Horde

The Horde
	; The Horde crest
Ruling body	Horde Council
Leaders	Thrall; Baine Bloodhoof; Rokhan; Desolate Council; Lor'themar Theron; Gazlowe; Ji Firepaw; Thalyssra; Mayla Highmountain; Geya'rah; Talanji; Kiro; Cindrethresh;
Core races	Orc; Jungle troll; Tauren; Forsaken; Blood elf; Goblin; Pandaren; Dracthyr;
Allied races	Nightborne; Highmountain tauren; Mag'har orc; Zandalari troll; Vulpera;
Other races	Ogre; Half-ogre (Mok'nathal); Forest troll; Taunka; Hozen; Hobgoblin;
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

For its predecessor, see Old Horde.

For other uses, see Horde (disambiguation).

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]

The Horde (also called the New Horde, Thrall's Horde or Vol'jin's 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]

During Garrosh Hellscream's reign, the faction was plunged into a state of civil war, divided between Hellscream's pan-orc government he referred to as the "True Horde" and the Darkspear Rebellion, comprised of the remaining Horde races, as well as orcs that have decided to oppose Garrosh, under leadership of Vol'jin. After the Siege of Orgrimmar upon the defeat of Garrosh, Vol'jin was chosen as the new Warchief of the Horde with every leader supporting the choice, even Thrall himself. This also marks the first time, when the Warchief's position was held by a person that isn't an orc, signifying a sense of a unity between all the member races of the faction, in Vol'jin's own words - The Horde is a family. Following the disastrous Battle for Broken Shore at the start of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Sylvanas Windrunner was named the new Warchief by a dying Vol'jin, who with his last breath said she must step out of the shadows to lead.

History

See also: Old Horde, Dark Horde, Fel Horde, Iron Horde and True 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 shadow hunter Vol'jin of the Darkspear tribe. The ties between the three races are 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 manipulated by corrupt forces that channeled their aggression on unsuspecting foes, thus leaving behind a legacy of brutality and domination. In fact, many races of the Horde have a history of being unscrupulous. Though redeemed and trying to make amends or simply trying to survive, they are not forgiven nor trusted by many members of the Alliance who believe them to be their old selves still.^[3]^[4]^[5] The trolls, tauren and their other allies are the ones who understood them, and so they are hated for that.

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, keeping relations between the Horde and Alliance in a state of Cold War. However, the two factions still officially kept a truce despite the rising conflicts until the Battle for the Undercity, when King Varian Wrynn officially declared war.

By the time the mists concealing Pandaria dissipated, cracks within the Horde started to emerge. The war had intensified with the surprise mana-bombing of Theramore Isle on Garrosh's orders, the actions of which Baine Bloodhoof and Vol'jin openly disapproved of.^[6] In response, Garrosh ordered the Kor'kron to suppress any potential dissent, going as far as subjugating the Darkspear trolls on their own territory.^[7]^[8] Horde leaders were weary of Garrosh's attempts to harness the sha for his own ends,^[9] and the blood elves became increasingly discontented with Garrosh treating them as expendable in his attempts to do so.^[10]^[11] The exposure of Sunreaver agents taking orders from Garrosh eventually led to the Sunreavers' expulsion from Dalaran, stoking further recriminations from the blood elf leadership towards Garrosh.^[12]

After the Thunder King's death the Darkspear Rebellion began in earnest and Horde leader after Horde leader joined it. When at last even Gallywix and the Bilgewater Cartel joined the Rebellion due to Garrosh refusing to pay them for excavating the Heart of Y'Shaarj,^[13] Garrosh re-organized his orc forces into the True Horde and, with the power of Y'Shaarj, began a genocidal campaign to conquer Azeroth and exterminate all non-orcish life. Garrosh and the True Horde were defeated in the ensuing conflict the revels and Alliance forces and Vol'jin was declared Warchief of the Horde.^[14]

Under Vol'jin's command the Horde would engage against the forces of the Iron Horde and later the Burning Legion on Draenor. During the Battle for Broken Shore the Horde and Alliance worked together to prevent the Legion from securing the Broken Shore as a staging ground for their invasion.^[15] Both armies would be pushed back, King Varian Wrynn slain, and Vol'jin mortally wounded. In Vol'jin's dying moments he named Sylvanas Windrunner the new Warchief of the Horde and faced with combating the armies of the Burning Legion and the hostility of the Alliance the Horde moved forward to combat the armies of the Burning Legion.

The forces of Azeroth ultimately succeed on defeating the Burning Legion during the third invasion of the Burning Legion and the Horde soon after gain the allegiance of the Highmountain tauren tribes of Highmountain and the Nightborne of Suramar.

