HUMANS: THE ALLIANCE OF LORDAERON
Human History
Human History
( SINCE THE END OF THE SECOND WAR )
The Alliance Splinters
The Alliance Splinters
In the years following the horde's defeat, the leaders of the various Alliance nations began to bicker and argue over territorial holdings and decreasing political influence. King Terenas of Lordaeron, the patron of the Alliance, began to suspect that the fragile pact they had forged during their darkest hour would not stand for long. Terenas had convinced the Alliance Leaders to lend money and laborers to help rebuild the city of Stormwind that was destroyed during the orcish occupation of Azeroth. Those taxes, coupled with the high expenses of maintaining and operation the numerous orc internment camps, led many leaders - Genn Greymane of Gilneas in particular - to believe that their kingdoms would be better off seceding from the Alliance.
To make matters worse, the brusque high elves of Silvermoon rescinded their allegiance to the Alliance, stating that the humans's poor leadership led to the burning of their forest during the Second War. Though Terenas tactfully reminded the elves that nothing of Quel'Thalas would have remained if not for the hundreds of valiant humans who'd given their lives to defend it, the elves stubbornly decided to go their own way. In the wake of the elves departure, Golneas and Stromgarde pulled stake and seceded as well.
To make matters worse, the brusque high elves of Silvermoon rescinded their allegiance to the Alliance, stating that the humans's poor leadership led to the burning of their forest during the Second War. Though Terenas tactfully reminded the elves that nothing of Quel'Thalas would have remained if not for the hundreds of valiant humans who'd given their lives to defend it, the elves stubbornly decided to go their own way. In the wake of the elves departure, Golneas and Stromgarde pulled stake and seceded as well.
Though the Alliance was falling apart, King Terenas still had allies that he could count on. Both Admiral Proudmoore of Kul Tiras and the young king, Varian the Kirin Tor, led by the Archmage Antonidas, pledged Dalaran's steadfast support to Terenas's rule. Most pleasingly, perhaps, was the pledge of the mighty dwarwen king, Magni Brozebeard, who vowed that the dwarves of Ironforge would forever owe a debt of honor to the Alliance for liberating Khaz Modan from the horde's control.
A New Generation
A New Generation
Years passes as tensions abated and a lasting peace settled over Lordaeron. King Terenas and the Archbishop Alonsus Faol worked ceaselessly to rebuild the kingdom and bring aid to the remaining nations of the Alliance. The southern kingdom of Azeroth grew prosperous again and reestablished itself as a military power under King Wrynn's visionary leadership. Uther the Lightbringer, the supreme commander of the Paladin Order, kept the peace in Lordaeron by settling civil disputes and quelling demi-human uprisings throughout the realm. Admiral Proudmoore, whose mighty fleets patrolled the trade lanes hunting pirates and marauders, maintained order on the high seas. But it was the exploits of a newer generation of the heroes that captured the imagination of the populace.
King Terenas's only son, Arthas, had grown into a strong, confident young man. The young Prince was trained as a warrior by Muradin Bronzebeard - brother to King Magni of Ironforge - and despite his youth, was considered to be the one of the finest swordsmen in Lordaeron. At the tender age of nineteen Arthas was inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand under the command of King Terenas for years, considered the Prince more of a favored none could dispute Arthas bravery and tenacity. When the troll warbands of Zul'Aman began raiding the settlements along the Quel'Thalassian border, Arthas was quick to hunt down the savages and put an end to their rampage.
King Terenas's only son, Arthas, had grown into a strong, confident young man. The young Prince was trained as a warrior by Muradin Bronzebeard - brother to King Magni of Ironforge - and despite his youth, was considered to be the one of the finest swordsmen in Lordaeron. At the tender age of nineteen Arthas was inducted into the Order of the Silver Hand under the command of King Terenas for years, considered the Prince more of a favored none could dispute Arthas bravery and tenacity. When the troll warbands of Zul'Aman began raiding the settlements along the Quel'Thalassian border, Arthas was quick to hunt down the savages and put an end to their rampage.
Yet despite his heroics, the citizenry of Lordaeron obsessed over the young Prince's personal life. Rumors of a budding romance between Arthas and Lady Jaina Proudmoore had surfaced and set the kingdom ablaze. Jaina wa the youngest daughter of Admiral Proudmoore, a childhood friend of Arthas. However, the beautiful, yet shy young women was also the star pupil of the Kirin Tor - the Wizard Council of Dalaran. Tutored by the revered Archmage, Antonidas, Jaina managed to maintain a close relationship. Given King Terenas's age and deteriorating health, the citizenry was pleased to see that their beloved Prince would marry and carry the royal Bloodline.
Embarrassed by the public attention, Arthas and Jaina kept their affair as private as possible. But Jaina, commited to her studies in Dalaran, knew that their romance could not last. She had studied the ways of magic her whole life and knew that her true calling was the pursuit of knowledge - not the trappings of the throne room. Much to the frustration Lordaeron's citizenry, the two lovers reluctantly parted ways and refocused themselves on their duties.
The Shadows Return
Embarrassed by the public attention, Arthas and Jaina kept their affair as private as possible. But Jaina, commited to her studies in Dalaran, knew that their romance could not last. She had studied the ways of magic her whole life and knew that her true calling was the pursuit of knowledge - not the trappings of the throne room. Much to the frustration Lordaeron's citizenry, the two lovers reluctantly parted ways and refocused themselves on their duties.
The Shadows Return
After nearly thirteen years of peace, the rumors of war began to circulate once again. The King's agents reported that a young, upstart warchief had arisen and rallied the few remaining orc clans into an elite fighting forces. The young warchief was intent on tearing down the interment camps and freeing his people from their bondage. The "new horde" as it was dubbed, had brazenly attacked the northern city of Stratholme in an attempt to rescue one of its captured warriors. The horde even destroyed Durnholde - the fortress that oversaw the security of the internment camps - and murdered the officers who ran it. King Terenas sent Uther and his paladins to quell the warchief's uprising, but the crafty orcs could never be f ound. The young warchief proved to be something of a tactical genius - and evaded Uther's best efforts to corral his hit and run attacks.
Amidst the strain of the new orc uprising, King Terenas was disturbed t hear ill news on another front. Rumor held that a number of supposed "death cults" had formed in the northern provinces. The cults attracted the disenfranchised and disheartened citizens of Lordaeron, offering them "eternal life" on earth as an alternative to servitude to the King. After many years of peace and quiet, King Terenas knew that troubles were only just beginning for his land. He took some comfort in the fact that Lordaeron had endured every trail that had ever come its way - and that its defenders, both new and old, would see it safely through to a new dawn...
Amidst the strain of the new orc uprising, King Terenas was disturbed t hear ill news on another front. Rumor held that a number of supposed "death cults" had formed in the northern provinces. The cults attracted the disenfranchised and disheartened citizens of Lordaeron, offering them "eternal life" on earth as an alternative to servitude to the King. After many years of peace and quiet, King Terenas knew that troubles were only just beginning for his land. He took some comfort in the fact that Lordaeron had endured every trail that had ever come its way - and that its defenders, both new and old, would see it safely through to a new dawn...
