Varok Saurfang

High Overlord Varok Saurfang (pronounced "VEH-rawk SAHR-fang") was a renowned orc warrior of the Blackrock clan, and the younger brother of Broxigar. A famed veteran of the First, Second, and Third Wars, he served as Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer's second-in-command during the Second War, and as Supreme Commander of the Might of Kalimdor during the second War of the Shifting Sands against the qiraji of Ahn'Qiraj.

He later led the Kor'kron against the Scourge in Northrend, and assisted Thrall during the Siege of Orgrimmar. Following the tragic battle on the Broken Shore and Sylvanas Windrunner's promotion to Warchief, Saurfang took up the position of leader of Orgrimmar and resided in Grommash Hold. Disgusted with Sylvanas' increasingly cruel and brutal reign, Saurfang turned against the Warchief and asked King Anduin Wrynn for assistance in removing her from power. Both the armies of the Alliance and the Horde-loyalists gathered by Saurfang and Zekhan's campaign gathered at the gates of Orgrimmar, where Saurfang challenged Sylvanas to mak'gora, which culminated in his death and in Sylvanas's departure, preventing massive bloodshed between the two factions.

He was one of the main protagonists in Battle for Azeroth.

Early life
Varok Saurfang was born on Draenor as a member of the Blackrock clan and the younger brother of Broxigar. Broxigar and Varok also had an unnamed half brother, sharing the same mother but different fathers. Shortly after Blackhand was named Warchief of the Horde, 5 years before the opening of the Dark Portal, he named Varok, Eitrigg and Orgrim Doomhammer as his lieutenants, and they helped oversee the Blackrock war machine as it prepared for the war with the draenei. Varok made the free decision to drink the blood of Mannoroth alongside Grommash Hellscream and led forces in the sacking of Shattrath, the Blood Curse causing them to murder many innocent draenei, children included.

Around the time of the Dark Portal's opening, Varok's mate Remda apparently died and was burned in Nagrand. Having promised his mate that their son would not be exposed to the warlocks or cross the Dark Portal, their son Dranosh was hidden away at Garadar in Nagrand, while Varok charged into the world of Azeroth, commanding Blackhand's army like an unstoppable force towards Stormwind, never losing in battle until the Horde was routed at the end of the Second War. When Orgrim seized control of the Horde in the First War, he chose Varok as his second-in-command after witnessing Saurfang's efficient and brutal tactics on the field. Shortly after Orgrim's ascension, Saurfang participated in the war's final battle, the siege of Stormwind City, in which he personally hunted down humans in the streets while the city burned around him. When the Horde marched from the Hillsbrad Foothills into the Hinterlands during the Second War, Varok commanded a rearguard of Blackrock orcs to waylay the Alliance. At some point during the war, he faced Cyrus Crestfall and almost killed him.

At some point during the Third War, Varok fought alongside the troll Hekazi. He participated in the Battle of Mount Hyjal, witnessing Archimonde's fall to the wisps. After the demonic bloodlust had been lifted from the orcs due to Grommash Hellscream's sacrifice, Varok helped dozens of veterans come to grips with their previous atrocities, ultimately saving the lives of many great Horde soldiers. His own actions under the Blood Curse, however, continue to haunt him, as the sound of swine being killed when they are ready for slaughter reminds him of the death screams of the draenei children, and older veterans like Varok are often troubled by the memory. It disturbed Varok so deeply that he has refused to eat pork ever since. He will not shy away from war, or hesitate to defend his people and the Horde. However, he refuses to start a war, and if it is within his power, he will prevent a warmongering spirit from doing so. Whether through actions or by words, he will stop them anyway he can... no matter what.

World of Warcraft
Saurfang was initially stationed in Orgrimmar's Valley of Strength, where he enforced the rule of Warchief Thrall. He was the one who announced the death of Nefarian when his head was turned in.

During the second War of the Shifting Sands, Saurfang traveled to the front lines in Silithus. He acted as the Supreme Commander of the Might of Kalimdor in the war against the silithid and their qiraji masters.

War against the Lich King
In Outland, adventurers encountered Varok's now-adult son Dranosh, who later traveled to Azeroth and reunited with his father.

Varok participated in the defense of Orgrimmar when it was attacked by the Scourge. After the battle, Thrall told Varok to marshal the Horde's forces and prepare them to travel to Northrend.

Around this time, Varok gave his battle armor and axe to Dranosh, who was put in command of the Kor'kron Vanguard in the Dragonblight. Varok himself is stationed in Warsong Hold as an advisor to Garrosh Hellscream. He commands the Kor'kron in Northrend and remains wary of the resurfacing bloodlust of the orcs, due to its employment in Hellscream's savage but successful tactics. Varok assisted adventurers in killing Varidus the Flenser but insisted on not telling Garrosh about this.

During the battle for Angrathar the Wrathgate, the main entrance to Icecrown, Dranosh fell to the Lich King. At the behest of Alexstrasza, adventurers brought Dranosh's shattered armor back to his father. Although Varok mourned his son, he stated that the boy had died a hero much like Broxigar.

After the Battle for the Undercity, Varok reminded Thrall, who was lamenting the broken peace between the Alliance and the Horde, of his duty to lead their people.

After Garrosh and Thrall returned to Warsong Hold after a meeting in Dalaran, Varok gave them a message from Korm Blackscar.

Fall of the Lich King
Horde players can find him standing near Tirion Fordring inside Icecrown Citadel at Light's Hammer. High Overlord Saurfang commands the gunship Orgrim's Hammer during the Gunship Battle in Icecrown Citadel. Varok appears in both encounters with Deathbringer Saurfang, though the exact circumstances differ depending on who wins the Gunship Battle.

