Sex: Male
Faction: Defias Brotherhood
Overall Rating: 5.7
Alignment: Chaotic Neutral
Arena Status: Active (S1)
In the annals of Warcraft lore, one character stands out for his profound tragedy, compelling narrative, and complex character development: Edwin VanCleef, the leader of the Defias Brotherhood.
Edwin VanCleef, a human, initially appears as a humble yet skilled stonemason from Stormwind, one of the major cities in the Kingdom of Azeroth. His expertise was called upon to rebuild Stormwind after its destruction in the First War against the Orcs. "We rebuilt this city with our bare hands," VanCleef once claimed, emphasizing the blood, sweat, and tears he and his fellow workers shed for their city.
However, despite their dedicated efforts, the ruling nobility failed to pay them for their work. This betrayal became the catalyst for VanCleef's transformation from a devoted craftsman to the vengeful leader of a group of disenfranchised workers known as the Defias Brotherhood. "The nobles of this city will hear of our demands," he declared, initiating a rebellion that would have severe consequences for the Stormwind Kingdom.
In the game, VanCleef's story primarily unfolds in World of Warcraft, specifically in the zone known as Westfall, a once-prosperous farmland now in decay. It is here that he establishes the Defias Brotherhood's stronghold in the Deadmines, a network of underground tunnels and caverns.
VanCleef's character arc reaches its climax in the Deadmines dungeon, where players confront him at the end. In a poignant moment, VanCleef declares, "None may challenge the Brotherhood," before meeting his end at the hands of the very citizens he once sought to protect. It's a fitting, if tragic, conclusion to his narrative, illustrating the lengths to which he was driven by a sense of injustice and betrayal.
But VanCleef's story doesn't end with his death. He reappears in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, where players encounter a revamped Deadmines dungeon and discover that his legacy lives on in his daughter, Vanessa VanCleef. She has taken up her father's mantle, vowing to fulfill his unfulfilled ambition, showing that the ripple effects of VanCleef's actions continue to influence the Warcraft narrative.
VanCleef also appears in Hearthstone, Blizzard's online card game based on the Warcraft universe. He is featured as a legendary rogue class card, with the flavor text that reads: "He led the Stonemasons in the reconstruction of Stormwind, and when the nobles refused to pay, he founded the Defias Brotherhood to, well, deconstruct Stormwind." This succinct summary perfectly encapsulates his narrative journey, from hero to villain, and continues to make him an enduring part of the Warcraft lore.
Edwin VanCleef is a character defined by both his skill as a stonemason and his burning sense of betrayal. His narrative is a poignant exploration of the consequences of perceived injustice and the lengths to which individuals will go to redress them. It is a tale marked by tragedy, rebellion, and enduring legacy, and he stands as one of the most complex and compelling characters in the Warcraft universe.
In this post, we will delve deeper into VanCleef's character, exploring his motivations, his influence on the world of Warcraft, and his impact on players and fans alike. We'll dissect his transformation from stonemason to rebel, and what this says about the broader themes of the Warcraft narrative. We invite you to join us as we explore the life, death, and enduring legacy of Edwin VanCleef.
Edwin VanCleef's Raw Power
VanCleef's raw power is most clearly manifested in his formidable combat skills. Trained by none other than the legendary rogue, Mathias Shaw, his abilities in martial arts are beyond ordinary. A rogue through and through, he thrives in the shadows, his swift and deadly strikes a testament to his lethal proficiency. In the climactic battle in the Deadmines, he tells the player, "Fools! Our cause is righteous!" his battle prowess clear evidence of his commitment to his cause.
But VanCleef's power isn't just limited to physical combat. He's an astute engineer, crafting and commanding an enormous war machine, the Juggernaut, within the Deadmines. His genius in mechanical engineering symbolizes another facet of his raw power, demonstrating his capacity to leverage technology in his pursuit of retribution.
VanCleef's strengths lie primarily in his cunning and skill. His physical combat prowess, while notable, certainly doesn't match up to some of the more powerful warriors or spellcasters in the fantasy genre. The fact that he's an early-level dungeon boss in "World of Warcraft" does illustrate this point. Though formidable for beginning adventurers, his challenges can be overcome without needing high-level abilities or resources. His prowess in battle, while impressive, does not measure up to characters with magical abilities, divine blessings, or inhuman strength.
