A detailed analysis of final raid bosses and who is ultimately behind their empowering/status. I will check back to the origin of the boss and record what/who is behind his/her/it’s creation and original tasking that required us to kill him/her/it, (e.g. titan construct gone bad; I will record why it went bad instead of titans) regardless of what allegiance the boss owed at the time of its death. I will use the present tense for those bosses the players can kill, and past tense for those the players didn't actually kill in the game's lore.
Tier 1
Ragnaros, Molten Core.
-Ragnaros serves his own purpose, but served the Old Gods in the past.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Onyxia, Onyxia's Lair.
-Onyxia serves her own purpose, but served Deathwing, her father, in the past.
-Deathwing serves the Old Gods since the Well of Eternity instance, as determined by the Madness of Deathwing journal in Dragon Soul.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Hakkar the Soulflayer, Zul'Gurub
-Hakkar serves his own purpose, with no noticed connection to any mastermind.
Mastermind Hakkar the Soulflayer
Ossirian the Unscarred, Ruins of Ahn'Qiraj
-Ossirian was originally a Titanic watcher for the Ahn'Qiraj complex, that was designed to imprison C'thun's remains.
-Ossirian was corrupted by C'Thun when he was ressurected.
-C'Thun is a primary Old God.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Baron Rivendare, Stratholme (Undead, original)
-Baron Rivendare is in direct employment of the Lich King.
-The Lich King was originally created by Kil'Jaeden as an architect of the Scourge.
-Kil'Jaeden is in employment of Sargeras, the Dark Titan.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Tier 2
Nefarian, Blackwing's Lair
-Nefarian serves his own purpose, but served Deathwing, his father, in the past.
-Deathwing serves the Old Gods since the Well of Eternity instance, as determined by the Madness of Deathwing journal in Dragon Soul.
Mastermind? Old Gods
C'Thun, Ahn'Qiraj Temple
-C'Thun is a primary Old God and therefore has allegiance to the Old Gods.*
Mastermind? Old Gods
Tier 3
Kel'Thuzad, Naxxramas(original)
-Kel'Thuzad is in direct employment of the Lich King.
-The Lich King was originally created by Kil'Jaeden as an architect of the Scourge.
-Kil'Jaeden is in employment of Sargeras, the Dark Titan.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Tier 4 (The Burning Crusade)
Magtheridon, Magtheridon's Lair
-Magtheridon is in direct employment of Archimonde.
-Archimonde was the primary lieutenant of war for Sargeras.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Prince Malchezzar, Karazhan
-Prince Malchezzar is in direct employment of Archimonde as a sub-commander for the forces of the Burning Legion.
-Archimonde was the primary lieutenant of war for Sargeras.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Gruul, Gruul's lair
-Gruul has no allegiance, being the overlord of the ogres
Mastermind? Gruul
Zul'jin, Zul'Aman
-Zul'jin has no allegiance, being the ruler of the Amani tribe.
Mastermind? Zul’jin
Tier 5
Lady Vash'j, Serpentshrine Cavern
-Lady Vash'j originally served Queen Azshara.
-She was summoned by Illidan Stormrage to serve.
-Lady Vash'j is a commander of Illidan Stormrage and commander of the Naga forces in Outland.
Mastermind? Illidan Stormrage
Kael'Thas Sunstrider, Tempest Keep (the Eye), Magister's Terrace
-Kael'thas Sunstrider was the Prince of the Sunstrider Dynasty of Eversong Woods
-He served on the Council of Six of the Kirin Tor, and was a part of the Alliance of Lordaeron.
-Kael'thas is led by Illidan Stormrage, persuaded by a source of power possibly located in the Black Temple to satiate his people's hunger for magic after the Sunwell was destroyed by Prince Arthas.
-After his defeat in Tempest Keep (the Eye), he turned to a new master, Kil'Jaeden the deceiver, who promises to reignite the Sunwell.
