Lordaeron (kingdom)

This article is about the human kingdom. For the continent, see Lordaeron.

{{#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:{{{2}}}|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}}]]Kingdom of Lordaeron
{{#if:Warcraft III Reforged - Humans Icon (2).webp|File:Warcraft III Reforged - Humans Icon (2).webp}}
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}}]] Terenas Menethil II†
Secondary leaders	[[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Female|_Female}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Calia Menethil [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human |night elf=NightElf |blood elf=BloodElf |high elf=HighElf |#default=Human}}{{#if:Male|_Male}}.gif|{{#ifeq:{{{3}}}|Large|26px|16px}}]] Uther the Lightbringer†
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}}]] Arthas Menethil
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	Capital City
Government	Hereditary monarchy (Menethil family)
Language(s)	Common
Affiliation	Alliance of Lordaeron
Formerly	Empire of Arathor
Status	Defunct
{{#if:Lordaeron Tabard.png|Reputation}}
Tabard	{{#if:Lordaeron Tabard.png|}}

The kingdom of Lordaeron was one of the seven human nations in the Eastern Kingdoms, primarily located along the northern territories of the homonymous continent. Originally an Arathorian city-state founded after the Troll Wars, Lordaeron became an independent kingdom after the empire split apart, and eventually became an empire itself by the time of the Third War. Ruled by the Menethil family, Lordaeron took part in the creation of the eponymous Alliance of Lordaeron and spearheaded the Alliance forces against the Orcish Horde during the Second War.

Unfortunately, the once-glorious kingdom was decimated during the Third War by the Undead Scourge, led by the corrupted Prince Arthas Menethil who murdered his own father, Terenas Menethil II, and unleashed death upon his own people. Following the fall of Capital City, the survivors fled south to Stormwind City, or west to Kalimdor, while those who fell were raised into the ranks of Scourge. Nevertheless, many were later freed from the Lich King's control, and under the command of the Banshee Queen Sylvanas Windrunner, they became known as the Forsaken. Since that time, Lordaeron's territories have been contested between the Forsaken, the survivors of Lordaeron allied to the Alliance, the Scarlet Crusade, and the Scourge.

History

Arathorian Empire

Around 1,200 BDP, when the Empire of Arathor split apart into the Seven Kingdoms, the lords of Strom departed in search of purity and enlightenment for the fertile valleys of the north, in which they would built a new city-state which they named Lordaeron. The entire continent would take its name from this city-state. Lordaeron became a mecca for religious travelers and all those who sought inner peace and security.<ref>The Seven Kingdoms</ref>

Before the First War

Early in the history of Lordaeron, it was ruled by the Lordanol family. During a conflict with the kingdom of Gilneas, Prince Arterian Lordanol invaded the lands of Silverpine to claim it for Lordaeron, advancing with little resistance during the autumn before being halted by the harsh winters of the region. The Gilneans were far more accustomed to the climates, and so during the winter King Veran Greymane and his soldiers cut off Prince Arterain's supply lines and launched a surprise attack on Arterain's command camp, forcing the Lordaeronian army to retreat and taking the prince captive. During battle, witnesses claimed that King Veran called upon dark blood magics in battle, manipulating the blood essence of the fallen Lordaeronian soldiers. Prince Arterian was ransomed back to Lordaeron for a hefty sum, and Gilneas' victory over Lordaeron securing Gilnean rule over Silverpine for many years; though they later lost control over the region to Lordaeron under the rule of the Menethils.<ref name="SilverpineWars">The Silverpine Wars</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>

In time, the kingdom would eventually come to be ruled by the Menethil family. King Terenas Menethil II's grandfather is said to have had successful negotiations with the high elves of Quel'Thalas over the borders there for his northern vassals.<ref>Day of the Dragon, pg. 82</ref>

Second War

As the Horde ultimately ravaged the Kingdom of Azeroth and killed its advocate, King Llane, Sir Anduin Lothar rallied his countrymen and charted their retreat across the Great Sea - and onto the shores of Lordaeron.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Legends of the Land, Sir Anduin Lothar</ref> With the arrival of the Azerothien refugees upon the shores of Lordaeron, King Terenas formed a council of delegates from each of the seven kingdoms under his rule. Recounting terrible tales of destruction and carnage wrought by the Orcish invaders in Azeroth, the Steward Lord Anduin Lothar convinced the sovereign of Lordaeron to unite themselves against this great threat. Despite much quarreling and debate, the lords acquiesced to Lothar and Terenas, and agreed to unite their armies under the general command of Lothar himself.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, A Brief History of the Fall of Azeroth</ref>

