An Annalistic Narrative of a Human Epic in World of Warcraft

Apr 28, 2024 3:13 AM Author: Gameusd

Through the mists of time and space, step into the grand tapestry of Azeroth's continent, where this article will guide readers on a historical odyssey exploring the origins, rise, struggles, and divisions of the human race. This in-depth analysis of World of Warcraft's narrative reveals the majestic journey of humanity from their lineage as Titan creations, through the transformative crucible of the Curse of Flesh, to their ultimate emergence as an indispensable force on the stage of Azeroth.

The article delves into meticulous historical records and vivid storytelling to trace how the Vrykul, human ancestors, were led by Tyr to escape the clutches of the fallen guardian Loken, and how, under the trials of the Curse of Flesh, they gave birth to the nascent human race. These small yet tenacious beings, armed with courage, determination, and indomitable spirit, not only survived adversity but also etched their own glorious chapters in confrontations with formidable powers such as trolls and high elves.

In conjunction with this text, you will bear witness to the rise and fragmentation of the kingdom of Arathor, the establishment of Stromgarde Keep, and the flames of the Troll Wars. You will see firsthand how King Thoradin united the various clans to form the mighty Arathor Alliance, and the stirring scenes of humans and high elves joining forces against the ferocious Amani Trolls. The birth of the magical city of Dalaran, the founding of the Council of Tirisfal, and the institution of the Guardian system are all meticulously expounded upon, illustrating how humans, guided and safeguarded by magical power, gradually established a new order.

This article also sheds light on the internal changes and schisms within human society, as the once-unified Arathor Kingdom splintered into diverse realms like Alterac, Gilneas, Kul Tiras, Dalaran, Lordaeron, Stormwind, and Stromgarde, each developing distinct cultural and political systems. Despite undercurrents of conflict among them, their shared faith in the path of the Light serves as an intangible bond, maintaining harmony and balance within the human world.

More than a rigorous historical narrative, this piece is an epic portrayal of the bright and dark aspects of human nature, loyalty and betrayal, unity and division. It allows readers, amidst the fantastical landscapes of Azeroth, to gain profound insights into the trajectory of the human race's destiny and their spiritual essence, experiencing their resilience and wisdom demonstrated amidst upheaval and challenge. Whether a dedicated fan of World of Warcraft or an enthusiast of fantasy literature, readers will find resonance in this work, feeling the legendary history written by the human race across the land of Azeroth.

The Cosmos' Origin and Azeroth's Discovery

Cosmic Birth

In the first volume of The World of Warcraft Chronicle, the cosmos is birthed as follows: Prior to the universe, there existed an infinite sea of light, from which, as its luminosity waned, voids formed. Within these lightless voids, the essence of the Void grew potent, constantly clashing with the residual light. As this conflict intensified, a cataclysmic explosion occurred, giving rise to our familiar, material universe.

This universe encompasses several realms:

The Dark Void, where worlds like Azeroth reside.
The Twisting Nether, an embodiment of chaos, home to demonic entities.
The Emerald Dream, representing life, a mystical realm connected to nature.
The Shadowlands, symbolizing death and housing the afterlife.

Blizzard introduces the concept of the "First Ones" in the Shadowlands expansion, beings predating the universe itself. In essence, they shaped the cosmos according to their will, creating the Pantheon of Order and the Pantheon of Death (the Eternal Ones of the Shadowlands). These aspects are not delved into here for brevity.

Origins of Life

As the universe took shape, various primordial life forms emerged:

The Naaru, composed of pure Light energy, dedicated to spreading hope throughout the cosmos and eradicating the influence of the Void.
The Void Lords, born of pure Void energy, capable of briefly manifesting in the physical realm but requiring constant consumption of the universe's essence to maintain form.
The Elemental Spirits embodying Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, with a fifth element—Soul—impacting their aggression levels. Monks refer to this soul essence as "Chi."
Most powerful and noble among these early beings were the Titans, also known as World-Souls. Before awakening, they slumbered within the cores of planets. Upon awakening, each Titan became a world unto themselves. The first-born Titan was Aman'Thul, who, upon awakening, embarked on a quest to find his kin, ultimately forming the Pantheon—comprising:
- Aman'Thul, the Father of the Pantheon (Aman'Thul's Eye)
- Sargeras, Guardian of the Pantheon (Sargeras's Scythe)
- Aggramar, Sargeras's Lieutenant (Aggramar's Shield)
- Eonar, the Life-Binder (Eonar's Compass)
- Khaz'goroth, Shaper and Forger of Worlds (Khaz'goroth's Anvil)
- Norgannon, Keeper of Celestial Magic and Knowledge (Norgannon's Orb)
- Golganneth, Lord of the Skies and Seas (Golganneth's Lightning)

Birth of the Old Gods

During the Pantheon's search for kin, they encountered numerous worlds, many without World-Souls. Despite this, they brought order to these worlds, shaping landscapes, fostering life, and appointing the enigmatic race of Celestials as guardians, tasked with destroying all life and restarting the cycle should it veer off course. Concurrently, malevolent Void Lords sought to corrupt unborn Titans into Dark Titans, plunging the universe into infernal chaos. They unleashed Old Gods onto unsuspecting worlds.

