Humans may also refer to a mysterious race of humans or near-humans who once lived on Draenor before the opening of the dark-portal whom Garona Halforcen believes she is part; Draenor "humans".
Humans at the dawn of history
Some believe humans may be a variation of earthen that had grown taller than the rest.DS 21 Some modern human females have retained the ability to turn their flesh to stone or steel in a similar way as dwarves, due to what they believe to be an ancient connection with the Titan forger Khaz'Goroth.APG 63 However, The Vrykul will apparently tie into the Titan creation myth that will unfold as events of the expansion take place, and in a recent interview with lead game designer Jeffrey Kaplan, it was revealed that the Vrykul are almost like the progenitors of the human race. They were part of the Titan's early plans for creating the original race that ultimately became humans, but they have turned slightly evil.
The quest Anguish of Nifflevar states that vrykul children born in a certain time after their gods "abandoned" them were "weak and ugly" (around 15,000 years ago). King Ymiron ordered all those children to be killed, but events observed in the preceding quest The Echo of Ymiron hint that not all parents obeyed this order and instead hid their children, to grow up far away from Northrend.
The earliest known history indicates they were called the "Azotha." Before the Great Sundering, the Azotha were a primitive nomadic race. They were nearly as savage as their foes among the trolls, and both groups wandered the land battling each other while trying to plant the seeds of their cultures. The humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers and divided into many tribes. The Sundering nearly wiped out the humans, who eked out sustenance from the ashes of the aftermath of the destruction.LoC 16-18
Humans joined the forefront of Azerothian history during the Troll Wars. With the help of the high elves, humans learned magic and waged a bitter war against the Trolls that once spanned the entire length of the Eastern Kingdoms. Eventually humanity proved superior to the Trolls, and they built the nation of Strom, and later the empire of Arathor. This empire gradually expanded and splintered into seven separate, sometimes warring empires, for over 1200 years until the creation of the Alliance.
Recent history
With the recent invasion of the Burning Legion - which left the northern kingdom of Lordaeron in ruins - Stormwind now stands as the last bastion of human civilization. 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 warriors in the land. They stand resolute in their charge to maintain the honor and might of humanity in an ever-darkening world.
Immediately after the events of the Third War, Azerothian Humanity was on the ropes, and the race's future was somewhat in question. Humans have perhaps suffered the most out of all the races of Azeroth, having endured a bloody, genocidal invasion by the Demon-corrupted orcs and losing almost all their northern population to the Plague. Out of the millions that once populated the Eastern Kingdoms in many splendid and wonderful cities, only hundreds of thousands still live. Despite this, in recent years the Humans have devoted themselves to struggling back from the brink of racial extinction. Human lands are gradually being repopulated, and the Humans have been able to consistently maintain strong garrisons for their cities as well.
The Humans' primary threat now probably other than the Scourge, is the Forsaken who are continuing their attempts to expand south from Tirisfal into Arathi, although the Human presence in the region remains strong with the remnants of Lordaeron and Stromgarde, causing the Hillsbrad area to be one of Azeroth's major battlefields. Despite all this, humans continue to be vigilant, and - perhaps as a result of their struggles - they have banded closer together and with the Alliance as a whole.
Current situation
Today, King Varian Wrynn oversees Stormwind under the watch of the council of nobles. During the absence of King Varian, the Empire of Stormwind lost much of its glory due to corruption from within. It still retains some ties with the towns of Darkshire, Lakeshire, Goldshire, Southshore, and (to a lesser extent) Menethil Harbor. Those towns fall under the protection and leadership of Stormwind, but they also have their own local military forces and independent democratic election (excluding Goldshire). Note that these independent forces are still under the Alliance.
Theramore Isle is an independent state that keeps close ties with Stormwind and is under the watchful leadership of the young mage Jaina Proudmoore, formerly of Kul Tiras. The merchant nation of Kul Tiras itself, still a strong member of the Alliance, is also an independent state under the rule of Lord Admiral Tandred Proudmoore, brother of Jaina and son of Daelin Proudmoore, a hero from the Second War. The city-state of Dalaran, with its powerful mages, still retains some control over Hillsbrad and Silverpine Forest. In addition, there is an independent human enclave in the Arathi Highlands, the remnants of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. It is rumored the once-allied empire of Gilneas is still flourishing and populated with humans - but no word has been heard of them for years.
