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Core races
Allied races
This article is about the recent history and current state of the Horde. For its past, see History of the Horde.
Horde iconThe Horde
Horde Crest
The Horde crest
Ruling body Horde Horde Council
Leaders
Core races
Allied races
Other races
Capital cities Orgrimmar, Darkspear Isle, Thunder Bluff, Undercity, Silvermoon City, Bilgewater Harbor
Allied cities Thunder Totem, Suramar City, Dazar'alor, Vulpera Hideaway
Zones of influence Lordaeron, Central Kalimdor, Northern and central Broken Isles, and southern Zandalar
Languages Draconic, Goblin, Gutterspeak, Orcish, Pandaren, Shalassian, Taurahe, Thalassian, Vulpera, Zandali
Main factions Orgrimmar, Darkspear Trolls, Thunder Bluff, Undercity, Silvermoon City, Bilgewater Cartel, Huojin Pandaren, Dark Talons
Notable factions Dragonmaw clan, Forest Hozen, Highmountain Tribe, Zandalari Empire, Mag'har Clans, Voldunai, The Mag'har, The Nightfallen, Revantusk tribe, Sunreavers, The Taunka tribes

See more forces
discuss changes here
The Horde is made up of orcs, forsaken, tauren, trolls, blood elves, and most recently, goblins. Misunderstood and cast aside, these diverse and powerful races strive to overcome their differences and unite as one in order to win freedom for their people and prosper in a land that has come to hate them.
In the Horde, action and strength are valued above diplomacy, and its leaders earn respect by the blade, wasting no time with politics. The brutality of the Horde's champions is focused, giving a voice to those who fight for survival.[1]
HordeLogo

Horde Logo

The Horde is one of the two major political factions of the mortal races in Azeroth, its counterpart being the Alliance. The Horde, a faction led by off-worlders and composed of outsiders has survived these obstacles by bonding together, fighting as family, comrades, or even uneasy allies.[2] Although its ideals, policies, and beliefs have been revised and membership has changed over time, it is the same Horde inherited by Thrall through Warchief Orgrim Doomhammer.[3]

Major members

Major member races include:



Horde coins

Official Horde coin set. Coin depictions from top to bottom: Thrall: Orgrimmar, Sylvanas Windrunner: Undercity, Cairne Bloodhoof: Thunderbluff.



  • Icon Cataclysm 18x18 GoblinGoblin The goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel.
    • With the Cataclysm consuming their home island of Kezan, the goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel are shipped across the sea, intended for slave labor in Azshara, when they are caught in a naval crossfire between an Alliance fleet and a single Horde vessel off the Lost Isles. While there, they are attacked by the Alliance and ally with the orcs to defeat both their mutual foe, the hostile natives of the Lost Isles, and dissent from within their own ranks.
    • Led by Trade Prince Jastor Gallywix.
    • Current home is Bilgewater Harbor in the heavily-reshaped Azshara.
      • The goblins also have a district led by Boss Mida within the orcish capital of Orgrimmar.
    • IconSmall Trike Like the gnomes, the goblins are masters of engineering and have built trikes - essentially three-wheeled motorcycles - to serve as their mounts.
    • IconSmall Hobgoblin Hobgoblins, huge chemically altered goblins have come with the goblins. In-game goblins can summon them to access the bank.

Horde Forces

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:

  • Defilers – A force of Forsaken sent to gather resources of Arathi Basin, found themselves fighting a vicious war with the League of Arathor, humans who are native to the land of Arathi who in turn are fighting to gather resources for the Alliance.
  • Frostwolf clan – This clan settled in the Alterac Mountains attempting to claim the area for their own, however the Stormpike Dwarves have historic connections to the land dating back before the orcs arrival leading to a confrontation.
  • Warsong Outriders – Following the Third War, the Warsong clan that invaded Ashenvale and began deforestation have not ceased their operation and have come into direct conflict with the Silverwing Sentinels who are bent on protecting their ancestral homeland.
  • Hellscream's Reach- An elite Horde regiment comprised solely of veterans of multiple tours of duty. Handpicked by Garrosh himself, he has commanded them to take complete control of Tol Barad.