Unaware of this scheme due to their focus on combating demons emanating from the Twisting Nether, the Pantheon dispatched their mightiest warriors, Sargeras and Aggramar, to quell the demonic threat. Operating separately, they effectively contained the demonic forces.

Azeroth's Formation

It was during this period that Sargeras discovered a nascent World-Soul corrupted by the Void. In a swift strike, he shattered the world, along with the still-unawakened Titan. News of this act reached the Pantheon, sparking fierce condemnation from other Titans who believed in purging the Old God corruption rather than destroying kin. Sargeras, convinced that a universe devoid of life was preferable to one under the Void's sway, left the Pantheon's ranks following heated argument. After his departure, he concluded that saving the cosmos necessitated a Burning Crusade, requiring an army. Thus, he opened the demonic prison he had created, the Maelstrom, unleashing a horde of demons and himself succumbing to the searing fel energies, losing both his noble form and spirit. Meanwhile, the remaining Pantheon members discovered a new world, awe-struck by its potent World-Soul. They knew this Titan would be the hero to vanquish the Void. Its name was Azeroth.

Establishing Order on Azeroth

Old Gods and Elemental Lords

Before the Pantheon's discovery of Azeroth, the Old Gods had already begun their insidious corruption. They subjugated the frenzied elemental creatures on Azeroth, erecting a vast, malevolent empire.

Old Gods:

C'Thun (Eater of Worlds)
Yogg-Saron (Beast of a Thousand Maws)
Y'Shaarj (Heart of Corruption)
N'Zoth (God of the Deep, the Dreamweaver)

Elemental Lords:

Ragnaros (Firelord)
Al'Akir (Air Lord)
Neptulon (Tidehunter)
Therazane (Stonemother)

From the moment they landed on Azeroth, the Old Gods' tentacles delved deep into the planet's core, seeking to fully corrupt Azeroth's nascent World-Soul. From their corrupt bodies, emerged the faceless minions called N'raqi and the insectoid race known as the Aqir.

Blessings from the Pantheon to Counter the Old Gods

Upon discovering the Old Gods' evil influence, the Pantheon realized they must intervene to save the imperiled Titan soul. They forged powerful constructs from Azeroth's crust, endowing the strongest among them with special blessings and designating them as Keepers:

Aman'Thul granted immense power to the High Keepers Ra and Odyn.
Khaz'goroth bestowed upon Archaedas mastery over earth and forging.
Golganneth charged Thorim and Hodir with dominion over sky and storms.
Eonar granted Freya control over nature.
Norgannon imparted wisdom and magic to Loken and Mimiron.
Aggramar gifted his courage and strength to Keeper Tyr, making him the most formidable warrior among the Titan constructs.

With the formation of the Titan construct army, they swiftly eradicated enslaved elements, N'raqi, and Aqir forces before confronting the Old God Y'Shaarj.

Defeating the Old Gods and Establishing a New Order

Fearful their constructs could not withstand the Old Gods, Aman'Thul personally intervened, slaying Y'Shaarj. Although Y'Shaarj perished, the deep wounds left by its tentacles allowed Azeroth's lifeblood to gush forth uncontrollably. Realizing their direct intervention would destroy Azeroth, the Pantheon entrusted the task to their constructs. Through the Keepers' relentless efforts, the remaining Old Gods were defeated and sealed beneath the surface. Following the Old Gods' defeat, Titans and their constructs began establishing a new order on Azeroth.

Addressing the Legacy of the Old Gods

The Keepers repaired Azeroth's massive wound, surrounding it with magical barriers, giving rise to what would become the Well of Eternity. To bolster Azeroth's nascent World-Soul, Archaedas and Mimiron created the Forge of Origination and the Forge of Wills. The constructs built Ulduar in the Storm Peaks of Northrend, housing the Forge of Wills and Yogg-Saron's prison, entrusting Chief Archivist Odyn with its oversight.

