Human
From WoWWiki
- For the playable human race, see Human (playable).
| Humans, Defenders of the Light | |
|---|---|
 Icon of Courage | |
| Faction/Affiliation | Alliance, Neutral, Independent |
| Character classes | Mage, Paladin, Priest, Rogue, Warlock, Warrior, Death knight (WoW); Knight, Archer, Archmage, Barbarian, Templar Beastmaster, Berserker, Buccaneer, Commoner, Demon hunter, Exemplar, Gladiator, Gunman, Infiltrator, Soldier, Marksman, Necromancer, Scout, Sorcerer (RPG); Brigand, Enforcer, Assassin, Bandit lord (WC3); Druid (presumed), Mage hunter (?) |
| Racial capital | Stormwind City, Theramore (Alliance) |
| Racial leader(s) | King Varian Wrynn, Lady Jaina Proudmoore, Various others |
| Racial mount | Horse |
| Homeworld | Azeroth |
| Primary language(s) | Common |
| Secondary language(s) | Any |
| Height | 4'10" - 6'6" (147 to 198 cm) (male), 4'5" - 6'1" (135 to 185 cm) (female)[1] |
| Sources: World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 174 | |
Humans (aka mankind or humanity) in Warcraft are a resilient species native to the world of Azeroth. Many live in the Eastern Kingdoms, once known as the Azotha,[2] they founded seven kingdoms that banded together in the Second War. Humans native to Northrend were often turned into slave labor in the magnataur kingdoms of ancient history.[3] Since the Third War, the kingdom of Stormwind has led humanity, and is a powerful member of the Alliance.
Contents |
Introduction
Humans are among the youngest races on Azeroth, but they make up for it by being the most populous. With life spans generally shorter than the other races, humans strive all the harder to achieve great heights in empire building, exploration and magical study.
This aggressive and inquisitive nature lead the human nations to become active and influential in the world. Such was the case prior to the orcs' original invasion through the Dark Portal. Human kingdoms suffered greatly in the three wars against the orcs and demonic hordes.
Many, many humans fell in the Third War, leaving behind battered yet unbowed survivors of the Human Expedition under the command of the sorceress Jaina Proudmoore. This group settled on the wild continent of Kalimdor. The humans who did not escape the eastern continents were not so fortunate.
Lordaeron is decimated, a wasteland now little more than a battlefield for forest trolls, the Scourge, Forsaken, ogres, and other creatures. The few humans who remain in Lordaeron are ragged and weary, struggling constantly to keep their small settlements free of the villainy that boils around them.
Stormwind, the first to feel the orcs' rage, fares better and is the most powerful human nation remaining. Still, Stormwind is far from safe, and enemies advance on all sides.
Humans value virtue, honor and courage, though like all races they also pursue power and wealth. Humans have spent generations battling dark forces and have lost some of their greatest kingdoms to them. This loss embitters humans, and they have a warlike view of diplomacy — swing first, ask questions later. Aided by belief in the Holy Light, humans have fought the hardest and endured the most during the wars against the Horde and the Burning Legion. Despite all their tragedies, humans remain hardy and brave — thoroughly committed to building strong societies, reinforcing their kingdoms and reclaiming their nations. Years of war have tempered human resolve, and they are more hardened and determined than ever before.[4]
History
Humans at the dawn of history
The humans are descendant of the vrykul,[5] they originated as an aberration of the vrykul race. Around 15,000 years ago, the gods "abandoned" the vrykul, in a certain time after that, their children were born "weak and ugly".[6] King Ymiron ordered all those children to be killed, but not all parents obeyed this order and instead hid their children, to grow up far away from Northrend.[7]
The earliest known history indicates that they may have been called the Azotha.[2] But, between the finding of magic from the Well of Eternity and the Sundering[8] (approximately 14,000-10,000 years ago[9]), the Azotha converted into the humans,[10] however, they were nearly as savage as their foes among the trolls and both groups wandered the land battling each other while trying to plant the seeds of their cultures,[9] although the trolls actually hunted these humans.[11] These nascent humans saw the kaldorei as shadowy figures with god-like powers,[10] but were sometimes captured and used as slaves by them.[8] But, centuries before the War of the Ancients, the bear Ancients, Ursoc and Ursol, befriended many generations of humans and kaldorei and were beloved in return.[12]
When the night elves fought the demons during the War of the Ancients in their lands, the humans and trolls retreated deep into the wild.[9] Groups of endangered humans or night elves were guided away from the doomguard by Aviana disguised in mortal form.[13]