Organization

Before the tauren and trolls joined the Horde, the Horde was also called the Orcish Horde.^[16] Although the Horde is a coalition of diverse races with different cultures, agendas, and values, one thing remains constant with in the Horde: respect is earned by the blade. Orgrimmar is the obvious center for now, and the Warchief of the Horde stands as the undisputed leader. The warchief holds dominion over the entire Horde.^[17] The warchief maintains the Horde, is able to declare war for the entire Horde, take any precaution to ensure the stability and security of the Horde's member states, and has the final say in the induction of new Horde members.

The Horde makes no compromises when it comes to excellence,^[18] and the power and ferocity of their warriors is legendary.^[19] Misunderstood by many as evil, the Horde possesses a strong code of honor and strict laws for disobedience.^[20] All members of the Horde have to swear a blood oath to join the faction and are thus obligated to follow the warchief's commands and support the warchief in war if the warchief calls upon them for aid. The position of warchief can be attained by having the previous warchief chose a successor or challenging the current warchief to a Mak'gora: a prearranged duel with deadly weapons between two people following a formal procedure in the presence of witnesses and traditionally fought until one party yields or is killed, usually to settle a quarrel involving a point of honor. Above all else, the title warchief is granted to those who display strength and decisive action. Warchiefs must be able to gain respect via combat effectiveness and martial conquests but also have enough tact to keep the Horde united and stable.

The warchief may accept ambassadors and advisors from all the different tribes and members of the Horde to makes sure their voice is heard in the running of the fledgling hegemony but ultimately, only the warchief may have the final say in matters concerning the entire Horde.

Each race within the Horde may choose a single leader to govern their people and their people's kingdoms and also to represent their people in the high Horde echelon.

AllianceVSHordeWC3 — Grunts, Berserkers and Tauren warriors fighting together in the Third War

Equal in size, the Horde also has its complexities, much like the Alliance. The main six races of the blood elves, tauren, undead, trolls, goblins, 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.

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. Even so, there is one expectation that must be met when joining the Horde: regardless of gender or station, all are expected to pull their own weight and give their talents for the betterment of the Horde.^[21] When weakness is a liability to the future of the Horde, it is the duty of the strong to usurp control from the incompetent and redeem the Horde. Lok'tar ogar! Victory or death - it is these words that bind one to the Horde. For they are the most sacred and fundamental of truths to any warrior of the Horde.^[22] For the Horde, failure is not an option.

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 to the Horde.

The unification

The Horde in Kalimdor, which acts as the bulk of the Horde's forces, serve under the Warchief's leadership. They include most of the orcs, the tauren, the Darkspear trolls, the goblins of the Bilgewater Cartel, the Huojin Pandaren, and a number of less prominent races within the Horde - such as the Stonemaul ogres. The Horde in the Eastern Kingdoms, comprising of the Forsaken and the blood elves, act with more independence from the Kalimdor Horde but ultimately answers to the warchief out of necessity for the Horde's support. Following the third invasion of the Burning Legion, new allies of the Broken Isles join to the Horde, the Nightborne of Suramar and the Highmountain Tribe. These races all see the Horde differently. Some see it as an instrument of vengeance, hellbent to carve out a future for its people. Others see it as a refuge for those who need shelter, a commonwealth of the downtrodden, built for mutual support. While some view it as an alliance of convenience, a confederacy of unlikely partners free to pursue their own agendas.^[23] Whatever their motivations, they are united to claim Kalimdor and the Eastern Kingdoms for themselves in order secure key provisions and supplies needed to support their people, and forcibly remove Alliance incursions from their own lands. This Horde is the result of the actions in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.

Nation of Durotar

The orcs of Durotar follow High Overlord Varok Saurfang. Their culture is split mostly between the orcs' warrior spirit and their shamanistic roots, which has recently wrought on conflict between the younger and older generations. Dedicated to carving out an existence in a world that has come to largely revile them, the orcs have recently turned their attention to reinvigorated conquests. Ashenvale and Stonetalon are among their first targets, and ultimately Warchief Hellscream intends to unite the entirety of Azeroth under a single banner.^[24]

The Forsaken

Forsaken city, Undercity in the Ruins of Lordaeron

The Horde of the Eastern Kingdoms was initially next to non-existent, with only the Frostwolf orcs and other smaller forces in operation around the continent. In recent years, however, the Horde's presence has been bolstered by the inclusion of the Forsaken of Eastern Kingdoms and the blood elves of Quel'Thalas. While considered members of the Horde, their bonds with the western Horde are perhaps not on the same level as the orcs, trolls and tauren.

