Alliance

Core races
Human Dwarf Night elf Gnome Draenei Worgen	Pandaren Dracthyr		Orc Undead Tauren Troll Blood elf Goblin
Allied races
Void elf Lightforged draenei Dark Iron dwarf Kul Tiran Mechagnome		Nightborne Highmountain tauren Mag'har orc Zandalari troll Vulpera

The Alliance
Main leader	King Varian Wrynn Genn Greymane Jaina Proudmoore Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage Council of Three Hammers Muradin Bronzebeard Falstad Wildhammer Moira Thaurissan Gelbin Mekkatorque File:IconSmall Velen Small.gifProphet Velen
Secondary leaders	Anduin Wrynn Lord Darius Crowley Vereesa Windrunner Shandris Feathermoon Brann Bronzebeard Kurdran Wildhammer Velog Icebellow File:IconSmall Nobundo Small.gifNobundo File:IconSmall Danath Small.gifDanath Trollbane Halford Wyrmbane Tandred Proudmoore
Race(s)	Human  Ironforge dwarf Bronzebeard Dwarf  Wildhammer dwarf  Dark Iron dwarf  Gnome Night Elf Highborne Draenei  Broken Worgen  High elf  Half-elf  Frost dwarf  Half-orc Half-human  Cenarius's children Frost nymph  Ancient  Furbolg Gryphon Hippogryph
Capital	Stormwind City, Ironforge, Darnassus, Exodar
Other major settlements	Theramore, Gnomeregan, Aerie Peak, Honor Hold, Frosthold, Wintergarde Keep, Boralus, Gilneas City
Base of operations	Southern Lordaeron, Central and Southern Eastern Kingdoms, Northern Kalimdor, Dustwallow Marsh
Theater of operations	Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor, Outland, Northrend, Great Sea
Language(s)	Common

Humans, night elves, dwarves, gnomes, draenei, and most recently worgen make up the illustrious Alliance. Proud and noble, courageous and wise, these races work together to preserve order in Azeroth. The Alliance is driven by honor and tradition. Its rulers are champions of justice, hope, knowledge, and faith.

In a time when chaos and uncertainty reign, the Alliance remains steadfast in its determination to bring light to the darkest corners of the world.

Alliance Logo

The Alliance (aka Grand Alliance) is one of two major political factions of the mortal races in Azeroth, its counterpart being the Horde. The Alliance consists of powerful cultures and groups bound not by desperation or necessity, but by their deep commitments to abstract concepts like nobility and honor. The Alliance was once also known as the Alliance of Lordaeron when its leadership was centered in Lordaeron. However, the Alliance was forced to move the bulk of its forces to Kalimdor and to the southern Eastern Kingdoms continents of Khaz Modan and Azeroth after a plague of undeath ravaged the Kingdom of Lordaeron several years ago. It has since lost many members as well as gained new allies.

Major members

The major partners in the Alliance are:

• The humans of Stormwind.
  • One of the founding members of the Alliance of Lordaeron following Stormwind City's destruction in the First War. The city was restored to prominence after the Second. One of the last few human bastions not affected by the disasters of the Third War.
  • Led by King Varian Wrynn, with his son, Prince Anduin Wrynn.
    • Other leaders include: Master Mathias Shaw Leader of SI:7 and Archbishop Benedictus, Leader of the Church of the Holy Light
  • Capital is Stormwind City in northwestern Elwynn Forest, in the continent of Azeroth.
  • The Kingdom of Stormwind's influence extends into the surrounding lands, they are there strongest in the towns of Sentinel Hill in Westfall, Lakeshire in the Redridge Mountains and Darkshire in Duskwood.
  • Other Stormwind strongholds and affiliated towns are Nethergarde Keep in The Blasted Lands, the Rebel Camp and Fort Livingston in Stranglethorn Vale, Marshtide Watch in Swamp of Sorrows, Menethil Harbor in The Wetlands and Chillwind Camp in Western Plaguelands.
    • The People's Militia is a primarily human volunteer military organization based in Westfall and focused on defeating the Defias Brotherhood.
  • A sizable naval fleet enables Stormwind to expand across the seas, with outposts in the Borean Tundra, the Howling Fjord, the Grizzly Hills and the Dragonblight in southern Northrend.
  • For centuries the humans have been using horses as mounts.

