Blackrock clan

This article is about the main timeline clan before Warlords of Draenor. For lore on the alternate timeline version, see Blackrock clan (alternate universe).

Blackrock clan
The Blackrock clan banner.
Leader	Unknown
Past leaders	Malkorok Rend Blackhand Jubei'Thos Orgrim Doomhammer Blackhand the Destroyer
Clan color	Red
Domain	Blackrock Spire, Burning Steppes
Affiliation	Dark Horde Twilight's Hammer clan Horde, True Horde
Status	Active
Membership	1,700 (Burning Steppes & Redrige Mountains)

The Blackrock clan led the charge during the First War and Second War. During that time period, it was one of the largest and most feared of the orc clans. During the Third War a faction of the clan tried to summon demons, while another group is still fighting the Alliance and is known as the Dark Horde.

History

Pre Corruption

Blackhand was the Chieftain of the Blackrock Clan, but Gul'dan needed a puppet to control the Horde so Blackhand became a mere figurehead for the warlock.

First War

Near the end of the First War, Blackhand was challenged and killed by his lieutenant, Orgrim Doomhammer. Doomhammer seized control of the clan and slaughtered the members of the Shadow Council, the biggest threat to his throne.

Second War

The clan's forces achieved a number of victories during the Second War, though the betrayal of Gul'dan forced Doomhammer to divide his forces and send a part of the clan to hunt him down and slaughter his followers. The event weakened the Blackrocks, who were eventually defeated and nearly destroyed during the assault on Blackrock Spire, and Orgrim Doomhammer was himself captured and sent to Lordaeron in chains. The Blackrock clan did not disappear; though; the few remaining orcs who had not been captured or killed at the battle returned to Blackrock Spire and began to rebuild. Unlike the other orcs, they remained steadfast to the ideals of the old Horde, including demon worship and depraved blood lust. They became a beacon for orcs who longed for the old days, and soon enough their ranks began to swell again.

Third War

In the intervening years between the Second War and Third War, the Blackrock clan became a major problem for the Alliance. A faction in Lordaeron under the leadership of Jubei'thos re-embraced their demon-worshipping heritage, staged raids on a number of defenseless Alliance towns, and sacrificed their villagers to the Legion. They did this because their warlocks told them that demons would rain from the skies and the world would burn (referring to the coming of the Burning Legion in the following months). They also ignored Thrall's call to return to shamanism. During the Third War, most of the Blackrock forces in Lordaeron were killed by Arthas and Kel'Thuzad's Scourge. Jubei'thos and his lieutenants had in their possession a demon gate which Kel'Thuzad needed to communicate with Archimonde. The Blackrock orcs that Thrall didn't liberate from the humans' internment camps were likely killed by the Scourge.

However, other members joined the modern Horde under Thrall, like Eitrigg, and Varok Saurfang. Orgrim Doomhammer was a mentor to Thrall, and the orc capital of Orgrimmar was named after him. Regardless, the Blackrock orcs in the New Horde don't seem to have maintained a clan identity and are now simply Horde orcs.

Aftermath of the Third War

Blackrock clan banner.

Currently, the Blackrock clan still mainly resides in and around Blackrock Spire under the leadership of Rend Blackhand, where they war with the Dark Iron dwarves for control of the area. Their holdings also include territory in the Burning Steppes and the Redridge Mountains. They have formed the Dark Horde and have become a dire threat to nearby towns like Lakeshire, whose defenses are severely strained against their raids. It has also been rumored that they have allied with a group of black dragons led by Nefarian, Deathwing's son. They are but one of the pawns Nefarian is using to undermine the human kingdom of Stormwind.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content exclusive to Cataclysm.

During the Cataclysm, the Blackrock orcs have found a passage and invade Northshire Valley. It is revealed that the Blackrock clan have allied themselves with Deathwing and the Twilight's Hammer clan.

Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content exclusive to Mists of Pandaria.

In the Mists of Pandaria, a large amount of Blackrock orcs have been granted to join the Horde at the request of Warchief Garrosh Hellscream. Led by Malkorok, hundreds of Blackrock orcs have been added into the elite Kor'kron while those have become citizens. Serving as a secret police force, they would punish those that who would dare stand against the Warchief. However, not all of the Blackrocks have been supportive to their warchief, finding him brutal and corrupt to all other Horde races. Most of them, along with the Dragonmaw, Orgrimmar Grunts, Durotar Orcs, and some of the Kor'kron have sided with Darkspear rebels when Thrall secretly entered Orgrimmar and rallied all the orcish citizens loyal to the Horde.

