High King
- "Trials of the High King" redirects here. For the Mogu'shan Palace encounter, see Trial of the King.
“Hm. I used to think that leadership was all about strength. I see things more clearly now - It's a little bit of give, a little bit of take. It's about binding people together. A bundle of sticks is not easily broken.”
High King is a title used by the leaders of various races. Within the modern Alliance, they are the commander of all Alliance forces;[2] much like the Warchief of the Horde, it is a position that is trying to coordinate the actions of all the races in the Alliance.[3]
Alliance high kings
Role and authority
The role is not about faction-wide political control,[4] but something related to military control similar to Anduin Lothar's former position as Supreme Allied Commander.[5] The High King only has control over the forces given to him, and leaders who don't like his calls can choose not to commit their forces.[6][7] Even so, it proved to be hereditary, as Anduin Wrynn became the second High King after the death of his father Varian.
Varian Wrynn
As tensions between the Horde and the Alliance exploded in Pandaria, Varian served as a mediator for the first time, tempering the cold tactics of war with an eye toward creating a lasting peace. Although only two trials were implemented, including A Little Patience and Blood in the Snow scenarios, the Trials of the High King showed how Varian banded the Alliance together and ultimately led them to victory during the Alliance-Horde war. This culminated in the Siege of Orgrimmar with the help of a Horde rebellion. Varian's success solidified his position as high king, the commander of all Alliance forces.[2] The High King's resolve was eventually tested by the actions of Garrosh Hellscream, but Varian refrained from killing the former warchief, allowing the orc to stand trial for his crimes.[8]
Anduin Wrynn
In the aftermath of third invasion of the Burning Legion, the citizens of Stormwind and the Alliance lost their leader, while Anduin lost his father and some of his innocence, as he was entrusted with the command of the Alliance's armies amidst a violent war, a task he felt woefully unprepared for as the new High King of the Alliance.[9] Time and again, Anduin had used diplomacy to end the conflict, inspiring even his warrior father to lay down arms in pursuit of peace. But diplomacy had its limits, and some villains can't be reasoned with. As the escalating war with the Horde threatened everything Anduin held dear, he guided his armies to seek new allies. His ultimate goal was to put an end to the bloodshed he so abhors... even if it means getting his hands dirty.[10]
The events of Before the Storm focused on Anduin Wrynn and his role of High King of the Alliance.[11] With the discovery of Azerite threatening to shift the balance of power in Azeroth, King Anduin had refocused the Alliance's efforts to preventing the powerful mineral from falling into the wrong hands and promoting diplomacy in order to prevent future wars fueled by Azerite. He also attempted to reconcile the humans of Stormwind with the Forsaken by initiating the Gathering event in order to promote unity. However, the Gathering ended in tragedy, and Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner had used the failed reunion to further alienate the Forsaken from their human counterparts.[12]
In response to the Burning of Teldrassil, the Alliance united under High King Anduin to retaliate against the Undercity during the Battle for Lordaeron, marking the beginning of the Fourth War.
