warcraft-lore-archives

[warcraft-lore-archives]

War of the Scaleborn Lore Facts

The War of the Scaleborn: A Timeline

Mounting Tensions

The events of the novel start just over a decade after Galakrond’s demise (32). By the end, it has been around five centuries or so since the dragons were granted the titans’ gifts (368).

Tyr, worried the dragonflights needed to grow more quickly to face whatever threats might arise, commanded Alexstrasza to take primal dragon eggs from the wild and forcibly infuse them with Order magic (19, 24). Ysera and Nozdormu disagreed with this course of action, but Malygos and Neltharion persuaded the Dragon Queen it was necessary. Alexstrasza ultimately acquiesced to Tyr’s demand with one stipulation - that they only take unguarded eggs that had been abandoned (23-25). It seems, however, that this edict was not always obeyed; some of the primal dragons reported their entire clutches being stolen time and time again (83, 206).

The dragons placed no restrictions on ordering dragons who were with clutch as long as they consented (134).

The whelplings born of primal eggs taken from the Dragonwilds were aware they had been stolen, many remembering vague sensations of Order magic transforming them while still in the shell (53, 83, 133, 206). Vyranoth expected hundreds, if not thousands, of eggs were stolen over the course of the war (211). 

The Aspects engaged in diplomatic relations with the primal dragons for two centuries, Wyrmrest Temple acting as a neutral embassy between the factions. Unfortunately, the Winterskorn War only served to increase the primal dragons’ mistrust of the titan-forged and, consequently, the Aspects (44, 175). 

Iridikron launched a propaganda campaign against the ordered dragons, claiming they were responsible for everything from forcing Order magic on tarasek to the primal dragons being pushed out of their hunting grounds. Iridikron continued this campaign by forcing his clutch-sister, Ikronia, to burn down the towns of tarasek and mortals alike, spurring even more negative sentiment against the ordered dragons (74-76, 88). Some mortals actually joined Iridikron’s forces as a result (76). 

It was at this time Iridikron officially named his faction of followers the Primalists (117).

Raszageth and Ikronia terrorized mortal and tarasek settlements for 50 years (116).

While Raszageth often attacked ordered dragons on the edge of the Broodlands, she never dared to fully cross the border until her final attacks on the Reach (126). 

Despite Raszageth’s attacks on their borders and Iridikron’s rapidly growing army - stirred by primalist propaganda as it was -, Alexstrasza strove for peace (88). 

Neltharion attempted many times over the years to send emissaries to meet with Iridikron in Harrowsdeep, but all were turned away, sometimes even violently (88).

Alexstrasza allowed the primal dragons to hunt in the territories around Wyrmrest Temple so long as they did not harass the ordered dragons (111).

Alexstrasza forbade the drakes from fighting with the primal dragons unless lives were at stake (136).

A Rising Storm

Though it was not the case initially, the primalist forces outnumbered the Aspects’ at the onset of the war by three-to-one (115, 198-199).

Neltharion kept the truth of Tyr’s death from the dragonflights, though the Aspects knew (112). It was not until war officially broke out many decades after the keeper’s death that the ordered dragons found out the truth (230-231).

Stormsunder Crater, a region in the eastern part of the Forbidden Reach, was formed when Raszageth crashed to the ground during her assault on Neltharion’s dracthyr (154). 

Raszageth’s attack on the Reach came to be known as the Battle of Stormsunder (242). 

Neltharion did not want word of what transpired that day in the Reach - and the dark truth of what he did - to get out. Nor did he want Iridikron to turn the dracthyr against the Aspects. Afraid he could not manage either of those things without the control Oathbinder afforded him over the dracthyr, he gave them one last command with the remains of the destroyed artifact and sent them back to their creches (158, 164). A short time later, Malygos would freeze all of the dracthyr in a deep slumber (165).

Neltharion lied to Malygos about what happened at the Reach, telling his old friend that he’d personally attacked and incapacitated Raszageth before imprisoning her (161).

Malygos agreed to help Neltharion conceal the truth of what occurred at the Reach under two conditions: 1) that he would be in Malygos’ debt, to be called upon at any time, and 2) they tell Alexstrasza the Incarnates attacked the Reach right away (163).

Neltharion did not want to tell Alexstrasza about the dracthyr out of concerns that the Dragon Queen, dedicated to peace as she was, would disapprove of his choice to breed soldiers for war (161).

After Raszageth’s attack on the Reach, Alexstrasza declared all primal dragons banned from the Broodlands and Wyrmrest Temple (168). 

Battle Rages

At Iridikron’s behest, a newly-made Incarnate Vyranoth and the Primalist forces attacked Wyrmrest Temple in retaliation for Raszageth’s imprisonment. Aside from Raszageth’s attack on the Reach, this was the first battle of the war (183-184). 

Iridikron later launched another attack on Wyrmrest Temple in an event now known as the Battle of Dragonblight. The ordered dragons won, but at the cost of any territory they had beyond Wyrmrest Temple (219).

Iridikron and other primal dragons often sent earthquakes throughout the Broodlands in covert attempts to destabilize the ordered dragons’ efforts. In response, the blue and black dragonflights erected a series of magical obelisks along the Broodlands’ border that would make the land impervious to Iridikron’s earthly attacks. Each of these obelisks was connected to Vakthros through a ley line (86, 201). 

During the war, Malygos lobbied to alter the obelisks so that they would form a shield of sorts over the Broodlands. Unfortunately, Malygos warned the strain placed on them would cause the already old obelisks to give out in a year’s time. They lasted twenty-five, falling victim to sabotage from within at the last (201-202, 219, 225, 235).

The ordered dragons suffered only a hundred casualties over the first twenty-four years of battle while the Primalists lost about a thousand (220).

Nozdormu was the one to suggest building a vault to hold the Incarnates in perpetual stasis, though it was Alexstrasza who inspired the idea by insisting they not kill them (205).

Alexstrasza established flight academies for drakes at this time to teach them the skills they would need to defend the Broodlands (220).

Nozdormu saw a potential alternate timeline in which Alexstrasza hunted down and killed each of the Incarnates, one by one. The dark truth of what she had done in that timeline broke the alternate Dragon Queen’s mind, causing her to terrorize the world. In another, she forced all dragons to choose between Order magic or death (223). 

Nozdormu also told Alexstrasza that her death would inevitably lose them the war in every timeline (224). 

According to Nozdormu, Fyrakk was always the first or second to fall in the potential timelines he saw (246).

Six ordered drakes, among those who had been stolen from the Dragonwilds as eggs, turned against the Aspects in outrage when they learned the truth of their upbringing. Their ranks included Talinstrasz, Sirigosa, Ellegos, Nolizdormu, Azarian, and Ivarus. They were the ones who sabotaged the magical barrier protecting the Broodlands (227). Sirigosa would later claim she saw the error of her ways and repent (280).

Malygos was the one who captured and imprisoned Fyrakk in a conflict now known as the Battle of Flamesfall. He weaved an illusion over himself to appear as Alexstrasza, then whisked the Incarnate through a portal to the Vault once they engaged in combat. Ysera put Fyrakk in a deep slumber, allowing the Aspects to imprison the Incarnate once and for all (258-259, 265).

Five hundred of the Primalists’ forces were slain in the Battle of Flamesfall. It was the second single greatest loss of life during the war, second only to the Battle of Emberfall in which a thousand casualties were suffered between both sides (265, 267).

In the Battle of Emberfall, the brood-mother Oxoria made a push into the Reach to free Raszageth. Nearly two hundred of the black dragonflight perished in the battle (267).

The red dragonflight also had to contend with a growing force of djaradin encroaching on the Waking Shores at this time (267).

The djaradin had only become increasingly hostile in the last century, perhaps using the ongoing war to their advantage to claim territory in the Waking Shores (269).

Alexstrasza forbade drakes from fighting on the front lines against full-grown primal dragons (270).

As time went on, betrayals became more common among the ordered dragons. Black dragons played double agent, bronzes attempted to reverse time to help the Primalists, and members of the green and red dragonflights made a bid to kidnap eggs from the life pools, among other things. Many of them were imprisoned beneath the Obsidian Citadel and later freed by the Primalists (270, 277-278).

Iridikron’s Rockfuries did not personally join the battle until centuries into the war (287).

Alexstrasza challenged Vyranoth to single combat. The terms were such that if the Dragon Queen were to win, Vyranoth would consent to being imprisoned within the Vault of the Incarnates or perish. The duel was held at the Icebound Eye, part of Vyranoth’s territory (290, 293, 300, 319). This event occurred over fifty years after Fyrakk’s imprisonment (266-267, 289). 

Upon Vyranoth’s defeat and subsequent imprisonment, her dragon companions swore to join Alexstrasza’s cause as long as she honored her original promise to Vyranoth and not force Order magic on them (321).

For centuries, Iridikron’s earthquakes had been part of a plan to carve out secret caverns and tunnels under the earth for an eventual underground attack on Valdrakken (298). 

For the next few decades after the battle at Valdrakken, Iridikron tried and failed to create more Incarnates to replace his lost commanders (331). 

It wasn’t until the end of the war - after three Incarnates had been imprisoned - that Iridikron turned to the djaradin (334).

After Razviik, Mithruz was Vyranoth’s third-in-command. He would fall in single combat against Ysera toward the end of the war (235, 325). 

Neltharion ultimately subdued Iridikron by using the gifts the Old Gods gave him. He vowed to himself it would be the last time he ever gave in to the whispers (371-372). 

As part of the negotiations made between the ordered dragons and the remaining Primalists at the end of the war, Alexstrasza promised to withdraw from the Dragonwilds and grant them to the primal dragons. She also swore that no primal egg would be stolen from its nest ever again (375). 

Alexstrasza then personally visited each dragon that had been taken and ordered in the shell, promising all of them a boon as recompense for the act she had committed without their consent (376, 378). 

Alexstrasza and the Aspects resolved to never speak of the War of the Scaleborn again, wishing to avoid imposing the horrors of it upon future generations (380).

The Vault of the Incarnates was bound with three magical protections: one of time, one of arcane, and one of stone (381). 

Alexstrasza & The Red Dragonflight

Before and during the War of the Scaleborn, a red dragon by the name of Saristrasz acted as Alexstrasza’s majordomo (5, 301).

Tyranastrasz, one of the Dragon Queen’s consorts before his death during the Second War, may have actually been her mate as far back as when they were proto-dragons (8). 

Alexstrasza knew the name of every dragon hatched at the life pools (133).

The Ruby Flamebringers served directly under Alexstrasza (272).

Neltharion & The Black Dragonflight

The black dragonflight’s majordomo was Nalaxa (159). 

A black dragon by the name of Umbrenion was principal architect of the Obsidian Citadel and various structures within Zaralek Cavern (29).

The Shadowscales were a military sect of black dragons dedicated to gathering intelligence on the enemy. They were led by Egnion (61, 86).

The Ironscales were one of the largest battalions in any dragonflight, numbering nearly two hundred (304). By the end of the war, they still boasted around one-hundred-fifty (346).

The Onyx Reavers of the black dragonflight were incredibly deadly in combat. They used their speed to their advantage, often dropping on unsuspecting enemies from above at such breakneck speeds that they would easily shatter their enemies against the ground (236, 254).

Custom dictated that the bodies of black dragons be burned, their bones interred in mausoleums in the Veiled Ossuary, and their ashes spread over the magma falls in the Waking Shores so that they could return to the earth from which they originally drew power (160, 242).  

