Shadowmoon clan

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

Shadowmoon clan
The Shadowmoon clan banner.
Leader	Teron Gorefiend (Illidan's Army) Overlord Or'barokh (Horde) Ner'zhul
Past leaders	Elder Shaman Ner'zhul
Clan color	Violet
Domain	Shadowmoon Valley Hellfire Citadel
Affiliation	Illidan's Army Iron Horde
Status	Defunct Active

The Shadowmoon clan, also known as Shadow Moon clan, was led by the orc shaman Ner'zhul, and was the most powerful clan on Draenor prior to the world's destruction. Named for the Shadowmoon Valley in which it was based, the clan was very heavily influenced by shamanistic traditions, like all orcish clans at that time. Their way of shamanism is different than the other orcish shamans in that they use void magic instead of the water, fire, earth and air. Although the Shadowmoon clan practiced traditional orc shamanism, their leader, Ner'zhul practiced a much darker version of shamanism. His own shamanic practices were heavily influenced by Warlock magic, a result of Ner'zhul's trafficking with Kil'jaeden, a demon of immense power.

Kil'jaeden had the objective of turning the orcs into a Horde of blood-thirsty creatures to satisfy the Burning Legion, a powerful force bent on the destruction of various worlds in the Great Dark Beyond. Ner'zhul later realized what Kil'jaeden was doing, and attempted to halt the orcs' corruption. His efforts were in vain, as his own student, Gul'dan, continued Kil'jaeden's schemes to horrifying success.

The Shadowmoon clan was the major force in the conflicts following the conclusion of the Second War, conducting raids on Azeroth to procure various artifacts — the Book of Medivh, Skull of Gul'dan, Jeweled Scepter of Sargeras, and Eye of Dalaran. Ner'zhul attempted to open portals to other worlds, but the energy released tore Draenor apart. Ner'zhul and his select followers escaped through one of the portals into the Twisting Nether, leaving the remainder of the clan behind, presumably to die.

However, the remainder of the Shadowmoon clan somehow managed to survive the destruction of Draenor, and became fel orcs in the service of Magtheridon. When Magtheridon was toppled by Illidan Stormrage during the siege of the Black Temple, the Shadowmoons became part of his armies.

World of Warcraft

Burning Crusade

This section concerns content exclusive to The Burning Crusade.

The fel orcs of the Shadowmoon clan are primarily spell-casters — to be more specific, warlocks. Shadowmoon warlocks under Keli'dan the Breaker appear to be the jailors of Magtheridon deep inside Hellfire Citadel's Blood Furnace, and the area is manned by Shadowmoon technicians and adepts using the blood of Magtheridon to turn captured Mag'har orcs into new fel orcs. The Shadowmoon warlocks can also be found inside the Shattered Halls.

The other major concentration of the Shadowmoon clan outside of Hellfire Citadel is at the Black Temple itself, on the Ata'mal Terrace. There they hold the Heart of Fury, one of the shards of the ata'mal crystal. The fel orcs, along with the blood elves in the Ruins of Karabor, on the Temple's south battlements, are found inside the Temple itself, in the direct service of their demon-crazed master. Many other Shadowmoons also serve Teron Gorefiend at Gorefiend's Vigil.

The orcish guards in Shadowmoon Village, now members of the reformed Horde under Thrall, are likely the last uncorrupted members of the Shadowmoon clan.

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content exclusive to Wrath of the Lich King.

It is said that the first Liches of the Scourge were Warlocks followers of Ner'zhul, heavily implying they were former members of this clan.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content exclusive to Warlords of Draenor.

In the alternate timeline of Draenor, the Shadowmoon clan pledge their support to the Iron Horde and are led by their chieftain Ner'zhul. Their strength lies within their mastery of the dark arts.

Known members

Name	Role	Status	Location
Dentarg	Enforcer and Right hand of Ner'zhul	Deceased	Hellfire Citadel
Gul'dan	Former member	Deceased	Broken Isles
Keli'dan the Breaker	Guardian of Magtheridon	Killable	Blood Furnace, Hellfire Citadel
Mouthpiece of Ner'zhul		Killable	Shaz'gul, Shadowmoon Valley, Draenor
Ner'zhul	Leader (penultimate), former member	Became the Lich King	Icecrown Citadel
Nethekurse	Grand Warlock	Killable	The Shattered Halls, Hellfire Citadel
Skychaser	Mount of Ner'zhul	Killable	Unknown
Teron Gorefiend	Leader (last)	Killable	Gorefiend's Vigil, Black Temple
Teron'gor (Pre-Teron Gorefiend)		Killable	Various Locations, Draenor
Rulkan		Deceased	Unknown

Types

• Shadowmoon Acolyte
• Shadowmoon Blood Mage
• Shadowmoon Champion
• Shadowmoon Chosen
• Shadowmoon Darkcaster
• Shadowmoon Darkweaver
• Shadowmoon Deathshaper
• Shadowmoon Fallen
• Shadowmoon Grunt
• Shadowmoon Harbinger
• Shadowmoon Peon
• Shadowmoon Reaver

• Shadowmoon Retainer
• Shadowmoon Scout
• Shadowmoon Soldier
• Shadowmoon Soulstealer
• Shadowmoon Summoner
• Shadowmoon Technician
• Shadowmoon Valley Flame Keeper
• Shadowmoon Valley Flame Warden
• Shadowmoon Warlock
• Shadowmoon Weapon Master
• Shadowmoon Zealot

Patch changes

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