View source for Night elf

: ''This article is about the night elves' lore. For the playable race, see [[Night elf (playable)]].''
{{Infobox race
| name     = Night elves
| image    = Trinity.png
| type = 
| faction = [[Alliance]], [[Cenarion Circle]], [[Illidari]], Independent
| character =
| capital = {{Alliance}} [[Darnassus]]
| leader = {{Alliance}} {{RaceIcon|NightElf|Female}} [[Tyrande Whisperwind]]<br>{{Alliance}} {{RaceIcon|NightElf|Male}} [[Fandral Staghelm]]
| fleader = {{Neutral}} {{RaceIcon|NightElf|Female}} [[Queen Azshara]]
| mount = {{RaceIcon|Saber}} Nightsaber
| homeworld = [[Azeroth]]
| environment =
| area = [[Kalimdor]], [[Eastern Kingdoms]]
| language = Darnassian, Common
| exact = 
| height = 
| weight =
| organization = 
| alignment = 
| source = 
}}

'''Night elves''' (or '''kaldorei''', for "children of the stars" in [[Darnassian]]), are a powerful and mystical race whose origins extend back to ancient times, being one of the longest-lived and most ancient cultures in existence today. These then-immortal beings were among the first to study magic and let it loose throughout the world nearly ten thousand years before the [[First War]]. The founders of a [[Kaldorei empire|vast empire]] which at its peak spanned the breadth of [[Kalimdor (landmass)|ancient Kalimdor]], the night elves came into a horrific conflict with the [[Burning Legion]] but achieved a Pyrrhic victory that ended in the [[Great Sundering]], turning Kalimdor's landmass into the continents of the present age. The devastation wrought by the chain of events birthed in conceit caused a wholesale shift in direction.  Seeing the use of arcane magic as innately chaotic and fearing that its use would inevitably lead to widespread corruption and strife, Malfurion Stormrage declared that the night elves would never practice the arts of magic again.

The main survivors of the Sundering crafted a radically different society centered around [[druidism]], striving to live in harmony and co-existence with nature and its inhabitants, and essentially becoming "venerable guardians" of the natural world as well as the [[World Tree]] [[Nordrassil]] instead of ruling most of Azeroth as its foremost superpower, in addition reconnecting with the widespread worship of their moon goddess [[Elune]], under the guidance of their leaders [[Malfurion Stormrage]] and [[Tyrande Whisperwind]]. The night elves established their newest capital [[Darnassus]] in the boughs of the World Tree [[Teldrassil]] off the coasts of northwestern Kalimdor in recent times, where it stands as a living symbol of the night elves' rich culture and glorious history.

The far-reaching and ancient legacy of the night elves shaped them into a race of very self-sufficient and self-conscious individuals, who often display strong streaks of isolationism and eons of accumulated ancient wisdom. The night elves ended a long period of seclusion referred to as the [[Long Vigil]] in the aftermath of the [[Third War]], standing with refugees from the [[Eastern Kingdoms]] during the [[Battle of Mount Hyjal]]. They then began to associate themselves with the [[Alliance]], at least partly in response to the [[Horde]]'s continued presence in [[Ashenvale]].

==History==
===The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity===
: ''"Long had the children of the stars dwelled upon the banks of the shimmering waters of the [[Well of Eternity|Eternal Well]]. To all was known that [[Elune]], light of the eternal twilight, aspect and goddess of the [[White Lady|moon]], dwelt within its waters at such time that she rested from her works. Upon the shores of the Well did the children of the stars, favoured of Elune, build their homes, even as their gaze was trained ever skyward, into the moonlit night. Though there were many towns and places of habitation constructed upon the lakeshore, [[Ameth'Aran]] and [[Bashal'Aran]] were the foremost, having the touch of [[Queen Azshara|Azshara]], the Kaldorei's beloved queen, in their creation. Her favored servitors, those of the [[highborne]], she brought to the twin towns to reside..."''
:: — [[The Lay of Ameth'Aran]]

