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Playable races in World of Warcraft e
Alliance Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Draenei (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Lightforged) · Dwarf (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Dark Iron) · Gnome · Human (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Kul Tiran) · Night elf (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Void elf) · Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Worgen Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Factiongfx/faction_tip_link.json' not found. Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Pandaren Horde Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Blood elf (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Nightborne) · Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Goblin · Orc (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Mag'har) · Tauren (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Highmountain) · Troll (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Zandalari) · Undead

Humans, night elves, dwarves, gnomes, draenei, worgen, and most recently, pandaren (Tushui) make up the illustrious Alliance.
Proud and noble, courageous and wise, these races work together to preserve order in Azeroth. The Alliance is driven by honor and tradition. Its rulers are champions of justice, hope, knowledge, and faith.
In a time when chaos and uncertainty reign, the Alliance remains steadfast in its determination to bring light to the darkest corners of the world.[2]
Alliance

The Alliance (aka Grand Alliance[3]) is one of two major political factions of the mortal races in Azeroth, its counterpart being the Horde. The Alliance consists of powerful cultures and groups bound not by desperation or necessity, but by their deep commitments to abstract concepts like nobility and honor.[4]

The Alliance was once also known as the Alliance of Lordaeron when its leadership was centered in Lordaeron. However, the Alliance was forced to move the bulk of its forces to Kalimdor and to the southern Eastern Kingdoms continents of Khaz Modan and Azeroth after the plague of undeath ravaged the Kingdom of Lordaeron several years ago.

Although the remaining living nations of Lordaeron are not as strong as they once were, they have pledged their loyalty to the Grand Alliance with the hopes of becoming strong once again. Over the course of the years new members and races have joined the Alliance furthering its united strength.

Major members

The major partners in the Alliance are:



  • GnomeGnome The gnomes of Gnomeregan.
    • Cousins of the dwarves, joining with their long-time allies to provide technological wonders to aid the Alliance in its fight against its enemies. Their Long-time capital was Gnomeregan, located in western Dun Morogh, but it was invaded by a race of troggs. The gnomes had to flee and find refugee in their cousins' arms in Ironforge, where they built Tinker Town.
    • Led by High Tinker Gelbin Mekkatorque, King of Gnomes.
    • Gnomish outposts can be found in Blade's Edge Mountains in Outland and the Borean Tundra in Northrend.
    • The highly intelligent and resilient gnomes have devised their own unique robotic mount to use: the mechanostrider.





Alliance Forces

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Azeroth

The uneasy truce between the Alliance and the Horde in the aftermath of the Third War was soon broken when several battlegrounds between various forces of the factions have erupted:

  • League of Arathor - The main force of the nation of Stromgarde. In order to supply their war to reclaim the Arathi Highlands (and help supply themselves and The Alliance with valuable resources) the League has invaded the Arathi Basin along with Forsaken forces, with whom they fight vigorously over the rich land.
  • Stormpike Guard - A dwarven expedition to the Valley of Alterac in order to search for relics and treasures from the past, have led to open war with the orcs of the Frostwolf clan that resides in the southern parts of the same valley.
  • Silverwing Sentinels - The continuous deforesting efforts of the Warsong Orcs that have settled in southern Ashenvale have left the sentinels no choice. The Silverwing sentinels wing was appointed to begin a massive push of the orcs out of the elven homelands.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Baradin's Wardens - A fierce army that has historic ties to the island stronghold of Tol Barad let by Commander Marcus Johnson. They have joined the forces of the Alliance in an effort to repel the Horde, gain control of the strategic island and re-open the island to serve as a prison once again.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Wildhammer dwarves - Rejoining the Alliance after a long hiatus, these dwarves who have settled much of the Twilight Highlands. They are led by Kurdran Wildhammer in the Twilight Highlands with primary Alliance representation via his brother, the High Thane, Falstad Wildhammer in Ironforge representing the Wildhammers in the Iron Council.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Stillpine Furbolgs - The Stillpine tribe of Azuremyst Isles are led by High Chief Stillpine and have pledged to the Alliance cause. Their primary language being Ursine, the language of the Furbolg. Their base and holdings include Stillpine Hold. They are a few of the remaining uncorrupted Furbolg tribes left including the Timbermaw tribe.
  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Dark Iron clan - Now led by Moira Thaurissan, the Ironforge pledged Dark Iron Dwarves have united with the Bronzebeard and Wildhammer clans to form the Council of Three Hammers. They provide training of new Dwarven warlocks to serve the clans.
Outland Forces
Northrend Forces (Alliance Vanguard)
Pandaria Forces
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  • Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Pearlfin Jinyu
Draenor Forces
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Broken Isles Forces
  • The Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. 7th Legion has been re-deployed to the Broken Isles, but ended up primarily in Stormheim.

