1946 Entering the Story

Defias thugs swarmed the area; anyone would look to retreat. 

Edwin VanCleef was the leader of the Defias Thugs. He was once a member of the Stonemasons in Stormwind City. The Defias group slowly grew in power and influence due to the Stormwind administration's failure to pay the workers salaries, which incited a rebellion among the citizens. 

Then, VanCleef was killed, so these thugs disbanded into the different corners of the world. 

The Defias Brotherhood played a major role in the disappearance of Varian Wrynn. Under the control of the Black Dragon Princess, Varian was ambushed and kidnapped shortly after leaving Stormwind City. 

The Brotherhood took Varian to Menethil, then rode a boat to Dustwallow Marsh and secretly kept Varian on Alcaz Island. The Defias Brotherhood had a hand in each part of the kidnapping. Stormwind City, Menethil, Theramore.