Ten thousand years before the orcs and humans clashed in their First War, the world of Azeroth cradled only one massive continent surrounded by the infinite, raging seas. That land mass, known as Kalimdor, was home to a number of disparate races and creatures, all vying for survival amongst the savage elements of the waking world. At the dark continent's center was a mysterious lake of incandescent energies. The lake, which would later be called the Well of Eternity, was the true heart of the world's magic and natural power. Drawing its energies from the infinite Great Dark beyond the world, the Well acted as a mystical fount, sending its potent energies out across the world to nourish life in all its wondrous forms.<ref name="WCIIIM">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Warcraft_III:_Reign_of_Chaos_Game_Manual#Night_Elf_History Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual#Night Elf History]</ref><ref name="TKatWoE">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Waking_World_and_the_Well_of_Eternity The Kaldorei and the Well of Eternity]</ref>

In time, a primitive tribe of nocturnal humanoids cautiously made their way to the edges of the mesmerizing, enchanted lake. The feral, nomadic humanoids, drawn by the Well's strange energies, built crude homes upon its tranquil shores. Over time, the Well's cosmic power affected the strange tribe, making them strong, wise and virtually immortal. The tribe adopted the name Kaldorei, which meant "children of the stars" in their native tongue. To celebrate their budding society, they constructed great structures and temples around the lake's periphery.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

The Kaldorei, or night elves as they would later be known, worshipped the moon goddess, Elune, and believed that she slept within the Well's shimmering depths during the daylight hours. The early night elf priests and seers studied the Well with an insatiable curiosity, driven to plumb its untold secrets and power. As their society grew, the night elves explored the breadth of Kalimdor and encountered its myriad denizens. The only creatures that gave them pause were the ancient and powerful dragons. Though the great serpentine beasts were often reclusive, they did much to safeguard the known lands from potential threats. The night elves believed that the dragons held themselves to be the protectors of the world, and that they and their secrets were best left alone.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

In time, the night elves' curiosity led them to meet and befriend a number of powerful entities, not the least of which was Cenarius, a mighty demi-god of the primordial forestlands. The great-hearted Cenarius grew fond of the inquisitive night elves and spent a great deal of time teaching them about the natural world. The tranquil Kaldorei developed a strong empathy for the living forests of Kalimdor and reveled in the harmonious balance of nature.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

Yet, as the seemingly endless ages passed, the night elves' civilization expanded both territorially and culturally. Their temples, roads, and dwelling places stretched across the breadth of the dark continent. Azshara, the night elves' beautiful and gifted Queen, built an immense, wondrous palace on the Well's shore that housed her favored servitors within its bejeweled halls. Her servitors, whom she called the Quel'dorei or "[[Highborne]]," doted on her every command and believed themselves to be greater than the rest of their lower-caste brethren. Though Queen Azshara was loved equally by all of her people, the highborne were secretly hated by the jealous masses.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

Sharing the priests' curiosity towards the Well of Eternity, Azshara ordered the educated highborne to plumb its secrets and reveal its true purpose in the world. The hig-borne buried themselves in their work and studied the Well ceaselessly. In time they developed the ability to manipulate and control the Well's cosmic energies. As their reckless experiments progressed, the highborne found that they could use their newfound powers to either create or destroy at their leisure. The hapless highborne had stumbled upon primitive magic and were now resolved to devote themselves to its mastery. Although they agreed that magic was inherently dangerous if handled irresponsibly, Azshara and her highborne began to practice their spellcraft with reckless abandon. Cenarius and many of the wizened night elf scholars warned that only calamity would result from toying with the clearly volatile arts of magic. But, Azshara and her followers stubbornly continued to expand their burgeoning powers.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

As their powers grew, a distinct change came over Azshara and the highborne. The haughty, aloof upper class became increasingly callous and cruel towards their fellow night elves. A dark, brooding pall veiled Azshara's once entrancing beauty. She began to withdraw from her loving subjects and refused to interact with any but her trusted highborne priests.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

A young, brazen scholar named [[Malfurion Stormrage]], who had spent much of his time studying the Well's effects, began to suspect that a terrible power was corrupting the highborne and his beloved Queen. Though he could not conceive the evil that was to come, he knew that the night elves' lives would soon be changed forever...<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TKatWoE" />

