Warcraft/Characters/The Alliance

Alexandros Mograine


"Eligor Dawnbringer: "Let me let you in on a little secret, Commander. The power of the Ashbringer came from the man who would wield it... I was there, Commander. I watched him burn legions of undead in righteous fire before he would even unsheathe the blade. Alas, your grasp on history is... lacking.""

High-ranking member of the Silver Hand, at the battle of Blackrock Spire during the Second War, he encountered an orc warlock wielding a powerful dark orb. After the warlock's death, he picked it up, thinking that it could be used for the sake of good. The orb, however, heavily mangled his hand beyond recognition when he touched it, to the point that even the Light could not heal it.

Years later, before the Third War, he and a group of allies met and discussed the use of the orb against the potential undead threat. While Issilien attempted to destroy it, the orb absorbed the Light and was purified, healing Alexandros' hand when he tried to touch it. He then took the crystal to Ironforge, where Magni Bronzebeard forged the sword Ashbringer.

Once he returned, however, the Scourge had already taken over Lordaeron, and so he led the remnants of the Silver Hand against the Scourge. Wielding the Ashbringer, Alexandros became legendary for the number of undead he slew, leaving only ashes behind him. Tragedy struck however, when his oldest son, Renault Mograine, thinking he's The Unfavorite of the family, is manipulated by Balnazzar (in the guise of Dathrohan) into leading his father into a trap, before killing him with his own sword. Kel'thuzad eventually raised him as the mightiest Death Knight the Scourge had ever seen, though he was slain again, this time by his other son, Darion Mograine, when he came to Naxxramas in search of his father. - "Tell your master that a thousand of his minions will not suffice! I will deliver you all... And when I am done I will stand... AGAINST A THOUSAND MORE!"
 * Badass
 * Badass Beard
 * Badass Boast


 * BFS/Cool Sword: The Ashbringer, obviously.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * Old Soldier
 * One-Man Army
 * The Paladin
 * Papa Wolf
 * Parental Favoritism: While he loved both of his sons, to the outside it seemed like he clearly showed favoritism to his younger son Darion compared to his older son Renault.
 * Parents as People: Sure, he loves both of his sons, but he shows clear Parental Favoritism towards Darion, causing Renault to develop into a "Well Done, Son" Guy in an attempt to gain his respect. Balnazzar in Dathrohan's body uses this to manipulate Renault into killing him.
 * Red Baron: The Ashbringer, after the name of the same sword he wields.
 * Redheaded Hero
 * Retcon: Several, either concerning him or his sword. He, personally, started out as the betrayed Highlord of the Scarlet Crusade, which was once a pure organisation. This was later retconned into the Scarlet Crusade only existing after his death in the Ashbringer comic, as it led to the split of the Order of the Silver Hand into the Argent Dawn and the Scarlet Crusade, the latter of which was never pure.
 * Tragic Hero: Alexandros' greatest flaw, his Parental Favoritism, turns out to be his ultimate downfall.
 * White Magic
 * White Magic

Anduin Wrynn


""Why waste your warriors and resources in battle when a few words will bring you greater profit?""

Thirteen (and a half!) year old prince of Stormwind. Lately his relationship with Varian has been strained: although he loves and respects his father, he prefers a more peaceful approach to foreign relations, and does not agree with the king's more aggressive tactics. He is close with Jaina, however, and views her as a family member. He has recently started down the path to the Light. -
 * A Child Shall Lead Them: When Varian went missing, Anduin was technically King, although Bolvar Fordragon acted as the official steward of the kingdom until Anduin came of age.
 * The Archer
 * Dead Guy, Junior: Full name Anduin Llane Wrynn, after his grandfather Llane Wrynn and Alliance hero Anduin Lothar.
 * Good Shepherd: For all indications he will grow up to be one.
 * Non-Action Guy: In The Shattering, he and Aerin realize he's no good with a sword. It's suggested that he might be most similar to a priest, given that he saves his father's life with a shield spell when Major Samuelson attacks.
 * Not So Different: With Baine Bloodhoof.
 * Odd Friendship: With Baine Bloodhoof.
 * Only Sane Man
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: Invoked in-game. He starts investigating reports of stolen cattle not only because he wants to help, but because it would give back the local farmers some faith in their government to see a member of the royal family showing he cares about them.
 * And repeatedly in the novel The Shattering, in which he takes an active role in helping the survivors of the earthquakes in Khaz Modan.
 * Warrior Prince: He prefers not to fight, but he is quite skilled with a bow and throwing knives.
 * White Magic: Cataclysm reveals he has been training as a Priest. He manages to save his father's life with a shield spell in the quest chain leading to Twilight Highlands.
 * Wise Beyond His Years: He was handling diplomatic matters at as young as ten, and his comments sometimes made more sense than that of any of the adults.

Alleria Windrunner
An elven ranger, and an early volunteer to help the Alliance against the Horde in the Second War, even before the elves formally chose to join the war. During the war the elven homeland was burned to the ground by the orcs and her younger brother killed, leading her to become obsessed with revenge and fixated on exterminating the orcs. She relished the chance to join the Alliance Expedition to Draenor and fight the orcs further, and once there, with the aid of Turalyon and Khadgar, eventually gave up on her genocidal quest.

While she doesn't appear in The Burning Crusade, her son with Turalyon - the paladin Arator the Redeeemer - does. -
 * Action Girl: Since Warcraft 2, Alleria has been a military officer.
 * The Archer
 * Bare Your Midriff Alleria's scale armor and tunic bares her lower belly, but hangs down enough to cover her navel.
 * Dead Little Sister: Her murdered brother, Lirath. Her sister Sylvanas technically counts, technically because she is now undead.
 * Death Seeker: This is eventually pointed out to her and she gets better.
 * Defrosting Ice Queen
 * Interspecies Romance: With Turalyon, though she opposed it at first to focus on the battles. They even married and had a son together, Arator.
 * Lady of War
 * Never Found the Body: As above.
 * Put on a Bus: As with Turalyon, she's been AWOL since Beyond the Dark Portal.
 * Revenge: Her driving motivation after her brother's death.
 * Roaring Rampage of Revenge: She hates orcs. REALLY hates orcs.

Anduin Lothar


"His majesty has an abiding faith in the strength of the people of Azeroth and thickness of the walls of Stormwind. It doesn't hurt that he also has good people who take care of things when he's wrong."

Originally the Regent of Stormwind during the first war, Lothar led the kingdom's defence against the Horde. Despite his efforts, eventually the king was assassinated and the orcs proved victorious. Lothar, assuming command of the homeless people, led them north across the Great Sea, seeking aid. He bargained with the other human kings, and under his leadership the Alliance of Lordaeron was founded. Lothar served as supreme commander of Alliance forces throughout the Second War. Though he laid the groundwork for their triumph, Lothar did not live to see the ultimate victory of the Alliance. He perished in the final siege of Blackrock Spire, the largest orc fortress in Azeroth. Accounts of his death differ. In Warcraft II he approached Blackrock Spire to parley with Doomhammer and try to negotiate an orc surrender, but was ambushed by superior numbers of ogres and was murdered. In the novelisation Tides of Darkness and in the backstory of ''Warcraft III', though, no attempt at negotiation is mentioned. Instead, Lothar and Doomhammer sought each other out on the battlefield and fought an honorable duel, in which Doomhammer slew Lothar. Regardless of which version you accept, Lothar's death, instead of demoralising the Alliance army, inspired them to continue the assault and raze Blackrock Spire, breaking the back of the Horde. -
 * Authority Equals Asskicking
 * Badass Beard
 * Badass Grandpa
 * Badass Normal: Contrary to some confusion, he wasn't a paladin, but yet was the greatest warrior of humankind from his era.
 * Bald of Awesome: Not completely bald, but all but one piece of artwork show him as balding, to varying degrees.
 * Big Good: In Warcraft II.
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Cool Sword: The Great Royal Sword and Quel'Zaram. Ashkandi is highly hinted to have been his as well, but hasn't technically been confirmed officially.
 * Famed in Story: The Alliance considers him one of, if not THE greatest hero they've had, even if he is long dead.
 * Foil: To Orgrim Doomhammer.
 * Heroic Lineage: Last descendant of King Thoradin, who was the first to unite humanity under one nation.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * Last of His Kind: He was the last of the Arathi (the humans that created the first human nation, Arathor) royal bloodline.
 * Memetic Badass: Occurs IN-UNIVERSE that everyone treats Lothar like he was the Second Coming.
 * The Obi-Wan: To King Varian.
 * Old Soldier
 * Red Baron: The Lion of Azeroth.
 * Shout-Out: "Anduin" is the name of the Great River in The Lord of the Rings.
 * Supporting Leader

