The History of Warcraft

Chapter 1

Collected by MYTH1C4L
www.wowwiki.com/History_of_Warcraft
Content
The History of Warcraft........................................................................................................................1
The Titans and the ha!in" of the #ni$erse....................................................................................%
ar"eras and the &etrayal.................................................................................................................%
The 'ld (ods and the 'rderin" of )*eroth.....................................................................................+
Char"e of the ,ra"onfli"hts.............................................................................................................-
The Wakin" World and the Well of .ternity....................................................................................-
The War of the )ncients................................................................................................................../
The 0nderin" of the World...........................................................................................................11
Mo0nt Hy2al and 3llidan4s (ift.......................................................................................................11
The World Tree and the .merald ,ream.......................................................................................15
.6ile of the Hi"h .l$es..................................................................................................................1%
The entinels and the Lon" 7i"il...................................................................................................14
The Titans and the Shaping of the Universe
No one knows exactly how the universe began. Some theorize that a
catastrophic cosmic explosion sent the infinite worlds spinning out into the
vastness of the Great Dark - worlds that would one day bear life forms of
wondrous and terrible diversity. thers believe that the universe was created
as a whole by a single all-powerful entity. !hough the exact origins of the
chaotic universe remain uncertain" it is clear that a race of powerful beings
arose to bring stability to the various worlds and ensure a safe future for the
beings that would follow in their footsteps.
!he !itans" colossal" metallic-skinned gods from the far reaches of the cosmos"
explored the newborn universe and set to work on the worlds they
encountered. !hey shaped the worlds by raising mighty mountains and
dredging out vast seas. !hey breathed skies and raging atmospheres into
being. #t was all part of their unfathomable" far-sighted plan to create order
out of chaos. !hey even empowered primitive races to tend to their works and
maintain the integrity of their respective worlds.
$uled by an elite sect known as the %antheon" the !itans brought order to a
hundred million worlds scattered throughout the Great Dark &eyond during the
first ages of creation. !he benevolent %antheon" which sought to safeguard
these structured worlds" was ever vigilant against the threat of attack from the
vile extra-dimensional entities of the !wisting Nether. !he Nether" an ethereal
dimension of chaotic magics that connected the myriad worlds of the universe"
was home to an infinite number of malefic" demonic beings who sought only to
destroy life and devour the energies of the living universe. 'nable to conceive
of evil or wickedness in any form" the !itans struggled to find a way to end the
demons( constant threat.
Sargeras and the Betrayal
ver time" demonic entities made their way into the !itans( worlds from the
!wisting Nether" and the %antheon elected its greatest warrior" Sargeras" to act
as its first line of defense. ) noble giant of molten bronze" Sargeras carried out
his duties for countless millennia" seeking out and destroying these demons
wherever he could find them. ver the eons" Sargeras encountered two
powerful demonic races" both of which were bent on gaining power and
dominance over the physical universe.
!he eredar" an insidious race of devilish sorcerers" used their warlock magics to
invade and enslave a number of worlds. !he indigenous races of those worlds
were mutated by the eredar(s malevolent powers and turned into demons
themselves. !hough Sargeras( nearly limitless powers were more than enough
to defeat the vile eredar" he was greatly troubled by the creatures( corruption
and all-consuming evil. #ncapable of fathoming such depravity" the great !itan
began to slip into a brooding depression. Despite his growing unease" Sargeras
rid the universe of the warlocks by trapping them within a corner of the
!wisting Nether.
*hile his confusion and misery deepened" Sargeras was forced to contend with
another group intent on disrupting the !itans( order+ the Nathrezim. !his dark
race of vampiric demons ,also known as dreadlords- con.uered a number of
populated worlds by possessing their inhabitants and turning them to the
shadow. !he nefarious" scheming dreadlords turned whole nations against one
another by manipulating them into unthinking hatred and mistrust. Sargeras
defeated the Nathrezim easily" but their corruption affected him deeply.
