Varian

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Varian Wrynn
Alias(es)	Prince of Stormwind; King Varian; Orc Slayer; Death Arbiter; Lich King 153 288 574 578
Species/Race	Human 574
Gender	Male
Age	14 when he appears at the Alliance conference 152
Affiliation	Stormwind Kingdom; the Alliance; later the Death Pact as its faction leader 152 578
Occupation/Role	Prince and later king of Stormwind; military commander; leader of adventurer forces 180 288 401
Status	Alive; killed by Gul'dan during the Battle of Souls and later restored when Soul Rending separated their souls 529 574
First Appearance	Chapter 152

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Orc Slayer	153	Earned after leading a small force, supported by adventurers, to destroy a 5,000-strong Orc vanguard in the Battle of the Blood River.
Epic Tier I, Level 66	152	First documented rank; already an exceptionally high-level prince when he declares Stormwind can oppose the Orc invasion through adventurers.
Death Arbiter, World Tier V, Level 99	574	Emerges after Soul Rending separates his soul from Gul'dan, returning him as a powerful ally.
Lich King / Death Pact faction leader	578	Becomes the named leader of the Death Pact, an undead faction.

Background

Early adventures

Before the First Orc War, Varian built his reputation through three recorded campaigns: the Mud Town Skirmish, the Battle of the Blood River, and the Thirteen Heroes of the Dark Portal. His public legend emphasizes a lone prince and a handful of companions, but footage of the Dark Portal campaign shows that more than 20,000 adventurers formed the force that exhausted the Orc army through repeated assaults and resurrection. 153

His victories gave him unusual influence over adventurers. He regarded them as a force stronger than the conventional Alliance armies and publicly declared that Stormwind would face the Orcs even without the other kingdoms' support. 152 153

First Orc War

Varian attempted to organize adventurers into a disciplined force during the war, personally directing warriors, spellcasters, priests, and archers in battle. 180 When Stormwind required intelligence and logistical support, he accepted Tianluo Studio's services despite his anger at its profit-first conduct. 201 202

Stormwind ultimately fell and King Llane was killed. Varian escaped with Fat Gugu's help, inherited the kingship, and swore to rebuild Stormwind and avenge his father. 288 He nevertheless refused to be addressed as king until he had retaken his homeland and driven out the Orcs. 300

Lordaeron and Northrend

In Lordaeron, Varian became entangled in Godwin's scheme against King Terenas. He eventually killed Terenas amid an Orc attack, then publicly blamed the Orcs for the king's death. 301 316

Distrustful of both Lordaeron and the wider Alliance, Varian chose to seek power independently in Northrend. He recruited troops and adventurers for an expedition connected to Frostmourne, while refusing Aidan's offer to unite against the Horde. 302 306

After later reuniting with Aidan, Varian explained that he would not return to Stormwind until he had gained enough strength to prevent another disaster. His appearance and aura had changed through his journeys, but he had resisted the corruption that consumed Arthas. 397

Frost Dragon Lair and the Frozen Throne

Varian fought beside Aidan's party in the Frost Dragon Lair, demonstrating both frontline combat power and command ability against Frost Giants and White Dragon Lord Aexil. 400 401 When Borelius imprisoned the party in Eternal Frost, Varian broke free in response to Aidan's Call of Fate and helped kill the Primordial Dragon. 405 406

After Borelius's death, Varian used Frostmourne to raise the dragon as an undead servant, creating the World Tier boss known as “The Witherer” Borelius. 409 He later led an expedition against the Frozen Throne and the Lich King. 411 412

Death and return

Gul'dan killed Varian in a Battle of Souls and used his body in conjunction with the Lich King's power, Frostmourne, and the Crown of Domination. 529 Aidan eventually used Soul Rending to split Gul'dan and Varian apart, restoring Varian as the World Tier V Death Arbiter. 574

Appearance

Varian's appearance changes noticeably as his path shifts toward death-related power.

