Anduin Wrynn: Then and Now
by Mathew McCurley 
Jun 16th 2011 at 6:00PM
Anduin's biggest changes actually happened outside of the game world, most notably in the World of Warcraft comic series and in Christie Golden's companion novel to Cataclysm, The Shattering. In The Shattering, Anduin comes into his own through a series of adventures with Jaina Proudmoore, and by participating in the burgeoning dwarven civil war between the clans at Ironforge. The prince finds his path with the Light, determined to become a priest instead of becoming a warrior like his father. His character has grown considerably since his inception, with Blizzard making a concerted effort to move his story forward against the backdrop of the cataclysm.
I was a fan of Anduin in The Shattering because he was written to be a spiritual opposite of his father. While Anduin retained his father's caution when dealing with the Horde, he seemed more open-minded, forgiving, and willing to compromise on things above and beyond him. There is definitely groundwork being laid for a strong, compassionate leader, something the humans have not truly had since Varian's kidnapping and King Terenas Menethil of Lordaeron.
Anduin Wrynn -- Then and Now
Although only a teenager, Stormwind's prince, Anduin, has persevered through numerous trials and tribulations, such as being kidnapped by the scheming black dragon Onyxia. His greatest challenge, however, might lie in his relationship with Varian. Anduin is no stranger to his father's love and affection, but he is constantly wary of sudden outbursts from Varian's violent, gladiatorial side. Anduin has also struggled against his father's insistence that he become a warrior.
Events just prior to the Cataclysm signaled a new chapter in Anduin's life. While undergoing martial training in the dwarven bastion of Ironforge, Anduin witnessed as Moira Thaurissan-the estranged daughter of the late King Magni Bronzebeard-held the city hostage with a contingent of Dark Iron dwarves. Despite being the legal heir to Ironforge, she drew the ire of Varian for her heavy-handed tactics. Before long, the king and a team of SI:7 agents infiltrated the city, intent on killing the brash dwarf heiress. Only through Anduin's wise and resolute intervention did Varian stay his hand and spare Moira's life, thus averting a political disaster that might have ignited a dwarven civil war.
During his time in Ironforge, Anduin also discovered his true calling in life: to be a priest devoted to the tenets of the Holy Light. For those who know Anduin well, this discipline is a perfect fit for the prince, who has consistently proven himself to be compassionate and thoughtful. No longer the child-prince of Stormwind from years past, Anduin is fast becoming his own man with the courage to speak up for what he believes in. He does not share Varian's outright hatred and mistrust of the Horde. On one occasion, he even imparted sage advice to the tauren chieftain Baine Bloodhoof after the death of his father, Cairne. Yet in Azeroth's current state of turmoil, it is unknown whether Anduin's destiny with the Light will proceed on its current course, or whether his path will take a different turn.
We'll be examining other key characters' transformations-including those of Magni Bronzebeard-in the months ahead, so come back soon.
Events just prior to the Cataclysm signaled a new chapter in Anduin's life. While undergoing martial training in the dwarven bastion of Ironforge, Anduin witnessed as Moira Thaurissan-the estranged daughter of the late King Magni Bronzebeard-held the city hostage with a contingent of Dark Iron dwarves. Despite being the legal heir to Ironforge, she drew the ire of Varian for her heavy-handed tactics. Before long, the king and a team of SI:7 agents infiltrated the city, intent on killing the brash dwarf heiress. Only through Anduin's wise and resolute intervention did Varian stay his hand and spare Moira's life, thus averting a political disaster that might have ignited a dwarven civil war.
During his time in Ironforge, Anduin also discovered his true calling in life: to be a priest devoted to the tenets of the Holy Light. For those who know Anduin well, this discipline is a perfect fit for the prince, who has consistently proven himself to be compassionate and thoughtful. No longer the child-prince of Stormwind from years past, Anduin is fast becoming his own man with the courage to speak up for what he believes in. He does not share Varian's outright hatred and mistrust of the Horde. On one occasion, he even imparted sage advice to the tauren chieftain Baine Bloodhoof after the death of his father, Cairne. Yet in Azeroth's current state of turmoil, it is unknown whether Anduin's destiny with the Light will proceed on its current course, or whether his path will take a different turn.
We'll be examining other key characters' transformations-including those of Magni Bronzebeard-in the months ahead, so come back soon.
The news is already rolling out for the upcoming WoW Patch 4.2! Preview the new Firelands raid, marvel at the new legendary staff, and get the inside scoop on new quest hubs -- plus new Tier 12 armor!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
raposo02790 Jun 16th 2011 6:07PM
May the light be with him!!!
Tri Jun 16th 2011 6:10PM
I also loved Anduin's character in The Shattering. I really hope we see loads more of him in the course of the expansion - and perhaps, one day, him (back) on the throne of Stormwind :)
I loved how he gave Fearbreaker to Baine..
Sephy Jun 16th 2011 6:11PM
That header image makes Anduin (on the right) look like Cotton Hill. Betcha he didn't kill no fiddy men tho.
Matt P Jun 16th 2011 6:31PM
"We'll be examining other key characters' transformations-including those of Magni Bronzebeard-in the months ahead, so come back soon."
*rimshot*
Rolly Jun 16th 2011 11:08PM
I hope that examining of magni is done in game.
