Frostmourne Lore
Posted on 2009 under Burning Crusade, Fall of the Lich King, Lore | No Comment4 Dec
Frostmourne is the runeblade that Ner’zhul, the Lich King, thrust from the Frozen Throne, intending that Arthas Menethil — his unwitting potential host — would discover it on the continent of Northrend. It is currently wielded by Arthas, the new Lich King.
When Ner’zhul was transformed into the Lich King by Kil’jaeden, his disembodied spirit was shackled to a magical suit of armor as well as the runeblade Frostmourne, and trapped within an icy tomb called the Frozen Throne. Both the armor and the blade were crafted by the Nathrezim for the purpose of containing and controlling the Lich King.
Ner’zhul was not content with being a pawn for the Burning Legion, however, and began working on a plan for escape. The first stage of his plan was set in motion when he used his powers to push Frostmourne through the ice and out of the Frozen Throne, and plunge it into the snows of Northrend to await one who would claim it and become the Lich King’s agent. Ner’zhul found his agent in Arthas Menethil, the young prince of Lordaeron who had come to Northrend in a quest to end the plague.
Muradin Bronzebeard, a dwarven explorer based at the time in Northrend, was searching for the weapon after hearing of Frostmourne’s power when Arthas and his men arrived. When the forces of the dreadlord Mal’Ganis began to close in around them, Arthas and Muradin set out to claim it.
Deep within a hidden cave, Frostmourne was guarded by The Guardian and several revenants who tried to warn Arthas of the danger, but he ignored the warning and destroyed them. When they found the sword, Muradin read the inscription on the dais:
“Whomsoever takes up this blade shall wield power eternal. Just as the blade rends flesh, so must power scar the spirit.”
Muradin realized then that the blade was cursed, but Arthas said he would gladly bear any curse to save his homeland. Upon speaking those words, the ice encasing the sword shattered and exploded outward. A jagged shard struck Muradin, seemingly killing him. Arthas didn’t even seem to care about his friend’s death as he discarded his hammer and took hold of the blade.
With the sword in hand, Arthas returned to his base and staged a counterattack against Mal’Ganis, quickly destroying the dreadlord’s base. Mal’Ganis confronted Arthas, telling him that Ner’zhul had known he would take the cursed sword, and that it had now stolen Arthas’s soul. He spoke as if he believed Arthas was now on his side, but to his surprise Arthas used the runeblade to slay the dreadlord on the Lich King’s command. With his soul forfeited the Lich King, Arthas ran off into the frozen wastes of Northrend.
Now death knight of the Scourge, Arthas killed and converted his former army before returning to Lordaeron, where he was hailed with a royal welcome. Arthas proceeded directly to the throne room, where he killed his father, King Terenas, and set the Scourge loose throughout the city.
Some time after the Burning Legion’s defeat at Mount Hyjal, the demon hunter Illidan Stormrage used a powerful spell to attack the Frozen Throne, where the Lich King was imprisoned. Though the spell was unsuccessful, it widened the crack through which Frostmourne had been thrust, and the Lich King’s power began to wane, so he recalled Arthas to Northrend to aid him. Arthas defeated Illidan and ascended the spire of the Frozen Throne, then plunged Frostmourne back into the ice and donned the helmet sealed within, becoming the new Lich King.
