World of Warcraft: A Reading Guide

Known for their fiery tempers and fierce determination, Dark Iron dwarves have a turbulent history with the other clans. A failed coup in Ironforge ignited the War of the Three Hammers, and many of the Dark Iron once fought in the service of Ragnaros the Firelord. Though one faction of the dwarves is pledged to Queen-Regent Moira Thaurissan, others refuse to stand alongside their kin. The Alliance seeks a united Dark Iron clan to harness the power of Azerite and aid their struggle against the Horde.

The Draenei are followers of the Naaru and worshipers of the Holy Light. They originally hail from the distant world of Argus, fleeing after Sargeras tried to corrupt them. They then settled on the Orcish homeworld of Draenor, where after a period of peace, they were brutally murdered during Guldan's corruption of the Orcs. Finally they settled in Azeroth, to seek aid in their battle against the Burning Legion. 

The dwarves are a hardy race, hailing from Khaz Modan in the Eastern Kingdoms. Rumor has it they are descended from the Titans. 

The gnomes are a quirky race, obsessed with gadgets and technology. They originally come from the city of New Tinkertown, which was destroyed by High Tinker Mekkatorque in an attempt to save it from an invading army of troggs.

The humans are the most populous and the youngest race in Azeroth. The humans have become the de facto leaders of the Alliance, with their youthful ambitions and resilience.

Kul Tiras was founded by fearless explorers who sailed uncharted waters in search of adventure. As a key member of the Alliance of Lordaeron, the Kul Tiran navy dominated the seas of Azeroth with its legendary fleet. But after years of turmoil and hardship, the kingdom grew isolated and vulnerable to dark influences.

For untold millennia, the Army of the Light waged war against the Burning Legion throughout the Twisting Nether. The draenei most committed to their long crusade would undergo a ritual to become Lightforged, infusing their bodies with the very essence of the Holy Light. After finally achieving victory on Argus, the Lightforged draenei have undertaken a new mission: protecting Azeroth from rising threats and helping the Alliance push back against Horde aggression.

The ancient and reclusive night elves have played a pivotal role in shaping Azeroth’s fate. The night elves of today still remember the War of the Ancients over ten thousand years ago, when they halted the Burning Legion’s first invasion of Azeroth. When the Legion’s remnants rallied together with the vile satyrs centuries later, the night elves again opposed the threat, ultimately vanquishing the forces that set out to wreak havoc on their world. 

Led by the stalwart Aysa Cloudsinger, the Tushui Pandaren believe in contemplation and reasoned action. 

The Worgen are a cursed race comprised of the people of Gilneas who have been afflicted by an ancient druidic curse, causing them to transform into deadly half-worg half-men. After many attempts at developing a cure, the infected people of Gilneas have managed to keep their mind and consciousness and have been sworn into the Alliance to battle the Forsaken threat that ravages their land.

Many have sought to harness the corruptive magic of the Void. Most who tried have fallen into madness. Determined to use this power for the good of Azeroth, Alleria Windrunner is the first mortal to succeed at defying the shadow's whispers. Coming to the aid of a group of her kin who nearly gave in to the darkness, Alleria has vowed to train these Void Elves to control the shadows within them and pledge their newfound powers to the Alliance.