Hello and welcome. In this guide we will detail the nuance and veiled depths of the seemingly most basic race in the setting. Humans, as an oftentimes [overexposed] thoroughly explored race have many facets of their lore, that can be difficult for newcomers to get information on. So with that, we shall begin.
The Seven Kingdoms
Lordaeron - The Fallen Kingdom. Lordaeron, as everyone knows was recently ravaged by a plague of undeath, and was left a borderline uninhabitable, wartorn dystopia. Prior to its fall, Lordaeron was the holy kingdom; many great places of worship to the Light were found there, and it is from the ancient tribe that founded it that Melrendar came. It was she who first brought faith in the Light to humanity.
Gilneas - An advanced kingdom of alchemy and and industry. Gilneans are characterised by a dark mood, and favouring black powder weaponry or old druidic magic of the Harvest Witches. As their atmosphere is, they are dark and gloomy, and somewhat more grounded and gritty. In recent years, they were ravaged by the Worgen curse, and more recently still, the Forsaken invasion.
Alterac - A small kingdom, surrounded by the lands of Lordaeron. The Alteraci, unlike their stalwart Stromic cousins are well known for their betrayal of the Alliance in the second war. Now home to the Syndicate, and once home to Ravenholdt, it is a land of cut-throats and brigands.
Dalaran - A citystate, dedicated to knowledge and learning. Young children, showing a natural affinity for magic are taken here to learn in a safe enviroment how to control the flows of arcane magic.
Kul Tiras - A trading nation, who under threat, militarised into the most effective navy on Azeroth. They revere an elemental spirit known as the Tidemother, and take great pride in their nation.
Stromgarde - A warrior Kingdom, situated in the Arathi highlands; proud trollhunters. Their city of Stromgarde was once Strom, capital of the ancient Arathi Empire of King Thoradin. The Stromic people and their Trollbane kings are the descendants of an Alteraci warrior tribe, lead by Ignaeus Trollbane, general of King Thoradin. Although occupying old Arathi territory, the closest bond to Arathor, is another Kingdom entirely-
Stormwind Like Stromgarde, a warrior Kingdom. Like Lordaeron, a holy Kingdom. As the Arathi Empire crumbled, nobility of Strom journeyed south, and founded a new kingdom. The heirs of Thoradin would rule for years, before fading into obscurity, their last descendant being one Anduin Lothar.
The people of Stormwind train for warfare from a young age, posses their own magical academy, and are the current seat of the Alliance.
Each of these kingdoms possess their own archetypes and cultural character.
Although often times you may hear how “it’s a living breathing world, anyone from anywhere can be anything”, it is wisest to choose a cultural background that fits the idea for your character. Afterall, a dark hearted bandit would more likely be from Alterac than Dalaran.
Blending place of origin and characterisation creates a narrative in of it’s self!
On matters of class, most any class a human can be is appropriate. Naturally however, Death Knights, Priests, Paladins and Mages require adherence to specific backgrounds and lore. Some of these are better suited to other RP guides, but due to the importance of faith in human culture, I will be talking about Paladins and Priests.
Humanity and the Light
Around three thousand years ago, the human faith in the Holy Light began, when a warrior by the name of Melrendar turned instead to tending to the sick and wounded in the wake of the troll wars. In her dreams, she was visited by the Naaru, and taught in the ways of the Light. Her tribe prior to this, above all, revered the sacrifice of the titanic keeper, Tyr. This bond would continue on, in the church of the Light.
It’s core values, are the three virtues: Tenacity, Respect, Compassion. The Light is a faith of stoicism and love [unlike what your cathedral square friend Janiss of house Deus Vult would have you believe]. Its tenets are embodied in its followers; and the teachings of Melrendar and her apostles would go on to establish the core librams of Lightly theology on Azeroth. These five paths, would become the paths of the Paladins of the Silver Hand, their librams.
Justice: A follower of the Light seeks that the law be upheld, with a fair and even hand.
Retribution: A follower of the Light seeks to enact righteous vengeance upon the wicked.
Protection: A follower of the Light seeks to protect the innocent.
Compassion: A follower of the Light seeks to grant mercy and relief to the less fortunate, the burdened.
Holiness: A follower of the Light seeks to inspire others, and live true to the ways of the Light.
29 years ago, Stormwind had been destroyed by the recent emergence of the Orcish war-horde. The Clerics of Northshire had joined the fighting, but found themselves unfit for battle. It is for this reason, the Silver Hand was formed. Named in honour of Tyr [who’s tale had become a lightly one] they would wield Light and steel in tandem, to heal their allies and slay their foes.
The Paladin, is an iconic class of Warcraft, the Alliance and Humanity. A mainstay of the setting since Warcraft 2, and consistent protagonist bait, their traditional knightly valour makes them ideal for the classic hero! Or, the fallen hero.
A Paladin undergoes a special anointment ceremony, wherein which they are blessed with enhanced strength, and enhanced wisdom by the brothers of their Paladin order, and priests of the Light respectively. After the blessings are given, a blue stole is draped around their neck, and a silver warhammer laid before them. It is there, at the altar they take their oaths. To uphold honour, to walk a lightly path and spread its wisdom, to vanquish evil wherever it is found, and to protect the innocent.
Upon Librams and from the mouthes of paladins is a common phrase: “By Blood and Honour, We Serve” [In actual common: Esarus Thar’No Darador"]
Whereas Paladins follow the Light; Priests, seek to understand it on a philosophical level. Sadly, human Priesthoods are not as thoroughly explored as human Paladin orders. A common theme amongst all race’s priests excluding Night Elves.
The Light however, is not only the matter of priests and Paladins. In Stormwind, Lordaeron, Stromgarde, and even Alterac, you would be hard pressed to find an individual who is non-religious. The Light is a unifying aspect of human culture, that brings men and women together beneath it’s beliefs of compassion and understanding.
Gilneas and Kul Tiras were slower to adopt the faith, which shows in their alternative faith systems. The Druidic-subfaith of the Harvest Witches in Gilneas, and the core faith of the Tidemother in Kul Tiras.
With that, ends installment one. There may be deeper explorations in future, and I will answer any questions. And now, I will cite my sources:
Of Blood and Honor - by Chris Metzen
Warcrimes - by Christie Golden
Lord of the Clans - by Christie Golden
Warcraft Chronicles
Warcraft 3
The Ashbringer comic series
Future explorations: The Cult of the Damned, Death Knights, Lordaeron’s disillusionment, Dwarven and human relations, Elven and human relations.