I hope that if there’s even a single Alterac lore enthusiast like me who just sees this and enjoys the passion and drive I’ve put into this, then thank you for your time and for letting me service you. <3
Statement of Purpose
The purpose of the Alterac Roleplaying Guide is to provide roleplayers and lore buffs with a more comprehensive depiction of Alteraci history and culture as well as potential facets of RP! The focus of the Altearci Compendium is on human Alteraci culture, but it will delve into how the events of Cataclsym and following have changed Alteraci culture. This will include the history and nature of the Syndicate. The Compendium is a work of fanon. This Compendium draws heavily upon canonical lore and in-game evidence - and I provide my sources where they are available - but the work nevertheless requires many assumptions, educated guesses, and presuppositions to fill in these many gaps in evidence. As such, the Compendium is not intended to be an authoritative (i.e. canonical) guide to Alterac. I will update the Alterac Compendium as new lore becomes available and when I find time in my schedule.Contributions and constructive feedback are always welcomed. Also please share this Compendium among your various lore and RP communities, as this Compendium is meant for them.
No one can tell you exactly how to roleplay anything, so take below as a helping hand and a guide - not a rulebook.
The real question is; what kind of ALTEARACI are you? Is your character a seedy Alteraci human who was there in the Second War iwth Aiden Perenolde’s betrayal? Or a loyalist of the Syndicate? There’s endless possibilities!
ABBREVIATION KEY
1. * WC2 - *WC2 Game Manual* (1995)
2. * WC3 - *WC3 Game Manual* (2002)
3. * DF - *Dark Factions* (2008)
4. * WOWCV1 - *WoW Chronicles Vol 1* (2016)
5. * A:RotLK - *Arthas: Rise of the Lich King* (2009)
7. * BtDP - *Beyond the Dark Portal* (2008)
8. * CotW - *Curse of the Worgen* , Vol.1-5 (2010-2011)
9. * DG - World of Warcraft Dungeon Guide (N/A)
10. * DotD - *Day of the Dragon* (2001)
11. * HoW - History of Warcraft (2004)
12. * EoN - "Edge of Night" - (2012)
13. * LoHP - "Lord of His Pack" (2011)
14. * ToD - *Tides of Darkness* (2007)
15. * ToW - *Tides of War* (2012)
16. * WH - *Wolfheart* (2011)
17. *STROM -*Strom'kar, the Warbreaker* [in-game]
18. *WoW2 - *World of Warcraft - The RP Game By Azamor* [2005]
TABLE OF CONTENTS
[I. Geography]
a. Climate and Weather
b. Geographic Features
i. Coasts
ii. Rivers
iii. Wetlands
iv. Mountains
v. Forests
vi. Arable Land
vii. Foothills
vii. Plains
vii. Foothills
c. Biodiversity
i. Flora
ii. Fauna
d. Urbanization[II. History]
a. Chronological Timeline
i. Arathorian Imperial Period
ii. Seven Kingdoms Period
iii. Reign of Chaos[III. Government]
a. General
i. Capital
ii. Government
iii. Anthem
iv. Flag
v. Crest
vi. Battle Cry
b. Population and Demographics
c. Feudal Government
i. King
ii. Lords/Barons/Nobles
iii.
d. Municipal Government
i. Mayor
ii. Town Council
e. Civil Law and Order
i. Law Enforcement
ii. Criminal Punishment
1. Household Arrest
2. Caged-Wagons
3. Pillory
4. Guillotine
5. Iron Maiden
6. Gibbet
7. Gallows(?)
f. Military
i. Militia
ii. Royal and City Guards
iii. Knights[IV. Foreign Relations]
a. Stormwind
b. Lordaeron
c. Dalaran
d. Kul Tiras
e. Stromgarde
f. Alterac
g. Theramore
h. Ironforge
i. Gnomeregan
j. Quel�Thalas
k. The Horde
l. Darnassus
m. Exodar[V. Economy]
a. Currency
b. Economic Policy
c. Natural Resources
i. Precious Metals & Minerals
ii. Lumber
iii. Agriculture
iv. Fishing
v. Livestock
vi. Alterac Swiss
vii. Alterac Granitevii. Mulled Alterac Brandy, Mithril, Apples, Breeding Alterac Brew Pups,
d. Maritime Trade
e. Industrial Capital
i. Water
ii. Transportation
iii. Coal and Iron
iv. Chemistry
v. Tar and Pitch
vi. Textiles
vii. Firearms and Artillery[IV. Science & Technology]
a. Arcane Arts
b. Medicine and Alchemical Science
i. Hospitals
ii. Alchemy
iii. Folk Medicine
c. Engineering[VII. Culture]
a. Architecture and Housing
i. Architectural Style
ii. Building Materials
b. Class
c. Clothing & Fashions
d. Cuisine
e. Education
f. Gender
g. Language
i. Alphabet
ii. Dialects
iii. Secondary Languages
h. Literary Arts
i. Poetry
i. Media
j. Names
k. National Symbols
i. Wolves
ii. Roses
iii. Light
l. Performing Arts
i. Theatre
ii. Music
m. Recreation
i. Dancing
ii. Fishing
iii. Fortune Telling
iv. Gambling
v. Gardening
vi. Hunting
vii. Music
viii. Natural History
ix. Parks & Hiking
x. Reading
xi. Sewing
xii. Toys
n. Visual Arts
i. Painting
ii. Sculpture
iii. Textiles[VIII. Rituals & Festivals]
a. Death and Burial Practices
i. Burial Practices
ii. Grave Markers
b. Festivals and Holidays
i. Hallow’s End
ii. Midsummer Fire Festival
iii. Noblegarden
c. Marriage Practices[IX. Religions & Spirituality]
a. Church of the Holy Light
i. Clergy
1. Known Priests
ii. Religious Sites
1. Alterac City Chapel
iii. Paladins?
b. Alterac Druids & Shamans(?)
i. Druidism in the Arathorian Age
ii. Unconfirmed Druids
iii. Unconfirmed Shamans
c. Ancestral Veneration(?) (STROM’KAR)
d. Cult of the Damned
i. Membership & Rites
X. Worgen Curse (?)
X. Undeath (?)XII. People of Alterac
I. Geography
The Kingdom of Alterac occupies the centermost of the Lordaeronian continent.
“To the south are the Hillsbrad Foothills, east is the Hinterlands, west is Lordamere Lake and north are the Plaguelands. Alterac shares its northern border with the Western Plaguelands.”(LoC)
CLIMATE AND WEATHER
“The Alterac Mountains are cold and misty, thick with rain and gray clouds. Huge pine trees tower over the temperate landscape. Alterac reminds you a bit of Loch Modan, but warmer. Occasional green meadows and tenacious shrubs can be found amid the gray, rocky peaks…”** *LoC (pg 85) “The Alterac Mountains are high and temperate. Few fertile valleys lie within the peaks, and those that do are fallow. Rainfall is high and the sky is often overcast, making the region drear. The Crushridge ogres and the Syndicate have driven away most nativwildlife, but yetis still inhabit the deeper caves.” (LoC, pg 86) Alterac is also “a high, woody region” that “sees much rainfall and its skies are constantly overcast.” (WoW 2 pg 20)
Shore: A surprisingly long coastline surrounds the seemingly “landlocked” nation of Alterac. Much of the Alteraci shoreline, however, consists of rolling hills, a plethora of pine trees which eke out an existence on the fringe of the towering bases that lead to the Alterac Mountains above. These mountains have provided the Alterac shoreline with a natural defense moreso than the otherway around as these mountains they border were the mountains the Orcs were able to easily pass through because only two carts abreast could fit through [ToD] compared to the openness of the shoreline and aquatic attacks on Alterac’s shores.
