Warsong clan

The Warsong clan is a warlike orcish clan originally hailing from the plains of Nagrand. It was formerly led by the legendary Grommash "Grom" Hellscream, and later by his headstrong son, Garrosh Hellscream. The Warsong Outriders form the Horde forces in Ashenvale and Warsong Gulch, while the Warsong Offensive spearheaded the Horde Expedition's assault against the Scourge in Northrend.
==History==
===Early history===
Roughly 800 years before the First War, the orcs began to migrate out of Gorgrond. The Warsong clan migrated far to the southwest, deep into Nagrand's open prairies, where they constantly had to fight against the Gorian Empire's ogres to maintain their presence in the region. Some generations of Warsongs thrived more than others. The clan had a taste for battle, but provoking the ogres too much could lead to disastrous consequences.
===Rise of the Horde===
11 years before the First War, the Warsong were led by a bold warrior named Grommash Hellscream and engaged in constant battle with the ogres of Highmaul. The Highmaul outnumbered the Warsongs, but Hellscream's highly mobile wolf riders used hit-and-run tactics to raid ogre settlements, eventually shattering Highmaul's hold on Nagrand and seizing much of it for themselves. They pushed the ogres back within the walls of their stronghold, and Grommash became a legend among the clans.
Shortly after Blackhand was named Warchief of the Horde, he assigned specific roles to the various clans. The Warsongs were among the clans that would make up the Horde's main fighting force, leading direct assaults on draenei settlements and forming the backbone of the orcish army.
Later, Blackhand tasked the Warsong and Twilight's Hammer clans with toppling Highmaul. Grommash and Cho'gall both took part in the siege, and both relished the opportunity to slay ogres.
After the Horde had conquered much of Draenor, the threat of starvation caused the orcs to hunt most of Draenor's native creatures to extinction. The Warsong raiders turned on their wolf mounts and used them as a source of food. The famine also caused many orcs to grow more agitated and turn on each other, clashing in short-lived battles that left hundreds dead. Several clans, among them the Warsongs, completely lost themselves to the depths of madness. To protect the rest of the Horde, Blackhand banished the violent clans from Hellfire Citadel to the remote areas of Hellfire Peninsula in order to preserve some of the Horde's dwindling strength.
When the Horde prepared to invade Azeroth, Blackhand ordered the troublesome clans to remain on Draenor, since he believed that they would become liabilities if allowed to participate in the invasion. He knew that the clans would grow restless on Draenor, but a few months of waiting while hearing only stories of the lush new world and seeing only scraps of the war spoils would force them to be on their best behavior. If the clans were still uncontrollable, they could stay on Draenor and rot, for all Blackhand cared. After the fall of Stormwind City, the new Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer sent messengers to Draenor to call up the remaining clans in order to replenish the Horde's numbers, but the messengers later returned to inform the Warchief that the clans on Draenor had descended deeper into bloodlust and had begun fighting with one another, allowing only a few orcs and ogres to bolster the Horde.
===Beyond the Dark Portal===
Life on Draenor was stark for Draenor's orcs, as the world continued to die and the orcs continued being consumed by bloodlust and violence. The Warsong and Shattered Hand clans, in particular, had insatiable needs for violence. Following the Horde's defeat on Azeroth at the end of the Second War, Ner'zhul rallied the clans still left on Draenor, the Warsongs among them, under his new banner with the intent of opening portals to new worlds for the Horde to conquer. The gathered chieftains easily agreed to Ner'zhul's plans; having sat out the entirety of the First and Second Wars, they thirsted for battle, and any chance to escape their dying homeworld was worth taking. Almost immediately after Ner'zhul reopened the Dark Portal, Grommash led the Warsong, Shattered Hand, Thunderlord and Laughing Skull in an invasion of the Blasted Lands. Teron Gorefiend led a group of orcs and death knights away from the Blasted Lands in search of the artifacts that would allow Ner'zhul to open portals to new worlds. When Gorefiend prepared to return to Draenor with the artifacts, he left behind a large number of soldiers, mainly composed of Hellscream's Warsong orcs as well as the mok'nathal Rexxar, to defend the Azerothian side of the Dark Portal from a potential Alliance invasion. When the Alliance did launch their invasion, the Sons of Lothar smashed through Hellscream's warriors and forced them to scatter into the far corners of the Blasted Lands. Possession of the Dark Portal then switched sides on several occasions and the Warsong was forced to retreat to a neighboring valley for periods of time.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapters 16 and 27
When the news later came that Draenor had been destroyed by Ner'zhul's reckless magic, Grommash was devastated, for his only remaining family — his son, Garrosh — had still been on Draenor. Grommash put aside his grief and led the Warsong clan north to take shelter in the Swamp of Sorrows. He was not giving up, merely regrouping. He believed that there would never be peace between orcs and humans, and he wanted his fighters to be ready for battle.