Having perceived that the pious Clerics of Northshire, who suffered such terrible attrition in the First War, were ill-suited for the dangers of combat, Archbishop Alonsus Faol and many of the surviving clerics sought those of only the greatest virtue among the knighthood of Lordaeron and tutored them in the ways of magic. Aided by his apprentice Uther, Faol recruited the most pious of the knights of Lordaeron to form the Order of the Silver Hand. He called his students the paladins, with Uther as their crusading leader.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Ground Units, Paladin</ref><ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Legends of the Land, Sire Uther Lightbringer</ref>

At some point, troubles arose in Tyr's Hand when the local peasant population fell into a state of minor revolt. Eventually, the uprising was quelled and the Knights of the Silver Hand were summoned to watch over the populace.<ref>Tyr's Hand (WC2 Human)</ref> It was later discovered that the rebellion was started by Alterac spies in hopes of concealing the orcish mining facility located in the region.<ref>Betrayal and the Destruction of Alterac (WC2 Human)</ref>

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 expense of maintaining and operating 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.

The Alliance Internment Act was passed into law,<ref>Departures (WC3 demo)</ref> and the orcs were locked in internment camps funded by the Alliance members. The camps' authorities were based at first in New Stormwind under Danath Trollbane,<ref>Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, Legends of the Land, Danath</ref> who was later succeeded by Aedelas Blackmoore, with Durnholde Keep as the new center for the camps.<ref>The New Horde</ref>

Political unrest

After King Aiden Perenolde betrayed the Alliance of Lordaeron and allied with the orcs, his treachery was eventually discovered, and King Terenas Menethil II declared martial law upon Alterac.<ref name="DotD1">Day of the Dragon, chapter 1</ref> Lordaeron also built a military outpost along the borders of the Alterac Mountains, which was raided by the Horde of Draenor and the black dragonflight in order to get the Book of Medivh back from the Alteraci.<ref>Alterac (WC2 Orc)</ref>

During the Alterac crisis, King Thoras Trollbane wanted the traitorous kingdom of Alterac to be split in two between Lordaeron and Stromgarde. However, King Terenas still debated the merits of either annexing Alterac to his own kingdom or setting upon its throne a new and more reasonable monarch, one that would be friendly to Lordaeron.<ref name="DotD1" /> Deathwing, under the guise of Daval Prestor, manipulated the leaders into making him the future king of Alterac, and even secured a betrothal to Lordaeron's princess, Calia, in order to reinforce his political position. Ultimately, however, Deathwing's plans were foiled when he was defeated at the Battle of Grim Batol and forced into hiding.<ref>Day of the Dragon, chapter 21</ref> The kingdom later partially annexed the Alterac Mountains, as at the outset of the Third War, when Arthas Menethil traveled through the King's Road toward Strahnbrad, its inhabitants considered him their lord and took up arms for Lordaeron.<ref>The Defense of Strahnbrad (WC3 Human)</ref>

Years passed as tensions abated and a lasting peace settled over the kingdom. With his paladins, supreme commander Uther the Lightbringer kept the peace in Lordaeron, settling civil disputes and quelling demi-human uprisings throughout the realm, while his apprentice, Arthas Menethil, the heir of Lordaeron, integrated the Order of the Silver Hand and gained fame for defended the settlements at the borders of Quel'Thalas from forest troll warbands.<ref name="A New Generation">Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, A New Generation</ref>

Soon the citizenry of Lordaeron obsessed over the young prince's personal life, notably when rumors of a budding romance between him and Lady Jaina Proudmoore of Kul Tiras had surfaced, setting the kingdom ablaze. Given King Terenas' age and deteriorating health, the citizenry was pleased to see that their beloved prince would marry and carry on the royal bloodline. Embarrassed by the public attention, Arthas and Jaina kept their affair as private as possible, until the two lovers reluctantly parted ways and refocused themselves on their duties, much to the frustration of Lordaeron's citizenry.<ref name="A New Generation" />

After Archmage Kel'Thuzad returned from Northrend, where he was promised immortality and power for his loyalty to the Lich King, the necromancer preached his new religion to the downtrodden, disenfranchised masses, promising its acolytes social equality and eternal life on Azeroth in exchange for their service and obedience to Ner'zhul. As the months passed, Kel'Thuzad found many eager volunteers for his new cult amongst the tired, overburdened laborers of Lordaeron. Surprisingly, Kel'Thuzad's goal to pervert the citizens' faith in the Holy Light towards belief in Ner'zhul's dark shadow was easily attained. As the Cult of the Damned grew in size and influence, Kel'Thuzad made sure to keep its workings secret from the authorities of Lordaeron at every turn.<ref>Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, Kel'Thuzad and the Cult of the Damned</ref>

