Why Did the Blood Elves Join the Horde?

The decision of the blood elves to ally themselves with the Horde in the world of Azeroth is a complex one, driven by various factors that align with both their need for survival and their desire for a new future.

Desperation for Allies: A Beacon of Hope During Turbulent Times

After the Scourge Invasion: The blood elves found themselves in a precarious situation after the Scourge invasion. Their world was turned upside down, and they were left with a dire need for assistance. The Horde, with its vast strength and resources, offered them an opportunity to avoid extinction and build a new purpose.

Shared Goals and Enemies: A Path Forward

Common Ground: Lorthemar Theron, the leader of the blood elves, found significant commonality with the Horde's agenda. Both were enemies of the Scourge, and the blood elves sought to recover their lost power and unity. This alignment in goals brought a semblance of hope and collaboration.

Resource Access: Joining the Horde also provided the necessary resources, military might, and trade opportunities for the blood elves to reclaim their standing in the world of Azeroth. The resources were crucial for rebuilding their depleted resources and fortresses.

Redemption and Identity: A New Path

Seeking Redemption: The blood elves, particularly those struggling with addiction to magic after the destruction of the Sunwell, sought a new chance at redemption. By aligning with the Horde, they hoped to rebuild their society and find a new identity detached from their former misdeeds.

Synergy with Values: The blood elves embraced a more pragmatic approach, willing to align with the Horde's values and goals in the interest of survival. This shift, however, did come at the cost of compromise on some of their traditional ideals.

A Strategic Decisions Rooted in Necessity

Ultimately, the blood elves' decision to join the Horde was a strategic one, born out of the dire need to survive. Their survival was intricately tied to the interests of their new allies, shaping the trajectory of their future in Azeroth.

Other Perspectives: Motivations Behind the Decision

From other angles, the reasons for the blood elves joining the Horde vary:

Quota Filling and Convenience: A Practical Choice

Some argue that the blood elves were taken in by the Horde due to the Alliance's elf quota being filled. It was more convenient for the Horde to accept them as members rather than rejecting their application due to a lack of quota.

Blizzard's Decision: A Matter of Combativeness

Others suggest that Blizzard wanted to give the Horde a "pretty" race, which indirectly refers to the fact that the blood elves are visually diverse and added variety to the game's roster. Despite the pretense, the truth is that the blood elves' acceptance was more about creating an engaging and diverse game environment than any inherent admirable qualities.

A Forced Union: The Blood Elves' Initial Goals

There's evidence that the blood elves initially aimed to reunite with Prince Kaelthas Sunstrider, seeking refuge in Outland. However, the Scourge's threat on their home of Quel'Thalas forced them into a more immediate alliance with the Horde. This strategic move was primarily driven by the necessity to secure their territory, with the larger goal of eventually splitting from the Horde and joining Kaelthas.

Pragmatism Over Ideals: A Shift in Loyalty

From Outland to Northrend: Kaelthas' actions and Kael'thas Sunstrider loyalists, the Scryers, led to a split in the blood elves' ranks. This made their continued association with the Horde difficult. However, matters took a further turn when Sylvanas Windrunner's influence and the betrayal of their former allies, like Aethas Sunreaver, further cemented their likelihood to be seen as hostages in the Horde.

Dissent and Control: A Policed Loyalty

Contradicting Voices: Not all blood elves embraced the decision. In Silvermoon, a market scene reveals supporters of the original alliance who voice their dissent. These voices were quickly silenced when a magister mind-controlled them, forcing them to align with the Horde. This highlights the control mechanisms within the Horde and the use of force to ensure compliance.

Strategic Location and Trusted Allies: The blood elves allied with the Forsaken and Amani, their allies in Outland, after the Scourge threat became apparent. This location and these allies were more comforting than the distant Alliance realms, where their encounters were more confrontational.

Hostility and Traitorous Acts: Prior to the Draenei's forced relocation, blood elves played a vicious role in sabotaging the Draenei's escape and imprisoning Naaru Muru to power their champions, further illustrating their complex and sometimes opportunistic nature.