Post by deltarno on Aug 18, 2006 23:22:48 GMT -5
Ah my, how time flies. It seems like only yesterday that I asked the esteemed and noble Jawaa if I could take a chance at teaching the fine art of the warlock. She was reluctant, of course, but she saw the wisdom in guiding young ones down the proper path, and so agreed.
Of course, various...conversations with my superiors in the Undercity have distracted me, so it is only now that I have a chance to take pen to paper. Please ignore any stains you may see on the parchment, it is not likely from someone you know.
Oh, and please ignore any mistakes I may make in my word creation. I have yet to regain feeling to all my fingers.
Let us see, why don't we start at the begining;
1) What is a Warlock?
A warlock is a being who uses infernal mana rather than arcane.
Naturally, if you believe the previous sentance, than your world view has been slightly, shall we say, sheltered. Allow me to open your mind; A mage taps the arcane energies that freely flow in this world, while a Warlock either takes or is given the energies that flow from the lower realms.
It is possible for a Mage, seeking power, to 'fall' into the role of the Warlock, but this is usually the case only if they sell themselves out to a demon. Other times, a person may find that they have better skill in the shadow arts, and respond accordingly.
I should mention at this point that much of the reputation of Warlocks is tainted by our less imaginative bretheren. Simply put, there are two types of Warlocks; those who sleeper themselves out to demons, and those who steal the power from the foul creatures. Due to the temperment of the Warchief, most Horde warlocks fall into the later catigory, although I cannot speak for the alliance.
What is the difference between the two types of warlocks? Sad to say, the main difference is power. While we free Warlocks can do as we please, and naturally find that wealth, wine and women are naturally drawn to us, we must take what power we can, always at a snail's pace. A servant warlock, on the other hand, gets his power directly from a demon, and while this usually makes him ugly and smell funny, he is as powerful as the demon he serves. This is why the warlocks you may find in your travels are so powerful, despite the fact that most of their daily experiments revolve trying to see who can down the most dwarven stout.
As to our magic, it differs from other sources, mainly due to where we get it from. Shamans and priests get their power from, arguably , friendly sources, and as such can heal and alter patterns around them in a favorable manner. Mages enjoy tapping into the realm of bright lights and fancy events, so fire, ice, and the like are at their beck and call.
Warlocks get their power from demons. As such, our powers are based around theft, corruption, pain, slavery, and death.
We try to be honest about it, though.
2)Of Pets and Pleasures
A warlock, you will quickly learn, is not a shamen, wearing thick mail and waving a large rock on a stick. We are a delicite group, and to maintain our good looks and charm, we stick to lighter clothing, one that does not look quite as out of place when one is either fighting or relaxing at a pub. Still, it has it's disadvantages, and as such, we must rely upon minions, a.k.a meat shields, to protect us as we bring ruin to our enemies. When other members of the horde fail to measure up in this regard, we must turn to our pets.
The Imp
This will be the very first thing a fledgling Warlock will summon. Even one who can barely comprehend, let alone control, the dark energies that lay below our world can muster up the will to summon and bind this creature. It is rather lacking in the physical department, which makes it both easy to bind and difficult to use as a sheild, although I find strapping an iron bar to their back helps. The main use for an imp is not front line fighting, but suport casting. Teaching it many spells will give you a second spell slinger, who can protect and aid you and your group, along with flinging balls of flame if needed. This will be useful no matter how powerful you will become, so always keep your imp in top shape. Just ignore what he says, they are a cranky bunch.
The Voidwalker
Where the imp is mouthy and talkative, the voidwalker does not communicate. At all. The Warlock always knows what it wants, and it obays all commands, but it should be warned that the walkers are known to test the limits of their control, so keep your mental grip firm at all times.
Where the imp is small and weak, the voidwalker is formed of stronger stuff, able to take large amounts of punishments, and inflicting enough pain so that your enemies focus on it, rather than you. With practice, you will learn how to unravel the energies of your walker into a protective shield around you. You'll need to resummon your walker, but it's handy in a tight spot. Just remember that their responces to this vary. Some find it humilliating, others are resigned to it. My walker finds it ticklish.