Some believe humans may be a variation of earthen that had grown taller than the rest.DS 21 Some modern human females have retained the ability to turn their flesh to stone or steel in a similar way as dwarves, due to what they believe to be an ancient connection with the Titan forger Khaz'Goroth.APG 63 However, The Vrykul will apparently tie into the Titan creation myth that will unfold as events of the expansion take place, and in a recent interview with lead game designer Jeffrey Kaplan, it was revealed that the Vrykul are almost like the progenitors of the human race. They were part of the Titan's early plans for creating the original race that ultimately became humans, but they have turned slightly evil.
The quest Anguish of Nifflevar states that vrykul children born in a certain time after their gods "abandoned" them were "weak and ugly" (around 15,000 years ago). King Ymiron ordered all those children to be killed, but events observed in the preceding quest The Echo of Ymiron hint that not all parents obeyed this order and instead hid their children, to grow up far away from Northrend.
The earliest known history indicates they were called the "Azotha." Before the Great Sundering, the Azotha were a primitive nomadic race. They were nearly as savage as their foes among the trolls, and both groups wandered the land battling each other while trying to plant the seeds of their cultures. The humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers and divided into many tribes. The Sundering nearly wiped out the humans, who eked out sustenance from the ashes of the aftermath of the destruction.LoC 16-18
Humans joined the forefront of Azerothian history during the Troll Wars. With the help of the high elves, humans learned magic and waged a bitter war against the Trolls that once spanned the entire length of the Eastern Kingdoms. Eventually humanity proved superior to the Trolls, and they built the nation of Strom, and later the empire of Arathor. This empire gradually expanded and splintered into seven separate, sometimes warring empires, for over 1200 years until the creation of the Alliance.
Recent history
With the recent invasion of the Burning Legion - which left the northern kingdom of Lordaeron in ruins - Stormwind now stands as the last bastion of human civilization. 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 warriors in the land. They stand resolute in their charge to maintain the honor and might of humanity in an ever-darkening world.
Immediately after the events of the Third War, Azerothian Humanity was on the ropes, and the race's future was somewhat in question. Humans have perhaps suffered the most out of all the races of Azeroth, having endured a bloody, genocidal invasion by the Demon-corrupted orcs and losing almost all their northern population to the Plague. Out of the millions that once populated the Eastern Kingdoms in many splendid and wonderful cities, only hundreds of thousands still live. Despite this, in recent years the Humans have devoted themselves to struggling back from the brink of racial extinction. Human lands are gradually being repopulated, and the Humans have been able to consistently maintain strong garrisons for their cities as well.
The Humans' primary threat now probably other than the Scourge, is the Forsaken who are continuing their attempts to expand south from Tirisfal into Arathi, although the Human presence in the region remains strong with the remnants of Lordaeron and Stromgarde, causing the Hillsbrad area to be one of Azeroth's major battlefields. Despite all this, humans continue to be vigilant, and - perhaps as a result of their struggles - they have banded closer together and with the Alliance as a whole.
Current situation
Today, King Varian Wrynn oversees Stormwind under the watch of the council of nobles. During the absence of King Varian, the Empire of Stormwind lost much of its glory due to corruption from within. It still retains some ties with the towns of Darkshire, Lakeshire, Goldshire, Southshore, and (to a lesser extent) Menethil Harbor. Those towns fall under the protection and leadership of Stormwind, but they also have their own local military forces and independent democratic election (excluding Goldshire). Note that these independent forces are still under the Alliance.
Theramore Isle is an independent state that keeps close ties with Stormwind and is under the watchful leadership of the young mage Jaina Proudmoore, formerly of Kul Tiras. The merchant nation of Kul Tiras itself, still a strong member of the Alliance, is also an independent state under the rule of Lord Admiral Tandred Proudmoore, brother of Jaina and son of Daelin Proudmoore, a hero from the Second War. The city-state of Dalaran, with its powerful mages, still retains some control over Hillsbrad and Silverpine Forest. In addition, there is an independent human enclave in the Arathi Highlands, the remnants of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. It is rumored the once-allied empire of Gilneas is still flourishing and populated with humans - but no word has been heard of them for years.
Sir Anduin Lothar - Also known as the Lion of Azeroth, the Knight-Champion of Stormwind and Supreme Commander of the Alliance forces during the Second War, last scion of Arathor.
Turalyon - Supreme Commander of the Alliance Expedition.
Bolvar Fordragon - Former regent of Stormwind.
Uther Lightbringer - First paladin of the Silver Hand.
Admiral Daelin Proudmoore - Former Lord Admiral of Kul Tiras.
Tandred Proudmoore - Lord Admiral of Kul Tiras.
