HUMANS The noble humans of Stormwind are a proud, tenacious race. They bravely fought the orcish Horde for generations as the patrons of the Grand Alliance. Just as they thought peace had at last settled over their war-torn kingdoms, an even darker shadow descended upon the world. The undead Scourge unleashed a foul plague of death upon humanity and succeeded in decimating the northrern human kingdom of Lordaeron. The few humans who survived fled south to the protection of Stormwind. Yet no sooner had the undead struck than the demonic Burning Legion began its cataclysmic invasion of the world. The warriors of humanity stood fast against the Legion and helped save the world from imminent destruction. Nearly four years later, the defenders of Stormwind stand vigilant against any who would threaten the sanctity of their lands. Situated in the foothills of Elwynn Forest, Stormwind City is one of the last bastions of human power in the world. The child-king Anduin Wrynn rules the people of Stormwind, who remain steadfast in their commitment to the Grand Alliance. Backed by their stalwart allies, the armies of Stormwind now falls to its proud citizens. You must defend the kingdom against those who encroach upon it, and hunt down the subversive traitors who seek to destroy it from within. Now is the time for heroes. Now humanity's greatest chapter can be told. STORMWIND The city of Stormwind stands as the last bastion of human power in Azeroth. Rebuilt after the Second War, Stormwind is a marvel of human design and engineering. Stormwind's guards keep the peace within the city's wall, and its young king, Anduin Wrynn, rules from his mighty keep. The Trade District bustles with trade from across the continent and beyond, while adventurers of every sort can be found wandering the streets of Old Town. Unaffected by the ravages of the Scourge in the north, Stormwind still faces its own threats, both from without and from within. NOTABLE HUMANS King Anduin Wrynn King Anduin is as wise a ruler as any ten-year old has a right to be. Recently his father, King Varian Wrynn went missing under suspicious circumstances while en route to a diplomatic summit at Theramore Isle. At the behest of the councilor, Lady Prestor, young Anduin was given the crown so that order could be preserved within the kingdom of Stormwind. Though few citizens are aware that their true king has been missing for so long. Anduin does the best he can to allay their fears. It is widely held that the boy will grow to become a shrewd leader one day. Archbishop Benedictus In his youth, the kindly Benedictus was the student of Lordaeron's religious leader, Archbishop Alonsus Faol. Benedictus spent many years learning from his pious master and helped the Church of Light construct its most striking monument, the Cathedral of Stormwind. Following Faol's death, Benedictus took charge of the Church and swore to continue the good work his mentor had begun so many years ago. Jaina Proudmoore Jaina Proudmoore is the most powerful human sorceress alive. A one-time ally of Prince Arthas, Jaina saw the fall of Lordaeron firsthand. Travelling to Kalimdor, Jaina swore to defeat the Burning Legion and its sinister agents any way she could. Joining forces with the night elves and even the orcish Horde. Jaina helped defeat the demon Archimonde and banish the Legion forever. She then gathered the human survivors in Kalimdor and founded the port city of Theramore. There she rules over the tattered remnants of the Alliance and hopes to reunite the distant human kingdoms once more. DWARVES The stoic dwarves of Ironforge spent countless generations mining treasures from deep within the earth. Secure in their impregnable stronghold of Ironforge Mountain, the dwarves rarely ventured beyond the wintry peaks of Dun Morogh. Even so, when the orcs invaded Azeroth and set out to conquer the humans, elven and dwarven lands, the dwarves offered to join the Grand Alliance. The resillient and ingenious dwarves proved to be the backbone of the Alliance forces and helped usher in victory after victory. Recently the dwarves unearthed a series of ruins that held the key to the secrets of their lost heritage. Driven to discover the truth about his people's fabled origins, King Magni Bronzebeard ordered that the dwarves shift their industry from mining and engineering to that of archaeology. Magni helped create the famed Explorer's Guild of Ironforge, a group utterly devoted to plumbing the secrets of the ancient world and delving out the truth of the dwarves' fabled existence. Among the most relevant archeological findings to date are the ruins of Uldaman in Badlands; Bael Modan in the Barrens and Uldur in Tanaris. Rumors are that a third base of the Titans might be somewhere in the Storm Peaks of Northrend. An integral part of the Grand Alliance, the rugged dwarven armies have been called away the merciless Horde in faraway lands. In these perilous times, the defense of the mountain kingdom falls to brave dwarves like you. The spirits of the dwarven kings watch over you, and the very mountains are your strength. The future of your people is in your hands. IRONFORGE Many dwarven strongholds fell during the Second War, but the mighty city of Ironforge, nestled in the wintry peaks of Dun Morogh, was never breached by the invading Horde. A marvel to the dwarves' skill at shaping rock and stone, Ironforge was constructed in the heart of the mountain itself: an expansive underground city of explorers, miners, and warriors. While the Alliance has been