)s doubt and despair overwhelmed Sargeras( senses" he lost all faith not only
in his mission" but also in the !itans( vision of an ordered universe. /ventually
he came to believe that the concept of order itself was folly" and that chaos
and depravity were the only absolutes within the dark" lonely universe. 0is
fellow !itans tried to persuade him of his error and calm his raging emotions"
but he disregarded their more optimistic beliefs as self-serving delusions.
Storming from their ranks forever" Sargeras set out to find his own place in the
universe. )lthough the %antheon was sorrowful at his departure" the !itans
could never have predicted 1ust how far their lost brother would go.
&y the time Sargeras( madness had consumed the last vestiges of his valiant
spirit" he believed that the !itans themselves were responsible for creation(s
failure. Deciding" at last" to undo their works throughout the universe" he
resolved to form an unstoppable army that would set the physical universe
aflame.
/ven Sargeras( titanic form became distorted from the corruption that plagued
his once-noble heart. 0is eyes" hair" and beard erupted in fire" and his metallic
bronze skin split open to reveal an endless furnace of blistering hate.
#n his fury" Sargeras shattered the prisons of the eredar and the Nathrezim and
set the loathsome demons free. !hese cunning creatures bowed before the
dark !itan(s vast rage and offered to serve him in whatever malicious ways
they could. 2rom the ranks of the powerful /redar" Sargeras picked two
champions to command his demonic army of destruction. 3il(1aeden the
Deceiver was chosen to seek out the darkest races in the universe and recruit
them into Sargeras( ranks. !he second champion" )rchimonde the Defiler" was
chosen to lead Sargeras( vast armies into battle against any who might resist
the !itan(s will.
3il(1aeden(s first move was to enslave the vampiric dreadlords under his
terrible power. !he dreadlords served as his personal agents throughout the
universe" and they took pleasure in locating primitive races for their master to
corrupt and bring into the fold. 2irst amongst the dreadlords was !ichondrius
the Darkener. !ichondrius served 3il(1aeden as the perfect soldier and agreed
to bring Sargeras( burning will to all the dark corners of the universe.
!he mighty )rchimonde also empowered agents of his own. 4alling upon the
malefic pit lords and their barbarous leader" 5annoroth the Destructor"
)rchimonde hoped to establish a fighting elite that would scour creation of all
life.
nce Sargeras saw that his armies were amassed and ready to follow his every
command" he launched his raging forces into the vastness of the Great Dark.
0e referred to his growing army as the &urning 6egion. !o this date" it is still
unclear how many worlds they consumed and burned on their unholy &urning
4rusade across the universe.
The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth
'naware of Sargeras( mission to undo their countless works" the !itans
continued to move from world to world" shaping and ordering each planet as
they saw fit. )long their 1ourney they happened upon a small world that its
inhabitants would later name )zeroth. )s the !itans made their way across the
primordial landscape" they encountered a number of hostile elemental beings.
!hese elementals" who worshipped a race of unfathomably evil beings known
only as the ld Gods" vowed to drive the !itans back and keep their world
inviolate from the invaders( metallic touch.
!he %antheon" disturbed by the ld Gods( penchant for evil" waged war upon
the elementals and their dark masters. !he ld Gods( armies were led by the
most powerful elemental lieutenants+ $agnaros the 2irelord" !herazane the
Stonemother" )l()kir the *indlord" and Neptulon the !idehunter. !heir chaotic
forces raged across the face of the world and clashed with the colossal !itans.
!hough the elementals were powerful beyond mortal comprehension" their
combined forces could not stop the mighty !itans. ne by one" the elemental
lords fell" and their forces dispersed.
!he %antheon shattered the ld Gods( citadels and chained the four evil gods
far beneath the surface of the world. *ithout the ld Gods( power to keep their
raging spirits bound to the physical world" the elementals were banished to an
abyssal plane" where they would contend with one another for all eternity. *ith
the elementals( departure" nature calmed" and the world settled into a peaceful
harmony. !he !itans saw that the threat was contained and set to work.
