Lore ·
Who Was King Llane Wrynn? Stormwind's Fallen King Explained
King Llane Wrynn I was the ruler of Stormwind during the First War, a friend of Medivh and Anduin Lothar and the father of Varian, and he was murdered in his own throne room by Garona as the Horde overran the kingdom. In World of Warcraft: Forever (WoW Forever), set in the first year of World of Warcraft, Llane is long dead; what remains is his name, carried by the Wrynn line.
Quick answer: Llane was a compassionate king who trusted his childhood friend Medivh and the half-orc Garona, and both trusts were used against him. Garona, bound to the Shadow Council, killed him as Stormwind fell. His son Varian took the throne.
Before Stormwind belonged to adventurers, its throne belonged to a king who trusted his friends. In this story that trust is what was used against him.
Key facts
- Title: King of Stormwind, Llane Wrynn I (Warcraft Wiki, Blizzard Watch)
- Family: wife Taria, son Varian, grandson Anduin Llane Wrynn (Warcraft Wiki)
- Childhood friends: Medivh and Anduin Lothar (Warcraft Wiki, Blizzard Watch)
- Killed by: Garona, controlled by the Shadow Council (Warcraft Wiki, Blizzard Watch)
- Where: in Stormwind during the orcish siege, in the throne room (Warcraft Wiki, Blizzard Watch)
- Successor: Varian Wrynn, with Lothar as regent at first (Warcraft Wiki)
- Role in Forever's era: history only; no source places him in the game
Who was King Llane Wrynn?
Llane was the king people wanted to believe in. Warcraft Wiki names his parents as Barathen Wrynn and Lady Varia and his wife as Taria. Blizzard Watch's Know Your Lore column calls him a beloved ruler of wisdom and compassion, "at his heart a compassionate soul," and says Garona knew no other human who treated her with kindness and respect.
Sources disagree on how he became king. Warcraft Wiki says his father Barathen died in a counterattack when the Gurubashi invaded Stormwind. Blizzard Watch says his father, King Adamant Wrynn III, was killed in combat and that Llane was crowned at the start of the First War. Both say Llane took the crown after his father's death.
Who were Llane's friends Medivh and Lothar?
Two boys grew up beside the future king. Warcraft Wiki says Anduin Lothar and Medivh were Llane's childhood best friends, and that Lothar became King's Champion, the kingdom's highest military rank. Blizzard Watch says Llane trusted Medivh even after Khadgar and Garona reported that Medivh had opened the Dark Portal. For the friends, read Who Is Medivh?, Who Is Anduin Lothar? and How the Dark Portal opened.
How did King Llane die?
The siege ended in the throne room. Warcraft Wiki says Llane was assassinated during the orcish siege of Stormwind, killed by Garona, who was controlled by the Shadow Council, and that his son Varian saw it happen. Blizzard Watch says Garona went to the throne room, murdered him, and did not want to, because she was bound and ensorcelled to obey the Shadow Council. For the council behind it, read the Shadow Council explained.
What did Llane leave behind?
A kingdom, a boy and a grudge. Warcraft Wiki says Varian succeeded him, at first under the regency of Anduin Lothar. Blizzard Watch says Llane raised Varian with care and kindness, and that watching his father die fueled a lifetime of hatred in Varian. Warcraft Wiki adds that Llane's grandson Anduin was given Llane as a middle name in his honor. Read Who Is Varian Wrynn?, Who Is Anduin Wrynn? and Stormwind's history.
Where does Llane appear in WoW Forever?
Nowhere that a source confirms. WoW Forever is set in the first year of World of Warcraft, years after Llane's death, and no source Lore Forever opened places him in the game. The free Lore Forever add-on adds readable zone and quest background, and the optional Willo voice companion can answer questions about the people behind the names. Both are fan-made.
What is not confirmed yet
- Blizzard has not published Forever-specific Llane content.
- Llane's father: Warcraft Wiki names Barathen, who dies fighting the invading Gurubashi; Blizzard Watch names Adamant Wrynn III, killed in combat, with Llane crowned at the First War's start.
- Year of death: Warcraft Wiki's page gives year 3, citing Chronicle Volume 2, and notes an earlier statement of year 4.
Frequently asked questions
Who was King Llane Wrynn?
King Llane Wrynn I was the ruler of Stormwind during the First War and the father of Varian Wrynn. Warcraft Wiki and Blizzard Watch both say Garona killed him as Stormwind fell.
Who killed King Llane Wrynn?
Garona killed him, according to Warcraft Wiki and Blizzard Watch. Both say she was controlled by the Shadow Council when she did it.
Was Llane Wrynn friends with Medivh and Lothar?
Yes. Warcraft Wiki says Medivh and Anduin Lothar were Llane's childhood best friends, and Blizzard Watch calls Lothar one of his two close childhood friends.
Is King Llane alive in WoW Forever?
No. WoW Forever is set in the first year of World of Warcraft, years after the First War. Llane died in the siege of Stormwind, and no source places him in the game.
Who is Llane Wrynn's son?
Llane's son is Varian Wrynn, who succeeded him on the throne of Stormwind, according to Warcraft Wiki. Llane's grandson is Anduin Llane Wrynn.
Sources
Reviewed October 27, 2026. This article covers history before Forever's setting and does not treat later events as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.