|
Prehistory
|
|
| Distant Past: | The Universe is created. In the millennia following the Universe's birth, the mighty Titans begin molding and shaping worlds from the Great Dark Beyond, bringing Order to Chaos. The Titan's mightiest hero, Sargeras, serves as protector of the Titans' myriad works. However, Sargeras becomes corrupted by the evil beings of the Twisting Nether and decides to undo the works of the Titans. To this end, he releases and subjugates the demonic Eredar and the Nathrezim races to serve as his soldiers. The Eredar and Nathrezim take their own servants in time, enslaving such beings as the Pit Lords and the Fel Stalkers. Now known as the Burning Legion, Sargeras' army begins a path of destruction, destroying any world they encounter. |
| Millions of Years Ago: | The Titans bring Order to Azeroth by defeating and imprisoning the Old Gods who inhabit the primordial world. The Titans then proceed to form Azeroth's physical features. |
| Hundreds of Thousands of Years Ago: | The Titans create the species of life that will inhabit Azeroth. First among them are the Dragons, followed later by the Kaldorei, Humans, Dwarves and others. |
| -15,000: | The early Night Elves (Kaldorei) awaken in the world and found a great society in the heart of Kalimdor. They tinker with primitive magic and inadvertently set it loose throughout the world of Azeroth. |
| -14,416: | Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage are born. |
| -13,220: | Tyrande Whisperwind is born. |
| -9,415: | The
demonic Burning Legion, lured by the resultant energies, launches
a massive invasion in order to drain the world of its innate magic.
The Night Elves, unable to defeat the raging demons, are forced to
ally themselves with the ancient Dragons in order to banish the Legion
from the world. The ensuing conflict is so apocalyptic that the greater
landmass of Kalimdor is broken apart and smashed beneath the sea. The Night Elves vow to never use magic again, for fear that the Legion would return. Illidan Stormrage is imprisoned in the Barrow Deeps for his crimes against the Night Elves. Alexstrasza the Life-Binder, Malygos the Spell-Weaver, Nozdormu the Timeless, and Ysera the Dreamer, known collectively as the four Dragon Aspects, join their magical energies to form the Demon Soul. The Demon Soul is a powerful artifact capable of controlling other Dragons, as well as inflicting damage on the Burning Legion's agents. Neltharion the Earth-Warder (later known as Deathwing) does not share his energies in the Demon Soul, which allows him to retain his full strength and become the mightiest of all Dragons. Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu also endow enchantments upon the night elves in order to keep the race strong in case the Legion returns. Alexstrasza places a magical acorn into the new Well of Eternity, from which the mighty World Tree Nordrassil ("Crown of the Heavens") grows. Ysera connects the World Tree to her Emerald Dream, and forms a pact with the Kaldorei druids. Nozdormu places an enchantment on Nordrassil that makes the Night Elves immortal so long as the tree stands. |
| -5,415: | Unwilling to give up its precious magics, a small band of Night Elves is exiled from Kalimdor. Traveling to the newly formed eastern lands, they found the kingdom of Quel'Thalas and begin to refer to themselves as "High" Elves. The High Elves are continually besieged by the native Troll war bands. |
| -2,315: | The Human empire of Arathor is founded in Lordaeron. |
| -2,115: | The High Elves, on the verge of losing their continuing war against the Trolls, seek the aid of the Humans of Arathor. In exchange for their help against the Trolls, the High Elves agree to teach men in the ways of magic. The combined army of Elves and Humans succeeds in wiping out the majority of trolls in Lordaeron. |
| -2,015: | Due to the Humans' reckless use of magic, agents of the Burning Legion find their way back into the world. The Order of Tirisfal is founded. The powerful Guardians of Tirisfal are charged with fighting a secret war against the agents of the Legion, unbeknownst to the general populace. |