Rivers: Rivers are what bind Alterac’s waterways together. The longest and widest river in Alterac is the Darrowmere River. It starts all the way in the Darrowmere Lake north where Caer Darrow is, goes between the Eastern and Western Plaguelands, and continues through the Hillsbrad Foothills west of Durnholde Keep where it filters out into the Baradin Bay and Great Sea. Although not so easily accessible in game, it says **“[u]pon receiving the orders Proudmoore had dispatched his ships down the [Darrowmere] river. They had met up with Turalyon and the army just below Stromgarde and ferried the soldiers on board. They had then sailed upriver past the [Alterac] mountains, instead of going over them as the Horde had done. It had saved them considerable time… Alleria assured them sailing straight to Quel’Thalas was impossible as her kin would not allow them on their portion of the river.” [ToD]
Mountains: The Alterac Mountains are massive and visible across the continent of Lordaeron. Tirion Fordring could “from the Hearthglen Keep balcony see a breathtaking view of the mighty snow-capped Alterac peaks in the distance”; he also saw these peaks from Stratholme. [OB&H] It iss said that, “[f]rom Silvermoon, which stood at the northern tip of Quel’Thalas, the orcs could march over the [Alterac] mountains and directly into Lordaeron, emerging not far from Lordamere Lake and Capital City itself." [ToD]
This would mean that the mountains of Lordaeron stretch to the Alterac Mountains which is evident between the Western Plaguelands border that Chillwind Camp and Andorhal are just north of all the way up to the northern mountains that Hearthglen is nestled within.
“The most Argent Dawn members are in the Plaguelands; they have bases at Chillwind Point on the border of Alterac” (Lands of Conflict) which indicates the Argents have a presence on the border of Alterac.
Lakes: Tirion recalled “Hearthglen is nestled at the crossroads between the towering Alterac Mountains and the mist-shrouded shores of Darrowmere Lake” [OB&H] The Darrowmere is a freshwater lake that lies to the north of Alterac and is “home to many battles from the Second War” [LoC]. There is also the Lordamere Lake. This "freshwater lake is enormous, occupying a great fraction of Lordaeron’s midwest. In years past, the lake served as a source of fresh water and fish for Lordaeron’s kingdoms. Now, Lordamere’s isles are infested with monsters and its shores polluted with undead filth. The lake borders five separate regions and provides an untapped means of transport between these areas. May the Light help Hillsbrad if the Scourge sends ships across Lordamere.”[LoC]
Mines: (Irondeep, Coldtooth)
Canyons: [LoC]
Ridges: (Wildpaw)
Hollows (Slaughter)
Hills [Alterac] [RPG Books]
Valleys (Alterac)
Caves (Growless, Winterax, )
Folds [Dandred’s]
Headlands (The Headlands)
Nazes (Gavin’s)
Clefs (Veiled Cleft)
Lakes (Lordamere)
Shores (Misty)
Uplands (The Uplands)
Rivers (Darrowmere, Thondroril)
Caverns (Foothill) [RPG Books], Icewing, Wildpaw
Plains (WC3) “the Alliance constructed new camps in the plains of south of the Alterac Mountains” [WC3 Game Manual]
Language(s)
Common, Low Common *LoC, pg 85
In-Game Leader(s)
HUMANS
Aiden Perenolde (the deceased traitorous King of Alterac) (WC2)
Aliden Perenolde (the deceased Syndicate kingpin and Aiden’s successor as his son) (ToD) , in-game Vanilla WoW
Isiden Perenolde (the rightful king and last potentially living Perenolde; presumably missing after he fled to Gilneas after the Second War) (ToD)In-Game First Names
M: Aiden, Aliden, Daval, Ignaeus, Fahrad, Verand, Trand, Kavdan, Aedelas, Benedict, Timmy, Menag, Dean, Joe, Mike, Scott, Thornby, Phillip, Gravis, Travey, Bob, Jimmy, Aretain, Otto, Valik, Dandred, Skarloc, Drake,
(OLD HILLSBRAD) M: Alex, Kelly, Bartolo, Bilger, Don, Kent, Frances, Hal, Harvery, Helcular, Herod, Benj, Isillien, Renault, Stalvan, Thomas, Tirion, Victor, Aedelas,
F: Valea, Singer, Elysa, Taretha, Kris, Darbel, Beve, Isolde, Pai,
(OLD HILLSBRAD) F: Abbendis, Natasha, Julie, Monica, Sally, Taretha,
In-Game Surnames
Perenolde (royal family), Falconcrest, Ravenholdt, Trollbane (ancient chieftain line), Wolfe, Valik, Vardus (aristocrat), Skarloc, Drake, Dandred,
(OLD DURNHOLDE HILLSBRADIANS) LAST NAMES:
Whitemane, Mistmantle, Ginsetti, Sanders, Smithers, Mograine, Carlos, McAllister, Lemieux, Carter, Revah, Honeywell, Vishas, Samras, Marris ,Morris, Maleb, Yance, Fordring, Blackmoore,Monikers/Nicknames:
Singer, “the Bleeder”,
(OLD DURNHOLDE HILLSBRADIANS) TITLES:
the Straight-laced, the Bully, the True,Titles
Baron, Lord, King, Queen, Princess, Kingpin, Syndicate Master, Your Majesty (ToD) [the title of the King]
Capital
None, formerly Alterac City; now the Ruins of Alterac
Strahnbrad (for the Syndicate): Strahnbrad was known as a “large Syndicate camp just north of [Tarren Mill], most likely in the Alterac Mountains.” (Quest: Infiltration)
Official Denonnym
“Alteraci” (“alterackee”) [1], Northlander (WC2) (WoWCV1 pg 120)
In-Game & Lore Classes
Brigand, Conjuror, Highwayman, Magus, Mercenary, Pathstalker, Prowler, Spy, Thief, Wizard, Assassin, Enforcer, Footpad, Rogue, Saboteur, Sentry, Shadow Mage, Watchman, Agent, Brigand, Footman, Knight, Peasant, Paladin, Henchman,
II. History
The history of Alterac is split between Ancient Alterac (known as the Alteraci Tribe (STROM)) [2800 years ago], the Arathorian era known as the City-State of Alterac (WoWCV1) [1800 years ago], and the successive state that would become the Kingdom of Alterac (WoWCV1)(WC2) until it was put under martial law and Aiden Perenolde under house arrest after the Second War (ToD).
The history of Alterac is shrouded in the mystery of huge chronological gaps in the historical record, as is the case with all the human Seven Kingdoms. Though much of Alteraci history is hinted, little is actually known apart from a few scattered fragments of knowledge separated by hundreds, if not thousands, of years in an indeterminate chronological timeline of events.
Chronological Timeline of Gilnean History
Arathorian Period (~2800-1200 BDP)
~2800 BDP: King Thoradin of the human Arathi Tribe establishes the Arathor Empire and defeats the Amani Trolls in the Troll Wars alongside the high elves of Quel’thalas.
~2800 BDP-27AD: Winterax Trolls that descend from the Drakkari Trolls (The Troll Compendium) become “indigenous to Alterac” (Quest:Korrak the Bloodrager) which is home to “artifacts”, “a leadership heirarchy”, and “tomes” - or Troll Literature.
~2700-2500 BDP: Arathorian colonists establish the city-state of Alterac.
~2500-1200 BDP: The armies of Alterac and Gilneas explore Khaz Modan and make first contact with the dwarves of Ironforge and Gnomes of Gnomeregan.
~1200 BDP: The human empire of Arathor grows too large and shatters into seven independent splinter nations — Lordaeron, Stormwind, Kul Tiras, Stromgarde, Alterac, Gilneas and Dalaran Seven Kingdoms period begins. (Lands of Conflict)
Seven Kingdoms Period (~1200-1 BDP)
~40 BDP: King Archibald of Gilneas begins a series of sweeping reforms that industrialize Gilneas.
~40 BDP-6 ADP: Genn Greymane, son of Archibald, ascends the throne of Gilneas.