The Succubus
The greatest misconception is that the Succubus is primarily a pleasure tool. Please remember that demons hate being enslaved by 'rogue' warlocks, and the succubus is no exception. She'll try to charm you like any other mortal, but remember that she's looking for a good place to stick a knife.
Not to say that you can't have fun, but keep your guard up.
In combat, the Succubus takes her role on the front line, with mixed results. He primarily use is to use her ample charms to distract your foe, leaving him in a drooling heap for a short time, while you ready the explosives. She is capable of lashing out with more damage than your voidwalker, but she is nowhere as durable. A concentrated effort will leave her broken in a short time, so use her wisely. After all, how much armor do you see her wearing?
The Felhunter
With the roles of support, defence, and attack already taken up, the Felhunter has an unusual role in the mix. Decent at attack and defence, although not as skilled or tough as the previous warrior demons, the Felhunters main skill is, ironicly, hunting. Hunting spellcasters, to be particular about it. Mana is their sugar, and once they taste it, they will hunger for more. Send them at a rival spellcaster, and watch as his spells falter and fail, his flesh following as the Felhunter attacks both his body and mind.
They are also the easiest of all demons to keep happy. Just be sure to scratch under its chin.
The Infernal
As stated before, all demons hate to be enslaved. However, once properly put in their place, they accept their role, and learn to live with it. An infernal does not.
Another way to put it is that demons and Infernals can be compared to dwarven ale and ogre groog. Dwarven ale wants to kill you eventually from heart failure. Ogre Groog wants to kill you right now.
So it is with the infernal. Once summoned, an infernal must be bound with a complex series of enchantments, grouped into the designation 'Enslave Demon'. The Infernal thus becomes your ultimate warrior for a time, and make no mistake, only the mightiest of the Horde heroes can stand against him. Strong attack and defence, the infernal is also protected by a shield of fire, and as such damages those around it. While it will fall under a concentrated attack, it is useful in controled situations.
However, the demon will be fighting against you every moment. Infernals are the elite of the Burning legion, and their pride is vast. To be summoned in such a way is beyond their belief, and they crave for vengeance.At most, you may hold onto control for five minutes or so before it breaks free, and you must try to enslave it again. If you cannot, it will ignore everyone and everything and come straight for you. It may seem a dull and feebleminded demon, but it is hard to tell who is the stupid one when it is cheerfully smashing you underfoot, singing a jaunty song in tune to your unanwered cries for mercy.
Oh, and do not summon them in towns. Once it is done with you, it will turn on others, and it tends to give the rest of us a bad name.
The Doomguard
Such a demon I am currently trying to enslave under the orders of my mast If I find any information on this type of demon, I shall let you know.
3)The shadow that you know so well
We are not all alike in our use of the dark magics, and many have their own personal styles they prefer to use. Let us examine the different styles of magic the warlocks can use, then.
Affliction
If one is a master of affliction, one has learned how to turn curses into your blessings. Stealing life and mana, enhanced suffering, forging their souls into useful trinkets, affliction warlocks are useful in the back of their traveling groups, making their enemies suffer before they expire.
Demonology
Some people are not satisfied with using demons;They seek to master them. If you want your pets faster and strong, if you want to take their strengths for your own, or even if you wish to share in their power, then this may be something you may want to look at. Be warned, however, that many naturalists, shamens especially, find that this brings Warlocks even closer to demons, making us dangerous. Utter nonsence, of course, but best to humor them and stay silent.
Destruction
There are those who miss the raw shiny power the Mages wield, and thus control over dark fire and shadow is held here. If you wish for direct damage, and making your enemy scream as they are consumed alive in flame, then perhaps you should consider Destruction magic. Remember, however, that we are not mages. Do not try to match them in raw firepower.
Final Notes
Further notes will be written if it is deemed warented. My time of punishment is almost over, and I will be happy to return to my home on Thunder Bluff. With luck, these notes will be of use to you. If not, I may post more on left out details, if I feel it is warnanted.