Following the Horde's victory in the Gunship Battle, Varok joined Horde champions in confronting his son, now risen into a powerful champion of the Lich King. He refused his son's offer to join him in the Scourge and declared that his boy died at the Wrathgate. Once the undead form of his son was defeated, Varok collected his son's body, promised to give Dranosh a proper ceremony in Nagrand, and finally told Horde adventurers: "Honor, young heroes. No matter how dire the battle, never forsake it."

Following the Alliance's victory in the Gunship Battle, Varok was forced to retreat. Despite his retreat, he returned after his son had been slain in order to collect his body. Though Muradin Bronzebeard initially refused to let him pass, Varian and Jaina arrived and Varian told Muradin to let the grieving father pass. Varok claimed his son's body and declared that he would not forget the king's kindness before leaving with his son's corpse.

As he had promised, Varok personally cremated Dranosh in Nagrand, near the final resting places of the boy's mother and the rest of his family. The death of his son deeply wounded Varok, and he wished to grieve in peace. His absence meant that the Horde no longer had his experience and leadership, and that would create severe problems in the days to come.

The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
Some months before the Cataclysm, Cairne Bloodhoof traveled to Warsong Hold to meet with Garrosh. It was revealed that Saurfang would remain within the hold as part of the Horde's Northrend skeleton crew and as the leader of the Warsong Offensive and the Horde Expedition. As Cairne bid Saurfang farewell, he could see in the orc's eyes that he knew that there would be plenty of ghosts to haunt him, if only in his memories.

Siege of Orgrimmar
Thrall mentioned that he would head over to Orgrimmar to find any orcs that wish to rebel against Garrosh, specifically Eitrigg and Saurfang.

Saurfang arrived at the siege to fulfill the promise he made to Garrosh many years before. He met with Thrall and attempted to enter Orgrimmar but was stopped by Nazgrim. Nazgrim sent the Kor'kron army away and let the two orcs inside but could not guarantee their safety. Varok then followed Thrall to the lair of Hellscream below Orgrimmar. However, he became injured in a battle against mantid and insisted that Thrall continued without him. He was later encountered by heroes seeking to destroy Hellscream and end his reign and asked them about the fate of General Nazgrim. He was saddened to hear of Nazgrim's demise and laments the loss of the great leader and warrior Nazgrim has been. He then retrieves his axe from a dead mantid and returns to the surface.

War Crimes
Saurfang accompanied Go'el and Eitrigg to the trial of Garrosh Hellscream. He agreed with Baine as Garrosh's defender. Acknowledged as a hero by Horde and Alliance alike, he was called upon by Tyrande Whisperwind as the third witness, and told the court of his conflicts with Garrosh in Northrend. His threat to kill Garrosh should he take the orcs down another dark road (and his subsequent uprising against Garrosh in the Siege of Orgrimmar) was key testimony, and seen as proof by many that Garrosh had gone too far in the eyes of some fellow orcs.

However, Saurfang did not desire the court to give Garrosh a death sentence. Were it up to him, Garrosh's love for his people would have earned him a trial tied to orcish customs, and a mak'gora against Saurfang to determine whether he would live and repent or perish for his crimes.

Warlords of Draenor
Varok is one of the several Garrison visitors that can appear every day. Upon entering Frostwall he will inform the the Commander of various threats to the Draenor campaign and will direct them to deal with dungeon and raid bosses.

Legion


Back in Orgrimmar, Varok became commander of the city's defenses. Following the Battle for the Broken Shore Varok barred the entrance to Grommash Hold to a select few, and allowed the adventurer entry to see the dying Vol'jin. Following Vol'jin's death, Varok was present at the warchiefs' funeral ceremony at the Dranosh'ar Blockade. When Sylvanas Windrunner took the mantle of Warchief, Varok was stationed inside Grommash Hold presiding over Orgrimmar as the leader of the orcs. Varok also personally led the defense of the Northern Barrens during the Legion Invasion event from the Crossroads.

Varok later traveled to the Broken Shore with a warrior adventurer, believing that he needed to regain his valor after the disastrous battle on the island. Unfortunately, he got shot by a fel cannon mid-air, asking the adventurer to proceed and make them pay. Master Smith Helgar of the Valarjar later sent the warrior adventurer to find Varok and duel him on the Broken Shore as he is believed to be the greatest axe wielder on Azeroth and could be an inspiration to forge The Arcanite Bladebreaker.

When a Horde player reaches Prestige Rank 2, Varok can be found in the Undercity alongside other notable leaders of the Horde. During A Royal Audience (Horde), he is present at the ceremony hosted by newly-appointed Warchief Windrunner that congratulates the character for their battles against the Alliance, following their receiving of the High Warlord's Medal of Valor from the Warchief, as well as an artifact appearance.

During Brewfest, Saurfang will ride out of the city to the festival grounds at 8:10 A.M. and 8:10 P.M. each day for the ceremonial tapping of the keg at 8:15. Players present when he does this receive a 2 hour Brewfest Enthusiast buff that increases experience gained by 10%.

Following the end of the Argus Campaign, Varok Saurfang was the last Horde leader to join the Orgrimmar parade. Though Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner grudgingly respected Varok, she also sensed that out of all the Horde leaders, Varok was most likely the one to challenge or outright oppose her should she misstep too badly. At a dinner celebrating the Legion's defeat, Saurfang and Baine expressed distrust towards Gallywix, who went to speak with Sylvanas privately about a mysterious new substance. When Baine told Saurfang that Gallywix had been sending many of his goblins to Silithus, Saurfang angrily stated that nothing good ever came from Silithus.

