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Varimathras is a dreadlord, one of the nathrezim, the scheming, bat-winged demons who serve the Burning Legion. After Sylvanas Windrunner's Forsaken defeated him, he swore himself to her service to save his life. In Classic he stands at her side in the Undercity as her lieutenant and sends Horde adventurers on missions across Lordaeron, while players have every reason to wonder how long a demon's oath will hold.
Biography
Varimathras and his brothers Balnazzar and Detheroc were among the dreadlords who served Kil'jaeden of the Burning Legion. Before the Third War, they took part in torturing the orc shaman Ner'zhul until he agreed to become the Lich King. When the dreadlords Mal'Ganis and Tichondrius fell, the three brothers took over the ruined kingdom of Lordaeron, hoping to rule it in the Legion's name.
Their plans collided with Sylvanas Windrunner, newly freed from the Lich King. The brothers tried to recruit her. She refused, and when her forces overcame Varimathras, he offered to serve her rather than die. Sylvanas used him against his own kin: he helped her bring down Detheroc, who had been puppeting the human commander Lord Garithos, and then Balnazzar in the ruins of the capital. Once the city was won, Garithos demanded that the undead leave. Sylvanas ordered Varimathras to kill him, and he did it gladly.
In World of Warcraft
Varimathras stands beside Sylvanas in the Royal Quarter of Undercity. He is a level 62 boss, and Alliance raids that come for the Banshee Queen fight him too. The game manual describes him as the Undercity's tireless defender, and Sylvanas has given him charge of the war against the humans and dwarves in southern Lordaeron.
Quests
Varimathras is one of the busiest quest NPCs in the Undercity.
| Quest | Level | What it involves |
|---|---|---|
| The Deathstalkers | 13 | Deliver proof that the Syndicate is working against the Forsaken |
| The Power to Destroy... | 16 | Take two spellbooks from the Searing Blade in Ragefire Chasm for the Dark Lady |
| Battle of Hillsbrad | 32 | Deliver a commendation from High Executor Darthalia after the fighting in Hillsbrad Foothills |
| An Unholy Alliance | 36 | Kill the Scourge ambassador Malcin outside Razorfen Downs; rewards include the [Skullbreaker] |
| Into The Scarlet Monastery | 42 | Kill High Inquisitor Whitemane and her lieutenants in the Scarlet Monastery; rewards include the [Sword of Omen] |
| The Crimson Courier | 60 | Take the Crimson Courier's report, part of Nathanos Blightcaller's chain against the Scarlet Crusade in the Eastern Plaguelands |
The Power to Destroy... errand shows how the Forsaken see their allies: the books are taken from enemies hiding under Orgrimmar, and the Horde is not told.
His brother in Stratholme
The dungeon of Stratholme holds a reveal. The Grand Crusader of the Scarlet Crusade, Grand Crusader Dathrohan, is Balnazzar in disguise. After players kill him, the Argent Dawn quest The Truth Comes Crashing Down notes that the Crusade's leader was a demon and a brother to Varimathras, the lord who stands next to Sylvanas. Classic never resolves this, but it was a clear hint of things to come.
Later history
- In Wrath of the Lich King, Varimathras and Grand Apothecary Putress betrayed both the Horde and the Alliance at the Wrathgate, and Varimathras took the Undercity while Sylvanas fled. Thrall and Sylvanas retook the city in the Battle for the Undercity and killed him.
- Demons slain outside the Twisting Nether do not truly die, and Varimathras returned as a boss in the Legion raid Antorus, the Burning Throne, where players defeat him again. Lore now treats him as dead.
Trivia
- Varimathras first appeared in Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne (2003), in the undead campaign.
- Patch 1.7 made the Horde and Alliance leaders, Varimathras included, stronger and worth slightly less honor.
Sources
Categories: Characters