Time weathered and powerful, Malfurion Stormrage was the first night elf Druid, and trained under the tutelage of one of the most powerful demigods of Azeroth in the days of yore. Ten thousand years into Azeroth’s past, Malfurion Stormrage was the student and brightest scholar of the demigod Cenarius, Lord of the Forest. As the years passed under Cenarius’ wise instruction, Malfurion became the first Druid, able to use the powers of nature to the Kaldorei’s benefit. Druidism became an integral part of Malfurion’s people directly through his guidance.

Malfurion and his people were called the Kaldorei, or “children of the stars”, and were nocturnal, cunning humanoids. Malfurion deeply loved one of his fellow Kaldorei, Tyrande Whisperwind, the high priestess of Elune. However, Malfurion’s twin brother, Illidan Stormrage, also fell in love with Tyrande, but his feelings for her were unrequited. Malfurion admired and respected the ruler of the Kaldorei people, the venerated Queen Azshara. Azshara was powerful, charismatic, and beautiful beyond compare. Over the ages, Azshara’s confidence evolved into extreme narcissism, her cunning dipped into madness, and her lust for power became all consuming. She surrounded herself with the most powerful, skillful, and wealthiest of the Kaldorei, those that were worthy of being in her presence, and named these people the Highborne.

At the center of the lone continent of Kalimdor sat the Well of Eternity, a fount of arcane power that fueled the magical energies throughout Azeroth. Azshara and her Highborne began utilizing the Well of Eternity for their own needs, and began restricting access to the Well of Eternity to those that were worthy of its power—the Highborne and Azshara herself. What the Highborne did not know at the time was that the magic that flowed from the Well of Eternity which they recklessly utilized were both addictive and dangerous. Malfurion watched as his Queen slipped into madness, and knew that at the heart of her obsession with power was the Well of Eternity. To an extent, he was correct—the abuse of the powers that the Well of Eternity offered caught the attention of the ruler of the Burning Legion, the dark titan Sargeras, who saw that Azshara and her chosen Highborne could be easily manipulated by their hunger for power. Beguiled by the machinations of Sargeras, Azshara used the powers of the Well of Eternity to open a portal between Azeroth and the Twisting Nether, where the armies of the Burning Legion lay in wait. When the portal between the two worlds opened, the demonic army of the Burning Legion devoured everything in their path, seeking to drain the energy from Azeroth itself.

Realizing the Kaldorei needed to be saved from the imminent demonic invasion, Malfurion led his people against the forces of the Burning Legion. Malfurion, Illidan, and Tyrande sought the assistance of Cenarius, hoping the demigod would provide them with aid. But, the demonic armies that poured from the Twisting Nether were seemingly endless, and even the assistance of both Cenarius and Alexstrasza the Dragon Queen alongside the forces of the Kaldorei could not save Azeroth. Malfurion decided that for the good of the world, the portal would have to be destroyed. If doing so affected the Well of Eternity, then so be it. However, Azshara was ready for Malfurion’s strike against the portal. Her immense magical power tore through Malfurion’s army, and things looked hopeless for the Kaldorei— Tyrande had fallen in battle, Illidan had betrayed his people, and Malfurion faced off against the demons of the Burning Legion in a battle of arcane magic versus the power of Druidism.

As Malfurion’s battle against The Burning Legion raged on, the portal that spanned the two realms in the Well of Eternity grew increasingly more unstable. Malfurion’s last, desperate spell would tear the demons from the soil of Azeroth and send them hurtling back into the Nether, but would also take the land, Azshara’s palace, and everything surrounding the Well with it. Sargeras panicked, seeing his opportunity to enter Azeroth coming to a violent end and attempted to enter the world via the unstable vortex only to become trapped between the Twisting Nether and Azeroth. The flux of conflicting energies collapsed the unstable portal and caused a catastrophic explosion that destroyed the Well of Eternity and changed the face of Azeroth forever— The Sundering.

Malfurion and Tyrande survived the explosion and left the ruins of the Well of Eternity. Led by Cenarius, they sought a new home for their people. Before they had ample time to rebuild and settle on a safe haven, Malfurion discovered that his brother had water from the Well of Eternity and was seeking to rebuild the Well in a lake atop Mount Hyjal. Fearing a second Sundering would destroy Azeroth, they did not try to outright destroy this second Well of Eternity, but instead began taking great efforts to protect it from harm. Malfurion imprisoned and warded his brother below Mount Hyjal while working alongside the Dragon Aspects Alexstrasza, Nozdormu, and Ysera to build a means to protect the new Well of Eternity. Their collaboration resulted in the creation of Nordrassil the World Tree over the waters of the well.

Malfurion, the Kaldorei Druids, and the green Dragonflight pledged to protect the World Tree as long as they lived, and in return, the Tree would be linked to the Druids that safeguarded it.  In order to being the process of rebuilding their home, the Druids would have to spend hundreds of years at a time in slumber, traversing the Emerald Dream— the spiritual verdant realm of the Green Dragonflight that would help them rebuild Azeroth after the Sundering. Ten thousand years passed before the Burning Legion became an imminent threat to Azeroth once more, forcing Tyrande to awaken Malfurion from his mystical slumber. Demons led by the Eredar Lord Archimonde sought out the Well of Eternity to reopen the portal between Azeroth and the Twisting Nether. Archimonde wanted the powers held beneath the World Tree for his own, which would give him abilities that would rival Sargeras’ own.

Archimonde’s ascent of Mount Hyjal was met with fierce resistance from numerous forces, including Tyrande’s, human forces led by Jaina Proudmoore, and orcish forces led by Thrall. Archimonde and his lieutenants tore through the camps set up to defend the World Tree, until Archimonde himself approached the Tree and prepared to take its powers for his own. Overconfident after his victory over the assorted armies that lay in waste behind him, he was unaware of Malfurion awaiting him at the World Tree. Malfurion sounded the Horn of Cenarius and summoned thousands upon thousands of the ancestral guardians of nature known as wisps to his aid. The wisps assaulted Archimonde relentlessly and detonated their magical energy in an explosion that annihilated the Eredar Lord, shattering the World Tree. The impending invasion from the Burning Legion was brought to an end once more.

Malfurion continues to be a protector of both the Emerald Dream and Azeroth, battling against ancient and familiar enemies, such as Azshara’s demonic advisor Xavius, to protect his people. His wisdom and experience as a Druid have been honed to a fine point over the course of more than 10,000 years, and he continues to lead the Night Elf people to this very day alongside his beloved wife. Malfurion’s ages of experience as a Druid come to life in Hearthstone! Without his mentor, the demigod Cenarius, Malfurion may not have ever learned how to make nature rise against his enemies! You can use the Legendary power of the Lord of the Forest himself in Hearthstone in your favorite Druid deck. Cenarius gifts the Druid’s loyal allies with the incredible powers of the land that bolster their Attack and Health, or summons Treants to protect your allies from harm. (source)

The dryads watch over the shadowed forests of Kalimdor. Fleet-footed, clever, and playful, they protect their home with tender loving care. But where her sisters are the delicate flowers of the deep forest, the dryad Lunara, first daughter of the demigod Cenarius, is the thorn that guards them. (source)

When your dad is a demi-god, and your grandparents are the goddess of the Moon and a god of the Wild, you’ve got a reputation to uphold. Lunara is more than up to the task. (source)

Elise Starseeker Flavor Text: A large part of her job entails not mixing up the Map to the Golden Monkey with the Map to Monkey Island.