Keeper Ra led the tol'vir giants and half-giant tol'vir southward, encountering Y'Shaarj's remains and heart. They constructed a vault to seal these remnants, assigning loyal mogu followers to guard it (eventually becoming the Pandaren region of Vale of Eternal Blossoms). Continuing westward, they established Uldum to house the Forge of Origination, leaving some tol'vir and tol'vir giants to safeguard it. Finally, in what would later be known as Silithus, they erected the grand fortress of Temple of Ahn'Qiraj to imprison N'Zoth.

The Birth of Azeroth: Land of Ever-Shining Stars

Keeper Freya created the Emerald Dream, a realm designed to regulate the evolution of life on Azeroth. Her experimental sites, which included the future locations of the Un'Goro Crater, Sholazar Basin, and the Valley of the Four Winds, witnessed the emergence of mighty beasts known as the Wild Gods:

Malorne, the White Stag King
Elune, the Matron of Night Elves
Agamaggan, the Razorback God
Aviana, Queen of Birds
The Bear Brothers, Ursoc and Ursol
Tortolla, the Wise Turtle
Goldrinn, the Great Wolf
Chi-Ji, the Red Crane
Xuen, the Black Ox
Xuen, the White Tiger
Yu'lon, the Jade Serpent

The last four of these Wild Gods resided near Pandaria, later revered by the Pandaren as the August Celestials. During Freya's explorations, some unbanished elements calmed their wrath, eventually giving rise to flesh-and-blood creatures, including the progenitor dragons. With order established on Azeroth, the Keepers named the land they stood upon Kalimdor, meaning "Land of Ever-Shining Stars."

The Birth of the Dragon Aspects

Exhausted after establishing order on Azeroth, the Titanic Keepers retreated to tend to their domains and the magical devices they had created. Only Keeper Tyr remained vigilant, watching over the world.

The Dragon Struggle

Over time, Azeroth gave birth to many primal races, chief among them the proto-dragons. As their kind evolved, one individual emerged as the most powerful: Galakrond. Tragically, Galakrond's development took a dark turn.

Driven by insatiable hunger, Galakrond's diet shifted from small animals to his own kin. Some proto-dragons consumed by Galakrond were regurgitated as mindless undead minions, further spreading a deadly plague. Determined to save Azeroth's ecology and halt the spread of this scourge, Keeper Tyr united five of the wisest and strongest proto-dragons to confront Galakrond.

Despite Galakrond's overwhelming malevolence, even Tyr struggled to match his strength, losing a hand in the process. Without Tyr's aid, the five proto-dragons combined their wisdom and power to lodge a massive stone in Galakrond's throat, suffocating him. Galakrond's enormous body plummeted to the land that would later be known as Northrend, where his massive carcass has lain for millennia, marking the place now called the Dragonblight.

The Dragon Aspects

After the battle, the Keepers were humbled by their neglect of the disaster and inspired by the bravery and wisdom of the five proto-dragons. At Tyr's suggestion, they beseeched the Titans to bestow blessings upon these five, transforming them into powerful, wise, and noble beings known as the Dragon Aspects:

Alexstrasza, the Life-Binder, Red Dragon Queen
Ysera, the Dreamer, Green Dragon Queen
Malygos, the Spell-Weaver, Blue Dragon King
Nozdormu, the Timeless One, Bronze Dragon King
Neltharion, the Earth-Warder, Black Dragon King

To strengthen the bond among the dragonkind, the Keepers constructed a towering citadel in northern Kalimdor, naming it the Wyrmrest Temple. It would serve as a sanctuary where the Dragon Aspects could convene, symbolizing their unified sacred mission.

The Burning Crusade and the Fall of the Titanic Keepers

After betraying the Pantheon, Sargeras opened the prison of Maelstrom, becoming a Fallen Titan twisted by fel energy. He amassed countless demons to form the Burning Legion, thus launching the Burning Crusade.

The Burning Legion's objective was to conquer all worlds in the universe, laying waste to order and corrupting select mortal races into Legion servitude (most notably the eredar of Argus and orcs of Draenor).

The Dissolution of the Pantheon

Aggramar, upon hearing the news, found it difficult to believe. He ventured to stop Sargeras, but the Titans proved powerless against fel magic. Aggramar was severely wounded and returned to the Pantheon. Aman'Thul attempted to summon Sargeras, hoping to persuade his brother to return. However, Sargeras' spirit had been irrevocably twisted; he instead obliterated the Pantheon, slaying all the Titans. In the final moments of their existence, Norgannon used magic to teleport the Titans' lingering spirits to Azeroth, attaching them to the Titanic Keepers, who then entered a deep slumber.

