King Anduin Wrynn has gone through so much throughout the story ofWorld of Warcraft.He was once the Prince of Stormwind until his father, King Varian Wrynn, tragically fell at the hands of alternate timeline Gul’dan inLegion. Now, he must command the armies of the Alliance against all that threaten its existence and life on Azeroth.
King Anduin Wrynn recently made an appearance inWorld of Warcraft: Shadowlands, where he was corrupted by the Jailer and forced to do his bidding, In the Sepulcher of the First ones raid, he was able to break free of this control with the help of King Varian Wrynn and Varok Saurfang’s words guiding him. He was not always in this position, as he was once Prince Anduin Wrynn; prince of Stormwind and priest of light.
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Early Life
Anduin Llane Wrynn was born in year 15 to King Varian Wrynn and Queen Tiffin Ellerian. He was named after the Alliance champion, Anduin Lothar, with his middle name coming from his grandfather, Llane Wrynn. When he was just a baby,Arthas Menethil came to Stormwindto meet him. As he grew older, Anduin would sneak into the map room and play with the various figures strewn across the map.
At the end of the Third War, Anduin convinced his father to meet with Warchief Thrall to discuss the Horde and Alliance relations. However, Varian would never make it and instead waskidnaped by the Defias Brotherhood. Anduin was forced to take up the crown in his father’s absence to maintain order in Stormwind City.
The 10-Year-Old King
At just 10 years old, Prince Anduin Wrynn gained the title of King. Withthe help of Highlord Bolvar Fordragonand Lady Katrana Prestor, Anduin was able to calm the peoples' nerves over their missing king. During his reign, he provided funds for research and learning, making many writings and tomes available to the public. His father returned and took back the crown, but the father that came back was not the father that left.
Anduin quickly became suspect of the King Varian Wrynn that came back to rule Stormwind. He was not interested in the people, as he only wanted to spend the peoples' money, causing Anduin to become distressed. When the real Varian marched through the streets of Stormwind, Lady Prestor revealed her true form, which was that ofthe black drake Onyxia. After a great battle, she kidnaped Anduin and fled to her lair.
Anduin was able to cut through the ropes that restrained him and evaded Onyxia’s guards. He hid in a small crevice where Onyxia’s forces could not get to him and waited until Varian arrived.Onyxia captured Anduin againand threatened to kill him if Varian did not surrender. Of course, Varian did not agree to these demands, and a fight ensued that allowed Anduin to escape to safety. Varian became whole again and killed Onyxia, reunited with his son, and marched the army back to Stormwind.
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Cataclysm
Anduin Wrynn was absent for muchofThe Burning CrusadeandWrath of the Lich King. BeforeCataclysm, Anduin watched as his father constantly took aggressive stances that could lead to death. He came to realize that everything his father did was for the betterment of the Alliance and to preserve Anduin’s future, a task that Anduin would have to undertake one day.
King Varian Wrynn wanted Anduinto become a warrior like him, but Anduin had other plans, and he vowed to be compassionate and understanding. He became more concerned about preserving life than he did about showing strength, and because of this King Varian considered him soft. He allowed Anduin to study in Theramore under Jaina Proudmoore, even if he did not believe in the route Anduin was taking.
Anduin also tookthe role of a Stormwind diplomatin the dwarf capital of Ironforge. While in Ironforge, Anduin discovered that his true calling in life was to become a priest devoted to the Holy Light. He witnessed much of the destruction reaped by Deathwing duringCataclysmand even lost a close friend in Aerin. After Moira Thaurissan claimed the throne of Ironforge, King Varian Wrynn led an operation to assassinate her. Anduin intervened and convinced his father to spare her life and instead help her become a better leader, which led to the formation of the Council of Three Hammers.
After being the target of one of King Varian’s violent outbursts, Anduin left Stormwind City and embarked on a journey with Velen to learn more about the light. He helped human refugees on the Exodar who had fled from the destruction of the cataclysm.During this time, Velen told him of the impending destruction thatThe Burning Legion would causeand that the cataclysm paled in comparison.
Eventually,Anduin returned to Stormwind Citybut was disgusted by the fact his father still ruled with anger. King Varian and Anduin were attacked by Twilight’s Hammer assassins and Varian was dealt a deadly blow. Anduin prayed to the light and infused Varian with energy, bringing him back from the brink of death. This changed Varian, as he declared that healers are needed instead of warriors and that the world must be mended. Anduin joined his father’s side with pride.
Mists of Pandaria
DuringMists of Pandaria, Anduin provided assistance for Alliance adventurers throughout their time on Pandaria. He convinced his father to help him protect Pandaria instead of destroying it through war. During this time,Garrosh Hellscream increasingly caused more destructionand death across Pandaria while the Alliance tried to stop him.
With the help of Alliance adventurers, Anduin reassembledthe Harmonic Mallet and confronted Garrosh. He pled with Garrosh to stop this madness, but Garrosh did not care and instead used the Divine Bell to turn his forces into Sha. Using the Mallet, Anduin cleansed the Bell and stunned Garrosh. Garrosh recovered and destroyed the bell, causing the rubble to fall on Anduin, and left him for dead. The Alliance retrieved Anduin’s broken body from the rubble and Velen helped heal him, but he was left with severe pain that will only increase with age.
For the rest ofMists of Pandaria,Anduin healed up and only provided small assistance to the player. He accompanied the player when they confronted Wrathion and traveled to the Timeless Isles. He also witnessed the fall of Garrosh and his impending trial, as he was the fourth witness called and recounted the events of the Divine Bell. He wanted to understand Garrosh’s actions, but he would never understand.
The Death of His Father in Legion
Anduin did not participate inWarlords of Draenorbut became a major player inLegion. King Varian Wrynn led the Alliance forces to the Broken Shore in hopes that they could stopThe Burning Legion before it destroyed Azeroth. However, Varian lost his life to the alternate timeline Gul’dan, and the Alliance forces were forced to flee.
Anduin Wrynn was forced to take up the mantle of king and prepared the Alliance for The Burning Legion invasion. Thus, the reign of King Anduin Wrynn began, and he would become instrumental inLegion,Battle for Azeroth, and nowShadowlands. He would go on to help destroy The Burning Legion, dethrone Sylvanas Windrunner, andenact The Jailer’s will. Now, he struggles with the aftermath of all he said and did as a victim of The Jailer, an event that will no doubt shape his future inWorld of Warcraft.