Archbishop Benedictus
Leader of the Church of the Holy Light in Stormwind, and one of the foremost religious leaders of the Alliance. A student of the late Archbishop Alonsus Faol himself. As the archbishop, he appears to be a man of action, either fighting evil invaders himself or send adventurers to deal with the undead. -
 * Badass Grandpa
 * Badass Preacher: You wouldn't think that the Warcraft equilavent to the Pope would be much of a frontline fighter, but he proves himself when he not only fights the elemental invasion of Stormwind, but also journeys to Wyrmrest in Northrend for the Final Battle in Cataclysm.
 * Bald of Awesome: Though hidden beneath a hood, and later a hat in Cataclysm.
 * Cassandra Truth:.
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Despair Event Horizon:
 * Dummied Out: He and Grand Magister Rommath were originally supposed to be confronted by their respective racial leaders and accused of treason.
 * : In Cataclysm.
 * Good Shepherd:
 * Nice Hat: Gains one in Cataclysm.
 * Retcon: In Thrall Twilight of the Aspects, his first appearance In 4.3, he
 * Saintly Church:.
 * Squishy Priest
 * Wham! Line:.
 * White Magic
 * Nice Hat: Gains one in Cataclysm.
 * Retcon: In Thrall Twilight of the Aspects, his first appearance In 4.3, he
 * Saintly Church:.
 * Squishy Priest
 * Wham! Line:.
 * White Magic
 * Squishy Priest
 * Wham! Line:.
 * White Magic
 * Wham! Line:.
 * White Magic

Aysa Cloudsinger
Leader of the Alliance-aligned Pandaren. Aysa embodies the Tushui monk arts, which emphasizes meditation, stoicism, rigorous training and moral convictions. These ideals draw her to the Alliance, whose values are much the same.

-
 * Blue Oni Red Oni: The blue to Ji's red.

Bolvar Fordragon


""It is a tragedy. I think... I believe that our kind is cursed. We are cursed to lose our greatest warriors; our most noble heroes; our most gifted scholars.""

Highlord and former Regent of Stormwind in the absence of Varian Wrynn, though Anduin Wrynn was formally crowned as King. Upon Varian's return, Bolvar was named the commander of the Alliance forces sent to take the battle to the Scourge in Northrend. After the treachery of Grand Apothecary Putress at the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate, Fordragon was  killed, either by the Forsaken Blight or the fires of the red dragonflight. -
 * Ascended Extra: They were originally going to have him, but the fans reacted so strongly that he showed up again.
 * Badass
 * Big Damn Heroes: Shows up to save the player and a bunch of NPCs in the quest An End And A Beginning in Dragonblight.
 * Determinator
 * The Greatest Story Never Told: At his own insistence.
 * Heterosexual Life Partners: Together with Varian.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * :  died at the Wrathgate incident,.
 * Number Two: To Varian.
 * The Paladin
 * Parental Substitute: To Anduin, in the absence of his father.
 * Supporting Leader: For the Alliance during the war against the Lich King in Northrend, until the Wrathgate incident.
 * White Magic
 * Parental Substitute: To Anduin, in the absence of his father.
 * Supporting Leader: For the Alliance during the war against the Lich King in Northrend, until the Wrathgate incident.
 * White Magic

Brann Bronzebeard


The youngest of the Bronzebeard brothers, he lives a life of adventure, exploring the world and chronicling his journeys. Although mentioned in various parts of Warcraft lore, he did not make his first appearance until Wrath of the Lich King.

Brann is renowned as the greatest adventurer in the Warcraft universe. Many of the expanded unvierse reference materials, such as the RPG books and the original previews of the zones prior to the game's launch, were done from his perspective. Expect him to show up in places involving ancient ruins, Titan artifacts, and Old Gods. -
 * Adventurer Archaeologist
 * Badass Bookworm: He has disappeared many times and seemingly lost in seemingly dangerous locations(such as Silithid hives and Yogg Saron's lair) only to be found alive and well days later with new discoveries. He said he never considered himself lost.
 * Facing the Bullets One-Liner: His entire interaction with the Titan technology in the Halls of Stone dungeon.
 * Nice Hat
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: He is the brother of the former king so he qualifies.
 * The Smart Guy: Even though he's (presumably) never worked with Titan technology before, he is able to help adventurers on two fights using said technology in the Halls of Stone dungeon.

Danath Trollbane


Danath Trollbane is the nephew of King Thoras Trollbane of Stromgarde. Acted as Militia Commander of Stromgarde during the Second War. During the Alliance Expedition to Outland he served as Tactical Advisor to General Turalyon and Force Commander of the Alliance Expedition. After the Dark Portal is sealed, he is presumed deceased. Once the Dark Portal is reopened again, it turns out he has survived throughout all the years in Outland, leading Honor Hold. He has vowed to return to Stromgarde and help rebuild after he heard of the fate that has fallen on it, once he has finished his duties in Outland. As of Cataclysm, with the death of Galen Trollbane and his subsequent raising as one of the Forsaken, he is the last living heir to the throne of Stromgarde, but he has yet to return from Outland. -
 * Badass Grandpa: By the time The Burning Crusade comes around.
 * Badass Normal
 * Bald of Awesome
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Number Two: To Turalyon.
 * Old Soldier
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something
 * Warrior Prince: By virtue of being the last heir to the throne.

Darius Crowley


Noble from Gilneas, separated from his holdings by the Greymane Wall. Disagreed with Genn Greymane about leaving the Alliance after the Second War and started a rebellion against him. The rebellion failed, and Greymane threw Crowley in prison for treason. During the worgen invasion of Gilneas City, Greymane sets Crowley free, and the pair work together to evacuate the city. Crowley stays behind to create a distraction for the rampaging worgen, but gets turned into a worgen in the process. He later plays a key role against Horde players in the Silverpine Forest storyline. - "Darius Crowley: "They...they've stopped coming. No,, that's not a good thing.""
 * Badass Abnormal
 * Badass Longcoat: In his human form.
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Eyepatch of Power
 * Fan Nickname: "Lord Boxhead" due to his model in the early Cataclysm beta.
 * Good Old Fisticuffs: The Cleave ability on mobs with only his bare hands. They later become Power Fists in Silverpine Forest.
 * Heroic BSOD: Surrendering the war against the Forsaken to save his daughter from being killed and raised as a Forsaken.
 * Heterosexual Life Partners: On and off with Genn Greymane. They were friends before Genn built the Greymane wall and led Darius to rebel, then decided to cooperate again to defeat the Scourge
 * I Did What I Had to Do: One of his quotes when clicked on is "We do what we must."
 * I Have Your Wife: Sylvanas kidnaps his daughter and threatens to turn her into a Forsaken if he doesn't surrender. He does, outraging Ivar Bloodfang.
 * Memetic Badass: He cleaves with HIS FISTS
 * Left Hanging: His fate at the conclusion of the worgen starting experience for Alliance players; His fate after the events of Silverpine Forest for Horde players.
 * Oh Crap: Upon completing the quest "Last Stand" and returning to Darius Crowley, the player receives this chilling warning:


 * Our Werewolves Are Different
 * Nobility That Actually Does Something
 * Rebel Leader: Leader of the Northgate rebellion against Greymane and later the Gilneas Liberation Front against the Forsaken occupation of Silverpine Forest.
 * Redheaded Hero
 * Sword and Gun: Before he switches to Power Fists in Silverpine Forest.

