Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual

NOTE: The following information is taken directly from the Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual.

The following article serves as an authentic copy† of the original Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual. All material written in this article is of copyright ©1996 by Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. The author of this article claims no right of the material written.

† The following sections were removed to preserve only or mostly the lore-related information:

The Aftermath of the Second War
For long months the forces of the Alliance worked to seek out the renegade Orcs that had gone into hiding after the fall of the Dark Portal. The Blackrock, Dragonmaw, and Black Tooth Grin clans were captured by the Alliance and herded into guarded reserves and prison camps. While the leaders of the Alliance argued over what was to be done with them, Orgrim Doomhammer, the Warchief of the Horde, was placed under arrest and kept as an honored prisoner under the care of King Terenas of Lordaeron. Some members of the Alliance pleaded that the Orcs should be exterminated like animals, while others opted for a sentence of life imprisonment.

Having discussed the obvious benefits of a treaty with Doomhammer, King Terenas fervently hoped that the Orcs could be kept pacified long enough to eventually lose their lust for conquest. Thoras Trollbane of Stromgarde and Genn Greymane of Gilneas both disagreed vehemently with Terenas, resolving that the Orcs were too great a threat to leave alive. After months of debate and frustration, both leaders withdrew the support of their nations from the Alliance. Azeroth alone stood fast in its commitment to the Alliance. Even with the dynamic young Varien Wrynn seated upon Azeroth's throne, the distance between the kingdoms of Azeroth and Lordaeron made their union a hollow one.

Amid the strife that was slowly dissolving the great Alliance, the fact remained that the once vast numbers of the Horde were no more. The Twilight's Hammer and Stormreaver clans were decimated by their own brethren in civil wars that erupted during the War. The Burning Blade clan was routed and ultimately destroyed by troops under the command of Uther Lightbringer during the Final Battle at the Portal. Only the Bleeding Hollow clan was left unaccounted for as the cunning Kilrogg Deadeye managed to evade the best efforts of the Alliance to capture his clan. Elven scouts were placed on continual patrol within the Black Morass searching for any sign of the renegade Bleeding Hollow.

• • • Suspended ominously above the Black Morass, a tear in the fabric of reality hung like a disembodied eye, keeping watch over the ruins of the Dark Portal. This rift was the remnants of the twisted wizard Medivh's original Portal into Draenor - the dark, red world from which the Orcs passed into Azeroth. The Kirin Tor of Dalaran traveled to the lands overlooking the ruins on this site and constructed the Citadel of Nethergarde to serve as guardian should the rift ever open again....

On the Eve of Summer in the year 606, a freak darkness swept across of the Black Morass. All attempts by the mages at Nethergarde to probe into the darkness were futile, but they could sense that the rift was growing once more. Then, as if from a dream, the mages heard the sounds of a marching army. Hundreds strong, the sounds of armor and sword charged through the ruined portal and then as quickly fell silent. The thunderous shrieks of Dragons crying to the skies passed overhead, and then as suddenly disappeared into the gloom. Venemous [sic] undead whispers, barely audible under the clash of metal plates seemed to echo and repeat one phrase - "We will return..."

When the darkness lifted, the portal was visible once again. It illuminated the ruins as it always had, but the eerie light seemed to play tricks with the shadows. It was only upon closer inspection that the trampled mud that marked the passing of the Bleeding Hollow clan from Azeroth was found to be more than mere illusion.

• • •

The Bleeding Hollow crossed over into Draenor and rejoined the 'old clans' that had never seen the fields of Azeroth. To many, the warriors of the Bleeding Hollow were considered mighty heroes as these Orcs had been living in the Human lands for over thirty years. Kilrogg met with the Elder Shaman Ner'zhul who now controlled the remaining clans in Draenor. The Shaman ordered that the newly arrived Death Knights, Trolls and Dragons were to be used by all of the clans in conjuncture. Ner'zhul also informed Kilrogg of his plan to retrieve certain artifacts from Azeroth as to open rifts into other worlds and take the Orcish Hordes to great victories beyond the Dark Portal...

Khadgar
Khadgar became a great hero in recognition for his valiant service and advice to the kingdom of Azeroth during the First War. On a quest to fathom the awesome magiks required to create the Dark Portal, Khadgar traveled to Dalaran to discuss the origins of the gateway with the mysterious Kirin Tor. Khadgar then returned to Azeroth following the Second War to oversee the ongoing study of the ruined Portal.

Alleria
The elusive Elven Ranger known as Alleria learned of the devastation the Horde could bring as she searched for the remains of her family amongst the ashes of the once glorious Quel'thalas. Her all-consuming hatred for the Orcs led her to Azeroth where she leads an elite cadre of Rangers to hunt down the remaining Orc renegades of the Bleeding Hollow clan.

Danath
A veteran mercenary captain in the Stromgarde militia and hero of the Second War, Danath made a name for himself as a great leader during the final battle for the liberation of Khaz Modan. Danath now resides at New Stormwind in Azeroth and acts as a Overseer of the camps that hold the Orc captives.