!he !itans empowered a number of races to help them fashion the world. !o
help them carve out the fathomless caverns beneath the earth" the !itans
created the dwarf-like earthen from magical" living stone. !o help them dredge
out the seas and lift the land from the sea floor" the !itans created the
immense but gentle sea giants. 2or many ages the !itans moved and shaped
the earth" until at last there remained one perfect continent. )t the continent(s
center" the !itans crafted a lake of scintillating energies. !he lake" which they
named the *ell of /ternity" was to be the fount of life for the world. #ts potent
energies would nurture the bones of the world and empower life to take root in
the land(s rich soil. ver time" plants" trees" monsters" and creatures of every
kind began to thrive on the primordial continent. )s twilight fell on the final
day of their labors" the !itans named the continent 3alimdor+ 7land of eternal
starlight7.
Charge of the Dragonflights
Satisfied that the small world had been ordered and that their work was done"
the !itans prepared to leave )zeroth. 0owever" before they departed" they
charged the greatest species of the world" the Dragonflights" with the task of
watching over 3alimdor" lest any force should threaten its perfect tran.uility.
!here were many Dragonflights in that age" yet there were five flights that
held dominion over their brethren. #t was these five flights that the !itans
chose to shepherd the budding world. !he greatest members of the %antheon
imbued a portion of their power upon each of the flights( leaders. !hese
ma1estic dragons ,as listed below- became known as the Great )spects" or the
Dragon )spects.
)man(!hul" the 0ighfather of the %antheon" bestowed a portion of his cosmic
power upon the massive bronze dragon" Nozdormu. !he 0ighfather
empowered Nozdormu to guard time itself and police the ever-spinning
pathways of fate and destiny. !he stoic" honorable Nozdormu became known
as the !imeless ne.
/onar" the !itan patron of all life" gave a portion of her power to the red
leviathan" )lexstrasza. /ver after" )lexstrasza would be known as the 6ife-
&inder" and she would work to safeguard all living creatures within the world.
Due to her supreme wisdom and limitless compassion for all living things"
)lexstrasza was crowned the Dragon.ueen and given dominion over her kind.
/onar also blessed )lexstrasza(s younger sister" the lithe green dragon 8sera"
with a portion of nature(s influence. 8sera fell into an eternal trance" bound to
the waking Dream of 4reation. 3nown as the Dreamer" she would watch over
the growing wilds of the world from her verdant realm" the /merald Dream.
Norgannon" the !itan lore keeper and master-magician" granted the blue
dragon" 5alygos" a portion of his vast power. 2rom then on" 5alygos would be
known as the Spell-*eaver" the guardian of magic and hidden arcanum.
3haz(goroth" the !itan shaper and forger of the world" bestowed some of his
vast power upon the mighty black wyrm" Neltharion. !he great-hearted
Neltharion" known afterwards as the /arth-*arder" was given dominion over
the earth and the deep places of the world. 0e embodied the strength of the
world and served as )lexstrasza(s greatest supporter.
!hus empowered" the 2ive )spects were charged with the world(s defense in
the !itans( absence. *ith the dragons prepared to safeguard their creation" the
!itans left )zeroth behind forever. 'nfortunately it was only a matter of time
before Sargeras learned of the newborn world(s existence....
The Waking World and the Well of Eternity
!en thousand years before the orcs and humans clashed in their 2irst *ar" the
world of )zeroth cradled only one massive continent" surrounded by the sea.
!hat landmass" known as 3alimdor" was home to a number of disparate races
and creatures" all vying for survival amongst the savage elements of the
waking world. )t the dark continent(s center was a mysterious lake of
incandescent energies. !he lake" which would later be called the *ell of
/ternity" was the true heart of the world(s magic and natural power. Drawing its
energies from the infinite Great Dark beyond the world" the *ell acted as a
mystical fount" sending its potent energies out across the world to nourish life
in all its wondrous forms.
#n time" a primitive tribe of nocturnal humanoids cautiously made their way to
the edges of the mesmerizing enchanted lake. !he feral" nomadic humanoids"
drawn by the *ell(s strange energies" built crude homes upon its tran.uil
shores. ver time" the *ell(s cosmic power affected the tribe" making them
strong" wise" and virtually immortal. !he tribe adopted the name 3aldorei"
which meant 7children of the stars7 in their native tongue. !o celebrate their
budding society" they constructed great structures and temples around the
lake(s periphery.