| -615: | Due to internal struggles and the pressures of over-expansion, the Human empire of Arathor fragments into seven autonomous nations: Alterac, Azeroth, Dalaran, Gilneas, Kul Tiras, Lordaeron, and Stromguarde. |
| -440: | Aegwynn, the Guardian of Azeroth, is born. |
| -240: | Aegwynn defeats Sargeras, the Lord of the Burning Legion, in single combat. Sargeras' malevolent spirit bonds with the soul of Aegwynn's unborn child. |
| 396: | Muradin Bronzebeard is born. |
| 518: | Cairne Bloodhoof is born. |
| 540: | Kil'jaeden, second in command of the Burning Legion, strikes a bargain with Ner'zhul, leader of the Orcs of Draenor. In exchange for their service to the Legion, Ner'zhul and the Orcs will receive great power and access to new worlds for them to conquer. |
| 543: | Though banished from Azeroth, the Burning Legion continues to corrupt the Orcish clans on the world of Draenor with the aid of Ner'zhul. The once noble, shamanistic Orc clans begin to unite and become a rampaging Horde. |
| 545: | Gul'dan is born. |
| 545-550: | The
Horde attacks and defeats the Draenei and the other races native to
Draenor. The slaughter temporarily sates the Orcs' bloodlust, but
the clans soon begin fighting amongst themselves. The remaining Draenei begin a guerilla war against the Orcs and their demonic masters. Though outnumbered, the Draenei manage to survive until the coming of Illidan's forces in 618 turns the fight in their favor. |
| 546: | Antonidas is born. |
| 547: | Anduin Lothar is born. |
| 553: | Uther the Lightbringer is born. |
| 555: | Gul'dan, showing much promise in the study of Orc magic, becomes the apprentice of Ner'zhul. |
| 559: | Aegwynn
gives birth to her son, Medivh, who is destined to become the Last
Guardian. Kel'Thuzad is born. |
| 564: | Prince Llane of Azeroth is born. |
| 565: | Gul'dan
begins studying demonic magic under Kil'jaeden. Khadgar is born. |
| 570: | Ner'zhul, unable to continue slaving the Orcs to the Legion, breaks his agreement with Kil'jaeden. The demon swears revenge on the shaman, and approaches Gul'dan to take up where Ner'zhul left off. Gul'dan eagerly agrees, and forms the Shadow Council to rule the Horde. Members of the Shadow Council begin projecting themselves into the Twisting Nether to locate new worlds for conquest. |
| 571: | Overwhelmed
by the Guardian powers unlocked inside him on his 12th birthday, Medivh
slips into a coma. Grom Hellscream is born. |
| 577: | Prince
Llane reaches the Age of Ascension. Medivh awakens from his coma. While apparently in full control of his powers, Medivh has actually succumbed to Sargeras' mental domination. Medivh moves to the tower of Karazhan to continue his studies. |
| 580: | Medivh makes first contact with Gul'dan and the Shadow Council. |
| 581: | Medivh and Gul'dan reach a fateful agreement. Medivh will open a portal between Azeroth and Draenor and will provide Gul'dan with the location of Sargeras' tomb. In return, the Horde will conquer the Human nations and kill Medivh's enemies. Neither party is aware that this agreement is playing into Kil'jaeden's plans to weaken Azeroth for the Legion's upcoming invasion. |
| 583: | Medivh,
driven mad by the spirit of Sargeras, opens the Dark Portal and the
Orcish Horde begins its invasion of Azeroth. The Orcs attack Stormwind Keep, but fail to overthrow the fortress. The leaders of the Horde begin bickering amongst themselves. |
| 584: | Prince Llane assumes the throne as the new king of Azeroth. |
| 593: | Aegwynn,
sensing Sargeras' influence on her son, confronts Medivh. However,
she is defeated by the Magus, who banishes her from Karazhan. Aegwynn informs King Llane of Medivh's dark powers and his role in bringing the Orcs to Azeroth. Azeroth's armies begin mobilizing for the inevitable war with the Horde. Prince Arthas Menethil, son and heir to King Terenas of Lordaeron, is born. Thrall, son of Durotan, is born. Realizing that the Horde needs a new leader to unify the clans (and solidify Gul'dan's rule over the Horde), the Shadow Council appoints Blackhand the Destroyer as Warchief of the Horde. |
| 594: | The
mage Khadgar is sent to Medivh's tower of Karazhan by the Kirin Tor