In terms of raw power, VanCleef is certainly skilled, but he's ultimately human. His resourcefulness and tenacity are commendable, but they don't quite stand up to the raw, elemental, and magical powers that many fantasy characters wield.
When measured against a broad spectrum of fantasy characters, it seems fitting to revise VanCleef's raw power rating to a more modest 4 out of 10. He surpasses an average human, excelling as an accomplished rogue and engineer, but in the grand scheme of all fantasy universes, he doesn't reach the upper echelons. His raw power lies in his exceptional humanity and his unyielding determination, serving as a beacon for those who fight without the aid of magic or divine intervention.
Edwin VanCleef's Tactical Ability
Edwin VanCleef's tactical ability is undoubtedly where he shines the most. He is a master of cunning plans, covert operations, and guerrilla warfare. These skills, coupled with his fierce determination and leadership, allowed him to transform a group of disenfranchised workers into the Defias Brotherhood, a formidable organization that posed a significant threat to the kingdom of Stormwind.
The game's quest dialogue often lauds VanCleef's strategic abilities. As Baros Alexston, city architect of Stormwind, says of the stonemasons after VanCleef's rise, "They became thugs... Sending a message to Stormwind by leaving it in shambles." VanCleef's influence turned a labor dispute into a full-blown insurgency, a testament to his tactical acumen.
VanCleef also shows his tactical capabilities in the way he set up his headquarters, the Deadmines. The mine serves as a stronghold, hidden beneath the quiet town of Moonbrook and filled with traps and loyal followers to deter intruders. This strategic location allows him to launch surprise attacks and retreat to safety, a testament to his understanding of terrain and defensive tactics.
His ultimate plan was to build a juggernaut, a massive ship capable of laying siege to Stormwind. This vision of tactical retribution, while ultimately unsuccessful, was a clear indication of his forward-thinking and strategic planning. His dialogue with adventurers underscores this: "None may challenge the Brotherhood," he declares, a statement filled with the confidence of a master tactician.
Nevertheless, his strategies are grounded in realism, lacking in grand magical schemes or divine interventions that other fantasy universes might offer. His tactical ability is thus remarkably high for a mortal man but might not compete with god-like beings or arcane strategists.
Therefore, Edwin VanCleef's rating for tactical ability can be justifiably set at a respectable 7.5. He ranks highly among the strategists in his universe and holds his own across many others, yet his lack of supernatural resources keeps him from reaching the very pinnacle. His cleverness, determination, and leadership demonstrate what humanity can achieve, reinforcing his legacy as a tactician to be respected, if not admired.
Edwin VanCleef's Influence
Edwin VanCleef's influence is unmistakable within his world. A born leader, VanCleef managed to rally a multitude of disgruntled stonemasons into forming the Defias Brotherhood, a formidable organization that, under his leadership, terrorized the kingdom of Stormwind.
VanCleef's influence lies in his charisma and shared grievances with his followers, stemming from the injustice they faced when the nobles of Stormwind refused to pay them for their work in rebuilding the city. This influence extended beyond his immediate followers, affecting the lives of the citizens of Stormwind and causing unrest in the kingdom. His followers were so loyal that even after his death, the Defias Brotherhood continued to function, carrying on his vision of rebellion and vengeance.
The character's powerful influence is reflected in a quote from Gryan Stoutmantle, a member of The People's Militia fighting against the Defias Brotherhood: "His following is fanatical, it's going to take a lot more than just killing VanCleef to eliminate this threat." This quote speaks volumes about VanCleef's lasting impact on those around him, emphasizing the extent of his influence.
However, when compared to other characters across fantasy universes, VanCleef's influence does have its limits. While he leads a powerful organization and sparks fear and chaos in his world, his influence is somewhat localized, confined primarily to the region of Westfall and the city of Stormwind. He has not, for instance, commanded armies across continents, altered the course of worldwide wars, or manipulated the fabric of reality itself - feats some characters in other realms have achieved.
