Retcon speculation

Retcon is short for "retroactive continuity", and describes something that is altered in the official lore of a series of works of fiction. These changes can either be:

• additional backstory to explain and expand upon present circumstances, or
• historical facts which are rewritten and are meant to be taken as having always been that way.

A large portion of the lore of the Warcraft universe would fall under the first meaning, since it was all developed around a relatively simple war between orcs and humans. This article deals with the second meaning of retcon, a retroactive change in the history or backstory. There have been several such revisions in Warcraft series.

Some apparently-outdated lore is actually written as Flavor Lore and was not necessarily intended to be accurate observations of what actually occured, but rather competing beliefs held by inhabitants of the world of Azeroth.

People and Places

Garona's Parentage

In the Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual and The Last Guardian, Garona describes herself as being half orc and half human. [Blizzard] Community Manager Caydiem described Garona as being half orc and half draenei, though new lore regarding the Draenei (see below) casts some doubt on this. Lore-master Chris Metzen has chosen to make no comment on the issue as of yet. According to the RPG, Half-Orc refers to orc/human hybrids created during the first, second, and orc internment periods.

Half Orc and Half Ogre Definition

Traditionally in fantasy settings predating Warcraft, Half-orc refers to a hybrid of human and orc parentage.

According to warcraft 1 half orc refers to the offspring of an orc, and a human. In many examples in "Last Guardian" half-orc refers to offspring of orcs with human or near-human races. Half-Orcs refers to faction of offspring of human and Orc born during first, second, and orc interment periods of history and not other half orc combinations.

Half-ogres refers to half-ogre/orc combinations(according to both the rpg, and the Frozen Throne).

We're taking the process of building a world seriously and it wasn't just churned out. It had a strong sense of continuity. We've always tried to do that with are ancillary products like the D&D line and our novels. We are kind of painstakenly anal, about making sure all the details add up, that continuity is held to be sacred. So that no matter in what medium you are experiencing warcraft it all feels like a contiguous experiance."

-Chris Metzen, World of Warcraft, Behind the Scenes DVD.

The Mother of Cenarius

The War of the Ancients Trilogy describes Ysera as the mother of Cenarius, while other sources in the World of Warcraft, such as tauren mythology, suggest that Elune was his mother. This was later explained by the author of the trilogy, Richard A. Knaak:

Elune birthed Cenarius, but gave him up to Malorne because Cenarius was more a creature of the mortal world and could not be with her. Malorne, who had relations with both Elune and Ysera, knew that he could not properly care for his son, but Ysera's love was so great for Malorne that she took Cenarius as her own. Hence being his mother (or adoptive mother).

-Source

Orc Warlocks

Under the leadership of Thrall, the Orcs have rediscovered their ancient Shamanistic traditions. In an attempt to rid the Horde of its demonic corruption, Thrall banned the use of Warlock magic and necromancy. Now, all Orc magic users practice Shaman magic which draws its power from the natural world and the elements.

But in world of warcraft the orcs have begun training warlocks once again.

High elven druids

Blood elven druid.

The Runestone at Caer Darrow was described in the Warcraft II manual as being crafted by elven druids that used the "magiks" connected to the "arcane". As the background of the high elf race was further developed in Warcraft III, they were depicted as a race dedicated to the free use of arcane magic. It seems to some fans the principles of druidism would be antithetical to the majority of high elves, and it didn't appear there was any indication of any renegade sect of druids.

Furthermore, the More Magic & Mayhem RPG implies that at the time the book takes place (not long after the events of Lands of Conflict), runic magic is usually practiced by the tauren and the dwarves, and only rarely by other races in the world. Gnomes and humans, are cited as somewhat likely to use rune magic, usually taught to them by dwarves, and some Forsaken learned the art of runic inscription through tauren runemasters. It is possible that high elves would have learned runic magic from the Wildhammer Dwarves. The book does imply that runic magic has some ties to druidic magic by a connection to natural ley lines.

Additionally, the RPG implies that before and up to the end of the Third War, the high elves were more open to other philosophies and religions as alternate sources of power, especially the [Holy Light]. This explains the existance of high elven priests in Warcraft III.