weakened by recent events, the dwarves of Ironforge, led by King Magni Bronzebeard, are forging a new future in the world. NOTABLE DWARVES King Magni Bronzebeard The eldest of the three Bronzebeard brothers, Magni was destined to be the king under the mountain. Strong of arm and keen of mind, Magni loved his two brothers above all else in the world. During the recent fall of Lordaeron, his middle brother, Muradin, was killed by the Death Knight Prince Arthas. Magni was overcome with grief at the news of Muradin's demise, but he and the youngest brother, Brann, remained steadfast in their desire to continue serving the dwarven people. Brann, an explorer of some renown, went missing only months ago, and King Magni has lost hope that Brann still lives. Though he remains a wise and strong leader, his pain and sorrow weigh heavily upon him. To make matters worse of Magni, his own daughter - Princess Moira Bronzebeard - has been kidnapped by the Black Iron Dwarves and is held prisoner by Emperor Thaurissan at Blackrock Depths in Burning Steppes. Many dwarves wonder whether the kingdom will ever see another Bronzebeard sitting on the High Throne of Ironforge. Brann Bronzebeard One of the greatest explorers to ever wander the lands of Azeroth, Brann Bronzebeard was recognized and welcomed across the known world. The warm, courageous dwarf has made friends and acquaintances in nearly every charted land - and presumably those uncharted as well. Brann spent many years mapping out the remote corners and hidden nooks of the Eastern Kingdoms for his beloved Explorer's Guild. With the recent discovery of Kalimdor, Brann was one of the first dwarves to tread the unknown paths of the ancients. Little is known about Brann's recent disappearance other than the fact that he was headed towards the continent of Northrend to investigate his brother Muradin's death. It is unknown whether or not he ever made it to the icy shores of that land. High Explorer Magellas Munnin Magellas has had an insatiable curiosity for history and arcana since he was a small boy. Now, as the patron of the Explorer's Guild, his childhood wish has come true. Magellas is responsible for mapping out the world and cataloguing its various species, relics, and treasures for the generations to come. Employing a small army of Prospectors, Magellas has sent his agents all over the world to gain knowledge and insight for his people. Like King Magni, Magellas was grieved to hear of Brann's loss. Nevertheless, he is committed to steering the Explorer's Guild and gaining valuable insight on the mistakes of the past. GNOMES The eccentric, often brilliant gnomes are held as one of the most peculiar races of the world. With the obsession for developing radical new technologies and constructing marvels of mind-bending engineering. It's a wonder that any gnomes have survived to proliferate. Though a young race, the Gnomes have over four hundred years of history. However, the Gnomes' existence was discovered barely two hundred years before the Dark Portal. Over the years, the gnomes have contributed ingenious weapons to aid the Grand Alliance in its fierce battles against the Horde. During the Second War, the Gnomes provided the Alliance with Gnomish Flying machines and Gnomish Submarines to contribute in the defeat of the Horde. Thriving in the wondrous techno-city of Gnomeregan, the gnomes shared the resources of the forested peaks of Dun Morogh with their dwarven cousins for generations. Yet recently, a barbaric menace rose up from the bowels of the earth and invaded Gnomeregan. The troggs - believed to have been unearthed from the Uldaman excavation - erupted beneath Gnomeregan and began to slaughter every gnome within the city. Though the gnomish defense forces staged a valiant defense, they could not save their wondrous city. At the command of the High Tinker Mekkatorque, the gnomes opened the pressure valves of their giant, grinding machines and released toxic radiation throughout the city. Though the radiation killed the troggs, the gnomes soon discovered that it killed their own people just as quickly. Nearly eighty percent of the gnomish race died within days. Those that survived evacuated the great city and fled to the protection of their dwarven cousins in Ironforge. There they remain, devising radical strategies to retake their beloved city at any cost. As a gnome of proud standing, it falls to you to answer the challenge and lead your curious people to a brighter future. NOTABLE GNOMES High Tinker Mekkatorque The Gnomes have not had a proper king or queen for over 400 years. Instead, they prefer to elect their highest officials for set terms of service. The highest office in Gnomeregan, High Tinker, has been held by the crafty Gelbin Mekkatorque for the past seven years. Gelbin is one of the most renowned inventors ever, and has been honored as a just and skillful leader. However, when the Troggs began their invasion of Gnomeregan, Gelbin was unprepared to stop them. At the behest of his top advisor, Mekgineer Thermaplugg, he ordered that the city be bathed in toxic radiation. THough the radiation stopped the raiders advance, it ultimately killed more gnomes than troggs. Now the High Tinker carries the weight of the dead on his shoulders and seeks to avenge his people by reclaiming their lost city. Mekgineer Thermaplugg Sicco Thermaplugg served as High Tinker Mekkatorque's chief advisor for many years. A brooding but imaginative engineer. Thermaplugg secretly coveted the role of High Tinker. It is rumored