Human

Millennia ago, early humans lived as scattered, nomadic tribes constantly threatened by the Amani forest trolls. Recognizing that disunity would mean extinction, Warlord Thoradin of the Arathi tribe united the disparate clans through diplomacy and conquest, establishing the Empire of Arathor with its fortress capital at Strom. During the Troll Wars, the beleaguered high elves of Quel'Thalas allied with Arathor, teaching one hundred humans the arts of arcane magic. Together, they broke the troll armies, securing humanity's dominion over the central continents and laying the foundation for future mortal alliances.

As Arathor grew secure and prosperous, its outlying settlements became powerful, self-sufficient city-states. Over time, the centralized empire splintered into seven distinct realms: Gilneas, Alterac, Dalaran, Lordaeron, Kul Tiras, Stormwind, and Stromgarde (the original home of Strom). While these nations traded vigorously with dwarves, gnomes, and elves, peace was fragile. Territorial disputes, border skirmishes—such as the perennial mountain feuds between Alterac and Stromgarde—and courtly intrigue consumed the kingdoms, creating deep rivalries that persisted until external catastrophes forced their hand.

The arrival of the orcish Horde through the Dark Portal shattered humanity's internal squabbles. Stormwind was razed during the First War, its refugees fleeing north to warn the other realms. In response, King Terenas Menethil II helped forge the Alliance of Lordaeron, combining the strength of mankind, dwarves, gnomes, and high elves to defeat the Horde in the Second War. Though Stormwind was painstakingly rebuilt, tragedy struck again when the Scourge plague ravaged Lordaeron and Dalaran fell during the Third War, leaving the northern human realms in smoking ruin.

Today, Stormwind stands as the strongest remaining human kingdom and the linchpin of the grand Alliance. However, peace remains elusive. King Varian Wrynn has mysteriously vanished while en route to a diplomatic summit, leaving his ten-year-old son, Anduin Wrynn, crowned king while Highlord Bolvar Fordragon serves as regent. To the north, the survivors of Lordaeron are scattered or dead, while Gilneas hides behind its colossal Greymane Wall, leaving Stormwind to bear the weight of mankind's defense.