After the Sundering, for thousands of years, the human tribes teetered on the brink of extinction as their numbers were winnowed by an ever-increasing struggle simply to gather what was needed for survival. For millennia they persevered, wandering ever further afield in search of game, wood, and refuge[14] and were organized in nomadic tribes.[11] These years were nearly the race's last, as it eked out sustenance from the ashes and the aftermath of the destruction, until the sun returned.[15] The surviving tribes of humans sent out intrepid bands to explore the reborn world and to find their long-lost brethren. Slowly, trade routes were established across the revitalized world.[14] These early humans may have had access to divine spells through worship of the Old Gods or early cults that would become the Church of the Holy Light.[15]
Humans joined the forefront of Azerothian history during the Troll Wars. With the help of the high elves, humans learned magic and waged a bitter war against the trolls that once spanned the entire length of the Eastern Kingdoms. Eventually humanity proved superior to the trolls, and they built the nation of Strom, and later the empire of Arathor. This empire gradually expanded and splintered into seven separate, sometimes warring empires, for over 1,200 years until the creation of the Alliance.
Recent history
With the recent invasion of the Burning Legion - which left the northern kingdom of Lordaeron in ruins — Stormwind now stands as the last bastion of human civilization. Following the heroic examples of the legendary Sir Lothar and King Llane, the knights and warriors of Stormwind are considered to be among the fiercest warriors in the land. They stand resolute in their charge to maintain the honor and might of humanity in an ever-darkening world.
Immediately after the events of the Third War, Azerothian humanity was on the ropes, and the race's future was somewhat in question. Humans have perhaps suffered the most out of all the races of Azeroth, having endured a bloody, genocidal invasion by the demon-corrupted orcs and losing almost all their northern population to the Plague. Out of the millions that once populated the Eastern Kingdoms in many splendid and wonderful cities, only hundreds of thousands still live. Despite this, in recent years the humans have devoted themselves to struggling back from the brink of racial extinction. Human lands are gradually being repopulated, and the humans have been able to consistently maintain strong garrisons for their cities as well.
The humans' primary threat now probably other than the Scourge, is the Forsaken who are continuing their attempts to expand south from Tirisfal into Arathi, although the human presence in the region remains strong with the remnants of Lordaeron and Stromgarde, causing the Hillsbrad area to be one of Azeroth's major battlefields. Despite all this, humans continue to be vigilant, and - perhaps as a result of their struggles - they have banded closer together and with the Alliance as a whole.
Current situation
Today, King Varian Wrynn oversees Stormwind under the watch of the council of nobles. During the absence of King Varian, the Kingdom of Stormwind lost much of its glory due to corruption from within. It still retains some ties with the towns of Darkshire, Lakeshire, Goldshire, Southshore, and (to a lesser extent) Menethil Harbor. Those towns fall under the protection and leadership of Stormwind, but they also have their own local military forces and independent democratic election (excluding Goldshire). Note that these independent forces are still under the Alliance.
Theramore Isle is an independent state that keeps close ties with Stormwind and is under the watchful leadership of the young mage Jaina Proudmoore, formerly of Kul Tiras. The merchant nation of Kul Tiras itself, still a strong member of the Alliance, is also an independent state under the rule of Lord Admiral Tandred Proudmoore, brother of Jaina and son of Daelin Proudmoore, a hero from the Second War. The city-state of Dalaran, with its powerful mages, still retains some control over Hillsbrad and Silverpine Forest. In addition, there is an independent human enclave in the Arathi Highlands, the remnants of the Kingdom of Stromgarde. It is rumored the once-allied empire of Gilneas is still flourishing and populated with humans - but no word has been heard of them for years.
Notable humans
Human nations
Humanity has generally been controlled by seven powerful kingdoms, each with their own sphere of influence. All seven city-states were descended from the ancient nation of Arathor. Recently, however, a series of devastating wars have plagued humanity, resulting in the end of several kingdoms and the creation of a new one, Theramore, the only human state in Kalimdor. Playable humans are from Stormwind. Kul Tiras and Gilneas cannot yet be visited in World of Warcraft.
