Lorewise, Can I join any faction regardless of race?

[gurutikka]

A bodyguard's job is to protect a specific person. So even if the Horde sent assassins to kill the person she is protecting, she has to kill those assassins, but that still doesn't mean she is part of the Alliance nor does that mean she is at war against the Horde. For example, if the Horde sent assassins to kill a random Alliance character, she won't give a damn and will not do anything, but if it's a Wrynn, she will. Not sure why you are having trouble understanding this concept.

Yeah pal, if she's not actively taking part in any of the Alliance war efforts nor engaging the Horde on behalf of the Alliance, than I fail to see how she is a member of the Alliance.

Again, she doesn't serve the Alliance. If so, provide me proof from lore where she has done things on behalf of the Alliance. She has not done a single thing for the Alliance, she only acts if Anduin tells her to act and even then it's just for limited things such as delivering messages. Her main job has always been to make sure he doesn't die. That hardly makes you default to a faction that very noble family rules over.

The Horde knows she is not affiliated with the Alliance, they also know that she has never fought against the Horde. Do you really think if she was legit part of the Alliance and then she decides to sit around in Zulzadar (giving quests to Horde players) and then again in Orgrimmar (during the Horde council meeting), the Horde will just sit around not caring about that? lol... I think the Horde clearly knows that she is not affiliated with the Alliance. And frankly, she is not. She hasn't done jack for the Alliance.

She's a mediator between the Horde and Anduin. She literally does nothing for the Alliance. Even Jaina distrusted her when she saw Valeera pop up on the Alliance ship before the quest where Baine returns the undead Proudmoore to Boralus. Very little people know about her on the Alliance and those who do, distrust her. She's not part of the Alliance, she never was. She herself says this multiple times.

Just you watch and see, as soon as Anduin dies, she's gone for good, she will leave Stormwind. She doesn't give jack shitt about the Alliance.

At the end of the day, you can assume what you want to assume, but there clearly is no lore strong enough to prove that she is a member of the Alliance.

[Aucald]

I'd say the Undead can't join any faction except Horde while everyone else is A-Ok.

Calia Menethil and Derek Proudmoore kind of stand in rebuttal to that position, however. While Derek might be an outlier, Calia seems to have been embraced by the Alliance as a whole considered the High King of the Alliance was involved in her becoming undead in the first place.

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How many germans fought for the allies in WW2? I'm sure it happened but not many

Around 10,000, according to historians - mostly German citizens who fled Nazi persecution early on for "political subversion" (AKA disillusionment with fascism) and joined the European Allied forces against Nazi Germany.

[Caerule]

I'd say join, no. Be tolerated within, yeah. Even the Garrosh' Horde hired that Alliance-containing crew for that Vashj'ir mission. Pretty sure mercenaries of all races are everywhere. Though you probably want to avoid some areas alone, for your own safety.

Joining though, that's something else. A neutral or normally hostile race like a Steamwheedle Goblin or a Centaur (Comic) might be accepted when swearing loyalty. But someone from the opposite faction? I don't see either faction burn their hands on that one. Not unless it's a whole race, tribe or faction that brings in very justifiable benefit.

[Syegfryed]

no, there is no reason the opposite faction would accept an enemy, who could be a spy doing double-agente job, he would never be accept as citizen to the people either

and the game is better like that, with things/races set

[Ardenaso]

no, there is no reason the opposite faction would accept an enemy, who could be a spy doing double-agente job, he would never be accept as citizen to the people either

and the game is better like that, with things/races set

Fogsail Pirates

[LuminaL]

Valeera is kinda tricky though, she claims that she doesn't belong to Horde yet she dresses up like one of theirs in their traditional red colors and rubs it in the face of the Alliance lol. I don't know about others, but seeing a character who dresses up as a Horde character in Alliance territory is kind of insulting.

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You can consider what you want but she clearly says from her own mouth that she's not part of the Alliance.

She protects Anduin, that's about it, she doesn't take part in Alliance war effort. She never has.

its not horde red she is wearing.

she is very proud to be a blood elf, but doesnt work for horde and has a powerful allegiance to wrynn blood line, which are the head of the alliance. she works for the alliance as seen on many quests (helping jaina and her brother ) and reed on books and the red she is wearing is the blood elf iconic crimson color.

[Thage]

Can an Orc join the alliance or a human join the horde or are warcraft factions just extremely racist and xenophobic

I guess the races has a reason to hate each other but surely not everyone share the same views?

