#nelf lore

[tinfoilscribbles]

Just read some creator notes from scrapped Shadowlands content and am a bit forlorn at what could have been. So much good, gone.

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Lore Fact of the Week #58

Some night elves follow a philosophy called ‘alara’shinu,’ which means finding beauty in imperfection. Those who live by it accept and ultimately take joy from understanding that all things are temporary, including life and nature [NPC: Rensar Greathoof Dialogue].

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azshara’s Court - Satyr

Like the naga, most satyr were once elven Highborne who served in Queen Azshara’s royal court before the Sundering. Xavius, their progenitor and Azshara’s high councilor, was transformed into the first satyr by Sargeras following his death at the hands of Malfurion Stormrage during the War of the Ancients. He then took it upon himself – at the behest of the titan – to convert fellow Highborne, the first of which was a skilled sorcerer named Peroth’arn, into demonic satyr like himself to serve the Burning Legion [The Demon Soul, Chapter Three, Chapter Five, Chapter Seven]. While many of the satyr were once Highborne, Xavius did extend the offer to at least one lowborn elf, Captain Varo’then [The Demon Soul, Chapter Five].

That said, their ranks have been bolstered with a number of lowborn night elves since the War of the Ancients. During the Third War especially, some night elves underwent the transformation after defecting to the Legion [Quest: If You’re Not Against Us…]. Moreover, according to the non-canon RPG, it appears that races of elven descent, such as high elves, can also become satyr, although Xavius’ personal weapon supposedly has the ability to turn anyone, regardless of race, into one [RPG: Manual of Monsters, pg. 90, Page: Satyr].

Alshirr Banebreath

Alzzin the Wildshaper

Avrus Illwhisper

Bazzalan

Priestess Driana

Master Feardred

Garaxxas

Gathenak the Subjugator

Geltharis

Ambassador Jerrikar

Kagraxxis the Corruptor

Kalazzius the Guileful

Prince Kellen

Lorax

Lord Melenas

Mordei the Earthrender

Morphael

Peroth’arn

Perrexx

Rabxach

Prince Raze

Rethazar the Fallen

Sethir the Ancient

Sharax the Defiler

Terestian Illhoof

Thondrax

Thorngrin the Tender

Tur’xoran

Lord Vyletongue

Xalan the Feared

Xandivious

Xandris the Dishonored

Xaravan

Prince Xavalis

Xavaric

Xavinox

Xavathras

Xavius

Xorvasc

Zandras

Zenn Foulhoof

Zevrax

Zevrim Thornhoof

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Priestess Driana

Convinced that siding with Queen Azshara was the only way to survive the Burning Legion’s onslaught, Driana regretfully forsook her lover, Enchantress Ilanya, and left the Court of Farondis to join the Highborne in Zin-Azshari where she was transformed into a satyr [Item: Desiccated Journal, Quest: Turnabout Betrayal].

Kagraxxis the Corruptor

During what may have been the War of the Ancients, the satyr Kagraxxis delighted in corrupting the lands he once called home as an elf [Quest: The Corruptor].

Prince Kellen

Kellen may be Prince Raze and Prince Xavalis’ brother, potentially making him Xavius’ son.

Prince Raze

Raze may be Prince Kellen and Prince Xavalis’ brother, potentially making him Xavius’ son.

Peroth’arn

Peroth’arn was one of few privileged Highborne sorcerers responsible for powering the portal that was meant to bring the Burning Legion to Azeroth. He had a mate with whom he lived in a villa outside the palace, but he, along with the rest of the Highborne spellcasters maintaining the portal, was forced to take up residence in the Eternal Palace’s old guard chambers as leaving the palace was expressly forbidden during the war [The Demon Soul, Chapter Seven].

He was the first Highborne to be transformed into a satyr by Xavius [The Demon Soul, Chapter Seven].

Xandris

Next to Peroth’arn, Xandris was one of the first to accept Xavius’ offer and undergo the demonic transformation [Quest: Dishonored].

Prince Xavalis

According to rumor, Xavalis may be Xavius’ son [Quest: The Demon Prince].