After the end of the Third War, Alliance forces under Jaina Proudmoore sailed to southern Kalimdor. They founded a stronghold called Theramore, a small, walled city on a rocky isle east of Dustwallow Marsh. Theramore Isle and the nearby mainland fall under human control and border Durotar, the orcs' new homeland, to the north. Humans and orcs maintain a tentative peace along their borders, but clashes are common. Since most of the mighty human warriors and mages lost their lives during the war against the Burning Legion, only a handful of veteran mages and paladins remain in Theramore. While Ironforge dwarves and the high elves also occupy the small island city, humans hold the seats of greatest power. Goblin vendors and traders are a common sight in and around the rocky isle.
In the east, Lordaeron still boasts several human settlements, but it is nowhere near the towering symbol of humanity's might that it once was. Hillsbrad and Kul Tiras are still mostly under human control, and a few settlements hold out in Silverpine Forest and the Alterac Mountains. Stormwind, in the southern continent of Azeroth, suffered in the First and Second Wars but remained relatively untouched in the Third. Much of the land regrows from the ashes of the past, and the city of Stormwind is rebuilt and stands grander than before. Though the Scourge did not make itself felt in Stormwind, the small kingdom faces its own enemies, both from without and within. Nevertheless, currently Stormwind is humanity’s strongest nation and a symbol of reclamation and renewal.[16]
| Nation | First War | Second War | Interim | Third War | Post-Third War | Cataclysm | Current Status | Population (city proper) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lordaeron | - | - | - | Destroyed | See The Forsaken | - | Undercity | Undead | |||
| Azeroth/Stormwind | Destroyed | - | Rebuilt | - | - | - | Healthy | 200,000[17][18] | |||
| Dalaran | - | Destroyed | Rebuilt | Destroyed | Rebuilt | - | Independent | 3,000[19] | |||
| Kul Tiras | - | - | - | - | - | - | Healthy | 10,000[20] | |||
| Stromgarde | - | - | Left Alliance | Destroyed | Rejoined Alliance[21] | - | Crippled | 1,200[22][23] | |||
| Gilneas | - | - | Left Alliance | - | - | Rejoined Alliance | See Worgen | Unknown[24] | |||
| Alterac | - | Destroyed | - | - | See The Syndicate | - | Destroyed | Ogres | |||
| Theramore | - | - | - | - | Founded | - | Healthy | 9,500[25] | |||
Appearance
Humans come from many backgrounds and show the greatest physical variety among all the races. Humans' skin ranges from dark to light and may have tones of other colors. Their eyes are blue, brown, green, gray or hazel. Human hair is brown, black, blond or red. Men often grow short beards and women wear their hair long. Humans average 6 feet in height and weigh about 180 pounds, with men noticeably taller and heavier than women.[4]
The physique of humans is more muscular and sturdy than of elves, but much more slender than that of dwarves. The color and hue of human skin is varied, ranging from a fair pink to tanned to a very dark brown. Hair becomes gray or white with sickness or age. A human's eyes have been known to glow like those of the naturally magical elves if he or she is wielding powerful magic.
Culture
Humans seem to be a naturally proud and ambitious race. The humans of Azeroth have a very strong sense of triumphalism, and can be highly arrogant and overly zealous. Humans can be very noble and altruistic, but also tend towards more vainglorious qualities. These qualities have led to human society producing some of the most heroic and villainous figures in recent history.
Most humans take comfort in having an orderly society, and humans prefer to live in villages, towns and cities. Few humans understand the reverence of nature the night elves and tauren possess, and the most rural or rugged lifestyle a human has is that of a farmer, bandit or soldier. Human cities are extremely large and are brimming with life, and every kind of activity happens during the day. Outside city walls, in the countryside, the human peasantry provides basic resources to the rest of the kingdom; the peasant farms, mines, and chops wood each day and then returns to his cottage after a long day of work. In the city, merchants trade goods while craftsmen practice and perform their trades while businessmen provide services. At the top of the social hierarchy are the nobility, who sit within their castles, making important political decisions on how the kingdom should be run.
Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans, some groups do deviate from this cultural trait, and possess no loyalties towards their established political leaders. This is especially true in times of uncertainty for humans. Before the Third War there were humans in the northern lands of Lordaeron that were swayed into joining the Cult of the Damned. Banditry and sea piracy amongst humans has been on the rise recently.