According to the books, it wasn't until after the Third War that most began to leave the other religions, as they began to lose focus because of withdrawal symptoms from their magic addiction. It is possible that some high elves may have been open to druidic or runic magic in the ancient past when the Runestones were created, as a means of tapping into natural energy sources of arcane magic (see ley lines), much like how some high elves dabbled with divine magic before the Third War. The Alliance Player's Guide has an article on, savagekin, a form of druidism based on ancient beliefs still held by half-elves, implying that high elves may still have knowledge of druidism. Freywinn in Tempest Keep appears to be evidence of a former high elven druid turned blood elf.

The Holy Light

In the description of Warcraft I units, the Clerics of Northshire are described as worshippers of God. Their belief system was later revised to the non-theistic philosophy of the [Holy Light]. Similarly, the realm from which demons are summoned was originally referred to as Hell, Hades and the underworld, as opposed to the Twisting Nether.

However, in Manual of Monsters there are a few refrences to angelic beings, Hopes, and Celestials, who are tied to the Holy Light or heavenly realms, that may be emissaries of some God-like diety. This may have been the author's way of trying to salvage the old material.

 [Iblis, Blade of the Fallen Seraph], seems to be a refrence to a fallen angel as well.

Spirit Healers, and [Spirit of Redemption] have the form of angelic beings as well, though as of yet there is no name for the race, but it could be a Seraph.

In the preview information released regarding the Draenei race for the Burning Crusade expansion, the naaru are referenced as "a race of sentient energy beings bent on stopping the Burning Crusade" and that they "blessed the draenei with Light-given knowledge and power." The Naaru may explain the origin of the Holy Light, or at least demonstrate that that the Holy Light is an interplanetary force not restricted only to the world of Azeroth. Additionally its known that Naaru are also a souce of Holy Light power, as Blood Elves have found a way of draining a Naaru of its powers, in order to wield divine powers, as Blood Knights.

Additionally, according to Warcraft III's manual, one legend states that the creation of the universe was from a single all powerful entity. The concept of God likely originated from this legend. However, belief in existence of "God" does not verify that "God" truly exists. See, Creation Myth.

Additionally Alliance Player's Guide tends to switch between the points of view that the Light seems to be an sentient entity of some kind; while it may not be an individual it may be a force. But it says little is known as the philosophies have been changing over the years especially since many of the original books discussing the Holy Light were destroyed during the various wars, especially during the third war.

Hell

In Warcraft I and to a lesser extent Warcraft II, the terms "hell", "Hades", "lower planes" and "the underworld" are used in a very traditional sense. This concept was later expanded into the Twisting Nether, an interdimensional demonic realm. The more traditional terms are used as synonyms for the Twisting Nether. Sometimes the words show up in the names of characters, locations, and even spells as well, for example, Grom Hellscream, Hellfire Peninsula, Hellfire Citadel, and [Hellfire]. Sylvanas Windrunner tells Prince Arthas to, "Give my regards to hell." Even Lord of the Clans made refrences to the word "Hell":

If a warlock was to summon hell's flames against an enemy, they would be burned to death...With hell's fire, you make a bargain. It costs a little of yourself.

-Grom Hellscream in Lord of the Clans.

In World of Warcraft, Caelestrasz states;

"Even if you somehow manage to free us without defeating C'Thun, we would focus all our powers to see the beast banished back to the hell from whence it came - AT ANY COST."

Additionaly a sort of underworld, known as the Dark Below is described in article in the Manual of Monsters which states it is a place where certain demon races are said to have originated from. There are people who worship the Dark Below (which sounds quite similar to descriptions of orcs in the Warcraft I manual). Priests from a certain cult who worship beings from Dark Below are at odds with Lich King's Necromancers. For sake of arguement Dark Below may yet be another synonym for "Twisting Nether", and the demons it refers are other races from the Twisting Nether that are at odds with the Burning Legion.

Underworld also refers to a secret underground hellish cavern system where ghosts, murlocs, and skeletons and other minions of a Ghost Sea Witch once resided.

