@sickening: Last I read wowwiki on Forsaken, it said the Light couldn't use them as conduit. It simply did not flow through them.

Be it because they're inherently prone to "evil" or because they're undead, I'm not sure, but I assume Bolvar's died and been raised, and with all the mental torture and how it (should have) affected his mind, it's very likely his scope powers doesn't include the Light anymore.

Being a Light wielder doesn't depend uniquely on the character's "good nature". As the Nobundo story (and also Akama's) shows, biological or environmental factors might play a part on preventing someone from calling to the Light.

Also, I hope I haven't come out as a Bolvar detractor here. My fear is not that his grandeur (which is unquestionable) is recognized, I just hope Blizzard is careful when leading him to glory, if that's their intention. "Godly" characters tend to lose appeal and become too otherwordly for us to relate to them. For example, if Kollar's idea comes to be - Bolvar donning the Lich King's helm in hopes of containing its power - I hope the effort and strain he needs to put into that task is noticeable, rather than "I'll just here and keep talking to the chap inside. Farewell, champs". Such drastic a rise in "tier" of heroism and glory can be awkward.

The comic does this right (who'd say), in my opinion. Bolvar's a good warrior and seems to be a competent leader, but he too was unable to see through Onyxias' mind control and doesn't go around beating the crap out of her when the illusion's shattered. Giving him the power to go one-on-one with the Lich King, even mentally, is quite dangerous and prone to usage of the "That's just how it is, deal with it" logic, when everyone starts asking how could Onyxia do what the Lich King can't.

A comparison: Bolvar is obviously "bigger" than Saurfang Jr. Yet not bigger than Garrosh. Not saying I agree, but character protagonism seems to bring power with it.

What seems to spring when analysing Bolvar's feat up until now is his sense of resilience and resistance to...well, agony. I think it should stick to that, rather than sheer power (unless he becomes a Deathbringer). Which is why I support Kollar's idea for an ending to the ICC raid.

Edit: Just to stress that while I'll stand for my opinions while they seem logical, I've assumed being wrong numerous times in the past and won't be adamant when defending them. For example, I assume there's the possibility of Blizzard saying Bolvar is still alive and with his powers intact. I just can't put a "maybe" or "I assume" into every sentence I write. I say this for the sake of keeping things cool in this thread.

Erm - the wowwiki is often incorrect, and in this case it's referencing one character in a novel and extrapolating from that individual case. We know full well the Forsaken can still use "the Light" - there's a horde of holy priests out there for the Forsaken, and there's a Forsaken champion of the Light at Light's Hope Chapel in the Eastern Plaguelands. Plus there's the entire BE storyline, and all the Scarlet Crusade stuff. You don't have to be good, or even Holy, to wield the Light. It's a force of power that does things we consider "good" (healing, protection), but it's not some all-powerful god energy like a lot of players think it is. It's still used by many unpleasant and evil characters, and your ability to use it seems more linked to personal belief and willpower rather than any sort of good / evil judgement of a person.

Furthermore, it's worth remembering that the Forsaken are not just freed undead. They are immune to the destruction visited by all other undead on the Green Dragonshrine, for example - the quest talks of them Forsaken "redeemed" by Sylvannas.

@Maledict: On Leonid, the undead character you refer to, is it confirmed that he's a paladin? Or "just" a warrior?

On the usage of the Holy Light by the Forsaken:

The figure wore the robes of a priest of the Holy Light - not uncommon among the Forsaken, who mocked the order by wearing their garments and allowing the sacred robes to be soiled and tainted by their bloody work. Somehow, Andarin sensed, this figure was different; the robes seemed to be in almost tolerable condition, even if the body wearing them was not.[8] "You wear the robes of a priest, Trevor. Why do you not channel the Light in battle, if you seek redemption?" The priest seemed to wince at that. "While I refuse to wield the shadow, the Light has refused me, or so it seems. And so, I am truly a broken man; I learned to wield spears of Light like Uther's knights did in the Second. Without the Light, I am unarmed and unarmored -- but not entirely helpless, as you see." Andarin couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the fallen priest, if his story was true. Perhaps a man, no matter how virtuous, could not channel holy power while in such a form."[9]

