Zenithas Tho'renias
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[edit] The Rising Zenith
Zenithas Tho'renias, born of Shoulou and Master Vharim Tho'renias, is a member of the Tho'renias family, a branch of the Fireplume family of Silvermoon. He is a former member of the Silver Hand, who later trained as a Blood Knight of Silvermoon, until disputes between him and the Knight-Lord Bloodvalor over the wisdom of keeping a 'doomed' naaru so 'lightly' eventually forced his hand into resigning from that order. Zenithas considers himself a god in ascendance, and to this aim, he has gathered together the Cult of the Zenith, a fanatical religious military organisation devoted to self-mastery and gaining power for their godhead idol.
[edit] History in Brief
As a member of one of the lower noble houses of Silvermoon, Zenithas, his older brother and younger sister (Khormin and Lilliuun respectively) were indoctrined into the Silver Hand. Khormin, however, was seduced by calls of power and fearful warnings from the Burning Legion. After proving his strengths over his other two siblings, he was accepted into service under Anetheron; the leader of the Nathrezim who was to fall at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. Khormin's fate is yet unknown.
Lilliuun and Zenithas were both deeply shocked by this betrayal, which forced the now-heir of the Tho'renias house into reclusive study and introspection, withdrawing him enough that he was temporarily suspended from his paladin training. During this period, his studies related mostly to the occult, ancient history and mythology, symbology, and elemental heirachies, which led to speculation of his soon choosing to apprentice as a magister instead of his current studies.
After he finally recovered from this period, he was able to return to his training, and was eventually placed in the Third Hawkwing Guard, stationed at the borders of Quel'thalas, near the region of land that the Scourge of Lordaeron had claimed. Little was said to distinguish his service as a paladin, and no reports returned of major action that would have marked him noteworthy of either praise or penitence. Here, however, was a striking-point for the Scourge, which used the recovered corpses of troops from Stormwind to reinforce itself; even to the point of flying the colors of the Alliance as a grim mockery of the morale-raising tradition. The Third were struck with minimal warning, and fell to a man in the defense of Quel'thalas, the commander retreating before the end of combat, and later to fall in one of the battles of Tranquillien.
From here until the end of the fall of the Sunwell is unknown; both the hazards of the area, and the chaos that befell Quel'thalas after the mana spring was destroyed cover what became of the paladin during this time. What is known, however, is that when the city had the return of followers loyal to Kael'thas, the missionary-teachers that spoke of the addiction and it's 'cure' found him in a broken state, nearly wretched and caring for his comatose sister. He learned quickly of this new 'gift' to his people, and began training as a Blood Knight, apprenticed and in rehabilitation due to his nearly crippled state. He completed his apprenticeship within the year, as a result of his obsessive focus to duty, and has since earned himself the title of Blood Master.
[edit] Consumption and Madness
One of the noteworthy features of the self-styled 'godling' is his intense stare; often taken in a challenging light by those he speaks to. This, and his overwhelming hatred of humans, dwarves, and the paladins of the Silver Hand often leave little doubt to his command of his faculties; he is completely capable of attending to himself, but little remains in him but for a driving desire to spread the war of his vengeance and vendetta through the lands around Stormwind and Ironforge. He is, at times, known to mutter to himself, particularly when he is in periods of stress.
He is, despite his more obvious signs of obsessive anger, in complete lucidity; he is a noted ally of the Apothecaries of Undercity, and ironically of the druids of Thunder Bluff. His command of power is also obvious; for reasons unknown he has a limited capacity to command the natural forces of the world in the same manner as a druid or shaman[1], albeit such displays have been limited to combat situations. His lack of veneration for the forces of the wild, and for the spirits of the elements, makes it likely that such techniques are extremely draining, or possibly difficult to bring about. He is a potent wielder of the light[2], which he has suffused through his being and mana, to the point that it sustains him of itself. Blows in combat, even magics and insidious forms of attack such as poisons are limited in their effect on him, as though the fallen Blood Knight were able to mitigate the injury or illness without effort.
Whenever possible, he has been seen to make good use of his 'gifts', though when unable to do so, he lacks the characteristic signs of addiction that his race now possesses. Those of his fellowship say he has learned of a 'cure' for this malady, however he has not shared such with his brethren. His aura, too, has been noted to carry in it flecks of elemental fire and natural static, the possible side-effects of his preference for devouring the essence of fire elementals and creatures of raw nature. He claims openly to have succored the spirit of every noteworthy foe he has faced, and that each consumption has granted him further knowledge into the abilities his 'godhood' will provide. Of a worrisome note, he has displayed such in his increased resistance to fire magics[3], his limited command of plant creatures[4], and his natural affinity with cat-creatures. If such claims are true, then Zenithas has begun to corrupt himself with such otherworldly sources, which may or may not result in the same tragic results as Illidan Stormrage.
[edit] Positions in Society
Zenithas is a controversial figure, but one well-known. His views on the mastery of the self are reminiscent of the Blood Knights' own, and he promotes self-reliance and health within his teachings. His thirst for battle and warfare is welcomed by many of the military groups of the Horde, in particular those of the Warsong Outriders and The Defilers. His hatred of the Alliance has been colored of late by his disdain for the people of Silvermoon, leading to his speaking out against the 'debauchery' of the blood elves that reside there today. This 'disgust' has been taken personally by many houses within Silvermoon, who feel that he is 'preaching hypocratically', given his rumored lusts.
In the military light, Zenithas often leads campaigns to take possession of land around Southshore, Stromgarde, Halaa, and to a lesser extent, around Astranaar. His fellowship is made of equal parts bloodthirsty fanatics and mercenaries in his employ; some regard as the number of forces at his command swell that he may, in turn, prove to be a threat to the Horde as well as the Alliance, in the same fashion as the Twilight's Hammer, Scarlet Crusade, and the Burning Blade. Due to his lack of affection to the Burning Legion and the Scourge, it is more likely that such a succession would leave the Cult of the Zenith in the same fashion of politics as the Defias Brotherhood, or the Grimtotem Clan; hostile to all, but with little supernatural or overt demonic influence.
[edit] In Brief
Current goals: Gain godhood. Slay the Alliance. Other goals unknown.
Current affiliations: The Cult of the Zenith, the Blood Knights (unfriendly), other factions possible.
Noteable Figures: Nianne Dawning, Lilliuun Tho'renias, Jagane Brewers, and others.
Major notes: Particular hatred of dwarves, humans, and paladins of the Alliance.
