Nightwell
- For the location in the Nighthold instance, see Nightwell (subzone).
“We must put the Nightwell behind us. We must take responsibility for our failings, and repay our debt to the people of Azeroth....”
- — First Arcanist Thalyssra, the new ruler of Suramar, allowing the Nightwell to perish
The Nightwell is a font of incredible power[1] created by the Highborne. The convergence of ley lines is what feeds its great power.[2][3] The fount was created and is sustained through the Eye of Aman'thul, one of the Pillars of Creation. Similar to the Sunwell, it permeates and empowers the elves who dwell in its vicinity. Arcwine is the method by which the Nightborne imbibe the Nightwell's energies, and the palace rations it to control the populace.[4] Being unable to feed off the Nightwell's energies causes heavy withdrawal symptoms. Banishment from Suramar is thus the harshest punishment in nightborne society, as exiles are cut off from the Nightwell's power and faced with degeneration, first into nightfallen, and in time into a withered state, a point of no return.[5] According to Arcanist Valtrois, the Nightwell's power rivaled even that of the Well of Eternity.[6]
After the defeat of Gul'dan atop the Nighthold, the Eye of Aman'thul was secured by the Kirin Tor. Without it, the well became unstable. Valtrois suggested attempting to stabilize it, even though the nightborne no longer needed it to sustain themselves, so that they could use its power, but First Arcanist Thalyssra believed it was best for the nightborne people to leave it behind them and let it die, a decision met with approval by both Tyrande Whisperwind and Lady Liadrin, who believed that Nightwell's power and allure would fade, with time.[7]
History
Crimes in Suramar were once punished by exile, such as Arcanist Kel'danath after he refused to stop his research on the withered,[8] and thus those exiled would suffer such a horrible fate. The effects manifest as immense pain and hungering need to feed off Arcane energy. Exile would deny any access to Arcwine resulting in starvation, deterioration, and, after a period of time, to the mindless Nightfallen second stage of withered, which was described as truly a fate worse than death.[9]
The Nightwell is the Nightborne elves' great source of power, and through it they have been able to meet the majority of their essential needs and maintain a refuge, shielded and hidden from the rest of the world they believed was overrun by demons. The energies of the Nightwell would alter their night elven forms further, becoming more slender and darker toned than previous, and causing the well to be a necessary source of nourishment.[10]
The fruit of the Arcan'dor freed the Nightborne of this addiction, even allowing Nightfallen to return to their previous states.[11] After this discovery, Thalyssra began to hand out the fruit to those she could, freeing her people of their terrible curse. Ultimately, with the Arcan'dor at their disposal, Thalyssra became the new leader of the Nightborne after Elisande's defeat in the Nighthold. She used it to remove the addiction, and allowed the Nightwell to burn out, as it had begun to dwindle without the Eye of Aman'thul, which had been brought to Dalaran.[7]
Notes
- Unlike how all high elves were addicted to the Sunwell, nightborne were dependent on the Nightwell as a source of nourishment.
- Before the creation of the Nightwell, the night elves of Suramar used a system of tunnels called the Arcway that contained arcane coils which tapped into the ley lines beneath the region.[12] This fell out of use with the Nightwell's creation.[13]
- Essence of Aman'Thul's power now dwells within the inhabitants of the Nighthold after centuries in close proximity with the Eye.[14] When tapping into the Well, the people of Suramar tapped into the energies of the titan himself.[15]
Speculation
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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.
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- It is highly possible that the Nightwell, like the Well of Eternity, is formed from the very lifeblood of Azeroth's world-soul.
[Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire] noted as the priest adventurer entered Suramar: "Suramar, its "noble" citizens greedily slurping at their world's very lifeblood."[16] This is the same terminology used in Chronicle Volume 1 to describe the Well of Eternity ("the lifeblood of Azeroth's world-soul").[17] - Arcwine continues to be consumed years after the Nightwell's supposed destabilization. Once during a poetry competition in Suramar[18] and again during the wedding of Thalyssra and Lor'themar Theron.[19] This possibly indicates the Nightwell may be in a more stable state than initially understood, however, as fortifying meant infusing the wine with Nightwell energy is what gave its magical properties, it is more likely that a more mundane manner to fortify wine replaced this step, if not skipped entirely.
Patch changes
Patch 7.0.3 (2016-07-19): Added.
See also
References
- ^ First Arcanist Thalyssra#Quotes - "The Nightwell is a font of incredible power. We must not allow the Legion to make use of it."
- ^
[45] A Dance With Dragons - Stellagosa's conversation with Valtrois
- ^ Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire#Quotes - Xal'atath whispers: Suramar, its "noble" citizens greedily slurping at their world's very lifeblood. (in Suramar)
- ^ [45] Dispensing Compassion
- ^ Legion is the next World of Warcraft expansion!
- ^ Arcanist Valtrois#Quotes - "We once nursed upon the very essence of magic itself. An elixir to rival even the Well of Eternity. To think we now resort to bottom-feeding." <Valtrois curls her lips in disgust.>
- ^ a b [45] Fate of the Nightborne
- ^ [45] An Old Ally
- ^ [45] Scenes from a Memory
- ^ [45] The Nightborne Pact
- ^ [45] Arcan'dor, Gift of the Ancient Magi
- ^ [45] Network Security
- ^ [45] Tapping the Leylines
- ^ [110] Touch of a Titan
- ^ [110] Unsettled Power
- ^ Xal'atath, Blade of the Black Empire#Whispers
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 36 - 37
- ^ A Moment in Verse, pg. 2
- ^ The Vow Eternal