Elise the Trailblazer Flavor Text: Reno taught her that blazing her own trail is a lot more fun than following someone else's map.

Elise Starseeker Flavor Text: Before she became an explorer, Elise taught young druids. Her ability to tolerate immature minds hasn't changed at all!

If you’re the type of player who really wants to leave a mark on your opponent, Rexxar may be the Champion you’ve got in your sights. If you’re looking to fire off a volley of arrows at your opponent, lay some deadly traps, or unleash some bestial wrath, Hearthstone’s Hunter is your target Hero.

Rexxar once called the Blade’s Edge Mountains home as one of the Mok’Nathal, a clan primarily composed of other half-ogres like himself. Unwelcome by both the full-blooded orcs and ogres in the area, the Mok’Nathal were secular and isolationist, wishing little else but to be left to their own devices. However, Rexxar saw great potential for his people in Azeroth, the world beyond the Dark Portal, and eventually left his isolated clan behind to join the Horde with his animal companion, Haratha the wolf. After being betrayed repeatedly by others of the orcish race, including Gul’dan the Warlock, Rexxar lost Haratha to the dark magic of orcish warlocks and turned to a life of solitude, joined only by those incapable of lies and treachery: the beasts of the wild.

After roaming the lands of Azeroth, the great Beastmaster eventually became a great ally to Thrall and the Horde, living within the walls of Orgrimmar and earning his place amongst the orcs and trolls. Rexxar’s accomplishments and key victories over Alliance forces won him the title “Champion of the Horde,” and he went on to lead their forces against those of Daelin Proudmoore, Jaina Proudmoore’s father and Grand Admiral of the Alliance naval fleet. Rexxar defeated Daelin in combat as the rest of the Horde viciously battled against the Kul Tiras navy, leaving Jaina to mourn her father’s death and to rebuild her small empire. Rexxar, Thrall, and the victorious Horde returned to Orgrimmar, their battle won.

This cunning half-orc, half-ogre beastmaster is never without his longbow or the trusted animal companions he’s befriended on his journeys: Misha the bear, Huffer the boar, and Leokk the wyvern. In Hearthstone, you can summon each of Rexxar’s furry and feathered friends to your aid using the Animal Companion card. A proficient Hunter knows the wild like the back of his hand, so Rexxar’s unrivaled skill at Tracking will help you plan your next move by allowing you to know exactly what’s coming up in your deck. Lying in wait, Rexxar is able to pinpoint the best moment to take aim and fire at his foes with his savage longbow, Sniping from the undergrowth. It’s these Hunter skills that helped Rexxar prove himself against the ogre warlord Kor’gall, swaying the Stonemaul clan to the side of the Horde. You can use these same skills in Hearthstone to ambush your opponent when they least expect it! (source)

One of the most powerful magic-wielders on the face of Azeroth, the once kindhearted and compassionate Jaina Proudmoore has mastered the arcane arts, fought against demons of the Burning Legion and the undead Scourge, and gained a newfound fury towards the Horde after the destruction of her beloved Theramore. As a child, Jaina showed great aptitude for magic and much compassion for her people. She was sent to Dalaran—a powerful kingdom and a haven for magi—to learn how to harness the powers of the arcane. The leader of the Kirin Tor, Archmage Antonidas, sensed great potential in Jaina and accepted her as a pupil. Studious and talented, Jaina immediately took to the arcane arts. Her studies and responsibilities consumed most of her waking moments, leaving little room for mundane pursuits.

Jaina’s childhood friend, the Crown Prince of Lordaeron Arthas Menethil, reentered her life during her training in Dalaran, and the two fell in love. However, Jaina’s rigorous studies and Arthas’s duties to his kingdom prevented their relationship from ever becoming more than a brief dalliance, and their relationship ended abruptly. Heartbroken, Jaina returned to the comfort of her studies.Years later, a terrible plague washed over Lordaeron. Suspecting this was no ordinary sickness, Archmage Antonidas sent his prized pupil to meet with Arthas to investigate the cause. The plague, originating from infected grain, was spreading over the region like wildfire. It twisted the townsfolk into undead abominations of their former selves. The towns of Brill and Andorhal had completely succumbed to the plague, and Jaina knew she had to seek reinforcements.

Jaina returned with help in the form of Uther Lightbringer and the Knights of the Silver Hand. Sadly, they were too late; the people of Stratholme had eaten the grain and would soon fall prey to the plague. Arthas pressed to eliminate the people of Stratholme before they became undead—Jaina was horrified by the idea and Uther adamantly refused to have a hand in such a barbaric act. Knowing there was little hope for Stratholme, Jaina bravely gathered survivors and fled Lordaeron. Ultimately, her actions saved thousands. Sailing west, Jaina and her refugees arrived on the shores of Kalimdor... only to discover that orcs had claimed those lands for their own. Seeking a safe haven for her people, Jaina valiantly fought off Kalimdor’s Horde, but soon became aware of a greater threat. A mysterious prophet led to Jaina and her people joining forces with the Horde and the night elves to defeat the demon Archimonde at Mount Hyjal. After quelling this threat, Jaina finally found a new home for her refugees on an island off the eastern coast of Kalimdor, which she named Theramore.

As Jaina helped the refugees rebuild, the tensions between her people and the Horde slowly resurfaced. To ensure the safety of her people, Jaina forged an alliance with Thrall, the Warchief of the Horde. These issues only increased when the Horde’s Champion, Rexxar, claimed that humans were sent to assassinate him. Jaina knew nothing of this assassination attempt, but offered to assist Rexxar in discovering who was truly behind the attempts on his life. To her dismay, Jaina soon discovered that her father, Lord Admiral of the Alliance Daelin Proudmoore, was behind the attempt on Rexxar’s life. Daelin held a long-standing, deep-rooted hatred for the Horde, and would stop at nothing to see them wiped from the face of Azeroth. Jaina pleaded with her father to stand down and leave the orcs be, fearing his interference would further endanger Theramore’s people, but he would not relent. Daelin and his forces faced off against Rexxar and the Horde in combat, but they were no match for the Horde’s numbers and ferocity. Daelin was slain by Rexxar, and Jaina grieved, wishing her father would have listened to her council.

After her father’s death, Jaina maintained the uneasy alliance between Theramore and Orgrimmar, knowing that the combined might of an allied force was more powerful against potential threats than a people divided. That alliance was invaluable when the Scourge rose up in the icy continent of Northrend. A terrifying echo of her past led the undead forces—Arthas Menethil, now the Lich King. Jaina was determined to save her former love from the curse that gripped him, but it seemed like there was nothing left of the Prince of Lordaeron. Nevertheless, Jaina assisted in leading Alliance forces into the heart of Northrend to purge the land of this encroaching evil. Once their forces were victorious, a search of the Lich King revealed a small token, providing Jaina with hope that some remnant of the Arthas she once loved remained—a locket she had bestowed upon him in days long past.