/still pouting about his in game treatment for Cataclysm.
totemdeath Jun 16th 2011 6:52PM
He still seems a bit too much Mary Sue to me. What would be needed is to introduce a chracter flaw in our young prince. I think a perfect situation would be to reinvestigate the deadmines with a group of adventurers, only to discover that not only Vanessa Van Cleef survived the detonation of the ship, but that Anduin and Vanessa falls madly in love with each other at the end of a new 5 man heroic, deadmines 2.0
SaintStryfe Jun 16th 2011 6:58PM
You use that word, I do not think you know what it means. Mary Sue means an over powered, creator-driven character that overrides others contributions - say Ronhin, he seems to be so powerful as to face down Deathwing. Solo.
Anudin was a blank slate. He was the kings son and... nothing. In Cata, they wrote on it - he's got priestly abilities, and he's noble and doesn't hate the Horde outright. He's willing to judge people individually.
Muse Jun 17th 2011 9:31AM
That's gotta be a joke-post, you first rage against Anduin being a Mary Sue and then suggest an idea that will definitely make him one....
One of the key things whether a character ends up Mary Sue or not is the execution of the idea, not just the actual idea. There's plenty of popular characters that, when distilled down to their components, wouldn't pass any Mary Sue Litmus tests, but when you place them in their world and give them decisions to make, end up perfectly fine characters.
Anduin in particular shone in the Shattering because, despite being a friggin multiclassing Prince, also was the audience stand-in, the person the reader could relate to.
Amaxe Jun 18th 2011 1:10AM
"Mary Sue means an over powered, creator-driven character that overrides others contributions - say Thrall"
Fixed it for you ;-)
/duck
Broken-toes Jun 16th 2011 6:53PM
You would think, after all these times us horde have butchered and mutilated his dad... while he stood there and watched (I for one have often tried to right click the little...).
that little bastard is bound to be on warped puppy by now, no wonder he's gone priest.
Elmouth Jun 17th 2011 1:06AM
Not only that, sweey little forgiving Anduin on one side, ruthless warmongering Garrosh on the other, shit's bound to happen.
RetPallyJil Jun 16th 2011 6:59PM
Character flaw? Well, he's already been hanging out with Jaina*, so he'll be evil in no time at all.
Place your bets.
The longshot bet is that he ascends to a higher plane and turns into butterflies made of sunlight or some crap.
(* of course, he also hangs out with lil' RPJ, thanks to a glitch in the quest turn-in. I can go to the keep anytime and drag Anduin around with me. Yay glitches!)
Lemons Jun 17th 2011 4:21AM
Speaking of hanging out with Jaina is anyone else thinking that might develop into an Anakin Skywalker/Padme thing?
I don't really know how old Jaina is, but still. It's kind of wrong that Azeroth's most eligible bachelorette is ummm...still a bachelorette.
Tri Jun 17th 2011 5:13AM
Erm.. he keeps referring to Jaina as "Aunt Jaina". I don't really see anything happening between those two.. :p
(or gods, I don't hope so!)
Omegan01 Jun 16th 2011 7:06PM
I'm not sure yet if I'm a fan of the new direction they seem to be taking with Anduin.
I liked him early on in the comics, when they seemed to be building him up to be Varian 2.0: sharp-witted and keen-eyed, learning to hold his own in a fight (against Onyxia, no less) - a future warrior king in the making but without his father's tremendous scars.
Being a kind, compassionate, diplomatic ruler is a good thing - there is no argument about that. But is it really the direction Anduin's character should go? Many of humanity's enemies in WoW have proven that they're not interested in compromise.
Garrosh isn't interested in compomise, he wants the orcs to be at the top of the heap, period.
Sylvanas isn't interested in compromise, she wants the Forsaken to be at the top of the heap, period.
The Twilight's Hammer, the naga, the old gods, the Burning Legion - they're sure as HELL not interested in compromise.
The Alliance doesn't need another diplomatic, peace-be-with-you major character. They already have Jaina and Velen fulfilling those roles - to the extent that a lot of people don't even take either of them seriously anymore.
I'm not yet passing judgement on the new aspects of Anduin's character, but I don't want to see the Alliance get another Velen, another Jaina, another Tirion, who don't actually seem to care about own race/faction as much as trying to push an altruistic viewpoint. One of the reasons I like Varian so damn much is because there's absolutely no question about his loyalty to the Alliance and his people, and his absolute, pull-no-punches stance when it comes to their enemies.
Batleth Jun 16th 2011 7:32PM
@Omegan01
You hit the nail right on the head.
Thomas Higgins Jun 16th 2011 9:24PM
I cannot express how much I disagree with you. Wrynn the elder needs to take a dirt nap and quickly. Him and Gross are too busy trying to kill each other and are taking both their factions with them. At this rate there will be nothing left for the Old Gods and Deathwing to kill.
Chris Jun 16th 2011 9:54PM
You are absolutely right.
destinyshand Jun 17th 2011 1:37AM
somehow i see Anduin becoming a paladin, there's too much groundwork there for him not to be. he can hold his own in a fight, and he's learning how to wield the Light, as long as he doesn't become blinded by hatred we should finally see a true and strong paladin king, otherwise we'll have an arthas 2.0
Iano Jun 17th 2011 9:06AM
I still love the character Anduin is becoming right now. He's a smart cookie- he's going to be one that still understands that not all orcs are bad and not all humans are good- but also that not all orcs are good and not all humans are bad.
In other words, Anduin will be savvy. He won't just be a bleeding heart- but he won't go out spoiling for a fight on fronts where there isn't one, either.