Characters of Warcraft
Major and recurring characters from the fantasy series Warcraft are listed below. The series began with Blizzard Entertainment's 1994 video game Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and continued with Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Beyond the Dark Portal, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, The Frozen Throne, World of Warcraft, The Burning Crusade, Wrath of the Lich King, Cataclysm and Mists of Pandaria. The franchise has been further extended with a series of novels, graphic novels and other works.
Characters
Alexstrasza
Alexstrasza the Life-Binder is the leader of the red dragonflight and one of the original five dragon Aspects, charged with the guarding of all life on Azeroth. Once imprisoned by the Dragonmaw Clan within the abandoned dwarven kingdom of Grim Batol, she was freed with the aid of the wizard Rhonin who was given the task by his mentor Krasus (who is in fact a consort to Alexstrasza).
Arthas Menethil
Arthas Menethil (voiced by Justin Gross in Warcraft III and Patrick Seitz in World of Warcraft) was the prince of Lordaeron and son of Terenas Menethil before he was corrupted and joined the undead Scourge, at which point he killed his father and unleashed the undead upon his homeland. He later took control of the Scourge as the Lich King, before being defeated by Tirion Fordring.
Baine Bloodhoof
Baine Bloodhoof is the current leader of the tauren, gaining the position after the death of his father Cairne Bloodhoof. Calm, patient and wise beyond his years, Baine believes deeply in his people but often feels doubt that he is not the great leader his father was. Baine is incredibly forgiving of people, evident when for the sake of his people he chose not to pursue vengeance against Warchief Garrosh Hellscream after he killed his father Cairne (unknowingly by treachery) in a Mak'gora (an honourable duel to the death for the leadership of the Horde). Despite diplomacy being his strong suit, Baine is a force to be reckoned with when forced into battle.
Cairne Bloodhoof
Cairne Bloodhoof is the former high chieftain of the tauren. He was slain in a duel with Warchief Garrosh Hellscream after Hellscream's battle axe Gorehowl was laced (unbeknownst to him) with a paralytic poison, causing Cairne to become incapacitated and thus allowing Hellscream to strike a killing blow.
Deathwing
Deathwing the Destroyer, (formally known as Neltharion the Earth-Warder), was the leader of the black dragonflight and one of the original five dragon Aspects blessed by the Titans to safeguard Azeroth. Neltharion's charge was to watch over the land and earth which unfortunately led to his undoing. The Old Gods, the original chaotically evil inhabitants of Azeroth, were defeated by the Titans and imprisoned deep within the earth. Their maddening whispers could be heard by Neltharion and the rest of the black dragonflight who eventually succumbed to their influence, driving them insane. Neltharion took the new name Deathwing the Destroyer, waging death and destruction against all life on Azeroth. Deathwing is a raid boss and the primary antagonist to the World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm, responsible for the titular event that reshaped the world of Azeroth. He is defeated by mortal champions with the aid of the other dragon Aspects, and destroyed utterly by Thrall.
Falstad Wildhammer
Falstad Wildhammer, also known as Falstad Dragonreaver, is the High Thane of the Wildhammer Clan. He rules the Wildhammer clan from Aerie Peak in the Hinterlands and serves as a member of the Council of Three Hammers in Ironforge.
Garrosh Hellscream
Garrosh Hellscream (voiced by Patrick Seitz) is the former Warchief of the Horde faction. The son of the heroic warrior Grom Hellscream, Garrosh sometimes feels he lives in the shadows of his father's glory. When the orc clans of Draenor united to form the first Horde in order to march through the Dark Portal to conquer Azeroth, Garrosh remained behind in Nagrand due to being infected with red pox, a plague which had begun to infect the orcs. During the events of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, the former warchief Thrall travelled to Nagrand where he met Garrosh. Learning of his father's great deeds, Garrosh returned to Azeroth with Thrall, becoming a member of the Horde and eventually Warchief, after Thrall stepped down. Brash, stubborn and impatient, Garrosh wishes to conquer all of Azeroth in the name of the Horde, and is willing to crush any who stand in his way, even the other members of the Horde. As the events of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria progress, Garrosh's increasingly brutal pursuit of dominance leads him to turn to ever darker sources of power, earning the hatred and distrust of the other races and leaders of the Horde and of the denizens of Pandaria, particularly the Shado-pan, the order of Pandaren guardians. After narrowly surviving an assassination attempt by Garrosh, the troll leader Vol'jin began an uprising against the Warchief, leading the other races of the Horde in increasingly open rebellion against their former leader. As the Alliance, determined to make the most of this opportunity to weaken the Horde and dispose of Garrosh, join in grudging cooperation with Vol'jin's rebellion, Garrosh faces assault from all sides, but proved to be a formidable enemy with powerful allies and dark magic on his side. He is defeated in a siege of Orgrimmar by Alliance and Horde champions; in an agreement to cease hostilities, both sides agree to allow Garrosh to be tried for his crimes by the Pandaren, whose homeland suffered the greatest as a result of Garrosh's actions. Garrosh subsequently initiates the events of World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, changing the future by escaping captivity and going back in time to his homeworld of Draenor before the rise of the Horde.