-Kil'Jaeden is in direct employment of Sargeras.
Mastermind? Himself, the Kirin Tor, Illidan Stormrage, and finally Sargeras
Tier 6
Archimonde the Defiler, The Battle for Hyjal
-Archimonde was the primary lieutenant of the forces of the Burning Legion for Sargeras, the Dark Titan.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Illidan Stormrage, The Black Temple
-Illidan Stormrage served the Night Elf people before the events of the Sundering.
-After the events of the Frozen Throne, Illidan was conscripted by Kil'Jaeden to destroy the renegade Lich King and kill his champion Arthas Menethil.
-Kil'Jaden is in service to Sargeras.
-After failing to kill Arthas and the Lich King, Illidan escaped to Outland and conscripted the Blood Elves and Naga to help take the broken world for their own.
-Illidan Stormrage has no master.
Mastermind? Night Elves, then Sargeras, Illidan Stormrage
Kil'Jaeden the Deceiver, Sunwell Plateau
-Kil'Jaeden is the other lieutenant of Sargeras tasked with conscripting or subverting living or demonic forces into the allegiance of the Burning Legion.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Tier 7, Wrath of the Lich King
Malygos, Eye of Eternity
-Malygos was in service to the Titans before the Sundering.
-Malygos serves his own purpose in the Nexus War after regaining his sanity from the travesty of the events of the Sundering.
Mastermind? Titans, Malygos
Sartharion, Obsidian Sanctum
-Sartharion was charged by Sinestra to protect a clutch of Twilight dragon eggs.
-Sinestra is in service of Deathwing.
-Deathwing is in services to the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Kel'Thuzad, Naxxramas
-Kel'Thuzad was originally in service to the Kirin Tor.
-After being exiled from the Kirin Tor, Kel'Thuzad entered into the service of the Lich King and was reborn as a Lich by Arthas Menethil.
-Lich King was created by Kil’jaeden, whos is in service of Sargeras.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Archavon, Emalon, Koravon, Toravon, The Vault of Archavon
-Watchers for the titan facility in Wintergrasp
-Servants of the Titans
Mastermind? Titans
Tier 8
Yogg-Saron, Ulduar
-Yogg-Saron is a primary Old God.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Algalon the Observer, Ulduar
-Titan (construct, being?) sent to Azeroth after Watcher Loken’s death to analyze corruption levels.
-Deemed corruption levels near 100%, ordered re-origination of life and total destruction of Azeroth and Old Gods.
Mastermind? Titans
Tier 9
Anub'Arak, Trial of the Crusader
-Anub'Arak was revived by the Lich King after his defeat in Azjol-Nerub.
-Lich King was orchestrated by Kil'Jaeden.
-Kil'Jaeden is in service to Sargeras
Mastermind? Sargeras
Tier 10
the Lich King, Icecrown Citadel
-Originally the soul of Ner'zhul, the orc warchief and warlock who was conscripted by Kil'Jaeden the Deceiver into making a Blood Pact, thus entering the orcs into the service of Kil'Jaeden, and by effect, Sargeras.
-After trying to escape to another world by way of an extra-dimensional portal like the Dark Portal, his soul was captured by Kil'Jaeden and shred to pieces, and afterwards was formed into the being named the Lich King, imprisoned in the Helm of Damnation, and sent to Azeroth (Northrend) to be the master of the Scourge army, designed to weaken the forces of Azeroth in order to herald the arrival of Sargeras and the Burning Legion.
-He selected a champion, Arthas Menethil, and an architect for the Cult of the Damned (Kel'Thuzad) and by way of telepathic whispers and corruption, drew the prince to take up Frostmourne, kill his father, destroy the kingdom of Lordaeron and aid in the formation of the Scourge, transform Kel'Thuzad into a lich, etc.
