Words of Lorecraft

Just a bunch of theorycraftin’ and linguisticking over here

[warcraftconceptart]

Teldrassil Concept Artist: Bill Petras Source: the Art of World of Warcraft, p. 120

[warcraftconceptart]

Teldrassil Concept Artist: Bill Petras Source: the Art of World of Warcraft, p. 120

[wowlorecraft]

Master List of Elven Endonyms

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldorei calque of "Children of Eldre'Thalas" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius – alternatively: Shala'dorei "Children of Shala'nir / Shaladrassil"

Crystal Satyr: Shan'dorei "Children of Shandaral"

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Ban'dorei "Children of the gate" – alternatively: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

: : addendum: It is more common for Half Elves to be called Ban'dorei due to the fact that Crystal Satyr are also known as Shan'dorei, homonyms ultimately coming from the same etymological source, though through two different streams: High Elven Shan'dorei refer to shan'are "honourable ones" and Satyrian Shan'dorei from the crystallized city of Shandaral.

: Of those races with alternative names, it is my opinion that the following are the most appropriate:

- Eldorei for the Highborne, in clear reference to Eldre'thalas, the historic Highborne capital. The name underwent a linguistic shortening from Eldredorei to Eldorei for a few reasons, chief amongst them, the similarity to their other name: Kaldorei.

- Arcan'dorei for High Elves, certainly those who have historically settled in Dalaran and continue to pursue their arcane mastery. Notable is the growing distinction between urban High Elves and the Farstrider-dominant Highvale Elves who, in their relations with both Wildhammer Dwarves and their natural environments, have taken to calling themselves "children of the forest" Thas'dorei.

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

[wowlorecraft]

Master List of Elven Endonyms

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldorei calque of "Children of Eldre'Thalas" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

: Of those races with alternative names, it is my opinion that the following are the most appropriate:

- Eldorei for the Highborne, in clear reference to Eldre'thalas, the historic Highborne capital. The name underwent a linguistic shortening from Eldredorei to Eldorei for a few reasons, chief amongst them, the similarity to their other name: Kaldorei.

- Arcan'dorei for High Elves, certainly those who have historically settled in Dalaran and continue to pursue their arcane mastery. Notable is the growing distinction between urban High Elves and the Farstrider-dominant Highvale Elves who, in their relations with both Wildhammer Dwarves and their natural environments, have taken to calling themselves "children of the forest" Thas'dorei.

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

[peopleofazeroth]

[wowlorecraft]

Master List of Elven Endonyms

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldredorei "[unknown]" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

[frrrozi]

broll and shin are definitely related 

[panjya]

I’ve completed Bistahi’s armor! Apparently the gif version of this is too large to post on Tumblr, so here is the still png image… It has better color quality this way anyway.

[bongfroggy]

elves elves ELVES ELVES.  First lady belongs to @vlada-artblog  ! second is for a PAL, and third is Diedra / elfbrite on twitter!

[queen-ishura]

WHY IS TODAY THE FIRST I’VE SEEN OR HEARD OF THIS

[eepoxdraws]

Examining the aesthetics of Night Elf homes 🍃 I enjoy taking these kinds of notes before starting building projects... Sharing in case these could help others design custom homes for your night elves? 🏠

[wowlorecraft]

Master List of Elven Endonyms

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: *Eldorei calque of "Children of Eldre'Thalas" – alternatively: *Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: *Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): *Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: *Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: *Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar" – alternatively: *Nazdorei (concept by Big Mama)

Satyr: *Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius – alternatively: *Shala'dorei "Children of Shala'nir / Shaladrassil"

Crystal Satyr: *Shan'dorei "Children of Shandaral"

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: *Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: *Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: *Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: *Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: *Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Skyborne: *Nor'dorei "Children of heaven/the sky"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Felbood: *Fel'dorei "Children of Kael'thas" – alternatively: *Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas," and Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: *Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Wretched: *Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: *San'dorei / *Sandorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: *Ban'dorei "Children of the gate" – alternatively: *Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: *Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor" – alternatively: *Ara'dorei (ibid.)

Commentary:

: (*) Indicates a name constructed from sources in the lore

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of...".

: Wild Elves and the Flameborne are Druids of the Scythe and Flame, respectively : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

: : addendum: It is more common for Half Elves to be called Ban'dorei due to the fact that Crystal Satyr are also known as Shan'dorei, homonyms ultimately coming from the same etymological source, though through two different streams: High Elven Shan'dorei refer to shan'are "honourable ones" and Satyrian Shan'dorei from the crystallized city of Shandaral.