Neltharion had heard whispers since even before he became Aspect. It wasn’t until sometime in the next two hundred years that they grew stronger, afflicting him with tormenting thoughts and whispers. He never told another soul about them (87).

Neltharion heard at least four separate voices whispering to him (87). This is of note since at this point, Aman’Thul had already dealt with Y’Shaarj, leaving just three Old Gods.

Neltharion experimented on mortals in secret for years, seeking to understand them so that he could create a hybrid army capable of withstanding the primals’ burgeoning might (105).

At this time, Rashok was captured by the black dragonflight and imprisoned within Aberrus (105-106).

Neltharion discovered Oathbinder deep within a titan vault. He asked the titan-forged to modify it so he could use it on the dracthyr specifically (149).

Neltharion was still mostly in control of his faculties after submitting to the Old Gods during the battle at the Reach, though he acknowledged he would never again be the same after letting them in (157). With time, the whispers would only grow stronger, sometimes even debilitating (195).

The black dragonflight spent 300 years preparing for war in secret, having started forging a massive cache of armor and weapons since the day after their oathstone was empowered. In doing so, they developed new forms of blacksteel and elementium, lightweight metals that could provide the dragons protection in the air (193).

The Blue Dragonflight

Beregos was the archlibrarian of the Azure Archives (220).

Centuries after Iridikron began his movement against the Aspects, the blue dragonflight learned how to summon and control arcane elementals (130).

The blue dragonflight frequently employed arcane elementals glamoured as dragons on the field of battle to make their numbers look bigger than they actually were (282).

Malygos and Nozdormu usually fought side by side (281).

Malygos was able to enchant stones that would portal a dragon at a moment’s notice, should the need arise (342, 361).

The Bronze Dragonflight

During the war, the bronze dragons discovered they could reverse wounds with time magic (267).

The Green Dragonflight

The green dragonflight’s majordomo was Vathira (208).

Toward the end of the half-century Raszageth perpetrated attacks against ordered dragons, Ysera oversaw the creation of the Eye of Ysera within the Dream (126).

The Incarnates

Thanks to Fyrakk’s help, Iridikron discovered the means by which primal dragons could imbue themselves with elemental energies and become Incarnates. It is unclear if this means Fyrakk uncovered the crucial knowledge, or if his being the first to survive the process simply helped Iridikron crack the code in his own discoveries (though the latter seems more likely) (33-34). 

Hundreds of primal dragons perished in the initial attempts to infuse themselves with elemental powers. Fyrakk was the first to succeed, followed by Iridikron, who then helped Raszageth through the necessary rituals (31, 32, 36). Iridikron did not consult Fyrakk when he opted to add Raszageth to the Incarnates’ ranks, something which greatly angered the fire dragon (31). 

While ideologically opposed to visage forms, the Incarnates decided taking on forms rooted in the elements could give them a tactical advantage in the war (116).

Fyrakk

Fyrakk is Alexstrasza’s cousin. He was the one who taught the Dragon Queen how to hunt and fight (21, 179, 248).

Iridikron

Neltharion and Iridikron had long been rivals by this time, though they were once close thanks to their shared interests in the earth. While it is unclear exactly when they grew apart, it seems likely their disagreements over the titans’ gifts caused a rift to form between the two dragons (22, 86, 124).

Even as an Incarnate, Iridikron was smaller than Neltharion (124).

Though Alexstrasza was close friends with Vyranoth and cousin to Fyrakk, she had never actually met Iridikron (22).

Iridikron had a sister named Ikronia who willingly submitted to Order magic and became a black dragon (70-71). Few of the primalists knew she even existed (169). Though allied with the Primalists, she perished at Raszageth’s hands during the Incarnate’s attack on the Reach (148).

Vyranoth

Vyranoth initially thought Iridikron no better than the Aspects, having altered himself for the sake of power just like them (46). Though he obsessively sought to recruit her to his side, she refused to pick either him or Alexstrasza over each other, instead desiring peace and neutrality (49). 

Vyranoth hadn’t laid a clutch of her own in centuries, having declined to take a new mate ever since Galakrond slew her last one (50). 

Alexstrasza and Vyranoth used to meet for a hunt at least once a season (61). 

Razviik, once of the proto-drakes Vyranoth had taken under her wing, was the one to bestow the moniker “the Frozenheart” upon her (206).

The Mortals

A tribe of trolls took up residence in Apex Canopy, a small region in southwestern Waking Shores. Having seen that they would shape the fate of the world in time, Nozdormu informed Neltharion who then told the other Aspects of his plans to reach out to them. Each of the Aspects, cloaked in an invisibility spell by Malygos, descended upon the settlement to investigate the mortals (63-65).

Neltharion claimed the trolls migrated to the Broodlands from larger well-established civilizations in the south (65).

The Aspects debated over how best to approach the mortals. Ysera thought they shouldn’t interfere with their development, but Nozdormu insisted a relationship between dragonkind and the mortal races would be important in times to come (65-66). 

Ysera was the first one to propose the dragons don visage forms to empathize with and understand the mortals (66-67).

Malygos initially wove illusions around the Aspects, trying to mimic mortal forms to little avail (67). 

Alexstrasza eventually sent emissaries to the mortals cloaked in temporary visages developed by Malygos (103).

Both the green and red dragonflights took to visage forms much more quickly than any of the other flights. As a result, the mortals forged strong bonds with the green dragonflight and moved in great numbers to the Emerald Plains (112, 131).

After five years, the mortal settlements in the Broodlands grew to triple their initial size (103).

By this time, mortals had trained wolves to hunt alongside them (104).

The dragonflights began forging relationships with Northrend’s indigenous mortal races as well (111).

The dragons gifted technology and knowledge of projectile weapons to the mortal tribes living in Apex Canopy so that they could defend themselves in the event of an attack (176).

Locations in Lore

The Aspects were the ones who conceived of Valdrakken, not the titan keepers. That said, Tyr may very well have influenced its building by teaching Alexstrasza about cities (4, 11).

While the Dragon Isles were originally known as the Broodlands, the vast expanse of territory beyond them - stretching far into modern-day Northrend - was called the ‘Dragonwilds’. The Aspects’ law covered the disparate territories of the Broodlands, but did not extend to the Dragonwilds. As a result, many primal dragons averse to the titans’ influence chose to live there instead of the Dragon Isles (14, 31-32).

Iridikron was rather reclusive and usually kept to his underground den, a place called Harrowsdeep near the Stormscale mountain range, part of what is now known as Northrend (22, 31, 39). Vyranoth’s aerie was in the ‘Frozen Fangs’ - likely Icecrown - while Fyrakk made his home in the ‘Caldera’ (33, 49, 81).

Raszageth’s aerie, the Whorl, was the closest of the Incarnates’ dwellings to the Broodlands (169).

Wyrmrest Temple was constructed simultaneously with Valdrakken (32).

Twenty years after Wyrmrest Temple was built, construction finished on the Obsidian Citadel. Shortly after that, Vakthros was completed as well (43-44). 

Alexstrasza had an upper tier added to the Ruby Life Pools two centuries later after its original establishment (48).

Construction on the Vault of the Incarnates was completed after twenty-five years (222-223).

Stormsunder Crater, a region in the eastern part of the Forbidden Reach, was formed when Raszageth crashed to the ground during her assault on Neltharion’s dracthyr (154). 

The mountain range at the northern edge of the Dragon Isles is called the Scalecracker Peaks (159).

The mountain range housing the Obisidian Citadel is called the Black Mountains (254).

The mountain range on the eastern edge of Thaldraszus was one of the tallest mountain ranges in northern Kalimdor, rivaled only by the Storm Peaks (266).

Some of the many new regions mentioned in the War of the Scaleborn, exact locations unspecified, include: Icewing Rift, the Molten Abyss, Emberstone, the Glacial Maw, Frostfire Chasm, Cinderfrost Vale (220, 237, 249, 254). 

Sawtooth Mountain was near Wyrmrest Temple (336).

The Icebound Eye was a natural sinkhole in the Frozen Fangs (294).

The earth tendrils curving around the Vault of the Incarnates are not naturally occurring structures. They were made when Neltharion ossified lava Iridikron pulled from the surrounding magma pools during their confrontation at the Vault (316).

Misc

Drakonid are actually tarasek who have been transformed by Order magic, not unlike the dragons (14).

Ordered creatures apparently take on a subtle scent of something akin to “smoke and stardust” (15).

Only one in four whelplings in the primal dragonwilds ever made it to drakehood. Alexstrasza supposed barely half of those even saw half a century of life (25).

Primal dragons often abandoned their young when they grew into drakes, though one brood mother - Oxoria - was notorious for raising broods with sustained familial bonds (200).

The ordered dragons’ whelplings were raised communally, allowing their parents to be as involved in the upbringing as they desired. Sometimes this meant they chose not to be involved at all, complete strangers to their offspring (53, 135). 

Dragons can be identified by their scales (92).

It is not unusual for one to experience great disorientation and vertigo after their first portal travel. It can take hours to recover (259).

Captain Drine has been guarding Valdrakken ever since the War of the Scaleborn (305).

The dragons were under the impression that they needed titan keepers to create more Aspects (322, 326). 

The Dragon Isles are the djaradin’s ancestral lands (334).

#y'all this book was so dense #this is not even everything #world of warcraft #WoW #warcraft #dragonflight #lore #canon lore #wow lore #war of the scaleborn

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Hello! Sorry to bother you, but I was looking at your Nightborne lore post, and none of the links seem to be working. They simply go “no posts found”.

In the closing post for Nightborne Lore Month? Or some of the links I provided as sources in those lore posts?

A lot of the source links themselves are pretty old, I wouldn't be surprised if they're outdated and just don't work anymore. I know I used to link to PDFs/online versions of various WoW books for sources but half of them became inaccessible at some point and I just never bothered to go back and edit the posts.

If you're talking about the Nightborne Lore Month post though, I'll throw the links here and hope they work this time!:

Nightborne Language

Nightborne Law and Order

Nightborne Culinary Creations & Arcwine

Nightborne Craftsmanship

Nightborne Schools of Magic

If that's not it though, feel free to ask me and I'll see what I can do.

#hi I miss this account #it's been so long since I've written I forgot how to write #feel like I switched over to talking about lore rather than writing but #one day

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Sylvanas Novel Lore Facts

Verath and Lireesa Windrunner

Sylvanas’s father, Lord Verath Windrunner, was King Anasterian’s chief advisor (9, 122).

Though nobles, the Windrunners did not usually throw lavish parties like their kinsmen. Instead, they preferred to host small gatherings (9).

The position of ranger-general was passed down through the Windrunner family for thousands of years (21). Before Lireesa became ranger-general, her mother Alleria held the position (11).

Due to their status, the Windrunners were free to wander Sunfury Spire and Magisters’ Terrace at any time (105).

After the Second War broke out, King Anasterian asked Lord Verath to travel as ambassador to Lordaeron City and learn about the danger the Horde posed. Lireesa, reluctant to let her husband go alone, accompanied him (109).

Both Verath and Lireesa were ambushed and killed in Eastweald before they ever made it to Lordaeron City (117, 122). Unfortunately, their corpses were picked so clean by scavengers it was difficult to tell who had killed them, though the elves initially blamed their ancient enemy, the Amani (119). It was later revealed that it had been the orcs, working in concert with the trolls (127, 131).

