Kaldorei Fleet
 Kaldorei Fleet | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader |
 General Shandris Feathermoon |
| Formerly |
 Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage |
| Secondary leaders |
 Admiral Nightwind Captain Talar Oaktalon |
| Formerly |
 Fleet Commander Caranne Briarbow † |
| Race(s) |
Night elf |
| Character classes | Mariner, Sailor |
| Capital | Bel'ameth |
| Formerly | Darnassus † |
| Other major settlements | Belanaar, Feathermoon Stronghold |
| Formerly | Nendis † |
| Theater of operations | Darkshore, Dragon Isles |
| Language(s) | Darnassian, Common |
| Affiliation | Nation of Darnassus, Darnassian Army, Alliance navy |
| Status | Active |
The Kaldorei Fleet[1] (or the Night Elf Fleet)[2] is the maritime military force of the night elven nation of Darnassus. It is part of the Alliance navy and includes at least a few dozen ships.[3]
History
It is unknown when exactly the Kaldorei Fleet was established, but it is certain that its ships were built in the aftermath of the Great Sundering, which destroyed Ancient Kalimdor ten thousand years ago.
Terror of the Tides
After the Battle of Mount Hyjal in 21 ADP, Maiev Shadowsong and her Watchers pursued Illidan Stormrage into Azshara and found his naga burning night elven ships along the settlements on the coast. The Watchers continued into Nendis, where they defeated his servitors, took the rest of the boats, and pursued Illidan to the Broken Isles.[4] Upon learning that the Watchers were facing Illidan's forces and needed reinforcements,[5] Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind led their fleet to the isles, however, three ships were separated when crossing the perilous ocean. They were stranded offshore, unable to safely land, until kaldorei forces were sent to clear a path for them to land upon the shore.[2] After Illidan escaped and set sail to reach Dalaran, the fleet gave chase and landed its troops in the Silverpine Forest.[6]
The Burning Crusade
Prior to the invasion of Outland in 26 ADP, ships carrying the Sentinel spies were dispatched to the Ghostlands, where they established a base on Shalandis Isle to spy on the blood elves of Quel'Thalas.[7][8]
Cataclysm
During the invasion of Gilneas in 28 ADP, as promised by Belysra Starbreeze, a fleet of night elven ships arrived on the coast of Gilneas, landing Sentinels forces to help King Genn Greymane and his people.[9] Despite an assault of the Forsaken and their Horde allies,[10] the port of Keel Harbor was secured,[11] and all the Gilnean survivors boarded the transport ships. Under the command of Admiral Nightwind, the fleets evacuated the survivors to safety at Rut'theran Village in Darnassus.[12]
After the Cataclysm, the crossing was overtaken by a powerful storm. When the Elune's Radiance began to sink, King Greymane joined the rescue parties from his ship and rescued his wife, who had a broken leg, and his daughter, who had refused to leave her mother. After Captain Talar Oaktalon personally rescued the king from a similar fate, the fleet eventually reached Teldrassil safely.[13]
During the Remembrance Day, a grand kaldorei ship dropped anchor in Stormwind Harbor, leaving King Varian Wrynn to wonder if they were there out of honor for the past, or in fear of the future.[14]
In Ashenvale, several night elven ships were locked in combat with Horde ships off the coast of the Zoram Strand, leaving both sides in ruins.
Tides of War
When the Horde was about to attack Theramore in 30 ADP, Jaina Proudmoore asked Tyrande Whisperwind and Malfurion Stormrage for warriors and ships.[15] Both leaders eventually agreed to send General Shandris Feathermoon and a group of Sentinels to aid the defense effort.[16] They were also willing to help King Varian Wrynn in the counterattack by sending a few dozen ships.[3]
Mists of Pandaria
During the Siege of Orgrimmar in 30 ADP, night elven ships could be seen among the Alliance and Darkspear Rebellion fleets that arrived in Bladefist Bay.[17]
War of the Thorns
Prior to the War of the Thorns in 33 ADP, Alliance reports indicated that Warchief Sylvanas Windrunner was mobilizing an army to march on Silithus, the site of the great Wound and a hotbed for Azerite.[18] Over the next few weeks, General Shandris Feathermoon dispatched troops to Silithus, one or two ships at a time so as not to attract attention, until the Kaldorei Fleet was assembled and ready to leave Feathermoon Stronghold in Feralas.[19] During the travel, the fleet ran into dangerous weather, with storms driving several vessels off-course, forcing Cordressa Briarbow to press her crew to top speed. However, late reports revealed that the Horde had diverted at the north fork of the Barrens to invade Ashenvale, with Teldrassil as their objective. The fleet was already halfway to Silithus by then, leaving the Darnassian City Guard led by Captain Delaryn Summermoon as the only remaining defenders in the forests.[19]