• The dwarves of Khaz Modan.
  • The Kingdom of Ironforge consists mainly out of the Bronzbeard Clan of dwarves, which still reside in the ancient city of all dwarven clans. They pledged themselves to the Alliance following the Bleeding Hollow's invasion of Khaz Modan. After the War of the Three Hammers, the Bronzebeards gained dominance over all Ironforge. During the Cataclysm to prevent the mountain from collapsing. King Magni Bronzebeard performed a ritual in the heart of Old Ironforge which saved the mountain but the process petrified him into diamond statue. With its king impaired, Ironforge was left in political turmoil after Moira declared her son the rightful ruler of the kingdom. In order to prevent civil war, the leaders of each clan formed a council to govern the dwarf races and share the kingdom.
  • Led by the Council of Three Hammers, consisting of Muradin Bronzebeard of the Bronzebeard clan, and Falstad Wildhammer of the Wildhammer clan, Princess Moira Thaurissan of the Dark Iron clan.
  • Capital is Ironforge, located in northern Dun Morogh.
  • The Stormpike clan is a respected dwarven clan, and are well known for their fine and discerning tastes being affiliated with the Kingdom of Ironforge.
    • The Stormpike Guard, led by General Vanndar Stormpike; for more information see more below.
  • The Stonefist clan is a small clan that lives in Ironforge.
  • The Three Hammers.
    • The dwarves of the Bronzebeard clan.
      • A long time ago, the Bronzebeards gained dominance over all Ironforge, but when the shattering happens, Ironforge was left in political turmoil. In order to prevent civil war, the other clans of the three hammers formed a council to share control of the Kingdom.
      • The Explorers' League, a faction set to uncover the dwarven origins, also has outposts in Northrend including a base camp in the Storm Peaks and a small outpost in the Howling Fjord.
    • The dwarves of the Wildhammer clan.
      • Based in Aerie Peak, Hinterlands. Formerly they lived in Ironforge and their own capital of Grim Batol; both were abandoned after a series of civil wars with the other dwarven clans. Thane Kurdran Wildhammer has been placed in command of the Alliance armies in Twilight Highlands to unite the rest of the Wildhammer clans which have splintered into their own clans and bring them into the Alliance.
        • The Wildhammr train Gryphons for the Alliance.
    • The dwarves of the Dark Iron clan.
      • After years of hostilies against the other dwarves, the clan has broken in two. Those under the guidance of Moira Thaurissan will rejoin the dwarves of Ironforge.
  • The Kingdom of Ironforge controls several settlements in Khaz Modan, including Kharanos and Thelsamar. More distant outposts such as Dun Garok and Bael Modan are the result of exploration and service to the Grand Alliance.
  • The Dwarves, living in the high mountains of Khaz Modan, have tamed and befriended the native rams, whom they use as mounts.

• The gnomes of Gnomeregan.
  • Cousins of the dwarves, joining with their long-time allies to provide technological wonders to aid the Alliance in its fight against its enemies. Their Long-time capital was Gnomeregan, located in western Dun Morogh, but it was invaded by a race of troggs. The gnomes had to flee and find refugee in their cousins' arms in Ironforge, where they built Tinker Town.
    • After Operation Gnomeregan, the Gnomes established New Tinkertown as their new base of operations and home while they fight to reclaim their city.
  • Led by High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque, King of Gnomes.
  • Gnomish outposts can be found in Blade's Edge Mountains in Outland and the Borean Tundra in Northrend.
  • The highly intelligent and resilient gnomes have devised their own unique robotic mount to use: the mechanostrider.

