Chapter I: Mythos

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 five 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 with the task of watching over 3alimdor" lest any force should threaten its perfect tran.uility. #n that age" there were many dragonflights. 8et 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

10,000 years before Warcraft I
!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 S ndering 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.

!o nt "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&

9,000 years before Warcraft I
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

7,300 years before Warcraft I
)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 high elves.

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