: Of those races with alternative names, it is my opinion that the following are the most appropriate:

- Eldorei for the Highborne, in clear reference to Eldre'thalas, the historic Highborne capital. The name underwent a linguistic shortening from Eldredorei to Eldorei for a few reasons, chief amongst them, the similarity to their other name: Kaldorei.

Note: Convention seems to have it that Night Elves and their most immediate kin do not take the apostrophe, whereas other relatives, sometimes meaningfully using this small distinction (e.g., San'dorei with blood elven models vs Sandorei with night elven ones)

- Arcan'dorei for High Elves, recognizing the potential confusion with those of the Arcan'dor, references those who have historically settled in Dalaran and continue to pursue their arcane mastery. Notable is the growing distinction between urban High Elves and the Farstrider-dominant Highvale Elves who, in their relations with both Wildhammer Dwarves and their natural environments, have taken to calling themselves "children of the forest" Thas'dorei

Their children with the Dwarves, the Skyborne, are known as Nor'dorei, from norore "sky," probably related to the "heaven" in Nordrassil's nor- prefix

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

[queen-ishura]

Highborne Ruins - Eldre’Thalas

Sidenote: The city has been spelled with the ‘t’ in ‘thalas’ both capitalized and lowercase. The importance of one or the other is unclear, however the spelling of Eldre’Thalas where it is capitalized seems to be the official one.

One of few royal cities in Azshara’s empire, Eldre’Thalas was built during her reign twelve thousand years ago to protect Queen Azshara’s most prized arcane secrets. This ranged from processing her most important demands to the safekeeping and storage of her precious tomes. Led by Prince Tortheldrin and Azshara’s greatest revered arcanists, the House of Shen’dralar, Eldre’thalas was established by expeditionary forces in the lush jungles of Feralas.

Eldre’thalas appears to have more of a druidic and naturalistic direction than many other Highborne cities of its age. Granted, all night elf cities were shaped in concert with nature and built with dozens of gardens, however Eldre’thalas has the touch of nature magic in its very existence. In addition to many elven statues, there are figurines of deer, bears, and owls. Eldre’thalas had an Ancient protector, Tendris Warpwood, whose very heart was inexorably entwined with the fate of the city. The official art of Eldre’thalas shows wandering treants, some of which inhabit the conservatory in the eastern wing and Milicent Serene, Highborne naturalist, created the Fruit of Fertility which protected Eldre’thalas and made it flourish. Eldre’thalas may, as a result of its unique direction, have been a useful location for the combined study of arcane and natural magics even before druids existed.

Geography

Eldre’thalas is a massive, multi-tiered sprawling expanse of gardens, districts, and corridors (sometimes hidden) that connect every part of the city. There are three official districts in addition to the central colosseum. The north and western districts, the Gordok Commons (named for the ogres that now inhabit it) and Capital Gardens respectively are connected to the Athenaeum, the library that serves as the very purpose of Eldre’thalas’ existence. The eastern district, the Warpwood Quarter exits through multiple passageways, such as Lariss Pavilion which opens up well outside the boundaries of the city.

In similar fashion to other decrepit Highborne cities, some areas of Eldre’thalas have been renamed in favor of their intruders. The Gordok Commons and Warpwood Quarter were claimed by outsiders and likely no longer sport their original names (although the Warpwood Quarter may have been named for Eldre’thalas’ protector, Tendris Warpwood). The function of the northern district is unclear, but the eastern district has a conservatory, a pool (either for bathing or as a moonwell, perhaps), and the Shrine of Eldretharr. The western district, the Capital Gardens, was likely a great place for socialization. It’s dominated by a massive garden and plethora of benches which make up the Court of the Highborne.

The Athenaeum

The Athenaeum is indisputably the most valuable part of Eldre’thalas. It is the library that holds much of Queen Azshara’s tomes in addition to compendiums detailing the known history of Azeroth. It may also be a place of science, considering the Highborne armillary sphere on display. It shares its model with the Highborne Astrolabe, however it looks like an armillary sphere which is a model of the celestial globe.

All books stored in the Athenaeum are protected with the Mark of the Athenaeum which prevents any unauthorized viewings. Even if one were to break the seal, it is implied that only people with the “requisite intellect to consume the knowledge” can read the sacred books. This may just mean that it depends on the reader’s skill level and has nothing to do with one’s magical aptitude.

The books are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System.

Eldreth

The same prefix, “Eldreth” shows up in regards to Eldre’thalas many times. Eldreth Row and the Shrine of Eldretharr are subzones of the massive city. Ghostly inhabitants are called “Eldreth Sorcerers”. It is likely some Darnassian word with an unknown meaning, however ‘thalas’ alone translates to kingdom. In the translation of Eldre’thalas, ‘Eldre’ would then be its own word, meaning that Eldreth, at least where the name of the city is concerned, does not apply.

