Kingdom of Stormwind

The **Kingdom of Stormwind**, formally referred to as the Kingdom of Azeroth, is a human kingdom, nation and country on the southern continent of Azeroth, with its capital at Stormwind City. Originally settled by descendants of the Arathi, it was founded after its War for Independence fought by the Stormwind Militia and the Arathorian Empire at the start of the King's Calendar. Stormwind flourished until the First War when it was conquered and laid waste by the Orcish Horde. The survivors of that conflict, led by Sir Anduin Lothar, sought refuge in the Kingdom of Lordaeron, but were able to reclaim their homeland at the end of the Second War with the aid of the Alliance of Lordaeron.

Stormwind firmly backs the Grand Alliance with its knights, priests, paladins and mages; many of whom served in the three wars against the Horde. Its capital is the home of the Stormwind Wizard's Sanctum, one of the only remaining schools of wizardry in the east, and the Cathedral of Light, the philosophical capital for those who follow the Church of the Holy Light. It is also the military capital of both the Kingdom and the Alliance, boasting its vast army and naval capabilities.

## Government

Stormwind is ruled by House Wrynn from their court at Stormwind Keep. Presently, the throne is occupied by King Anduin Wrynn, son of High King Varian Wrynn. Also aiding in the governing of Stormwind are the Stormwind House of Nobles, an executive branch of Stormwind's government made up of noblemen of the realm, the Stormwind Judiciary, a judicial branch of Stormwind's government made up of justices and magistrates of the realm, and the Stormwind Circle of Magi, the royal order of mages that advise the king on matters dealing with the arcane. The Laws of Stormwind are enforced domestically by the Stormwind Constabulary, a broad organization made up of guards, constables, rangers, and knights.

## Economy

Stormwind is a wealthy and prosperous kingdom with a widely diversified market of both raw materials and crafted goods. So robust and plentiful are the lands of the kingdom that it was swiftly able to regain its prominence after its destruction during the First War. Whereas Stormwind City serves as a cultural melting pot for all of the member nations of the Grand Alliance, its provinces hold regional specialties. Its primary exports are Cheese, Apples, Wine, Lumber, Iron and Gold. Today, Stormwind has funneled its surplus of wealth towards colonization and its war efforts in the Eastern Kingdoms, Northrend, Kalimdor, Pandaria, and the islands of the Great Sea.

## Religion

House Wrynn has long declared the kingdom's official religion as the Church of the Holy Light, which promotes adherence to the three virtues of respect, tenacity and compassion. However, as Stormwind's role in Azeroth has shifted to the leader of the Grand Alliance, the House of Wrynn has made concessions to religions of their allies.

Demonic worship is rare in Stormwind. Outlawed by secular law, a sparse number of witches and warlocks still worship demonic shrines in the remote countryside. Both the church and Stormwind Circle of Magi regularly send witch hunters to capture or kill practitioners of demonic magic.

## Holdings

Of the Eastern Kingdoms, the **Kingdom of Stormwind** is among the largest in landmass. Including the vast swath of land held by Stormwind City, the realm of Stormwind has historically held holdings within the provinces of Elwynn Forest, Westfall, the Redridge Mountains, Duskwood, Deadwind Pass, the Burning Steppes, the Swamp of Sorrows, the Blasted Lands, and the Stranglethorn Vale; each with their own sub-regions. The kingdom also has several Island Holdings and Colonies throughout the Great Sea and elsewhere in Azeroth.

### Elwynn Forest

Elwynn Forest, aka the Forest of Elwynn or simply Elwynn, is a vast woodland of stately hardwoods nestled just below the foothills of the Burning Steppes to the north. The Redridge Mountains lie to the east, and to the south, across the Nazferiti River is Duskwood. It is the heartland of the **Kingdom of Stormwind**.

### Westfall

Westfall is a fertile land that was once the western breadbasket of the **Kingdom of Stormwind**. This rich land has lain fallow since the Second War, and years of neglect and conflict has not improved the situation. Westfall is a region of rolling pastures and farms that were once beautiful and green, but now have become barren with drought due to maltreatment at the hands of bandits.

### Redridge Mountains

The Redridge Mountains are a hardy land that make up the eastern border of the **Kingdom of Stormwind**. Jagged mountains and rushing streams surround Lake Everstill which supports most of the local wildlife. The Blackrock Clan of orcs have invaded Redridge several times over, leaving the local populace battle-hardened and wary of what the future holds.

### Duskwood

Duskwood is a vast, gnarled woodland. This darkened forest is located in the south-central region of the **Kingdom of Stormwind**. It is south of the Elwynn Forest, east of Westfall, west of Deadwind Pass, and north of the Stranglethorn Vale. It is bordered by the Nazferiti River. Due to the vile magic eminating from Deadwind Pass, Duskwood has become a corrupted and dangerous forest thick with Feral Worgen and Undead.

### Deadwind Pass

Deadwind Pass is an eerie valley east of Duskwood. Before the Orcish Wars, the mysterious valley was part of the Redridge Mountains, but this is no longer the case. The wizard Medivh corrupted the valley with fel magic, rending it lifeless. Only scavenging animals dare wander into the pass, with rumors of Ogre settlements keeping most travelers away.

### Burning Steppes

The Burning Steppes, formerly known as the Red Steppes, once held verdant valleys and streams. The War of the Three Hammers utterly devastated the province; the summoning of Ragnaros by the Empire of Thaurissan scorched the land and turned it into a desolate canyon of lava and ash. The Empire of Thaurissan and Blackrock Clan of orcs have since established domination over the steppes.

### Stranglethorn Vale

The Stranglethorn Vale is a vast jungle-peninsula south of Duskwood. The **Kingdom of Stormwind** held its northern tracts for some time before they fell to rebel fighters influenced by jungle trolls. Loyalists to Stormwind still hold camp on the border to Duskwood, launching attacks on the rebels regularly.

### Swamp of Sorrows

The Swamp of Sorrows is a contested territory in the south eastern part of the **Kingdom of Stormwind**. Among its murk-ridden marshes stand settlements built by the orcs, humans, and goblins, as well as the ancient troll Temple of Atal'Hakkar.

### Blasted Lands

The Blasted Lands, formerly the Black Morass, are a landscape devastated by the fel corruption and battles fought during the Orcish Wars. The **Kingdom of Stormwind** constructed Nethergarde Keep in the northern reaches of the blasted lands with aid from the Magocracy of Dalaran as a ward against the Dark Portal.

### Stormwind Island Holdings

The **Kingdom of Stormwind** rules over many Stormwind Island Holdings along its territorial coastline and elsewhere in the Great Sea.

### Stormwind Colonies

The influence of the **Kingdom of Stormwind** extends across all of Azeroth and beyond. While not official holdings with nobles or recognized governors ruling them, the kingdom holds many Stormwind Colonies as regional territorial outposts or trading posts.