As time passed, the Titanic Keepers realized they could no longer communicate with their creators, planting seeds of fear and doubt in their hearts, which the Old Gods exploited.

The Return of the Old Gods

Yogg-Saron set its sights on Loken, the guardian of Ulduar. It subjected Loken to its most terrifying and sinister dreams, driving him mad and using him to defeat the other Keepers. Loken then embedded the curse of flesh into the Forge of Wills, intending to weaken all Titanic creations into mortal forms, rendering them vulnerable to defeat.

Under Loken's treachery, Keeper Tyr and Archaedas managed to escape, leading a group of Titanic constructs eastward across ancient Kalimdor. To eliminate all threats, Loken dispatched two servants of the Old Gods, the Kraken.

To ensure the survival of his companions, Keeper Tyr sacrificed himself, perishing alongside the Kraken. In memory of Tyr's sacrifice, the surrounding forests were named "Tyr's Fall," or "Tirisfal" in the language of the vrykul. Tyr's fellow Keepers placed his enormous silver hand atop his tombstone, commemorating his fearless and noble character. The vrykul who followed Tyr settled there, dedicating themselves to guarding his grave for generations.

The Emergence of Various Races

With the fall of the Titanic Keepers, the curse of flesh took effect. Some vrykul gradually lost their steel-hard bodies, becoming smaller and more fragile. Over generations, they degenerated into a new race known as humans. Similarly affected were the earthen who devolved into dwarves, the mechagnomes who transformed into gnomes, and the mogu, tol'vir, and tol'vir giants.

Year after year, as time passed, Azeroth saw the rise of numerous mortal races, locked in perpetual conflict—such as the trolls of the Zandalar Empire, the pandaren who overthrew mogu tyranny, the jinyu and hozen, among others.

The Rekindling of the Ancient War

The earliest night elves, while revering the moon goddess Elune, also held a profound fascination with the ways of nature. They tended the forests, befriending the woods, all of which caught the attention of the wild gods. Among them, none cherished the night elves more than the demigod Cenarius.

For centuries, Cenarius taught the night elves, hoping that this young race would learn to live in harmony with nature. Yet, given the sheer size of the night elf population, it was inevitable that some would diverge in their beliefs. This faction became engrossed in studying the arcane energies emanating from the Well of Eternity, evolving into powerful elven sorcerers, forever entwining magic with the fate of their people.

The most renowned leader of the night elves was Queen Azshara, whose beauty and ambition were unparalleled in the world. Seeking greater magical prowess, Azshara built a magnificent palace on the shores of the Well, where she resided with the most powerful noble night elves. To distinguish themselves from common night elf "peasants," these nobles referred to themselves as Quel'dorei, meaning "highborne."

All highborne were masterful sorcerers, such as the loyal handmaiden Lady Vashj and the queen's advisor, Xavius. Though their roles varied in Azshara's court, they all shared a disdain for lesser night elves, provoking resentment among the common folk. Nevertheless, this anger never touched the equally exalted Queen Azshara, who remained the object of adoration for all night elves. In tribute to her greatness, they renamed their capital city Zin-Azshari, signifying "Glory of Azshara."

As the highborne delved deeper into magical research, their reckless experiments unleashed unstable arcane energy into the Twisting Nether.

The Arrival of the Burning Legion

Sargeras and his Burning Legion finally discovered the world they had long sought: Azeroth.

To facilitate his invasion, Sargeras exploited the arrogance of the highborne, revealing his immense power to Queen Azshara and her courtiers. He promised Azshara that she could use this power to transform all of Kalimdor into whatever form she desired. To demonstrate his might, Sargeras granted Xavius a portion of his power, twisting him into a monstrous being with horns and goat hooves, thereby becoming Azeroth's first satyr. Under Azshara's direction, the highborne began converting the Well of Eternity into a massive portal, anticipating the arrival of the Burning Legion.

Meanwhile, the young Malfurion Stormrage was learning the druidic arts from Cenarius. Guided by the demigod, Malfurion entered the ethereal realm of the Emerald Dream, where he discerned an immeasurable darkness lurking within Azshara's palace. Unfortunately, he discovered this too late; a gateway to the Burning Legion had already opened, allowing hordes of demonic forces to pour into Azeroth.

Led by the Destroyer Mannoroth, the Houndmaster Hakkar, and the Corruptor Archimonde, the demonic legions swept across the night elf lands, obliterating cities with massive infernal meteors, reducing forests to ash with endless waves of doomguards and felhounds, leaving nothing but smoldering fel flames in their wake. An unprecedented catastrophe engulfed Azeroth, signaling the demise of the night elf empire and the sounding of the death knell for the Ancient War.