!he 3aldorei" or night elves as they would later be known" worshipped the
moon goddess" /lune" and believed that she slept within the *ell(s shimmering
depths during the daylight hours. !he early night elf priests and seers studied
the *ell with an insatiable curiosity" driven to plumb its untold secrets and
power. )s their society grew" the night elves explored the breadth of 3alimdor
and encountered its other denizens. !he only creatures that gave them pause
were the ancient and powerful dragons. !he great serpentine beasts were
often reclusive" but they did much to safeguard the known lands from potential
threats. !he night elves discovered that the dragons held themselves to be the
protectors of the world - and agreed that they and their secrets were best left
alone.
#n time" the night elves( curiosity led them to meet and befriend a number of
powerful entities" not the least of which was 4enarius" a mighty demigod of the
primordial forestlands. !he greathearted 4enarius grew fond of the in.uisitive
night elves and spent a great deal of time teaching them about the natural
world. !he tran.uil 3aldorei developed a strong empathy for the living forests
of 3alimdor and reveled in the harmonious balance of nature.
)s the seemingly endless ages passed" the night elves( civilization expanded
both territorially and culturally. !heir temples" roads" and dwelling places
stretched across the breadth of the dark continent. )zshara" the night elves(
beautiful and gifted .ueen" built an immense" wondrous palace on the *ell(s
shore that housed her favored servitors within its be1eweled halls. 0er
servitors" whom she called the 9uel(dorei" or 70ighborne7" doted on her every
command and believed themselves to be greater than the rest of their
brethren. !hough 9ueen )zshara was loved e.ually by all of her people" the
0ighborne were secretly envied and disliked by the rest of the night elves.
Sharing the priests( curiosity towards the *ell of /ternity" )zshara ordered the
0ighborne to plumb its secrets and reveal its true purpose in the world. !he
0ighborne buried themselves in their work and studied the *ell ceaselessly. #n
time they developed the ability to manipulate and control the *ell(s cosmic
energies. )s their experiments progressed" the 0ighborne found that they
could use their newfound powers to either create or destroy at their leisure.
!he heedless 0ighborne had stumbled upon primitive magic and were now
resolved to devote themselves to its mastery. )lthough they agreed that magic
was inherently dangerous if handled irresponsibly" )zshara and her 0ighborne
began to practice their spellcraft with reckless abandon. 4enarius and many
wizened night elf scholars warned that only calamity would result from toying
with the clearly volatile arts of magic. /ven so" )zshara and her followers
stubbornly continued to expand their burgeoning powers.
)s their powers grew" a distinct change came over )zshara and the 0ighborne.
!he haughty" aloof upper class became increasingly callous and cruel towards
their fellow night elves. ) dark" brooding pall veiled )zshara(s once-entrancing
beauty. She began to withdraw from her loving sub1ects and refused to interact
with any but her trusted 0ighborne priests.
) young scholar named 5alfurion Stormrage" who had spent much of his time
studying the primitive arts of druidism" began to suspect that a terrible power
was corrupting the 0ighborne and his beloved .ueen. !hough he could not
conceive of the evil that was to come" he knew that the night elves( lives would
soon be changed forever....
The War of the Ancients
!he 0ighborne(s reckless use of magic sent ripples of energy spiraling out from
the *ell of /ternity and into the Great Dark &eyond. !he streaming ripples of
energy were felt by terrible alien minds. Sargeras - the Great /nemy of all life"
the Destroyer of *orlds - felt the potent ripples and was drawn to their distant
point of origin. Spying the primordial world of )zeroth and sensing the limitless
energies of the *ell of /ternity" Sargeras was consumed by an insatiable
hunger. !he great dark god of the Nameless :oid resolved to destroy the
fledgling world and claim its energies as his own.
Sargeras gathered his vast &urning 6egion and made his way towards the
unsuspecting world of )zeroth. !he 6egion was comprised of a million
screaming demons" all ripped from the far corners of the universe" and the
demons hungered for con.uest. Sargeras( lieutenants" )rchimonde the Defiler
and 5annoroth the Destructor" prepared their infernal minions to strike.
