Traversing Tel'anor: Legends Of Unsundered Kalimdor

Traversing Tel'anor: Legends of Unsundered Kalimdor

Tel'anor, the grave city of ancient Kaldorei, still stands as a monument of ancestral reverence. Many plaques here are illegible, but some have withstood the sands of time, and grant us a glimpse into those who played important roles in the War of the Ancients, or had a lasting impact on Kaldorei culture.

Lilyiana Meadowblade

"Her blade was second to none, and flowed through her foes like a blade of grass dances in the wind."

A legendary warrior famed for her prowess, Meadowblade introduces some interesting concepts about Kaldorei surname conventions.

Considering the myth surrounding her bladework, it could be that she was given this name by others as a token of her mastery, or even took this name for herself; in contrast to the typical passing down of names from one generation to another. We do not know her social status, but a third possibility is that perhaps an ancient custom was to bestow surnames with the idea of prophecy in mind. In times of old, star augurs may have had a hand in reading one’s stellar birthchart, and interpreting omens or premonitions of a newborn’s life path, experiences, or destiny. The parallels between Meadowblade’s name and skills could, from a certain perspective, seem fated for the stuff of legends from the beginning. There was a sentiment in the same vein before the Sundering in regards to Kaldorei born with amber eyes, most of whom with this characteristic were of mythical and powerful stature (Queen Azshara, the Stormrage brothers, Moon Guard sorcerers recruiting those with golden eyes.)

Lilyiana's resting place is in the same pavilion as Dorendil Wildcaller's memorial; though whether they are related in some way is unknown. Perhaps they were life-partners, comrades, friends, or were simply considered of equal reverential status.

Dorendil Wildcaller

"Nature and society called to him alike, and he was one of the first to speak with the hippogryphs. His legacy lives on in our eternal kinship with them."

The quest [Forces of Nature: Hippogryphs] speaks of a legend that "they were created by Cenarius himself as a gift for the night elves. They're wary of other races, but they're intelligent enough to recognize a friend of a friend." Perhaps Dorendil was an ancient naturalist, ranger, or hunter; considering as well his surname of Wildcaller, who proved himself a worthy ally to Cenarius and the forests, similar to Malfurion Stormrage. It seems that Dorendil was able to walk the line between these two worlds - one of the Kaldorei forebears who sowed the seeds of trust between hippogryphs and night elven culture.

General Startalon

General Startalon, one of the finest generals our people has ever known. He commanded the Hippogryph riders during the War of the Ancients.

Startalon's description implies that companionship with hippogryphs is such a long-standing practice in Kaldorei culture, that it extends as far back as the Pre-Sundering age. By extension, it reveals that there was a specific hippogryph rider wing of the ancient night elven military; though whether it was an established force for many years, or created spontaneously during this monumental war, is uncertain. 

These creatures seem to have been integrated into ancient society somehow, as we see with the Leyfeather Hippogryphs. They are described as having been “ancient mounts of the highborne” that possess “latent magical powers.” This begs the question of where this family of hippogryphs originated from: perhaps they evolved into an inherently magical creature due to their proximity to the Well of Eternity, or they were bred/created by ancient Highborne society. Due to their vivid plumage and arcane nature, perhaps these could have served as ceremonial mounts for parades, airshows, and the like to entertain the noble caste prior to the Sundering. Additionally, the hippogryphs of the Moon Guard Stronghold on the outskirts of Suramar may indicate that they were used by these peacekeepers while on guard duty, or even for traveling.

Thaedris also reveals that he meditates near Startalon’s grave for guidance, which may lend to the notion of receiving signs, messages, or premonitions from the act of venerating spirits and spending time in resting places for the dead.

The Windstrikers

"Marksmen without peer, their skill with a bow was an inspiration to generations of archers. Their family developed the gauntlets the Sentinels wear, carefully articulated mail links that empower our archers to this day."

The Windstriker epitaph indicates that they were a well-known name in the realm of archery during the eras before the Sundering as exemplars, artisans or instructors.

