Words of Lorecraft

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldorei calque of "Children of Eldre'Thalas" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius – alternatively: Shala'dorei "Children of Shala'nir / Shaladrassil"

Crystal Satyr: Shan'dorei "Children of Shandaral"

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Ban'dorei "Children of the gate" – alternatively: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

: : addendum: It is more common for Half Elves to be called Ban'dorei due to the fact that Crystal Satyr are also known as Shan'dorei, homonyms ultimately coming from the same etymological source, though through two different streams: High Elven Shan'dorei refer to shan'are "honourable ones" and Satyrian Shan'dorei from the crystallized city of Shandaral.

: Of those races with alternative names, it is my opinion that the following are the most appropriate:

- Eldorei for the Highborne, in clear reference to Eldre'thalas, the historic Highborne capital. The name underwent a linguistic shortening from Eldredorei to Eldorei for a few reasons, chief amongst them, the similarity to their other name: Kaldorei.

- Arcan'dorei for High Elves, certainly those who have historically settled in Dalaran and continue to pursue their arcane mastery. Notable is the growing distinction between urban High Elves and the Farstrider-dominant Highvale Elves who, in their relations with both Wildhammer Dwarves and their natural environments, have taken to calling themselves "children of the forest" Thas'dorei.

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldorei calque of "Children of Eldre'Thalas" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

: Of those races with alternative names, it is my opinion that the following are the most appropriate:

- Eldorei for the Highborne, in clear reference to Eldre'thalas, the historic Highborne capital. The name underwent a linguistic shortening from Eldredorei to Eldorei for a few reasons, chief amongst them, the similarity to their other name: Kaldorei.

- Arcan'dorei for High Elves, certainly those who have historically settled in Dalaran and continue to pursue their arcane mastery. Notable is the growing distinction between urban High Elves and the Farstrider-dominant Highvale Elves who, in their relations with both Wildhammer Dwarves and their natural environments, have taken to calling themselves "children of the forest" Thas'dorei.

Arising 15,000 years ago, the various elven tribes, nations, and communities descend from the Dark Trolls who lived around the translucent waters of the Well of Eternity. Transformed into highly intelligent and virtually immortal beings, the nascent race of Night Elves abandoned their ancient heritage worshipping the Loa of their troll ancestors. Turning to the moon goddess Elune, these elves discovered the name "Kalimdor" from communing with their deity. Soon, they would adopt the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue, later called Darnassian for their home in the boughs of the corrupted World Tree Teldrassil.

Following a number of events in our world's history, these Kaldorei would see their descendants—or evolve themselves to—become a wide variety of other elven races. Below, I summarize years of research into the various names these communities have, both their vulgar varieties (e.g., "Night Elf") and their endonyms (e.g., "Kaldorei"). In some cases, liberties have been made in order to complete this list; I will endeavour to maintain the accuracy of this list in the future.

Night Elf: Kaldorei "Children of the stars"

Highborne: Queldorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Eldredorei "[unknown]" – alternatively: Shendorei "Hidden children"

Illidari Night Elf Demon Hunter: Feldorei "Children of fel"

Scythborne Worgen (Wild Elf): Taldorei "Children of Taldoren"

Fireborne: Felodorei "Children of fire"

Naga: Nazj'dorei "Children of Nazjatar"

Satyr: Xav'dorei "Children of Xavius

Nightborne: Shal'dorei "Children of the night"

Nightfallen: Vor'dorei "Broken children

Withered: Ethe'dorei "Withered children"

Felborne: Thal'dorei "Children of Thal'dranath, the Broken Shore"

Aranasian Elf: Fal'dorei "Children of Falanaar"

High Elf: Quel'dorei "Children of noble birth" – alternatively: Arcan'dorei "Children of the arcane"

Blood Elf: Sin'dorei "Children of the blood" – alternatively: Belore'dorei "Children of the sun"

Highvale Elf: Thas'dorei "Children of the forest"

Void Elf: Ren'dorei "Children of the void"

Illidari Blood Elf Demon Hunter: Illi'dorei "Children of Illidan"

Felbood: Kael'dorei "Children of Kael'thas"

Wretched: Shin'dorei "Failing children"

Darkfallen: San'dorei "Children of death"

Half Elf: Shan'dorei "Honoured children"

Arathi: Arath'dorei "Children of Arathor"

Commentary:

: The -dorei suffix is poetically rendered "children of the..," but it can also simply mean "people of..." : Half Elves of myriad other races are known as Shan'dorei, "honoured children," a term employed with a sort of irony as most Half Elves are looked down upon in their respective elven, or otherwise, societies.

Sidenote: The city has been spelled with the ‘t’ in ‘thalas’ both capitalized and lowercase. The importance of one or the other is unclear, however the spelling of Eldre’Thalas where it is capitalized seems to be the official one.

One of few royal cities in Azshara’s empire, Eldre’Thalas was built during her reign twelve thousand years ago to protect Queen Azshara’s most prized arcane secrets. This ranged from processing her most important demands to the safekeeping and storage of her precious tomes. Led by Prince Tortheldrin and Azshara’s greatest revered arcanists, the House of Shen’dralar, Eldre’thalas was established by expeditionary forces in the lush jungles of Feralas.