Rend and Maim

[Rend] and [Maim], the sons of Blackhand the Destroyer, led the Blacktooth Grin clan during the Second War, which was one of the clans placed in the internment camps. They next appeared without mention during the Alliance campaign of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, inexplicably on Draenor, in the service of Magtheridon. Rend appears in a prominent role as head of the Blackrock clan in World of Warcraft. Given the inconsequential nature of their appearance in the Frozen Throne, it is safe to assume that the World of Warcraft account is the current official one.

The Azerothian Blood Elves

During the Alliance campaign of Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne, no signs are shown of high elves or blood elves other than those under Kael'thas, and it is implied that Kael's regiment are the last survivors from the assault on Quel'Thalas by the Scourge, except for a few scattered other parts of the world. The blood elves that are shown in the game travel to Outland with Kael'thas in the secret mission, "The Crossing." It seems at the end of Frozen Throne that all blood elves have been saved from execution at the hands of Garithos.

However, the previews for the Burning Crusade expansion have revealed that a large group of blood elves remained on Azeroth during their race's escape, and they will be making their home in a reclaimed Silvermoon and allying with the Horde. This raises unresolved questions as to the whereabouts of these particular elves during the events of The Frozen Throne, and how they were able to reclaim their city, which resides behind the Scourge's front lines.

Sidenote: There is a rumor that has been circulating for a while that Kael'thas did indeed send back some of his people to burn down the forests of Quel'thalas and the surronding area so the Scourge have nothing there of use to them. A theory has also been suggested that since there were so many High Elves left over from the slaughter at Quel'thalas, that Kael did not manage to get all of his people in time to Outland. The ones he sent back may have converted them all to the Blood Elf sect and as such, had enough to rebuild Silvermoon and much of its forests via arcane and warlock magicks.

It is also not properly explained why the Horde would want to ally themselves with any of Illidan's followers, since he serves the Burning Legion, but there is no proof that either the Horde or the Forsaken even know of Illidan's existence, so that may be explanation enough.

Another puzzling thing about the Blood Elves acceptance into the horde is that the Blood Elves in Silvermoon are clearly and openly using trapped demonic energy in their construction and city maintenance. Why the Horde will be willing to align itself with such a race that is obviously addicted to the demonic energy is yet unknown and not properly explained or rationalized. The Official Burning Crusade site has this to say about Blood Elves and some of their questionable motives and methods of obtaining magic, specifically paladin abilities: "Although Warchief Thrall and High Chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof openly opposed the blood elves' methods, they recognized the Blood Knights' strategic value. Indeed, it is likely that the group figured heavily in the Horde's ultimate decision to offer membership to the blood elves."

Sargeras and the Eredar

In the Warcraft II and World of Warcraft game manuals (and in Sargeras and the Betrayal from the History of Warcraft), the Eredar are described as being a demonic and evil race that had consumed their own world through arcane powers, and had already destroyed countless other worlds by the time Sargeras discovered them. It was not until after Sargeras destroyed them that he himself became corrupted, and the Burning Legion was born.

According to new material issued as a preview for the expansion, however, the Burning Legion had already begun under Sargeras' leadership when he encountered the Eredar, who became corrupt through his influence. Furthermore, the preview material revealed that a faction of the Eredar did not join the Burning Legion, instead became followers of the [Holy Light], and renamed themselves Draenei.

Chris Metzen admits the mistaken contradiction in a forum post.

The Draenei

In the Warcraft III and World of Warcraft game manuals, the Draenei are described as a pacifistic race of shamans, native to Draenor and originally humanoid in appearance, who were easily slaughtered by the orcs prior to the opening of the Dark Portal. According to new material issued as a preview for the expansion, however, the Draenei are in fact an offshoot of the Eredar race, native to the planet Argus. These Eredar fled Argus at the beginning of the Burning Crusade and exiled themselves on Draenor some twenty-five thousand years before the time period of the Warcraft games, during which time the Burning Legion hunted unceasingly for them. Upon their discovery, and the unleashing of the Orcish Horde upon them, the Draenei, using the powers of the [Holy Light], fought for eight years against the Orcs before being defeated.

