The majority of media set in the Warcraft universe takes place on the fictional planet of Azeroth. This planet consists of three large continents called Kalimdor, the Eastern Kingdoms and Northrend. Kalimdor is the home of the Night Elves and Tauren as well as the capital of the Horde. The Eastern Kingdoms continent is divided into Quel’Thalas, Lordaeron, Khaz Modan and the kingdom of Azeroth. Northrend is a frozen continent that is ruled by the Scourge.

Prior to the time frame of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, the two continents were one large continent. During the first conflict with the Burning Legion, as outlined in the War of the Ancients Trilogy, the Well of Eternity, a primary source for magical energy was destroyed to prevent the demon lord Sargeras from entering Azeroth. The destruction of the Well caused the sundering of the continent and the creation of the Great Sea between them, in the center of which lies the Maelstrom, what remains of the Well.