Gods are vaguely defined in Warcraft. Gods can exert influence over several locations simultaneously, but the power of a god is limited. The Old Gods were imprisoned by the titan-forged and Wild Gods have been defeated. Nonetheless, an imprisoned, sleeping, or otherwise enfeebled god may still have an effect—conscious or not—on the god's surroundings.[1] Certain gods have even been killed.[2][3]
Contents
Characteristics
- All gods are immortal.[1] A number of these creatures are fundamentally incorporeal beings, but others lead a primarily physical existence. Immortals are generally resistant to sickness and injury, but immortality does not confer invulnerability. Immortal creatures essentially stop aging when they reach adulthood, and thus, they cannot die merely from old age. In addition, they tend to be more powerful than most mortal creatures, although this tendency does not always hold true. Even godhood itself is no guarantee of superior might to the average man.[4]
Creation myths
- Main article: Creation myth
Some believe that the universe was created as a whole by a single all-powerful entity.[5]
God was said to have been revered by the Clerics of Northshire during the First War. The Abbot of Northshire Abbey believed that the archangels took up swords of light to defend the heavens[6] and that God is able to see in an all-encompassing fashion. He sees the world with extreme clarity, and only a fraction of the power would blind a human.[6] During the Second War, churches sang "Deo Gratias" (Deo Gratias), Latin for "Thanks [be] to God". Even after the Second War a Knight of the Silver Hand called Duncan Senturus believed in a higher power that could choose paths for people, and believed evil actions were ungodly.[7]
In contrast, the high elf Milan spoke during the Second War not of the belief in the creator "God", but of an entire pantheon called "the gods". He mentions believing in these gods, praying to the gods, and receiving help from them. He speaks of his allies praying to the gods, and the gods answering their prayers.[8]
The Temple of the Moon in Suramar had frescoes and murals depicting Elune and many other gods (actual gods, not demigods) shaping the world.[9]
Described as god or goddess
Al'ar <Phoenix God>- Anzu[10]
- An'she
- Drakkari gods[11]
- Elune[12]
- Genesaur are revered as gods by the botani.[13]
- Gul'dan in the alternate timeline of Warlords of Draenor considered himself to be a god after drinking Mannoroth's blood, to which Garrosh Hellscream responded: "A god in chains".[14]
- Hakkar the Soulflayer[1][15]
- Kalecgos[16] was described as an avenging god in Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects.
- Loa
- Nath[17]
- Old Gods[1]
- Rukhmar
- Sargeras[18]
- Selin Fireheart describes himself as a god when he is empowered by the demonic energies of a fel crystal.
- Sethe
- Volcanoth, a "turtle god" worshipped by the pygmies on the Lost Isles. According to Hobart Grapplehammer, it's not really a god.[19]
- Xeleth was once worshipped as a god by primitive swamp creatures in Zangarmarsh.[20]
- Wild gods
Important note: Though the titans are described as "metallic-skinned gods" by 
[Mythology of the Titans], Ultimate Visual Guide,[25] the Magazine,[26] and Loreology;[27] they are stated to not be gods in the Warcraft Encyclopedia.[28][29] The Senior Historian later clarified that by "gods" he meant "perfect specimen rather than an actual divine being."[30] Chronicle Volume 1 states they are godlike.[31]
Demigods
- Main article: Demigod
Demigods are part god, part other. The demigods of Azeroth wield great power and have occasionally played pivotal roles in the planet's history, one example of this being Cenarius. Nevertheless, unlike gods, most demigods have never been the objects of worship. Few demigods have temples built in their honor. Priesthoods based on the worship of a demigod are extremely rare.[32]
Like gods, demigods are immortal and are neither omniscient nor omnipotent.[32]
Notes and trivia
- When the druid Taryndrella died, the murloc Murky hoped that she is eating a fish feast at the feet of the great tide gods.[33]
- Some had seen Broll Bearmantle's antlers as a gift of the gods.[34]
- In Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, it is a rank you can achieve. The rank is higher than the "Demigod" rank.
- The orcs mistakenly believed the being within Oshu'gun was a god of the draenei.[35]
- Gul'dan was promised godhood by Kil'jaeden[36] and later by Medivh.[37] Both of these promises turned out to be lies.
