Rogue/Warrior Background [Archive] - Unofficial World of Warcraft Forums

Arinnaya

21-08-2006, 11:56 PM

Instead of writing you a story, I rather suggest you to do it yourself. What I will attempt to do is to give you some sketches of history, and some points to keep in mind.

For the origins of the Kaldorei (and all elves): they were all born from the mysthical powers of the well of eternity. For their ancestry, nothing is for sure: there are two prevailing theories among fans, but none are official, so I will not mention them.
One thing is certain: born from the purest form of magic that has ever existed on this world, they were not only perfectly built, but also inherently connected to the Waters of Etarnity, which gave them not only magic, but immortality.
Soon after their birth, these nocturnal elves have founded their own culture: and as such, they came into immediate bloody conflict with the trolls. But no matter how older the trollish civilization was, they could not get an upper hand confronting such powerfully magical creatures, as the early elves. The trolls were pushed to the eastern edge of Kalimdor ('the land of eternal starlight'), and the Night Elves established a marvellous civilization. The ruined cities of Eldrath and Eldre'Thalas are just minor relics of the greater ones, like Suramar (currently on Broken Isles) and the capitol, Zin-Azshari. The latter was named in honour of the elven queen, immortal and hauntingly beautiful in her appearence, but darker than the starless night in her soul.
Azshara has collected the most talented mages around her, as her servants - the Highborne formed something like the upper class, or nobility of the Kaldorei civilization. Theye were looked upon by common folk, but secretly envied and even hated.

It was Azshara and her Highborne that initiated the terrible events that led to the destruction of the well, and the sundering of the world. They have delved too deep into the Nether's magics, and were swiftly entralled by Sargeras and his ilk, in turn. It was not Azshara, but a highborne mage, named Xavious, who convinced the Queen to open a portal and summon Sargeras. Azsara believed all the time, that Sargeras was a powerful god she could bend to her will, and that he surpasses the power of Elune (a funny fact, according to WarcraftRPG books: the challange ratnig of Elune (92 in DnD levels: higher than an overgod in Faerun!!) is about 30 leves higher than the dark titan's. This means she could effortlessly 1-hit him...even dishounourably...)
The events of the War of the Ancients is all too well known: see the official history site, and you will know the details. What is more interresting, what has happened to the elves and their allies afterwards...

The elite warriors that fought in the War of the Ancients held council at the Black Rook Hold. This was, as its name suggest a place sesembling the current blackrock mountain. Kur'talos Ravencrest was its first leader. He initially hesitated to enlist non-elven races into the army of the Kaldore, but he eventually accepted the Earthen and the Tauren. When he fell by an asassin's blade, he was succeeded by Desdel Stareye. His strongest side was certainly not the strategy: all too soon, he was slain by the rampaging demons. His successor, and the last commander of Black Rook Hold was Jarod Shadowsong, brother to the well-known Maiev Shadowsong (the Warden). He is named among the greatest champions of the Night Elves, even as the sundering has destroyed the Black Rook Hold forever.

Perhaps not so surprising, but a lot of Highborne have also survived the Sundering. They changed sides along with their leader, Dath'Remar Sunstrider (father of Anastarian Sunstrider, grandfather to Kael'Thas Sunstrider). It was much later, as the Highborne felt the command of the druids too strict, forbidding even the smallest arcane spells, that they seceded from Kalimdor's Sentinels. Most of the Quel'dorei (this means roughly 'highborne' in elven tongue) were inherently talented mages, members or descendants of Azshara's chosen. Being exiled from Kalindor, they founded a new, magical kingdom in the far east, which came to be known as Quel'Thalas. But this is another story for another day.

After the Legion's defeat, it was the threacherous Ilidan Stormrage ( a chosen highborne himself ), who attepted the recreation of the Well fo Eternity. He used the very vials of water he collected from the original well durnig the war. For his reckless act (by providing a new node of power the demons would be attracted to), he was forever imprisoned by his own brother, the grand druid Malfurion Stormrage. For millenia after the Sundering, the Kaldore have hidden themselves in the pristine forests of the world, forever dedicated to regenerate and keep what their ancestors have destroyed.

Now, it would be nice to summarize the most important characters of the Kaldorei history, especially those that were not mentioned before:

Cenarius: Demigod of Nature, and the Father of Druids, he was born from the union of Malorne (the White Stag, Protector of Nature), and Elune, Goddess of the Moon. For 10,000 years, he has protected the lands of Kalimdor from the agents of the Legion, after successfully defeating them first time. Unfortunately, he fall not from the hand of a demon, but a corrupted orc, Grom Hellscream. As he is immortal, his soul still wanders the Emerald Dream (elemental plane of nature, ruled by Yshera, the Dreamer, and haven of druids), avaiting his reborn, as all eternals will reborn once again...