===The War of the Ancients===
The highborne's reckless use of magic sent ripples of energy spiraling out from the Well of Eternity and into the Great Dark Beyond. The ripples of energy streamed out into the Twisting Nether and were felt by terrible alien minds. Sargeras, the Great Enemy of all life, the Ravager of Worlds, felt the potent ripples and was drawn to their distant point of origin. Spying the primordial world of Azeroth and sensing the limitless energies of the Well of Eternity, Sargeras was consumed by an insatiable hunger. The great, dark god of the Nameless Void resolved to destroy the fledgling world and claim its energies as his own. Sargeras gathered his vast, demonic army, known as the Burning Legion, and made his way towards the unsuspecting world of Azeroth. The Legion, comprised of a million screaming demons, all ripped from the far corners of the universe, roiled and burned at the thought of conquest. Sargeras' lieutenants, Archimonde the Defiler and Mannoroth the Destructor, prepared their infernal minions to strike.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWotA">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_War_of_the_Ancients The War of the Ancients]</ref>

Queen Azshara, overwhelmed by the terrible ecstasy of her magic, fell victim to Sargeras' undeniable power, and agreed to grant him entrance to her world. Even her highborne servitors gave themselves over to magic's inevitable corruption and began to worship Sargeras as their god. To show their allegiance to the Legion, the highborne aided their Queen in opening a great, swirling portal within the depths of the Well of Eternity.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWotA" />

Once all his preparations had been made, Sargeras began his catastrophic invasion of Azeroth. The warrior-demons of the Burning Legion stormed into the world through the Well of Eternity and laid siege to the night elves' sleeping cities. Led by Archimonde and Mannoroth, the Legion swarmed over the lands of Kalimdor leaving only ash and sorrow in its wake. The demon warlocks called down the searing Infernals that crashed, like hellish meteors, into the graceful spires of Kalimdor's temples. The Doomguard, a band of burning, bloodletting killers, marched across Kalimdor's fields slaughtering everyone in their path. Even packs of wild, demonic Felhounds ravaged the countryside, unopposed. Though the brave Kaldorei warriors rushed to defend their ancient homeland, they were forced to give ground, inch by inch, before the fury of the Legion's onslaught.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWotA" />

===The Sundering of the World===
It fell to the young scholar, Malurion Stormrage, to find help for his beleaguered people. Stormrage, whose own brother, Illidan, practiced the highborne's magics, was incensed by the growing corruption amongst the upper class. Convincing Illidan to forsake his dangerous obsession, Malurion set out to find Cenarius and muster a resistance force. The young, beautiful priestess, Tyrande, agreed to accompany the brothers in the name of Elune. Though both Malurion and Illidan shared a secret love for the idealistic priestess, Tyrande's heart belonged to Malurion alone. Illidan resented his brother's budding romance with Tyrande, but knew that his heartache was nothing compared to the pain of his magical addiction.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Sundering_of_the_World The Sundering of the World]</ref>

Illidan, who had grown dependent on magic's empowering energies, struggled to keep control of himself and his overwhelming hunger to tap the Well's energies once again. However, with Tyrande's patient support, he was able to contain himself and help his brother find the reclusive demi-god, Cenarius. Cenarius, who dwelt within the sacred Moonglades of the distant Mount Hyjal, agreed to help the night elves by finding the ancient dragons and enlisting their aid. The dragons, led by the great, red leviathan, Alexstrasza, agreed to send their mighty flights to engage the demons and their infernal masters.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

Cenarius, calling on the spirits of the enchanted forests, rallied an army of ancient tree-men and led them against the Legion in a daring ground assault. As the night elves' allies converged upon Azshara's temple and the Well of Eternity, all-out warfare erupted. Despite the strength of their newfound allies, Malurion and his colleagues realized that the Legion could not be defeated by martial strength alone.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

As the titanic battle raged around Azshara's capital city, the delusional Queen waited in anticipation for Sargeras' arrival. The Lord of the Legion was preparing to pass through the Well of Eternity and enter the ravaged world. As his impossibly huge shadow drew ever closer to the Well's raging surface, Azshara gathered the most powerful of her highborne followers. Only by linking their magics together, in one focused spell, would they be able to create a gateway large enough for Sargeras to enter.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

