How to Roleplay a Warlock

by **Aadaria-Ioanna** Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:32 am

Warlocks and Warlockery
A Basic Guide to the Shadow, Fel and Fire.

So, why make a guide? There is a lack of players in general, and when I see those who do play warlocks, they aren't played very well. That's because there are few clear guides to set warlocks in place. I have seen discussions on warlocks, their magic skimmed over and not often are there confident enough guides to claim "A warlock does do this, or a warlock does not do that". This is a basic guide to Warlocks and their work. This is my first guide and so I will be using reference of other guides and information such as demon descriptions and other sources. Some of this may be questionable, and by all means, do point it out. From RP culture, the warlock changes from person to person. Not severely, but please note that, like other IC complex classes, the way warlocks work and how they convey their magic such as rituals or casting conventions vary from person to person. This guide will outline the absolute facts of warlocks that would commonly need to be followed to play one successfully.

Tiny Table of Contents

[1.0] Definition
[1.1] What Makes a Warlock?
[1.2] What DOESN'T Make a Warlock?

[2.0] Basic Motivations
[2.1] Greed
[2.2] Revenge
[2.3] Curiosity
[2.4] Misanthropy
[2.5] Mental Disorders

[3.0] Types of Magic & Practical Applications
[3.1] Fire
[3.2] Shadow
[3.3] Demonology
[3.4] Curses
[3.5] Drain Soul & Soul Shards
[3.6] Summoning, Conjuring and Soul-storing

[4.0] Summoned Demons

[5.0] Effects of Magic
[5.1] Physical Mutations
[5.2] Mental Changes
[5.3] Tolerance, Addiction and Power lust

[6.0] The Rule of Thumb: When in Doubt, Don't.

[1.0]Definition

Warlock: the official dictionary definition of a warlock is as follows:

"A male version of a witch, wizard, magician or conjurer."

According to the Arcade Dictionary of Word Origins, by John Ayto, Arcade Publishing, 1991: "Etymologically, a *warlock* is a 'liar on oath', and hence a 'traitor' or 'deceiver'."

In the early 10th century and beyond, the equivalent of a warlock in modern roleplaying times would be a modern mage. Over the past hundred years, the warlock and the mage have slowly separated into two incredibly different types. The warlock preceding modern day used the elements and magic in the same way a mage does now, and the idea of the demonic magic that warlocks have was spawned from the concept of any magic being 'dark arts' because it was seen as against god to manipulate the world in such a way. Through evolution of story and society, the warlock has literally turned to using dark arts and evil magic. The concept of Fel magic came with warcraft yet the influence of Fel has been around for a long time. Although not called 'Fel', the color and the iridescent glow of the color green has always been associated with ill intent, possession, demons and evil. This may not have been the way Blizzard looked at Fel, and green simply may have just been the color chosen by chance, but the influence of the color green and its sickly glow has always evoked the thought of evil.

[1.1]What Makes a Warlock?

What makes a Warlock...? Usually, Suffering. Addiction. Pain. Insanity. Abuse. And even a combination of these things. These are usually the main reason one would believe in becoming a Warlock. The warlock may have gone through years of suffering. Whether it is physical or mental, He or She would have had some kind of suffering or trauma which also goes with pain and abuse that is usually constant throughout an arcane user’s life that has turned mentally unstable. Another common reason is the addiction for mana which is explained later in the guide. The addiction, basically, becomes so potent that an arcane user craved more power and goes over to 'the dark side'. The compulsively curious, the abused and the mentally ill of society become warlocks.

[1.2]What DOESN'T make a Warlock?

What don’t make a warlock are people who have become warlocks just to use the darkness. Because they have had a love for the arts of shadow and Fel magic 'as a child'. As this rarely is a case, it is a hard one to follow, since the descent into warlock magic is an unstable and usually unpleasant experience which accompanies at least, like above, some kind of mental instability or mana addiction which is an incredibly displeasing feeling to the user. As a fully-fledged warlock the magic has its highs and lows, which are incredible and painful. What don’t make a warlock are people who are compassionate, loving and only use this magic to help others or as a desperate way to, let’s say, protect their family. That is rarely a good enough reason to become a warlock. Becoming a warlock requires hardships for a character and at least some kind of mana or mental mess up unless a character is special where they were magically born as some entity, usually through magic or in some kind of demonic cult. Your character isn't this.

