Human

Humans
Faction/Affiliation	Alliance (Stormwind, Kul Tiras, Stromgarde, Gilneas), Dalaran, Silver Hand, Argent Crusade, Scarlet Crusade, Cult of the Damned, Twilight's Hammer, Syndicate, Trappers, Arathi tribe, Defias Brotherhood, Pirate groups, Wastewanders
Character classes	Death knight, Druid, Hunter, Mage, Monk, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Shaman, Warlock, Warrior; Archer, Archmage, Acolyte, Assassin, Bandit, Barbarian, Beastmaster, Berserker, Brigand, Buccaneer, Captain, Chaplain, Cleric, Commoner, Confessor, Conjurer, Emissary, Falconer, Footman, Gladiator, Hydromancer, Infiltrator, Knight, Marksman, Militia, Necromancer, Peasant, Scout, Soldier, Sorcerer, Templar; Demon hunter, Exemplar, Gunman
Racial capital	Stormwind City; Gilneas City; Boralus; Stromgarde; Dalaran City
Formerly	Theramore (destroyed); Capital City (ruined); Alterac City (ruined)
Racial leader(s)	Turalyon; Anduin Wrynn (absent); Tess Greymane; Jaina Proudmoore; Danath Trollbane; Khadgar
Formerly	Genn Greymane; Katherine Proudmoore; Varian Wrynn †; Rhonin †; Daelin Proudmoore †; Antonidas †; Terenas Menethil †; Thoras Trollbane †; Aiden Perenolde †
Racial mount	Horse; Gryphon
Homeworld	Azeroth
Area(s)	Azeroth, Outland, Alternate Draenor
Language(s)	Common, Dwarven, Thalassian, Gnomish, Zandali, Orcish

This article is about the human lore. For the playable races, see Human (playable), and Kul Tiran (playable).

“Once again, we face a new and great threat. Even now, we bear the fresh scars of evil forces bent upon our destruction. But humanity is not so easily cowed! We stand in the breach and we hold the line! We will never be slaves to fear! [...] Let us unite this day. Let us renew our promise to uphold and protect the Light, and together we will face down this dark new storm and stand firm against it—as humanity always has... and humanity always will!”

— High King Varian Wrynn^[1]

Humans (also called men, collectively referred to as mankind, humankind, or humanity) are a resilient species native to the world of Azeroth. Recent discoveries have shown that humans are descended from the barbaric half-giant vrykul of Northrend. Born "weak" and "deformed" as a result of the Curse of Flesh, they had to be exterminated to keep the vrykul race pure, but not all vrykul could bear to kill their children, and they took them away to a land far away from Northrend, in the northern Eastern Kingdoms. Though humans are among the younger races on Azeroth, they have faced many challenges with fortitude and resilience. Their continued ability to adapt and rebuild has made them a vital force in an ever-changing world.^[2]

Early humans were primarily a scattered and tribal people for several millennia, until the rising strength of the troll empire forced their strategic unification. Thus the nation of Arathor was formed, along with its capital, the city-state of Strom. After several centuries of peace, however, the increasingly prosperous and independent city-states of Arathor split into separate kingdoms: Gilneas to the west, Alterac, Dalaran, and Lordaeron to the northwest, Kul Tiras to the southwest, and Stormwind to the far south. Strom itself was renamed Stromgarde and remained significantly powerful.

But disaster struck when the orcish Horde appeared on Azeroth, reducing Stormwind to ruins during the First War. The city's survivors, including the young prince, Varian Wrynn, fled to Lordaeron, where the leaders of the seven kingdoms resolved to unify once again in the Alliance of Lordaeron. Joined together, they succeeded in defeating the Horde during the Second War. Tensions grew among the kingdoms, however, as the costs for maintaining the Alliance rose much higher than originally anticipated. Unwilling to pay the taxes, Gilneas and Stromgarde left the Alliance following the liberation of the orcs from internment camps.

Further disaster came when the kingdom of Lordaeron was decimated by a mysterious plague that killed thousands of humans and converted them into undead servants of the Lich King. Even Lordaeron's prince, Arthas Menethil, was manipulated by the Lich King, leading Arthas to kill his own father and journey to Northrend, where he merged with his master. For the next five years, the Lich King remained in Northrend, plotting and building up his armies. But unleashing the plague of undeath was merely preparation for an invasion by the demonic Burning Legion, which had long sought to destroy all life on Azeroth. When the Legion struck, humans banded together with other races and secured a costly victory during the Third War.

Since the fall of Lordaeron, the kingdom of Stormwind has become the strongest bastion of humanity and the most powerful force in the now multiracial Alliance. Led by King Anduin Wrynn, who succeeded his father Varian Wrynn at the head of the Alliance, the people of Stormwind hold fast to the principles of honor and justice as they defend their settlements and their families.

History

At the dawn

Main article: Early humans

The vrykul, ancestors of mankind.

Humans are descendants of the vrykul, a race of barbaric half-giants from Northrend, who were themselves originally a race of titan-forged. Circa 15,000 BDP, the curse of flesh caused vrykul women of the Dragonflayer clan to begin giving birth to children that were small and malformed. The Dragonflayer ruler, King Ymiron, declared the children to be "aberrations" and ordered them all to be destroyed, but some parents instead hid their children away in the care of a vrykul population in Tirisfal Glades, in what would later become the northern Eastern Kingdoms. Over the ages that followed, the afflicted children and their offspring continued to degenerate into mortal beings called humans.^[3]^[4]

Over the millennia that followed, nomadic tribes of humans flourished in the forests and hills of the Eastern Kingdoms. Despite the threat posed by the forest trolls of neighboring the Amani Empire, the tribes constantly warred with one another for land and power.^[5]^[6]

Humanity eventually forgot its origins, and did not rediscover the truth of their relationship to the vrykul until they encountered vrykul in Northrend during the war against the Lich King.^[4]

Arathor and the Seven Kingdoms

Main articles: Arathor, Seven Kingdoms

The Seven Kingdoms.

Humans joined the forefront of Azerothian history during the Troll Wars in 2,800 BDP. In response to increased aggression from the Amani trolls, the Arathi tribe, under the rule of Warlord Thoradin, embarked on a campaign to bring together the human tribes under a single banner. By offering equality and peace to the people they conquered, the Arathi were able to unite the tribes into the Empire of Arathor,^[5]^[6] the first great human civilization.^[7]^[8]^[9]

The high elves of Quel'Thalas, meanwhile, were in open war with the trolls. In desperation, they turned to Arathor and agreed to instruct One Hundred humans in the use of arcane magic in exchange for military aid. Together, the humans and high elves thoroughly defeated the trolls, and the two peoples would nurture peaceful relations for millennia to come.^[5]^[10]

Over the following millennia, Arathor expanded across the Eastern Kingdoms through the founding of multiple city-states, which over time grew increasingly autonomous. In 1,200 BDP, the empire split apart into a set of independent nations, the Seven Kingdoms: Gilneas to the west, Alterac, Dalaran, and Lordaeron to the northwest, Kul Tiras to the southwest, and Stormwind to the far south. The Arathi capital, Strom, was renamed Stromgarde and remained a significantly powerful kingdom.^[11]