Scourging of Lordaeron

After preparing for many long months, the Cult of the Damned finally struck the first blow by releasing the Plague of Undeath upon Lordaeron. When the Dalaranian ambassador to King Terenas Menethil II revealed that the Kirin Tor were prepared to place the villages under strict quarantine, the king, however, declared that there would be no quarantine without proof of these claims as its people had suffered enough.<ref>The Warning</ref> In the meantime, Uther the Lightbringer and his fellow paladins investigated the infected regions in the hope of finding a way to stop the plague. Despite their efforts, the plague continued to spread and threatened to tear the Alliance of Lordaeron apart.<ref>The Scourge of Lordaeron</ref>

At the beginning of the Third War, Prince Arthas Menethil and Jaina Proudmoore investigated the strange disease. They eventually encountered the necromancer Kel'Thuzad in the town of Brill and pursued him to Andorhal,<ref>Ravages of the Plague (WC3 Human)</ref> where had already infected the town's stored grain and shipped it out to outlying villages. Before Arthas killed him, Kel'Thuzad revealed that the nathrezim Mal'Ganis was the mastermind behind this invasion, and that the demon was hiding in Stratholme.<ref>The Cult of the Damned (WC3 Human)</ref>

As the epidemic progressed, the city of Hearthglen was about to be attacked by an army of undead, and the defenders had just baked and eaten the infected grain of Andorhal before the battle. Along with the soldiers of Lordaeron's army, Prince Arthas, who had tracked the shipment of grain to Hearthglen, was able to slay those infected before they could spread the disease to the entire town. Shortly thereafter, the undead army laid siege to the town and the Lordaeronian forces held them off long enough for the arrival of Uther and the Knights of the Silver Hand to claim victory.<ref>March of the Scourge (WC3 Human)</ref>

When they arrived at Stratholme, the infected grain had already been distributed and Arthas knew his people would soon become undead. When Uther refused to purge the entire city, the prince proclaimed that he had committed treason and suspended the paladins from service, while those who remained loyal joined him in slaughtering the infected citizens. During the massacre, Mal'Ganis appeared and began "collecting" the mindless zombies, gloating that soon the people of Lordaeron would belong to the Scourge. The two sides proceeded to ravage the city building by building in a macabre race for the lives of the townsfolk. Some citizens were killed in their sleep,<ref>A Careworn Note</ref> others after their zombification, some were executed while still human and trying to flee, and some tried to fight back. Many also took their own lives, opting to hurl themselves into the myriad flames of the smoldering city rather than become one of the Scourge.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#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:small|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}}]] [60D] The Restless Souls (1)</ref> In the end, Arthas confronted Mal'Ganis to end this madness, only for the demon to teleport away after telling the prince to gather his forces and come for him to Northrend.<ref>The Culling (WC3 Human)</ref> After Stratholme was purged, some former paladins, now called Deathlords, committed the same heinous act in many other cities across Lordaeron.<ref>Shield of the Deathlord</ref>

Despite the high elves' official departure from the Alliance, some elves still remain true to their former human and dwarven allies. The altruistic priests of Quel'Thalas refused to abandon their roles as healers and agreed to remain in Lordaeron despite the edicts from their reclusive masters in Silvermoon. They use their Light-given powers to heal the wounded and bolster the spirits of Lordaeron's fighting elite.<ref>Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, Human Units, Priest</ref> The Wildhammer dwarves also brought the gryphons of Aerie Peak to aid the Alliance in its time of need and sought to keep the skies of Lordaeron free from enemy forces.<ref>Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, Human Units, Gryphon Rider</ref>

In time, the Expeditionary Forces accompanied Prince Arthas in his quest to destroy Mal'Ganis. However, upon arriving to Northrend, King Terenas's emissary came and ordered the expedition to return to Lordaeron, but Arther refused to stop until he avenged his people. After he burned down his ships,<ref>Dissension (WC3 Human)</ref> he eventually found the runeblade Frostmourne and used it to destroy the dreadlord. His objective accomplished, Arthas fled to the wilderness of Northrend where he lost the rest of his humanity, becoming a death knight.<ref>Frostmourne (WC3 Human)</ref>

When Arthas returned to Lordaeron months later, the kingdom rejoiced at the return of its champion. Within the Imperial chamber, the corrupted prince walked up to his father and ran Frostmourne through his heart.<ref>Arthas' Betrayal</ref> Arthas willingly led the Scourge against his own kingdom and later slew Uther in battle. Caught off guard by Arthas' unthinkable crimes, Lordaeron was crushed under the Lich King's iron heel<ref>World of Warcraft Game Manual, The Scourge of Lordaeron</ref> within a matter of days.<ref>Digging up the Dead (WC3 Undead)</ref>

