Taelia was born in the slums of Stormwind, and grew up a scrounger. She wasn’t allowed to take part in magic classes at school because her mother said it would only lead to trouble. Taelia’s life changed when she ran away from home with some friends who introduced her to the Orphanage.
This week, we meet Bolvar Fordragon and his daughter, Taelia, in the fifth chapter of the main plot of Secrets of the First Ones – 9.2. Taelia thought her father was dead for much of her childhood, therefore their connection is atypical.
The spoilers in this article are from Chapter 5 of 9.2’s main narrative campaign.
Icecrown
After Arthas’ defeat, the ghost of his father, Terenas Menethil, emerged in the Icecrown Citadel raid finale cinematic, to take his son away and remind him that the Scourge would become a much bigger menace if no one took his son’s place. “A Lich King must always exist.”
Bolvar Fordragon opted to commit himself at the moment, having been irreparably transformed by the suffering he had undergone in Icecrown. He had one final message for those he was leaving behind as he picked up the Helm of Domination. “Tell them just that the Lich King is no longer alive… and that Bolvar Fordragon has also perished.”
Daughter who has been orphaned
Taelia was already under Cyrus Crestfall’s care at this time; when her mother perished when the Scourge struck Lordaeron, Bolvar had moved his daughter to Kul Tiras to be safe. We first encountered Taelia during the events of Battle for Azeroth, when she assisted Jaina in escaping from jail before helping the Kul Tirans join the Alliance.
Taelia had assumed Bolvar had died a hero in Northrend for much of her life. Anduin pondered telling her what was going on, but he kept putting it off, and she just found out the truth lately. Mathias Shaw let the fate of Taelia’s father slip in front of her during the events of the Shadowlands pre-patch, when Sylvanas Windrunner ordered Mawsworn to take Azeroth’s leaders.
Shandris Feathermoon declares: These kidnappings… the Scourge assaults… the Banshee shall be held accountable for her actions. We shall bring her to justice thanks to Elune’s wrath! Right now, I don’t give a damn about justice, says Taelia Fordragon. I’m simply curious as to where she’s brought our mutual pals. What are your plans, King Greymane? Taelia, Genn Greymane responds, “We’ll get them back.” We’ll rescue them all, I vow to you. The Ebon Blade has retrieved the Lich… the Highlord from the conflict at Icecrown, according to Master Mathias Shaw. In Acherus, he is recuperating. I hope he can assist us in finding solutions, adds Genn Greymane. The Scourge are wreaking havoc without that horrible helm. To stop the zombie flow, we’ll need the Argent Crusade’s support, says Genn Greymane. Bolvar is the only one who can figure out how everything goes together, according to Master Mathias Shaw. Did you say… Bolvar, Taelia Fordragon? Fordragon, Bolvar? Is that my father? Is he still alive? Taelia, I… shall explain, says Genn Greymane. But we can’t afford to relax our vigilance. Not with so much on the line.
The Path to the Shadowlands
Taelia has subsequently journeyed to the Shadowlands, and we’ve even witnessed a short reunion with her father, but she was too preoccupied with the fate of her companions to be worried with much more than ensuring her father’s assistance at the moment.
Please, father, says Taelia Fordragon. We need to know whether we can still rescue our pals! Highlord Bolvar Fordragon replies to Taelia, “You don’t grasp the danger.” Peering into the Maw would entail— Taelia Fordragon explains, “I traveled all the way to the domains of Death in order to see the father I believed I’d lost.” One of Azeroth’s bravest warriors, Bolvar Fordragon. Taelia Fordragon states, “I haven’t asked you anything since I was a little child.” You took the young child and sent her away. But, Taelia Fordragon, I have a question for you. Please let us know if they are still alive. My dazzling light, I… shall do as you wish, declares Highlord Bolvar Fordragon.
Mortis Zereth
We spend some time exploring Domination magic – especially, methods to resist it – in this week’s tale, Crown of Wills, so that we may beat the Jailer. Taelia and Bolvar accompany us for part of our study, and we get to overhear bits of their chat. Taelia, understandably, is dissatisfied with Bolvar’s choice to abandon her.
Who taught you how to wield a hammer, asks Highlord Bolvar Fordragon? Sir Crestfall of Kul Tiras, says Taelia Fordragon. Growing up, he was always there for me. In the flesh, someone I could look up to. Taelia Fordragon replies, “Did you ever think about mother and me while you were alone in Icecrown?” Every day, says Highlord Bolvar Fordragon.
Stay a while and pay attention.
At the end of this week’s chapter, if we choose to Stay a while and pay attention., we can witness Taelia finally confronting her father on his decision to become Lich King. Bolvar, for his part, gets a chance to explain his actions – how he chose to make the sacrifice to keep Taelia – along with the rest of the world – safe. However, Taelia challenges him on his decision, reminding him that the sacrifice was not only his own. Bolvar concedes, admitting that his decision must have hurt her, and showing regret for her pain.
Taelia Fordragon exclaims, “I have so many questions for you…” I’m not sure where to begin. Everything is lot more orderly and tidy when you grow up thinking your father is a dead hero, says Taelia Fordragon. It’s different when you find out he’s still alive. Bolvar Fordragon recalls, “That day, the guy I was died.” My destiny was sealed by the dragon’s flames. But couldn’t you have at least let me know you were still there, Taelia Fordragon says? Is that you at the helm? What took you so long? Would you have traveled to Icecrown if you had known? asks Bolvar Fordragon. Yes, of course, Taelia Fordragon says. I would have gone to any length to save you. Which is why you couldn’t know, according to Bolvar Fordragon. To keep you and the rest of the world safe from that location, I had to make that sacrifice. That is where the power comes from. But it wasn’t only you who made that sacrifice, adds Taelia Fordragon. It was also the rest of us. Everyone who cared for you. Bolvar Fordragon responds, “I understand.” And I will always be sorry for the anguish I caused you. I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me.
This and other legend nuggets may be found in The Story of the First Ones’ Secrets, our 9.2 Lore Guide.
