John J. Keeshan

John J. Keeshan
Title	Corporal
Gender	Male
Race	Human (Humanoid)
Class	Warrior, Hunter
Affiliation(s)	Stormwind, Bravo Company, Stormwind Army
Location	Various
Status	Alive
Relative(s)	Jade (wife)
Companion(s)	Brubaker (friend)

“AAAHHHH! AAHHHHHHHHH!!!! AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!”

— John J. Keeshan

John J. Keeshan, often called Johnny by old friends, is a human quest giver found in various locations in the Redridge Mountains and at Flamestar Post in Burning Steppes.^[28, 13] In Battle for Azeroth he joins the Alliance expedition into Zandalar.

History

Before World of Warcraft

John J. Keeshan is a war veteran of the First, Second and Third Wars. He served in Bravo Company, under orders from Colonel Troteman, along with Messner, Jorgensen, Krakauer, and Danforth. Keeshan served 248 consecutive tours of duty across all of the three Great Wars. At some point in the wars, Keeshan's wife Jade was killed by Blackrock orcs. He started wearing her pendant after that.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Corporal Keeshan first appeared as a level 25 quest giver located deep in Render's Rock in the Redridge Mountains. During the Battle of Stonewatch Keep, he was attacked by the Blackrock orcs and dragged away to Render's Rock. He was found by Alliance adventurers and escorted out of Render's Rock.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Keeshan post-Cataclysm old model.

Keeshan was an orc prisoner for five years. After his rescue, Keeshan states that the townspeople of Lakeshire were "spitting on me, protesting me, calling me a baby orc killer and all kinds of vile crap". Keeshan became disillusioned with Lakeshire after being treated with contempt for his military service and refused to do anything to help out the town when it was being attacked. Adventurers, under the guidance of Colonel Troteman, helped to reignite his will to fight by recovering his lost belongings and helping reassemble Bravo Company, who had all been discovered to be alive but captured by Blackrock orcs.

With his belongings returned and his friends in Bravo Company reunited with him, Keeshan regained the will to fight. Keeshan led Bravo Company in an assault on Render's Valley, freeing the prisoners of war located there and then decimating it in an explosion that created Render's Crater.

Bravo Company then discovered from the POWs that the gnolls in Galardell Valley are being controlled by a powerful magus in the Tower of Ilgalar. After retrieving the key to its entrance from General Fangore, Bravo Company confront Grand Magus Doane, who alludes to Darkblaze — the mastermind behind the invasion that Doane alludes to before teleporting away.

Bravo Company later assaulted Stonewatch Keep, the stronghold of the Blackrock orcs, which culminated in a battle with the black dragon, Darkblaze. During the battle, all the members of Bravo Company were killed except for the adventurer and Keeshan, whom Darkblaze attempted to eat. Darkblaze flew over Lake Everstill with Keeshan in his mouth, and after some struggle, both of them fell into the lake's waters. Both Keeshan and Darkblaze were presumed to have died in the fight, and though his body was never found several of Keeshan's belongings were later recovered by Lakeshire's townspeople.

Keeshan at Flamestar Point.