-the Lich King used Arthas to destroy his Nathrezim watchers, and orchestrated his own ascent to power without Archimonde's knowledge. He masterminded a plan to free him from service to the Burning Legion (and Sargeras), and used Arthas as a mortal shell to turn himself into the true Lich King.
-The Lich King is the ruler of the Scourge and owes no allegiance at the time of his demise.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Halion, The Ruby Sanctum
-Twilight Dragon ordered by Sinestra to take over the Ruby Sanctum
-Sinestra is in service to Deathwing.
-Deathwing is in services to the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Tier 11, Cataclysm
Cho'gall, Bastion of Twilight
-originally servant of the Shadow Counil, the orc warlock group that served the old Horde, the Burning Legion, and therefore Sargeras.
-Head of the Twilight's Hammer clan, which serves Deathwing, who serves the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Sinestra, Bastion of Twilight
-original consort of Neltharion.
-sent to the Bastion to take care of black and twilight dragonflight eggs and oversee Twilight Highlands operations.
-in service to Deathwing, who is in service to the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Nefarian+Onyxia, Blackwing Descent
-No change in allegiance since his defeat at Blackwing's Lair.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Al'Akir, Throne of the Four Winds
-Elemental Prince of Air
-Elemental Lord in service to the Old Gods.
-Was persuaded by Deathwing to lend his elementals to his mission.
-Deathwing serves the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Argaloth, Occu'thar, Alizabal, Baradin Hold
-All three are in service to Archimonde, who is in service to Sargeras, Lord of the Burning Legion.
Mastermind? Sargeras
Tier 12
Ragnaros, the Firelands
-Elemental Prince of Fire
-Elemental Lord in service to the Old Gods.
-After his defeat in Molten Core, he was persuaded by Deathwing to lend his elementals and power to Deathwing's mission.
-Deathwing serves the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Tier 13
Deathwing (Neltharion), Dragon Soul
-Originally in service to the Titans as a watcher for the Well of Eternity and Kalimdor.
-Corrupted by the remaining Old Gods, ensnared by whispers and maddened into making the Dragon Soul.
-Was the Old Gods primary plan into releasing them from their prisons.
-Deathwing went into hiding with the Dragon Soul, and tried to muck up human affairs as Lord Daval Prestor.
-Was defeated by the Alexstrasza, Nozdormu, and Ysera, and retreated to Deepholm.
-Cataclysm
Mastermind? Old Gods
Tier 14, Mists of Pandaria
Grand Empress Shek'Zeer
-Originally the leader of the Mantid swarm.
-Mantid are a subgroup of the Aqir, like the Qiraji and Nerubians.
-Mantid Swarm originally served Y'Shaarj and fought against the titans.
-Corrupted by the Sha of Fear.
-Sha of Fear is part of the remains of Y'Shaarj, and Old God defeated by the mogu constructs led by Ra'den. Y'Shaarj cursed the southern part of Kalimdor with it's dying breath, scattering the sha power over what is now Pandaria.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Will of the Emperor, Mogu'shan Vaults
-Constructs made by Lei Shen, the Thunder King to guard the Vaults and Engine of Nalak'sha.
-in service to the Thunder King, who has no allegiance.
Mastermind? Lei Shen, the Thunder King
Sha of Fear, Terrace of Endless Spring
-Sha of Fear is part of the remains of Y'Shaarj, and Old God defeated by the mogu constructs led by Ra'den. Y'Shaarj cursed the southern part of Kalimdor with it's dying breath, scattering the sha power over what is now Pandaria.
Mastermind? Old Gods
Tier 15
Emperor Lei Shen, the Thunder King, Throne of Thunder
-Ancient emperor of the Mogu
-Recently ressurected by the Zandalari
-No allegiance
Mastermind? Lei Shen
Ra'den, Throne of Thunder
-Titan Watcher ordered by Titans to eradicate Old God presence in southern pre-sundering Kalimdor.
-Built mogu titan constructs (like vrykul, earthen, tol'vir) to combat Old God servant Mantids.
