Under Queen Azshara’s tutelage, the edges of the kaldorei empire extended as far north as modern-day Borean Tundra, Dragonblight, Crystalsong Forest, and perhaps even parts of Zul’drak, Howling Fjord, and Grizzly Hills [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 96-97].
Out of all of the northern regions, only Crystalsong Forest still bears the most obvious marks of the ancient empire. Once known as Moonsong Forest, the icy woodland was settled by an elven expeditionary force as part of Azshara’s mission to expand the empire’s borders [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 95]. It was not until approximately 4,000 years after the Sundering that Moonsong Forest and its inhabitants were inadvertently crystallized in a conflict between the blue dragonflight and local Highborne, an event that would eventually give the land its current name [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 121-122].
The Cities:
Ruins of Eldra’nath
Moonrest Gardens
Riplash Ruins
Ruins of Shandaral
——————————————–
Ruins of Eldra’nath
Hardly any historical information has survived on this small ruin.
Moonrest Gardens
The tranquil Moonrest Gardens, located on the southwestern edge of Dragonblight, are the only elven ruins in the entire region. They were the final resting place of a noble group of Highborne, which may imply the ruin was once a burial town, similar to Tel’anor [Quest: Rifle the Bodies].
Like many other ancient Highborne cities, the Moonrest Gardens were built on top of a powerful ley line nexus [Quest: Rifle the Bodies].
Riplash Ruins
Hardly any historical information on this city has survived from the pre-Sundering era.
That said, these ruins have quite a storied past when it comes to the naga. Sometime after the Sundering, the naga reclaimed Riplash Ruins and occupied it for over half a century before being wiped out by the nearby kvaldir [Quest: The Trident of Naz’jan, Quest: The Emissary].
Ruins of Shandaral
The elven expeditionary force that discovered Moonsong Forest established Shandaral, a repository designed to hold arcane relics and artifacts, in the heart of the region [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 95, 121].
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I have a question about Highborne, are they considered a separate race from kaldorei or is their name more just a social status and are still technically kaldorei?
It depends which Highborne you’re talking about. If you’re talking about the caste of Highborne that existed before the War of the Ancients then yes, the name is just a marker of social status.
I understand the confusion, though, because I myself have experienced it in the past! Magic, whether it be void, arcane, fel, or anything else, has a tendency to alter the wielder biologically and physiologically, which makes it difficult to distinguish between creatures that are magic users and magic beings (which is something I pointed out in my post on void lore). This begs the question: where is the line that determines when magic use alters someone to the point that they are no longer the same race?
The Highborne pre-WotA were among the only magic users in the elven empire, but their use of arcane magic did not inherently make them a different race from the rest of the Kaldorei, even though arcane magic can physically alter those who use it. A better way to look at it is like this: human mages are not a different race from humans. As an added example, despite the blood elf’s use of fel magic, they are no different biologically or physiologically from high elves.
The Highborne’s descendants, however, are entirely different races because of the way they “interact” with and are changed by their founts of power. The Highborne that were cut off from the second Well of Eternity changed physiologically as a result of their addiction and consequent withdrawal. These Highborne (now high elves) lived shorter lives, were shorter in stature, and were paler than their Kaldorei counterparts, who still had access to a second Well of Eternity, not to mention the added blessings of Nordrassil/Teldrassil. The high elves’ dependence on the Sunwell only further amplified these changes. The examples don’t stop there, however, since the Nightborne also underwent a very similar process. Their exposure to the energies of the Nightwell gradually changed them into a different race entirely, although the changes are less obvious than they are in high elves. If this is still confusing, Dark Trolls evolved into Kaldorei because of their proximity to the Well of Eternity in the first place.
Desolace, better known as Mashan’she, or ‘the Loom of the Earth Mother,’ by the tauren, was once a verdant grassland. Although the nomadic tauren began calling the region their home as many as thousands of years ago, Desolace used to be squarely in the heart of elven territory before the Sundering [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 144-145]. A plethora of ancient kaldorei ruins, signs of the elven empire’s former might and glory, can still be found in Desolace today.