Humans have a relatively short lifespan, less than the majority of the other races on Azeroth. They are old at about 55 years of age, at 70 years they are venerable, with a maximum age between 72-110 years.[26]. Because of this, humanity strives to make the most out of what it has, and to build legacies. This has led to the formation of different nations and orders across many lands, and to the forging of alliances not only between each other, but with other races, and seeking to do whatever is necessary to protect and secure their nations so future generations can live peacefully and safely. The human state of Stormwind is the leader of the Alliance. Formerly it was the kingdom of Lordaeron, until its destruction at the hands of the Undead Scourge. Stormwind is the largest remaining bastion of human population and strength in Azeroth.
Humans are filled with unchecked passion and ambition. Their desire for power and knowledge has allowed for some of the greatest mages to be human. The deep inner fire and emotions that brew within them have allowed many humans to master The Holy Light in ways unimaginable, leading the humans to establish The Knights of the Silver Hand as well as perhaps the most pious orders ever seen on Azeroth. The loyalty humans are capable of produces well-trained soldiers and mercenaries that will easily stay and fight for their kingdoms and their leaders' causes, no matter how dire the situation may be.
Relations
Humans began the Alliance and it could not exist without them. Humans and orcs joined forces to face the Burning Legion several years ago, but old habits returned once they dispatched the demonic threat. Although the Alliance and Horde leaders bear a healthy respect for each another, old racial hatreds stir within the hearts of their troops. Humans also look upon tauren with suspicion, due to the ties tauren have established with orcs. Humans and dwarves have long enjoyed a good relationship, a bond only strengthened since the dwarves' latest discoveries have energized their archaeological efforts. Elves are a source of mystery and frustration — especially the exotic night elves. Humans dislike and distrust jungle trolls and, to an even greater extent, Forsaken.[27] They greatly respect gnomish technological prowess, though it is unknown exactly how they view the Gnomeregan Exiles and their current plight.
Humans have been known to rarely intermarry with other races. The human paladin Turalyon married the elven ranger Alleria Windrunner, producing one son, Arator. Less famously, but perhaps more peculiarly, a human woman now named Tamara Wobblesprocket actually married a gnome.
Faith
Humans follow the Holy Light. This faith galvanizes them and gives them purpose and focus. Cathedrals and churches stand in their cities, and their priests preside over followers, heal the wounded, soothe the weary and smite the evil. Humans have an order of holy warriors, paladins, who follow the Holy Light and crush evil and chaotic beings in its name. Paladins are wholly committed to defending the human nations.[27]
Languages
Humans speak Common. They know many other languages as they deal with many different creatures.[27]
Names
Human parents grant a child its given name at birth, while its family name has a long history and usually speaks something of its bearer’s ancestry. Some humans change their family names to emphasize their own accomplishments.
- Male Names: Merander, Gyram, Darrick, Hebry.
- Female Names: Lilla, Merian, Richelle, Ammi.
- Family Names: Renn, Townguard, Silversmith, Runetouch.[27]
Magic and technology
- Main articles: Horde & Alliance magic#Humans, Alliance technology#Humans
Humans can practice arcane magic and divine magic, their mastery of these arts are rivaled on Azeroth perhaps only by the high elves, blood elves, and the draenei. These magics are used to heal and create in times of peace, and to harm and destroy in times of war.
Humans have a relatively good understanding of science and technology. However, this understanding does not come close to that of their dwarven and gnomish allies. The efforts of human engineers are laughable when compared to those of the dwarves' and gnomes'. These races have provided their advanced artillery, metalworking, and engineering skills to the Alliance during times of war. These are considerable benefits, including the creation and operation of powered siege engines and flying machines. The Deeprun Tram is a gnome-built mechanical wonder that serves as a speedy underground transportation device between Ironforge and Stormwind.
Humans have a great deal of respect for both the dwarves and gnomes for these accomplishments, and are eternally grateful for their contributions to the Alliance. Humans, for the most part, do not seem to be particularly aware of nor concerned about the harms the advancement of civilization and technology (as well as the use of arcane magic) may bring upon nature and the world. However, humans respect the night elves and their desire to preserve their sacred forests and lands in Kalimdor.