-Once Y'Shaarj was destroyed, Titanic Watcher entered sleep under Thunder Mountain, which now houses Mogu'shan Vaults, which contains the Engine of Nalak'sha, used by Ra'den to create the mogu.
-Curse of Flesh affected all titan creations, including mogu, turning them into flesh beings.
-Mortal mogu society fell to violent in-fighting with no presence to lead them.
-Lei Shen descended into Thunder Mountain, defeated Ra'den, somehow manipulated Ra'den's power over thunder and lightning to bolster his own power, and went on to creathe Mogu Empire, (re: Mists of Pandaria mogu lore)
-Current resides in the Throne of Thunder in high-level prison.
Mastermind? Titans, Lei Shen
PREDICTED
Garrosh Hellscream, Siege of Ogrimmar
-Son of Grom Hellscream, part of the Hellscream Clan at Garadar in Outland.
-Made overlord of Warsong Offensive in the Northrend Campaign.
-Promoted to Warchief of the Horde after Thrall deemed his devotion to shamansim in the Cataclysm events necessary.
-Consumed by desire to eradicate his enemies, Garrosh seeks to bend the energies of Sha to bolster the Horde's power.
-Some plot twists sees Garrosh consumed by all the negative emotions of the Sha and possessed, thus turning him into a pawn of the Old Gods.
Mastermind? Hellscream Clan, Horde, Old Gods
Results?
Old Gods with 16 counts of masterminding.
Hakkar with 1 count of masterminding.
Sargeras with 10 counts of masterminding.
Gruul with 1 count of masterminding.
Zul’jin with 1 count of masterminding.
Illidan with 3 counts of masterminding.
Malygos with 1 count of masterminding.
Titans with 3 counts of masterminding (I thought these guys were supposed to be good?)
Lei Shen with 3 counts of masterminding.
Analysis: So we can see that the main contenders for top mastermind in the Warcraft Universe are Sargeras and the Old Gods. They seem to have orchestrated most of the events in the mythos of the Warcraft story. It is interesting to note that a Burning Legion invasion of Azeroth would be beneficial to the Old Gods, as it would allow them to escape their prisons. (Re: Old Gods if you aren't caught up on the hypotheses). It makes sense to presume that the Old Gods of the planet Azeroth seem to be the grand orchestrators of everything miserable that has befallen the mortal races.
Comments: There were times making this list when I wondered who was the true mastermind behind the events for each character. With characters who deviated from their original allegiances, such as the Lich King and Illidan, who both created their own agendas and abandoned their allegiances, it was hard to pinpoint the blame. In some cases, Sargeras could well have been to blame for many of the Lich King’s doings, and for Illidan as well, but it seemed more acceptable to point the figure at the subordinates, for it was they who carried out their own plans. In such cases, with their own agendas, they are to blame for the misdoings they carried out. Regardless, there is more than likely evidence to argue both ways, so I’ll leave it up to the interpretation of the lore fan. I hope you enjoyed this list and it gave you a brief insight to the inner workings of the turmoil in World of Warcraft.
Notes:
*Due to Old-God blizz-stated or created lore, it is tough to say if all the Old Gods could be grouped together. Some have had more mortal affairs than others, notably N'Zoth and Y'Shaarj, while Yogg-Saron and C'Thun have had less notable impact. From the Dragon Soul raid dungeon manual entry about Warlord Zon'ozz and Yor'sahj, it is stated that "Countless ages ago, Warlord Zon'ozz and his soldiers waged endless war against the forces of C'Thun and Yogg-Saron. Millennia have passed, but the warlord still serves the chaotic might of the Old God N'Zoth. Deathwing has now unleashed this legendary faceless one to crush the defenders of Wyrmrest Temple." So from this we see that all the Old Gods warred against each other, but all were very meddlesome. For the purpose of sanity, I will group all the Old Gods together into one extremely meddlesome and diabolical entity.