Eldreth could be a name for the inhabitants, similar to how people who live in America are called Americans. It could simultaneously be a word used to denote things that are “Eldre’thalas” in design, like how one will refer to certain items as “American”. Eldre’thalas is inhabited by the Shen’dralar, however they are not a race so much as they are a house: the House of Shen’dralar. This may have been Prince Tortheldrin’s royal house, which would include his servants and most loyal followers. The Eldreth, in this case, would be the lower caste civilians of the city, later to be sacrificed by the Shen’dralar in order to prolong their lives after the Sundering. That would explain why any living Highborne from Eldre’thalas never call themselves Eldreth, but instead Shen’dralar.

[wowlorecraft]

[wowlorecraft]

https://norashra.wordpress.com/draenei-culture/

[wowlorecraft]

On the evolution of High Elves

"High Elf" as a category no longer applies to the elves of Azeroth. Those who retain the monicker are actively raciating, becoming what we would call Highvale and Light Elves, respectively. These Bel'dorei and Al'dorei practise different arts, eat different foods, adorn their bodies and houses differently, and are beginning to physiologically look different, too. As such, I posit that the term "High Elf" has finally and officially been eclipsed by distinct elven identities and the high elven category has gone entirely dormant as of this writing.

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

No more are the High Elves: In their place stand the Sin'dorei, Blood Elves of the Horde; banished from their ranks are the Ren'dorei, Alliance Void Elves. The Highborn have since become the Night Elves: Alliance Kaldorei, including the Eldorei or Shen'dralar, those who hid in Eldre'Thalas; in Suramar, they have become Nightborne, Shal'dorei, allies with the Horde and cousins of the Nightfallen and Fal'dorei.

Those Kaldorei who were exiled took to the sun and Sunwell instead. The story is well-worn; it is the small, yet fruitful, remnants who maintain their ties with the Alliance that we discuss here:

Quel'dorei, "Children of Noble (lit. high) Birth," made their home in Quel'Thalas at Silvermoon, with their spiritual centre at Quel'Danas, the Sunwell. After the destruction and splintering of their nation, three major splits happened: One sought refuge in their Lodges, the other stayed amongst the Humans and other magi, particularly at Dalaran, and the last went to Draenor.

(Those who made their home in Quel'Lithien have succumbed and become Wretched. Discussion and analysis of the various Wretched and Withered is to come.)

Dalaran, Quel'Danil, and the Allerian Stronghold became centres of High Elven activity within the Alliance. Those of the Kirin Tor and Silver Covenant both distanced themselves from their Blood Elven kin and warmly welcomed back those of the Alliance Expedition. Danassian Elves practise light and arcane magic and are led by Vareesa Windrunner

These Elves have come together and, holding true to their roots when first exiled from the Druidic, moon-worshipping Kaldorei, forged a new name for themselves, one in direct opposition to the Sin'dorei Sunreavers . They have found community in the Human, Gnomish, and other magi of Dalaran and other Alliance cities. Within their ranks are numerous Half-Elven communities, whom they publicly call Shan’are "honoured ones" but privately label Vor'dorei "Children of the Broken."

Danillian Elves, on the other hand, have found community with the Wildhammer Dwarves most especially. In addition, some Draenei have made Quel'Danil their home, and these Highvale Draenei follow the shamanic path first laid by Nobundo, learning to become druids. With Seradane so close, the Wildhammers, Danai,* and Highvale Elves commune with the Kaldorei and Worgen. Thus the Highvale Elves begin to consider themselves a distinct elven nation. In their concordance with the Wildhammers, their bodies (adorned with tattoos) become thicker and more stout, becoming the shortest and widest of elves. Similarly, these Highvale Draenei, or (*) Danai, come to intermix with their neighbours resulting in browner and greener, tattoo'd, and more nature-y space goats

Thus:

Kaldorei - Children of the Stars - Night Elves

Eldorei - Children of Eldre'Thalas - Shan'dralar

Shal'dorei - Children of the Night - Nightborne

Fal'dorei - Children of Falanaar / followers of Aranasi

Sin'dorei - Children of Blood / of the Bloodline - Blood Elves

Quel'dorei - Children of Noble (lit. High) Birth

Some useful Thalassian words:

Quel - High, Noble

Belore - Sun

Alah - Light

Thas - Forest

Danil - ? Peak

(*)For the goats:

-nai = "with / person of a place" e.g., Kurenai, Auchenai)

-dor = settlement (e.g., Talador, Telredor)

Quel'Danil > Danidor (in Draenic, a borrowing) > Danai

(There is no word for mountain in-game in the language, so I did my best with "Danai")

For the Elves...