King Llane - King of Azeroth during First War.
Medivh - The last Guardian, Master of Karazhan.
Aegwynn - Guardian of Tirisfal, mother of Medivh.
Terenas Menethil II - Last true king of Lordaeron.
Arthas Menethil - Former Prince of Lordaeron, Knight of the Silver Hand, Death Knight of the Lich King, currently Lich King.
Varian Wrynn - King of Stormwind, current faction leader.
Anduin Wrynn - Prince of Stormwind, son of King Varian.
Alexandros Mograine - The Ashbringer and former leader of the Scarlet Crusade.
Thoradin - Leader of the Arathi Tribe and later King of the Empire of Arathor.
Reginald Windsor - A hero of Stormwind from the First and Second War.
Antonidas - Former leader of the Kirin Tor.
Rhonin - Leader of the Kirin Tor, the Mage that saved Alexstrasza.
Jaina Proudmoore - Ruler of Theramore, Archmage of the Kirin Tor.
Khadgar - Archmage of the Kirin Tor, Apprentice to Medivh.
Tirion Fordring - Paladin of the Silver Hand, current leader of Argent Crusade.
Saidan Dathrohan - Grand Crusader of the Scarlet Crusade.
Alonsus Faol - Mentor of Uther and Benedictus.
High General Abbendis - General of Tyr's Hand of the Scarlet Crusade.
Edwin VanCleef - Kingpin of the Defias Brotherhood.
Thoras Trollbane - the Warrior-King of Stromgarde during the Second War.
Danath Trollbane - Ex-Stromgarde Captain, Force Commander of Honor Hold.
Mara Fordragon - Patron of the refugees who fled Lordearon.
Kel'Thuzad - ArchLich of the Scourge, former Archmage of the Kirin Tor.
Little Timmy - a small boy who was kiddnaped near Strahnbrad and rescued by Arthas, now sells the "Ice Shard" artifact.
Aiden Perenolde - Former leader of Alterac and traitor to the Alliance.
Genn Greymane - King of Gilneas.
Garithos - Dark Knight, self-proclaimed Grand Marshal.
Archbishop Benedictus - Leader of the Church of Light.
General Marcus Jonathan - General of Stormwind.
Culture
Humans seem to be a naturally proud and ambitious race. The humans of Azeroth have a very strong sense of triumphalism, and can be highly arrogant and overly zealous. Humans can be very noble and altruistic, but also tend towards more vainglorious qualities. These qualities have led to human society producing some of the most heroic and villainous figures in recent history.
Most humans take comfort in having an orderly society, and 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 is that of a farmer, bandit or soldier. Human cities are extremely large and are brimming with life, and every kind of activity happens during the day. 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 each day and then returns to his cottage after a long day of work. In the city, merchants trade goods while craftsmen practice and perform their trades while businessmen provide services. At the top of the social hierarchy are the nobility, who sit within their castles, making important political decisions on how the kingdom should be run.
Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans, some groups do deviate from this cultural trait, and possess no loyalties towards 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 and sea piracy amongst humans has been on the rise recently.
Humans have a relatively short lifespan, less than the majority of the other races on Azeroth. They are old at about 55 years of age, at 70 years they are venerable, with a maximum age between 72-110 years.WoWRPG 174. 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. 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.
Humans are 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 perhaps the most pious orders ever seen on Azeroth. The loyalty humans are capable of produces well-trained soldiers and mercenaries that will easily stay and fight for their kingdoms and their leaders' causes, no matter how dire the situation may be.
Most humans take comfort in having an orderly society, and 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 is that of a farmer, bandit or soldier. Human cities are extremely large and are brimming with life, and every kind of activity happens during the day. 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 each day and then returns to his cottage after a long day of work. In the city, merchants trade goods while craftsmen practice and perform their trades while businessmen provide services. At the top of the social hierarchy are the nobility, who sit within their castles, making important political decisions on how the kingdom should be run.
Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans, some groups do deviate from this cultural trait, and possess no loyalties towards 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 and sea piracy amongst humans has been on the rise recently.
Humans have a relatively short lifespan, less than the majority of the other races on Azeroth. They are old at about 55 years of age, at 70 years they are venerable, with a maximum age between 72-110 years.WoWRPG 174. 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. 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.
Humans are 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 perhaps the most pious orders ever seen on Azeroth. The loyalty humans are capable of produces well-trained soldiers and mercenaries that will easily stay and fight for their kingdoms and their leaders' causes, no matter how dire the situation may be.
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