Falstad Wildhammer


Formerly Falstad Dragonreaver. High Thane of the Wildhammer clan and currently the Wildhammer representative on the Council of Three Hammers. -
 * Badass
 * Bald of Awesome
 * Canon Immigrant: Originated from Warcraft: Day of the Dragon.
 * Drop the Hammer
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same: Not quite in the case of him and the Wildhammer clan.
 * Shock and Awe
 * Wolfpack Boss: Now fights alongside Moira and Muradin.

Fandral Staghelm


Leader of druids and Cenarion Circle while Malfurion was trapped in the Emerald Dream, and the one responsible for planting Teldrassil, the second World Tree (against Malfurion's advice) after Nordrassil fell in the war. During his reign as head of the druids, he was in a constant power-struggle with Tyrande over the question of who should be ruling the night elves. Fandral was the leader in the war of Shifting Sands that prevented the silithid taking over Kalimdor, at the cost of his son, Valstann, who was brutally executed right in front of him. Since his son's death, he has sworn to bring him back in any way possible.

In the events of the Stormrage novel, it was revealed that Fandral was in fact responsbile for poisoning Malfurion and trapping him in the Emerald Dream. He was being manipulated by a conjured image of his son; it was at the image's behest to poison Malfurion and grow Teldrassil in the first place. After the vision was broken, Fandral fell into madness and lost his mind. He has since been put under the care of the Wardens in Mount Hyjal.

In the upcoming patch 4.1, Fandral has confirmed to be. -
 * A Pupil of Mine Until He Turned to Evil: Is Malfurion's student.
 * Cool Old Guy: He's 9,000 years old by the time of WoW.
 * Fantastic Racism: Believes that only night elves are only true druids and superior to other races, even after they lost their immortality.
 * Freudian Excuse: The Silithus quest chain sure show how he Took a Level in Jerkass.
 * Generation Xerox:.
 * Heroic BSOD: He gets a bad one in Cataclysm, though probably players like it since it would mean he is replaced by the more likeable Broll Bearmantle in Darnassus.
 * Jerkass: He's cold and arrogant to everyone and his hot blooded temper has caused him to get into lots of conflicts with both Malfurion and Tyrande.
 * Love Makes You Evil:.
 * Unwitting Pawn: The whole disaster around Teldrassil's creation is because
 * Walking Shirtless Scene: He only wears a shirt in Silithus flashbacks. Just take a look.
 * Love Makes You Evil:.
 * Unwitting Pawn: The whole disaster around Teldrassil's creation is because
 * Walking Shirtless Scene: He only wears a shirt in Silithus flashbacks. Just take a look.
 * Unwitting Pawn: The whole disaster around Teldrassil's creation is because
 * Walking Shirtless Scene: He only wears a shirt in Silithus flashbacks. Just take a look.

Gelbin Mekkatorque


""Necessity is the first cousin of invention.""

The current High Tinker of the Gnomes, Geblin is a renowned inventor and is praised for his great intellect. However, during a terrible Trogg invasion, Geblin was forced to abandon the gnomes home city of Gnomergan after following the advise of his second-in-command, Mekgineer Thermaplug, and unleashing a radiation bomb to stop the troggs. The fallout from the bomb made Gnomergan uninhabitable, and poisoned many of Mekkatorque's own subjects, turning them into hideous and insane Lepper Gnomes. To make matters worse, Thermaplug took control of the city for himself and declared himself the new king.

Residing in Ironforge, Mekkatorque spent years planning to retake Gnomergan from Thermaplugg. These plans came to fruition prior to the Cataclysm, as he and a vast of gnomes army marched upon the city. While they were successful in recapturing the surface areas, they were unable to succeed in taking the deeper levels of the city. While still not fully content with their situation, Mekkatorque is happy with their progress, and one day hopes to have their home back fully in his grasp. -
 * Arch Enemy: His Treacherous Advisor Thermaplugg who tricked him into irradiating his home.
 * Badass Bookworm
 * Badass Mustache
 * Cruel Mercy: In "Cut Short".
 * Don't You Dare Pity Me!: Like the rest of gnome kind, finds being pitied by the dwarves to be unbearable, and thus resolves to retake Gnomeregan.
 * Doomed Hometown
 * Evil Former Friend: Thermaplugg
 * My Greatest Failure: Trusting Thermaplugg during the trogg invasion.
 * Roaring Rampage of Revenge
 * "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Gives one to Thermaplugg at the end of their confrontation in "Cut Short," after explaining where he had gone wrong in the past.
 * Took a Level in Badass: Looks to the case in the retaking of Gnomeregan.
 * Unwitting Pawn: And Sicco Thermaplugg wasn't even convincing!

King Genn Greymane


""Damn the orcs, damn the Alliance, and damn you! The last thing Gilneas needs is sponges from other nations drawing from our resources, Dalaran wizards meddling with our affairs, and someone else's enemies killing our soldiers! Gilneas is its own nation and it always will be. This is the last time I'll ever talk to you, Terenas, so I hope you were listening.""

King of Gilneas and formerly one of those in the Council of the Alliance of Lordaeron, which is strictly because of Enemy Mine. He later constructed the Greymane Wall in order to isolate his kingdom from the outside. He stubbornly kept the gates shut even as refugees from the war or the Scourge desperately begged to be let in to have a place of refuge. While the wall has successfully kept the Scourge and other enemies at bay, it still did not prevent the Worgen curse from coming in where it did most of its damage. He finally agreed to rejoin the Alliance following the breach of the wall by the Horde and the help from the Night Elves in controlling the Worgen curse. - "Varian Wrynn: "Greymane only complains to hear the sound of his own voice.""
 * The Atoner
 * Authority Equals Asskicking
 * Badass Abnormal
 * Badass Grandpa
 * Badass Longcoat: As depicted in official art. This does not carry into Cataclysm itself due to the limitations of the player character models and would require a unique model like that of Varian Wrynn's to work.
 * BFS: Wields a two-handed sword in Cataclysm.
 * Break the Haughty: His isolationism caused his people to become cursed, forcing him to turn to the very people he once shunned.
 * Calling the Old Man Out: Gets this from his son in Lord of the Pack.
 * Cool Old Guy
 * Determinator: He's stubborn by nature, but the positive side of that trait is that he's also this.
 * Dual Boss: In Cataclysm, since he now stands beside Varian.
 * Fantastic Racism: Against the orcs, even moreso than Varian. How? Because the reason he chose to abandon the Alliance was because they dared to let the captured orcs (including children and other civilians) live rather than brutally slaughtering them.
 * Good Is Not Nice
 * Grumpy Old Man: As noted by Varian Wrynn.


 * Heroic BSOD: Suffers one when his son, Liam, dies in his place.
 * I Did What I Had to Do: Believes everything he has done to be for the sake and good of Gilneas, including isolating his nation.
 * Jerkass: In early adaptation, though he has mellowed out by the time of Cataclysm, thanks to the above Break the Haughty.
 * Karmic Transformation
 * Meaningful Name: Greymane, which is kind of funny, because they named him all the way back in Warcraft II, so there's almost no way that was on purpose.
 * Moral Myopia: Loves his people above all else, everybody else can go to hell for all he cares. This point of view appears to change once the Night Elves save his people.
 * Our Werewolves Are Different: Turned into a worgen like most of his people.
 * Pride
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something
 * Say My Name: "SYLVANAS!"
 * Small Name, Big Ego: Though he has certainly mellowed out in Cataclysm.
 * Sword and Gun: What official art has shown him wielding as weapons.