9ueen )zshara" overwhelmed by the terrible ecstasy of her magic" fell victim
to Sargeras( undeniable power and agreed to grant him entrance to her world.
/ven her 0ighborne servitors gave themselves over to magic(s inevitable
corruption and began to worship Sargeras as their god. !o show their
allegiance to the 6egion" the 0ighborne aided their .ueen in opening a vast"
swirling portal within the depths of the *ell of /ternity.
nce all his preparations had been made" Sargeras began his catastrophic
invasion of )zeroth. !he warrior-demons of the &urning 6egion stormed into
the world through the *ell of /ternity and laid siege to the night elves(
sleeping cities. 6ed by )rchimonde and 5annoroth" the 6egion swarmed over
the lands of 3alimdor" leaving only ash and sorrow in its wake. !he demon
warlocks called down searing infernals that crashed like hellish meteors into
the graceful spires of 3alimdor(s temples. ) band of burning" bloodletting
killers known as the Doomguard marched across 3alimdor(s fields" slaughtering
everyone in their path. %acks of wild" demonic felhounds ravaged the
countryside unopposed. !hough the brave 3aldorei warriors rushed to defend
their ancient homeland" they were forced to give ground" inch by inch" before
the fury of the 6egion(s onslaught.
#t fell to 5alfurion Stormrage to find help for his beleaguered people.
Stormrage" whose own brother" #llidan" practiced the 0ighborne(s magics" was
incensed by the growing corruption amongst the upper class. 4onvincing #llidan
to forsake his dangerous obsession" 5alfurion set out to find 4enarius and
muster a resistance force. !he beautiful young priestess" !yrande" agreed to
accompany the brothers in the name of /lune. !hough 5alfurion and #llidan
shared a love for the idealistic priestess" !yrande(s heart belonged to 5alfurion
alone. #llidan resented his brother(s budding romance with !yrande" but knew
that his heartache was nothing compared to the pain of his magical addiction.
#llidan" who had grown dependent on magic(s empowering energies" struggled
to keep control of his nearly overwhelming hunger to tap the *ell(s energies
once again. 0owever" with !yrande(s patient support" he was able to restrain
himself and help his brother find the reclusive demigod" 4enarius. 4enarius"
who dwelt within the sacred 5oonglades of the distant 5ount 0y1al" agreed to
help the night elves by finding the ancient dragons and enlisting their aid. !he
dragons" led by the great red leviathan" )lexstrasza" agreed to send their
mighty flights to engage the demons and their infernal masters.
4enarius" calling on the spirits of the enchanted forests" rallied an army of
ancient tree-men and led them against the 6egion in a daring ground assault.
)s the night elves( allies converged upon )zshara(s temple and the *ell of
/ternity" all-out warfare erupted. Despite the strength of their newfound allies"
5alfurion and his colleagues realized that the 6egion could not be defeated by
martial strength alone.
)s the titanic battle raged around )zshara(s capital city" the delusional .ueen
waited in anticipation for Sargeras( arrival. !he lord of the 6egion was
preparing to pass through the *ell of /ternity and enter the ravaged world. )s
his impossibly huge shadow drew ever closer to the *ell(s raging surface"
)zshara gathered the most powerful of her 0ighborne followers. nly by
linking their magics together in one focused spell would they be able to create
a gateway large enough for Sargeras to enter.
)s the battle raged across the burning fields of 3alimdor" a terrible turn of
events unfolded. !he details of the event have been lost to time" but it is
known that Neltharion" the Dragon )spect of the /arth" went mad during a
critical engagement against the &urning 6egion. 0e began to split apart as
flame and rage erupted from his dark hide. $enaming himself Deathwing" the
burning dragon turned on his brethren and drove the five dragonflights from
the field of battle.
Deathwing(s sudden betrayal was so destructive that the five dragonflights
never truly recovered. *ounded and shocked" )lexstrasza and the other noble
dragons were forced to abandon their mortal allies. 5alfurion and his
companions" now hopelessly outnumbered" barely survived the ensuing
onslaught.
