Skull of the Man'ari

The Skull of the Man'ari is one of the artifacts used by demonology warlocks in World of Warcraft: Legion. Equipping it will automatically place the [Spine of Thal'kiel] in your main hand.

Description[]

Before the eredar served the titan Sargeras, one of their greatest leaders, Thal'kiel, had unprecedented skill with summoning and binding magics. Driven by ambition, he reached into the Void and was answered with knowledge of dark creatures unlike any the eredar had seen before. Thal'kiel's apprentice, Archimonde, discovered his master's dark pact and revealed it to Thal'kiel's fellow rulers, who banded together to strike Thal'kiel down. After his defeat, they had his skull gilded and placed on display as a warning. Today the dreadlord Mephistroth uses it to enhance his ability to summon and command demon armies for the Legion.^[1]

Artifact traits[]

Base[]

Ability	Ranks	Linked powers
[Breath of Thal'kiel]	1	Sharpened Dreadfangs; Summoner's Prowess; Thal'kiel's Consumption
[Dirty Hands]	4	Doom, Doubled; Legionwrath; The Expendables
[Doom, Doubled]	1	Dirty Hands; Infernal Furnace
[Firm Resolve]	4	Dirty Hands; Soul Skin; Thal'kiel's Discord
[Imp-erator]	1	Open Link; Summoner's Prowess
[Infernal Furnace]	4	Doom, Doubled; Maw of Shadows; The Expendables
[Legionwrath]	4	Dirty Hands; Firm Resolve
[Maw of Shadows]	4	Infernal Furnace; Open Link
[Open Link]	4	Imp-erator; Maw of Shadows; Stolen Power
[Sharpened Dreadfangs]	4	Breath of Thal'kiel; Soul Skin; The Doom of Azeroth
[Soul Skin]	1	Firm Resolve; Sharpened Dreadfangs
[Stolen Power]	1	Open Link
[Summoner's Prowess]	1	Breath of Thal'kiel; Imp-erator; The Doom of Azeroth
[Thal'kiel's Consumption]	1	Breath of Thal'kiel
[Thal'kiel's Discord]	1	Firm Resolve
[Thal'kiel's Lingering Power]	1	None
[The Doom of Azeroth]	4	Sharpened Dreadfangs; Summoner's Prowess
[The Expendables]	1	Dirty Hands; Infernal Furnace

Hidden trait: Unknown

Empowered[]

Ability	Ranks
[Swarms of the Black Harvest]	1
[Left Hand of Darkness]	4
[Jaws of Shadow]	1
[Thal'kiel's Ascendance]	1
[Concordance of the Legionfall]	50

Appearances[]

Classic

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: Classic]


This is the default appearance	Recover one of the Pillars of Creation	Recover [Light's Heart] [10-45] Light's Charge	Complete the first major Campaign effort with your order A Daring Rescue

Upgraded: Gaze of the First Summoner

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: Upgraded]


Complete the warlock Order Campaign [Forged for Battle]	Unlock every artifact trait [Power Realized]	Research the full history of the artifact [Part of History]	Obtain eight rare archeological finds [This Side Up]

Valorous: Pride of the Pitlord

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: Valorous]


Complete the Balance of Power questline [Improving on History]	Kill eight world bosses [Unleashed Monstrosities]	Complete a Mythic Mode Dungeon using a level 15 keystone [Keystone Master]	Earn the achievement [Glory of the Legion Hero]

War-torn: Burning Remnant

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: War-torn]/ [Fighting with Style: War-torn]


Participate in Player vs. Player combat and reach [Honor Level 10]	Reach [Honor Level 30]	Reach [Honor Level 50]	Reach [Honor Level 80]

Challenging: Soul of the Forgotten

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: Challenging]


Complete the God-Queen Challenge questline	Defeat Heroic Kiljaeden after unlocking a Challenge artifact appearance	Win 10 rated battlegrounds after unlocking a Challenge artifact appearance	Defeat all Legion dungeon bosses after unlocking a challenge artifact appearance

Hidden: Thal'kiel's Visage

Achievement: [Fighting with Style: Hidden]


Acquire [Visage of the First Wakener]	Complete 30 Legion dungeons after unlocking a Hidden artifact appearance	Complete 200 World Quests after unlocking a Hidden artifact appearance	Kill 1,000 enemy players after unlocking a Hidden artifact appearance

Quotes[]

Main article: Looking into the Darkness#Notes

Main article: Dark Whispers (quest)#Notes

Greeting

UuuuUUuuhhggg... yes?
What now?
What do you ask of me?
There is a method to my madness.

Pissed

To dominate, or not to dominate? That is the question.
Do you need a hand? Because I don't have one.

