Liam Greymane

Art by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

General

Titles: King of Gilneas
Species: Human
Gender: Male (He/Him)
DoB: September 14
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Red, long and worn in a ponytail
Skin: White
Location: Gilneas
Status: Alive

Known Languages Common

Liam Greymane was a member of the royal family of Gilneas and the eldest son of Genn Greymane. When his father fell to the worgen curse, Liam took charge of the non-cursed denizens of Gilneas in order to lead them into a brighter future. After the death of Alpha Prime, the people of Gilneas demanded for his father to step down as king of Gilneas due to his involvement of the tragedy of their nation, and Liam instead took the throne.

Description

Liam was a broad-shouldered and dignified man with an angular face, long red hair that was normally pulled back, and a well-groomed goatee. He had a sharp nose, and a generally stern expression.

He was even-tempered, as a counter to the brashness of his father, and both intelligent and calculated. While he had a stern demeanor, he had a good sense of humor and treated his people as equals rather than subservient, which engendered a great deal of respect and admiration from the citizens of Gilneas.

Biography

Chapter Five: Civil War

With the Wolf Cult overrunning Gilneas, Greymane Manor had become the base of operations for the human people of Gilneas that rebelled against the worgen influence under the leadership of Liam Greymane, as the area around the manor had been turned into a fortress. It was here that Uther Menethil and his companions, along with a few worgen under the leadership of Darius Crowley, sought to meet with the prince. While the guards were originally unconvinced at Uther's claims of being the prince of Lordaeron, Liam came to investigate the ruckus himself, and he was able to immediately identify that some among their number were worgen.

Liam demanded an explanation for their presence, and he pointed out that he was a reasonable man, as he had opted to not fill them with silver the moment they arrived. He recognized Halford Ramsey, though he had thought the investigator had died years ago when he had vanished, as well as Tobias Mistmantle, who had supported the Northgate Rebellion years ago. Tol'vas Moonshadow proclaimed that he was looking to resolve the worgen threat, despite the similarities he had to the elves that populated the Wolf Cult, and with the presence of Uther, Liam relented to allow them entry for further discussion, though they would be watched while they stayed within the fortress.

Liam announced a meeting with the lords so that the group could discuss what they had to offer. Vincent Godfrey was the first to greet them, though Liam assured him that he would be debriefed along with the others at the meeting. However, when they arrived at Liam's office, it was found to be empty, as Liam requested to know the full story before the lords arrived and information needed to be disseminated. Uther assured him that they were there to help just as he had stated, but there had been further chaos outside the Gilnean wall - namely that Quel'Thalas had fallen and their world had been besieged by orcs and demons. In addition, Daval Prestor had been named high king of the Alliance, much to Liam's exasperation, as with that news also came news of a fractured Alliance.

The Gilnean prince expressed that he could offer no favor nor aid at the time, as Gilneas itself was also fractured, regardless of the fact his father was no friend of Prestor. In fact, his father was also nothing more than a wild beast, though Tol'vas offered that the Gilnean worgen had the capacity to save themselves, and Uther clarified that they had managed to find a means for the worgen to regain control, and in exchange he did not seek the aid of Gilneas, though he believed that the threats they faced could not be survived without banding together.

Liam admitted that he believed them, and ultimately Gilneas needed as much strength as they could muster, but in the immediate future, killing Alpha Prime was the thing he could get behind. Velameestra also brought forth the news that Liam's mother, Mia, was still alive and had been present at the Alliance council, but his joy immediately darkened when she added that his sister, Testament, was alive as well. He explained that a woman that claimed to be his sister had arrived in Gilneas months ago, but he was certain she was not his sister, as there had been enough slight differences to arouse his suspicion, and she had also been a worgen. However, she refused to admit who she really was, and was imprisoned in the dungeons. Despite his wariness, Liam was convinced to let the group speak to her, as they were former traveling companions.

Later on, Liam met with Hiram Creed, another of the nobility, in order to inform him of the meeting that was to be had, however their conversation was interrupted by Uther and his companions, who explained Mia Greymane had arrived in Gilneas and were not far from the manor. Velameestra confirmed she had scryed upon her, and Liam chose to postpone the meeting with the nobles so that he could go out and greet his mother personally. But when they arrived, they found the carriage to be under attack from ettins. During the conflict, Rafia Carver, Mia's handmaiden, appeared to be familiar with Liam, and once he got a good look at her, recognition spread across his face, as she was none other than Lorna Crowley.

The ettins were under the leadership of Koroth the Hillbreaker, who had started to rampage due to the theft of her banner. Liam proclaimed that the "small folk" were not the ones to take it, and chose to follow Uther's lead in parleying with the two-headed giant. The situation was unprecedented, and in exchange for an agreement to find her banner, they had managed to potentially secure the aid of the ettins under Koroth in taking the fight to Alpha Prime. The ettin left bruised, but ultimately alive.

