Moon Guard
- For the achievement, see
[Moon Guard].
 Moon Guard | |
|---|---|
 Moon Guard Stronghold | |
| Main leader |
 Lothrius Mooncaller[1] |
| Formerly |
 Illidan Stormrage Latosius † |
| Race(s) |
   Night elf  Nightborne |
| Capital | Moon Guard Stronghold |
| Base of operations | Shal'Aran |
| Theater of operations | Broken Isles |
| Formerly | Ancient Kalimdor (pre-sundering) |
| Language(s) | Darnassian, Shalassian, Common |
| Affiliation | Independent |
| Formerly | Kaldorei Resistance, Kaldorei Empire |
| Status | Active |
The Moon Guard (also spelled the Moonguard[2] or simply the Guard)[3] are an elite group of night elf sorcerers who served as protectors and peace-keepers of Ancient Kalimdor. The order was established long before even the War of the Ancients and its members included talented spell-casters who dedicated themselves to upholding the peace and security of the Kaldorei Empire and its capital, Zin-Azshari.[4] Owing allegiance to no noble or lord, save for Queen Azshara herself,[5] the Moon Guard played an active role in the War of the Ancients, operating from the city of Suramar.
In more recent times, during the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Moon Guard became active once again and was involved in a brutal conflict with the Nightborne on the Broken Isles. Following the Nightfallen rebellion, the surviving members restored the organization under the leadership of Lothrius Mooncaller.[1]
History
Foundation
In ancient times, the rise of magic in night elf society brought with it a variety of new abilities and concerns. Given the power of the Well of Eternity, it seemed obvious that combat skill alone would not suffice to counteract magical attack. Only a few scattered soldiers were found to possess magical skills, and such abilities were minor at best. Thus, a number of magic-based fighting organizations sprang up, each of them meant to defend a critical population center. Spellcasters of sufficient strength and ambition sought out the capital city of the night elf civilization, Zin-Azshari, hoping to earn favor with some heroic deed. Eventually, this particular group gained the monarchy's official sanction, and they were named the Moon Guard. Loyal only to the ruler of the night elves, the Moon Guard soon regarded other spellcasters with disdain and expected them by default to possess inferior magical ability.[4]
Fascinated with arcane magic, Illidan Stormrage learned increasingly difficult spells, but to his discouragement, the Moon Guard did not offer him membership in light of his advanced sorcery.[6]
War of the Ancients
Nevertheless, they believed that Lord Counsellor Xavius was the influence behind the Highborne's envy and not Queen Azshara — whom they worshipped. Before the outbreak of the War of the Ancients, the Moon Guard served the queen, but when the demons of the Burning Legion came, it joined the Kaldorei Resistance along with the noble class against the Highborne.
In time, Latosius and a few sorcerers were dispatched to Black Rook Hold in order to interrogate the prisoners Malfurion Stormrage, Broxigar, and Rhonin. As the Legion and its mortal allies managed to restrict access to the Well of Eternity, the disruption brought an abrupt end to Latosius' magical interrogation of Malfurion. The Moon Guard tried repeatedly to restart the interrogation, but their spells failed without direct access to the Well's energies. When messengers revealed that demonic invaders were attacking Zin-Azshari, Lord Kur'talos and his soldiers were convinced that the queen had become a prisoner in her own palace. They therefore set out for Zin-Azshari to free her and defeat the demons, and although the Moon Guard's magical abilities were greatly diminished, Latosius and his comrades accompanied the army.
As the war escalated, Latosius assumed leadership of the Moon Guard and directed their efforts on the battlefield until, eventually, the elderly sorcerer was caught off guard and killed by an man'ari eredar warlock's spell. By the time Rhonin avenged Latosisus, Illidan Stormrage, once the personal sorcerer of Lord Ravencrest, was already crossing the battlefield toward the remaining Moon Guard. Though not a member of their order, Illidan clearly had superior magical talent, and he proved much better than Latosius at coordinating the Moon Guard's efforts.[7] He took charge of the surviving sorcerers and directed their combined power to noticeable effect, killing many of the Legion's minions.[6] After Illidan's supposed defection, Rhonin took over, and despite being a foreigner, the Guard treated him with respect for his power and leadership.
During the course of the conflict, the Kaldorei Resistance, including the Moon Guard, were commanded by Lord Ravencrest. After the assassination of Ravencrest, Lord Desdel Stareye took up the leadership of the resistance until he too was killed by the doomguard. The resistance eventually regrouped under the famous Jarod Shadowsong and became victorious against the demons.