When the leadership of the Horde was bequeathed to Garrosh Hellscream, the new Warchief took it upon himself to swiftly and brutally eliminate the Alliance presence on Kalimdor, starting with Theramore. Garrosh’s forces developed a mana bomb that he dropped upon the unsuspecting city, swiftly and brutally wiping Theramore off the face of Azeroth. Countless lives were gone in an instant. Jaina barely survived the blast, but she would be changed forever; her hair and her eyes became stark white, and her outlook towards the orcs and the Horde changed from peaceful and understanding to ruthless, brutal, and cold. Now the leader of the Kirin Tor, Jaina’s recent aggression towards the Horde is far from unfounded. Jaina Proudmoore’s raw magical power and simmering fury should not be underestimated. (source)

Resurrected by his mother Aegwynn, Medivh returned as a mysterious prophet shortly before the beginning of the Third War, manipulating events in order to arrange the formation of a last-ditch alliance between the mortal races of Kalimdor, guiding them to victory at the Battle of Mount Hyjal.

He was the wielder of Atiesh, Greatstaff of the Guardian after his mother passed it on to him, which is now wielded by Khadgar. (source)

The legendary Uther Lightbringer was the first Paladin of the Knights of the Silver Hand and a champion of the Light, sworn to defend the Alliance of Lordaeron from any potential threat. Wise, pious, and a beacon of hope to his allies, Uther is regarded as one of the greatest knights to ever live.

The kingdom of Stormwind was once a land of peace and prosperity. The age of tranquility came to a sudden end when orcs swarmed into Azeroth from the Dark Portal—a magical gate that connected the world of Azeroth with the orcish homeworld of Draenor. The Orcs assaulted Stormwind’s kingdom, eager to plunder and claim its lands for their own. This was the start of what is now called the First War.  The clerics of Northshire took up arms to defend their lands from the orcish invasion, but it became evident that it would take incredible efforts to defeat the evils that threatened them. Their holy order of clerics took great losses; as strong as they were in spirit, they lacked the formal martial training of knights and had little understanding of the art of war.

Archbishop Alonsus Faol formed a new order that would combine the restorative and destructive powers of the Light with the strict martial training of the knights. Archbishop Faol chose his apprentice Uther to be the first of this new order. These holy knights became known as Paladins, with Uther being appointed the First Paladin. The order started by Archbishop Alonsus Faol was known as the Order of the Silver Hand. The Archbishop recruited knights willing to learn how to wield the Light and clerics ready to take up arms for their noble cause. The Paladin’s potent combination of fighting prowess and holy powers made them incredibly formidable opponents in battle, and Uther was the greatest among them.

After the First War, many of the survivors of Stormwind traveled to Lordaeron to seek aid and succor from King Terenas Menethil II. The leader of Lordaeron formed alliances between the human kingdoms to unite them against the orcish Horde that swarmed over the lands. The orcs assaulted numerous cities and key points throughout the Eastern Kingdoms, with the Alliance doing their best to try and stop the them. However, not all human kingdoms within Lordaeron rallied to the Alliance’s cause. The Kingdom of Alterac, led by Lord Perenolde, chose to instead strike a deal with the Horde, fearing that the Horde would emerge victorious over the newfound Alliance once the smoke had cleared. This treachery caused numerous problems for the Alliance, and led to an attempt on Uther’s life.

The Horde’s forces were slowly weakening against the growing Alliance. In a mighty push, the Alliance assaulted a major Horde fortress located in the Burning Steppes. Uther and his Paladins were on the front lines in the battle of Blackrock Spire, and he earned the honorific “Lightbringer” after the battle.  With the capture of the Horde Warchief, the Alliance pressed on to the orc’s last stand: the Dark Portal itself. General Turalyon led the Alliance’s charge against the orcs at the Dark Portal in what was considered the fiercest battle of the Second War. The Azerothian side of the Dark Portal was destroyed, thanks in part to the bravery and skill of Uther Lightbringer and the Order of the Silver Hand.

After the Second War, Uther continued to bravely serve the Alliance and its people, mentoring new Paladins to the Order and serving as a shining example to aspiring knights and clerics throughout the Eastern Kingdoms. Uther took on the task of tutoring King Terenas’s talented son, Prince Arthas Menethil, in the ways of the Paladin. Arthas and Uther trained together for years and grew as close as a family.

As the Third War began, Uther’s assistance was requested and he met with the young Jaina Proudmoore. Jaina brought dire news—the mysterious plague that was ravaging the kingdom was turning the infected into the undead Scourge, and Hearthglen was under attack from the seemingly endless army of undead victims that had fallen to this horrific illness. Uther and his Paladins came just in time to help Jaina and Arthas, saving Hearthglen with their combined efforts.

Determined to save his kingdom, Arthas pressed on to Stratholme, but it was too late—the townsfolk had consumed tainted grain, the mechanism for quickly and efficiently spreading the plague throughout the kingdom, and would soon become the Scourge. Arthas ordered Uther and the Knights of the Silver Hand to destroy the town and the innocent people within. Uther adamantly refused the orders of the young Prince, telling Arthas he would not follow such an order—even if Arthas was the king himself. Furious with Uther’s defiance, Arthas accused Uther of treason and relieved Uther from command of the Knights of the Silver Hand and ordered those loyal to Lordaeron to join him in purging Stratholme of the impending evil. Uther took the Paladins that remained loyal to him and left Stratholme, abandoning Arthas to his barbaric actions.

Uther informed King Terenas Menethil of his son’s inhumane actions in Stratholme, and much to the sorrow of the King, they agreed that Arthas’ judgment, and perhaps sanity, was wavering. Terenas sent an emissary to recall Arthas’ expedition in Northrend and order their return to the Kingdom of Lordaeron.

Arthas returned some time later, to the joy and celebration of Lordaeron’s townsfolk. However, Uther and the townsfolk were all shocked as Arthas drew the cursed Runeblade, Frostmourne, and slew his father in the Lordaeron throne room.

Uther had lost his king and one of his closest friends. He vowed to personally guard the king’s remains, which were placed in a ceremonial urn within Andorhal. There would be no safe haven for Uther and the remaining Order of the Silver Hand. Arthas, now a death knight, commanded his undead forces and swarmed the town, intent on taking Terenas’s urn for their own dark purposes. Uther would not back down from the impossible odds, bravely and defiantly standing toe to toe against the death knight to defend Terenas’ remains in a battle for the ages. Uther met his end at the hands of his former pupil, whom he once loved and cared for like his own son. (source)

Lady Liadrin is the matriarch of the Blood Knights, Silvermoon's order of blood elf paladins. Once a high priestess of the Light, Liadrin became disillusioned with her faith after the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas, and spent the following years honing her martial prowess against the undead occupying the Ghostlands. When M'uru was shipped to Silvermoon by Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, Liadrin was summoned by Grand Magister Rommath to partake in a radical idea the magi had devised: the empowerment of Light-wielding warriors by siphoning the captive naaru's holy energies.

