#farstrider

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).