You can't attack this NPC if you're a horde.

You can't kill kids in World of Warcraft, thus even the ""king"" is immune to death.

This kid isn't actually the stormwind faction leader. if you look around him you should see Highlord Bolvar Fordragon (https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=1748 https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=1748 ) who is given 'leader' staus. Stormwind is led by him. Not by anduin.

There's quite a lot of lore in the game surrounding his capture.

The https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=1274 missing diplomat quest chain is the first hint.
Another chain which seems to follows on from this chain in terms of lore begins in dustwallow with https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=11136 a disturbing development , leading on to https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=11141 Jaina Must Know and finishing with https://vanillawowdb.com/?quest=11223 Return to Jaina .

The first chain lets us know that some important diplomat has been kidnapped, and that the defias are involved. It turns out the king is missing. The next chain shows us that the defias have been in dustwallow, and have captured an important prisoner. It also tells us that person is captured on Alcaz island.

We also find out that someone high up in the ranks in stormwind is working against the alliance. This is of course talking about https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=1749 Lady Katrana Prestor , who happens to be onyxia in disguise. There maybe more lore relating to this that I have not yet come across, but it at least hopefully explains why the king is in a cage on alcaz island :)

EDIT: This post was initially in response to a comment which has since been removed. You are quite correct Shelireih, however in it's initial context this post made sense. If my hazy memory serves me right, I believe there was no page for Varian at the time, so a lot of discussion on him was on his son's page instead.

Spoilers:

According to the current in-game quests and the Warcraft comic series, Varian Wrynn, escapes from the Defias during transport from Alcaz Island. He winds up on the shore of Durotar in an amnesiac state and is captured and entered into the Dire Maul gladiator tournament. Not knowing his own name, he is given the title Lo'Gosh (a legendary white wolf). After winning the tournament and a number of other adventures he rediscovers his identity and is attempting to return to Stormwind to reclaim his title and be reunited with his son.

Currently the rumor is that the Missing Diplomat quest line will be completed when the comic series reaches it's conclusion.

I can't believe a 6 year old kid is taller than my Gnome... That's just not right.

Actually in the next expanion ""Wrath of the Lich King"" the real king of Stormwind is back..next to his son

He also has a twin https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=22365#comments https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=22365#comments

""In remembrance of the supreme allied commander, Anduin Lothar: A man who would sacrifice everything in defense of his king, his people, his home...

Let our enemies know our names. Let our allies honor our passing. We are the Sons of Lothar.""

- General Turalyon

This is what he wrote on the Monument of Remembrance, which is in Honor Hold.

Other Sons of Lothar (with the title) include:

https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=16819 Force Commander Danath Trollbance and https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=18166 Khadgar

Anduin Wrynn was named after Anduin Lothar

I think there should be some kind of quest chain explaining who Anduin Lothar was and why his friends consider themselves Sons of Lothar. The Horde have the epic quest chain about Thrall and the Mag'har, why can't we Alliance get one about who Lothar was?

I find it annoying that the voice-over when you create a new human character still says the humans are led by the child-king Anduin Wrynn. With his father back in town, I think Blizz should update the introductory human lead-in.

He has two comments when you click on him, one of which is.

""Greetings, citizen.""

This just ticks me off. He acts like I'm a lowly ""citizen"". He's a freaking level 5. If it weren't for the green name, the guards, and his daddy standing right next to him, I would chop his arms off.

his name is a Tolkienism---the river ""Anduin"" is where the Ring of Power was lost before it came to the Creature Gollum.

or ""person of low birth who happens to be skilled at slaying dragons""This just made my day. =)

In 3.3.3, he magicly ages by about 3-5 years!

http://static.mmo-champion.com/mmoc/images/news/2010/february/anduin.jpg Picture .

why is everyone so keen on killing him? what harm has he ever done apart from being the boy that never aged?

If you've read The Shattering: Preclude to Cataclysm it states two things:

1. https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=4968 Jaina notes his body will be more like his mothers, who was kinda willowy, rather than his burly https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=29611 father .

2. Also, the bodyguard assigned to him by https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=2784#comments Magni also notices Anduin does not have an affinity to weapons, and pretty much assigns him to https://vanillawowdb.com/?npc=11406 Rohan in order to train him as a priest. Although what happens after word really sets his instruction behind a bit.

[EDIT] Fixed a small, but very important typo.

Ladies and Gentlemen of vanilla wow, we now have undeniable proof that your characters are slowly becoming old men and women

Kid only has 102 HP. He needs to start eating his Wheaties.

Finally got a new older model during Cataclysm.

""At least I have reached puberty ! Thank you, Deathwing !""

He's only level 5 but he gets a flying mount?

Funny little bit of pointless knowledge, if you talk to Anduin after you're finished with the Twilight Highlands pre-req quest chain he'll still have the option to have him follow you around. Kinda funny to have a pet Prince following you around town.

He'll stop following you if you try to leave Stormwind though, which is a bit of a bummer.

As of cataclysm, the best NPC to escort. He has a horse, a gryphon, and an unbreakable will to follow you anywhere (even underwater on his horse).

Did his quest on my Paladin and he said ""You're a paladin? Highlord Fordragon was, as well. He taught me a great deal. I... I still miss him.""

Wonder what he says for the other classes. I assume Warrior will relate to his father, and Mage to Jaina.

*Edit*<div class=""quote"">&lt;Name&gt;, I remember when you first came to see my father after the battle for Ebon Hold. I'm glad you're still with us.

I've always wondered what it would be like to be a druid. Where do your clothes go when you change into a bear?

So you're a hunter? My father has taught me to be pretty handy with a bow, myself.

You're a mage, like Jaina Proudmoore? How long have you studied the arcane? It seems so difficult to master.

You're a paladin? Highlord Fordragon was, as well. He taught me a great deal. I... I still miss him.

I'm training to be a priest, myself. One day I hope can command as much power as you.

This is great, I never get to talk to Stormwind's rogues. They're always so quiet and secretive...

What's it like to be a shaman? I met Thrall once. My father doesn't trust him but he seemed very wise.

Being a powerful warlock must be hard. Do you ever worry you'll lose control of one of your demons?

You're one of the fiercest-looking warriors I've ever seen, &lt;Name&gt;!I think Paladins have the best line.

Anduin is a fabulous child. He is wise beyond his age and a very capable diplomat. In novels and comics he showed his ability to handle political anxiety really well. He was perceptive about Onyxia's agenda and would constantly remind his father of staying on the right path. When King Wrynn met with Thrall for the first time Anduin was the first o put down his weapon (Thrall: ""Looks like we have a diplomat amongst us.""). Garrosh argued about the talk about trades, Anduin said, ""Why waste fine warriors when a few words could yield you more profit?""

Anduin has great relationship with Magni, Jaina, and being one of the very few people who could control his father's temper. He knows other people would judge him by his age and appearances so he used that to his advantage (like with Moira). He made friend with Baine Bloodhoof, supported Baine in his campaign of retaking Thunderbluff. When players approach him he shows admiration without prejudice.

In short, no one in the known WoW verse have active dislike towards Anduin, and he's loved by many. He's versed with political tricks as well as a compassionate heart. With holy light's protection and some grow up he'd no doubt be a greater king than his father, and most certainly better than Garrosh.

He is featured in a Dark Legacy Comic, he get's insulted, sort of.

Link to the comic: http://www.darklegacycomics.com/281.html http://www.darklegacycomics.com/281.html