Creation myth

While World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 details the origins of the universe, very few beings in-universe (e.g. the naaru) know exactly how it began. Several creation myths have been postulated by the peoples of Azeroth. A collection of these myths can be found below.

"Big Bang" theory
Some theorize that a catastrophic cosmic explosion sent the infinite worlds spinning out into the vastness of the Great Dark — worlds that would one day bear life forms of wondrous and terrible diversity.

Light and Void collision
It is said that in the beginning there was Light and there was Void and in a time long ago, the two collided in the abyss of the Great Dark. As a result, infinite worlds spiraled out into the newly forming cosmos.

Creation God theory
Others believe that the universe was created as a whole by a single all-powerful entity.

God was said to have been revered in Azeroth before the first war by the Clerics of Northshire and references to God or a higher power can be found in Warcraft II, as well as the novels.


 * See also: Belief retcon.

Creation titans theory
Some believe titans created the original worlds.

There is a legend that three Old Gods ruled over the "primal plane" before the titans came and created Azeroth.

Titans only seeded existing worlds
The titans, colossal, metallic-skinned gods from the far reaches of the cosmos, explored the newborn universe and set to work on the worlds they encountered. They shaped the worlds by raising mighty mountains and dredging out vast seas. They breathed skies and raging atmospheres into being. It was all part of their unfathomable, far-sighted plan to create order out of chaos. They even empowered primitive races to tend to their works and maintain the integrity of their respective worlds.

See The Mystery of the Makers.

Old Gods theory
Members of the Twilight's Hammer believe that Old Gods were the creators of the world and that the titans were the corruptive, so-called shapers, that ruined the world from its original form.

Night elf mythology
The Temple of the Moon in Suramar had frescoes and murals depicting Elune and many other gods (actual gods, not demigods) shaping the world.

Night elves origin
It is said that a primitive tribe of nocturnal humanoids (called the Kaldorei in some sources) cautiously made their way to the edges of the Well of Eternity. The feral nomadic humanoids drawn by the Well's strange energies, built crude homes upon its tranquil shores. Over time, the Well's cosmic power affected the strange tribe, making them strong, wise and virtually immortal. The tribe adopted or re-adopted the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue. The Kaldorei, or night elves as they would later be known, worshipped the moon goddess Elune and believed that she slept within the Well's shimmering depths during the daylight hours.

Some ancient texts speak that this was a small faction of trolls that broke off from the Amani Empire and founded their own colony in the heart of the dark continent. It is said that these brave pioneers discovered the cosmic Well of Eternity which transformed them into beings of immense power. Some legends suggest that these adventurous trolls were the first night elves, though this theory has never been proven.

Night elves tend not to believe they originated from trolls, but instead contend that they only came from Elune.


 * See Also; Troll Compendium: Are Trolls Related to Night Elves?

Cenarius, Freya, and the Tribunal of Ages confirmed that the night elves evolved from trolls when asked by Brann Bronzebeard.

Centaur origin
According to some legends, centaur are the sons of Zaetar, one of Cenarius' sons.

In other legends, passed down by night elves, the original centaur were bastard off-spring of Cenarius.

Tauren mythos
See tauren mythology.