Cleric
- This article is about the character class. For the Warcraft: Orcs & Humans unit, see Cleric (Warcraft I).

Clerics (or clerists, also known as monks)[1] are men and women of faith that can be found all over Azeroth and beyond.
They share the same functions as the priests and chaplains in their religious institutions. Therefore, they are present in many societies and organizations, where they preach their faith, take care of the churches, listen to the confessions of the faithful, and act as protectors and healers for their allies on the battlefields.
The most experienced clerics may be recognized by the title of "High Cleric" or "High Clerist", while those delving in the secular arts are referred to as "dark clerics".
Clerics of Northshire[]
- Main article: Brotherhood of Northshire


Cleric of Northshire at the time of the First War.
Perhaps the most famous clerics are the Clerics of Northshire that existed during the First War. Their spiritual leadership keeps both the communities and the troops of their people focused upon their mission. Their ability to channel the spirit of their religion through their bodies makes them truly wondrous, and stories of their ability to heal the sick and injured, as well as being able to affect the perceptions of others, are miraculous in nature.[2]
The transgressions against humanity by the orcs forced them to devise ways to defend themselves, but their true path remained the healing of men's souls.[3] As they suffered great losses during the war, the Knights of the Silver Hand were created to defend the people as well as heal them.[4]
Following the victory of the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War, Archbishop Alonsus Faol of the Church of the Holy Light restored the clerical order as the "Brotherhood of Northshire".
Cleric spells included healing, far seeing, [Invisibility], and holy lance, while some of them were warrior priests.[5]
Dark clerics[]
- Main article: Cult of Forgotten Shadows
Following the Third War, the Cult of Forgotten Shadows was founded by Forsaken priests known as "Dark clerics", who found and used the teachings of Natalie Seline to create a cult which preaches about the necessity of balance between the Shadow and the Light. Since the capture and refurbishing of the Undercity, the dark clerics spread their faith through the undead lands of Lordaeron, and began to accept other races into the cult.
The cult preaches balance, mandating that their shadow priests and dark clerics must never forget the dangers of falling too deep into the dark energies they manipulate, for it is often too hard to find one's way back to the Shadow from the deep reaches of the darkness.[6]
Notable clerics[]
- Main article: Clerics (category)

Dark Cleric Ismantal in the TCG.
Name | Role | Location | Status |
---|---|---|---|
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Former leader of the Northshire Abbey | Unknown | Unknown |
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High Clerist of Stormwind | Unknown | Deceased |
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High Clerist of Hearthglen | Hearthglen, Western Plaguelands | Alive |
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Follower of the Alliance Commander | Lunarfall, Shadowmoon Valley | Alive |
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Priest of the Order of Embers | Arom's Stand, Drustvar | Alive |
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Priest of the Forgotten Shadows | Deathknell, Tirisfal Glades | Active |
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Priest of the Forgotten Shadows | Brill, Tirisfal Glades | Active |
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Priest of the Conclave | Netherlight Temple | Active |
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Priest of the Forgotten Shadows | Stair of Destiny, Hellfire Peninsula | Active |
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Commander of the Kor'kron | Lion's Landing, Krasarang Wilds | Active |
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Cleric of the Argent Dawn | Unknown | Active |
Unnamed[]
This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.
In the RPG[]
This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.
The leader of the Holy Order of Northshire Clerics during the war was Archbishop Alonsus Faol, and his apprentice was a devout lad named Uther.[7] Dire wolves inhabit the forest near northern Duskwood, although the clerics and paladins of the Holy Light attempt to keep their numbers down.[8]
The Forsaken have dark clerics who like most Forsaken have turned their abilities towards the Forgotten Shadow. They act as pillars of society, like most priests, offering atonement and comfort for those seeking help. Dark clerics are likely equivalent to the dark priests, which are like archbishops ruling over wide territories of the cult of the Forgotten Shadow.[9]
Items[]
Notes and trivia[]
- A tithe must be made to the Church of the Holy Light for their services in order that new clerics may be trained, and other sites made sacred.[10]
- As a cleric of the Sisterhood of Elune during the War of the Ancients, Tyrande Whisperwind often obtained information that even Lord Ravencrest's strategists never picked up.[11]
- During the Scourgewar, Tirion Fordring was disguised as a Cleric of the Argent Crusade to arrive in Northrend without being spotted by the Scourge.[12]
- In Outland, Sky Commander Adaris of the Sha'tari Skyguard refers to the arakkoa talonpriests as "clerics".[13]
- During Warcraft II, it was originally said that Uther had started his life as a cleric of Northshire instead of as a knight of Lordaeron. This was back when Alonsus Faol himself was said to be the Abbot of Northshire Abbey, of which Uther was the apprentice.[14]
Gallery[]
- RTS series
-
Cleric unit sprite in Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.
-
Cleric's invisibility portrait.
- Trading Card Game
- Hearthstone
See also[]
References[]
- ^ Northshire Abbey (WC1 Human)
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Cleric
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Cleric
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Ground Units, Paladin
- ^ Of Blood and Honor, pg. 15
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Magazine Issue 4, pg. 84
- ^ Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 152
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 50
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 161
- ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Church
- ^ The Demon Soul, chapter 9
- ^
[10-30] Guided by Honor
- ^
[15-30] Secrets of the Talonpriests
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Legends of the Land, Sire Uther Lightbringer