The Ruins:
Lake Dumont
Ethel Rethor & Ranazjar Isle
Nijel’s Point
Mannoroc Coven
Sargeron
Tethris Aran
——————————————–
Lake Dumont
Hardly any historical information on this elven ruin submerged in Lake Dumont has survived. Even its original name appears to have been lost, as the surrounding area is named after the lake.
Ethel Rethor & Ranazjar Isle
According to the non-canon RPG, the massive, sealed tower at Ethel Rethor was probably created by the Highborne [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 32].
The tower is the only structure of Ethel Rethor that remains completely intact today. Most other edifices in the area are submerged underwater or in varied states of disrepair on the distant Ranazjar Isle, a likely sign that the city was wiped out in the Sundering.
Nijel’s Point
While Nijel’s Point is now an Alliance encampment, it used to be an ancient elven city [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 32].
Mannoroc Coven
Little historical information remains on this ruin. At some point in the recent past, it was renamed in honor of the pit lord Mannoroth by its demonic inhabitants [Page: Mannoroc Coven].
Sargeron
Sargeron was undoubtedly one of the kaldorei’s most sacred and oldest holy sites, for it was home to many primitive religious artifacts and structures associated with the elven moon goddess. Among them were Elune’s Cathedral, Elune’s Temple, Elune’s Sanctuary, and Elune’s Palace, each of which contained a powerful holy relic within them directly connected to the lunar deity [Quest: Furien’s Footsteps, Quest: All Becoming Clearer].
Most of the relics housed in Sargeron were involved in some form of ritual sacrifice. For example, Elune granted a blessing to any who threw her enemies’ weapons into the basin at the foot of the statue known as Elune’s Handmaiden [Quest: To the Hilt!]. Additionally, the goddess also bestowed a blessing on those who placed the flesh of her enemies on the burning coals of her eponymously named brazier [Quest: Ten Pounds of Flesh].
The priests who tended the temple believed that the gems created by another relic, the ancient vortex runestone, were gifts from the goddess and, moreover, that they possessed the power to deliver the elves from any enemy [Quest: All Becoming Clearer]. The gemstones could, in fact, summon a fearsome firestorm which drew its power from sustained Elune worship or the spiritual energies of the deceased [Quest: Firestarter].
While the last relic, the Cup of Elune, does not require an action anywhere near as extreme as the others, it was believed that washing one’s face in the cup allowed them to see the spirits of the dead [Quest: Nothing a Couple of Melons Won’t Fix].
Like many of the other elven ruins in Desolace, Sargeron’s original name has been lost.
Tethris Aran
There is hardly any historical information on this ancient ruin. That said, it shares a naming convention with many other pre-Sundering Highborne cities, namely Ameth’Aran, Bashal’Aran, Ordil’Aran, Morlos’Aran, Loreth’Aran, and Biel’Aran Ridge in Vashj’ir. Unfortunately, it is not clear what ‘aran’ translates to or what it indicates about old Highborne cities.
Like the naga, most satyr were once elven Highborne who served in Queen Azshara’s royal court before the Sundering. Xavius, their progenitor and Azshara’s high councilor, was transformed into the first satyr by Sargeras following his death at the hands of Malfurion Stormrage during the War of the Ancients. He then took it upon himself – at the behest of the titan – to convert fellow Highborne, the first of which was a skilled sorcerer named Peroth’arn, into demonic satyr like himself to serve the Burning Legion [The Demon Soul, Chapter Three, Chapter Five, Chapter Seven]. While many of the satyr were once Highborne, Xavius did extend the offer to at least one lowborn elf, Captain Varo’then [The Demon Soul, Chapter Five].
That said, their ranks have been bolstered with a number of lowborn night elves since the War of the Ancients. During the Third War especially, some night elves underwent the transformation after defecting to the Legion [Quest: If You’re Not Against Us…]. Moreover, according to the non-canon RPG, it appears that races of elven descent, such as high elves, can also become satyr, although Xavius’ personal weapon supposedly has the ability to turn anyone, regardless of race, into one [RPG: Manual of Monsters, pg. 90, Page: Satyr].