In time, the kingdoms gradually developed rivalries, as before the coming of the orcs, the human kingdoms of Lordaeron faced challenges and obstacles from each other as the games of politics played out.^[12] Decades before the First War, while Azeroth enjoyed a time of relative peace, villages squabbled with villages, and kingdoms spied on kingdoms. In the Eastern Kingdoms, humans engaged in rigorous trade with dwarves, gnomes, and high elves. Some nations, like Lordaeron, acted as regional leaders and trendsetters, mediating disagreements between smaller kingdoms and used their strong militaries to impose order over the land. Still, others focused their resources on defending themselves from old rivals.^[13]

Among the history books in Medivh's library, some mentioned references of genocides, assassinations, and massacres between humans of the seven kingdoms, using claims of nobility, heritage, and honor to justify their conflicts.^[14] Among these battles, there were military conflicts between the nations of Alterac and Stromgarde, as the proximity of the two and the apparent ambiguity of their mountain borders had led to several wars and skirmishes. On more than one occasion, King Thoras Trollbane led the armies of Stromgarde into battle against the honorable General Hath of Alterac.^[15]

The Alliance of Lordaeron

Main article: Alliance of Lordaeron

Turalyon rallies the Council of Seven Nations to form the Alliance of Lordaeron.

Millennia later, disaster struck when the orcish Horde appeared on Azeroth, reducing Stormwind to ruins during the First War between orcs and humans.^[16] The city's survivors, including the young prince, Varian Wrynn, fled to Lordaeron, where the leaders of the seven kingdoms resolved to unify once again in the Alliance of Lordaeron. Joined together, they succeeded in defeating the Horde during the Second War.^[17]

Tensions grew among the kingdoms, however, as the costs for maintaining the Alliance rose much higher than originally anticipated. Unwilling to pay the taxes, the leaders of Gilneas and Stromgarde chose to withdraw their kingdoms following the Alliance splintering in consequence of the liberation of the orcs from internment camps.^[18] At the time of the Third War, most contemporary human and high elven mages bowed to the sovereignty of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor.^[19] Further disaster came when the kingdom of Lordaeron was decimated by a mysterious plague that killed thousands of humans and converted them into undead servants of the Lich King. Even Lordaeron's prince, Arthas Menethil, was manipulated by the Lich King, leading Arthas to kill his own father and direct the Scourge to eradicate humanity in his kingdom.^[20]^[21] Eventually, Arthas journeyed to Northrend, where he merged with his master. For the next five years, the Lich King remained in Northrend, plotting and building up his armies.^[22]

The remnants of the Alliance in Lordaeron banded together to form the Alliance resistance in order to retake their lost lands from the undead. Under the command of Grand Marshal Garithos, the Alliance resistance managed to retake Dalaran.^[23] However, Garithos' harsh bigoted leadership forced the blood elves to desert his army^[24]^[25]^[26] and sometime later, the Alliance resistance was mind controlled by the Dreadlord Insurgents. The Alliance resistance was freed from the dreadlords' influence by Sylvanas Windrunner's forces (later known as the Forsaken)^[27] and together, they worked to take down the last dreadlord warlord, Balnazzar, and retake the Ruins of Lordaeron. Instead of leaving Lordaeron as Sylvanas promised however, Sylvanas betrayed Garithos and had him and his men killed; thereby taking the Ruins of Lordaeron for herself.^[28]

Post Third War

Stormwind City rebuilt, became one of the last bastions of human civilization.

With the recent invasion of the Burning Legion, which left the northern Kingdom of Lordaeron in ruins, Stormwind now stands as the strongest bastion of human civilization. The Alliance since then has been reorganized and gained new allies in the following years, with the humans of Stormwind standing resolute in their charge to maintain the honor and might of humanity.^[2] Following the heroic examples of the legendary Sir Lothar and King Llane, the knights and warriors of Stormwind are considered to be among the fiercest and most courageous warriors in the land.

Despite the devastating losses of the Third War, humanity still prospered in most of the remaining human kingdoms. Even in Lordaeron, which took the brunt of the devastation, still had pockets of humanity fighting to reclaim their lost lands back. However, some of these humans entered into a conflict with the Forsaken, who humanity found abominable and unsavory. Many humans see undead as offensive to their way of life, while others still suspected them of being agents of the Scourge.^[29] It did not help matters that the Forsaken joined forces with the Horde, a long time enemy of the Alliance, and that human zealots in Lordaeron such as the Scarlet Crusade became obsessed with eradicating the undead and retaking their once-beautiful homeland.

The humans' primary threat now other than the Scourge is the Forsaken, who are continuing their attempts to expand south from Tirisfal Glades into the Arathi Highlands. However, the human presence in the region remained strong with the remnants of Lordaeron and Stromgarde, causing the Hillsbrad area to be one of Azeroth's major battlefields. Despite all of this, humans continue to be vigilant, and have banded closer together and with the Alliance as a whole.

Alexandros Mograine fighting the Scourge.

The Knights of the Silver Hand in Lordaeron, under the command of Lord Commander Saidan Dathrohan and Highlord Alexandros Mograine, who wielded the Ashbringer, attempted to retake the Plaguelands from the undead. Though they found some success,^[30] after Highlord Mograine fell to the Scourge, the holy order began to change. They rebranded themselves the Scarlet Crusade and became more fanatical in their methods of destroying all undead, as well as despising all non-human races. Other paladins, disgusted with the Scarlet Crusaders' zealotry, formed the Argent Dawn, which took a less extreme approach and accepted members from all of Azeroth's races into their ranks.^[31]

One day, King Varian Wrynn went missing while on route to a secret diplomatic meeting. During the absence of King Varian Wrynn, Anduin Wrynn was crowned king, though the actual power remained in Regent Lord Bolvar Fordragon's hands until either Varian was returned or Anduin reached the age of ascension. The Kingdom of Stormwind was kept in a state of chaos and political unrest due to corruption created by Lady Katrana Prestor and the House of Nobles. The towns of Darkshire, Lakeshire, Goldshire, Southshore, and (to a lesser extent) Menethil Harbor- who all fall under the protection and leadership of Stormwind- had to rely more heavily on their own local militia to fend off local threats while Stormwind's leadership was in disarray.

Under the watchful leadership of the young mage Jaina Proudmoore, formerly of Kul Tiras, the Human Expedition that fled the destruction of Lordaeron joined forces with the night elves and the Horde in order to defeat the demon Archimonde and banish the Burning Legion during the Third War. Afterwards, the expedition established a new home in Kalimdor called Theramore Isle, which became a prominent member of the Alliance and kept close ties with Stormwind. Lady Jaina Proudmoore hopes to lead Theramore to a prosperous future and aid in reuniting the distant human kingdoms once more.^[32] The merchant nation of Kul Tiras left the Alliance after their demands to avenge Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore's death were going unheeded. The people of Kul Tiras furiously isolated themselves from the rest of the Alliance, but were not angry with all of the Alliance leaders. They instead nursed a bitter hatred only towards Jaina Proudmoore for betraying her family and allowing the Horde to cut down her father.^[33]^[34] The city-state of Dalaran, with its powerful mages, retained some control over Hillsbrad and Silverpine Forest but mostly isolated themselves behind a vast, magical dome around the heart of their city.^[35] In addition, there is the human enclave in the Arathi Highlands, the remnants of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. After the assassination of Thoras Trollbane, Stromgarde was invaded by the Syndicate, forest trolls, and ogres. The Horde has also established themselves in the contested land and are fighting for the resources of Arathi Basin. The remnants of Stromgarde rejoined the Alliance in order to rid its kingdom of interlopers and restore the kingdom to its former glory. It was rumored the once-allied kingdom of Gilneas was still flourishing and populated with humans, but no word has been heard of them for years. They too have isolated themselves from the world after they barricaded themselves with the Greymane Wall.