Speculation
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This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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It is possible that the Clerics & some Knights of the Silver Hand found their basis of this "God" from one of the creation myths of Azeroth, as well as knowledge of the angels. Several references state that some in Azeroth believe that the universe was created by "a singular, all-powerful entity".[38]
Milan's "gods" could include the whole pantheon of night elf deities.
Light is God-like
Several characters in-game imply that the Light may have a sapient will, that it can decide on matters, grant mercy, and that it even suffers. Velen states "May the Light have mercy on your soul." Matis the Cruel refers to the Light as suffering. Vindicator Kuros refers to the Light as "not permitting" Matis to act.
The young Brigitte Abbendis seems to believe that the Holy Light is some kind of god-like sapient entity with a will, which it expresses in ways that that are not meant to be understood. She writes that it calls to her in the 
[The Path of Redemption] and [The Diary of High General Abbendis], saying "Come to me...". She believes that it is able to take notice of believers' good deeds, works and prayers. She states that the force of its voice has clarity and sense of purpose.
However, the entity that calls her may be something far more sinister, as she discusses in diary that it commands her to abandon the Scarlet Crusade to its doom, an act she believes is dishonorable. However, the Scarlet Crusade is described as a lawful evil organization, so the entity might be benevolent after all.
It might be possible that Abbendis' belief that Holy Light is a sentient being might be a link to some of the early beliefs of the Clerics of Northshire and some of the Knights of the Silver Hand in Warcraft I and II.
Some of the draenei also appear to believe that the Light is sentient.
Some denizens of Azeroth and Outland (such as "Dirty" Larry) refer to death as "going to meet your maker". In 
[5-30] The Warchief Cometh, Garrosh says to Sylvanas Remember, Sylvanas, eventually we all have to stand before our maker and face judgment.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Gods
- ^ Dave Kosak interview - "But Y'shaarj itself is very, very, very dead."
- ^ Dave Kosak on Twitter (2013-06-20)
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Immortals
- ^ [Mythology of the Titans]
- ^ a b Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual, Azeroth Army of the First War, Cleric Spells
- ^ Knaak, Richard A.. Day of the Dragon, 44. ISBN 978-0-6710-4152-6. : "...clearly it was chosen by a higher power that your paths would lead you to us."
- ^ Dille, Ed; Eric Anthony Morman. Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness The Official Strategy Guide, 94, 118, 126. ISBN 978-0-7615-0188-6.
- ^ The Well of Eternity, chapter 8
- ^ Anzu Dungeon Journal "A mysterious avian deity worshipped by some of the more savage arrakoa[sic]..."
- ^
[20-30] The Blessing of Zim'Abwa, [20-30] The Blessing of Zim'Rhuk, and [20-30] The Blessing of Zim'Torga
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Elune
- ^ Beasts of the Savage Lands - Gorgrond
- ^ Gul'dan and the Stranger
- ^ [50] The Temple of Atal'Hakkar
- ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects pg. 350
- ^ Horde Player's Guide, 156
- ^ Game Guide: Well of Eternity "...preparing it for the terrifying and glorious entrance of the demon god Sargeras."
- ^ [1-20] Children of a Turtle God
- ^ [25-30] Against All Odds
- ^ a b Dave Kosak on Twitter (2014-05-08)
- ^ Malas the Corrupter#Quotes
- ^ [20-30] Trouble at the Altar of Sseratus
- ^ [20-30] Strange Mojo
- ^ Ultimate Visual Guide, 32
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue II, 71
- ^ Loreology on Twitter (2014-06-22): "They are classified as "metallic skinned gods" in my bible.... :)"
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Gods "...the benevolent titans, though not gods themselves..."
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Immortals "The titans are not gods..."
- ^ Sean Copeland on Twitter (2014-08-04)
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, 13.
- ^ a b The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Demigods
- ^ Traveler: The Shining Blade, chapter 18
- ^ Stormrage, pg. 53
- ^ Golden, Christie. "Ten", Rise of the Horde, 240, 247 (ebook). ISBN 978-0-7434-7138-1.
- ^ Golden, Christie. "Twenty-one", Rise of the Horde, 447, 456 (ebook). ISBN 978-0-7434-7138-1.
- ^ Golden, Christie. "Twenty-one", Rise of the Horde, 458 (ebook). ISBN 978-0-7434-7138-1.
- ^ Blizzard Entertainment. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Manual, 133.
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