Other Members, Factions and Allies of the Grand Alliance

Alliance-aligned

Background

Alliance of Lordaeron

Main article: Alliance of Lordaeron

The modern Alliance is the successor to the Alliance of Lordaeron, which was created at the behest of King Terenas Menethil II of Lordaeron and Lord Anduin Lothar of the kingdom of Stormwind following the First War, five years after the reckoning. The human, dwarf, gnome, and high elf races allied together to fight off the orcish Horde. The Alliance was formed after the humans' defeat in the First war. King Terenas Menethil realized that the Horde was too powerful to be stopped alone and called all the seven human kingdoms to join forces, this is how the Alliance was created. Later the other races of Azeroth, the Ironforge and Wildhammer clan dwarves, The gnomes of Gnomeregan and the high elves of Quel'Thalas joined the Alliance as well. After a long bloody war, the Alliance managed to defeat the orcs, free the lands of Azeroth and send the orcs back to the Dark Portal. The result of this war was considered the Alliance's greatest victory.

Aftermath of the Second Invasion

Main article: New Alliance
Main article: Human Expedition
Alliance Heros

Notable figures from the Third War, from left to right: Muradin Bronzebeard, Antonidas, Uther Lightbringer, and Prince Kael'thas.

Events of the Second Invasion led to an alliance with both the night elves and the Horde. The former became permanent, while the latter did not.

The third war was the biggest crisis the Alliance had ever known, most of the human and high elf population of Azeroth was murdered by the scourge. With Arthas' betrayal the Kingdom of Lordaeron fell under the Scourge. Just has it seen as the end of humanity the remaining forces of Lordaeron Under the Command of Grand Marshel Garithos managed to retake Dalaran. backed by the Blood Elf's the Alliance Remnants managed to repel the Scourge in Silverpine Forest. At the same time Stormwind and Ironforge sent reinforcements to the Hillsbrad Foothills and repelled the Scourge in the Alterac Mountains. After that, Garithos decided to send troops to retake Lordaeron from the Scourge, from where he and the rest of his forces never came back. The forces of Stormwind and Ironforge did not sent their troops to help him. It is unknown why they refused to help him but it is suggested that they realized that such an act would be a suicide mission and therefor refused to send their own troops to the Plaguelands and offered shelter to the refugees of Lordaeron instead. During which time Jaina Proudmoore led other surviving humans of Lordaeron to Kalimdor, aligning herself on Kalimdor with the night elves and inviting them to join the Alliance. Joining forces with the Horde, Jainas' Forces and the night elves managed to defeat the Burning Legion's forces and save Azeroth. After that, Jaina reunited her new nation with Stormwind and the survivors of Lordaeron, and the night elves finally joined the Alliance.

Following the Second Invasion, many of the surviving high elves re-branded themselves as blood elves and rejoined the Alliance shortly after the invasion, only to leave it again following an attempted purge by Grand Marshal Garithos. The true high elves remain loyal to the new Alliance, most notably the ones dwelling in Theramore under Lady Jaina Proudmoore and in the Hinterlands at Quel'Danil Lodge. More recently, high elves have grouped together in Northrend as the Silver Covenant.

In the Burning Crusade

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A few years later, the draenei joined the Alliance. Stranded a world away from home, they are trying to establish a new base on Azeroth from the wreckage of the Exodar as well as gain the trust and cooperation of the Alliance.

In Wrath of the Lich King

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Recognizing the threat of the Lich King after the Scourge Invasion of various major cities across Azeroth, the Alliance created new military command structures and a temporary partnership with the Horde in Northrend to drive back the undead forces with the ultimate goal of destroying the Lich King.

In Cataclysm

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During the events of the Cataclysm, another race joined the ranks of the Alliance; the worgen of Gilneas. After the revelation that the Gilneans were fighting the Forsaken around and behind the Greymane Wall, unexpected aid from the night elves convinced Genn Greymane to join the Alliance.

In Mists of Pandaria

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In Mists of Pandaria Aysa Cloudsinger joined alongside her Tushui Pandaren, after Garrosh Hellscream alongside Goblins and Blood elves destroyed Theramore Isle

In Legion

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As the Burning Legion descended onto the world, Varian Wrynn has gone missing. In his absence, Anduin Wrynn has been made temporary King and leader of the Alliance.

Organization

Allianceraces

Alliance Races by Chris Metzen [1]. From left to right: high elf, half-elf, night elf, dwarf, and human.

Heroraces

Hero Races by Chris Metzen [2]. Wildhammer dwarf and gnome (Alliance).[6]

Uncorrupted draenei

Draenei Male by Glenn Rane

Half-orc

Half-orc

Worgen artwork1

Worgen

Lorderan Tabard

The Seal of Lordaeron is used prominently in Alliance culture.