War of the Thorns
Following the Gathering, Orgrimmar had been saturated with Alliance spies. Since it would be too costly for the Horde to uproot them all, Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner had chosen to tolerate their presence. After Varok chastised a group of Orgrimmar grunts who were drunk on guard duty, Varok traveled to Grommash Hold to attend the secret meeting he was summoned to by his warchief. After Sylvanas assured Varok that her champion Nathanos was keeping this meeting private from Alliance spying, Sylvanas asked Varok to make a hypothetical battle plan on how to sack Stormwind City.

After evaluating all the scenarios he could think of, Varok concluded that the Horde would be unable to sack Stormwind City, and any progress at doing so would be tentative at best. Sylvanas suggested Varok think of a more elaborate strategy with Stormwind's conquering as the final phase rather than the sole objective. Enraged by Sylvanas' warmongering, Varok finally questioned his warchief why she was eager to start a bloody war with the Alliance. Sylvanas rationalized that she believed that the Alliance and Horde will never forgive the transgressions they had committed against one another and that war was inevitable. Thus, the only way to ensure peace for the Horde was to dominate the Alliance in war and win it on their terms. When Varok suggested that the Horde should then be preparing to defend themselves for the next war instead of instigating it, Sylvanas countered by explaining that while Varok himself had shown that Stormwind City was seemingly impenetrable to conquering, the Siege of Orgrimmar showed that Orgrimmar was not; thus the Horde was more vulnerable to losing in a war than the Alliance. With Azerite undoubtedly changing warcraft, Sylvanas proposed that they take every opportunity to achieve victory and ensure lasting peace for future generations of the Horde. Varok came to agree with Sylvanas' sound reasoning but still could not fathom what strategy would be effective enough to sack Stormwind when they lack the logistics to maintain an invasion.

Sylvanas led Varok to the realization that the war with the Burning Legion had weakened both factions' navies and the deterrence of swift reprisal that enforced the stalemate between the Horde and Alliance was no longer feasible. With both the Alliance and Horde's navies diminished, they would be unable to transport troops and thus would be slow to project military power to reinforce distant warfronts. With such a weakness, the Horde could secure Kalimdor. Darnassus, the center of Alliance military power in Kalimdor, would be a feasible target to conquer; especially if the Horde took the Alliance by surprise. The cost, however, would be that their holdings in the Eastern Kingdoms would likely be susceptible to reprisal, especially Sylvanas' own capital, the Undercity.

Sylvanas, however, proposed to politically divide the Alliance by baiting the night elves into demanding the Alliance prioritize the retaking of their homeland and thus dividing the Alliance's forces. The Alliance would lack the fleet nor the strength to retake Kalimdor and thus weaken or become politically fractured. Furthermore, holding Darnassus hostage would paralyze the Alliance from counterattacking as the night elves would not stand for their city being annihilated and thus create a divide between them and the Gilneans, who had lost their nation years ago and were not prioritized for military aid on that warfront either. With such a political crisis, Anduin Wrynn would not be able to act and each Alliance nation will act in its own interest to defend themselves from a unified Horde. Varok came to the realization that was how they intended to defeat Stormwind, by politically carving each individual nation away from the Alliance and then dominating them into a surrender. However, Sylvanas was well aware that they can only divide the Alliance if the war to conquer Darnassus does not unite the Alliance against the Horde. That can only happen if the Horde wins in an honorable victory, which Sylvanas knows the Horde doesn't trust her to do. Thus, Sylvanas authorized Saurfang to create the battle plans and execute their strategy.

To lure out the Alliance from Ashenvale, Sylvanas suggested duping the Alliance spies into believing a false narrative. Thus, Varok began planting misinformation and acting out an adversarial relationship with Sylvanas and Nathanos to make it seem as if he was priming the Horde to monopolize the Azerite in Silithus and was also bullying Sylvanas into endorsing his campaign. The Alliance took the bait; fearing the Horde was proliferating Azerite weapons, they sent a sizable night elf fleet to Silithus as deterrence. Tyrande Whisperwind traveled to Stormwind City to help the Alliance leadership plan the war, leaving only Malfurion Stormrage and his skeleton crew of night elf defenders for the Horde to contend with. To scare the night elves into surrendering without creating a unifying atrocity for the Alliance to rally to, Varok suggested they bring many siege weapons with them. That way, the threat of raining death on Darnassus with impunity would deter the night elves in the city from resisting.

Before the Horde commenced their invasion, Varok deployed Horde rogues as his vanguard force and had them attack every night elf patrol and outpost. When the Horde army reached the junction in the Northern Barrens, Saurfang revealed to his army their secret plan to conquer Darnassus. After galvanizing his army with promises of battle and glory, Saurfang led the Horde to invade Ashenvale. Despite the Horde's overwhelming numbers, the night elf defenders met the invading army with fierce resistance. The night elves managed to hold off the Horde at the Falfarren River for a while until the Horde overcame them and routed their army. As the night elves fell back deeper into the forests, Malfurion Stormrage spoke to Varok from the concealment of the woods. Varok proclaimed that the night elves' lands would soon belong to the Horde and offers the night elves a chance to leave in peace; Malfurion responded that the Horde will pay in blood for each step it gains.