~1 BDP (Novel) Rise of the Horde (Christie Golden)
Age of Chaos (1 ADP to present)
~0-1 BDP: (PC Game) Warcraft: Orcs & Humans
“Orc scouts enter the rift and begin exploring the lands on the other side. A small outpost is gradually constructed in the disease-ridden marshlands around the rift’s exit point, providing a military foothold for the Horde in the new world. Known as the Black Morass, the marshlands are completely uninhabited and provide perfect cover for the Horde’s arrival."“ (Tides of Conflict)
~0-1 BDP: (Novel) The Last Guardian (Jeff Grubb)
“Caravan traders, mercenaries, and adventurers that come into the city often find a receptive ear with old Lothar. Word comes from Ironforge and Alterac, and even from Lordaeron itself”
The Second War (6 BDP) (PC Game) Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness
- Alterac joins the Alliance of Lordaeron for the Second War but only provides token forces [WC2 Manual]. “Alterac is the weakest of the Human nations and is only a minor contributor of troops and equipment to the Alliance. Although Lord Perenolde praises Lothar and Terenas for their ongoing efforts, he is beset by the fear that when the Horde comes, the Alliance will fail, and only the surrender of his forces and his sovereignty will save the lives of his subjects. Perenolde alone knows whether or not - when the final call to arms is sounded - Alterac will fight for its freedom alongside the other nations of the Alliance.” [WC2 Game Manual]
- The Orcish Horde invades Greater Lordaeron.
- Aiden Perenolde forms a “non-aggression pact” with the Orcish Horde [ToD]
- The Alliance of Lordaeron defeats the Horde.
~6-8 ADP: The Alliance constructs Nethergarde Keep with funds from Alterac and the other Seven Kingdoms because "the Alliance added Alterac’s treasuries to the
Alliance’s once it took control of the kingdom" and King Terenas II put it under martial law. [BtDP]
~8-10 ADP : Aiden Perenolde is put under house arrest and put into custody in the aftermath of his betrayal being found. [BtDP]
~8-10 ADP : Isiden Perenolde of Alterac flees to Gilneas for political asylum. [BtDP]
~10 ADP: Deathwing, secretly disguised as the Alteraci nobleman Daval Prestor attempts to become King of Alterac, and the “Crisis of Alterac” [DotD]
~10-18 ADP: Gilneas, Strom, and Quel’Thalas secedes from the Alliance of Lordaeron. Alterac becomes occupied by Alliance forces during this martial law including Strahnbrad.
The Third War (~20-21 ADP)
- The Blackrock Orcs show up to Strahnbrad, Alterac and are defended by Arthas, Uther, and the Silver Hand Knights.
- King Genn permanently closes the Greymane Wall.
- Infected Gilnean soldiers escape.
- King Genn and the other Gilnean nobles begin monthly worgen hunts.
- Lord Crowley rebels against King Genn starting the Northgate Rebellion. Rebels besiege Gilneas City.
- Genn Greymane denies aid to Lordaeron against the Scourge and refuses admission of refugees.
- Lord Darius Crowley sends the Gilneas Brigade to Jaina Proudmoore and the Alliance Expedition.
- The Scourge besiege the Greymane Wall of Gilneas.
- Archmage Arugal, in consultation with King Genn, summons the worgen against the Scourge. Gilnean soldiers are infected by worgen.
- The Scourge withdraw their forces due to the civil war in the Plaguelands against the Alliance, Dreadlords, and Forsaken.
- Archmage Arugal and the worgen Alpha Prime claim Shadowfang Keep and Pyrewood Village.
- King Genn and the Royalists defeat the Northgate rebels and imprison its leaders.
Shadowfang Keep (~25 ADP)
~25 ADP: Horde adventures slay Archmage Arugal in Shadowfang Keep.
- Alpha Prime infiltrates Gilneas and establishes the Wolf Cult.
- The Starlight Slasher? serial killer begins targeting royalists.?
- King Genn becomes infected on a worgen hunt.
- Night elves infiltrate Gilneas and work in secrecy with King Genn.
~27 ADP: Forsaken besiege the Greymane Wall. - Alpha Prime forms an alliance with the Forsaken to obtain the Scythe of Elune.
~28 ADP: Alpha Prime, the Wolf Cult, and the Bloodfang Pack strike Gilneas City and other towns, spreading the worgen curse. - King Genn evacuates the Gilneas City survivors to Duskhaven while Lord Darius and volunteers make a last stand at Light’s Hope Cathedral.
- Night elf druids begin capturing and curing feral worgen.
- King Genn sends hunters to capture feral worgen to cure.
10 - (Novel) Day of the Dragon (Richard A. Knaak)
18 - (Novel) Lord of the Clans (Christie Golden)
19 - (Novel) Of Blood and Honor (Chris Metzen)
20 (PC Game) Warcraft 3: Reign of Chaos
21 (PC Game) Warcraft 3X: The Frozen Throne
23 (Manga) The Sunwell Trilogy
-
The Sunwell Trilogy: Dragon Hunt (Richard A. Knaak & Jae-Hwan Kim)
-
The Sunwell Trilogy: Shadows of Ice (Richard A. Knaak & Jae-Hwan Kim)
-
The Sunwell Trilogy: Ghostlands (Richard A. Knaak & Jae-Hwan Kim)
24 (Novel) Cycle of Hatred (Keith R. A. DeCandido)
25 (PC Game) World of Warcraft Begins
26 (PC Game) World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade
That is why it is interesting to see that historically, when we get to the Second War, Alterac was the “weakest of the human nations and only a minor contributor” (WC2), but in the ancient days of Alterac some 1800 years ago, it had great ties to Gilneas that we see extend into the modern timeframe of the game and a STRONG military presence. “Gilneas and Alterac often combined their forces and led grand expeditions to secure the borders of Arathor… The military of Gilneas became one of the most powerful in Arathor, equaled only by the city-state of Alterac, which held dominion over much of the northlands.” (WoWCV1, pg 141)
“I want your word, as a warrior and a leader, that you will keep your warriors in check,” [Aiden Perenolde] answered [to Orgrim Doomhammer, Warchief of the Old Horde]. “No killing, raiding, razing, or other atrocities here in the mountains. Leave our cities and villages intact and do not hound or hunt our people.” - Aiden Perenolde’s request to Orgrim Doomhammer (so that the Horde was able to pass through the mountains quickly and unopposed) (ToD, pg 79)
Background (during Warcraft 2/the Second War, or Years 7-9 ADP aka After the Dark Portal): Alterac was the weakest of the Human nations and is only a minor contributor of troops and equipment to the Alliance. Although Lord Perenolde praised Lothar and Terenas for their ongoing efforts, he was beset by the fear that when the Horde came, the Alliance will fail, and only the surrender of his forces and his sovereignty could save the lives of his subjects. Perenolde knew - when the final call to arms was sounded - that Alterac would not fight for its freedom alongside the other nations of the Alliance. (WC2 Game Manual, pg 41)
III. Governent
Capital: Alterac City
Government: Hereditary Monarchy
Flag: The Alteraci flag is described as the color of the “orange of Alterac” [ToD][WC2]. It is depicted with what is either a eagle, or some suggest it is a Falcon after the Syndicate NPC Lord Falconcrest.
Battle Cry: While it doesn’t say if Alterac has a particular battle cry, Vanndar does say: *“We, the Alliance, will prevail!” -
Population and Demographics
Although not as populated as either Lordaeron or the various other kingdoms, Alterac nevertheless boasted a strong military leading up to the Second War [WoWCV1] despite being described as the smallest kingdom of the Alliance [LoC]. The kingdom’s population was composed of almost entirely humans, though there may have been a few non-human residents. In WC2 in the Destruction of Alterac map, it depicts Elven Rangers, Peasants, Elven Transport Ships, Goblin Zeppelins, and of course with the Stormpikes ever present in the Alterac Valley, one could say that humans make up the majority of the population but are not the only ones present.