Gazlowe
Gazlowe is the official leader of Ratchet in the Horde-aligned territory of the Northern Barrens. He was formerly the Chief Engineer of the Horde engineering works in Durotar, and while keen to remain neutral towards the Alliance, he has no love for them and retains strong relations with the Horde.
Illidan Stormrage
Illidan Stormrage was the first Demon Hunter. The twin brother of Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, Illidan earned the title of Betrayer during the War of the Ancients and was imprisoned for ten thousand years. During the Third War, Tyrande Whisperwind released him to assist against the demonic invasion. During the war, he consumed the Skull of Gul'dan, a powerful demonic artifact, and became a demon himself. For this, he was banished by his brother. He later worked for the demon Kil'jaeden and attempted to destroy the Lich King, his failure driving him insane. He was slain by Maiev Shadowsong, his former jailer-turned-prisoner. The character is voiced partially by Matthew Yang King and partially by Liam O'Brien.
Jaina Proudmoore
Jaina Proudmoore is the leader of Dalaran and former leader of the port city of Theramore. Born into nobility, Jaina was the daughter of Grand Admiral Daelin Proudmoore, lord of the island nation of Kul Tiras. After displaying magical talent at a young age, it was arranged for Jaina to be sent to Dalaran to begin an apprenticeship with the Kirin Tor (the faction of mages who rule Dalaran). After persistent badgering, Jaina was accepted as the apprentice of the Kirin Tor's leader Archmage Antonidas, becoming one of the few female wizards at the time. After the plague of Lordaeron and destruction of Dalaran during the events of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Jaina rallied as many survivors she could and led them west across the great sea, eventually arriving on Kalimdor and founding the city of Theramore. Once an advocate for diplomacy and peace between the Horde and Alliance, Jaina has more recently declared war on the Horde after the destruction of Theramore at the hands of warchief Garrosh Hellscream. Following Theramore's destruction, The Kirin Tor approached Jaina to become their new leader after the death of their former leader Rhonin at the hands of the Horde during Theramore's destruction. Accepting the role, Jaina pledged to maintain the rebuilt Dalaran's position of neutrality between the Horde and Alliance despite the events of Theramore. However, after it was discovered that blood elf mages had used Dalaran's resources to aid the Horde in stealing an artifact from the night elf capital of Darnassus, Jaina banished all blood elves from Dalaran, taking prisoners where possible but swiftly executing any who resisted. Jaina has since pledged Dalaran and the might of the Kirin Tor to King Varian Wrynn and the Alliance.
Khadgar
Khadgar is an Archmage of the Kirin Tor and considered to be one of the most powerful wizards alive. A veteran of the First and Second Wars, Khadgar was the apprentice of Medivh, the last Guardian of Tirisfal. Although he is estimated to be in or around his forties in current lore, his physical appearance is that of an elderly man due to a curse he received after plunging a sword into the heart of his former master Medivh after it was discovered that he had been possessed by the Dark Titan Sargeras. In the aftermath of the Second War, the Horde had stolen various magical artefacts in order to open portals to new worlds to conqure. Khadgar was one of the first to volunteer themselves to the Alliance Expedition, a group sent through the Dark Portal to the orc homeworld of Draenor in order to stop the Horde from invading other worlds. They were successful at stopping the Horde, however it came at a price - the combined magical energies from the many portals created by the shaman Ner'zhul literally tore the planet apart. Now referred to as Outland, all that remains of Draenor is a shattered continental landmass slowly crumbling into the Twisting Nether. During the events of World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, Khadgar could be found within Shattrath City in Outland where he was assisting the Naaru forces against their battle with Illidan Stormrage and the Burning Legion. At some point between World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King and World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Khadgar returned to Dalaran on Azeroth where he accepted the role as one of the Six, the ruling council of the Kirin Tor. It was Khadgar who proposed that Jaina Proudmoore be selected as the new leader of the Kirin Tor.