Outland


Northrend (Horde Expedition)
  • Warsong Offensive - The main forces of the horde's expedition to northrend, led by Garrosh Hellscream.
  • TaunkaTaunka The Taunka - Ancient relatives of the tauren, were thought to be lost until re-discovered by Garrosh Hellscream and his orc forces upon their arrival to Northrend. They are welcomed into the Horde soon after Roanauk Icemist is rescued.
  • The Hand of Vengeance - A group of Forsaken forces that have been sent to Northrend by Sylvanas Windrunner to bring Undercity's vengeance upon the Lich King. Their method is the delivery of the latest strain of their deadly Plague.
  • The Sunreavers - The blood elven members of the Kirin Tor, named for their leader, Aethas Sunreaver. The Horde, traditionally barred from Dalaran, is allowed entry to the city due to their efforts.

Other members, factions and allies

File:Orcswolves.jpg

Wolves serve as mounts and are often seen as the symbol of the orcs of the Horde, especially the Frostwolves.

Non-factional races and hybrids

  • Half-ogreHalf-ogre The half-ogres from Azeroth who work on the Horde.
  • Half-orcHalf-orc Many (though not all) half-orcs.
  • IconSmall Wyvern The Horde has befriended intelligent Wyvern beasts of Kalimdor, whom they use as riding and flying mounts.

Horde-aligned

  • Forest trollForest troll The forest trolls of the Revantusk tribe
    • Situated in the Hinterlands, led by Primal Torntusk, are Independent, though loosely allied with the Horde. While not members of the Horde, they are its friends. They know compassion, though they find it a bit difficult to relate to the Darkspear jungle trolls, having once been enemies.[19]
  • IconSmall BabyRaptorIconSmall RaptorTrollTroll The Ravasaur Trainers in Un'goro Crater are a group of Darkspear troll elite raptors riders that provide their mounts to members of the Horde who prove themselves able to survive the creature's poison.

Former Horde members

Main article: History of the Horde

History

Horde2b01

Crest of the Horde during the Third War

W3OrcHeroes

Notable figures from the Third War, from left to right: Cairne Bloodhoof, Samuro, Drek'Thar, and Rokhan. All of these Heroes also helped Rexxar in his journeys.

See also: Old Horde and History of the Horde, Dark Horde, Fel Horde

In the past, the Horde referred to the orcs and their battle thralls from both Draenor and Azeroth, such as trolls and ogres. Following its utter defeat at the end of the Second War, the Horde's dark power was broken, allowing Thrall to awaken the dormant spirituality of his people and free them from the Burning Legion's control.

During the events of the Third War, Thrall has made lasting bonds with the tauren chief Cairne Bloodhoof and the troll shadowhunter Vol'jin of the Darkspear clan. The ties between the three races is very close, as both share many similar cultural views. With the help of the tauren, both the orcs and the tribe of trolls have established a place for themselves in Kalimdor. Since then, certain ogre tribes, as well as the Forsaken and blood elves have chosen to affiliate themselves with the Horde.

The present Horde is mostly about surviving in a land that has come to hate them. The orcs are hated because, much like the Forsaken, they were formerly mindless, controlled beings. Though redeemed, they are not forgiven by many members of the Alliance who believe them to be their old selves still.[20][21][22] The trolls, tauren and their other allies are the ones who understood them, and so they are hated for that. An interesting fact is that every prominent Horde leader has been allied with certain members of the Alliance in times of war.

Organization

Although its name would imply otherwise, the Horde may actually be viewed as a more centralized body than the Alliance, as Orgrimmar is the obvious center, Thrall is the undisputed leader, and he stands as Warchief over the entire Horde, holding dominion over the Darkspear Trolls and tauren tribes alike[23] (though he treats his fellow racial leaders as equals[citation needed] ).