During the Horde's march on Ashenvale, the forces led by Saurfang were lured into an ambush by Malfurion Stormrage and Captain Delaryn Summermoon in Astranaar. Astranaar, being an island, was somewhere that Saurfang realized the Horde could not escape from. Saurfang challenged Malfurion to a mak'gora in order to buy his tacticians time to escape with their battle plans, but Malfurion did not care about orcish duels and was after Saurfang's life. He overwhelmed Saurfang and used roots to bind his legs, and Saurfang admitted to himself that there was nothing he could do against Malfurion's power. But as the inn they were fighting in began to collapse around them, Sylvanas fired an arrow of dark magic at Malfurion, distracting him from Saurfang. Saurfang was buried under collapsing rubble while Sylvanas rallied the Horde to route the night elves. Once Astranaar was secured, the Horde rescued Saurfang from the rubble. Saurfang was then briefed that Ashenvale was secure and the next step for the Horde was to advance to Darkshore.

When the Horde invaded Darkshore, many of their men were incinerated by the wall of wisps Malfurion had erected. To compound to their troubles, the night elven fleet had returned and were aiding in the kaldorei defense. The night elves' defenses were enough to halt the Horde's advance, and Sylvanas and Saurfang knew they needed to act quickly before Stormwind's reinforcements arrive to stop the invasion. Thus Sylvanas and Saurfang came up with a plan to divide the wisps' attention on multiple fronts, thus diminishing their effectiveness. Saurfang and Nathanos Blightcaller took a group and went to Felwood; once there, they used a smuggler's passage to scale the mountain pass. Once they reached the north of Darkshore, they began desecrating the forest, distracting the wisps and dispersing the wisp wall. That allowed the Horde army under Sylvanas to breach the wisp wall. Saurfang later regrouped with the Horde army and oversaw the conquering of Lor'danel.

Saurfang found Sylvanas and Malfurion battling on the shores of Darkshore. Should Sylvanas fall in battle, it was up to Saurfang to kill Malfurion. The chaotic battle obscured who was the victor, but when Saurfang saw antlers, he instinctively threw his axe which transfixed upon Malfurion's back. The moment it hit Malfurion, Saurfang had regretted it, as the fight had not ended and he had dealt Malfurion a dishonorable blow. Sylvanas however, commended him for his actions and gave Saurfang the honor of finishing Malfurion off. Saurfang however, could not bring himself to kill him. Saurfang's chance to do so was soon over as Tyrande had arrived to protect and heal Malfurion. Though Tyrande criticized Saurfang for leading the Horde into this dishonorable war, Saurfang was unrepentant as he felt victory in this war was necessary for the survival of the Horde. For not killing her husband, Tyrande had decided not to kill Saurfang so long as he did not interfere in allowing both of them to leave in peace. Saurfang agreed, but also warned her that Darnassus was lost and if she returned to Teldrassil, she and Malfurion will die. Tyrande and Malfurion hearthstoned to Stormwind and although he was sure Malfurion would recover and pay back the Horde in blood, he felt content in his decision as it was honorable.

When Saurfang reported back to Sylvanas, Sylvanas and Nathanos were displeased to learn that Saurfang had allowed Malfurion to escape alive. When Sylvanas ordered to secure the beach, Varok ordered Nathanos to join the first wave in conquering Darnassus. However, Nathanos was contrary and wanted to fulfill a list of orders from his warchief. Ignoring Nathanos' contempt, he spotted the night elf ships Morka Bruggu had commandeered and started making arrangements to use the ships to sail them to Teldrassil. Before he could act on his plans, Sylvanas ordered the Burning of Teldrassil. The siege weapons had carried out the task efficiently quick once Sylvanas had become stern with her order, and Saurfang could only watch in shock and dismay. Once the second volley launched, Saurfang tried to stop the siege, but it was too late. Once the second barrage hit, the lower half of the World Tree was engulfed in flames. The fire moved as if it were alive, climbing the tree, scrambling toward the city in the heights of its branches. Saurfang tried to rationalize Sylvanas' order but could come to no other conclusion other than madness. The War of the Thorns was meant to divide the Alliance, instead this atrocity would be its rallying cry and they would stop at nothing to get their vengeance. Varok roared at Sylvanas and scolded her for her lack of honor and the danger she put the Horde in. Sylvanas however, was calm and was already proceeding with planning the defense of Undercity. When Varok accused Sylvanas of damning the Horde for a thousand generations, Sylvanas retorted that this was a war and a failure of his own making. Darnassus was never the objective; the goal was to create a wedge that would split the Alliance apart. Sylvanas needed a weapon that would destroy hope and Varok gave that up to spare Malfurion. The genocide in Teldrassil is Sylvanas' way of remedying Saurfang's blunder. Sylvanas believes that the Alliance will now fight in pain and that will give them a chance at victory. Despite Saurfang's anger at Sylvanas, Varok believed she was right. A wound that can never heal was the objective and Saurfang had failed to inflict it on the Alliance. Now a prolonged war will come that will cost countless lives, and both the Alliance and the Horde would both understand that the only choices they have is victory or death. As Sylvanas turned back toward the World Tree, watching it burn, Saurfang made himself watch the flames consume city and citizens alike. He would not dishonor himself further by turning away. As he watched the genocide occur in front of him, Saurfang reflected on all the death he committed in past wars such as Shattrath and Stormwind and was ashamed that this time, there was no haze of corruption now to soften the horror. Saurfang lamented he had dishonored himself and the Horde in this war and would carry that burden with him until the end of his days; which he hoped would come soon.

Battle for Lordaeron
On the eve of the Battle for Lordaeron, Varok went up on the ramparts of Lordaeron Keep. The Alliance forces were amassing before the fortress, as retaliation for the burning of Teldrassil, something he had warned Warchief Sylvanas of. He was found by Zekhan, who asked him for advice, and told him about his eagerness to die with honor and glory. Saurfang's only advice to him was not to die, and he added that there was no honor or glory in this war.

