World of Warcraft Chronicles (1-14)

1. The myth of the Titans

No one knew how the universe had truly formed. Some believed that, in the beginning, a tremendous cosmic explosion at the center of the universe had cast endless, magnificent worlds into a vast material void within the chaotic darkness, utterly replacing that other realm-the chaotic darkness-which had differed greatly from the present world and contained many strange forms of life. Others believed that, like the existence and workings of the universe itself, the universe had been created by a single, absolute, supreme spirit beyond mortal understanding.

Although the true origin of this chaotic universe remained unknown, one thing was certain: a powerful race had brought the foundations of all future existence into a world still steeped in chaos, designing, according to their own will, the ways of life and paths of development for the creatures that would follow them. They were the Titans, gods with immense bodies and metallic skin who had come from the farthest reaches of the universe. They came and changed this world. With their power, they created towering mountains and vast seas.

They raised the sky and gathered the atmosphere-all they did served their mysterious, far-reaching plan to replace all the world's chaos with order. They even strengthened certain primitive species so that these creatures could help them complete their work and bring their ideal world to perfection. Led by an elite organization called the Pantheon, the Titans had brought order to nearly ten million worlds separated from the chaotic darkness since the first age of creation.

The benevolent Pantheon sought to preserve peace in the worlds they had created, and so they had to remain forever opposed to the sinister creatures of the Twisting Nether, a foul, dark extradimensional realm. The Twisting Nether was an ethereal dimension filled with chaotic magical effects and connected to countless worlds throughout the multiverse. It was also home to many evil creatures, or demons, that knew only how to destroy other life and devour all the universe's energy.

2. The betrayal of Sargeras

To fight the evil forces that continually invaded the Titans' worlds, the Pantheon chose their mightiest warrior, Sargeras, as their first line of defense. A noble warrior cast from molten bronze, Sargeras faithfully carried out his duties for millions of years, seeking out and destroying every demon he could find. After endless ages, Sargeras encountered two powerful demonic races that had drawn immense power from the physical world.

The Eredar, an evil race of sorcerers, used their sorcery to invade and control many worlds, transforming their native inhabitants into demons through their chaotic power. Although Sargeras's nearly limitless strength could easily defeat the evil Eredar, their boundless wickedness and depravity baffled him. The mighty Titan could not comprehend the depths of such malice and corruption, and he himself sank into growing despair. Even so, Sargeras resolutely rallied himself, fought the Eredar warlocks with all his strength, and drove them into a corner of the Twisting Nether.

As Sargeras's doubt and despondency deepened, he was forced to fight another group of demons seeking to destroy the Titans' order. The Nathrezim, dark vampiric demons also known as Dreadlords, had conquered many worlds by controlling their enemies' minds and turning them into servants. These evil, cunning Dreadlords could make entire nations slaughter one another through inexplicable hatred and suspicion. Although Sargeras easily defeated the Nathrezim, their temptations profoundly affected him.

Unable to control the doubts and disillusionment churning through his mind, the noble Sargeras lost his faith and his reason as a Titan. He began to believe that the doctrine of order itself was foolish, and that chaos and depravity were the only truths in the dark, lonely universe. Though his fellow Titans tried to persuade him to abandon his mistaken beliefs and quell his burning anger, he insisted that their words were lies. After breaking with the Titans forever, Sargeras began searching for his place in the universe. Although the gods mourned his betrayal, they could never have imagined what their lost brother would become.

When Sargeras's madness consumed the last remnant of his noble spirit, he began to believe that the Titans were to blame for creation's failure. He finally decided to assemble an unstoppable army and destroy every world with hellfire, correcting the Titans' "mistakes."

Sargeras's immense body also became twisted by the corrupting power eating away at his mind. His eyes, hair, and beard became blazing flames, and his bronze skin cracked, spewing endless hatred and fire from the fissures.

The mad Sargeras destroyed the prisons holding the Eredar and Nathrezim demons. These cunning demons prostrated themselves before the Dark Titan's fury and power, swearing to serve him with absolute devotion. Sargeras selected two champions from among the powerful Eredar demons to lead his evil forces of destruction. Kil'jaeden the Deceiver was tasked with finding the darkest races in the universe and bringing them under Sargeras's command. Archimonde the Defiler was charged with leading Sargeras's armies against any enemy who dared resist the Dark Titan.