It is important to point out that, despite his being a prince, it is unlikely Xavalis was Highborne royalty prior to his transformation, assuming he was not born a satyr. Seeing as Xavius was the first satyr, it is not unreasonable for his son – if the rumor is true – to take on the title of ‘prince’. However, if Xavalis is not Xavius’ son, it could very well be that he was once a Highborne prince who retained his title after becoming a demon. For Xavalis to be both Xavius’ son and former Highborne royalty is somewhat impractical given that Xavius was not strictly royalty, although Queen Azshara was free to bestow whatever rank on whomever she wished.

Xavius

Lord Xavius of Zin-Azshari, more formally known as Queen Azshara’s High Councilor and foremost advisor, was one of the kaldorei’s most powerful and enviable figures. Since some night elves, like Illidan Stormrage, were ignorant of the queen’s astounding magical capabilities, they considered Xavius to be the Highborne’s most proficient spellcaster [The Sundering, Chapter Five]. His dedication to the magical arts even went so far that he replaced his eyes with magical black crystals that gave him abilities akin to spectral sight [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Six].

Although Xavius was a prominent sorcerer, his talent lay mostly in political machinations. During Azshara’s coronation, he gifted her with one of her most prized possessions to date, Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, and told her that as long as she kept it close, it would bring her prosperity and great power [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Two]. Furthermore, it was Xavius who made first contact with the Burning Legion and persuaded Queen Azshara that the Highborne should concentrate their efforts toward powering a portal to bring the Legion to Azeroth.

Even though it was thought that Lord Xavius was above Azshara’s charms and enticing beauty, he secretly desired her just like everyone else [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Six].

Xavius lived and spent most of his time in Zin-Azshari, although he also owned a private tower in Ashenvale [NPC: Lady Benel’derath Dialogue].

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Highborne Artifacts - Books, Quest Items, and Artifact Power Items

This list only covers items of evident Highborne origin and craftsmanship from before the Sundering. Moon Guard artifacts, items created by the naga and Nightborne in the era following the War of the Ancients, and relics given to the Highborne by external forces like the Burning Legion have all been excluded. Having said that, this is by no means a complete or perfect list. Several items have undoubtedly been left out on accident. Additionally, some objects included in the list may actually be wrongly attributed to the Highborne. 

Books

Nar’Thalas Academy Library

A Guide to Kobold Societal Mores

Ancient Blue Dragons of Azeroth

Before the Candle: The Rise and Fall of the Great Kobold Empire

Children of Golganneth: Great Skrogs in History

Courtship Rituals of the Skrog

Draconic Compendium Volume III

Draconic Compendium Volume IV

Handbook of Feathery Friends

I’ve Got the Blues: Selected Stories from Azurewing Repose

Kobold County

Skroggal Anatomy

Unabridged Glossary of Skrog Weaponry

Encyclopedia Azsunica (K-M)

“Covers everything from kafa to murlocs.”

Incredible Monsters and Where to Locate Them

“A copy of this literature resides in almost every mage’s sanctuary in Azeroth.”

Nar’Thalas Research Tome

“A collection of the work of many of the brightest minds to pass through the Academy’s gates.”

Other

A Study of Hexes

Glory to the Queen Born of Stars

Healing With Arcana

Mardivas’s Tome of the Elements

Musty Azsharan Grimoire

The Coronation of Queen Azhara

Delving Deeper by Arcanist Perclanea

“A treatise on the techniques for unlocking the deeper potential found in objects of great power.”

Enchanted Elven Tome

“This ancient tome is preserved by powerful magic. It emanates tiny magical filaments that hungrily seek knowledge.”

Preserved Journal

“<A simple tome with a small series of runes inscribed along the spine, it appears remarkably well-maintained amongst the ruins. Upon further inspection, it appears to be a diary of one of the citizens of the city. No doubt the magic that preserves it was intended to allot for the lengthy lifetimes of the elves>” [Quest: Preserved Clues].

The Arcanist’s Codex

“Kel’danath used the powerful codex to archive his notes and aid in his studies.”

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Keys

Discontinued Suramar City Key

Crescent Key

This key unlocks various doors in the ancient Highborne city of Eldre’Thalas.

Key to Nar’Thalas Academy

“This key does not open any door. Rather, it is a ceremonial gesture of invitation to the Academy, as a way of saying, ‘Our doors are open to you.’“

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Magical Items

Abandoned Highborne Mana Crystal

Arcane Remnant of Falanaar

Arcane Seed Case

Arcane Tablet of Falanaar

Darkmist Amulet

An ancient Highborne relic from the Darkmist Ruins in Feralas. Its properties are unknown.