Jaina Proudmoore


""The currents of magic are in upheaval.""

Current ruler of Theramore Isle, and pretty much one of the few humans that believe that peace can be attained between the two factions. During Warcraft III Jaina was introduced as a young and idealistic mage, and Arthas' former girlfriend. Unfortunately, she became unable to stomach his growing corruption, and at the advice of the mysterious Prophet she led a sizable human contingent to the lost continent of Kalimdor. After a series of battles Jaina formed an alliance with the Horde and Night Elves, and fought bravely in the final conflicts of the Third War. Afterwards, she and her people founded the island city of Theramore and sought peace with the Horde.

Despite quite possibly being the most reasonable human leader, things never seem to go Jaina's way. Some time after the battle of Mount Hyjal the navy of Kul Tiras, led by her father, took over Theramore and pushed for renewed war with the reformed Horde. Jaina was unable to convince her father that the Horde had changed, and had to watch him die in battle against the Horde's champion Rexxar. In spite of her experience and foresight she is very much the junior player in the modern Alliance, compared to Stormwind and its returned king Varian Wrynn. By the time of the most recent expansion Jaina is more or less the sole Alliance leader (or at least the only one who gets any screentime) terribly interested in peace, actively defying Varian Wrynn when he seeks to wage war with the Horde. -
 * A Day in the Limelight: She's said to get more of a role in the plot for Mists of Pandaria, especially because.
 * The Archmage: As of Warcraft 3, she was considered one of the most powerful living human mages (certainly the strongest female mage among humanity).
 * Badass Bookworm: She just wants to study and pretty much 'fell in love with her hobby'.
 * Bare Your Midriff: Since her introduction in Warcraft 3, Jaina Proudmoore has always been depicted in outfits that leave her stomach bare. The only exceptions are depictions of her in events that predate Warcraft 3 and with the newest expansion Battle for Azeroth.
 * Black Magician Girl
 * Break the Cutie: In Mists of Pandaria
 * Cassandra Truth: Damnit, when will the rest of the Alliance start listening to her? She only, you know, helped save the world while (most of) the rest of them sat on their collective rears...
 * Demoted to Extra: Despite being pretty much the sole heroine left from Warcraft III who remains uncorrupted, derailed or alive, Jaina rarely gets any real respect, and her city has shifted from the capital of the modern Alliance (as the Kalimdor-centric RPG books portray it) to a tiny backwater port.
 * Honorary Aunt: To Anduin.
 * Interspecies Romance: During Mists of Pandaria, she entered a romance with Kalecgos, a dragon (though his human form is a half-elf, half-human hybrid).
 * Love Triangle: Between Arthas and Kael. Neither really won- or rather, Arthas did for a while before his Moral Event Horizon and eventual Face Heel Turn turned her away; the [Jaina's Locket] quest and interludes in Arthas: Rise of the Lich King make it pretty clear she still loved/loves him, however. And then there's Thrall.
 * Magic Mirror: She has one to communicate with Varian in The Shattering.
 * Miss Fanservice: Jaina has consistently served in this role, given that she's a beautiful young blonde woman in Stripperific attire.
 * Only Sane Woman: She pretty much is the only human politician who has any interest in peace between the Horde and Alliance. See Cassandra Truth above.
 * Plucky Girl: Even after Archimonde's "The Reason You Suck" Speech after destroying her encampments, she calmly replies with "Is talking all you demons do?" before teleporting away.
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: Given that she helped establish Theramore from a refugee population, this trope probably applies.
 * Self-Made Orphan: A rare non-evil example. Jaina Proudmoore is more or less directly responsible for her father's murder, even if she didn't kill him herself and still hoped he could be reasoned with. Not that the Knight Templar - General Ripper didn't have it coming...
 * Ship Tease: See Thrall's. Also add "Jaina looks like the human girl that cared for Thrall when he's young."
 * Ship Sinking: At least this one given that Thrall is now Happily Married
 * She gets one with Varian, too, at Icecrown Citadel.
 * Also add "Jaina looks like his dead wife", as well as the fact that her relationship with Anduin is very much that of a mother and child, furthering implications.
 * Squishy Wizard / Gameplay and Story Segregation: A rather egregious case, in-game, Jaina has more HP than King Varian Wrynn, and actually deals more damages with her physical staff attacks than her fireballs.
 * Stripperiffic: She is always seen wearing robes with an extremely low bust-line, and she's always Baring Her Midriff. Even when she's fighting demons, recapturing the Undercity, charging after The Lich King in the bowels of Icecrown Citadel, etc., ect....
 * Teleporters and Transporters: Very good at this. Also tends to do this to your tank if you try to take her down.

Khadgar


At first Medivh's apprentice, but eventually becomes one of the most powerful wizards in the world. On discovering that Medivh is possessed by Sargeras and responsible for bringing the orcs to Azeroth, Khadgar betrayed Medivh to Lothar and, together with Lothar and the half-orc Garona, slew Medivh. Unfortunately, in doing this Medivh cursed Khadgar, then a young man, to age prematurely. The newly greybearded Khadgar went on to be the representative of Dalaran to Lothar, and an advisor to Turalyon. He was ultimately the one to destroy the Dark Portal that had brought the orcs into Azeroth, ending the Second War. Afterwards he was part of the Alliance Expedition into Draenor, where he played a key role, and destroyed the Dark Portal again, this time from the Draenor side. Khadgar reappeared in The Burning Crusade, where it was revealed that he survived Draenor's destruction, made contact with the naaru, and now helps to lead the forces of good on that world. -
 * The Archmage
 * Badass Beard
 * Wizard Beard: Depending on the Artist
 * Big Brother Mentor: To Turalyon.
 * Celibate Hero: Not by choice, but as he has the body of an old man at twenty two, in "Beyond the Dark Portal" he lectures Turalyon and Alleria for denying their budding romance, as he'll never get to have the same pleasures.
 * Mr. Exposition: Summons a familiar that leads the player around Shattrath, giving background on the Aldor and the Scryers.
 * Plot-Relevant Age-Up: And how!
 * Squishy Wizard

Kurdran Wildhammer


Former High Thane of the Wildhammer clan, Kurdran joined the Alliance Expedition to Outland and was thought to have died. He turns out to have survived and returns to Azeroth in Cataclysm, helping to unite the independant Wildhammer clans of the Twilight Highlands.

As seen in Fire and Iron, Kurdran was briefly the Wildhammer representative of the Council of Three Hammers, but gave up the position to Falstad, the current High Thane of the Wildhammer clan. -
 * Badass
 * Bald of Awesome
 * Drop the Hammer
 * Manly Tears: In Fire and Iron, when he discovers one of Sky-Ree's eggs to have survived.
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same: Not quite in the case of him and the Wildhammer clan. Heavily emphasised in Fire and Iron, where the main conflict comes from the Bronzebeard dwarves' and the Dark Irons' disdain of his clan.
 * Shock and Awe
 * Shout-Out: Some believe the entire premise behind Fire and Iron is one big reference to the infamous Red Shirt Guy from Blizzcon 2010. Said Guy corrected a mistake in the Cataclysm beta, where Kudran was on the Council of Three Hammers instead of Falstad. Very soon after the event, Kudran was indeed replaced rightfully with Falstad.

Magni Bronzebeard


''Strength. Honor. I see them in you. Why have you come?''