With Calia ruling Lordaeron can undead rejoin the alliance?

Individual exceptions can be made but there's almost always extenuating circumstances, like Valeera's personal loyalty to Varian and Anduin. Varian does a good job of explaining why so few people cross faction lines when the pandaren player character, Aysa, and Jojo first meet with him on joining the Alliance: the ongoing status of Alliance-Horde relations (read: fairly abysmal) means the factions have to take attempts to communicate cross-faction as a serious security risk that could directly lead to more lost lives. One would assume this also counts for defecting.

Keep in mind that, as evidenced by the void elves, the Nightborne (to a certain extent given how long it'd been since they left night elf society), and the Alliance's short alliance of convenience with the Grimtotem, exiles are fair game for the other faction to poach.

The blood elves are also an interesting note here, since they're typically fair-weather friends to their home faction, and have been since the high elves were part of the Alliance of Lordaeron. Lor'themar is pretty much always keeping his options open, since his loyalty is to the people of Quel'thalas first, and if the current faction puts undue risk on his people, the faction can get stuffed (this same 'Silvermoon First' line of thinking caused Sylvanas to hold the Ghostlands hostage, to force the blood elves into participating in the war in Northrend despite Lor'themar's protests that his people were exhausted and his troops depleted from just barely coming back from the brink of extinction, as beforehand he had only offered the most token of support).

So in short, the potential is there, but oftentimes there's little incentive to do so. A blood elf in the Alliance suffers suspicion and xenophobia, especially when the night, high, and void elves all have a grudge with the blood elves. A human in Orgrimmar suffers suspicion and xenophobia because the humans and orcs have been violently at odds pretty much ever since they met. An undead Gilnean who refuses Sylvanas's offer and instead travels to Alliance lands to serve her king in death is going to be viewed with suspicion, as there's an extremely good chance she's a plant.

Defectors are extremely likely to be suspected as being spies, and it's likely they'd have to do a lot to prove themselves before they can comfortably settle into their new faction.

[Syegfryed]

Fogsail Pirates

they didn't join

[llz]

I've got nothing to add other than the fact that I find it a very interesting question and enjoy reading the reply's to this.

[Ardenaso]

they didn't join

they're pretty much an allied-allied race at this point like the Ogres, Taunka, etc. I can see them being welcomed in Orgrimmar anytime soon

this comment is sponsored by Alteraci Human fanboys

[Daedius]

You got those pirates, who are humans, helping in Horde in Kilturas.

There's also the Alteraci Humans who'd gladly help the Horde if it means taking out the Alliance.

[Ardenaso]

So in short, the potential is there, but oftentimes there's little incentive to do so. A blood elf in the Alliance suffers suspicion and xenophobia, especially when the night, high, and void elves all have a grudge with the blood elves. A human in Orgrimmar suffers suspicion and xenophobia because the humans and orcs have been violently at odds pretty much ever since they met. An undead Gilnean who refuses Sylvanas's offer and instead travels to Alliance lands to serve her king in death is going to be viewed with suspicion, as there's an extremely good chance she's a plant.

to be fair High Elves also suffer suspicion before WOTLK and before Vereesa did her vibe check

[Syegfryed]

they're pretty much an allied-allied race at this point like the Ogres, Taunka, etc. I can see them being welcomed in Orgrimmar anytime soon

this comment is sponsored by Alteraci Human fanboys

they are just profiting by the horde there, like some goblins do with the alliance, in their own port, totally different from then going in horde cities

and that was before that the kul'tiran race joined the alliance

we don't need faction trading races, it will only fuck even more things, we already face several problems or races not being developed, races stealing other races spotlight, and they focusing in wrong races time to time, its already rly bad the forsaken stealing troll participation in zandalar, imagine HUMANS stealing true horde races participation, or orcs of the alliance stealing night elf participation? fuck no

[Hellobolis]

Totally possible, but you have to pick a good moment.

you could probably have switched sides during for example legion, with some help from your class order. but in bfa during a full on war it's not going to happen.

the biggest problem with switching faction is wow itself, if it were warcraft 4 it would be no problem.

[Ardenaso]

You got those pirates, who are humans, helping in Horde in Kilturas.

There's also the Alteraci Humans who'd gladly help the Horde if it means taking out the Alliance.

