Alterac (kingdom)

The Kingdom of Alterac was one of the seven human nations to join the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War. It was situated in the foothills and mountains of the land known as the Alterac Mountains. Formerly ruled by King Aiden Perenolde, Alterac was the weakest kingdom in the Alliance and a relatively small contributor of soldiers and supplies.
The Alteraci people are scattered, many of them form what is now the Syndicate. The masks worn by Syndicate members are orange, just like the national color of the fallen kingdom.
==History==
Once the home of the Alteraci tribe, Alterac was founded during the third millennium BDP as the Empire of Arathor expanded across southern Lordaeron. The early human settlers built a city nestled in the Alterac Mountains, likely exploiting its position on important trade routes through the mountains.Tides of Darkness, chapter 16 (See for indications about the nature of Alterac's mountain passes) The settlement grew into a powerful city-state around the same time as Gilneas and Kul Tiras.
As the centuries passed, Alterac had grown to be culturally distinctive from those in the imperial capital of Strom, yet all the while remaining staunchly loyal to its authority. Its army had grown to be one of the strongest in the empire, likely from its position on the empire's northern frontier. Alteraci explorers were among those (along with Gilneans) to map out the lands of Khaz Modan and initiate diplomatic relations between Arathor and Ironforge.The Seven Kingdoms
===Independence from Arathor===
Alterac's independence did not come out of a revolution or formal decree. Instead, independence grew slowly as Arathor began to decline. Strom's leadership was willing to surrender its authority to the city-states within its borders rather than deal with affairs themselves. By 1,200 BDP, Alterac was fully independent once the last of the Arathi emperors left Strom. It was a relatively small kingdom compared to the others. The capital came to be known as "Alterac City", likely to distinguish itself from the kingdom's name. Most of the nation's territory was rugged and mountainous terrain of the Alterac Mountains.
===Before the Second War===
Before the coming of the orcs, the human kingdoms of Lordaeron faced challenges and obstacles from each other as the games of politics played out.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, pg. 27 & 31 Amidst those nations, there were no two rivals like Alterac and Stromgarde. The proximity of the two and the apparent ambiguity of their mountain borders had led to several wars and skirmishes. On more than one occasion, King Thoras Trollbane led the armies of Stromgarde into battle against the honorable General Hath of Alterac.Tides of Darkness, chapter 16 The tension of their repeated discord was noticeable at the Alliance summit as Perenolde glared at Trollbane.Tides of Darkness, chapter 3 It is conceivable that this discord had alienated Alterac and its leader from the other Alliance nations who had positive relations with Trollbane. This alienation, in turn, would contribute to Perenolde's willingness to turn on those allies midway through the Second War.
Before the Second War happened, Alterac was a sizeable kingdom, with several towns and forts besides its palace and capital city. The kingdom owned the southern shores of Darrowmere Lake, and also owned land east of the Darrowmere River, notably the area near Ravenholdt Manor.:File:Chronicle2 Eastern Kingdoms Before the First War.jpg
===The Second War===
When news of the Orcish Horde arrived to Lordaeron, Alterac, led by King Aiden Perenolde, was initially reluctant to join the Alliance of Lordaeron. Perenolde initially asked if the orcs would be open to negotiation, but after seeing every other kingdom eventually join, and fearing being left alone to fight the Horde, Alterac finally decided to join the Alliance.Tides of Darkness, chapter 3
Some Alteraci soldiers joined Anduin Lothar's armies and loyally fought against the Horde in Hillsbrad and the Hinterlands, thought in lesser numbers than those sent by Lordaeron and Stromgarde.
Later during the Second War, as the Horde ravaged its way through the southern realms up to the elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas, Perenolde started fearing for the safety of Alterac. He directly contacted Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer through a messenger bird and secretly met with him. Impressed that Doomhammer was able to speak Common, Aiden started finding the orc a cultured and honorable warrior. The two leaders negotiated an agreement: in exchange for free passage through the Alterac Mountains and other means of help from the kingdom, Doomhammer would keep his soldiers in check and not kill Alteraci citizens or raid Alteraci settlements. The Warchief even promised that after his conquest of Lordaeron, he would place Alterac under his protection, so that none may violate it, keeping the realm safe. Pleased with this agreement, Perenolde came back to his castle and announced to his general staff that starting immediately, Alterac would renege its vows with the Alliance and side with the Horde instead. Not all in the Alteraci leadership agreed with this decision, but they still obeyed their king.Tides of Darkness, chapter 15
Perenolde arranged for a convoy of high elves passing through Tarren Mill to be ambushed by forest trolls, organized a peasant revolt in Tyr's Hand to cover mining operations there, and attempted to assassinate Uther the Lightbringer by employing pirates to tamper with the Order of the Silver Hand.Betrayal and the Destruction of Alterac (WC2 Human) Perenolde also allowed the Horde through his kingdom unimpeded through mountain passes in Alterac leading towards Capital City. To accomplish this, he ordered his military leaders to garrison several northern mountain passes and avoid several south routes.Tides of Darkness, pg. 243 - 248 (chapter 15) Alteraci agents were eventually embedded into some of the orc clans, rendering them any assistance necessary.