King of Ironforge and ruler of the Bronzebeard clan. During the Third War, when he heard of the death of his brother Muradin,  he personally forged Ashbringer for Alexandros Mograine to fight against the Scourge. In Cataclysm is turned to stone in an attempt to save Ironforge from the earthquakes by activating a tablet recovered from Ulduar. -
 * Ascend To A Higher Place Of Existence: Implied in the short story Charge of the Aspects. Thrall feels a presence in the mountains of Khaz Modan that is repeating the Earthen phrase Magni said before he was turned to stone.
 * Authority Equals Asskicking
 * Badass
 * Drop the Hammer
 * Dual-Wielding
 * Heir Club for Men
 * Heroic Sacrifice: In Cataclysm.
 * I Have No Daughter: Averted. The fact that he never formally disinherited Moira in spite of her refusal to return, and still hoped that she would do, so leads to the Succession Crisis.
 * Honorary Uncle: To Anduin
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same
 * Parents as People: Loves Moira, but also wants a male heir, and admits to those closest to him that he was not the best father for her.
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: Personally lead his forces into battle during the Second War and is also a master blacksmith, having forged the Ashbringer himself.
 * Taken for Granite: In Cataclysm.
 * Ultimate Blacksmith: He forged the Ashbringer himself, harnessing all of his rage, fury and the desire of vengeance against Arthas into the blade. Kind of pointless as his brother survived,

Malfurion Stormrage


""Our sins have returned... to haunt us.""

One of the first Night Elves empowered by Cenarius, Malfurion was is renowned for being the greatest druid in the world. His rise to power in Night Elven society came after helping his people during the War of the Ancients, when the old Highbourne regime lead by Queen Azshara summoned demons into the world. Since the end of the war, the Night Elves chose to forsake the Highbourne practices of arcane magic, and instead turned to druidism and the worship of nature under Malfurion and Cenarius' guidance.

After the war, Malfurion went into a deep sleep every few hundred years to rejuvenate his druidic powers. He was awoken during one such slumber by Tyrande, when the Burning Legion's invaded of Kalimdor once more during the Third War. With the guidance of the prophet Medivh, Malfurion formed an alliegance with the Alliance and Horde to make one last stand against the Legion upon the peak of Mount Hyjal. Summoning the spirits of the ancient Night Elves, Malfurion lured the Legion's general, Archimonde, to the base of the World Tree Nordrassil, and used the spirits' power to destroy him once and for all.

Following the Battle of Mount Hyjal Malfurion once again fell into a deep sleep, but this time was different; he was trapped in the Emerald Dream against his will, and unable to escape. For years, Malfurion was tended too in his comatose state, with no-one able to contact him or find out what was happening. In reality, he was being poisoned by his pupil Fandral Staghelm, who had become leader of the Night Elves since Malfurion's coma. Fandral was stopped, and after fighting the monsters in the Emerald Dream, Malfurion escaped and returned to the waking world.

Malfurion has made his first major in-game appearance in Cataclysm, aiding new Night Elf players in stopping the elemental chaos in Darkshore, and most notably being the leader of the Cenarion Circle's defence against the servants of Ragnaros in Mount Hyjal. Though he's technically aligned with the Night Elves, he recruits both Horde and Alliance players to help defend Hyjal. -
 * Badass Beard
 * Cain and Abel: Malfurion and his brother Illidan.
 * Dull Surprise: Malfurion seldom raises his voice, and when he does his tone does not often varies.
 * Flanderization: In the books, Malfurion goes from being a bit of a controlling dick to being a pure saint.
 * Friend to All Living Things: He's the leader of the druids, and thus has a very close connection to nature, as well as considerable respect for all the races, Alliance and Horde. In fact, he isn't even flagged for PvP (which leads to some Fridge Logic that he would watch his dear wife be killed without lifting a finger).
 * Happily Married: To Tyrande.
 * I Can't Believe A Girl Like You Would Notice Me: Malfurion evidently still doesn't fully understand why Tyrande chose him over Illidan.
 * Shapeshifter Mashup: In Cataclysm, he has physical traits of all the animals druids can transform into, most prominently antlers, wings, and claws.
 * Walking Shirtless Scene

Moira Thaurissan (Formerly Bronzebeard)


The daughter of Magni Bronzebeard, she was abducted by Dagran Thaurissan. Before adventurers killed her husband, she fell in love with him and became pregnant with his child. Angry with them for the death of her husband, she refused to return to Ironforge until her father was petrified, at which point she returned to claim her throne. Varian arrived to unseat her, but spared her at Anduin's request and established the Council of Three Hammers to rule until her son comes of age. -
 * Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: She almost comes across as Affaby Evil, but Anduin realizes that much of her politeness toward him is a facade to hide her bitterness.
 * Brainwashed: Subverted hard. See More Than Mind Control below.
 * Mama Bear: Much of her motivation comes from her desire to keep Ironforge around for her son to rule.
 * More Than Mind Control: Turns out she really did love Thaurissan and respect the Dark Iron dwarves.
 * Manipulative Bitch
 * No Mister Bond I Expect You to Dine: Has dinner with Anduin, enabling him to learn much about her true personality and motivations.
 * Not Brainwashed
 * Odango Hair
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same
 * Smug Snake
 * Star-Crossed Lovers: Magni does his best to save Moira from the merciless evil Dark Dwarf Emperor. This, of course, is send adventurers to assassinate him. Only to find that she was Happily Married to the tyrant and just PLAYING at being his slave girl.
 * Stockholm Syndrome: Falls in love with Dagran Thaurissan after being abducted, believing he respected her in ways her father did not.
 * Tyrant Takes the Helm: In The Shattering, as a result of her father being petrified. Varian arrives to depose her, but when Anduin convinces him it would be a bad idea, he forms the Council of Three Hammers so she can rule responsibly.
 * Wolfpack Boss: She fights alongside Muradin and Falstad Wildhammer.

Muradin Bronzebeard


""If I didn't kick so much ass, I'd feel a tad awkward.""

Not to be confused with the God of Dwarves in Dungeons & Dragons.

Muradin is probably one of the more well known dwarves in the Warcraft Universe. He was friends with Arthas, at least while he was still sane. He later leaves in an expedition to search for the mythical blade Frostmourne, and later ends up meeting Arthas who sought the same sword, but he has much more sinister agenda behind his search. Muradin accompanied him, but grew increasingly disturbed with his twisted change. When they came upon Frostmourne, Muradin realized that the blade is evil and cursed and opted to abandon it. But Arthas, already insane, pulled out the sword, sacrificing Muradin as the ice blocks surrounding it crushed him. Muradin is dead...

OR IS HE!?!?

Turns out he got better. Unfortunately, he suffered amnesia as a result, and was found by the Frostborn dwarves. Despite being amnesiac, Muradin helped them out by slaying a jormungar that assaulted their home. Grateful, they adopted him as their leader (despite their skin color difference) and gave him the name 'Yorg Stormheart'. He led the dwarves until he is eventually reunited with his brother and resolved to fix his mistake opposing Arthas.

After the Shattering, with Magni being a bit preoccupied, Muradin serves as the leader of Ironforge and represents the Bronzebeard dwarves on the Council of Three Hammers in Magni's place. -
 * Asskicking Equals Authority: Yorg Stormheart was made leader of the Frostborn Dwarves because of his ability to kick ass--giant, rock-eating, acid-spewing worm ass.
 * Badass: Slay a monster while being amnesiac.
 * Badass Beard
 * Cool Helmet
 * Dual-Wielding
 * Foil: To Saurfang as in the Gunship Rescue in Icecrown.
 * Helmets Are Hardly Heroic: Averted in Warcraft III and in Icecrown Citadel, where he always wears a helmet.
 * Laser-Guided Amnesia
 * Not Quite Dead
 * Our Dwarves Are All the Same
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something: He is the brother of the former king so he qualifies.
 * Unexplained Recovery
 * Wolfpack Boss: In Cataclysm he fights alongside Falstad and Moira.