One final message to warlocks who may read this; Power is ours for the taking, but it is never offered without strings. Avoid the path of the slave, and know that true might is never offered.
It's taken.
Of course, various...conversations with my superiors in the Undercity have distracted me, so it is only now that I have a chance to take pen to paper. Please ignore any stains you may see on the parchment, it is not likely from someone you know.
Oh, and please ignore any mistakes I may make in my word creation. I have yet to regain feeling to all my fingers.
Let us see, why don't we start at the begining;
1) What is a Warlock?
A warlock is a being who uses infernal mana rather than arcane.
Naturally, if you believe the previous sentance, than your world view has been slightly, shall we say, sheltered. Allow me to open your mind; A mage taps the arcane energies that freely flow in this world, while a Warlock either takes or is given the energies that flow from the lower realms.
It is possible for a Mage, seeking power, to 'fall' into the role of the Warlock, but this is usually the case only if they sell themselves out to a demon. Other times, a person may find that they have better skill in the shadow arts, and respond accordingly.
I should mention at this point that much of the reputation of Warlocks is tainted by our less imaginative bretheren. Simply put, there are two types of Warlocks; those who sleeper themselves out to demons, and those who steal the power from the foul creatures. Due to the temperment of the Warchief, most Horde warlocks fall into the later catigory, although I cannot speak for the alliance.
What is the difference between the two types of warlocks? Sad to say, the main difference is power. While we free Warlocks can do as we please, and naturally find that wealth, wine and women are naturally drawn to us, we must take what power we can, always at a snail's pace. A servant warlock, on the other hand, gets his power directly from a demon, and while this usually makes him ugly and smell funny, he is as powerful as the demon he serves. This is why the warlocks you may find in your travels are so powerful, despite the fact that most of their daily experiments revolve trying to see who can down the most dwarven stout.
As to our magic, it differs from other sources, mainly due to where we get it from. Shamans and priests get their power from, arguably , friendly sources, and as such can heal and alter patterns around them in a favorable manner. Mages enjoy tapping into the realm of bright lights and fancy events, so fire, ice, and the like are at their beck and call.
Warlocks get their power from demons. As such, our powers are based around theft, corruption, pain, slavery, and death.
We try to be honest about it, though.
2)Of Pets and Pleasures
A warlock, you will quickly learn, is not a shamen, wearing thick mail and waving a large rock on a stick. We are a delicite group, and to maintain our good looks and charm, we stick to lighter clothing, one that does not look quite as out of place when one is either fighting or relaxing at a pub. Still, it has it's disadvantages, and as such, we must rely upon minions, a.k.a meat shields, to protect us as we bring ruin to our enemies. When other members of the horde fail to measure up in this regard, we must turn to our pets.
The Imp
This will be the very first thing a fledgling Warlock will summon. Even one who can barely comprehend, let alone control, the dark energies that lay below our world can muster up the will to summon and bind this creature. It is rather lacking in the physical department, which makes it both easy to bind and difficult to use as a sheild, although I find strapping an iron bar to their back helps. The main use for an imp is not front line fighting, but suport casting. Teaching it many spells will give you a second spell slinger, who can protect and aid you and your group, along with flinging balls of flame if needed. This will be useful no matter how powerful you will become, so always keep your imp in top shape. Just ignore what he says, they are a cranky bunch.
The Voidwalker
Where the imp is mouthy and talkative, the voidwalker does not communicate. At all. The Warlock always knows what it wants, and it obays all commands, but it should be warned that the walkers are known to test the limits of their control, so keep your mental grip firm at all times.
Where the imp is small and weak, the voidwalker is formed of stronger stuff, able to take large amounts of punishments, and inflicting enough pain so that your enemies focus on it, rather than you. With practice, you will learn how to unravel the energies of your walker into a protective shield around you. You'll need to resummon your walker, but it's handy in a tight spot. Just remember that their responces to this vary. Some find it humilliating, others are resigned to it. My walker finds it ticklish.