The craftsmanship of these ‘carefully articulated mail links’ somehow survived the Sundering, and then the several centuries after until Tyrande established the Sentinel Army we know today. We are not given much detail about what these links are exactly, but there are a few possibilities: they could have been any combination of protective arm guards, gloves, mail bracers, or thumb rings. Since they are described as empowering to archers, there may also be some sort of enchantment or magical blessing involved in their creation as well. Given that these gauntlets carried over into the newly established Kaldorei culture, the magic may have been some sort of heightened vision, strength, or accuracy bestowed by priestesses, druids, or wilderness spirits.

Above their monument is the head of an owl, perhaps hinting at an old heraldic system tying symbols to family names; or that the Windstrikers had a renowned kinship with these birds of the night.

Aelynn and Banlorus Truecaller

"Brave Aelynn and noble Banlorus ruled the battlefields and courts alike. They fell as they lived, protecting our people from threats on all sides."

The wording of this plaque insinuates that Aelynn was likely a renowned warrior, and Banlorus was perhaps a Moon Guard, noble, or other person of high status who held some political sway in the Kaldorei Empire. Their involvement in "the courts" could be the Highborne social circles of old, or possibly courts in reference to areas of law and justice given the wording of “protecting our people from threats on all sides.” The Well of Eternity novel reveals that there was a system of social punishment in ancient Kalimdor, ranging anywhere from exile to outright execution, as evidenced by Malfurion fearing being shunned, which was “the most dire punishment that could be inflicted upon a night elf other than death.” (Ch. 13.)

Arnaera

"In service to a mythical cause, they were a shining gem to our people, giving aid where they could in assisting the populace. Alas, the hammer fell and Arnaera made a journey west. They were reborn in winter's heart, and their grand design continues."

Arnaera's entry is the vaguest of them all, and this grave lies hidden in the riverbed of Tel'anor. It's fun to speculate what this mythical cause could have been: perhaps something in service to the Kaldorei Empire, one of the dragonflights, the Wild Gods, the titans, or some other influential force on Azeroth? The thematic word choice between shining gem, hammer, and grand design feel evocative of jewelcrafting or some kind of artisanry; though they may also just be meant to mythify Arnaera.

'The hammer fell' could be a reference to something involving the Hammer of Khaz'goroth, the sacrifice of Tyr, or a metaphor for some other historical event entirely. The 'rebirth in winter's heart' could be the ancient settlement of Shandaral, modern-day Winterspring, Dragonblight, or the afterlife realm of Ardenweald.

Latara Feathersong

"A huntress of the Sentinels, she led the vanguard in many campaigns. Her bravery and compassion were endless. Anu dorah, I remember.”

Latara is the wife of Thaedris Feathersong, the Nightfallen we meet in Tel'anor who, after 10,000 years of isolation, seeks to free her spirit and reunite with her in the afterlife. It seems that Thaedris was the one to engrave her plaque, though we do not know if this was prior to the War of the Ancients, or in more recent times after the Suramar barrier was lowered. She appears to have held a high station in the Sentinels, yet another reference (alongside the Windstrikers epitaph and Cathedral of Eternal Night) that may allude to an organization of the same name predating the Sundering. Latara may have led the vanguard during the expansion of the Kaldorei Empire, or perhaps in defense against incursions from rivaling world powers such as the myriad troll nations, qiraji, nerubians, klaxxi, earthen, vrykul, mogu, tauren, etc.

During the quest [The Final Ingredient] we retrieve her bow, which "glows with a faint white light" and "has potent magic in it" according to Thaedris. Latara may have been a priestess before her role as a Sentinel leader, her weapon carrying over from this past occupation; as was common with many of the Sentinels in times past.

At the conclusion of Thaedris’s questline, we free the grounds of Tel’anor from a powerful hex that has been taking hold of the grave city. As Latara is released from her suffering as a banshee, she whispers to us, “My mind is… cleared. I will sleep now. Give Thaedris my love.” Perhaps as a final act of gratitude, “a great power enveloped one of the arrows left in her quiver." It seems then, that a spirit can use the very last of their essence to leave behind a blessing or boon in the physical realm; in this case, an arrow laced with Latara’s love for Thaedris.

Not unlike the offerings given to the dead at the memorials here, the departed have their own way of paying respects to the living who honor them, too.

Ande ka bindel kalar'dormir. Anu dorah. (May they rest in the terrace of stars. We remember.)