Contemptuous of the Light's failure to protect her homeland in its hour of greatest need, Liadrin volunteered herself for this notion, and thus became the first of the Blood Knights, an order she rules to this day. Following Kael'thas' betrayal, Liadrin sought redemption for her people; and with the revitalization of the Sunwell, she has rekindled a far more harmonious relationship with the Light. Liadrin, though called zealous, arrogant, and short-tempered by some, has always led her order with strength and conviction; and after fighting to rid Quel'Thalas of the Scourge, Liadrin now seeks the utter destruction of its progenitor, the Burning Legion. In her eyes, the Legion's downfall is all that matters. (source)

Arthas Menethil, Crown Prince of Lordaeron and Knight of the Silver Hand, was the son of King Terenas Menethil II and heir to the throne. He was trained as a paladin by Uther the Lightbringer and was inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand. Arthas also had a romantic relationship with the kind sorceress Jaina Proudmoore. Committed to the protection of his people, Arthas was determined to stop the plague spreading throughout Lordaeron.

Despite his promising beginnings, Arthas became one of the most powerful and evil beings Azeroth would ever know. Although he killed the necromancer Kel'Thuzad, Arthas was unable to stop the spread of the plague and resorted to increasingly desperate methods, such as purging the city of Stratholme. Taking up the cursed runeblade Frostmourne, Arthas was able to defeat the demon Mal'Ganis, but he lost his soul in the process. Becoming a death knight of the Scourge, he led the undead in destroying Lordaeron, Quel'Thalas, and Dalaran. Arthas later made his way to the Frozen Throne of Icecrown and merged with the Lich King.

Ruling as the Lich King for years afterward, Arthas had the last remnants of his humanity destroyed and was ultimately defeated in combat by Highlord Tirion Fordring and his champions of the Light. Cradled by the spirit of his father, Arthas Menethil died, leaving the mantle of the Lich King to be taken by a noble soul who would contain the power of the Scourge. (source)

From Boom Labs came a mighty mech
with armor shining gold.
Crafted well by a gigglin’ tech
who this time broke the mold.
She always made mechs for a lark:
noisy with hair of red.

But they all lacked a special spark
“He needs some Light!” she said.
T’was good then she knew where to find
light in a lazer lab.
Her buddy Kangor wouldn’t mind:
he’d put it on her tab.



She giggled as it powered on,
her masterpiece complete
“You are no MERE Annoy-o-tron!
Now greet, greet, greet, greet, GREET!”
Technicians scowled in every room
so their Boss hatched a ruse.
“Go greet the WORLD” said Dr. Boom
And lit a rocket’s fuse.

The mech crash landed near a town
where he might find a friend.
They thought he was a total clown;
Annoy-O sensed a trend.

He fled their ire into the wood
to stifle oily tears.
What was the use of being good
if all you got was jeers?

He wandered, feeling all alone
trudging among the trees.
And there he heard the hopeful tone
of laughter on the breeze!

The sound he ventured to track down
and found a fearsome sight:
The Headless Horseman wrecking town
and laughing with delight!

The Horseman rhymed as he attacked
creating quite a din.
Their defender already sacked:
an elder paladin.

Annoy-O saw them suffering
he had to face this foe.
He let his mighty warcry ring,
“HELLO! HELLO! HELLO!”

Annoy-O annoyed, swift and sure
when Horseman tried to rhyme.
The brave little mech stopped the cur
“HELLO!” he said each time.

The headless fiend grew frustrated
and couldn’t stand his ground.
His rhymes were getting truncated
with Annoy-O around.

“FINE, I’LL LEAVE!” he said in a huff
atop his ghostly steed.
He growled, '“I HAVE HAD QUITE ENOUGH!
ANNOY-O, I CONCEDE!”

Then the old knight rose to speak:
“You’ve rescued us from blight!
'Sir Annoy-O’s the one they’ll seek;
Young mech, I dub thee knight!”

Now Annoy-O’s known everywhere
as the boldest fellow.
He roots out evil in its lair
and greets it with:
“…HELLOOO!”

(source)

Levelheaded and compassionate, the young Prince Anduin of Stormwind holds a different view of the world than that of his father, the warrior king Varian Wrynn. Where Varian has a taste for combat, Anduin instead found his calling in the Holy Light—a calling that would lead him to play a critical role in the recent conflict on Pandaria. Gather ’round as we tell you more about Anduin’s story. . .

Anduin Llane Wrynn is named after two legendary figures from Stormwind’s history: his grandfather King Llane Wrynn and Anduin “The Lion of Azeroth” Lothar. While Varian earned a reputation as proud, skilled swordsman, Anduin lacked the warrior’s instincts required to follow in his father’s footsteps, and demonstrated an empathy and calm that his father sorely lacked. The young prince’s deep connection to the Light and affinity for the healing arts would ultimately lead him to train with High Priest Rohan and the draenei Prophet Velen. Under their guidance, he would grow to become an accomplished priest and peacemaker in his own right.

As war between the Alliance and the Horde escalated, Anduin embarked on diplomatic mission to the mysterious continent of Pandaria, determined to help put an end to the deadly conflict brewing there. Outside the shelter of Stormwind, Anduin dared to delve deeper into the mysteries of Pandaria, bringing level-headed rationality to every dangerous encounter and good-natured assistance to everyone he came across on his travels. Along the way, Anduin proved to be instrumental in helping the Alliance establish friendly relationships with various factions on Pandaria, and he was critical in cooling the flames of war that threatened to consume the continent. The brave and noble Prince of Stormwind will stop at nothing to ensure peace and security for his kingdom and its people. Someday, he will make a fine king. (source)

Years later, in the wake of the Alliance's renewed tensions with the Horde and elemental unrest across Azeroth, Anduin traveled to the dwarven city of Ironforge as a diplomat and formed close ties with the dwarven ruler King Magni Bronzebeard and his assigned bodyguard Aerin Stonehand. After Aerin and many other citizens were killed in one of many earthquakes that began plaguing Khaz Modan, Anduin witnessed how Magni was transformed into a diamond statue in an earthen ritual gone awry and was later forced to remain in Ironforge after Magni's estranged daughter Moira Thaurissan took control of the city. Varian infiltrated Ironforge to end Moira's rule, but Anduin convinced him to spare her life and instead install a Council of Three Hammers to govern the dwarf clans. Throughout these events, Anduin repeatedly visited his surrogate aunt Jaina Proudmoore in her city of Theramore and, through a chance encounter, forged a close friendship with the tauren leader Baine Bloodhoof.

In contrast to his decisive warrior father, Anduin is contemplative and diplomatic, and around the time of the Cataclysm decided to pursue the path of a priest of the Church of the Holy Light, later beseeching the draenei leader Prophet Velen to accept him as a pupil. Similar in ways to Jaina Proudmoore prior to Theramore's Fall, Anduin sought a peaceful way to end the conflict between the Alliance and Horde.