The Burning Crusade

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

Human forces from Stormwind and the rest of the Alliance worked to repel a surprise invasion from the recently re-opened Dark Portal alongside the forces of the Horde and the Argent Dawn. After the combined forces of Azeroth pressed on through the Dark Portal and into the shattered world of Outland, Alliance forces were surprised to find the tattered remnants of the Alliance Expedition, still standing vigil years after the portal closed and their presumed deaths. Based in their decades-old fortress of Honor Hold, and calling themselves the Sons of Lothar, these survivors were joined by the armies of Stormwind and Ironforge. Among these remnants was the heroic human, Danath Trollbane, who grieved heavily when he heard of the fate of Lordaeron, and swore to someday return to restore his native Stromgarde to its former glory.

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Bolvar Fordragon, the new Lich King.

With the freeing of the Kingdom of Stormwind from the grasp of Onyxia by the heroic efforts of many Alliance heroes, King Varian Wrynn was returned to his rightful throne and restored order to his lands. Today, King Wrynn oversees Stormwind with support from the House of Nobles. The newly found peace humanity had found would not last long. Shortly after the demonic Burning Crusade was halted at the Sunwell, an old and familiar human threat emerged. Spreading its horrific plague once again through contaminated grain, the undead Scourge, led by the tyrant Lich King, returned its sights to humanity, planting infected crates in Booty Bay and letting it be shipped throughout Azeroth. This renewed invasion culminated in attacks on the human villages of Southshore and Goldshire, and eventually, in a daring attack on Stormwind itself. The time to avenge the fallen human kingdom of Lordaeron had arrived.

Knowing that the threat of the Scourge was as real as it was in the Third War, the human leaders Varian Wrynn, Jaina Proudmoore, Tirion Fordring, and Rhonin led an assault against the frozen homeland of the Scourge. Alliance forces attacked the forces of the Lich King from Borean Tundra and Howling Fjord, eventually carving a path to Angrathar the Wrath Gate and crippling the Scourge necropolis of Naxxramas. Tragedy struck in the Battle of Angrathar the Wrathgate however. As the Alliance commander, Bolvar Fordragon, taunted the traitor Arthas Menethil, a group of militant Forsaken appeared overhead, led by Grand Apothecary Putress, and launched barrels of Forsaken blight on the assembled Alliance and Horde armies, resulting in the apparent death of Bolvar Fordragon and the painful deaths of hundreds of humans.

Enraged over this apparent betrayal, Varian Wrynn sent Jaina Proudmoore to elicit an explanation from the Horde. In a meeting in Orgrimmar, Jaina learned of an uprising in the Undercity, in which the Horde presence had been expelled by a group of rogue Forsaken led by the dreadlord Varimathras and the rogue Grand Apothecary Putress. Seeing an opportunity to reclaim Capital City for the Alliance and to bring Putress to justice, Varian Wrynn launched a full assault on the Undercity. Alliance forces battled to the Apothecarium and beheaded Putress. However, at the same time, Varian Wrynn, in grief over the loss of Bolvar Fordragon, enraged by proof of the Forsaken's sinister schemes, and the status of the once glorious capital of Lordaeron, lashed out at Thrall and exchanged blows with him before being teleported back to Stormwind by Jaina Proudmoore.

Meanwhile, Tirion Fordring and Rhonin established their own presences in Northrend, with the newly formed Argent Crusade fighting the Scourge in Icecrown and Zul'Drak. Rhonin and the Kirin Tor established a presence in Crystalsong Forest, levitating the entire city of Dalaran to fight in the Nexus War. Jaina Proudmoore, seeking to confront her former lover Arthas, led her own assault on Icecrown Citadel through the Frozen Halls.

Eventually, the Argent Crusade breached Icecrown Citadel and, along with its champions, took the fight to the Lich King at the Frozen Throne itself, and after a long battle, managed to shatter Frostmourne and kill Arthas. Humans, after losing so much to the Scourge, stood triumphant against the Lich King.

However, as Arthas died, the ghost of Terenas Menethil appeared and warned Tirion that although Arthas is dead, someone must take on the role of Lich King, to keep the undead throngs left behind in check. As Tirion contemplated taking the role on himself, he was interrupted by the heavily deformed and thought dead Bolvar Fordragon, who had in fact been taken prisoner by the Lich King after the Battle of Angrathar. At Bolvar's insistence, Tirion Fordring crowned Bolvar Fordragon the new Lich King. As Bolvar's voice changed into that of the Lich King, he warned Tirion and his allies to leave, and to never return.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

Deathwing terrorizing Stormwind City.

Although the proud humans of Stormwind led the Alliance to victory over the dreaded Lich King, the immense cost of the Northrend campaign proved to be unexpected. Some humans in Stormwind have been taxed to the point of bankruptcy. Many found themselves out of work and without homes, particularly after the bold attack on Stormwind City by the corrupted Dragon Aspect, Deathwing. These throngs of homeless congregated to Westfall, where they would contribute to the resurgence of a new Defias Brotherhood.

Meanwhile, the human kingdom of Gilneas, isolated since the Third War by the Greymane Wall, was suddenly thrust into the wider world of Azeroth when the terrible cataclysm that sundered the world shattered their thought to be impenetrable wall. To add to this grief, the kingdom suffered from a mysterious curse shortly after sealing themselves off, that turned normal humans into ferocious and feral Worgen. This, combined with an unexpected invasion by the Forsaken, forced the humans of Gilneas back into the Alliance.

The Argent Crusade has resumed its work in eradicating the now weakened Scourge presence in Lordaeron, taking control of most of the Plaguelands and working alongside their Cenarion Circle allies to retake the land from the undead. The humans of the Alliance, thanks to manipulations from the Twilight's Hammer and the ambitions of the new Horde warchief, Garrosh Hellscream, are now involved in a renewed conflict with their perennial enemy, the Horde. Humans are currently stationed most prominently in the Southern Barrens, striking at the heartland of the Horde, and in Gilneas, where the 7th Legion fights to retake Lordaeron from the Forsaken.

Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

The ruins of Theramore, destroyed by a Horde mana bomb.

In the Theramore's Fall scenario, Theramore Isle was destroyed by the Horde, and the leaders of the Alliance, outraged at this matter, completely devoted themselves into the war. During the conflict, the ancient continent of Pandaria was discovered. As Alliance and Horde raced to claim the riches of the new land for themselves, their presence awakened ancient evils — the sha.