The Alliance is not a uniform governmental body, but is a coalition of mutual military and economic aid. Housing the Alliance Assembly, Theramore was once considered the official home of the new Alliance, when Stormwind was bound under Onyxia's thrall under the guise of Katrana Prestor. The inability of Stormwind to act forced both Theramore and the night elves to step in, resulting in a growing gap of cooperation between the two continents. This, however, is no longer the case with King Varian's return and the death of Onyxia. Varian's direct aid to the night elves has won their trust, and Jaina's constant presence with him as an advisor (and to temper his edges) has firmly reunited Theramore and Stormwind once more.

In the past, certain rules, customs, and regulations were a constant hindrance to mutual actions across the entire Alliance. This made cooperation sluggish, and considerably slowed the rate at which the Alliance was able to reclaim its former lands and glory. Despite the problems and intrigues within their leadership, all parts of the Alliance are steadfast in their desire to reclaim and rebuild, and all members share a distrust of the Horde. Approximately 800,000 souls belong to the allied races spanning two continents (based on membership numbers of the Church of Light).[7] The Alliance is a great and peaceful body overall, their might being legendary, but their desire for peace, even stronger. Above all, where Jaina Proudmoore and Tyrande Whisperwind are good at coordinating their efforts on Kalimdor, Lady Katrana Prestor of Stormwind was doing a fine job of undoing the Alliance in the Eastern Kingdoms,[8] however she has been slain in lore and King Varian Wrynn has now taken his rightful place as king.[9]

Even now, as always, humans are the glue that hold the Alliance together, being the most numerous and diplomatic of the member races. The armies of Stormwind are stationed throughout the Eastern Kingdoms, trying to retake regions such as Duskwood, Westfall, and The Redridge mountains. The armies of Ironforge are mainly stationed in Khaz Modan along with their Gnome allies, and the night elven armies are mainly defending northern Kalimdor from Horde's deforestation of the Ashenvale. The remaining draenei forces are still trying to secure their new home on Azuremyst Isle, and are also stationed in Outland. The recently brought in Gilnean armies are defending themselves from the endless onslaught of the Forsaken.

Strengths

Technology

Main article: Alliance technology

Technologically speaking, the Alliance is strong, with gnomish and dwarven inventions.

Heavily armored vehicles with massive guns often help take well-defended structures, or even serve to simply destroy an enemy's morale. The appearance of three or four armored vehicles can often break an enemy's morale without ever firing a shot. However, they are well armed in case they do need to fire.

All too frequently, war is the primary driver of technological advancements. The Ironforge dwarves spearheaded this trend, developing gunpowder and firearms as a way to achieve an edge against their foes in combat. Flying machines, originally just curiosities or at best scouting tools, are now being outfitted with flak cannons and bombs. Who knows where these advancements will lead? Technology is the system by which an entire society provides for the wants and needs of its population.

Thus, the dwarves of Ironforge are said to be more technologically advanced than the tauren of Mulgore, who are themselves far more advanced than, say, kobolds or troggs.[10] The Alliance views technology as an extension of a new way of thinking. Humans view technology as a powerful tool, as gnomes and dwarves invent new weapons, devices, and vehicles of war that the humans can benefit from.

Dwarves and gnomes are the true masters of steam and brass; for them, forge and artifice has always been a way of life. The ability to craft magnificent weapons of destruction appeals to the dwarven sense of war, and firearms have become a respected aspect of their culture. Dwarven riflemen are feared, and their steam tank crews are also given tremendous respect for their skill in guiding their magnificent weapons of war.

It is clear to all of the Alliance races that the battlefields are changing thanks to technology. Firearms are a tremendous equalizer, and a trained sniper can be as deadly to a knight as a dragon's breath. The machines of war provide protection and weapons that level the field even against the mightiest of monsters. That the Alliance is aware of this bodes well for their future.[11] Also, with the inclusion of the draenei into the Alliance, the advanced technology of the draenei is now available.

Tactical mastery

Strategy in combat is the first step toward winning, and the Alliance uses to its fullest. They take advantage of their typical numerical advantage, to overwhelm opposition with shield and sword. They posses great Arcane spell casters which can be seen taking out many troops single-handedly from behind the front line. They have some great shock infantry with the dwarves and draenei, who prove very resilient on the battlefield. The Alliance is also known for its heavy cavalry where mounted human knights and paladins have more than once broken through ranks of Orcs, demons and undead. These mounted warriors have long symbolized the strength of the Alliance armies.

Typically they will utilize flanking tactics, night elven and high elven archery, combined with superior technology and maneuvers to turn battles in their favor allowing heavier troops like human knights and dwarven riflemen to finish their enemies off with the blade and shot. The scouts and rogues of organizations within the Alliance such as SI:7 are used to gather intelligence on the enemy forces and can even be used in sabotage tactics behind enemy lines. Their commanders are very smart, studying the art of war from a young age, and are able and adept commanders who will utilize their armies to the fullest, on the battlefield.