Malurion, convinced that the Well of Eternity was the demons' umbilical link to the physical world, insisted that it should be destroyed. His companions, knowing that the Well was the source of their immortality and powers, were shocked by the rash notion. Yet Tyrande, seeing the wisdom of Malurion's theory, convinced Cenarius and their dragon comrades to storm Azshara's temple and find a way to shut the Well down for good.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

Knowing that the Well's destruction would prevent him from ever wielding magic again, Illidan selfishly abandoned the group and set out to warn the highborne of Malurion's plan. Due to the madness brought on by his addiction and the stinging resentment towards his brother's affair with Tyrande, Illidan felt no remorse at betraying Malurion and siding with Azshara and her ilk. Above all else, Illidan vowed to protect the Well's power by any means necessary.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

Heartbroken by his brother's departure, Malurion led his companions into the heart of Azshara's temple. Yet, as they stormed into the main audience chamber, they found the highborne in the midst of their final dark incantation. The raging communal spell created an unstable vortex of power within the Well's raging depths. As Sargeras' ominous shadow drew ever closer to the surface, Malurion and his allies rushed to attack.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

Azshara, having received Illidan's warning, was more than prepared for them. Nearly all of Malurion's followers fell before the mad Queen's raging powers. Tyrande, attempting to attack Azshara from behind, was caught off guard by the Queen's highborne guardsmen. Though she vanquished the guardsmen, Tyrande suffered grievous wounds at their hands. At seeing his love fall, Malurion went into a murderous rage and resolved to end Azshara's life.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

As the battle raged inside and outside of the temple, Illidan appeared from the shadows near the shores of the great Well. Producing a set of specially crafted vials, Illidan knelt and filled each with the Well's shimmering waters. Convinced that the demons would crush the night elves' civilization, he planned to steal the sacred waters and keep their energies for himself.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

The ensuing battle between Malurion and Azshara threw the highborne's carefully crafted spellwork into chaos. The unstable vortex within the Well's depths finally exploded and ignited a catastrophic chain of events that would sunder the world forever. The massive explosion rocked the temple to its foundations and sent massive quakes ripping through the tortured earth. As the horrific battle between the Legion and the night elves' allies raged around and above the ruined capital city, the surging Well of Eternity buckled in upon itself and collapsed.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

The resultant catastrophic explosion shattered the earth and blotted out the skies.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSotW" />

===Mount Hyjal and Illidan's Gift===
As the aftershocks from the Well's implosion rattled the bones of the world, the seas rushed in to fill the gaping wound left in the earth. Nearly eighty percent of Kalimdor's landmass had been blasted apart, leaving only a handful of separate continents surrounding the new, raging sea. At the center of the new sea, where the Well of Eternity once stood, was a tumultuous storm of tidal fury and chaotic energies. This terrible scar, known as the Maelstrom, would never cease its furious spinning. It would remain a constant reminder of the terrible catastrophe and the utopian era that had been lost forever...<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_Hyjal_and_Illidan%27s_Gift Mount Hyjal and Illidan's Gift]</ref>

The few night elves that survived the horrific explosion rallied together on crudely made rafts and slowly made their way to the only landmass in sight. Somehow, by the graces of Elune, Malurion, Tyrande and Cenarius had survived the Great Sundering. The weary heroes agreed to lead their fellow survivors and establish a new home for their people. As they journeyed in silence, they surveyed the wreckage of their world and realized that their passions had wrought the destruction all around them. Though Sargeras and his Legion had been ripped from the world by the Well's destruction, Malurion and his companions were left to ponder the terrible cost of victory.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG" />

It was clear that Azshara and her elite highborne followers had been smashed to the bottom of the raging sea. Still, there were many highborne amongst the survivors who made their way to the shores of the new land. Though Malurion mistrusted the highbornes' motivations, he was satisfied that they could cause no real mischief without the Well's energies.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG" />

As the weary mass of night elves landed upon the shores of the new land, they found that the holy mountain, Hyjal, had survived the catastrophe. Seeking to establish a new home for themselves, Malurion and the night elves climbed the slopes of Hyjal and reached its windswept summit. As they descended into the wooded bowl, nestled between the mountain's enormous peaks, they found a small, tranquil lake. To their horror, they found that the lake's waters had been fouled – by magic.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG" />

