Lothar

Biodata

Background / History

Lothar belongs to Emperor Thoradin's bloodline. During the ancient Troll Wars, Thoradin aided Quel'Thalas against the Forest Trolls, and the elves swore to help his descendants in their time of need. Lothar later invoked that oath when requesting aid against the Horde 172 178.

Lothar, Llane Wrynn, and Medivh were childhood friends whose bond survived their changing positions. Lothar and Medivh fought gnoll uprisings in Elwynn Forest and Westfall, and Lothar remembered Medivh strengthening him with spells during their battles against trolls in Stranglethorn Vale 88 119 284.

By the time he sought northern aid, accounts of his exploits had spread widely through bards. These included slaying the Jungle Troll warlord Yukon and helping Llane expel the Jungle Trolls from Elwynn after King Barathen Wrynn's death. Arthas also knew him through stories as the leader of the Iron Horse Brotherhood 163 164.

Appearance

Lothar is tall and powerfully built, with a weathered face, sparse, untidy facial hair, and graying hair surrounding a conspicuous bald crown. Orgrim considers his physique almost comparable to an orc warrior's 116 262.

• Usual battle dress: Heavy plate armor and a helmet, worn with his greatsword, Quel'Zaram 116 262.
• Court clothing: An ornate robe and sleeveless coat when out of armor 119.
• Older image in Karazhan's vision: White hair, damaged armor, and a greatsword engraved with golden runes 102.

Personality

Lothar is deeply loyal to his friends. Concerned about Medivh's isolation, he invited at least twenty mage apprentices to Karazhan, though none stayed longer than a week, and asked Karin to remain by Medivh's side. Learning that Llane had been assassinated reduced him to his knees in tears 119 151.

As a commander, he accepts necessary sacrifices rather than promising an impossible defense of every holding. He defends plans to abandon exposed territory despite noble opposition, and later insists on resting exhausted cavalry horses even while rushing to save Quel'Thalas. He also uses self-deprecating humor to steady his soldiers when their escape from Karazhan appears cut off 119 141 209.

His loyalty to Stormwind ultimately outweighs personal authority. After the war, he refuses to return because his fame would overshadow Varian's rule, and rebukes Windsor for placing devotion to him above duty to the kingdom 267.

Abilities & Skills

Swordsmanship and Physical Prowess

Lothar remains agile and formidable despite his age, fighting in heavy armor with weapons that ordinary warriors could not wield 262 284.

• Greatsword combat: Defeats Turalyon in a sparring match after roughly a dozen exchanges by adapting to his attacks and exploiting his lack of experience 174.
• Multiple fighting styles: Uses Quel'Zaram alone, a one-handed sword with a shield, or a long and short sword together 124 283 284.
• Dueling: Kills Orgrim Doomhammer after a prolonged exchange of wounds. Orgrim was already injured and exhausted from fighting Varian, and Lothar exploits his final hesitation 262.
• Limits: Medivh's possessed body bypasses his sword and knocks him down with one blow. Ironaya also forces him backward despite numerous strengthening spells 148 285.

Demon Combat

Lothar's effectiveness against demons is strongly supported by Medivh's enchantment on Quel'Zaram 124.

• Infernal slaying: Dodges an Infernal's fist and cleaves it in two with one stroke while protected by a mage's short-lived Fire Protection Spell 124.
• Holding a chokepoint: Blocks a demon-filled doorway in Karazhan so Karin's group can continue toward Medivh 146.
• Anti-demon weapon effects: Quel'Zaram cuts through demonic flesh, its contact makes demon blood hiss, and its light frightens nearby demons 146.

Battlefield Command

Lothar directs combined forces of infantry, cavalry, archers, mages, paladins, and allied contingents 124 197 235 262.

• Siege defense: Coordinates catapult and archer fire at Stormwind, then orders preparations for street fighting after the gates fall 124.
• Threat assessment: Recognizes the battlefield importance of warlock support and the damage death magic can inflict on soldiers' morale 124 168 173.
• Operational planning: Orders rapid reinforcement of Quel'Thalas, strengthens Southshore against a possible landing, and warns Dalaran to prepare for a surprise assault 203 235.
• Coalition leadership: Helps persuade the human kingdoms to unite and receives six votes in support of his appointment as Alliance commander; Greymane and Perenolde abstain 167 168.

Fighting with Magical Support

Lothar is experienced in coordinating his melee attacks with a mage's protective and strengthening spells 124 284.

• Karin enhances him with Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Cat's Grace, Eagle's Splendor, and Fox's Cunning during the Trogg battle 284.
• Karin places brief Magic Shields around him to intercept attacks, removing them before they obstruct his sword strokes 284.
• Lothar recognizes the experience from his earlier campaigns with Medivh; these enhancements are supplied by his companions rather than cast by Lothar himself 284.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Quel'Zaram — His signature “Holy Sword,” a greatsword engraved with golden runes. Medivh's anti-demon enchantment allows it to cut down an Infernal and other demons; Lothar also uses it to kill Orgrim 124 146 262.
• Heavy plate armor and helmet — His standard battlefield protection, including battle-worn Stormwind armor at Lordaeron 262.
• One-handed sword in a red scabbard — A shorter secondary weapon carried into Uldaman and used alongside Quel'Zaram against Troggs 283 284.
• Broad shield — Carried during the Uldaman expedition; he sets it aside when switching to two swords 283 284.
• Warhorse — Used for travel, battlefield command, and the relief of Lordaeron 159 163 262.