• The night elves of Darnassus.
  • The night elves have lived peacefully for centuries in the shadowy forests of northern Kalimdor until the events of the Third War when they allied with the survivors of Lordaeron and the Thrall's Horde at the behest of Medivh in order to defeat Archimonde at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. However the continuous deforesting actions of the orcs in the forests of Ashenvale have forced them to break away from the Horde and remain allied with the Alliance alone.
  • Led by High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage.
    • Other leaders include: General Shandris Feathermoon who commands the Sentinel Army.
  • Capital is Darnassus, located on the new World Tree of Teldrassil, which was completely healed recently, off the coast of northern Kalimdor.
  • The Night Elves control directly several larger outposts, including Astranaar and Forest Song (jointly with the Draenei) in Ashenvale, Feathermoon Stronghold in Feralas, the port of Lor'danel in Darkshore, and Sylvanaar in Blade's Edge Mountains.
  • The Highborne have returned to the night elven society, now in Darnassus, after their long exile to make amends and begin to train new generations of night elven mages after the shattering. They also offer their services to the Alliance with Reforging.
    • Led by Archmage Mordent Evenshade. Other leaders may include Daros Moonlance.
  • The forest dwelling night elves have befriended many beasts and magical creatures over the centuries, including Nightsabers and Hippogryphs (whom they use as mounts) and many other forest animals that helped them in their conflicts like mountain giants, wisps, chimaeras, faerie dragons and some treants.

• The draenei of the Exodar.
  • Refugees of the eredar race fleeing their corrupted brethren, seeking allies to fight against the Burning Legion. They lived on Draenor until the orcish onslaught, and fled from the Legion and the forces of Illidan Stormrage by stealing the Exodar, one of the satellites of Tempest Keep.
  • Led by the Prophet Velen.
  • Long-time capital was Shattrath City on Draenor, now known as Outland. Current capital is the Exodar, located in the western portion of Azuremyst Isle, off the coast of northern Kalimdor.
  • Draenei outposts include Azure Watch on Azuremyst Isle, Blood Watch on Bloodmyst Isle, Forest Song (jointly with the night elves) in Ashenvale, the Harborage in the Swamp of Sorrows, the Temple of Telhamat in Hellfire Peninsula, and Telredor in Zangarmarsh.
  • A sect of the Broken have also joined their unmutated brethren, under the leadership of Farseer Nobundo. Some Broken in the Alliance serve as shaman, like Nobundo, and some work as laborers within the Exodar itself.
  • The draenei have brought with them their huge elekk beasts from Outland, whom they use as mounts.

Worgen

• The worgen of Gilneas.
  • Formerly one of the strongest of the human nations, Gilneas was one of the founding members of the Alliance of Lordaeron, sealing itself off from the world after the Second War to avoid being brought into "other people's conflicts". Eventually the Worgen managed to breach the land and started spreading their curse amoung much of the populace. They officially rejoined the Alliance when the Night Elves managed to save them from invading Forsaken.
  • Led by King Genn Greymane
    • Other leaders include: Lord Darius Crowley who leads the Gilneas Liberation Front (GLF)
  • Long-time capital was Gilneas City in central Gilneas. Following the Cataclysm and the invasion of Gilneas, the survivors have settled in the night elf capital of Darnassus, at The Howling Oak.
  • Other towns include Duskhaven, Stormglen and Keel Harbor in Gilneas, Surwich in the Blasted Lands, Talonbranch Glade in Felwood and Raven Hill in Duskwood.
  • The Gilneas Liberation Front consists of Gilnean's who stayed behind to protect their homeland.
    • The survivors of Hillsbrad that fled to Fenris Isle have willingly taken the Worgen Curse and have joined the GLF to get revenge on the Forsaken and bolstering the Worgen numbers.

Alliance Task Forces

Alliance Races by Chris Metzen[1]. From left to right: High elf, half-elf, night elf, dwarf, and human.

