From the Shadow, a beacon of hope shall shine.

In the past, the Horde referred to the orcs and their battle thralls from both Draenor and Azeroth, such as trolls and ogres. Following its utter defeat at the end of the Second War, the Horde's dark power was broken, allowing Thrall to awaken the dormant spirituality of his people and free them from the Burning Legion's control.

During the events of the Third War, Thrall has made lasting bonds with the tauren chief Cairne Bloodhoof and the troll shadowhunter Vol'jin of the Darkspear clan. With the help of the tauren, both the orcs and the tribe of trolls have established a place for themselves in Kalimdor. Since then, certain ogre tribes, as well as the Forsaken and blood elves have chosen to affiliate themselves with the Horde.

The present Horde survives in a land that has come to hate them. Working against the elements and among the Horde's heroes and leaders come the Shadow of Paragon, a small band of explorers, scribes, battle medics and warriors who dare to venture further than any other. Those who have stood in their way have crumbled before sharpened blades, maces and incurable afflictions only to be abandoned and lifeless bearing the mark of the victorious Horde.