Lor'themar Theron
Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron is the leader of the blood elves. A veteran of the Second and Third Wars, Lor'themar served directly under the then Ranger-General Sylvanas Windrunner. Following Sylvanas' fall during the scourge invasion, Lor'themar stepped up temporarily as Ranger-General. After the betrayal and abandonment by their former leader Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, Lor'themar was forced to step in as Regent Lord of the blood elves until a suitable replacement could be found. Over time however it seemed apparent that there were no others capable of leading their shattered race. Lor'themar has reluctantly led his people ever since while still retaining the title of 'Regent Lord'. The character is voiced by Dave Mallow in World of Warcraft, and Gideon Emery in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria.
Malfurion Stormrage
Malfurion Stormrage was the first of the mortal druids on Azeroth, and the night elf who initiated the mainstream use of druidism among the kaldorei people ten millennia ago under tutelage of the demigod Cenarius. Through Malfurion's guidance, the night elves successfully halted the Burning Legion's first invasion of Azeroth during the legendary War of the Ancients. In its aftermath, he became the greatest of the world's archdruids. Malfurion Stormrage is the twin brother of Illidan Stormrage, as well as the loving and beloved husband of the high priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind. Together, the two have represented the highest leadership of the night elves ever since the fall of Queen Azshara and her Highborne caste.
Malygos
Malygos the Spellweaver was the leader of the blue dragonflight and one of the original five dragon Aspects, blessed by the titan Norgannon as the Aspect of Magic, with guarding magic and the arcane. The oldest of the dragon Aspects, Malygos lent his power along with the other Aspects (except Neltharion) in the creation of the Dragon Soul. After the destruction of the blue dragonflight at the hands of Neltharion, Malygos was driven to insanity. Having regained much of his sanity by the time of World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, Malygos began to grow concerned over the reckless use of magic in Azeroth. Declaring war on all magic users (particularly the Kirin Tor in Dalaran), Malygos sought to end the perceived misuse of magic by the mortal races. As the protector of life, Alexstrasza stepped in to defend the mortals, which culminated in Malygos' death at the Eye of Eternity. Malygos was succeeded by Kalecgos as the leader of the blue dragonflight.
Moira Thaurissan
Moira Thaurissan is one of the members of the Council of the Three Hammers, which leads the dwarves.
Medivh
Medivh, The Last Guardian Medivh is a very powerful archmage that was bestowed with great powers to do battle with the agents of the Burning Legion. He was corrupted even before birth without his mother Agewynn's knowledge, and possessed by the spirit of the demonlord Sargeras who used Medivh in his plan to conquer Azeroth. Medivh contacted the orcish warlock, Gul'dan, and together they opened the Dark Portal, which allowed the Burning Legion to begin its destruction of Azeroth. He was slain shortly after by a party led by one of his friends, Lothar.
Rexxar
Rexxar is the current Champion of the Horde. He was promoted by Thrall. Rexxar's father is Leoroxx, the leader of Mok'Nathal clan.
Sylvanas Windrunner
Sylvanas Windrunner is the founder and leader of the Forsaken faction. Originally a high elf of Quel'thalas, at a young age Sylvanas displayed exceptional skills at being a ranger, advancing in the ranks until eventually earning the position of Ranger-General. When the scourge invaded Quel'thalas during the events of Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, Sylvanas valiantly defended her homeland, delaying the scourge while the high elves attempted to create a defense. The scourge however eventually overwhelmed her forces, Prince Arthas Menethil (now a death knight) killing Sylvanas himself and raising her as an incorporeal banshee in his service as punishment for hindering his invasion of Quel'thalas. Prince Arthas' master the Lich King gradually lost control over the undead, a result of an attack by Illidan Stormrage and his forces on the Lich King's fortress, the Frozen Throne in Northrend. Thanks to this loss of control, Sylvanas regained her free will and physical body before launching an attack on Prince Arthas. Although fleeing to Northrend, Sylvanas chose not to pursue Prince Arthas just yet, instead recruiting the majority of free-willed undead under her service and renaming themselves the 'Forsaken'. Sylvanas and the Forsaken hold a tense relationship with the Horde. Although having a respect for the founding Warchief Thrall, Sylvanas despised the previous Warchief Garrosh Hellscream - openly supporting and obeying Hellscream in his presence but plotting and scheming behind his back. The character is voiced by Piera Coppola.