Farewell

Begone.
(Sigh) Fine.
Very well.

Whispers[]

When equipped, certain places, characters and events can trigger Thal'kiel to say or whisper things to the player, similarly to [Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire]. All of them are voice acted.

Thal'kiel whispers: Look upon the monstrosity before you. The Legion had no part in its creation. No, this creature is the volley of the titans designs. (unknown)

Killing a target[]

Did it even try?
The soul of that one would be useful.
Excellent!
Fall before your masters!
Easily defeated.
Another weakling falls!
Well, that brought back some unpleasant memories.
The feeling is mutual.

Characters[]

This one bears partial blame for me being in this form! He will not escape my wrath, but there are others far more responsible who must be dealt with first. (to Velen, in the Exodar)
This one reminds me of a felguard. Big, strong, and stupid. (General Xakal))
Keep me away from that thing! I don't need my magic to be drained again! (Ivanyr)
Interesting... what a creative use of residual soul energy! We must remember to research this technique! (Amalgam of Souls)
This one has drank deeply of the fel. It's unfortunate we don't have time to see if she can bound like any other demon. (Illysanna Ravencrest)
Well, well, if it isn't my particle student, Talixae. She was missing when the vindicators put me in chains and slew the rest of my disciples. I look forward to witnessing her death. (Talixae Flamewreath)
Beware! His advisor is far more than he seems. Keep your wits about you. (Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest)
This Xavius is crafty. He hides his true form while gathering power with an illusion. We would do well to learn from him. (Shade of Xavius)
That creature may seem impressive, but the spells which give it form are barely holding it together. Break the ritual supporting it and the rest shall soon crumble. (Wrath of Azshara)
Look at this creature. Such sloppy technique. It would never be able the master binding magic needed for a warlock. (Rokmora)
This one is powerful... but stupid. It would make a worthless minion. (Thrashbite the Scornful)
Ah, my former master! The time for revenge is at hand! (Mephistroth)
That fool saw me as little more than a trinket for harvesting power. He has paid for his lack of vision! (Mephistroth defeated)
How pathetic this creature is. Watch and learn why your will must always be stronger than the powers you control. (Zuraal the Ascended)
This one has the necessary ambition, but lacks talent. (Viceroy Nezhar)
She meddles with power she does not understand. One slip and she will lose herself to it. (after L'ura is defeated and Alleria Windrunner takes its energies)
This one has seen into the Great Dark and beheld the Legion's glorious works. I wonder how you will react when you glimpse them as well! (Star Augur Etraeus)
This one has strong tides to the Dark Lord. To consolidate our control over the Legion, we should eliminate our competition while we have the chance. (Krosus)
Like most of the Nathrezim, Tichondrius is as ignorant as he is deadly. His ego will be his undoing. (Tichondrius)
Her attempts to control times flow are futile. Subtle forces work against her. Once far more powerful than she could ever imagine. (Elisande)
The naga are a corrupted race. They possess arcane skill, but lack the finesse inherent to my people. (Mistress Sassz'ine)
I detest spirits. Always blathering about their former lives. Consume their souls and be done with them! (Sisters of the Moon)
An intriguing use of soul energy. They could have accomplished so much, had they merely applied themselves. (The Desolate Host)
Ugh! This place reeks of the titans. (Maiden of Vigilance)
Careful! Power still echoes within this ancient golem. It would be prudent to destroy it before the Legion empowers it further. (Fallen Avatar)
The Deceiver scorned my talents while I still lived. Let us see which of us survives the battle to come! (Kil'jaeden)
Ah, the skies of home! I did not believe I would see this world again. (Kil'jaeden defeated)
Gaze upon the weapons of the Legion. Soon, they shall be used at my... our... beck and call! (Kin'garoth)
The essence of chaos is infused within these weapons. Soon, they shall be lifted in praise to us! (Kin'garoth)
This one has long been a thorn in the Legion's side. I never imagined we would become allies. (Varimathras)
He had so much potential. A pity he refused to submit to his betters. (Varimathras defeated)
The sisters have the right idea, but they lack the power to see their will enforced. (Coven of Shivarra)
The power of this one... it is incredible! Perhaps we can bind it to us instead? (Aggramar)
Break this thing bend it to our will. If this is beyond you, destroy it. (Argus the Unmaker)

Spells[]