Falanaar Crescent

“Ancient powered talisman often carried by the citizens of Falanaar.”

Falanaar Orb

“Rare Falanaar artifact of extreme power.”

Highborne Memory Crystal

“Created by ancient sorcery, they were used to store memories, stories, music, history, and whatnot.”

Memory Pylon

In addition to crystals, the Highborne also stored their memories in pylons, which are powered by memory cores [Quest: Legacy of Nar’anan, Quest: The Fate of Professor Elryna].

Scroll of Elun’dris

“A banned treatise on the Heart of Zin-Azshari and its role in the queen’s dominion over the great city.”

Scrying Stone

The Highborne used scrying stones, magical objects that enable two-way audio and visual communication, to speak to one another across vast distances [Quest: Amberwind’s Journal].

The Heart of Zin-Azshari

“Azshara’s chosen used the heart to greatly magnify their power - it is said to have been the key in their dominance of the Well of Eternity” [Quest: Eye of Azshara: The Heart of Zin-Azshari].

“The heart is said to have spread Azshara’s grace across her people and force her wrath upon her enemies. Lightning arcs across it fervently” [Item: Heart of Zin-Azshari].

Vainglorious Drought

“An engraving on the bottle reads: ‘May the Light of Lights shine upon our glorious empire for all eternity’” [Item: Vainglorious Drought].

The drought is just one of many magical items that bound Queen Azshara’s followers to her indomitable will [Quest: A Vainglorious Past].

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Miscellaneous Objects

Azsharan Councillor’s Clasp

Azsharan Keepsake

Berserking Helm of Ondry'el

Berserking Helm of Taenna

Blood of the Vanquished Highborne

‘Borrowed’ Highborne Magi’s Chalice

Highborne Martyr’s Blood

Highborne Memento

Lens of Qin’dera

Lenses of Spellseer Dellian

Nar’thalasian Corsage

Preserved Highborne Warrior’s Fist

Spellmask of Azsylla

Spellmask of Alla'onus

Tattered Farondis Heraldry

Tel’anor Ancestral Tablet

Ancient Suramar Silver

“This type of coin has not been in circulation in Suramar for at least 7,000 years.”

Azsharan Court Scepter

“Entrusted to advisors of the Queen.”

Highborne Pottery Shards

"The blue clay has been painted with roseate pigment."

Traveler’s Banking Chest

“Enterprising accountants from Falanaar developed a way to access their banks in remote locations.”  

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Lore Fact of the Week #62

Members of the Sisterhood of Elune practice four periods of ritual fasting every year. While the fasting is primarily done as a sign of dedication to the goddess Elune, it also serves to train the elven priests how to survive with minimal sustenance [The Demon Soul, Chapter Nine].

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Highborne Cities - The Forgotten Cities

Although innumerable ancient elven ruins - both Highborne and lowborn alike - still stand today, they are but mere echoes of the old night elf empire. Countless elven cities were obliterated in the Sundering, either by agents of the Burning Legion or as a consequence of the Well of Eternity’s turbulent explosion. Still yet more cities have been lost to the ravages of time since then, all historical records of them destroyed or forgotten.

With the exception of Lathar’Lazal – which survives today as a ruin –, virtually all of the cities listed below were completely wiped out during or shortly after the War of the Ancients. While their names have survived, much other knowledge and lore about them has not.

The Cities:

Ara-Hinam

Aru-Talis

Dy-Jaru

Galhara

Halumar

Hajiri

Lathar’Lazal

Urae

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Ara-Hinam

The small elven settlement of Ara-Hinam was destroyed by the Burning Legion partway into the War of the Ancients. Many of its inhabitants survived their town’s annihilation and fled either to the elven capital of Zin-Azshari or the kaldorei resistance, where they received aid from the Sisterhood of Elune [Quest: City of Drowned Friends]. Shandris Feathermoon, who was still a child at the time of the great war, is originally from Ara-Hinam [The Demon Soul, Chapter Nine].

Aru-Talis

According to legend, the city of Aru-Talis was destroyed in a cataclysmic explosion when its inhabitants tampered with the Well of Eternity many millennia before the Sundering. Some, like Illidan Stormrage, believed that Aru-Talis was simply a myth meant to dissuade night elves from reckless magic use, although there is a large crater at the city’s former location which may be proof that it existed once upon a time [The Sundering, Chapter Sixteen].

