Night Elf Race

Night Elves

The ancient and reclusive night elves have played a pivotal role in shaping Azeroth’s
fate throughout its history. More than ten thousand years ago, their heroics during
the War of the Ancients helped stave off the demonic Burning Legion’s first invasion.
When the scattered remnants of the Legion on Azeroth rallied together with the vile
satyrs centuries later, the night elves again rose to meet the threat. The ensuing War
of the Satyr exacted a heavy toll from the night elves, but ultimately they vanquished
the forces that had set out to wreak havoc on their world.

The Legion’s emergence, however, had forever changed night elven society. The night
elves had resolved to shun the practice of arcane magic because its reckless use had
attracted the Legion to Azeroth. They cultivated a peaceful, naturalistic existence along
the slopes of Mount Hyjal under the leadership of Tyrande Whisperwind. For many
long years, Tyrande oversaw night elven governance, ever vigilant for signs of further
demonic incursions. Much of this time was spent apart from her love, Malfurion
Stormrage, who, alongside his fellow druids, upheld the balance of nature from within the Emerald Dream.

The night elves’ tranquil existence was shattered again when the Burning Legion launched
a new invasion of Azeroth. At the height of this conflict-known as the Third War-the Legion
and its terrifying undead Scourge assaulted the night elves’ lands. After awakening
Malfurion and his druids from their slumber in the Dream, Tyrande gathered the other
night elves, and they fought alongside the Horde and the Alliance to defeat the demon
lord Archimonde and his minions at the summit of Mount Hyjal.

Although victorious, the night elves suffered greatly from the battle. Their beloved World
Tree Nordrassil, created and blessed by the Dragon Aspects Alexstrasza, Ysera, and
Nozdormu to grant the night elves immortality, had given off a massive blast of energy
to slay Archimonde. To facilitate this colossal explosion, the night elves had chosen
to forever sacrifice their protection from aging, disease, and frailty.

Over time, Nordrassil slowly began to heal its wounds, but a number of druids led by
Fandral Staghelm desired to create another World Tree that would restore the night
elves’ immortality. Malfurion warned against this act of self-interest, but when he
suddenly fell into a coma, his spirit lost within the Dream, Fandral forged ahead with his
plans unopposed. The second World Tree, Teldrassil, was planted off the northern coast
of Kalimdor, and eventually it towered among the clouds.

Unlike Nordrassil, this new World Tree was not blessed by the Dragon Aspects, and thus
it did not restore the night elves’ immortality. Rather, Teldrassil became tainted due to
the Emerald Nightmare, a dark malady that had taken root within the Dream. In addition, it
was learned that Malfurion’s dire ailment had been caused by this shadowy force. When he
was finally awakened from his comatose state, Malfurion set about cleansing Teldrassil of its
corruption, and he led efforts to contain the sinister Nightmare.

These momentous events have raised spirits throughout night elven society. Even so, this valiant
race now faces many new challenges. Recent Horde attacks have seized night elven lands in
Ashenvale, while areas along Kalimdor’s western coast have been decimated by the catastrophic
upheavals unleashed in the wake of the Cataclysm. Still struggling to cope with the loss of their
immortality, the night elves must prepare to stand against any threat as Azeroth itself breaks apart at the seams.

Home City:Darnassus

Atop the massive boughs of the second World Tree, Teldrassil, lies the wondrous city of Darnassus.
The elegant bridges, beautiful groves, and leaf-covered pathways that dot the city’s landscape are
testaments to the night elves’ reverence for nature. One of Darnassus’s most notable structures is
the stunning Temple of the Moon, the center of worship for High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind
and her Sisters of Elune.

Darnassus is home to night elves of all vocations, and the city has recently opened its doors to
human refugees from Gilneas as well. Many of these embattled humans have contracted a strange
curse that transforms them into feral wolf-beasts known as worgen. Although they’re usually reclusive,
the night elves have allowed these outsiders into Darnassus because they know the perils of the Gilneans’
cursed state all too well: it was, in fact, a group of night elf druids that created Azeroth’s first worgen
millennia ago. Despite the arrival of these new residents, Darnassus remains a symbol of the night elves’ rich culture and glorious history.

Leader:High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage

Since the War of the Ancients, High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and her mate, Archdruid
Malfurion Stormrage, have led the once-immortal night elves. Time and again, Tyrande’s and
Malfurion’s wise guidance has helped the night elves prevail against the demonic Burning Legion
and other perilous enemies. For many of the past ten thousand years, however, Tyrande has borne
the mantle of leadership alone while Malfurion has spent long stretches of time preoccupied with his
duties in the Emerald Dream.

Shortly after the Third War, Malfurion became trapped within the Emerald Nightmare, a shadowy affliction
that had spread throughout the Dream. Due to Tyrande’s brave actions, Malfurion was later freed, leading
to a grand reunion and wedding between the two leaders. Now, amid political turmoil, natural disasters,
and violent Horde incursions into night elven lands, Malfurion and Tyrande are focused on leading their people
into Azeroth’s uncertain future, just as they have done in ages past.