Like the old Alliance of Lordaeron, Thrall accepts ambassadors and advisors from all the different tribes and members of the Horde and makes sure their voice is heard in the running of the fledgling empire. Although unavoidably possessing the characteristic militarism of the orcs, Thrall has also proven himself to be a compassionate, idealistic, and enlightened individual, and commands a great deal of respect within the Horde.

Though the Horde could quickly become a formidable war machine once again, in formal terms they are a peaceful nation deciding to try for peace and help the world rather than savage rampaging like the early history of the Horde. More informally however, a state of Cold War still exists. The Orcs' attempts to drive the Alliance out of Warsong Gulch and Alterac Valley are ongoing, as is the Forsaken's expansionistic advance in Arathi and Hillsbrad.

Equal in size, the Horde also has its complexities, much like the Alliance. The main five races of the blood elves, tauren, undead, trolls and orcs have countless friends among the races of Azeroth: the Revantusk forest trolls of the Hinterlands, the Stonemaul Ogres and various individuals like the Mok'Nathal beastmaster Rexxar.

In the Third War, before the liberation of the Forsaken from the Scourge and the defection of the blood elves, the Horde allied themselves with the Alliance to rid Azeroth of the Burning Legion. Since then old animosity has risen again, resulting in open conflict on several battlefields. However, the two factions still officially kept a truce until the Battle for the Undercity, when King Varian Wrynn, tired of constant backstabbing from various factions within the Horde, officially declared war.

Despite their somewhat monstrous appearance, the majority of the Horde is not evil; much like the Alliance, it is comprised of diverse factions and individuals who possess a wide range of values and virtues.

Culturally, orcs and tauren believe in redemption more than most other races on Azeroth and are willing to give almost anyone a chance, regardless of reputation. The Revantusk seem to have even accepted, (if not at least tolerate) their ancient enemy the blood elves. Largely because of these beliefs, a number of mortal races and many diverse factions can be found in service in the Horde.

It seems that new members have to swear a blood oath to the Horde.

The Two Hordes

Horderaces

A Orc, Half orc, Goblin, and tauren drawn by Chris Metzen

File:HordeRaces2.jpg

Metzen's drawing of a Blood Elf and Troll.

Although the Horde in the MMORPG is a single faction, it is actually divided in two or more distinct parts (partially including the Dark Horde in the Burning Steppes but not the Fel Horde in Outland). It is both a geographical division and an ideological one.

  • Two small orc factions use the same rationale to pursue completely opposite goals. Both factions display utter loyalty to the Horde. The Horde is their family, their home, and they take great pride in serving it. These orcs believe the Horde comes first in everything. One faction has come to terms with the Horde’s association with the Alliance. By joining arms with the Alliance, the Horde was able to assist in preventing the destruction of the world. These orcs consider their success a sign that Thrall and the Horde are on the right path to strength and glory. The other faction feels that Thrall betrayed the Horde by allying with humans. They consider the Horde corrupted, tainted and weak. These orcs fight for their lost glory using any tools at their disposal, including arcane magic. They dream of one day becoming powerful enough to destroy the mock Horde that exists today and replace it with the old and glorious empire the Horde once was. Faithful of the Horde can be of any class, but those who support the current Horde never become warlocks, and those who denounce the current Horde never become shamans.[24] This situation causes a rift within the ranks of the proud orcs, and it grows increasingly difficult to tell friend from foe.[25]

The Horde of Kalimdor

The Horde of Kalimdor follow mostly Thrall's leadership. They include most of the Orcs, the Tauren, the Darkspear trolls and some ogres. They are united by a shamanistic culture, honor, and their respect for Thrall, who they consider their hero and affirmed leader. This Horde is the result of the actions in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

The orcs are undergoing a cultural revolution as they feel the unnatural, arcane bloodlust leave their bodies, giving them calmer and more focused states of mind. They, for the most part, follow Thrall as he forges ahead to reform the Horde both inside, with his shamanism, and outside, with the founding of Durotar. Still, not all orcs are pleased with these movements, namely the evil orcs who still reside on Azeroth. These orcs, who include a good number of the surviving warlocks, actively raid Alliance and Independent caravans and towns, and renounce all that Thrall proclaims the Horde is. Like the two faces of the Alliance, the different Horde factions meet rarely; but there are some orc warlocks on Kalimdor who would very much like to retake control of the Horde forces, and they are gaining strength in the wilderness to do so.[26]

While geographically separated, the Frostwolf Clan in the Alterac Mountains share their shamanistic culture; and the uncorrupted Mag'har in Outland would also fall in this group.