Farseer Nobundo


Once a vindicator, Nobundo was one of the draenei that fought the orcs at Shattrath. He and a few others survived, but were terribly disfigured and lost their ability to contact the Light due to a mysterious demonic curse. After being exiled for fear of their condition being contagious, Nobundo was contacted by the elements of Draenor and became the first draenei Shaman. He and the other "Broken" were eventually accepted back into draenei society, and Nobundo began to instruct others in shamanism. -
 * All of the Other Reindeer: The uncorrupted draenei deliberately isolate the Broken, and the adoption of shamanism ("an orcish practice") is not received well at first.
 * Handicapped Badass: Aside from being a Broken, he seems to be somewhat arthritic, and was injured in the siege of Shattrath.
 * Heroic Sacrifice / Self-Sacrifice Scheme: He and the others at Shattrath only stayed behind to trick the orcs (and Kil'jaeden) into believing that all the draenei were dead.
 * Look What I Can Do Now!: The moment that he stands up to the draenei opposing him.
 * Shell-Shocked Veteran: Complete with nightmares, though he seemed to be getting better by the end of Unbroken.

Terenas Menethil II


"My son, the day you were born, the very forests of Lordaeron whispered the name Arthas. My child, I watched with pride as you grew into a weapon of righteousness. Remember, our line has always ruled with wisdom and strength. And I know you will show restraint when exercising your great power. But the truest victory, my son, is stirring the hearts of your people. I tell you this, for when my days have come to an end, you shall be King."

The king of Lordaeron and one of the primary founders of the Alliance. When Lothar brought the refugees of Stormwind with him north to Lordaeron, Terenas immediately called for all of the neighbouring kings to unite as the Alliance. After the Second War had been won, Terenas took over as its leader for years to follow. During the Third War, he ignored Medivh's prophecy of the Burning Legion's coming, dismissing him as "rambling prophet". As a plague had presumably struck the northern parts of Lordaeron, he sent his son, Prince Arthas, to investigate, who found out that an undead army, the Scourge, was behind it all. After Arthas returned from Northrend, he was killed immediately by the now corrupted Arthas, who promptly destroyed the lands he had ruled for over 50 years. Alas, he did not get to taste the swift release of death. His soul was bound within Frostmourne, alongside many others.

In Wrath of the Lich King, Terenas provides the ironic narration of the expansion's opening. He also plays a major part as a soul in the fall of the Lich King, where he taunts the Lich King that his end comes and -
 * Chekhov's Gunman: He died in Warcraft III and provided the ironic narration for Wrath of the Lich King, but beyond that, few expected him to play a role of particular importance in the present. Fast forward to the last patch of the expansion...
 * Dead Person Conversation: Has one with Arthas, then much later Tirion in the final patch of Wrath of the Lich King. It's also implied he regularly talks with Arthas at other times, like the narration in the Wrath of the Lich King opening cinematic.
 * Dramatic Irony: His quote is from him narrating the opening of Wrath of the Lich King.
 * Non-Action Guy: According to Tides of Darkness, contradicted by the now uncanon RPG and in World of Warcraft, look at The Paladin entry.
 * The Paladin: According to the RPG and to World of Warcraft, Terenas is a paladin, contradicting his Non-Action Guy status in Tides of Darkness.
 * Reasonable Authority Figure: Slightly arguable, he mostly proves unreasonable when Medivh comes to him, but even then, he had reasons to easily dismiss him as the rambling prophet he thought he was.

Turalyon


One of the founding members of the Order of the Silver Hand and so first paladins, Turalyon was Lothar's protégé, and served as his second-in-command through the Second War. While fighting the orcs, Turalyon nonetheless struggled to reconcile them with his religious beliefs; how could the Light be all-embracing and all people essentially good while the evil of the orcish Horde existed? By the end of the Second War he finally resolved these doubts, and in turn led the Alliance Expedition into Draenor, the orc homeworld. There Turalyon helped to save Azeroth from destruction again, though he was thought lost when Draenor was destroyed. He was discovered to have survived in The Burning Crusade; while not present in the game, his son, a half-elf paladin, was discovered alive in the remnants of Draenor. -
 * Badass: The Alliance player base considers him this.
 * Badass Army: He ends up being the leader of one.
 * Badass Preacher: Was a priest before being a paladin, in fact he prefers to be a priest because he doesn't have to deal with the horrors of war which leads to:
 * Beware the Nice Ones: He prefers to help people in need, build, cure and chat with orphans than smashing orc skulls. Not that he is incompetent in the later.
 * Badass Unintentional: He never planed to be the leader which decided the fate of the world for the next 30 or so years and in essence saved the world twice. Lothar knew better.
 * Hair of Gold
 * I Just Want to Be Normal: He runs an orphanage after the war.
 * Interspecies Romance: With Alleria Windrunner.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * Never Found the Body: After Draenor's destruction.
 * Number Two: To Lothar.
 * The Paladin
 * Pillar of Light: When he uses his holy powers. In the battle with Doomhammer, he was glowing so brightly that the surrounding orcs couldn't bear to look at him. Normally the light is blinding to his enemies but is inspiring and gentle to his allies.
 * Player Character: Turalyon is the player in the Alliance campaign of Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.
 * Put on a Bus: Turalyon has been missing since the events of Beyond the Dark Portal. Word of God has confirmed he's still alive, but he doesn't show up until the Legion expansion, where it's revealed he's a high-ranking officer in the Army of the Light.
 * White Magic

Tyrande Whisperwind


""Elune, give me strength.""

High Priestess of Elune and official head of the Night Elf government. Tyrande is the passionate, and occasionally rash, leader of the night elf Sentinels. She is also the High Priestess of the Moon, and worships Elune with total submission and adoration. She loves Malfurion Stormrage and will do almost anything to help or protect him. Tyrande is a caring soul at her core, and is willing to do anything to protect those she loves and is sworn to protect - which these days means the entire kaldorei race. She is decisive, and may take courses of action that others find disagreeable, but always has the well being of Kalimdor at the forefront of her thoughts. Illidan once observed that she looked like a goddess herself in her war regalia, a compliment Tyrande was reluctant to accept, given her initially peaceful nature. Tyrande is in many ways the perfect avatar for Elune on Azeroth: she is a caring and gentle soul when she needs to be, but is willing to do whatever it takes to protect her home and her people. Tyrande was originally daunted by her task, but found the strength needed to adapt with the support of her beloved Malfurion.