It was later revealed that Keeshan survived, and helped adventurers defeat the Dark Horde in the Burning Steppes. The Alliance adventurer joined Keeshan in taking out some of the Dark Horde's black dragonflight whelps and Flamescale Broodlings. Afterwards, the duo started priming Colonel Troteman's plan to debilitate the Dark Horde by gathering supplies. Keeshan and the Alliance champion then thinned the Dark Horde's numbers as they rendezvoused with the Thorium Brotherhood and Troteman in Chiselgrip. After proving their allegiance to the Thorium Brotherhood, the adventurer was disguised as a member of the Dark Horde's army by Thelaron Direneedle and was sent to spy on the Dark Horde's army and assassinate some of its most fearsome soldiers. After earning General Thorg'izog's trust and killing some Blackrock Sergeants, Troteman, Keeshan, and the Alliance adventurer moved to Morgan's Vigil to execute the next phase of Troteman's plan. After gathering more supplies, Keeshan resumed his war and joined the Alliance champion in killing Black Dragonspawn, Black Wyrmkin, and more of the Dark Horde's fearsome champions. Keeshan and the adventurer rescued dragon whelplings from Whelping Downs and escorted them to Acride in exchange for his promise to provide a dragon's support in the final battle of the campaign. After the Alliance champion made deliveries to sabotage the big three leaders of Dreadmaul Rock, Troteman commenced the final battle. The Dark Horde leadership within the Burning Steppes was nearly eliminated in the end, with the culmination of Troteman's plan seeing High Warlock Xi'lun unable to control Hellmondath, the pit lord he summoned. The uncontrolled pitlord consequently wiped out most of the Blackrock forces while the adventurer used the Horn of the Callers to summon an Obsidian-Cloaked Dragon and direct its wrath to decimate 200 Blackrock Invaders. With the Dark Horde's army decimated, Keeshan and the adventurer finished the mission by eliminating the top three leaders: Thorg'izog, Dragon-Lord Neeralak, and Xi'lun.

He was also one of the dozens of past characters encountered by adventurers aiding in the fight against Ragnaros' forces in Sethria's Roost on Mount Hyjal.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

Keeshan can be found occasionally in Lunarfall Inn in Lunarfall or in Frostwall Tavern, where he was drinking ale, sad, wishing he had a cold iron cannon in hand. The Garrison commander ventured to the Grimrail Depot and obtained an iron autocannon for him.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Keeshan was part of the Alliance's expedition into Nazmir on the island of Zandalar, where he helped establish Fort Victory. He had allowed his facial hair to grow out and sported a mustache and a beard with a thick goatee. After the Alliance's efforts to ally with the native blood trolls failed and the mad Captain Conrad was slain, Keeshan wanted to aim his sights higher. Whatever was next for the Alliance adventurer, Keeshan wanted to be a part of it.

Keeshan later partnered with the night elf Sentinels to hunt down some Horde dark rangers in Nazmir. He was nervous around Shandris Feathermoon, thinking he was barely worthy of serving next to her because of her thousands of years of experience. Keeshan referred to Shandris as "ma'am" and figured the least he could do was keep quiet and show respect. Shandris calmed his worries by informing Keeshan that she had read an SI:7 document about his deeds in Redridge and the three wars and he was a hero in his own right. He aided in the defeat of Ranger Captain Areiel, who insulted Shandris for allying with a human. Shandris believed that Areiel's views on humans were outdated.

When it came time to confront the Horde san'layn Blood Prince Dreven and his allies in a tunnel between Nazmir and Vol'dun, Keeshan acted as bait as Shandris planned to seal the tunnel entrance while the san'layn were inside it, then kill them all. However, Dreven got away and Keeshan was seriously wounded. He returned to Fort Victory to recover.

In Zuldazar, the forces led by Halford Wyrmbane began an operation to weaken the Zandalari harbor's defenses. Keeshan and Kelsey Steelspark planted bombs on the Breath of Pa'ku, and in the process Keeshan and Kelsey bonded over a love of collecting knives. Realizing one of the Zandalari ships had a route that would take it right by the Alliance's base in Xibala, the two of them hurried to warn Wyrmbane. The ship that discovered them was Gral's Call, and Keeshan was part of the forces that boarded it to kill the crew before they reported to Zuldazar. Once the captain was captured and the crew killed, Keeshan and Kelsey rigged the ship to explode. Seeing Kelsey's excitement at that part of the plan, Keeshan wished to speak to her later about their shared interests.

The War Within

This section concerns content related to The War Within.

John can be seen outside the Caverns of Time in Tanaris during the Bronze Celebration. He is seen speaking with T'paartos and Johnny Awesome, reminiscing on his old days with Bravo Company.