Azeroth Forces

The uneasy truce between the Alliance and the Horde in the aftermath of the Third War was soon broken when several battlegrounds between various forces of the factions have erupted:

• League of Arathor - The main force of the nation of Stromgarde. In order to supply their war to reclaim the Arathi Highlands (and help supply themselves and The Alliance with valuable resources) the League has invaded the Arathi Basin along with Forsaken forces, with whom they fight vigorously over the rich land. Led formerly by Sir Maximus Adams and currently by Radulf Leder.
• Stormpike Guard - A dwarven expedition to the Valley of Alterac in order to search for relics and treasures from the past, have led to open war with the orcs of the Frostwolf clan that resides in the southern parts of the same valley.
• Silverwing Sentinels - The continuous deforesting efforts of the Warsong Orcs that have settled in southern Ashenvale have left the sentinels no choice. The Silverwing sentinels wing was appointed to begin a massive push of the orcs out of the elven homelands. Led by Su'ura Swiftarrow and based in Silverwing Grove.
• Baradin's Wardens - A fierce army that has historic ties to the island stronghold of Tol Barad. They have joined the forces of the Alliance in an effort to repel the Horde, gain control of the strategic island and re-open the island to serve as a prison once again.

Outland Forces

• The Sons of Lothar – Remaining members of the former Alliance Expedition to Draenor following the Second War, who were joined by the new forces of the Alliance with the re-opening of the Dark Portal.
  • Consists mainly of humans, high elves (Quel'Thalas's rangers) and Wildhammer dwarves.
  • Stationed mainly in Honor Hold in Hellfire Peninsula, Allerian Stronghold in Terokkar Forest and the Wildhammer Stronghold in Shadowmoon Valley.
• The Kurenai, or "Redeemed", a surviving clan of Broken draenei residing in Outland, Nagrand. They are led by Arechron.

Northrend Forces (Alliance Vanguard)

• Valiance Expedition - The main forces of the Alliance expedition to Northrend, led previously by Highlord Bolvar Fordragon.
  • 7th Legion - A group of Alliance veterans from past wars bent on fighting the threat of Naxxramas in Dragonblight.
  • Westfall Brigade - Veteren soldiers of the old People's Militia, they are charged with finding a safe route into northern Northrend territories.
• The Silver Covenant - A militant core of high elves that have united under the banner of Vereesa Windrunner who opposes Dalaran's acceptance of the horde races. They join the Alliance forces in Northrend.
• The Frostborn - They reside in the Storm Peaks, a lost race of dwarves led by Yorg Stormheart (who is actually Muradin Bronzebeard with a serious amnesia), and after succeeded by Velog Icebellow.
  • Frosthold is their home city and primary base.
  • The Frostborn have a special bond with the Stormcrest Eagles of the Storm Peaks.
• The Explorers' League, led by Brann Bronzebeard, searches for rare artifacts and digs into dwarven history.

Other Members, Factions and Allies of the Grand Alliance

Notable figures from the Third War, from left to right: Muradin Bronzebeard, Antonidas, Uther Lightbringer, and Prince Kael'thas.