that Thermaplugg actually knew of the trogg invasion before it began, and that he ushered in the events that befell the gnomish race. Though these reports were never verified, Mekkatorque believes they could be true. Mekgineer Thermaplugg disappeared shortly after the evacuation of the irradiated city. None can say whether or not he still lives within the toxic halls of Gnomeregan. NIGHT ELVES For ten thousand years, the immortal night elves cultivated a druidic society within the shadowed recesses of Ashenvale Forest. Then the catastrophic invasion of the Burning Legion shattered the tranquility of their ancient civilization. Led by the Arch-Druid Malfurion Stormrage and the Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind, the mighty night elves rose to challenge the demonic onslaught. Aided by the newly arrived orcs and humans, the night elves succeeded in halting the Legion's advance and defeating its master, the demonlord Archimonde. Though victorious, the night elves were forced to sacrifice their cherished immortality and watch their beloved forests burn. In the aftermath of the horrific conflict, Malfurion and Tyrande helped their people rebuild their shattered villages. Slowly the night elves began to adjust to their mortal existence. Such an adjustment was far from easy, and there were many night elves who could not adjust to the prospects of aging, disease, and fraility. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world. When Malfurion heard about this plan, he warned that nature would never bless such a selfish act. Shortly thereafter, Malfurion's spirit was somehow lost within the depths of the Emerald Dream. Though his fellow druids attempted to find his wandering spirit, only his body remained sleeping within his Barrow Den. With Malfurion missing, Fandral Staghelm - the leader of those who wished to plant the new World Tree - became the new Arch-Druid. In no time at all, he and his fellow druids had forged ahead and planted the great tree. Teldrassil, off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor. Under their care, the tree sprouted up above the clouds. Among the twilight boughs of the colossal tree, the wondrous city of Darnassus took root. However, the tree was not consecrated with nature's blessing and soon fell prey to the corruption of the Burning Legion. Now the wildlife and even the limbs of Teldrassil itself are tainted by a growing darkness. As one of the few night elves still left in the world, it is your sworn duty to defend Darnassus and the wild children of nature against the Legion's encroaching corruption. DARNASSUS CITY High atop the boughs of the enormous tree Teldrassil is the wondrous city of Darnassus, the new refuge of the reclusive night elves. Druids, hunters, and warriors alike make their homes among the rows of wood-crafted lodges and delicately tended groves. The Temple of the Moon rises like a shining beacon above the trees, flanked by the colonnaded Hall of Justice, where the vigilant Sentinels gather to safeguard the land. Ruled by the High Priestess Tyrande Winterspring, Darnassus stands as a tranquil testament to all that the Night Elves hold sacred. A city in tune with the rush and flow of nature, Darnassus was built along the shores of a large lake, with elegant bridges spanning its crystalline waters. Elsewhere, the falling leaves of the forest carpet the soft pathways of the city. NOTABLE NIGHT ELVES Tyrande Whisperwind Tyrande is the High Priestess of the moon goddess, Elune. She has served as the leader of the night elf Sentinels for nearly ten thousand years, but her long vigil has left her with little mercy for those she regards as her foe. An exceptional and fearless warrior, she stands as one of the greatest heroes in recorded history. Following the catastrophic invasion of the Burning Legion, Tyrande ruled over her people alongside her mate, the Arch-Druid Malfurion Stormrage, until he disappeared into the mystic Emerald Dream. With Malfurion inexplicably lost, Tyrande has again become the sole ruler of her prideful people. Troubled by Malfurion's disappearance, she nevertheless strives to keep the night elves from reliving the mistakes of the past. Malfurion Stormrage The greatest druid ever to live, and arguably one of the most powerful beings in history, Malfurion Stormrage stands as both prophet and savior to his people. Under the leadership of Tyrande and Malfurion, the night elves vanquished the Burning Legion not once, but twice. To replenish his powers, Malfurion periodically hibernates within the spirit realm known as the Emerald Dream. Recently something went wrong with Malfurion's dreamstate. Now he is trapped somewhere within the dream, beyond even the reach of hte green dragons whose realm it is. With Malfurion lost, the night elves will certainly stumble into darkness, just as they have since time immemorial. Fandral Staghelm One of Malfurion's top lieutenants, Fandral is a clever druid who has trained many of the newest generation of druids of the wild. His hot temperament has sometimes clashed with the more restrained Malfurion. Fandral believes that the future of the night elves demands more expansionism and military planning. His radical beliefs and aggressive demeanor often lead him to quarrel openly with the High Priestess, Tyrande. Regardless, to this date, Fandral has proven to be an effective replacement for the missing Malfurion. ORCS Long ago, the noble orcish race was corrupted by the Burning Legion and transformed into the merciless, destructive