Kil'jaeden's first act was to enslave the vampiric Dreadlords with his terrible power. Serving as his elite guard and his agents throughout the universe, they gladly sought primitive races for their master to tempt. Their leader, the dark lord Tichondrius, was the outstanding warrior Kil'jaeden had dreamed of finding, and he too swore allegiance to Sargeras's will.

The mighty Archimonde also had a powerful army of his own. He controlled the brutal Pit Lords and their savage leader, Mannoroth, devoting himself to building an elite force capable of destroying all life.

Once Sargeras saw that his forces were strong enough and obeyed his every command without question, he led his armies into the boundless darkness. He called this force the Burning Legion. Countless worlds were destroyed by their evil crusade across the universe.

3. The Old Gods and the ordering of Azeroth

Seemingly unaware of Sargeras's plan to destroy order, the Titans continued traveling from world to world, shaping each according to their will and bringing it under the rule of order. On their journey, they reached a smaller world that would later be called Azeroth. On this chaotic land, they encountered many hostile elemental beings. These elementals worshipped an utterly evil race called the Old Gods and refused to let the Titans reshape their world.

Troubled by the Old Gods' evil inclinations, the gods sent their forces to fight the elementals and their wicked masters. The armies of the Old Gods were led by the mightiest elemental lords: Ragnaros the Firelord, Therazane the Stone Mother, Al'Akir the Wind Rider, and Neptulon the Tidehunter. Their chaotic power swept across the land and surged toward the immense Titans. Yet, terrifying though the elementals' power was, it fell far short of the mighty Titans' strength. The elemental lords fell one after another, and their armies scattered.

The gods destroyed the Old Gods' fortresses and imprisoned the four evil beings hiding within them in underground prisons far beneath the surface. Without the Old Gods' power, the elementals could no longer maintain their forms in the physical world. They soon vanished, dissolving into the earth. Harmony immediately returned to the world. With the danger gone, the Titans began their work.

To help reshape the world, the Titans created many races. They made the Earthen from enchanted stone to dig unfathomably deep caverns, and created enormous, gentle Sea Giants to form the oceans and move land away from the seabed. The Titans spent centuries reshaping the world until, at last, a perfect continent emerged on Azeroth. At its center, they carved out a lake brimming with magical energy and named it the Well of Eternity, making it the source of life for this world. The limitless energy within the lake could sustain the world's framework and help all forms of life take root in its fertile soil. Over time, trees, grasses, monsters, and all manner of creatures flourished across the continent. As night fell, the Titans named it Kalimdor-"land of eternal starlight."

4. The Dragon Aspects

Satisfied with the order they had established on this continent, the Titans decided to leave Azeroth. Before departing, they chose to entrust the continent's most powerful species with protecting the world and preserving its balance and harmony. Many dragons lived in that age, ruled by five great dragons. The Titans chose these five to guard the new world. Each of the mightiest gods bestowed a portion of their divine power upon one dragon. These five became widely known as the Dragon Aspects.

Aman'Thul, father of the gods, bestowed part of his power upon the immense bronze dragon Nozdormu. He charged Nozdormu with guarding time and the paths of fate, and the unassuming, noble dragon became the Lord of Eternity.

Eonar, the giver of life, bestowed part of her power upon the red dragon Alexstrasza. From then on, Alexstrasza became the Life-Binder, protecting every living creature in the world. Her boundless wisdom and infinite compassion for all creatures made her the queen of all red dragons.

Eonar also blessed Alexstrasza's sister, the graceful green dragon Ysera, with a portion of nature's power. Ysera entered an eternal trance, becoming connected to the dreams of every creature in the physical world. She became the Dreamer, guarding the flourishing world within the Emerald Dream.

Norgannon, master of knowledge and magic, bestowed part of his immense power upon the blue dragon Malygos. From then on, Malygos became the Lord of Magic, guarding magic and the sanctum of mysteries.

Khaz'goroth, the shaper of worlds, bestowed part of his power upon the mighty black dragon Neltharion. Neltharion became the Earth-Warder, ruling over Azeroth's lands and depths. He embodied the world's strength and was Alexstrasza's strongest supporter.

The five guardians were charged with protecting the world after the Titans departed. Once the dragons were ready to safeguard it, the Titans left Azeroth forever. Unfortunately, Sargeras would soon discover this newborn world's existence...