Taking these factors into consideration, VanCleef's Influence rating would be a 6.5. He stands as a significant figure within his world, wielding considerable influence over his followers and foes alike. But in the grand tapestry of all fantasy characters, his influence, while potent, is less far-reaching. Still, his story serves as a poignant reminder of the power of charisma and shared struggle in rallying individuals toward a common cause.
Edwin VanCleef's Resilience
Edwin VanCleef's life story is a testament to his extraordinary resilience. Born into poverty, VanCleef used his innate skills and indomitable spirit to rise through the ranks, eventually becoming the foreman of the Stonemasons' Guild. He helped rebuild Stormwind after the devastating war against the Horde, only to be betrayed by the nobility who refused to compensate the guild for their work.
But rather than succumbing to despair or defeat, VanCleef showed remarkable resilience. He took this injustice as a rallying call, gathering his fellow stonemasons to form the Defias Brotherhood. His leadership turned a group of disgruntled workers into a force that threatened the stability of an entire kingdom. Even after his death, his legacy lived on, with the Defias Brotherhood continuing his cause.
This resilience, however, does have its limits. VanCleef, for all his strengths, is a mortal man in a universe where divine beings, dragons, and demi-gods wage wars. His resilience in face of adversities and setbacks is noteworthy but lacks the supernatural or magical aspects present in other fantasy characters. He is unable to recover from fatal injuries or resist powerful magic, which somewhat limits his resilience compared to characters who can.
A quote from VanCleef himself, "None may challenge the Brotherhood!" echoes his resilient spirit, his unwillingness to bow down, his readiness to rise up against oppression, but it also encapsulates the limits of his resilience. His bold proclamation ended with his defeat, proving that his resilience, though impressive, was not infallible.
Considering these factors, Edwin VanCleef earns a resilience score of 5.5 out of 10. This score reflects his impressive ability to recover from life's setbacks and rally others to his cause, balanced against the inherent limitations of his mortal status and his ultimate defeat. In the grander spectrum of all fantasy characters, VanCleef's resilience stands as a testament to the strength of the human spirit, even in the face of overwhelming odds and ultimate defeat.
Edwin VanCleef's Versatility
Edwin VanCleef exhibits a commendable degree of versatility. From humble beginnings, he managed to establish himself as a formidable rogue, a deft architect, a compelling leader, and a relentless rebel. This diversity in skills is reflected in his various roles in the Warcraft universe. For instance, he is not only the final boss in the Deadmines dungeon, where he demonstrates his combat prowess, but also the mastermind behind the design and construction of the titanic juggernaut that serves as his base of operations.
His expertise as a rogue is well-regarded. He was trained by the best - the Baros Alexston, city architect of Stormwind. This allowed him to become a master stonemason, his skills crucial to the rebuilding of Stormwind. This combination of combat and craft sets him apart from many fantasy characters who typically excel in a singular discipline.
VanCleef's leadership of the Defias Brotherhood illustrates his versatility as well. He managed to unite a disparate group of disgruntled craftsmen, criminals, and pirates under a common cause, demonstrating not just martial ability but also organizational skill and charisma.
However, compared to some of the most adaptable beings across all fantasy universes, VanCleef falls somewhat short. His versatility is significant within his own universe, but when compared to characters that can shape-shift, wield multiple forms of magic, or adapt their bodies to different environments, VanCleef's versatility is understandably more limited.
One of VanCleef's quotes encapsulates his approach: "Lapdogs, all of you!" He doesn't shy away from confrontation, whether it's in battle or when leading his band of rebels. But as admirable as his versatility is, it doesn't reach the heights of those with supernatural flexibility.
Given this, Edwin VanCleef's versatility merits a rating of 5 out of 10 when compared to all fantasy characters across all universes. It recognizes his range of skills within his context, but also acknowledges the vast array of abilities possessed by characters in wider fantasy literature.
Edwin VanCleef's Alignment
Edwin VanCleef's alignment within the spectrum of fantasy characters provides a fascinating study. Born as a law-abiding citizen and master stonemason, VanCleef was instrumental in the reconstruction of Stormwind, a beacon of hope in the aftermath of the First War. However, a perceived betrayal by the city's aristocracy – a refusal to pay for his guild's hard labor – propelled VanCleef into a life of rebellion as leader of the Defias Brotherhood. His life, now dedicated to anarchy and insurrection, bore the indelible mark of his resentment and desire for justice.