Only ONE eye? Don't complain to me because you have no depth perception. ( [Eye of Kilrogg])
Nice to see I'm not the only dismembered body part around here. ( [Eye of Kilrogg])
Think you could summon me a body while you're at it? ( [Eye of Kilrogg])
You need help to complete a summoning ritual? You can't do it by yourself? How pathetic! ( [Ritual of Summoning])
Seeking a creature from the Twisting Nether? Grabbing a beast from the Void? Oh... You're just summoning a friend... ( [Ritual of Summoning])
Back when I had a body, I never needed help with this ritual. I was a summoner without peer! ( [Ritual of Summoning])
And what did you have in mind for THAT? ( [Demonic Gateway])
Already planning to run away? ( [Demonic Gateway])
Always have an escape planned. A lesson I learned the hard way! ( [Demonic Gateway])
All will serve! (Enslave Demon)
Bow to your new masters! (Enslave Demon)
Yes! This one will serve us well! (Enslave Demon)
Rip them apart! ( [Call Dreadstalkers])
Unleash the hounds! ( [Call Dreadstalkers])
Gnaw them to the bone! ( [Call Dreadstalkers])
Fight! Fight, you pathetic imps! ( [Hand of Gul'dan])
Burn them down! ( [Hand of Gul'dan])
Incinerate them! ( [Hand of Gul'dan])
Watching you hone your craft brings back old memories. I was an instructor, millennia ago. My students were the finest summoners of Argus... until we were betrayed. (profession crafting)

Locations[]

If the Valarjar were able to be unleashed from this place they would be a significant hindrance to the Legion. Stuck here, they're useless. (Halls of Valor)
Well, this looks cheery. (Vault of the Wardens)
Do you hear them? The screams of the souls that form every board and nail of this ship. They're like... music! (The Naglfar)
Do you sense it? The lifeblood of your world flows just under the surface of this place. (Tomb of Sargeras)
I know ancient incantations which could tap into the lifeblood of your world. This would be an ideal place to unleash them. (Tomb of Sargeras)
Witness the fate of the great makers. Oblivion shall be their destiny. (Seat of the Pantheon)

Azsuna[]

Look at the land. See how the Legion has drained it of every useful bit of magic. Not even a soul of a worm remains. Such efficiency must be praised.
The people of this land bought their freedom from the Legion, a price paid in blood. A sacrifice made in vain, as you shall soon see.

Minion reply

Felguard says: This place was devastated long ago. Why do you waste my time, mortal?
Imp says: Hey, we're going to the beach. Time off is in my contract, right?
Observer says: I see spirits all throughout the ruins of this land; souls ready to be harvested.
Shivarra says: This land destruction is an unfinished work. Once complete, it will be a fitting tribute for the great Sargeras.
Succubus says: Ghostly eyes are watching our every move. I don't think we'll get any privacy in this land, master.
Terrorguard says: This place is nothing but a shadow of itself. We will crush at last, so that its inhabitants may despair of the destruction of their world!
Voidlord says: The oceans depths are dark and foreboding. So much like the endless void.
Voidwalker says: I don't like this place! Release me!

Highmountain[]

Strong, powerful, cunning. Dragons would make ideal minions if they were only more... subservient.
Those peaks stretch up to touch the firmament. What a delight it will be to watch them crumble.
This land is so... fresh. I can't sense any demonic corruption here. It's... revolting.

Minion reply

Felguard says: So many beasts in this land to slaughter!
Imp says: Can we leave this place? I'm a bit afraid of heights.
Observer says: From this height, I can see everything.
Shivarra says: Even the mountains of this land will crumble before the might of Lord Sargeras.
Succubus says: Mmmm! The tauren here are so... tall.
Terrorguard says: This mountain will come crumbling down!
Voidlord says: From this height, we can almost reach the void.
Voidwalker says: This place is worse than the last one!

Stormheim[]

These foolish vrykul cling to the notion that the titans will someday return.
This land looks pure, I can still sense the Legion's presence. (prompting a minion reply)
These vrykul are not as easy to destroy as you might think. (replying to a minion)
Is it not glorious to witness such mighty beings bowing at your feet? I sacrificed everything, EVERYTHING, for such power. One day you too must pay ambition's price. (at the Gates of Valor)
We will face my former kin in this conflict. Good! I've awaited my revenge for millennia. They will pay for what they did to me! (at the Gates of Valor)

Minion reply

Felguard says: The vrykul here believe themselves to be warriors without peer. I will show them the error of their ways!
Imp says: I can't wait to see these hills go up in flames!
Observer says: What a dragged place! It would look far better covered in fire!
Shivarra says: These vrykul should sing the praises of Sargeras, not their empty hymns to the titans.
Succubus says: I can't wait to charm one of those big muscular vrykul.
Terrorguard says: A new land primed for destruction!
Voidlord says: I sense a dark place nearby, touched by void.
Voidwalker says: I don't like this place either!