Locations

Location	Level range	Reaction	Notes
Render's Rock, Redridge Mountains[63.4, 83]	25 Elite	Alliance Horde	In Classic.
Various in the Redridge Mountains	7-30 Elite	Alliance	As a quest giver during the Redridge Mountains storyline.
Various in the Burning Steppes	15-30 Elite	Alliance Horde	As a quest giver during the Burning Steppes storyline.
Sethria's Roost, Mount Hyjal	35	Alliance Horde	During  [32-35 Daily] The Protectors of Hyjal.
Frostwall Tavern, Frostwall; Lunarfall Inn, Lunarfall	10-40	Alliance Horde
Wind's Redemption, Boralus	50	Alliance	During the Alliance War Campaign.
Fort Victory, Nazmir; Zuldazar	35-60 Elite	Alliance	During the Alliance War Campaign.
Caverns of Time, Tanaris	80	Alliance Horde	During WoW's Anniversary.

Abilities

Classic

•  Mocking Blow — A mocking attack that causes 31 damage and forces the target to focus attacks on you for 6 sec.
•  Shield Bash — Bashes an enemy with the caster's shield, inflicting Physical damage and interrupting the spell being cast for 8 sec.

Burning Steppes

•  Bloodthirst — Instantly attack the target causing 120% of normal weapon damage. In addition, successful melee attacks will restore 1% of maximum health. This effect lasts 10 sec.
•  Commanding Shout — Increases maximum health of all party members within 20 yards by 0. Lasts 2 min.
•  Immolation Arrow — Shoots a flaming arrow at an enemy, inflicting weapon damage plus 0. All damage inflicted is based upon Fire magic.
•  Rend — Inflicts Physical damage to an enemy every 3 sec. for 15 sec.
•  Shattering Throw — Throws your weapon at the enemy causing weapon damage and reducing the armor on the target by 20% for 10 sec.
•  Slam — Slams the opponent, causing weapon damage plus an additional amount.

As a follower

John is a Lone Wolf War Campaign follower with the following abilities:

•  Cold Steel (Ability) — Increases success chance of missions against Melee Troops by 30%.
•  Combat Specialist (Specialization) — Trained to fight against all odds using any means necessary. Counters: Primary Objective
•  Iron Autocannon (Ability) — Increases success chance of missions against Ranged Troops by 30%. Counters: Ranged

Quests

Corporal Keeshan pre-Cataclysm.

Redridge Mountains

•  [7-30] John J. Keeshan
•  [7-30] This Ain't My War
•  [7-30] They Drew First Blood
•  [7-30] It's Never Over
•  [7-30] Point of Contact: Brubaker
•  [7-30] Unspeakable Atrocities
•  [7-30] Prisoners of War
•  [7-30] To Win a War, You Gotta Become War
•  [7-30] Detonation
•  [7-30] The Dark Tower
•  [7-30] The Grand Magus Doane

Burning Steppes

•  [15-30] Hero's Call: Burning Steppes!
•  [15-30] Burning Vengeance /  [15-30] Burning Vengeance
•  [15-30] Stocking Up
•  [15-30] A Future Project
•  [15-30] Mud Hunter
•  [15-30] The Sand, the Cider, and the Orb
•  [15-30] Return to Keeshan
•  [15-30] Chiselgrip, the Heart of the Steppes
•  [15-30] A Needle in a Hellhole
•  [15-30] A Perfect Costume
•  [15-30] Into the Black Tooth Hovel
•  [15-30] General Thorg'izog
•  [15-30] Blood Tour
•  [15-30] Draconic Vanguard
•  [15-30] A Deal With a Dragon
•  [15-30] Assault on Dreadmaul Rock

Lunarfall

•  [35-40D] Cold Steel
  •  [35-40D] Cold Steel Part II

Alliance War Campaign

•  [35-60] Champion: John J. Keeshan
•  [60] One Option: Fire
•  [60] The Savage Hunt
•  [60] They Can't Stay Here
•  [60] Sabotaging the Pa'ku

Removed

The subject of this section was removed from World of Warcraft in patch 4.0.3a but is present in Classic Era.