Alshirr Banebreath
Alzzin the Wildshaper
Avrus Illwhisper
Bazzalan
Priestess Driana
Master Feardred
Garaxxas
Gathenak the Subjugator
Geltharis
Ambassador Jerrikar
Kagraxxis the Corruptor
Kalazzius the Guileful
Prince Kellen
Lorax
Lord Melenas
Mordei the Earthrender
Morphael
Peroth’arn
Perrexx
Rabxach
Prince Raze
Rethazar the Fallen
Sethir the Ancient
Sharax the Defiler
Terestian Illhoof
Thondrax
Thorngrin the Tender
Tur’xoran
Lord Vyletongue
Xalan the Feared
Xandivious
Xandris the Dishonored
Xaravan
Prince Xavalis
Xavaric
Xavinox
Xavathras
Xavius
Xorvasc
Zandras
Zenn Foulhoof
Zevrax
Zevrim Thornhoof
——————————————–
Priestess Driana
Convinced that siding with Queen Azshara was the only way to survive the Burning Legion’s onslaught, Driana regretfully forsook her lover, Enchantress Ilanya, and left the Court of Farondis to join the Highborne in Zin-Azshari where she was transformed into a satyr [Item: Desiccated Journal, Quest: Turnabout Betrayal].
Kagraxxis the Corruptor
During what may have been the War of the Ancients, the satyr Kagraxxis delighted in corrupting the lands he once called home as an elf [Quest: The Corruptor].
Prince Kellen
Kellen may be Prince Raze and Prince Xavalis’ brother, potentially making him Xavius’ son.
Prince Raze
Raze may be Prince Kellen and Prince Xavalis’ brother, potentially making him Xavius’ son.
Peroth’arn
Peroth’arn was one of few privileged Highborne sorcerers responsible for powering the portal that was meant to bring the Burning Legion to Azeroth. He had a mate with whom he lived in a villa outside the palace, but he, along with the rest of the Highborne spellcasters maintaining the portal, was forced to take up residence in the Eternal Palace’s old guard chambers as leaving the palace was expressly forbidden during the war [The Demon Soul, Chapter Seven].
He was the first Highborne to be transformed into a satyr by Xavius [The Demon Soul, Chapter Seven].
Xandris
Next to Peroth’arn, Xandris was one of the first to accept Xavius’ offer and undergo the demonic transformation [Quest: Dishonored].
Prince Xavalis
According to rumor, Xavalis may be Xavius’ son [Quest: The Demon Prince].
It is important to point out that, despite his being a prince, it is unlikely Xavalis was Highborne royalty prior to his transformation, assuming he was not born a satyr. Seeing as Xavius was the first satyr, it is not unreasonable for his son – if the rumor is true – to take on the title of ‘prince’. However, if Xavalis is not Xavius’ son, it could very well be that he was once a Highborne prince who retained his title after becoming a demon. For Xavalis to be both Xavius’ son and former Highborne royalty is somewhat impractical given that Xavius was not strictly royalty, although Queen Azshara was free to bestow whatever rank on whomever she wished.
Xavius
Lord Xavius of Zin-Azshari, more formally known as Queen Azshara’s High Councilor and foremost advisor, was one of the kaldorei’s most powerful and enviable figures. Since some night elves, like Illidan Stormrage, were ignorant of the queen’s astounding magical capabilities, they considered Xavius to be the Highborne’s most proficient spellcaster [The Sundering, Chapter Five]. His dedication to the magical arts even went so far that he replaced his eyes with magical black crystals that gave him abilities akin to spectral sight [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Six].
Although Xavius was a prominent sorcerer, his talent lay mostly in political machinations. During Azshara’s coronation, he gifted her with one of her most prized possessions to date, Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, and told her that as long as she kept it close, it would bring her prosperity and great power [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Two]. Furthermore, it was Xavius who made first contact with the Burning Legion and persuaded Queen Azshara that the Highborne should concentrate their efforts toward powering a portal to bring the Legion to Azeroth.