to serve as Medivh's apprentice and to spy for Dalaran. Durotan, chief of the Frostwolf clan, secretly meets with Orgrim Doomhammer to discuss their mutual concerns regarding Gul'dan and his treacherous rule of the Horde. After the meeting, Gul'dan's assassins slay both Durotan and his mate, leaving an infant Thrall alone in the wilderness. A Human hunting party, led by Lieutenant Aedelas Blackmoore, finds Thrall and returns with him to the fortress of Durnholde. Blackmoore begins raising Thrall as a slave and gladiator. Jaina Proudmoore is born. |
|
WarCraft:
Orcs and Humans
|
|
| 598: | Medivh
is killed by his best friend, Lord Lothar, and his own apprentice,
Khadgar. Gul'dan, inside Medivh's mind during the mage's death, is
shocked into a catatonic state. Without guidance from the warlock,
Blackhand is overthrown by Orgrim Doomhammer. Garona the half-Orc assassinates King Llane and Stormwind Keep falls to the Horde. A future incarnation of Medivh returns to Karazhan and drains the tower of its magical energies. Medivh plans to use these energies to fight the Burning Legion once they return. His mission accomplished, Medivh returns to the year 617 and begins his plan to unite the mortal races against the Legion. After five grueling years of attrition, the Horde finally conquers the nations of Azeroth and Khaz Modan and claims Blackrock Spire as its base of operations. Lord Lothar leads an exodus of refugees to the northern nation of Lordaeron. Once there, he convinces the leaders of the seven Human nations to unite in arms against the Horde. The separate nations of the Arathorian empire are reunited as the Alliance of Lordaeron. |
|
WarCraft
II: Tides of Darkness
|
|
| 599: | Orgrim
Doomhammer, the Warchief of the Horde, launches his mighty fleets
to invade the shores of Lordaeron. The unstoppable Horde pushes its
way into the heartland of Lordaeron and succeeds in destroying much
of the High Elves' ancient kingdom of Quel'Thalas. The Alliance forces push back, but Lord Lothar is killed during the siege of Blackrock Spire. Spurred by the death of their beloved leader, the Alliance armies crush Blackrock Spire and push the Horde back to the threshold of the Dark Portal. The Dark Portal is destroyed and the Horde is defeated. Nekros Skullcrusher uses the Demon Soul to capture Alexstrasza and enslave the Red Dragonflight for the Horde's use. |
| 600: | The renegade Orcs are rounded up and placed into internment camps by the Alliance. |
|
WarCraft
II: Beyond the Dark Portal
|
|
| 601: | The
ancient Orc shaman Ner'zhul rallies the few clans still left on Draenor
and reopens the Dark Portal. He orders his clans to steal a number
of artifacts from Azeroth that will allow him to open multiple portals
in Draenor. The Alliance sends its armies, led by the wizard Khadgar, through the Dark Portal in order to stop Ner'zhul's schemes. The two armies clash throughout the hellish world of Draenor for months. Empowered by the stolen artifacts, Ner'zhul opens a number of portals in Draenor. Yet, before he can lead his clans through them, their energies spiral out of control and begin to destroy the very fabric of that world. The Alliance heroes, knowing that they would be trapped forever, are forced to destroy the Dark Portal so that Azeroth is not consumed by the raging energies. The blasted world of Draenor tears itself apart, leaving a broken remnant known as Outland. Ner'zhul and the members of his Shadowmoon clan are captured by Kil'jaeden's forces as they enter the Twisting Nether. Ner'zhul is transformed into the Lich King, encased in a block of ice, and hurled back into Azeroth, landing in the Icecrown glacier of Northrend. Ner'zhul's warlocks and spellcasters are ripped apart, remade as Liches bound to the Lich King's iron will, and sent back to Azeroth to aid their master. |
|
Day
of the Dragon
|
|