Over the course of the war, it was discovered that Warchief Hellscream had dabbled in harnessing the sha to fuel his war machine. The discovery of the complicity of some members of the Sunreavers led to the Purge of Dalaran, in which the magocracy realigned itself with the Alliance. Through the Trials of the High King, Varian Wrynn cemented the hold of humanity over the Alliance, strengthening the ties between its races while the Horde under Garrosh Hellscream splintered in rebellion and dissent. When Hellscream in his reckless drive unearthed the Heart of Y'Shaarj and befouled the sacred Vale of Eternal Blossoms, the Alliance led an attack together with the Horde rebels to bring the Warchief to justice. Recognizing that some members of the Horde had preserved their honor, Varian spared the Horde from dismantling.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

When Garrosh Hellscream escaped his sentence with the aid of the renegade bronze dragon Kairozdormu, he fled into an alternate timeline on Draenor. Bringing the orcs new technologies, he was instrumental in the creation of the Iron Horde, which soon spilled through the Dark Portal and laid waste to Nethergarde Keep.

The wizard Khadgar would return to lead the operations of both Alliance and Horde against the Iron Horde. Stormwind would send their own heroes through the Dark Portal to keep Azeroth safe from another orcish invasion, after Maraad had convinced Varian of the necessity by detailing the strengths of the warlords leading the Iron Horde. Admiral Taylor established a garrison at the Spires of Arak, but was backstabbed by his subordinate Ephial. Another base was constructed at Ashran, from which conflict against the Horde over the possession of artifacts was waged.

Humans, along with the rest of the Alliance, aided the free people of Draenor in resisting the Iron Horde and managed to defeat Gul'dan and his demonic masters before they could corrupt this Draenor as they had the one in the prime timeline. However, the danger for Azeroth was not averted.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Varian Wrynn fighting the demons of the Burning Legion on the Broken Shore.

After his failure on Draenor, Gul'dan was brought into present-day Azeroth and continued his plan to unleash the Burning Legion again. Hunted by Khadgar, he reached the Broken Isles and the Tomb of Sargeras, where he unleashed the Felstorm and created a large portal that allowed the Legion to launch its largest invasion of Azeroth since the War of the Ancients. Khadgar flew to Stormwind to deliver warnings and mobilize Azeroth's defenders again.

On the Battle for Broken Shore, humanity would lose two of its greatest heroes: Highlord Tirion Fordring was taken captive and eventually perished, and Varian Wrynn was executed by Gul'dan while defending the retreat of his forces after the Horde had pulled back their forces after many losses. Anduin Wrynn was crowned as the new High King and forced to lead the Alliance into war. Meanwhile, Dalaran again assumed neutrality due to Khadgar's urgings, causing Jaina to leave the Council of Six in disgust. Anduin would eventually travel to Wrynnfall to reflect upon his new role, where he took up his father's blade.

The Legion's forces were not confined to the battlefield. A demonic infiltrator, the Dreadlord Detheroc, had impersonated Master Mathias Shaw and taken control of the SI:7 and used it to incite Anduin against the Horde. Cultists from Duskwood known as the Veiled Hand attempted to strike against Stormwind's authority. Against these threats rose different class orders that kept these threats contained. The combined efforts of these groups lead to the final defeat of the Legion and the imprisonment of the Dark Titan.

In a final act of spite, Sargeras had plunged his sword into Silithus. As Anduin Wrynn held a memorial speech at Lion's Rest, the SI:7 informed him of Horde activity near the wound and of a strange metal that had emerged from the ground.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

Please add any available information to this section.
In response to the Burning of Teldrassil, the Alliance retaliated against the Undercity during the Battle for Lordaeron. The two conflicts have reignited the war between the Alliance and Horde, as they battled for Azeroth and the Azerite proliferating from their dying world.

After discovering the Horde was planning to recruit the Zandalari Empire into their ranks, the Alliance knew it would need new allies to match the Horde's strength. Jaina Proudmoore proposed she head a diplomatic mission to recruit her estranged homeland, Kul Tiras, back into the Alliance. Kul Tiras' powerful navy would be a formidable asset to the Alliance that could even the playing field, but the Alliance needed to prove its worth to Kul Tiras' ruling houses before it gains the maritime nation's allegiance.^[36] Kul Tiras has degenerated severely in contemporary times; it is plagued with crime, piracy, corruption, a missing Kul Tiran fleet, Drust incursions, Old Gods radicalization of the tidesages, a burgeoning Kul Tiran civil war, and to compound further their problems, the Horde had recently raided Brennadam and invaded Stormsong Valley.

After reconciling the estranged Proudmoore family and stabilizing Kul Tiras' troubled territories, the Alliance had once again regained the Kul Tirans' trust and unified the maritime nation. Lady Ashvane secretly plotted to usurp Katherine Proudmoore's rule over the island kingdom, but her attempt was ultimately thwarted by Alliance adventurers.^[37] Lady Jaina Proudmoore's success in foiling House Ashvane's coup d'état and recovering Kul Tiras' missing fleet had also restored faith in Proudmoore leadership and she was subsequently named Lord Admiral for her accomplishments. Faced with the threat of the Horde, Kul Tiras rejoined the Alliance. The Kul Tirans then retaliated against the Horde by joining the Alliance during their invasion of Zuldazar.

The western region of Arathi Highlands becomes a warfront between the Alliance and Horde as they fight over Stromgarde.