Sylvanas brought evidence of the Horde’s involvement in her parents’ deaths before King Anasterian. Much to her surprise, he burned it, citing a reluctance to put the quel’dorei at risk when they were already well protected. She was sworn to secrecy regarding her discovery (133).

Though the elder Windrunners did not survive the trek to Lordaeron, their equine steeds made it back to Windrunner Spire mostly unharmed (130). 

Verath and Lireesa’s bodies were treated with a slight bit of illusion magic, covered in ceremonial palls, and set to lie in state for an entire day so those who wished could pay their respects to the fallen (134, 157)

The Windrunners’ colors are brown and gold (126).

Alleria Windrunner

Alleria took after her mother, Lireesa, in both appearance and manner (10).

Alleria was named after her grandmother (11).

When Alleria came of age to start training with the Farstriders, Lireesa bestowed a formal test on her. In front of her future peers, Alleria was tasked with hunting and killing a lynx using just a single arrow before the day’s end. She was permitted a knife with which to skin the lynx as proof, though Lireesa explicitly warned her daughter not to use it to kill the animal (11).

After growing bored waiting for Alleria to complete her trial, Sylvanas ventured out into the forest, only to find the lynx chasing after her sister. Seeing that Alleria had tried and failed to fell the lynx using both her arrow and knife, Sylvanas slew the lynx herself with one of her arrows (16-17).

While Alleria technically failed the test, it is worth noting that it would not have affected her entry to the Farstriders given she was to inherit the position of ranger-general regardless. As Verath told Sylvanas afterward, the test was more about Alleria proving her mettle and skills to her future peers so they would accept her position as one born of merit rather than privilege (22). 

Feeling smothered by her mother’s strict expectations for her, Alleria told Lireesa many years later that she did not want to become the next ranger-general. On top of that, she also declared she was taking a small contingent of Farstriders and leaving Quel’Thalas to adventure across Azeroth (72-73). Perhaps embarrassed by this turn of events, Lireesa publicly informed the elven rangers that she was sending Alleria off so the Farstriders could “reclaim the meaning of their name” and explore the world beyond their borders (75).

Sylvanas, as the next eldest child, took up Alleria’s place as second-in-line (74-75). 

Prior to Alleria’s departure from Quel’Thalas, Lireesa gifted her daughter with an ornate necklace. It was set with three gemstones - a ruby, sapphire, and emerald - each meant to symbolize one of the Windrunner daughters. The chain holding them all together represented Lirath, their brother (81). At some point, Alleria broke down the necklace and gave each of her sisters a piece (258). 

Lirath Windrunner

Lireesa went into labor with Lirath the day of Alleria’s test, weeks before the baby was due (25).

Both Vereesa and Lirath’s names were amalgams of their parents’ names (28).

Lirath was quite the musical prodigy. He demonstrated exceptional skill with instruments such as the flute, pipes, mandolin, and harp. Lirath was also known for his beautiful singing voice, as well (29-30).

Though skilled with instruments, the young elf was rather clumsy when it came to weapons (42).

Lirath impressed Lord Saltheril so much with his musical talents that the noble had him perform regularly at his parties (32).

Just six months after his debut, Lirath was invited to perform for Prince Kael’thas. Given that the prince spent most of his time in Dalaran and hardly ever ventured to Silvermoon City, this was seen as an exceptionally high honor (33).

At Prince Kael’thas’ behest, Lirath eventually moved to the Artists’ Quarters in Silvermoon City and began a formal apprenticeship (55). Some time later, he officially became the royal musician, making him the youngest ever to have received the title (76).

The denizens of Windrunner Village were all killed during the orcs’ invasion of Quel’Thalas during the Second War. Among the casualties was Lirath (159-161). 

Lirath was buried beside his parents. Though the Windrunners held a public funeral for their parents, Lirath’s was much more intimate and private (166). 

Sylvanas Windrunner, the Ranger

Sylvanas was named for the woodlands of Quel’Thalas (53).

Sylvanas named her hawkstrider ‘Snap’ (21).

The young ranger did not particularly like Silvermoon City and showed remarkable disdain for court politics as a child (23).

She was banned from Lord Saltheril’s parties after an unfortunate incident in which she snuck into one and spiked some glasses of punch with numbing woundwood powder to get back at young nobles who were insulting her brother (45-47).

Sylvanas, Lor’themar, and Halduron spent so much time together in and out of archery practice that they became known as “the Trio” (54). 

She once accidentally spilled wine on Prince Kael’thas at a Remembrance ball (62).

Lireesa took Sylvanas to an Amani territory marker when she was a child and warned her that the trolls were their enemy (91). 

Sylvanas and Nathanos shared their first kiss atop Sungraze Peak, only a day before she found out her parents had been killed (115).

Sylvanas Windrunner, the Banshee Queen

As a banshee, Sylvanas could only see the world in shades of black and white (180). Upon reuniting with her body, she was able to see in color once again (194).

Sylvanas struggled to remember much about herself and her life after Arthas raised her into undeath (180, 182).

Sylvanas’ body was magically preserved and locked away in Deatholme, where it was guarded under the watchful eye of Dar’Khan (193). 

The arrow Sylvanas used to paralyze Arthas was coated in a mixture of woundwood and troll poison (195, 196). It was also fletched with some of the Dark Eagle’s feathers (197). 

Just before Sylvanas began tormenting the paralyzed Arthas, the shade of a young human girl appeared and distracted her long enough for Kel’Thuzad to intervene (198).

As undead, Sylvanas remarked that she was unable to feel emotions like joy, passion, or love (218, 226, 273). Later, though, she admitted the truth to herself: she was actually unable to let go of those feelings (344).

Seeking protection for the Forsaken, Sylvanas initially made moves to join the Alliance. The Banshee Queen handpicked four of her undead to send as emissaries: one from Southshore, two from Lordaeron City, and one from Stormwind - Sarias Colton - who had a living sister in the city. All had been soldiers in life and were so well preserved in death they almost looked as if they could pass for living. Unfortunately, the emissaries were killed on sight before they ever had a chance to parley with the Alliance (232, 233).

With no choice but to turn to the very people that had massacred her family, Sylvanas sent spies and eventually emissaries to the Horde after learning they had come a long way from their murderous past. Cairne Bloodhoof was the first to welcome her, inviting her to visit Thunder Bluff (235).  

Sylvanas met with Thrall, Cairne, and Hamuul in the taurens’ capital city. After she pleaded her case for the Forsaken, all parties formally agreed that the undead could join the Horde (240). 

Sylvanas brokered an allegiance between the blood elves and the Horde a year later for three reasons: 1) to use them as more “arrows” against Arthas, 2) to strengthen her position in the Horde by bringing them another useful ally, and 3) out of a sense of loyalty to her former people (245, 247).

Lor’themar initially refused Sylvanas’ offer, afraid that the Horde had done too much harm for the elves to see them as allies. Months later, however, he capitulated and agreed to a meeting between emissaries with one stipulation: that it happen in Quel’Thalas. Cairne, Thrall, Vol’jin, and Sylvanas all attended (248, 249). The meeting took place at Farstrider Enclave in what is now known as the Ghostlands (250).

Sylvanas gave Putress leave to experiment with and concoct a weapon powerful enough to kill the Lich King (214-216). She informed him that if they ever had the slightest chance at destroying the Lich King, he was to deploy the blight. That said, Putress utilized the weapon at the Wrath Gate without her knowledge or explicit approval (263, 268). 

Though the Banshee Queen did not orchestrate the events at the Wrath Gate, she believed that all of the sacrifices would have been worth it if Arthas had died (270).

Sylvanas was initially against the idea of experimenting on Forsaken, but Putress convinced her it was much easier than capturing one of the Scourge. She agreed to his terms, so long as the Forsaken in question were criminals and deserving of such a fate (261).

Sylvanas Windrunner, Harbinger of Death

According to the Jailer, the Arbiter sent Sylvanas to the Maw upon her death at Icecrown (287). She was enraged to discover that the Arbiter judged beings far more monstrous than her, like Zul’jin, worthy of redemption while she had been condemned to the Maw (293). 

When Sylvanas asked the Jailer’s Val’kyr if they saw any souls reunited with their loved ones in the Shadowlands, they said no (297).

The Jailer told Sylvanas she’d know he was not deceiving her after she experienced five signs to come: 1) the return of a fiery darkness, 2) her ascension to leadership, 3) a blade piercing the world, 4) the blood of the world, and 5) the toppling of a king and shattering of the sky itself (301).

While the Banshee Queen believed what the Jailer told her was true, she had not yet decided as of Warlords of Draenor if she was willing to take the final step and fully commit to his cause (314). 

Sylvanas noted Anduin resembled her younger brother in appearance, but it was really his mannerisms and inherent gentleness that reminded her of Lirath (323, 365, 368).

Sylvanas chose to pull the Horde forces back at the Broken Shore in order to save them, as continuing to fight would have surely doomed both the Horde and Alliance (325, 334). Even though this technically meant betraying her newfound allies in the Alliance, it was a risk she considered worth taking (334). 

Sylvanas finally decided to accept the Jailer’s offer and join forces with him after Vol’jin’s untimely demise (326). That said, she continued to harbor some slight doubts for a time (339). 

Sylvanas sought out Saurfang as an ally, believing that he would be amenable to the Jailer’s goals in time (331, 354).

As part of her first official assignment under Zovaal, Sylvanas was responsible for meeting with Helya and procuring an item from her known as a Soulcage. With it, she was supposed to compel Eyir into delivering the souls under her command to Helya, who was to then give them to the Jailer (332). 

After the breaking of the Arbiter and the redirection of all incoming souls to the Maw, Mal’Ganis came to the Banshee Queen and told her of Zovaal’s new mission for her: to kill as many as possible (339).

Nathanos Marris

Nathanos Marris, a ranger captain from Lordaeron, was sent to Quel’Thalas sometime early in the Second War. He’d been tasked with studying the Amani trolls - given concerns that they were cooperating with the Horde - and bringing his findings to King Anasterian Sunstrider (94). 

While out on a routine patrol, Sylvanas and Lor’themar were saved from an Amani ambush by Nathanos’ expert marksmanship skills (93).

After delivering his findings to the king, Nathanos was given leave to explore Silvermoon City with one stipulation: that he be accompanied by a Farstrider. Sylvanas herself rose to the occasion (97). 

After he was freed from the Scourge’s thrall, Nathanos experienced long periods of forgetfulness where he could not remember who he had been in life (224, 226). 

Though she carried the secret of her deal with the Jailer for some time, Sylvanas eventually told Nathanos the truth shortly into the events of Warlords of Draenor (314).

Quel’Thalas & the Quel’dorei

The high elves used to be wary of a rather large and dangerous springpaw lynx nicknamed “Mauler”. Rumor has it that the creature actually developed a taste for elven flesh (17).

King Anasterian bestowed quel’dorei steeds upon those of high rank or exceptional distinction. Both Verath and Lireesa Windrunner were given one each: Parley and Arrowflight respectively (21).

On the topic of whether Silvermoon City was predominantly red or blue before the Third War, Sylvanas once commented it was “very crimson” (23).

There are fireflies in Quel’Thalas (24).

The quel’dorei celebrate the anniversary of the trolls’ defeat in the Troll Wars every year. As part of this ‘Remembrance’ celebration, the nobles host a ball (31, 55).

There’s a species of bird indigenous to Quel’Thalas known as the Thalassian red songbird (40). 

Aeriah Sunfire wrote volumes five through seven of the troll histories. His grandfather, Sunfire the Elder, wrote volumes one through four (52).

