After many war, and peaceful events, after many victories, losses, struggles and mundane things, Incantatum decided to visit home, with the old pine tree near Starfall Village. She was hoping to see it, in its defiant solitude, with it's coarse but beloved bark on its side. She had a lot of memories to share, many stories to tell.
She transformed in her owl form to fly across the skies of Hyjal, gliding hastily to her homeland, Winterspring. The smell of the hot springs with the mixed herbs is unforgettable, and soon she started to see the geysers and the snowy cliffs of her childhood. She was chirping excitedly.
Arriving to the Frostfire hot springs, she doffed all her armor to immerse herself in the sweet sweet spice scented hot spring.
"I could be a fish, to look the skies from here every night" - said it out loud, while her skin started sparkling just like she had scales - then it stopped.
"I could be a squirrel, to roam around with carefree curiosity all day" - she continued, shook her head happily, and her hair curled upwards, changing colors slightly.
"I could be an owl, fly high the pine forests and protect the spirits from harm" - said, while ink streamed from her body, coloring the water pitch black.
"Or you could just... be yourself again." - said a familiar voice.
Natheril Raincaller, her father looked at her curiously with a gentle smile, coming from the village.
Inca requited this smile with the widest, happiest grin. "FATHER! You're here!"
"Indeed I am, and so is your old friend, Lady Petal" - Natheril looked at the barn owl on the tree - "I see you left behind the tiring memories you had in these past few years. It's been a while, owlette. Let's go home."
"Can we visit the old tree first? We have something to talk about."
"Yes we can. He's waiting for you too."
She greeted the peaceful, silent happiness on their walk home.
Soundless and joyful, as the snowy hills of Winterspring
---
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Traversing Tel'anor: Heroes of Old Kalimdor
Tel'anor, the gravesite of old Kaldorei heroes, still stands as a beacon of ancestral reverence. Many plaques here are illegible, but some have withstood the sands of time and grant us an insight to those who played important roles in the War of the Ancients, or had a lasting impact on Kaldorei culture.
General Startalon:
Thaedris Feathersong tells us that Startalon was commander of the Suramar hippogryph riders during the War of the Ancients, and that Thaedris meditates near his grave for guidance. Startalon's existence implies that companionship with hippogryphs is a long-standing practice in Kaldorei culture, and these aerial units were likely extremely useful in the battle against the demons - especially when facing felbats and the like.
While Startalon possessed a legendary affinity for commanding, the actual seeds of trust sown between Kaldorei and hippogryph are likely owed to Dorendil Wildcaller below.
Dorendil Wildcaller:
His plaque reads: "Nature and society called to him alike, and he was one of the first to speak with the hippogryphs. His legacy lives on in our eternal kinship with them."
The quest [Forces of Nature] speaks of a legend that "they were created by Cenarius himself as a gift for the night elves. They're wary of other races, but they're intelligent enough to recognize a friend of a friend."
Perhaps Dorendil was an ancient Druid or hunter who proved himself a worthy ally of Cenarius and the forests, and gained the trust of these mystical creatures.
Likely not intended, but if we convert his name to Darnassian "Dor" + "endil" it would mean something similar to "wild-killed/killer." This could also be a mixture between "Doren" + "diel" or "wild journey." His name could simply be "Doren" meaning "wild/feral" + a simple Kaldorei suffix like "dil."
Lilyiana Meadowblade:
Her plaque reads: "Her blade was second to none, and flowed through her foes like a blade of grass dances in the wind."
She is situated across from Dorendil Wildcaller's memorial; though whether they are related in some way is unknown.
A legendary warrior, it could be that her surname was given to her in representation of her skills with a blade, rather than one passed down from family. She could have been an armswoman of legend whose blade was compared to a blade of grass poetically, or she could have possessed some mixture between melee prowess and druidic affinity if we see these words in a more literal sense.
Aelynn and Banlorus Truecaller:
Their joint-plaque reads: "Brave Aelynn and noble Banlorus ruled the battlefields and courts alike. They fell as they lived, protecting our people from threats on all sides."
The wording of this plaque leads me to believe that Aelynn was likely a renowned warrior, and Banlorus was perhaps a magus, noble, or other person of high status who held some political sway in the Kaldorei Empire. Their involvement in "the courts" could be more social, Highborne courts of old, or possibly areas of law and justice.