Notable

Name	Role	Affiliation	Status
Thoradin	Barbarian leader of the Arathi tribe, founder and first king of Arathor.	Arathi tribe, Empire of Arathor	Deceased
Llane Wrynn I	Former king of Stormwind.	Kingdom of Stormwind	Deceased
Varian Wrynn	Former king of Stormwind and High King of the Alliance.	Kingdom of Stormwind, Alliance	Deceased
Anduin Wrynn	King of Stormwind and High King of the Alliance.	Kingdom of Stormwind, Alliance	Alive
Anduin Lothar	Knight Champion of Stormwind, Supreme Commander of the armies of the Alliance of Lordaeron.	Kingdom of Azeroth, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Turalyon	Regent of Stormwind, High Exarch of the Army of the Light, Lord Commander of the Alliance forces.	Army of the Light, Silver Hand, Kingdom of Stormwind, Alliance	Alive
Terenas Menethil II	Last true King of Lordaeron and leader of the Alliance of Lordaeron.	Kingdom of Lordaeron, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Arthas Menethil	Former Lich King, originally Crown Prince of Lordaeron.	Scourge, formerly Kingdom of Lordaeron and the Silver Hand	Deceased
Calia Menethil	Member of the Desolate Council, formerly Princess of Lordaeron.	Desolate Council, Forsaken, Horde, Conclave	Undead
Uther the Lightbringer	The first human paladin, mentor of Arthas, and former leader of the Knights of the Silver Hand.	Silver Hand, Kingdom of Lordaeron, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Genn Greymane	Former King of Gilneas and advisor to High King Anduin Wrynn.	Gilneas Brigade, Kingdom of Gilneas, Alliance	Alive
Tess Greymane	Queen of Gilneas, Shadow and Champion of the Uncrowned.	Uncrowned, Kingdom of Gilneas, Alliance	Alive
Darius Crowley	Leader of Gilneas Liberation Front. Champion of the Valarjar.	Gilneas Liberation Front, Kingdom of Gilneas, Alliance, Valarjar	Alive
Daelin Proudmoore	Former Lord Admiral of Kul Tiras and Grand Admiral of the Alliance of Lordaeron.	House Proudmoore, Admiralty of Kul Tiras, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Jaina Proudmoore	Lord Admiral of Kul Tiras, former ruler of Theramore and the Kirin Tor.	Admiralty of Kul Tiras, Alliance	Alive
Derek Proudmoore	Champion of the Pallid Lady, formerly Crown Prince of Kul Tiras.	Forsaken, Horde	Undead
Bolvar Fordragon	Highlord of the Ebon Blade, former Lich King and Regent Lord of Stormwind.	Knights of the Ebon Blade	Active
Alexandros Mograine	First wielder of the Ashbringer, former Highlord of the Knights of the Silver Hand.	Scourge	Deceased
Darion Mograine	Leader of the Four Horsemen, former Highlord of the Knights of the Ebon Blade.	Four Horsemen, Knights of the Ebon Blade	Undead
Tirion Fordring	Former Highlord of the Argent Crusade and wielder of the Ashbringer.	Argent Crusade	Deceased
Aegwynn	Jaina Proudmoore's chamberlain and mother of Medivh. Former Guardian of Tirisfal.	Theramore, New Council of Tirisfal	Deceased
Nielas Aran	Court conjurer of Stormwind and Archmage of the Kirin Tor. Lover of Aegwynn.	Stormwind, Tirisgarde, Kirin Tor	Deceased
Medivh	Former Guardian of Tirisfal and master of Karazhan.	Independent	Active
Khadgar	Leader of Dalaran, member of the Council of Six, former apprentice of Medivh.	Council of Six, Kirin Tor, Sons of Lothar, Alliance	Alive
Antonidas	Former leader of the Kirin Tor and member of the Council of Six.	Council of Six, Kirin Tor, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Rhonin	Former leader of the Kirin Tor and member of the Council of Six.	Council of Six, Kirin Tor	Deceased
Thoras Trollbane	One of the Four Horsemen of the Ebon Blade, former king of Stromgarde.	Knights of the Ebon Blade, formerly Kingdom of Stromgarde	Undead
Danath Trollbane	Leader of Stromgarde and master of Honor Hold, former Force Commander of the Sons of Lothar.	Sons of Lothar, Stromgarde, Alliance	Alive
Galen Trollbane	Fallen prince of Stromgarde.	Kingdom Stromgarde, formerly the Forsaken	Deceased
Reginald Windsor	Marshal of Stormwind, revealed the true identity of Katrana Prestor.	Kingdom of Stormwind, Alliance	Deceased
Master Mathias Shaw	Director of the SI:7, champion and ally of the Uncrowned.	SI:7, Stormwind Assassin's Guild, Stormwind, Uncrowned	Alive
Aiden Perenolde	Former king of Alterac and ally of the Old Horde.	Alterac	Deceased
Edwin VanCleef	Kingpin of the Defias Brotherhood, former Guildmaster of the Stonemasons Guild.	Defias Brotherhood	Deceased
Alonsus Faol	Archbishop of the Conclave, former leader of the Church of the Holy Light.	Conclave, formerly Kingdom of Lordaeron	Undead
Archbishop Benedictus	Twilight Prophet, former leader of the Church of the Holy Light.	Twilight's Hammer, Old Gods' forces	Deceased
Archmage Arugal	Leader of the Wolfcult, former master of Shadowfang Keep who unleashed the worgen on Azeroth.	Wolfcult, Scourge	Deceased
Natalie Seline	Leader of the Cult of Forgotten Shadows, formerly Bishop of the Church of Light.	Cult of Forgotten Shadows, Conclave	Alive
Othmar Garithos	Xenophobic commander of the Alliance resistance in Lordaeron.	Alliance resistance	Deceased
Kel'Thuzad	Lieutenant of Zovaal, former leader of the Cult of the Damned and Archmage of the Kirin Tor.	Mawsworn	Deceased
Saidan Dathrohan	Grand Crusader of the Scarlet Crusade, his body was possessed by Balnazzar.	Scarlet Crusade	Deceased
Thassarian	Champion of the Ebon Blade, the first death knight to re-join the Alliance.	Knights of the Ebon Blade, Alliance, Kingdom of Stormwind	Undead
Baron Rivendare	Former leader of the Four Horsemen and the Scourge forces in Stratholme.	Scourge, formerly Kingdom of Lordaeron	Unknown
Aedelas Blackmoore	Former ruler of Durnholde Keep and commander of the internment camps.	Himself (privately), Kingdom of Lordaeron, Alliance of Lordaeron	Deceased
Maxwell Tyrosus	Leader of the Argent Crusade and champion of the Silver Hand. Former leader of the Argent Dawn.	Argent Crusade, Knights of the Silver Hand	Alive
Halford Wyrmbane	Leader of the 7th Legion, paladin of the Silver Hand, and member of the Alliance High Command.	7th Legion, Silver Hand, Kingdom of Stormwind, Alliance	Alive

Human nations

Icon of Courage

Main article: Seven Kingdoms

The Seven Kingdoms are the human states that became sovereign after the disintegration of the Empire of Arathor, approximately 1,200 years before the First War.^[11]

The Seven Kingdoms	First War	Second War	Interim	Third War	Interlude	Alliance-Horde war	Third Burning Legion Invasion	Fourth War	Aftermath	Current status	Current affiliation
Lordaeron	-	Damaged^[38]^[39]	Rebuilt	Destroyed^[40]	See Scourge and Forsaken	Ruined	-	See Battle for Lordaeron	-	In ruins, defunct	Contested/Forsaken^[41]
Stormwind	Destroyed	-	Rebuilt	-	-	-	Damaged	Rebuilt	-	Active	Alliance
Dalaran	-	Damaged^[42]	Rebuilt	Nearly destroyed^[43]	Rebuilt	Rejoined Alliance	Damaged and neutral	Rebuilt	-	Capital healthy (other territories ruined)	Neutral^[44]
Kul Tiras	-	Damaged^[45]	Rebuilt	-	Fell silent^[46]	-	-	Rejoined Alliance	-	Active	Alliance
Stromgarde	-	Damaged^[47]	Left Alliance	-	Damaged	Damaged^[48]	See Stromgarde	See Battle for Stromgarde	-	Active	Alliance
Gilneas	-	-	Left Alliance	-	See Civil war and Worgen	Rejoined Alliance	-	-	See Reclamation of Gilneas	Active	Alliance
Alterac	-	Subjugated by Alliance^[49]	Rebuilt^[50]	-	See Syndicate	Damaged	-	See Alterac City	-	In ruins, defunct	Contested (Horde/Syndicate)
Other Human Nations
Theramore	-	-	-	-	Founded	Destroyed	-	-	-	In ruins, defunct	Alliance
Arathor	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	Defunct	Independent

About human populations living outside of the Seven Kingdoms:

