Alterac (kingdom)

This article is about the human kingdom. For the area in which Alterac is located, see Alterac Mountains.

{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:{{{2}}}|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:neutral|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]]Kingdom of Alterac
{{#if:AlteracBanner.webp|File:AlteracBanner.webp}} Flag of Alterac, circa Second War
Main leader	[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Aliden Perenolde
Formerly	[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Aiden Perenolde
Secondary leaders	[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Lord Falconcrest [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Baron Vardus
Race(s)	[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]][[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Female|_Female}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Human
Capital	Alterac City
Government	Hereditary monarchy (Perenolde family)
Language(s)	Common
Affiliation	Independent
Formerly	Alliance of Lordaeron, Empire of Arathor, Old Horde
Status	Defunct and remnants reformed as the Syndicate
{{#if:|Reputation}}
Tabard	{{#if:|[[File:{{{tabard}}}|90px]]}}

The kingdom of Alterac was one of the seven human nations in the Eastern Kingdoms, and was situated in the foothills and mountains of the land known as the Alterac Mountains. Originally an Arathorian city-state founded after the Troll Wars, it became an independent kingdom after the empire split apart. Lastly ruled by King Aiden Perenolde, Alterac was the weakest kingdom to join the Alliance of Lordaeron during the Second War, and was a relatively small contributor of soldiers and supplies. As the war raged, King Perenolde lost hope of victory for humanity and betrayed his allies, forming an alliance with the Old Horde. In exchange for their protection, the orcs could pass through their lands without resistance. When the betrayal was revealed, Alterac was besieged by the Alliance and its territory was militarily occupied by Lordaeron and Stromgarde.

Following the Alterac crisis, the Alteraci people are now scattered, and many of them are affiliated with the Syndicate; a criminal organization created by Lord Aliden Perenolde and led by villainous nobles of Alterac. The masks worn by the Syndicate members are orange, just like the national color of the fallen kingdom.

History

Early history

Alterac was founded as the Empire of Arathor expanded across southern Lordaeron. The early human settlers built a city nestled in the Alterac Mountains, likely exploiting its position on important trade routes through the mountains. The settlement grew into a powerful city-state around the same time as Gilneas and Kul Tiras. Originally, Gilneas and Alterac were strong supporters of Strom and had developed mighty armies that explored the mountainous southern lands of Khaz Modan and made first contact with the dwarves.<ref>The Seven Kingdoms</ref>

Alterac's independence, as well as that of Kul Tiras, was won through conflict with the splintering Empire of Arathor, in which they were supported by the nascent independent nation of Gilneas and its king, Garalon Greymane. However, despite the support given to them, Alteraci assassins killed King Garalon, sparking a bloody war between the two nations that lasted several decades, ravaging the two kingdoms.<ref>The First Greymane</ref>

Following the War of the Three Hammers, a host of Wildhammer dwarves led by Sky King Morgryn of the fallen dwarfhold of Kalvanost made war upon the humans of Lordaeron and Alterac, reaping their wealth to restore his own.<ref>The Dwarves of Gelnor</ref>

Second War

When news of the Orcish Horde arrived to Lordaeron, Alterac, led by King Aiden Perenolde, was initially reluctant of joining the Alliance of Lordaeron. True to his nature of evading confrontations he did not think himself capable of winning, Perenolde sought to avoid military actions with the Horde and instead pursue diplomatic options. However, after seeing every other kingdom eventually join, and fearing being left alone to fight the Horde, Alterac finally decided to join the Alliance.

However, the start of the Second War favored the orcs, and the future looked grim for the Alliance. Fearing for his kingdom should the Alliance fail, Lord Perenolde collaborated with the Orcish Horde, supplying them with information in exchange for the survival of the kingdom. Perenolde arranged for a convoy of high elves passing through Tarren Mill to be ambushed by forest trolls, organized a peasant revolt in Tyr's Hand to cover mining operations there, and attempted to assassinate Uther the Lightbringer by employing pirates to tamper with the Order of the Silver Hand.<ref name="BetrayalAndDestruction">Betrayal and the Destruction of Alterac (WC2 Human)</ref>

Alterac sailors and soldiers were eventually caught fighting for the orcs during various battles of the war.<ref>The Prisoners (WC2 Human)</ref> After Perenolde's treachery was uncovered by the Kirin Tor, the combined might of the Alliance forces, led by Dalaran mages, turned its wrath upon the small kingdom, ruthlessly crushing it as punishment for his treachery.<ref name="BetrayalAndDestruction" />