Relationships

• Llane Wrynn — Childhood friend and sovereign. Lothar helps defend his kingdom, grieves openly at his death, and promises Varian that his sword will show the orcs no mercy 119 151 153.
• Varian Wrynn — Young king under his protection, who calls him “Uncle Lothar” or “Uncle Anduin.” Lothar rescues him from Orgrim, affirms his worth as a king, and later stays away from Stormwind to let him rule independently 163 262 267.
• Medivh — Childhood friend and longtime comrade, affectionately called “Med.” Lothar tries to end his isolation and later appeals to him to stop before reluctantly attacking his possessed body 116 119 147 148.
• Karin Sunfury — Trusted friend and Alliance adjutant. Lothar values his judgment after Karazhan, accepts his strategic warnings, and later joins his expeditions 153 178 235 281.
• Reginald Windsor — Trusted subordinate and adjutant. Windsor wishes to remain with Lothar after the war, but Lothar orders him to put the kingdom first 209 267.
• Terenas Menethil — Northern host and political ally who sponsors his appointment as Alliance commander. Lothar subsequently places Terenas in charge of Alliance logistics 163 168 170.
• Alleria Windrunner — Commander of the elven Rangers sent in answer to his appeal. Lothar welcomes her limited force and later leads the effort to reinforce her homeland 178 203 209.
• Turalyon — Young paladin whose skill impresses Lothar during sparring. Lothar predicts that real battle experience could eventually make him the stronger swordsman 174.
• Orgrim Doomhammer — Opposing commander and final major duel opponent at Lordaeron. Lothar kills him with Quel'Zaram 262.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Defense of Stormwind

• Karazhan's first vision: Karin sees an older Lothar commanding exhausted defenders beside an older Varian as an immense orc army attacks Stormwind. This is presented through Karazhan's magic, not as a battle Karin physically attends 102.
• Warning and preparations: Medivh introduces Karin to Lothar and warns that the Horde is marching on Stormwind. Lothar prepares to concentrate his army behind the city walls, despite objections from the Duke of Shadunbrook over abandoned estates 116 119.
• The siege: Lothar directs the defense against Blackhand, destroys an Infernal, and prepares for street fighting when the gates are breached. Medivh then awakens and begins an Ancient Spell to protect the kingdom 124.

Karazhan Expedition

• Trapped in an illusion: Lothar witnesses himself defending Stormwind with Varian against a stronger Horde army. Karin awakens him and explains that he has experienced an illusion 141.
• Descent through the tower: He leads the fighters onward, examines the demon-filled cellar with Karin, and later holds a doorway against demons while the others continue 144 146.
• Confronting Medivh: Covered in demon blood, he asks his old friend to stop. When the confrontation turns violent, his attempted sword strike is defeated by a single punch 147 148.

Fall of Stormwind and Formation of the Alliance

• Llane's death: Lothar and Karin return to Stormwind three days after Garona's assassination of the king. The city needs him to take charge, and he assumes the regency 151 153.
• Northern withdrawal: After Karin explains that the Horde has at least ten times their combat-ready manpower, Lothar proposes fleeing north. The Council of Nobles initially opposes abandoning its lands and titles 153.
• Appeal to the kingdoms: He brings Varian and surviving nobles to Lordaeron beneath the ancient flag of Arathor, insisting that he has come to warn humanity rather than merely seek refuge 163.
• Alliance command: His call for unity, supported by Antonidas's assessment of the Horde, leads to the formation of the Alliance and his appointment as grand marshal 167 168.

Northern War

Postwar Choice and Exploration

• Staying away from Stormwind: Lothar declines to return south because his unparalleled standing would make it difficult for Varian to govern without his influence. He instead asks Karin whether he can guard the gate and look after the place 267.
• Grim Batol: Accompanies Karin and Kurdran in investigating the city's curse. They discover that red dragon life magic is suppressing it, allowing the Wildhammer dwarves to return while the dragons remain 271.
• Uldaman expedition: Volunteers to join Karin's party, protects Bryan from Troggs, and leads the melee fighting where powerful spells and explosives could collapse the caves 281 284.
• Titan guardians: Buys time against Ironaya and later helps hold off Archaedas and the awakened statues while the Discs of Norgannon are retrieved. Arugal teleports the party to safety 285 288.

Notable Quotes

“No human kingdom can stand against the threat of the Horde alone. If we cannot unite, every human city will face the same fate as Stormwind City...” 163

“Kings do fail! But someone will help them solve their problems!” 262

“Your loyalty should be to your kingdom, not to me!” 267