Sylvanas assumed much of her extended family was dead, likely killed in the Horde’s attack on Windrunner Village during the Second War (212).

Three scions of the Salonar house - Belaria, Aravan, and Rendis - also perished at Windrunner Village (159). 

It took months after Arthas’ invasion for the blood elves to gather all the bodies of the fallen and burn them (202). 

The Farstriders

The Farstriders were considered above commoners purely on the basis of their skill and athleticism, though they were not strictly nobility (9).

The position of ranger-general is one of the only hereditary positions in quel’dorei society, next to the monarchy itself. It is traditionally passed from the ranger-general to their eldest child (11, 21).

During the inauguration of a ranger-general, it is customary to ask all Farstriders present if they will follow and support the new ranger-general (141).

Once sworn in, the new ranger-general is expected to prepare a small meal and offer it to every member of the Farstriders. This is a symbolic way of showing that the ranger-general will care for all those they are to lead into battle (144). 

Lor’themar Theron was a full-fledged Farstrider by the time Sylvanas was old enough to earn her own bow (14).

Lor’themar usually stepped in for Lireesa when she was unable to attend to Farstrider matters (34).

The leaves of the woundwood tree have certain properties that, when dried and mixed with liquid, form a numbing paste. Farstriders usually kept some on hand to use as an anesthetic in case of injury, though Sylvanas later mixed it with troll poison to paralyze Arthas (46, 195-196). 

The Farstriders maintained routine patrols near Amani territory in times of peace as tradition, a formality, and sometimes even as punishment (90). 

Lor’themar, the highest-ranking Farstrider next to Sylvanas herself, was responsible for swearing Sylvanas in as ranger-general (140).

Most all Farstriders have heard the tale of the “Battle of Seven Arrows,” a conflict in which a small group of elven rangers fended off some of the Amani’s finest warriors. The trolls, normally pacified, launched a surprise attack on a lone elven village. Though they would have been enough to pose a threat by themselves, the Amani commanded a terrifying beast twisted by magic known as the “Dark Eagle”. Lireesa Windrunner’s unit, which numbered just seven, was the nearest to the trolls and moved to intercept them. Though the rangers fought hard, they went through most of their arrows in no time. With just one arrow left herself, Lireesa turned to her six companions and asked each of them for one of theirs before ordering them to fall back while she stayed behind to face the trolls alone. Mere moments later, the elves saw Lireesa running toward them - no Dark Eagle in sight. She had felled it with the seven remaining arrows at her disposal: two for the eyes, one for its throat, and four for its heart. Her strike was so successful, not a single elf lost their life that day (140-141).

Nothing in the Farstrider code technically stated that one had to be a high elf to join the rangers. This allowed Sylvanas to make Nathanos a Farstrider, though her decision was met with much resistance from her peers (147).

Miscellaneous

Both dark rangers and San’layn are considered Darkfallen (184).

Dark rangers’ bodies, not unlike that of death knights’, are magically resistant to decay as a result of the way they are raised (192).

The Jailer spirited both Frostmourne and the Helm of Domination out of the Shadowlands with the help of secret allies. He wanted them on Azeroth so as to anchor the power of death to the young world soul (288-289). 

A race of serpentine, lava-dwelling creatures called aells live somewhere in the cosmos. In their culture, consuming their mates when they are near death is considered a supreme act of love (296-297).

#world of warcraft #sylvanas #sylvanas windrunner #shadowlands #alleria #alleria windrunner #vereesa #vereesa windrunner #WoW #warcraft #worldofwarcraft #lore #world of warcraft lore #wow lore #high elf #quel'dorei #silvermoon #farstrider #the jailer #zovaal #spoilers #world of warcraft spoilers #nathanos #lor'themar

[warcraft-lore-archives]

hey I know you're prolly busy, the world is insane. haven't seen a post in a while, just wanna make sure you're OK!

I'm good! I'm sorry I haven't posted or said much lately, I've been busy with so many different things between real life, the game, and other projects.

I'm terribly inconsistent with it, but I'm trying to be better about updating my followers on where I'm at. I've actually started posting biweekly updates over on my Patreon (which should be free to view - none of my updates are locked behind a paywall). If Twitter's more your style, I do repost them over on my Twitter. I've even set up a discord!

I'm hoping to get back to botany posts sometime in the next few weeks, but I have another project I really want to sit down and focus on first. It's a bit of a moving target, though, so definitely check in to any of those other platforms if you want a better idea of my progress!

#<3

[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).

#world of warcraft #worldofwarcraft #WoW #warcraft #azeroth #world of warcraft lore

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Lore Fact of the Week #76

The Scourge mounted at least four separate attacks on Light’s Hope Chapel within a span of ten years, none of which were successful. Though small, unassuming, and out-of-the-way, the chapel was coveted by the undead for the very same reason it was ultimately unconquerable: the thousand corpses interred in catacombs beneath its sacred grounds, each of which belonged to a warrior or champion of the Light who had met their end in battles long past [Ashbringer: Dust to Dust, Quest: The Light of Dawn, Comic: Death Knight, Chapter Four].

The sheer number of bodies buried under Light’s Hope Chapel may have made the hallowed sanctuary an attractive prize for the Scourge, but it also made it an incredible locus of holy power. Even in death, the champions’ combined connection to the Light was so potent that their presence alone circumvented multiple Scourge invasions. Though the odds were always in the undead’s favor, they were never truly able to overcome the Light’s power at the chapel, something which may very well have cost them the war against the living [Ashbringer: Dust to Dust, Quest: The Light of Dawn, Quest: The Fourth Horseman].

The earliest confrontation to occur between the forces of the Light and the Scourge at the chapel happened well into the Third War. The Argent Dawn, charged with protecting the holy site, had done all they could to keep it secret, but it was only a matter of time before the undead discovered the truth of what lay under the chapel. Sure enough, a massive army led by Kel’Thuzad moved to attack in the hopes they could raise an army of Azeroth’s strongest and most honored champions to use against the living. Facing overwhelming odds, a young Darion Mograine sacrificed himself during the conflict by plunging the corrupted Ashbringer into his own heart – something which stirred the souls of those buried beneath the chapel. All at once, the Light burst forth in a dazzling display from the ground as far as the eye could see, decimating the Scourge’s ranks and forcing them to pull back, though not before Kel’Thuzad was able to raise Darion as a death knight [Ashbringer: Dust to Dust].

Perhaps spurred by this failure, the Scourge tried again sometime later in a battle infamously known as the Siege of the Sanguine. Designed and orchestrated by a lich named Kirkessen the Zealous, the Siege of the Sanguine is thought to be one of the Scourge’s largest organized assaults on Light’s Hope Chapel. Nevertheless, their attack was quickly routed by the Argent Dawn after Kirkessen personally suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Lord Maxwell Tyrosus [Object: Compendium of Fallen Heroes].

The third and fourth battles to transpire at Light’s Hope are perhaps the most well-known of the Scourge’s attacks on the chapel, having taken place in recent memory. Incidentally, they are also the most similar. In both conflicts, death knights were employed on the front lines and entrusted with attacking the chapel to claim its fallen. Like those before them, the death knights were ultimately unsuccessful, stopped by the power of the Light each time [Comic: Death Knight, Chapter Four, Quest: The Light of Dawn, Quest: The Fourth Horseman]. That, however, is where the similarities end.

While the death knights of Acherus attacked Light’s Hope to raise an army, the third conflict – unceremoniously known as the Battle for Light’s Hope Chapel – was not actually driven by that so much as it was the Lich King’s desire to draw out and slaughter some of the Light’s most powerful champions [NPC: Rayne Dialogue, Quest: The Light of Dawn, Comic: Death Knight, Chapter Four]. Wary of how impregnable Light’s Hope had proven to be after two failed assaults, Arthas resigned himself to a more modest goal and used his death knights as bait to accomplish it. Before either the death knights or Arthas could make much headway, however, the Light weakened them severely. This allowed the death knights present to break free of the Lich King’s indomitable grasp mid-battle and turn against him, putting a decisive end to their incursion [Quest: The Light of Dawn].

Several years later, a cadre of death knights led by Darion Mograine returned to Light’s Hope Chapel at the behest of Bolvar Fordragon. Charged by the new Lich King with raising Tirion Fordring as one of the Four Horsemen, Darion and the others attacked the chapel, only to find themselves stopped by the Light’s presence, as had happened several times before. In an ironic twist of fate, Darion would not only die again at Light’s Hope Chapel, but also be raised a second time in service of the undead – this time as the leader of the Four Horsemen [Quest: The Fourth Horseman].

#world of warcraft #WoW #warcraft #worldofwarcraft #lore #canon lore #world of warcraft lore #lore fact #lorefact #lore fact of the week #LFotW #darion #darion mograine #alexandros #alexandros mograine #ashbringer #arthas #the lich king #lich king

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Lore Fact of the Week #75

Kaldorei traditionally exchange small tokens, such as jewelry or accessories, to show their affection for one another [Page: Hairpin of Silver and Malachite, Item: Eternal Bride’s Wedding Ring]. The giving of bracers in particular is a gesture that symbolizes a sacred bond of friendship, trust, and love amongst night elves [Quest: A Cry For Help]. One elf even gifted her husband with a “pendant of bonding,” though it is unclear if that is standard practice for romantic partners in kaldorei culture [Quest: Mortality Wanes].

#world of warcraft #WoW #warcraft #worldofwarcraft #lore #canon lore #world of warcraft lore #night elf #nelf #kaldorei #night elf lore #kaldorei lore #lore fact #lore fact of the week #LFotW #lorefact

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany - Retchweed

Of the countless plant species native to Zandalar, retchweed is one of the most common by far. Found throughout Zuldazar and parts of southern Nazmir, this plant is well known for its use as an emetic among the local trolls. Retchweed is traditionally given to Zandalari children who have swallowed a harmful or poisonous substance in order to induce vomiting, hence the name “retchweed”. Despite its curative properties, however, the green plant can be lethal. When dried, powdered, and combined with riverbud root, it becomes a poison deadly to even the hardiest of heroes [Shadows Rising, pg. 23-24, 248 (hardcover edition)].

Retchweed poison is fast-acting and incredibly painful. Within moments of being ingested, it causes rapid desiccation of the body, followed by death [Shadows Rising, pg. 23-24, 248 (hardcover edition)].

As common as retchweed is, one might be surprised to find that its poisonous qualities are a relatively new discovery. Apari, Yazma’s daughter and Queen Talanji’s former friend, created the poison just within the last year [Shadows Rising, pg. 24 (hardcover edition)].

#azerothianherbs #azerothian botany

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany Masterpost: 100 Herbs of WoW

Preface: Three years ago, I wrote my very first botany post. Inspired by the dozens upon dozens of herb gathering quests I came across as I leveled, I set out to catalogue every single plant in WoW lore. Three years later, I’ve officially covered 100 and somehow still only barely scratched the surface of Azeroth’s flora. Though I have no plans to stop anytime soon, I figured I’d at least put together a masterpost on what I’ve done so far. 

While this is my main lore blog, I’ve recently switched over to posting my botany posts on azerothianbotany to better organize them. You can find the links to every plant I’ve covered thus far in this post, but if you’re looking for something more specific (e.g. a poisonous plant or a magical plant), azerothianbotany has pages that categorize the plants based on their rarity, edibility, uses, etc.   

Here’s to another 100!