Alterac sailors and soldiers were eventually caught fighting for the orcs during various battles of the war,The Prisoners (WC2 Human) including the major naval battle of Crestfall.Tides of Darkness, chapter 18 After Perenolde's treachery was uncovered, the army of Stromgarde, led by Thoras Trollbane, traveled to the small kingdom. General Hath reluctantly confirmed Perenolde's treason once confronted by the king of Stromgarde. He then dispatched his troops to join Trollbane's in halting the orcish advance through the mountain passes.Tides of Darkness, pg. 272 (chapter 16)
King Terenas later marched his forces into Alterac and declared martial law, deposing the traitorous Perenolde and imprisoning him.Tides of Darkness, Epilogue The custody soon turned to a mere house arrest, confining Perenolde to his palace and the rest of his family on close watch, and the kingdom was put under Alliance control. As a sovereign king, he could not be exiled, executed, or simply imprisoned (in order to avoid worrying the other kings that the same reaction would occur if they disagreed on anything). The other kings wanted him to abdicate his position as king, so that he could be executed as a lesser noble. However, he refused, knowing it would mean his death. His kingdom had been put under martial law as a temporary solution on Daval Prestor's suggestion. Alterac's treasuries were also added to the Alliance's in order to finance the incoming measures that would happen after the war.Beyond the Dark Portal,chapter 7
Alteraci survivors, particularly the dethroned king, later aided Ner'zhul's forces during the shaman's quest to steal magical artifacts to open new portals. During an orcish attack on New Stormwind in the aftermath of the Horde's defeat, Perenolde had the Book of Medivh stolen by his spies in an attempt to use for future leverage. The Book was taken by an Alterac mage but was ultimately traded to the Horde to rid his lands of the vengeful troops of Stromgarde and Lordaeron.Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 109 - 110The Seas of Azeroth (WC2 Orc)Alterac (WC2 Orc) Deathwing attacked the barracks holding the troops. His son Aliden was disgusted by the action of his father, knowing it would destroy everything he had done to try to clear the family name.Beyond the Dark Portal, pg. 146 - 151
===Aftermath of the Second War===
Following the end of the war, Thoras Trollbane demanded that the eastern portion of Alterac be annexed to Stromgarde in recognition of its efforts and sacrifices during the conflict. King Terenas of Lordaeron was undecided on what to do, thinking about giving the throne to Perenolde's son, Aliden. Genn Greymane of Gilneas also joined the dispute, supporting the claims of a nephew of Perenolde, Isiden, who had taken refuge in Gilneas. Deathwing, disguised as Lord Daval Prestor, attempted to magically convince the leaders of the Alliance into making him Alterac's new ruler. Although he succeeded, and King Terenas planned to give control of the area to Lord Prestor, the plan was abandoned when Prestor "disappeared" (following Deathwing's defeat at Grim Batol).
At some point Aiden Perenolde died,Archive lore tweets from loreology: "My bible currently states that this character is deceased." leaving the door open for Lordaeron to at least partially annex the Alterac Mountains. At the outset of the Third War, Arthas Menethil traveled through the King's Road toward Strahnbrad, and its inhabitants considered him their lord, with the citizens also taking up arms for Lordaeron.The Defense of Strahnbrad (WC3 Human) A new resistance against them had appeared, however, in the form of the Syndicate, led by former Alteraci Prince Aliden after he rose up in the Durnholde military under the tutelage of his new mentor Aedelas Blackmoore.Captain Skarloc#Adventure GuideBlackmoore's Legacy
Since the Cataclysm in Year 28, the old Alteraci territories continue to be disputed between the Crushridge ogres, the orcish Frostwolf clan, the dwarven Stormpike clan, and the Syndicate brigands scattered across Strahnbrad and the Uplands.
===Fourth War===
Following the destruction of Lordaeron, Horde forces sought to occupy Alterac ruins, hoping to establish a defensible base of operations for the Horde in Lordaeron.Rebuilding Alterac In response, Alliance sent scouts to investigate the established fortifications and determine the numbers of local forces. No offensive, however, has been done to contest the region.Alterac Scouting
== Geography ==
Occupies almost the entire Alterac Mountains. Alterac is divided by the Darrowmere River. The main routes: Crossroads in Hillsbrad Foothills to Andorhal via Strahnbrad. Following the borders from World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume 2 and extrapolating to WOW, Ravenholdt Manor did not belong to Alterac, in the north the Uplands ridge is the main arable land of Alterac and its gorge between the Alterac Mountains is presumably called Dandred's Fold in honor of the settlement of the same name, in the south ending with Alterac/Hillsbrad Fingers - from west to east - Gavin's Naze, Corrahn's Dagger, Sofera's Naze and an unnamed 5th hill south of Strahnbrad. Here is the famous Alterac Valley. It is noteworthy that the Darrowmere River, judging by Chronicle Volume 2, flows down from the tops of the mountains, and does not cut through the mountains like a channel. If it appears that this is a man-made channel or canyon, it is likely that the eastern part of Alterac is a completely different mountain range.
