Human 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 . They founded seven kingdoms that banded together in the Second War . Humans native to Northrend were often forced into slave labor in the magnataur kingdoms of ancient history . Since the Third War , the kingdom of Stormwind has led humanity and is a powerful stronghold of the Alliance . 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 . Their aggressive and inquisitive nature lead the human nations to become active and influential in the world . Such was the case prior to the orc s ' original invasion through the Dark Portal . Human kingdoms suffered greatly in the three wars against forces of the demonic Burning Legion ' s creating , The Horde in the first two , and The Scourge in the third . Many humans fell in the Third War , leaving behind battered , but not broken , survivors of the Human Expedition under the command of the sorceress Jaina Proudmoore . ( Following the prophet ' s advice to Thrall as well ) This group of refugees from Lordaeron settled on the wild continent of Kalimdor , where they founded Theramore . Theramore continued to be an important trading station and later a staging ground for raids into the barrens before falling to the Horde . Lordaeron , a former human city , is decimated - a battlefield for forest trolls , the Scourge , Forsaken , ogres , and other creatures . The few humans who remain in Lordaeron struggle 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 persistently attack it . 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 view of diplomacy that does not favor negotiations . Aided by belief in the Holy Light , humans have fought hard and endured much during the wars against the Horde and the Burning Legion . Despite all their tragedies , humans show hardiness , bravery and nobility , and are thoroughly committed to building strong societies , re - inforcing their kingdoms , and reclaiming their nations . Years of war have tempered human resolve , giving them a determined nature . History . At the dawn . The humans are descendant of the vrykul . Around 15 , 000 years ago , the gods " abandoned " the vrykul , and a certain time after that , their children were born " weak and ugly . " 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 . The earliest known history indicates that they may have been called the Azotha . Between the finding of magic from the Well of Eternity and the Sundering ( approximately 14 , 000 - 10 , 000 years ago ) , the Azotha became the humans . They were nearly as savage as their foes among the troll s , and both groups wandered the land battling each other while trying to plant the seeds of their cultures . The trolls actively hunted these humans . These nascent humans saw the kaldorei as shadowy figures with god - like powers , but were sometimes captured and used as slaves by them . Centuries before the War of the Ancients , the bear Ancient s Ursoc and Ursol , befriended many generations of humans and kaldorei and were beloved in return . 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 . Groups of endangered humans or night elves were guided away from the doomguard by Aviana disguised in mortal form . After the Sundering , the human tribes teetered for thousands of years on the brink of extinction as their numbers were winnowed by an increased struggle for resources . They persevered , exploring the continents in search of game , wood , and refuge . 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 . The surviving tribes of humans sent out intrepid band s to explore the reborn world and to find their long - lost brethren . Slowly , trade routes were established across the revitalized world . 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 . 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 won against the trolls , and they built the nation of Strom and later the empire of Arathor . Arathor gradually expanded and splintered into seven separate , sometimes warring empires for over 1 , 200 years until the creation of the Alliance . Recovery from war . 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 . Immediately after the events of the Third War , Azerothian humanity was on the ropes , and the race ' s future was somewhat in question . Historians argue that 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 sprawling , sturdy 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 other than the Scourge is the Forsaken , who are continuing their attempts to expand South from Tirisfal into Arathi . However , 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 of this , humans continue to be vigilant , and have banded closer together and with the Alliance as a whole . Recent history . Today , King Anduin Wrynn oversees Stormwind under the watch of the council of nobles and occasional guidance of King Genn Greymane . During the former absence of King Varian , the Kingdom of Stormwind lost much of its glory due to corruption from within and suffered further physical damage from Deathwing as he rampaged across Azeroth . After he returned , due to the rising power of loyal adventurers , Storwind ' s reqional power was much restored , but surrounding larger settlements are still loathe to depend on the kingdoms forces . It still retains some ties with the towns of Darkshire , Lakeshire , Goldshire , Southshore , and ( to a lesser extent ) Menethil Harbor . These towns fall under the protection and leadership of Stormwind , but they also have their own local militias and independent democratic elections ( 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 and has recently moved its capital above Crystalsong Forest in Northrend to battle the threats arising here . 