The Eastern Kingdoms

Akiris Reed

Banshee’s Bells

Bloodberry Bush

Corpseweed

Fenberry

Ferocious Doomweed

Flower of Luck

Forest Mushroom

Mudsnout Blossom

Plague Tangle

Rotberry

Rot Blossom

Shimmerweed

Stillwater Lily

Wolfsbane

Kalimdor

Arcan’dor

Bitterblossom

Bloodpetal

Death Cap

Emerald Shimmercap

Fel Cone

Flower of Compassion

Forest Mushroom

Kawphi

Laden Mushroom

Living Ire Thyme

Moonberry

Moonpetal Lily

Shimmering Frond

Shimmerweed

Tar Blossom

Thorned Bloodcup

Outland

Burstcap Mushroom

Hellfire Spineleaf

Ironroot

Olemba Tree

Sanguine Hibiscus

Shadowmoon Tuber

Telaari Frond

Draenor

Death Bloom

Ember Blossom

Frostbloom

Icevine

Zangarium Draenormycota

Northrend

Briaroot

Cave Mushroom

Crystalline Heartwood

Dahlia’s Tears

Frostberry Bush

Hazewood

Muddlecap Fungus

Murkweed

Sandfern

Shimmering Snowcap

Spiritsbreath

Sweetroot

Thornwood

Water-poppy

Pandaria

Blushleaf

Lurching Blossom

Jademoon

Kafa’kota Bush

Mulberry

Spideroot

Tidemist Cap

Volatile Bloom

Argus

Everglow Seedling

Void-Touched Arinor Blossom

The Broken Isles

Aethril

Bloodflower

Dreamleaf

Manaroot

Morning Glory Vine

Soulcap

Zandalar

Bloodlasher Seedling

Bwonsamdi’s Tears

Gnarl Root

Prickly Pear

Prickly Plum Cactus

Krag’wa’s Ire

Sapphire Amaraina

Soothing Lilybud

Stonebloom

Sweetleaf

Thistlevine

Whistlebloom Juicy Fruit

Kul Tiras

Evermoss

Gravebloom

Hearthbloom

River Carnations

Nazjatar

Coral Lasher

Deepcoral Bud

Kelpberry

Kelp Bud

Poisonous Spiral Leaf

The Shadowlands

Adrima’s Lily

Culex Tree

Dreadshade

Midnight Rose

Other

Darkblossom

Doomshroom

Maiden’s Anguish

#world of warcraft #lore #world of warcraft lore #WoW #warcraft #worldofwarcraft #azerothianherbs #azerothian herbs #azerothian botany

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany - Adrima’s Lily

As with many things in the Shadowlands, Adrima’s lilies rely on ambient anima in the environment to survive. Though this plant appears delicate at first glance, its ability to extract and survive off untapped anima deep in the ground makes it remarkably resilient and, consequently, a highly valuable source of anima amid the ongoing drought [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Adrima’s Lily]. With little else to safely glean the lifegiving substance from these days, the Kyrian have taken to harvesting Adrima’s lilies to supplement their anima stores. Many stewards also collect the flower, though it is more for their fragrance and beauty than any apparent usefulness [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

It may be worth pointing out that Adrima’s lilies share many similarities with aethril, a plant endemic to Azeroth. Both species are notable for drawing magical substances from their environment for nutrients, though aethril subsists on ley energy rather than anima [Quest: Aethril Sample]. The flowers differ in how they store magic, however. Aethril’s reproductive filaments typically contain more magical energy than the rest of the plant, whereas much of the anima taken in by the lily is stored in its bulb [Quest: Spayed by the Spade, Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

While this flower appears to be named for someone called “Adrima,” none of the local Kyrian or stewards seem to know who they are [Quest: The Cycle of Anima: Flower Power].

The scent of dried Adrima’s lilies is known to enhance mindfulness [Item: Adrima’s Potpourri].

#azerothian botany #azerothianherbs

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany - Emerald Shimmercap

Given that emerald shimmercaps grow in Felwood, it is little surprise that the average passerby mistakes their bright green hue for demonic corruption. In truth, their color has nothing to do with fel magic. These mushrooms get their distinctive appearance – and likely their name – from their connection to the Emerald Dream [Quest: A Slimy Situation].

In stark contrast to much of Felwood’s native flora, this species of fungi remains untainted by demonic forces in the region. While one may infer it is their tie to the Dream that prevents these mushrooms from succumbing to fel influence, the full explanation is a bit more nuanced – emerald shimmercaps have the unique ability to purify corruption [Quest: A Slimy Situation].  

It makes sense, then, why many of these mushrooms are typically found near pools of fel-tainted water [Quest: A Slimy Situation]. By cleansing water sources in the region, this species of fungi could very well aid in stemming the spread of demonic corruption throughout northern Kalimdor.

Due to their magical nature, emerald shimmercaps are also highly effective at treating infections demonic in origin. When an undead single-handedly transformed the denizens of an outpost into fel slimes, one dryad made a paste from the mushroom that prevented a tauren from mutating along with them [Quest: A Slimy Situation, Quest: The Tainted Ooze].

Because of the Cenarion Circle’s efforts to heal Felwood, it is unclear if this species of fungi was planted deliberately or if it is endemic to the region.

#azerothianherbs #azerothian botany

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany - Spideroot

Spideroot contains a sour-tasting liquid known for its natural weedkilling properties [Item: Spideroot]. Because it happens to be good for most plants except for weeds, some Pandaren farmers in the Heartland have taken to using spideroot to remove any unwanted plants from their crops [Quest: Growing the Farm I: A Little Problem].

Spider mites are commonly found on spideroot, which may be how the plant came by its name [Quest: Growing the Farm I: A Little Problem].

#azerothianherbs #azerothian botany

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Cultural Beliefs About the Afterlife - Tuskarr

Compared to several of Azeroth’s native races, the tuskarr have some of the most intricate beliefs about death and the afterlife. Many of those beliefs are so important to the tuskarr that they play a significant role in kalu’ak cultural practices and their day-to-day lives, from how they worship their ancestors to the various rituals they perform in honor of the dead.

According to the non-canon RPG, the tuskarr see the afterlife as a trouble-free paradise in which both fishing and whaling – two activities integral to their way of life – are plentiful [RPG: Dark Factions, pg. 22, 88, RPG: Manual of Monsters, pg. 105]. Their cultural beliefs dictate that those who want to make it to the afterlife should engage in certain social behaviors the tuskarr view as positive. Examples include marriage, bearing children, and hunting, among other things [RPG: Dark Factions, pg. 88].

Once a tuskarr dies, it is believed that Karkut, their death deity, walks the earth to gather their spirit and take them to the afterlife [Quest: Preparing For the Worst]. Karkut is also responsible for protecting and watching over the spirits of the fallen [Quest: Cowards and Fools, Quest: The Son of Karkut, Quest: Spirits Watch Over Us]. Interestingly, Death Knights are said to bear his mark [Quest: The Son of Karkut].

Not unlike the tauren, tuskarr ancestor spirits are a significant part of their culture – so much so that some of their more notable ancestors are ceremonially placed in large stone statues specially prepared by tuskarr craftsmen [Quest: Leading the Ancestors Home, Quest: Picking up the Pieces]. This sacred ritual is carried out by a shaman, who uses implements – some of which are hundreds of years old – to guide the spirits into their new homes [Quest: Leading the Ancestors Home, Quest: Picking Up the Pieces]. From there, the ancestors of the tuskarr can watch over and protect their living kin. Some even go so far as to heal the sick and offer advice to those who ask for their guidance [RPG: Manual of Monsters, pg. 105, Quest: The Honored Ancestors].  

Tuskarr legends are rife with mention of “coffer corpses,” better known as independent undead with no connections to the Scourge. Though they may show up frequently in tuskarr tales, modern kalu’ak death practices have somehow made the occurrence of real coffer corpses rare, although it is unclear why [RPG: Manual of Monsters, pg. 199].

The tuskarr have different death rituals to honor those who meet their end at sea or fall in battle [RPG: Dark Factions, pg. 22].

#world of warcraft #lore #world of warcraft lore #canon lore #tuskarr #tuskarr lore

[warcraft-lore-archives]

The Grimoire of the Shadowlands Lore Facts

Preface

Interested in the potential benefits that might come from plumbing the depths of the Maw, Cartel Ve planned an exploratory venture into the dark realm. The expedition, overseen by Ve’nari, was a success. However, Ve’nari had her fellow cartel members killed to ensure she alone would have sole access to both the Maw Walkers and the Maw’s resources (8, 132).

Cartel Ve and Cartel Ta are rivals (8, 29).

It is loosely implied that the Brokers altered their demeanor, if not also their appearances, to look friendly and appealing to mortals. They refer to their outward form as their “encounter suits” (9).

Chapter One: Rites of the Dead on Azeroth

After a night elf has died, they are ritually cleansed in pools of moonlit water. Kaldorei priestesses deftly weave arcane and nature magic together to mend the dead body in preparation for a final viewing. Throughout this process, the priestesses sing songs in their temples honoring the deceased’s achievements and sacrifices in life. The deceased is then covered in a burial shroud, placed on a bier, and brought to a grove of trees where a druid magically ensconces the corpse in various plants so it can be returned to nature (13).

Some night elves form a strong enough bond to nature that even after their death, they remain tethered to the mortal realm as a wisp [Quest: Wisp in the Willows]. This phenomenon may, however, be in part due to the intervention of the elven moon goddess, Elune (13).

At some point in the past, Trade Prince Donais died and passed on to Revendreth (14).

During goblin funerals, it is customary to read off a list of all the assets the deceased held in life (14).

The Kul Tirans choose not to bury their people, believing instead that the fallen should be given to the sea [Quest: Lost, Not Forgotten, Item: Soggy Treasure Map]. An artifact called the “Dead Ringer” is a crucial part of these Kul Tiran funerary rites. In ringing the bell, it is believed the deceased’s soul is able to rise above the depths as their body sinks beneath the waves (17).

Mourners traditionally release star moss – a magical flower notable for its sensitivity to feelings of loss – into the ocean during Kul Tiran funerals [Quest: Here In Spirit], (17).

Cairne’s wife lingered in the mortal world as a spirit after her passing to keep watch over her bondmate and son. It is unclear why she was not brought to the Shadowlands by the Kyrian. That said, it is known that Kyrian cannot take the souls of those who are tethered by a sufficiently powerful force to their plane of origin (18).

Tauren, not unlike orcs, construct large funeral pyres to cremate their fallen on. The ashes of their fallen are scattered to the winds, at which point it is believed they rejoin the Earth Mother (18).

Tauren heroes are buried at Red Rocks in Mulgore. According to the tauren, the sacred nature of Red Rocks and other burial sites enables the spirits of the dead to briefly cross the Veil and talk to the living – something which the Brokers are highly skeptical actually occurs, given the design of the Shadowlands (18).

Chapter Two: Entering the Shadowlands

A mortal soul accumulates anima through its deeds and experiences in life. As a result, anima varies from soul to soul (24, 30).

The Brokers have been unable to catalogue every single afterlife in the Shadowlands, for there are too many to count (27).

The origins of the Maw are unknown to even the Brokers. According to a member of Cartel Ta, it seems the Maw’s origins have all but been “purged from the annals of history” (29).

The elemental forces of spirit and decay may or may not have an influence on how much anima a soul produces in their lifetime (31).

Chapter Three: Oribos

Various Broker cartels financed expeditions to find and stake proprietary claim on Oribos. It was eventually discovered – perhaps accidentally – by an Au cartel navigator (35).