Horde. Lured to the world of Azeroth, the orcs were forced to make war upon the human kingdoms of Stormwind and Lordaeron. Though the Horde nearly succeeded in annihiliating humanity, it ultimately devoured itself from within and collapsed. The defeated orcs spent many years within guarded prisons, unable to function without the prospect of conquest and warfare. After many years, a visionary young warchief rose to lead his people in their darkest hour. Fittingly enough, the young orc's name was Thrall. Under his rule, the orcs freed themselves from the chains of demonic corruption and embraced their shamanistic heritage. At the behest of a strange prophet, Thrall led his people to the ancient lands of Kalimdor. There, Thrall and the Horde came face to face with their old oppressor, the Burning Legion. With the aid of the humans and night elves, the orcs defeated the Legion and set out to find their own path in their adopted world. The orcs claimed the harsh wastelands of Durotar as their kingdom in Kalimdor. Now based in the warrior city of Orgrimmar, the orcs look forward to a shining new future for their people. Though they are no longer driven by dreams of conquest, they stand ready to destroy all who would challenge their sovereignity or their supremacy. It is your duty to crush the enemies of Durotar, both seen and unseen, for the nefarious agents of the Burning Legion still wander the land. ORGRIMMAR Named in honor of the legendary Orgrim Doomhammer, Orgrimmar was founded as the capital city of the orcs' new homeland. Built within a huge, winding canyon in the harsh land of Durotar, Orgrimmar stands as one of the mightiest warrior cities in the world. Behind Orgrimmar's immense walls, elderly shaman pass their knowledge on to the Horde's newest generations of leaders, while warriors spar in the gladiatorial arena, honing their skills in preparation for the trials that await them in this dangerous land. NOTABLE ORCS Thrall Thrall, the son of Durotan, is perhaps the mightiest orc alive. Armed with the mighty Doomhammer, Thrall is a peerless warrior and powerful shaman. He stands as warchief over the entire Horde, holding dominion over the Darkspear trolls and tauren tribes alike. His honor, cunning, and compassion have won him many allies over the years, even amongst the humans and night elves. Thrall lives to defend his people's freedom and ensure the safety of the extended Horde. Nazgrel Nazgrel was the preeminent warrior of the Frostwolf clan, which had once been ruled by Thrall's father. When Thrall joined the clan, Nazgrel was initially unwilling to accept him, but after Thrall had proven himself in battle, Nazgrel learned to respect the younger orc. Since then, Nazgrel has served as Thrall's general and chief of security. It is Nazgrel's duty to protect Durotar from internal threats and anarchy. He is a grim and fearsome orc, utterly committed to his warchief and the glory of the Horde. Drek'Thar The elder shaman of the Frostwolf clan, Drek'Thar served as Thrall's tutor many years ago. Blind since birth, Drek'Thar had to prove his worth during the Horde's dark period. He found the spirits of the elements to be close companions, so shamanism became his path to might. Despite his power over the elements, Drek'Thar has always maintained his meekness and wisdom. He continues to shepherd the younger shaman of the Horde in the old traditions of his people. Drek'Thar is currently leading the Frost Wolf clan at Alterac Valley on behalf of Thrall. TAUREN For countless generations, the bestial tauren roamed the plains of the Barrens, hunted the mighty kodos, and sought the wisdom of their eternal goddess, the Earth Mother. Scattered across the land, the wandering tribes were united only by a common hatred for their sworn enemy, the marauding centaur. Seeking aid against the centaur, the chieftain, Cairne Bloodhoof befriended Warchief Thrall and the other orcs, who had recently journeyed to Kalimdor. With the orcs' help, Cairne and his Bloodhoof tribe were able to drive back the centaur and claim the grasslands of Mulgore for their own. For the first time in hundreds of years, the tauren had a land to call their own. Upon the windswept mesa of Thunder Bluff, Cairne built a refuge for his people, where tauren of every tribe is welcome. Over time, the scattered tauren tribes united under Cairne's rule. There are a few tribes who disagree about the direction their new nation should take, but all agree that Cairne is the wisest and best suited to lead them towards the future. Though the noble tauren are peaceful in nature, the rites of the Great Hunt are venerated as the heart of their spiritual culture. Every tauren, warrior or otherwise, seeks identity both as a hunter and as a child of the Earth Mother. Having reached the age of maturity, you must test your skills in the wild and prove yourself in the Great Hunt. THUNDER BLUFF The city of Thunder Bluff lies atop a series of mesas that overlook the verdant grasslands of Mulgore. Once a nomadic people, the tauren recently established the city as a center for trade caravans, traveling artisans, and inventors of every kind. The proud city also stands as a refuge for the many hunters who stalk their dangerous prey through the Barrens and its surrounding areas. Long bridges of wood and rope span the chasms between the mesas, and each mesa is topped with tents, longhouses, colorfully painted totems, and spirit lodges. The mighty chief, Cairne Bloodhoof, presides over the bustling city, ensuring that the united tauren tribes