Highvale Elves: Either keep Quel'dorei for its literal use of "high"/"quel," or transition to Thas'dorei (ew), or Bel'dorei, a shortening of Belore'dorei "Children of the Sun" as both a way to stay true to Sun-worshipping heritage, keep in allied complementary opposition to Kaldorei's Elune worship, and a nod to the new Night Elven home of Bel'Ameth. I convinced myself writing this: Bel'dorei for Highvale Elves

Danassian Elves: These are the elves that still 'shun' nature worship, maintain an arcane practice, and follow the Light. They are spread around, but their capital is Dalaran now. They oppose the Blood Elves but still need to sate their needs and thus still utilize the Sunwell as the font of power it is. They are Children of the Light, or Light Elves, and Alah'dorei or, for short, Al'dorei in Thalassian (now Danassian)

Danai - Those from Danidor (Quel'Danil) - Highvale Draenei

Bel'dorei - Children of the Sun - Highvale Elves

Al'dorei - Children of the Light - Dalarani (&c.) High Elves

[wowlorecraft]

Within the family Teldorae, these High Elf descendents are classified as Kalimdorus queldorus nobilis

Highvale : K. q. n. daniliensis Light: K. q. n. dalarensis Blood: K. q. n. quelthalensis Void: K. q. vacuus telogrensis

Night Elves: Kalimdorus kaldorus kaldorus darnassensis, though this may be subject to change as the Kaldorei settle into Bel'Ameth

Worgen "Goldorei" : Kalimdorus kaldorus goldrinni taldorensis Highborne: K. k. nobilis eldrethalensis Nightborne: K. zindorus nobilis suramensis

Aside undead, the other elven group of note are the Half Elves. This community is associated with numerous other races, thus they are:

"Vor'dorei" : Kalimdorus shandorini varibilis

[warcraft-lore-archives]

I present to you: a visual breakdown of Azeroth’s population density according to the WoW RPG.

Before you delve too deep into it, some important disclaimers: first and foremost, this information is not canon because it has been sourced from the de-canonized RPG. Secondly, even though this is a post-Cataclysm map, the population counts reflect vanilla-era numbers.

Some other things that are important to interpreting this map:

While technically “dead,” the Scourge are counted. This is why arguably “less habitable” areas like Icecrown Glacier and the Plaguelands are shown as having a higher population relative to the rest of Azeroth.  

Population numbers for major cities and zones are given separately in the RPG, but I decided to combine them for the sake of efficiency.

On that note, I also opted to count Hillsbrad Foothills and Alterac Mountains together since Alterac is a subzone of Hillsbrad. Were it not for that, Hillsbrad – which has a population of 15,000 – would fall in a lower category on the map [RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 97].  

A couple places marked as having “unknown” populations on the map are actually given rough estimates in the RPG. Silverpine Forest supposedly has at least 2560 residents while Zul’Aman is home to around 20,000. Unfortunately, the number given for Silverpine only counts the zone’s human inhabitants, not Forsaken [RPG: Lands of Conflict 102, 115].  

It may be worth noting that Icecrown’s population is also given as “unknown,” but was estimated to be 250,000 [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 106].

Azjol’Nerub is not marked on this map, but it has 20,000 inhabitants [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 88].

A few fun statistics:

The highest populated area on Azeroth is Icecrown Glacier with approximately 250,000 people, all of which are undead [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 106].

The lowest populated area is Crystalsong Forest, which has just 141 total inhabitants. Interestingly, the RPG claims that Crystalsong’s population is made up exclusively of crystalline golems and green dragons – neither of which are actually present in the zone in-game [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 97].

The Eastern Kingdoms is the most densely populated of Azeroth’s continents with 496,860 inhabitants. It has almost 2.5x the population of Kalimdor, which sits at just 197,300.

Not counting Darnassus, Teldrassil and Wetlands are home to almost the same amount of people [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 20, RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 79].

There are more undead in Icecrown than there are humans in Stormwind City [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 106, RPG: Lands of Conflict, pg. 52].

The total population of Azeroth is about 1.2 million. By real world standards, this is a bit less than the population of England in 1086.

The Scourge account for 27% of Azeroth’s population. Not including the Forsaken, there are 342,545 Scourge, which is almost equivalent to the entire population of Northrend (though neither Silverpine Forest nor Quel’Thalas have been factored into this since their population numbers are unknown).