5alfurion" convinced that the *ell of /ternity was the demons( umbilical link to
the physical world" insisted that it should be destroyed. 0is companions"
knowing that the *ell was the source of their immortality and powers" were
horrified by the rash notion. 8et !yrande saw the wisdom of 5alfurion(s theory"
so she convinced 4enarius and their comrades to storm )zshara(s temple and
find a way to shut the *ell down for good.
The Sndering of the World
3nowing that the *ell(s destruction would prevent him from ever wielding
magic again" #llidan selfishly abandoned the group and set out to warn the
0ighborne of 5alfurion(s plan. Due to the insanity brought on by his addiction
and the stinging resentment towards his brother(s affair with !yrande" #llidan
felt no remorse at betraying 5alfurion and siding with )zshara and her ilk.
)bove all else" #llidan vowed to protect the *ell(s power by any means
necessary.
0eartbroken by his brother(s departure" 5alfurion led his companions into the
heart of )zshara(s temple. 8et as they stormed into the main audience
chamber" they found the 0ighborne in the midst of their final dark incantation.
!he communal spell created an unstable vortex of power within the *ell(s
turbulent depths. )s Sargeras( ominous shadow drew ever closer to the
surface" 5alfurion and his allies rushed to attack.
)zshara" having received #llidan(s warning" was more than prepared for them.
Nearly all of 5alfurion(s followers fell before the mad .ueen(s powers. !yrande"
attempting to attack )zshara from behind" was caught off-guard by the
.ueen(s 0ighborne guardsmen. !hough she van.uished the guardsmen"
!yrande suffered grievous wounds at their hands. *hen 5alfurion saw his love
fall" he went into a murderous rage and resolved to end )zshara(s life.
)s the battle raged inside and outside of the temple" #llidan appeared from the
shadows near the shores of the great *ell. %roducing a set of specially crafted
vials" #llidan knelt and filled each with the *ell(s shimmering waters. 4onvinced
that the demons would crush the night elves( civilization" he planned to steal
the sacred waters and keep their energies for himself.
!he ensuing battle between 5alfurion and )zshara threw the 0ighborne(s
carefully crafted spellwork into chaos. !he unstable vortex within the *ell(s
depths exploded and ignited a catastrophic chain of events that would sunder
the world forever. !he massive explosion rocked the temple to its foundations
and sent massive .uakes ripping through the tortured earth. )s the horrific
battle between the 6egion and the night elves( allies raged around and above
the ruined capital city" the surging *ell of /ternity buckled in upon itself and
collapsed.
!he resultant catastrophic explosion shattered the earth and blotted out the
skies.
)s the aftershocks from the *ell(s implosion rattled the bones of the world" the
seas rushed in to fill the gaping wound left in the earth. Nearly eighty percent
of 3alimdor(s landmass had been blasted apart" leaving only a handful of
separate continents surrounding the new" raging sea. )t the center of the new
sea" where the *ell of /ternity once stood" was a tumultuous storm of tidal
fury and chaotic energies. !his terrible scar" known as the 5aelstrom" would
never cease its furious spinning. #t would remain a constant reminder of the
terrible catastrophe... and the utopian era that had been lost forever.
Somehow" against all odds" 9ueen )zshara and her 0ighborne elite managed
to survive the ordeal. !ortured and twisted by the powers they had released"
)zshara and her followers were dragged down beneath the raging sea by the
*ell(s implosion. 4ursed - transformed - they took on new shapes and became
the hateful serpentine naga. )zshara herself expanded with hate and rage"
becoming a massive monstrosity" reflecting the wickedness and malice that
had always hidden within her core.
!here" at the bottom of the 5aelstrom" the naga built for themselves a new
city" Naz1atar" from which they would rebuild their power. #t would take over
ten thousand years before the naga would reveal their existence to the surface
world.
!ont "y#al and $llidan%s Gift
!he few night elves that survived the horrific explosion rallied together on
crudely made rafts and slowly made their way to the only landmass in sight.
