Horde

## What is it?

**The Horde** (also called the “New Horde” or “Thrall’s Horde”) is one of the two major political factions in Azeroth. Driven by unity, the Horde consists of a coalition of disparate races and cultures loosely joined in an alliance of convenience against a hostile world that would see them destroyed. A faction led by the alien orcs and composed of outsiders, the Horde has served the obstacles of Azeroth by bonding together, fighting as a family, comrades, or even uneasy allies. Focused, ferocious, and sometimes monstrous, the Horde values strength and honor and is relentlessly opposed to any who threaten the ideals of freedom and hope. Led by the young Warchief, Thrall, the orcs of the defeated Old Horde sailed west to Kalimdor in search of a new life where they found allies and founded the New Horde. Based in the warrior city of Orgrimmar in the harsh wastelands of Durotar, the Horde holds control over much of central Kalimdor and the northern regions of the Eastern Kingdoms.

## Races of the Horde

### Orcs

* The Orcs are a traditionally warrior race, not originally hailing from the planet of Azeroth. They are lead by Thrall along with the rest of the Horde. There are some who feel Thrall has lead the Orcs away from their former glory and wish to reclaim it, particularly the Burning Blade and its offshoots. The primary religion of the Orcs is shamanism, and many Orcs have joined the ranks of the Earthen Ring as protectors of the elements.

### Trolls

* The Trolls are one of the oldest races on Azeroth. They worship spirits known as Loa, with the Witch Doctors serving as spiritual leaders for their communities. The trolls hail back to the Zandalari Empire, which once ruled all of Azeroth before they were struck down by the Night Elves. After leaving Zandalar, the trolls became part of the Gurabashi Empire. After leaving the Gurabashi, many Trolls traveled to the Darkspear Islands, the birth place of Ga'an. Some traveled instead to what is now Quel'thalas, calling themselves the Amani Trolls. The Amani Trolls have warred with the High/Blood Elves for as long as the elves have lived in Quel'thalas. Another splinter faction known as the Farraki live in the endless deserts of Tanaris in the city of Zul'Farrak. These trolls worship the old loa of death who was deposed by Bwonsamdi. Ga'an has been tasked with the Farraki's destruction. The Darkspear Trolls (the only group which claims membership to the Horde) are lead by Vol’jin.

### Blood Elves

* The Blood Elves were once nobility amongst the Night Elves. Their unwillingness to give up their pursuit of the arcane in the aftermath of the War of the Ancients and the subsequent Sundering lead to their expulsion from Night Elven society. Now referring to themselves as quel'dorei ("children of noble birth") or, "High Elves" in the Common tongue, they journeyed to establish a homeland on the newly formed continent now known as the Eastern Kingdoms. There they established the capital city of Silvermoon, with a great deal of contention with the Amani Trolls. Their primary religion is the worship of the Light. During the Third War, a large part of the High Elven population was slaughtered and their sacred Sunwell was destroyed. Forced to rely on alternate means to power their arcane addiction, the population's eyes changed from a sky blue to an emerald green, and they renamed themselves sin'dorei ("children of the blood"), or "Blood Elves". Prior to the Third War, the High Elves had been members of the Alliance. The Blood Elves joined the Horde after breaking ties, lead by Kael'thas Sunstrider, son of the fallen king Anastarian Sunstrider. Due to currently unknown reasons (as of Session 53), the leader of the Blood Elves is now the former farstrider second in command, Lor'themar Theron.

### Tauren

* The Tauren are a traditionally nomadic race who hail from the Stonetalon Mountains. Like the Orcs, they practice shamanism and also field many members of the Earthen Ring. The Tauren have long dealt with quillboar and centaur raids, but now face larger threats. Most tribes of Tauren have left behind their nomadic pasts to settle in the newly built capital city of Thunder Bluff, however there are some such as Juniper's clan which still practice the old ways. The Tauren are lead by ?

### Forsaken

* The Forsaken are a race of undead raised by the Lich King Arthas Menethil during the Third War. The Forsaken were many various races in life, but in undeath find themselves rejected by their families and communities. While once enslaved under the Lich King's control, they now are in control of their minds and bodies once more. They are lead by Sylvanas Windrunner, the former Ranger General of the High Elves. The Forsaken now call the ruins of the city of Lorderon home, dubbed "The Undercity". The Forsaken found themselves under attack by other residents of the Eastern Kingdoms, and sent out emissaries seeking aid. The Tauren were the only group to not kill their emissary, and instead took pity on them. It was due to the support of the Tauren that the Forsaken were brought into the Horde.

### Goblins

* The goblins are an innovative, mercantile race. They reside in both Horde and neutral territory, facilitating free trade.

## Current Status

***On the verge of war with the Alliance***