The Succubus
The greatest misconception is that the Succubus is primarily a pleasure tool. Please remember that demons hate being enslaved by 'rogue' warlocks, and the succubus is no exception. She'll try to charm you like any other mortal, but remember that she's looking for a good place to stick a knife.
Not to say that you can't have fun, but keep your guard up.
In combat, the Succubus takes her role on the front line, with mixed results. He primarily use is to use her ample charms to distract your foe, leaving him in a drooling heap for a short time, while you ready the explosives. She is capable of lashing out with more damage than your voidwalker, but she is nowhere as durable. A concentrated effort will leave her broken in a short time, so use her wisely. After all, how much armor do you see her wearing?
The Felhunter
With the roles of support, defence, and attack already taken up, the Felhunter has an unusual role in the mix. Decent at attack and defence, although not as skilled or tough as the previous warrior demons, the Felhunters main skill is, ironicly, hunting. Hunting spellcasters, to be particular about it. Mana is their sugar, and once they taste it, they will hunger for more. Send them at a rival spellcaster, and watch as his spells falter and fail, his flesh following as the Felhunter attacks both his body and mind.
They are also the easiest of all demons to keep happy. Just be sure to scratch under its chin.
The Infernal
As stated before, all demons hate to be enslaved. However, once properly put in their place, they accept their role, and learn to live with it. An infernal does not.
Another way to put it is that demons and Infernals can be compared to dwarven ale and ogre groog. Dwarven ale wants to kill you eventually from heart failure. Ogre Groog wants to kill you right now.
So it is with the infernal. Once summoned, an infernal must be bound with a complex series of enchantments, grouped into the designation 'Enslave Demon'. The Infernal thus becomes your ultimate warrior for a time, and make no mistake, only the mightiest of the Horde heroes can stand against him. Strong attack and defence, the infernal is also protected by a shield of fire, and as such damages those around it. While it will fall under a concentrated attack, it is useful in controled situations.
However, the demon will be fighting against you every moment. Infernals are the elite of the Burning legion, and their pride is vast. To be summoned in such a way is beyond their belief, and they crave for vengeance.At most, you may hold onto control for five minutes or so before it breaks free, and you must try to enslave it again. If you cannot, it will ignore everyone and everything and come straight for you. It may seem a dull and feebleminded demon, but it is hard to tell who is the stupid one when it is cheerfully smashing you underfoot, singing a jaunty song in tune to your unanwered cries for mercy.
Oh, and do not summon them in towns. Once it is done with you, it will turn on others, and it tends to give the rest of us a bad name.
The Doomguard
3)The shadow that you know so well
We are not all alike in our use of the dark magics, and many have their own personal styles they prefer to use. Let us examine the different styles of magic the warlocks can use, then.
Affliction
If one is a master of affliction, one has learned how to turn curses into your blessings. Stealing life and mana, enhanced suffering, forging their souls into useful trinkets, affliction warlocks are useful in the back of their traveling groups, making their enemies suffer before they expire.
Demonology
Some people are not satisfied with using demons;They seek to master them. If you want your pets faster and strong, if you want to take their strengths for your own, or even if you wish to share in their power, then this may be something you may want to look at. Be warned, however, that many naturalists, shamens especially, find that this brings Warlocks even closer to demons, making us dangerous. Utter nonsence, of course, but best to humor them and stay silent.
Destruction
There are those who miss the raw shiny power the Mages wield, and thus control over dark fire and shadow is held here. If you wish for direct damage, and making your enemy scream as they are consumed alive in flame, then perhaps you should consider Destruction magic. Remember, however, that we are not mages. Do not try to match them in raw firepower.
Final Notes
Further notes will be written if it is deemed warented. My time of punishment is almost over, and I will be happy to return to my home on Thunder Bluff. With luck, these notes will be of use to you. If not, I may post more on left out details, if I feel it is warnanted.
One final message to warlocks who may read this; Power is ours for the taking, but it is never offered without strings. Avoid the path of the slave, and know that true might is never offered.
It's taken.