User:Haleth/Medivh

Medivh (voiced by Michael Bell in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Heroes of the Storm, and World of Warcraft: Legion, voiced by Cam Clarke in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade and Hearthstone, and portrayed by Ben Foster in the film) was the last Guardian of Tirisfal, descending from a long line of powerful sorcerers charged with defending Azeroth against the Burning Legion and other threats. He was the son of Aegwynn, the previous Guardian, and Nielas Aran, a conjurer from the court of Stormwind and member of the Council of Tirisfal. Unbeknownst to anyone, Medivh was born corrupted, as he was possessed by the essence of the Dark Titan Sargeras after Aegwynn had defeated his "avatar" centuries before. Medivh grew up in Stormwind with his best friends Llane Wrynn, the future King of Stormwind, and Anduin Lothar. When the powers of the Guardian (and Sargeras) awakened within him, Medivh fell into a comatose state, remaining so for many years, with his friends tending to him.

By the time of the First War between humans and orcs, Medivh lived as a recluse in the mystic tower of Karazhan, with only his steward Moroes and his personal cook (known simply as "Cook") residing in the tower with him. It was around this time that he finally took an apprentice, a young mage from Dalaran named Khadgar. Through the visions that haunted Karazhan, Khadgar had learned that Medivh had been responsible for working with Gul'dan to open the Dark Portal, bringing the Horde to Azeroth. Realizing the Guardian was corrupted, Khadgar turned to Lothar, who led a party into the tower to confront Medivh, ending with Lothar taking off his friend's head. Medivh's body was buried outside of Karazhan by Khadgar, who would go on to become a powerful archmage in his own right.

By Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Medivh had returned from the Beyond to redeem himself for past sins; the novel Cycle of Hatred by Keith R.A. DeCandido revealed that in the years following Medivh's death, Aegwynn pooled all of her remaining powers (what she had not bestowed upon Medivh so that he would become the Guardian) to resurrect her son. Medivh appeared in the guise of a wandering prophet, warning the Horde and the Alliance of the dangers they faced and urging them to band together. Jaded by generations of hate, the orcs and humans would have none of it. Medivh was forced to deal with each race separately, using prophecy and trickery to guide them across the sea to the legendary land of Kalimdor. There, the humans, orcs, and night elves were at last united under a common cause, and convinced by Medivh to band together and make a last stand against the Burning Legion at Mount Hyjal. With his work done, Medivh seemingly vanished after the battle was won.

Medivh returns in World of Warcraft: Legion, when the Legion attempts to take control of Karazhan. He appears in the flesh to Khadgar (much to the latter's surprise) to aid in dispelling the Legion's magic and defeating the intended incursion into Azeroth. After the demons are defeated, Khadgar asks for Medivh's help in the ongoing invasion; Medivh declines, saying that he was needed elsewhere, and that Azeroth already had its Guardian in Khadgar. Though Khadgar refuses, believing that the power of the Guardian was corrupting, Medivh replies that Khadgar has all the power he needs, and that it was his courage and strength of heart in defending Azeroth that made him the Guardian. He tells Khadgar that "it may be simpler to shut a door than to pass through it, but sometimes a step into the unknown is required to break the bonds of fate", and then departs, leaving Khadgar to ponder the meaning of his words.

Medivh also appears in Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm.


 * https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/05/30/ben-foster-reveals-his-character-in-the-warcraft-movie
 * https://www.pcgamer.com/how-do-you-solve-a-problem-like-medivh/
 * https://www.pcgamer.com/hots-medivh-guide/
 * https://www.engadget.com/2007-01-31-know-your-lore-medivh.html
 * https://www.engadget.com/2014-04-27-know-your-lore-tinfoil-hat-edition-the-whereabouts-of-medivh.html
 * https://www.engadget.com/2013-07-31-warcraft-movie-rumors-khadgar-and-medivh.html
 * https://www.engadget.com/2007-07-18-around-azeroth-confronting-medivh.html
 * www.redbull.com/us-en/why-every-game-needs-a-medivh
 * https://www.engadget.com/2006-01-25-footage-of-the-aq-gates-opening-on-medivh.html
 * https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/04/igns-hearthstone-card-reveal-the-awesome-power-of-medivh
 * https://dotesports.com/hearthstone/news/flavor-text-lore-medivh-notable-mage-cards-26242
 * https://www.vg247.com/2016/07/29/new-world-of-warcraft-legion-short-catches-up-with-khadgar-and-medivh/