live in peace and security. NOTABLE TAUREN Cairne Bloodhoof Cairne is dedicated to serving his people and to watching over their safety in an ever-darkening world. An outstanding warrior, Cairne is considered one of the most dangerous creatures alive. Despite his strength and valor, he is a gentle soul who longs only for the peace and tranquility of the open plains. It is rumored that if he could lay the responsibilities of chieftain on another, Cairne would leave Thunder Bluff in an instant and retire to the wilds. Many believe that he is training his son, Baine, to take his place as chieftain one fateful day. Magatha Grimtotem Magatha is the elder crone of the mighty Grimtotem clan. Blessed with shamanic powers when she was just a young girl, Magatha has sought power and prestige nearly her whole life. She became the matriarch of the Grimtotem clan through an arranged marriage that many suspect she arranged herself, but subsequently lost her mate to an unforseen climbing accident. Since her mate's death, Magatha has commanded the stern Grimtotem warriors. The Grimtotems believe that Magatha will lead them in eradicating the lesser races from Kalimdor and retaking the tauren's ancestral holdings abroad. Magatha constantly spars with Cairne Bloodhoof over the direction of the tauren's future and feels that only she is fit to rule her people. Hammul Runetotem A childhood friend of Cairne Bloodhoof, Hamuul Runetotem serves as the elder druid of Thunder Bluff. Hammul befriended the mighty night elf Malfurion Stormrage during the recent invasion of the Burning Legion. The great druid taught Hamuul many secrets of the wild and blessed him with the touch of nature. Since that time, Hamuul has become an honored member of the (predominantly night elf) Cenarion Circle, and is recognized as the first tauren druid in nearly twenty generations. Hamuul is a fierce supporter of Cairne Bloodhoof and teaches the ways of druidism to his honored brethren. TROLLS The vicious trolls that populate the numerous jungle isles of the South Seas are renowned for their cruelty and dark mysticism. Barbarous and superstitious, they carry a seething hatred for all other races. At the height of the Gurubashi Empire, the jungle trolls ruled over the lands from Stranglethorn Vale in Azeroth to the Echo Isles of Kalimdor. However, at the apex of their reign, the Gurubashi people splintered into a handful of warring tribes. One such tribe, the Darkspear tribe, was driven from its lands and forced to fend for itself amidst the deadly jungle races of Stranglethorn. After generations of loss and servitude to larger and less honorable tribes, the Darkspears faced possible extinction. Though their warriors were amongst the bravest ever born, the incessant politics of the Gurubashi tribes threatened to end the Darkspears' way of life. Even worse, humans began erecting settlements in Stranglethorn as well. It was during this dire time that the Darkspears met Warchief Thrall and the warriors of the orcish Horde. The Darkspears, led by the aged witch doctor Sen'jin, appealed to Thrall and his Horde for help against the human invaders. Together the trolls and orcs won the day, but it proved to be a short lived victory. The local murlocs captured many of the victors and prepared to sacrifice them to a sea witch. The Darkspears fought alongside the Horde, but the noble Sen'jin fell during the final battle against the murlocs. In honor of Sen'jin's sacrifice, Thrall vowed that the Darkspears would always have a place within the Horde. He offered the trolls sanctuary in the new kingdom he and his orcs planned to build across the sea. Vol'jin, the son of Sen'jin, took control of the Darkspear tribe and wished Thrall farewell. Nearly one year later, he finally led his people to Kalimdor and made a home for them on the Echo Isles, just off the rugged crimson coastline of Durotar. As one of the only surviving Darkspears, it falls to you to reclaim the glory of your tribe. Though the Darkspears originally settled in the Echo Isles, they were betrayed by one of their own, a crazed sorcerer named Zalazane. Forced to flee from their island holdings, the Darkspears created the fishing village of Sen'Jin on the Durotar coast. From this crude village, the Darkspears and their allies strike at Zalazane's holdings on the Echo Isles, determined to win back their jungle home at any cost. NOTABLE TROLLS Vol'jin Vol'jin is a powerful shadow hunter and one of the most cunning trolls alive. His father, Sen'jin, fell in battle while aiding Thrall and the Horde. Just as his father would have, Vol'jin's crafty stratagems and quick wit have served Thrall well over the years. He spends most of his time in the orcs' city of Orgrimmar, consulting with Thrall and helping to expand the Horde's security and influence over Kalimdor. Master Gadrin Gadrin is one of Vol'jin's most trusted advisers. Along with a young witch doctor named Zalazane, Gadrin led the mystical training of many Darkspear priests and mages. However, Zalazane went mad from the mystical forces he had unleashed. The crazed witch doctor placed a curse upon the Echo Isles and drove Gadrin and his brethren away. Now Gadrin seeks to end Zalazane's rampage and put the souls of his cursed brethren to rest. UNDEAD (FORSAKEN) Bound to the iron will of the tyrant Lich King, the vast undead armies of the Scourge seek to eradicate all life on Azeroth. Led by the banshee Sylvanas Windrunner, one group of undead broke away from the Scourge and freed themselves of the Lich King's