As alluded to in other sound files data-mined from the Cataclysm beta, traitors from the Horde and the Alliance are defecting from their respective factions to the new Twilight's Hammer cult. Previously, the identities of these traitors have remained unknown, but new sound files indicate we just might know now who is turning away from their own. Spoilers and sound clips after the jump.
WARNING: This post contains spoilers about the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm. Do not read further if you do not wish to be spoiled on major plot points.
Cho'gall's sound files, in Dire Maul, indicate that there are two traitors, an Alliance and a Horde figure, who are working from within to give the Twilight's Hammer Cult a leg-up in recruiting. We can now surmise that those traitors are Archbishop Benedictus, now known as The Black Bishop, for the Alliance and Grand Magister Rommath for the Horde. Sound clips follow:
For the Alliance, Archbishop Benedictus is the leader of the Church of the Holy Light and was, for a short time (patch 1.4.1), the leader of Stormwind, usurping Bolvar Fordragon.
For the Horde, Grand Magister Rommath is also known as "who?".
Rommath is only a "who" to people who are unfamiliar with Sin'dorei lore; he hasn't gotten a great deal of attention in the game, but he's actually a hugely important figure to the Blood Elves. As Grand Magister of Quel'thalas, Rommath is the leader of all Blood Elven magi, and was part of the company of Blood Elves who went to Outland with Kael. He was extremely loyal to Kael, actually; he was sent back to Silvermoon as Kael's herald, telling everyone about Kael's plans to build a paradise, etc (obviously, he wasn't in on the crazy). Not only that, but basically everything you see in Silvermoon in terms of reconstruction you can thank Rommath for. He was the one that rallied the mages to help rebuild the city, to beat back the Scourge, etc. Honestly, he's probably more of a leader than Lor'themar's been, it just hasn't been broadcast that much.
So him turning traitor is every bit as demoralizing as Benedictus. Maybe not to the entirety of the Horde, but certainly to the Sin'dorei as a people, and just a few years after the Sun King's betrayal. Though, I will point out that the Blood Elves are arguably the most magically adept race around, and losing the guy who was essentially in charge of that magic is bound to hurt the Horde.
Is it really such a blow to the Horde to lose a Blood Elf? Considering that their ties to the Horde come though the Forsaken, and the Forsaken are currently on Garrosh's sh-- list, I wouldn't think a Blood Elf betrayer would have a huge impact on the Horde as a whole.
"he hasn't gotten a great deal of attention in the game"
That's quite an understatement. He doesn't even have any abilities beyond auto-attack. In-game, he's an anonymous NPC that you wouldn't notice unless you were specifically looking for him or if you got a battered hilt (he plays a minor part in one of the quests in the chain).
It is a failure primarily on Blizzard's part. If he is a big-shot, then we should come across him (or at least some mention of him) while playing. Pretty much every Alliance player will, to some degree, notice Benedictus. Leveling Alliance players go through the Cathedral at some point (even if it's just to grab first aid) and he's a big guy, standing in a prominent and obvious position.
Grand Magister Romman, on the other hand, is basically an afterthought. I'm assuming there's some canon book or source where yourself and WoWwiki got this information, but there is no in-game impact to the loss of a character that primarily exists out-of-game.
"Is it really such a blow to the Horde to lose a Blood Elf? Considering that their ties to the Horde come though the Forsaken, and the Forsaken are currently on Garrosh's sh-- list, I wouldn't think a Blood Elf betrayer would have a huge impact on the Horde as a whole."
I agree.. the significance isn't even. i would say that if perhaps Drek'Thar was the traitor it would hit more horde players where the heart is. and it would make more sense as Drek'thar is a shaman he is closer to the old gods, and the now wild elements than a belf mage.
The one thing that mades me a goddamn sad panda though, is that Rommath got voice-acting before the Regent Lord who is de-facto the only faction leader without unique voice. Anyone in the beta actually bothered to go look if he still has the default belf male soundcard or not?
A blood elf traitor? Can't be right, they are such honest, hard working and honorable people. ...Oh wait Kaelthas. As for Rommath, Sunwell was merely a setback!
Given how long this NPC has been in the game and his name I wonder if Blizzard had this planned from the beginning and, if so, how much of the game's future plot they have written.
I like to believe that Warcraft is a complete - though epic - story with an ending locked in some secret safe deposit box in Zurich.
The current pope is Benedict. He also took that position after World of Warcraft was already released. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure Benedictus was in the game at launch, not added in later.
However, if he was added later, this could be a huge statement against Catholicism by Blizzard, pushing their anti-religious views on an ususpecting public. Next we'll be showing our in-game disapproval by burning religious texts and fornicating in the streets! Madness!
The current pope, Benedict XVI was elected into office on April 15th, 2005... Archbishop Benedictus was added in patch 1.11.1 according to wowhead.com which was implemented on June 28th, 2006. So it's quite possible that they named the archbishop after the current pope.
Aug 9th 2010 at 3:00PM 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 7)
Sanguinarius Aug 9th 2010 9:51PM
I.s.e.e.w.h.a.t.y.o.u.d.i.d.t.h.e.r.e!
(.com)
ZakKinsella Aug 9th 2010 3:06PM
Bushwah!! Now that's an interesting turn right there. Time for some KYL articles on these fellows!
Qot Aug 9th 2010 3:43PM
For the Alliance, Archbishop Benedictus is the leader of the Church of the Holy Light and was, for a short time (patch 1.4.1), the leader of Stormwind, usurping Bolvar Fordragon.