Months later, Anduin was shipwrecked on the long-forgotten, mysterious continent of Pandaria. King Varian immediately dispatched agents of the SI:7 to bring his son home, but Anduin refused to be rescued while there were opportunities to help the inhabitants of Pandaria. Anduin ventured throughout the continent, studying under the August Celestial Chi-Ji the Red Crane and helping to combat the ancient threat of the sha, dark spirits who feed on negative energy. Anduin played a leading role in preventing the Horde's ruthless warchief Garrosh Hellscream from utilizing the sha as a weapon, though he nearly lost his life in the process. While recovering, Anduin made an acquaintance in the form of the eccentric Black Prince Wrathion. Eventually, Garrosh was overthrown and put on trial in Pandaria. Anduin often visited the captive Hellscream in his cell, and later saved his life after Vereesa Windrunner revealed that Garrosh's food was poisoned.

Years later, Stormwind tragically lost its king in battle against the invading demons of the Burning Legion. Following Varian's death, Anduin permanently assumed the throne of Stormwind. In the face of the Legion's onslaught, Anduin grew certain that lasting peace would not be achieved without bloodshed, and as he worked to save lives and fend off the demons' advance, Anduin was forced to reconcile his yearning for peace with the necessity for war. In the wake of the Burning Legion's defeat, an escalating war with the Horde — now led by Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner — threatens everything Anduin holds dear. Though he now leads the armies of the Alliance across all of Azeroth, Anduin's ultimate goal is to put an end to the bloodshed he so abhors, even if it means getting his hands dirty.

Anduin was named after two venerated figures of Stormwind history: his grandfather King Llane Wrynn and the legendary Sir Anduin Lothar. As of Battle for Azeroth, Anduin is 18 years old. (source)

In the years prior to the Burning Legion's first invasion, Tyrande was the object of both Malfurion and his brother Illidan's affections. In the end, the priestess chose the druid over the sorcerer. After playing a pivotal role in the War of the Ancients, Tyrande was promoted to General of the Sentinels and would protect Kalimdor for over 10,000 years while her lover and the druids slept in the Emerald Dream. Tyrande and Malfurion then led the night elves in the Third War, defeating the Burning Legion as they had done in ages past at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. She subsequently stepped down as general, handing the reins to her adoptive daughter Shandris Feathermoon, to devote herself fully as leader of her people.

After Malfurion had become trapped within the Emerald Dream for a prolonged period of time, Tyrande journeyed into the dream to rescue him. In the wake of the Shattering, Tyrande and Malfurion were wed and now lead their people as one. Together they supported the worgen of Gilneas in their return into the Alliance. Tyrande also restored complete night elf control over Ashenvale as a result of the Alliance-Horde war. However, following the burning of Teldrassil, Tyrande has given herself over to vengeance and become the Night Warrior, the embodiment of Elune's wrath, in the ongoing Blood War. (source)

Orphaned at a young age, the blood elf Valeera Sanguinar spent her youth stealing to survive. After being imprisoned for a failed theft, she was sold to Rehgar Earthfury, a trainer of fierce gladiators, who saw great fighting potential in Valeera. Rehgar grouped Valeera with the night elf druid Broll Bearmantle and a mysterious but fierce human male, who had no memory of who he was or how he arrived in orc territory.

After arriving in Orgrimmar, Valeera, Broll, and the human fought together out of necessity; otherwise they wouldn’t survive the gladiatorial contests in the ancient Dire Maul arena. They quickly warmed up to each other. With Valeera’s speed, Broll’s shape-shifting prowess, and the human’s skill, the trio would conquer any gladiators they faced. The human even earned a name for himself: “Ghost Wolf,” or Lo’Gosh in the Tauren tongue.

Eventually, the three unlikely allies escaped from their life of slavery. With help from Jaina Proudmoore and her advisor Aegwynn, they were able to dispel some of the dark magics blocking Lo’Gosh’s memories. Lo’Gosh was able to remember that was in fact Varian Wrynn - the lost King of Stormwind! Together, the group journeyed to Stormwind to reclaim Varian’s rightful place on the throne.

When they journeyed to Stormwind, they discovered that a doppleganger was acting as king in Varian’s place. The doppleganger king was being controlled and manipulated by one of his own advisors: Lady Katrana Prestor—the black dragon Onyxia in human form. Seeing her dark magic blocking Varian’s true memories had been pierced, Onyxia revealed her true form and attempted to destroy the heroes. After a fierce battle, Valeera, Varian, Broll, and others vanquished Onyxia and freed Varian’s son Anduin from the dragon’s clutches.

With Stormwind’s rightful king on the throne, Varian offered Valeera and Broll honored places in Stormwind as his trusted advisors and bodyguards. Valeera accepted, but made her intentions clear: She would serve neither the Horde nor the Alliance, and her loyalties would lie only with Varian and Anduin. In Stormwind, Valeera finally had a place she could call home, alongside the friends she had grown to love.

Valeera’s skills as a Rogue are nigh unmatched; her grace and dexterity allow her to easily flow from one opponent to the next in the heat of battle. Her Hero Power allows her to summon her favored weapons: A pair of wicked daggers. (source)

Maiev Shadowsong is a legendary night elf warden and former priestess of the moon. Ruthlessly dedicated to her own sense of justice, she has been a part of many important events spanning the past 10,000 years.

Maiev grew up in the ancient Kaldorei Empire, eventually joining the esteemed Sisterhood of Elune and rising through its ranks to become a senior priestess. When the War of the Ancients threw the world into chaos, Maiev, along with her younger brother Jarod Shadowsong, played a major role in the fight against the demonic Burning Legion as part of the Kaldorei Resistance. Maiev's most defining role would come after the war, when she volunteered to become the leader of a newly-formed elite force known as the Watchers. These night elves were charged with watching over the prison of the infamous Illidan Stormrage, and Maiev would make this duty her life's work.

After millennia, Illidan would eventually be freed from captivity during the Third War. In response, Maiev began a desperate and all-consuming hunt to find the Betrayer and return him to his cell. This chase took her across Azeroth, and eventually even to the ruined world of Outland. There she launched a guerrilla war against Illidan and his allies, though she was ultimately captured. Her revenge would finally come when she and a group of heroes stormed the Black Temple and killed its master.

Following Illidan's death, Maiev returned home, but her sense of duty brought her into conflict with even the highest levels of night elf society. Despite this tension, Maiev remains dedicated to protecting the world and her people. She would marshal and lead her faction of wardens on the Broken Isles during the third invasion of the Burning Legion, reuniting with her brother Jarod and later taking part in the Assault on Broken Shore. (source)

Thrall has been one of the most influential characters in the Warcraft universe; his intelligence, wisdom, and rationality has helped shaped the Horde into a unified force to be reckoned with.

Thrall founded the lands of Durotar and its capital city, Orgrimmar, as a sanctuary for orcs who pledged their loyalty to the Horde. Through his wisdom, Thrall has brought different races and backgrounds together under a banner of honor and strength, combining their might to give them hope for the future.Tested time and again, Thrall has led his people through many pivotal points in Azeroth’s history, including the freeing of the orcs and their journey to Kalimdor, the Burning Legion’s attack on Mount Hyjal, and the fall of the Lich King.

After the Shattering of Azeroth that heralded Deathwing’s return, Thrall took the noble and courageous path to bring peace to the raging Elements, endangering himself to save the lands and people he holds dear. Thrall entered the chaotic Maelstrom to stabilize the rift between the Elemental Plane and Azeroth.Thrall, alongside the dragon aspects Alexstrasza, Ysera, Nozdormu, and Kalecgos, led the army that defeated Deathwing and prevented the final Cataclysm that would bring about the end of Azeroth.