• In Northrend, his black hair turns gray; his eyes become ghostly blue, and he develops an icy aura. 397
• While observing Winterfell, he wears skull-themed armor and carries a rune sword. 396
• As the Death Arbiter, he is described as a muscular human knight with long black hair, a bare upper body, and Frostmourne in hand. 574

Personality

Varian is proud, forceful, and unusually confident in his own destiny. As a young prince, he dismisses diplomatic hesitation as pointless bickering and places greater faith in adventurers than in cautious nobles or conventional armies. 152 153

War and betrayal temper that confidence without removing it. After Llane's death and Stormwind's fall, he becomes more restrained and calculating, refusing a royal title he feels he has not earned and pursuing strength before reclaiming his kingdom. 300 397

He is capable of cooperation and loyalty toward those he calls brothers, particularly Aidan and Arthas, but his experiences leave him deeply distrustful of political allies. 203 306 307

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and close-quarters combat

Varian is a highly skilled warrior who can fight with Shalamayne as a two-handed weapon or split it into the twin blades Shadow Ravager and Shadow Ripper.

• Uses Fearless Slash for high-speed leaps and decisive opening strikes. 400
• Combines Blade Flurry, Whirlwind, and other chained attacks for sustained melee pressure. 316 406
• Uses Furious Twin Blades, which increases the damage of successive strikes. 406
• Executed King Terenas with Lion's Vengeful Execution after inflicting fear with Dreadful Roar. 316

King Slayer and Peerless Killer

Varian possesses combat specialties gained through prior battles against powerful leaders and overwhelming armies.

• King Slayer increases his combat attributes against kings, emperors, chieftains, and comparable leader-class enemies. 316
• Peerless Killer strengthens him as the number of surrounding enemies increases. 316
• His resilience and self-belief allow him to remain defiant even when surrounded by Orc chieftains and warlords. 287

Battlefield command

Varian can turn groups of independent adventurers into organized fighting forces.

• Directs formation assignments, healing priorities, defensive lines, and ranged fire support during dungeon and field battles. 180 401
• Commands the party's advance through the Frost Dragon Lair's Dragonkin Corridor with disciplined positioning and role allocation. 401
• His leadership was instrumental in rallying adventurers during the early Orc conflicts. 153 180

Adventure King

Varian's long history with adventurers grants him the Adventure King specialty.

• His speeches grant nearby adventurers Inspiration when fighting alongside them. 403
• Inspired adventurers receive attribute bonuses or ignore debuffs for 300 seconds. 403
• Repeated use diminishes the effect. 403

Frostmourne and death power

Varian acquired and used Frostmourne despite trying not to rely on it openly.

• Used the blade's death power to resurrect Borelius as an undead Frost Dragon boss. 409
• His soul was later separated from Gul'dan's through Soul Rending, restoring him as the Death Arbiter. 574
• Leads the Death Pact as its Lich King. 578

Equipment

• Shalamayne — Varian's primary sword; can separate into Shadow Ravager and Shadow Ripper. 301 406
• Frostmourne — Death artifact used to raise Borelius from the dead. 409
• Nether Soul Armor — Complete set provided by Aidan after Varian's restoration. 576
• Lion Shield — Used alongside Shalamayne during the Frost Dragon Lair expedition. 400

Relationships

• King Llane Wrynn — Father and king of Stormwind. Varian's grief over Llane's death drives his vow to reclaim Stormwind and avenge him. 152 288 300
• Aidan / Mo Fei — Sworn elder brother and frequent battlefield ally. Aidan's Call of Fate helps Varian escape Eternal Frost, and Aidan later participates in restoring Varian's soul. 203 405 574
• Arthas Menethil — Sworn brother. Arthas admires Varian's early confidence and later seeks to join his Northrend expedition. 153 203 306
• Godwin — Lordaeron prince who manipulates Varian into a plot against Terenas while pursuing his own political ambitions. 301 307 313
• Kel'Thuzad — Meets Varian after Stormwind's fall and introduces him to the Artifacts of Death in Northrend. 302
• Fat Gugu — Druid who saves Varian during Stormwind's fall by helping him escape in seal form. 288
• Van Cleef — Loyal supporter who urges Varian to return and lead Stormwind; Varian refuses until he is stronger. 397
• Borelius — Frost Dragon King defeated by Varian and Aidan; Varian later raises him as an undead dragon through Frostmourne. 406 409

Notable Quotes

“From today onward, call me Varian. I am not king yet, and I am even less qualified to be called one.” 300

“Brave adventurers, do not fear! Do not be afraid! Your unyielding will shall never submit to the tyranny of an evil dragon!” 403