by **Aadaria-Ioanna** Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:33 am

[2.0]Basic Motivations

A Warlock is basically motivated 99% of the time to get more power. To be the best. To be the strongest and have more of that wonderful Fel to keep them running. The beliefs between all races about warlocks are very much different, and even to the individuals, it is different. The common belief for warlocks is usually either atheism or existentialism. The Basic motive though for every individual that has succumbed to the poisonous Fel is all closely the same. More power. Although in some rare cases it is not, I emphasize the fact that this is rare. EVERY WARLOCK IN EXISTANCE IS NOT BORN A WARLOCK. In the beginning, "God" created the heaven and the earth, and in the beginning of your warlock life, you were never imbued, empowered or destined to be a warlock. Unless a person is a spawn of Fel magic directly, no being starts a warlock. The Warlock was always originally a magic user. The most common man or woman to ever change would be the users of arcane magic. Due to its very corruptive properties, many people turn to the power of Fel in search of even more power and a thirst for more knowledge that arcane magic doesn't give them. The arcane user, whether it be a mage or any else that uses this, the arcanist loses his/her powers of frost abilities and most of his/her direct access to arcane abilities, yet still retains the ability to manipulate and use the arcane to create fire and in 'exchange' for this ability, they learn and corrupt their arcane abilities to use Fel. Some Warlocks, in even more pursuit of power go into the specialty of Fel magic, and are extremely corrupt while doing so.

There is NO WAY to block Fel from corrupting one person - it is impossible to stop it after it is done and it is near impossible to stop it while doing so as it is probably the strongest addiction in the entire magical world. All Warlocks believe in more power, and the majority of warlocks feel the world is flawed. More in-depth motivations of some warlocks are as follows:

[2.1]Greed

Greed is the flower centerpiece of the reason that most warlocks become what they are. As mention several times before Warlocks are warlocks because they were arcane users who got too greedy for just that high. For people who have become dependent just want more of that amazing arcane in bigger hits. Stronger hits and they'll do terrible things to get it. These people are usually the first to fall and are the most popular of all the reasons. The warlocks who suffer the most addiction usually become felsworn.

[2.2]Revenge

Although Revenge is a less significant reason that arcane users become warlocks, it is still valid. Having your whole family slaughtered makes any race member want revenge on whoever did it and it has been the case for a lot of people, but not a lot turn so far as to learn the ways of the warlock. A revenge fueled warlock is also easily brought to death, as they become somewhat reckless, yet they are sometimes the most powerful. They also end the rat race through the need for greed and build up into rage machines that usually become out of control and even lose their initial motivation for revenge, becoming endlessly trapped in their power obsession.

[2.3]Curiosity

This is an even rarer possibility for people to become a warlock yet it happens sometimes. An arcane user would be very much interested into the works of the twisting nether, Fel crystals and the works, and would begin studying it. Soon they would get far into it and slowly becoming addicted and corrupt as all other warlocks eventually do. Those with curiosity do not always intend to become a warlock, but in the end they rarely doubt themselves and their decisions.

[2.4]Misanthropy

Through Misanthropy from some kind of traumatic event involving extended abuse, or even a mental issue, this can cause an outright horrible warlock. But horrible in a powerfully evil way. A Warlock with a complete hatred for others is that of the most soulless. Those who don't care for who or what gets in there way are the most twisted. They are usually and purely self-gain imposed and motivated constantly for self-gain, having no compassion toward others or have very little. Those people who he or she does like are lucky when that warlock rules the world.

[2.5]Mental Disorders

Many people become warlocks through a mental disorder developed young or as the arcane user is developing their addiction and it may have become too much. Some may just become a warlock because they have gotten a mental disorder which gives them the motivation to begin using Fel magic. This may be because the person believes they have some kind of power that will make them better if they get into warlock magic, or maybe they are aware of their disorder and believe becoming a warlock will help them be rid of it, Or even, in rare cases, voices convincing and motivating the mentally diseased person into doing it. Mental disorders dramatically increase in strength and power over a warlock with an addiction to Fel instead of ever possibly getting rid of it.

by **Aadaria-Ioanna** Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:33 am

[3.0]Types of Magic & Practical Applications
Warlock Magic consists three intricate, strong and very dangerous schools. These are:

[3.1]Fire

Fire is much like the fire tree of the mage. The Fire school of magic is aggressive in nature, focusing more on offense than it does defense. Employing this form of magic involves drawing upon magical energies from the surroundings, using the casters body as a medium, and focus on the concept of fire. Thus, when the magic materializes, it constantly seeks to release thermal energy. The concept of fire here centers on the intent to cause destruction, to convert magical energy into thermal energy. In order to do so, the arcane energy, when coursing through the body during a spell, needs to feel the heat from that medium. Thus, casting a strong fire spell requires the spell caster to usually be in an emotional extreme, for the need to release those emotions is felt by the arcane energy, which will then try to meet that need through fire. Spells like molten armor, which are long term fire spells, requires that the magi always be in a mental state which calls for heat, requiring a lot of multitasking. Characters that specialize in the fire school of magic are usually bold and courageous. They feel very passionately, and wouldn't usually allow others to tell them what to do. They make great leaders, and would seek to solve conflicts with duels.

[3.2] Shadow

Shadow magic, although considered as a form of Arcane magic, is actually in a whole section of its own. This is because magic pertaining to the Arcane require the arcane energy to go through the body and come out guided by a spell. Shadow magic however, is obtained from the shadow plane, which is an integral part of the universe, especially the Warcraft Universe. To get access to this shadow plane, the Magus manipulates the arcane energy surrounding him, and reaches out to the shadow plane through that rift, calling forth shadow energy, which then goes through the same process of spell casting. In this sense, one does not allow arcane magic to enter the body, and since shadow energy does not give the caster the same pleasure as arcane energy, this form of spell casting is not addictive. The shadow plane is just that, a plane with a source of shadow energy, and cannot be said to be good or evil. However, shadow energy corrupts the soul, blocking it from the attributes such as compassion, kindness, etc.

Constant use of shadow energy removes any 'feeling' within the practitioner. Inability to feel is the effect of shadow energy, unlike the frost school of magic, which merely requires one to dampen emotional needs. This is why those who employ shadow energy are seen as 'evil', for they disregard common feelings, and are extremely rational beings. Practitioners of shadow magic do not get angry or sad or anything for that matter. Warlocks who specialize in shadow magic maintain their emotions because their demonic affiliations counter the effects of shadow energy. Priests who specialize in shadow magic maintain their emotions because of their faith to their devoted god which counters the effects of shadow magic. In this sense, a person who only uses shadow magic would not exist, for they would be totally unfeeling, and lose all purpose. Only the undead can use shadow magic without fear, for there is no living essence for the shadow energy to cling to.

[3.3] Demonology

Demonology is the work of using and manipulating demonic magic, whether it is summoning items, making demonic shields and augmentations to one or summoning demons they and mostly using things called soul shards. It is divine magic. Even though the name divine sounds heavenly, it is defined as summoning. Whether it is anything summoned from one place to another, it is divining. Using this powerful form of magic requires a warlock to have a strong demonic bond with corruptive arcane magic, Therefore, practitioners of demonology are usually evil , for to align oneself with demons is a path only those with truly evil souls would undertake.

[3.4] Curses

Curses are the usually verbal yet sometimes movement oriented spells. The use of curses can differ hugely, from writing inscriptions on parchment to yelling out and to even swallowing reagents. Curses are spells which alter usually the mentality and physical form of the targeted victim to become weaker, stronger or lose some kind of ability through mental decay. This type of magic comes under necromancy as it needs a strong bond with the magic of death.

[3.5] Drain Soul & Soul Shards

The use, power and how soul shards truly are made is a little bit of a mystery. According totally OOCly, During a small 'ritual' the warlock will channel a long purple stream of shadow magic into the victims chest, and slowly pulling out the soul to magically and slowly build up a purple crystal which is the solid form of a soul. We all know that the soul is a powerful object when used right, and when it is a solid form it is even more so. Although the spell is so simple yet reaps something so powerful, ICly it is assumed to take a lot more preparation and power than to just suck a soul out of somebodies chest. Drain soul does not necessarily kill somebody but it does very much hurt them, depending on the ultimate potency of the soul sucking. This can do anything from leaving them with a lack of energy and somewhat withered (like stealing blood), leaving their body as an empty shell of living mass (kind of like a jelly fish), or outright killing them. They may become apathetic and emotionally inept when a soul stealing ritual is done improperly.

[3.6] Summoning, Conjuring and Soul-storing

Summoning is another very loosely bound thing in the work of warlock to do with special care and eye for details to not be missed. Demons become harder and harder to summon as they go on, and require further concentration, more numbers of people in a ritual, more reagents and a stronger will for each demon higher on the list. Summoning can be done in several different ways. Some people use the profession of inscription to help, where others may use a huge reagent (Such as a Fel crystal as a power source) to make it easier. Summoning is another thing that may be done in many different ways, but the result is usually and clearly the same. Conjuring for warlocks is again, another unexplained thing.