The coiled serpent, thought to embody the infinite cycle, is a well-known symbol of the First Ones (36).

The Brokers believe that Oribos was built explicitly for the judgement of souls well before the first mortal soul ever arrived in the Eternal City (38).

On the other hand, the Arbiter’s attendants claim that the Arbiter chose to judge souls in Oribos of her own volition, which contradicts the Brokers’ theory (38).

Old, worn records seem to suggest that there was a time when the Arbiter was not as benevolent as she is made out to be today (38). Of course, that is because the Jailer formerly held the role of Arbiter before he was imprisoned in the Maw [NPC: The Primus Dialogue].

The attendants of Oribos are broken up into three groups: the Hands of the Arbiter, the scholars, and the protectors (41-42).

The Hands of the Arbiter, the largest group of attendants, are responsible for maintaining the functions and stability of Oribos (41).

The protectors make up the smallest selection of attendants. The highest position a protector can ascend to is the Shield of the Arbiter (42).

Legend has it that at least one Fatescribe can affect the destinies of living mortals (42).

The Brokers are aware there is a rumor that claims they were once another race of beings who shunned their original name and form (43).

Within Oribos, the Au Cartel is responsible for supplying resources to mortals seeking to build up their own trade skills. Cartel Ta, on the other hand, is popular for selling unusual and uncommon items of value (44).

Chapter Four: Ardenweald

Ardenweald’s celestial trees act as the primary means of anima distribution across the realm (50).

Druids, hunters, and shaman all have such a deep connection to nature that they are usually sent to Ardenweald upon their death (50).

One’s soulshape form mirrors the true nature of their bond with the wilds (51).

Though most Wild Gods take on the form of animals in Ardenweald, it is notable that Cenarius retains a largely humanoid appearance. While it is unclear exactly why, it was hinted at that he receives preferential treatment from the ruler of Ardenweald – perhaps because he is her nephew (53).

To save Ysera, the Winter Queen permanently sacrificed a portion of her own essence (54).

Elune, the Winter Queen’s sister, is presumed to be a part of a “Pantheon of Life” (56).

A full assembly of the Wild Hunt is rare, perhaps because the Hunt’s troops are usually needed as caretakers, stewards, and protectors in each of Ardenweald’s individual groves (58).

Though the Winter Queen is technically the ruler of Ardenweald, governance of the night fae falls to a council known as the Court of Night. Their members include the late Droman Krelnor, Lord Renard, Lady Moonberry, Droman Aliothe, and Droman Tashmur (59).

The tree-like appearance of the tirnenn is likely because they were the first fae to emerge in Ardenweald. They can alter the forests at will (59).

Tirna Achiad, the Heart of the Forest, is supposedly the very first tree the Winter Queen cultivated in her realm (60).

Sylvar typically function as Ardenweald’s crafters and tenders. The Vorkai, on the other hand, stand as the protectors of the realm (60).

It is said that the faeries of the Night Fae are nearly as skilled as the Brokers in the art of illusion (60).

Chapter Five: Bastion

The Light-Bearers of Fanlin’Deskor – a planet long since destroyed by the Burning Legion – were typically sent to Bastion by the Arbiter [Short Story: Velen: Prophet’s Lesson], (69).

Kyrian “Watchers” primarily operate in the mortal realm. True to their name, Watchers observe souls to determine if it is their time to move on to the Shadowlands or if there is some force still tethering them to the mortal plane (77).

Once a Watcher has dictated it is a mortal’s time to move on, a Kyrian Bearer is responsible for carrying the deceased’s soul to Oribos (77).

The Forsworn inadvertently turn a darker, purple-ish hue that reflects the personal turmoil they feel within themselves (80).

While the Forsworn have only recently appeared in great number in Bastion, they are not a new phenomenon. Some aspirants in the past did fail to ascend and became Forsworn, though they were something of a rarity. Even more uncommonly, aspirants ultimately unable to find their way back to the path would be exiled from Bastion and re-judged by the Arbiter so they could be sent to another afterlife (80).

Stewards keep mementos of their small achievements just in case they happen to forget any of their accomplishments (81).

The device Kyrian use to soul bond bears a striking resemblance to First Ones artifacts (86).

Chapter Six: Revendreth

When the drought started, Sire Denathrius used the spires of Revendreth to siphon ambient anima and add it to his hidden stores within Castle Nathria. It said that he was the “architect” of the drought (95).

Sinfall tower is where Denathrius first founded the Court of Harvesters (102).

Surprisingly, the walls of Sinfall withstood the Light’s bombardment in the Ember Ward. Rumor has it that this is because the defenses Denathrius implemented to contain the powers within Sinfall were so strong they kept even the Light at bay (102).

The Venthyr’s unique ability to wend through the shadows is considered translocation magic (105).

Chapter Seven: Maldraxxus

The Primus has the power to alter the landscape of Maldraxxus. Supposedly, he shaped the realm so it would serve as an ideal training ground for the ultimate army (112).

Each of the five houses embodies one of the five traits of the ideal champion of Death (114).

According to legend, the only losses the Primus ever suffered were intentional (116).

The Primus, an expert in runes and runic power, created the language of Domination expressly to bind the Jailer within the Maw (116, 120).

Each symbol in the Primus’ runic language represents a specific word tied to the foundations of Maldraxxus and its five houses. These could consist of anything from simple commands to necromantic energy manipulation and be used to imbue weapons with dark power or as a focus of binding magic, among other things (118).

Death Knights emblazon their weapons with these runes of domination, though it is unclear how they ever came to learn Runeforging when it originated in the Shadowlands (118).

The Jailer’s true name is said to hold dark power, which is why he is often referred to as the “Banished One” or “the Jailer” in official records (120).

It is theorized that the Jailer learned to harness the Primus’ power of Domination for himself and ultimately used it to break his prison (121).

Information exchanged in soulbinding does not completely fade, even if one of the bondmates should perish (126).

Chapter Eight: The Maw

Many afterlives dedicated to the temporary punishment of souls exist, not just Revendreth (132).

Before the Arbiter was broken, very few souls were ever sent directly to the Maw. If they indicated that they had even the slightest chance of atoning for their sins, they were sent to Revendreth (132).

Cartel Ta’s archives contain no accounts of the Jailer’s appearance or his purpose beyond overseeing the souls in the Maw (135).

It is pointed out how odd it is that a Waystone – a form of translocation – was placed in a realm explicitly meant to be inescapable. The Brokers consider two theories: the first asserts that the Waystone was intended as a failsafe in case any souls should arrive in the Maw that were not meant to be there. The second, on the other hand, claims the First Ones foresaw the coming of the Maw Walkers and placed the Waystone there for their inevitable arrival (141).

Despite the numerous deaths he endured, Kel’Thuzad was never actually judged by the Arbiter until his final death during the war against the Lich King (142).

One Broker believes the Arbiter’s judgement of Kel’Thuzad may have been manipulated to ensure he ended up in Maldraxxus, where he could further the Jailer’s schemes (142).

As the troll death deity, Mueh’zala once demanded his followers perform brutal displays of worship. His needs were so extreme that he continued to thrive upon their fear and despair after they died, preventing them from passing on to the rest of the Shadowlands (144).

However, troll civilization eventually outgrew Mueh’zala’s interest in cruelty and death. Determined not to fade into obscurity, the loa of death extended an offer to one of his priests, a troll named Bwonsamdi: in exchange for becoming Mueh’zala’s successor, Bwonsamdi was to deliver a regular tribute to the loa, thereby ensuring Mueh’zala would always have the worship he craved (145).

When the Arbiter broke, Bwonsamdi tethered the souls of dead trolls to his Necropolis to prevent them from passing on to the Maw and empowering the Jailer. Mueh’zala, who had been in league with the Jailer for some time, was enraged at this and attacked Bwonsamdi in the Other Side (145).  

Mueh’zala brokered the deal with Odyn in which the titan-forged Keeper gave his eye to peer into the Shadowlands (145).

Chapter Nine: The First Ones and the Grand Design

The Brokers set out from their realm of origin upon great barge cities to discover the truths of the First Ones (149).

Other heretofore unknown First Ones realms include places like Baraneth and Nirem-Ahn. While the mortals know little about these realms, it seems the Brokers have already been to them (149, 151).

Cartel Al outbid Cartel Ta on leading the expedition to seek out the Sepulcher of the First Ones (151).

The First Ones were the progenitors of all realities and Pantheons (151).

The language of the Titans uses the same word for “created” and “Ordered” (154).

“Zereth” – first heard in the name of the First Ones realm, Zereth Mortis – translates to either “keystone” or “cornerstone” [NPC: Tal-Galan Dialogue], (160).

Epilogue

Ta’lora, a Broker of Cartel Ta, has put forth the suggestion that their cartel should expand their market to the mortal plane to overcome the achievements of their rivals in Cartel Ve (163).

#world of warcraft #lore #canon lore #world of warcraft lore #shadowlands #shadowlands lore #broker lore #oribos #the arbiter #the jailer #chains of domination #mueh'zala #night elf lore #night elf #kaldorei #nelf #troll lore #bastion #maldraxxus #revendreth #the maw #ardenweald #elune

[warcraft-lore-archives]

Azerothian Botany - Culex Tree

Of Ardenweald’s countless plant species, the culex tree is one of the most highly prized. Found near the Banks of Life on the northern edge of the realm, this tree is easily distinguishable by its pale green leaves [Quest: Gifts of the Forest]. It is the wood, however, wherein the tree’s true value lies [Item: Culexwood Branch].

Culexwood, which is remarkably soft and light, is coveted by the night fae for its many practical applications [Item: Culexwood Branch]. In most cases, it is usually carved into musical instruments or weapons [Item: Culexwood Longbow, Item: Culexwood Dagger, Item: Culexwood Knife]. Musical instruments made from culexwood are considered some of the finest, so much so that they are even offered as prizes in contests of skill and creativity among musicians [Item: Culexwood Pan Flute]. Culexwood is also an integral component of specially made totems used to relocate gormlings. However, it is worth noting the tree must give of its wood willingly for the totem to work [Quest: Gifts of the Forest].

#azerothianherbs #azerothian botany

[warcraft-lore-archives]

WoW Cuisine Lore Facts: The Flavors of Azeroth

Author’s Note: All lore facts below are taken from World of Warcraft’s second official cookbook, New Flavors of Azeroth. Although some of these lore tidbits are based in canon lore, keep in mind that the cookbook itself is most likely not considered canon.

Human Cuisine

In Kul Tiras’ early years, something known as the “Great Gravy Incident” occurred. It inspired the Gravy Spray spell, which is practiced by some sorcerer-sauciers (20).

Nobody knows how old the original sourdough starter was when Gilnean sailors settled Kul Tiras (75).

While it may have been named for Glenbrook village in Drustvar, Glenbrook pudding actually got its start at sea. Back when Kul Tiran ships could not afford full crews or chefs, sailors favored this pudding because it did not need much attention while cooking, freeing them up for other duties. Since then, Glenbrook pudding has become quite popular in taverns and inns across Kul Tiras (81).

Deep-fried butter cookies are a favorite among Kul Tiran sailors returning from sea (87).

It is no secret that Stormsong Valley is the breadbasket of Kul Tiras. What one may not know, however, is that most of the region’s harvest comes from its orchards. One of their most popular produce crops is peaches (89).

Ravenberries grow wild on both Kul Tiras and Zuldazar (91).

