Warcraft Universe
The Warcraft Universe is a fictional universe in which the Warcraft series of computer games is set. Known worlds of this fantasy universe are Azeroth (homeworld of the Humans), and Draenor (homeworld of the Orcs). The setting was very much inspired by the Warhammer Fantasy games, and, to some extent, the Dungeons & Dragons multiverse.
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Games set in the Warcraft Universe
Computer games
Strategy Games
- Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
- Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness
- Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal
- Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition
- Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
- Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne
Other
- Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans (adventure game, cancelled)
- World of Warcraft (MMORPG)
Tabletop games
- Warcraft campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game
- Warcraft strategy board game
Geography
The Warcraft Universe includes many worlds, connected by a chaotic vortex called the Twisting Nether. Travel between these worlds is a rare event, but it can be achieved by so-called portals.
The World of Azeroth
Azeroth is an Earth-like planet, inhabited by a diverse array of species. Most of the action of the Warcraft games takes place on this planet. For more information, see the World of Azeroth
The World of Draenor
Draenor (referred to as Outland after its partial destruction) is a harsh world that glares in a reddish hue. The waters seem foul, but this is misleading: the planet is capable of supporting life. It is the homeland of the Orcs and other related races (such as ogres) that invaded Azeroth through the a rift called the Dark Portal. The energies of this and subsequent portals opened by the Orcs were so intense, that the world was ripped apart, and nowadays, only floating islands and debris remain. The world was originally a dense green swampland, but the demonic corruption of the Orcs by the Burning Legion scarred the land so thoroughly that when the Orcs were through with it, it was little more than a dusty wasteland. The dominant life form of the world were once the Draenei, named after the planet. Gul'dan the Warlock describes these beings as a "a weak people – hardly worth the effort of our raiding sweep", however the Orcs, especially under Demonic influence, prized strength and brute force above all else, while the Draenei war style, which we see later on, is more reliant on swiftness and stealth.
Peoples of Draenor
Races native to the world of Draenor:
The Twisting Nether and the Beyond
A chaotic swirling mass, the Twisting Nether is the fabric of the universe. While beings reside in the Twisting Nether, most of them are demons. One can think of the Twisting Nether as the universe itself, although this is rather simplistic. It can be more accurately described as a higher (or lower) plane of existence, where powerful beings exist that shape the events we see. It is not to be confused with space as we think of it. It is clear that space is a well understood concept by the races of Azeroth. The Dwarves, for instance, originally created and bestowed with knowledge by a species of inter-dimensional entities (or Angles) known the Titans, have large mechanical astrolabes which demonstrate the movements of planets, stars and extra-solar bodies through space. The Elves, furthermore, have been shown to possess telescopes for observing objects in the night sky. This space, between the stars and planets is frequently called as 'the Great Dark Beyond', or simply 'the Beyond' and it is described by Gul'dan as a place where the spirits of the newly dead go. On the other hand, the Nether, known varyingly as the Void, is shown to be a hell-like place above (or below) space and time as mortals observe them, and is the realm of Daemons, what Gul'dan describes as "the long dead". It is arguable as to whether all dead beings invariably go to the 'Great Dark' and the Nether, as humans, who worship what they call "the Holy Light", have been known to perform resurrections in which a winged being of light can be seen bringing back the dead with rays of sunlight. Furthermore, Night Elves are known to become Wisps, or spirits of nature, after they die, and Orcs routinely commune with the natural spirits of their dead ancestors through the wind and the earth. It is perhaps possible, that in Gul'dans lifetime, before the Orcs broke free of the Demonic possession, that no Orcs were simply 'good enough' to go anywhere but the 'Beyond' anyway.
Demons of the Burning Legion
Known Demon races from the Twisting Nether:
Related topics
External links
Categories: Warcraft