domination. These renegades call themselves the Forsaken. They fight a constant battle not only to retain their freedom from the Scourge, but also to exterminate those who would hunt them as monsters. With Sylvanas as their banshee queen, the Forsaken have built a dark stronghold beneath the ruins of Lordaeron's former capital city. This hidden Undercity forms a sprawling labyrinth that stretches beneath the haunted woods of the Tirisfal Glades. From this bastion, the Forsaken wage an unending battle against the Scourge as well as the remaining humans who still seek to reclaim their lands. For though the very land is cursed, the zealous humans of the Scarlet Crusade cling to their scattered holdings, obsessed with eradicating the undead and retaking their once-beautiful homeland. Convinced that the primitive races of the Horde can help them achieve victory over their enemies, the Forsaken have entered an alliance of convenience with the savage orcs and the proud tauren. Harboring no true loyalty for their new allies, they will go to any lengths to ensure their dark plans come to fruition. As one of the Forsaken, you must eliminate any who pose a threat to the new order - be they human, undead, or otherwise. UNDERCITY Far beneath the ruined capital city of Lordaeron, the royal crypts have been turned into a bastion of evil and undeath. Arthas originally intended the Undercity to be the Scourge's seat of power, but the budding city was abandoned when he was recalled to aid the Lich King in distant Northrend. In Arthas' absence, the Dark Lady, Sylvanas Windrunner, led the rebel Forsaken to the Undercity and claimed it for her own. Since taking up residence, the Forsaken have worked to complete the Undercity's construction by dredging out the twisted maze of catacombs, tombs, and dungeons that Arthas began. NOTABLE FORSAKEN Sylvanas Windrunner Before the coming of the plague, Sylvanas Windrunner was the brave Ranger-General of Silvermoon. During the Third War, Prince Arthas invaded the elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Sylvanas led her forces in a desperate struggle against the undead Scourge, but Arthas eventually defeated the high elves and transformed Sylvanas into one of his banshee slaves. Cursed to mindless undeath, Sylvanas only regained her will when the Lich King's powers waned. Eventually she outwitted the Scourge and broke away with her rebel faction, which she came to be known as the Forsaken. Now she rules over the Forsaken from the Undercity of Lordaeron. her goal is to take vengeance upon Arthas one day and find lasting freedom for her cursed people. Varimathras The dreadlord Varimathras was one of three demons appointed to rule over the Plaguelands on behalf of the Burning Legion. These dreadlords sought to overthrow the death knight Arthas and undo the power of the undead Scourge. Varimathras and his brethren coordinated their efforts with those of the banshee Sylvanas Windrunner in an attempt to overthrow Arthas and claim Lordaeron. Though their plot worked as planned, Sylvanas turned on the dreadlords next. In order to save his own life, Varimathras was forced to swear allegiance to Sylvanas and her Forsaken warriors. Now he serves as her majordomo and works ceaselessly to safeguard the Undercity from all threats. Master Apothecary Farfanell In life, Faranell was an alchemist of great renown and spent the better part of his days studying amongst the learned wizards of Dalaran. He enjoyed nothing more than experimenting with concoctions of every sort, always looking to create a serum for this, an antidote for that. After he died from the plague and rose as one of the Forsaken, his limitless curiosity was twisted by depthless sadism. Now Faranell uses his skills in service to Queen Sylvanas by crafting alchemical monstrosities and designing newer, more devastating plagues and toxins. Then and Now: Conflict and Triumph in the World of Warcraft Two years have passed since the founding of Durotar...Although the armistice between the mighty Horde and the noble Alliance has held, tensions between the two factions continue to mount as worldwide conflicts draw the two sides closer to all-out war. Fighting has erupted in the strategic battlegrounds of Alterac Valley, Warsong Gulch, and Arathi Basin, and more recently in Eastern Plaguelands and Silithus. Even as these old enemies have renewed their quarrels, many ancient threats have resurfaced to menace the beleaguered races of Azeroth. As if spurred by unseen forces, dark agents have labored to push the world closer to the brink of oblivion. Within Blackrock Spire, the legacy of the black dragon Deathwing continued to unfold as Nefarian followed in his father's contemptible footsteps. With the aid of his sister Onyxia and the orchestrations of their human personas, Nefarian worked toward replenishing the black dragonflight. To that end, he created chromatic dragons: unspeakable hybrids of both red and black dragons. Meanwhile, the priests of Hakkar enacted primitive rituals on behalf of their fiendish blood god. First, priests at the Temple of Atal'Hakkar succeeded in calling forth the god's avatar. Then, within the crumbling ruins of Zul'Gurub, priests summoned the bloodthirsty, diabolical Soulflayer physically into Azeroth. Nor was the spread of evil limited to the physical realm alone. Several green dragons, once Ysera's trusted lieutenants, have been corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare, emerging from dream portals across the world to threaten the very lives