Racial terminology

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This is a page for Racial terminology in Warcraft Lore. These are technical terms.

Racial Terms used in multiple Warcraft sources

Aberration

An aberration has a bizarre anatomy, strange abilities, an alien mindset, or any combination of the three.^{MG 185} These are often offshoots of other creatures including humanoids, undead, beasts, and insect like creatures, etc.^{MG 74, 125, 185, 212} Nerubians and forgotten ones are aberrations for example. This is reflected in World of Warcraft as aberrations appearing in the game are usually offshoots of some undead or elemental.^[1][2][3]

Arakkoa

Generally flightless vulture-like race who wear colorful robes and plumed headdresses^[4] found in Outland primarily in Terokkar Forest, but also encountered in Hellfire Peninsula and the Blade's Edge Mountains.^{BtDP #?}

Demi-human

A term used for races that are human-like, such as elves, orcs, gnomes, and dwarves.^{W3Man 85} See The Alliance of Lordaeron.

Note: While the term demi-human is used to describe only a few specific races that share similar characteristics, it does not mean that they are all related to "humans".

Draenei

Draenei is a term that can refer to three separate races, uncorrupted Eredar^[5], the Broken^[6], and Lost Ones. In Warcraft III, the draenei mostly appeared as the Broken or Lost Ones.^[7]

Dwarf

The term dwarf was the term humans gave to the race of short, stocky, and bearded humanoids once known as the Earthen. At the time the Dwarves did not know that the word literally meant "diminutive". They are glad they weren't called worse by the humans, for example "beard-men" or "rockheads" or something like that.

The name stuck, and now all races around the world use it to describe dwarves, even the Dwarves themselves. While it might have originated out of an apparent racial slur, today dwarves are proud of the term, and do not see it as being a negative terminology, and in fact gladly call themselves dwarves. ^{APG 140}

Hill Dwarves

A term used for clans of dwarves that live primarily in the hills. They construct their buildings above ground, with roofs opened to the sky (rarely digging very deep into the hills).^{LoC 19} Some hill dwarves were familiar with and known to elven rangers.^{DotD 280}

Mountain Dwarves

A term used to describe various clans of dwarves that live primarily in the mountains. The primary clan of mountain dwarves is the Bronzebeard Clan.^{LoC 19} At least some of the wild dwarves are also called mountain dwarves as well.^{DotD 35}

Wild Dwarves

Wild dwarves is a term for the dwarves of the Wildhammer Clan. ^{DotD 35 W3Man 12 MoM 54} Perhaps "wild dwarves" are a sub-type of hill dwarves, or it is a term derived from Wildhammer.^{[speculation]}

The Khaz Modan hill dwarves and Aerie wild dwarves are shown to have racial enmity to each other, although they call each other "cousin".^{DotD 261}

Earthen

Stony humanoids created by the Titans during the forming of Azeroth, some later degenerated into troggs while others transformed into dwarves.^[8] Most of the dwarves were thought to have originated from earthen in Uldaman.^{APG 140}

Eredar

The parent race to the corrupted man'ari (led by Archimonde and Kil'jaeden)^{RotH 14}, who joined the Burning Legion^[9], and their rebel cousins, the draenei, who rejected the recruitment of Sargeras. They are now otherworldly demons.^{W3Man #?MoM #?}

Ethereals

A race of pure energy, who call non-energy races "fleshlings", that have come to Outland to profit from the turmoil there and battle between their own factions (the Ethereum, the Consortium, and the Protectorate) for various goals.^[10] They live and travel in the Twisting Nether^{S&L 154} after having been driven from their homeworld of K'aresh.^[10]

Fey

A fey is a creature with supernatural abilities and connections to nature or to some other force or place. Fey are usually human-shaped or have human-shaped portions (such as a humanoid torso and the body of a stag or other wild creature).^{MG 189} Faerie dragons are also fey, and this is reflected in the names of certain subtypes such as Fey Dragon and Fey Drake[1]^{APG 207} Dark fey and other agents occasionally assist carnivorous trees in their feeding.^{MoM 196}

Note: While Fey is used to describe a few specific races with similar characteristics, it does not mean that all are related.