Disillusioned with the Horde, the orc removed his armor and went to meet the Alliance army head-on and alone, and finally earn the warrior death he longed for. With a torch held high above him, there would be no doubt that they would see him approaching. However, the young troll rushed to him and convinced him to live another day by returning Dranosh's necklace, which Varok had left behind to burn in a brazier. Varok took it, the same way he retrieved it from Dranosh's body, and returned back behind the walls just as the dawn arrived and the Alliance prepared to march forward.

As the war raged above the Undercity, Varok and the Horde champion initially worked on evacuating the city's civilians and fighting any infiltrators they found from the Mage Quarter all the way into the Trade Quarter. After the evacuation, Varok soon joined Sylvanas in Lordaeron Keep.

He defended Capital City, taking up the Horde banner and leading the charge. The orc leader managed to strike an uppercut with the haft of his axe on the Alliance leader, Anduin Wrynn, knocking down the young king but was pushed back by King Genn Greymane. After this, Sylvanas and Saurfang looked in awe as Wrynn conjured a massive dome of light to heal and rally his wavering men, before clashing once again with the Alliance.

When the Horde began to lose the battle, Saurfang was against Sylvanas's decision to use the blight. He argued with her that Horde troops would be caught in the field of fire, to which Sylvanas found it to be acceptable losses. He then vanished, watching the results of Sylvanas's tactics: the blight killed Alliance and Horde alike and Sylvanas raised them as undead. Varok returned when the Horde was pushed back to Lordaeron Keep's courtyard. There, Varok confronted Sylvanas about her honorless strategy, but she didn't care about honor; only victory. Sylvanas told Varok he could follow her or die his warrior's death and threatened to raise him as undead afterward. She then ordered everyone else to the Lordaeron throne room, while Saurfang chose to stay behind to face the encroaching Alliance army.

Outside in the courtyard, Saurfang waited to confront the Alliance forces and refused Anduin's offer to stand down. He was defeated, but Anduin ordered his forces to stop before any could kill him, much to Saurfang's chagrin as he wanted an honorable death. Anduin said that his father had told him that Saurfang represented what was best about the Horde and admired him for that, and the new king felt the same. Anduin attempted to persuade Saurfang that simply dying there had no honor; while Saurfang disagreed that an Alliance king had any say in such matters, Anduin stated that for that moment it was, and then ordered his men to take the High Overlord to the Stormwind Stockades. Anduin stated his intention to speak with Saurfang about reclaiming honor after returning to Stormwind, though Varok was skeptical that Anduin would live that long.

Rokhan, First Arcanist Thalyssra, and the Horde adventurer infiltrated the Stockades to break out Zul and Talanji, and found Saurfang. Although they opened his cell, he stated that he had lost track of time and had spent it coming to a difficult decision: for her past actions, as long as Sylvanas was Warchief he would never return to her Horde. He also advises that one needs to know the difference between loyalty and honor and to pray to never have to choose between the two. Rokhan and Thalyssra respect his decision, and after he points out the way to the trolls, he bids them farewell with a simple lok'tar (victory), notably leaving out the Ogar (victory or death), and is left behind in his cell.

Lost Honor
Some time later, Anduin approached Saurfang in his cell to ask him why the orc had spared him at Lordaeron when he could have killed him and ended the war there. As Anduin asked him if he was wrong about Saurfang's honor and questioned if he wanted more innocents to suffer, Saurfang angrily shouted that he had given everything for the Horde but Sylvanas was destroying it, and what he wanted was to have his Horde back. Saurfang admitted to Anduin that the reason he had spared him was because he thought Anduin could stop Sylvanas, but as Anduin left the Stockades he told Saurfang he couldn't—not alone. As Anduin left, he kept Saurfang's cell door open.

Tides of Vengeance
Saurfang left the Stockades via the sewers, emerging at Mirror Lake in Elwynn Forest. As he traveled east into the Redridge Mountains, Mathias Shaw of 7 told the guards at Three Corners to take the night off and provided them with plenty of alcohol to drink. Once they were drunk, they missed Saurfang passing by. Shaw also provided plenty of gold for more guards to stay at the Lakeshire inn and told the captain of the guards to heavily guard the road from Lakeshire to the Burning Steppes due to a possible attack. Guards were pulled from southern Redridge as a result, allowing Saurfang to pass unhindered. It is unknown whether Saurfang knew of Shaw's actions.

In eastern Redridge, Saurfang came across Zekhan. Knowing that Sylvanas would send assassins after him, Saurfang told Zekhan to watch the Redridge Pass for any sign of Horde agents and to warn him if there were. With that Saurfang continued into the Swamp of Sorrows and set up camp at Misty Reed Farm. Eventually Saurfang was confronted by a team of Forsaken led by Dark Ranger Lyana, who had been following his trail from Mirror Lake and was there to kill him on Sylvanas's orders for turning his back on his duty and then conspiring with humans against Sylvanas. Zekhan and a Horde adventurer arrived and stood by Saurfang after all he had done for the Horde. When Lyana and her forces were killed, Saurfang told Zekhan and the adventurer to return to Orgrimmar and make it look like Saurfang escaped, to keep the adventurer in Sylvanas's favor, and so Zekhan could spread the word in Orgrimmar that those who wish to restore the honor of the Horde must not give up hope. Promising his friends to see them again, Saurfang traveled further west into the swamp.

