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== Overview ==
Warden hides his true motives from the [[Patron|Patrons]], despite their telepathic abilities.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Hidden King|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_01.mp3|context=(Warden start)|transcription=Warden, you are inscrutable.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Hidden King|file=patron_male_ally_warden_start_03.mp3|context=(Warden start)|transcription=Warden... how long do you think you can hide your heart from the Hidden King?}}</ref> As such, the Patrons likely don't know that Warden is working against their goals, although {{PageRef|name=The Archmother}} seems to know that Warden hates her.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Archmother}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Patrons|voice line]] (Warden start): ''"I know you hate the Archmother, Warden. But today, she is not your enemy. She is the path that will lead you to destroying the Hidden King once and for all!"''</ref> How Warden intends to stop the Patrons is currently unknown, although Warden expresses that he "only gets one shot at this",<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (unselect) - ''"I only get one shot at this... And I'm not ready to take it."''</ref> and is willing to die if it means completing his mission.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Select|voice line]] (select) - ''"If I die, so be it."''</ref> Warden views his battle with the Patrons as a war.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (unselect): ''"There will come a time for war, but not yet."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (kill Pocket): ''"This war isn't meant for you, Pocket."''</ref>

=== Biography ===
It's implied that Warden's militant alchemist bloodline comes from his father's side.<ref name=":1">{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"A failure, just like your father."''</ref>

Warden is said to be a vigilante,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Haze}}'s in-game [[Haze/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"Vigilantes are just criminals with delusions of grandeur."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Shopkeeper#Hero-Specific voice lines|voice line]]: ''"I’m not one to judge the line between vigilante and civil servant."''</ref> although his feats are currently unknown. Warden mentions that New York is under his protection.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Yamato): ''"This city is under my protection, Yamato!"''</ref>

Warden has no hobbies outside of his training.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Unselect|voice line]] (Unselect): ''"I'll return to my training."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Abrams}}' in-game [[Abrams/Quotes#Enemy|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"You really need a new hobby, Warden."''</ref><ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Haze|hero2=Warden|number=1|hero_quote1=Haze|quote1=You definitely look like someone who needs to have a hobby outside of shooting a gun.}}</ref> Due to training his entire life,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Killstreak|voice line]] (killstreak mid): ''"Don't feel bad. I've trained my whole life for this."''</ref> Warden never got to live a normal childhood.<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"I can't restore the childhood you were denied, but you can be happy here."''</ref> It's implied that he dreams of playing catch.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Rem}}'s in-game [[Rem/Quotes#Naptime Taunt|voice line]] (Naptime taunt): ''"Let's play catch, Warden..."''</ref>

=== Personality ===
It's implied that Warden is miserable.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":4" />

Warden is implied to have trouble trusting people.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Archmother}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Patrons|voice line]] (Warden start): ''"I know you don't trust easily, Warden, but your faith in the Archmother is not misplaced. Together, you can kill the Hidden King!"''</ref> He seems to hide his motivations from his allies, based on his conversation with {{PageRef|name=Holliday}}.<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Holliday|number=1|hero_quote1=Holliday|quote1=What are you fighting for? (...) That's alarmingly vague.}}</ref>

Although Warden is committed to protecting humanity at all costs, he does not discriminate against supernatural creatures, instead treating characters like {{PageRef|name=Abrams}} and {{PageRef|name=Ivy}} with respect.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Abrams): ''"You fought well, Abrams."''</ref><ref name=":0">{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill tengu 01.mp3|context=(killed Ivy)|transcription=She was a noble creature.}}</ref>

=== Information ===
Despite his appearance, Warden is not a police officer. A concept sketch for Warden's upcoming redesign can be seen in one of [[Yamato|Yamato's]] concept artwork released by [[Yoshi]].<ref>2024-08-11 - [[Yoshi]], Deadlock Discord - ''"[That sketch is] one of a few experimental concepts for warden."''[https://discord.com/channels/1231286446472691825/1231286447131328544/1272231665275768862]</ref> The [[Shopkeep |Shopkeeper]] may ask Warden if he would be interested in selling his cape, despite Warden's current model not having one.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Shopkeeper|voice line]] (Warden buys T4 Item): ''"You ever wanna pawn that cape or gun of yours, you let me know."''</ref> The [[Newscaster]] voice line for Warden's [[Seasonal events|Winter]] skin challenge also makes a reference to his upcoming redesign, asking "What will he look like next?"<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Newscaster|file=Newscaster seasonal warden unlock 01 alt 01.mp3|transcription=Once, Warden was dressed as a cop. Now he's dressed as a cop with a Santa hat. What will he look like next? The New York Oracle digs into this ever-evolving and seemingly unending mystery!}}</ref>

== Character Relationships ==
=== {{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} ===
Warden once looked up to Grey Talon and heavily respects him.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill orion 02.mp3|context=(killed Grey Talon)|transcription=I looked up to you once.}}</ref><ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Warden|file=Warden kill orion 01.mp3|context=(killed Grey Talon)|transcription=Don't make me do this, Talon.}}</ref> When on opposing teams, Warden is shocked that Talon would willingly work for the Patrons.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Grey Talon): ''"How can you, of all people, align yourself with that thing?"''</ref> While Grey Talon appreciates Warden's conviction,<ref>{{PageRef|name=Grey Talon}}'s in-game [[Grey Talon/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"I appreciate your conviction, Warden."''</ref> he believes that both he and Warden live "hollow lives."<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Grey Talon|number=2|hero_quote1=Grey Talon|quote1=Warden... We're the ones with hollow lives.}}</ref>