Somehow" by the grace of /lune" 5alfurion" !yrande" and 4enarius had
survived the Great Sundering. !he weary heroes agreed to lead their fellow
survivors and establish a new home for their people. )s they 1ourneyed in
silence" they surveyed the wreckage of their world and realized that their
passions had wrought the destruction all around them. !hough Sargeras and
his 6egion had been ripped from the world by the *ell(s destruction" 5alfurion
and his companions were left to ponder the terrible cost of victory.
!here were many 0ighborne who did survive the cataclysm unscathed. !hey
made their way to the shores of the new land along with the other night elves.
!hough 5alfurion mistrusted the 0ighborne(s motivations" he was satisfied that
they could cause no real mischief without the *ell(s energies.
)s the weary mass of night elves landed upon the shores of the new land" they
found that the holy mountain" 0y1al" had survived the catastrophe. Seeking to
establish a new home for themselves" 5alfurion and the night elves climbed
the slopes of 0y1al and reached its windswept summit. )s they descended into
the wooded bowl" nestled between the mountain(s enormous peaks" they found
a small" tran.uil lake. !o their horror" they found that the lake(s waters had
been fouled by magic.
#llidan" having survived the Sundering as well" had reached 0y1al summit long
before 5alfurion and the night elves. #n his mad bid to maintain the flows of
magic in the world" #llidan had poured his vials" which contained the precious
waters from the *ell of /ternity" into the mountain lake. !he *ell(s potent
energies .uickly ignited and coalesced into a new *ell of /ternity. !he exultant
#llidan" believing that the new *ell was a gift to future generations" was
shocked when 5alfurion hunted him down. 5alfurion explained to his brother
that magic was innately chaotic and that its use would inevitably lead to
widespread corruption and strife. Still" #llidan refused to relin.uish his magical
powers.
3nowing full well where #llidan(s ruthless schemes would eventually lead"
5alfurion decided to deal with his power-crazed brother once and for all. *ith
4enarius( help" 5alfurion sealed #llidan within a vast underground barrow
prison" where he would remain chained and powerless until the end of time. !o
ensure his brother(s containment" 5alfurion empowered the young warden"
5aiev Shadowsong" to be #llidan(s personal 1ailor.
4oncerned that destroying the new *ell might bring about an even greater
catastrophe" the night elves resolved to leave it be. 0owever" 5alfurion
declared that they would never practice the arts of magic again. 'nder
4enarius( watchful eye" they began to study the ancient arts of druidism that
would enable them to heal the ravaged earth and re-grow their beloved forests
at the base of 5ount 0y1al.
The World Tree and the E&erald Drea&
2or many years" the night elves worked tirelessly to rebuild what they could of
their ancient homeland. 6eaving their broken temples and roads to be
overgrown" they constructed their new homes amidst the verdant trees and
shadowed hills at 0y1al(s base. #n time" the dragons that had survived the
Great Sundering came forth from their secret abodes.
)lexstrasza the red" 8sera the green" and Nozdormu the bronze descended
upon the druids( tran.uil glades and surveyed the fruits of the night elves(
labors. 5alfurion" who had become an arch-druid of immense power" greeted
the mighty dragons and told them about the creation of the new *ell of
/ternity. !he great dragons were alarmed to hear the dark news and
speculated that as long as the *ell remained" the 6egion might one day return
and assault the world once again. 5alfurion and the three dragons made a pact
to keep the *ell safe and ensure that the agents of the &urning 6egion would
never find their way back into the world.
)lexstrasza" the 6ifebinder" placed a single" enchanted acorn within the heart of
the *ell of /ternity. !he acorn" activated by the potent" magical waters" sprung
to life as a colossal tree. !he mighty tree(s roots grew from the *ell(s waters"
and its verdant canopy seemed to scrape the roof of the sky. !he immense
tree would be an everlasting symbol of the night elves( bond with nature" and
its life-giving energies would extend out to heal the rest of the world over
time. !he night elves( gave their *orld !ree the new name Nordrassil" which
meant 7crown of the heavens7 in their native tongue.
Nozdormu" the !imeless" placed an enchantment upon the *orld !ree to
ensure that as long as the colossal tree stood" the night elves would never age
or fall prey to sickness or disease.