Feudal Government
Monarchy: Alterac possesses a hereditary monarchy with the title of “king” as the head of state. Styled as “Your Majesty” [ToD] or “His Royal Majesty” [DoTD], he is considered the “Ruler of Alterac” [DF], or “Master of Alterac” [ToD] House Perenolde was “the ruling family of Alterac” (quest:The Perenolde Tiara) and likely had the Perenolde Tiara that was described as an “old family heirloom” (quest:The Perenolde Tiara) as if it had been in the family a long time, so this Tiara would have been passed down generationally. This may have involved a “coronation” ceremony like Daval Prestor’s to be King of Alterac [DoTD]. The Crown Prince was the heir and the crown would fall to the prince if the king after abdicated [BtDP]. Isiden Perenolde was the nephew of Aiden Perenolde [BtDP] suggesting he might have had a nameless father and mother and therefore the Perenolde Family in Alterac could be large including the albeit falsely forged House Prestor that claimed the "distant bloodlines of the royal house of Alterac" [BtDP]. Before House Perenolde, it is known that Ignaeus Trollbane was the Chief of the Alteraci Tribe that became the founders of the Kingdom of Stromgarde’s Trollbane dynasty thousands of years later [STROM] and would have been the first leader of a more organized and cohesive Alteraci people. The Alteraci monarch wields supreme executive and autocratic power of the state. The king holds executive power over the nobles, the treasury, the military, laws and administration. The Perenolde’s primary estate was Dandred’s Fold in the Uplands bordering Lordaeron City and the Tirisfal Glades.
Nobles: Alterac also has an influential noble class, who are responsible for holding tracts of territorial land for the Alteraci crown. Noble land is typically held and inherited within families. Most Alteraci nobles are addressed by the title “lord” (NPC:Lord Falconcrest)? affixed to their surnames, though a few nobles use the title “baron.” (NPC:Baron Vardus) ? Alteraci nobles usually dress in fine black clothes lined with yellow.
Gilneas does not appear to have a formal governing body of nobles, much like Stormwind has the House of Nobles. Nevertheless, the Gilnean nobility hold tremendous political clout with the monarchical king and are often found in close company.
Sourced Peerage Titles: King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Lord, and Baron
Royal Court Officials: King Genn Greymane also employed a series of other close royal advisers and court officials: a royal chemist (i.e. Krennan Aranas), a royal mage (i.e. Archmage Arugal), and other aides-de-camp (i.e. Eadrik).
Baronial Government
Alterac municipalities might be organized underneath their de jure ruler. For example, Dandred’s Fold is lorded by Lord Aliden Perenolde, Aiden Perenolde was the Lord of Alterac City, Baron Vardus might be the potential Baron of Strahnbrad, and so on. As a result, in Alterac’s governmental structure is where the lords are the shot callers. Both women and men were eligible for the various offices as is evident by the fact that in the RPG books, Beve Perenolde was going to inherit her father’s lands and the Syndicate. The requirements for voting in municipal elections are unknown. While voting isn’t referenced in Alterac lore, it is referenced in the Scarlet Crusade’s lore. Town halls function as the civil administrative buildings for townships. Citizen of New Avalon says: I assure you this much, Quimby, you won’t be getting my vote next term!
Town Council: Some Gilnean townships, such as Pyrewood Village, had town councils. The Pyrewood town council was composed of nine councilmen, including the lord mayor as the executive head of the Pyrewood town council. Councilmen likely had a variety of different administrative roles depending on the needs of the township.
The Syndicate
“Lord Aiden Perenolde and the
rest of the ruling families of Alterac secretly
sided with the orcs in exchange for power.” (Alliance PLayers Guide)
The group has spread southward into the Arathi Highlands, and most of the nobles there serve Lord Falconcrest (who is based in Stromgarde). Notably absent from Syndicate control is Alterac City. After it fell to the assault by Sir Uther and his paladins, people abandoned the city. The ruins now serve as a stronghold for the Crushridge ogre clan. Although members of the Syndicate excel at thievery and murder, they are no match for the strength of the ogres. I hear tell that that Lord Perenolde has offered a great bounty to anyone who can reclaim his ancestral lands for him, though I doubt he would honor such a bargain”
“The Syndicate suffers from pride and jealousy, each noble wishing to be in Perenolde’s position. Infighting, usually over newly acquired holdings, is a frequent problem” (Dark Factions)
Civil Law and Order
The laws of the kingdom of Alterac are unknown. However, it will be fun to make some deductions based off what we see in game and in lore to gather something of intrigue. At the height of the Kingdom of Alterac in the Second War, all owed their allegiance to House Perenolde. Depending on the ranking of the nobleman, or perhaps those who were the military officers gathered, they were required to swear an oath to the monarchy and therefore were obligated to honor their oaths. “You do not have to like it,” Perenolde replied sharply. “You only have to obey. I am king here, and I have made my decision. You have sworn oaths to me, and you will abide by them.” He knew that would not stop them if they disagreed, but he hoped he had managed to convince them, at least enough to let their fealty sway them the rest of the way.” (Tides of Darkness)
“Collaborators of Aiden Perenolde conspiring with the Horde were stripped of their titles and property, then imprisoned or exiled.” (Dark Factions) This seems to suggest that Alterac has two kinds of laws: their locality but also one to the Alliance that they were equally co-operative to. Attempting to attack Perenolde even after discovering his potential betrayal wasn’t allowed by Stromgarde King Thoras Trollbane who told General Hath, the leader of Alterac’s military forces, that him wanting to get kill Perenolde immediately would have been this: “But Trollbane shook his head. “We do not have time to worry about him now. Besides,” he pointed out, “if I go there, it is an invasion. And if you go, it is treason.” He frowned. “We will let the Alliance settle matters with Perenolde later. For now all that matters is blocking the Horde.” (Tides of Darkness) So it could be treason to attack a monarch even if they have committed treason even if they are guilty of it until they have been tried by legal means like a trial or the Alliance."The folks lower in the household, of course, do the dirty work. The nobles did the stealing and the fighting when they were exiles, but they consider themselves too good for that now, desiring to merely train their underlings and plan grand conquests over ravaged Lordaeron.” (Dark Factions) For the Syndicate heierarachy, “The leaders of the Syndicate are humans of noble lineage. Though they have incorporated servants and brigands into their households, they remain purely human. From time to time the Syndicate employs gnolls and other humanoids of variable allegiance, but these mercenaries are never considered part of a household.” (Dark Factions)
Law Enforcement: The city guards once helped preserve the civil order of Alterac City. While we don’t see an exact prison in Alterac City, we do see a barracks they likely would have used as a garrison.
In-game weapons visible in Alterac Keep:
Criminal Punishment: There are a variety of different punishments Alterac used for its criminals, though it is unknown how frequently these punishments were administered. Depending on the severity of the crime depends on what happened. They are ruled by both Alliance law and Alterac law. Aiden Perenolde as King wasn’t able to just be put to the sword so Terenas Menethil put him under house arrest. Those who join the Syndicate are considered ousted from the Alliance. Bounties can also be placed. Alteraci might be the ones to place bounties, as is indicated by Magistrate Maleb’s attempts to get Baron Vardus’s head brought back.
Alliance Martial Law: Kingdoms are potentially able to be placed under martial law that were a part of the Alliance of Lordaeron but only at the cost of betrayal. “When Terenas discovered Perenolde’s treachery, he sent Alliance soldiers into Alterac and declared martial law. Perenolde was ultimately imprisoned, and other collaborators were stripped of their titles and property, then imprisoned or exiled.” (Dark Factions)
The Orcs seem to suggest the Syndicate in the Durnholde area were “a large number of the [Alteraci] humans. We fought bravely, but their sheer numbers were enough to defeat us.” (Quest: The Rescue)
Slavery: At the very least, the Syndicate of Alterac practices slavery such as at Durnholde Keep if not some Alteraci as a whole culture. “So the humans thought to turn our warriors into slaves, did they? We’ll show them!” (Quest: The Rescue) The orcs are chained down in “locked ball and chain” (Wowhead dot com gobject). “[Aliden Perenolde] planned to take the orcs that stood against him as slaves, just as his father and his mentor, the despised Blackmoore, had planned.” (Quest: Blackmoore’s Legacy) Blackmoore’s impact on Alteraci and potentially House Perenolde goes back to Old Hillsbrad Foothills. also includes Captain Skarloc: “Fiercely loyal to Aedelas Blackmoore, Captain Skarloc rose through the ranks of the Durnholde military alongside his friend Aliden Perenolde. When Aliden decided to take up operations in the Alterac Mountains, Skarloc stayed with his Lord and mentor. He became Aedelas’s most trusted comrade and advisor, earning the title Blackmoore’s Spear.”* (Adventure Guide)*
This means that by the time Old Hillsbrad Foothills is happening or when Thrall escapes, the Syndicate already exists! This also is interesting that the Durnholde military and Durnholde Keep and Aedelas Blackmoore might be quentissential to the culture of the Alteraci and that is why I have decided to include some facts gleaned from Old Hillsbrad Foothills and Vanilla WoW to present day Hillsbrad Foothills/Alterac Mountains to help me make deductions and conclusions.
