God

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. Certain gods have even been killed.

Characteristics

• All gods are immortal. 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.

• Gods can be fundamentally incorporeal, like Elune, or they may have physical forms.

• Gods are neither omniscient nor omnipotent, as the Wild Gods have proven.

Creation myths

Main article: Creation myth

Some believe that the universe was created as a whole by "a singular, all-powerful entity".

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 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. 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.

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.

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

Described as god or goddess

•  Al'ar <Phoenix God>
•  Anzu
• An'she
• Drakkari gods
• Elune
• The Eternal Ones are prayed like deities by some attendants of Oribos.
• The Generic deities being revived in Ardenweald.
• Genesaur are revered as gods by the botani.
•  Hakkar the Soulflayer
•  Kalecgos was described as an avenging god in Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects.
• Loa
• Nath
•  Old Gods
•  Rukhmar
•  Sargeras
•  Selin Fireheart described himself as a god when he was empowered by the demonic energies of a fel crystal.
•  Sethe was worshipped as the "Dead God" by the Sethekk.
•  Volcanoth, a "turtle god" worshipped by the pygmies on the Lost Isles. According to Hobart Grapplehammer, it's not really a god.
•  Xeleth was once worshipped as a god by primitive swamp creatures in Zangarmarsh.
• Wild gods
  • Ancient Guardians
  • August Celestials
  • Drakkari loas

Important notes:

• Though the titans are described as "metallic-skinned gods" by  [Mythology of the Titans], Ultimate Visual Guide, the Magazine, and Loreology; they are stated to not be gods in the Warcraft Encyclopedia. The Senior Historian later clarified that by "gods" he meant "perfect specimen rather than an actual divine being." Chronicle Volume 1 states they are godlike.

• The Light is a fundamental force, but it has been personified many times by its followers and others, believing that it had a "will", or that it made deliberate choices, or that it was "good", while the Void was "evil", but such concepts do not apply to the Light and the Void, they are simply primal forces with their morality characterized by how they are wielded.

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.

Like gods, demigods are immortal and are neither omniscient nor omnipotent.

Notes and trivia

• Some had seen Broll Bearmantle's antlers as a gift of the gods.
• Some denizens of Azeroth and Outland (such as "Dirty" Larry or Garrosh Hellscream) refer to death as "going to meet your maker".
• When the druid Taryndrella died, the murloc Murky hoped that she is eating a fish feast at the feet of the great tide gods.
• According to the  [Last Deck of Nemelex Xobeh], an ancient civilization once believed in a deity of chance, but all followers have long since perished.
• The orcs mistakenly believed the being within Oshu'gun was a god of the draenei.
• Gul'dan was promised godhood by Kil'jaeden and later by Medivh. Both of these promises turned out to be lies.
  • Gul'dan in alternate Draenor considered himself to be a god after drinking Mannoroth's blood, to which Garrosh Hellscream responded: "A god in chains".
• 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.

Speculation

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.

• It is possible that the clerics and 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.
• Milan's "gods" could include the whole pantheon of night elf deities.

See also

• Belief retcon
• Religion
• Eternal