Illidan, having survived the Sundering as well, had reached Hyjal summit long before Malurion and the night elves. In his mad bid to maintain the flows of magic in the world, Illidan had poured his vials, containing the precious waters from the Well of Eternity, into the mountain lake. The Well's potent energies quickly ignited and coalesced into a new Well of Eternity. The exultant Illidan, believing that the new Well was a gift to future generations, was shocked when Malurion hunted him down. Malurion explained to his brother that magic was innately chaotic and that its use would inevitably lead to widespread corruption and strife. Still, Illidan refused to relinquish his magical powers.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG" />

Knowing full well where Illidan's treacherous schemes would eventually lead, Malurion decided to deal with his power-crazed brother once and for all. With Cenarius' help, Malurion sealed Illidan within a vast underground chamber – to remain chained and powerless until the end of time. Concerned that destroying the new Well might bring about an even greater catastrophe, the night elves resolved to leave it be. However, Malurion declared that they would never practice the arts of magic again. Under Cenarius' watchful eye, they began to study the ancient arts of druidism that would enable them to heal the ravaged earth and re-grow their beloved forests at the base of Mount Hyjal.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="MHaIG" />

===The World Tree and the Emerald Dream===
For many years, the night elves worked tirelessly to rebuild what they could of their ancient homeland. Leaving their broken temples and roads to be overgrown, they constructed their new homes amidst the verdant trees and shadowed hills at Hyjal's base. In time, the dragons that had survived the great Sundering came forth from their secret abodes.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_World_Tree_and_the_Emerald_Dream The World Tree and the Emerald Dream]</ref>

Alexstrasza the red, Ysera the green, and Nozdormu the bronze descended upon the druids' tranquil glades and surveyed the fruits of the night elves' labors. Malurion, who had become an arch-druid of immense power, greeted the mighty dragons and told them about the creation of the new Well of Eternity. The great dragons were alarmed to hear the dark news and speculated that as long as the Well remained, the Legion might one day return and assault the world once again.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED" /> 

Malurion and the three dragons made a pact to keep the Well safe and ensure that the agents of the Burning Legion would never find their way back into the world.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED" /> 

Alexstrasza, the Life-Giver, placed a single, enchanted acorn within the heart of the Well of Eternity. The acorn, activated by the potent, magical waters, sprung to life as a colossal tree. The mighty tree's roots grew from the Well's waters and its verdant canopy seemed to scrape the roof of the sky. The immense tree would be an everlasting symbol of the night elves' bond with nature, and its life-giving energies would extend out to heal the rest of the world over time. The night elves' named their World Tree, Nordrassil, which meant "crown of the heavens" in their native tongue.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED" /> 

Nozdormu, the Timeless, placed an enchantment upon the World Tree that ensured that as long as the colossal tree stood, the night elves would never age or fall prey to sickness or disease.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED" /> 

Ysera, the Dreamer, also placed an enchantment upon the World Tree by linking it to her own realm, the ethereal dimension known as the Emerald Dream. The Emerald Dream, a vast, ever-changing spirit world, existed outside the boundaries of the physical world. From the Dream, Ysera regulated the ebb and flow of nature and the evolutionary path of the world itself. The night elf druids, including Malurion himself, were bound to the Dream through the World Tree. As part of the mystical pact, the druids agreed to sleep for centuries at a time so that their spirits could roam the infinite paths of Ysera's Dreamways. Though the druids were wary of losing so many years of their lives to hibernation, they selflessly agreed to uphold their bargain with Ysera.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TWTatED" /> 

===Exile of the High Elves===
As the centuries passed, the night elves' new society grew strong and expanded throughout the budding forest that they came to call Ashenvale. Many of the creatures and species that were abundant before the Great Sundering, such as furbolgs and quilboars, reappeared and flourished in the land. Under the druids' benevolent leadership, the night elves enjoyed an era of unprecedented peace and tranquility under the stars.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="EotHE">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Exile_of_the_High_Elves Exile of the High Elves]</ref>