Holy magic

Most Alliance races are well-versed in the ways of the Holy Light, making their paladins and priests formidable opponents. The power of the holy light is also advantageous against the Forsaken as well as other forms of undead due to their extreme weakness against the power with spells such as Exorcism.[12] While the Third War witnessed the deaths of many paladins at the hands of the Scourge, the arrival of the draenei on Azeroth provided a new force of Light-wielding warriors for the Alliance.

Unified

The Alliance has strong unity between its races since its core members have been allied together since the beginning, excluding the night elves and the draenei. The humans, dwarves, high elves, and gnomes have been allies since the Second War and are often tied together. The Alliance has also never truly fallen apart, although there is often disagreements between the Alliance on Kalimdor, led by Jaina Proudmoore and Tyrande Whisperwind, and those traditionally based out of the Eastern Kingdoms, now led by King Varian Wrynn. However those disagreements are little compare to the conflicts between the Western Horde and the Forsaken.

Tradition

The Alliance represents older bonds of brotherhood than the Horde, especially between the humans, dwarves, high elves, and gnomes. And while the draenei are new to Azeroth, the other races retain ancient holdings. This stands in stark contrast to the Horde, all of whom, with the exception of the Blood Elves, have undergone significant migrations in the past decade. This gives the Alliance more established infrastructure and generally more territorial control, if not a higher level of dedication — Orgrimmar and Thunder Bluff, and the Forsaken squatting in Lordaeron's sewers and ruins, stand in stark contrast to the strong walls of Stormwind and Ironforge.

Weaknesses

Although the Alliance has built an impressive army in the past years, finding strength in its diversity and numbers, weak points still exist that the Alliance's enemies can take advantage of when fighting. For example, some lackluster commanders exist within the ranks. Though through this they still maintain a very impressive army.[13]

Pride

The Alliance is proud of itself. Their people are sophisticated and learned, and they excel in the intellectual pursuits such as arcane magic and engineering. Even after three bloody wars, they still view themselves as overall smarter than the Horde, and believe that greater brain power wins out over primal force. This is even after they fought alongside the Horde in the Third War and saw how they had changed. They underestimate the Horde, especially the new Horde under Thrall, and could easily be guilty of underestimating their enemies' abilities.[13]

Arcane magic

Main article: Alliance magic

Though their powerful command of the arcane is a point of strength in the Alliance's arsenal, it also shows a weakness. The magi are weak and easy to kill, if an enemy can break through their protections.[13] The benefits of these spellslingers in combat are very rich, causing destruction from a distance unchecked by the enemy.

Physical strength

The front lines of the Alliance's armies are always in danger against the physically stronger Horde, especially the orcs and tauren.[13] Draenei are the strongest Alliance race, and the arrival of the worgen in Cataclysm has definitely added more bulk to the alliance.

Territory

Though the Alliance has a vast amount of territory, its distribution is almost one sided, most of the Alliance territory is in the Eastern Kingdoms. The Alliance presence in Kalimdor is weak, confined mainly to Teldrassil, the islands of Azuremyst and Bloodmyst, and Darkshore (the only mainland Alliance territory in Kalimdor). Though they have also made a strong establishment in Dustmallow Marsh on Theramore Isle.

Setbacks

The Alliance forces have endured a series of setbacks against the Scourge, bearing the brunt of the Scourge's invasion. Only after Arthas's death did the tide start to turn; even so, the damage is felt to this day.

Media

Images

Video

Notes

Icon-edit-22x22
Note: This is a generic section stub. You can help expand it by clicking Sprite-monaco-pencil Edit to the right of the section title.
  • Data-mined content from Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Inlinegfx/img_link_data.json' not found. Legion suggests that Varian has been killed[14] and his son Anduin has ascended to the throne of Stormwind.[15]

References

  1. ^ Alliance Player's Guide, 167
  2. ^ Darkmoon Faire Cataclysm Promotion: Fortune card
  3. ^ World of Warcraft manual, p.171
  4. ^ "Beginnings and Ends"
  5. ^ A [42] Grimtotem Chiefs: Grundig Darkcloud
  6. ^ The gnomes and Wildhammer dwarves are members of the Alliance. The furbolgs and pandarens are Independent though friendly to the Alliance.
  7. ^ Alliance Player's Guide, ???
  8. ^ Alliance Player's Guide, 163
  9. ^ World of Warcraft: Issue 14
  10. ^ Alliance Player's Guide, 100, 181
  11. ^ More Magic and Mayhem, 164
  12. ^ World Of Warcraft: Paladin Spells
  13. ^ a b c d Alliance Player's Guide, 182
  14. ^ Dalaranω ϖ
  15. ^ The Call of Warω ϖ

See also

External links

Lore


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