Med’an would be an awesome character to introduce to usher in this new era of a potentially Kirin Tor-less Azeroth and the lack of a proper Guardian …
Overview
As both a draenei main and a [Warcraft] comic fan, it is quite possible I’m biased.
Med’an. Med’an is the non-Guardian. He was, then he wasn’t.
Yet, a character with arguably phenomenal potential for this game.
However, I would make the case that the character of Med’an has been mostly mistreated by the player base. Many of the talking points by the most critical voices of the character—and in my experience talking with some of these individuals as well—are based on what they’ve heard through second hand accounts. Seldom have they brought or raised any actual facts surrounding the character, or presented arguments based on the comics and their content.
Following Khadgar’s accident, I would like to suggest that there are a number of reasons as for why Med’an’s introduction could make sense. We lack a strong neutral character that is not bound or restricted by other characters or the factions, allowing it and us to experience stories that are inclined to us as player characters; stories that are more based around our Race, more based around our Class. Additionally, his introduction would be more based in the kind of character archetype Med’an could fit rather than his past exploits.
And an archetype that could serve as a compelling addition, while not overshadowing us.
Background
For those that are not versed in the comic series or Med’an’s story, he is the son of Medivh and Garona Halforcen; and thus of half-orc, half-human, quarter-draenei heritage. He was conceived during Garona’s time in Karazhan, and born shortly following the Fall of Stormwind. Fearing she’d be able to be used against Med’an as well after Llane’s assassination, she left him in the care of the Council of Tirisfal and Meryl Felstorm.
The two volumes of the comic series that feature Med’an are primarily divided between the circumstances of Med’an’s upbringing and training, as well as the founding of the New Council of Tirisfal and his ascension as Guardian due to the old and original council being defunct, as well as the need for the appointment of a new Guardian.
Additional details
[As of 2016, last we heard and know from official sources is that Med’an as a character and the stories in the comics were canon but that his ascension and appointment as Guardian wasn’t. Which sadly was and always felt as a moot point anyway since as early as 2014 we were told that Med’an returned the powers of the Guardian to the council.]
The perhaps most known and also criticized aspects of Med’an regards his affinities.
Similar to his father, Med’an is a multi-class character. While he is primarily seen as a Mage, he has been trained and shown an affinity as a Shaman. Prior to his death Maraad taught him in the ways of the Light and of the Paladin.
Additional details
[If the six cosmic forces as put in place by the First Ones are to be believed, that means that Med’an wields the ‘good’ side of all three categories:
- Order | Disorder
- Life | Death*
- Light | Void
*As the Spirit of Life as used by Shaman is claimed to be related to the cosmic force of Life in some yet unknown way, I loosely count it as Med’an having influence over it as well.]
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Magic#The_cosmic_forces
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Spirit_(lore)
Without going into too many spoilers [I’ll have the sources and links below this post regardless], the entire point of Med’an’s character and indeed the comic series is to set him up as a worthy successor to his father’s legacy and the title of Guardian. Despite the rounds and arguments often used by those that have quite clearly never read the comics or their actual intrigues themselves of the concern that Med’an is way too powerful, the primary plot of his journey is that he isn’t powerful enough. Thus why he requires the council, why he requires and restores Atiesh.
In fact, it is the sacrifice of Aegwynn adding her powers to his and the rest of the Council of Tirisfal that finally makes Med’an powerful enough to foil the primary antagonist of the two volumes and his story: Cho’Gall.
So much for the infinitely overpowered son of the Last Guardian, hmm?
The comic series concludes with Cho’Gall’s defeat, while the Twilight’s Hammer are described to have been scattered. And so the council decides to go their separate ways, with some deciding to go after the remaining cultists.
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/Med%27an
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/New_Council_of_Tirisfal
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/World_of_Warcraft:_Book_Three
https://warcraft.wiki.gg/wiki/World_of_Warcraft:_Book_Four
Introduction
As I reckon many realise looking at these stories or the sources above, there are a lot of moving parts that I would suggest could have significant pay-offs that come naturally seen to where the story is currently in World of Warcraft.
The most important figures in Med’an’s life happen to be vital characters to the present story, or at least individuals that we have seen take on a similarly leading role around us.
With the Kirin Tor in ruins, Jaina and Meryl both are appointed as central figures in the wake of Dalaran’s destruction for a new mobile and decentralized faction to replace what they had before. While anything as formal as a new and official Council of Tirisfal is likely off the table, something thereto is likely possible and could pave the way for this character.
Beyond this, the Twilight’s Hammer—or rather the Twilight’s Blade as of Midnight—are as much a threat as ever and were the main antagonists of Med’an’s story. With the New Council of Tirisfal having been specifically formed to hunt them down, it feels they too could be as relevant as ever along with either old or new characters found in it.
A character like Valeera is being given new spotlight and as one of the last remaining enforcers of the old council, she’s also likely one of few friends that Med’an has left.
Additional cool details is that Med’an was a canonical wielder of Atiesh, a staff that he reforges and restores in one of the comics no less. Notoriously, the staff was broken in half and its fate unknown as of the Destruction of Dalaran.
If the stars haven’t aligned for Med’an’s official introduction, I don’t know what.
“When the child of the three realms becomes as light, the ancient power will be released. The earth will tremble. The seas will rise up in answer, and all will be madness. A new day will dawn, bringing with it chaos or peace …”
— Cho’Gall
So, what purpose would Med’an’s character serve?
Why or what would his introduction yield for the story, for the gameplay?
In my opinion, we lack a central neutral character that can guide the player through non-faction or cross-faction storylines similar to how Khadgar did for us in past expansions. A character that could have his own compelling story to tell, breathe some fresh air into the world by being a new face, while still being anchored to characters we know.
His multi-racial and multi-class aspects too become a strength, as they instead emphasize how he can be related to by most Races and Classes as a figurehead. He draws upon all known cosmic forces [as presented briefly above], which all classes in essence in turn are based upon in one way or another.
As for his actual character, I am of the mind that Med’an should be tied to the archetype of the Reluctant Chosen One, the Innocent Hero. An Aang [The Last Airbender] or an Ezra Bridger [Star Wars Rebels]—a character that shoulders an immense burden and power, with shoes that are more or less impossible to fill. But he has faith, a moral compass.
While many will cry for the need of a Guardian in present day following his return, Med’an should be the foremost voice speaking up for us—the Heroes of Azeroth. That the powers of a Guardian won’t be necessary so long as we’re here.
… Albeit requiring to be nudged in the right direction every now and then.