Human architecture is less pleasing to the eye than elven architecture, utilizing straight angles and simple materials such as wood, stone and mortar. However, human structures are much more resistant to damage than elven or Horde structures. Human structures are not nearly as strong as dwarven structures or as advanced as gnomish architecture, but they are much easier to build, and human forts and towns can be built relatively quickly.
Warfare
The armies of the human kingdoms are a force to be reckoned with. Well-trained footmen march to battle in plate armor with kite shields and broadswords, while courageous knights covered in heavy plate mail ride headlong into battle atop of their powerful equine steeds, wielding mighty lances and swords. Behind the humans come their allies; cunning elven archers and dwarven riflemen provide ranged support, human and gnomish (and in the past though there are some left, high elven) mages blast their enemies with magic and priests use their divine magic to heal and aid wounded allies. Perhaps the most fearsome foe to evil and the enemies of humankind on the battlefield are the mighty paladins, considered by many to be the champions of the human alliance. These fearsome knights bring justice to their enemies and aid to their allies with a combination of healing and aura magics and mastery with giant warhammers and massive runeblades.
Human bases are very difficult to penetrate. The walls of their strongholds are tall and tough, and from their watchtowers they can see enemies approach from far away, attacking them with siege weapons and archers while they advance. Behind the walls, an enemy would expect to meet ranks of dismounted knights and footmen, excluding their allies! During the Second War, the Horde lost many of its warriors laying siege to Capital City, many of them killed by the city's ballistae and archers.
Notes
- Although many generations of humans and kaldorei were befriended before the Great Sundering,[12] when Rhonin travelled to the past, during the War of the Ancients, the night elves didn't know what race he was and their studies indicated that he was some variation of a dwarf who had simply grown much taller than the rest.[28]
- Some modern human females have retained the ability to turn their flesh to stone or steel in a similar way as dwarves, due to the human's ancient connection with the titans, they believe that it was specifically the forger Khaz'Goroth who created them.[29]
Image gallery
 A fat human. |
 A buccaneer-looking human. |
 A really skinny human. |
 A unique looking human (stance of NPC). |
 A undead looking human. (Cultist) |
Speculation
| This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
It can be speculated that the birthing of humans is a severe side-effect of the Curse of Flesh on the vrykul.
References
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 174
- ^ 2.0 2.1 Lands of Conflict, p.18 Quote: ...and named the land as a whole in homage to their ancient ancestors: Azeroth.
- ^ Lands of Mystery, 125-126
- ^ 4.0 4.1 World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 43
- ^ WoWWotLK interview 2 (English). Jeffrey Kaplan and J. Allen Brack talk about Death Knights, Tuskar, and Arthas in this exclusive interview. Gamespot (2008-05-09). Retrieved on 2009-06-14. “...known as the vrykul, and what this guys were, are almost like the progenitors of the human race in warcraft lore... - Jeffrey Kaplan”
- ^ Anguish of Nifflevar
- ^ The Echo of Ymiron
- ^ 8.0 8.1 The Last Guardian, page 150
- ^ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Lands of Conflict, 17
- ^ 10.0 10.1 Lands of Conflict, 17 Quote: "In the early histories of dwarves and humans, the kaldorei are shadowy figures of dark perfection wielding incredible god-like powers.
- ^ 11.0 11.1 Lands of Conflict, page 22
- ^ 12.0 12.1 Shadows & Light, page 84-85
- ^ Shadows & Light, page 73
- ^ 14.0 14.1 Baxter, Rob; Tim Campbell, Bob Fitch, Luke Johnson, Seth Johnson, Mur Lafferty, Andrew J. Scott. in Ellen P. Kiley: Lands of Conflict, 18. ISBN 978-1588469601.
- ^ 15.0 15.1 Lands of Conflict, page 19
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 43-44
- ^ Lands of Conflict, 52
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 13
- ^ Lands of Conflict, 90
- ^ Lands of Conflict, 101
- ^ League of Arathor
- ^ Including Syndicate, Trolls and Ogres.
- ^ Lands of Conflict, 88
- ^ Lands of Conflict, 96
- ^ Lands of Mystery, 36
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 174
- ^ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 44
- ^ Demon Soul, pg.21
- ^ Alliance Player's Guide, 63