Terenas Menethil II
Terenas Menethil II is a deceased human, formerly King of Lordaeron. The character is voiced partially by Earl Boen and partially by unknown voice actor.
Thrall
Thrall is an orc shaman, current leader of the Earthen Ring and former Warchief of the Horde. Born on Azeroth, Thrall's parents were killed when he was still an infant by assassins sent by Gul'dan for their opposition of his vision for the Horde. Found by Commander Aedelas Blackmoore of Durnholde Keep, Thrall was raised from a young age as a gladiator, being trained in the arena in many forms of combat. Through help from an unlikely friend, Thrall managed to escape Durnholde and find the Frostwolf Clan in the Alterac Mountains, of which he and his parents belonged. Through the Frostwolf Clan's current chieftain Drek'thar, Thrall learnt the ways of the shaman, and naturally talented he excelled at the skills eventually becoming the greatest shaman alive on Azeroth. Thrall, under the leadership of his father's old friend and warchief Orgrim Doomhammer, liberated the remaining orcs still held in internment camps throughout Lordaeron. During the assault on the last internment camp, Durnholde Keep itself, Doomhammer fell in battle. With his dying breath he passed down his black plate armor and warhammer (aptly named the Doomhammer) to Thrall, naming him the new Warchief of the Horde. For a time, the Horde travelled frequently throughout Lordaeron, never staying in one location for too long. Thrall was eventually plagued with visions from a prophet, telling him to take the Horde west across the great sea where they would be able to find a home on Azeroth. Landing on the western continent of Kalimdor, they founded the city of Orgrimmar (named in honour of his mentor Orgrim Doomhammer) and named the surrounding region Durotar (in honour of his father Durotan). After the prophet revealed himself to be the Last Guardian Medivh, he warned of a second invasion of the Burning Legion that would overrun Azeroth if Thrall and the Horde did not form an alliance with Jaina Proudmoore and her human forces (who had also fled to Kalimdor) and the native night elves. Though they succeeded in defeating the Burning Legion, the pact between their forces subsequently crumbled, although Thrall still maintained a close friendship with Jaina Proudmoore and to a lesser extent, the leadership of the night elves. During World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, Thrall stood down as Warchief of the Horde in order to fully focus his attention on his duties as a shaman. Azeroth was shattered as a result of Deathwing's re-entry to the world and the shamans of the Earthen Ring were put under immense pressure to try to heal the lands. Knowing the orcs would prefer a strong-willed leader, Thrall reluctantly chose Garrosh Hellscream as his successor, hoping the position would instill some responsibility into him. While seeking a way to combat the Cataclysm, Thrall found a life-mate in the Mag'har orc Aggra, who would later become the mother of his son. Thrall later risked his life to talk Jaina Proudmoore down from using her powers to destroy all of Orgrimmar, following the destruction of Theramore by Garrosh. With the growing rebellion against the warchief in World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria Thrall has returned to do what he can among the orcs of Orgrimmar, asking his long-time ally Vol'jin to care for his mate and son should he fail to return. Thrall is voiced by Chris Metzen.
Tyrande Whisperwind
Tyrande Whisperwind, the High Priestess of Elune, is the current co-leader of the night elves (kaldorei), along with her husband Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage. More than 10,000 years old, Tyrande was born prior to the War of the Ancients when only one massive continent known as Kalimdor was present on Azeroth. Although only a novice priestess when the War of the Ancients began, Tyrande shared a strong connection with Elune none had ever seen. During the latter half of the war, the current High Priestess Dejahna was mortally wounded at the hands of the Burning Legion. On her deathbed she named Tyrande her successor, one who was favoured by Elune and touched by the goddess herself. Forced to accept the position, Tyrande held reservations in her own abilities to lead her people, fearing she would become another Azshara. Despite this, she has led her people effectively ever since, perfecting her skills in leadership, prayer and battle. Tyrande's lifelong mate is Malfurion Stormrage, forging a strong friendship with him and his brother Illidan when they were just children.
