Illidan claims the Skull of Gul’dan and defeats Tichondrius

Full History

Illidan had spent millennia imprisoned for creating a second Well of Eternity after the first Legion invasion. Tyrande released him during the Third War in the hope that his power could aid the night elves against their returning enemies. The choice placed a gifted but controversial figure into a conflict where the old temptation to use dangerous magic was once again strong. Illidan's purpose was to strike the Legion, but the means he chose threatened to estrange him from those he hoped to help.

The Skull of Gul'dan held immense demonic energy connected to the warlock who had helped corrupt the Old Horde. Illidan pursued and absorbed its power, becoming transformed by the forces it contained. With that strength he defeated the dreadlord Tichondrius, a major commander whose influence had helped spread corruption through the forests. The victory removed an important enemy from the Legion's campaign in Kalimdor.

Yet the transformation carried a price. Malfurion saw his brother's embrace of demonic power as proof that he had not abandoned the reckless choices that had led to his earlier punishment. Illidan's argument that he had used the enemy's strength to defeat the enemy did not restore trust. He was rejected by the night-elven alliance and left to pursue his own course as the struggle against Archimonde continued.

After the Third War, Illidan's path led to Lady Vashj and the naga, the Eye of Sargeras, and eventual conflict in the shattered remains of Draenor. The Skull of Gul'dan episode is the turning point that joined his ancient talent for arcane magic to a distinctly demonic form. It also illustrates a recurring tension in the War of the Ancients survivors' history: whether victory purchased through the use of destructive power can be separated from the corruption such power brings.