William Hendrickson

I figured I would do a cameos post for my Death Knight here, William. This is similar to my cameos post I made for Damien last year: [Damien’s Cata - BfA Cameos] [Damien’ Shadowlands Cameo]

So here are William’s cameos.

Wrath of the Lich King

1) The first time players can see William is in the Death Knight starting zone. During the assault on Havenshire players can encounter him fighting and killing civilians as a Death Knight Initiate doing the Lich King’s bidding along with his fellow Death Knights. 

This cameo just shows that he was among those raised into undeath and chosen to be a Death Knight under the Lich King’s will.

2) The second time players see William is later in the starting zone after furthering the assault against the Scarlet Crusade. He is among the Death Knights that are setting fire to the Chapel of the Crimson Flame, throwing torches at the church and cheering.

This cameo shows that William was among the initiates to be deemed worthy and allowed to ascend the ranks of the Scourge.

3) The third and final cameo in Wrath takes place in Dragonblight within Wintergarde Keep, inside of the tavern. Upon walking into the tavern the players can see a short scene with William, a High Elf, and a Draenei:

William: “Stop saying that! I want revenge nothing more...”

Elsavia: *laughs* “Sure, that’s why you helped protect those civilians from the undead, and traveled with us across Northrend helping where we are needed.” 

Tovaal: “William, my friend, there is nothing wrong admitting you are a good person.”

William: “Let’s just go. We need to get to Icecrown.”

The three then leave the tavern to head to Icecrown.

This cameo shows a few things in William’s story. First, he has a new Runeblade, and armor, and a tabard of the Ebon Blade signifying he joined up with them and is a member after the Lich King’s betrayal. Second, it hints to the fact that at some point after the events of the DK starting zone he came across Elsavia and Tovaal, and has been adventuring with them throughout Northrend during the events of Wrath of the Lich King. It also shows William is seemingly able to control his transformations as he is in human form.

Cataclysm

1) The only cameo William has during Cataclysm is in Pyrewood Village, Silverpine Forest. Standing in the middle of the village he can be seen staring at the houses. Approaching him as a Horde vs Alliance player will garner different responses:

Horde (Unless the player is a fellow DK)

<William looks at you and grits his teeth before clenching a fist> “ Your people did this.. you destroyed my home. I suggest you leave me be, unless you want to lose your head.”

William then walks away and disappears.

Alliance

<William’s gaze shifts to you slowly before looking back at the buildings> “This was my home. It’s strange to be back here, last thing I remember of it was the Forsaken attacking a few years ago... I was killed in the battle and the next thing I remembered I was waking up as a servant to the Lich King. 

<He lets out a sigh>

I have to get back to Acherus, the Ebon Blade will be wondering where I am.”

William then walks away and disappears.

This cameo gives some backstory for William by letting the player know that he was a citizen of Pyrewood Village, which explains why he is a worgen, and that he was among the populace when the Forsaken came through (per the Classic WoW leveling experience) and attacked the village.

Legion

1) The next time players can encounter William is during Legion while leveling through Val’sharah, they can find him just outside of Bradensbrook in the graveyard. Kneeling by one of the graves the player can approach William and talk to him where he will say:

<Standing the worgen turns to you with a solemn look on his face> “Many left Pyrewood Village to escape the undead threat of the Scourge, among them were a few friends of mine. They thought leaving was the only option, but it seems they escaped one undead threat only to encounter another.”

<William clutches what seems to be a High Elven and Draenic necklace in his hand before looking back to the grave.> 

“It seems I’m destined to lose everyone to the undead.”

This cameo shows a few things regarding William. First, it builds on William’s backstory of being from Pyrewood Village. At some point William learned of Bradensbrook, and traveled there in hopes of seeing friends who had fled Pyrewood Village during the Scourge march across Eastern Kingdoms, only to discover they had been killed by the risen undead that no plagues Bradensbrook. Second, it hints that during the war in Northrend, after encountering them leaving the tavern to head to Icecrown, apparently Elsavia and Tovaal were killed by undead something that still haunts William as he carries around necklaces that belonged to them.

Battle for Azeroth

1) The next time players encounter William is while leveling through Drustvar. Along the cliffside of Corlain they will find him sitting atop a skeletal steed. Approaching him to talk he will say:

“Be careful out here, the magic used by these witches is unlike anything I have ever seen. I’m trying to get a better understanding of it and how it works, but it’s different.” 

The group of three Ebon Blade stood at their post in Stormwind, watching, waiting. It was only a matter of time before the Scourge made their way to the city. William stood staring off into the distance while the others talked amongst themselves.

“Can you believe this? Just a few years ago we were shunned as monsters by these very same people. And now look at them, begging us for protection against the Scourge.”  The Human knight stated with clear disdain in his voice.

“So you’d rather watch them suffer the horrific fate of becoming mindless Scourge?” William asked still staring off into the distance, “I’d say that makes you no better than the Lich King who raised us against our will. If that is how you truly feel perhaps we should consider you just as much of a threat.”

The knight gritted his teeth and drew his giant blade, pointing it at William, “And if you don’t watch your tongue and respect your superiors you are going to find it difficult to speak without your head, Hendrickson. Or have you forgotten your place? After your little stunt going rogue in Drustvar you are no longer our equal, you are nothing more than an initiate to the Ebon Blade, and as such will give me the proper respect and do as I command.”

William turned to look over his shoulder, his hood covering his eyes as he eyed the man for a moment before walking past him, “I am going for a patrol to check with the others in the Trade District.”

“I was just about to suggest the same thing, your presence irritates me.”

Minus the undead decay, this is basically as close as I can get William to how I pictured him in my mind, I am quite happy with it!