• The human nation of Theramore, based in Theramore Isle, Dustwallow Marsh.
  • Led by the Third War hero of the alliance, Lady Jaina Proudmoore.
  • Founded by various human refugees that ventured to Kalimdor in the midst of the scourge onslaught of the third war, coming from all the human nations, although primarily from Lordaeron.
  • The nation is affiliated with the faction of Stormwind.
• The human nation of Stromgarde, based in Stromgarde City and Refuge Pointe camp, Arathi Highlands.
  • Current leader is unknown.
    • Galen Trollbane was killed and raised as a Forsaken and is now stationed at Galen's Fall serving the Horde.
    • Commander Amaren by rank is leader for the time being, alongside Radulf Leder, the militar leader of the League of Arathor.
  • Stromgarde was the first great nation of the humans (known as Arathor) from which all other nations developed. However, the nation rapidly declined after the Third War, losing almost all of it's capital city and many other territories.
  • The League of Arathor, for more information click here.
  • The nation to this day fights to reclaim their city, awaiting the return of Danath Trollbane who vowed to reclaim the city and re-build it too its former glory for the Alliance.
  • The nation is affiliated with the faction of Stormwind and the forces of the League of Arathor.
• The human nation of Kul Tiras, based in the capital of Boralus, Kul Tiras Isle and Crestfall Island.
  • Led by Lord Tandred Proudmoore. Formerly led by his father, hero of the Second War, the Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore.
  • An old human kingdom of merchants and sailors. Sustained a heavy attack of the horde forces during the second war, but largely avoided and survived the third war. Many of its citizens joined the expedition forces of Jaina to Kalimdor where they founded the nation of Theramore (which has the same banner as Kul Tiras what may idicate it being a sub territory of Kul Tiras).
• Morgan's Militia of Morgan's Vigil, based in Burning Steppes.
  • Led by Morgan.
  • The militia is affiliated with the faction of Stormwind.
• The High Elves.
  • Untouched by fel magic and are loyal to the Alliance who are currently scattered in many Alliance's settlements.
    • The Highvale high elves of the the Quel'Danil Lodge.
      • Led by Jalinde Summerdrake.
    • The high elven Farstriders who remain loyal to the high elven race (and then the Alliance) based in Farstrider Lodge.
      • Led by Vyrin Swiftwind.
    • The High Elves of Theramore
      • Led by Captain Darill.
    • The High Elves of Allerian Stronghold
      • Led by Auric Sunchaser,who is also the High elves representative at the Sunwell.
    • The High Elves in Dalaran as part of the Silver Covenant, led by Vereesa Windrunner.
    • Among other places, notabily Stormwind.
• The Hillsbrad Worgen of Fenris Isle.
  • Led by Magistrate Henry Maleb.
• The Children of Cenarius, work closely with the night elves throughout Kalimdor.
  • Some Frost nymphs are within the Alliance, the most notable is Sarendryana.
• The Ancients who work in the Alliance
  • Ancient of Arcane brought to the alliance by the highborne in cataclysm.
  • Notable and/or proeminent examples are Ivus and Onu.
• Some half-orcs are members of the Alliance (with others being members of the Horde).

Alliance-aligned

Hero Races by Chris Metzen[2]. Wildhammer dwarf and gnome (Alliance).

• The Wintersaber Trainers in Winterspring
  • A group of night elven elite saber riders that provide their mounts to members of the Alliance who prove themselves worthy.
• The furbolgs of Stillpine Hold.
  • Led by High Chief Stillpine, the Stillpines have been cooperating with the draenei, an outgrowth of their good relations with the night elves.
• The feral worgen of the Bloodfang pack.
  • Led by Packleader Ivar Bloodfang, the Bloodfang pack allied themselves with the Gilneas Liberation Front and the Stormpike Guard in the war against the Forsaken.
• The fierce and cruel Grimtotem tribe Tauren of the Grimtotem Post in Stonetalon Mountains.
  • Led by chieftain Grundig Darkcloud.
  • Reached an alliance of convenience with the Alliance at Stonetalon Mountains thanks for the efforts of Commander Valen, Ton Windbow and Grundig himself, where both Grimtotem and Alliance would unite against the Horde in the area.
    • However, this cooperation may disappear, for the Alliance has plans to end Darkcloud's life.

Alliance of Lordaeron

File:Lorderan Tabard.jpg

The Seal of Lordaeron is used prominently in Alliance culture.

Main article: Alliance of Lordaeron

The modern Alliance is the successor to the Alliance of Lordaeron, which was created at the behest of King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron and Lord Anduin Lothar of the kingdom of Stormwind following the First War, five years after the reckoning. The human, dwarf, gnome, and high elf races allied together to fight off the orcish Horde.

