Tirion Fordring

Highlord Tirion Fordring was the Supreme Commander of the Argent Crusade and the bearer of the Ashbringer. Fordring was one of the first five paladins of the Knights of the Silver Hand selected by Archbishop Alonsus Faol along with Uther the Lightbringer, Turalyon, Saidan Dathrohan, and Gavinrad the Dire. One of the Alliance heroes of the Second War, he became Lord of Mardenholde Keep in Hearthglen and held the position for several peaceful years until being stripped of his title and exiled for defending an orc, Eitrigg, with whom he remained good friends.

Following the death of his son Taelan, Tirion committed himself to refounding the order of the Silver Hand. The result was the Argent Crusade, an organization consisting of the old Knights of the Silver Hand and the Argent Dawn. Tirion led his new Crusade into battle against the Scourge during the invasion of Northrend and, aided by Highlord Darion Mograine and his Knights of the Ebon Blade, directed the successful assault against Icecrown Citadel which resulted in the death of the Lich King. After the victory in Northrend, Fordring had returned to Hearthglen and directed the Crusade as it worked to revitalize the Plaguelands.

When the Burning Legion began their third invasion of Azeroth, Tirion led the Argent Crusade's forces during the disastrous battle for the Broken Shore but was captured and eventually killed, though not before passing the Ashbringer on to the new Highlord of the reformed Silver Hand.

The Second War
Tirion Fordring was originally a warrior of Lordaeron and was eventually knighted at the age of 18. He eventually found faith and got closer to the Church of the Light, studying under the guidance of Archbishop Alonsus Faol. At the beginning of the Second War, he was chosen by the Archbishop as one of the four candidates from Lordaeron to start the order of the Knights of the Silver Hand, along with Uther, Saidan Dathrohan, Turalyon, and Gavinrad the Dire. Faol presented each of the paladins with enchanted librams during their training that were among the church's most ancient relics. Each libram represented a core trait of the Silver Hand that Faol challenged his students to become the living embodiment of. Tirion was given the Libram of Retribution. During his ceremony of induction into the order, Tirion received his hammer and from Saidan, who was one of his closest friends, the silver plates that he placed upon his shoulders, before being blessed and empowered by the holy powers of the clerics of the Brotherhood of Northshire and the Knights of the Silver Hand present. Tirion battled in the final battle of the Blackrock Spire where he killed an ogre that was about to attack Alexandros Mograine.

After the Second War, he, Uther, Saidan, and Gavinrad were present during a ceremonial of becoming a paladin for Prince Arthas in Stormwind.

Of Blood and Honor
As the governor of the Alliance principality of Hearthglen, Tirion lived a comfortable life, well-respected by his subjects and loved by his wife Karanda and son Taelan. Both a great warrior and a just ruler, Tirion was renowned throughout the Kingdom of Lordaeron. In spite of his acclaimed military prowess, Tirion's experience as a paladin during the orcish invasions had taught him to value peace. After the wars were over, Tirion prayed every night that no conflict would ever bring harm to his subjects again.

One day, he encountered an old orc hermit living in an abandoned tower. The two immediately battled and traded blows until a piece of the ruined tower collapsed on Tirion, knocking him senseless. He awoke in his bed days later and discovered that he had been found badly beaten with his ribs broken and his arm that had been sliced open, tied to his saddle, and had been healed by his ambitious second, Barthilas.

Realizing that the orc had saved him from the ruins, Tirion set out and retraced his steps back to the tower. The orc Eitrigg told Tirion that, before the coming to Azeroth, the orcs had been a noble society rooted in shamanism. After the war, he had left the corrupt Horde. Tirion, seeing great honor in Eitrigg, promised to keep his existence a secret, returning to his people and informing them that the orc had been dealt with and was not a threat.

Barthilas was not so confident, and called Saidan Dathrohan to come and settle the matter himself. Dathrohan picked up the trail and led a group of hunters into the woods, where they found Eitrigg. During the orc's capture, Tirion fought against Dathrohan's men, prompting Barthilas to gleefully note that his actions were treasonous. Tirion was brought to Stratholme to stand trial.

Despite the pleas of both Karandra and Mardenholde Keep's captain of the guard and close friend Arden to forget his honor and tell the jury what they wanted to hear, Tirion, hoping to be an example to his son, told the court exactly what had happened. Ultimately, the jury of Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, Arch-Mage Antonidas, Archbishop Alonsus Faol, and Prince Arthas Menethil decided that since Tirion had assaulted Alliance soldiers, he could no longer be a member of the Knights of the Silver Hand and was doomed to exile. Uther the Lightbringer performed a ceremony to strip Tirion of his powers and sent him home to gather some supplies. However, as a last token of respect to his friend, Uther did not exile Tirion's family for his crime.