The new Draenei playable race in the Burning Crusade expansion is actually a previously-unseen refugee group of uncorrupted Draenei who presumably escaped Draenor. The "Draenei" that were previously seen in Warcraft III and World of Warcraft are explained as "subspecies," including the Broken and the Lost Ones, who had been mutated by fel energies.

Events

Both Warcraft I and Warcraft II featured two separate storylines, one for each faction's campaign. While these were obviously never intended to both form part of a comprehensive lore, elements from each storyline were taken and included in the backstory for the next game in the series. In contrast, Warcraft III featured campaigns with storylines which formed a single linear narrative.

Warcraft I

Warcraft I featured many levels which are best described as generic battles whose outcome is of no ultimate importance, given that the final outcome of the First War was victory for the Horde and the complete destruction of Stormwind. Both campaigns, however, contained several important plot points that became part of the lore:

• Stormwind Keep, Northshire Abbey, and all the human towns of the kingdom, including Goldshire, Moonbrook, Sunnyglade, and Grand Hamlet, were destroyed (orc campaign).
• Blackhand was overthrown as warchief (orc campaign).
• Medivh was killed in his tower by a raiding party (human campaign).
• King Llane was assassinated by Garona (human campaign).
• The rescue of Lothar from a 20-month imprisonment after obtaining the  [Tome of Divinity] in the Deadmines (human campain). Mentioned in Alliance Player's Guide.

Some elements of the game's plotlines were expressly left out of the ultimate account of the war:

• King Llane was not killed at the fall of Stormwind by the orc warchief (orc campaign).
• The humans did not succeed in destroying Blackrock Spire (human campaign).
• The commander of the human armies did not succeed Llane as king (human campaign).

Other events are indeterminate, not conflicting with any other accounts, but also not being referred to again:

• The killing of Blackhand's daughter Griselda in the Deadmines (orc campaign).
• The destruction of the orc outpost of Kyross in the Swamp of Sorrows (human campaign).
• The destruction of the Temple of the Damned in the Black Morass (human campaign).
• The destruction of Rockard and Stonard (human campaign).

Warcraft II

Like its predecessor, Warcraft II featured two campaigns with contradictory storylines. The ultimate account of the war most closely followed the Alliance campaign, with the nearly complete defeat of the Horde in the Eastern Kingdoms:

• The high elves joined the Alliance following an attack on their archers passing through Tarren Mill (human campaign).
• The Horde was driven from the Hillsbrad region and Khaz Modan
• The nation of Alterac betrayed the Alliance of Lordaeron and was destroyed (human campaign).
• The Runestone at Caer Darrow was captured by the Horde and used to create the ogre magi (orc campaign).
• Gul'dan betrayed Orgrim Doomhammer and withdrew his forces in order to seek out the Tomb of Sargeras (orc campaign).
• Dalaran was razed by the Horde (orc campaign).
• The Alliance forces defeated the Horde at Blackrock Spire, then recaptured and attempted to destroy the Dark Portal (human campaign).
• Lothar is betrayed, ambushed and killed by the Horde when invited to Blackrock Spire for a diplomatic parley. This was changed to Lothar dying in honorable single combat against Doomhammer during the Battle of Blackrock Spire.

Events which occurred in one of the Warcraft II campaigns, but which did not ultimately form part of the lore, include:

• Gul'dan was killed by Doomhammer's forces at the Tomb of Sargeras in Warcraft II (orc campaign). In The Frozen Throne, however, we are told that he was instead killed by the demons he unwittingly set free while searching the tomb.
• Lordaeron did not fall to the Horde (orc campaign).

Other events are indeterminate, not conflicting with any other accounts, but also not being referred to again:

• The razing of Stratholme and Tyr's Hand by the Horde.

The War of the Ancients

The sequence of events during the War of the Ancients was altered through the time-travelling plot of the War of the Ancients Trilogy, so that the events occurred as outlined in War of the Ancients (Alternate History). This does not really qualify as a retcon, however, since everything that occurred represented new events within the context of the world of Azeroth. The original timeline still exists, in some sense, within the lore of the game.