===Revitalization of the Horde===
While many of the orcs were captured by the Alliance and placed in internment camps, Grommash and the Warsong managed to evade capture,The Battle of Grim Batol traveling to the wilds of Lordaeron. Despite being constantly hunted by humans, Hellscream held onto the Horde's unquenchable will to fight. He and his devoted Warsong continued to wage an underground war against the oppression of the orcs, but they never found a way to rouse the captured orcs from their stupor. Thrall, a young orc raised in an internment camp, sought out Grom and was inspired by the chieftain's idealism. Together with the former Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer, Thrall set about liberating the orcs from the internment camps and revitalizing the Horde. Encouraged by his best friend and mentor, Grom Hellscream, Thrall worked to ensure that his people would never be slaves again.The New Horde
===The Third War===
One day, Thrall was instructed by Medivh to sail west away from Lordaeron to the continent of Kalimdor. While Thrall was assembling the orcish clans, Grommash and the Warsong were captured by the Alliance and placed in Southshore. Before long, Thrall's forces freed the imprisoned Warsong and set sail across the ocean.Departures However, during the voyage the Warsong were separated from the rest of the Horde, and there was no sign of Grommash's forces during the initial landfall on Kalimdor,Landfall though a party of Warsong warriors and several catapults managed to find Thrall's forces shortly thereafter.The Long March (WC3 Orc) When the Warsong were finally found, they were in the process of battling the human forces under Jaina Proudmoore's command. Grommash directly disobeyed Thrall's orders by continuing to attack the humans, leading the Warchief to instead send the Warsong north to construct a settlement while the main force journeyed to Stonetalon Peak in search of the mysterious Oracle.Cry of the Warsong
Once in Ashenvale, Grommash and his Warsongs built Splintertree Post,World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 76 and came under constant attack by the night elves of the forest and even the demigod Cenarius, leading Grommash to drink from a pool cursed with the blood of Mannoroth — the very same blood that had once made the Horde slaves of the Burning Legion. Grommash transformed into a fel orc and urged his warriors to do the same, and with their newfound strength they managed to kill Cenarius. Shortly afterward, Mannoroth himself appeared to bring the orcs "back into the fold", despite Grommash's meek protests.The Hunter of Shadows
Meanwhile, Thrall, Cairne Bloodhoof, and Jaina Proudmoore found the Oracle, who was revealed to be Medivh. He told the gathered leaders that Grommash had fallen to demonic influence and that he and all of the orcs would soon be lost forever.The Oracle With the aid of Cairne and Jaina, Thrall's forces managed to lay siege to the Warsong encampment and capture Grommash in a soul gem, allowing him to be purified of Mannoroth's influence by priests and shaman.By Demons Be Driven Together, Thrall and Grommash proceeded to face and slay Mannoroth in a nearby canyon, finally freeing the orcs from demonic influence, but Grom was killed in the battle.The Death of Hellscream The Warsong chieftain was buried in the canyon, and a monument was erected in his honor.
===Modern history===
The Warsong orcs who name themselves Outriders continue to fight against the night elven Silverwing Sentinels in the Warsong Gulch of Ashenvale, intending to claim the lumber resources of the forest.Warsong Gulch - Game Guide - World of Warcraft (dead link) From their labor and lumber camps, the main forces of the Warsong continue their logging operations, but in their warring zeal cutting even more wood than they can possibly use, leaving it to rot while their blades bite into fresh trees.Agents of Destruction
During the war against the Lich King, Garrosh Hellscream, son of Grommash, spearheaded the Horde Expedition to Northrend as Overlord of the Warsong Offensive from the fortress of Warsong Hold.