The Eastern Horde

Forsaken

"Forsaken" by Chris Metzen.[27]

The Horde of the Eastern Kingdoms includes the Forsaken, the blood elves, and sometimes the evil orcs of the Dark Horde.[28]

While Thrall freed most of the orcs held in Lordaeron and brought them to Kalimdor, other orc clans remained in the Eastern Kingdoms, mostly in the southern part of the former kingdom of Azeroth. Orc warlocks and other clans that refuse Thrall’s leadership are strongest in Azeroth around the Burning Steppes and the Blasted Lands. Many of them prefer to stay near the Dark Portal through which they first entered Azeroth, and some warlocks still try to tap into the magic holding the portal in place.[26] Most of them are part of the Dark Horde, who follow Rend Blackhand as their warchief and are opposed to Thrall. The Forsaken of Lordaeron will, of course, happily aid the Horde in the area. They don’t care whether the orcs are evil or not; it’s actually easier for them if their allies are evil.[26]

The Forsaken are nominally allied with the Horde but serve only themselves.[29] They are much darker than their allies from Kalimdor, do not necessairly consider Thrall as their leader and certain members of their race do not care about honor, morality or even other races. Not all Forsaken are evil, but the many are, and other races definitely view them as such. A non-evil Forsaken must work hard to prove his neutral (or perhaps, good) intentions. Few good Forsaken exist, but many evil ones do, and their leadership is definitely up to nefarious ends.[30][31][32]

Blood elves despise most other races, but they are coming to accept that the Forsaken are different, or at least share the same goals.[33] Most blood elves are not insane or evil - they just choose to fight fire with fire. They were suffering for lack of the Sunwell; they all needed—and still need—to feed on arcane energies, even though most of them aren't spellcasters. The most powerful blood elf spellcasters are insane, as the magic they wield is corrupting.[33][34] The western Horde recognizes the blood elves as dangerous, volatile and ultimately destructive.[35]

Even if many Forsaken and some blood elves are evil, this "second Horde" cannot currently be considered as a danger to the world, as Thrall's Horde has kept them mostly in check. The Forsaken's Royal Apothecary Society surely have questionable plans, but so far they keep fighting the Scourge and left the rest of the world alone for the most part (except for a few deals with the Grimtotem tribe, and spreading diseases and enslavement of druids in Ashenvale forest, among other things).[36][37]

It is so far unknown how much The Battle For The Undercity affected both the Society's manpower as well as its reputation among the Forsaken, or the Forsaken's standing among the other Horde races. Since then, Thrall has dispatched Kor'kron guards to the Undercity to keep watch on the Royal Apothecary Society, and a conversation between Overseer Kraggosh and Master Apothecary Faranell indicates the strain between the two groups.

Relations between the groups

The relations between the two groups are not cordial. The orcs, tauren and jungle trolls do not trust the undead. Many see the Forsaken as betrayers in their midst, standing as allies while secretly using their comrades to further their own goals.[38] They are wise to the possibility of betrayal, and they keep a wary eye on their pale allies.[39]

There is also racial animosity as blood elves reek of fel power, offending the spiritual senses of the tauren.[34] The Horde orcs, darkspear trolls and tauren distrust the blood elves, as their addiction to magic makes the high elves look like amateurs. The blood elves are dangerous, and the Horde races can smell the rotten magic on them. In particular, the orcs revile the blood elves because they see them as descending down the same path toward damnation that so corrupted the orcish people — the orcs can smell the demon taint on the blood elves and know how badly it will twist them. The blood elves disdain the Horde as barbarians who refuse to grasp power in front of them. They especially dislike the orcs, who should have been strong enough to control the power the demons gave them instead of falling under their command.[40]