For the Horde, Grand Magister Rommath is also known as "who?".
Kylenne Aug 9th 2010 3:53PM
Rommath is only a "who" to people who are unfamiliar with Sin'dorei lore; he hasn't gotten a great deal of attention in the game, but he's actually a hugely important figure to the Blood Elves. As Grand Magister of Quel'thalas, Rommath is the leader of all Blood Elven magi, and was part of the company of Blood Elves who went to Outland with Kael. He was extremely loyal to Kael, actually; he was sent back to Silvermoon as Kael's herald, telling everyone about Kael's plans to build a paradise, etc (obviously, he wasn't in on the crazy). Not only that, but basically everything you see in Silvermoon in terms of reconstruction you can thank Rommath for. He was the one that rallied the mages to help rebuild the city, to beat back the Scourge, etc. Honestly, he's probably more of a leader than Lor'themar's been, it just hasn't been broadcast that much.
So him turning traitor is every bit as demoralizing as Benedictus. Maybe not to the entirety of the Horde, but certainly to the Sin'dorei as a people, and just a few years after the Sun King's betrayal. Though, I will point out that the Blood Elves are arguably the most magically adept race around, and losing the guy who was essentially in charge of that magic is bound to hurt the Horde.
Kaphik Aug 9th 2010 4:26PM
Is it really such a blow to the Horde to lose a Blood Elf? Considering that their ties to the Horde come though the Forsaken, and the Forsaken are currently on Garrosh's sh-- list, I wouldn't think a Blood Elf betrayer would have a huge impact on the Horde as a whole.
Qot Aug 9th 2010 4:52PM
"he hasn't gotten a great deal of attention in the game"
That's quite an understatement. He doesn't even have any abilities beyond auto-attack. In-game, he's an anonymous NPC that you wouldn't notice unless you were specifically looking for him or if you got a battered hilt (he plays a minor part in one of the quests in the chain).
It is a failure primarily on Blizzard's part. If he is a big-shot, then we should come across him (or at least some mention of him) while playing. Pretty much every Alliance player will, to some degree, notice Benedictus. Leveling Alliance players go through the Cathedral at some point (even if it's just to grab first aid) and he's a big guy, standing in a prominent and obvious position.
Grand Magister Romman, on the other hand, is basically an afterthought. I'm assuming there's some canon book or source where yourself and WoWwiki got this information, but there is no in-game impact to the loss of a character that primarily exists out-of-game.
relmatos Aug 10th 2010 6:40AM
Now I dont feel sorry for him for all the times the horde went to try and kill him back in tbc.
jslim419 Aug 11th 2010 1:50PM
"Is it really such a blow to the Horde to lose a Blood Elf? Considering that their ties to the Horde come though the Forsaken, and the Forsaken are currently on Garrosh's sh-- list, I wouldn't think a Blood Elf betrayer would have a huge impact on the Horde as a whole."
I agree.. the significance isn't even. i would say that if perhaps Drek'Thar was the traitor it would hit more horde players where the heart is. and it would make more sense as Drek'thar is a shaman he is closer to the old gods, and the now wild elements than a belf mage.
Marcosius Aug 10th 2010 9:46AM
The one thing that mades me a goddamn sad panda though, is that Rommath got voice-acting before the Regent Lord who is de-facto the only faction leader without unique voice. Anyone in the beta actually bothered to go look if he still has the default belf male soundcard or not?
Elleyna Aug 9th 2010 3:06PM
Meh, was expecting more exciting spoilers than this.
prenden2 Aug 9th 2010 4:38PM
I hear you, buddy; I was sure that nefarious Basic Campfire had a hand in the evil plotting afoot - they didn't upgrade his model for nothing...
Plus he must be bitter from being the Al Gore to Garrosh's George Bush in the recent Horde leadership elections.
Kynsi Aug 9th 2010 3:07PM
Figures
Crimson Aug 10th 2010 1:19AM
A blood elf traitor? Can't be right, they are such honest, hard working and honorable people. ...Oh wait Kaelthas. As for Rommath, Sunwell was merely a setback!
kozom Aug 9th 2010 3:09PM
Looks like he was a BENEDICTus ARNOLD. Hurr Hurr Hurr
Boz Aug 9th 2010 3:55PM
Given how long this NPC has been in the game and his name I wonder if Blizzard had this planned from the beginning and, if so, how much of the game's future plot they have written.
I like to believe that Warcraft is a complete - though epic - story with an ending locked in some secret safe deposit box in Zurich.
Mellorn Aug 9th 2010 5:11PM
Well played, sir.
jacob johnson Aug 9th 2010 5:58PM
i approve
+1 internetz to you
cspenn Aug 9th 2010 7:43PM
And the current pope is named...?
Josin Aug 10th 2010 8:36AM
The current pope is Benedict. He also took that position after World of Warcraft was already released. I'm not positive, but I'm pretty sure Benedictus was in the game at launch, not added in later.
However, if he was added later, this could be a huge statement against Catholicism by Blizzard, pushing their anti-religious views on an ususpecting public. Next we'll be showing our in-game disapproval by burning religious texts and fornicating in the streets! Madness!
Sorry. Forgot my tin foil hat.
Vladeon Aug 10th 2010 10:10AM
The current pope, Benedict XVI was elected into office on April 15th, 2005... Archbishop Benedictus was added in patch 1.11.1 according to wowhead.com which was implemented on June 28th, 2006. So it's quite possible that they named the archbishop after the current pope.