Heroes and Villains Antonidas . Antonidas is the head of the Kirin Tor , the conclave of wizards that rules over the magical kingdom of Dalaran . This venerable Archmage is reputedly one of the most powerful wizards in the world . Though his failing health prohibits him from spending to much time away from his beloved city , his apprentice , Jaina Proudmoore , serves as his eyes and ears in the world . Antonidas looks forward to the day when he will hand his power and mantle of leadership over to Jaina , who he feels will make a most impressive Archmage . Archimonde . Archimonde the Defiler was one of the first demons to rally behind Sargeras when the Burning Legion was formed . Archimonde is heartless and brutal , but very cunning and far sighted . The colossal demon wields limitless warlock magics and primal strength to lay waste to any who would oppose his fiery will . In his heart of hearts , he seeks to become a god and wield powers that rival those of Sargeras himself . After ten thousand years of waiting , he is prepared to invade the world of Azeroth once again . Though he is committed to carry out the invasion in Sargeras ’ name , he may have ulterior motives in mind for the world and its innate magics . Cairne Bloodhoof . The mighty chief of the Bloodhoof tauren , Cairne is a peerless warrior and a wise leader of his ancient people . Though slowed somewhat by the weight of age , Cairne still possesses the strength and valor of twenty men . This greathearted giant knows that his people are in grave danger of extermination from the marauding centaurs . However , he has never given up hope of one day finding a way to lead his people to a new land where they can make their home and live in peace . Grom Hellscream . Grom Hellscream is the last surviving orc chieftain from Draenor . Having led his mighty Warsong clan to countless victories over the humans , Hellscream despaired at the lethargy that overcame his race after the Second War . Hellscream was one of the first orcs to fall victim to the demons ’ curse on his race . He has struggled with the rage and bloodlust within his heart for many long years . Now , under Thrall ’ s visionary , idealistic leadership , Hellscream believes that he and his people can finally be freed from the demons ’ corrupting influence . Illidan Stormrage . In the dark days , before the War of the Ancients , Illidan was one of the few non - high - borne practitioners of magic . Though his older brother , Furion , warned him that magic was an evil , corrupting power , Illidan steadfastly refused to give up his coveted art . Over time , the noble night Elf lost his soul to a dependency for magic ’ s chaotic energies . Though Illidan used his dark powers to aid his brother against the demons of the Burning Legion , he ultimately betrayed his people by siding with the evil Queen Azshara and her followers . After the war ended and the landmass of Kalimdor was shattered forever , Illidan created a new Well of Eternity to ensure that his coveted , corrupting magic would not disappear from the world . For his sin , his brother , Furion , commanded that he be chained beneath the earth for all time . Illidan has remained caged in darkness ever since . Jaina Proudmoore . Perhaps one of the most gifted sorceresses to train in Dalaran for generations , Jaina is a bright , inquisitive young woman who constantly strives to expand her powers and knowledge of magic . Her father , Admiral Proudmoore of Kul Tiras , was one of the great heroes of the Second War . Jaina feels constant pressure to live up to her father ’ s name , but wishes only to study and follow her path of magical investigation . Like Arthas , Jaina was deeply hurt when her affair with the young Prince ended . However , she never let her disappointment interfere with her studies or her rigorous investigations . Her mentor , the Archmage Antonidas , has claimed that she may become the greatest sorceress humanity has ever produced . Kel ’ Thuzad . Kel ’ Thuzad was one of the greatest Archmagi of Dalaran . He was one of the members of the Kirin Tor and a dear friend of the Archmage Antonidas . However , his lust to delve into the dark arts of necromancy made him an outcast amongst his fellow wizards . Heeding the call of the god - like Lich King , Kel ’ Thuzad traveled to Northrend and offered his soul to Ner ’ zhul . The Lich King commanded the dark wizard to create a cult that would facilitate the creation of a grand , undead army . Kel ’ Thuzad used his powers and vast fortune to found the Cult of the Damned – the sinister group that would bring Ner ’ zhul ’ s dark will to fruition … Mannoroth . Mannoroth the Destructor is a being of pure hate , malice , and rage . He is the ultimate living engine of destruction , seeking only to raze and murder everything in his path . It has been speculated that he has some significant ties to the orcish race – that he may be the original