Betrayal and Cataclysm

In the wake of the night elf empire's collapse, the night elf nobility, led by Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest, owner of Black Rook Hold, assembled his Black Rook troops alongside the Sisterhood of Elune and other armed forces to form the night elf resistance, determined to withstand the Burning Legion's relentless assault.

Amidst the multitude of resistors, the young Malfurion Stormrage, Illidan Stormrage, and Tyrande Whisperwind appeared inconspicuous, yet their destinies would have far-reaching consequences for the entire world.

The Alliance Against the Burning Legion

As the fighting continued, the night elves realized that their own strength alone was insufficient to defeat the Burning Legion. They needed allies; only by uniting the might of all of Azeroth could they drive the demons back to their own realm.

To forge the Alliance Against the Burning Legion, Cenarius returned to Mount Hyjal to persuade the wild gods, while night elf envoys journeyed to contact other races, and Malfurion ventured to the distant Dragonblight to seek aid from the dragonflights.

At the advice of the former Earth-Warder, Neltharion, the five dragonflights imbued a portion of their power into the disk-shaped artifact known as the Dragon Soul, which Neltharion himself had crafted. All hoped that this potent artifact would once and for all resolve the threat posed by the Burning Legion. However, fate is ever unpredictable.

The Shattering of the World, the Birth of Deathwing

The former Earth-Warder, Neltharion, having grown too close to the heart of Azeroth, was plagued by the ceaseless whispers of the Old Gods. These relentless murmurings gradually drove the once-noble dragon mad, turning him into a pawn of the Old Gods.

On the eve of the decisive battle between the five dragonflights and the Burning Legion, the traitorous Neltharion redirected the Dragon Soul, meant to strike the demons, towards his former kin. A catastrophic explosion ensued, reducing countless dragons to ashes, with the blue dragonflight under Malygos suffering the greatest losses. Neltharion himself was torn apart by the Dragon Soul's immense power, forced to flee with the artifact, abandoning his black dragonflight to an unknown fate.

The grievously weakened dragonflights, bereft of their kin and power, were unable to continue their fight against the Burning Legion. They retreated to Wyrmrest Temple, left to nurse their wounds and recover their strength.

Illidan Stormrage

The war between the Alliance and the Burning Legion once again teetered on the brink of disaster. Amidst this turmoil, the Alliance quietly lost the presence of a young night elf: Illidan.

Illidan Stormrage envied his brother, Malfurion, resenting his achievements and his ability to win the affections of Tyrande, whom Illidan deeply loved but could not win over. Consumed by negative emotions, Illidan sought to prove himself superior to Malfurion by betraying the Alliance and joining the Burning Legion.

He concealed his true intentions even from the watchful gaze of Sargeras, who believed in Illidan's loyalty and bestowed upon him great power. The surging fel energy coursed through Illidan's body, etching fel tattoos onto his skin and blinding him with infernal flames burning from empty eye sockets.

Empowered by his newfound strength, Illidan located Neltharion's hiding place and stole the Dragon Soul. Rather than delivering it to the Burning Legion, he returned to the Alliance, reuniting with his brother. Despite Illidan's claim that his defection was merely a ruse to gain the upper hand against the demons, his betrayal would be recorded in history, forever haunting him.

The Counteroffensive

With the Dragon Soul in their possession, Cenarius also returned to the battlefield with a host of wild gods, under the command of the newly appointed Alliance General, Jarod Shadowsong. The Alliance launched a brutal counterattack, with night elves, wild gods, highmountain tauren tribes, earthen, furbolgs, treants, and chimaeras all joining the fray, determined to expel the demons from Azeroth once and for all.

While the battle raged on, Malfurion and Illidan led a small elite squad into the depths of the Well of Eternity, infiltrating Azshara's palace. There, Malfurion discovered that the highborne were reinforcing the portal, with the colossal form of Sargeras looming within the Well.

Risking everything for Azeroth's future, Malfurion bravely wielded the Dragon Soul, unleashing its devastating force upon all enemies within the palace. As the highborne's magic crumbled, the Well of Eternity, now a portal, imploded, transforming into a raging inferno. The chaotic, unstable Well began to collapse and disintegrate, morphing into a terrifying maelstrom. A powerful suction pulled the vast majority of demons back into the Twisting Nether. With the last demon banished, the Well of Eternity could no longer sustain its form, and the unleashed arcane energies triggered an unprecedented explosion. The blast triggered earthquakes, and the victorious Alliance had no time to savor their hard-won triumph, for the very ground beneath their feet was fracturing, as endless seas rushed through the fissures. Kalimdor, destroyed.