After the culling of Stratholme, Jaina Proudmoore gathered as many survivors as she could to lead them west, to the ancient lands of Kalimdor.<ref>Divergent Courses (WC3 Human)</ref><ref>The Prophet's Warnings and the Gilneas Brigade</ref> Amongst the forces of the Human Expedition that sailed to the west were the Lordaeron Brigade and the Lordaeron Corps.<ref>Cry of the Warsong (WC3 Orc)</ref><ref>Where Wyverns Dare (WC3 Orc)</ref>

Rise of the Lich King

After the massacre of its citizens and its destruction, Capital City soon came to be called the Ruins of Lordaeron and was overseen by the dreadlords Balnazzar, Detheroc, and Varimathras. Several months after the Battle of Mount Hyjal, detachments of the surviving paladins of the Order of the Silver Hand emerged from the rubble of the Lordaeron to form a resistance against the Scourge and protect the survivors. However, their combined efforts were not enough, as they were defeated by Arthas Menethil, Kel'Thuzad, and Sylvanas Windrunner on their return from Kalimdor, allowing the Scourge to murder the survivors and destroyed the resistance.<ref name="King Arthas">King Arthas (WC3 Undead)</ref> However, one caravan led by Denalah Silverpoint broke through the Scourge lines, escorting the Lordaeronian refugees south where they eventually settled in the mountains above the Wetlands, founding the town of Hawk's Vigil.<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}}]] [22] Honoring the Departed</ref> Following his victory, Arthas ousted the dreadlords of the ruined city and named himself King of Lordaeron.<ref name="King Arthas" />

Meanwhile, the remnants of the Alliance in Lordaeron banded together in order to retake their lost lands from the undead. Under the command of Grand Marshal Othmar Garithos, they managed to retake Dalaran.<ref>Misconceptions (WC3 BloodElf)</ref> However, Garithos' harsh bigoted leadership forced the blood elves to desert his army<ref>The Dungeons of Dalaran (WC3 BloodElf)</ref><ref>The Crossing (WC3 BloodElf)</ref> and sometime later, the Alliance Remnants were mind controlled by the Dreadlord Insurgents. In time, the Plaguelands civil war erupted between his forces, the remaining dreadlords, and the free undead (later known as the Forsaken) led by Sylvanas Windrunner. While Arthas was summoned to Northrend to defend the Lich King, Windrunner's forces, with the help of Varimathras, freed the Alliance resistance from the dreadlords' influence,<ref>Dreadlord's Fall (WC3 Undead)</ref> and together, they worked to take down the last dreadlord warlord, Balnazzar, and retake the Ruins of Lordaeron. Instead of leaving Lordaeron as she promised however, the Banshee Queen betrayed Garithos and had him and his men killed. Afterward, they claimed the Ruins of Lordaeron,<ref>A New Power in Lordaeron (WC3 Undead)</ref> under which they inhabited the Undercity.

In Nothrend, Arthas raced against Illidan Stormrage and Kael'thas Sunstrider to reach the Frozen Throne before they could destroy it. After defeating all those who stood in his way, Arthas ascended to the top of Icecrown Citadel where he shattered Ner'zhul's icy prison with Frostmourne. The fallen prince then picked up Helm of Domination, placed it upon his head, and merged with his master.<ref>The Ascension</ref>

Those who remained in Lordaeron continued to fight against the Scourge, with Highlord Alexandros Mograine, along with High General Abbendis and Grand Inquisitor Isillien, founding the Scarlet Crusade. Wielding the Ashbringer, the Scarlet Highlord was famed in battle and feared by the Scourge; however, he was the lynchpin of the Crusade. After his defeat at Sylvanas' hands, Balnazzar took on the identity of Saidan Dathrohan and joined the Crusade, and upon rising to Grand Crusader orchestrated the death of the Scarlet Highlord. However, High Inquisitor Fairbanks witnessed Alexandros' death and returned to the Scarlet Monastery, where he told the tale of the Highlord's death to any that would listen - though he would be murdered in cold blood for his actions and dragged to a hidden chamber within the cathedral. Following Alexandros' assassination, Dathrohan took command of the Scarlet Crusade, corrupting them into an order fanatically driven to destroy evil, without any regard for the means used, and despised all non-human races. Those who heeded Fairbanks' words left to form the Argent Dawn.<ref>Corrupted Ashbringer/Scarlet Monastery Event</ref>

World of Warcraft

In the aftermath of the Third War, the balance of power among the human kingdoms shifted. With Lordaeron's fall and the devastation of the northern kingdoms, the kingdom of Stormwind arose as a new bastion of leadership and military might in the Alliance. Meanwhile, the fallen kingdom's territories became the center of conflicts between several factions, including the remnants of Lordaeron allied to the Alliance, the Scarlet Crusade, the Forsaken, the Argent Dawn, and the Scourge.