The first victims of the Plague of Undeath were the inhabitants of a human village in the Dragonblight.^[51] Alexandros Mograine mentioned that "Whole cities have gone missing" and that "Northrend is lost".^[52] Wintergarde Keep was built over an old human village dating back before the Alliance Vanguard arrived to the Dragonblight.^[53] The trappers are a faction of humans who inhabit the Grizzly Hills in Northrend. Most were transformed into worgen by the Wolfcult.
Despite having unique names and a unique look, the Wastewanders are not native to Kalimdor; they originate from a group of former pirates who were marooned in Tanaris.^[54] They have spent many generations as brigands, whether on land or sea, until they decided to hang up that life for a chance at a more peaceful existence, and now inhabit the deserts of Tanaris and Uldum.^[55]
At one point, Stormwind established a small port town, Blackwater Cove, on the Cape of Stranglethorn. However, the humans were quickly overwhelmed and driven back to their homeland by attacking jungle trolls. After the humans' departure, the goblins of the Steamwheedle Cartel arrived^[56]^[57] and turned the cove into the town of Booty Bay.^[58]^[59] This happened "in recent years"^[56]^[57] but prior to the First War, as Booty Bay was already the territory of the Steamwheedle Cartel by then.^[60]
- There are still humans from Booty Bay in current times, such as Makasa Flintwill,^[61] ^[62] with their own traditions and culture.^[63]
At some point after the founding of Arathor, one population of Arathi splintered from the empire and ultimately settled in the subterranean realm of Hallowfall in Khaz Algar, where they developed their own culture in isolation from the other human kingdoms.^[64] These Light-worshipping Arathi have a martial society, sustained by the light of Hallowfall's crystal sun and built around the use of holy fire, and are engaged in a continuous battle with the nerubians of neighboring Azj-Kahet.^[65]^[66]

Appearance

High King Anduin Wrynn, a human of Stormwind.

Humans come from many backgrounds and show great physical variety among all the races. Humans' skin ranges from dark to light and may have tones of other colors. Their eyes are blue, brown, green, gray, or hazel. Human hair is brown, black, blond, or red. Men often grow short beards and women commonly wear their hair long. Female humans are on average 5'8" tall while males usually reach a height of about 6'1",^[67] however, some males do reach heights of 6'6".^[68]

The physique of humans is more muscular and sturdy than of elves, but much more slender than that of dwarves. The color and hue of human skin vary, ranging from a fair pink, to tanned, to a very dark brown. Hair becomes gray or white with sickness or age. Human eyes have been known to glow like those of the naturally magical elves if he or she is wielding powerful magic.

Culture

Goldshire in the Trading Card Game.

Humans seem to be a naturally proud and ambitious race. The humans of Azeroth have a very strong sense of triumphalism and have been known to be arrogant, overzealous, or vainglorious. Humans have also regularly displayed noble and altruistic attitudes and actions. These qualities have led to human society producing notable heroic and villainous figures in recent history.

Upon experiencing the world through the eyes of the human Tyrathan Khort through the use of a memory wine draught, the troll chieftain Vol'jin was shocked at how relatively weak and fragile human bodies are compared to those of trolls. He reflected that humans know death can come quickly, yet they fight, explore, and show courage nonetheless, as if mortality is such a well-known companion that they can embrace it easily. He also noted that many humans have steel in them that allows them to recover from deep injuries and fight hard against death.^[69]

Humans prefer to live in villages, towns, and cities. Few humans understand the reverence of nature the night elves and tauren possess, and the most rural or rugged lifestyle a human has shown to possess is that of a farmer, bandit, or soldier. Human cities are extremely large, bustling, and lively. Outside city walls, in the countryside, the human peasantry provides basic resources to the rest of the kingdom; the peasant farms, mines, and chops wood. In the city, merchants trade goods while craftsmen practice and perform their trades and businessmen provide services. At the top of the social hierarchy are the nobility, who sit within their castles, making important political decisions on the running of the kingdom.

Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans, some groups do deviate from this cultural trait and possess no loyalties toward their established political leaders. This is especially true in times of uncertainty for humans. Before the Third War, there were humans in the Northern lands of Lordaeron that were swayed into joining the Cult of the Damned. Banditry, sea piracy, and fanaticism amongst humans has been on the rise recently.

Humans have a relatively short lifespan, less than the majority of the other races on Azeroth. Around the age of 12, they reach the Age of Ascension,^[70] often accompanied by a celebration.

Humans are also experienced and skilled sailors, with the nation of Kul Tiras being the greatest naval power of Azeroth, only rivaled by the Zandalari Empire, while both Stormwind and the now-defunct kingdom of Lordaeron having their own powerful fleets. Also, many pirates in Azeroth are humans.

The human state of Stormwind is the leader of the Alliance. Formerly it was the kingdom of Lordaeron, until its destruction at the hands of the Undead Scourge. Stormwind is the largest remaining bastion of human population and strength in Azeroth.^[2]

Humans are seen to be filled with unchecked passion and ambition. Their desire for power and knowledge has allowed for some of the greatest mages to be human. The deep inner fire and emotions that brew within them have allowed many humans to master the Holy Light in ways unimaginable, leading the humans to establish the Knights of the Silver Hand as well as what are regarded as the most pious orders ever seen on Azeroth.

Relations

[Diplomacy] in the Trading Card Game.

The straightforward and outspoken humans tend to get along well with other races and gain their trust with relative ease.^[2] Even more than sheer tenacity, the human race's true strength lies in its willingness and ability to look past its own interests, see others' point of view, and seek diplomatic solutions. This has enabled the humans to form lasting alliances with other races.^[71]

Humans and the Alliance

Humans began the Alliance, and it could not exist without them.

Humans' closest and most natural allies are the dwarves of Ironforge with who they have had a good relationship ever since the days of the Arathor Empire. Both have long shared many secrets of metal-smithing and engineering and discovered a common love for battle and storytelling.^[11] The alliance between human nations and Ironforge was deepened during the Second War when the Alliance of Lordaeron liberated the dwarves from the Old Horde, which prompted the dwarves to express that they owed a debt that could never be repaid and to pledge their unwavering allegiance to the alliance, with them strengthening the Alliance with their forces and technological inventions. This bond only strengthened since the dwarves' latest discoveries have energized their archaeological efforts.

Humans also have a friendly bond with the Wildhammer Dwarves ever since the Second War, having saved them from the Orcs which prompted the grateful dwarves to join the Alliance of Lordaeron and constantly support their allies with their gryphon riders.

While they tend to find the gnomes strange,^{[citation needed]} humans also greatly respect gnomish technological prowess as well as the gnomes' steadfast loyalty to the Alliance. Many humans have even come to lend their aid to the gnomes in their continuing fight for Gnomeregan.^[72] Elves are a source of mystery and frustration - especially the exotic night elves, with whom they are allied. Despite this, humans respect the night elves' endeavors to restore and preserve the natural beauty of Azeroth; especially the Cenarion Circle's efforts to restore the Western Plaguelands and the Eastern Plaguelands to their original states. Humans respect the draenei's mastery and reverence of the Light. As with the night elves, humans also respect their continuing defiance of their common enemy, the Burning Legion. Humans are still wary of worgen because of their savage and brutal reputation but recognize them as allies and treat them with the same respect as any other ally.

Relations with the Horde

Humans first came in contact with the orcs during the First War, when the orcish Horde invaded Azeroth and attacked the kingdom of Stormwind, eventually destroying it and creating a great enmity and feud between humans and orcs that continues today. While the Old Horde has been defeated and has changed its ways, with several human leaders having made peace or even befriended orcs such as Jaina Proudmoore, the great majority of humanity still have a strong distrust of and grudge against orcs for the atrocities they committed toward them. Humans have also an old enmity with trolls due to the many wars the two races have had with each other ever since the birth of the Arathor Empire, people of Stromgarde in particular have a strong feud with the Amani trolls.