| 601: | Nekros, warlock of the Dragonmaw clan, continues to use the Red Dragonflight of Alexstrasza to stage hit and run attacks on Human forces in Lordaeron from his base in Grim Batol. Nekros retains control over Alexstrasza with the Demon Soul. The Kirin Tor attempt a last-ditch effort to eradicate the Orcish threat through a covert mission including the mage Rhonin, the Elven Ranger Vereesa, and the Dwarf Falstad, to destroy the Demon Soul and release the dragonflight. The mission succeeds, not only in destroying the last major Orcish clan in Azeroth, but also in foiling the plans of Deathwing, who hoped to use the Demon Soul to defeat the other Dragon Aspects and claim Azeroth as his own. |
| 602: | The Alliance grows uneasy as the Orcish internment camps are reopened. Only a few, scattered Orc clans evade the Alliance's wrath and eke out a living in the harsh wilderness. |
| 611-615: | The War of the Spider: Ner'zhul's undead minions attempt to secure their bases in Northrend from the ancient, shadowy empire of Azjol-Nerub. The arachnid-like Nerubians are eventually defeated by the Lich King's endless supply of undead warriors and aid from the Dread Lords; Ner'zhul is finally able to fully claim the frozen continent as his base of operations. |
| Thrall's Tale: Lord of the Clans | |
| 615: | Thrall, a young Orc raised as a Human slave and gladiator, escapes from bondage and sets off on a quest to discover his stolen heritage. Thrall succeeds in reuniting a number of renegade Orc clans and leads them in revolt against the Alliance Regional Wardens. |
| 616: | With
the threat of a new Horde looming over them, the Alliance nations
begin to bicker and quarrel. Tensions run high amongst the Human leaders.
Thrall becomes the new Warchief of the Horde and helps to reintroduce his people to their abandoned shamanistic culture. The reinvigorated Horde finally begins to lose the last traces of the Legion's demonic corruption. Civil strife rages through the nations of the Alliance as threat of a new, unseen foe draws near - the Burning Legion has returned... |
|
WarCraft
III: Reign of Chaos
|
|
| 617: | Beckoned
by a mysterious Prophet, Thrall leads the Orcish Horde across the
sea to the land of Kalimdor. The Orcs also rescue a tribe of Darkspear
Trolls from an island near the Maelstrom, re-forging the alliance
of the Second War. The Prophet travels to Lordaeron to warn King Terenas of the undead plague and the coming of the Legion, but the King refuses to act, believing the Alliance's internal matters are a greater priority. Ner'zhul, the Lich King of the Scourge, begins to corrupt the Human lands of Lordaeron with his undead plague. The noble Paladin Arthas Menethil, after witnessing the Scourge's corruption of his homeland, sets out for Northrend to even the score. While in the icy wastes at the roof of the world, the Paladin succumbs to Ner'zhul's corruption when he takes up the runeblade Frostmourne. Now a Death Knight, he returns to Lordaeron, slays King Terenas, and turns the kingdom over to the Scourge. The Undead army completely annihilates the High Elf kingdom of Quel'Thalas and its capital city of Silvermoon, as Arthas uses the Sunwell's energies to resurrect Kel'Thuzad. On a hill overlooking Dalaran, Kel'Thuzad summons Archimonde the Defiler into the world of Azeroth. One of Sargeras' two lieutenants, Archimonde proceeds to lay waste to Dalaran with his demonic magic. The Burning Legion commences its invasion of Azeroth by occupying Lordaeron and Quel'Thalas, slaughtering most of the remaining non-undead inhabitants in those lands. In Kalimdor, the Horde separates as Thrall follows the Prophet while Grom Hellscream and his Warsong clan, sent to prepare a new Orc settlement, inadvertently make enemies of the Night Elves by defiling the edges of Ashenvale Forest. Manipulated by Mannoroth the Destructor and Tichondrius the Darkener, Grom Hellscream's Warsong clan slays Cenarius, one of the principal defenders of Ashenvale and the World Tree. Having fled the ruins of Lordaeron, Jaina Proudmoore and her band of Human survivors form a pact with Thrall to free Grom Hellscream from Mannoroth's blood curse. Grom Hellscream falls in battle to Mannoroth. However, he manages to slay the demon before he dies, freeing himself and the Horde from the Burning Legion's curse. The Burning Legion launches its invasion of Ashenvale, hoping to defeat the Night Elves and consume the magic of the World Tree. Tyrande Whisperwind, hoping that Illidan Stormrage's power