5. The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity

Ten thousand years before the first great war between humans and Orcs, all civilizations on Azeroth had developed on a vast continent surrounded by an endless, violent ocean. At that time, Kalimdor held only a few strange races and creatures, still struggling to survive against the elements of this awakening land. At the center of this dark continent lay a mysterious lake surging with searing energy.

Known as the Well of Eternity, the lake was the center of the world's magical and natural power. It drew energy from the endless chaotic darkness and used that energy in a unique way to nourish the entire world.

One day, an ancient clan of nocturnal humanoids cautiously approached the shores of this magical lake filled with supernatural power.

Still uncivilized and nomadic at the time, these humanoids had been drawn by the lake's strange energy and built permanent homes along its tranquil shores. As time passed, the cosmic power within the lake subtly changed them, making them stronger, wiser, and immortal. They called themselves the Kaldorei, meaning "children of the stars" in their language. To celebrate the birth of their new social order, they built magnificent homes and temples along the lake.

The Kaldorei, or Night Elves, worshipped the moon goddess Elune. They believed she slept by day in the brightest part of the Well's center. Drawn by its secrets and magic, the early Night Elf priests and seers were endlessly curious about the Well and studied it tirelessly. As their society developed, the Night Elves finally came to understand Kalimdor's vast extent and discovered its countless inhabitants.

Only the ancient, powerful dragons could hinder their exploration of the continent. Although these enormous, serpentine creatures lived secluded lives, they worked to prevent any potential threat from endangering the continent. The Night Elves considered the dragons guardians of the world and thought it best not to disturb them or their secrets.

Undoubtedly, the Night Elves' curiosity led them to encounter powerful deities and become their close friends. One such being was Cenarius, a demigod with considerable influence in the primeval forests. Fond of the inquisitive Night Elves, Cenarius spent much time teaching them about the beauty and abundance of nature. The peace-loving Kaldorei also felt a kinship with Kalimdor's forests and delighted in nature's harmony.

As seemingly endless time passed, Night Elf civilization expanded greatly, both territorially and culturally. Their temples, roads, and homes gradually spread across the dark continent. Their beautiful and extraordinarily gifted queen, Azshara, built an immense, magnificent palace on the shores of the Well of Eternity and moved into its glittering halls with her most favored servants.

Her favored servants were called the Quel'dorei, or "nobles." They swore allegiance to her alone, never disobeyed her wishes, and firmly believed themselves superior to their "lower" Night Elf kin. Although Queen Azshara was beloved by all Night Elves, these nobles were indeed resented by certain jealous members of their race.

The nobles were as curious about the Well of Eternity as the priests, so Queen Azshara gladly ordered them to study its mysteries together and uncover its true connection to the world.

The Quel'dorei worked tirelessly, studying the Moonwell day and night. In the process, they gained the ability to control its cosmic energy. After extensive research and experimentation, the Kaldorei discovered that this new power could both create and destroy all things. Unsure how to handle this raw magic, the Quel'dorei resolved to master the newfound power.

Although they understood that irresponsible use of this new power would pose a tremendous threat to the world, Queen Azshara and her nobles continued practicing their spellcasting regardless of the consequences. Cenarius and many Night Elf scholars warned them that failure to handle this magic properly would surely bring disaster. But by then, Queen Azshara and her followers would listen to nothing.

As their power grew, Queen Azshara and the nobles around her underwent drastic changes. These proud rulers became increasingly cold and cruel toward their subjects. A dark veil seemed to shroud Azshara's once-enchanting beauty. She ceased caring about the things she had once loved and refused contact with anyone except the noble priests she alone trusted.

A young, fearless scholar named Malfurion Stormrage also spent much time studying the Well of Eternity. He began to suspect that its power had corrupted the minds of the nobles-and even his beloved queen. Although he could not yet be certain what this evil force was, he knew the Night Elves' lives would soon change forever...

6. The War of the Ancients

The Highborne's unrestrained use of magic sent magical ripples from the Well of Eternity into the boundless darkness of the universe. They spread into the Twisting Nether, where the demons dwelling there eventually sensed them. Sargeras-the mortal enemy of all life and avenger of worlds-detected these powerful ripples and traced their source. After observing Azeroth and sensing the Well of Eternity's limitless energy, he desperately coveted it all. He would destroy this world and claim its energy for himself.