Interacial relationships

Humans have been known to rarely intermarry with other races, most notably with high elves. The first Guardian of Tirisfal, Alodi, was a half-elf. The human paladin Turalyon married the elven ranger Alleria Windrunner, producing one son, Arator. Rhonin, leader of the Kirin Tor, was the husband of Alleria's sister Vereesa and together had twin boys, Giramar and Galadin. Less famously, a human woman now named Tamara Wobblesprocket married a gnome.

Faith

Interior of a human church.

The dominant human religion is the faith in the Holy Light, which they view as a cosmic power that dwells in all living things and which was first revealed to early human priests by the naaru after the Troll Wars.^[73]^[74] The Church of the Holy Light is the institution at the head of this religion and plays a significant role in almost all human societies. Its members are dedicated to creating a world of honor and justice, striving to aid others and be good in all actions. By embodying the tenets of their religion, the Church's skilled clergy can wield holy magic called the Light.

Since the Second War, humans have an order of holy warriors, the paladins of the Order of the Silver Hand, who follow the Holy Light and crush evil and chaotic beings in its name. As the martial branch of the Church, they seek to be an example of the Light's teachings as well as enforce the laws, protecting the weak and vanquishing the evil.

Humanity's forebears, the vrykul, passed down various legends to their descendants. The most notable of these was the story of Keeper Tyr, a great hero who replaced one of his hands with a silver hand after sacrificing it in a fight against a great evil, thereby impressing on his followers that true justice can only be accomplished through personal sacrifice.^[75] Tyr's silver hand has remained a potent symbol in human culture in the millennia since, notably inspiring the name of the aforementioned Order of the Silver Hand.^[6]

Most humans in Kul Tiras worship a goddess called the Tidemother and look to the seas for guidance the same way others look to the Light.^[76] The Tidesages are an order of priests who wield water magic and are responsible for blessing every Kul Tiran ship.

Early humans practiced animistic belief systems that incorporated simple nature magic, mainly crude forms of druidism and shamanism.^[6]^[77] Today, only the harvest-witches of Gilneas remain of these old belief systems, as Gilneas' relative isolation from the other kingdoms has kept it going.^[77] On Kul Tiras, the Thornspeakers are an organization of human druids who were originally taught by the Drust.^[78]

Many humans have turned to darker faiths, most notably the Death-worshipping Cult of the Damned (originally formed in Lordaeron prior to the Third War), the Old God-worshipping Twilight's Hammer cult, and the warlocks of the Shadow Council and its various cults.

Language

Humans speak Common.

Humans have several wise sayings:^[79]

"Those who do not learn from history are condemned to repeat it."
"Know your enemy."
"Plenty of time for sleep in the grave."^[80]

They also have the following nursery rhymes:

"Be wary, child, of Plaguelands plain... / Be mindful, child, of the infected grain... / For if throat is parched and of infected water sip... / Forever your soul will be in cursed Scourge grip. / So heed this warning, child, and if far from mother stray... / Let light from home's hearth guide you back your way."^[81]
"Should you spy a mossy log / afloat in swamp, morass, or bog / toss a stone or take the risk / for it may be a crocolisk."^[82]

A very old lullaby sung to children goes as follows:

"Lu, la lu, my dearest child,

Lu, la lu, lu la lay,

Lordaeron says, "Go to sleep."

Azeroth says, "Dream you deep."

Lu, la lu, la lu, la lay,

Safe in my arms you'll stay."^[83]

Magic and technology

A human mage in art.

Humans can be some of the most highly skilled and adaptable magic users.^[84] As discovered by the high elves who taught the arcane to the first human magi during the Troll Wars, humans are innately clumsy and unsubtle in their spellcasting but possess a startling natural affinity for the arcane.^[5]^[6]^[85] Any list of the most powerful magi in history will be dominated by humans. Their mastery of these arts are rivaled on Azeroth perhaps only by the high elves, blood elves, Forsaken, gnomes, and the draenei.^[84]

Humans also have a great affinity to holy magic, likely due to their heritage as descendants of the vrykul. The vrykul were originally creations of the titan-forged keepers, some of whom commanded the Light.^[74]

Like most other races, humans treat warlocks as pariahs. As they must operate in the shadows of polite society,^[86] humans warlocks practice their fel and shadow magics in hidden enclaves, so that they can escape the prejudice of the public. For example, the Slaughtered Lamb's basement and catacombs notably serve as host to the warlock community of Stormwind City.^[87] They also do not hesitate to assassinate those who would try to reveal their hiding place and activities to the public.^[88]

Humans have a relatively good understanding of science and technology. However, this understanding does not come close to that of their dwarven and gnomish allies. The efforts of human engineers are laughable when compared to those of the dwarves' and gnomes'. These races have provided their advanced artillery, metalworking, and engineering skills to the Alliance during times of war. These are considerable benefits, including the creation and operation of powered siege engines and flying machines. The Deeprun Tram is a gnome-built mechanical wonder that serves as a speedy underground transportation device between Ironforge and Stormwind.

The kingdom of Gilneas in particular has become strongly industrialised and technologically advanced under the impulsive of its previous king Archibald Greymane, with the the kingdom having many factories, and Gilnean forces heavily use firearms such as cannons, riffles, and guns more than any other human nation.

Even so, humans are a young race, and thus highly versatile, mastering the arts of combat, craftsmanship, and magic with stunning efficiency.^[89] Humans can become master craftsmen and have adopted simple yet effective tools of wars such as the human cannons, ballistas, battering rams, and siege towers to their arsenal.

Humans have a great deal of respect for both the dwarves and gnomes for these accomplishments and are eternally grateful for their contributions to the Alliance. Humans, for the most part, do not seem to be particularly aware of nor concerned about the harms the advancement of civilization and technology (as well as the use of arcane magic) may bring upon nature and the world. However, humans respect the night elves and their desire to preserve their sacred forests and lands in Kalimdor.

Human architecture is less pleasing to the eye than elven architecture, utilizing straight angles and simple materials such as wood, stone, and mortar. However, human structures are much more resistant to damage than elven or Horde structures. Human structures are not nearly as strong as dwarven structures^{[citation needed]} or as advanced as gnomish architecture, but they are much easier to build, and human forts and towns can be built relatively quickly. Human peasants have been the architects of much of the Alliance's fortifications throughout the course of the Alliance's history. They've been known to be quite efficient in building and construction when they organize themselves to collaborate on a singular task.^[90] Because of these skilled craftsmen, Alliance bases can be expanded in a relatively short amount of time.

Warfare

Human soldiers rallying for war.

The armies of the human kingdoms are a force to be reckoned with. Well-trained footmen march to battle in plate armor with kite shields and broadswords, while courageous knights covered in heavy plate mail ride headlong into battle atop of their powerful equine steeds, wielding mighty lances and swords. Behind the humans come their allies: cunning elven archers and dwarven riflemen provide ranged support, human and gnomish (and in the past, though there are still some left, high elven) mages blast their enemies with magic and priests use their holy magic to heal and aid wounded allies. Perhaps the most fearsome foe to evil and the enemies of humankind on the battlefield are the mighty paladins, considered by many to be the champions of the human Alliance. These fearsome knights bring justice to their enemies and aid to their allies with a combination of healing and aura magics and mastery with giant warhammers and massive swords.

