WoW Forever Beta Lore of Azeroth Timeline (2026)

Lore of Azeroth spans thousands of years. This timeline covers major events from ancient times to the present.

For broader content, see our NPC Lore, Faction Lore, and Zone Lore articles.

Quick summary: Major events: Sundering + Third War + Cataclysm. Total timeline: 25,000+ years. Current era: post-Sundering.

Ancient era

Era	Event	Years ago
Troll Empire	First civilization	25,000+
Aqir / Qiraji	Insect empire	15,000+
Night Elf Empire	Azshara’s reign	10,000
Sundering	Sylvanas emerges	10,000
War of the Ancients	Broxigar + others	10,000

Human era

Era	Event	Years ago
Arathor founded	Human kingdom	2,800
Troll Wars	Human vs Troll	2,500
Stormwind founded	First Alliance	2,500
First War	Orcs invade	30
Second War	Dark Portal	25
Third War	Lich King	10

Cataclysm era

Era	Event	Years ago
Deathwing returns	Cataclysm	5
Thrall steps down	Garrosh Warchief	4
Pandaria discovered	MoP	3
Siege of Orgrimmar	Garrosh fall	2

Modern era (WoW Forever beta)

Era	Event	Years ago
Warlords of Draenor	Time travel	1
Legion	Sargeras	< 1
Battle for Azeroth	Faction war	< 1
Shadowlands	Afterlife	< 1
Dragonflight	Dragon Isles	< 1
WoW Forever beta	2026	present

Key characters

Alliance leaders

Character	Role
Anduin Wrynn	King of Stormwind
Tyrande Whisperwind	Night Elf leader
Moira Thaurissan	Dark Iron leader

Horde leaders

Character	Role
Thrall	Former Warchief
Sylvanas Windrunner	Banshee Queen
Baine Bloodhoof	Tauren chief

Key factions

Alliance

Faction	Race
Stormwind	Human
Ironforge	Dwarf
Darnassus	Night Elf
Skyborne	Skyborne

Horde

Faction	Race
Orgrimmar	Orc
Undercity	Undead
Thunder Bluff	Tauren
Sen’jin	Troll

FAQ

When was the Sundering?

10,000 years ago.

Current era?

Post-Cataclysm / Dragonflight.

Final verdict

Azeroth lore = 25,000 years. Current era: Dragonflight.

For more content, see our NPC Lore, Faction Lore, and Zone Lore articles.