Eldre’thalas appears to have more of a druidic and naturalistic direction than many other Highborne cities of its age. Granted, all night elf cities were shaped in concert with nature and built with dozens of gardens, however Eldre’thalas has the touch of nature magic in its very existence. In addition to many elven statues, there are figurines of deer, bears, and owls. Eldre’thalas had an Ancient protector, Tendris Warpwood, whose very heart was inexorably entwined with the fate of the city. The official art of Eldre’thalas shows wandering treants, some of which inhabit the conservatory in the eastern wing and Milicent Serene, Highborne naturalist, created the Fruit of Fertility which protected Eldre’thalas and made it flourish. Eldre’thalas may, as a result of its unique direction, have been a useful location for the combined study of arcane and natural magics even before druids existed.

Geography

Eldre’thalas is a massive, multi-tiered sprawling expanse of gardens, districts, and corridors (sometimes hidden) that connect every part of the city. There are three official districts in addition to the central colosseum. The north and western districts, the Gordok Commons (named for the ogres that now inhabit it) and Capital Gardens respectively are connected to the Athenaeum, the library that serves as the very purpose of Eldre’thalas’ existence. The eastern district, the Warpwood Quarter exits through multiple passageways, such as Lariss Pavilion which opens up well outside the boundaries of the city.

In similar fashion to other decrepit Highborne cities, some areas of Eldre’thalas have been renamed in favor of their intruders. The Gordok Commons and Warpwood Quarter were claimed by outsiders and likely no longer sport their original names (although the Warpwood Quarter may have been named for Eldre’thalas’ protector, Tendris Warpwood). The function of the northern district is unclear, but the eastern district has a conservatory, a pool (either for bathing or as a moonwell, perhaps), and the Shrine of Eldretharr. The western district, the Capital Gardens, was likely a great place for socialization. It’s dominated by a massive garden and plethora of benches which make up the Court of the Highborne.

The Athenaeum

The Athenaeum is indisputably the most valuable part of Eldre’thalas. It is the library that holds much of Queen Azshara’s tomes in addition to compendiums detailing the known history of Azeroth. It may also be a place of science, considering the Highborne armillary sphere on display. It shares its model with the Highborne Astrolabe, however it looks like an armillary sphere which is a model of the celestial globe.

All books stored in the Athenaeum are protected with the Mark of the Athenaeum which prevents any unauthorized viewings. Even if one were to break the seal, it is implied that only people with the “requisite intellect to consume the knowledge” can read the sacred books. This may just mean that it depends on the reader’s skill level and has nothing to do with one’s magical aptitude.

The books are arranged according to the Dewey Decimal System.

Eldreth

The same prefix, “Eldreth” shows up in regards to Eldre’thalas many times. Eldreth Row and the Shrine of Eldretharr are subzones of the massive city. Ghostly inhabitants are called “Eldreth Sorcerers”. It is likely some Darnassian word with an unknown meaning, however ‘thalas’ alone translates to kingdom. In the translation of Eldre’thalas, ‘Eldre’ would then be its own word, meaning that Eldreth, at least where the name of the city is concerned, does not apply.

Eldreth could be a name for the inhabitants, similar to how people who live in America are called Americans. It could simultaneously be a word used to denote things that are “Eldre’thalas” in design, like how one will refer to certain items as “American”. Eldre’thalas is inhabited by the Shen’dralar, however they are not a race so much as they are a house: the House of Shen’dralar. This may have been Prince Tortheldrin’s royal house, which would include his servants and most loyal followers. The Eldreth, in this case, would be the lower caste civilians of the city, later to be sacrificed by the Shen’dralar in order to prolong their lives after the Sundering. That would explain why any living Highborne from Eldre’thalas never call themselves Eldreth, but instead Shen’dralar.

On the evolution of High Elves

"High Elf" as a category no longer applies to the elves of Azeroth. Those who retain the monicker are actively raciating, becoming what we would call Highvale and Light Elves, respectively. These Bel'dorei and Al'dorei practise different arts, eat different foods, adorn their bodies and houses differently, and are beginning to physiologically look different, too. As such, I posit that the term "High Elf" has finally and officially been eclipsed by distinct elven identities and the high elven category has gone entirely dormant as of this writing.

~ Lorekeeper Kalith

Highvale : K. q. n. daniliensis Light: K. q. n. dalarensis Blood: K. q. n. quelthalensis Void: K. q. vacuus telogrensis

Night Elves: Kalimdorus kaldorus kaldorus darnassensis, though this may be subject to change as the Kaldorei settle into Bel'Ameth

Worgen "Goldorei" : Kalimdorus kaldorus goldrinni taldorensis Highborne: K. k. nobilis eldrethalensis Nightborne: K. zindorus nobilis suramensis

Aside undead, the other elven group of note are the Half Elves. This community is associated with numerous other races, thus they are:

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.