The Windrunner family have been a focal point of theWorld of Warcraftstoryline for years now. Not only has Sylvanas Windrunner been playing alarge role in theWarcraftsaga sinceWarcraft 3: Reign of Chaos, but her sisters have also been heavily involved. Sylvanas has gone from Queen of the Forsaken to Warchief of the Horde, and her journey has finally concluded inWorld of Warcraft:Shadowlands- for now. Alleria Windrunner has become a major force in the Alliance sinceLegion, and Vereesa Windrunner has made a couple of small appearances over the years. There is one Windrunner however who has received little attention, and he may have been forgotten by a majority of the fanbase.
The Windrunner sisters have becomea powerhouse in theWarcraftsaga, but at one point they also had a brother named Lirath. He has never made an appearance in any of theWarcraftgames, but he has been referenced in-game and has made many appearances in the tie-in novels. Most recently, he played a big role in theSylvanasnovel, which chronicles the rise and fall of his older sister. He was never a fighter like his siblings were, as he instead found joy in music, and his song should not be forgotten by the player base.
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Lirath’s Life as a Musician
Lirath Windrunner was theyoungest member of the Windrunner family, and the only male child of Lireesa and Verath Windrunner. When he was born, Sylvanas Windrunner vowed to always protect him from the dangers of the world. As he grew up, he became very close to his older sister, and they would do anything for each other. However, he was weaker than his siblings and was never cut out to be a warrior, so instead he turned to music.
Lirath proved to be an incredible performer and had an amazing voice. He would go on to perform at parties hosted by Lord Satheril and would often astonish the audience. At one of these parties,Prince Kael’thas Sunstrider was presentand was so impressed by Lirath’s abilities that he invited him to Silvermoon City’s Artists' Quarters. There, he found Lirath an apprenticeship to hone is skills as a performer. After years of hard work, Lirath was named the Royal Musician and would begin training others in the art of performance.
Lirath Windrunner’s Demise
Throughout all of Lirath’s performing, he wished that he could be strong and become a ranger like his sisters. When Lireesa and Verath were killed in an attack,Lirath demanded Sylvanas train himin combat. She refused because she did not want him to be in harms way, and wished to protect him from the dangers of the world. Instead of listening to her, Lirath asked his other sister Vereesa. She agreed to train him in the ways of the ranger in secret.
During the Second War, the Horde pushed their way into the lands of the elves and attacked many villages. During their attack, they sacked Windrunner Village and destroyed much of it. On that day, Lirath Windrunner perished defending his home alongside several members of the greater Windrunner family. Far away from his lute and his days of performing, he died trying to defend his home from the orcs. Sylvanas Windrunner would be the one to recover his body, and she vowed to punish the person who trained him to fight.
When Veeresa Windrunner revealed that she was the one who trained Lirath, Sylvanas severed all ties with her and stopped speaking to her. Alleria Windrunnerswore revenge against the Hordeand would hunt down all the remaining orcs after the Second War ended. Lirath Windrunner would be buried in the family plot, and he would always be remembered by the Windrunner sisters.
While the Windrunner sisters get the most attention from players and Blizzard, their younger brother should also be remembered. He was not a fighter, but instead a performer who lost his life at the hands of the Horde and changed the trajectory of his sisters' lives forever. Those who wish to see him can head over toWindrunner Spire in Ghostlandsand watch him perform for his sisters through an Echo of the Past; it is the only thing left of him on Azeroth.