•  [25] Missing In Action (escort)

Quotes

Gossip

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

At Flamestar Post

I won't let those damned orcs invade Redridge again!

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

Garrisons

All I've ever known is war. Out here, I'm someone.

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Nazmir

I fought in all three wars. I thought I've seen the worst that Azeroth has to offer.

I was wrong.

Wind's Redemption

It's good to be fighting alongside sturdy, honest Alliance soldiers again. Reminds me of the old days back in Bravo Company.

<Keeshan's eyes seem to gaze somewhere far away.>

Always have your weapon ready, <name>. And keep an extra one hidden in case of capture. Someplace they won't want to search for it.

Dialogue

Main article: Heart of Darkness (quest)#Notes

Main article: Lessons of the Damned#Notes

Main article: How to Kill a Dark Ranger#Notes

Main article: Tortollans in Distress#Notes

Main article: The Savage Hunt#Notes

Main article: Target: Blood Prince Dreven#Notes

Main article: Under the Cover of Swiftwing#Notes

Main article: Sabotaging the Pa'ku#Notes

Main article: The Enlarged Miniaturized Submarine#Notes

Main article: Victory Was Assured#Notes

Main article: An End to the Killing#Notes

WoW's Anniversary

Gossip

I have been through a lot of these gatherings. Stay alert, stay ready. We'll get through this.

 You can relax, this isn't combat.

It's all fun and games to you. I've been through these before, a lot of them. The situation can change without warning.

 Well, I'm glad you're here.

I didn't ask to be here, they asked me to be here. I will do whatever it takes to celebrate the past.

Whatever it takes.

Dialogue

John J. Keeshan says: This reminds me of the old days back in Bravo Company. We would ride for days, always knowing the end could be around the next bend.

T'paartos says: T'paartos also rode gloriously into battle.

John J. Keeshan says: We would strike from the dark, hooves like thunder. Then, we fade like shadows...

T'paartos says: T'paartos would yell, "T'PAARTOS!"

John J. Keeshan says: We brought only death, and fear.

T'paartos says: T'paartos brought hope and the Light. You should ride with T'paartos!

Notes and trivia

• His abilities vary between that of a warrior and a hunter.
• His name, and the nature of the quests he gives in Cataclysm, are a reference to John Rambo.
  • On a similar note his story seems to have several references to the Vietnam War.
  • Field Marshal Teravaine was another NPC referencing John Rambo, but he was less known.
• His name may also be a reference to children's television actor Bob Keeshan, who was once rumored to have fought in Iwo Jima.
• An unused NPC representing Keeshan is situated in the same ID range as other legendary warriors presumably meant to appear in Skyhold. He and most of these NPCs didn't make it out of the Legion alpha stage.
• On the patch 7.2.0 PTR, Keeshan was involved in the world quest  Fel or High Water, where he used a machine gun on a ship to combat felbats on the Broken Shore. Keeshan with new leg armors and the quest appear to have been removed before the patch went live.
  • The new model for Keeshan was reused in his Nazmir appearance in Battle for Azeroth.

Gallery

• 

  His bow changed with the release of Legion.

Patch changes

• Patch 8.0.1 (2018-07-17): Beard added, armor changed.
  
• Patch 4.0.3a (2010-11-23): Renamed from Corporal Keeshan to John J. Keeshan. New appearances added.
  
• Patch 1.5.0 (2005-06-07): Added.
  

See also

• Keeshan's Riverboat
• Keeshan's Gun

External links

Retail	Classic	BfA Champion
Wowhead WoWDB	Wowhead WoWDB	Wowhead WoWDB