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Species is a term used to split various unique creatures into separate groups. Numerous species populate Azeroth including "orcs, humans, gnomes, trolls, scorpids and murlocs, among many others".[1] Generations of offspring from the interfertile parents of two different species can also exist.[2] Many races can interbreed including humans, high elves,night elves, ogres, orcs, and draenei — producing races like half-elves, half-night elves, half-ogres, half-human half-ogres, and half-draenei. These offspring are often called half-breeds.

Satyr, dryads, keepers of the grove, centaur, magnataur, and nerubians may also be truly hybrid races.[citation needed] 

Species is often used interchangeably with race, although this is not always the case (not all races are necessarily unique species).

Definition

In World of Warcraft, Blizzard interchanges the terms species and race, giving them roughly the same meaning.[3]

Unfortunately, Blizzard is not always consistent on how they use the terms. Sometimes they use the term '"race" when they mean the biological definition of "species". This has led to conflicts between sources, where one source says blood elves and high elves are the same "biological race" ("biological species" would have been a more proper use of words in that syntax), while most sources say they are separate races (culturally and biologically).

Humans are the dominant (as in “most obvious”) intelligent species on Azeroth, but they are by no means alone. Elves, dwarves, tauren, imports such as orcs, and so on all share the world with humanity. In some cases, such races have proven far more influential than humanity over the long term.[4]

In the Warcraft universe, races like elves, dwarves, humans, orcs, draenei, ogres, goblins, tauren, etc are considered separate species[4][5][6] Template:Cite [7][8][9][10][11] and separate races.

For example, "since the beginning of the First War, orcs have interbred with a number of species" that vary largely in appearance; mostly with humans, "but half-ogres and half-draenei are not unheard of".[12]

Known lore "species"

This is a list of sapient "species" established in lore. Additionally, each grouping within the same group, such as various types of dwarves, elves, or trolls, are considered separate species/race or subspecies/subrace depending on the source.

"Subspecies"

Subspecies (aka subrace)[36] are generally considered lesser groups within a main race/species. However, even these subgroups are considered separate race or species themselves in some sources.

  • Dwarf subspecies can include Wildhammer, Ironforge, or Dark Iron dwarves.[37]
  • The various types of trolls are usually considered separate subspecies, though occasionally separate species.[citation needed]  [citation needed]  [38][39] The terms appear to be interchangeable to Blizzard.
  • Aesir and Vanir are considered two of the titan's various subspecies.[40]

References

  1. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  2. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 175. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  3. ^ High Elves and Blood Elves. World of Warcraft Encyclopedia > Mortal Races. Blizzard Entertainment.
  4. ^ a b c Arthaus. Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 38. ISBN 9781588460714. 
  5. ^ The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind
  6. ^ Golden, Christie. Rise of the Horde, 251. ISBN 978-0-7434-7138-1. 
  7. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  8. ^ DeCandido, Keith R.A.. Cycle of Hatred, 43. ISBN 978-0-7434-7136-7. 
  9. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 61,82. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  10. ^ a b Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 139,154. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  11. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 88,175. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  12. ^ a b c Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 139. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  13. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 31. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  14. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 88. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  15. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 123. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  16. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  17. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 88. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  18. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  19. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 61. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  20. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 88. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  21. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  22. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  23. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  24. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 61. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  25. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 139,154,222. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  26. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 88. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  27. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 61. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  28. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 111. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  29. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 123. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  30. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 49. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  31. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 141. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  32. ^ Arthaus. Shadows & Light, 107. ISBN 9781588469731. 
  33. ^ Kiley, Ellen P.. Lands of Mystery, 123. ISBN 9781588467843. 
  34. ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Monster Guide, 49. ISBN 9781588469366. 
  35. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 222. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  36. ^ Arthaus. World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 50. ISBN 9781588467812. 
  37. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 82,86. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  38. ^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 143. ISBN 9781588467720. 
  39. ^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 82,86. ISBN 9781588467737. 
  40. ^ Arthaus. Shadows & Light, 107. ISBN 9781588469731. 
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