World of Warcraft/Races/Humans: Difference between revisions

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== Introduction and History ==

Humanity is a resilient breed, having survived an invasion by the savage [[../Orcs/]] during the First War. During the [[../../Second War/]], the armies of former nation of [[../../Azeroth/|Azeroth]] (now called [[../../Cities/Stormwind/|Stormwind]]) rallied with the [[../../Faction/Alliance/|Alliance]] of the Northern Lands, as well as the [[../../Races/Night Elves|Night Elves]], [[../../Races/Gnomes|Gnomes]] and [[../../Races/Dwarves|Dwarves]], to reclaim their homeland of [[../../Azeroth]]. After the success of the Second War, [[../../Azeroth|Azeroth]] was rebuilt and Human civilization began to flourish once again throughout the southlands (which was later renamed [[../../Cities/Stormwind|Stormwind]] after third war).

Humans have perhaps suffered the most out of all the races of [[../../Azeroth/|Azeroth]], having endured a bloody, genocidal invasion by the Demon-corrupted [[../../Races/Orcs|Orcs]] and losing almost all their northern population to the Plague. Out of the millions that once populated the [[../../Eastern Continent|Eastern Kingdoms]] in many splendid and wonderful fort cities, merely two hundred thousand are still alive. Despite all this humans continue to be vigilant, and - perhaps as a result of their struggles - they have banded closer together and with the [[../../Faction/Alliance|Alliance]] as a whole.  

Today, the Child King [[../../Anduin Wrynn/]] oversees [[../../Cities/Stormwind|Stormwind]], under the watch of the council of Nobles and the Regent Lady [[../../Katrana Prestor/]]. While the Empire of [[../../Cities/Stormwind/]] has lost much of its glory, it still retains some ties with the towns of [[../../Towns/Darkshire/]], [[../../Towns/Lakeshire/]], [[../../Towns/Goldshire/]], [[../../Southshore/]] and to a lesser extent, [[../../Towns/Menethil Harbor/]]. Those cities fall under the protection and leadership of [[../../Cities/Stormwind/]], but they also have their own local military forces and independent democratic election.  

At that time Humans were nearly as savage as their foes among the [[../../Races/Trolls/]], and both groups wandered the land battling each other while trying to plant the seeds of their cultures. The Humans were nomadic hunter-gatherers and divided into many tribes. The Sundering nearly wiped out the Humans, who eked out sustenance from the ashes of the aftermath of the destruction.  

== Starting Attributes ==

 

 

== Classes ==

 

== Starting Area ==

Humans seem to be a naturally proud and ambitious race. The Humans of Azeroth have a very strong sense of [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumphalism|triumphalism]], and can be highly arrogant and overly zealous. Interestingly, this attitude appears to often extend beyond the backstory and be displayed by players within the game. It is not unusual, when encountering Human characters, to also be given a sense that they believe very strongly in the concept of their supposedly inherent superiority. These qualities have led to human society producing some of the most heroic and villanous figures in recent history.

Despite the desire for order that generally exists among humans, some groups do deviate from this cultural trait, and possess no loyalties towards their established political leaders.  This is especially true in times of uncertainty for humans.  Before the [[../../Third War/]] the humans of the northern lands of [[../../Lordaeron/]] were swayed into joining the [[../../Cult of the Damned/]]. [[../../Faction/Defias|Banditry]] and [[../../Bloodsail Pirates|sea piracy]] amongst humans has been on the rise recently.

Humans have a relatively short lifespan, on average a mere 75 years, less than most of the other races on Azeroth. Because of this, humanity strives to make the most out of what it has, and to build legacies. This has led to the formation of different nations and orders across many lands, and to the forging of alliances not only between each other, but with other races, and seeking to do whatever is necessary to protect and secure their nations so future generations can live peacefully and safely. The human kingdom of [[../../Cities/Stormwind|Stormwind]] is the leader of the [[../../Alliance/]]. Formerly it was the human kingdom of [[../../Lordaeron/]].