they once protected. Throughout Silithus, insect swarms surged as if guided by some malignant, ancient intelligence. Behind the gates of the Scarab Wall the merciless qiraji stirred once again. Empowered by the Old God C'Thun, the qiraji prepared their legions for a worldwide assault to avenge their bitter defeat at the hands of the night elves a thousand years ago. Worst of all, the Lich King's icy grip descended upon Azeroth once again as the Scourge renewed its assault against living and undead alike. Foreboding necropoli recently appeared over several major cities. Alliance and Horde forces mobilized and drove the Scourge back. Nevertheless, questions remain. Was this defeat truly a setback for the Lich King? Or did this first attack further a different goal for the Scourge? Whatever the case, Kel'Thuzad is clearly setting the stage for a full-scale, apocalyptic invasion from his seat of power in Naxxramas. The heroes of the world have bravely faced these challenges and more, struggling to ensure the continued survival of their races. The greatest perils, however, remain unseen. Many of these new threats have the inhabitants of the world wondering if peace will ever find a home in Azeroth... Shadows Return Deep within Deadwind Pass, restless ghosts roam the darkened halls of Karazhan, where the demon-possessed wizard Medivh spent his final days. Tempted by rumors of the time-lost secrets kept within, adventurers have begun infiltrating the haunted tower. Within the secret passages of the arcane stronghold, horrific nightmares have awakened. Elsewhere, the brooding dragon Nozdormu stirs. The Timeless One has sensed a threat to his beloved timeways. Shadowy agents have infiltrated the Caverns of Time, attempting to sabotage three key historical events: Thrall's escape from Durnholde, the monumental Battle of Mount Hyjal, and Medivh's creation of the Dark Portal. In the face of this overwhelming threat, Nozdormu is enlisting heroes to help him prevent the fabric of time from unraveling forever. With the future in peril, a relic of the past has also surfaced, radiating renewed energy. This relic has enabled Lord Kazzak to activate the current Dark Portal, thereby reopening the gateway to... The Shattered Realm of Outland Here, before Draenor was torn apart by Ner'zhul's portals, the orcs and draenei once lived in peace. Now this wasteland is ruled by the one-time defender of the night elves: the power-mad Betrayer, Illidan Stormrage. Joined by Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider's blood elves and the insidious, serpentine naga, Illidan maintains a tight hold on Outland and its multiple portals. The Burning Legion has set its sights on Outland as well, hoping to utilize the portals to gain access to numerous unspoiled worlds. Should the demons prove successful, no refuge would remain against their nihilistic crusade. Furthermore, the demon lord Kil'jaeden has not forgotten Illidan's failure to destroy the Lich King. Although Illidan still controls the mighty Black Temple, he anticipates the Burning Legion's return and is preparing accordingly. He and his allies fight to ensure that Outland's multiple portals remain tightly sealed while he strengthens his power base. Even so, Illidan's forces are not the only presence on Outland. Several other factions roam the scattered wastes as well. Bands of draenei remain, although many of them have devolved into Broken, warped shells of their former selves. Cut off from the Light, these Broken fight for their sanity and their lives. In addition, much to Warchief Thrall's horror, refugee orcs in the desolate region have discovered and embraced a new source of demonic corruption. Recently a new breed of fel orcs began streaming out of Hellfire Citadel, the Horde base of operations during the First and Second Wars. Though these savage orcs have made no secret of their presence on Outland, the source of their newfound corruption remains a mystery. Using their dimensional fortress, Tempest Keep, the naaru have recently arrived on Outland as well. These energy beings recognize the strategic importance of the broken wastes and have vowed to defeat their sworn enemies--the Legion--at all costs. When most of the naaru set out to explore the ravaged territories of Outland, however, Kael'thas seized the opportunity to strike. The blood elves assaulted the fortress, overcoming its automated defenses and taking command of the keep's satellite structures. Kael'thas has now begun manipulating the fortress' otherworldly technologies, using them to harness the chaotic energies of the Netherstorm itself. Despite Illidan's efforts to keep Outland's portals closed, the Horde and Alliance have anticipated Outland's role in renewed hostilities and ever more perilous threats. The denizens of Azeroth are thus preparing not only to battle each other, but also to face the inevitable onslaught of the Burning Legion. To that end, both Horde and Alliance have recruited new allies. Two bold new races have stepped forward to answer the call. Devastated by the recent Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas, the resourceful, magic-addicted blood elves have rallied to rebuild much of their kingdom and take up the cause of the Horde. Meanwhile, the draenei, who once peacefully coexisted with the shamanistic orcs, have joined the Alliance to fight the Burning Legion and avenge past atrocities committed by the orcs... Flight of the Draenei Long ago, on the world of Argus, the brilliant and magically gifted eredar race