World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1

World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 is a journey through an age of myth and legend, a time long before the Horde and the Alliance came to be. This definitive tome of Warcraft history reveals untold stories about the birth of the cosmos, the rise of ancient empires, and the forces that shaped the world of Azeroth and its people.

BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT Written by CHRIS METZEN, MATT BURNS, and ROBERT BROOKS Additional Story ALEX AFRASIABI, CHRISTIE GOLDEN, RICHARD A KNAAK, DAVE KOSAK, MICKY NEILSON, BILL ROPER, JAMES WAUGH Creative Direction and Design DOUG ALEXANDER, LOGAN LUBERA Editors CATE GARY, ROBERT SIMPSON • Lore SEAN COPELAND, EVELYN FREDERICKSEN, JUSTIN PARKER • Production MICHAEL BYBEE, RACHEL DE JONG, PHILLIP HILLENBRAND, IAN SATERDALEN Licensing MATT BEECHER, JASON BISCHOFF, BYRON PARNELL Special thanks to: the World of Warcraft game team, Xiaohu Alcocer, Dana Bishop, Tina Fu, Brissia Jimenez, Emily Mei, Frank Mummert, Tommy Newcomer, Max Ximenez Maps, cosmology chart, borders, and spot art by JOSEPH LACROIX Paintings by PETER C LEE DARK HORSE BOOKS Publisher MIKE RICHARDSON Editor DAVE MARSHALL Assistant Editor EVERETT PATTERSON Designer DAVID NESTELLE Digital Art Technician CHRIS HORN World of Warcraftđ Chronicle: Volume 1 © 2016 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc All rights reserved World of Warcraft is a registered trademark of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc Dark Horse Books® and the Dark Horse logo are registered trademarks of Dark Horse Comics, Inc All rights reserved No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form or by any means, without the express written permission of Dark Horse Comics, Inc Published by Dark Horse Books A division of Dark Horse Comics, Inc 10956 SE Main Street Milwaukie, OR 97222 DarkHorse.com International Licensing: (503) 905-2377 Comic Shop Locator Service: (888) 266-4226 Digital ISBN 978-1-63008-565-0 BLIZZARD.COM v3.1 Cover Title Page Copyright Preface Introduction: Cosmology Chapter I: Mythos Chapter II: Primordial Azeroth Chapter III: Ancient Kalimdor Chapter IV: A New World Index It’s been amazing to watch the Warcraft universe grow and take shape over the past twenty years or so What started out as a relatively simple game setting has become a lasting, vibrant world in its own right, one that is visited daily by millions of players from all around the globe The world of Azeroth has been shaped by hundreds of craftsmen, designers, artists, and writers since its earliest inception It is the product of many talented hands and many passionate voices, all bent toward creating a world so rich in detail, theme, and characterization that … well … you’d want to pull on your +6 Boots of Butt-Kicking and give your all to defend it At the core of it all lies a real sense of … history The overarching story of Warcraft is a vast, intertwining patchwork of myths, legends, and worldshaking events that ultimately contextualize the players’ heroic efforts in the ever-expanding world they share Twenty years of storytelling Tens of thousands of moments, characters, races, and monsters, all forming dense strata of concepts and ideas over time This book—this chronicle—is meant to bring it all together and reinforce the overarching narrative that lies at Warcraft’s heart Writing this was an opportunity to unite the frayed story ends and smooth out the rough edges of this fictional history Ultimately, this grand (and super nerdy) editorial undertaking gives us an amazing perspective on Warcraft’s recurring themes and conflicts: How societies often clash before seeing a common humanity in each other … How earnest, well-intentioned heroes can often succumb to temptations of power … How failing to take responsibility for mistakes of the past can lead to calamity in the present … These are just a few of the motifs that form the common thread of Azeroth’s great history, expressed across disparate cultures, factions, and individuals over mythic spans of time Cycles within cycles … It’s from this top-down view that we can more clearly see the dangerous yet glorious horizons ahead And even in the face of all this … history … I’m fairly certain that the adventure is only just beginning! Chris Metzen SVP, Story and Franchise Development Blizzard Entertainment August 2015 I first encountered the world of Azeroth in the year 2000 Blizzard Entertainment was looking for an author to turn the story line of its Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans into a novel I had six weeks to write a book set in a world with which I was completely unfamiliar Thanks to the unfailing support and enthusiasm of Chris Metzen (who was always reachable to answer such burning questions as “What color is orc blood?”), those six weeks laid the groundwork for a business relationship that remains one of constant joy, adventure, sheer fun, and magic So in love with Azeroth was I after writing Lord of the Clans that I learned to play my first video game—World of Warcraft—mainly so I could spend more time there And soon, we’re all going to get to visit Azeroth in another medium entirely—the realm of movies In the meantime, I, like every other reader of this book, intend to sit down and curl up with this exhaustive and beautiful history of a vividly imagined world that still manages to draw me in, even though I’ve played WoW almost since its launch and written eight novels set within Azeroth’s borders (Okay, mostly … I went to Draenor for one of them.) There’s always something to learn, a new character to meet, and a new story to tell It’s like catching up with an old friend May you feel the same “For Azeroth!” —Christie Golden When I was first asked to pen tales for Warcraft, the game was already something of a phenomenon, but I don’t think even those at the top of the Blizzard hierarchy expected the worldwide sensation they would create just a couple of years later I’d been fortunate enough to be there early on in the rise of Dragonlance —The Legend of Huma was the first novel not written by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman—and I’d marveled at the legions of loyal fans at Gen Con and signings I also had my own series, The Dragonrealm, with its share of dedicated followers Yet nothing compared to what I experienced when my novel Warcraft: Day of the Dragon came out in 2001 The reaction was