Liam was able to reunite with his mother, and also Lorna Crowley, who he had a history with. Mia asked Liam if Tess had arrived in Gilneas, as she had gone ahead of them, and Liam was unsure how to respond at first, but chose to deflect at the urging of Velameestra until they could discuss what they had found while talking to the "imposter" in the dungeons. However, they had a meeting with the lords to attend to first, and they returned to Greymane Manor.

The response of the lords was mixed in regards to what the group offered as a solution, with Godfrey being the least impressed. Liam, however, felt it was the best course of action, and with a vote of the lords, it was determined the majority was in favor of the Ritual of Balance and taking the fight to Alpha Prime.

With business finished, Liam attended a private meeting with the party, Lorna, and Mia, and it was found that they were being scryed on, but the sensor was swiftly abolished. It was revealed that the "Tess" that arrived in Gilneas was not actually Testament Greymane, but a woman named Lorelei, who was, in fact, Lorna's daughter... and also Liam's. Lorna had simply never gotten the chance to tell him before the rebellion started. Liam was left in shock, but agreed to a ruse to free his daughter from the dungeons and leave an illusion in her place to deceive the lords until matters could be figured out.

Velameestra also offered, if Mia and Liam wished, she could call to Testament's spirit and they could exchange a final goodbye. They agreed, but wanted to wait for Genn to be returned to them.

After Lorelei was freed an an illusion was left in her place, Liam joined the group to return to the grove around Tal'doren and speak with Darius Crowley so that the Gilnean forces could be a united front when they took back their capital. While they were on the road, Liam and Lorna confessed the truth of her parentage to her, that Darius was her grandfather and Liam was, in fact, her father. Liam extended a heartfelt apology for how he treated her, and he promised that he would do whatever he could to rebuild the bridges he had burned, but the exchange was incredibly overwhelming for the woman and she chose to step away from the group. When she returned, she was sullen and quiet, but safe.

They stopped by Koroth's lair to investigate the site of the stolen banner on the way to the grove, and after a thorough investigation, it was determined the banner had not be stolen at all. Instead, it had been destroyed, and the humans had been framed. Koroth was enraged, but her anger was pointed at Alpha Prime, and it was promised a new banner would be made for her after the Wolf Cult was defeated. Liam was amazed that such dealings were possible with ettins, but he chose not to look a gift horse in the mouth, especially when Velameestra also confided that Gilneas had a draconic agent present and she believed that they had been responsible for the destruction of the banner. He ultimately left the matter to her continued discretion.

When they arrived at the grove, Darius had an elated reunion with his daughter, and offered a begrudging respect to Liam for the aid he offered in bringing her back to him. However, he immediately turned on the prince when he was informed that he was a grandfather, and Liam was Lorelei's father. He accused Liam of softening him up with the return of his daughter only to break the news he had laid with her, but Lorna swiftly talked her father down.

Liam also stepped in to say he wanted to make everything right, and he requested Darius's permission to wed Lorna, should he and she relent to it. Lorna was flustered about the matter being dropped in such a way, and told Liam they would talk about it in private. However, they, as a family, undertook the Ritual of Balance with Lorelei, and together they were able to reach some amount of closure as a family. In the end, Darius approached and scooped all three of them into an embrace.

The following morning, base plans for the assault on the capital were put into place. Liiraluma presented a means to dispense the waters of the Ritual of Balance on the worgen, and Velameestra also suggested the possibility of raising undead to help buffer their numbers. With reticence, Liam was willing to agree to the dead being raised as they needed any boon they could get, but was left surprised when Velameestra clarified she meant to raise animals and not Gilnean citizens. After conferring with one of her contacts, Velameestra also brought forth that she believed Hiram Creed was actually a dragon spy, and Liam was troubled at the idea, but continued to entrust the investigation to her.

Before they departed, Uther took Liam aside to speak on the matter of Gilneas's future, and he confided in Liam that he did not think Genn was the one to bring them into that future. Instead, he had full confidence that Liam was the one to lead them into the dawn. Liam admitted that Uther was right, and while he had already started to remove the crown with the possible of reclaiming his father's mind, he knew that stepping aside was something he couldn't do.

They returned to Greymane Manor alongside Darius and other worgen, and as a statement to the people, the worgen took their true forms as a show of their control. Liam stood with them, much to the disdain of the nobility, but he addressed his people and announced that, ultimately, the worgen were their countrymen, and he assured him that he was prepared to earn their trust for the decision he was making.

Another meeting of the lords was called, during which Liam also proclaimed he was claiming Lorelei as his own. Godfrey was outraged at the situation, but Liam held firm to all the decisions he had made, and the lords dispersed to give the orders. The following day, Liam stood at the head of the worgen that had returned to the manor in order to reunite with their families, and he gave a speech about the future of Gilneas and the nature of their countrymen. While it was a far cry from unanimous support, some did start to reunite with their loved ones, and there was a tenuous peace.