Arch-druid Malfurion Stormrage: I think I do not have to introduce him. He was the first to stuidy druidism in the world (by Cenarius), and he is still perhaps the most charismatic leader in the whole world.

Ilidan Stormrage: Another well-known figure. Unlike the commonly held view, Ilidan and Furion are not enemies: however, their romantic conflict (see later) and different view of world has driven them to completely different ways. Ilidan actually does not even serves the demons, the only thing he serves is hiw own self. ( a perfect view for a rogue)

Tyrande Whisperwind: you can take a good look at the Priestess at Darnassus's temple. Perhaps the elves have different view of beauty, but in olden times, when she had still not assumed the role of high priestess, was made coourt by both Stormrage brothers, yet her heart belonged to Malfurion alone. Ever since then, the two have been indivisible ( I wonder why don't they have grandchildren like Dath'remar and his wife does have). Tyrande is characterised as a rash, distrustful and passionate person, but she can be even nice to strangers, given that she has leraned more of them.

Maiev Shadowsong: She is the person lest liked by fans, and there is a certain reason for this: She has sworn to upkeep Justiceand law on Kalimdor by any means, and to keep 'criminals' like Ilidan forever chained in their cages. A selfless act by any mean, but Maiev was fuelled by other things as well: Secretly, her heart was poisoned by the envy and hatred she felt towards Tyrande (most likely because she had a secret love towards Furion). She is said to have died on the outlands, but I do not believe this report... (Hey!! How funny would it be to bring Ilidan and Maiev together, the two loose ends from the great love quadrangle???)

Most important organisations/factions of the Night Elves

- The Sentinel Army: the first line of protection against intruders, the ever-wary Sentinels watch over the sacred glades of Kalimdor. The commander of this army is Tyrande Whisperwind, though actual tasks usually fall to the second-in-command Shandris Feathermoon (meet her at Feathermoon fort). Most of the members of thsi army are female (the leaders exclusively are), and most fight with bow or warglaives.

- The Watchers: A secret, rogueish organisation, formerly led by Maev Shadowsong. The wardens act as a secret 'police' on kalimdor, overwatching their own brethren as well as foreigners from the shadows (in fact, the Warden was ahero in WCIII, and a presige class in WarcraftRPG, we will see if it becomes a true hero class)

- The Druids of the Talon: An almost exclusively male organisation: the druids of the talon follow Aviana the bird goddess (messanger of Elune), and in turn, they get the form of a storm crow (planned but not implemented in WOW)

- The Druids of the Claw: another druidic organnisation (or rather clan?). They get a fearsome bear form, most likely from secret worship of the bear twins, Ursol and Ursoc (ancestors to Furbolgs).

- Druids of the Fang: a deranged sect of druids, driven mad by the Nightmare of the Dream

- Cenarion Circle: A pan-druidic organisation, having outposts along all Kalimdor.

- Emerald Circle: A smaller, rivaling organisationn of druids, established in Felwood

- The Demon Hunters: A loosely organised sect of secretive individuals. These elves have made a selfless pact to fight the powers of the darkness with its own weapon. Ritually blinded on a dark ritual, in order to contain the demon spirit, they develop a spectral sight which helps them to find and hunt down all membrs of the Legion. Though viewedas outcasts, they will do anything to protect their homeland. (See Loramus Thalipedes in Azshara for example)

- Shen'dralar: a small remnant sect of the highborne mages, still living inside the walls of Eldre'thalas. See the Dire Maul quests/storylines for further details.

A few things to keep in mind when roleplaying a Night Elf:

- Night Elves tend to live extensively long. even without immortality, they have an average lifespan of about 1200 years!! Due to their immortality, their blood elven and naga relatives have their great-grandchildren, while they still have not aged a year!!

- As their name suggest, Night Elves may prefer to act at night and sleep at day. It is a good obstacle in RP, since the others do not have such an innate night shift...

- Night Elven society is heavily influenced by customs and innate roles. Males and females have strikingly different roles by the Kaldorei: women may become Warriors and Priestesses, while men may aspire for the rank of a Druid.

- Night Elves have a subtle connection to the waters of Eternity, still through the World Tree (even though the Kaldore deny, the Blood Elves were right when theiy said: their whole race IS innately magical)

- Night Elves tend to have a seclusive life, making it extremely hard for short-lived outsiders, like humans to build up a friendship with them. Besides, they hate a whole lot of races (Satyrs, Nagas, Harpies, etc.), whom they view as abomnations, deviating from the elven bloodline.