However, many of the original highborne survivors grew restless. Like Illidan before them, they fell victim to the withdrawal that came from the loss of their coveted magics. They were tempted, once again, to tap the energies of the Well of Eternity and exult in their magical practices. Dath'Remar, the brash, outspoken leader of the highborne, began to mock the druids publicly – calling them cowards for refusing to wield the magic that was theirs by right. Malurion and the druids chaffed of Dath'Remar's arguments and warned the highborne that any use of magic would be punishable by death. In their insolence, Dath'Remar and his followers unleashed a terrible magical storm upon Ashenvale in an ill-fated attempt to convince the druids to rescind their law.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="EotHE" />

The druids, unable to bring themselves to slaughter so many of their kin, decided to exile the reckless highborne from their lands. Dath'Remar and his followers, glad to be rid of their conservative cousins at last, boarded a number of specially crafted ships and set sail upon the seas. Though none of them knew what awaited them beyond the waters of the raging Maelstrom, they were eager to establish their own homeland where they could practice their coveted magics with impunity. The highborne, or 'Quel'dorei' as Azshara had named them in ages past, would eventually set shore upon the eastern land men would call Lordaeron. They planned to build their own magical kingdom - Quel'Thalas - and reject the night elves' precepts of moon worship and nocturnal activity. Forever after, they would be known only as the "high elves."<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="EotHE" />

===The Sentinels and the Long Vigil===
With the departure of their wayward cousins, the night elves turned their attention back to the safekeeping of their enchanted homeland. The druids, sensing their time of hibernation nearing once again, prepared to sleep and leave their loved ones and families behind. Tyrande, who had become the First priestess of Elune, asked her love, Malurion, not to leave her for Ysera's Emerald Dream. But, Malurion, honor bound to enter the changing Dreamways, bid the priestess good-bye and swore that they would never be apart so long as they held true to their love.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSatLV">[https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Sentinels_and_the_Long_Vigil The Sentinels and the Long Vigil]</ref>

Tyrande, left alone to protect Kalimdor from the dangers of the new world, assembled a powerful fighting force from amongst her night elf sisters. The fearless, highly trained warrior women who pledged themselves to Kalimdor's defense became known as the Sentinels. Though they preferred to patrol the shadowy forests of Ashenvale alone, they had many allies upon which they could call in times of urgency.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSatLV" />

The demigod, Cenarius, remained nearby in the Moonglades of Mount Hyjal. His sons, known as the Keepers of the Grove, kept close watch on the night elves' land and regularly helped the Sentinels maintain peace in the land. Even Cenarius' shy daughters, the dryads, appeared in the open with increasing frequency.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSatLV" />

Though the task of policing Ashenvale kept her busy, Tyrande felt lost and alone without Malurion at her side. As the long centuries passed while the druids slept, her fears of a second demonic invasion grew more palpable. She could not shake the unnerving feeling that perhaps the Burning Legion was still out there, beyond the Great Dark of the sky plotting its revenge upon the night elves and the world of Azeroth.<ref name="WCIIIM" /><ref name="TSatLV" />

During their long vigil, the biggest conflict the kaldorei fought on was probably the [[War of the Shifting Sands]]. In ancient times, the [[troll]] empires defeated the [[aqir]], forcing a group of the latter to retreat into [[Ahn'Qiraj]], an ancient [[Titan]] facility. Over the centuries, these aqir developed into the [[qiraji]] and came to serve [[C'Thun]], the [[old god]] at the heart of the facility. The [[Silithid]], another insect race related to the [[aqir]], also came to serve [[C'Thun]]. The night elf forces, led by [[Fandral Staghelm]] and [[Shiromar]], fought the armies of [[C'Thun]], but retreated after the death of [[Valstann Staghelm]], son of Fandral, and the loss of [[Southwind Village]].