Among the remnants of Lordaeron, Hillsbrad Fields and Southshore were the only towns that were not left completely devastated by the undead, while Tarren Mill fell at some point at the hands of the Forsaken. As such, guards from both communities were still wearing the tabard of their former kingdom. Since they were not affiliated with any distinct Alliance nation, but have sworn fealty to the monarchs of Stormwind and Ironforge, the people of Hillsbrad pay taxes to those kingdoms in order to sustain the Alliance's upkeep.<ref>Hillsbrad Town Registry</ref> The Tirisfal Uplands are also home to a garrison of remnants of the army of Lordaeron led by Captain Silas holding out against the undead from the Remnants Camp after Grand Marshal Garithos' death.

At some point, refugees from Lordaeron and neighboring lands, under the care of Dalin Forgewright, tried to enter Gilneas but were stopped by the then-closed Greymane Wall.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|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:horde|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:horde|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}}]] [20] Hearts of the Pure</ref> Those refugees were not killed when the Scourge rampaged the land, and later established the Vagrant Encampment when the Wall was opened by the Ravenwood Rebellion - though many were expecting Gilneas to be a safe haven and never imagined that it was as bad as Silverpine Forest.<ref>Camp Leader Gethenor#Quotes</ref>

In terms of threats, the people of Southshore had conflicts with the Forsaken in Tarren Mill, the Crushridge ogres settling in the Alterac Mountains,<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}}]] [36] Crushridge Bounty</ref><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}}]] [40G] Crushridge Warmongers</ref> and the Syndicate at Durnholde Keep, who stole their horses.<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}}]] [34] Costly Menace</ref> Magistrate Henry Maleb seemed convinced that the Syndicate were scheming Southshore's destruction and had previously assassinated the former magistrate, he thus requested aid from any adventurer to help in Southshore's retaliation.<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}}]] [33] Syndicate Assassins</ref>

Meanwhile, Hillsbrad Fields was led by Magistrate Burnside and its people were constantly threatened by the Forsaken forces of High Executor Darthalia at Tarren Mill. Arch Lord Varimathras had Darthalia wage war on them so that they could quell humanity and buy their apothecaries enough time to develop the New Plague. Peasants, farmers, landowners, and other members of the human supply line and infrastructure were especially threatened.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|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:horde|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:horde|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}}]] [24] Battle of Hillsbrad (quest)</ref> Nonetheless, the Hillsbrad townspeople were very capable of fighting back, they organized themselves into a militia and staged ambushes on the undead forces.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|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:horde|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:horde|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}}]] [28] Dangerous!</ref> Afterwards, the Horde began to attack the Hillsbrad leadership<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|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:horde|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:horde|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}}]] [26] Battle of Hillsbrad (4)</ref> and their mining operations in Azurelode Mine.<ref>{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}{{#ifeq:-|-||Template:Sort}}[[File:{{#switch:horde|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:horde|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:horde|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}}]] [28] Battle of Hillsbrad (5)</ref>

People and culture

• The demonym used for the people of Lordaeron is "Lordaeronian".<ref name="SilverpineWars" /><ref>The Silverline Raven</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}}]] Lord Alexei Barov

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

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

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

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

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

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

• [[File:IconSmall_{{#switch:human

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

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 Terenas Menethil II^†

• [[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 Arthas Menethil

Military

During the Second War, the armies of Lordaeron were the first to heed the call to arms against the orcs. They were known to be deeply religious and driven by the belief that humanity must stand steadfast against the blasphemous onslaught of the Orcish Horde.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Nations of the Alliance, Lordaeron</ref> On the battlefields, the knights of Lordaeron represented the fiercest fighting force in the Alliance armies. Astride great warhorses, these honorable and just warriors served as a symbol of order to the peoples of Lordaeron in these dark and chaotic times. Having learned of the fate the Knights of Azeroth suffered after the First War, they had sworn to both avenge their fallen brethren and free their homelands from the grip of the orcs.<ref>Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Ground Units, Knight</ref>

The King's Guard acted as the personal protectors of the Menethil family, the royal house of Lordaeron, and had a distinctive uniform.<ref>Day of the Dragon, pg. 91</ref>