Meeting with Thrall
In the hopes of securing a future for the Horde, Varok returned to Nagrand and sought out the home where Thrall and his family had taken up residence. Upon reuniting with his old friend, Varok commented that despite the land's beauty, it was wrong, broken, and falling apart, just like the Horde. When he asked if Thrall knew what Sylvanas had done while he had been hiding, Thrall responded that he had left that life behind and would not take up the mantle of warchief again. Varok replied that he didn't ask for that but he had hoped he would at least fight for it. Moments later, the two orcs were attacked by Forsaken assassins. After a brief fight, they managed to defeat their ambushers, and Saurfang revealed that he had followed the assassins to Thrall's home. He continued, "You and I... we don't get to hide". With that, Thrall retrieved an axe he had hidden in a compartment under his anvil and slung it over his shoulders, ready to fight for the Horde alongside Varok.

Rise of Azshara
Seeking to rescue Baine Bloodhoof, Saurfang and Thrall made their way to the Cleft of Shadow where they received aid from Rokhan and Lor'themar Theron who sent the Speaker of the Horde to aid them. As Saurfang, Thrall, and the Speaker ventured into the Underhold where they sought to minimize the spilling of Horde blood as they moved throughout the city. Amidst their quest, the group ran into Jaina Proudmoore and Mathias Shaw, who had also come to rescue Baine at Anduin Wrynn's request and after a brief moment agreed to work together to save Baine. When things started getting heated between Saurfang and Shaw, Jaina and Thrall were quick to get them focused on the task at hand. Upon nearly reaching Baine, the group was attacked by Rowa Bloodstrike, who expressed disappointment but not surprise by Saurfang's and Thrall's decision to rescue Baine. Unwilling to stand down, the group was forced to kill Rowa and moved forward to Baine, who was surprised at their presence. While Shaw moved to liberate Baine from his chains, Saurfang remarked that it felt too easy and the group was then attacked by Magister Hathorel, who sought to kill them and Jaina in particular in vengeance for the purge of Dalaran. Ultimately, the group was successful in liberating Baine from his chains and Jaina teleported the group safely out of the Orgrimmar.

Before Jaina and Shaw departed to report the mission's success to Anduin, Saurfang asked for Jaina to let Anduin know that he did not stand alone.

Death
As Saurfang's and Anduin's forces rallied together, Anduin and Saurfang had a private meeting in which Anduin asked what type of Warchief Saurfang would be. In response Saurfang revealed that the Horde he joined was birthed by blood and tainted by corruption, founded on the great lie that anything it did was honorable as evidenced by the Path of Glory that was constructed with the bones of innocents leading to the Dark Portal. He further remarked that it wasn't Thrall or Vol'jin but Sylvanas who inherited Blackhand's bloody legacy. However, Anduin denied this telling him them that his forces were the Horde but was interrupted by scornful Saurfang who remarked that he never knew honor. He further remarked that his loyalists deserved more and that he felt that the Horde was forever shackled to the past, which caused Anduin to point out that the Horde had no inclusive claim to regrets by invoking Arthas Menethil and Daelin Proudmoore. Saurfang was dismissive however pointing out that nothing could close the chasm between the Horde and Alliance, which made Anduin ask what they were fighting for. After a moment Saurfang and Anduin rallied their forces to break the cycle and defend Azeroth, with "For Azeroth" as their rallying cry.

Thus to protect Azeroth and depose of Sylvanas, the Horde revolutionaries and Alliance planned to strike at Orgrimmar and to that end set up camp in Razor Hill. In response to Sylvanas's forces collapsing part of the canyon between Razor Hill and Orgrimmar, Saurfang turned to Gazlowe and Tinkmaster Overspark breach the canyon. With his forces established within the Dranosh'ar Blockade, Saurfang turned to dealing with Sylvanas's spies and protecting their siege weapons. Knowing that Orgrimmar's greatest weakness was its multiple entrances Saurfang's strategy relied on attacking all three entrances at once. To that end, he directed for Genn Greymane's forces to attack Orgrimmar from the Northern Barrens, Lor'themar Theron and Shandris Feathermoon to lead their forces to attack the city from Azshara, and he, Thrall, and Anduin would lead their forces to attack Orgrimmar from Durotar. He further ordered Mayla Highmountain to lead her people to protect Thunder Bluff in case of Sylvanas launching a counterattack.

However, before the battle could commence, Saurfang, recognizing Sylvanas's loyalists as their brothers and sisters in the Horde and unwilling to spill more Horde blood, challenged Sylvanas to Mak'gora, in spite of Thrall voicing his suspicions that he would die. When Sylvanas questioned why she should accept his challenge, Saurfang merely pointed out that she wanted him to suffer, causing Sylvanas to wordlessly agree. While Sylvanas armed herself, Saurfang was granted Dra'gora by Thrall and Shalamayne by Anduin. Sylvanas initially had the upper hand against Saurfang, however, when she began to mock him about hope, Saurfang got his second wind by declaring that Sylvanas couldn't kill hope. As Saurfang turned the tide against Sylvanas he claimed that she failed to kill hope at Teldrassil, failed in getting the Horde and Alliance to keep killing each other, he further declared that the Horde would endure, that Horde was strong and was able to slash Sylvanas across her eye. This turn caused an enraged Sylvanas to declare that Horde was nothing, that they were all nothing. Sylvanas then killed Saurfang quickly with a blast of unknown magic, and abandoned the Horde altogether.