Suramar[]

The elves of this land wither away for lack of magic. Pathetic! They could have easily taken it from others.
The elves idle behind their walls for protection. Fools! The very world around them will crumble if the Legion is victorious.
This place is nothing compared to Eredath, and soon it will burn with hellfire just the same. (replying to a minion)

Minion reply

Felguard says: I will enjoy seeing this city burn.
Imp says: A city? Do we HAVE to go in there!?
Observer says: Look at this city! So much magic to feed upon!
Shivarra says: What an miserable excuse for a city!
Succubus says: Look Master, a city filled with naughty little elves.
Terrorguard says: Weak creatures. Writ for the slaughter!
Voidlord says: The void reaches out to this land.
Voidwalker says: Shadows grow dark in this place.

Val'sharah[]

The Nightmare creeps across this land. Tempting power to harness, but to do so without understand its nature would be foolish.
This land looks pure, I can still sense the Legion's presence.
Here in the forest you will see the flaw in the titans' plans.
This place crawls with creatures, malformed and twisted from warped mind. They will burn all the same.
I think you meant to say Nightmares. (replying to succubus)

Minion reply

Felguard says: Why are we wasting time by walking in this forest?
Imp says: So much to burn!
Observer says: There's green everywhere, just like my preferred shade.
Shivarra says: I sense a powerful presence in this land, though not as strong as Lord Sargeras.
Succubus says: A land of dreams but none of them about me. It's enough to hurt a girl's pride.
Terrorguard says: Tree everywhere! The fires will be glorious!
Voidlord says: When I destroy this world, this land will be the first to be consumed.
Voidwalker says: I hate this place! Free me from the torment of this journey!

Broken Shore[]

The Legion has conquered this shore. Soon we shall conquer the Legion in turn.
This place holds a mere fraction of the Legion's might. There are many horrors yet to behold.
Do you smell the charred flesh upon the wind? Ah, the scent of home.
Your last visit here was nearly the end of you. How fortunate that you now enjoy my company.
This place is so like Argus. Twisted, shattered, and broken. Ah, almost makes me homesick.
Your skills have improved significantly since we first met. Given a few thousand years, you may even rise to the level of my best apprentices.
And here we are, the site where fools were vanquished. Remember, courage is no substitute for power.

Eredath[]

Ah, home... I almost missed it.

This city was once the greatest of Argus. Look at how it has fallen! The once-mighty houses are now mere pawns of the Legion. Soon, they will serve us as well.

Hidden skin[]

Every time one of the six eredar heads is looted, in that order.

You know, I've been rather been missing having some skin on my bones. Maybe there's something we can do about that?

No. Lower caste. Won't do at all.

Not bad... not bad. Green eyes though? Mine were grey.

No no no... wrong skin color entirely. That won't do.

Ick, that head reminds me of an uppity apprentice I had. Get rid of it.

That's it! That's the one! Give it to me immediately.

Notes and trivia[]

The Skull still has a mind of its own, a weakness that can be exploited against its wielder.^{[citation needed]} This aspect is shared with other artifact weapons, [Aluneth] and [Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire].
In early Alpha, the Skull was classified as a Staff.
Unlike other offhands, the Skull cannot be sheathed and will float arround the warlock as long as it is equipped.
The initial description of the Skull on the official website for the weapon made it rather unclear as to the timeline of events in which Thal'kiel started summoning demons, when he was killed, and when Sargeras made contact. The way it was described made it seem as if Archimonde was already a demon lord prior to Sargeras' arrival. It has since been changed to give a better understanding of how events transpired, as well as establishing that Archimonde was Thal'kiel's apprentice.
- The website's old description of the Skull was: Before the eredar served the titan Sargeras, one of their greatest leaders, Thal'kiel, had unprecedented skill with summoning and binding magics. Driven by ambition, he reached into the Void and was answered with knowledge of dark creatures unlike any the eredar had seen before. His audacious power grab infuriated the demon lord Archimonde, who struck him down, then had his skull gilded and placed on display as a warning. Today the dreadlord Mephistroth uses it to enhance his ability to summon and command demon armies for the Legion.
The Skull of the Man'ari appears as a legendary weapon for the warlock class in the Kobolds & Catacombs expansion for Hearthstone. Its flavor text reads: "Don't trust the skull."
- The card artwork depicts the Pride of the Pitlord artifact appearance, rather than the default appearance. The reason for this is unknown.

Videos[]

The Story of Skull of the Man’ari

Patch changes[]

Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Added.

References[]

^ Legion: Warlock Artifact Reveal (2015-10-23). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.

External links[]

[1] Legion: Warlock Artifact Reveal (2015-10-23). Retrieved on 2015-11-20.

[1]

Wowpedia