== Resources ==
Ores:
Silver - Near tin deposits (They often go in tandem), in the northeast of the highlands and at the foothills + at Growless Cave
Tin - Rarely on the western slopes - Gavin's Naze and slightly north.
Mithril - veins also from the Headland, rarely from the western foothills of the Highlands and in the North of the Highlands themselves - creating a kind of mirrored question mark
Gold - About the same place as iron, but rarely Uplands, also found in the Transitional part to the Western Plaguelands
Iron - Found near and around the Headland, Highlands, Uplands and at their foothills + at Chillwind Point
Alterac Granite - Deposits are found in the Four Fingers, at least in the Darrow Hill caves. It is famous for its "lasting" strength. King Magni Bronzebeard called it fine stone comes from Lordaeron (see the quest chainA King's Tribute (3)).
Herbs:
Wheat
Briarthorn - Rarely found in the southern foothills of the Fingers - 10.2%
Wintersbite - Endemic to the Alterac Mountains. Found throughout the Highlands Except for the road from Gallows' Corner to Strahnbrad . 100%
Goldthorn- Found only in the Highlands and foothills, Uplands 8.4%
Liferoot- Grows along the coast of Lordamere Lake and along the Darrowmere River, but only around Chillwind Point 5.4%
Kingsblood- Grows from the lowlands to the foothills - That is, the Four Fingers, Uplands, around Dalaran, excluding the North and East - from Strahnbrad to the transition to the Western Plaguelands 4.1%
Bruiseweed- Grows only in suburban and urban areas - Dalaran, Alterac, Strahnbrad, The Hill, north of Tarren Mill "Fifth Finger", At the foot of the fingers themselves - from Gavin's Naze to Corrahn's Dagger - 1.3%
Khadgar's Whisker- Grows on the Four Fingers and Uplands, BEFORE the Gorge towards Andorhal 5.2%
Fadeleaf - Found only in the Southwest - from Gavin's Naze to Dalaran and the slopes of the Uplands, also at the pass to Chillwind Point 8.6%
Mageroyal - Found along the road from Hillsbrad to Gallows' Corner, located only at Tarren Mill itself 2.6%
Wild Steelbloom - Found on the western slope of Headland and the eastern Corrahn's Dagger and along the Darrowmere River to Durnholde Keep and in the Pass from Durnholde to the Hinterlands 9.0%
Grave Moss - found only in the ruins of Alterac City 5.6% .
Arthas' Tears - found in the North, near Sorrow Hill %
Stranglekelp, mentioned - that it grows here.https://www.gamermaps.net/world-of-warcraft/map/#7.55354.18177.0 Fan Made World of Warcraft: Classic Map
Flushbloom is believed to be growing here.
==Culture and people==
*The demonym used for the people of Alterac is "Alteraci".Sean Copeland on Twitter: "Lore from Chris Metzen and Micky Neilson! Alteraci (“alterackee”), Lordaeronian, Stromic, Dalaranian, Stormwindian. BOOM." March 10, 2014
*Hormone Free - Alterac Swiss cheese was allegedly a favorite of Alterac's famed court.
*There is an old Alterac saying that goes: "A cat has nine lives, but needs only one."Cat Carrier (Black Tabby)
*The Alterac brewhound is a type of mastiff famous for rescuing mountain travelers.Alterac Brandy
*Founded centuries ago, the Church of the Holy Light spread its faith in Alterac, the citizens of the kingdom thus becoming followers of the Holy Light, as indicated by the chapel and the symbol of the church at the entrance of the cemetery in Alterac City.
*Like the other realms, the Kingdom of Alterac applied the death penalty for its criminals, the task being accomplished by an executioner, including hanging as gallows were employed.