Before the razing of Azeroth from the Black Dragon, Deathwing, Thrall made the decision to appoint Garrosh as Warchief of the Horde. This brought about a sudden shift to the Horde as a whole, and Garrosh’s rash leadership only served to break the carefully forged alliances that Thrall worked so tirelessly to build over the years.

Thrall’s quest to end injustice and tyranny was seemingly never-ending, as someone he once considered an ally and worthy of leading took the Horde into a brutal, war-mongering direction within the normally peaceful lands of Pandaria and beyond. Nevertheless, Thrall is determined to overcome all obstacles and bring peace to his people and all allies to the Horde’s cause.

Thrall is rarely without Doomhammer, a stout and imposing weapon that embodies the strength of the orcish people. Despite its intimidating name, Thrall brings hope to the orcish people when he wields it in battle. You can also wield this weapon in Hearthstone, bringing doom upon your opponent or their minions with its innate Windfury power. The elements favor Doomhammer, and Windfury allows you to attack twice in a single turn. Doom, DOOM! (source)

Sir Finley Mrrglton, renowned gentle-murloc explorer, has been scouring the jungles and coastlines of Azeroth in search of mannered murlocs ready to take up the mantle of heroism and reject the savagery of their fishy-folk. You can aid his cause with a little help from your friends!

While most murlocs are more likely to have visitors for lunch than they are to invite them over for tea, Morgl the Oracle has wisdom, wit, and the wherewithal to fight the good fight. His language skills aren’t quite up to Finley’s level, but his command of the elements is unmatched! He’s got the attitude, and he’s got the skills—now he just needs a little convincing! (source)

Rastakhan prefers that his opponents–some of which hail from the Zanchuli Council–are not able to get their hands on information meant for his ears. And while they underestimate him, his cleverness has resulted in him creating a special code that only he himself and his closest bodyguards, Zolani and her brother Habutu, understand. Forty-six assassination attempts have been made on his life, whereof the latest assassin had also been his wife.

Blessed by the loa Rezan with a long life, swift healing, and strength beyond most trolls, his kingdom was threatened by multiple parties, including his own Zanchuli Council. His daughter, Talanji, reached out to the Horde to help the Zandalari, despite Rastakhan's constant denial. Talanji's efforts were eventually rewarded, and eliminated the blood troll threat, called out the traitor Jakra'zet, and undid the schemes of the Zanchuli Council.

The Prophet Zul nonetheless managed to set his plan in motion and launched a massive assault on the capital of Zuldazar, destroying The Great Seal of the palace with Mythrax the Unraveler. Rastakhan, having made a pact with Bwonsamdi after Rezan's death to save his kingdom, eventually died in the defense of his kingdom in a massive attack from the Alliance known as the Battle of Dazar'alor. (source)

Emperor Lei Shen, also known as the Thunder King, was the first emperor of the mogu and the most powerful warlord in mogu history. Like his brothers, Lei Shen was strong of arm and fluent in the ways of war. But unlike others of his generation, he spoke of more than conquest. The legends of his forefathers were etched into his heart. Once Lei Shen had come of age and commanded his own legions, he announced his intent to awaken the gods. After years of searching, the warlord found the entrance to the hidden vaults beneath the lands north of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms. What he found therein was illuminating: the titanic watcher Ra, who stood guard over a powerful titan device, the Engine of Nalak'sha.

When the mogu realized that Ra was not contemplating some grand plan, but had simply given up hope, Lei Shen unleashed his anger upon the keeper, accusing him of abandoning the work of the titans. The harsh words finally woke Ra fom his stupor, and the highkeeper brought the mogu to the nearby Thundering Mountain. There, Ra-den summoned the lingering spirit of Aman'Thul, Highfather of the Pantheon. The revelation that the titans of the Pantheon were dead did not, however, cause Lei Shen to fall into despair like Ra had. Instead, the mogu decided that if the Pantheon were dead and their servant refused to continue their work, he would do so himself. Without warning, Lei Shen incapacitated Ra, bound the keeper in great chains, and stole not only the keeper's power but also the power of Aman'Thul. It is said that the mogu tore out the very heart of the mogu god. And from that hateful act, he gained power over wind and storm. Able to defeat even an August Celestial in combat, none were able to stop his goals of unifying Pandaria.

Armed with the power of storms, Lei Shen, now known as the Thunder King, gathered together his followers and rose to power "the mogu way", eliminating his rivals one by one. Most did not submit to his authority: the lucky ones were vaporized by lightning or trampled by his growing legions. The others were dragged off in chains until he deemed them "broken". But many mogu saw in Lei Shen the unity of purpose that had been lacking in the generations since their masters had fallen silent. They flocked around the Thunder King's banner and eagerly did his bidding as he enslaved the other races, believing - as Lei Shen did - that the "lesser" races should serve the mogu, just as the mogu had once served their masters. When the Thunder King needed slaves to build the cities and fortresses of his empire, he marched on Kun-Lai Summit. Faced with a defiant populace, Lei Shen made a declaration: if a warrior could best him in one on one combat, he would depart and leave those lands in peace. If he won, however, the people of those lands would submit to his rule. The Thunder King's challenge was accepted by Xuen, the White Tiger, who had seen the plight of the free peoples and could bear it no more. The legendary figures fought for thirty days and thirty nights as lightning fell from the skies and the ground rumbled with their fury. In the end, Xuen fell to Lei Shen's unearthly power.

After his rise to power, the Thunder King built the Mogu'shan Vaults to contain and protect his secrets, and converted the surrounding structure into a sort of shrine dedicated to the mogu empire. The complex houses many of the empire's lost artifacts and is the resting place of the spirits of old mogu kings. He unified the language, established a single currency and standardized weight and measures. He also created the first set of written laws in all of Azeroth, written in the unified language. The brutal codes enshrined the mogu's place above all other creatures and the first rule was that sedition, insurrection, and rebellion be punished by public evisceration. The Thunder King saw great potential in the pandaren, and for this reason he did not trust them. After he conquered the land, the pandaren were forbidden to learn to read or write. Their leaders and philosophers were executed and all pandaren art and literature was burned.

As he began to unify his people under a single banner and subjugate the other races of Pandaria, Lei Shen knew that the mantid, with all their strength, would never bow to his authority. He commanded his slaves to construct the Serpent's Spine, a magnificent wall that spanned the length of the empire. It took many generations to build, but Lei Shen knew that fear would motivate his subjects. The fear of the mantid moved mountains, raised armies, secured his empire, and built his wall. In the one-hundred-and-seventieth year of the Thunder King's reign, the Korune spellweavers came to Lei Shen with their greatest creation. A bell cast from the makers' flesh, shaped by stars' fire, and bound by the breath of darkest shadow. This bell, when rung, could shake the world and call to the heavens. Taken to war, the bell's cacophonous tones stirred the hearts of Lei Shen's warriors. It fueled their hatred and anger, lending them strength on the field of battle. The bell's screaming voice struck fear and doubt into the hearts of the Emperor's enemies, sending them fleeing in his path. Awed by its power, the Thunder King described the instrument as "the voice of the gods," and named it Shenqing, the Divine Bell.

