 Vindicator Maraad | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Title | Hammer of the Light[1] |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Draenei (Humanoid) |
| Class | Paladin |
| Reaction | Alliance Horde |
| Affiliation(s) |
Alliance Exodar Valiance Expedition New Council of Tirisfal |
| Occupation | Vindicator, Paladin representative on the New Council of Tirisfal, Member of the Valiance Expedition[2] |
| Location |
 Various on Draenor The Skybreaker, Icecrown |
| Status | Alive; Deceased (post-Battle for Shattrath) |
| Relative(s) | Unnamed deceased sister, Garona (niece), Med'an (grandnephew) |
- "The Light may have infinite patience, but I do not."[1]
Vindicator Maraad, a wandering warrior of faith, is a pillar of draenei society. After prevailing against evil in the Northrend campaign, this hammer-wielding paladin began instructing the other races of the Alliance in the ways of the Light. Exposure to Azeroth's myriad dangers has left Maraad prone to action above meditation—he will strike while others tarry.[3]
When the draenei came under attack by orcs on Draenor, Maraad failed to protect his people. Catastrophe befell his people, and it haunted him since that day. Barely surviving the orcs' attempt to exterminate them, the draenei came to Azeroth.[1]
His sister became the mother to the assassin Garona Halforcen. Before his death, he was the oldest living relative of Garona and her son Med'an.
See Icecrown NPCs.
Background
A resolute soldier, Vindicator Maraad fought in many wars. He defended the draenei as they evaded the demonic army of the Burning Legion across countless worlds. As a paladin of the Holy Light, Maraad epitomized the strong arm of righteousness. His weapon, the Hammer of the Naaru, meted out punishment to anyone who threatened his kind. He vowed to protect the innocent.[1]
Draenor
While living on Draenor prior to it becoming Outland, Maraad spent much time in Shadowmoon Valley, especially around the area of Elodor.[4] Some time after the Orcish Horde was formed, he lost his sister to Gul'dan's experiments, where she was raped by orcs and gave birth to Garona.
Maraad was at the siege of Shattrath City, the battle where the orcs destroyed the draenei capital. When Exarch Larohir[5] told Maraad to take refugees to safety, he did so. However, the sight of an orc within reach convinced Maraad to go after him instead. He told the refugees to take a path out of the city, assuring them that it was safe and that the Light was with them. Maraad slew the orc, but when he went to return to the refugees he discovered that the passage had not been safe, and they were all dead--slaughtered by the Horde. He has sought vengeance against the orcs ever since.[6]
Maraad gazing over the orcish army.
Maraad leading a group of refugees to safety.
Maraad has mete out justice.
"I struck out to find the refugees."
"The Light I promised would be with them... had forsaken them instead, just as I had."
The fall of Shattrath City.
World of Warcraft: The Comic
Vindicator Maraad on the cover of Whispers, the 22nd issue of the comic.
Maraad never abandoned his sister's memory. He discovered the existence of his niece - the assassin Garona Halforcen - and began his search for her that lasted years.[2][7] During his search, Maraad eventually met and befriended Khadgar, likely before the Dark Portal was reopened. Meeting Khadgar allowed him to fill in his knowledge of what happened to Garona after she left Draenor through the Dark Portal and up until the end of the Second War. Led by a vision, he traveled to Kalimdor.[8]
Maraad secretly rescued Garona from Theramore, and at the entrance of the Onyxia's Lair revealed that he is Garona's uncle and therefore Med'an's great uncle. He explained her that Gul'dan had bred his sister to one of his warriors (which, considering orcish/draenei relations at the time, implies rape), which resulted in Garona's birth. Garona resolved to go and kill Cho'gall and left him while Valeera Sanguinar started battling with the draenei. They were stopped by Med'an who teleported them back to Theramore. He has now become a founding member of the New Council of Tirisfal and began to teach Med'an the ways of the Light. He helped to defend Theramore against Cho'gall's dark minions and decided to take Med'an to Outland to be beyond the reach of the Old Gods. When he introduced Med'an to Khadgar, the paladin and mage greeted each other as old friends. Maraad asked Khadgar to join the new Council of Tirisfal but refused and in his stead sent Dalynnia Wrathscar. After they returned, they joined the final attack on Cho'gall granting his power to Med'an. He was last seen at the funeral of Aegwynn and took Med'an to further his training.
Wrath of the Lich King
Maraad was stationed aboard the Skybreaker which is flying above Icecrown and served as a Vindicator in the Valiance Expedition.
Prophet's Lesson
Coming home from his tour of duty in Northrend, Vindicator Maraad was surprised to learn both that human refugees from the Shattering were camped outside the Exodar, and that Velen had refused to meet with anyone in weeks. When it was revealed in a meeting with the Triumvirate of the Hand that the Exodar was nearly repaired, Maraad decided that if Velen would not lead them, then it was up to them to decide what to do: take the fight to the Legion, return to Outland, or stay on Azeroth. It was agreed that if Velen did not speak to them within the week, then they would leave Azeroth.