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 . 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 is the only kingdom that cannot be visited in " World of Warcraft . " After the end of the Third War , Alliance forces under Jaina Proudmoore sailed to Southeastern 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 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 has diminished to a fraction of the size and power 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 . Stormwind has been rebuilt and stands larger and better defended 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 . Appearance . Humans come from many backgrounds and show great 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 , purple , green , gray , or hazel . Human hair is brown , black , blond , or red . Men often grow short beards and women commonly wear their hair long . Humans average almost six feet in height and weigh about 180 pounds , with men noticeably taller and heavier than women . 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 . Human 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 and have been known to be arrogant , overzealous , or vainglorious . Humans have also regularly displayed noble and altruistic attitudes and actions . These qualities have led to human society producing notable 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 shown to possess is that of a farmer , bandit , or soldier . Human cities are extremely large , bustling , and lively . Outside city walls , in the countryside , the human peasant ry provides basic resources to the rest of the kingdom ; the peasant farms , mines , and chops wood . In the city , merchants trade goods while craftsmen practice and perform their trades and businessmen provide services . At the top of the social hierarchy are the nobility , who sit within their castles , making important political decisions on the running of the kingdom . Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans , some groups do deviate from this cultural trait and possess no loyalties toward 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 , sea piracy , and fanaticism 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 , and at 70 years they are venerable , with a maximum age between 72 - 110 years . 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 seen to be filled with unchecked passion and ambition . Their desire for power and knowledge has allowed for some of the greatest mage s 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 what are regarded as 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 friction again returned once they dispatched the demonic threat . Although the Alliance and Horde leaders bear a healthy respect for each another , old racial hatreds are commonplace . 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 , with whom they are allied . Humans dislike and distrust jungle trolls and , to an even greater extent , Forsaken . 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 . Rhonin , the leader of the Kirin Tor , is married to Alleria ' s sister Vereesa . Less famously , a human woman now named Tamara Wobblesprocket married a gnome . Faith . Humans follow the Holy Light . Cathedrals and churches stand in their cities , and their priests preside over followers , heal the wounded , soothe the weary , and crusade against what they consider evil . Humans have an order of holy warriors , paladin s , who follow the Holy Light and crush evil and chaotic beings in its name . Paladins are wholly committed to defending the human nations . Originally before the Third Great War , the faith among Humans was centered upon the worship of an omnipotent deity ( who created the entire universe ) called God . Among this they had mentions about Angels , Demons and Hell , though later on such characters were less mentioned . The Warcraft III manual even mentioned that the Warcraft Universe was created by God . However , it is apparent that the Holy Light has become non - theistic after the Third Great War , and is odd why they would worship God if they descended from Titanic creations known as the Vrykul . Perhaps Titans were also created by God . In Warcraft II , a church would say " Deo Gratias " if clicked upon , meaning " Thank God " in Latin . It is probably changed through the lore as the detail may reflect too much upon gamers in real life , possibily changing the holy - light to non - theism . Apparently , elven allies of Humans within the Alliance during the monotheistic times were alongside Polytheistic as Milan as praying to the gods , and even described his allies also as polytheistic . See : Retcon speculation , Clerics of Northshire Languages . Humans speak Common . They may know many other languages , however , as they deal with many different creatures . 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 . Magic and technology . 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 , which serves as a speedy underground device for transportation 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 knight s 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 priest s 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 paladin s , 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 . Trivia . Humans have also appeared in every Warcraft - based game . The humans in Stormwind fought against the orcs in Warcraft 1 & 2 , the humans of Lordaeron tried to halt the Plague in Warcraft 3 , and is a playable race in World of Warcraft . Speculation . It can be speculated that the birthing of humans is a severe side - effect of the Curse of Flesh on the vrykul .