Varok Saurfang was once a notable figure in the Warcraft story, as he was a high ranking member of the Horde and an orc of honor. He fought through all four major wars of Azeroth and defended its people against may invasions. He lost his life to Sylvanas Windrunner during Battle for Azeroth, but his effect on Azeroth is still being felt today.
Recently, he made an appearance in the latest World of Warcraft cinematic, which served as closure for many fans of his character. Saurfang touched many lives throughout his time in Azeroth, and he should be remembered for the powerful figure he once was.
Saurfang's Early Life
Varok Saurfang was born on Draenor and was a member of the Blackrock clan. He had a younger brother named Broxigar and an unnamed half-brother. When Blackhand became warchief, he named Saurfang, Eitrigg, and Orgrim Doomhammer as his lieutenants. Saurfang helped lead the orcish horde against the draenei. To gain power, Saurfang and Grommash Hellscream drank the blood of the pitlord Mannoroth, their new blood curse filling them with bloodlust.
When the Dark Portal began to open, Saurfang's mate Remda died. He promised Remda that their son Dranosh would never cross the Dark Portal, so he hid him away in Nagrand. After hiding his son, Saurfang charged into the Dark Portal with the armies of the Horde, leading them on many successful battles throughout the First and Second Wars. He was even appointed to second-in-command when Orgrim killed Blackhand and took control of the Horde.
Saurfang was also present during the Third War, he was at the final battle and witnessed Archimonde's defeat. Once the orcs were freed from their demonic control, Saurfang helped many veterans come to terms with the atrocities they had committed over the three wars. His own atrocities haunted him, and while he would never stand down from a fight, he vowed to stop any warmonger before it was too late.
Wrath of the Lich King
Saurfang played a small role in the beginning of Wrath of the Lich King, as Saurfang gifted Dranosh his battle armor and axe when he was promoted to commander of the Kor'kron vanguard in Dragonblight. Saurfang was stationed in Warsong Hold, serving as an adviser to Garrosh Hellscream and commander of the Kor'kron in Northrend. Throughout all of this, he feared that the demonic bloodlust would resurface in the orcs after witnessing the brutality of Hellscream's soldiers. At The Wrathgate, Dranosh was killed by the Lich King. Alexstrasza urged players to return Dranosh's armor to Saurfang, who accepted it solemnly. He mourned his son, but knew that he died a hero.
Saurfang played an instrumental role in the battle inside Icecrown Citadel. He controlled the gunship Orgrim's Hammer and then assisted the players on the ground. His son had been reborn as a champion of the Lich King, and so Saurfang confronted him. Dranosh tried to get his father to join him, but Saurfang refused, citing that Dranosh had fallen at the Wrathgate. Once his son was defeated, Saurfang collected his body and promised to give his son a proper ceremony in Nagrand. After burying his son by Remda, Saurfang took a leave of absence to grieve in peace.
The Trial of Garrosh Hellscream
Saurfang was absent for the majority of Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria, as he elected to remain in Northrend. It was not until the Siege of Orgrimmar that Saurfang returned. Alongside Thrall, Saurfang entered Garrosh Hellscream's lair so that he could confront him about the atrocities he had committed in Pandaria. On the way, he became injured in battle and told the players to go on without him.
Garrosh Hellscream was taken prisoner and Saurfang attended his trial. He was called upon as a witness by Tyrande Whisperwind and recounted his various conflicts with Garrosh in Northrend. He told them how he had threatened Garrosh if he took the orcs down the wrong path, which many believed Garrosh had done. His testimony served as proof by many orcs that Garrosh had gone too far.
The Beginning of The Fourth War
Saurfang did not do much during Warlords of Draenor or Legion. During Legion, he began to distrust the new warchief, Sylvanas Windrunner, and vowed to stop her if she repeated Garrosh's mistakes. Before Battle for Azeroth, Sylvanas used his expertise to try and create a battle plan to sack Stormwind City, but he did not believe it was possible and became outraged with her want to start a war against the Alliance.
The Horde army began their march on the night elf lands, with Saurfang leading them. They were ambushed by Malfurion Stormrage and Saurfang challenged him to a mak'gora. Neither won the fight and the Horde army advanced, conquering the land. Sylvanas and Malfurion became locked in a battle and Saurfang intervened, delivering a dishonorable blow against him. Sylvanas urged Saurfang to end Malfurion's life, but he refused, it was not the honorable thing to do.
Sylvanas marched the Horde army to Teldrassil and set it ablaze. Saurfang confronted her and said she had committed unspeakable atrocities that would stain the Horde for generations. She did not care, as she saw it as a way of remedying Saurfang's mistake of allowing Mauflruon to escape. He watched as the tree burned and knew that what had happened was dishonorable, and that he too had committed similar atrocities before and had dishonored himself.
The Battle of Lordaeron
The armies of the Alliance marched on Lordaeron in retaliation for Teldrassil. Saurfang removed his armor and began to walk to meet his end against the Alliance, giving himself an honorable warrior's death. However, Zekhan, a young troll, stopped him and convinced him to live another day. He agreed and helped defend the Undercity from the Alliance.
The Horde began to lose the battle and Sylvanas planned to use the blight to defend themselves, while Saurfang argued with her that Horde troops would also fall to the blight. Sylvanas believed these were acceptable losses and put her plan into motion. Saurfang watched as the blight killed Horde and Alliance soldiers. He confronted her, calling it an honor less strategy, but she did not care; she only wanted to win. He refused to follow Sylvanas and was defeated by Anduin, becoming a prisoner of the Alliance.
Prisoner of the Alliance
While in prison, Anduin informed him that he represented the best of the Horde. When Horde players entered the stockades to free Talanji and Zul, they also found Saurfang, but he refused to come with them. He told them that as long as Sylvanas was warchief he would never return to the Horde.
A little time later, Anduin visited him in his cell, and they engaged in a conversation about honor and whether more innocents need to die. All Saurfang wanted was the Horde back and Anduin wanted the war to be over. Anduin told him he could not stop Sylvanas alone and left the cell open as he departed. Saurfang used this opportunity to finally leave, vowing to save the Horde.
Saurfang's Final Honorable Act
Suarfang went on a quest to recruit allies, where he gathered Thrall and Baine Bloodhoof to his side. With the help of the Alliance forces and Horde rebels, they marched on Orgrimmar, hoping to overthrow Sylvanas Windrunner. Before the battle could begin, Saurfang scanned the crowd and realized that they would only be spilling more Horde blood, so he demanded a mak'gora.
Sylvanas agreed to this and armed herself. Saurfang was gifted Thrall's axe and Anduin's sword for this fight, and he confronted her outside the city. They began to fight.and Saurfang was able to slash one of her eyes, enraging Sylvanas who blasted Saurfang with dark magic, killing Saurfang. She then fled and went on to kickstart the events of Shadowlands.
On that day outside Orgrimmar, Varok Saurfang lost his life fighting for honor. He made another appearance in Shadowlands during the Sepulcher of the First Ones cinematic, where he helped Anduin break free from the Jailer's control alongside King Varian Wrynn. He was a testament for what orcs in Warcraft can be, and for that he will always be remembered by players.