"First War" series — First War #9. The story of Warcraft I, from the clans of Draenor to the fall of Stormwind. The episodes are listed in order at the end of the post.
Garona Halforcen is one of the most tragic characters of the First War. Half orc and half draenei, she belonged to neither people and was raised to serve the Horde as a spy. Sent by Gul'dan to Karazhan as an emissary, she met Medivh, became friends with Khadgar and began to doubt those who gave her orders. Garona's life shows the human side of a war that seemed to be only monsters against heroes.
Who Garona is
Garona was born to an orc and a draenei, in the middle of the war on Draenor. She was accepted by neither side. The orcs saw her as weak, and the draenei saw her as an enemy.
She grew up among the warriors of her father's clan, the Bladewind. Later, Gul'dan took her under his care, and the warlocks of the Shadow Council trained her as a spy and assassin and made her loyal to the Council through fear and dependence.
The emissary in Karazhan
Gul'dan needed someone close to Medivh, and Garona was the perfect choice: she could speak the humans' language, she looked less frightening to them and she was obedient. She arrived at Karazhan as an emissary of the Horde.
There, Garona met Medivh, who received her without surprise, as if he had been expecting her, and Khadgar, the Guardian's apprentice. Khadgar distrusted her at first, but the two ended up growing close.
Read more: First War #8: The Guardian.
Between two worlds
In Karazhan, Garona saw another way of living. No one treated her as a tool, and Khadgar treated her as an equal. For the first time, she began to think for herself.
The problem is that the Shadow Council had not really set her free. Gul'dan had ways of controlling her, and Garona knew that, if needed, he would make her act against her own will.
Garona and the humans
Over time, Garona began helping the humans. She brought information about the Horde to Anduin Lothar and King Llane and became, for a while, an ally of Stormwind. For Lothar and Llane, she was a valuable source. For the Horde, she was a traitor.
Garona was trapped between the two sides. And Gul'dan had not yet played the card he was holding: the power to control her mind. That is what happens in the last episode of the season.
A character who keeps coming back
Garona's story does not end in the First War. She shows up at several points in the lore:
- In the World of Warcraft comics, Garona's son with Medivh, Med'an, appears as a hero who brings together several kinds of magic.
- In Legion, Garona plays an important role in the rogue campaign, with the Uncrowned.
Episode timeline
- Garona is born on Draenor, daughter of an orc and a draenei.
- Gul'dan takes her under his care, and the Shadow Council trains her as a spy.
- Gul'dan sends her to Karazhan as an emissary of the Horde.
- She meets Medivh and grows close to Khadgar.
- Garona passes information about the Horde to Lothar and Llane.
Who's who in this episode
| Name | Who they are | |------|--------| | Garona Halforcen | Half orc and half draenei, a Shadow Council spy and the Horde's emissary in Karazhan. | | Gul'dan | The leader of the Shadow Council, who controlled her. | | Khadgar | Medivh's apprentice, who became Garona's friend. | | Medivh | The Guardian of Tirisfal, master of Karazhan. | | Anduin Lothar | The commander of Stormwind, who received Garona's information. |
Where to see it in WotLK
- Karazhan, in Deadwind Pass: the tower where Garona met Medivh and Khadgar.
- Stormwind: the capital of King Llane, who trusted Garona.
- Black Morass, in the Caverns of Time: the time when the Portal was opened, when Garona already served the Horde.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Garona in Warcraft?
A half orc, half draenei trained by Gul'dan and the Shadow Council as a spy. She was sent to Karazhan as an emissary of the Horde.
Is Garona half human?
In the old versions of the lore, yes. In the current version, revealed in the World of Warcraft comics, she is half orc and half draenei. Gul'dan lied to her, telling her she was half human.
Who is Garona's son?
Med'an, her son with Medivh, who appears in the Warcraft comics.
"First War" series
← Previous: First War #8: The Guardian Next → First War #10: Revelations
- First War #1: The clans of Draenor
- First War #2: The Orc Chieftains
- First War #3: The Massacre of Telmor
- First War #4: The Fall of the City of Light
- First War #5: The Opening of the Dark Portal
- First War #6: The Invasion of Azeroth
- First War #7: Meeting Medivh
- First War #8: The Guardian
- First War #9: The Emissary (you are here)
- First War #10: Revelations
- First War #11: Confronting the Magus
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