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 faction is a group of people that share same interests. Many of the factions in Azeroth are not involved in the on-going tensions between the Horde and Alliance and, thus, are generally open to members of both sides. These "non-aligned" factions can provide you with information, equipment, and experience. Other factions are actively involved in the disputes between Alliance and Horde and are thus open only to members of one of those two sides. These factions are often attached to the various battlegrounds.
You change your status within a faction by gaining (or losing) reputation. Additionnal information on reputation is found here.
Below are some of the factions currently in the game:
 on-aligned factions tend to stay out of the problems between the Alliance and Horde. Whether they stay out for higher purposes, such as fighting against evil in general, or out of self-interest, such as making a mint of money; all that is important is that non-aligned factions are open to all.
Argent Dawn
Some say that it is always darkest just before the dawn. Whenever darkness falls, the light of hope will drive away the shadows; wherever the forces of evil work in secret, the brave men and women of the Argent Dawn will be there to thwart their dark designs. The Argent Dawn is an organization that makes no distinction between Alliance or Horde, but instead tries to unite the people of Azeroth in the fight against evil.
More information here.
Brood of Nozdormu
When the Titans first descended on Azeroth, vanquishing the Old Gods and bringing order to the world, the Highfather of the Pantheon himself empowered the great dragon Nozdormu with some of his own cosmic powers, enabling the dragon to guard time itself and police the ever-spinning pathways of fate and destiny. And so, the stoic, honorable Nozdormu became known as the Timeless One. Ever since then, Nozdormu's Brood has guarded the timestream from all who would seek to disrupt its flow, guided by the Timeless One's wise, all-knowing counsel.
More information here.
Cenarion Circle
War is brewing in the distant lands of Silithus. All over the world, men and women are gearing up for one final push into the heart of the Qiraji empire to end the threat which has been lying in wait, barely contained behind the barrier erected by the Night Elven druids and the mighty dragon Anachronos during the climactic battle at the end of the War of the Shifting Sands. Ever since that fateful day, the members of the Cenarion Circle have kept a close watch on the wastes from their base at Cenarion Hold at the center of northern Silithus.
More information here.
Darkmoon Faire
A gathering of the exotic from around the world and beyond, Silas Darkmoon has brought together the Darkmoon Faire as a celebration of the wondrous and mysterious found in Azeroth. While the Faire spends most of its time in parts unknown, they do stop from time to time in Mulgore and Elwynn Forest. When the faire is on its way, barkers will stop by Orgrimmar and Ironforge to announce its arrival.
More information here.
Thorium Brotherhood
The Searing Gorge is home to a group of exceptionally stout dwarves who have split from the Dark Iron clan. On the cliffs overlooking the region called the Cauldron, in the far north of the Searing Gorge, the dwarves of the Thorium Brotherhood have established a base of operations, Thorium Point. From here, they keep a close eye on the Dark Iron dwarves' activities in the Searing Gorge and beyond. Adventurers seeking out Thorium Point will find that the dwarves of the Thorium Brotherhood hold great rewards for those who aid them in their neverending struggle against their former brethren.
More information here.
Timbermaw Hold
With the Burning Legion defeated, the Timbermaw furbolgs have recently taken their first, careful steps outside of the safety of Timbermaw Hold. They are wary of all strangers, fearing that they may mistake them for their corrupted brethren and attack. However, the Timbermaw are painfully aware that they will not last on their own; adventurers who seek out Timbermaw Hold in northern Felwood and prove themselves as friends of the Timbermaw will learn that the furbolgs value their friends above all else.
More information here.
Zandalar Tribe
The Zandalarians were the earliest known trolls, the first tribe from which all tribes originated. Alongside the other tribes, the Zandalar defeated the blood god, Hakkar, and cast down his priests, the Atal'ai. However, as the Atal'ai priests have returned and the threat of Hakkar hangs once more, the Zandalar tribe has arrived on the shores of Azeroth to battle Hakkar once again. They offer what assistance they can to those who help them in their fight against the Atal'ai and Hakkar...
More information here.
Honor Hold/Thrallmar
Honor Hold stands to the south of both the Path of Glory and Hellfire Citadel. After the Second War, an expedition was sent through the Dark Portal to put an end to the orcish threat once and for all. Led by the valiant General Turalyon and the archmage Khadgar, the expedition did its best to fulfill its mission, waging fierce battles on the orcs of Draenor. Yet when reckless magic began to tear Draenor apart, the expedition members had to sacrifice their only chance of returning home by closing the Draenor end of the Dark Portal. Back on Azeroth, the expedition members were honored for their sacrifice and presumed dead.