will prove useful in defeating the Legion, releases the Demon Hunter from his prison. Illidan is manipulated by Arthas and the Lich King to steal the Skull of Gul'dan, which turns him into a hybrid of Night Elf and demon. Infused with the artifact's energies, Illidan slays Tichondrius and deals a major setback to Archimonde's plans. Sensing Illidan's demonic taint, Furion banishes his wayward brother from Kalimdor and Illidan angrily departs into the forest. Furion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind summon the full magical fury of the World Tree as Thrall and Jaina Proudmoore desperately hold off Archimonde's assault. As Archimonde finally breaks through and attempts to drain the World Tree of its magic, he is consumed and destroyed by the combined force of the forest spirits and Nordrassil itself. The Prophet reveals himself to be Medivh, the sorcerer who once opened the Dark Portal. He has come to finish his guardianship of Azeroth and pass on the mantle of stewardship to the Humans, Orcs and Night Elves, who have formed a truce. The world of Azeroth slowly begins to heal. |
|
WarCraft
III: The Frozen Throne
|
|
| 617: | The
Orcs, who have settled in the Barrens of southern Kalimdor, found
the new nation of Durotar. Jaina Proudmoore and her group of human survivors from Lordaeron also settle in the Barrens, erecting the island citadel of Theramore just off the eastern Kalimdor coast. Most of the remaining High Elves of the Alliance, reeling from the loss of their homeland during the Legion's invasion, embark on a lonely path of vengeance to bring justice to the remaining undead and demons in the world. To symbolize their new ideals, they begin referring to themselves as "Blood Elves." Arthas begins seeing visions of Ner'zhul's Frozen Throne in Northrend, as the Lich King orders him to return to the icy continent. Kil'jaeden the Deceiver appears to Illidan and orders him to destroy the Frozen Throne, as the demon lord is aware that the Lich King has betrayed him. To this end, Illidan summons the ancient Naga race from the sea and sails to the Broken Isles of the Maelstrom. The Naga are the descendants of Queen Azshara's High-Borne, and they are quite willing to pledge their loyalty to Illidan. The Broken Isles contain legendary Tomb of Sargeras, and inside Illidan claims the powerful demonic artifact known as the Eye of Sargeras. Illidan plans to use the Eye to destroy the Icecrown Glacier from afar and bypass the bulk of the Scourge completely. Traveling to the ruined city of Dalaran, he attempts to put his plan into action. However, his plans are interrupted when Malfurion and Tyrande, along with the Warden Maiev Shadowsong, destroy the Eye before the spell can be completed. Realizing that he can no longer destroy Ner'zhul from afar, Illidan decides to flee Azeroth. He opens a dimensional portal to Outland and departs, but Maiev, consumed with rage and obsessed with apprehending the sorceror, follows the Betrayer into the portal. Furion and Tyrande return to Kalimdor. Prince Kael and his Blood Elves march on to Grand Marshal Garithos' base, where they are to receive new orders. After completing a series of menial tasks assigned by Garithos, the Blood Elves stumble upon a group of Naga led by Lady Vashj. Vashj offers to assist the Blood Elves, since their races share a common heritage and a common foe in the undead. However, Garithos does not approve of the Naga-Blood Elf partnership, and imprisons the Elves as traitors to the Alliance. While awaiting their executions, Kael and his Elves are freed from Dalaran's prisons by Vashj, and both races escape the dungeons to the streets of Dalaran, where they retreat into Outland through the very portal that brought Archimonde into Azeroth. Upon arriving in Outland, the Naga-Blood Elf forces rescue Illidan from Maiev Shadowsong's army and consult with their leader. Illidan has decided to destroy the Pit Lord Magtheridon and conquer Outland in order to hide from Kil'jaeden's wrath. While Illidan's armies (with the aid of the remaining Draenei) accomplish this task, they are unable to hide from Kil'jaeden, who orders Illidan and his forces back