After returning home, he bid a farewell to his son and wife. Desperate to prevent Eitrigg from being executed for war crimes, Tirion rode back to Stratholme, where he attacked Eitrigg's guards. Surprised, they still managed to subdue him, until a group of orcs stormed into the city. Tirion used the distraction to free Eitrigg and flee the city.

When they were in the wilds, Tirion saw that Eitrigg was near death, and did the only thing he could do; call upon the powers of the Light to heal the orc who had saved him even if his holy blessings have been stripped from his body. To his surprise, he still had his connection with the Light and through it the blessed powers to save Eitrigg.

They abruptly found themselves surrounded by orcs and a new Warchief, Thrall, who approached Eitrigg and invited him back into the Horde — which had since reverted back to its shamanistic roots once more. Eitrigg was thrilled to accept. Before he left with his people, Eitrigg proclaimed that Tirion and he were brothers, bound by blood and honor. Through his actions, Tirion also gained the undying respect of Thrall, one of the few humans he holds in such high regard, and which continues to this day.

Tirion remained in Lordaeron, to watch his son Taelan be inducted into the Silver Hand. His son later became the lord of Mardenholde. Tirion's wife told his son that Tirion had died, and even took him to a false grave at the Undercroft, where Taelan buried the toy warhammer his father had given him in his memory.

Many years later, he was secretly present at a ceremony where his son, Taelan, became a paladin. When the ceremony was over, as Tirion was leaving, he was noticed by Arden but he did not take any action and, in fact, was pleased to see him.

The Ashbringer
At the behest of Fairbanks, Darion Mograine found Tirion in his hut. Darion wanted an advice from him how to save Alexandros' soul. Tirion responded that he is not able to help him. Tirion then told him his story with Eitrigg. Eventually, he advised Darion to use an act of love which could save Alexandros' soul. Darion left him, saying that he can become a hero he once was.

When the Scourge attacked the Light's Hope Chapel, Tirion appeared helping the Argent Dawn. He then remained in contact with Maxwell Tyrosus and promised to free his son from the Scarlet Crusade.

World of Warcraft
Tirion Fordring was a quest giver located by a cottage near the southwestern end of Terrorweb Tunnel in the Eastern Plaguelands on the shores of the Thondroril River with his trusty horse, Mirador. During the Third War he often fought off the undead Scourge.

He was dismayed to find later that his son, Taelan, joined the Scarlet Crusade, and even became the highlord of that order. He readily accepted help from both the Horde and Alliance in following his assertions that race does not dictate honor, and from what he learned from his encounter with Eitrigg. Tirion turned to adventurers and sent them to Northdale to retrieve Symbol of Lost Honor and later on, yet again to have them collect mementos of his son's past which finally enabled him to convince his son to leave the Crusade. This triggered the Grand Crusader Dathrohan, who sent Isillien to kill the Fordrings. Isillien sent assassins to kill Tirion, but they were unsuccessful. He then rushed to Hearthglen, where he witnessed Isillien killing Taelan. Spurred by his son's death, Tirion resolved to reform the original Silver Hand as a force of good in the world when he killed Isillien.

Tirion later joined Light's Hope Chapel.

The Burning Crusade
In World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Tirion Fordring can be found in the Old Hillsbrad Foothills via the Caverns of Time as a level 55 NPC. Tirion can be seen in the Southshore inn wearing the same plate chest he wears nowadays and discussing Ashbringer with several of his fellow members of the Silver Hand. He was the first to refer to the future weapon by its legendary name. Sadly, most of the friends assembled here would later turn to bitter enemies, as they embraced the zeal of the Crusade they would later create.

(Note: In the comic, Tirion is not present at this meeting.)

The Scarlet Enclave
In The Light of Dawn (quest), the last quest of the Death knight starting area, the player joins Highlord Darion Mograine leading ten thousand Scourge against three hundred defenders of the Light at the Battle for Light's Hope Chapel. After a hundred or so defenders die, Tirion appears to confront Darion. Alexandros Mograine, Darion's father, also makes an appearance.

After an interaction between Darion and Tirion, and then Darion and Alexandros, the Lich King will appear and cast a spell that incapacitates Tirion. Darion, wielding the Corrupted Ashbringer once held by his father, throws the sword to Tirion where it is purified. Tirion then charges towards Arthas who runs and eventually escapes. It is here that Tirion makes his vow to destroy Arthas, thus uniting the Argent Dawn and the Knights of the Silver Hand into the Argent Crusade. Darion also pledges his Knights of the Ebon Blade to the cause.