The Horde's newly established base of operations in Hellfire Peninsula is Thrallmar, which overlooks the Path of Glory and Hellfire Citadel from the north. Shortly after arriving in Outland, a Horde expeditionary force set up this new base, but they were soon cut off from Azeroth by Legion forces that moved in to retake the Dark Portal. Now the people of Thrallmar are caught between a rock and a hard place.
More information here.
The Kurenai/The Mag'har
The Kurenai are a group of Broken who have escaped the grasp of their various slavers in Outland. They recently took possession of Telaar, a town in the far south of Nagrand. Unlike many other Broken, the Kurenai are trying their best to overcome their demonic taint. Nevertheless, despite their noble intent, the Kurenai are cautious toward all outsiders, who sometimes mistake the Kurenai for their wretched brethren. A number of Kurenai also dwell in Zangarmarsh at the Orebor Harborage, where they are trying to strengthen the ties between the draenei at Telredor and the Kurenai home city of Telaar. Yet the path of the Kurenai's destiny is long and dangerous, and many threats lurk on the winding road ahead... quite literally. In order for messengers to pass swiftly between Telaar and Telredor, the roads of Zangarmarsh must be secured. The task will prove difficult, considering the marsh's abundance of mostly aggressive wildlife.
More information here.
Aldor, Scryers, and the Sha'tar
Shattrath was once the draenei capital of Draenor. Its name means "dwelling of light." When the Burning Legion turned the orcs against the draenei, the fiercest battle was fought there. The draenei fought tooth and nail, but in the end, the city fell. The city was left in ruins and darkness until the Sha'tar arrived. The Sha'tar, whose name means "born from light", are the naaru who came to Outland to fight the demons of the Burning Legion. The naaru were drawn to the ruins of Shattrath City, where a small remnant of the draenei priesthood conducted its rites inside a ruined temple. The priesthood, known as the Aldor, quickly regained its strength as word of the Sha'tar's arrival spread. Reconstruction of Shattrath was soon underway. It wouldn't be long, however, before the city came under attack once again.
This time, the attack came from the armies of Illidan Stormrage. A large regiment of blood elves had been sent by Illidan's ally, Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, to lay waste to the city. As the regiment of blood elves crossed the bridge, the Aldor's exarchs and vindicators lined up to defend the Terrace of Light. Then the unexpected happened: the blood elves laid down their weapons in front of the city's defenders. Their leader, a blood elf elder known as Voren'thal, stormed into the Terrace of Light and demanded to speak to the naaru A'dal. As the naaru approached him, Voren'thal knelt and uttered the following words: "I've seen you in a vision, naaru. My race's only hope for survival lies with you. My followers and I are here to serve you."
More information here.
Cenarion Expedition
The Cenarion Circle's main expeditionary force in Outland is known as the Cenarion Expedition. Though it began as a small venture controlled directly by the Cenarion Circle, the expedition has become a large and fairly autonomous body. The expedition is based at Cenarion Refuge in the far east of Zangarmarsh, immediately west of Thornfang Hill in Hellfire Peninsula.
More information here.
Keepers of Time
At the heart of the Tanaris desert lie the Caverns of Time, home of the bronze dragonflight. Nozdormu and his flight work to safeguard the time stream against all who might disturb the delicate pathways of fate. Lately a malevolent force has infiltrated the timeways, and the efforts of this mysterious enemy could lead to a destabilization of the world, and even time itself.
More information here.
Lower City
Lower City is located on the underside of Shattrath in Terokkar Forest. Populated by the refugees from the many wars that have wracked Outland, it is home to a diverse array of beings who owe allegiance to no group. Adventurers can gain reputation by doing quests located in Lower City itself, as well as aiding citizens of Lower City in other places, such as the Refugee Caravan in the Bone Wastes.
More information here.
Netherwing
When Ner'zhul recklessly opened multiple new portals on Draenor, the resulting magical stress tore the planet apart. The energies released in this catastrophe altered Deathwing's eggs, resulting in the nether drakes: ethereal dragons whose bodies are composed of energies from the Twisting Nether. Without Deathwing's guidance, these otherworldly nether drakes are just now finding their own way among the blasted ruins of Outland.
More information here.
Ogri'la
Once thought mere legend, the Ogre plateau of enlightenment is indeed real, and those who prove their worth may find much to occupy themselves in the hidden sanctuary of Ogri'la. The new Outland faction has much to offer an enterprising player in search of enlightenment – and perhaps those with more material rewards in mind.
More information here.
Sha'tari Skyguard
The Sha'tari Skyguard is a faction related to the Sha'tar that is closely associated with a special epic flying mount, the nether ray.
More information here.