Sargeras gathered his demonic army, the Burning Legion, and began advancing toward Azeroth. The Legion consisted of millions of roaring demons from every corner of the universe, their minds burning with the desire for conquest. Sargeras's lieutenants-Archimonde the Defiler and Mannoroth the Destructor-were ready to lead their minions into the attack.

Queen Azshara, exhausted by her own powerful magical energies, became Sargeras's first victim. She agreed to provide him with an entrance into Azeroth. Even her servants abandoned their pursuit of magic and began worshipping Sargeras as a god. To demonstrate their loyalty to the Burning Legion, they helped the queen open a vast, swirling portal within the Well of Eternity.

Once everything was ready, Sargeras began his devastating invasion of Azeroth. The Burning Legion's demons poured out of the Well of Eternity and launched a surprise attack on the Night Elf cities. Led by Archimonde and Mannoroth, the Legion swept across Kalimdor, leaving nothing standing in its wake. Demonic warlocks summoned scorching infernals from the sky, which struck the Night Elves' elegant temples like meteors. Doomguards crossed Kalimdor's plains, slaughtering every creature they saw. Frenzied felhounds raced unopposed through the countryside. Although the brave Kaldorei warriors quickly rallied to defend their ancient homeland, they could only retreat before the unstoppable Burning Legion.

Malfurion Stormrage now took on the task of finding help for his besieged people. His brother Illidan had once studied Highborne magic, but had left them in anger at the corruption spreading among the upper classes. Convinced that Illidan had abandoned his pursuit of this power, Malfurion set out to find Cenarius and organized a resistance. A beautiful young priestess, Tyrande, agreed to accompany the brothers in the name of the moon goddess Elune. Although both Malfurion and Illidan loved her, Tyrande's heart belonged only to Malfurion. Illidan envied his brother's love with Tyrande, but knew that this heartache was insignificant beside the pain caused by the magic he craved above all else...

Deeply dependent on magical energy, Illidan constantly suffered tremendous pain as he resisted the intense desire to draw magic from the Well of Eternity again. Even so, with Tyrande's patient help, he retained enough reason to help his brother find the reclusive demigod Cenarius. They found him living in Moonglade, far away on Mount Hyjal. Cenarius agreed to help the Night Elves find the ancient dragons and seek their aid. Led by the red dragon Alexstrasza, the dragons agreed to send their mighty flights against the demons and their leaders.

Calling upon the forest spirits, Cenarius gathered an army of ancient treants and led them in a daring surprise attack against the Burning Legion. The Night Elves' allies gathered beside the Well of Eternity and Azshara's temple, preparing for battle. Despite their new allies' tremendous power, Malfurion and his companions realized they could not defeat the Legion through military strength alone.

As a battle of unprecedented scale erupted in Azshara's capital, the deluded queen quietly awaited Sargeras's arrival. The Burning Legion's leader prepared to pass through the Well of Eternity into the ravaged world. When his immense shadow appeared beneath its turbulent waters, Azshara summoned the most powerful Highborne. Only by combining their magical energies could they open a portal large enough for Sargeras to enter Azeroth.

As battle swept across Kalimdor's burning lands, a terrible turn of events occurred. The exact circumstances could no longer be established, but it was said that Neltharion, the Dragon Aspect of earth, went mad during a fierce battle against the Burning Legion. His body split open, spewing flame and heat from beneath his black skin. Renaming himself Deathwing, the burning dragon turned against his own kind and drove the other dragons from the battlefield.

Deathwing's sudden betrayal caused immense harm, and the five dragonflights never recovered. Grief-stricken and shocked, Alexstrasza and the other noble dragons were forced to abandon the allied forces. Malfurion and his companions were left helplessly outmatched, barely surviving the attacks that followed.

After confirming that the Well of Eternity was the gateway through which the demons entered their world, Malfurion insisted it must be destroyed. His companions were stunned by this mad proposal-the Well was the source of their long lives and power. But Tyrande knew it was a wise choice, so she asked Cenarius and the dragons to destroy Azshara's temple and find a way to close the Well's portal.

7. The sundering of the world

Knowing that the Well of Eternity's destruction would prevent him from ever drawing magical energy from it again, Illidan selfishly betrayed his people and went to warn the Highborne. His hunger for magical energy and jealousy of Malfurion left him without guilt over betraying his brother. Whatever happened, Illidan swore to protect the Well's power at any cost.