Stormwind seasoning herbs are considered a regional specialty of the city from which they get their name. Unsurprisingly, this spice mixture is used in many different recipes native to the southern Eastern Kingdoms (17).

Chewy fel taffy originates from Tirisfal Glades (67).

Though one might expect to find undead cuisine practically inedible, the Undercity’s denizens do know quite a few tasty recipes. One is for a type of savory pastry called peppered puffballs (63).

Zandalari Cuisine

The Zandalari always make the most out of what is locally available when it comes to food. One example of this is the brutosaur, a magnificent creature traditionally employed to haul the trolls’ wares through Zuldazar. Once a brutosaur has carried their last, however, their meat is taken and cooked into a variety of dishes, not the least of which is brutosaur tikka (103).

Trolls ritually offer up loa loaf at the temples of their loa. It is considered a part of their standard rites (99).

Zandalari trolls often like to partake in strong spirits after returning from a long day of fishing, boating, or treasure hunting in Nazmir (109).

Cuisine of the Shadowlands

A spicy, flavorful pepper known as the ember chili is native to Revendreth (19).

Dusk almonds, a key ingredient in Revendreth’s dusk almond mousse, are incredibly rare (145).

Ever ones for over-the-top displays, the Venthyr like to roll their night harvest rolls into floral shapes (131).

Rumor has it a savory treat called quiethounds was originally used to distract hunters patrolling the Shadowlands (133).

Other Cuisine

In addition to a multitude of other sweets, the elves of Suramar also appear to like cocoa flatcakes (41).

Suramar spiced tea is an old elven recipe. Though its origins stem back millennia, the drink has become quite popular among Kirin Tor mages and sailors in recent days (53).

Runewood akvavit is a Stormheim speciality. Legend has it that this drink, which is said to bring vitality, flows endlessly in the Halls of Valor (51).

Though Pilgrim’s Bounty is widely observed, many cultures and regions of Azeroth have their own festivals to celebrate good harvests (61).

No one knows where harvest breadsticks originated from, but they have become a harvest festival staple in both Stormwind and Ironforge (61).

Mah’s warm yak-tail stew is traditionally made in giant steaming cauldrons to feed a whole village. It is not as famous as Pandaria’s lukewarm yak roast broth, but it is just as delicious (121).

Gnomeregan gnuggets are a popular snack at the Darkmoon Faire (151).

Nomi got his hummus recipe from the Eye of Eternity in Coldarra (161).

Hellfire Peninsula is so hot and arid that fruit practically bakes itself there (163).

Not much grows in Nazjatar naturally (171).

Sea salt java is only sold in a couple of inns in Nazjatar (173).

#world of warcraft #WoW #warcraft #worldofwarcraft #lore #canon lore #world of warcraft lore

[warcraft-lore-archives]

The Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth Lore Facts

Editor’s Note: “Some of the tales you’ll encounter here may be rooted in canon, or they may be another traveler just telling a tall tale.” 

Eyes of the Earth Mother

Though the Earth Mother heard the whispers of the Old Gods, she could not be swayed by them (13).

Pregnant, the Earth Mother sought a place away from the Old Gods’ corruptive influence to give birth to her children. Unable to find such a place, however, she decided to shape the world and, in doing so, create her own safe haven (14). 

All of Azeroth’s lands, waters, and even the elements themselves came forth at this moment. They were suffused with enough of the Earth Mother’s essence so soon after their inception that they kept the Old Gods’ powers at bay (14). 

The Earth Mother gave birth to twins: first An’she, a beacon of life and warmth, then came Mu’sha, who was to bring rest, tranquility, and healing. The elements called them the “sun” and the “moon” (15). 

Eventually, both An’she and Mu’sha developed connections with the elements. An’she found himself able to wield the light and warmth of fire while Mu’sha maintained some control over the tides and winds (15-16). 

The twins even went so far as to use the elements to create weapons to spar with. Mu’sha opted for a bow and arrow, whereas An’she’s weapon of choice was a set of blades (16).

To keep her children safe from the Old Gods’ ever-present influence while she slept, the Earth Mother took both An’she and Mu’sha up into her eyes. Their power was so great that she had to keep one eye open at all times (16).

This, however, meant that Azeroth no longer received An’she’s warmth or Mu’sha’s guidance of the wind while the Earth Mother rested. Cold slowly spread across the land and blizzards raged until she finally woke again (18).

The Earth Mother’s cycle between periods of sleep and awakening would come to form the basis of the seasons as we know them, with her time of work the summer and her time of rest the winter (18).

As the twins grew in power, they developed the ability to bring on the change of seasons at will, though they took care to do it slowly and give the world time to adjust. As the Earth Mother rested, An’she and Mu’sha continued to tend to Azeroth from behind her eyes (19). 

After waking at one point, the Earth Mother found that there was new life walking the earth. Plucking wheat from the plains to sprinkle over them, the Earth Mother called them “Shu’halo,” - the tauren (19).

Just as the Earth Mother taught her children, both An’she and Mu’sha taught the Shu’halo in the ways of the elements and caring for the land (20). 

When the Earth Mother next slept, however, the Old Gods extended their influence to the tauren, causing them to grow violent and turn on their own kind (20).

Saddened to see the tauren fall to such corruption, the Earth Mother shed a single tear. She realized that the land was no longer able to hold the Old Gods’ power at bay, meaning anything it touched could be corrupted (21). 

Knowing that she was not safe for her children anymore because of her own connection to the land, the Earth Mother removed An’she and Mu’sha from her eyes and laid down in despair (21-22). 

The single tear that the Earth Mother had shed became a blue baby, later named “Lo’sho,” or the Blue Child (22, 24). 

Seeking to put an end to the Old Gods after what they had done to the tauren and the despair they instilled in their mother, An’she and Mu’sha fought against some of the eldritch beings’ manifestations. During the battle, An’she was wounded grievously. Though Mu’sha sought to heal him with wind and water, he continued to bleed (24).

The Earth Mother, stirred by her distant children’s dismay, eventually found her way to them. She urged them to take Lo’sho and go to the heavens so they could protect Azeroth from above, while the Earth Mother chose to root herself in the earth and prevent the Old Gods from ever claiming her children (26-27).

Mu’sha, the moon, continues to follow An’she closely across the sky so she can keep tending to his wounds (26). 

One Small Tuskarr

The tuskarr etch their clan and family symbols into their tusks. Though this is customary, some do engrave other symbols - such as marks indicating deeds of great distinction - into their tusks as well (32, 36). 

The catch master, who weighs the tuskarr’s catches, has a counting staff adorned with cords in the colors of each of the clan’s active fishermen. In accordance with how big a tuskarr’s haul of fish is, the catch master ties a single knot or more into their respective cord. These knots can be traded for tools, weapons, and coins, among other things (32-33). 

A single knot is customary for those who meet basic requirements, while additional knots are allotted to those who catch more (33). 

One can also earn knots from other tasks, such as fine embroidery, though they do so at a much slower rate than those who fish (38). 

Food is shared equally among the tuskarr (33).

The tuskarr perform nomadic journeys that take them to various kalu’ak towns. While the fishers take their own boats, most of the mothers, adolescents, and children trek across the ice (34). 

Fishing practices are passed down from parent to child. Though it is unclear if that is “law,” some of the tuskarr refuse to teach others to fish if they are not their own blood, going so far as to withhold information about the currents and places fish gather (36).

Tuskarr sometimes dye their moustaches (36).

It never gets fully dark in Northrend (38).

Oacha’noa is the tuskarr’s deity of both the sea and wisdom. Her symbol is that of a kraken (39). 

The spearhead on most tuskarr weapons is made of sharpened bone (42).

A type of manta ray known as the stargazer can be found in Northrend’s waters (44).

The tuskarr can survive in water so cold it would kill other races native to Azeroth in mere minutes (45).

The tuskarr typically fly kites for fun, though they have been known to use them to send signals to others at great distances (48).

Lay Down My Bones

According to Vulpera beliefs, the first of their kind was born from the magic of the desert. Though they are a nomadic people, an old tale about an artifact called the Wailing Bone claims the desert calls their bodies back to where they began when they die. To ensure they find their way back, the vulpera follow the Wailing Bone (55-56). 

Once one of their own has passed, it is customary for the next of kin to carry the bone at the head of the caravan while the vulpera wander in search of the proper place to bury them. The journey may take anywhere from days to weeks, but when the Wailing Bone begins to cry, the vulpera know they have found their loved one’s final resting place (56, 61). 

A poem is carved into the Wailing Bone: “Wander, roam; bring me home, / Down paths at my behest; / Among the stones, lay down my bones, / So I, at last, may rest”. Few can read the script it is written in, but most all vulpera can recite it from heart (54). 

Two vulpera, frustrated at their inability to find their elder’s final resting place, neglected their duty and left his corpse in a river in the hopes that it would bring him there for them. Refusing to obey the Wailing Bone caused it to crack. From that night on, the vulpera of the caravan found themselves cursed for failing to heed the Wailing Bone (62, 65).

Cracking under the pressure of the curse, the two negligent vulpera ultimately died gruesome deaths at each other’s hands. One of their bones was made into the next Wailing Bone (65).

A caravan always needs a Wailing Bone (65).

The Uninvited Guest

One goblin adage goes like so: “Every great goblin invention was born from necessity, bubble gum, or an accident” (69).

The goblins have a nursery rhyme: “In the dark of night and bright of day, / Keep in your hand a tossaway. / Guard your fortune, mind your greed, / Or else the Uninvited Guest will feed” (70).

The Uninvited Guest is a goblin boogeyman of sorts who is attracted by greed so egregious it offends even the dead. It is incorporeal, invisible, and has the ability to move through walls (76).

The Uninvited Guest feeds off of greed, but it can never be satisfied. It will latch onto its host like an invisible parasite to feed, inciting strange charitable behavior in them until they have given away all of their earthly possessions (76-79). 

A “tossaway” is a shiny gold-painted coin stamped with the face of the very first trade prince. These fake coins get their name from the way goblins quite literally toss them away in a symbolically superstitious act to protect themselves and their fortunes from the Uninvited Guest (70, 74). 

Tossaways were invented by Slixi Boompowder, the wife of one of the former trade princes of the Steamwheedle Cartel, after her own run-in with the Uninvited Guest. She only escaped from it because she distracted it with actual gold galleons, which inspired her to create the tossaways (83).

Legend has it that the Uninvited Guest still roams Azeroth to this day, looking to feed off of hapless greedy goblins (84). 

Klaxz Boompowder was one of the former trade princes of the Steamwheedle Cartel. His rival was Rikter Hogsnozzle, the trade prince of the Bilgewater Cartel (70-71).

Tradition dictates that goblins are buried with their most valuable possessions so they can enjoy them at the Everlasting Party, the goblin afterlife. They are then given burial gifts by other goblins from their own riches, though most goblins are too greedy to truly part with anything important (73).

Once the coffin is sealed, goblins dance on top of it to usher the deceased on to the Everlasting Party (75). 

Prominent goblins typically serve as pallbearers while goblins contractually obligated to serve as pack mules carry the rear (75). 

The goblins used to employ golden galleons as their form of currency, but it fell out of fashion. Nowadays, they are incredibly rare and expensive (74-75). 

Trolls have a tale about an invisible evil that sucks the souls from living beings and leaves them mad. It can only be seen in the light of a full moon (80). 

Sister is Another Word For Always

Vereesa felt Sylvanas’ death at the hands of Arthas the moment it happened (89-90). 