Humans can practise [[../../arcane magic/]] and [[../../divine magic/]], and their mastery of these arts are rivalled perhaps only by the [[../../Races/High Elves/]] and [[../../Races/Blood Elves/]]. These magics are used to heal and create in times of peace, and to harm and destroy in times of war.

Human architecture is less pleasing to the eye than Elven architecture, utilizing straight angles and simple materials such as wood, stone and mortar. However, Human structures are much more resistant to damage than Elven or [[../../Faction/Horde|Hordish]] structures. Human structures are not nearly as strong as Dwarven structures or as advanced as Gnomish architecture, but they are much easier to build, and human forts and towns can be built quickly.

The armies of the [[../../Alliance|Human Alliance]] are a force to be reckoned with.  Well-trained footmen march to battle in [[../../Plate|plate armor]] with kite shields and broadswords, while courageous [[../../Classes/Knight|knights]] covered in heavy platemail ride headlong into battle atop of their powerful equine steeds, flourishing mighty lances.  Behind the humans come their allies; cunning [[../../Classes/Hunter|Elven Archers]] and [[../../Classes/Hunter|Dwarven Riflemen]] provide ranged support, Human and Gnomish (and in the past, [[../High Elven/]]) [[../../Classes/Mage|mages]] blast their enemies with magic and [[../../Classes/Priest|priests]] use their divine magic to heal and aid wounded allies.  Perhaps the most fearsome foe to evil and the enemies of humankind on the battlefield are the mighty [[../../Classes/Paladin|Paladins]], considered by many to be the champions of the Human Alliance.  These fearsome knights bring justice to their enemies and aid to their allies with a combination of healing and aura magics and mastery with giant warhammers.

In [[wikipedia:J._R._R._Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] books (from which Warcraft draws a great deal of inspiration), men were the lesser children of [[wikipedia:Il%C3%BAvatar|Eru Ilúvatar]].  Unlike the firstborn, the elves, who were bound to the world of [[wikipedia:Arda|Arda]] even in death, men were gifted with short life, and in dying pass beyond [[wikipedia:Valinor|Valinor]] into darkness, ere they return for the great battle when the world is unmade.

In Tolkien's world, Humans awoke with the first rising of the sun in Middle Earth, in the land of Hildórien.  Having no guidance from the [[wikipedia:Valar|Valar]], the various tribes of men migrated in many directions, some eventually traveling to [[wikipedia:Beleriand|Beleriand]].  The elves would come to refer to these men as the [[wikipedia:Edain|Edain]], and they consisted of the houses of Bëor, Haleth, and Hador.  The Edain would fight proudly alongside elves and dwarves in the comming wars, demonstrating a remarkable reserve of courage despite their mortal nature.  Of particular note was the Last Stand of the Men of Dor-lómin, during the [[wikipedia:Nirnaeth_Arnoediad|Nirnaeth Arnoediad]] (''The Battle of Unnumbered Tears''), where perhaps several hundred men from the house of Hador, steadfastly refusing to be driven from their homeland, held the last corner of their kingdom for 10 days against an army of tens of thousands, allowing many elves to escape the approaching force.  ''(The last stand itself is similiar to the [[wikipedia:Battle_of_Thermopylae|Battle of Thermopylae]].)''

The men who stood with the elves over the years were rewarded in time with [[wikipedia:N%C3%BAmenor|Númenor]], an island between Middle Earth and Valinor, and the furthest west men would be allowed to travel by the Valar.  Eventually, that contract was breached and Númenor was sundered, the survivors making their way back to Middle Earth and founding Gondor and Arnor.

The warm lands of Northshire and the whole Elwynn Forest area. It hosts the [[World of Warcraft/Alliance|Alliance]] stronghold, Storm Wind or SW in slang.

:Humans get +5 to Sword skill