Uther the Lightbringer
Lord Uther the Lightbringer, or Sire Uther Lightbringer, was the first paladin of the Knights of the Silver Hand who led his Order in battle against the Horde during the Second War. During the Third War, Uther was betrayed and murdered by his beloved pupil, Prince Arthas, while defending the urn carrying the ashes of Arthas' father, King Terenas.
Varian Wrynn
Varian Wrynn is the current King of Stormwind. The character is partially voiced by Chris Metzen and partially by Jon St. John. Varian Wrynn is the leader of the Alliance.
Velen
Velen the Prophet is the leader of the draenei. Originally an eredar of the planet Argus, Velen and his people were a magically gifted and intelligent race, Velen having the gift of 'sight' - the ability to see visions of the future. He, along with Kil'jaeden and Archimonde were the three most prominent leaders of the eredar. Knowing their potential, the Dark Titan Sargeras contacted the three leaders with a proposal: in exchange for their loyalty, they would be given great power and prestige. Kil'jaeden and Archimonde readily accepted the offer, but Velen curiously held back. Before deciding on Sargeras' offer he received a vision from the naaru K'ure - the truth behind Sargeras' plot, one that involved death and destruction as members of the Burning Legion, as opposed to the utopia Sargeras proposed. Velen rounded up all those followers who did not wish to follow this path and fled with the assistance of the naaru aboard one of their inter-dimensional ships, Oshu'gun, calling themselves the draenei, or 'Exiled Ones'. Kil'jaeden, who loved Velen like a brother, saw this as the ultimate betrayal and vowed to hunt Velen and the draenei until they were wiped out. Arriving on an unknown world they named Draenor (the orcs' home world) the draenei settled for a time living peacefully alongside the orcs while being taught by the naaru in the ways of the light. Kil'jaeden eventually discovered their existence and through manipulation and deceit convinced the orcs that the draenei were plotting against them, engineering a genocide on the draenei. With assistance from the naaru once more, the surviving draenei fled Draenor, this time aboard the inter-dimensional ship the Exodar. However, during the flight, the reactor on the ship malfunctioned causing it to crash land on another unknown planet - turning out to be Azeroth. In need of assistance and recovery, the night elves of nearby Darnassus were the first to offer aid. After short negotiations, the draenei were accepted into the Alliance due in part to their devout reverence of the Light.
Vol'jin
Vol'jin (voiced by Chris Metzen in World of Warcraft and its first three expansions, then by Dave Fennoy in Mists of Pandaria) is the Warchief of the Horde following the downfall of Garrosh Hellscream at the end of Mists of Pandaria, and is the leader of the Darkspear trolls. One of the founding members of the Horde, Vol'jin has long been one of Thrall's closest friends and most stalwart allies. More recently, Vol'jin has come into conflict with Garrosh, leaving the capital of Orgrimmar to return to his people on Darkspear Isle. During the events of World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, Vol'jin's fearless stance against Garrosh's increasingly bloodthirsty lust for war nearly saw him assassinated by the Warchief. After narrowly surviving the attempt due to the help of old friend Chen Stormstout, Vol'jin returned to Durotar where he set about building a rebellion against the Warchief. With the other leaders of the Horde quietly backing Vol'jin, and even the Alliance fuelling the rebels' efforts, the troll leader became the spearhead of the movement against Garrosh. After Garrosh was defeated, Thrall - rather than return to lead the Horde - named Vol'jin as the new Warchief.
Ysera
Ysera the Dreamer is the leader of the green dragonflight, one of the five original dragon Aspects, and was charged by the titan Eonar as the Aspect of Nature. She is the protector of the Emerald Dream, a vast spirit world that exists outside the boundaries of the mortal plane. Ysera is the younger sister of Alexstrasza. She lent her power to the Dragon Soul, unaware of Neltharion's plan to betray the other Aspects. After the second war Ysera enchanted the world tree Nordrassil and bound it to the Emerald Dream.
See also
- Characters of Diablo, one of the three primary franchises of Blizzard Entertainment
- Characters of StarCraft, one of the three primary franchises of Blizzard Entertainment
External links
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