One of the most powerful mages alive, Jaina was a student of Archmage Antonidas and a prophesied hero of the Third War. She led the exodus of Alliance survivors from Lordaeron to Kalimdor, founded Theramore Isle, and forged the first genuine truce between Alliance and Horde alongside Warchief Thrall.

The death of her father, Admiral Daelin Proudmoore — killed by Thrall’s forces after he attacked Durotar against her wishes — haunts her. The citizens of Theramore blame her for allowing it. She blames herself for being unable to stop it. The truce she sacrificed everything to maintain is more fragile than ever.

“There will always be those who try to drag us back into the cycle of hatred. We can’t let them win.”

Role in campaign: Potential questgiver and high-level contact for Alliance characters. Provides information, safe harbor at Theramore and introductions to Alliance military command. Will not sanction unprovoked attacks on Horde.

Tyrande has led the night elves through ten millennia, commanded their warrior Sentinels, and preserved the faith of Elune when the druids slept. She freed Illidan against Malfurion’s wishes during the Third War — a decision that saved lives but broke something between her and Malfurion that has not entirely healed.

She is capable, decisive, and fiercely protective of the Kaldorei. She is also slow to trust and carries ten thousand years of knowing what happens when trust is misplaced.

“Elune has watched over us for ten thousand years. Her gaze does not waver. Nor does mine.”

The first mortal druid, student of the demigod Cenarius, and husband of Tyrande. Malfurion led the night elves against the Burning Legion ten thousand years ago, imprisoned his brother Illidan, and awakened in time for the Third War to help defeat Archimonde. He is one of the most powerful beings on Azeroth — and is often frustratingly absent, communing with the Emerald Dream.

Role in campaign: Available in the Moonglade as a high-level druid contact. Will not take direct action in political conflicts — his perspective operates on a scale of millennia.

Steadfast, proud, and entirely dwarven in temperament. Magni rules Ironforge with an iron grip and an open hand. He drove back the Horde in the Second War and has been excavating his people’s Titan heritage ever since. His brother Muradin was believed dead in Northrend; his daughter Moira eloped with the Dark Iron Thaurissan. Family is a wound he doesn’t discuss.

Born on the day his parents were killed, raised as a gladiatorial slave by Aedelas Blackmoore, Thrall escaped, reclaimed his heritage and rebuilt the Horde from its shattered remnants. He restored shamanism, freed the orcs from the lingering demonic corruption, led his people to Kalimdor and founded Durotar.

He is young to bear this much responsibility and he knows it. He is also one of the most gifted shamans alive and a warrior of terrifying capability. He chose peace with the Alliance when every orc in Orgrimmar wanted war — and he made it stick.

“The orcs will never again bow to any master. We stand on our own — or we do not stand at all.”

Role in campaign: The highest authority in the Horde. Difficult to reach but not impossible. Will test the character’s honor before offering any assistance. Does not deal with those who bring shame to themselves or their allies.

Ancient, massive, and possessed of a patience that makes mountains seem impatient. Cairne led the tauren from their nomadic existence to the founded city of Thunder Bluff, built on the mesa tops of Mulgore. He was Thrall’s first and most important ally. His wisdom tempers the Warchief’s fire. He is one of the most respected beings among both the Horde and neutral factions.

“The Earth Mother does not rush the seasons. Neither should we.”

Once the greatest ranger in all of Quel’Thalas, Sylvanas died defending her homeland from the Scourge and was raised as a banshee by Arthas. She broke free of his control, rallied other freed undead, and carved an empire of the dead beneath the ruins of Lordaeron’s capital city. She calls them the Forsaken.

Her alliance with the Horde is transactional. She wants one thing: Arthas dead. She will do whatever that requires. Trust her at your peril.

“Pity the living. Or better yet — don’t.”

He was a paladin. A prince. He was willing to slaughter a city of plague victims to stop the Scourge — and called it mercy. He picked up the runeblade Frostmourne, lost his soul, murdered his own father, and led the undead Scourge across Lordaeron. Then he merged with Ner’zhul’s spirit in Northrend and became something that was once a man and is now the most dangerous single entity on the planet.

Arthas does not appear in play directly — he is in Northrend, sitting on the Frozen Throne, directing a plague that kills continents. But his influence is everywhere. The Forsaken exist because of him. The ruins of Lordaeron exist because of him. Every undead the characters fight was once someone’s family member.

Ten thousand years imprisoned for the sin of absorbing the Well of Eternity’s power. Freed by Tyrande during the Third War. Consumed the power of the Skull of Gul’dan and transformed into a demon-hybrid. Tried and failed to destroy the Lich King with the Eye of Sargeras. Now rules the shattered remains of Draenor, known as Outland.

Illidan is neither hero nor villain — he is something more complicated. He has made every sacrifice the world demanded and the world still calls him a monster. He will defend his territory with extreme prejudice against anyone who enters it uninvited.

The last of the Sunstrider dynasty. Kael’thas led the surviving high elves after the destruction of Quel’Thalas, renamed them Blood Elves in honor of those lost, and found that his people’s addiction to magic had become desperate without the Sunwell. He allied with Illidan in Outland for access to fel energies. Whether this was wisdom or desperation is a matter of perspective.