source of their bloodlust and corruption , but this has yet to be proven . Mannoroth has waited ten thousand years to return and finish the job he started during the War of the Ancients . Now , at last , his time for vengeance has come . Malfurion Stormrage . Furion was the first night elf to oppose the evil Queen Azshara and her demon - worshiping high - borne . He , along with his brother Illidan and the demi - god Cenarius , led the battle against the Burning Legion during the War of the Ancients . He was the first to forsake magic and adopt the tenets of druidism . He has been the spiritual leader of the night elves for over ten thousand years and has worked to safeguard his people ’ s fragile culture – even from within the trance - like state of the Emerald Dream . Muradin Bronzebeard . Muradin is the brother of King Magni Bronzebeard of Ironforge . During the dark days of the Second War , Muradin served as the liaison between Lordaeron and the dwarves ’ realm of Khaz Modan . While at the court of Lordaeron , Muradin befriended the youthful Arthas and taught him how to master fighting blades of every type . Muradin was one of the first dwarves to establish the Explorer ’ s Guild , a group dedicated to archaeology and exploration of the unknown world . Though Muradin rarely has a chance to visit Khaz Modan or Lordaeron anymore , he is a firm supporter of the dwarves ’ alliance with the humans . Prince Arthas . The only son of King Terenas , Arthas is an idealistic , yet somewhat rash , young man who dreams of one day succeeding his father as King of Lordaeron . Arthas became an apprentice paladin at nineteen and has served as a favorite pupil of Uther the Lightbringer ever since . Though Arthas loves the kindly Uther as an uncle , he longs to take command of his own destiny and become a hero like those brave veterans who fought the orcs during the Second War . Despite the heartache he felt when his brief affair with the sorceress Jaina Proudmoore came to an end , Arthas has remained remarkably committed to his roles as both the Prince of Lordaeron and as a holy paladin . He has a deep reverence for the holy Light and wants nothing more than to safeguard his beloved people from harm . Thrall , Son of Durotan . Thrall is the only son of the orc chieftain , Durotan , who was killed by assassins during the First War . As an infant , Thrall was found by human soldiers and raised as a slave and gladiator . Educated and trained in the arts of war , Thrall yearned for freedom and a chance to know his own people . The inexperienced Thrall escaped from bondage and set off to find others of his kind . Thrall found the lethargic orcs and vowed to free them from their imprisonment and their demon curse . Studying the orcs ’ ancient rites of shamanism , Thrall learned how to wield the fury of the storms and earth . He succeeded in rallying his people and freeing them from the human internment camps . For his honor , optimism and courage , Thrall was unanimously elected to be the new warchief of the orcish horde . Tichondrius . Tichondrius the darkener is an insidious demonic Dreadlord who revels in shadow and suffering . Though he honors the wishes of his master , Kil ’ jaeden , he resents his duty to watch over and police the Lich King , Ner ’ zhul . He believes that the Lich King will ultimately betray the Legion and attempt to free himself from its power . Tichondrius is , above all , a very good soldier . Though his own desire for power and conquest is fierce , he carries out his duties with calculated precision and care . Tyrande Whisperwind . Tyrande is an ancient night elf princess and high priestess of the moon goddess , Elune . In ages past , she aided Furion and Illidan Stormrage in their battle to save Kalimdor from the Burning Legion . As well as being Elune ’ s high priestess , she is the leader of the Sentinels a group of warrior women who have sworn to protect Kalimdor ’ s shores while their male counterparts , the druids , sleep in the trance - like Emerald Dream . Tyrande is a fiery warrior and holds certain resentment for shouldering the defense of her land while the druids sleep . Her undying love for Furion Stormrage has given her strength and courage enough to face the centuries alone and uphold her sacred charge to defend Kalimdor from any threat . Uther the Lightbringer . Uther was the first of the paladins blessed by the Archbishop Faol , prior to the Second War . He is a weathered veteran , respected as one of the greatest warriors in human history . Though it has been many years since war endangered his beloved Lordaeron , Uther has never tired in his duty to protect his land from demi - human threats and social unrest . The great - hearted leader of the paladins is perhaps the greatest general the Alliance has ever known . Only his wish to see Arthas become worthy of his father ’ s crown has kept him from retiring and taking his due rest .