Sylvanas’ eyes were gray as a high elf (91). 

In the midst of her sorrow at her sister’s death, Vereesa sought many escapes. At first she tried to sleep, but when rest and forgetfulness would not come, she embarked on a journey across deserts and forests with little in the way of proper food or nourishment except that which she found (90, 93). 

It is very possible Vereesa perished at some point on this journey, for she came across a spirit healer, though she was told it was not yet her time. The spirit healer offered Vereesa a deal: if she could bring her the willing soul of Sylvanas without ever touching her, the spirit healer would restore her to life (96-97). 

When Sylvanas first died at the hands of Arthas, it seems as though the Arbiter sent her to Ardenweald (98-99). 

After she struggles to locate her sister in Ardenweald, Vereesa is inadvertently pulled into the Maw. There, she still has difficulty finding her, and is told by the Jailer that Sylvanas is not there - at least, not yet. He then urges her to leave, telling her she does not belong there (99, 102-103).

Eventually, Vereesa spots a silver glimmer she knows to be Sylvanas, though it is only a fragment of her soul (103-104). 

Before she can escape with the soul of her sister, the Jailer stops Vereesa and inadvertently tricks her into touching Sylvanas, rendering her deal with the spirit healer null and void (106). 

At the end of this journey, Vereesa awakes at the foot of a statue, her memory of the experience hazy (109). 

The Paladin’s Beast

Uther is originally from Stratholme (117).

Introduced as a fable beloved by the princelings and princesses of Lordaeron, the Paladin’s Beast is a tale that follows a young Uther as he finds himself in a mysterious and unfamiliar land. Determined to prove himself and bring back a prize to his fellow paladins, Uther joins a tournament put on by a foreign kingdom despite the protests of its princess. Though he is a strong warrior, she insists the beast of the tournament kills every knight who challenges it. Still, Uther refuses to back down, confident that his faith in the Light will give him the strength he needs to prevail. However, the princess’ words hold true, as every knight who goes to fight the beast before him perishes. When it is his turn, Uther decides to stay his hammer rather than fight, remembering the princess’ words. The beast withdraws, defeated by his act of compassion. It is revealed afterward as Uther goes for his prize that the princess actually was the beast all along, cursed to fight in the tournament for disobeying her father and breaking the royal lineage. She casts a spell on Uther, making it so that when he returns to Lordaeron, he will not remember anything of who she was or his experience there until the day he finds himself in a fiery field. Though the fable ends there, it is said that Uther dreamt of the silver kingdom and its princess for many years to come. It was not until his final moments, trying to fell a beast with weapons rather than compassion, that he would fully remember the princess and her story (111-127). 

For Lies and Liberty

Most undead do not get all of their memories back immediately once they are raised (or given free will). It takes time and encouragement (133-134). 

On the long-standing issue of whether or not undead have ichor or blood running through their veins, it appears one Jeremiah Pall still has blood in his body, though it has stopped moving on account of his still heart (134).

The story of the “Fearless Flyer” - a man known as Captain Whitney - is famous among some of the Alliance forces. According to the man himself, Whitney and his outfit had been fighting orcs for months to no avail when he hatched a bold plan to launch himself by catapult into their camp and take them by surprise, hence the nickname the “Fearless Flyer”. This story, unfortunately, turned out to be nothing but hyperbole. As it stands, a drunk Whitney accidentally got tangled up in nets, fell in the catapult, and was unceremoniously flung into the orcish camp. Believing themselves to be under attack, the orcs retaliated and killed most of the unsuspecting humans while Captain Whitney hid (136, 142). 

Stones, Moss, and Tears

Though female elves traditionally mark their faces after they have achieved a rite of passage, they can continue to add embellishments to commemorate any further deeds (155).

At least one kaldorei lorekeeper was charged with knowing the name of every Sentinel and recording details of their more noteworthy battles (156).

The Bloomblade druids were one of the oldest, unbroken lines of night elf druids (158). 

A species of insect known as glowmoths migrate through Mount Hyjal every autumn (164). 

The Embrace

The White Lady and the Sun were charged with keeping watch over Azeroth as it dreamed (171, 176). 

Though she loved the people of Azeroth dearly, the White Lady found herself growing lonely and in want of a family (173). 

The moon cycles are thought to be the White Lady turning away and hiding her face in her sorrow, though she would always look back upon Azeroth to watch over it (174).

It is said that the White Lady loved Azeroth and its denizens so much that a child - the Blue Child - was born of that love (174-175).

The Blue Child, ever curious, began asking the White Lady questions about the mortals that weighed on her heart, as she could not answer (176).  

One night the White Lady woke up to find the Blue Child gone. Unable to find her, she swore off her charge until the Blue Child was returned to her (177-178).

Without her guidance, the planet sped up and the tides ceased. The White Lady was only convinced to return to her duty after the Sun urged her, telling her the Blue Child might return if she had the moonlight to guide her (178).

The White Lady began to glow even more brightly over time in the hopes that her child would see, her light quickly growing to rival that of the Sun’s. This, too, caused problems, for crops burned and navigators could not see the stars to travel by (179). 

Upon seeing the terrible effect this was having on Azeroth’s denizens, the White Lady dimmed her light and retreated (181). 

The Blue Child ultimately returned from her long travels to her mother. They embraced in the sky, creating a beautiful eclipse (182).

Ever curious, the Blue Child was bound to grow restless again and leave for the stars, but the White Lady knew she would always return (183). 

When the moon turns red, it is a sign of her anger (177). 

Why the Mermaids Left Boralus

Back when Kul Tiras was still a Gilnean colony, Boralus had hardly any walls or structures protecting it from the wind or sea. More often than not, when the Great Sea churned at the city’s edge, it took houses, ships, and even men down into its depths. So many would drown in these incidents that those remaining covered them with weighted nets, causing them to sink to the seafloor (187-188, 190). 

Many of the roads out of Boralus flooded during great storms, making it deadly to try to leave the city on foot or by ship (198).

The Kul Tirans declined to build a seawall for fear that it would have done nothing and also because repairing it after a storm would have been just as dangerous as the storms themselves (188).

Most of Boralus’ early inhabitants were seamen of some sort, whether fishers, sea priests, sailors, or pearl-divers (188). 

During storms, the tidesages would act as a makeshift seawall and use their power to cut the waves before they made it deeper into the harbor (199).

Mermaids appeared quite openly near Boralus in its early days. Though they lived much deeper than most could naturally dive, they liked to sit on the rocks and watch ships go by, among other things. Most lived in temples beneath the sea that belonged to Kul Tiras’ former inhabitants (189, 191). 

According to superstition, sighting a mermaid was bad luck and presaged many inauspicious things including a doomed voyage, a brutal winter, and poor fishing. They were also seen as the harbingers of storms (189-190). 

Tidesages were (and still are) always the first and last to disembark from a ship. As a result, they usually went down with their ships (191).

The tidesages’ unrivaled dedication, combined with the frequency of drownings and shipwrecks, often meant they died young (191). 

Mermaids are spawned from eggs and leave no corpses when they die (191, 203).

The mermaids had very little understanding of the Kul Tirans’ mistrust towards them (191). 

Mermaids have some power over the rocks and water - granted to them by the Tidemother from birth -, but they use it sparingly because it is finite. Once a mermaid runs out of magic, they die. As a result, mermaids can live up to five hundred years (192). 

Mermaids consider sirens lazy and murlocs deplorable (192).

According to legend, the bubble seaweed in Boralus Harbor is actually discarded pearls. A mermaid by the name of Halia fell in love with a tidesage and kept secretly gifting them to her as a token of her affection. The tidesage, Ery, was far too pragmatic for such a gift and dumped the pearls back in the water every time (195).

The mermaids believe that the Tidemother will give tails to those who slit their feet from toes to heels and walk into the harbor at dawn (197). 

According to legend, Boralus’ great stone seawall was formed through the combined efforts of dozens of mermaids and one lone tidesage. A virulent tempest had come upon Boralus one day, taking men and ships alike with it. Though the city’s tidesages gathered to push back the waves, all but one were lost to the storm over the course of five long days. The last remaining tidesage, Ery, persisted despite her exhaustion while the mermaid Halia, too afraid to watch her lover perish, began using her own magic to craft a seawall. Though the storm repeatedly broke it down, her fellow mermaids joined her, ultimately expending their magic and sacrificing themselves to raise a wall so grand it towered over even the mightiest of ships and waves. Ery herself nearly died after this, though Halia saved her by invoking the Tidemother. She cut Ery’s feet from toes to heels and dragged her into the harbor, performing the ritual necessary for her transformation into a mermaid (198-203).

All but one of the mermaids - Ery notwithstanding - perished to save Boralus, which is why none are seen there today (204-205).

As a result, the sailors of Boralus now see mermaids as a symbol of the highest honor, good luck, and sacrifice (205). 

During calm sunsets when the red of the sky is reflected in the harbor, sailors refer to it as “Ery’s blood,” after the tidesage who fought the storm so valiantly. Ery’s blood is a sign of good weather to come (205). 

The Courageous Kobold and the Wickless Candle

Kobolds tell a sleep-time story (209).

Kobold families live together in caves. They have their own nests, but congregate in common areas for stories, among other things (210).

Some time ago, the Whiskersnoot kobold tunnels crumbled, submerging the Whiskersnoots in total darkness. They lived like that for generations, having decided it was no longer safe to dig higher after the cave-in. This spawned a saying: “Never pick above your snout, else the darkness snuff you out!” (210-211). 

Granny Whiskersnoot, however, dug just a little bit upward every day until one day she broke through to a light above. She intended to lead the other kobolds to it, but could never find her way back through the tunnels again. It wasn’t until her granddaughter persisted in finding it that they made their way back above ground (211, 222). 

The kobolds think of the sun as a “Wickless Candle” (211). 

Visage Day

On a dragon’s Visage Day, they choose what mortal form they will take. This is significant, as it shows the Aspects trust them to adopt the guise of one of the mortal races and walk among them. It is the dragons’ hope that through choosing a form to embody and relate to mortals, the more mortals can understand dragons in turn (228, 234). 

Onyxia, on the other hand, maintains dragons choose visages that allow them to control the mortals (241). 

In accordance with tradition, the Visage Day ceremony occurs on the uppermost level of Wyrmrest Temple. Each of the Aspects are usually present for members of their own dragonflight, though Alexstrasza herself has been known to officiate on occasion. It is also customary for each flight to send emissaries (243). 

During the ceremony, all attendant dragons take their own mortal forms in honor of the dragon whose Visage Day it is (245). 

Before they publicly choose their form, the dragon in question traditionally makes a proclamation (245).

The Visage Day ceremony can be delayed (244). 

Nozdormu has helped many bronze dragons prepare for their own Visage Day (230).

When Nozdormu sits in the sands at the heart of the Bronze Dragonshine, intricate patterns form around him (233). 

Both Kalecgos and Chromie performed a short incantation to assume their mortal forms, though Nozdormu did not appear to need to (234, 236, 246). 

Kalecgos says that he chose a half-elf form - which he calls a “blend of mortal worlds” - in order to symbolize his own attempt to blend together the dragon and human worlds (237). 

Onyxia, on the other hand, opted to take the form of a beautiful human woman to better manipulate mortals (241). 

The dragons often go by nicknames in their mortal forms because they find their full names sound too formal to humans (238). 

The drakonid were fashioned by the dragons to be helpful and loyal (238).

The black dragonflight practices how best to inflict pain (239). 

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