Heartbroken by Illidan's betrayal, Malfurion led his companions deep into Azshara's temple. When they burst into the main hall, the Highborne were chanting their final dark incantations, their spell creating a vast vortex in the depths of the Well of Eternity. As Sargeras's immense shadow was about to break the surface, Malfurion and his companions attacked.

But Queen Azshara, warned by Illidan, was prepared. She killed nearly all Malfurion's companions. Tyrande tried to attack the queen from behind, but the queen's guards stopped her. Although Tyrande defeated them, she was gravely wounded. Watching his beloved fall before his eyes, Malfurion swore in his fury to end Azshara's life.

While battle raged within and outside the temple, Illidan appeared on the shores of the Well of Eternity. He had brought several specially treated vials and filled them with the shimmering water. Knowing the demons would destroy Night Elf civilization, he stole some of the sacred water and claimed its power for himself.

The fierce battle between Malfurion and Azshara disrupted the Highborne's spell. The vortex within the Well of Eternity finally exploded, triggering a series of catastrophes. The immense blast shook the temple's foundations and sent violent earthquakes through the entire continent. As the Burning Legion and the Night Elves continued their bloody battle, the turbulent Well of Eternity collapsed.

The catastrophic explosion tore the earth apart and filled the sky with dark clouds.

The powerful earthquakes triggered by the Well's explosion shattered the world's framework, and seawater roared into the continent's fissures. Nearly eighty percent of Kalimdor's land was torn apart, leaving only a few shattered continents surrounding a newly formed ocean. At its center, where the Well of Eternity had once stood, lay a vast vortex churning with chaotic energy. This terrible scar, called the Maelstrom, spun furiously without ever stopping. It was the remnant of that Cataclysm, and marked the end of an ideal age...

Yet Queen Azshara and the Highborne elite miraculously survived the disaster. Tormented and twisted by the power they had unleashed, Azshara and her followers were dragged beneath the roaring sea by the Well's explosion. Cursed and transformed, the elves took on new forms as hate-filled, serpentine Naga. Queen Azshara's own hatred and fury continued to swell, becoming grotesquely distorted and revealing the evil and resentment that had always lurked deep within her heart.

8. Mount Hyjal and Illidan's gift

The Night Elves who survived the great explosion climbed onto crude wooden rafts and slowly paddled toward the only land they could see. Fortunately, under the protection of the moon goddess Elune, Malfurion, Tyrande, and Cenarius had survived the Cataclysm. The weary heroes agreed to lead their surviving people in building a new home. During their silent journey, the Night Elves saw the remnants of the land and realized that their obsession with magic had caused this terrible disaster. Although Sargeras and his Burning Legion had been destroyed by the Well of Eternity's destruction, Malfurion and his companions had to contemplate the price they had paid for victory.

Many Highborne had also survived the explosion and reached land alongside the other Night Elves. Although Malfurion distrusted them, he knew that without the Well of Eternity, they could cause no trouble.

When the exhausted Night Elves landed on the new continent's shores, they discovered that the sacred Mount Hyjal had survived the Cataclysm. Seeking a new settlement, Malfurion and the other Night Elves climbed to its highest peak. Looking down over the endless forests, they discovered a small, tranquil lake. To their horror, its waters were filled with magical energy.

Illidan had also survived the Cataclysm and reached Mount Hyjal before Malfurion. Desperate to preserve the world's source of magic, he poured the water from the Well of Eternity into this small lake. Its energy quickly dissolved into the lake's waters, forming a new Well of Eternity. The excited Illidan considered this new Well a generous gift for his descendants. As he danced with delight, Malfurion struck him down. Malfurion explained to his brother that magic was inherently a source of chaos, and that using it would ultimately lead to corruption and conflict, but the stubborn Illidan still refused to relinquish his magical power.

Knowing the consequences of Illidan's evil plan, Malfurion decided to resolve the problem posed by his mad brother forever. With Cenarius's help, he imprisoned Illidan in a vast underground chamber for the rest of his life. To ensure his brother remained imprisoned, Malfurion appointed the young jailer Maiev Shadowsong as Illidan's dedicated guard.

Considering that destroying this new Well of Eternity might cause an even greater disaster, the Night Elves decided to leave it intact. But Malfurion declared that they must never again study magic. Under Cenarius's watchful eye, they began learning ancient Druid spells and how to heal the scarred land, and started planting their beloved trees at the foot of Mount Hyjal.