With Garrosh having been overthrown at the end of the Siege of Orgrimmar, it is unclear who currently leads the Warsong. Gargok, a member of the Warsong Outriders, is present in the Undercity during the prestige ceremony in which Sylvanas Windrunner commends a Horde adventurer for their battles against the Alliance.A Royal Audience (Horde)
===Dragonflight===
Following the fall of Garrosh Hellscream, the Warsong became shattered by what he had become. At an unknown point in time, Gargok seeking to make his family whole again reached out and invited Gorgonna to join him in Ashenvale. After Gorgonna arrive she eventually proved her strength to all of the clan through mak'gora, and became the clan's new chieftain, where she vowed to never let them lose their honor again. Thus she, accompanied by other members of the clan, represented the Warsong at the first Kosh'harg on Azeroth in Razor Hill.The Kosh'harg
When the clan leaders gathered inside of the Razor Hill Barracks to pitch their clan to prospective orcish recruits; Gorgonna declared that Lok-Tar Ogar defined the Warsong, how the clan valued skill on the battlefield above all, how the clan was well known for their fearsome battle cries. However, she further stated that, they have learned the lessons of the past, and that they would never again sacrifice honor to achieve victory, with the fall of Garrosh ensuring that.
Should the champion request to join the Warsong, Gorgonna was glad to hear it.The Blessing of the Clan, Gorgonna's dialogue. She subsequently instructed them with hunting, tracking, and killing Gor'krosh, the Long Knives, without their armor, in order to test their skills in battle.The Long Knives Following their success, Gorgonna accepted the "Long Knife" as a trophy on behalf of the clan.Cornering Gor'krosh
==Culture==
On Draenor, the Warsong roamed the prairies of Nagrand as nomads, rarely staying in the same place for more than a few months. The riders of the Warsong were always on the move. In camp, a family's tent was marked with a long pike thrust into the ground, often adorned with the skulls of defeated enemies and sometimes branded with the names of key battles.Warsong Ceremonial Pike Among individual warriors, it was tradition to wear a necklace of bones of their first kill, inscribed with their personal runes.Rise of the Horde, chapter 5
Relying on shock and awe to overwhelm their enemies, the Warsong earned their name from their fearsome battle cries and thunderous drum marches.Warsinger's Drums Ripping into every combat crying epic battle-hymns of blood and death, they were the most distinguishable of the Draenor clans.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, Clans of Draenor, Warsong Clan Their tunes were less about the words than about the rhythms, the pulse-pounding beats that fired their blood and at the same time made their enemies quail.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 4 A is an arm-length piece of rigid wood affixed to the end of a long rope and spun over the wielder's head to generate a droning noise capable of traveling long distances. The bullroarers used by the Warsong were grooved to emit a high-pitched whistling noise rather than the low hum used by most other clans.Screaming Bullroarer Holes carved into Warsong weapons caused them to howl and wail when swung through the air.Howling Blade on Wowhead and WoWDB This is notably the case with Gorehowl, the famous axe of the Hellscream family.The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm, pg. 39
To earn the status of wolfrider, a Warsong had to go through a series of arduous trials. To prove themself worthy of the wolf, the orc had to first test their strength and tenacity by gathering a heavy stone from a quarry and carry it on their back into the lands of their enemy. After cutting their way through the enemy's ranks, the orc was to place the stone in a place of prominence and set upon it a trophy of their foe in order to display their strength for all to see.First Trial of the Wolfrider Once the display of strength was completed, the orc had to head to the wolves' hunting grounds and subdue the largest member of the pack in the presence of the beast's kin. If they survived the ordeal, the wolf would answer to the orc as its new master.Second Trial of the Wolfrider Finally, the Warsong believed that it was not enough for a wolf to regard an orc as its master; instead, to ready the beast for riding, its will had to be broken completely. Once the aspiring wolfrider had subdued their beast, they would mount it and ride it to the top of the tallest peak in Nagrand. If the wolf was willful, the orc would be thrown to their death on the mountain slopes, but if they survived, the will of their mount would have been successfully broken. Then, the orc could finally call themself "Wolfrider".Final Trial of the Wolfrider
It is expected that members of the Warsong wear the bones of his or her first kill, and inscribe them with personal runes.Rise of the Horde, pg. 87 Members of the Warsong long hunted the bloodhoof clefthoof to user their crimson-hued skin for battle standards.Bloodhoof Bull