Other high kings
Anasterian Sunstrider
Anasterian Sunstrider was the high king of the high elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas, a descendant of the royal bloodline established by King Dath'Remar Sunstrider. His reign from Sunfury Spire lasted at least 2,800 years, until he was killed by Arthas Menethil during the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas. As decreed by his son and successor, Prince Kael'thas, Anasterian was to be the very last king of the quel'dorei.[13]
Dath'Remar Sunstrider
Dath'Remar Sunstrider was the leader of the Highborne who created the Sunwell and founded the kingdom of Quel'Thalas. He was also the first high king of its royal family,[14] the Sunstrider dynasty.[15]
Maulgar
Maulgar is the current high king of the Blade's Edge Mountains's ogres in Outland. Stronger and hardier than any other ogre of his age, Maulgar's prowess in battle swiftly drew the attention of the previous Bladespire's high king who demanded a demonstration, only to have his neck snapped where he stood. He once served as Gruul the Dragonkiller's right hand and as the guardian of the gronn lord's lair.[16]
Modimus Anvilmar
Modimus Anvilmar was the last High King of the united dwarves of Ironforge prior to the War of the Three Hammers. Though he ruled over all dwarves with justice and wisdom, three powerful factions had arisen amongst the dwarven society — the Bronzebeard clan, the Wildhammer clan and the Dark Iron clan.[17] After he passed away from old age, and before his eldest son could be officially crowned, civil war broke out between the three clans.[18] His descendants, the Anvilmar family, continue to play an important part in dwarven history to this day,[19] and he is depicted by the great statue at the Gates of Ironforge.[20]
Salhadaar
Salhadaar was once the ruler of K'aresh until Dimensius the All-Devouring ravaged their homeworld. During the Devouring War, Salhadaar addressed his subjects and explained that while they had endured much, their greatest test was yet to come, and they had to put aside their differences and unite. As such, he would no longer serve as their High Priest and declared himself their High King.[21]
Speculation
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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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It is surmised that King Terenas Menethil II was the High King of the Alliance of Lordaeron, or served in a role similar to it following the Second War. Terenas was described as the "patron of the Alliance"[22] and "formed a council of delegates from each of the seven kingdoms under his rule."[23] He then went on to become the instigator of many of the Alliance's policies up to the Third War.[24] However, Terenas was never officially addressed as High King, nor has he ever referred to himself using the title.
Notes and trivia
- The "Trials of the High King" was planned to be an epic questline in Mists of Pandaria. King Varian Wrynn would be given tasks similar to the Labours of Hercules involving each of the Alliance races; each task pertaining to some important aspect of leadership to each racial leader. After accomplishing the task, Varian gains each Alliance racial leader's respect and is declared that race's High King. This was to allow Alliance players acting as his squire to learn more about him and his growth as a leader.[25]
- Varian Wrynn's first trial happened in patch 5.1.0. However, the development of Varian's character happens across the entire patch cycle and beyond - it doesn't all happen in one event or one scenario. His trials are many.[26]
- Despite criticism of a "Blue Warchief" replacing the idea of a variant of the Council of Seven Nations, Zarhym, the Community Manager at that time, said that the position of High King thematically fits the Alliance, because "the Alliance formed an allegiance around human kingdoms."[27]
Gallery
Varian Wrynn noted as the "High King".
See also
References
- ^
[15-35] A King Among Men
- ^ a b Warcraft Lore/Varian Wrynn
- ^ Dave Kosak on Twitter (2012-10-20). “Much like the "Warchief" of the Horde, the High King is trying to coordinate the actions of all the races in the Alliance.”
- ^ Chris Metzen on Twitter (2012-10-22). “@Zerde3: @ChrisMetzen Is the position of "high king" like the supreme commander position of Lothar? Yes. About army focus, not control.”
- ^ Dave Kosak on Twitter. "For those asking about King Wrynn's role, 'Supreme Allied Commander' sounds about right. Coordinating the military. Figurehead/inspiration." 2012-10-23, 11:32 PM.
- ^ Chris Metzen on Twitter. "@jesse_redhall yes. If other leaders don't like [the High King's] calls, they don't commit forces. They give him deference in overall strategic command." 2013-12-07, 9:19 PM.
- ^ Ornyx on the official forum
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 82
- ^ Warcraft Lore/Anduin Wrynn
- ^ http://us.battle.net/wow/en/game/race/human
- ^ Sean Copeland on Twitter (2018-03-28). Retrieved on 2018-04-06.
- ^ Before the Storm
- ^ Blood of the Highborne
- ^ Archive of the Tirisgarde#Felo'melorn
- ^ Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 24
- ^ worldofwarcraft.com
- ^
[War of the Three Hammers]
- ^ ASk CDev Answers - Round 3
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 81
- ^
[Belt Buckle with Anvilmar Crest]
- ^ The Doom of K'aresh
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, pg. 40
- ^ Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, pg. 39
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, The Alliance Splinters
- ^ BlizzCon 2011 - World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria - Lore and Story Panel
- ^ MMO-Champion - Best Buy Developer Q&A
- ^ Zarhym on the Official Forum