The World Tree Nordrassil

After the catastrophic explosion of the original Kalimdor continent, nearly nine-tenths of the land vanished, leaving behind only a handful of major landmasses and countless islands.

The grueling war finally ended, and the surviving night elves gathered at Mount Hyjal, where they established a new settlement. Under the leadership of Malfurion Stormrage, the night elves collectively decided that arcane magic was too perilous and must be banned. However, to their horror, they discovered a new Well of Eternity atop Mount Hyjal.

Before the cataclysm, Illidan had extracted several vials of water from the original Well and poured some of them into a tranquil lake, transforming it into a new source of arcane power. Determined to prevent Azeroth from facing another invasion, Malfurion made the difficult decision to imprison his own brother deep within a cavern, assigning Maiev Shadowsong as Illidan's jailer.

Upon learning of the new Well's existence, the three remaining dragon aspects arrived at Mount Hyjal. To seal the new Well, Life-Binder Alexstrasza dropped a magical seed, which grew into a towering tree, rooting itself over the Well. The night elves pledged to the guardians that they would protect Nordrassil with their lives, ensuring the new Well would never again threaten the world.

In recognition of the night elves' valor and selflessness, the dragon aspects blessed the World Tree. Dreamer Ysera granted Nordrassil the power to connect with the Emerald Dream, allowing night elf druids to traverse the ethereal realm freely. Timeless One Nozdormu imbued the tree with energy, granting the night elves eternal life as long as Nordrassil stood.

The night elves and dragons named the World Tree Nordrassil, meaning "Crown of the Heavens."

With everything settled, the dragon aspects returned to their lairs, and the Burning Legion could never invade Azeroth in the same manner again. Nordrassil would stand as a testament to the covenant between the night elves and the dragonflights, an everlasting monument.

The Departure of the High Elves and Silvermoon

Centuries passed in the blink of an eye, and though the surviving highborne tried to integrate into the new society, their longing for magic and arcane energies ultimately led them away from their kin. Highborne noble Dath'Remar Sunstrider led a rebellion, which was swiftly quelled, but Malfurion could not bring himself to execute his erstwhile compatriots.

By decree of the Cenarion Circle, Dath'Remar and his highborne followers were exiled from Nordrassil, forever forbidden from approaching the World Tree. Under Dath'Remar's guidance, the highborne journeyed to the distant Eastern Kingdoms, defeating the native Amani trolls. In the north of the Eastern Kingdoms, on the land of Quel'Thalas, the highborne erected the majestic city of Silvermoon.

Having lost their source of magic and the protection of Nordrassil, the high elves lost their immortality, once again succumbing to hunger, disease, and even the torment of magic addiction. Even their noble purple skin began to fade.

As the high elves despaired and doubted their future, Dath'Remar revealed a secret he had kept hidden for years: a vial of water from the Well of Eternity. It was one of the remaining vials taken by Illidan, and the last remaining water from any Well of Eternity in Azeroth. Before leaving Nordrassil, Dath'Remar had stolen it and kept it hidden, reserving it as a final hope for the high elves.

Dath'Remar poured the water into a lake on the island of Quel'Danas in the north of Quel'Thalas. Long-missed magic once again enveloped the high elves, who christened this new font of magic the "Sunwell."

To avoid repeating the mistakes of the Ancient War, the high elves erected numerous massive runestones around Quel'Thalas, creating a formidable magical barrier that prevented even the strongest arcane energies from being sensed from outside. The high elves had reclaimed their home.

Over the course of a thousand years in Quel'Thalas, the high elves forged a deep friendship with their rising human neighbors, but this alliance would lay the groundwork for a disaster that would soon engulf all of Azeroth.

Humans

Origins

Tracing back to the era of creation, in an effort to evade the pursuit and slaughter by the fallen guardian Loken, Guardian Tyr led a portion of Titan-forged creations eastward to the primordial land of Kalimdor. Tyr ultimately perished in what would later become Tirisfal Glades. Following Tyr's demise, most of the Titan-forged, including the Vrykul tribe of Mjornir, were forced into slumber due to the Curse of Flesh, causing their once-hardened steel bodies to gradually degenerate into fleshy forms (much like discovering our own skin suddenly becoming as fragile as paper).