8sera" the Dreamer" also placed an enchantment upon the *orld !ree by
linking it to her own realm" the ethereal dimension known as the /merald
Dream. !he /merald Dream" a vast" ever-changing spirit world" existed outside
the boundaries of the physical world. 2rom the Dream" 8sera regulated the ebb
and flow of nature and the evolutionary path of the world itself. !he night elf
druids" including 5alfurion himself" were bound to the Dream through the
*orld !ree. )s part of the mystical pact" the druids agreed to sleep for
centuries at a time so that their spirits could roam the infinite paths of 8sera(s
Dreamways. !hough the druids were grieved at the prospect of losing so many
years of their lives to hibernation" they selflessly agreed to uphold their
bargain with 8sera.
E'ile of the "igh Elves
)s the centuries passed" the night elves( new society grew strong and
expanded throughout the budding forest that they came to call )shenvale.
5any of the creatures and species that were abundant before the Great
Sundering" such as furbolgs and .uilboars" reappeared and flourished in the
land. 'nder the druids( benevolent leadership" the night elves en1oyed an era
of unprecedented peace and tran.uility under the stars.
0owever" many of the original 0ighborne survivors grew restless. 6ike #llidan
before them" they fell victim to the withdrawal that came from the loss of their
coveted magics. !hey were tempted to tap the energies of the *ell of /ternity
and exult in their magical practices. Dath($emar" the brash" outspoken leader
of the 0ighborne" began to mock the druids publicly" calling them cowards for
refusing to wield the magic that he said was theirs by right. 5alfurion and the
druids dismissed Dath($emar(s arguments and warned the 0ighborne that any
use of magic would be punishable by death. #n an insolent and ill-fated
attempt to convince the druids to rescind their law" Dath($emar and his
followers unleashed a terrible magical storm upon )shenvale.
!he druids could not bring themselves to put so many of their kin to death" so
they decided to exile the reckless 0ighborne from their lands. Dath($emar and
his followers" glad to be rid of their conservative cousins at last" boarded a
number of specially crafted ships and set sail upon the seas. !hough none of
them knew what awaited them beyond the waters of the raging 5aelstrom"
they were eager to establish their own homeland" where they could practice
their coveted magics with impunity. !he 0ighborne" or 9uel(dorei" as )zshara
had named them in ages past" would eventually set shore upon the eastern
land men would call 6ordaeron. !hey planned to build their own magical
kingdom" 9uel(!halas" and re1ect the night elves( precepts of moon worship
and nocturnal activity. 2orever after" they would embrace the sun and be
known only as the 0igh /lves.
The Sentinels and the (ong )igil
*ith the departure of their wayward cousins" the night elves turned their
attention back to the safekeeping of their enchanted homeland. !he druids"
sensing that their time of hibernation was drawing near" prepared to sleep and
leave their loved ones and families behind. !yrande" who had become the 0igh
%riestess of /lune" asked her love" 5alfurion" not to leave her for 8sera(s
/merald Dream. &ut 5alfurion" honor bound to enter the changing Dreamways"
bid the priestess farewell and swore that they would never be apart so long as
they held true to their love.
6eft alone to protect 3alimdor from the dangers of the new world" !yrande
assembled a powerful fighting force from amongst her night elf sisters. !he
fearless" highly trained warrior women who pledged themselves to 3alimdor(s
defense became known as the Sentinels. !hough they preferred to patrol the
shadowy forests of )shenvale on their own" they had many allies upon which
they could call in times of urgency.
!he demigod 4enarius remained nearby in the 5oonglades of 5ount 0y1al. 0is
sons" known as the 3eepers of the Grove" kept close watch on the night elves
and regularly helped the Sentinels maintain peace in the land. /ven 4enarius(
shy daughters" the dryads" appeared in the open with increasing fre.uency.
!he task of policing )shenvale kept !yrande busy" but without 5alfurion at her
side" she knew little 1oy. )s the long centuries passed while the druids slept"
her fears of a second demonic invasion grew. She could not shake the
unnerving feeling that the &urning 6egion might still be out there" beyond the
Great Dark of the sky" plotting its revenge upon the night elves and the world
of )zeroth.