After the Siege of Orgrimmar?

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

During the Siege of Orgrimmar, their leader Malkorok was killed. It is unknown who will replace Malkorok as their chieftain, or if they ever will. It might be that Eitrigg, Varok Saurfang, or possibly Urukal would succeed Malkorok, as they are the only known living members having originated from that clan but are honorable enough to keep it under control. Either way, Thrall is believed to return as the racial leader of the orcs and Lord of the Clans, as he sought orcs in Orgrimmar who were against Garrosh's tyranny. No official Chieftain has been confirmed for the Blackrock Clan, post the Siege.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content exclusive to Warlords of Draenor.

In the alternate timeline of Draenor, the Blackrock clan serves within the Iron Horde and is led by Blackhand himself.

Blackrock clan divisions

Lordaeron divisions

• Blackrock Raiders
• Blackrock Scouts
• Blackrock Slavers
• Blackrock Warlocks
• Blackrock Warriors

Azeroth divisions

• Blackhand Legion
• Bloodaxe Legion
• Firebrand Legion
• Scarshield Legion

Azeroth classes

• Blackrock Ambusher
• Blackrock Battlemaster
• Blackrock Champion
• Blackrock Gladiator
• Blackrock Grunt
• Blackrock Hunter
• Blackrock Outrunner
• Blackrock Raider
• Blackrock Renegade
• Blackrock Scout
• Blackrock Sentry
• Blackrock Shadowcaster
• Blackrock Slayer
• Blackrock Soldier
• Blackrock Sorcerer
• Blackrock Summoner
• Blackrock Tracker
• Blackrock Warlock
• Blackrock Warrior

Known members

The Blackrock banner as seen in Warcraft III menu.

Name	Location
Goraluk Anvilcrack	Hall of Blackhand	Blackrock Spire
Ghok Bashguud	Lower Blackrock Spire	Blackrock Spire
Gath'Ilzogg	Stonewatch Keep and Lakeshire	Redridge Mountains
Bannok Grimaxe	Lower Blackrock Spire	Blackrock Spire
Rend Blackhand	Hall of Blackhand	Blackrock Spire
Jed Runewatcher	Hall of Blackhand	Blackrock Spire
Tharil'zun	Stonewatch	Redridge Mountains
Targorr the Dread	The Stockade (original)	Stormwind
Quartermaster Zigris	Storehouse	Blackrock Spire
Blackhand the Destroyer	Deceased
Kur'kul	Deceased
Jubei'Thos	Deceased
Tharbek	Deceased
Maim Blackhand	Deceased
Orgrim Doomhammer	Deceased
Telkar Doomhammer	Deceased
Haomarush	Deceased
Throk'Feroth	Deceased
Mazrigos	Deceased
Khanzo	Deceased
Genjuros	Deceased
Blademaster of the Blackrock Clan	Deceased
The Slave Master	Deceased
Urukal	Unknown
Murdunk	Deceased
High Warlock Xi'lun	Deceased
Malkorok	Shrine of Two Moons	Siege of Orgrimmar
General Thorg'izog	Blackrock Stronghold	Burning Steppes

Former members

Name	Location
Eitrigg	Argent Stand	Zul'Drak
Bloodeye Redfist	Deceased
Varok Saurfang	Warsong Hold	Borean Tundra
Dranosh Saurfang	Deceased
Broxigar	Deceased
Griselda	Deceased

Notes

• Blackrock orcs in World of Warcraft are shown to have gray skin; this even includes Eitrigg. This is presumably a game mechanic to make Blackrock orcs stand out more, as they are shown to have regular green skin in previous games and artwork.

Patch changes

• Patch 6.0.0 (?"?" contains an extrinsic dash or other characters that are invalid for a date interpretation.): Added.
  

See also

• Blademaster of the Blackrock Clan
• Nefarian
• Rend Blackhand

External links

Lore

• WoW Insider Know Your Lore: Where is WoW's story headed in the distant future? by Matthew Rossi Jan 18th 2012 at 3:00PM
• WoW Insider Know Your Lore: Blackwing Descent and the Prestor legacy by Anne Stickney Mar 13th 2011 at 4:00PM