Even though it was thought that Lord Xavius was above Azshara’s charms and enticing beauty, he secretly desired her just like everyone else [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Six].
Xavius lived and spent most of his time in Zin-Azshari, although he also owned a private tower in Ashenvale [NPC: Lady Benel’derath Dialogue].
There is little historical information on this staff, but it may be worth mentioning that Anu-Azshara appears to be Queen Azshara’s weapon of choice as a naga.
The Javelins of Suramar
The Javelins of Suramar, also known as the Javelins of Azshara, were twin spears powerful enough to pierce most magical wards and barriers, including those made by one as powerful as the queen herself [Quest: The Javelins of Azshara, Quest: Speak with the Dead, Item: Javelin of Suramar].
The weapons were given to the queen by Zin-Azshari’s sister city, Suramar, hence their name. But Azshara, having little practical need for the weapons, eventually handed one of them off to a favored handmaiden of hers, Lady Silaszi [Quest: Speak with the Dead, Quest: The Handmaiden’s Tale].
While the item never made it into the live game and thus cannot be considered canon, the single javelin that remained in Azshara’s possession was named Mel’nalore [Page: Javelins of Suramar].
Scepter of Azshara
There is little historical information on this scepter.
Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides
Sharas’dal was inarguably the foremost of Queen Azshara’s possessions. Most records of the queen also mention the scepter, for she was hardly ever without it. In fact, Azshara wielded Sharas’dal from the very beginning of her reign as leader of the kaldorei empire to the end.
During Azshara’s coronation, her advisor-to-be, Lord Xavius, gifted her with a jeweled scepter and told her that as long as she kept it close, it would bring her great power and prosperity. According to historical record, the Highborne present at her coronation were moved to tears when they beheld their newly coronated queen raise the scepter into the moonlight [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Two].
Queen Azshara eventually infused a drop of the Well of Eternity’s magical waters into Sharas’dal, giving it restorative powers, command over the waters of Azeroth, the aquatic creatures of the world, and even Azshara’s own life energies. It was at this point that she bestowed a name on the scepter: Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Four].
Although Azshara performed many grand feats with her magical scepter, she used it first and foremost to enhance her already magnificent beauty. The longer she possessed the scepter, the more she appeared to grow increasingly youthful and mesmerizing, even to the point that she appeared enveloped in a brilliant, enthralling aura. Some of the Highborne regarded her glowing appearance as a sign of divinity [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Four].
When Lathar’Lazal, one of the most renowned temples of Elune was created on the western shore of Kalimdor, Queen Azshara used Sharas’dal to command the nearby ocean and freshwater mountain streams to form lakes surrounding the temple’s foundation. The aquatic creatures in the newfound lakes were charmed by Azshara and the control of the scepter, eagerly arraying themselves in colorful patterns for the queen’s pleasure. She also bound a sea giant to one of the lakes and used the scepter to force him into performing amusing tricks for elven visitors [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Five].
Not unsurprisingly, Sharas’dal was also directed toward the efforts of bringing the Burning Legion into Azeroth. The queen used the weapon to manipulate the Well of Eternity and pool its energies toward fueling the Highborne’s spellwork [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Seven]. Azshara kept Sharas’dal even after her transformation into a naga, but like the Javelins of Suramar, she found less and less personal use for it and eventually handed the weapon off to her underlings [Sharas’dal, Scepter of Tides, Part Ten].
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The non-canon RPG claims that Azshara was originally a part of Ashenvale Forest and that the elves renamed the region after Queen Azshara to serve as a reminder of their mistakes [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 9].
Some scholars once conflated Azshara and Zin-Azshari, but with the rediscovery of the old elven capital deep in Nazjatar under the ocean, it is clear that is no longer the case [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue].
The Cities:
The Ruins of Arkkoran
Darnassian Base Camp
The Ruins of Eldarath
Legash Encampment
Lake Mennar Academy
Ruins of Nordressa
Ravencrest Monument
Shadowsong Shrine
——————————————–
The Ruins of Arkkoran
Little historical information on this ruin has survived.
