Shadowmoon clan The Shadowmoon clan , also known as Shadow Moon clan , was led by the orc shaman Ner ' zhul , and was the most powerful clan on Draenor prior to the world ' s destruction . Named for the Shadowmoon Valley in which it was based , the clan was very heavily influenced by shamanistic traditions , like all orcish clans at that time . Their way of shamanism is different than the other orcish shamans in that they use void magic instead of the water , fire , earth and air . Although the Shadowmoon clan practiced traditional orc shamanism , their leader , Ner ' zhul practiced a much darker version of shamanism . His own shamanic practices were heavily influenced by Warlock magic , a result of Ner ' zhul ' s trafficking with Kil ' jaeden , a demon of immense power . Kil ' jaeden had the objective of turning the orcs into a Horde of blood - thirsty creatures to satisfy the Burning Legion , a powerful force bent on the destruction of various worlds in the Great Dark Beyond . Ner ' zhul later realized what Kil ' jaeden was doing , and attempted to halt the orcs ' corruption . His efforts were in vain , as his own student , Gul ' dan , continued Kil ' jaeden ' s schemes to horrifying success . The Shadowmoon clan was the major force in the conflicts following the conclusion of the Second War , conducting raids on Azeroth to procure various artifacts — the Book of Medivh , Skull of Gul ' dan , Jeweled Scepter of Sargeras , and Eye of Dalaran . Ner ' zhul attempted to open portals to other worlds , but the energy released tore Draenor apart . Ner ' zhul and his select followers escaped through one of the portals into the Twisting Nether , leaving the remainder of the clan behind , presumably to die . However , the remainder of the Shadowmoon clan somehow managed to survive the destruction of Draenor , and became fel orc s in the service of Magtheridon . When Magtheridon was toppled by Illidan Stormrage during the siege of the Black Temple , the Shadowmoons became part of his armies . World of Warcraft . Burning Crusade . The fel orcs of the Shadowmoon clan are primarily spell - casters — to be more specific , warlocks . Shadowmoon warlocks under Keli ' dan the Breaker appear to be the jailors of Magtheridon deep inside Hellfire Citadel ' s Blood Furnace , and the area is manned by Shadowmoon technicians and adepts using the blood of Magtheridon to turn captured Mag ' har orcs into new fel orcs . The Shadowmoon warlocks can also be found inside the Shattered Halls . The other major concentration of the Shadowmoon clan outside of Hellfire Citadel is at the Black Temple itself , on the Ata ' mal Terrace . There they hold the Heart of Fury , one of the shards of the ata ' mal crystal . The fel orcs , along with the blood elves in the Ruins of Karabor , on the Temple ' s south battlements , are found inside the Temple itself , in the direct service of their demon - crazed master . Many other Shadowmoons also serve Teron Gorefiend at Gorefiend ' s Vigil . The orcish guards in Shadowmoon Village , now members of the reformed Horde under Thrall , are likely the last uncorrupted members of the Shadowmoon clan . Wrath of the Lich King . It is said that the first Liches of the Scourge were Warlocks followers of Ner ' zhul , heavily implying they were former members of this clan . Warlords of Draenor . In the alternate timeline of Draenor , the Shadowmoon clan pledge their support to the Iron Horde and are led by their chieftain Ner ' zhul . Their strength lies within their mastery of the dark arts .