Human bases are very difficult to penetrate. The walls of their strongholds are tall and tough, and from their watchtowers they can see enemies approach from far away, attacking them with siege weapons and archers while they advance. Behind the walls, an enemy would expect to meet ranks of dismounted knights and footmen. During the Second War, the Horde lost many of its warriors laying siege to Capital City, many of them killed by the city's ballistae and archers.

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Introduction

Humans are among the oldest races on Azeroth, and their valor, optimism, and versatility have led them to build some of the world's greatest kingdoms, dominating the continents of Lordaeron and Azeroth. With life spans generally shorter than the other races, humans strive all the harder to achieve great heights in empire building, exploration, and magical study. Their aggressive and inquisitive nature led the human nations to become active and influential in the world. Such was the case prior to the orcs' original invasion through the Dark Portal. Human kingdoms suffered greatly in the three wars against forces of the demonic Burning Legion's creating, The Horde in the first two, and the Scourge in the third.

Many humans fell in the Third War, leaving behind battered yet unbowed survivors of the Human Expedition under the command of the sorceress Jaina Proudmoore. This group settled on the wild continent of Kalimdor.

Lordaeron, a former human homeland, is decimated - a battlefield for forest trolls, the Scourge, Forsaken, ogres, and other creatures. The few humans who remain in Lordaeron struggle to keep their small settlements free of the villainy that boils around them. Stormwind, the first to feel the orcs' rage, fares better and is the most powerful human nation remaining. Still, Stormwind is far from safe, and enemies persistently attack it.

Humans value virtue, honor, and courage, though, like all races, they also pursue power and wealth. Humans have spent generations battling dark forces and have lost some of their greatest kingdoms to them. This loss embitters humans, and they have a view of diplomacy that does not favor negotiations. Aided by belief in the Holy Light, humans have fought hard and endured much during the wars against the Horde, the Scourge, and the Burning Legion. Despite all their tragedies, humans show hardiness and bravery and are thoroughly committed to building strong societies, reinforcing their kingdoms, and reclaiming their nations. Years of war have tempered human resolve, tempering them and giving them a determined nature.^[91]

Culture

They are old at about 55 years of age, and at 70 years they are venerable, with a maximum age between 72–110 years.^[92] Because of this, humanity strives to make the most out of what it has and to build legacies. This has led to the formation of different nations and orders across many lands and to the forging of alliances not only between each other, but with other races, and seeking to do whatever is necessary to protect and secure their nations so future generations can live peacefully and safely.^{[citation needed]}

Humans and the Horde

Humans and orcs joined forces to face the Burning Legion several years ago, but friction again returned once they dispatched the demonic threat. Although the Alliance and Horde leaders bear a healthy respect for each other, old racial hatreds are commonplace. Humans also look upon tauren with suspicion, due to the ties tauren have established with orcs. Humans dislike and distrust jungle trolls and, to an even greater extent, Forsaken.^[93]

Languages

They may know many other languages, however, as they deal with many different creatures.^[93]

Names

Human parents grant a child its given name at birth, while its family name has a long history and usually speaks something of its bearer's ancestry. Some humans change their family names to emphasize their own accomplishments.

Male Names: Merander, Gyram, Darrick, Hebry.
Female Names: Lilla, Merian, Richelle, Ammi.
Family Names: Renn, Townguard, Silversmith, Runetouch.^[93]

Faith

Paladins are wholly committed to defending the human nations.^[93]

RPG notes

The Azotha were civilization of early humans or ancestors to humans.^[94] The Arathi named the land of Azeroth in honor of their ancestors.^[95]
Some modern human females have retained the ability to turn their flesh to stone or steel in a similar way as dwarves, due to the human's ancient connection with the titans. They believe that it was Khaz'Goroth who created them specifically.^[96]
Humans weigh about 180 pounds, with men noticeably taller and heavier than women.^[91]

Notes and trivia

Even though they are repeatedly described as a "young" race,^[2]^[6]^[97] humans have in fact existed for as long or longer than many of Azeroth's other major races. They have existed for about as long as the night elves (who evolved from dark trolls around 15,000 BDP)^[98] and were active many millennia before the emergence of modern-day tauren (who diverged from the yaungol after the Pandaren Revolution in 12,000 BDP),^[99] high elves (physically diverged from night elves circa 7,300 BDP),^[100] gnomes (emerged from Uldaman in 3,000 BDP)^[101] and dwarves (awoke in 2,500 BDP).^[102]
According to Medivh, the ancient night elves enslaved nascent humans and other races to build their empire after they were corrupted by Sargeras.^[103] However, when Rhonin was sent back in time to the War of the Ancients, none of the night elves of the time (including Malfurion Stormrage,^[104] Captain Varo'then,^[105] or even Queen Azshara)^[106] recognized his race or knew what a "human" was; studies by the Moon Guard instead indicated that he was simply an unusually tall earthen.^[107]
Taran Zhu once told Vol'jin that it's possible that some humans and trolls fought with the pandaren during the Pandaren Revolution. Vol'jin found this unlikely since humans were primitive at the time and the Zandalari trolls still viewed the mogu as allies, but Taran pointed out that there are always exceptions in every population.^[108]
Ogres prefer to cook humans with the blood still in the carcass, whereas trolls prefer their stringy meat to be stripped from bone and turned to jerky.^[109]
The kingdoms of Lorderon and Stormwind appear to have been known for growing pumpkins for years. Thomas Thomson owned a pumpkin farm in Tirisfal Glades,^[110] and the region today is the only source of the squash for the Horde during Pilgrim's Bounty, [Pumpkin Pie] being a traditional local dish in both areas.^[111] Elwynn, Stormwind, and Westfall are all areas known to grow pumpkins. There is even the dish of pumpkin pancakes.^[112] Chen Stormstout considers Stormwind pumpkins to make an excellent ale.^[113]
Humans have appeared in every Warcraft-based game.
The demonym corresponding to the Empire of Arathor is "Arathi". The seven kingdoms that split from Arathor use the demonyms "Stormwindian" (Stormwind), "Lordaeronian" (Lordaeron), "Dalaranian" (Dalaran), "Gilnean" (Gilneas), "Stromic" (Stromgarde), "Alteraci" (Alterac), and "Tirasian" (Kul Tiras).^[114]^[115]
The RPG-only Sister of Steel class hinted two years before the actual release of Wrath of the Lich King that humans, dwarves and gnomes shared a common "metallic" ancestry.
Members of the playable human race in World of Warcraft are always from the nation of Stormwind.^[116] The worgen race represents Gilnean humans, while Kul Tirans are from Kul Tiras.
Human in-game cultural inspirations borrow heavily from European peoples and histories, including Roman Antiquity, Norse mythology, and contemporary English aesthetics.
- For inspiration of the Church of the Holy Light, see Church of the Holy Light#Notes and trivia.
- For inspiration of the Kingdom of Stormwind, see Stormwind (kingdom)#Notes and trivia.
- For inspiration of the Kingdom of Gilneas, see Ruins of Gilneas#Notes and trivia.
- For inspiration of the Kingdom of Kul Tiras, see Kul Tiras (kingdom)#Notes and trivia.