Northrend
Impersonating a Cleric of the Crusade, anonymously so that he can reach Northrend without being intercepted by the Lich King's agents, Tirion managed to set foot at the port of Valgarde in the Howling Fjord, where he revealed his identity and reclaimed Ashbringer from Lord Irulon Trueblade. Than Irulon Trueblade asked him to not reveal his true identity, but Tirion announced loudly that he and his men were on their way to bring down Arthas, making sure he knew he was now on the frozen continent.

Following his arrival in Northrend, Tirion can be found in Icecrown at the Argent Vanguard, talking to the Ebon Watcher, actually Darion Mograine under disguise. Darion Mograine talks pessimistically, saying they cannot win when the Lich King is not shackled to any virtues of the Light. Tirion states he will not lower himself to the Scourge's level; they will do this with honor lest they become the monster they are trying to kill.

Argent Tournament Grounds
The Highlord gives a motivational speech every now and then to prepare to end the Lich King's reign.

Upon the Alliance's arrival, he greets Varian and Jaina and says their place in the coliseum is waiting for them. Varian tells Tirion that he's asked much of him to be away from the battlefield and to just sit and watch the games while trusting the Horde to keep themselves in check. Tirion assures Varian that his people are here to ensure they honor the rules of engagement, and it would do his subjects well to him in the stands. Varian confirms he will remain to support Tirion, and the Highlord escorts them into the coliseum.

Upon the Horde's arrival, he welcomes Warchief Thrall and Overlord Garrosh Hellscream. Thrall thanks the Highlord for the invitation and looks forward to observing the games. Garrosh gives his own opinions on these events, seeing them as a waste of time. Tirion hopes that he see the merit of these events in time, for they cannot win against the Scourge if the Alliance and the Horde to continue war against one another. Thrall called it wise, but Garrosh calls it a fools hope. The Highlord hopes that they will behave in the coliseum, and Thrall apologizes on behalf of Garrosh.

Crusader's Coliseum
Reasoning that a small force of elite combatants would fare better against the Scourge than a large army (which would provide more bodies to raise), Tirion set up the Argent Tournament and Crusader's Coliseum in Icecrown, where he could test the best warriors the Alliance and Horde had to offer.

In the small trial, he tested a small party of champions to undergo their opposing faction, face among the elite, and the unexpected.

The larger trial gave a larger group a chance to prove their worth against all odds. First among them were beasts far in the northlands. Then a gnome warlock Wilfred Fizzlebang summoned forth a demon beyond his reach to be bounded to its master. Tirion tells the crowd that it should be a lesson to those that dare dabble in dark magic. Garrosh accused the Alliance of treachery and, in turn, Varian called him a pig, but the Highlord calmed the situation and called on everyone to compose themselves for the tournament must go on. However, champions from the opposing faction were the next combatants that proved to be a shallow and tragic result. Following that, the final challenge consist of the Scourge's most powerful lieutenants: fearsome Val'kyr. Upon success, Tirion gives approval that the champions have proved themselves of the Argent Crusade, and together they will march upon the Lich King's stronghold. The Lich King would then challenge them as he makes his entrance to the coliseum. Tirion tells him that he is hopelessly outnumbered and to lay down his weapon. But it is not the Lich King himself that is the challenge, but his trusted minion. After another triumphant victory against Arthas' plans, Tirion knew that the champions' skill and cunning will prove to be a powerful weapon against the Scourge.

Icecrown Citadel
Tirion leads the Ashen Verdict into Icecrown Citadel and eventually faces the Lich King in battle at the Frozen Throne. Arthas freezes Tirion in a block of ice, slays the champions he brought with him, and prepares to raise them as agents of the Scourge. As the Lich King begins casting his spell, Tirion manages to break free of the ice and shatter Frostmourne with the Ashbringer. The souls that were trapped inside the runeblade turn on the Lich King, giving Fordring and his champions (who are resurrected by the spirit of Terenas) an opportunity to defeat him. Tirion and these champions finally slay Arthas.

A new Lich King
After watching Arthas's final moments, Tirion is informed that there must always be a Lich King to keep the Scourge in check. Preparing to take on the role as the new Lich King, he is stopped by a newly freed Bolvar Fordragon. Bolvar told Tirion and the heroes that they had their own destinies to fulfill and that he would take up the burden of becoming the new Lich King. After saying his last goodbye, Tirion placed the crown atop Bolvar's head, sealing the fate of Bolvar, the Scourge, and Azeroth itself.