When the refugees began rioting and seriously injured Vindicator Romnar, Maraad and the other vindicators were forced to use deadly force to defend themselves. When Velen appeared to stop the battle, Maraad told him about their ultimatum. Velen told them that war was everywhere, and they were needed on Azeroth. Deeply moved, Maraad went to heal the refugees with the other draenei.[9] Dedicated to the draenei and under the will of his Prophet, he remained in the Exodar until the events of Pandaria's invasion.[2]
The Untamed Valley
Maraad in the short story The Untamed Valley.
Shortly after the Siege of Orgrimmar, Maraad and Sentinel Commander Lyalia teamed up in Pandaria where they were hired by the Shado-Pan to transport an orc war criminal across the continent to Lion's Landing. Their journey would eventually lead them to camp on Haohan Mudclaw's field. Noticing them, the virmen came out of their tunnel and offered them axles for carrots. Maraad refused for he had none. At that moment, the virmen started attacking. Luckily for them Haohan Mudclaw and Mung-Mung. After accepting to stay at his house, the three moved into the cellar for the night. Sometime after, the dark shamans tracked them down and came to rescue their leader Mashok. A group of Hellscream's loyalists caught up with them, but Maraad and Lyalia received aid from several members of the Tillers (including Farmer Fung, Old Hillpaw, Gina Mudclaw, Haohan Mudclaw and Mung-Mung). To keep the prisoner secure, Maraad took the orc back down in the cellar and closed the doors behind him. The two entered in a deadly struggle, with Maraad trying to keep the orc from moving. Upstairs, the last living shaman Zertin was able to trick the farmers and distracted Maraad long enough for Mashok to grab a hold of the elements. The paladin ran outside to warn the others of the prisoner's escape but to no avail. Mashok rooted everyone who opposed him, promising them that their land will burn. It all looked lost until Farmer Fung asked him if carrots will grow, to which he replied no. Then out of nowhere, the virmen all rose up from the ground and came to the conclusion that if the farmers die, there'd be no more carrots. The Vindicator asked Haohan Mudclaw to spare him and he agreed. In the morning, he healed everyone and is later seen on Haohan's cart taking the prisoner to his final destination, Lion's Landing.[10]
Lords of War
When the Iron Horde began its march on Azeroth, Maraad met with King Varian Wrynn, who was not certain he could defeat what was essentially the same threat that killed his father and destroyed the kingdom of Stormwind many years prior. Maraad urged Varian to sign the declaration of war on the Iron Horde, but Varian was lost in doubt. Maraad told Varian that he faced the warlords before, and they aren't invincible. He proceeded to tell the king about the histories of several warlords: Kargath Bladefist, Grommash Hellscream, Durotan, and Kilrogg Deadeye.
In the end, he told him about the battle of Shattrath in which he participated and how he failed the refugees he had to protect. Varian, convinced, signed the declaration and Maraad was the first to answer the call for he wants to prevent the atrocities he witnessed.[6]
The Iron Tide
When the Dark Portal turns red, Maraad helps to stop the Ironmarch invasion of the Blasted Lands and is located at the Shattered Beachhead along with the Alliance army. He sent adventurers to eliminate the Iron Horde numbers and machinery and then moved behind the enemy lines with Commander Vines, Enohar Thunderbrew and a small Alliance army. They began pushing the Iron Horde from the ruins of Nethergarde back and he also had the new ruler of the Dreadmaul ogres, that had allied with the Iron Horde, killed. He ultimately assists the adventurers in killing one of the leaders of this attack, Gar'mak Bladetwist, holed in the Okril'lon Hold. He then sent a report to the King Wrynn while he stayed there and continue the war effort.
Warlords of Draenor
Maraad in Shadowmoon Valley.
Maraad agreed to help lead the forces of the noble Alliance as they stood against the impending invasion. Now, Maraad has a chance to come to terms with the tragedy of his past. He intends to fulfill his vow, not only to save the innocent, but also to execute vengeance on everyone who caused him and his people so much heartache.[1]
During the Assault on the Dark Portal, Maraad was a part of the unified Alliance and Horde squad tasked with destroying the Dark Portal in Tanaan Jungle.
In Shadowmoon Valley, Maraad works with Akama to combat the Shadowmoon clan. Later, after Velen's attempt to purify Ner'zhul's Dark Star into K'ara and his subsequent death, Maraad and Yrel lead the defense of Karabor against the Iron Horde.
Later he ventures with Yrel and the Rangari to Gorgrond in order to discover the Blackrock clan's intentions. He becomes gradually driven by anger and vengeance as the campaign progresses through Gorgrond and later Talador, where he ultimately meets his demise during the First Battle for Shattrath, defending Yrel with the last remnants of his powers. Maraad died saving the city he failed to save before.
Locations
| Notable appearances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | Level range | Health range |
| Icecrown | 80 | 36,860 |
| Blasted Lands | 93 | 5,392,000 |
| Tanaan Jungle | 93 | 32,356,000 |
| Shadowmoon Valley | 90 | 70,012 |
| Gorgrond | 95 | 7,443,800 |
| Talador | 100 | 391,416 |
| Quest:The Battle for Shattrath | 97 | 5,503,500 |
Quests
- Quest:Iron Horde Invasion! (Alliance)
- Quest:Attack of the Iron Horde (Alliance)
- Quest:Under Siege (Alliance)
- Quest:Subversive Scouts (Alliance)
- Quest:Investigating the Invasion (Alliance)
- Quest:Lunatic Lieutenants (Alliance)
- Quest:For Nethergarde!
