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: This post is full of spoilers for Blizzard Entertainment‘s World of Warcraft franchise. If you aren’t caught up with the game, I suggest playing through it first!
Valeera Sanguinar
Fast Facts
Valeera Sanguinar’s early life was not easy. As a child she lost her parents to bandits. In order to survive she learned how to protect herself from not only bandits but the scourge as well. She built a living on stealing what she needed. This is how she learned of her family’s ancestral history and their connection to the Order of Trisfal. Eventually Valeera tried to steal a talisman from a shaman but the guards caught her before she could getaway.
Valeera did not go easy. She tried to fight her way through the guards and caught the eye of the arena promoter who sold her to Rehgar Earthfury. There she fought alongside Broll Bearmantle and Bloodeye Redfist until Redfist’s death. The two were then transported to train as gladiators. It was here she first met Varian Wrynn, though because of his amnesia no one knew. He would earn the name Lo’Gash due to his skill.
The team, while not always getting along, looked out for each other. In the end the team became victors of the Crimson Ring Tournament. Afterward Valeera was sold off to Helka Grimtotem but escaped soon after they left. She attempted to meet back up with Bearmantle and Lo’Gosh who had also escaped their enslavement. Though before she could she found an assassin trailing them. She along with the help of local beasts did away with the would-be assassin before passing out.
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With the help of Aeqwynn, the strongest Guardian of Trisfal, Valeera reunites with Bearmantle and Lo’Gosh. Aeqwynn then cleared Lo’Gosh’s amnesia and helped him remember who he truly was. Valeera joined her friends on the mission to return Wrynn to his rightful throne in Stormwind. During the trip back to the Eastern Kingdoms, their boat is attacked by Naga where Valeera is stuck by a sea witch’s trident. This act triggered her addiction to mana.
Her addiction to mana would only become worse after Vendelin Soulfire, another assassin sent to kill Wrynn, placed the mark of Kathra’natir on her. The mark also infected her with fel energies from the demon causing her addiction to grow worse. The group left Valeera behind in Ironforge in order to go through the withdrawal process. During this time the demon within her used her own feelings of abandonment to try and take over. However with the help of Aegwynn and her own strength, Valeera took control of herself.
Valeera went on to pledge herself to the Wrynn family and work as a spy for both Varian Wrynn and his son Anduin Wrynn. She has always been honest that her allegiance does not lie with either the Alliance or the Horde but with her friends and her beliefs. During the events of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth she served as the messenger between Baine Bloodhoof and the Alliance.
The Real Deal
Valeera Sanquinar is one of the strongest and most skilled rogues in the World of Warcraft franchise. She held her own in several battles alongside Bearmantle and Varian during their time in the Crimson Ring Tournament. Her strongest battle though is with her mana addiction. In the franchise, Blood Elves are known to have a love for mana that can cross the line into pure addiction. Valeera like so many others struggled with that line.
Using her own strength and the strength of her friends around her, she was able to come to terms with her addiction. Valeera knows that her battle will never be over and continues to fight the struggle every day. While she has relapsed throughout her story, she always is able to come back. She has pledged herself to use her skills to do good in the world and serving those who she truly trusts.
Why She Matters
Valeera Sanquinar matters because she shows us that you can be a strong person and still struggle with problems like addiction. She proves to us that addiction does not define a person. Instead it is their actions that define them. She continues to fight to keep control while making sure to live her life helping those around her. In a world where the two factions are constantly thrown against each other, Valeera stands in the middle to show us that there is always a way to bring to the two together if only for a moment.
So be like Valeera Sanquinar. Stand up for your beliefs and fight to protect your friends and loved ones. Remember that your faults do not define you.
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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