Kingdom of Stormwind

Encompassing most part of the continent of Azeroth, the **Kingdom of Azeroth**, commonly referred to as the Kingdom of Stormwind after its capital city, is currently the largest and most powerful kingdom of man. Established by Arathi tribesmen migrating south shortly after the dissolution of the Empire of Arathor in 1,200 BDP, the Kingdom of Stormwind retains a culture strongly influenced by its Arathi heritage and proudly claims to be the "true scions of the Arathi".

Because of its essential role in forging the New Alliance after the fall of Lordaeron and the isolationism of Quel'thalas, the Kingdom has become the center of economic and political activities in the Eastern Kingdoms. Determined to be unhindered by traditionalism and closed-mindedness that plagued the Alliance of Lordaeron, Stormwind had rapidly adopted a radical, cosmopolitan and progressive culture that led to an influx of foreign cultures and a period of new-found prosperity with great strides made in technology, culture and magic.

Having been devastated during the First War, the nation was reclaimed during the Second War with aid from the Alliance of Lordaeron, from which the kingdom rebuilt itself from ashes with such astonishing speed that it was called the "Miracle of the South". The nation had benefited from close diplomatic and economic ties with the Dwarven realm of Khaz-Modan, which saw it become the most advanced and economically powerful kingdom of man, second only to Lordaeron in terms of national strength. It replaced Lordaeron as the beacon of human civilization since the Third War, in which luckily the nation was untouched and able to continue with its reconstruction.

The Kingdom's prosperity and power, however, belies the foul underbelly that comes with affluence and dominance, for the vast nation is rife with political conflict between the central government at Stormwind City and its provinces, corruption of its lords and churches, crime, famines and the occasional separatist uprising of magistrates or rogue lords who refuse to submit to the Lion Seat. Nevertheless, the strength of faith, the sense of righteousness, and the undefeatable outlook of the realm's denizens gives it the strength to persist through centuries of strife and hardship.

## History

The Kingdom's history is traceable to around 1,200 years ago, founded by tribes of Arathi that had been defeated during the Age of Strife following the dissolution of Arathor, many of which are of the bloodline of King Thoradin, which have considerably weakened military and political sway in the last days of the Empire and unable to hold their ground against the Great Clans. Losing control over their ancestral lands and failing to conquer the Aeonics for their fertile lands in the north, these aristocratic clans were forced to migrate to the little known south.

What had transpired during that time is lost in history, as being constantly on the move, the clans left little evidence of their presence, and even fewer written records. Most of what is known during that period are folktales being passed on through the centuries, embellished by the tongues of gifted storytellers, making their historical accuracy doubtful.

## Geography

The lands of the Kingdom spread wide and far, encompassing most of the continent of Azeroth, ranging across from the lush woodlands of Elwynn to the perilous rainforests of Stranglethorn Vale. Most of the regions under the rule of the Kingdom are managed as provinces by magistrates appointed by the Council of the Keep.

## Military

Unlike most other human nations, relying on conscripted little-folk and poorly-trained militiamen to swell their ranks in times of war, the Kingdom of Stormwind could depend on a standing army mainly made of full-time, professionally-drilled, and heavily armored **footmen**. Maintained and trained solely by the state, the armies of Stormwind are amongst the most well-armed and well-disciplined in the world.

### Stormwind Infantry

* **Footmen** - The backbone of the kingdom, footmen are professional soldiery drawn from the citizenship from all corners of the nation. Armed with a wide array of weapons and clad in sturdy plate armor and hauberks forged with dwarven craftsmanship, they form a sturdy bulwark against the tides of menace threatening the peace of their lands.
	+ **Foot Spearmen** - Equipped with a large kite shield and long spear, the shield-walls of Stormwind had withstood the onslaught of countless orc warg charges during the First War, and are capable of holding the line in the most dire circumstances.
	+ **Foot Halberdiers** - Armed with heavy halberds, these armored infantrymen are specialized in smashing through thick armor and tough hides. Swiping through enemy ranks with bone-crushing force and stopping dead the charge of enemy steeds, while shrugging off projectiles like mere nuisances, they are a fearsome force to behold on the battlefield.
	+ **Foot Swordsmen** - Clad in heavy plate armor, the heavy swordsmen of Stormwind are the creme of the Stormwind military. Equipped with a long sword and tower shield, they are well-suited for intense and aggressive front-line combat.