- Quest:Toothsmash the Annihilator (Alliance)
- Quest:Death to the Dreadmaul (Alliance)
- Quest:Gar'mak Bladetwist (Alliance)
- Quest:Report to the King
Quotes
Lords of War
Maraad, speaking to Varian.
- "What you cannot see... is the burden that I carry each day. I was there, during the assault on Shattrath City. Our beloved dwelling of light, under siege by a relentless army of demon corrupted orcs. I witnessed countless acts of brutality, unspeakable horrors from the top of the wall. I did as I was commanded, I gathered the refugees, led them away from battle. And then... I saw... him. It was my charge to see the refugees to safety, yet the horrors I have witnessed... the suffering. Despite all my vows, vengeance burned in my heart... I would avenge the countless draenei that perished... I struck out to find the refugees... My heart fell. The path had not been safe. The Light that I promised would be with them... had forsaken them instead, just as I had... I know I may not return, but if there is even the barest chance of preventing the atrocities that I witnessed from happening again, then I offer myself... gladly." (To Varian Wrynn, recollecting the events of the original Battle of Shattrath)
World of Warcraft
- Greeting
- Come, speak with me.
- What news from the front?
- How goes the fight?
- Where do we stand?
- Let us speak.
- Farewell
- Never again.
- Our enemies must fall.
- We must not fail.
- Walk with the light.
- This is war!
Shattered Beachhead
Azeroth has been invaded by a vicious enemy that seems bent on world domination.
We must act quickly if we are to put a stop to the chaos that is unfolding around us.
Battle for Shattrath
- "In the Light, we are one." (Last words, to Yrel)
Action Figure
The Vindicator Maraad action figure.
Maraad is featured in DC Unlimited's World of Warcraft: Series 2 action figure set.[11]
Though DC's site calls him "Marrad", the correct spelling of "Maraad" is used on the actual packaging.
Trivia
- Maraad was confirmed during Blizzcon 2013 to be the draenei seen in the Burning Crusade cinematic.
- The small crack on Maraad's hammer was made during Shattrath's fall when battling against the orc he chose to kill instead of escorting the refugees.
- Having been ordered to lead away the last refugees of Shattrath by Larohir at a critical moment, Maraad avoided the red mist that was unleashed by the orcs later on during the assault, which eventually transformed Nobundo, Akama and other draenei that survived the battle into the Broken.[12]
- In early builds of the Warlords of Draenor alpha, Maraad and Yrel were in a romantic relationship.
- Maraad is voiced by Crispin Freeman.[13][14]
- At the First Battle for Shattrath, Maraad saved Yrel using the Paladin spell [Divine Intervention], which was removed from the game many years before Warlords of Draenor.
- Maraad was originally conceived as a deluxe figure designed for the DC toy line. He was later named by Chris Metzen.[15]
- Maraad is one of four famous paladins mentioned in the [Empowered Seals] spell. If a paladin uses [Seal of Truth], Maraad's Truth will be the name of their judgement's proc effect.
Gallery
Vindicator Maraad in the Burning Crusade cinematic.
Artwork of Vindicator Maraad, by Glenn Rane.
Vindicator Maraad, flying over Icecrown on the Skybreaker.
An image of Nimaasus the Implacable, used to represent Maraad on the Warlords of Draenor site.[3]
Vindicator Maraad
![An image of Nimaasus the Implacable, used to represent Maraad on the Warlords of Draenor site.[3]](https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/wowpedia/images/e/e8/Portrait-maraad-large.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20131109185245)
Videos
- Lords of War Part Five - Maraad
- The Dark Portal
- The Dark Portal destroyed
- Garrison (Alliance)
- Velen's sacrifice
- Battle for Shattrath
Patch changes
- Template:Patch 6.0.1
- Patch 3.0.3 (2008-11-04): Added.
References
- ^ a b c d e The Characters of Warcraft: Vindicator Maraad
- ^ a b c Ultimate Visual Guide
- ^ a b Warlords of Draenor
- ^ Quest:Circle the Wagon
- ^ Micky Neilson on Twitter (2014-09-26)
- ^ a b Lords of War
- ^ Secrets
- ^ Repercussions
- ^ Prophet's Lesson
- ^ The Untamed Valley
- ^ DC Unlimited: World of Warcraft: Series 2: Draenei Paladin: Vindicator Marrad Deluxe Collector's Figure
- ^ Unbroken
- ^ Crispin Freeman on Twitter (2014-08-14)
- ^ Crispin Freeman on Twitter (2014-09-06)
- ^ Jason Bischoff on Twitter (2014-09-27)
External links
World of Warcraft Community Site Wallpaper featuring Maraad (by Wei Wang)
DC Unlimited: World of Warcraft Vindicator Maraad action figure