Even the city’s original name appears to have been lost, as both the ruins and nearby temple – the Temple of Arkkoran – were likely renamed for a sea giant called Lord Arkkoroc who took up residence in the ruins some time ago [Page: Ruins of Arkkoran].
Given its proximity to the city, the Tower of Eldara may have once been a part of Arkkoran, although its name implies some connection to the closeby Ruins of Eldarath.
Darnassian Base Camp
Little historical information on the ancient ruins located at Darnassian Base Camp has survived.
The Ruins of Eldarath
According to the RPG, Eldarath was once one of the elven empire’s most beautiful cities [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 10]. It was home to several impressive structures, the most notable of which was the Temple of Zin-Malor, a place of worship located in the center of the city. Additionally, various tablets inscribed with the local Highborne’s magical insights and findings lined the city’s streets, free for the public to view [Quest: Arcane Runes].
Eldarath was also a place of innumerable magical artifacts. The infamous Crystal of Zin-Malor, an object that had the power to bend arcane magic in wild and unpredictable ways, likely once rested inside Eldarath’s main temple – from which the crystal may get its name – until it was stolen by a group of Highborne and transported to Kel’theril in Winterspring [Quest: The Ruins of Kel’theril].
The Pandaren once gave Eldarath’s inhabitants a chest they claimed held all the arcane magic the elves would ever need. The chest, kept in a royal vault below the Temple of Zin-Malor, was, of course, empty – a symbolic way of saying the kaldorei needed no magic whatsoever [Pearl of Pandaria, Chapter Four].
Legash Encampment
Little historical information on this ruin has survived.
Legash Encampment, which is located close to the Ruins of Nordressa and the set of unnamed ruins at Darnassian Base Camp, may have gotten its name from the Legashi satyr who now occupy it [Page: Legash Encampment].
Lake Mennar Academy
Mennar Academy, a terraced structure built in a ring around the body of water from which it gets its name, Lake Mennar, was one of the first institutions where the Highborne could formally study the arcane arts. In fact, it was at this very academy that the kaldorei initially discovered the power latent in the mystical Well of Eternity at the heart of their empire [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue].
As they delved into the arcane arts, the academy’s members started growing concerned about the dangers of arcane addiction, leading them to be overly cautious in their spellcasting studies. Because of that, they did not follow Queen Azshara’s relentless pursuit to plumb the depths of the magical fount’s power and thus fell out of her graces by the War of the Ancients, leaving them vulnerable to the Burning Legion’s onslaught. In an attempt to put an end to the war and needless slaughter of their people, the academy’s magi erected magical barriers so that they could create an artifact, known as the Sarcen Stone, that would redirect leyline energy away from the Well of Eternity and the portal it was powering [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue, Quest: Memories of the Dead, Quest: Mysteries of the Sarcen Stone]. They ultimately succeeded in their efforts, but none of the magi survived [NPC: Malynea Skyreaver Dialogue].
Those admitted to Mennar Academy were given academy rings [Quest: Memories of the Dead].
The spirit of Captain Varo’then, leader of Queen Azshara’s personal guard, can be found wandering around Lake Mennar today despite the fact that he canonically died at the Well of Eternity. Before the Cataclysm, his ghost was located at Shadowsong Shrine on the western edge of Azshara [Page: Varo’then].
Ruins of Nordressa
Little historical information on this ruin has survived.
Ravencrest Monument
The Ravencrest Monument has long puzzled people for a number of reasons. First of all, it is unclear who exactly the statue was intended to depict and, secondly, if it was built before or after the Sundering. The RPG, while non-canon, states that the Ravencrest Monument portrays Kur’talos Ravencrest and that it was originally built during the War of the Ancients [RPG: Lands of Mystery, pg. 10]. However, it seems rather unlikely that such a monument – which shows a female night elf, not a male – could have been built any time during the great war.