It wasn't until the night elves called for the aid of the [[dragonflights]] that the [[qiraji]] were driven back. [[Anachronos]], [[Merithra]], [[Caelestrasz]] and [[Arygos]], children of the [[Dragon Aspect|Dragon Aspects]], led armies of dragons against the forces of [[C'Thun]]. Together, the night elf and dragon forces were able to force the insect armies back to the gates of Ahn'Qiraj. While the battle seemed to turn against them once more, Merithra, Caelestrasz and Arygos flew into the city to create the [[Scarab Wall]], though they were captured as a result. The scarab wall was capable of containing the insectoid armies, trapping them in the city. To one day reopen the gates and truly beat the qiraji, Fandral Staghelm was given a scepter. However, enraged by the death of his son, Fandral shattered the scepter, forever damaging the bond between the night elves and the dragonflights.

=== Rediscovery and the Third War ===
: ''"These [[Sentinels|women]] fight with unmatched savagery! I've never seen their equal. They are...'''perfect''' warriors."''
:: — [[Grommash Hellscream]]

The night elves' isolated existence was shattered during the [[Third War]], when refugees from the [[Eastern Kingdoms]] arrived on the continent in large numbers. The [[Orc|orcs]], newly fled from the Eastern Kingdoms and seeking resources, had sent the [[Warsong clan]] to [[Ashenvale]], unaware of the area's inhabitants. The night elves took great offense to the orcish presence in their lands and attacked. While the orcs had some initial victories, that ended when [[Cenarius]] arrived, mistaking the orcs for demons and destroying most of their outposts. In desperation, the Warsong clan once more consumed demon blood, becoming powerful [[Fel orc|fel orcs]] and proceeded to kill Cenarius.<ref name="IOK&EE">Warcraft III campaigns: [https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Invasion_of_Kalimdor The Invasion of Kalimdor] and [https://wowpedia.fandom.com/wiki/Eternity%27s_End_(WC3_campaign) Eternity's End]</ref>

At the height of this conflict — known as the Third War — the Legion and its terrifying undead [[Scourge]] assaulted the night elves' lands. Tyrande rallied the night elf defenders and awoke Malfurion and his druids to combat the resurgent threat. For the vast majority of the third war, the night elves remained hostile to the allied [[Horde]] and [[Human Expedition]]. Only during the final battle, the [[Battle of Mount Hyjal]], did the night elves join with the mortal races, standing to defend the world tree. In the end, even this alliance didn't manage to stop the invading demons, but it managed to delay them long enough for [[Malfurion Stormrage]] to complete a magic ritual. [[Archimonde]], the leader of the demonic invasion, was torn apart by thousands of [[Wisp|Wisps]], finally being killed by the world tree itself.<ref name="IOK&EE" />

=== Post-Third War ===
In the aftermath of the horrific conflict, Malfurion and Tyrande helped their people rebuild their shattered villages. Slowly the night elves began to adjust to their mortal existence. Such an adjustment was far from easy, and there were many night elves who could not adjust to the prospects of aging, disease, and frailty. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world. When Malfurion heard about this plan, he warned that nature would never bless such a selfish act. Shortly thereafter, Malfurion's spirit was somehow lost within the depths of the Emerald Dream. Though his fellow druids attempted to find his wandering spirit, only his body remained sleeping within his Barrow Den.<ref name="WoWM">''World of Warcraft'' Game Manual</ref>

With Malfurion missing, [[Fandral Staghelm]] – the leader of those who wished to plant the new World Tree – became the new Arch-Druid. In no time at all, he and his fellow druids had forged ahead and planted the great tree, [[Teldrassil]], off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor. Under their care, the tree sprouted up above the clouds. Among the twilight boughs of the colossal tree, the wondrous city of [[Darnassus]] took root. However, the tree was not consecrated with nature's blessing and soon fell prey to the corruption of the Burning Legion.<ref name="WoWM" /><ref>The events of the Teldrassil quests</ref>

After the Third War, the night elf nation also joined the [[Alliance]], although the exact moment at which they joined is unknown. They were apparently motivated to do so by the continued logging operations of the Horde in [[Warsong Gulch]].  As a result of the Third War, corruption and madness had taken hold of many of the night elves' former lands and allies, severely weakening the strength of the night elf nation. As members of the Alliance, the night elves partook in multiple conflicts, most notably the [[Ahn'Qiraj War]].<ref>The events of the Silithus quests</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Night elves]]
[[Category:Alliance races]]