Yes, I want to see Eitrigg, Drek'thar and the second war orcs renew their alliance with the Alteraci

I made this profile just to be able to comment here. Here's my take: (it's a bit cringey though)

After Sylvanas' defeat at Orgrimmar, one of the Horde's loyal Dark Rangers (or probably one of the pre-Cata Forsaken) ha a request to you: to seek out the former Blackthorn allies of Sylvanas and recruit them to the Horde before Sylvanas takes them for herself. Lor'themar is having second thoughts because he recalls many of his comrades being assassinated and slaughtered in Tarren Mill in the Second War; but Eitrigg tells him that they had no choice back then as they were virtually held hostage by the demon-infused Orgrimm and they didn't want to risk their entire kingdom getting slaughtered in exchange; he also recalls that abandoning the Alteraci when they needed the Horde in return of assisting them was also one of his greatest regrets, as Orgrimm himself saw Alteraci Footmen, Knights, Mages, Priests, and even resisting civilians getting cut down by the Stromgarde army. Thalyssra also reminded that the Horde is supposed to be mending its wounds like how the Nightborne did after the sacking of Elisande

In the Dark Lady chapter in WC3X, the Mercenary Camps were colored orange, which greatly implies that the bandits were from Alterac. The Warcraft RPG also says that the Alteraci managed to loot Lordaeron while it was being Scourged; although it's now non-canon, there are no other sources that disprove this otherwise.

Beyond here's is purely made from my headcanon

After the Burning Legion and the Scourge's defeat at Lordaeron, the Blackthorn bandits witnessed Sylvanas and the Forsaken murder Garithos and his men and so they decided not to cross her. Lord Blackthorn instead approached her and gave her thanks for saving his men who were just about to get cornered by the Legion's undead and so they departed from Lordaeron. Like the Ravenholdt, they are at odds against the Syndicate, and so they decided to just ditch Alterac as well. They raided Southshore and stole the last ships there and sailed somewhere else instead. (This was also a great opportunity for the Syndicate to ransack Southshore and assassinate the Magistrate there)

Presently they are a discreet pirate group consisting of Ogres, Humans, and Forsaken roaming around Zul'dare (their main base of operations after it was abandoned by the Horde and the Alliance) and just around Booty Bay. The character travels to Zul'dare to attempt to negotiate with Lord Blackthorn but the people there say he's in his flagship near Booty Bay.

Then the character goes to Booty Bay and spots the flagship on the sea fighting some Kul Tiran vessels. The character would conveniently spot a boat and use it to reach the flagship and aid the Ogre and Forsaken pirates fighting the Alliance. After the battle is over, Lord Blackthorn (now a Forsaken) and a suddenly-and-conveniently-inserted-young-Perenolde appears to the character and so the character states his intentions. Lord Blackthorn expresses his dismay that Sylvanas would go the same path as Arthas did and she is no longer the savior that the Blackthorn bandits looked up to. While the young Perenolde expresses of joining the Horde to help deal with the increasing Alliance attacks, Lord Blackthorn says that their numbers are too few to be able to contribute anything for the Horde, and so Perenolde also thought of pooling all the other human bandits that are against the Alliance, as well as taking in some unsatisfied Stormwind citizens.

The character then goes around Azeroth to rally willing allies - Vanessa VanCleef and the Defias remnants - the Fogsail Pirates - the disgruntled Westfall and Redridge farmers and homeless having enough of hunger - Kira Iresoul for being a former Alteraci citizen and for infiltrating the Argus Wake - Jorach Ravenholdt for being a former Alteraci noble - some Syndicate Turncoats - and promise them safety and insurance in the Horde

But before they officially join, the character goes to Alterac Valley and defeat the last of the Syndicate - Darbel Montrose, Singed, and a small paltry force of Syndicates - as well as the last few Stormpikes who remained. Some Alteraci masons appear and begin rebuilding the city; and then the character travels to the Frostwolf Enclave to assure Drek'thar of the forged alliance of the Alteraci to the Horde.

Later on, Lord Blackthorn and Perenolde appear to the Grommash Hold to introduce himself as the leader of the Alteraci Humans; Baine, Rok'han, Thrall, Eitrigg, Geya'rah, Voss, Thalyssra, Velonara, and Mayla welcome him but Lor'themar remains skeptic. Perenolde then assured that he will help bridge gaps and ease the pain between the Blood Elves and the Alteraci, just as how the Orcs and the Blood Elves did.