Knowing that the defenders couldn't last long, the Alliance launched its Stormwind fleet to reinforce Darnassus, Malfurion Stormrage recalled their fleet,[19] and Spymaster Mathias Shaw sent champions to buy time for reinforcements.[20] Despite their efforts, the kaldorei were too few in number to stand toe to toe,[21] and they had to retreat to Rut'theran Village, where the night elven fleet finally returned.[22]
Since the town of Lor'danel was the last defense before Darnassus, the fleet had mustered significant reinforcements on its shore, enough to drive the Horde back into Darkshore. To halt the counter-assault, High Overlord Varok Saurfang ordered a swift strike to break through the night elven lines and slay their commanders, Caranne Briarbow and Ariel Stagguard, who led the fleet and the field troops.[23][24]
When the Horde began rolling out their siege engines, the ship crews managed to destroy several of the massive weapons, however, the remaining ones began to launch unstable, arcane-enhanced payloads that set the vessels closest to the shore ablaze almost instantly. At least four ships were burned beyond salvation, while those aboard leaped into the water, swimming frantically toward what ships remained.[19] Commander Summermoon later tasked the champions to kill Gormok Axefall and Ragash Bloodwish, two of the Horde's strongest warriors who had led a charge to capture the fleet, which they would have used to invade Darnassus.[25] However, despite their efforts, Morka Bruggu and her infiltration group still managed to covertly commandeer some of the ships.[26]
When the Horde began to besiege Teldrassil, all hope to safeguard the night elven capital was lost, and the remnants of the night elf fleet steered their ships away in retreat.[26]
Battle for Azeroth
After the burning of Teldrassil, the priestess of the Moon Dentaria Silverglade oversaw the evacuation of the survivors by boat to Azuremyst Isle, but they were attacked by the Horde on the way.[27]
Since High King Anduin Wrynn couldn’t spare any troops to aid the kaldorei,[28] Tyrande Whisperwind set out ahead to reclaim Darkshore, preparing to undergo the Night Warrior ritual at Bashal'Aran. At the Zoram Strand, her ship was ambushed by the Horde, forcing her to destroy it so she would not be followed.[29]
During the Battle for Darkshore in 34 ADP, the Kaldorei Fleet took part in the battle against the Forsaken, remaining offshore near the Ruins of Auberdine, from where they bombarded the enemy troops on the beaches. The ships and their crews were defended by hippogryph riders and glaive throwers. Nathanos Blightcaller eventually tasked the Horde champions to use a Dread Ballista and drive the fleet back.[1]
Dragonflight
After the war against the Primalists in 40 ADP, Belanaar was established as the harbor of Bel'ameth, serving as a docking site for the night elven vessels.
Known ships
- Main article: Kaldorei ships and sailors
| Name | Captain | Location(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elune's Radiance | Captain Talar Oaktalon
|
Great Sea
|
Sunk |
| Elune's Blessing | Captain Galind Windsword
|
Rut'theran Village, Teldrassil (formerly) | Damaged[30] |
| The Feathermoon Ferry | Captain Idrilae
|
Old Feathermoon Stronghold, Feralas | Unknown |
| The Moonlit Rose | Captain Talar Oaktalon
|
Belanaar, Amirdrassil | Active |
| The Moonspray | Captain Taldar Windsinger
|
Belanaar, Amirdrassil | Active |
- Others
Trivia
- The Silver Dawning and the Mist Veil are two shipwrecked ships off the coast of Darkshore. They were captained by night elf captains.[31]
- Untargetable wisps can be found on several night elven boats, helping the crews to find the kaldorei souls that were lost at sea.[32]
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
As a shipwright renowned for his shipbuilding work,[33] Yanas Seastrike may be/have been affiliated to the Kaldorei Fleet.
Gallery
The fleet landing at Lor'danel during the War of the Thorns.
Night elf frigates in Warcraft III: Reforged.
Night elf transport ship in Warcraft III: Reforged.
References
- ^ a b
[50WQ] Turning the Tides
- ^ a b Balancing the Scales (WC3 NightElf)
- ^ a b Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 21 - pg. 258
- ^ Rise of the Naga (WC3 NightElf)
- ^ Unfinished Business (WC3 NightElf)
- ^ Shards of the Alliance (WC3 NightElf)
- ^ [1-30] Investigate An'daroth
- ^ [1-30] Deactivate An'owyn
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 201
- ^
[1-20] They Have Allies, But So Do We
- ^ [1-20] Keel Harbor
- ^ [1-20] Rut'theran Village
- ^ Lord of His Pack
- ^ Blood of Our Fathers
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 10 - pg. 128
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 14 - pg. 167
- ^ Siege of Orgrimmar trailer
- ^ [110] The Horde Uprising
- ^ a b c d Elegy
- ^ [110] A Disturbance in Ashenvale
- ^ [110] Long Away
- ^ [110] A Looming Threat
- ^ [110] Seaside Rendezvous
- ^ [110] Driving Them Out
- ^ [110] Action This Day
- ^ a b A Good War
- ^
Teldrassil Evacuation
- ^ [50] Waning Hope
- ^ [50] Shores of Fate
- ^ Rauen Moontear's gossip
- ^ [17] Deep Ocean, Vast Sea
- ^ Mariner Everwatch's gossip
- ^ [40] Strange Tools