The Forsaken were once part of the Scourge, forced into mindless servitude under the Lich King. After the Lich King's grip began to weaken, the banshee queen Sylvanas Windrunner broke free from his will, and went on to both free and rally other undead beings to join her own empire of undeath, dubbed the "Forsaken." Under Lady Sylvanas' leadership, the Forsaken used any means necessary to conquer the fallen kingdom and remove both the dreadlords and other foes threatening their dominion. After expelling the Scourge from capital city and massacring the last remaining holdouts of the Alliance, they took over the catacombs of the former capital, renaming the city "Undercity."

With the backing of the tauren, Thrall warily accepted the Forsaken into the Horde, though this alliance of convenience has been tested - great betrayal at the hands of Grand Apothecary Putress has put the Forsaken on a tight leash, made tighter by the new Warchief's less lenient stance on their modus operandi.

Tauren tribes

Thunder Bluff in the distance — Tauren city of Thunder Bluff

The noble tauren of Kalimdor are a race that had hunted the lands of central Kalimdor for generations, however when Thrall and his orcs had arrived onto the lands of Kalimdor they had already been driven near extinction by the marauding centaur that rampaged through their lands. Under the leadership of their high chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof and the young warchief Thrall, the tauren managed to drive back most of the centaur. Since then, Cairne has pledged his people to the Horde. After Cairne's death, the young Baine Bloodhoof has arisen to take his father's place and lead the tauren into a brighter future. With the recent Alliance incursion into the Barrens, the tauren have created a mighty gate to protect their homeland of Mulgore. Even if their Horde allies turn down dark paths during this war, the tauren have resolved to be the light that guides them through it.^{[citation needed]}

Darkspear tribe

The Darkspear of the Broken Isles have a very savage and dark history studying voodoo arts and worshiping the loa, however after Thrall had saved their tribe from extinction, Vol'jin son of Sen'jin pledged his tribe to the Horde. Some trolls have now began to study shamanism and more recently druidism, some of these trolls even mix shamanism with voodoo arts, most of the members of the tribe have or are attempting to give up the ways of cannibalism and the other traits of their race's darker history. After retaking much of their territory from the treacherous Zalazane, the Darkspear have been invited to join a revitalized troll empire under the Zandalari's leadership - though Vol'jin has declined this offer.

Kingdom of Quel'Thalas

The Shepherd's Gate — Elven city of Silvermoon

The blood elves of Quel'Thalas preside over the other major kingdom of the Eastern Horde. After the Scourge onslaught essentially culled the high elven race, with over 90% of their people killed, the remaining 10% vowed to avenge the destruction of their once-great nation and dubbed themselves the "blood elves" in honor of their fallen brethren. After retaking their homeland with the volatile new powers the magisters advocated, the kingdom of Quel'Thalas was offered aid from an unlikely source - the Forsaken, whose queen, Lady Sylvanas, had lost her life in her attempt to protect Quel'Thalas from the Scourge. With their assistance, the blood elves were able to fend off the lingering Scourge in the kingdom, and were able to enter the Horde as an equal nation of its own.

Quel'Thalas suffered another dark hour in recent years, when its twisted scion Kael'thas Sunstrider attacked his homeland in a mad bid to usher the Burning Legion's master into Azeroth. He was put to death for this on Quel'Danas, and Lor'themar Theron has thus become the sole leader of the blood elven people.

Bilgewater Cartel

Azshara 070910 133311 - Bilgewater Harbor - Kirkburn 12319 — Goblin city of Bilgewater Harbor

The cunning Bilgewater Cartel goblins from Kezan, one of the most (if not the most) powerful goblin cartels that dominates trade in the south seas, have recently joined the Horde. After Deathwing assaulted Kezan and the goblins were forced to flee, their first escape ships were attacked by an Alliance fleet. With a common enemy, the goblins assisted the captive former Warchief Thrall in breaking his bonds and obliterating the Alliance on the Lost Isles. Their future was tested when their leader, the angered Trade Prince Gallywix, attempted to defeat Thrall and take over Azshara for himself, though this ultimately ended in failure. Thrall mercifully allowed him to retain his position as Trade Prince, and thus the Bilgewater goblins were accepted into the Horde.

Huojin Pandaren

Pandaren Camp at the Valley of Honor — Huojin Camp at the Valley of Honor

These pandaren follow the path of the Huojin, a philosophy among the pandaren that inaction is the greatest injustice, and that there is no shame in defending one's homes and loved ones regardless of cost. Those pandaren who follow the path of Huojin are allies of the Horde, and are represented and led by the intrepid Ji Firepaw, a staunch adherent of this philosophy.^[25]

The Huojin are quick to act and quicker to fight for what they believe in. Impulsive and practical, they feel that the ends can justify the means.^[25]

Kingdom of Suramar

Suramar Cinematic — Ancient nightborne city of Suramar

The nightborne are a powerful and mystical race of night elves who live in Suramar. Since the city was first separated from the rest of the world over 10,000 years ago, they have evolved by the Nightwell into an arcane-enhanced version of their former selves.