During his reign, Lei Shen labored to build a mechanical servant that would defend his citadel without fear. When his first attempt failed, rage took hold of the Thunder King. He poured this negative emotion into his next, and most successful, creation: the Dark Animus. At the Thunder King's behest, a young cloud serpent was twisted into the fiercesome hydra Megaera. Lei Shen also commanded his sorcerers to mold an aberration that could peer into the hearts of his followers and detect betrayal. From this decree, Durumu was given life. The fearless mogu commander Qon was dubbed "Iron Qon" by the Thunder King for his unrelenting resolve to claim victory after victory for the empire regardless of the cost. Lei Shen forged an alliance between the mogu and Zandalar tribe of trolls, led by Zulathra, and this alliance would last millennia, long after Lei Shen had passed on. Lei Shen made a promise to them: a large plot of land near the Vale of Eternal Blossoms would forever belong to the trolls. Lei Shen, not trusting his mogu underlings to resurrect him if killed, also told the Zandalari trolls the secret to his resurrection.

According to a Pandaren legend told by Loh-Ki, Lei Shen died after a great battle in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, in which the mogu armies were overcome by brave monks. In his final moments, Lei Shen summoned an otherwordly storm that blanketed the vale for several days. The storm washed the blood of the fallen into Whitepetal Lake, which burned crimson and gave rise to Alani the Stormborn. Years after the Thunder King's death and near the end of the Zandalari Troll Wars, the leader of the invading Zandalari armies, Mengazi - a descendant of Zulathra - realized that the trolls were losing against the pandaren and their cloud serpent riders, and decided to fulfill the ancient prophecy and resurrect Lei Shen. A pitched battle erupted at the Tomb of Conquerors, where the Thunder King's body was enshrined. The trolls' efforts to resurrect Lei Shen were thwarted, as Jiang sacrificed herself to kill Mengazi, sending the Zandalari fleeing back to Zandalar. (source)

Once called “Darkness Incarnate” and “Destroyer of Dreams,” Gul’dan was the first orc warlock and is considered one of the most powerful warlocks to have ever existed. He lived to amass power by any means necessary—even betraying his kin to those that sought to enslave them.

Gul’dan’s tale began on the planet Draenor, the homeworld of the orcs. The most spiritual of Draenor’s orcs were the Shadowmoon Clan, which was led by the orc shaman Ner’zhul. Ner’zhul was Gul’dan’s mentor, and he taught the young Gul’dan how to harness the elements. Gul’dan was a talented pupil, and with his intelligence and cunning he took to shamanism readily.

Gul’dan’s hunger for power only grew when he encountered the demon lord, Kil’jaeden. Gul’dan was promised unfathomable power in the form of mastery over fel magic—the ways of the warlock—if he would only swear fealty to the demon lord and usurp his mentor. However, Gul’dan would pay a terrible price for such power. His actions would damn the orcs, binding them to the will of the Burning Legion. Gul’dan accepted Kil’jaeden’s terms without hesitation, and the empowered Horde would later decimate their enemies—and their world.

The warlock led his orcish horde to Azeroth, with the aid of the sorcerer Medivh and the Dark Portal that connected the two worlds. The bloodthirsty orcs spread across the Eastern Kingdoms like a storm, conquering the lands far and wide with Gul’dan plotting and waiting for his chance to claim ultimate power.

Gul’dan’s thirst for power would eventually be his own downfall; he would stop at nothing less than becoming a god. The warlock set out to find a magical artifact of great power: the Eye of Sargeras, dark titan and creator of the Burning Legion. The Eye was hidden away within the long-forgotten Tomb of Sargeras at the bottom of the Great Sea. Gul’dan eventually discovered the tomb, but was wholly unprepared for what lurked inside. Instead of unearthing the Eye, Gul’dan and his minions were torn apart by the demons that had long ago been drawn to the tomb through the dark magics that emanated from Sargeras’s remains. Gul’dan finally realized that he was a pawn for Sargeras’s machinations all along.

You can harness Gul’dan’s fel magic in Hearthstone as the Warlock Hero. Gul’dan’s Hero Power, Life Tap, takes a small sacrifice of his own life and turns it into card drawing power! The Burning Legion’s demons are at the Warlock’s beck and call, which can be unleashed on your opponent when they least expect it. Demons are not one to lend their power freely, so be warned! If too many minions start to rally against Gul’dan, he can unleash the devastating power of the Twisting Nether and send them spiraling into the Abyss!  (source)

Don’t let Nemsy Necrofizzle’s small size and penchant for peaches fool you: behind those pigtails and goggles hides one of the most powerful Warlocks alive. Nemsy is utterly fearless, sharp as a razor, and she’s always cool under pressure. After all, you can’t command fel energies or summon horrifying demons from the twisting nether just by being nice. She’s your perky little pal—and a bonafide fel-flinging, soul-destroying mistress of dark forces! Nemsy loves it when her foes underestimate her. Appearances can be deceiving, and she knows that it’s what lies beneath the surface that counts. (source)

Before becoming man'ari, Jaraxxus was known as Grand Vizier Jarasum, one of the three greatest pupils of Archimonde. He acted as the Arc-Consul's second and oversaw much of the day to day operations in the Conservatory of the Arcane. When discipline was needed, it was often his voice that would ring out. He was not well liked, but he was respected nonetheless.

Lord Jaraxxus was summoned by Grand Warlock Wilfred Fizzlebang when the gnome attempted to summon a doomguard for the next challenge during the Trial of the Crusader. Jaraxxus killed Fizzlebang for his efforts, and next planned to kill the adventurer. Despite being accompanied by Mistresses of Pain and Felflame Infernals, the eredar was defeated, as requested by the Kirin Tor and the Council of Six.

Jaraxxus is one of the many demons summoned by Gul'dan in front of the Tomb of Sargeras to attack the forces of Azeroth in the climactic, disastrous battle at the Broken Shore.(source)

Garrosh Hellscream, son of the legendary Grommash Hellscream, discovered his self-worth under the guiding hand of Thrall, a master of the elements and powerful shaman. As part of Thrall’s Horde, Garrosh proved himself a terrifying warrior and an outstanding war leader. As Warchief of the Horde, his meteoric rise and tragic descent into despotism and hunger for power marked the path of a complex figure: an uncertain orc, out of his element and trying to live up to his father’s legacy. Garrosh sought to bring honor, glory, and prosperity to his people, but, for him, good intentions only paved a path of destruction.

Over the years, Grommash’s son rose to prominence within the Mag’har clan in Outland, and was eventually invited by Thrall to the orcish capital city of Orgrimmar in Azeroth to become one of his advisors. While in the Horde capital, Garrosh learned that the orcs were surviving in Orgrimmar, but not thriving as he felt that they should. He couldn’t understand why Thrall made choices that seemed more concerned with atoning for the past and preserving peace, rather than doing whatever was necessary to attend to the present needs of his people. Similarly, he questioned why Thrall was not exerting the full might of the Horde to eliminate its foes and simply take what was needed by force. This conflict steeled Garrosh’s resolve to restore the true glory of Orgrimmar and ensure the prosperity of the orcish people, no matter what—or who—lay in his path. Certainly, Garrosh came to see the Alliance as unequivocal enemies of the Horde, and a primary obstacle barring the Horde’s ascent from suffering to true prosperity. The Alliance stymied the Horde at every turn by contesting for resources, raiding its settlements, and killing its people. It was obvious to Garrosh that the clear path forward was to destroy the Alliance and fully secure Kalimdor’s land and resources for the Horde.