Since the Horde is leery of the Forsaken, it keeps watchful eyes on them. For example Ambassador Galavosh was sent by Thrall to make sure the Forsaken are honest and dismiss their evil tendencies. Galavosh is suspicious of the Forsaken as well.[29][41]

While the Forsaken were let into the Horde for various reasons, including the Earthen Ring to help create a cure for undeath; Sage Truthseeker, believes however, that while Earthen Ring had pure intentions towards their plagued brethren, who is to know the motivations of those whispering in the ears of the Elder Council? He believes that the Forsaken whom the Horde allied with had a history wrought with deceit. He believes the pact was too hasty, and that perhaps Cairne would have been wise to heed the warnings from Orgrimmar.[42] The Forsaken have absolutely no intention of throwing aside their dark ways. They joined the Horde because they saw them as the strongest — and most tractable — faction. While they maintain the illusion of allegiance, the Forsaken’s goals are not the same as their allies'.[43]

Thrall and Cairne remain suspicious of the Forsaken.[44] Thrall freely admits he isn't pleased about allowing the Forsaken joining the Horde, and expects them to betray him, but he simply felt that he needed allies — even if those allies were not completely trustworthy.[45][46] He had only grudgingly, accepted the Forsaken into the Horde as he needed them as much as they needed the Horde.[44] A number of Horde members in Durotar are disturbed by the growing presence of the Forsaken in their lands.[47] Tauren rarely trust the Forsaken with more than a nod and a place to set their withered feet.[48] They are less thrilled at the presence of the Forsaken at Thunder Bluff, who they grudgingly tolerate due to their alliance. The tauren place a strong emphasis on the value of life, and the unlife of the Forsaken stands as an affront to their beliefs.[49] They consider the Forsaken abominations — much like all other undead.[46] Trolls are suspicious of the Forsaken, but so is everyone else,[50] they have little trust for the manipulative Forsaken, whom they believe will visit only misery and strife upon their allies.[51]

Interestingly, a few Forsaken seem to genuinely like the Horde — they see the Horde as a group of outcasts, which is something the Forsaken can respect. These few legitimate Horde supporters also tend to focus on the sides of the Horde they like — like warlocks and the Grimtotem tribe. Others are fairly open in their contempt of the Horde.[46] The Forsaken remain on good behavior when with Horde member races, but secretly distrust and mock their allies. They feel the Horde is made up of brutish and ignorant peoples, and are full of pride that they have manipulated the Horde into accepting their allegiance. They will not openly betray the Horde — not yet — but they are slowly eroding the sense of peace and unity the Horde was experiencing after the Third War.[52]

Surprisingly there are even Forsaken that do not trust many if not most of their kind, for example Roberick Dartfall, Kegan Darkmar, Trevor, and Leonid Barthalomew the Revered. Apparently these Forsaken do not like to be judged for the actions of many of their kind, and want to be judged for their individual actions.[53] Though at least some of these end up leaving the Forsaken altogether to join other forces like Argent's Dawn, such as Leonid, or those that aspire to leave such as Trevor.[54]

According to Thrall, in Rise of the Horde, the Forsaken are merely "befriended".[55]

In World of Warcraft

In World of Warcraft, the distrust by other Horde races to Forsaken is mentioned within quest dialogue in the game.[42] In which case, because Forsaken's loyalty is being questioned they cannot do certain quests for the Horde.

One major element showing the difference between these two "sub-factions": Forsaken and blood elves begin with a friendly reputation with Undercity and Silvermoon City, but only neutral with Orgrimmar, Thunder Bluff, and Darkspear trolls. Orcs, trolls, and tauren begin the game as Friendly with their respective factions (Orgrimmar for the orcs, Darkspear tribe for the trolls, and Thunder Bluff for the tauren) and Neutral with Undercity and Silvermoon. A notable exception to this are Undead and Blood Elf Death Knights, They start Friendly with the Orcs due to game mechanics setting them from Unfriendly to Friendly regardless of race upon completion of the final starting quest.