Caged-Wagons: Wooden wagons with steel cages are also common across Alterac. These caged-wagons were likely used for the transportation of prisoners across the countryside. They are visible in the Ruins of Alterac City and a Crushridge Enforcer is nearby.
Military
Although Alterac apparently had an army of some sort, the kingdom appears at the time of its downfall instead rely mostly on maintaining a standing militia and other localized armed forces in modern times such as the Regional Defenders [WC3]. Thoras could identify the Alterac military by the “orange of Alterac” [ToD]. The Regional Defenders were also the local defense force led by Dargal the Dwarf Cannonneer and Alteraci footmen. [WC3][A:RotLK] Hath told Thoras that King Perenolde’s personal guard, which are potentially the royal guard, only had 20 men. [ToD]
This is a great difference from how things began. When it was a City-State under Arathor some 1200 years before, “Alterac became strong supporters of Strom and developed a mighty army that explored the mountainous southern lands of Khaz Modan.”
Army: Alterac had an army, though it only provided “token support” in the Second War (Tides of Darkness). Much of the Alteraci army was likely stationed “in the northern and southern mountain passes” where Thoras Trollbane found them (Tides of Darkness). Corporals and Sergeants were in the military. General Hath says: “Corporal! Gather the men!” (Tides of Darkness) In terms of Sergeants, it says: “Hath glanced up and frowned when he spotted Trollbane. “Thank you, sergeant,” he said, moving to join them and returning the veteran’s parting salute. “Your Majesty,” he said gravely, nodding to Trollbane.” Weapons they would have used included spears. “Hold!” one of the Alterac soldiers called out, spotting them and leveling his spear in their direction” (Tides of Darkness). The General is “the commander of Alterac’s forces,” which was General Hath during the Second War (Tides of Darkness). In the “Alterac Map Room” of the “Alterac Palace” there was for the “junior officers and officers” who saw an “impressive tapestry-map covering the far wall. It showed Alterac from edge to edge, with towns and forts picked out in silver thread and the castle itself in gold”. (Tides of Darkness)
Sourced Ranks: Corporal, Sergeant (Tides of Darkness)
Ballistas: A broken down ballista is visible near Gallows’ Corner indicating they once defended the Alterac Mountains.
Militia: The militia appears to be composed of common citizens. The militiamen are lightly armored, but are equipped with axes and shields gathered from the town hall. The standing militia was once those who fought against the Orcs in the Third War but became more than that.
Royal Guard(?) [Aliden Perenolde’s Personal Guard]: The “royal guard”? is referenced in the Tides of Darkness book. A part from their label, they are never visibly seen in game and could have became the Syndicate Enforcers that guard Kingpen Aliden Perenolde in Dandred’s Fold. “Now, soldier!” he bellowed, and the officer saluted quickly and leaped to obey. Then Hath turned back to Trollbane. “[King Aiden Perenolde] is in the castle (of Alterac City),” the general said shortly… “His personal guard will still be there, but there are only twenty of them. I can draw him out.” (Tides of Darkness) This might also suggest an interesting numerical limit of 20 royal guard.
Knights: Knights, or any armored gentry, are in abundance through out Alterac. They are involved in its fall in Warcraft 2 Tides of Darkness and make a re-appearance at Strahnbrad for example with the Paladins and the Silver Hand Knights. Knights come on horseback as does Uther and Arthas for the Defense of Strahnbrad. Brann Bronzebeard also suggests that kids grew up wanting to be Silver Hand paladins because of the influence they have (Alliance Players Guide).
Relationships With Other Kingdoms/Factions
It is interesting to note the deep connection that Alterac has to some of the kingdoms involved.
Stromgarde: Stromgarde and Alterac have close ties for 2800+ years. It says that Strom was “situated amongst the foothills of the Alterac Mountains” [WC2], indicating Arathi’s close border to Alterac; this would make great sense too as Ravenholdt is on this border. Ignaeus TROLLBANE’s family lineage was the founders of the Kingdom of Stromgarde [STROM] and is where Danath Trollbane and the other Stromic kings trace their ancestry to; but Ignaeus Trollbane was also the Alteraci Tribe’s Chieftain [STROM]. The red color that is Stromgarde’s national color [WC2] also comes from Ignaeus Trollbane, who wore an ancient Alteraci tribal pattern that was red [WoWCV1][STROM] and predates Alterac orange [WC2] which could have been the color of House Perenolde (orange masks worn by the Syndicate). Historically and in the modern day leading up to the Second War, they would become like cousins that squabbled over their territories. Thoras Trollbane recalls “[he] had always disliked fighting [General Hath] and hoped that wouldn’t be necessary this time” [ToD] indicating that the Alteraci and Stromics could have had a skirmish or border feuds leading up to Warcraft 2 (the Second War) and before agreeing to aid them in pushing back the Orcs that Aiden Perenolde allowed through their northern Alterac mountain passes [ToD]. Thoras Trollbane also wanted some of Alterac and King Terenas choosing to occupy it with Lordaeron’s forces was likely a key reason Strom seceded from the Alliance after they felt they had been bled dry. [DotD]
Quel’Thalas: Quel’Thalas has strong ties to the lands of Alterac. Although this was 2800 years ago and during the Troll Wars, the first One Hundred Magi who were taught magic defended the Alterac Fortress (which is speculation but could have become Alterac City) they created with the elves who taught them magic in order to repulse the Amani Empire back. [WoWCV1]
Gnomeregan: Historically, Alteraci and Gilneans were the first to discover the Dwarves of Khaz Modan and the Gnomes of Gnomeregan. “**The expeditionary forces marveled at the wondrous feats of construction and engineering that were Ironforge and Gnomeregan. The humans became quick friends with both races… who also shared their love of battle, storytelling, and strong ale. The three cultures engaged in rigorous trade, exchanging knowledge of smithing, mining, engineering, and even arcane magic.” (1200 years ago). [WoWCV1, pg 141] Nothing suggests that this ever changed despite Gnomeregan suffering a civil war during these times which would have limited their capacity to help in the Second and Third War.
Khaz Modan: The Kingdom of Khaz Modan made contact with the Alteraci humans for the first time some 1200 years ago and became friends ever since. [WoWCv1, pg 141] At some point, they craeted the [Perenolde Tiara] which is “an old heirloom of the Perenolde nobles - the ruling family of Alterac before that kingdom fell to ruin. It is said to have been crated by master jewelers in Ironforge, and fitted with the finest of emeralds.” (Quest:The Perenolde Tiara) This is likely due to the great relations the Alteraci would have had with the Dwarves as the first humans to make contact with them but would have been relatively more closer than their Gilnean counterparts in their Arathorian days when they both discovered the Khaz Modan Dwarves and Gnomes [WoWCv1, pg 141] Hypothetically too, the Tiara could be as old as 1200 years ago when they first made contact because that was the beginning of the Kingdom of Alterac shortly thereafter as it is mentioned as an old family heirloom as if it’s been in their family for many generations. In more recent times, a Bronzebeard hero was commissioned by King Mangi Bronzebeard when he passed in the Thandol Span event to have a memorial built in honor of Sully Balloo. His Grand Mason suggested that to build “a truly epic and lasting piece, it would require one of the finest stones available in the Darrow Hill… and gather some ‘Alterac Granite’.” He also said “such fine stone comes from Lordaeron (the continent). Such a shame the land is in such shambles.” (Quest:A King’s Tribute) This also goes to show that the dwarves have a great sympathy with how Alterac and the other lands like it in Lordaeron are in “such shambles”.
