The landmass known as the Eastern Kingdoms occupies a central position in the early historical development of Azeroth. Long before the emergence of human nations, the region was shaped by successive dominions of ancient peoples, most notably the troll empires and the elven civilizations that arose from them. The interaction between these cultures, combined with environmental transformation and the gradual diffusion of arcane knowledge, created the conditions that enabled humanity to emerge as a major political force.
In the distant past, the Eastern Kingdoms were dominated by several powerful troll civilizations. Among these, the forest-dwelling Amani and Gurubashi were the most influential in the northern and southern regions respectively. These societies were characterized by strong religious traditions centered on loa worship, rigid tribal hierarchies, and territorial expansion through warfare. Archaeological and oral traditions suggest that troll hegemony once extended across much of the continent, forming the earliest known large-scale political structures in the region.
The decline of troll dominance did not occur suddenly but resulted from prolonged conflict and demographic pressure. Internal rivalries weakened centralized authority, while external threats—particularly the rise of elven enclaves—gradually eroded troll control of key territories. Despite this decline, troll cultures remained resilient and continued to exert influence over large forested and jungle regions.
A decisive shift occurred with the arrival of exiled Highborne elves from Kalimdor. Seeking refuge after catastrophic arcane upheavals elsewhere, these elves migrated eastward and settled in the northern reaches of the continent. There, they founded the kingdom of Quel'Thalas, establishing a new political and cultural center based on controlled arcane practice and structured governance.
The establishment of Quel’Thalas led directly to prolonged conflicts with the Amani trolls, who viewed the elven settlement as an encroachment on ancestral lands. These wars reshaped the political landscape of northern Eastern Kingdoms. Elven mastery of magic, combined with strategic alliances and fortified settlements, ultimately curtailed Amani territorial ambitions. However, the conflict never resulted in the complete destruction of troll power, and contested borders remained a persistent source of instability.
Humanity’s origins in the Eastern Kingdoms are traced to scattered tribal groups living in the central and southern regions of the continent. Over time, exposure to elven magic and inter-cultural contact accelerated human social development. Elven scholars played a significant role in instructing early human leaders in the disciplined use of arcane forces, an exchange that had far-reaching consequences.
These advances culminated in the formation of the Arathi Confederation, centered in the highlands around Arathi Highlands. Under a unified leadership, the Arathi tribes consolidated their territories and founded the city-state of Strom. This marked the first enduring human kingdom and the foundation of human political identity.
The confederation’s military campaigns were instrumental in pushing back remaining troll strongholds, particularly in the northern regions. These efforts significantly reduced troll influence in central Eastern Kingdoms, allowing human settlements to expand and stabilize.
The unity of the Arathi Confederation proved temporary. Succession disputes, geographic distance, and regional interests led to gradual fragmentation. From this process emerged several distinct human kingdoms, each adapting governance structures to local conditions. Among the most prominent were Lordaeron in the north, Stromgarde in the Arathi Highlands, and later realms in the southern territories.
This political diversification allowed for rapid cultural and economic development but also introduced new rivalries. Trade routes expanded, population centers grew, and military institutions became more formalized. At the same time, the reliance on arcane practitioners increased, binding human political fortunes more closely to magical stability.
Throughout this period, relations among trolls, elves, and humans remained complex. While open warfare declined in some regions, border skirmishes and ideological hostility persisted. Elven isolationism contrasted with human expansionism, while troll societies adapted through decentralization and guerilla resistance. In several regions, particularly around Tirisfal Glades, overlapping claims and historical grievances produced enduring instability.
The long-term significance of this era lies not only in territorial change but in the establishment of enduring cultural patterns. Human political structures, elven magical stewardship, and troll spiritual traditions continued to shape events in the centuries that followed. The Eastern Kingdoms emerged from this age as a mosaic of civilizations, each bearing the legacy of earlier conflicts and alliances.
Several aspects of this period remain debated among chroniclers. The precise chronology of early human migration and the extent of elven involvement in human arcane education vary across sources. Similarly, accounts of troll territorial reach prior to elven settlement differ, reflecting the limitations of oral histories and later reinterpretations. Despite these uncertainties, the broad sequence of cultural succession—from troll dominance to elven consolidation and human ascendancy—is consistently supported across surviving records.