Yet it seems that Warlocks can use the souls of other people and combinations of shadow, Fel and demon magic from the nether and turn them into useful items which warlocks can absorb or use as offensive materials in a lot of cases. Soul storing is one of the most powerful conjuring items. It is done by using another soul and combining a 'copy' or maybe a channeling point from which a soul may go to if it is released from the body, like a portal or a safe keep before a soul goes to the nether (Or where ever it goes). Wearing the soul stone on the body and having it contacted with the person’s skin or just through any kind of physical contact will connect souls with a dead body, and give life to the dead.

by **Aadaria-Ioanna** Fri Aug 10, 2012 3:34 am

[4.0] Summoned Demons

Summoned demons are monsters pulled from the twisting nether by warlocks, like mentioned above, rituals change between each demon and they become harder and harder to control, also causing the warlock to become incredibly corrupt.

[5.0] Effects of Magic

The effects of using the schools of fire, Shadow and Demonology are devastating to anybody that is to use the magic. No matter the case, (Or no matter MOST cases), the person using this magic will become physically, mentally and even spiritually affected in some way. The final production of using this magic can range from many mental problems, physical illness and change all the way to physical augmentation. One who pursues more work in Fel magic would transform into a Fel fallen. Something intertwined between what they once were and a demon that their magic is turning them into. Those that get too stuck into the shadow become insane or very mentally twisted, So much so that their reality is altered so much that they don't even know what environment they are in. And then there are the Wretched. These are the physical augmentations of people who crave mana so much that their body changes. Shrinks, the skin dying a darker color and even mana crystals painfully forming some of the mana addicts body. Usually their back. Although they barely care for they become virtually mindless. The path of the warlocks dark arts will never ever end out well. (Like Alzheimer's).

[5.1] Physical Mutations

Physical mutations in a warlock can be very subtle to very devastating, and can, for the user, be sometimes very much a 'good' thing to the user of magic. Physical mutation of the body can include anything from a darkening, paling or changing color of the skin, eye color changing and odd miscellaneous glows to even the Fel fallen or the wretched, where the Warlock and demon have combined into something evil. Growing horns, claws, and becoming that which they have summoned and being addicted to their entire life. It can be incredibly painful or absolutely wonderful for the warlock, but usually it can consist of the latter at the same time. The wretched on the other hand are a bent over, dark and a painful change to the person that are mentioned in Section 5.0.

[5.2] Mental Changes

The personality and mentality of a warlock will always change to the worst in the end unless someone was to quit using the ways of warlock magic which is highly unlikely because of its INCREDIBLY addictive qualities. A person will find it harder to express loving or happy emotions and will become sour, mean and unpleasant to be around. A Warlock in most cases will be at least not very nice at all and most warlocks would end up with some kind of mental or physical illness by the end of his or her life because of the constant mental strain of the corruptive powers of Fel, demonology and shadow.

[5.3] Tolerance, Addiction & Power lust

All things that a Warlock has to deal with. Urges that a warlock needs to resist can be combated many different ways. Through meditation, Sapping arcane hits and mana from other sources, using your powers less often and eating mana endowed consumables are all possible ways of combating addiction. Many people are less or more tolerant to the magic and the corruptive effects of the magic that warlocks practice, which in some ways makes them weaker and stronger in several different ways. A person who is less tolerant may either become incredibly addicted to the darker magic, and very fast, or could even die because of such intolerance that their body revolts against it and shuts down. But in the end, when a person does get past the initial abilities of controlling their magic well enough, a lot of people fail and slip into a strong power lust. Like mentioned many times before, people will become hungrier for a stringer 'hit' and keep going until they have the best, get the best and ARE the best in what they do. Many of these people die or suffer strong and painful consequences usually from their own mistakes.

[6.0]The Rule of Thumb: When in Doubt, Don't.

All through life, a Warlock MUST be careful when dealing with any magic that he or she does. Warlock magic is that of the most dangerous to work with, and if a warlock is to doubt anything they do or doesn't believe they will do something right, they probably won't and the result will be a mush of flesh and a robe on the ground. Be sure to have your warlock 'trained' in what he or she is going to do and don't rp that you are ever lucky.

..And lastly, All of you Warlocks out there, I hope you have a wonderful adventure of mental torment and anguish! Except Maulbane.

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