Legacy
In the aftermath of Saurfang's death and Sylvanas's betrayal, his beloved Horde reunited once more with her former loyalists defecting to his revolution. Saurfang's funeral was held in front of Grommash Hold, where many heroes of the Horde and even a few of the Alliance attended. He was remembered for his role in leading the fight against Ahn'Qiraj, the Lich King, and defending Azeroth against the Burning Legion. Thrall declared Saurfang an inspiration for all those who strived for true honor and that his legacy will live on their deeds. While Anduin stated that his sacrifice would never be forgotten, Thrall admitted that Saurfang had earned his warriors' death and was to be buried in Nagrand as he would have wanted.

Hamuul Runetotem believed that Saurfang's final act had given the Horde a renewal and rebirth, and First Arcanist Thalyssra credits their survival against N'Zoth as a result of Saurfang's sacrifice.

Quests

 * Orgrimmar
 * A Gift for High Overlord Saurfang
 * Walk With The Earth Mother
 * Message for Saurfang
 * Report to the Labor Captain
 * Meeting the Orcs
 * Meeting the Orcs (blood elf)
 * Allegiance to the Horde
 * Saurfang's Blessing
 * Warchief's Command: Twilight Highlands!
 * Machines of War
 * Weapons of Mass Dysfunction
 * Sauranok Will Point the Way
 * Where Is My Warfleet?
 * Saurfang Will be Pleased
 * Traitor's Bait
 * Return to the Highlands


 * The Defense of Warsong Hold
 * What the Cold Wind Brings...


 * Iron Invasion
 * Warning Orgrimmar
 * Frostwall
 * Arcane Sanctum: Ko'ragh (Horde)
 * Auchindoun (Horde)
 * Blackhand's Crucible: Blackhand (Horde)
 * Bloodmaul Slag Mines (Horde)
 * Destructor's Rise (Horde)
 * Grimrail Depot (Horde)
 * Imperator's Rise: Imperator Mar'gok (Horde)
 * Iron Assembly: Admiral Gar'an (Horde)
 * Iron Docks (Horde)
 * Maw of Souls (Horde)
 * Pits of Mannoroth (Horde)
 * Shadowmoon Burial Grounds (Horde)
 * Skyreach (Horde)
 * Slagworks: Heart of the Mountain (Horde)
 * Temple of Tyranny (Horde)
 * The Black Forge: Kromog (Horde)
 * The Black Gate (Horde)
 * The Everbloom (Horde)
 * Upper Blackrock Spire (Horde)
 * Walled City: Brackenspore (Horde)


 * Legion


 * A Desperate Plea (Legion)
 * Return to the Broken Shore (Horde)


 * Battle for Azeroth


 * The Warchief Commands
 * A Quick Diversion
 * Zoram'gar Outpost (quest)
 * On The Prowl (Warchief's Agenda)
 * Ripe for the Picking (quest)
 * Saurfang Returns
 * No Small Mercy
 * Driving Them Out
 * Seaside Rendezvous
 * Killer Queen
 * Hour of Reckoning (Horde)
 * A Warrior's Death
 * Queen's Favor


 * All to Ash


 * Enemies Below (Orgrimmar)
 * All Apologies
 * Dread Head Redemption
 * The Lord of Blackrock (Horde) (2)
 * Darkness Stirs
 * Herald of War
 * The Lord of Blackrock (Horde)
 * The Lord of Blackrock (Horde) (2)

Quotes
I am he that watches they. I am the fist of retribution. That which does quell the recalcitrant. Dare you defy the Warchief? Dare you face my merciless judgment?
 * Vanilla, Grommash Hold and War of the Thorns

I understand Garrosh's desires. The urge for battle is strong within every orc, especially against a foe that has killed our people. But, the warchief has proven time and again that strategy is as important as strength in a battle.
 * Scourge Invasion

We will set out when the time is right. We are no longer a band of mindless, demon-manipulated savages. This is the new Horde.


 * Might of Kalmidor
 * Say
 * Say
 * Say


 * Ahn'Qiraj - Cenarion Hold attacked
 * Yell
 * Yell
 * Yell


 * Ahn'Qiraj War
 * yell
 * - addressing the Might of Kalimdor during the second War of the Shifting Sands

Dialogue with Garrosh in Warsong Hold
Saurfang scolds Garrosh Hellscream's impatience and lust for killing, reminding him of their race's history during a strategy conference in Warsong Hold: Varok Saurfang turns around to speak with Garrosh. say Saurfang walks to the central and Borean Tundra portions of the hide map of Northrend on the floor, kneeling to point them out, then walks off the map to stand before Garrosh. say say say say Saurfang walks back to his usual spot. emote Garrosh walks up to the map and kneels. say say Garrosh stands. say Garrosh crushes the figures and flag indicating Valiance Keep on the map. say say ''Garrosh crushes the figures and flags indicating Valgarde and Westguard Keep. Garrosh walks back to his usual spot.'' say say say say say say say say emote say say emote say say say emote say emote say Saurfang turns away and looks at the map instead. say Saurfang turns around for a moment to answer. say emote

The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm

 * "High Overlord," Cairne rumbled, bowing. "As a father myself, I grieve for what you have had to endure.  But know that your son died a hero, and what you have wrought here honors his memory.  Anything else is borne away on the winds." Saurfang grunted acknowledgment.  "It is good to see you again, High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof.  And... I know what you say is true.  I am not ashamed to say, though, that I am glad this campaign has finally come to an end.  We have lost too much."
 * "I [Garrosh] leave a skeleton crew with Saurfang." [...]  "It is my belief that my former advisor will sit and watch spiders spin cobwebs and fully enjoy the peace he so obviously craves." "We have both done our duties.  We serve the Horde.  If I serve by watching little spiders instead of fighting large ones, then I am well content."