drew the attention of Sargeras, the Destroyer of Worlds. Sargeras offered untold power to the three leaders of the eredar--Kil'jaeden, Archimonde and Velen--in exchange for their unquestioning loyalty. A troubling vision soon came to Velen, who saw the eredar transformed into unspeakable demons--the first sentient members of the Legion, which would grow to immense size and decimate all life. Despite Velen's warnings, Kil'jaeden and Archimonde decided to accept Sargeras' offer. Velen despaired at his former friends' decision and prayed for help. To his surprise and relief, he was answered by one of the benevolent naaru. These energy beings had, like Velen, foreseen the formation of the Burning Legion. The naaru offered to shepherd Velen and other believers to refuge. Velen quietly gathered those of his fellow eredar who seemed trustworthy and dubbed them the draenei, or 'exiled ones'. As Sargeras returned to Argus and transformed many willing eredar into demons, the draenei narrowly escaped their homeworld. Furious, Kil'jaeden vowed to track Velen to the ends of creation. Even as the Burning Legion chased the draenei across the cosmos, the naaru instructed the exiles in the way of the Light. Deeply affected, the draenei vowed to honor the Light and uphold the naaru's ideals. In time the draenei settled on a remote world and met the shamanistic orcs who inhabited it. The draenei came to call their new home Draenor or 'Exiles' Refuge'. Kil'jaeden continued to hunt the exiles, however, and he eventually learned of the idyllic world and its unsuspecting inhabitants. Working through the shaman Ner'zhul, the demon lord gradually began corrupting the orcs. When Ner'zhul refused to serve the Legion's agenda past a certain point, Kil'jaeden turned to Ner'zhul's apprentice. Gul'dan worked the orcs into a frenzy of bloodlust, and the newly formed Horde began slaughtering the peaceful draenei. The orcish campaign against the draenei was brutally effective. Over eighty percent of the draenei race was destroyed, though a small group of survivors remained, including the noble Velen. The orcs went on to invade Azeroth through Medivh's Dark Portal. Years later, after the Second War, Ner'zhul's additional portals would tear Draenor to pieces. Recently Velen and the remaining draenei survivors gained control of one of Tempest Keep's satellite structures and used it to escape to Azeroth. Now they search for allies in their never-ending battle against the Burning Crusade. Legacy of the Blood Elves Long ago the exiled high elves landed on the shores of Lordaeron. They struck out to find a new home, and after many battles with the trolls, established the kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Using a vial of sacred water stolen from the first Well of Eternity, the high elves created a fount of mystical power at a convergence of ley energies in Quel'Thalas. They named this fountain the Sunwell. Its potent arcane magic fed and strengthened the high elves, and soon the wondrous city of Silvermoon was established. Protected by a magical barrier, the high elves enjoyed peace for roughly four thousand years, but that peace was not meant to last. The Amani trolls gathered an immense army and assaulted the elven kingdom. Vastly outnumbered, the high elves hastily struck an alliance with the human nation of Arathor. The elves taught a small number of humans how to wield magic. In exchange the humans aided the elves in destroying the trolls' power base forever. Over the following years the high elves returned to their reclusive ways, but during the Third War, the diabolical Prince Arthas Menethil brought battle once again to their doorstep. Arthas craved the power of the Sunwell and would stop at nothing to harness it. He invaded Quel'Thalas and wiped out most of its population. In the end, even King Anasterian Sunstrider lay dead. Additionally it became clear that the high elves had become addicted to the Sunwell's arcane energies. Now that the source of their magic was gone, the few remaining high elves quickly grew ill and apathetic. Prince Kael'thas, last of the royal line, returned from his studies in Dalaran to find Quel'Thalas in ruins. Thirsting for vengeance, he gathered the survivors, renamed them blood elves, and took a group of the strongest fighters to join Lordaeron's campaign against the Scourge. Due to human prejudice, Kael'thas was forced to accept the assistance of Lady Vashj and her reptilian naga. When the humans discovered that the blood elves had been working with the naga, Kael'thas and the others were imprisoned and condemned to death. Lady Vashj soon arrived to set them free, leading them through a portal and into the broken wastes of Outland. There, the elves met the one being capable of putting an end to their hunger: the renegade demon, Illidan Stormrage. Certain that the blood elves would die without Illidan's assistance, Kael'thas agreed to serve the Betrayer. A lone representative, Rommath, was sent back to Azeroth with a message of hope for the blood elves remaining in Quel'Thalas: that one day Kael'thas would return to lead his people to paradise. Rommath has made great progress in teaching the blood elves advanced techniques to manipulate arcane energies. With renewed purpose, the blood elves have now rebuilt the city of Silvermoon, though it is powered by volatile magics. Emboldened by the promise of Kael'thas' return, the weary citizens of Quel'Thalas now focus on regaining their strength, even as they forge a new path into an uncertain future.