RP Guide: Human

*The following is an OCC article meant to give players new to the WoW RP scene a rundown on what playing the role of a Human character entails.*

Humans, the core founders of the Grand Alliance and creators of some of the most influential Kingdoms on the continent of Azeroth. But, what does it mean to be one in the World of Warcraft? How does one portray a Human in a world that lacks the identities one is familiar with? Well, one becomes familiar with the identities that exist.

## The Kingdoms

Humanity in the World of Warcraft was once divided into various tribes who came together under a massive empire to combat the Amani Trolls. In time however this great empire deteriorated and what was left where various free kingdoms. Out of them and the old tribal identities came what is most comparable to Human ethnicity in the World of Warcraft. Each realm forming it's own traditions, dialects, and self image. When threatened by the alien Orcs who came from another world these realms joined together to form the first Alliance.

### Alteraci

*For more information, see Kingdom of Alterac*

The Alteraci inhabited the Alterac Mountains, Alterac Pass, and Alterac Valley as one of the smallest of the Alliance's founding Kingdoms. The land had been settled by people from Stromgrade ages ago but as the Empire deteriorated Alterac was granted self governance through diplomatic means. On it's own the mountainous realm became wealthy from trade passing through the Alterac mountains to and from Lodaeron, Hillsbrad, and Stromgrade. It's proximity to the city of Dalarran meant that it's trade routes even brought reagents and components into that place of the magical arts. The Alteraci are a hardy folk who once had a much greater reputation than the one they would eventually earn. Alterac Brewhounds where bred to rescue avalanche victims and find missing travelers. Alteraci Swiss and Brandy where culinary delights. However, during the 2nd War with the old Horde the small Kingdom's king became worried for his people's safety. While one of the earliest to join the Alliance, even as Gilneas was reluctant, Alterac's king did not see hope for his realm should the orcs break through Stromgrade and into the mountains. Arranging a meeting with the Horde's leader when such became an inevitability the King formed a secret alliance to allow the orcs to pass into Lordearon in exchange for becoming a protectorate of the Horde. Once this, and the King's attempt to assassinate the paladin Uther Lightbringer where discovered the entire Kingdom of Alterac faced the alliance's wrath as traitors and the realm was destroyed. The once honored mountain men of the Alterac, a land from which the Gnolls are believed to have originated, where now looked upon with suspicion even as Stromgrade tried to lay claim to the land it once held long ago in the aftermath of the destruction of Alterac City.

These events where around twenty years before those of World of Warcraft (19 before WoW and 21 before Wrath of the Lich King), but to be Alteraci is to carry some of this as baggage. To be from a land that while organizations such as the Syndicate try to revive it may be lost. It puts a character in an odd bind, being from a fallen realm- not only fallen but dishonored. Deciding how one's character intends to proceed into the future is important. You likely still carry the spirit of your people, their ways and customs, but the Kingdom that once unified your people is no more and being known as Alteraci may bring with it distrust as one attempts to forge a new life, integrate a new identity, or perhaps- have some hope of the Kingdom's redemption.

### Gilnean

Gilneas at the time of Classic World of Warcraft is still an isolated kingdom. Gilneans are few in the Alliance as King Greymane has chosen it best to not be involved in the organization. The construction of a massive wall to separate the heartland of Gilneas from the outlands has only made an internal divide more prevalent. When the scourge that overtook Lordaeron came in many fled towards the wall but where denied entry. It was during this time that some Gilneas of that outland tried to flee not for the wall but the borders of the kingdom- either eastward into the dangerous lands of Stromgrade, Alterac, and Hillsbrad or by sea towards Kul Turas. Those who did not where killed either by the the Scourge or the Worgan whom had been unleashed to fight the Scourge beyond the great wall. To be a Gilnean in classic means being a refugee from a realm whose monarch seems to have abandoned you or to have been part of a military force sent by Lord Crowley who held the outlands of Gilneas and wished to aid the Alliance. In such case one was likely away when the Scourge hit. Whatever the case may be it is unlikley you shall ever return home or even wish too save perhaps to throw in with Crowley and his growing rebellion. To most other characters the land of Gilneas is a mysterous place that has become more so with each year of isolation. Gilnean is a good option if one wishes to play a mysterious, distrustful, and off put character unaccustomed to foreign ways and perhaps weary of any authority. As cultured as the Gilneans think themselves to be they are still alien where ever they travel.

### Kul Tiran

Kul Tiras is a naval superpower among the Human realms. Governed by a Grand Admiralty the realm is unique among Humans in it's worship of the Tidemother. It has a very established naval tradition and it's marines have aided the Alliance. It was along with Gilneas one of the last standing Human realms before the restoration of Stormwind.

### Lordaeronian

The people of Lordaeron inhabited one of the most holy realms of the Church of the Light. Most of it's people became the undead forsaken after the betrayal of Prince Arthas who became the Lich King. Faith and the three virtues of the Church of Light continue to define those who managed to survive the events that transpired there.

### Stormwindian

The easiest of identities to take on is that of Stormwind for it is where all new Human characters enter the World of Warcraft. Stormwind was overrun by the old Horde and restored by the Grand Alliance with New Stormwind (known simply as Stormwind) becoming the Alliance's capital. It was the first realm to fight the Horde and the first to fall and thus far the first to be restored. Stormwindeans tend to be cosmopolitan, tolerant, and noble.

### Stromic

The Kingdom of Stromgrade was once the core of the old Human empire. It's ruling family descended from Ignatious Trollsbane. The Kingdom continued to combat the Amani trolls for many years and it's people have remained highly militaristic. Alas it's capital fell and much of it's forces are scattered. Most of it's surviving forces are in Alterac seeking to stabilize the region before turning back southward to retake the lands of Stromgrade.