The remaining Vrykul tribes journeyed northward into the vast expanses of northern Kalimdor, giving rise to numerous distinct cultures, among which the Dragonmaw tribe proved to be the most powerful. Like most Titan-forged, the Dragonmaw Vrykul suffered under the torment of the Curse of Flesh. Over time, Vrykul women began birthing grotesquely deformed infants, sparking a wave of terror and superstition within the Dragonmaw tribe. In an attempt to quell the chaos and maintain the purity of their bloodline, King Ymiron of the Vrykul commanded that all malformed children be put to death.

Most Vrykul obeyed this cruel decree, but some compassionate parents, unable to bear the thought of slaughtering innocent babes, ventured far southward, entrusting their beloved, malformed offspring to their kin dwelling in Tirisfal Glades.

These surviving deformed Vrykul gradually proliferated, eventually giving birth to an entirely new race: humans. Although they lost their steel skin and giant frames, these diminutive humans possessed noble qualities—courage, resolve, and fearlessness. The Old Gods could never have imagined that the very Curse of Flesh they employed to weaken the Titan-forged would become the blade that would ultimately bring about their downfall.

Rise of Arathor

Over the years in the Eastern Kingdoms, humanity flourished and gave rise to a brilliant civilization, comprising numerous clans and tribes.

Despite facing threats from the Amani trolls and high elves, human tribes remained embroiled in constant strife. During these conflicts, the Arathi tribe was the first to notice an unusual shift; within just a few decades, the Amani trolls had significantly accelerated their incursions into human territories. The Arathi realized that something profound must have occurred within the troll society. If humans continued to remain divided and at odds with one another, they were doomed to certain defeat.

Under the leadership of their chieftain, Thoradin (the NPC associated with the Warrior artifact questline in patch 7.0, former owner of Strom'kar, the Warbreaker), the Arathi tribe managed to unite all human tribes under their banner. Thoradin gained recognition from all the clans and was ultimately crowned king.

King Thoradin named his kingdom Arathor and commissioned skilled artisans to construct the magnificent city of Stromgarde in the southeastern reaches of Tirisfal Glades. As a result, a great multitude of humans gathered there, making Stromgarde the center of the human world.

Shortly after the establishment of the Arathor kingdom, the Amani trolls launched an assault against humanity. To quell the troll uprising, King Thoradin dispatched his two most trusted generals, Ignaeus and Lordaeron. Following fierce battles, humanity succeeded in repelling the relentless troll invasion, with Ignaeus earning the epithet "Trollbane," signifying him as a nemesis to trolls.

Troll Wars

With the aid of the Zandalari trolls, the Amani trolls summoned powerful Loa spirits and initiated an offensive against the high elves.

The outer defenses of Quel'Thalas were swiftly breached, and the escalating conflict finally caught the attention of King Thoradin. Scouts reported to the king the grisly scene of corpses strewn across Quel'Thalas. However, Thoradin was hesitant to involve himself in the feud between the two races, considering both the high elves and the savage Amani trolls equally perilous.

King Anasterian Sunstrider of the high elves sent envoys to demonstrate the terrifying might of the trolls to Thoradin. The human king realized that if he allowed the Amani trolls to eliminate Silvermoon, Stromgarde would be next in line.

After consulting with his advisors, Thoradin agreed to provide military support on the condition that the elves teach humans the ways of arcane magic. Although Anasterian was initially reluctant to impart such dangerous magic to humans, the immediate threat posed by the trolls compelled him to act. He dispatched a group of elven mages to Stromgarde, where they taught the fundamentals of spellcasting to one hundred humans.

During the instruction process, the high elves discovered that while humans lacked the grace and dexterity in casting spells (a trait exemplified in-game, particularly in the ungainly mannerisms of human male mages conjuring spells), they possessed an innate affinity for magic.

Upon completing their training, the combined human-elf army launched a counteroffensive against the trolls, drawing them deep into the Alterac Mountains. On the retreat, Lordaeron volunteered to stay behind and cover the retreat of the main force, ultimately sacrificing himself in the process.

Arrogant and unsuspecting, the trolls never imagined that Alterac Hold was a trap. As they laid siege to the fortress, the one hundred human mages appeared, guided by their elven mentors. Together, they unleashed a terrifying spell, summoning a massive firestorm from the heavens that incinerated the troll army. Thus, the two races that united to defeat the troll menace entered into a period of peaceful coexistence that would span over three thousand years.

The Division of Arathor, Dalaran, and the Guardians

Following the end of the Troll Wars, humanity finally enjoyed long-awaited peace. As the number of mages grew, humans no longer feared the dangers of the natural environment or threats from other races.

Under the protection of the mages, many humans left the Arathor kingdom. Some settled in Eastvale to establish farms, others ventured to Gilneas along the coast, founding the overseas watch station Kul Tiras, while still others traveled to the fertile lands of Tirisfal Glades, renaming it Lordaeron in honor of the valiant Lordaeron who had fallen in battle.

