Domination

Domination (variously written in upper or lower case) is a brand of powerful runic Death magic whose sole purpose is the utter suppression of another being. Behaving in a matter similar to a language, it alters the victim's thoughts so powerfully that it interferes with their sense of self. It was originally created by the Primus of Maldraxxus for the purpose of imprisoning the Jailer within the Maw, but over his eons of imprisonment, the Jailer found a way to weaponize the magic and turn it against his enemies. As such, Domination is woven into the very fabric of the Maw and the tower of Torghast. The hallmark of Domination magic is its distinctive runes. Runeblades infused with Domination are known as mourneblades. It is separate from the magic of memory.

Domination magic was never seen on Azeroth before the arrival of the Lich King.

• The Helm of Domination and the mourneblade Frostmourne, collectively referred to by the Jailer as "the vessels of Domination", were forged by the Runecarver against his will. The Jailer intended to use them to establish his influence on Azeroth and claim "the final prize", a secret that the First Ones sought to hide, but the Lich Kings who wore the Helm—Ner'zhul, Arthas Menethil, and Bolvar Fordragon—defied his will. Frostmourne was shattered by the Ashbringer during the duel between Arthas and Tirion Fordring atop Icecrown Citadel, and its shards were later remade into the Blades of the Fallen Prince, which ultimately had their power drained as a side-effect of absorbing the power of Sargeras' sword. Years later, the Helm of Domination was destroyed by Sylvanas Windrunner, an act which tore open a rift in the Veil separating the Shadowlands from the world of the living. Even after being broken by Sylvanas, however, the shards of the Helm still hold the magic of Domination and incredible power over the dead. Bolvar repeatedly used the broken Helm to gaze into Torghast, but the Jailer was able to sense this and peer back before eventually using the connection to strike at Bolvar in Oribos.
• Anduin was trapped within a magical barrier of Domination runes within Torghast.
• The Runecarver is able to create pieces of Domination armor for Maw Walkers by engraving runes on "rune vessels" (special armor pieces) using Soul Ash—the remnants of souls lost within Torghast.
• The entrance to the Runecarver's Oubliette is sealed with a Domination Lock.
• Runeforged shackles carved with Domination runes are used by the Mawsworn forces in Ruin's Cradle to subdue their most powerful prisoners.
• A Domination Blade delivered by the brokers of Cartel Ba was intended to be used by Kel'Thuzad as part of a ritual to breach the Maw, a plan that was sabotaged by Balmedar and Necrolord Maw Walkers.
• The Helm of the Dominated, worn by the Mawsworn, is described as "seeping with the Jailer's dominating energies", and allows the user to disguise themselves as a Mawsworn.
• Anduin Wrynn, after being captured by the Jailer, was equipped with armor covered in Domination runes that suppressed him to the Jailer's will, and his sword Shalamayne was turned into the mourneblade Kingsmourne.
• The Forge of Domination can soulforge souls and stygia into servile constructs like shadehounds with a Soulforger's Tools and the proper rune binding.
• Domination's Calling is created through Dominion Etching: Grief, Dominion Etching: Loss, and Dominion Etching: Pain.
• Can be used to control fate.
• The Jailer briefly used it to control Thrall, Bolvar Fordragon, and Jaina Proudmoore after absorbing the Arbiter's essence.

The following objects and items also use domination magic:

• The Soulcage, an artifact of the Jailer's ally Helya which "held the power to compel the soul of any being", may have been an instrument of Domination.
• Sire Denathrius' Medallion of Dominion is able to alter the very fabric of the Shadowlands with sufficient power, as well as forcibly subjugate venthyr to the control of the bearer; it thus may be related to Domination. The three rune etchings used to create Domination's Calling are called "Dominion" as well.