Dissolved
When the Well of Eternity imploded, the Moon Guard lost the greatest part of its power. In addition, the war and its catastrophic consequences led to widespread condemnation of arcane magic. Thus, the night elves dissolved all organizations that made use of such magic, including the Moon Guard, while its surviving members renounced the sorcery that had once been their primary purpose. Some of them turned instead to druidism, seeking to redress the imbalance their magic had caused. These former sorcerers consequently became some of the first students of Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage. As a result, the druidic arts were long viewed as a man's purview.[4]
Legion
Despite being dissolved in mainstream night elf society, some of the Moon Guard remained active on the Broken Isles, at the Moon Guard Stronghold near the city of Suramar.
However, by the time of the third invasion of the Burning Legion in Year 32 ADP, they came under attack from the Nightborne and were slaughtered hours after the shield over Suramar fell.[8] The betrayal was not instantaneous, and books were lent to old friends.[9] The final three survivors of the Moon Guard - Thalrenus Rivertree, Syrana Starweaver, and Lothrius Mooncaller - traveled to Shal'Aran to join the Nightfallen rebellion based there.[10] Meanwhile, the hippogryphs who made their home into Moon Guard Stronghold still continued to defend it, unable to accept that the Moon Guard was no more.[11]
Alongside the united nightborne, night elf, blood elf, and high elf army, Lothrius wanted to pay the Nightborne of the city back tenfold for what they did to the stronghold. He was notably a part of the Nightborne camp, separate from the night elves from Darnassus. Following the downfall of Elisande, the remaining survivors believe it would be possible to revive the Moon Guard.
Exploring Azeroth
By the Year 42 ADP, the Moon Guard was eventually reformed and acquired a new stronghold at Shal'Aran. The First Arcanist of Suramar Thalyssra was pleased to garrison their forces there, as their presence affords the arcan'dor additional protection. Among them, Lothrius Mooncaller assumed a leadership position, and trained a new generation of Moon Guard recruits, both kaldorei and shal'dorei.[1]
Customs
Prior to the War of the Ancients, night elves born with yellow eyes were taken to join them. It was a great honor to be trained to become one of them—they were a really powerful force.[12] Tradition also dictated that only night elf men be permitted into the Moon Guard's ranks. Moreover, sorcerers who sought to join the Moon Guard were required to demonstrate considerable talent in wielding arcane magic.[4] Since its reformation, nightborne have been inducted into the order's ranks.[1]
The organization has a long tradition of training hippogryphs for battle.[13]
Aspirants for the rank captain patrol the Arcway for three weeks without rest, the vast labyrinth putting their skills as a Guard to the test.[14]
Members
| Name | Role | Status |
|---|---|---|
 Latosius
|
Former leader | Deceased |
| Hargo'then
|
Member | Deceased |
| Kir'altius
|
Member | Deceased |
| Galar'thus Rivertree
|
Member | Deceased |
| Illidan Stormrage
|
Former leader | Alive |
| Tyr'kyn
|
Member | Deceased |
| Thalrenus Rivertree
|
Member | Alive |
| Syrana Starweaver
|
Member | Alive |
| Lothrius Mooncaller
|
Leader | Alive |
| Nyellus Starweaver
|
Member | Deceased |
| Kailea Windfeather
|
Member | Deceased |
| Lyrea Windfeather
|
Member | Alive |
| Ivanel Meadowsong
|
Member | Alive |
| Lynel'a
|
Member | Deceased |
| Serena Windfeather
|
Member | Alive |
Unnamed
In the RPG
The Moonguard crafted Frostfathom, a venerable night elf weapon which Queen Azshara herself imbued with its icy burst quality.[15]
Trivia
- The server Moon Guard US is named after the organization.
See also
References
- ^ a b c d Exploring Azeroth: Islands and Isles, pg. 17
- ^ Legion Zone Overview: Suramar
- ^ [45] Not Their Last Stand
- ^ a b c d The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Moon Guard
- ^ The Well of Eternity, chapter 12
- ^ a b The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Illidan Stormrage
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Latosius
- ^ [45] Fate of the Guard
- ^ [45D] Court of Stars: Literary Perfection
- ^ [45] Last Stand of the Moon Guard
- ^ [45] Not Their Last Stand
- ^ Legion Zone Overview: Suramar
- ^ [45WQ] Air Superiority
- ^ [45D] The Arcway: Rite of the Captain
- ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 173
External links
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