9. The World Tree and the Emerald Dream

For many years afterward, the Night Elves worked tirelessly to rebuild their ancient homeland. Abandoning their ruined temples and roads, they built new homes in the dense forests and secluded mountains at the foot of Mount Hyjal. After some time, the dragons who had survived the Cataclysm came to the Night Elves' homeland.

The red dragon Alexstrasza, the green dragon Ysera, and the azure dragon Nozdormu looked down upon the Druids' peaceful homes and the fruit the Night Elves had planted. The powerful Archdruid Malfurion welcomed the dragons and told them about the new Well of Eternity. Appalled by this terrible news, the dragons believed that as long as the Well existed, the Burning Legion would never abandon its desire to conquer the world. Malfurion and the three dragons made a pact to safeguard the Well and ensure that the Legion's minions could never find a way back into this world.

Alexstrasza, the red dragon and giver of life, dropped an enchanted acorn into the center of the Well of Eternity. The moment it touched the magic-filled waters, it took root and sprouted into an immense oak. Its roots reached deep into the lakebed, while its vast crown almost covered the entire sky. This enormous oak was an eternal symbol of the Night Elves' harmonious relationship with nature, and the life energy it radiated could slowly spread and heal the entire world's wounds. The Night Elves named their World Tree Nordrassil, meaning "crown of the heavens" in their language.

Nozdormu, the Lord of Time, enchanted the World Tree-as long as it stood, the Night Elves would never age or fall ill.

Ysera, the Dreamer, also enchanted the World Tree. She linked it to her dream realm, creating an illusory world called the Emerald Dream. The Emerald Dream was a vast, ever-changing spiritual world that existed independently of reality. Within it, Ysera could regulate nature's workings and the course of the world's evolution. The Night Elf Druids, including Malfurion, were linked to the Emerald Dream through the World Tree. As part of the mystical pact, they agreed to enter periods of slumber lasting centuries at a time, during which their spirits could wander freely through Ysera's dream realm. Although the Night Elves regretted spending such long stretches asleep, they selflessly accepted their pact with Ysera.

10. The exile of the High Elves

Centuries passed, and Night Elf society gradually grew and expanded beyond Ashenvale, where they had lived for generations. Wild animals that had been widespread before the Cataclysm-such as boars-reappeared and became increasingly active across the land. Under the Druids' wise leadership, the Night Elves enjoyed peaceful lives, free from worldly strife.

But many former Highborne grew increasingly restless. Unable to bear the emptiness of losing their magical energy, they began drawing upon the Well of Eternity again and reveling in spellcasting. Their outspoken, impatient leader, Dath'Remar, openly denounced the Druids as cowards afraid to use magic. Malfurion and the Druids laughed off his provocations and warned the Highborne that any use of magic would be punished by death. Arrogantly, Dath'Remar and his followers unleashed a terrible magical storm upon Ashenvale, hoping to force the Druids to repeal their laws.

Unable to bring themselves to kill so many of their own people, the Druids decided to exile the reckless Highborne. Delighted to be free of their conservative kin, Dath'Remar and his followers boarded specially crafted ships and sailed out to sea. Although none knew what fate awaited them beyond the raging Maelstrom, they could at least find a homeland of their own, where they could practice magic freely and without interference. The Highborne-or Quel'dorei, as Queen Azshara had called them centuries earlier-eventually landed on the shores of the eastern continent, later called Lordaeron. They planned to establish their own magical kingdom, Quel'Thalas, and abandon the Night Elves' worship of the moon goddess and nocturnal habits. From then on, they became known as "High Elves."

11. The Sentinels' long vigil

After breaking with their kin, the Night Elves turned their attention back to protecting their homeland. Sensing that another period of slumber was approaching, the Druids prepared to leave their loved ones and families to sleep. Tyrande, high priestess of the moon goddess Elune, begged his beloved Malfurion not to leave her for Ysera's dream world. But the honorable Malfurion insisted on bidding the priestess farewell, swearing that he would never be parted from her for as long as he lived.

Tyrande alone took on the great responsibility of protecting Kalimdor. She chose the finest of her Night Elf sisters to form a powerful army. These rigorously trained, fearless female warriors swore to become Kalimdor's protectors: the Sentinels. Although they preferred to patrol alone through the dense forests around Ashenvale, the Sentinels also had many allies who could help in times of crisis.