Half-draenei

A half-draenei is the offspring between an orc and a draenei. They show a blending of orc and draenei features.^{HPG 139,167} Lantresor is half-draenei.

Half-breed

Half-breed is a term used to categorize any species made up of two separate species.^{APG #?} The term "half-breed" was used by orcs and ogres to refer to Rexxar in the Third War.^[11] It was used to negate Rexxar's mixed orc and ogre ancestry, excluding him from either society.^{[citation needed]}

Half-orc

"Half-orc" is the term usually the term for the offspring between humans and orcs. The term is used by all races of the world, including the esteemed anthropologist, Brann Bronzebeard in his scientific reports. Half-orcs do not appear to be insulted by the term, and they also refer to themselves as Half-orcs. It is not a "racial slur" but a technical term, and a term of self-identity.^{HPG #?} The first known half-orc was Garona.^{W1Man #?}

Half-elf

Half-elf is the term used by all races on Azeroth to describe the group of half human and half high elves, and its even used by the esteemed anthropologist Brann Bronzebeard. In fact Half-elves use it to define themselves, and while humble hold some pride in the term. It is a technical term and term of self-identity rather than a "racial slur".^{APG #?Sunwell #?WOE #?}

Half-ogre

The term "Half-ogre" is used to designate the race of orc and ogre offspring. The term is used by Brann Bronzebeard in his scientific reports. Half-ogres refer to themselves by the term. Rexxar is an example of a half-ogre.^{BtDP #?}. It is a technical term, and a term of self-identity.^{HPG 7-8}

Near-human

Medivh used this term as one other possible explanation for Garona's parentage if not human.^{LoC #?} Traditionally in fantasy/sci-fi, near human means something that shares a common ancestor with humans or evolved from humans. That is humans and near-humans are related by ancestral roots.

Human

Human is modern name for prolific race of humanoids on Azeroth formally known as the Azotha.^{[citation needed]}

Humanoid

Humanoid is the technical term used to describe roughly human like species. That is "having human form or characteristics". A humanoid usually has two arms, two legs, and one head, or a human-like torso, arms, and a head. Humanoids have few or no supernatural or extraordinary abilities, but most can speak and usually have well-developed societies.^{MG 191} Humanoid can refer to any race (not neccesarily sapient) that share at least some similarities to basic human build, at least from the torso up. Dryads for example are considered fey "humanoids" even though they have bestial lower bodies. Not all humanoid-like creatures are considered humanoids however, and many are classified as Giants, or Undead. In some cases these are smaller sub-categories within term humanoid, for example, Goblinoid, Giant or some Fey. It is a technical term, rather than a "racial slur".

Note: While humanoid is used to describe races with similar characteristics, it does not mean they are all related to "humans".

Giant

Giants is a humanoid-creature of great strength. They are a very large size (above 3 meters/yards or so) and larger than most Ogres (though ogres are considered as one of the races of giants of Draenor). This includes most semi-intelligent large humanoids and some intelligent. Most giants are the creations of the Titans, birthed when the world was young.^{MG 190}

Note: While giant is described races with similar characteristics, it does not mean that all are related to giants.

Lost Ones

Lost Ones are wretched "cousins" of the Broken, these are draenei who have suffered so much they have gone mad.^[12] They call themselves "Lost Ones" in mourning of their former world.^{MoM 26} A mixture of these sad creatures somehow made the journey to Azeroth and settled in the Swamp of Sorrows with those recovering from their madness living in the harborage and those still suffering in the Fallow Sanctuary.^[13]

Racial Terms described in RPG

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft RPG.