as immediate as it was huge The appreciation of the readers came from every corner of the globe, a sign of just how dedicated the fan base for Warcraft had already become Over the past decade plus, I’ve only seen that dedication continue to swell Azeroth is a world so rich and real that it’s no surprise that millions not only have enjoyed it but also have kept coming back It’s been a pleasure to be part of this phenomenon and see my stories—and characters —added to Azeroth’s already very full history, a history that continues to grow A history that’s gonna need a volume 2 before long … —Richard Knaak THE TOWER OF KARAZHAN, FUTURE HOME OF THE GUARDIAN MEDIVH Abyssal Maw Aegwynn, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Aerie Peak Aertin Brighthand aesir Aessina Agamaggan Age of a Hundred Kings Aggramar, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Ahn’Qiraj, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Al’Akir, 2.1, 2.2 Alexstrasza, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Algalon, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 Alodi Alterac Fortress, 4.1, 4.2 Alterac Mountains, 4.1, 4.2 Amani, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 Aman’Thul, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2 Anachronos Anasterian Sunstrider Andrassil Anduin Lothar annihilan anubisath, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 Anvilmar aqir, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Arathor, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Archaedas, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 4.1, 4.2 Archimonde, 2.1, 3.1 Ardogan Argus, 2.1, 3.1 Arngrim Ashenvale, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Atal’ai ata’mal crystal August Celestials, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Azj’Aqir Azjol-Nerub Azshara, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Balnir Ban’dinoriel Barathen Wrynn Black Empire, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 Blackrock Mountain Brightwood Bronzebeard Burning Crusade, fm5.1, 2.1, 4.1 Burning Legion, fm5.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7 Capital City Caverns of Time Cenarion Circle, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Cenarius, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Chi-Ji, 2.1, 3.1 Church of the Holy Light constellar, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Council of Silvermoon Council of Tirisfal, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Crystalsong Forest, 4.1, 4.2 C’Thrax, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 C’Thun, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1 curse of flesh, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 Dalaran, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Daral’nir Dark Iron dark trolls Dath’Remar Sunstrider, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Deathwing Deepholm, 2.1, 2.2 Discs of Norgannon, 2.1, 2.2 draenei Dragon Aspects, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Dragon Soul, 3.1, 3.2 Dragonflayer Drakkari dreadlords, 1.1, 4.1 dryad, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 dwarves, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Earth Mother earthen, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Eastweald, 4.1, 4.2 Eldre’Thalas, 3.1, 4.1 Elemental Plane, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1 Elisande, 3.1, 4.1 Elun’dris Elune, 3.1, 3.2 Emerald Dream, fm4.1, fm5.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Emerald Nightmare Empire of Zul Engine of Nalak’sha, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Eonar, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2 eredar, 2.1, 3.1 faceless ones See n’raqi Faldir Fandral Staghelm, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Firelands Forge of Origination, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 Forge of Wills, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1 Freya, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 furbolgs, 2.1, 3.1 Galakrond, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2 Garfang Genedar Gilneas, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Gnomeregan, 4.1, 4.2 gnomes, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 goblins Goldrinn, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 Golganneth, 1.1, 2.1 Great Dark Beyond, fm4.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 Great Turtle See Shen-zin Su Grim Batol Guardian of Tirisfal Guardian Sanctum Gurubashi, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Hakkar the Houndmaster Hakkar the Soulflayer Hakkari Halls of Valor, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Helheim Helya, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 high elves, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Highborne, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Hodir, 2.1, 2.2 Holy Order of Northshire Clerics hozen, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 humans, 2.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8 Mount Hyjal, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Ignaeus Trollbane, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Ignis, 2.1, 2.2 Illidan Stormrage, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 Immol’thar, 4.1, 4.2 Ironaya, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2 Ironforge, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Jade Serpent See Yu’lon jalgar Jarod Shadowsong Jiang Jintha, 4.1, 4.2 jinyu, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 kaja’mite kaldorei Kang Karazhan, 4.1, 4.2 Kathra’natir Kezan Khardros Wildhammer Khaz’goroth, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 Kil’jaeden Kith’ix, 2.1, 3.1 Klaxxi Korven the Prime Kul Tiras, 4.1, 4.2 K’ure Kur’talos Ravencrest Kvaldir kypari Lao-Fe the Slavebinder Lathar’Lazal Legion See Burning Legion Lei Shen, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Light, fm3.1, fm4.1, 1.1, 1.