Recent History

The First War

The orcs came through the Dark Portal and attacked the Kingdom of Azeroth. King Llane was assassinated by Garona [WCI]. This led Lothar to lead the survivors north in an exodus to Lordaeron [WCII].

The Alliance of Lordaeron

Lothar and King Terenas persuaded the human kingdoms to form the Alliance of Lordaeron, with Lothar in overall command, as the orcs under Doomhammer were still hunting the refugees [WCII]. Notably, Gilneas under Genn Greymane stayed out. Gilneas was sure their armies could handle any threat. Alterac’s Lord Perenolde was tempted to surrender and in the end betrayed the Alliance. Stromgarde held their border against the Horde.

The elves of Quel’thalas came out of the forests and offered their services to the Alliance of Lordaeron [WCII]. Their magic had shown them the orcs were defiling the lands of Lordaeron, and when the Horde threatened their own homeland, the elven Rangers, who had never involved themselves in the affairs of humans, quickly joined as well. The dwarves of Ironforge also joined after the orcs began their attacks on their mountain kingdom. Humans, elves and dwarves had to set aside the prejudice that had existed between them for ages to ally and push back the invading orcs.

The Second War

When the orcs invaded the Lordaeron coast, the Second War began. The Alliance pushed the Horde back and went on to fight beyond the Dark Portal. New Stormwind was raised upon the foundations of Old Stormwind, and Khadgar kept watch from Nethergarde. Admiral Proudmoore of Kul Tiras decided to leave the Alliance [WCII · Beyond the Dark Portal].

The Third War

Soon after, the Third War commenced and the Kingdom of Lordaeron fell [WC3], thus leaving the last stronghold players would know as the Kingdom of Azeroth, or now the Kingdom of Stormwind.

The Alliance Today

After the Third War, what remained of the Alliance gathered around Stormwind, taking its ideals from the Alliance of Lordaeron. Ironforge stayed a close ally, with the gnomes following their dwarven cousins, and Tyrande’s night elves stand with it too. Many who stood with the old Alliance were gone. Lordaeron fell in the Third War and Alterac had already fallen after its betrayal [WC3]. Dalaran was destroyed. Gilneas never joined and stayed behind its wall. Kul Tiras left when Admiral Proudmoore parted ways, though his daughter Jaina holds Theramore and continues to interact with the Alliance. The elves of Quel’thalas left after the Second War and were later devastated by the Scourge. Of the old seven kingdoms, Stormwind is the last still standing.

Note: The Night Elves were in deep hiding during most of the wars.