Dy-Jaru

Dy-Jaru was a region in ancient Kalimdor located close to Zin-Azshari. Refugees from Dy-Jaru fled to Halumar during the War of the Ancients [The Demon Soul, Chapter Five].

Galhara

The great elven city of Galhara was one of several cities said to have lined the Well of Eternity’s shore.

Galhara’s boundary was lined with hundreds of emerald crystals that, among other things, primarily operated as a defense system against magical attacks, although they had never actually been used for that purpose [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Seventeen]. The emeralds, which drew their power from the nearby Well of Eternity, were realigned by local sorcerers on a nightly basis. The magi utilized the stars to adjust the lines of force that ran from one crystal to another – a simple task, since all they had to do was turn each individual crystal to align them properly [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Seventeen].

The sorcerers of Galhara were not as proficient as the Moon Guard [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Seventeen].  

Halumar

Halumar was a region in ancient Kalimdor located close to Zin-Azshari [The Demon Soul, Chapter Five].

Hajiri

After joining the Sisterhood of Elune in her youth, Maiev Shadowsong chose to study at the temple of Elune in Hajiri because it was where Kalo’thera, one of the elves’ most celebrated high priestesses, was said to have ascended to the stars. Hajiri’s precise location is unknown, although according to Jarod Shadowsong, it was far from Suramar [The Sundering, Chapter Three].

Lathar’Lazal

Lathar’Lazal, or ‘Seat of the Sky,’ in the common tongue, was one of the elves’ most famed creations: a resplendent temple to Elune located on the western shore of Kalimdor. Built in homage to the elven goddess, the temple was a structure of incomparable beauty, full of gem-encrusted bridges and effervescent lakes that inspired awe in all those who looked upon them [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 95].

Some considered the temple to be one of Queen Azshara’s most wondrous gifts to her people, since she not only gave Lathar’Lazal its name but also used her magical scepter, Sharas’dal, to command the nearby ocean and freshwater mountain streams to form lakes surrounding the temple’s foundation. Aquatic creatures of all types, the likes of which include different species of exotic fish, lived within Lathar’Lazal’s lakes. The queen even bound a sea giant to one of them and used her scepter to force him to perform amusing tricks for elven visitors [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Five].

Blackfathom Deeps is all that remains of Lathar’Lazal today [Twitter: Matt Burns].

Urae

The hills of Urae surrounded Zin-Azshari [The Demon Soul, Chapter Eighteen].

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Highborne Artifacts - Sarcen Stone

Sarcen stones, as the name implies, are small stones inscribed with hundreds of tiny magical runes [Item: Sarcen Stone]. Despite their size, sarcen stones are actually incredibly powerful magical objects because they can redirect ley lines, massive streams of raw arcane energy running below the surface of Azeroth [NPC: Arcanist Valtrois Dialogue, Quest: Mystery of the Sarcen Stone].

The Highborne of Lake Mennar Academy in Azshara created a sarcen stone during the War of the Ancients to divert ley line energy away from the portal through which the Burning Legion was entering Azeroth [Quest: Mystery of the Sarcen Stone].

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Highborne Artifacts - The Runes and Tablets of Eldarath

Eldarath’s most influential Highborne inscribed runes and tablets with their magical insights and placed them in public locations for the city’s denizens to view [Quest: Arcane Runes, Quest: Stealing Knowledge].

The Artifacts:

Sael’hai’s Works

Beth’Amara’s Works

Jin’yael’s Works

Markri’s Works

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Saelhai’s Rune and Tablet

Little is known about this Highborne or her works.

Beth’Amara’s Rune and Tablet

Beth’Amara was one of the Highborne’s most esteemed alchemists. She mastered the art of transmutation and was known for her exceptional skill in transmuting metals, among other things [Quest: Delivery to Magatha]. It is loosely implied that her tablet is inscribed with findings related to her transmutation studies.

Jin’yael’s Rune and Tablet

Little is known about this Highborne or his works.

Markri’s Rune and Tablet

The Highborne sorcerer Markri was adept at summoning creatures, especially elementals [Quest: Delivery to Andron Gant].