She is highly suspicious of outsiders from other races, and only rarely volunteers advice or assistance to them. The most she will offer to do for visitors is to provide a small escort of archers or huntresses to guide them, as well as to secretly keep tabs on them and prevent them from despoiling her homeland in any way. As she grows to know outsiders better, she tends to open up more to them and can become quite friendly. She often develops a deep respect and camaraderie with anyone who fights side-by-side with her on the battlefield, and appreciates the assistance of strangers even if she doesn't display or communicate that appreciation very well. -
 * The Archer: She fought with a bow in Warcraft III and had an ice arrow spell. In Well of Eternity, she uses a bow until she runs out of arrows, but most of the relevant mechanics are her using Elune's blessing.
 * Badass in Distress: At the end of the Night Elf campaign of The Frozen Throne.
 * Chainmail Bikini: Finally receiving a new model after seven years of a flimsy gown, Tyrande now has a Chainmail Bikini. She really only wears a few pieces of ornate armor, her best protected regions being her midriff and shins.
 * Combat Stilettos: After her new model upgrade.
 * Defrosting Ice Queen: In Reign of Chaos, was somewhat cold and distrustful of others, which Malfurion notes was different than how he remembers her.
 * Demoted to Extra: In World of Warcraft. At the end of Cataclysm she makes appearances in the time-traveling adventures leading to Deathwing's demise, as a boss in End Time and as an ally in Well of Eternity
 * Does Not Like Shoes: Throughout World of Warcraft, she has been dressed as a rather generic night elf priestess, wearing a simple gown and barefoot. Averted in late Cataclysm as she received a new model. Tyrande now wears jewelry, elaborate armor plates, and sandals with greaves.
 * Don't Call Me "Sir"!: Does not like some of the people closest to her, such as Shandris and Jarod Shadowsong, referring to her by her Priestess title. Calling her queen infuriates her, as it reminds her of Azshara.
 * Fantastic Racism: Tyrande was quite a bigot in Warcraft III. At one point she killed a paladin because she felt "his presence defiled the forest."
 * He Who Fights Monsters: Her biggest fear. Like Queen Azshara before her, Tyrande is a respected, beloved leader with incredible gifts. Queen Azshara eventually grew proud, caused the invasion of the Burning Legion, and became Queen of the Naga. You might be a tad worried about turning into her, too.
 * Honor Before Reason
 * Lady of War
 * Single Woman Seeks Good Man: She and Malfurion is one of the better examples in the lore.
 * Well-Intentioned Extremist: At first when she led the Night Elf sentinels to fight the allied Horde and Alliance troops that are otherwise fighting the Scourge and the Burning Legion. She slowly turned away from this after Malfurion was awakened.
 * You Shall Not Pass: Tyrande holds off an army of Undead to give the rest of the Night Elves and the Blood Elves a chance to escape them in The Frozen Throne. Leads into Badass in Distress.

Uther The Lightbringer


"Remember, Arthas, we are paladins. Vengeance cannot be a part of what we must do. If we allow our passions to turn to bloodlust, then we will become as vile as the Orcs"

First paladin ever and founder of the Order of the Silver Hand, Uther the Lightbringer became one of the greatest heroes during the Second War of Azeroth. Prior to the events of Warcraft III, Uther took Prince Arthas Menethil as his apprenctice, hoping that he would grow into a benevolent and powerful paladin, but he had to watch in horror how he slowly became the champion of the Lich King, who slayed King Terenas, his own father and a personal friend of Uther, and finally Uther himself. Uther is remembered as one of the greatest heroes of the Alliance, right behind Lothar. -
 * A Father to His Men: Many characters and fellow paladins imply that Uther really cared for his men.
 * Authority Equals Asskicking: Not only the Grand Master of the Paladin Order, but also the most powerful.
 * Badass Beard: In Warcraft III.
 * Badass Cape
 * Badass Grandpa: *sigh* "I'm getting too old for this."
 * Dead Person Conversation: In Wrath of the Lich King, the player character, along with Jaina or Sylvanas, has one of these with the spirit of Uther in the Halls of Reflection. It's Uther who first gives the warning that there must always be a Lich King, lest the Scourge will run rampant and out of control.
 * Drop the Hammer: And perhaps because of him, it became the Paladin's weapon of choice.
 * Knight in Shining Armor
 * The Messiah
 * Mighty Glacier: Combat-wise is slow like every paladin, but can endure a lot of pain.
 * Old Soldier
 * Perma-Stubble: Young Uther in Warcraft II.
 * The Paladin: First of them, in fact.
 * Spell My Name with an "S": In Warcraft II his name was given as Uther Lightbringer, no 'the'.
 * White Magic

Varian Wrynn


""I am the King of Stormwind and no one - not the naga, nor the Scourge, nor the fiery lords of the Burning Legion - will keep me from my people!""

The King of Stormwind, Varian was only a young prince when the orcs invaded and ransacked his kingdom during the events of the First War. His father was killed before his eyes, and he was forced to flee to the kingdom of Lordaeron to ask for assistance in dealing with the orcish threat. Ever since then, he’s held a fierce vendetta against the orcs.

After the Second War, he returned to Stormwind as its king. Numerous political events made his early years as ruler difficult. The corrupt House of Nobles refused to play the Stonemasons working on Stormwind’s reconstruction, and the riots that resulted killed his wife, leaving Varian a widower and a single father to his son Anduin (yes, named after Lothar).

Following the events of the Third War (which Stormwind was unable to participate in due to its own internal troubles), Varian attempted to meet with the leaders of the re-established Horde in Kalimdor. However, he was abducted on the way to the summit, and for the first few years of WoW’s life, he was MIA. His fate was later revealed in the |comics: he was abducted by the black dragon Onyxia and spit into two separate personalities. The first personality – the one representative of his dominance and strong will – lost most of his memories, and was captured by an orc slaver and trained as a gladiator, who quickly earned the name "Lo'gosh". The other half – Varian’s cooler and more diplomatic side – returned to Stormwind, but was under the control of Onyxia in her human form, Lady Katrana Prestor. Eventually, Lo’gosh found out his true identity, returned to Stormwind, and exposed Onyxia. The two Varians chased Onyxia back to her lair, one of her spells caused them to merge back into one, and the now- sole Varian slew the black dragon.

Varian returned in-game in time for the events owf Wrath of the Lich King. After the Lich King’s attack on Stormwind, he launched the invasion of Northrend and became the Supreme Commander of the Alliance’s combined forces. However, things took a turn for the worse during the battle at Angrathar, the Wrath Gate, when Varian’s leading general and good friend Bolvar Fordragon died at the hands of a surprise attack by the Forsaken. Enraged by his friend’s unnecessary death, Varian blamed the Horde, and swore that he would not rest until the orcs and their allies were wiped off the face of the earth.

Varian has been a very controversial figure since his introduction into the game, both in-universe and to the fanbase. Many Alliance players praise him for being the first unifying leader the Alliance has had since the game's launch, and for his more hard-line stance against the Horde's aggression. However, a number of players from both factions find his aggressiveness to the Horde bordering on unreasonable, and believe that he pushes the boundaries of his reign as a result of his anger. In-universe, his allies are also divided based on how they view going to war with the Horde, as well as more personal conflicts with him.

In the Mists of Pandaria expansion, according to Word of God, Varian will be set up as the "High King" of the Alliance, in a role similar to Lothar and Turalyon before him. - ""A gladiator's life is simple: You win and live, or lose and die. A king's life is more complex. The only truth for a king is that there are no easy answers.""
 * All There in the Manual: The |Comics go into a bit more detail for Varian's reason for his hate for the Horde other than just Fordragon's death. He and Thrall did attempt to have a diplomatic peace treaty, which ended disastrously after
 * To further clarify,
 * Animal Stereotypes: Often compared to a wolf for his ferocity and protectiveness, and the orcs and tauren nicknamed him Lo'gosh, after a revered wolf ancient.
 * Anti-Hero: Type III. He's fighting to protect his people, and has sought peace numerous times, but does not hesitate to go Lo'gosh on somebody's ass when appropriate.
 * Authority Equals Asskicking
 * Badass Normal
 * Berserk Button: Do not harm or threaten Anduin's life in any way, or his reaction will be very unpleasant. On a more minor note, is also a sore spot for him.
 * Blood Knight: Lo'gosh, at least, would be perfecly happy as a gladiator for life if he didn't have responsibilities as a king and father.
 * Blood Sport: He was a gladiatorial slave for a while.
 * The Brigadier: King Varian leads from the front, so there's that to admire about him.
 * The Chains of Commanding: So much that he sometimes expresses a desire to be back in the Crimson Ring.