Gilneas: Gilneas and Alterac were historically hand-in-hand throughout the days of Ancient Arathor, and had a great relationship of some 1,200 years before the opening of the Dark Portal. "Gilneas and Alterac often combined their forces… led grand expeditions… made contact with the Dwarves of Khaz Modan and Gnomes of Gnomregan." So if you look at it from this perspective, Alteraci and Gilneans are the cataclyst for Humans making contact with Gnomeregan and Dwarves.
In more modern times, “One of Lord Perenolde’s nephews, [Isiden Perenolde], had fled to that land after the treachery… and Greymane supported his claim as successor. A base in Alterac would [have given] Gilneas access to resources the southern kingdom did not have, and the excuse to send its mighty ships across the Great Sea.” [Day of the Dragon, pg 2] This took a sharp turn during the Alterac Crisis, [DoTD pg 3] because in the aftermath of Isiden Perenolde fleeing, Daval Prestor came to rise and attempted to take over the Alliance and become King of Alterac. Daval Prestor made “[p]romises to the [Kul Tiras] Admiral about his continued sovereignty of the seas, even if it meant sending in a force to take control of Gilneas; to Greymane about future naval colonies near the coastal edge of Alterac; and Thoras Trollbane thinks that he’ll be ceded the eastern half of that region… all when I become its legitimate ruler.” [DotD, pg 42] This would have essentially of torn the Alliance a part.
At the first Alliance summit, King Genn Greymane felt that Alterac joining the Alliance was not a legitimate reason for Gilneas to do likewise [ToD]. According to Genn, King Archibald felt that Gilnean policy should not just follow the leanings of Alterac [LoHP]. It is unclear what became of Lord Isiden Perenolde after the Crisis of Alterac Succession, as he cannot be found among either the Syndicate or in Gilneas. Gilneas’s failure to place Isiden Perenolde on the Alterac throne likely contributed to Genn Greymane’s decision to secede from the Alliance.
In the here and now though, with Isiden Perenolde lost, there might be the interesting potential of your character being an Alteraci Worgen who went with Isiden Perenolde to Gilneas and contracted the Worgen curse during your quarantine! That might make for interesting content.
Dalaran: Before Wrath of the Lich King, “a magic field closed off Dalaran, to the southwest. Dalaran wizards patrol the local surroundings, but wisely did not concern themselves with Alterac’s affairs.” [ToD] However, Dalaran was crucial friends of Alterac when Lordaeron occupied it. In the Third War, Antonidas sent Jaina Proudmoore and others to investigate the outbreak of the plague which almost begun in Alterac at King’s Road just a stone’s throw away from Andorhal. [WC3][A:RotLK]
Stormwind: Deathwing got Aiden Perenolde to get agents of Alterac to steal the Book of Medivh from Stormwind. [WC2] This likely soured their relations. However, Stormwind, or at least Count Ridgewell in the House of Nobles, has a great interest in the Tiara of Perenolde to retrieve and preserve it as a historic heirloom of House Perenolde. [quest:The Tiara Perenolde]
Kul Tiras: The Admiralty was staunch allies of the Alliance and would have likely of been disrespected by the fact that in the Second War, Alterac agents were captured on the waterways and the plot of Uther’s assassination was found. [WC2] Thus, they were key to finding Aiden Perenolde’s betrayal. However, some would have likely of came to Jaina’s expedition to found Theramore. The Admiralty had the “fiercest navy that made even Terenas treat [the Kul Tirans] as… equals” [ToD pg
Lordaeron: Occupied by Lordaeron in the aftermath of their falling out and Aiden Perenolde betraying the Alliance of Lordaeron, Lordaeron was crucial in Alterac’s politics in the post-Perenolde realm. Daval Prestor attempted to gain power to the Alterac Throne during the “Alterac Crisis” and marry Calia Menethil, [DotD] but this was thrawted because the Dragons got liberated at Grim Batol and Deathwind had to flee which made his human counterpart Daval Prestor disappear from the Lordaeronian courts. [DotD]
Theramore: Although we don’t see any proof of Alteraci actively being a part of Theramore, it could be greatly inferred that they were a part of it. The reasoning is that we saw that all the Human Kingdoms sent Brigades to assist Theramore (Stromgarde, Gilneas, Lordaeron). At this point however, Alterac was placed under martial law and was bound to Lordaeron and we see this in Warcraft 3 when Arthas and Uther bring the Knights of the Silver Hand and a Lordaeronian army to the defense of an very Alteraci Strahnbrad. [WC3: Defense of Strahnbrad] So it was more likely that Alteraci would have been a part of the Lordaeron Brigade sent.
Darnassus: While we don’t see Darnassus interact with Alterac in the kingdom sense, they are a heavy presence in the Alterac Valley and a Night Elf Arch Druid even summons Ivus the Forest Lord to aid the Alliance forces. Thus, wh
The Horde: It would be interesting to note the diverse relationship between the Syndicate and the Horde. Situationally, it would depend on who and what type of Alteraci is involved with the Horde. In terms of Jorach Ravenholdt, who is of obvious Alteraci blood, it is interesting to see that he despises the Syndicate and prioritizes the well being of the Ravenholdt Assassin League over the wellbeing of any loyalty to any kingdom like Alterac. Furthermore, even though Syndicate Master Ryson in the Alterac Valley was hypothetically hostile to both Alliance and Horde, he instead became a part of the Alliance or Horde’s forces for their aid and suggest that “[y]our war in the heart of Alterac means nothing to the [Alteraci]. We will do as we have always done: Wait until a clear victor rises from the ashes and rubble of this madness and then strike.”
However, in the RPG books, it states that Aiden Perenolde tried to reach out to the Horde and was shot down and thus is why he despises them. “The ousted nobles discovered, to their dismay, that the few bands of free orcs in Lordaeron wanted nothing to do with them and refused them sanctuary, so they began stealing to stay alive… [the Syndicate] also hate the Horde with a passion, as these orcs severed ties right when [they] needed them.” [Lands of Conflict] Because Orgrim Doomhammer promised the kingdom of Alterac’s protection for brokering the non-aggression pact between Alterac and the Horde [Tides of Darkness]. This promise was broken when the New Horde did not honor this and that is why you see Syndicate or Alteraci who have Orcish slaves and the like and promote the internment camp system returning like under the days of Aedelas Blackmoore at Durnholde.
For those of the Syndicate banner, “the Syndicate is enemy to both the Alliance and the Horde. Even if the Alliance were to rescind Sir Uther’s edict and invite the deposed nobles back into the fold, they would refuse. In the mind of Aliden Perenolde and his peers, it was the Alliance that betrayed them, and not the other way around” (Dark Factions) Alteraci Citizens might be required to swear fealty to their noble lord or lady they belong to. "The Syndicate’s main weakness is that its leadership is made up of egotistical nobles, with lands, farms and citizens who once owed fealty to them. " (Dark Factions) For the everyday Alteraci, “each noble has a household and family that serve him or her, including whatever rogues or bandits they’ve picked up along the way. These nobles in turn answer to Lord Perenolde, but little organization seems to exist beyond that” (Dark Factions).
"BE IT NOW KNOWN that the individual called Lord Aiden Perenolde and every known ally (see attached list), due to their association with the vile Horde during the war and their traitorous actions toward the Alliance and her citizens, shall be stripped of all land, holdings and wealth and known hereafter as traitors to the Alliance. They shall forfeit all rights to citizenry in the Alliance. Indeed, they are considered enemies of all citizens of Lordaeron. Let no good people of this land show them hospitality, mercy or sanctuary. Consider the honor they gave the Alliance and her citizens, and treat them no better. So said in this seventh year of the new Alliance.
Sir Uther Lightbringer of the Knights of the Silver Hand"
— Proclamation from Uther Lightbringer regarding the ousted noble traitors, known later as “The Syndicate” [LoC]
Culture
Alterac has rich culture and here are some of the various resources, inspirations, and so forth that can give you an idea of who the Alterac people are.