Sporeggar
In the far west of Zangarmarsh, nestled between Marshlight Lake and the Spawning Glen, lies Sporeggar, the village of the sporelings. The sporelings, a mostly peaceful race of mushroom-men native to Outland, are facing numerous threats to their quiet way of life.
More information here.
The Consortium
Led by Nexus-Prince Haramad, the Consortium is a loosely affiliated cartel of ethereal smugglers, traders, and thieves who have come to Outland to benefit from its riches. To this end, the Consortium has set up several bases of operation in Outland. Their camp in Nagrand, located due south of Sunspring Post, has been tasked with gathering the arcane treasures of Oshu'gun, and they have been authorized to subcontract any adventurers willing to assist them with this task.
More information here.
The Scale of Sands
The Scale of Sands is closely linked with the Keepers of Time.
More information here.
The Violet Eye
The Violet Eye is a secret sect of the Kirin Tor, the ruling council of Dalaran. The Violet Eye was assigned to keep an eye on Karazhan and Medivh, in case things got out of hand. And things in Karazhan have indeed gotten out of hand. In recent years, several nobles of Darkshire ventured into Deadwind Pass to investigate the blight that had settled over the region. They entered the dark tower, but never emerged. The Violet Eye, too, sent agents into Karazhan to investigate, but none of them ever reported back. To make matters worse, the wizards of the Violet Eye have discovered what might very well be demonic emanations coming from the tower.
More information here.
 attlegrounds factions are not only attached to either the Horde or the Alliance; they are also attached to their specific battleground. In order to gain reputation with a particular battleground faction, you will have to complete quests inside that faction's preferred battleground and turn in tokens from that battleground. For instance, the Frostwolf Clan will only accept tokens from members of the Horde who have gone into Alterac Valley.
Alterac Valley Factions
After Thrall's triumphant uniting of the clans, the Frostwolves, now led by the Orc Shaman Drek'Thar, chose to remain in the valley they had for so long called their home. In recent times, however, the relative peace of the Frostwolves has been challenged by the arrival of the Dwarven Stormpike Expedition.
The Stormpikes have set up residence in the valley to search for natural resources and ancient relics. Despite their intentions, the Dwarven presence has sparked heated conflict with the Frostwolf Orcs to the south, who have vowed to drive the interlopers from their lands.
More information on rewards here.
Arathi Basin Factions
Arathi Basin, located in Arathi Highlands, is a fast and exciting Battleground. The Basin itself is rich with resources and coveted by both the Horde and the Alliance. The Forsaken Defilers and the League of Arathor have arrived at Arathi Basin to wage war over these natural resources and claim them on behalf of their respective sides.
More information on rewards here.
Warsong Gulch Factions
Warsong Gulch is the battleground of the Warsong Outriders and the Silverwing Sentinels. The two factions wage war against each other from their respective holds of Warsong Lumber Mill and Silverwing Hold. The goal of their war is to lay claim to Warsong Gulch by capturing their enemy's flag and returing it to their own base. By aiding them in their struggle, adventurers can get various rewards, as well as honor and the esteem of one of the two factions.
More information on rewards here.
Eye of the Storm
Located in Netherstorm, the Eye of the Storm battleground pits adventurers from the Horde and the Alliance against each other for control of the area and its resources.
More information on rewards here.
Steamwheedle Cartel
At Honored reputation you receive a 10% discount on vendor purchases.
Bloodsail Buccaneers
The main benefit of this reputation is to gain access to a special captain's hat. To gain reputation with this faction, you will have to sacrifice your faction with the Steamwheedle Cartel. This can become an issue if you want to go to one of the Goblin cities (Ratchet, Everlook, Gadgetzan, Booty Bay) without being attacked by the guards.
Hydraxian Waterlords
This is the main faction for the Molten Core. There are a few other monsters such as Lord Incendius in Blackrock Depths and Pyroguard Emberseer in Upper Blackrock Spire that also give reputation. Killing Desert Rumblers, Dust Stormers, and Hurricanian found in Silithus improves your reputation with the Waterlords, as does killing Greater Obsidian Elementals in the Burning Steppes.
The primary reward for this faction is to allow you to get a permanent, non-consumable version of Aqual Quintessence. Before this was available you had to go to Azshara every week to gather one to summon Majordomo Executus.
Wintersaber Trainers
This faction allows you to get a special purplish cat mount. Rivern Frostwind, (Wintersaber Trainers) awaits adventurers atop Frostsaber Rock North West of Everlook. He will then give you a series of quests depending on your reputation.
The rest of the factions you may find have no rewards except to become friendly (non attackable) with the faction in question. It's always possible that rewards could be added sometime in the future, as was done with the Argent Dawn.
[Return to Game Guide]
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