World of Warcraft
Warcraft universe is not short of villains and it’s not about to be anytime soon. Many of the villains are, as we can say “morally grey.” If we were to give some examples; Arthas was actually trying to save his people. Illidan was trying to save the universe in his own twisted way. But enter Gul’dan, he is different. He is not a fallen hero nor misunderstood. He is just pure, unadulterated evil. The first Warlock, betrayer of the Orcs, and arguably one of the most successful villains in the franchise’s history, in terms of how close they got to their goals.
Cripple and Exile, Origins of Gul’dan
Gul’dan was born as a nobody. In the Harbingers animated short (which is a masterpiece imo), we saw his true story. He was a weak, crippled orc living in a village that despised him. He was beaten, mocked, and eventually exiled to the wastelands to die. An old shaman told him to seek the Throne of the Elements for salvation. He crawled through the desert, reaching the throne, expecting the elements to heal him and grant him power. But the Elements refused. They sensed the darkness and rage within his heart and turned away.
In that moment of despair, another voice answered. A green, fel fire lit up the sky. Kil’jaeden offered him power in exchange for servitude. He accepted the Fel, returned to his village, and slaughtered everyone without discrimination. That was the beginning of Orcs’ downfall.
The Usurper and The Guardian
Before Gul’dan could truly build the Horde, he had to eliminate the existing spiritual leader, his own master, Ner’zhul. Initially, it was Ner’zhul who was contacted by Kil’jaeden. But when the elder shaman realized he was being deceived and tried to save his people at Oshu’gun, Gul’dan saw an opportunity. He betrayed his master to Kil’jaeden, exposing his doubts. Pleased with this treachery, the Demon Lord stripped Ner’zhul of all his power and elevated Gul’dan to the position of supreme leader. Becoming a powerless pet, Ner’zhul was forced to watch helplessly as the Orcs fell into damnation.
Now that Draenor was conquered, Gul’dan’s ambition reached across the stars. He began to receive visions from a mysterious, hooded figure from another world, Medivh (who was possessed by Sargeras). They formed a psychic link, a cosmic phone call between two worlds. Medivh offered Gul’dan a temptation he couldn’t refuse, the location of the Tomb of Sargeras. A place filled with godlike power. In exchange, Gul’dan had to build a gateway. This unholy alliance between the Orc Warlock and the Human Guardian is what led to the construction of the Dark Portal and the start of the First War.
The Architect of the Horde
After betraying his entire race, he formed the Shadow Council to manipulate the clans from behind the scenes. He convinced the chieftains to drink the Blood of Mannoroth, binding the Orcs to the Burning Legion’s will and turning their skin green (ones most exposed to blood were becoming red and grew spikes on their bodies). He sucked the life out of his own world, Draenor, just to fuel his ambition and to see if he could do it. He is the main reason why the Orcs invaded Azeroth and started the First War, eventually leading up to a Second War. First Warcraft game literally begins with his influence.
Manipulating the Orcs politically was not enough, he also broke their spiritual backbone. In Shadowmoon Valley, there is a massive fel volcano known as The Hand of Gul’dan. This is the scar left behind when Gul’dan used a spell (The Cipher of Damnation) to sever the Orcs’ connection to the spirits of the land. He literally broke the world to ensure his people had no choice but to turn to Fel magic.
During the Second War, he needed magical soldiers. His depravity knew no bounds and the living were not enough for him. Long before the Lich King sat on the Frozen Throne, Gul’dan created the first generation of Death Knights. He placed the souls of his slain warlocks into the rotting corpses of human knights (notably Teron Gorefiend). He twisted life and death just as easily as he twisted the truth. Before the Scourge, there was Gul’dan.
Legacy of Destruction, Gul’dan Dies Twice
Gul’dan is so evil that he had to die twice. In the Main Universe, his ambition was his undoing. During the Second War, he abandoned the Horde to seek the Tomb of Sargeras for godhood. Instead of godhood, he found angry demons who tore him apart. He died writing his name on the walls of the tomb in his own blood. The skull Illidan is holding belongs to Gul’dan. Skull itself holds immense power and is considered an artefact. (Ner’zhul seeks it during the events of Sons of Lothar)
In the Alternate Universe (Warlords of Draenor), he was smarter. He succeeded where his counterpart failed. He brought the Legion to Azeroth again (big time). He killed King Varian Wrynn at the Broken Shore. In the Nighthold raid, after a grueling battle, he was defeated. Illidan Stormrage appeared with drip, grabbed Gul’dan, lifted him up, then burned him with fel fire until only his skull remained and crushed it to dust this time instead of using it for power. It was the perfect ironic justice.
Personal Thoughts on Gul’dan
The Legion expansion was the peak of WoW for me, and fighting Gul’dan was a big part of that. I was playing my Undead Rogue (Assassination spec) at the time. We did Heroic Nighthold progress with my guild. I still remember the chaos of that fight. It was hard, but also a sheer visual spectacle. Downing him felt like a real achievement at the time.
My fondest memory of that era is the Mage Tower. I spent hours trying to beat the Assassination challenge, it was unforgiving. But the reward was worth it. The Ghostblade artifact appearance. Those spectral, blue daggers were amazing. But the best part is, they sheathed on the back. Almost every dagger in WoW rest on your hips, which looks small. But these ones crossed on your back like ninja swords. Combined with the ghostly glow and my Undead’s hunch, it was one of the best transmogs I ever had.
Though I don’t really like Gul’dan that much (nothing much to like), he is a well written villain. Dark and brutal, no mercy. I’ll give Blizz that much. He was also okay-ish in the Warcraft movie (a disaster for the lore fans). Im not gonna go in there, otherwise I might become a tad angry. He is one of the villains that came closest to winning and made me wonder what’s gonna happen next in the expansion. So, I’m giving his character a thumbs up.