Liam was later informed that investigations had turned up positive that Hiram Creed was the draconic agent in Gilneas, and while he disliked the situation, he offered his full support to the party to deal with it. When the altercation with Creed took place, Velameestra was able to take the item that controlled the influence of the Blackhowl Company badges and gave it to Liam, who was able to use it to command his people to remove the items that were dominating them, removing all of the man's reinforcements. The situation was resolved with no casualties, but despite everything, Liam decided to have Hiram's body buried in the Gilnean graveyard that overlooked the sea.

As the ruler of Gilneas, Liam stood at the head of the assault on the capital city and gave the command for the attack that started the conflict. He rode on the back of his white stallion, and he was able to push his way into the showdown between Uther's companions and his father, Genn Greymane, whose ferality had made him a slave to Alpha Prime's whims. When Genn was brought down and the Ritual of Balance was administered, he stood at his father's side and urged him to return to his family. The ritual was a success, and they were able to see the conflict through to the end.

In the days that followed, Liam rallied his forces and they were able to bring the remainder of the Wolf Cult under heel, as well as administer the Ritual of Balance to a great many Gilneans. In the end, he asked that the citizens of Gilneas determine the fate of their king, Genn Greymane, and it was decided that Liam be named king, and Genn serve as an advisor so that his atonement would be delivered in building a better Gilneas.

Before Uther and his companions left, as promised, Velameestra gave the Greymane family the chance to say goodbye to Testament. However, it became rapidly evident that Tess did not fully understand that she had died. Lorelei was distraught, and it was evident that she had not passed on, but Liam, in his own grief, reminded her they had to rebuild Gilneas so that she had a home to come back to.

The new king of Gilneas bid farewell to those that had aided him, and he turned his attention to his people, but he promised that, when it came time to fight the High King, Gilneas would be with them in what capacity they could.

Appeared In

Chapter Five: Civil War

Quotes

Proposal to Lorna Crowley: It means that, should you allow it, and should she desire it, that she will be the heir to the throne. She is a princess by all rights. Were things different back then, or had I known, I would have legitimized her. And had I known you were with child, Lorna, once this is all over with, if we can return peace to our nation again, let me make things right.
Response to Uther Menethil's assessment that he was the king Gilneas needed: You’ve given me a lot to think about, Uther. I appreciate your candor. I can’t say I’m comfortable with the idea, not truly, but… I will remember the words you said, and I’ll try to do better. If there’s one thing you’re absolutely right about, it’s that I’ve been acting a king, but I haven’t felt like a leader. This entire moment I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to rescue my father… after I saw the ritual I already started to take the crown off, but I need to see our people through this. What comes after will be difficult and complicated, but you raise some very valid points. I’ll think on what you said.
Speech to the citizens of Gilneas: My fellow Gilneans. By now, word has spread to many of you. With the help of prince Uther Menethil, Velameestra Windrunner, and their companions from a distant land, we’ve discovered a treatment for the worgen curse. One that allows our friends and family, our loved ones, our mothers and fathers, our children, a fighting chance against the beast in their hearts. These blessed waters are not only simple to create now that they’ve been made, but they will be made readily available to everyone and all our loved ones still out there. We will begin to reclaim our home, our way of life, our families, and thus, I come before you today as king of Gilneas to issue the following decree. Henceforth, those who have been afflicted with the worgen curse shall be treated as Gilnean citizens should they be of Gilnean descent. Their struggles, their challenges, are our challenges now, and we accept them, for only in doing so will we be able to regain our spirit as Gilneans. This may be difficult for many, especially those of you who have lost lives to the claws of this outbreak, but we must turn our wrath against those that deserve it: the masterminds behind this cult, Alpha Prime and those who have chosen to side with him. Some of them are of an ancient clan that dwelled here long before humans. The self-same clan who has extended a hand to aid us, but they have turned against their kin. These are our true enemies, and they will be given no quarter. In a week’s time, our allied forces will march on the capital city. We will retake it! Human and worgen, Northgate and loyalist, Gilneans all! And soon, soon we will rest easy knowing that this land, this Gilneas, will be returned to her people. I promise to make that dream a reality and end this nightmare that we have succumbed to for a generation. We will have peace, mark my words, and it will be built by all of our hands together. Be they fingers, or be they claws. I know this is challenging, but take this moment, look across the courtyard to your kinsmen. The challenge they have overcome, and the beast they wrestled with… it does not define them. They are still your family, your friends, and your kin. You can only begin to understand once you reach beyond that threshold. Sometimes all that one needs to overcome that hardship is a helping hand.

Trivia