Ultimately, the War of the Ancients claimed both of their lives.
The Windstriker Family:
Their plaque reads: "Marksmen without peer, their skill with a bow was an inspiration to generations of archers. Their family developed the gauntlets the Sentinels wear, carefully articulated mail links that empower our archers to this day."
I'm unsure what these gauntlets really are, as I haven't seen mention of them in regards to the modern-day Sentinel army. Maybe these were protective arm-guards with bracers and finger-tabs that allowed for comfortable and precise shots, or maybe they were more ornamental considering that military status before the Sundering was a mere title often linked to nobility. Another possibility is that some long-forgotten archery enchantment of the Highborne was intrinsically tied to the Windstriker gauntlets, and is now lost to the ages.
They could have been a staple in Pre-Sundering Sentinel regalia, but the method of craftsmanship/spellwork either did not survive the war or was abandoned when the order was revived by Tyrande Whisperwind.
Arnaera:
Perhaps the most peculiar of them all, Arnaera's plaque reads: "In service to a mythical cause, they were a shining gem to our people, giving aid where they could in assisting the populace. Alas, the hammer fell and Arnaera made a journey west. They were reborn in winter's heart, and their grand design continues."
This entry is extremely vague, and this grave lies on the outskirts of Tel'anor, down a hillside. This could be a reference to the Hammer of Khaz'goroth, or it could be a metaphor for something else entirely. The rebirth in winter's heart could be the ancient Highborne settlement of Shandaral, Winterspring, Northrend, or their soul going to Ardenweald.
What do you make of Arnaera's story?
Latara Feathersong:
Latara's plaque reads: "A huntress of the Sentinels, she led the vanguard in many campaigns. Her bravery and compassion were endless."
She is the wife of Thaedris Feathersong, a Nightfallen we meet in Tel'anor who, after 10,000 years of isolation, seeks to free her spirit and reunite with her in the afterlife.
During the quest [The Final Ingredient] we retrieve her bow, which "glows with a faint white light" and "has potent magic in it" according to Thaedris. This could be a lingering blessing from Elune, materializing in a silvery bowstring.
After we kill the harpy matriarch terrorizing the graveyard, Thaedris says, "It is done. Latara, my love. I will continue to fight for you. For us."
Upon completing the questline proper he is given renewed hope, "I thank you for giving me newfound purpose. I will meet you at Shal'Aran. I think I will be needing a source of magic, after all."
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The Darkspears have long been the black sheep of trolls. That is, until Queen Talanji allied with the Horde. Our actions in Tal'gurub have greatly influenced our forbearer's tribe, certainly so as our deeds are known through ancestors and common loa. Despite this renewed ... peace is not entirely the right word but so be it--with the Gurubashi, the Darkspears, like the Sand Trolls, and alongside other island and diasporic trolls determine that the time is appropriate to truly build an Island Troll capital to call their own.
Their island, at the foot of Durotar, uses the name "Echo Isles" in Common. However, in Zandali, the true name of the region is "E'ko Isles," referring to the life force, the spiritual power, that each creature possesses. These once-Jungle trolls, now inhabiting lands free of murlocs and sea witch nagas, call in the support of their Zandalari allies and construct a beautiful, modest yet perfectly Darkspear capital on the Isles. They call it: Zul'E'ko
Though some say Zul'Echo--and this is the accepted Common standard spelling--the proper and appropriate term is E'ko, Zul'E'ko and E'komari, that last one as an adjective to describe island trolls
E'komari Trolls (also: Ekomari, Echommari) decided their name in a troll council consisting of Islanders, Zandalari, diasporic trolls, and Horde representatives. It was decided that physical and cultural differences between Jungle and Island/diasporic trolls was significant enough and warranted a new identity forged in this time of peace:
As it had been the Horde--and notably the Horde centred at Orgrimmar--that had most ardently supported the Darkspears, the construction of the word is to use "-mar" (declined as "-mari") in recognition of those enduring bonds.
E'komari Trolls seek to stand amongst the Empires of the greats: Tall alongside the Zandalari, strong amongst the Gurubashi, honourable aside the Farraki and Drakkari, and more than capable afront the Amani. Let the E'komari era unfold as one of the great troll eras!
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