While most Forsaken are not trusted, the Horde still works with members of the Forsaken, like Kirith, who was Trebor's lieutenant.[56]

Notable Leaders

History Shamanism Rise of the Horde First War Second War and Invasion of Outland Third War and Aftermath War in Outland Cataclysm
Ruler Draenor / Outland Ner'zhul Gul'dan
Blackhand
Ner'zhul Kargath Bladefist Thrall Garrosh Hellscream
Azeroth None Gul'dan
Blackhand
Orgrim Doomhammer Ner'zhul Orgrim Doomhammer Thrall Thrall Garrosh Hellscream
Rend Blackhand

Videos

Lore For Noobs

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References

 
  1. ^ Darkmoon Faire Cataclysm Promotion: Fortune card
  2. ^ "Beginnings and Ends"
  3. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 165-176
  4. ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos - manual, 84
  5. ^ Eitrigg's Wisdom#Dialogue
  6. ^ Prologue
  7. ^ "Eternity's End: The Awakening of Stormrage", Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Blizzard Entertainment.
  8. ^ http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=24702035296&postId=246996836533&sid=1#14
  9. ^ Silencing Rageroar
  10. ^ http://www.wowpedia.org/In_the_Shadow_of_the_Sun
  11. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 156
  12. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/quest=25674
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNB4py6LOz0
  14. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/quest=27491
  15. ^ Quest:Ending the Threat
  16. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/npc=42301#screenshots:id=192345
  17. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/quest=26066
  18. ^ http://www.wowhead.com/quest=26068
  19. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 10
  20. ^ "The Founding of Durotar: A Blaze of Glory Map: Theramore Isle", Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne. Blizzard Entertainment. Admiral Proudmoore: "Can your blood atone for genocide, orc? Your Horde killed countless innocents with its rampage across Stormwind and Lordaeron. Do you really think you can just sweep all that away and cast aside your guilt so easily? No, your kind will never change, and I will never stop fighting you.".
  21. ^ Alliance & Horde Compendium, pg. 55. Quote: Although the brave and foolhardy Proudmoore and the men and women who followed him are gone, many of Theramore's citizens agreed with their actions.
  22. ^ Horde Player's Guide, pg. 175. Quote: For the time being, the Horde is now our most "obvious" enemy, in that they are numerous, and old hatreds put the fight with them at the top of nearly every priority list.
  23. ^ World of Warcraft manual, 182
  24. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 85-86
  25. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 177
  26. ^ a b c World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 12, 166
  27. ^ Manual of Monsters, 138
  28. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 166
  29. ^ a b World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 51
  30. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 53
  31. ^ Lands of Conflict, 105, 107-8
  32. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 76, 154, 181
  33. ^ a b Monster Guide, 64
  34. ^ a b Monster Guide, 65
  35. ^ Alliance & Horde Compendium, 15
  36. ^ Lands of Mystery, 44, 48
  37. ^ Forsaken Diseases
  38. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 370
  39. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 371
  40. ^ Alliance & Horde Compendium, 68-69
  41. ^ Lands of Conflict, 108
  42. ^ a b H [38D] Compendium of the Fallen
  43. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 371
  44. ^ a b Horde Player's Guide, 151
  45. ^ Lands of Mystery, 42
  46. ^ a b c Horde Player's Guide, 181
  47. ^ Lands of Mystery, 34
  48. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 47-48
  49. ^ Lands of Mystery, 147
  50. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 50
  51. ^ http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/races/trolls.html
  52. ^ World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 167
  53. ^ Lands of Conflict, 106
  54. ^ Horde Player's Guide, 170
  55. ^ Rise of the Horde, 123
  56. ^ Kirith


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