It is more probable that the monument was built in homage to one of Kur’talos’ ancestors for their heroic actions in turning the tide during a conflict between the kaldorei and earthen sometime before the War of the Ancients. It was only through the power of Black Rook Hold, home and mountain fortress of the Ravencrest family, that the kaldorei were able to overcome their dwarven adversaries [The Well of Eternity, Chapter Eighteen]. Therefore, while it is only speculation, it may very well be that the Ravencrest Monument does not honor Kur’talos, but one of his predecessors for the role they played in another conflict.
Shadowsong Shrine (removed in Cataclysm)
Little historical information on this ruin has survived.
While the shrine shares a name with two kaldorei war heroes, Jarod and Maiev Shadowsong, it is unclear what, if any, relation it has to them.
Highborne Artifacts - Books, Quest Items, and Artifact Power Items
This list only covers items of evident Highborne origin and craftsmanship from before the Sundering. Moon Guard artifacts, items created by the naga and Nightborne in the era following the War of the Ancients, and relics given to the Highborne by external forces like the Burning Legion have all been excluded. Having said that, this is by no means a complete or perfect list. Several items have undoubtedly been left out on accident. Additionally, some objects included in the list may actually be wrongly attributed to the Highborne.
Books
Nar’Thalas Academy Library
A Guide to Kobold Societal Mores
Ancient Blue Dragons of Azeroth
Before the Candle: The Rise and Fall of the Great Kobold Empire
Children of Golganneth: Great Skrogs in History
Courtship Rituals of the Skrog
Draconic Compendium Volume III
Draconic Compendium Volume IV
Handbook of Feathery Friends
I’ve Got the Blues: Selected Stories from Azurewing Repose
Kobold County
Skroggal Anatomy
Unabridged Glossary of Skrog Weaponry
Encyclopedia Azsunica (K-M)
“Covers everything from kafa to murlocs.”
Incredible Monsters and Where to Locate Them
“A copy of this literature resides in almost every mage’s sanctuary in Azeroth.”
Nar’Thalas Research Tome
“A collection of the work of many of the brightest minds to pass through the Academy’s gates.”
Other
A Study of Hexes
Glory to the Queen Born of Stars
Healing With Arcana
Mardivas’s Tome of the Elements
Musty Azsharan Grimoire
The Coronation of Queen Azhara
Delving Deeper by Arcanist Perclanea
“A treatise on the techniques for unlocking the deeper potential found in objects of great power.”
Enchanted Elven Tome
“This ancient tome is preserved by powerful magic. It emanates tiny magical filaments that hungrily seek knowledge.”
Preserved Journal
“<A simple tome with a small series of runes inscribed along the spine, it appears remarkably well-maintained amongst the ruins. Upon further inspection, it appears to be a diary of one of the citizens of the city. No doubt the magic that preserves it was intended to allot for the lengthy lifetimes of the elves>” [Quest: Preserved Clues].
The Arcanist’s Codex
“Kel’danath used the powerful codex to archive his notes and aid in his studies.”
—————————————–
Keys
Discontinued Suramar City Key
Crescent Key
This key unlocks various doors in the ancient Highborne city of Eldre’Thalas.
Key to Nar’Thalas Academy
“This key does not open any door. Rather, it is a ceremonial gesture of invitation to the Academy, as a way of saying, ‘Our doors are open to you.’“
—————————————–
Magical Items
Abandoned Highborne Mana Crystal
Arcane Remnant of Falanaar
Arcane Seed Case
Arcane Tablet of Falanaar
Darkmist Amulet
An ancient Highborne relic from the Darkmist Ruins in Feralas. Its properties are unknown.
Falanaar Crescent
“Ancient powered talisman often carried by the citizens of Falanaar.”
Falanaar Orb
“Rare Falanaar artifact of extreme power.”
Highborne Memory Crystal
“Created by ancient sorcery, they were used to store memories, stories, music, history, and whatnot.”
Memory Pylon
In addition to crystals, the Highborne also stored their memories in pylons, which are powered by memory cores [Quest: Legacy of Nar’anan, Quest: The Fate of Professor Elryna].
Scroll of Elun’dris
“A banned treatise on the Heart of Zin-Azshari and its role in the queen’s dominion over the great city.”