As a plague of undeath broke out across Azeroth, marking the return of the undead Scourge to all of Azeroth’s people, Garrosh was named Overlord of the Warsong Offensive, to lead the main army of the Horde’s expedition to Northrend, the land that the undead invasion stemmed from and domain of the Lich King. Garrosh was aggressive and brutal in his tactics, bordering on reckless. He warred on the Alliance nearly as often as he did against the Lich King’s undead minions. Still, there was no question that Garrosh was a talented war leader, and the Horde armies returned from Northrend flush with victory after defeating the Lich King’s forces.

Garrosh’s triumphant return to Orgrimmar was cause for a great celebration, and Thrall bestowed Grommash’s axe, Gorehowl, on him to honor his victories against the Scourge. All was not well in Orgrimmar, however. For reasons that were not yet understood, the spirits of the elements had become unruly and violent, disrupting crucial supply routes and straining the resources of the already taxed Horde capital. The chaos among the elemental spirits was intensifying to such a degree that Orgrimmar itself was assaulted by fire and earth elementals, and the whole of Azeroth was threatened. Thrall realized that the matter was rapidly growing out of control and resolved to travel to Nagrand to consult with the wise shaman who lived there in search of a solution.

As Garrosh remained the only orc with the necessary stature and popularity among the orcs to make a suitable interim Warchief, Thrall summoned him to Grommash Hold and handed over temporary leadership of the Horde. The move caught Garrosh by surprise. He was proud of his battle prowess, but a stranger to the games involved with politics and negotiation. He warned Thrall of his reservations, but Thrall dismissed them, assuring Garrosh that he would have the full support of advisors such as the mighty tauren high chieftain, Cairne Bloodhoof. Resolved to do what was best for the Horde, Garrosh accepted the leadership role.

For a time, Cairne and Garrosh worked well together, but that was not to last. Certain that Garrosh’s reckless brutality was too dangerous, Cairne challenged Garrosh to a ritual duel for the right to lead the Horde. It would prove to be exactly the kind of opportunity that the tauren Grimtotem Matriarch, Magatha Grimtotem, had been waiting for, and she secretly poisoned Gorehowl prior to the duel. It was a titanic battle, and while of advanced age, Cairne was an experienced and powerful combatant. As he gained the upper hand, Garrosh made a desperate swing that shattered Cairne’s weapon and scored a shallow cut across Cairne’s chest. Cairne faltered as Magatha’s potent venom ran through his veins, and Garrosh seized the opportunity to strike the killing blow. Just as his axe was poisoned, this episode would taint Garrosh’s tenure as Warchief, and portend the poisoned relationship between Garrosh and the leaders of the other races that make up the Horde.

Garrosh would continue to prioritize what he perceived as the welfare of the Horde over diplomacy or political maneuvering, even within his own faction. Garrosh expanded his campaign against the Alliance, initiating conflicts across the face of Kalimdor. With a series of attacks and strategic maneuvers, Garrosh arranged for a number of the Alliance’s finest military minds to be concentrated in Theramore. Once that was achieved, he did the unthinkable— ordered a mana-bomb, a weapon of immense destructive potential, to be detonated on the Alliance outpost. Its effects were devastating, and the city was left a smoking crater. While the attack on Theramore was a major military victory, the Horde’s non-orc members were horrified by Garrosh’s actions. The attack’s ultimate result was a fractious and vulnerable Horde, leaving some of its members distrustful and resentful of Garrosh’s leadership and on the verge of rebellion. Sensing the growing unease within his faction, Garrosh dealt with the budding insurrection in the way he knew best—blunt brutality. He made it clear that any member of the Horde who was not willing to assist in the war effort against the Alliance was a traitor, and would face the wrath of his elite Kor’kron enforcers. To make matters worse, the events at Theramore did not crush the Alliance’s spirit as Garrosh had intended, but instead forged an Alliance united in purpose and dedicated to the Horde’s defeat as never before.

No hope for diplomatic solutions remained, and the Alliance was now embroiled in a full scale war with the Horde. With the discovery of Pandaria, Garrosh’s forces would clash with the Alliance to no end. Garrosh however was unaware that Pandaria had a secret—the Sha. These creatures, born from the demise of the old god Y’Sharrj, are the physical embodiment of negative emotions such as anger, pride, and hatred. Rather than see the dangers inherent in the Sha, or how war was only strengthening them, Garrosh instead was certain that they were a power that he could harness. Garrosh wanted to forge the Horde into a weapon that could decisively control Azeroth once and for all. Impatient with dissent, his reign over the Horde became totally despotic, and his quest to wield the might of the Sha lead him to commit one atrocity after another. He ordered the troll leader Vol’jin assassinated, though the attempt was unsuccessful, and rang the Divine Bell, an artifact that turned his own loyal soldiers into Sha infested horrors. He cracked down, labeled the entire Darkspear tribe of trolls traitors in the wake of Vol’jin’s “assassination,” and ordered many non-orcs in Orgrimmar to be rounded up and imprisoned or executed.

Garrosh’s actions triggered a full scale revolt, called the Darkspear Rebellion, within the dissident members of the Horde. Led by Vol’jin, and with the aid of the Alliance, they rose up against him. Undeterred, Garrosh was still determined to harness the power of Pandaria’s darkest beings, and he submerged the Heart of Y’shaarj within a sacred pool in one of Pandaria’s holiest places. The dark power of the Heart reacted with the sacred pool, causing a surge of powerful Sha energy to destroy and corrupt the surrounding area. With the Heart now energized, and Horde rebels, Pandaren, and the Alliance arrayed against him, Garrosh prepared himself to face all comers within the fortified Underhold he had constructed beneath Orgrimmar. Garrosh was not afraid. He had built the Horde into a fearsome war machine and still had many loyal soldiers. Now he was filled with forbidden and unfathomable power. He was determined to emerge triumphant against his adversaries and, with the power of the Sha at his command, return to bend Azeroth to his will and ensure the final victory of his‘true’ Horde.

Garrosh is a controversial figure, but one thing is certain: he is always ready to bring his might to the field of battle in Hearthstone! His father’s axe rarely left his side, and its vicious edge has felled the mightiest of foes. When it is swung, the mighty axe seems to howl for the blood of its victims. Now you can use the epic power of Gorehowl in your Warrior deck to tirelessly cleave hapless minions in twain, or deliver the killing blow to your opponents, just as Grommash and Garrosh did. (source)

After years spent immobilized in Old Ironforge, Magni has returned as "the Speaker", the ritual having attuned him to the titan world-soul of Azeroth itself, and now works with the world's heroes to combat the return of the Burning Legion. (source)