Turalyon
Turalyon was one of the first Knights of Lordaeron to be trained as a Paladin by Uther Lightbringer. Although Turalyon is a firm believer that order can be maintained only through extreme martial discipline, he is honored by his friends and foes alike. Turalyon was among the forces that Lord Lothar led into ambush at Blackrock Spire, and secretly harbors a deep regret of his inability to save the great Knight.

Kurdran
The proud and belligerent dwarf Kurdran is one of the more notorious heroes of the Second War. Having slain nine Dragons throughout the course of the war, Kurdran and his Gryphon Sky'rie retain the reputation as being undisputed masters of the skies. Kurdran works for the Alliance forces in Azeroth as a scout and warrior to this day.



Grom Hellscream
The mighty Chieftain of the Warsong clan is as ferocious as his battle cry. Hellscream has long waited to venture into Azeroth and prove the dominance of the Warsong clan on the field of battle. Although Grom distrusts the shaman Ner'zhul, he will lead his clan screaming onto the fields of bloody death.

Kargath Bladefist
A razor-sharp scythe setting in place of his severed left hand, Kargath is always willing to engage in frenzied combat. His ruthless tactics and single-mindedness have earned him the Chieftainship of the feared Shattered Hand clan. Like Hellscream, Kargath waits only for the time his clan is unleashed upon the unsuspecting humans to engage in massive bloodshed.

Teron Gorefiend
The ancient Orc spirit of Gorefiend writhes within the decaying body of this fallen Knight of Azeroth. Malicious and extremely cunning, Gorefiend desires to open his own Portal from Draenor and claim a world for his own. Although the wretched Death Knight has discerned the true magikal nature of the Dark Portal, he would share that knowledge with Ner'zhul for a price.

Dentarg
The Ogre Mage Dentarg is a valued servant of Ner'zhul and the Shadow Moon clan. Dentarg is often called upon to rally support from wayward clans and put them back in line should they oppose Ner'zhul's absolute rule.

Deathwing
Second in power to only Alexstrasza herself, Deathwing is one of the greatest terrors of the known world.

During the Second War, Goblin alchemists adhered plates of adamantine steel to the Black Dragon. This made the great beast virtually invulnerable to almost any physical attack. Deathwing has taken control of a group of renegade Dragons and roosts with them upon his mountain in the Northeast of Draenor.



Shadow Moon Clan
Leader: Ner'zhul the Shaman

Color: Black

The nefarious Shadow Moon clan rules over the scattered clans of Draenor. Although the clans Draenor do not maintain the unity of the Horde in Azeroth, Ner'zhul keeps these houses subjugated through fear and brute force. The Shadow Moon is heavily influenced by ancient shamanistic principles and exemplifies the raw power of the dark Orcish magiks.

Warsong Clan
Leader: Grom Hellscream

Color: Red

Ripping into every combat crying epic battle-hymns of blood and death, the Warsong clan is the most distinguishable of the Draenor clans. Led by the ravenous Grom Hellscream, the Warsong clan awaits Ner'zhul's order to invade Azeroth and bathe in the blood of their enemies.

Shattered Hand Clan
Leader: Korgath Bladefist [sic]

Color: White

As those of the Black Tooth Grin clan, the members of the Shattered Hand practice the rituals of self mutilation to demonstrate their loyalty to the clan. Orcs who rise to the status of warrior within the clan offer their left hands to be broken or completely removed. Their ruined stumps are often replaced by some sort of crude weapon or tool.

Bleeding Hollow Clan
Leader: Kilroggg Deadeye [sic]

Color: Orange

This clan has achieved legendary status for battling the forces of Azeroth throughout both the First and Second Wars. Kilroggg [sic] was able to avoid capture by the Alliance after the defeat of the Horde in the Second War, and with the help of Ner'zhul was able to lead his clan back to the safety of Draenor. The Bleeding Hollow now serves Ner'zhul and will stop at nothing to bring his dark plans to fruition.

Thunderlord Clan
Leader: Fenris the Hunter

Color: Violet

The Thunderlord clan has strong ties to both the Blackrock and Lightning's Blade clans. Orgrim Doomhammer, former Warchief of the Horde in Azeroth, rose to power through the Thunderlord clan. Fenris, captain of the remaining Wolfriders and Chieftain of the Thunderlords is eager to lead his clan to glorious battle in the human lands.

Laughing Skull Clan
Leader: Mogor the Ogre

Color: Yellow

The morose Laughing Skull is perhaps the most treacherous of all the clans. Feeling a kinship to thievery and assassination, the warriors of the Laughing Skull are distrusted by many of their fellow Orcs. Although the loyalty of those in the Laughing Skull are questionable, the skill and audacity of their minions are unequaled.

Bonechewer Clan
Leader: Tagar Spinebreaker

Color: Green

The ravaging, cannibalistic warriors of the Bonechewer clan are well respected by the rest of the Horde. Ornamenting themselves with the broken bones and ruined organs of their enemies, the Bonechewers inspire fear and terror in all who behold them in battle.