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Cataclysm Beta: New character introductions for all races

Mathew McCurley
Updated ·7 min read

Awesome new Cataclysm lore information has landed! Transcripts of the new player character introductions are now revealed, advancing the storyline of the old races and bringing new races up to speed. Remember, these new introductions contain some general WoW and Cataclysm spoilers. Check out the new introductions after the jump.

UPDATE: The Forsaken now have their transcript up.

This post contains Cataclysm story spoilers!



UPDATED WITH THE FORSAKEN

The new character introductions serve as a story primer for players, bringing them up to speed on the events of the original WoW and the two expansions. Blood elves are seeing their lore and story advanced quite dramatically, the cause of Cairne Bloodhoof's death is revealed officially, and the dwarven Council of Three Hammers is set up, lore-wise. Currently, goblin, worgen, blood elf, troll, dwarf and tauren transcripts are available, but this post will be updated as more information becomes available. Thanks to Nihilum for all this great information.


Forsaken
Though Lady Sylvanas and the Forsaken finally took vengeance upon their hated enemy, The Lich King, their dark crusade in Northrend proved costly. Betrayed by Grand Apothecary Putress at the Battle of the Wrathgate, the Forsaken's devious plague of death was unleashed upon both the Alliance and Horde to calamitous event. Unbeknownst to Sylvanas, Putress and his demonic ally Varimathras had taken control of the Undercity. As a result, the Forsaken were wrongfully blamed for the traitorous atrocities. Though the Undercity was eventually retaken, Sylvanas and her followers still bear the weight of Putress's sins. Mistrusted by the other members of the Horde, the Forsaken must prove their loyalty to the cause and redeem themselves from their supposed treachery.

To this end, Sylvanas has bolstered her defenses within the Tirisfal Glades and readied her undead forces for any contingency. As one of the forsaken, you must use your cunning and viciousness to slay any who would pose a threat to Sylvanas's rule. Be it undead, human, or otherwise.


Goblin
The wiley cunning goblins of Kezan have lived in relative peace for generations. Though some of their race sided with the marauding orcs during the second war, most goblins have remained neutral throughout the various conflicts between the Alliance and Horde. Ruled over by corrupt yet highly affluent trade princes, the goblins created a virtual paradise for themselves throughout the islands of the South Seas.

Their ingenious feats of engineering and vast trade fleets helped make their island, Capital of Kezan, one of the great technological wonders of the world, but now as the elements themselves rise up in anger across the world, the goblins mechanical paradise will be put to the test, for very soon fate will force them to choose sides in a conflict that will shake the very history of the world.


Worgen
Led by their indomitable King Genn Greymane, the proud citizens of Gilneas once stood with the Alliance against the vile orcish Horde that sought to conquer all of Lordaeron. Gilneas survived but in the chaotic years following the Second War, the mighty kingdom drew ever inward distrustful of their formal allies, the Gilneans erected a mighty wall at the borders of their land closing off their nation and their hearts from an ever-darkening world.

Now, many years later as the seemingly unstoppable undead scourge marches across Lordaeron, human civilization teeters on the brink of destruction as war and terror close in all around them. The citizens of Gilneas are faced with one terrible truth, their mighty wall cannot hold back the dead for much longer and worse, rumors of a new threat have arisen within the kingdom's borders, feral nightmare creatures that walk upright as men but hunt and howl as wolves.


Blood Elf
The past few years have seen unprecedented changes within the eternal land of Quel'Thalas. The blood elves, following the will of their crazed leader Kael'thas Sunstrider channled dangerous chaotic magics to transform their sacred Sunwell into a gateway of unspeakable evil. While Kael'thas and his demonic masters were eventually defeated, a different kind of trasnformation occured within the Sunwell itself, as a dying Nauru sacrificed it's life essence to reignite the Sunwell into a fount of Holy energy.

Now the Blood Elf reagent Lor'themar Theron sees a new hope on the horizon for his people. Over time, the Sunwell's light could cure the Blood Elves of their cursed state, but many still cling to the Arcane powers their procured, and are hesitant to relinquish them. As one of the remaining Blood Elves, you must fight to protect Quel'Thalas and help redeem the soul of your ancient people.


Troll
Exiled years ago from their lands in Stranglethorn Vale, the Darkspear trolls attempted to make a new life for themselves amongst the races of the Horde. Under the leadership of the noble warchief Thrall, Vol'Jin and his savage trolls had at last found the honor and purpose they've been searching for, but now under the rule of headstrong Garrosh Hellscream, the trolls fear that the Horde could tear itself apart. Vol'Jin knows that whatever threats loom ahead, whether they be within the Horde or from without, it is cunning trolls like you who will fight to preserve the honor of the Horde.


Draenei
Empowered by the holy light and the undying strength of their convictions, the Draenei led the charge against the Demonic Burning Legion in Outland. Now with the legion's defeat, they have completed the desperate mission that first brought them to Azeroth, through some Draenei were sent back to Outland to revitalize their former civilization, the majority have vouched to remain and uphold their sacred commitment to the Alliance. Driven by a powerful vision, the immortal prophet Velen believes that a great war between the darkness and the light is fast approaching and that Azeroth will be its principle battleground. As one of Velen's chosen you must stand bravely before the shadow and ensure that your people are ready for the war to come.


Dwarves
Great change has come to the enduring halls of Ironforge, obsessed with the working of the Titans, the dwarves retrieved their creator's mystical tablets from the fable city of Ulduar. Activating one such tablet King Magni Bronzebeard fell prey to a terrible curse that fused his statue-liked form into the diamond heart of Ironforge itself. To compound this tragedy, Magni's estranged daughter Moira arrived, claiming her Father's throne for herself and for her infant dark iron son.

To avert civil war, the dwarves created the council of Three Hammers, an uneasy coalition that would share power equally amongst the clans. Now with political upheaval rising within the Kingdom and the great Cataclysm ravaging the surrounding lands, the future of Ironforge falls to brave dwarves like you.


Tauren
Great tragedy has rocked the Tauren tribes and shaken their once stalled devotion towards the Horde, a disagreement between the new orc warchief Garrosh Hellscream and the beloved Tauren chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof led to a duel that ended in Cairne's death. With his loss the vile matriarch Magatha Grimtotem launched a murderous attack attempting to seize control of Thunderbluff for herself, however Cairne's brave son, Bane Bloodhoof successfully repeled the attack and banished the surviving Grimtotem to the farthest reaches of the land.

Under Bane's hopeful leadership, the Tauren people now seek to heal their wounds and restore the balance between the various factions of the Horde. To this end a new generation of Tauren Sunwalkers has arisen, to lead their people into the light of the new dawn and the promise of rebirth. As a proud tribesman of Mulgore you must uphold the honor of your people and safeguard the lands of your Ancestors.



World of Warcraft: Cataclysm will destroy Azeroth as we know it; nothing will be the same! In WoW.com's Guide to Cataclysm, you can find out everything you need to know about WoW's third expansion, from brand new races to revamped quests and zones. Visit our Cataclysm news category for the most recent posts having to do with the Cataclysm expansion.