The Warsong clan is renowned for their spicy dishes, apparently so hot you can't help but belt out a battlecry. One such recipe is Spicy Seared Talbuk Steak, a talbuk steak cooked with ground Peppercorns, flaked sea salt and Gor'gor roots, which is usually served with mashed tubers and roc-blood gravy.Spoons and Forks
==Members==
Name	Role 	Status	Location
 	Former chieftain, liberator of the orcs from the blood-curse. 	 	Buried in Demon Fall Canyon, Ashenvale
 	Son of Grom, former chieftain, Warchief of the Horde and mastermind behind the Iron Horde.	 	Various Locations
 	Current chieftain and leader of Conquest Hold. 	 	Conquest Hold, Grizzly Hills
 	Warsong Gulch battlemaster and leader of the Warsong Outriders. 	 	Mor'shan Base Camp, Northern Barrens
 	Mate of Grommash Hellscream and mother of Garrosh. 	 	Unknown
 	Former advisor to Grommash Hellscream before the Third War. 	 	Unknown
 	Soldier of the Warsong Outriders. 	 	Mor'shan Base Camp, Northern Barrens
 	Wolf companion of Garrosh 	 	Unknown
 	Champion of the Ebon Blade, formerly General of the Horde. 	 	Various Locations
 	Leader of a Warsong group encountered by Thrall. 	 	Unknown
 	Captain of the Warsong Outriders. 	 	Mor'shan Base Camp, Northern Barrens
 	Marksman and former member of the True Horde. 	 	Various Locations
 	Blood guard who tracked down the Doomsday Cult. 	 	Unknown
 	Member of Rekshak's group. 	 	Unknown
 	Author of :The Horde's Hellscream. 	 	Unknown
===Leadership===
History	Shamanism 	Shamanism 	Rise of the Horde 	Rise of the Horde 	First War 	First War 	First War 	Second War 	Second War 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Interbellum 	Third War 	Third War 	Third War 	Third War 	Third War 	Third War	Third War	Third War	Third War	World of Warcraft	The Burning Crusade	The Burning Crusade	The Burning Crusade	The Burning Crusade	Wrath of the Lich King	Cataclysm 	Mists of Pandaria 	Warlords of Draenor	Legion 	Battle for Azeroth	Shadowlands	Dragonflight	 	 	
Ruler 	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Grommash Hellscream	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Unknown 	Garrosh Hellscream 	Garrosh Hellscream	/ Garrosh Hellscream	Unknown 	Unknown	Unknown 	Unknown 	Gorgonna 	Gorgonna	Gorgonna	Gorgonna
==In Warcraft II==
Leader: Grom Hellscream
Color: Red
Ripping into every combat crying epic battle-hymns of blood and death, the Warsong clan is the most distinguishable of the Draenor clans. Led by the ravenous Grom Hellscream, the Warsong clan awaits Ner'zhul's order to invade Azeroth and bathe in the blood of their enemies.
==In the RPG==
The Warsong banner, a violet banner, is worn only by the chief of the Warsong clan. It provides the wearer with great physical ability and inspires those around him. As a gift to the orcs who rescued them, Darkspear shadow hunters recently improved its capabilities.Shadows & Light, pg. 168
==Notes and trivia==
*'s update of the Nagrand Arena features a group of Warsong orcs observing the fights. Interestingly, they wear the gear introduced in .
*The tabard and banner of the Kor'kron strongly resemble the Warsong clan banner, suggesting that at least some members of the clan stayed loyal to Garrosh during the civil war.
*A map of Draenor in Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal shows Warsong holdings in an area northwest of Hellfire Peninsula and on an unnamed island northeast of the peninsula.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, map of Draenor The island has never been mentioned since.
*In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, the Warsong clan was said to play ceremonial war drums during battle. Warcraft III has the Warsong Battle Drums item. Many years later, War Drummers wearing alternate Warsong gear were seen in the Seething Shore.
*The Warsong clan color was red in Beyond the Dark Portal and purple in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, presumably to differentiate it from the main playable Horde faction. Rise of the Horde said its colors were red and black.Rise of the Horde, chapter 7 Most modern artwork depicts the Warsong banner as red, but a piece of artwork in World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2 also features a Warsong banner colored purple. (artwork)
*In Heroes of the Storm, , a character from Diablo, has a skin called "Warsong Johanna".
==Speculation==
*It is unknown who was the chieftain of the clan before the rise of Grommash Hellscream. It could have been his father Golmash, but Rise of the Horde said that there had been mutterings about the mysterious circumstances under which the former chieftain of the clan had died, and that the Warsongs did not challenge Grom's new leadership.Rise of the Horde, chapter 5
==Gallery==
By Demons Be Driven - Chaos Orcs.jpg|Warsong chaos orcs standing with demons in Warcraft III.
Warsong tabard.jpg|Orcs wearing the tabard of the Warsong Outriders.
WSban.jpg|The Warsong clan banner in color.
Warsong Envoy HS.jpg| in Hearthstone.
Warsong Wrangler HS.jpg| in Hearthstone.
Warsong Johanna.png|Johanna, a character from Diablo, using a Warsong-themed skin in Heroes of the Storm.
==References==
 
Category:Wrath of the Lich King
Category:Horde Player's Guide
Category:Shadows & Light
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