to Northrend to destroy the Frozen Throne or risk suffering the demon lord's wrath. As the Lich King's powers weaken, a group of Dread Lords seizes control over the majority of Scourge forces in Lordaeron and attempts to depose King Arthas. While the insurgents succeed in toppling the capital, Arthas escapes and heads to Northrend to defend the Lich King from Illidan's forces. Sylvanas Windrunner, once the Ranger-General of the High Elf forces in Quel'Thalas, is now an Undead Dark Ranger. With the weakening of Ner'zhul, Sylvanas regains her free will and sets out to leave her own mark on the world. By turning one of the Dread Lords to her side, she is able to topple the other two and break free of the Scourge. Now calling themselves the "Forsaken", Sylvanas' group lies in wait in the Plaguelands of Lordaeron, plotting against King Arthas, the Scourge, and the remaining Hu mans of Lordaeron... After reaching Northrend, Arthas is assisted by the Crypt Lord Anub'arak as he attempts to reach the Frozen Throne before Illidan does. Despite facing many dangers in the dark, ruined tunnels of Azjol-Nerub, the Death Knight successfully reaches the Icecrown Glacier in time. Defeating Illidan's forces and opening the prison, Arthas confronts Illidan one-on-one. After a vicious battle, the power of Frostmourne wins out, and Arthas enters the glacier as Illidan lies defeated in the snow. Upon freeing the Lich King from his prison, Arthas' body is possessed by the undead king, and the two evil beings are now joined. Sitting atop the Frozen Throne, the new Lich King plans his next move. Meanwhile, in the orc city of Orgrimmar, a Mok'Nathal known as Rexxar teams up with Thrall and the Horde to defend Durotar as a Human army begins infringing on their borders. Believing the armies to be based at Jaina's citadel on Theramore Isle, Thrall dispatches Rexxar with a message for the Archmage, hoping that she can explain the actions of the invading Humans. Unbeknownst to Rexxar or Thrall, the invading armies are from Lordaeron, as they bear the sigil of Kul Tiras, the seafaring nation ruled by Grand Admiral Proudmoore, Jaina's father. Thrall refuses to believe that Jaina has broken her pact with Durotar, despite the apparent evidence to the contrary. Upon reaching Theramore with the aid of Darkspear trolls, Rexxar discovers that Admiral Proudmoore plans to attack Durotar and wipe the Horde from the face of Azeroth forever. Jaina is equally horrified by her father's plan, and assists Rexxar in his escape from the island fortress in the hope that he will be able to rally the Horde to counter the admiral's forces. Returning to Durotar, Rexxar informs Thrall of the coming conflict and sets out to find allies for the Horde. By subjugating a clan of Ogres and rescuing Cairne Bloodhoof's son Baine, the Mok'Nathal is able to rally the Tauren and Ogres to the Horde's cause. The combined forces depart for Theramore immediately. After destroying the Kul Tiras fleet and landing on Theramore, the Horde forces fight their way into Jaina's citadel. Despite the tenacity of the Horde, they are unable to break through Admiral Proudmoore's defenses until Jaina lends her aid. She pleads with her father to reconsider, but the admiral will hear none of it. Sorrowfully, the Horde forces kill Grand Admiral Proudmoore and depart Theramore, sparing Jaina's followers in exchange for their aid. However, many humans living on Theramore remain loyal to the Grand Admiral's ideals... |
| 617-621: | The Circle of Ancients and powerful druids combine their powers to grow an immense new World Tree on the island of Teldrassil, just off the northern coast of Kalimdor. They also call the tree Teldrassil, meaning "Crown of the Earth" in their native tongue. The Night Elves make their new home in the boughs of Teldrassil, creating a forest of mighty trees and flowing rivers, bathed in the endless night that has fallen over the lands of the Elves from the dawn of time. The Night Elves flock to Teldrassil as a sanctuary while the remaining demonic tinge of the Legion is cleansed from Ashenvale Forest on Kalimdor itself. |
|
World
of WarCraft
|
|
| 621: | To be continued... |