The demigod Cenarius continued living near Moonglade on Mount Hyjal. His sons, the Keepers of the Grove, watched the Night Elves closely and helped the Sentinels maintain the land's balance. His daughters, the dryads, also began appearing openly more often.

Although patrolling Ashenvale kept Tyrande busy, she still felt lonely. During the centuries of the Druids' slumber, she sensed that a second demonic invasion was not far away. She felt that the Burning Legion still existed, plotting vengeance against the Night Elves and Azeroth in the boundless darkness beyond the world.

12. The founding of Quel'Thalas

Led by Dath'Remar, the High Elves left Kalimdor and successfully crossed the turbulent Maelstrom. Their fleet wandered the shattered world for many years, discovering countless wondrous mysteries and lost kingdoms along the way. Taking the title "Sunstrider," Dath'Remar tirelessly searched for a place rich in magical energy where he could build a new home for his people.

His fleet finally landed on the coast of a continent later called Lordaeron. Moving inland, the High Elves established a refuge in the quiet Tirisfal Glades. After several years, many began to go mad. It was said that evil spirits slept beneath Tirisfal Glades, though this tale was never confirmed. The High Elves had to pack their belongings and migrate north to another land filled with energy.

As the High Elves crossed Lordaeron's rolling terrain and continuous mountain ranges, their journey grew more dangerous. Completely severed from the Well of Eternity that had sustained them, many fell ill in the bitter cold or died of extreme hunger. Yet the most disturbing change was their loss of immortality and immunity to elemental magic. They became shorter, and their skin lost its distinctive violet hue. Despite these dire circumstances, the High Elves encountered many strange species they had never seen in Kalimdor. They also discovered primitive human tribes that hunted in the primeval forests, but the most terrifying threat they faced was the greedy, cunning forest Trolls of Zul'Aman.

These moss-skinned Trolls could regenerate severed limbs, and even grave wounds healed quickly on their own. Their behavior, however, showed them to be a savage, evil race. The Amani Empire covered much of northern Lordaeron, and the Trolls struck hard at the uninvited intruders, driving them from Zul'Aman's borders. The elves gradually came to loathe these vicious Trolls and killed them on sight wherever they found them.

Many years later, the High Elves finally found a land reminiscent of Kalimdor. Deep in the northern forests of the continent, they founded the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas and vowed to build an empire far stronger than that of their Kaldorei kin. Unfortunately, they soon discovered that Quel'Thalas had been built upon an ancient Troll city that the Trolls revered. Almost immediately, the Trolls launched a massive assault on the elven settlements.

Unwilling to abandon their newly won land, the stubborn elves used the magic they had gained from the Well of Eternity to hold back the savage Trolls' frenzied attacks. Under Dath'Remar's leadership, they defeated an Amani army more than ten times their number. Some elves remembered the Kaldorei's ancient warnings and feared their use of magic might attract the attention of the banished Burning Legion. They therefore decided to conceal their lands behind a magical barrier so they could continue studying magic. They erected a series of immense runestones at various points around Quel'Thalas as boundary nodes for the barrier. These stones not only concealed elven magic from threats on other planes, but also helped deter the superstitious Troll armies.

Over time, Quel'Thalas became a symbol of the High Elves' tireless efforts and magical power. Its beautiful palaces retained the architectural style of Kalimdor's ancient cities, blending perfectly with the natural terrain. Quel'Thalas became the dazzling jewel the elves had long desired. Although the Sunstrider Dynasty still retained some political power, the kingdom was governed by a ruling body called the Silvermoon Council. Composed of the seven greatest High Elf lords, it was responsible for safeguarding elven lands and people. Protected by their defensive barrier, the High Elves remained indifferent to the Kaldorei's ancient warnings and frequently used magic in nearly every aspect of daily life.

The High Elves lived peacefully in their secluded kingdom for nearly four thousand years, but the vengeful Trolls were not so easily defeated. They gathered strength deep in the forests, waiting for their armies to grow powerful. At last, a mighty Troll army emerged from the dark woods and launched another massive invasion of Quel'Thalas.