While they can no longer use the Holy Light [16]and have since learned how to use the Shadow; the priests teach that there must be a balance between Light and Shadow, and members must learn the Light as well[17] but to never forget they were born from the Shadow. However, it seems that they learn about the Light in order to better combat members who practice it, and defend against its undead damaging power.[18] Being intelligent undead, the Forsaken fully understand the limitations and vulnerabilities associated with unlife. One of these disadvantages is that they can be turned, rebuked or even commanded by powerful positive or negative energy forces. Naturally, the Forsaken are always on the lookout for ways to limit or negate this vulnerability.[19]

Though some have apparently been able to learn how to use the light.[17][20]

Forsaken - WoWWiki - Your guide to the World of Warcraft

It seems some...exceptional individuals (the criteria is unknown) can use the Light, although the briefness of the sentence ("They learned to. Period") suggest some sort of quick explanation for the fact that we can have Holy Undead Priests in-game.

Blood Elves are syphoning the energy from the Naaru, it's not like the being can choose who gets empowered.

My one question is the Scarlet Crusade...

References do get a bit mixed up on this. In the first orcish invasion trilogy, Turalyon has some trouble with the Light on account of his somewhat reluctant approach to the subject, unlike Uther and the others' fervent ways. In Across the Dark Portal, though, he's pretty much a Light Juggernaut, as he's fully accepted the Light and its ways.

But then Nobundo and Akama were just cut off, even though they were still more-than-sentient and the latter called to the Light with all his strength, and because of being "infected" with the red mist. So the attribution of Light powers is at least...confusing.

The Light is as capable of healing as of hurting, we know that full well.

Perhaps it's indeed to early to assume Bolvar has lost his powers, but the fact is, things don't look too good for him on that account. He has probably died and been raised (like Forsaken, who are tipically unable to deal with the Light) and pretty much had his mind screwed (like Nobundo). Two factors in favour don't mean he'll indeed be deprived of his powers, but shows there is basis for assuming it.

Forsaken may be immune to the Green Dragonshrine effect because the Greens decided to make the effect so, I'd think. It's not necessarily innate.

Plus, we all know Forsaken aren't good or redeemed, save for some (very few) individuals. They are effectively freed undead, who don't like what they are, are usually incapable of doing or feeling any good, and "dislike" the Lich King for being the source of their predicament.

But they're surely not redeemed. Some sources point to Sylvannas as being capable of doing the same as Putress for a cause worthy enough.

I've been doing quite a bit of looking into the names of characters lately, and how their names fit with who they are, personality-wise and based on what they do in contribution to the game's overall story, and i've found (what I consider) some very interesting connections. It makes me wonder if we can use this principal in the case of Bolvar too.

It is pretty unanimously agreed that the Immolated Champion / Lavaman are Bolvar. Immolate (the source word) means in many cases, to sacrifice by fire. I wonder if this is going to be part of what happens, i.e. it indicates that he will not survive, because he will be a human sacrifice (in some means) to counteract the cold evil of Arthas, or the Frozen Throne / Frostmourne.

On a potentially extreme side of 'what's in a name',... Bol means 'the beginning of life' and Var means, in one case, 'a vaccine that protects' (against a specific disease). No guarantee that these will be indicators, but given the present state of Bolvar, they're interesting things to consider.

My personal expectation is that he'll pick up the crown and be a martyr in some sense, whether to wear it to contain it (ala Diablo), or if it will have the Positive and Negative cross eachother out effect and the Frost will be neutralized by Fire, for the good of all (or whatever). I don't expect him to survive, at least outside of Icecrown, whether this means he will remain there or not. (And I really like his character, so that would be sad! But, it would be pretty cool in my opinion.)

Can't wait for more datamining for further answers!