Welcome to this week’s installment of Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week, wherein we shine a spotlight on strong women who inspire us. Now, this not only includes fictional female characters in geeky media, but creators as well. These ladies are a prime example of female empowerment and how crucial it is for kids to have said example to follow.
DISCLAIMER: The following is full of spoilers for World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth .
Talanji
Fast Facts
Talanji was born the princess of the Zandalari Empire, the daughter of the God King Rastakhan. Growing up in the empire, Talanji had only one friend, Parri, with whom she spent most of her time. In her teen years she became a Priestess to the loa Rezan, her father’s loa of kings. She soon found that she held differing opinions to her father on how the empire should be run. She was heavily influenced by Vol’jin, the leader of the Darkspear Trolls, and his belief that all of the tribes should not be united as one. Instead he found that his true tribe and home with was the Horde.
After learning that the Zanchuli Council was not working to protect the empire, Talanji left Zandalar to meet with the Horde under the guise of exploring. Alongside Zul, she was captured by the Alliance and held in the Stormwind Stockades until members of the Horde rescued them. She asked them to return back to Zandalar to help her against the council. And in return she agreed to aid them against the war with the Alliance. Upon her return, Talanji set up an expedition into Nazmir to try and uncover what the council was truly doing alongside the Blood Trolls.
During her quest she learned that the Blood Trolls were working against the empire to raise the old god G’huun. She sought out and gained the support of the different loa and their followers to help stop G’huun from reawakening. With their help and the Horde’s, Talanji successfully stopped the reawakening and returned to Zuldazar. She learned of Zul’s deception and fought to save Zuldazar alongside its inhabitants. Even though Zul was successful in destroying the final seal, the city was saved.
With things seemingly quiet Talanji traveled with Rokhan to learn more about why Vol’jin’s spirit had come back from the Shadowlands. It turned out that G’huun wasn’t sitting quiet, but his corruption and influence was spreading. Along with Azeroth’s greatest heroes, Talanji returned to Nazmir to bring an end to his threat. Though things didn’t get better after that, when Talanji returned home she learned of the Alliance’s plan to attack through Nazmir. So she turned around and headed back, only to learn it was a trap.
By the time Talanji returned to Zuldazar, God King Rastakhan had already been killed at the hands of the Alliance and Jania Proudmoore. She commanded her troops to follow the Alliance as they attempted to escape. When the dust settled, Talanji learned that after the fall of Rezan her father sold her bloodline to Bwonsamdi, a loa of death, in return for his powers. In turn Talanji was linked directly to him. With him as her new loa of kings, Talanji took on her role as the new Queen of the Zandalari and officially joined the Horde.
The Real Deal
Of course, Talanji is the real deal. She isn’t a princess who is fine waiting for other people to solve her problems. She goes out and gets things done. Talanji knows that something is going on behind her father’s back and when he doesn’t listen, she strikes out on her own. She isn’t afraid to leave home and venture out into the world to find the support she needs. When the Blood Trolls begin attacking her home she doesn’t just send her people out on their own. She leads the expedition into Nazmir and searches for the cause. When her father dies at the hands of the Alliance she takes up the mantle as Queen and leads her people forward.
Why She Matters
Why does Talanji matter? In a game dominated by strong male characters, she is an emotionally and physically strong female in a seat of power. She isn’t the typical princess-type character who is selfish and childish. She knows that she has a lot to learn about the world around her but doesn’t let that hold her down. She also shows us that it is okay to lean on others for support as well. It is important to understand where you need help and even more important to remember to ask for it.
So be like Talanji. Be strong for those around you and remember that leaning on them isn’t a sign of weakness but of strength.
Who I Am: A nerd by the strictest definition. I enjoy diving straight into my favorite fandoms without a care in the world. I live on video/board games, fantasy movies and TV, and all things geeky.
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