A Tragic Loss – and a Virtual Tribute That Endures.
Nicholas Wayne Gabaree passed away on October 11, 2012, in a motorcycle accident.
He was young, full of life, and had a great sense of humor — someone who could light up a room with laughter and warmth. In World of Warcraft, he played as the Paladin “Divide” on the US server Lightbringer.
A Digital Memorial In Stormwind
As a tribute, the developers introduced a special NPC with Patch 5.4.1: Sir Nicholas Gabaree. He appears in Stormwind’s cemetery when you interact with his gravestone.
The golden-armored Paladin asks, "Do you know any good jokes?" — and if you tell him one, he laughs warmly.
It’s a quiet moment of remembrance, tucked away in a world filled with magic and battles.
A Discovery With Emotional Impact
More than a decade later, a close friend of Nicholas — known on Reddit as maniacalmustacheride — stumbled upon this virtual memorial. He had no idea it existed and was deeply moved:
"I've been crying for days. [...] It broke me."
He remembered their childhood moments together: jumping on trampolines, celebrating Halloween, racing go-karts — and Nicholas' unique way of easing even the tensest situations with humor and calm.
A Community Shows Its Heart
The story touched thousands. Reddit filled with condolences, memories, and promises from players who vowed to visit Sir Nicholas in the game.
Even Horde players planned secret journeys into Stormwind to pay their respects — risking being caught just to honor him.
One comment captured the spirit perfectly:
"I opened Reddit today to post something dumb about South Park. Now I'm telling jokes to an NPC in a game and reflecting on my own mortality. What a beautiful thing. I'm going to visit as many in-game memorials as I can."
Remembering Through Digital Worlds
Blizzard showed with this small tribute that games can honor real people in ways that feel truly meaningful.
Sir Nicholas is more than just an NPC — he’s a reminder that friendship and memory can live on, even in a digital world.
Have you ever experienced a moment like this, where someone lives on in a game in a special way?