- Old Alterac saying: “A cat has nine lives, but needs only one.” (Black Tabby Cat Carrier Pet Journal text)
- Alterac Signet Rings are worn by Alterac’s nobility. “They may be hiding as normal Syndicate agents, but you’ll know you’ve killed a noble by the signet ring he wears.”- Magistrate Henry Maleb (Quest: Noble Deaths)
- Horomone Free - Alterac Swiss "was a favorite of the famed court of Alterac." (Item Flavor Text)
- Alterac was a part of a church of some kind, likely the Church of the Holy Light, indicated by the chapel in Alterac City.
- Alterac City had the “Alterac Palace” where Aiden Perenolde murdered an Alliance page sent by Lothar.
- Daval Prestor fled from a chateau; there is no description of what this means, but historically, this is a French for a “Castle”. [Day of the Dragon]
- Ancient Alteraci were called the ‘Alteraci Tribe’. [Strom’kar, Legion Artifact]
- Aiden Perenolde was addicted to the herb, Flushbloom; it doesn’t state what this does or what it is. [Dark Factions]
- Daval Prestor mentioned that Alterac had naval colonies to give to Genn Greymane if he was made the rightful leader of Alterac. [Day of the Dragon]
- The Alterac Palace had a garderobe (a medieval storeroom) that Aiden Perenolde murdered a messenger of the Alliance sent by Lothar and stashed him into it. [Tides of Darkness]
- Deathwing/Daval Prestor was as tall in his dragon form as the Alteac Palace was in height. [WC2]
- Alteraci sometimes place contracts
- Alteraci nobility sometimes with documents of imporance will “seal and stamp in red wax, using a distinctive signet ring” or perhaps a wax color of their choice. (Quest: Assassin’s_Contract_(quest)) The signet ring identifies them as a noble of Alterac. (Quest: Noble Deaths)
- Syndicate and Alteraci may culturally feel that anything that doesn’t pertain to them doesn’t matter. “Your war in the heart of Alterac means nothing to the Syndicate. We will do as we have always done: Wait until a clear victor rises from the ashes and rubble of this madness and then strike.” (Syndicate Master Ryson)
- You can “make [your] entire journey through Alterac and the Plaguelands into Tirisfal carrying a pack filled with nothing but fishing hooks, whetstones, and candles.” [Tides of Conflict]
I. Druidism in the Arathorian Era
“Humans gathered in… different tribes. Each one practiced animistic beliefs—mainly crude forms of druidism and elemental shamanism.” [WoWCv1 pg 126]
[IX. Religions & Spirituality]
a. Church of the Holy Light
i. Clergy
1. Known Priests
ii. Religious Sites
1. Light�s Dawn Cathedral
iii. Paladins?
b. Alterac Druids & Shamans(?)
i. Druidism in the Arathorian Age
ii. Unconfirmed Druids
iii. Unconfirmed Shamans
c. Ancestral Veneration(?) (STROM’KAR)
d. The Wolf Cult
i. Membership & Rites
e. Goldrinn, the Wolf Ancient
f. Elune, the Moon Goddess
IX. Religions and Spirituality
The religious practices and beliefs of Alterac are surprisingly syncretistic. Even prior to the Syndicate and their downfall in the Second War, Alteracshows some potential signs of preserving a diversity of older religious practices alongside variants to the Church of the Holy Light.
Church of the Holy Light
The Church of the Holy Light forms the largest religious institution in the Kingdom of Alterac. A chapel is the only present religious building that is seen through out the ruins of Alterac. Alteraci on the whole, however, do not likely possess the same level of pious devotion as Lordaeron. There are many potential reasons why; firstly, in regards to King Aiden Perenolde’s treachery in the Second War, he caused peasant rebellions at Tyr’s Hand (a Silver Hand holy site) and attempted to hire pirates to assassinate Uther, the leader of the Silver Hand Knights [WC2]. While this doesn’t speak for all Alterac born individuals, you can see a pattern of seediness here. Furthermore, Wrathions’ egg was hid in Alterac at the Ravenholdt Manor meaning black dragons are in Alterac in hiding. However, the Silver Hand came to save Strahnbrad when the Blackrock Orcs took villagers hostage for demon sacrificing. Syndicate Bandit Lord Menag also tells Arthas to “say your prayers!” [WC3 Reforged] before being felled.
Clergy: Alteraci priests are followers of the Light. The Church of the Holy Light in Alterac presumably recognizes the ecclesiastical leadership and authority of the Archbishop who would have been Faol in their time. Other hierarchical positions or ecclesiastical figures within the Alterac Church are unknown. Alterac City’s chapel might have likely have a bishop, but no prominent ecclesiastical individuals have appeared.
Known Religion: There are visible signs of the Church of the Light in Alterac, this would have been the staple of the spirituality of Alterac. The Alterac City Chapel in Alterac, like its Lordaeronian counterprats in the Second War, **"[was a] place of worship where the citizens… [sought] spiritual enlightenment, and mintering to the masses… to deepen their faith… through meditating, communing, and tithing". [WC2] In Old Hillsbrad Foothills, the chapel has glass stained windows and a long scroll with books strewn across the altar that makes it evident they might have been read out during sermons. Two wooden chairs surround an opulent chair that is crimson and golden that makes it appear like a holy spot for the priest of Tarren Mill. A tomb is found within the chapel showing the very specially venerated dead might be buried within the holiest chapels.
Holy Writs(?): Alonsus Faol had “holy writs [that] commandeth that the whole armor of rightousness be worn in the war against evil,”, and thus there could have been holy writs, or laws, of the Church of the Holy Light that the Alterac Priesthood would have adhered to.
Paladins (?): Alterac does not have any known paladins but that doesn’t mean they lack ANY affiliation with the Order of the Silver Hand as they were saved by the Paladins in the Defense of Strahnbrad; Thornby also pledged his allegiance who was an Alteraci farmer but he became a Silver Hand Footman instead of a Silver Hand Paladin [WC3]. There are, however, a few unconfirmed cases of either Alterac paladins or the possibilities that they might exist. Further down King’s Road (a road that stretched between Alterac and Andorhal) [WC3], the Defenders of Peace, Truth, and Light would have all of been a few months after Strahnbrad’s defense that fell to Arthas with Uther protecting King Terenas’s urn. [WC3]
All human paladins and their respective orders trace their historical lineage back to the Order of the Silver Hand. Archbishop Faol conceived and established the Silver Hand in Lordaeron at the advent of the Second War around 6 ADP (ToD, ch.1). Initially, Archbishop Faol drew most of the Silver Hand’s numbers from Lordaeron, which was one of Alterac’s chief political rivals at the time. During the Crisis of Alterac Succession (~8-10 ADP), the Order of the Silver Hand “owed its outward allegiance to Terenas,” and they were the only force the other kings trusted as guards in Alliance meetings (DotD, ch.6). Following the Second War, paladins were deployed wherever their abilities were needed, which were often places heavily affected by the damages of the Second War. As such, the Silver Hand’s members would have split their order’s efforts between the heavily affected war-torn kingdoms of the Alliance in the Second War: Lordaeron, Stormwind, Stromgarde, and Kul Tiras. Incidentally, these are the only human kingdoms with documented paladins.
Although other nations had paladins, paladin training was often closely tied to the Kingdom of Lordaeron. Before the fall of Lordaeron, the Scarlet Monastery served as a training ground for paladins of other nations. Captain Nials even mentions how the loss of the Scarlet Monastery prevents Stromgarde from training more soldiers/paladins to fight the Forsaken (Quest: The Scarlet Monastery).
The Scarlet Crusade:
Edicts: Lillian Voss was not above the edicts of the Crusade [quest: A Scarlet Letter] and thus the Scarlet Crusade could have had edicts which may have been separate from the writs of the Church of the Holy Light.
The Old Ways date to at least far back as early tribal human civilization, predating even the ancient human empire of Arathor (Ask CDev #3). The holiday of Noblegarden, which has been historically celebrated among the human kingdoms, has its origins steeped in druidic festivals from times long past,� which may corroborate this idea . The full nature and furthest origins of the Old Ways, however, still remains unclear and hotly debated among scholarly circles. Both the spread of the teachings of the Church of the Holy Light and arcane magic contributed to the rapid decline of followers of the Old Ways (Ask CDev #3).
