Highborne Cities - Nar’Thalas
The city of Nar’Thalas mainly consisted of Nar’Thalas Academy and what is now known as the Crumbled Palace. Prince Farondis, the city’s ruler and one of Queen Azshara’s many advisors, presided over the city from within his palace, many leagues away from the elven capital Zin-Azshari. During the War of the Ancients, the prince realized that the Burning Legion was manipulating and corrupting the Highborne in the capital. Determined to stop the demons, Farondis plotted to destroy the Well of Eternity using an artifact from the Academy, the Tidestone of Golganneth, until a noble named Vandros in his own court caught word of the prince’s plans and reported them directly to the Queen herself [Object: Ancient Highborne Tome]. Azshara punished Farondis swiftly in a dazzling display of power, simultaneously shattering the artifact and cursing the inhabitants of Azsuna to live as spirits for the rest of eternity. Farondis’ defiant act turned much of his court, still loyal to Azshara, against him [Object: Ancient Highborne Tome, Quest: Children of Nar’Thalas].
Before the Sundering, around ten thousand elves called Nar’Thalas home [NPC: Nightwatcher Thaldrys Dialogue].
Nar’Thalas Academy
Nar’Thalas was home to one of the most prestigious academies of the night elf empire, Nar’Thalas Academy. Regarded as the center of all magical research and studies in the kaldorei empire - next to Zin-Azshari, of course - the academy provided a place for the nearby residents of Suramar to perfect their mightiest of magics [Quest: Into the Academy, NPC: Stellagosa Dialogue].
The academy proper consists of two wings: the Hall of Antiquities and the Hall of Arcane Learning. The Hall of Antiquities was where the Tidestone of Golganneth was located up until recently, hence its name [Quest: Into the Academy, Quest: The Tidestone: Shattered]. The latter, the Hall of Arcane Learning, was where most classes were held. It was also host to an impressive arcane library curated by the Highborne Andellis [Quest: Hit the Books]. Among other things, the library contained numerous books about Azsuna’s local fauna, the courtship rituals of the skrog, and dragons [Quest: Study Hall: Combat Research, World Quest: Bestiaries of Azsuna].
Courses such as Wanding 101, Advanced Wanding, Advanced Rune Drawing, Combat Research, and Study Hall were offered in the curriculum [Quest: Wanding 101, World Quest: Advanced Wanding, Quest: Study Hall: Combat Research, Quest: Pop Quiz: Advanced Rune Drawing]. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the scholars of Nar’Thalas Academy were well known for their knowledge of both simple and advanced spell runes [World Quest: Midterm Rune Aptitude]. They were also famous for crafting wands of exceptional quality [World Quest: Advanced Wanding].
Students of the academy had to abide by a strict dress code that stipulated that a hat and robe were to be worn at all times within the academy’s walls. Students were also responsible for carrying a wand and spellbook with them [Quest: Dressing With Class].
Acceptances to Nar’Thalas Academy were handed out in the form of keys. The keys did not actually open any doors or locks - rather, they were simply a symbolic way of saying, “Our doors are open to you” [Page: Key to Nar’Thalas Academy].