Hellscream's Death

In the World of Warcraft RPG, due some confusion from the authors, the book states that Thrall killed Grom Hellscream, when he infact died from wounds inflicted by Mannoroth.

According to the editors this was due to a misunderstanding on the part of one of the authors who read a manuscript of the warcraft III missions given to them by Blizzard of Warcraft III's campaign and thought Grom died by the hands of the Horde, as Thrall and his forces fought Hellscream and his forces a an enemy in one of the missions in the last orc campaign in Warcraft III.

As a retcon to explain the error in the book, the editor has said to think of that depiction as coming from some human's viewpoint, and that the person who wrote it was mistaken. In which case the in-universe author perhaps thought they saw Grom die by Thrall's hand and not by the hand of the demon.

Mannoroth's Killer

The World of Warcraft RPG states that Mannoroth was killed by Illidan, when infact he was killed by Grom Hellscream. The editor has stated that this was a mix-up between the names of Mannoroth and Magtheridon, and that all refrences to Mannoroth in those instances should be replaced with Magtheridon.

Magtheridon's Death

The death of Magtheridon has been revised in the Burning Crusade. He is now imprisoned within Hellfire Citadel and you can visit him in the Magtheridon's Lair instance.

Names and Spellings

Typographical issues include mispellings, mixed up words, and editing issues that arise in the text in novels, games, comics, strat guides, and RPG. These mistakes are often made because the editors and writers are human and can make mistakes, and didn't catch the problem before the material went to print. While not all typographical issues are truely retcons some examples become retcons when the mistake becomes more common then the original. In some cases typographical issues get explained away through retcons. Generally if a typographical issue is found in the World of Warcraft they are fixed and noted in patch notes.

• "More references to the fictitious locale of "Chillwind Point" have been squashed in favor of the very real "Chillwind Camp"-patch 1.4
• King Varian Wrynn's name was initially Varien, as written in the Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual.
• In Warcraft I:
  • Blackrock Spire was Black Rock Spire,
  • the Redridge Mountains were the Red Ridge Mountains,
  • the Deadmines were the Dead Mines. They are still referred to as the "Dead Mines" in many sources including the RPG, and the official website(the two spellings are interchangeable).
  • the Swamp of Sorrows was the Swamps of Sorrow. On the map accompanying Warcraft I, it appeared with the modern spelling.

Azeroth

The name Azeroth has been been retroactively redefined twice in the history of the game series.

1. The earlier games, from Warcraft I to Warcraft III, and the novels, used Azeroth as the name of the kingdom which the orcs first invaded, now referred to as the kingdom of Stormwind, which covered most of the southern continent south of Khaz Modan. The term "Kingdom of Azeroth" is also found in Warcraft I Manual, Warcraft II manual, Warcraft III manual, and novels(ex. The Last Guardian). Current sources, such as The Dark Portal and the Fall of Stormwind, refer to this kingdom as Stormwind, even in historical contexts.
2. In early phases of World of Warcraft, Azeroth was used as the name of the entire continent now referred to as the Eastern Kingdoms. This usage was discontinued prior to the public release of the game.

Currently, Azeroth is used in three ways:

1. It is the name of the world in which the majority of the Warcraft series is set.
2. It also refers to the southern sub-continent in Eastern Kingdoms which Stormwind and all southern zones occupy. The Eastern Kingdoms are actually split into several sub-continents; north of Azeroth is Khaz Modan, and north of that is Lordaeron. This is described in detail in both Lands of Conflict, and Lands of Mystery.
3. It refers to the pre-third war southern kingdom which was once known as "Azeroth" before it was renamed "Stormwind" in current times. Even though technically the kingdom was called Azeroth earlier in its history, historians will sometimes project current name on earlier history of the kingdom especially when talking about the seat of power for the land, its capital, Stormwind. Template:Cite.

Wrynn

Wrynn was initially given as the single name of the king of Stormwind at the time of orcish invasion, King Wrynn III, with his son being called King Llane. Wrynn was later used as the family name of the Stormwind royal line, being applied as Llane's surname, as well as that of his son and grandson.