After the death of Grand Magistrix Elisande and the end of the Third invasion of the Burning Legion, the shal'dorei wished to rejoin the world. After a harsh exchange between Thalyssra and Tyrande Whisperwind, and an offer of mutual friendship from Lady Liadrin, the shal'dorei leader decided that it would be best ally with the Horde, who share ideals similar to those of the nightborne.^[26]

Highmountain Tauren tribes

Thunder Totem Day — Highmountain Tauren city of Thunder Totem

The highmountain tauren are found in the region of Highmountain on the Broken Isles. Divided into four tribes (Highmountain, Rivermane, Skyhorn and Bloodtotem), they are the direct descendants of the tauren led by Huln Highmountain who assisted the Kaldorei Resistance during the War of the Ancients.^[27] During the war, Huln received a blessing from Cenarius, so that his people would forever have the demigod's favor, granting them the Horns of Eche'ro: moose-like antlers.^[28]

During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the drogbar, who had previously lived in peace with the Highmountain, rose up and stole the sacred hammer, shattering the unity of the four tribes.

After the defeat of the Burning Legion, the Chieftain Mayla Highmountain and her people visited Kalimdor when Chieftain Baine Bloodhoof invited them to Mulgore for a feast.^[29]

Membership

"I'll tell ya what de Horde is. De Horde that me an' Thrall built. It be a family. When de whole world try ta put us down, da family come an' pick us back up."
Warchief Vol'jin^[30]

Major members

Orcs of Orgrimmar

Orcs - The surviving orcs of Azeroth's First, Second and Third Wars, who were released by Thrall from the Internment camps of Lordaeron and led by him to form their new destiny in Kalimdor while attempting to re-embrace their once honorable, shamanistic ways and fight the corruption of demonic magic. Capital is Orgrimmar in Durotar.

Led by High Overlord Varok Saurfang.
They have a large presence in Central Kalimdor. After the Dark Portal opened, the orcs made bases in Outland to investigate their past. They also have bases in Northrend where they fought against the Scourge. Following the Cataclysm, the orcs began to act more militaristic under the rule of Garrosh Hellscream and expanded their territory, encroaching on night elven lands once more. With the rule of Vol'jin and later Saurfang, the orcs are once again more like Thrall envisioned during their exodus.

The orcs in the Horde are from the following clans:

Frostwolf clan - Thrall's own clan based in Alterac Valley, and one of the few clans left in the Eastern Kingdoms.
- Led by Far seer Drek'Thar.

Warsong clan - A powerful warrior clan native to Nagrand that battle the night elves for dominance over Ashenvale.

Blackrock clan - Many Blackrock orcs joined with Thrall under Orgrim and when he freed them from the internment camps. Notable individuals are Eitrigg and Varok Saurfang. Furthermore, the former Warchief Garrosh Hellscream granted the Blackrock clan of the Dark Horde led by Rend amnesty and recruited a formidable amount of them into the ranks of the Horde.

Bleeding Hollow clan - The clan returned to Draenor after the Second War, but as it was torn apart, some members crossed safely into Azeroth at the same time as the Warsong clan. They were captured and later rescued from the internment camps, and now they serve the new Horde. Additionally they have a notable presence in the Mag'har.
- Led by: Unknown (Azeroth); Jorin Deadeye (Outland).

Dragonmaw clan - The Dragonmaw residing in the Twilight Highlands joined the new Horde during the Cataclysm.^[31]
- Led by Gorfax Angerfang.

Shadowmoon clan - Scouts and peons are seen serving the New Horde at Shadowmoon Village.

Burning Blade clan - The blademasters were once part of the Burning Blade, although the clan consumed itself in the throes of demonic corruption, these few swordsmen are still part of the Horde.

Rageroar clan - A newly created clan that was assaulting Northwatch hold. It was almost destroyed at the end of the Alliance questline.^[32] Later joined the Horde army in the Razing of Northwatch.^[33]
- Led by Karga Rageroar.

Shattered Hand - The Azerothian part of the clan have joined Thrall and serve as the Horde's guild of assassins admitting other races like trolls into the organization.
- Led by Gordul.

Wolves - Even during their time on Draenor the orcs used wolf mounts. They are treated as equals and hunting partners among the Horde.

Wyvern - The Horde has befriended many of these intelligent beasts of Kalimdor, whom they use as riding and flying mounts.

Proto-Dragon - During the war against the Lich King, Garrosh domesticated many proto-dragons. Furthermore, with the end of black dragonflight, the Dragonmaw clan now subverts proto-drakes for the needs of the Horde.