Lore ·
The Forsaken Explained: Who Are the Undead of Lordaeron?
The Forsaken are free-willed undead, humans and elves raised by the Scourge who broke from the Lich King and now hold the ruins of Lordaeron's capital. In WoW Forever, set in the first year of World of Warcraft, they are the Horde's undead race, led by Sylvanas Windrunner from the Undercity, and they gain a new class: the Paladin.
Quick answer: After the Third War, the Lich King's control weakened and many undead regained their minds. Sylvanas rallied them, took the ruins of Capital City and named them the Forsaken. They hold Tirisfal Glades, rule the Undercity beneath the old capital, and joined the Horde in an alliance of convenience.
Spoiler note
This is history and setting, not quest spoilers. It leaves out later expansions, which are outside Forever's story. For the events that created the Forsaken, read What Happened to Lordaeron? first.
Who they are
Warcraft Wiki defines the Forsaken as intelligent undead who broke from the Scourge after the Third War, forming both a race and a faction. They are also called the Undead. Blizzard's official overview of Forever, as summarized by Icy Veins, describes them as free of the Lich King and seeking vengeance against the Scourge.
How they began
Humans and high elves killed in the Third War were raised by the Scourge under Arthas. After Illidan's failed attack on the Frozen Throne, the Lich King's control weakened and many undead regained their minds. Sylvanas Windrunner, a banshee who had freed herself, rallied these free-willed undead, took the ruins of Lordaeron's capital and named them the Forsaken. Read her full story in Sylvanas Windrunner's Story.
Where they live
- Tirisfal Glades: Warcraft Wiki says this is where the Forsaken replenished their ranks from graveyards and crypts, and where some undead regained their free will.
- The Undercity: the Forsaken capital, built in the royal catacombs beneath the ruins of Capital City. The Forsaken completed catacombs that the Scourge had begun. It is always awake, with dark colors, stone walkways and steps, and has inns, forges and businesses serving undead and Horde visitors.
- The ruins above: in Forever, the Ruins of Lordaeron dungeon (levels 15 to 20) sends adventurers into the former capital outside the parts the Forsaken turned into the Undercity.
Allies and enemies
- The Horde: Warcraft Wiki says the Forsaken formed an alliance of convenience with the Horde, arranged through Hamuul Runetotem and Thrall. In return for help seeking a cure for their condition, they pledged support. By year 25 after the Dark Portal, they were the Horde's primary force in the Eastern Kingdoms, though Thrall and Cairne Bloodhoof stayed suspicious of their motives.
- The Alliance: humans are generally hostile, and Forsaken emissaries sent to the Alliance never returned.
- The Scarlet Crusade: in constant conflict with the Forsaken by that time. Its zealots seek to wipe out all undead, and the Forsaken launched an assault on the Scarlet Monastery.
For how the factions compare when you pick a side, see Alliance vs Horde.
What being Forsaken means
Warcraft Wiki says the Forsaken are self-aware and free-willed, though some are tormented by memories of crimes committed as Scourge agents and others have no memories of that time. They cannot naturally sleep or dream, but they benefit from rest. They need to breathe but can go days without it. Their bodies decay and need grafts and stitching, and the Holy Light is painful to them.
The Forsaken in WoW Forever
Blizzard's official overview, as summarized by Icy Veins, gives Undead characters these classes: Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock and Warrior. They cannot be Druids, Hunters or Shamans. Warcraft Tavern says Undead Paladin is not available in Vanilla WoW, and Blizzard showed one in the cinematic that revealed the game.
The listed racial abilities are:
- Will of the Forsaken: removes Charm, Fear and Sleep
- Cannibalize: consume corpses to regain 35% Health and Mana over time
- Underwater Breathing: breathe 300% longer underwater
- Touch of the Grave: sometimes drains health with your attacks, which Icy Veins calls a mini life-steal
Icy Veins says some racial traits were updated or replaced for Forever, but does not say which Undead abilities changed. See the full race and class guide and the Warlock and Mage guides for two of the Undead class options.
The free Lore Forever add-on gives readable background in Tirisfal Glades and the Undercity as you stand in them, and the optional Willo Windows companion lets you ask lore questions by voice. Both are fan-made, and quest text and Blizzard announcements still decide what is canon in Forever.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the Forsaken?
Free-willed undead who broke from the Lich King after the Third War. Sylvanas Windrunner leads them from the Undercity.
Where is the Undercity?
Beneath the ruins of Capital City in Lordaeron, in Tirisfal Glades.
Can Forsaken be Paladins in WoW Forever?
Yes. Undead Paladins are new in Forever. Undead can also be Mage, Priest, Rogue, Warlock or Warrior, but not Druid, Hunter or Shaman.
Are the Forsaken part of the Horde?
Yes, through an alliance of convenience, according to Warcraft Wiki.
Why do the Forsaken fight the Scarlet Crusade?
Warcraft Wiki says the Scarlet Crusade's zealots seek to wipe out all undead, and the two are in constant conflict.
Sources
Reviewed October 23, 2026. Combines Warcraft Wiki history with Blizzard's Forever overview as reported by others; later events are not treated as Forever canon. Lore Forever and Willo are fan-made and are not affiliated with Blizzard Entertainment.