"Genn: Never- never have I nor any of my warriors acted so basely! The bravery of Gilneas- Varian: "Bravery"? The definition must be different in Gilneas from what it is in most other lands... the very opposite, I'd say."
 * Character Development: After his return, he works on getting his temperamental and warlike Lo'gosh side under control.
 * Combat Pragmatist: Varian does value honor and dignity, but he's not above fighting dirty.
 * Cool Sword: It's called Shalamayne and is made from two swords which were fused together when both his halves were fused back. In World of Warcraft, he dual wielded it and a copy of the sword, until Blizzard realized their mistake in patch 3.3.3.
 * Deadpan Snarker: Much more in lore than in-game.


 * He's particularly prone to snarking as and under the influence of Lo'Gosh.
 * Determinator
 * Double Standard Rape (Sci Fi): It's all but made explicit that Katrana Prestor/Onyxia was having sex with Varian while she was controlling his mind. Never explored in canon, probably thankfully.
 * Expy: To Ragnar Blackmane from the Warhammer40000 universe. Both are hot headed, "young kings", have wolf motiffs, sports a ponytail... here is a photo for comparison:
 * Foil: Stated to be an "Anti-Thrall." Both have similar backstories but practice very different politics.
 * Freudian Excuse: A lot of his hatred towards the Horde comes from the various misdeeds committed by them towards Stormwind and the Alliance.
 * Gladiator Revolt
 * Heterosexual Life Partners: First with Arthas, then with Bolvar.
 * Improvised Weapon: The piece of Deathwing's armor in Blood of Our Fathers.
 * Jerkass/JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Sort of more one or the other depending on which personality is dominant at the moment. Jaina specifically notes in The Shattering that the Lo'Gosh half of Varian will do anything to gain ground, including fighting dirty. However, he does often force back his own harsh desires for the greater good, and is a very loving father to Anduin.
 * Lantern Jaw of Justice
 * Laser-Guided Amnesia
 * Manly Tears: When the Player Character brought to him Bolvar's shield, he did shed a Single Tear.
 * Never Speak Ill of the Dead: Gets angry when Anduin says that.
 * Papa Wolf: "The dragons have my son, and I want him back!"
 * In The Shattering, Anduin is briefly held captive when  enforces martial law in Ironforge and bascially puts the whole city on lockdown. After making sure his son is alright, Varian breaks into the city with around 20 SI:7 agents, kills any of her guards that so much as look at him wrong, drags her out of her room with a knife held so close to her throat that he actually cuts her while her infant son screams in the background, and almost publicly executes her before Anduin shows up to stop him.
 * Parents as People: His temper and warlike ways often drive a rift between himself and Anduin, leading to Anduin often leaving for stretches of time (to visit and train in Ironforge, under Varian's suggestion, and to study under Velen, as Anduin's own decision) and he realizes that he's not the best father.
 * Perma-Stubble: Depending on the Artist.
 * Pet the Dog: "Let a grieving father pass."
 * Rightful King Returns: "Hey! The king's back!"
 * Roaring Rampage of Revenge: Twice because Anduin was kidnapped (the second time ended when Anduin himself stopped him) and another when he heard of Bolvar's death in the hands of Putress.
 * Royals Who Actually Do Something
 * Shonen Hair
 * Split Personality: Exaggerated. Onyxia couldn't charm him due to his strong will, so she split him into two people: one calm and submissive and one hotheaded and dominant, and she attempts to kill the second half. Eventually, they are reunited and subsequently merged. In The Shattering, it is implied that they are becoming seperated again and that Lo'gosh has more control than Varian would like.
 * "The Reason You Suck" Speech: Lo'Gosh gives Jaina one in The Shattering, calling her "weak" for continuing to vouch for peace despite everything the Horde's done.
 * Vocal Evolution: Varian's voice in Mists of Pandaria is much calmer than before, fitting his more subdued personality as of the Wolfheart novel.
 * Warrior Prince: Or Warrior King.
 * You Killed My Father: Garona did it in front of his eyes; her Berserker Tears only adds to his confusion.

Prophet Velen


The only one of the three Eredar lords approached by Sargeras to reject his offer of power. He has a gift of prophecy that allowed him to see exactly where that path would lead, and with the help of the naaru, beings of pure Light, he led the like-minded draenei (Eredun for "exiles") into becoming interdimensional refugees. -
 * Badass Grandpa: Albeit of a more cerebral/spiritual bent.
 * Cain and Abel: A line made at the Sunwell Plateau implies he and Kil'jaeden are brothers. This is almost certainly figurative, but even so.
 * Cassandra Truth: Kil'jaeden and Archimonde don't believe him even when he psychically shares his vision with them. It's what makes him realize that they're too far gone.
 * Elderly Immortal: While he's not the only draenei who remembers Argus (Velen's Immortality has been recently confirmed, and all uncorrupted draenei are known to be either The Ageless or just ridiculously Long Lived), he's one of the few who actually looks old.
 * Good Shepherd: In a way. He chose exile and "betray" someone he loved as a brother rather than see all of his race changed into demons. Also in his backstory he heals people once he understands he needs to live more in the now than in the past or the future.
 * The Messiah: For the Draenei.
 * Prophecies Are Always Right
 * Self-Fulfilling Prophecy: A godlike being went willingly into torturous enslavement because Velen knew it would happen.
 * Odd Friendship: With Lady Liadrin during the Sunwell event and Illidan Stormrage in Legion.
 * White Magic
 * Wizard Beard
 * You Can't Go Home Again: Because there are a bunch of demons there that want to kill you horribly. And it's not fully clear that his people even have a home to go back to (considering the damage the Orc warlocks did to Draenor, one can only imagine what became of Argus).

Vincent Godfrey


A very ambitious and influential noble from Gilneas, Lord Vincent Godfrey controlled the northlands of the kingdom behind the Greymane Wall. It was due to his political scheming that Gilneas ever offered any support, if only token, to the Alliance during the Second War and that the Greymane Wall cut off Darius Crowley from his lands, in a deliberate play for power. While the king saw through this, he nonetheless agreed with his proposal. Godfrey has a fierce hatred for the Worgen and fiercely defends Gilneas from them. Unfortunately, when Genn Greymane himself turned out to be one of the worgen, he tries to trade him to the Forsaken in exchange for Gilneas. The Worgen player foils this and he commits suicide by jumping off a cliff. The Forsaken later raise him as one of their own, and he proves instruemental in defeating the Gilneas Liberation Front as well as the 7th Legion. Unfortunately for the Forsaken, he held no actual loyalty to them and so, before being forced to flee to Shadowfang Keep with his companions. -
 * Ambition Is Evil
 * Aristocrats Are Evil
 * Better to Die Than Be Killed: Commits suicide after his allies are defeated.
 * Came Back Wrong
 * Chronic Backstabbing Disorder: First he betrays Gilneas by capturing Genn Greymane, promising to hand him over if the Forsaken let Gilneas alone, a deal very unlikely to go through. After he is foiled, he commits suicide, before being raised as a Forsaken, betraying Gilneas for real. After essentially winning the battle for Silverpine Forest for the Forsaken, he, before running off with his companions and taking over Shadowfang Keep.
 * Driven to Suicide: But it didn't last.
 * Evil Old Folks: Once he becomes undead, at least.
 * Face Heel Turn: Twice without ever doing a Heel Face Turn!
 * Fantastic Racism: Despises the worgen.
 * Good Is Not Nice: Though the good side of him is definitely arguable, he at least seems to care for Gilneas, fiercely defending it until he learns that Genn has become a worgen.
 * Guns Akimbo: He starts using this once he becomes undead.
 * Jerkass: Mostly towards the player and Crowley, both of which he doesn't like. The player for becoming a worgen, and Crowley for being a rebel and political rival before that.
 * Necromancer: Somehow learns necromancy after becoming undead.
 * Nice Hat
 * Royal Rapier: His main weapon before his death and resurrection as one of the Forsaken.
 * Scary Shiny Glasses
 * Smug Snake
 * The Strategist: Seems likely to be one.
 * The Strategist: Seems likely to be one.