== Character Interactions ==

* Warden respects {{PageRef|name=Ivy}},<ref name=":0" /> but he also believes she's "meddling in things she doesn't understand."<ref>{{PageRef|name=Warden}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Ivy): ''"You're meddling in things you don't understand, Ivy."''</ref>
* The {{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}, {{PageRef|name=Viscous}} and {{PageRef|name=Vyper}} point out that Warden never smiles.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Shopkeeper}}'s in-game [[Warden/Quotes#Shopkeeper|voice line]] (buy T4 item during Winter Update): ''"Smile, Warden, it's the holidays."''</ref><ref name=":3">{{PageRef|name=Viscous}}'s in-game [[Viscous/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden) - ''"Warden needs to smile more."''</ref><ref>{{PageRef|name=Vyper}}'s in-game [[Vyper/Quotes#Allied Heroes|voice line]] (pass Warden on zipline) ''- "Y'know, that guy needs to smile more".''</ref> {{HeroIcon|Dynamo}} and {{HeroIcon|Lady Geist}} tell Warden that he looks "dour",<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Dynamo|number=1|hero_quote1=Dynamo|quote1=You seem impressively dour.}}</ref> with Lady Geist also describing him as looking "perpetually miserable".<ref name=":4">{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Lady Geist|number=2|hero_quote1=Lady Geist|quote1=You're a rather dour bastard, aren't you?|hero_quote2=Lady Geist|quote2=Boring people may say that I'm aloof, but at least I know how to have a good time. But you... you just look... perpetually miserable.}}</ref> {{HeroIcon|Venator}} says that Warden fights as someone who wouldn't have chosen the life he has.<ref>{{VoiceLineCite|name=Venator|quotes=Venator/Quotes#Hero-Specific Voice Lines|context=(killed Warden)|transcription=I can tell by the way he fights that this isn't the life he would've chosen.}}</ref>
** An unfinished conversation with {{HeroIcon|Grey Talon}} implies that, if Warden had a choice, he wouldn't have trained his whole life to fight the Patrons (Note that as Warden's own line is missing, it is uncertain if he accepts or denies it- Grey Talon merely expresses sorrow at his response).<ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Warden|hero2=Grey Talon|number=1|hero_quote1=Grey Talon|quote1=Be honest with me... Is this the life you would have chosen for yourself? (...) I'm sorry.}}</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Holliday}} thinks Warden has issues and calls him a "creepy homeschooled kid".<ref>{{PageRef|name=Holliday}}'s in-game [[Holliday/Quotes#Allies|voice line]] (ally Warden Last Stand multikill): ''"That guy's got some issues, but I'm glad he's with us."''</ref><ref>{{ConvoCite|hero1=Holliday|hero2=Warden|number=2}}</ref> If they're on opposing teams, however, Holliday wishes that they were working together.<ref>{{PageRef|name=Holliday}}'s in-game [[Holliday/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden): ''"We could've worked together, Warden."''</ref>
* Like the {{PageRef|name=Patron|alt_name=Patrons}}, {{PageRef|name=The Doorman}} is also unable to find out exactly what Warden wants, even when Warden is trapped in the [[Baroness Hotel]].<ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"What do you want, Warden?"''</ref> He seems familiar with Warden's parents and derides them as failures.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{PageRef|name=The Doorman}}'s in-game [[The Doorman/Quotes#Hotel Guest Taunt|voice line]] (Taunt Warden): ''"You’re not a man, you’re a war doll, fixing mommy and daddy’s failures."''</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Apollo}} respects Warden for his conviction and discipline.<ref name=":2">{{PageRef|name=Apollo}}'s in-game [[Apollo/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (killed Warden): ''"The man had discipline and conviction… it's a shame he didn't fight for us."''</ref>
* {{PageRef|name=Billy}},<ref>{{PageRef|name=Billy}}'s in-game [[Billy/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] (Killed Warden): ''"Look who's gonna do whatever mommy and daddy tells him to do."''</ref> {{HeroIcon|Calico}},<ref>{{HeroIcon|Calico}}'s in-game [[Calico/Quotes#Enemy Heroes|voice line]] - ''"Warden, one day you'll understand the cost of blind loyalty."''</ref> {{HeroIcon|Pocket}}<ref>{{HeroIcon|Pocket}}'s in-game [[Pocket/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] - ''"Stop living your parent's life and lead your own!"''</ref> and {{HeroIcon|Mirage}}<ref>{{HeroIcon|Mirage}}'s in-game [[Mirage/Quotes#Enemies|voice line]] - ''"Blind devotion isn't loyalty, it's ignorance."''</ref> call Warden out for his blind devotion to his parents' mission.

== Removed Lore ==
=== Neon Prime - Murphy ===
Warden was named '''Murphy''' in [[Neon Prime|''Neon Prime'']]. This name was reused for the new character of [[Minor characters|Captain Murphy]] in [[Holliday]]'s [[Visual novels|visual novel]]. He may have been named after the protagonist of the 1987 movie ''[[wikipedia:RoboCop|Robocop]],'' as Murphy was a robot peacekeeper in ''Neon Prime's'' sci-fi setting.

== References ==
<references />

== Navigation ==
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