Why was Medivh hostile towards Khadgar?

Why was Medivh hostile towards Khadgar? - Pink Scrabble Tiles on White Background

I just watched the Warcraft movie and I'm a bit confused about this scene (Medivh meeting Khadgar in Karazhan for the first time in the movie).

  • Medivh attacks Khadgar with excessive force
  • Medivh acts as if Khadgar is his successor ("...what you're going to do with the place once it's yours?", also, later in the movie says something in the lines of "You are not the Guardian yet")
  • Khadgar isn't supposed to be in Karazhan ("I didn't want to come here...I swear...Guardian")

This doesn't make much sense to me - I understand Khadgar had been next in line to be Guardian before he renounced his vow, so why would Medivh act like he is still his successor (apparently, Khadgar needed to remind him about renouncing the vow)? On the other hand, if Medivh really wasn't aware of this, why would he attack Khadgar and act like he's not supposed to be in Karazhan?



Best Answer

It is difficult to pinpoint Medivh's motivations in his first encounter with Khadgar, as shown in the movie. We can speculate, but it is important to note that we are dealing with key plot points that differ in the video game series. We will look at each of your points, in regards to why Medivh may act in this way.


Medivh is aggressive towards Khadgar

Medivh attacks Khadgar with excessive force

It is important to take note of Medivh's state of mind, at this point. We later find out that Medivh was the one to bring the Orcs in from Draenor, but the movie does not truely emphasise why. Long story short, Medivh's mother fought against the penultimate evil, an old god by the name of Sargeras. This is the guy that created The Burning Legion1, in the first place. As his last act, Sargeras posessed the unborn Medivh, who was still in his mother's womb. At the point at which we are introduced to Medivh, he has all but lost his internal battle for control.

Khadgar may be a friend, but it is difficult to establish Medivh's exact frame of mind, at this point. As mentioned, he likely fears that Khadgar was snooping, and is afraid of being discovered. It is also entirely likely that he is hostile towards Khadgar, after whatever falling out that led to Khadgar renouncing his vow; as far as I am aware, this is a key plot point that does not happen in the video game series. As far as I am aware, the video game plot has Khadgar remain as the loyal apprentice to Medivh, right up until he is forced to kill his master.


Medivh acts as if Khadgar is his successor

Medivh acts as if Khadgar is his successor ("...what you're going to do with the place once it's yours?", also, later in the movie says something in the lines of "You are not the Guardian yet")

Considering Medivh's state of mind, as previously mentioned, I boil this down to general confusion. Perhaps Medivh has seen Khadgar after an extended period of time, remembers the anger associated with him leaving, but fails to recall that he actually did leave.

On the other hand, perhaps he interprets that Khadgar left to become stronger than him, and has returned to take over his command. This form of paranoia and/or expected behaviour is especially understandable when we consider that Medihv is currently posessed by the creator of The Burning Legion1.


Khadgar does not want to be in Karazhan

Khadgar isn't supposed to be in Karazhan ("I didn't want to come here...I swear...Guardian")

I do not necessarily think that he is not suppose to be in Karazhan; I simply think he is extremely hesitant to return. We are not told what went down, when Khadgar left, but we can assume from his hesitancy to return that it was not the sort of thing that invites a warm welcome. Again, this particular plot element is unique to the movie; so we do not really have as much backstory to draw off, in comparison to various other elements2.

It is also worth noting that it is fairly clear that he connects his previous leaving with the hostile welcome he receives; however, as previously suggested, Medivh's motivations may easily have been unrelated.


Concerning extended lore

As previously stated, in another answer, there is plenty of lore to read up on concerning these two characters. However, a word to the wise: Warcraft is an expansive universe. There is no guarantee that any game lore you read about Medihv, Khadgar - or for that matter, anyone or anything else - will hold true, in terms of the movie canon.

I would still highly recommend further reading. Blizzard write some good fiction.


1 I do not recall if The Burning Legion are actually brought up, in the movie; however, they are the armies of demonic forces that seek to purge all life from the world. For what little they may have been brought up, expect to hear of them in far greater detail, in any potential sequel.2 On that note, if you enjoyed the movie, check out the video games and their lore. The movie misses out on a great deal of underplot, both before, after, and during the events within the main plot; and it is no surprise. Warcraft is a massive IP. It would be somewhat like watching the Lord of the Rings movies, and expecting the same detail as the books.




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Why did Medivh betray?

He was able to appear as a supernaturally-large raven. Medivh chose not to reveal his true identity, as he would've been recognized as the evil sorcerer who brought the orcs to Azeroth. King Terenas of Lordaeron and Antonidas of Dalaran both consequently dismissed the Prophet as nothing more than a madman.

How did Medivh get corrupted?

Medivh (the guardian) was corrupted (or rather, possessed) even before birth by the spirit of Sargeras, the dark titan. This event happened when his mother, Aegwynn, fought and (seemingly) defeated the titan, around 800 years before the events depicted in the movie.

Why was Medivh killed?

Khadgar finally figured out what Medivh was doing and went to his childhood friends Llane and Lothar to ask for their help. Along with the Horde emissary Garona Halforcen, Lother and Khadgar led human troops to fight Medivh. In the ensuing battle, Khadgar drove a sword through Medivh's heart, killing him.

What happened to Medivh in Warcraft movie?

Medivh was a Guardian of Azeroth, and childhood friend of Llane Wrynn and Anduin Lothar, until his corruption by the fel turned him against them. After unwittingly opening the Great Gate and inviting the Horde to Azeroth, Medivh was fought by Khadgar and Lothar, and eventually killed.



Harbingers - Khadgar




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