The victorious champions returned to Dalaran, where a golden statue was built in honor of the heroes who died. At the very top of this monument stands a statue of Tirion, Ashbringer raised, standing over a shattered Frostmourne.

Cataclysm
After his victory over the Lich King, Tirion returned to Lordaeron to reclaim his old home, Hearthglen, from the remnants of the Scarlet Crusade. Tirion no longer resides at a riverside hovel in the Eastern Plaguelands and is instead located in Mardenholde Keep.

He personally welcomes new recruits to the Argent Crusade and shows them kindness and respect. Despite his age and the tragedies he's been through, he also retains a sense of humor.

Legion
After successfully opened the way for Burning Legion's invasion at the Tomb of Sargeras, Tirion and the Argent Crusade were the first to respond and took the fight to the demons. The battle was a disaster, with armies of demons pouring from the tomb. The Argent Crusade was annihilated and many prisoners were taken, including Tirion. After the Horde and Alliance fleets arrived and pushed toward the tomb, Gul'dan held Tirion above a pool of lava as a trap to lure in Varian Wrynn and Vol'jin's forces. As Tirion prays for the Light's protection, Gul'dan scoffs and claims that his light is no match for the power of a real god. The warlock then summons the giant Krosus, who spews a storm of fel at Tirion, destroying his Divine Shield and gravely wounding him. Gul'dan then dropped him into the lava as a final way to erode the Alliance and Horde's morale.

Tirion survived and was held captive by Jailer Zerus. He was later freed, but the torture he received was too much for him. After choosing a new Ashbringer, he passed away. His body was taken by Maxwell Tyrosus and buried beneath Light's Hope Chapel. A memorial service was held in his honor, during which Tyrosus named the new wielder of the Ashbringer as the new Highlord of the Silver Hand. Khadgar blames Krosus for his death, though he admits after the creature is slain that this isn't entirely accurate.

The Knights of the Ebon Blade wished to use Tirion's body to create the last of the Four Horsemen, but ultimately failed to obtain his body from the Argent Crusade and had Darion take the mantle instead.

He has a statue in the Sanctum of Light. Its plaque says: ''Friend, brother, mentor. Highlord Fordring was a paragon of the Light - an exemplar of what all paladins strive to be. May his spirit guide us in the dark days to come.''

Shadowlands
Tirion Fordring is seen during Uther's memory of when he became a paladin.

Abilities

 * Heartglen

Wrath of the Lich King

 * Judgment Day Comes!
 * Honor Above All Else
 * Into The Wild Green Yonder
 * A Cold Front Approaches
 * Once More Unto The Breach, Hero
 * Into The Frozen Heart Of Northrend
 * The Battle For Crusaders' Pinnacle
 * The Crusaders' Pinnacle
 * A Tale of Valor
 * A Hero Remains
 * The Keeper's Favor
 * Time Yet Remains
 * The Touch of an Aspect
 * Hope Yet Remains
 * The Will of the Naaru
 * Light Within the Darkness
 * Tirion's Help/Argent Aid
 * Tirion's Gambit

Cataclysm

 * An Audience with the Highlord
 * Turning Yourself In

World of Warcraft
He started the following quests: When all three above were complete, the following became available:
 * Blood Tinged Skies
 * Carrion Grubbage
 * Demon Dogs
 * Redemption (Neutral)
 * Of Forgotten Memories
 * Of Lost Honor
 * Of Love and Family (1)
 * Of Love and Family (2)
 * Find Myranda

Personality
Rising from the ranks of a knight and later a paladin, Tirion Fordring was a man of honor — and his commitment to upholding his honor no matter the cost often brought him into conflict with his family and friends. His wife Karandra Fordring often lamented the sacrifices she had to make in order to adapt to her husband's tendency to place his personal honor above everything else - his family included. So, for instance, when Fordring attempted to explain to his wife and to his long-time friend Arden that his commitment to saving the life of Eitrigg was a matter of honor, he encountered, for the most part, a total lack of understanding, with both Arden and Karandra arguing that he also has a responsibility to his family and his subjects — a responsibility he should not neglect in the name of honor. Tirion's honor, therefore, was the ultimate cause of his downfall — during his trial, he was offered an opportunity to be restored to good standing within the Alliance if only he would renounce the vow he gave to Eitrigg. Tirion refused, saying that his honor precluded him from doing so.

In the end, Tirion Fordring paid heavily for the honor he held in such high esteem. Not only was he stripped of his office and estates, but his family — Karandra Fordring and Taelan — refused to accompany him into exile, his wife stating that she would not let him ruin their lives as he had ruined his own. Thus, after his rescue of Eitrigg from the gallows in Stratholme, honor was very much the only thing Tirion still had.