Druidism in the Arathorian Age:
“Groups of hunter-gatherer humans proliferated throughout the forests and hillocks of the continent. As their society evolved and advanced, humans gathered in an array of different tribes. Each one practiced animistic beliefs—mainly crude forms of druidism.” (WoWCV1)
Shamanism in the Arathorian Age: Just like they were practicing druidism in these times, they were also practicing “crude forms of elemental shamanism” (WoWCV1). Thus, fragments of these Ancient Alteraci and their predecessors may be possibilities.
Druidism & Shamanism in the Modern Era (?):
“Though its origins are steeped in druidic festivals from times long past, the current incarnation of Noblegarden is a contrast between ancient traditions and modern interpretations; some races of Azeroth try to stay true to the original spirit of the holiday…” (Worldofwarcraft dot com)
In the face of external cultural pressures like the Second war, Alterac could have managed to retain religious followers of the Old Ways of the Alteraci Tribe. Alterac’s relative cultural isolation could have potentially contributed to the perserverence of the Old Ways, or primitive druidism and shamanism, among its people. Initially only Gilneas had Harvest Witches but the Kul Tirans introducted Thornspeakers, showing that some of the modern human kingdoms a part of the Alliance of today have druids. Thus, if Alterac were in tact, this could even be a possibility for a character avenue. This could also be the case for a Human Shaman if they practiced this crude elemental veneration that their ancestors did (WoWCV1).
Ancestral Veneration (?)
Despite the institutional hegemony of the Church of the Holy Light, Alteraci may have incorporated veneration for the spirits of the deceased based on what their Ancient Alteraci predecessors did. The spirits of the dead are implied to have been of great importance to the Ancient Alteraci 2800 years prior and thought to even have been imbued into the blade Strom’kar to ensure their loyalty to Thoradin. (STROM). Much like within shamanistic beliefs, a certain balance must be maintained with reverent respect to the ancestral spirits.
Cult of the Damned:
Membership & Rites:
ECONOMY
Wood: “A high, woody reagion, Alterac sees much rainfall and its skies are constantly overcast.”
“Crushridge ogres and the Syndicate, a wicked group of fallen human nobles, clash repeatedly for control of this land.” (WoW)
Alterac Brew Pups: “A mastiffbred for rescue, the Alterac Brewpup’s bloodline is famous for having found and resuscitated many mountain travelers trapped beneath the snow… and then slobbering all over them. Descended from a long pedigree of champion rescue hounds, the Alterac Brew Pup has a nose for finding travelers in distress in the high altitudes of the Alterac Mountains. However, it’s the massive pup’s ability to reignite your soul with its “warm spirits” on a cold night that will make this furry friend your most trusted and treasured companion.” (Pet Journal) This “bloodline” and “long pedigree” indicates Alteraci did this for some time.
Cuisine: Bread, Oranges, Pig stuffed with an orange, Uplands Apples, Dandred’s Apples, Dandred’s Watermelons,
Alterac Swiss:
Alterac Horomone Free Swiss:
(Uplands) Apples:
Haunches of Meat:
Mead:
CULTURE:
ARCHITRECTURE:
Woodeen shelves are used and there are wooden kegs. There are iron kettles and flour bags and bottles across Durnholde Keep. There is also a potbelly stove. For barracks keeps they use wooden beams and potentially [Alterac Granite] for the stone. Wooden torches are used to light barrackses. A flag of Lordaeron is present in the hall, but would likely of been Alterac’s if this was the barracks of Alterac. A metal chandelier is present. Candlebras light the doorways. Weapon racks with two-handed swords are present. Wooden chairs, tables, and desks are present. There is a library. There is also a globe of the world. There is a wooden bench to sit at. There’s a green carpet the wooden table sits upon. There’s a golden goblet with gems embedded in it on the table by the globe. Alteraci seem to enjoy their cuisine and health as is evidenced by a whole portrait dedicated to oranges on a fruit bowlo. Therei s also a portrait of a lady to the right of it. There’s a hunting statue of a stuffed bear showing Alteraci may do bear hunting as a pasttime. There’s also an ostorich on the right side that is stuffed indicating Alteraci like to hunt exotic animals or foreign animals and then bring them back home to display. They also have busts on their night tables indicating a great appreciation of their loved ones memories. They also have large square wooden dressers with a brass trim that is fancy. They have wooden beds with a blue canopy that is golden trimmed. They also use red rugs.
Dog House: A crimson red dog house is visible in Alterac City and may even have been home to an Alterac Brew Pup before.
Weightstone: A weightstone is visible in the Ruins of ALterac.
(CULTURE) Portraits: There are a present of a boy and a girl in the Durnholde Keep. Alterac also seems to encourage a strong literacy or literature culture as is evidenced by a library present at Durnholde Keep. There’s boks on the table and a bowl of fruits indicating Alteraci might eat fruit bowls as a past time as they read. There is also a globe.
Water Well: At Ravenholdt there is a water well.
Chateaus: A Chateau (in French means a manor or a castle) was where Daval Prestor came from (Day of the Dragon). This is an Alteraci specific kind of lordship or ownership.
Landscape Art: There is landscape art on the keep walls indicating a love of art from Alteraci in at least the aristocratic class.
Mushroom Gardening: At Ravenholdt Manor there is gardening of mushrooms.
Scarecrow: There is a scarecrow at Ravenholdt Manor.
Green and red carpets visible at Ravenholdt Manor.
Bear Skin Carpets: Visible at Ravenholdt, shows prowess of hunting capabilities.
Busts of ancestors: There are busts of ancestors potentially such as is visible in the DUrnholde Keep. It also has a Clergy of Holy Light amulet the individual human lord male is wearing indicating some piety the individual had.
Textile industry: Red and green carpets visible at Dandred’s Fold,
Water tower: Visible at Dandred’s Fold
Apple Trees: Visible in the Uplands, or specifically Dandred’s Fold including Apple Wagons
Tables lit up with candlebras: At Dandred’s Fold
Watermelons: Visible in the Uplands, or specifically Dandred’s Fold
Brick Fireplace: visible at Dandred’s FOld
Wagon full of processed timbere: Visible at Dandred’s Fold
White rose/lily Wreath: Visible at House VIshas
Flowers on fireplace: Visible at House Vishas
Sanitary: There is a mop bucket and a bucket present in Old Durnholde Keep perhaps to be sanitary.
Outhouses: There are outhouses in Strahnbrad.
DURNHOLDE MILITARY TACTICS
Based on what is visible at Durnholde Keep, you can make these deductions about the Durnholde Military. The military sleeps in bunk beds, have threadbare carpets, and wooden platforms they keep their tunics and leather boots at. They use wooden barrels to store their jars and bottles. They also fold their clothes and put their boots on stations that the military allows them to use. They have armor stands, swords, battleaxes, one-handed axes, mauls, metal flang maces, a wepaonrack with spears, and leather armor available to arm themselves. Their shields are the emblem of the Alliance and they also have leather boots, armor, shoulderpads, and blunderbusses as well as cannonballs. Training dummies would be used for warfare indicated by the two wooden dummies underneath Durnholde Keep.
ALTERAC MILITARY TACTICS
Based on what is visible at the “Alterac Palace” in Alterac City, you can make these deductions about the Alterac Military’s tactics. They have portraits of landscapes on the walls. They have wooden square tables with wooden benches conjoined together where the soldiers of Alterac would have gathered to eat. Alteraci soldiers slept on bedbunks and put their personal belongings on personal wooden footposts including their shirts. They used carpets to dust their feet off and wooden barrels to place jugs. They used nightstands to put hteir boots and folded clothes. A simple wooden chandelier lights up the barracks room. A trio of wooden chairs are placed around a potbelly stove where the soldiers cooked meals but would have likely of stayed warm with on cold Alterac winter nights. They hung their shirts on their dressers. In the Alterac Palace Armory is wooden crates and nearby them are swords, battleaxes, weaponracks with spears, as well as mail and leather armor. There are wooden and metal mallets and maces. They have the shield of the Alliance back when their allegiance was with the Alliance. They also had blunderbusses and gunpowder.