===People from Alterac===
===Notable leaders===
*
*
History	Kingdom of Alterac	The Syndicate
Ruler 	Aiden Perenolde 	Aliden Perenolde
Ruler 	Aiden Perenolde 	Aliden Perenolde
Ruler 	Aiden Perenolde 	Aliden Perenolde
==In Warcraft II==
Leader: Lord Perenolde
Nation Color: Orange
Background: Alterac is the weakest of the Human nations and is only a minor contributor of troops and equipment to the Alliance. Although Lord Perenolde praises Lothar and Terenas for their ongoing efforts, he is beset by the fear that when the Horde comes, the Alliance will fail, and only the surrender of his forces and his sovereignty will save the lives of his subjects. Perenolde alone knows whether or not - when the final call to arms is sounded - Alterac will fight for its freedom alongside the other nations of the Alliance.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Nations of the Alliance, Alterac
==In the RPG==
Once the smallest nation in the Lordaeron Alliance, Alterac's king, Aiden Perenolde, betrayed the Alliance in the Second War. Alterac's honor has been blemished ever since.Lands of Conflict, pg. 88 During the war, the Horde attempted to conscript some Alliance nobles to help them in their campaign, and the weak-willed nobles of the Alterac Mountains readily agreed to help the orcs overthrow the Alliance leaders and take Lordaeron. With the defeat of the Horde came the punishment for these traitors: exile from their former holdings. These exiles would eventually form the Syndicate. Led loosely by Lord Aiden Perenolde, the Syndicate retook the Alterac Mountains and currently battles with ogres and the undead to keep their lands.Lands of Conflict, pg. 171
The Alteraci nobility was officially ousted with the following proclamation:
The brothers Syndrissin and Aretain Naris were two religious people of Alterac who fought on the side of the Alliance during the Third War, but left it soon after.
==Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans==
In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, Alterac was mentioned several times:
*It was said that Aedelas Blackmoore hailed from the kingdom, as he kept a flag of Alterac inside Durnholde Keep. Concept art for the game furthermore showed Blackmoore leading Alteraci troops in the aftermath of the Second War.
*An advertisement about recently-freed farmlands in Alterac could also be found on a bulletin board of the keep, mentioning an unknown Ambassador Perenolde.
==Film universe==
In the scene where Llane asked Garona where she came from, a map of the Eastern Kingdoms was briefly shown. It showed Alterac covering both the Alterac Mountains and Hillsbrad Foothills, directly bordering Stromgarde to the east.
==Notes and trivia==
*A previous account given in Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, indicates that Alterac was completely destroyed by the Alliance forces after its treason. However, this contradicts the information later given in the Warcraft novels.
*Despite being seemingly land-locked in World of Warcraft, the kingdom bordered the Lordamere and Darrowmere Lakes and as such still had access to the Great Sea through the various rivers of Lordaeron. In Warcraft II the kingdom had its own fleet, and during the Alterac crisis Admiral Proudmoore was afraid that Gilnean influence in the region would threaten Kul Tiras' naval sovereignty.Day of the Dragon, chapter 1
*Out of all the human nations, Alterac is perhaps the most negatively connotated one. Almost all known Alteraci people are either Alliance traitors, slavers, criminals, demon worshipers, black dragons in disguise, sinister undead or Scarlet Crusade members, with the only modern exception being Lord Jorach Ravenholdt, who despite his allegiance to the greater good is still an assassin. Warcraft II had Alterac acting nefariously toward the Alliance, engaging in sabotage, assassination, and even direct combat against it. Despite this, the Tides of Darkness novel depicted most Alteraci as being loyal to the Alliance, being at worst only lied to on Perenolde's orders to avoid the Horde, and directly engaging the orcs when finally seeing them,Tides of Darkness, chapter 16 while others, presumably more loyal to Perenolde, were being embedded in the Horde ranks.
*In Heroes of the Storm, one of the skins for Rehgar Earthfury is "", with him having an orange color scheme. The color could be a reference to the kingdom of Alterac and its Horde allegiance in Warcraft II.
*All of the assets used for Hillsbrad Foothills are labeled as 'Alterac'. 
**Despite this, according to World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 the only lands of the Foothills that would have used these assets were near the Uplands.
==Gallery==
File:WarCraftII-TidesOfDarkness-Humans-Mission11-BetrayalAndTheDestructionOfAlterac.png|The Alterac City region in Warcraft II.
File:WarCraftII-BeyondTheDarkPortal-Orcs-Mission10-Alterac.png|The borders of Alterac.
File:Warcraft II - Map of Eastern Kingdoms.jpg|Alterac in Warcraft II.
File:LordaeronWC3.JPG|Alterac in Warcraft III.
File:Film Azeroth.jpg|Alterac briefly seen in a map of the Warcraft film.
;Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans
Warcraft Adventures Alterac flag.png|Alteraci flag
Warcraft Adventures sketch.jpg|Alliance-loyal Alteraci troops
;Fan art
File:Alterac fan art.jpg|The Early Days of Alterac by Lost-In-Concept.
File:Alterac allied race fanart.png|Alteraci human allied race fanart.
==See also==
*Alterac crisis
*Alterac Signet Ring
==References==
 
Category:Kingdoms
Category:Former nations
es:Alterac
pl:Alterac