Belovar

Biodata

Background / History

Military and political career

Belovar fought alongside Anasterian Sunstrider during the Troll Wars. By the beginning of the story, he is both Quel'Thalas's Grand Archmage and the presiding figure of the Silvermoon Council, with a family power base of his own 1.

As Speaker, he opens council meetings under the Sun King's authority and calls votes on matters including military deployments and foreign trade. His longstanding friendship with Anasterian permits considerable familiarity outside formal proceedings 2.

Supporting Al's research

Belovar initially mistakes Al's interest in animal specimens for a disturbing preference for dead creatures. Once he understands that his grandson is studying biology, he allows the research and occasionally captures powerful magical beasts for him 1.

Al's explanation of mana wyrm levitation and mana-draining matrices astonishes him. Recognizing that the findings span magical biology, evocation, and transmutation, Belovar offers to compile and publish them. The resulting paper later helps the Reliquary develop airborne transport equipment 1 2.

When Al's inventions attract the council's attention, Belovar brings him before Anasterian. He protests that appointing the child an honorary councilor violates the rules, then abstains when the appointment goes to a vote. Three years later, he persuades Al to accept Falthrien Academy's repeated invitation to teach 2.

Whispering Pond lecture

Belovar personally invites Fengdelor, Salorian Dawnseeker, and the heads of major families to Al's public lecture. Rumors that Al can treat infertility make these visits deeply embarrassing for him 5.

At the event, Anasterian takes Belovar's seat. Belovar responds by throwing provisional councilor Dar'Khan Drathir out of another seat and declaring that he is no longer a provisional councilor 5.

The lecture's subject—postpartum care for sows—and Al's subsequent butchery demonstration repeatedly provoke Belovar's anger. Nevertheless, when fifth-circle Flamestrike threatens the platform, he stops Fengdelor from intervening and confidently trusts Al to handle it. He later eats the demonstrated red-braised pork, hastily finishing his last piece when Anasterian turns toward him 7 8.

Al's departure and the Dalaran symposium

Over the following years, Belovar becomes one of Al's frequent private students. These lessons allow Al's system to award portions of Belovar's physical attributes. When Anasterian promises Al the next Speakership, Belovar pointedly reminds the king that he is still alive 9.

Before Al leaves on his travels, Belovar gives him a protective robe, Belovar's Blessing. He unsuccessfully tries to stop Al from being pulled into spatial turbulence during a teleportation spell 10 11.

When they later speak through a magical mirror, Belovar reproaches Al for worrying him. He explains that the proposed Dalaran symposium involves political interests surrounding Bloodpetals and the Jinkela formulas. Although he initially stresses that national interests precede family ties, he finishes by ordering Al to be himself and reject the political maneuvering 36.

Fate in Al's remembered game history

In the game Al remembers, Belovar dies during the fall of Quel'Thalas in the Third War. His final act is teleporting Countess Liadrin to safety, an event recorded in the description of Belovar's Last Gamble. This is remembered game history, not an event that has occurred in the novel's present 11.

Appearance

• Hair and beard: Gray-haired on introduction; later described as having white hair and a white beard 1 8.
• Face: Exceptionally well preserved despite his age, though later passages also describe his face as aged 1 36.

Personality

Belovar is openly affectionate toward Al, frequently calling him his “dear grandson,” teasing him physically, and taking obvious pride in his discoveries. His habit of dismissing Al's achievements as things his “useless grandson” cobbled together barely conceals his pleasure 1 2.

He is sensitive to aristocratic decorum and the family's reputation. Al's casual behavior toward the Sun King earns sharp rebukes, while the unconventional subject matter of the Whispering Pond lecture leaves him mortified. His disciplinary threats coexist with considerable confidence in Al's abilities 2 7 8.

Belovar also enjoys irreverent banter with old friends. He visits Fengdelor uninvited and later performs an exaggerated display of tearful distress during his mirror conversation with Al 5 36.

His public responsibilities can conflict with his affection for his grandson. The symposium conversation makes that tension explicit: he acknowledges his duty to Quel'Thalas, then uses his official authority to encourage Al's independence 36.

Abilities & Skills

Spatial Magic

Belovar demonstrates teleportation and portal techniques that impress fellow councilors 2.

• Teleports directly into his council seat and Al's laboratory 2.
• Retrieves Al and returns through a deep-blue portal in less than five minutes; the councilors admire his spatial technique 2.
• In Al's remembered game history, uses teleportation to save Liadrin during Quel'Thalas's fall 11.

Fire Magic

• Pyroblast: Invokes the spell during a heated, comedic exchange after Al insists on being addressed as “Lord Councilor” 2.

Physical Attributes

• Al's first successful teaching reward grants him 10% of Belovar's strength, producing an overwhelming surge of physical power 1.
• Later lessons award 10% of Belovar's stamina and 10% of his resilience; another documented draw again grants strength 9.
• Al judges the combined attribute rewards from nearly two thousand commoners inferior to what Belovar alone provides 9.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Staff of the Great Torrent — Belovar reaches for it when Al reveals the sow-care lecture topic 7.
• Belt of Impact — Brandished during Al's cooking demonstration; Anasterian restrains Belovar's hand and calls for Salorian's assistance 8.
• Greatstaff of the Nexus — An epic staff identified as belonging to Belovar and long envied by Rommath 43.
• Belovar's Blessing — A protective robe given to Al before his journey, bearing a personal dedication. It is recorded as destroyed after Al survives Sargeras's attack. Its counterpart in Al's remembered game is called Belovar's Last Gamble 11.
• Mage tower — Contains introductory enchanting and magical inscription books used by Al. Kaynell later claims that Antonidas's tower is only half its height 1 45.

Relationships

• Aier “Al” Salona — Grandson and research beneficiary. Belovar supplies specimens, promotes his scholarship, and remains protective despite their constant teasing 1 2 10.
• Anasterian Sunstrider — Sovereign, old friend, and former comrade from the Troll Wars. Their relationship combines formal deference with personal jokes and mutual familiarity 1 2 9.
• Fengdelor — Longstanding friend and frequent bantering partner; concerned enough for Al's safety to challenge Belovar's refusal to intervene during the Flamestrike demonstration 5 8.
• Dean Faselyn — Close friend who corresponds with Belovar concerning Al and the academy 4.
• Liadrin — The person Belovar saves with his final teleportation in Al's remembered game history 11.

Notable Quotes

“To my beloved grandson, Aier Salona. You are my pride, the light in my heart. I hope you never trigger this robe's special effect. May the sun be with you.”
— Dedication on Belovar's Blessing 11

“Your Majesty, I'm not dead yet...”
— After Anasterian promises Al the next Speakership 9

“Honorary Councilor Al, be yourself, and tell all that filthy politics to get as far away as it can!”
— During their conversation about the Dalaran symposium 36