After his exile and the fall of Lordaeron to the Scourge, Tirion fell into inactivity, feeling there was no reason for him to fight. That all changed, however, with the death of Taelan.

Filled with righteous anger at the loss of his beloved son, Tirion vowed to reestablish the Knights of the Silver Hand, to oppose the spread of evil in the world.

In the RPG
According to an RPG book, Tirion sent adventurers to Cinderhome, where Taelan and a few Crusaders became trapped by Scourge. In World of Warcraft, it was changed to Northdale.

Of Blood and Honor

 * You are assuming that there are more orcs out there, Barthilas. I was there, and I saw none. I will not sound the call to arms before we've confirmed the facts. This is not the time to start jumping at shadows. We must remain calm and vigilant.


 * Taelan: Are you going to fight the green men, Poppa?
 * Tirion: I don't know yet, son. I just don't know.


 * I will remain committed to the Alliance until my dying day. Of that, have no doubt. But I cannot disavow the oath I took. To do so would be to betray everything I am and everything we, as honorable men, hold dear.

Original

 * Race does not dictate honor, . While you remain on my farmstead, I ask that you remember and respect this credo.
 * I have known orcs who have been as honorable the most noble of knights and humans who have been as vile as the most ruthless of Scourge.
 * But I shall not bore you with tales of my youth! There is much work to be done - if that is what you desire.

Tirion's story in his own words
After completing his first three quests, this conversation opens with Tirion, as part of the next quest in his chain:


 * I must apologize for not being entirely truthful with you in regards to my identity. I had to be certain you could be trusted — few people would have selflessly lent assistance to an old and forgotten hermit.
 * You have proven yourself as one of those people: A person of integrity and honor.


 * My son, Taelan, was only a child when I was found guilty of treason and banished by the Alliance to live a life in exile. I chose to remain here so that I could watch over him; to somehow insure that he would grow up an honorable man.
 * As I had hoped, he took my place as lord of Mardenholde; but in a cruel twist of fate, joined the ranks of the Scarlet Crusade. He is now their Highlord,.


 * Indeed. The Scarlet Crusade are an aberration of the Order of the Silver Hand.
 * You must believe me, ; Taelan is a good man. He needs to remember...remember what it is to be noble and honorable. I know that in his heart, he knows what he does is wrong. Will you help him? Will you help him remember?


 * Dialogue

Wrath of the Lich King

 * Greetings
 * Put your faith in the Light, and all is possible.
 * Only by working together can we succeed!
 * The time of the Argent Crusade...is now!
 * We shall triumph!


 * Irritated
 * There is much work to be done.
 * Shouldn't you be off, then?
 * Your skills are impressive...
 * ...but your manners need work.
 * Don't test me, child!


 * Farewell
 * Find the strength within you.
 * Do not lose faith!
 * The end of the Scourge draws near.
 * Each of us has a role to play.
 * Courage is our greatest weapon.

The Search for the Highlord

 * Greeting
 * Help... me...
 * There... isn't much time...
 * So... weak...
 * (Cough)


 * Dialogue

In Hearthstone
Tirion appears as a legendary card for the Paladin class in Hearthstone. Upon death, he equips the player with an Ashbringer weapon. His flavor text reads: "If you haven't heard the Tirion Fordring theme song, it's because it doesn't exist."
 * In the Diablo Tavern Brawl that was available during the 20th anniversary of Blizzard's Diablo franchise, the TCG artwork for In Dreams depicting Tirion was used to represent the warlock hero Dark Wanderer, a character from Diablo.

Notes and trivia

 * Tirion's eye color is green.
 * Tirion enjoyed Fras Siabi's tobacco.
 * Before Tirion was banished, the gnome Myranda was his most trusted advisor. Myranda openly dissented the verdict passed by the Silver Hand and was banished as well as a result. Artist Renfray also called him an "old friend".
 * In the novel Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, Tirion is present in Stormwind when Arthas became a paladin (Year 15). When Tirion has a court (around the Year 18), Arthas, already a paladin, is present but according to Of Blood and Honor Tirion had never met the young prince before.
 * This is probably an oversight, as Of Blood and Honor (Chris Metzen, 2001) was written far earlier than Arthas: Rise of the Lich King (Christie Golden, 2009).
 * Tirion Fordring's Gold Coin can be fished from the Dalaran Fountain.
 * Tirion is voiced by Floyd Van Buskirk.

Speculation
Strangely enough, in the novel Of Blood and Honor, Tirion's mount is described as a grey horse, yet in-game it is a chestnut horse. An explanation might be that he just gained another horse after his exile and named it after the previous one.