Half-human half-ogre

A rumored race created from the union of humans and ogres.^{HPG 7}

Half-ogre magi

Theoretical offspring between ogre magi and orcs.^{HPG 7}

Half-night elf/half-Kaldorei

• Half-night elf aka half-Kaldorei^[14] is the term used to describe the offspring of humans and night elves.^{WRPG 49, 55APG 12}

Half-blood elf

Half-blood elf is the term used to describe the offspring of humans and blood elves.^{APG 12}

Mongrelman

Mongrelmen is a term used for a race of miscellaneous hybrid individuals from various races.^{MoM 200}

Goblinoid

Goblinoid is a sub-category of the term "humanoid" describing races with similar characteristics to goblins. Orcs and goblins are not the only goblinoids on Azeroth. Some of the previously unknown species are crossbreeds, while others seem to be races unto themselves. It is unknown who came up with the term "Goblinoid". It is used very few times in the Manual of Monsters a technical bestiary manual. It is a technical term rather than a "racial slur".^{MoM 193, 195,197,202}

Note: While Goblinoid is used to describe only a few specific races that share similar characteristics, it does not mean that they are all related to "goblins".

Outsider

An outsider is at least partially composed of the essence (but not necessarily the material) of some plane other than Azeroth. Some creatures start out as some other type and become outsiders when they attain a higher (or lower) state of spiritual existence.^{MG 194}

Note: While outsider is used to describe a few specific races with similar characteristics, it does not mean that all are related.

Magical Beasts

Magical beasts are similar to animals but can have higher intelligences. Magical beasts often have supernatural or extraordinary abilities, but sometimes are merely bizarre in appearance or habits.^{MG 192}

Note: While magical beast is used to describe a few specific races with similar characteristics, it does not mean that all are related.

Racial Terms described in Burning Crusade

This section concerns content exclusive to The Burning Crusade.

The Broken

A sub-race of the draenei created by corruption during the battle with the Burning Legion. They tend to have flattened facial features and reduced stature compared to uncorrupted draenei.^[9] They are credited with bringing shamanistic powers and practice to the larger draenei population and therefore the Alliance.^[6]

The Mag'har

Brown-skinned orcs untainted by the Burning Legion who call Nagrand in Outland (once known as Draenor) their home.^[15][16] They also have an outpost in Hellfire Peninsula.^[17]

Sporeggar

Apparently fungus-based humanoids who call themselves "sporelings",^[18] these mushroom-like, intelligent creatures can only be found in the Zangarmarsh region of Outland. They develop from spore sacs in southwest Zangarmarsh.^[19] They're main settlement is also called Sporeggar.^[20]

Racial Terms described in Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content exclusive to Wrath of the Lich King.

Frost Dwarves

Also known as the Frostborn, this mysterious race of dwarves was encountered by the Alliance Expedition in Storm Peaks, Northrend at their home of Frosthold.^[21][22]

Iron Dwarves

A hostile race of dwarves newly encountered throughout Northrend (most found Howling Fjord^{[citation needed]}, Grizzly Hills^{[citation needed]} and the Storm Peaks^{[citation needed]}), but appear to be intent on destroying any archaeological connections to other dwarves and much to the chagrin of the Explorers' League.^[23]

References

1. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=10485
2. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=11480
3. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/?npc=18865
4. ^ http://www.blizzplanet.com/content/625/
5. ^ http://www.blizzplanet.com/content/553/
6. ^ ^{6.0 6.1} http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/story/unbroken/unbroken.xml
7. ^ http://www.battle.net/war3/neutral/Draenei.shtml
8. ^ Lore Keeper of Norgannon
9. ^ ^{9.0 9.1} http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/burningcrusade/townhall/bestiary.html
10. ^ ^{10.0 10.1} http://blizzplanet.com/content/641/
11. ^ Warcraft III : The Frozen Throne. Blizzard Entertainment. The Founding of Durotar

    To Tame a Land.

12. ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/burningcrusade/townhall/bestiary.html
13. ^  [35] Draenethyst Crystals
14. ^ Short story in Shadows and Light, pages 133-4
15. ^ http://www.blizzplanet.com/content/618/
16. ^  [62] The Mag'har
17. ^  [63] Envoy to the Mag'har
18. ^  [64] Natural Enemies
19. ^  [63] The Sporelings' Plight
20. ^  [64] Sporeggar
21. ^  [80] Aid from the Explorer's League
22. ^ http://wotlk.wowhead.com/?faction=1126
23. ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/bestiary/index.xml