Human Form: He has spiky hair, dark black/bluish hair (part of this being from being undead), and he has no facial hair just long sideburns.

Worgen Form: He has the undead Worgen fur color that is “black” because in my mind William was always a very dark colored fur color with that strange blueish look since again he is undead. I also gave him the pointed ears that are slightly torn.

After the events of BfA, William “going rogue” and researching the Drust magic instead of following the orders of his superiors in the Ebon Blade I headcanon that he has in essence been “demoted” within the order therefore no longer has his Saronite armor set anymore and instead wears his old Archerus armor from when he first became a Death Knight.

The Death Knight blinked a moment before exhaling, “Your brother is right, it shouldn’t be tolerated. There are few crimes greater crime than stealing away someone’s free will, there is no excuse for such a thing. Anyone who uses mind controls deserves death, preferably by my hand.” He spoke plainly showing little emotion on his face, but his words seeped animosity.

"Correct."

"Correct"

(Previous Chapter here: Lost at Sea) 

Using his unnatural strength William swam to the surface of the water, clasped in his left hand is the unconscious man he broke free from the cannon. Breaking the surface of the water, the Death Knight quickly summoned his dark powers to begin to freeze the water around him to allow him to pull the man out of the water and onto the newly formed ice before climbing out of the water himself.

William signaled for his Winged Steed, the skeletal creature circled around the ship before hearing it's master's call and descending to meet the two men. Carefully, William lifted the unconscious man and placed him on his mount before climbing on himself and pulling the reins to signal his steed to take off.  As they lifted into the air, heading in the direction of land, the Death Knight took one final look at the Irontide vessel, all across the deck were the corpses of the pirates, some in multiple pieces, some with their hearts ripped out, it was a gruesome sight... one that William had grown accustomed to over the years due to his need to inflict pain and suffering.

The Death Knight pulled the reins of his Winged Steed as he made his way towards land, all while making sure the unconscious man laying in front of him didn't fall to his death, William knew he needed to get him to land quickly. Eventually they made it to Drustvar and began to make their descend, the Winged Steed landed gently allowing William to hop off and pull the unconscious man with him, laying him on the ground. He leaned in to listen for a heartbeat, it was there, but faint.

He's still alive... but barely. William thought to himself for a moment knowing full well that if the unconscious man did not get help soon, he would die. Within moments the sound of footsteps came from close by prompting him to look from the unconscious man to the source where he saw a young woman. “I am a medic, my name is Daphne… are you in need of aid?” The woman called out. She clutched onto her crossbody satchel with one hand and hugged a wicker basket with the other. “What has happened?”

He eyed the woman for a moment, "He needs aid, quickly." William gestured to the unconscious man, "He was pushed into the sea attached to a cannon. I saved him, but I think he inhaled some water."  

William watched as Daphne made haste and quickly fell to her knees besides the unconscious man. She took a moment to examine him. "He will need to be warmed up, I need you to start a fire. There's a kit in this satchel of flint and steel..." Daphne then turned her attention to the unconscious man. She took her hand and felt his forehead. 

William stepped aside to give her room to work before she ordered him to make a fire, he hesitated for a moment before retrieving the flint and steel and began to prep for a fire by going to gather wood, brush, and sticks in the immediate area. After a few minutes he returned, he piled up everything he gathered and used the flint and steel to try to start a fire, after a few tries he finally gets going. The Death Knight then tosses more wood into the fire before standing aside again to stay out Daphne's way.

The woman didn't hesitate and started to do chest compressions. "Come on..." she continued, "Just breathe!" Daphne continued until she heard the man sputter. She quickly turned him on his side. Her eyes darted to the other man. "Thank you for the fire. Do you have a blanket or any clothing? These wet clothes aren't doing him any justice." 

The Death Knight shook his head at the woman, "I don't." he said bluntly watching as the unconscious man was turned on his side and begin coughing out water onto the ground and gasping for air as he became conscious again.

As the man finished gasping for air he began looking around him to find his bearings, his breathing was heavy as he tried to speak, failing at first but finally able to get a few words out, "Where.. am.. I?"

Daphne simply nodded at William before turning her attention back to the now conscious man,  "My name is Daphne, I am a medic. We are currently in Drustvar..." She waited a moment before rolling the man on his back once more. "What is your name? What do you remember last?"

"Dardillien.. My name is Dardillien." He faintly coughed taking a few more deep breaths, "I remember.. I was in the water, drowning... I saw..." He shook his head a bit, "I was trying to break free when I felt something grab me.. then I passed out. " 

William looked from Dardillien to Daphne, realizing his services were no longer needed, "You seem to have the situation under control so I will take my leave. I have business to attend to elsewhere." 

"Dardillien, I have some topical ointments that will aid in healing I am going to apply." She then looked up at William and gave another nod. "He lives for another day, no thanks to you I am guessing. May I inquire as to your name?" She pulled a pot from her bag and filled it with water from her canteen before placing it on the fire. She returned to Dardillien's side once more.

The Death Knight looked as if he were staring off into the distance as she spoke before turning his attention to Daphne, "William." He said coldly before making to his Winged Steed and mounting it, "Stay safe out here, the witches will not show you any mercy." He then pulled the reins causing the creature to spread its wings and take to the sky, as he flew higher into the sky he circled around the area, surveying to make sure no witches were nearby to attack the two below.  Once the area seemed clear William turned his attention to the west to journey further into Drustvar.

“Yes, I do believe in redemption. However, I think there are those who seek redemption that will never achieve it, nor do they deserve it.” William looks down at the ground for a moment, “Does that answer your question?”