Of these settlements, the most influential was the bustling trade center of Dalaran. Most mages congregated here, and as public fear and mistrust of mages intensified, they made Dalaran their sanctuary. They transformed it into a magnificent city of magic and established the Council of Tirisfal within its walls.

As humans increasingly misused magic, demons from the Twisting Nether once again cast their gaze upon Azeroth, ripping open portals into the physical realm and invading the world. To repel the demonic invasion and protect the human realm, the Council of Tirisfal infused the majority of their power into the body of a high elf named Aegwynn the Guardian.

Aegwynn, harnessing the strength of many high-ranking mages, successfully vanquished most of the demons. However, the demon lord Kathra'Natir ambushed Dalaran, severing Aegwynn's connection to the council and slaying her.

Determined to eradicate the demons completely, the Council of Tirisfal resolved to perform a permanent ritual, permanently imbuing the collective power of all council members into a single, supremely powerful individual.

Half-human, half-elf Alodi accepted this task, becoming the first Guardian of Tirisfal and defeating the dreadlord Kathra'Natir, banishing him back to the Twisting Nether.

Alodi retained the powers of the Guardian for a century, relentlessly pursuing and eliminating stragglers from the Burning Legion during his lengthy mission. Upon its conclusion, Alodi relinquished the Guardian's power, establishing the tradition that each Guardian would serve for a century, symbolizing humility and adherence to the promise of peace.

The New Order of Humanity

As the human world expanded, the once-unified Arathor kingdom inevitably fragmented:

Some people migrated to the Alterac Mountains, founding the mountainous kingdom of Alterac atop the formidable Alterac Hold.
Others journeyed to the coastal region of Gilneas, taking with them the strongest human armies and establishing the kingdom of Gilneas.
A portion of Gilnean sailors, during their explorations, founded the maritime kingdom of Kul Tiras.
The mages created a haven for themselves in the form of the magical city-state of Dalaran.
Nobles from the Arathor kingdom departed for Tirisfal Glades, founding the most powerful kingdom of Lordaeron.
The last descendants of Thoradin ventured far southward, establishing the kingdom of Stormwind.
Many years later, descendants of Ignaeus Trollbane restored the long-abandoned Stromgarde, renaming it Stromic and also known as the Kingdom of Stromgarde.

For the next three thousand years, the human world maintained a seven-nation status quo characterized by growing animosity. While there were no major conflicts among them, they never extended aid to one another. Perhaps the only bond uniting the fate of humanity was the nascent faith in the Light, spreading throughout the human world at an unknown point in time.

Epilogue

As the curtain falls on this comprehensive exploration of the Warcraft universe's intricate human narrative, we are left with a profound appreciation for the resilience, adaptability, and indomitable spirit that defines this race. From their mythic origins as cursed Vrykul, through the triumphs and tribulations of the Arathorian Empire, and the subsequent fracturing into diverse kingdoms, the human story is one of relentless evolution and unyielding determination.

The tale of humanity in Azeroth is a testament to the enduring power of unity in the face of adversity, as exemplified by the forging of the Arathor Alliance and the joint defense against the Troll Wars. It is also a chronicle of the complexities inherent in societal growth and change, as seen in the splintering of the once-great kingdom and the development of distinct cultures, yet bound together by a shared faith in the guiding light of the Holy Light.

Moreover, it underscores the profound influence of magic on human history, from the inception of Dalaran and the Council of Tirisfal to the establishment of the Guardian system, demonstrating the dual-edged nature of this potent force—both a source of protection and progress, and a catalyst for internal strife and external threats.

Ultimately, the human saga in World of Warcraft serves as a microcosm of the broader themes that permeate the entire game: the eternal struggle between darkness and light, the delicate balance between power and responsibility, and the unwavering hope that, even in the darkest of times, heroes will rise to defend their world. This annalistic narrative of a human epic is not merely a chronicle of events; it is a reflection of our own capacity for greatness, for self-sacrifice, and for redemption, reminding us that even in the fantastical realm of Azeroth, the human experience remains deeply resonant and universally relatable.

In closing, the rich tapestry of the human story in Warcraft invites us to ponder the timeless questions of identity, purpose, and destiny that lie at the heart of every great epic. It leaves us with a profound sense of wonder for the incredible journey that has shaped the humans of Azeroth, and a renewed understanding that, whether in the virtual realm of a game or the reality of our own world, the human spirit endures, adapts, and thrives in the face of whatever challenges may come.

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