VanCleef's methods for achieving his goals were undoubtedly chaotic, straying far from the city's laws and societal norms. His new path was paved with criminal activities, from the robbery of the city's wealthy elite to the orchestration of violent insurrections. These unlawful actions nudge his alignment towards the chaotic side of the spectrum.
His moral alignment, however, is more ambiguous. Although VanCleef's violent actions caused harm and upheaval, his initial motivation – fair compensation for his guild's work – held a certain moral integrity. His defiant declaration in the Deadmines dungeon, "None may challenge the Brotherhood!", illustrates a dogged commitment to his cause, albeit executed through damaging means. It's this aspect of his character that leans towards the evil side of the spectrum.
Yet, it's crucial to consider a compelling counter-narrative: VanCleef's rebellion could have unwittingly served a greater good. At the time of his uprising, Stormwind was unknowingly under the manipulative influence of Onyxia, disguised as Lady Prestor. VanCleef's actions, despite their anarchic nature, could have potentially led to her exposure, freeing the city from her sinister control. This ironic twist blurs the lines of VanCleef's alignment, potentially nudging him towards the neutral zone on the morality axis.
Ultimately, Edwin VanCleef’s final alignment is Chaotic Neutral, tainted by betrayal and a thirst for retribution, but speckled with a potential for unintended good. His is a character study of how a righteous path, marred by injustice and hardened by bitterness, can lead one into the shadows while leaving room for unexpected light. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated character alignment matrix across all planes of existence.
Edwin's Trophy Case
PPET Rankings
| Season | Rank |
|---|---|
| 1 (2023-2024) | #59 (of 107) |
Overall Conclusion on Edwin VanCleef and Position Across Plane of Existence
Overall, Edwin VanCleef emerges as a compelling character in the vast pantheon of fantasy universes. A blend of tragic hero and ruthless villain, he offers a complex study of a common man's descent into lawlessness, triggered by injustice and fueled by retribution. Ranking at a 5.7, Edwin holds his own as an average character across the spectrum, neither eclipsing the godlike beings in terms of raw power nor fading into obscurity next to lesser characters.
His raw power, as shown in-game and recounted by players, is not overwhelming. He doesn't command cataclysmic forces or perform feats of legendary strength. Instead, his abilities reflect his human origins and his profession as a stonemason turned rogue – a physical strength honed through years of labor and combat, a mastery of stealth, and a command over his band of rebels. Yet, compared to the towering dragons, immortal elves, and reality-warping mages of the fantasy genre, Edwin's power pales, placing him around the mid-point of our scale.
Edwin's tactical abilities, influence, and versatility, however, give him an edge. His leadership of the Defias Brotherhood, his orchestration of a rebellion within the heart of Stormwind, and his adaptability in various scenarios (as reflected in his boss fights) all testify to his cunning and resilience. These qualities push him above the median, compensating for his comparative lack of raw power.
As a figure of influence, Edwin's charisma rallied the discontented masses of Westfall and transformed them into a formidable insurgent force. His resilience, while not supernatural, was deeply human and relatable, borne out of sheer grit and vengeance. His versatility, though confined within his rogue abilities, was impressive, making him a challenging adversary in the Deadmines dungeon.
In comparison, his lieutenant henchmen - Mr. Smite, Sneed, and Cookie the Murloc - exhibit less complexity and lower overall power. VanCleef's greater leadership and versatility highlight his superiority over them. As for his daughter Vanessa, a fascinating character in her own right, her abilities and influence could potentially match or even surpass her father's, a tantalizing prospect that we will delve into in a future analysis.
In conclusion, Edwin VanCleef carves out a unique niche within the wide landscape of fantasy characters. His power, though not monumental, is wielded with cunning and adaptability, creating a formidable challenge for anyone who dares to step into his lair in the Deadmines. Pride and Prophecy keeps an updated power ranking across all planes of existence. This will only be sortable on desktop viewing. The below table shows a summary within the same plane of existence of this article.