The Alterac crisis

When King Thoras Trollbane demanded that the eastern portion of Alterac be annexed to Stromgarde, in recognition of its efforts and sacrifices during the conflict, King Terenas Menethil II was undecided on what to do, thinking about giving the throne to Perenolde's son, Aliden. King Genn Greymane of Gilneas also joined the dispute, supporting the claims of a nephew of Perenolde, Isiden, who had taken refuge in Gilneas. Deathwing, disguised as Lord Daval Prestor, attempted to magically convince the leaders of the Alliance into making him Alterac's new ruler. Although he succeeded, and King Terenas planned to give control of the area to Lord Prestor, the plan was abandoned when Prestor "disappeared" (following Deathwing's defeat at Grim Batol).<ref>Day of the Dragon</ref> Isiden remained in Gilneas after the construction of the Greymane Wall, and was eventually incarcerated in the Drydock Pit by Mortimer and Celia Harlow, Alteraci nobles sent to Gilneas as envoys of Lord Prestor who acted as regents of Gilneas as King Genn Greymane's health was deteriorating.

Alteraci survivors later aided Ner'zhul's forces during the shaman's quest to steal magical artifacts to open new portals. Alterac spies stole the Book of Medivh from New Stormwind, taking advantage of an assault by the forces of Shadowmoon clan led by Teron Gorefiend and the clan's Slayer.<ref>The Seas of Azeroth (WC2 Orc)</ref> The Book was taken by an Alterac mage but was later given to Ner'zhul in exchange for military aid against Lordaeron and Stromgarde forces.<ref>Alterac (WC2 Orc)</ref>

Recent times

As a kingdom, Alterac effectively ended when the forces of the Alliance overthrew Lord Perenolde, and its territories were annexed by Stromgarde and Lordaeron.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:alliance|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Combat|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Both|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}_{{#switch:small|xlarge=64|large=32|small=15|#default=32}}.png|{{#switch:alliance|alliance=Alliance|boss=Boss|combat=Mob|hostile=Mob|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare|elite=Elite|both=Alliance & Horde|kyrian=Kyrian|necrolord=Necrolord|night fae=Night Fae|venthyr=Venthyr|neutral|#default=Neutral}}|link={{#switch:alliance|alliance=Alliance|boss=Mob|combat=Mob|hostile=Combat|horde=Horde|aldor=Aldor|scryers=Scryers|kirin tor=Kirin Tor|rare=Rare mob|elite=Elite mob|kyrian=Kyrian Covenant|necrolord=Necrolord Covenant|night fae=Night Fae Covenant|venthyr=Venthyr Covenant|both|neutral|#default=Faction}}]] [44] Legacy of Perenolde</ref> At the outset of the Third War, Prince Arthas Menethil traveled through the King's Road toward Strahnbrad, and its inhabitants considered him their lord, with the citizens also taking up arms for Lordaeron.<ref>The Defense of Strahnbrad (WC3 Human)</ref>

However, the Syndicate that arose during the anarchy-filled days after the nation’s dissolution became a politically active as well as militarily forceful entity. Though severed from their snowy heartland, the last of the Alteraci nobility, now leading the Syndicate, has sought to exact its revenge upon its old foe of Stromgarde. As of the current day, the old Alteraci territories continue to be disputed between the Crushridge ogres, the orcish Frostwolf clan, the dwarven Stormpike clan, and several bands of Syndicate brigands scattered across Strahnbrad and the Uplands.

Isiden Perenolde was freed from captivity by individuals strongly suspected by the Gilnean royalists holding him prisoner to be Alteraci loyalists, and is suspected to have sought refuge in the remote and desolate island of Tol Barad.<ref>Dossier: Isiden Perenolde</ref>

People and culture

• The demonym used for the people of Alterac is "Alteraci".<ref>The First Greymane</ref>
• There is an old Alterac saying that goes: "A cat has nine lives, but needs only one."<ref>Maine Coone</ref>

Notable people

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Isiden Perenolde

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Baron Vardus

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Lord Falconcrest

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Female|_Female}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Valea Twinblades

Notable leaders

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] King Aiden Perenolde

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

|night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Prince Aliden Perenolde