13. Arathor and the Troll Wars

While the High Elves fought for survival against the Troll armies' fierce assaults, Lordaeron's nomadic humans fought to consolidate their own tribal territories. These primitive tribes cared nothing for honor or racial unity when raiding other peoples' settlements. Eventually, a tribe called the Arathi recognized that the Trolls had become a threat humanity could not ignore. The Arathi hoped to bring every tribe under their command so they could form a united front against the Troll armies.

Through strategy and force, the resourceful Arathi defeated every opposing tribe over six years. After each victory, they offered the conquered people peaceful lives and equal rights, winning their loyalty. Eventually, the Arathi incorporated many different tribes, and their armies rapidly expanded. Confident they could defeat the Troll armies alone-and even the secluded elves if necessary-the Arathi warlords decided to build a mighty fortress city in southern Lordaeron. This city-state, called Strom, became the capital of the Arathi nation, Arathor. As Arathor prospered, humans from across the continent traveled great distances to settle in safe, secure Strom.

United by a common belief, the many human tribes gradually developed a powerful civilization. King Thoradin of Arathor knew that the northern elves were under constant Troll siege, but refused to gamble his people's lives by helping unfamiliar elves. Many months passed, and rumors of the elves' mounting defeats spread across Lordaeron. Only when exhausted ambassadors from Quel'Thalas arrived in Strom did Thoradin realize how great the Troll threat truly was.

The elves told Thoradin that the Troll armies were immense and would march south as soon as Quel'Thalas fell. Desperately needing military aid, the elves hastily agreed to teach magic to selected humans in exchange for help against the Troll armies. Although Thoradin distrusted all magic, necessity led him to agree to support them. Soon, a group of elven mages hurried to Strom and began teaching a small group of humans the techniques of magic.

The elves discovered that although humans were rather clumsy at mastering spellcasting, they possessed an astonishing aptitude for magic. One hundred humans learned some very basic elven magic, enough to help the elves fight the Trolls. Confident their human apprentices were ready to assist in battle, the elves left Strom and returned north to fight alongside King Thoradin's mighty army.

At the foot of the Alterac Mountains, the combined elven and human armies fiercely assaulted the overwhelmingly more numerous Troll forces. The battle lasted many days, but Arathor's indomitable armies never faltered or retreated a single step before the Troll attacks. The elven lords decided it was time to unleash their magic upon the enemy. More than a hundred human mages and numerous elven sorcerers called fire from the sky, surrounding the Troll armies in flames. The elemental fire prevented the Trolls' wounds from regenerating and burned them to ash.

The Troll armies collapsed. As they tried to flee, Thoradin's forces pressed their advantage and pursued them until the last Troll soldier fell. This crushing defeat dealt the Trolls a devastating blow, and they never again established a new Troll nation. With Quel'Thalas saved from the brink of destruction, the elves pledged loyalty and friendship to Arathor and Thoradin's bloodline. Humans and elves maintained peaceful relations in the years that followed.

14. The fall of the empires

Regardless of the Night Elves' true origins, their power had indeed grown enormously after discovering the Well of Eternity. The Trolls made no effort to expand their territories, while the Night Elves spread across Kalimdor. The magic they used was something those super-

stitious Trolls had never imagined. Thus, the Night Elves easily accomplished what the evil Aqir could not-erasing the two greatest empires from the world entirely.

The Night Elves systematically dismantled the Trolls' defensive and offensive forces. Unable to counter the Night Elves' devastating magic, the Trolls could only await destruction. During this period, the Night Elves displayed the same cunning and bloodlust as the savage Trolls, earning the hatred and contempt of later races. In the years that followed, the Gurubashi and Amani Empires fractured into several smaller states.

Eventually, the Night Elves were consumed by the magical fire they had tried to control. Their unrestrained use of magic summoned the Burning Legion. The demons destroyed most of Night Elf civilization. Although no records indicated that the Legion also attacked Troll civilization, almost the entire continent was engulfed in war.

At the end of this terrible conflict, the War of the Ancients, the Well of Eternity exploded. The resulting shock wave tore Kalimdor apart. The continent's center sank beneath the sea, leaving only scattered, shattered lands.

The remnants of the Amani and Gurubashi Empires remained in what were now Quel'Thalas and Stranglethorn Vale, respectively. The Aqir Empire's cities of Azjol-Nerub and Ahn'Qiraj also survived, located in what were now Northrend and Tanaris.

Both Troll civilizations declined after the ancient world's destruction. The indomitable Trolls rebuilt their ravaged cities and set about restoring their former glory.