moment Darion's father made his appereance making him remember his past and break away from will of the Lich King. After that The Lich King intervened into the situation, seeing this now powerless Darion threw the Corrupted Ashbringer to Tirion. Tirion wielded Ashbringer and purified it; with now purified Ashbringer he attacked Lich King, wounding him and forcing to flee. After the victory, Tirion united the Argent Dawn and the Order of The Silver Hand under name The Argent Crusade and woved to defeat Lich King at all costs. Darion pledged his Knights of The Ebon Blade to the cause at same time.

In the Unsealed Chest taken from the Lich King after he is defeated by a party where one of its members carries Shadowmourne, an item known as Alexandros' Soul Shard is found, containing the spirit of the Ashbringer.