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Liu Lang Llane Wrynn loa, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Loken, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7 Lordaeron, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Lordain, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Lorewalkers Madoran Bronzebeard Maelstrom, 3.1, 4.1 Maiev Shadowsong Malfurion Stormrage, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Malorne, 2.1, 3.1 Malygos, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 Mannoroth mantid, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1, 4.2 Manti’vess Maraudon Mardum, 1.1, 2.1 Mashan’she mechagnomes, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 4.1, 4.2 Medivh, 4.1, 4.2 Mengazi, 3.1, 3.2 Mimiron, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 4.1 Modgud Modimus Anvilmar mogu, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Mogu’shan Vaults Molten Core Monkey King Moonglade, 3.1, 4.1 Moonsong, 3.1, 4.1 naaru, fm5.1, 1.1, 2.1, 4.1 naga nathrezim See dreadlords Nazjatar Neltharion, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 Neptulon, 2.1, 2.2 nerubians Nether See Twisting Nether Nexus Nielas Aran night elves, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 nightborne Nightwell Nihilam Niuzao, 2.1, 3.1 Nordrassil, 4.1, 4.2 Norgannon, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 Northeron Nozdormu, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 n’raqi, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 N’Zoth Odyn, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4 Old Gods, fm5.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1 Order of the Cloud Serpent, 3.1, 3.2 pandaren, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 4.1 Pantheon, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 2.10, 2.11, 3.1 Pillars of Creation, 2.1, 3.1 pit lords See annihilan Prime Designate, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 proto-dragons, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5 Qiang the Merciless qiraji, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 quel’dorei See high elves Quel’Thalas, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Ra, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Ragnaros, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1, 4.2 Ralaar Fangfire Sargeras, fm5.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 saronite, 4.1, 4.2 satyr, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Scarab Gong Scarab Wall Scavell Scepter of the Shifting Sands sea giants Sentinels, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 Serpent’s Spine, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1 sha, 3.1, 3.2 Shado-pan Shadowforge City Shadowlands, fm4.1, 2.1, 2.2 Shandaral, 3.1, 4.1 Shandris Feathermoon, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Shaohao Shen’dralar, 4.1, 4.2 Shen-zin Su Sif silithid Silvermoon City, 4.1, 4.2 Sisterhood of Elune, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Skywall Song Stonewrought Dam Storm Peaks, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1 Stormwind, 4.1, 4.2 Strom, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Stromgarde Sundering, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 Sunwell Suramar, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 taunka, 3.1, 4.1 tauren, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 Temple of Atal’Hakkar Temple of Elune Thandol Span Thaurissan Then’Ralore Theradras Therazane, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1 Thoradin, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Thorim, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 Thunder King See Lei Shen Thundering Mountain Tirisfal, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 Tirisfal Glades, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Tirisgarde, 4.1, 4.2 titan-forged, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2 titans, fm5.1, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 3.1 tol’vir, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Tomb of Conquerors, 3.1, 3.2 Tortheldrin, 4.1, 4.2 Tortolla Tribunal of Ages troggs Troll Wars, 4.1, 4.2 trolls, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 Twisting Nether, fm4.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 Tyr, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 4.1 Tyrande Whisperwind, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2 Uldaman, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2 Ulduar, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 3.1, 4.1 Uldum, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 Ursoc Ursol valarjar, 2.1, 2.2 Val’kyr, 2.1, 2.2 Valstann Staghelm vanir Vashj, 3.1, 3.2 Vault of Antiquities Velen Void, fm3.1, fm4.1, 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1 void lords, fm5.1, 1.1, 2.1, 2.2 Volkhan, 2.1, 2.2 Vordrassil vrykul, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 4.1 Wandering Isle War of the Ancients, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 War of the Shifting Sands War of the Three Hammers Well of Eternity, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Wild Gods, fm5.1, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8 Wildhammer, 4.1, 4.2 Winterskorn, 2.1, 2.2 worgen world-soul, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2 Wyrmrest Temple, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 Xalan the Feared Xavius, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 Xuen, 2.1, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 yaungol Ymiron Yogg-Saron, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Ysera, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 Y’Shaarj, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2 Yu’lon, 2.1, 3.1 Zaetar Zakazj Zandalari, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 2.1 Zin-Azshari, 3.1, 3.2 Zul’Aman, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2 Zulathra, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Zuldazar, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 Zul’Gurub Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Contents Preface Introduction: Cosmology Chapter I: Mythos Chapter II: Primordial Azeroth Chapter III: Ancient Kalimdor Chapter IV: A New World Index ... PATTERSON Designer DAVID NESTELLE Digital Art Technician CHRIS HORN World of Warcraftđ Chronicle: Volume 1 © 2 016 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc All rights reserved World of Warcraft is a registered trademark of Blizzard Entertainment,... living realm composed of innumerable stars, worlds, and mortal civilizations Azeroth—the world of Warcraft—is merely one of the countless worlds drifting through the vast reaches of the Great Dark Beyond... ever-expanding world they share Twenty years of storytelling Tens of thousands of moments, characters, races, and monsters, all forming dense strata of concepts and ideas over time This book—this chronicle is