Racial Leader: Lord Blackthorn (actual leader, forsaken), Prince [insert-name] Perenolde (figurehead)
Capital City: Alterac City
Other settlements: Tarren Mill, Durnholde, Strahnbrad, Frostwolf Valley, some random farmsteads in Suramar and Mulgore, Zul'dare, Plunder Isle
Notable NPCs: Jorad Ravenholdt, Kira Iresoul, Vanessa VanCleef, Menag (forsaken), Benedict (forsaken), Vallea Twinblades (forsaken), Kris Legace, Master Ryson
Classes: Warrior, Hunter, Mage, Priest, Paladin (some Alteraci have integrated into the Blood Knights), Shaman (some Alteraci have integrated with the Frostwolf Shamans), Warlock, Monk

Also, despite the Blackthorn consisting of Humans, Forsaken, Ogres, and a few Death Knights who rejoined them, the playable Alteraci is only the Alteraci Human

Bonus: the death knight Isiden Perenolde expressed his dismay of the Alteraci joining the Horde and so he sought out and rallied some few Alteraci who would join the Alliance and so he represents the Alliance loyalist Alteraci (this is more of a callback to the Silver Covenant), and he aids Raleigh and the Silver Hand in clearing Southshore and using it as a staging ground against Alterac.

[Thage]

You got those pirates, who are humans, helping in Horde in Kilturas.

There's also the Alteraci Humans who'd gladly help the Horde if it means taking out the Alliance.

If Blizz wanted to bring a faction of 'Alliance traitor' humans into the Horde, the Fogsails, Syndicate, Tanaris bandits, and Defias Brotherhood could come together under, say, John Doe Perenolde, who survived the destruction of Alterac and wants his revenge on Stormwind and Stromgarde (the bandits would mostly join because it's a steady paycheck and an excuse to kill a bunch of people without consequences).

[Ardenaso]

we don't need faction trading races, it will only fuck even more things, we already face several problems or races not being developed, races stealing other races spotlight, and they focusing in wrong races time to time, its already rly bad the forsaken stealing troll participation in zandalar, imagine HUMANS stealing true horde races participation, or orcs of the alliance stealing night elf participation? fuck no

at this point anything can happen: Lightbound Orc, Alteraci Human, Lightforged Undead, High Elves, Forsaken Night Elf, etc.

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If Blizz wanted to bring a faction of 'Alliance traitor' humans into the Horde, the Fogsails, Syndicate, Tanaris bandits, and Defias Brotherhood could come together under, say, John Doe Perenolde, who survived the destruction of Alterac and wants his revenge on Stormwind and Stromgarde (the bandits would mostly join because it's a steady paycheck and an excuse to kill a bunch of people without consequences).

Maybe not the Syndicate since they are in deep shit with the Horde; I'm thinking of other Alteraci like the Blackthorn Bandits. The fact that Sylvanas hasn't raised Lord Blackthorn yet implies that he's still alive somewhere. And then there's the Ravenholdt

[Syegfryed]

at this point anything can happen: Lightbound Orc, Alteraci Human, Lightforged Undead, High Elves, Forsaken Night Elf, etc.

anything can happen, just like nothing can happen, things continue the right way and we don't ruin the game for no reason at all

[Varodoc]

So in short, the potential is there, but oftentimes there's little incentive to do so. A blood elf in the Alliance suffers suspicion and xenophobia, especially when the night, high, and void elves all have a grudge with the blood elves.

The Ren'dorei don't have a grudge with the Blood elves, only with the Thalassian government (so Theron). Magister Umbric seeks to bring Silvermoon back into the Alliance.

[Thage]

Maybe not the Syndicate since they are in deep shit with the Horde; I'm thinking of other Alteraci like the Blackthorn Bandits. The fact that Sylvanas hasn't raised Lord Blackthorn yet implies that he's still alive somewhere

Well, the Horde had some pretty heavy beef with the people of Lordaeron once upon a time, ditto the high elves, but now the blood elves and Forsaken are pretty active players in Horde affairs. The Syndicate is currently the biggest remnant of Alterac, if it were put under new management and went to the Horde (who's hurting for allies and troops after the absolute meat grinder we call the Fourth War, judging by the vulpera unlock questline) there's a non-zero chance the council would allow in new allies, especially if the Syndicate can prove they're self-sufficient and don't need the Horde to prop them up like the blood elves and vulpera before them.