Scrying Stone
The Highborne used scrying stones, magical objects that enable two-way audio and visual communication, to speak to one another across vast distances [Quest: Amberwind’s Journal].
The Heart of Zin-Azshari
“Azshara’s chosen used the heart to greatly magnify their power - it is said to have been the key in their dominance of the Well of Eternity” [Quest: Eye of Azshara: The Heart of Zin-Azshari].
“The heart is said to have spread Azshara’s grace across her people and force her wrath upon her enemies. Lightning arcs across it fervently” [Item: Heart of Zin-Azshari].
Vainglorious Drought
“An engraving on the bottle reads: ‘May the Light of Lights shine upon our glorious empire for all eternity’” [Item: Vainglorious Drought].
The drought is just one of many magical items that bound Queen Azshara’s followers to her indomitable will [Quest: A Vainglorious Past].
—————————————–
Miscellaneous Objects
Azsharan Councillor’s Clasp
Azsharan Keepsake
Berserking Helm of Ondry'el
Berserking Helm of Taenna
Blood of the Vanquished Highborne
‘Borrowed’ Highborne Magi’s Chalice
Highborne Martyr’s Blood
Highborne Memento
Lens of Qin’dera
Lenses of Spellseer Dellian
Nar’thalasian Corsage
Preserved Highborne Warrior’s Fist
Spellmask of Azsylla
Spellmask of Alla'onus
Tattered Farondis Heraldry
Tel’anor Ancestral Tablet
Ancient Suramar Silver
“This type of coin has not been in circulation in Suramar for at least 7,000 years.”
Azsharan Court Scepter
“Entrusted to advisors of the Queen.”
Highborne Pottery Shards
"The blue clay has been painted with roseate pigment."
Traveler’s Banking Chest
“Enterprising accountants from Falanaar developed a way to access their banks in remote locations.”
The Azuremyst island chain, which consists of Azuremyst Isle, Bloodmyst Isle, Silvermyst Isle, and Wyrmscar Isle, among others, was once part of the Kaldorei empire many millennia ago. It is impossible to say with any certainty, but the islands likely constituted a region to the west of Darkshore and Ashenvale in ancient Kalimdor before the Sundering split the land [World of Warcraft Chronicle Volume I, pg. 96, 108].
Many ancient elven roadways and magical lampposts, all of which are easily distinguishable from the local draenei’s, still stand ten thousand years later on the Azuremyst Isles. The ancient roads wind all over the main islands and lead to old elven cities such as Wrathscale Point and Loreth’Aran, but also places like Stillpine Hold and the Exodar.
The Cities:
Loreth’Aran
Wrathscale Lair
Wrathscale Point
——————————————–
Loreth’Aran
Many centuries before the Sundering, the green dragon aspect Ysera bestowed a blessing upon the elven citizens of Loreth’Aran and gifted them with a number of her brood. The city’s inhabitants, led by Prince Toreth, learned to ride and fight alongside the noble creatures, earning them the title “the dragon riders of Loreth’Aran” [NPC: Prince Toreth Dialogue].
At some point around the War of the Ancients, the maddened black dragon aspect Deathwing commandeered an assault on Loreth’Aran during the day when the elves were at their weakest. Although the kaldorei’s draconic companions rose to defend them, Loreth’Aran was completely wiped out, ultimately no match for the black dragons [NPC: Prince Toreth Dialogue].
Loreth’Aran shares a unique naming convention with many other pre-Sundering Highborne cities, namely Ameth’Aran, Bashal’Aran, Ordil’Aran, Morlos’Aran, Tethris Aran, and Biel’Aran Ridge in Vashj’ir. Unfortunately, it is not clear what “aran” translates to or what precisely it signifies about old kaldorei cities.
Wrathscale Lair
Little historical information has survived on this ruin, which can be found just south of the Ruins of Loreth’Aran on Bloodmyst Isle.
Wrathscale Point
Wrathscale Point is located on the southwestern tip of Azuremyst Isle, although the ancient city may have once comprised most of the island’s southern strand since ruins are found as far east as Geezle’s Camp.
Not much other historical information on this ruin has survived.
