Burning Blade clan
| {{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:{{{2}}}|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]]Burning Blade clan | |
|---|---|
{{#if:Burning Blade flag WCII.png| }}Burning Blade flag, circa Second War | |
| Main leader |
[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:orc |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Orc}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Neeru Fireblade |
| Race(s) |
[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:orc
|night elf=NightElf
|blood elf=BloodElf
|high elf=HighElf
|#default=Orc}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]][[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:orc
|night elf=NightElf
|blood elf=BloodElf
|high elf=HighElf
|#default=Orc}}{{#if:Female|_Female}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Orc |
| Affiliation | Burning Legion, Horde |
| Formerly | Orcish Horde |
| Status | Active |
| {{#if:|Reputation}} | |
| Tabard | {{#if:|[[File:{{{tabard}}}|90px]]}} |
The Burning Blade clan (or simply the Blade), also known as the Flaming Sword to its human members, is a demonic cult. The organization was originally an orcish clan that was best known for their deadly blademasters. The Burning Blade fought in the Second War as part of the Old Horde, but eventually consumed itself in demonic corruption. The proud blademasters later swore to free themselves and their brethren from demonic control and joined the New Horde in the service of Warchief Thrall. Another part of the Burning Blade remained loyal to the Burning Legion, transforming into a diverse and powerful demon-worshiping cult under the rule of the sinister Shadow Council. In the modern day, some blademasters continue to serve the New Horde, while the Burning Blade cult remains a significant threat to the Horde throughout Durotar, the Northern Barrens, and Desolace.
History
The First and Second Wars
According to the half-orc Garona, some orcs went mad at the sight of the hostile, alien world of Azeroth, and many joined the Burning Blade that day.<ref>The Last Guardian, chapter 11</ref>
By the time of the Second War, the Burning Blade were no longer considered a clan so much as an elemental force of nature. Chaotic, leaderless, and unpredictable, they were a nomadic brotherhood of demented orcs whose only objective was to raze and plunder with no regard for their own safety. They were held in check by the ogres, to be unleashed by the clans in times of urgent duress. The Burning Blade held loyalty to no one and would attack any that they perceived as a threat, even their fellow orcs.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Clans of the Horde, Burning Blade</ref>
The Burning Blade participated in the Siege of Blackrock Spire near the end of the war.<ref>Assault on Blackrock Spire (WC2 Human)</ref> During the final battle at the Dark Portal, the clan was routed and ultimately destroyed by troops under the command of Uther the Lightbringer.<ref>Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, The Aftermath of the Second War</ref>
The Third War
By the time of the Third War, the Burning Blade clan had consumed itself in the throes of demonic corruption. With their clan scattered and broken, the proud blademasters swore a grim oath to free themselves and their brethren from demonic control once and for all. Under Thrall's command, the blademasters once again joined the Horde and served as the young warchief's personal honor guard.<ref>Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual, Orc Hero Units, Blademaster</ref>
Cycle of Hatred
However, other remnants of the Burning Blade remained wholly devoted to the Burning Legion, becoming known as the "Burning Blade cult". Some time after the Third War, the demon Zmodlor began recruiting both orcs and humans who were prejudiced against one another into a new incarnation of the Burning Blade. The demon promised to help the orcs destroy their human enemies and vice versa, with the ultimate goal of collecting souls during the battles between Theramore and Orgrimmar; none of his followers were aware that Zmodlor was also recruiting their enemies. The recruits of the cult included Burx, one of Warchief Thrall's chief warriors; Kristoff, the Chamberlain of Theramore; and Margoz, a Theramore fisherman responsible for recruiting new members and sowing distrust in Theramore. However, Zmodlor's plan was ultimately foiled by Aegwynn and Lady Jaina Proudmoore, who confronted the demon and several of his worshipers atop Dreadmist Peak and succeeded in banishing him. Thus, the bloodbath between the humans and orcs was avoided. However, Aegwynn doubted that Zmodlor was solely responsible for the Burning Blade's activities, as she believed that a plan of such complexity was far beyond him.<ref>Cycle of Hatred</ref>
World of Warcraft
A few years later, the Burning Blade was one of many cults and organizations serving as an extension of the Shadow Council's will, alongside the Argus Wake and the Searing Blade.<ref>Thrall's gossip text after completing {{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:small|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]] [12] Hidden Enemies</ref> The Burning Blade are secretly led by Neeru Fireblade, a warlock who had infiltrated Orgrimmar and who believed himself to have the trust of Thrall. Neeru considered the warchief a fool who believed him to be working hard to cleanse the image of warlocks and prove that they were the warchief's servants. However, unbeknownst to Neeru, Thrall was fully aware of the warlock's true loyalties.<ref name="Hidden Enemies 2">{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:small|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]] [12] Hidden Enemies (2)</ref> Officially, Neeru professed to use his powers as a warlock to thwart demons and claimed that his research in the occult was benign, though not everyone was entirely convinced of this.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:small|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:horde|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]] [12] Neeru Fireblade (quest)</ref>
Neeru considered the Searing Blade of Ragefire Chasm to be entirely expendable, save for their leaders Bazzalan and Jergosh. Thus, he would constantly send Thrall's underlings to battle the Searing Blade in order to give the impression that he was weeding out evil in Orgrimmar, to kill Thrall's faithful, and to test if the Searing Blade were truly worthy of joining him.<ref name="Hidden Enemies 2" />
References
| references-column-width | references-column-count references-column-count-{{{1}}} }} | {{#if:
| references-column-width }} }}"style="{{#if:|column-count:{{{1}}};}}{{#if:|column-width:30em;}}list-style-type:{{#switch:|upper-alpha|upper-roman|lower-alpha|lower-greek|lower-roman={{{group}}}|#default=decimal}};font-size:calc(80% + 2.1px);">