Aftermath of the Second Invasion

Events of the Second Invasion led to an alliance with both the night elves and the Horde. The former became permanent, while the latter did not.

Following the Second Invasion, many of the surviving high elves rebranded themselves as blood elves and rejoined the Alliance shortly after the invasion, only to leave it again following an attempted purge by Grand Marshal Garithos. The true high elves remain loyal to the new Alliance, most notably the ones dwelling in Theramore under Lady Jaina Proudmoore and Captain Darill and in the Hinterlands at Quel'Danil Lodge, apparently led by Jalinde Summerdrake. More recently, high elves have grouped together in Northrend as the Silver Covenant.

A few years later, the draenei joined the Alliance. Stranded a world away from home, they are trying to establish a new base on Azeroth from the wreckage of the Exodar as well as gain the trust and cooperation of the Alliance.

During the events of the Cataclysm, another race joined the ranks of the Alliance; the worgen of Gilneas.

Organization

Half-orc

The Alliance is not a uniform governmental body, but is a coalition of mutual military and economic aid. Housing the Alliance Assembly, Theramore was once considered the official home of the new Alliance, when Stormwind was bound under Onyxia's thrall under the guise of Katrana Prestor. The inability of Stormwind to act forced both Theramore and the night elves to step in, resulting in a growing gap of cooperation between the two continents. This, however, is no longer the case with King Varian's return and the death of Onyxia. Varian's direct aid to the Night Elves has won their trust, and Jaina's constant presence with him as an advisor (and to temper his edges) has firmly reunited Theramore and Stormwind once more.

In the past, certain rules, customs, and regulations were a constant hindrance to mutual actions across the entire Alliance. This made cooperation sluggish, and considerably slowed the rate at which the Alliance was able to reclaim its former lands and glory. Despite the problems and intrigues within their leadership, all parts of the Alliance are steadfast in their desire to reclaim and rebuild, and all members share a distrust of the Horde. Approximately 800,000 souls belong to the allied races spanning two continents (based on membership numbers of the Church of Light). The Alliance is a great and peaceful body overall, their might being legendary, but their desire for peace, even stronger. Above all, where Jaina Proudmoore and Tyrande Whisperwind are good at coordinating their efforts on Kalimdor, Lady Katrana Prestor of Stormwind was doing a fine job of undoing the Alliance in the Eastern Kingdoms, however she has been slain in lore and King Varian Wrynn has now taken his rightful place as king.

Even now, as always, humans are the glue that hold the Alliance together, being the most numerous and diplomatic of the member races. The armies of Stormwind are stationed through out the Eastern Kingdoms, trying to retake regions such as Duskwood, Westfall, and The Redridge mountains. The armies of Ironforge are mainly stationed in Khaz Modan along with their Gnome allies, and the Night Elven armies are mainly defending northern Kalimdor from Horde's deforestation of the Ashenvale. The remaining Draenei forces are still trying to secure their new home on Azuremyst Isle, and are also stationed in Outland. The recently brought in Gilnean armies are defending themselves from the endless onslaught of the Forsaken.

Notable Leaders

• King Terenas Menethil II
• Regent Lord Anduin Lothar
• Archmage Antonidas
• Regent Lord Bolvar Fordragon
• King Magni Bronzebeard
• Lady Jaina Proudmoore
• High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind
• Arch-Druid Malfurion Stormrage
• Council of Three Hammers
• King Varian Wrynn
• King Genn Greymane

History		Alliance of Lordaeron	Third War	Grand Alliance				Cataclysm
Ruler	Eastern	Terenas Menethil II Anduin Lothar	Terenas Menethil II Archmage Antonidas			Magni Bronzebeard Bolvar Fordragon Anduin Wrynn	Magni Bronzebeard Varian Wrynn	Varian Wrynn Genn Greymane The Council of Three Hammers
	Western	None	None	Jaina Proudmoore Tyrande Whisperwind				Jaina Proudmoore Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage

See also

• Alliance technology

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