Siege of Orgrimmar

 * say
 * say
 * say
 * say
 * say
 * say
 * say

Orgrimmar Embassy
Diplomacy has never been my strong suit.

This work is best left in your hands.

Gossip
Today we make our stand.
 * The Dranosh'ar Blockade

On-click

 * Greetings
 * I am Saurfang. Brother of Broxigar.
 * I serve the Horde.
 * Lok-tar.
 * Now is not the time for pleasantries.
 * Speak quickly and speak the truth.
 * Throm-ka.
 * What would you ask of me?


 * Irritated
 * I'm too old for this nonsense.
 * If you knew how much blood has stained my axe, you would not be so quick to pester me!
 * Why do you keep prodding me? Is there another war to fight? Ugh, what am I saying... there is always another war to fight.
 * I have served many warchiefs. Go travel the world a bit. No doubt you will run into a number of them.


 * Farewell
 * Do not grow old... if you can help it.
 * In battle, strategy is as important as strength.
 * May you die in battle against a hated enemy.
 * The Horde will endure.
 * To die today, on the field of battle, is to die an orcish death.
 * We are the true might of Kalimdor.
 * Without honor, we have nothing.

In Hearthstone
Varok Saurfang appears as a special minion used in the Warrior chapter of Book of Heroes and a boss encounter in the Paladin chapter.

Overlord Saurfang also appears as a legendary Warrior card in the Forged in the Barrens expansion for Hearthstone. Its flavor text reads: "Eats more than his fair share of sour candy."

Notes and trivia

 * Varok guided Natoj in overseeing the defense of Orgrimmar.
 * Varok was present in the Orgrimmar Embassy during the patch 7.3.5. PTR.
 * Varok is the only racial leader not to be acknowledged as such on the official World of Warcraft website. Instead, the site's page for playable orcs lists Thrall as the race's "Paragon". Varok was confirmed to be the leader of the orcs in Meeting the Orcs and in an interview with Ion Hazzikostas.
 * Saurfang and his Arcanite Reaper were used by Master Smith Helgar as the inspiration for The Arcanite Bladebreaker.
 * Saurfang wielded the High Warlord's Battle Axe in-game, which was updated in patch 7.3.5 for Battle for Azeroth. In the World of Warcraft Trading Card Game, Saurfang was depicted as wielding an Arcanite Reaper. In Chronicle's depiction of the second War of the Shifting Sands, he wields the Arcanite Bladebreaker. In Old Soldier's vision of the past, after the War against the Lich King, Saurfang wields his updated Battle for Azeroth Arcanite Reaper.
 * During A Royal Audience (Horde), Varok has a mana bar.
 * During the Legion Invasions in the Northern Barrens and during the War of the Thorns, Saurfang rode a Kor'kron War Wolf.
 * Kingslayer Orkus once met Varok: say
 * Despite his originally minor role, Saurfang quickly gained popularity with Horde players because of how powerful his abilities were, somewhat similar to the way Hogger gained his fame. Saurfang's Charge had a knockback of 30 yards, his Rage bar was always full, and his Mortal Strike dealt heavy critical damage. Additionally, he had the unique, high-damaging ability Saurfang's Rage which activated when he received a critical hit. Due to all of these factors, Saurfang was often a challenge for Alliance raids when they came to kill Thrall and quickly became a pop icon to Horde players. This led players to create "Saurfang facts", in the style of other pop culture icons such as and.
 * At one point, Varok was able to be mind controlled by Alliance players. Due to a bug, they could then use his Execute skill with a full rage bar. This only added to his popularity with the playerbase.
 * Saurfang's original counterpart on the Alliance side was Field Marshal Afrasiabi, but Afrasiabi never received the same popularity that Saurfang did.
 * Varok's appearances in the Siege of Orgrimmar and in the Battle for Lordaeron are other instances of Saurfang single-handedly facing "raids".
 * During BlizzCon 2013, Chris Metzen named Saurfang as his personal favorite choice for the new orc racial leader. This would later be realized in Legion when Saurfang replaced Vol'jin in Grommash Hold.
 * Varok was voiced by Alan Shearman from Wrath of the Lich King until the later half of Legion.  He is now voiced by Andrew Morgado, starting with the end of Legion.
 * Prior to patch 8.0.1, Varok did not have unique NPC quotes but rather used the generic orc ones, in contrast to other racial leaders and many other major characters.
 * Saurfang was initially planned to appear in Razor Hill with patch 5.4.0 as part of a warrior questline.
 * In the early Warlords of Draenor beta, Saurfang served as the Horde player's garrison assistant in Frostwall, but was replaced with General Zog prior to the expansion's release.
 * Following Varok's addition to Frostwall in patch 6.1.0, it was initially possible for Horde players to take him for a patrol around the garrison. This was later hotfixed with the description: "Visiting High Overlord Saurfang no longer offers to accompany Horde players on patrol over concerns that he may cleave the Garrison in half."
 * Rumor has it that Saurfang once cleaved three men in half with one swing... of his hand.
 * According to Hekazi, Saurfang cut down ten enemies in a single blow in the Third War. This constitutes another "Saurfang fact".
 * This is likely referential to the fact that his Cleave ability was able to hit up to ten targets.
 * During the Mists of Pandaria beta there was a wyvern called Sourfang.

Speculation
After the war against the Lich King, Varok did not return to Kalimdor but remained on Northrend to lead the Horde forces there. Since he returned to Orgrimmar, he may have given the command to someone else, or he may have been still leading the Expedition from afar.