Thalassian navy
 |
This article's name is unofficial.
|
 Thalassian navy | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader |
  Lor'themar Theron |
| Formerly |
  Kael'thas Sunstrider †  Anasterian Sunstrider † |
| Race(s) |
  Blood elf |
| Formerly |
  High elf |
| Character classes | Mariner, Sailor |
| Capital | Silvermoon City |
| Other major settlements | Silvermoon Harbor, Sunsail Anchorage, Sun's Reach Harbor, Silver Landing |
| Theater of operations | Quel'Thalas, Isle of Thunder, Hrothgar's Landing |
| Language(s) | Thalassian |
| Affiliation | Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, Horde navy, Horde |
| Formerly | Alliance of Lordaeron |
| Status | Active |
The Thalassian navy is the maritime military force of the blood elven kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Currently part of the Horde navy, most of their armada is composed of destroyers, powerful warships crewed with highly-skilled elven seafarers and prepared to engage the enemy wherever they might be found.[1] Lord Admiral Daelin Proudmoore of Kul Tiras described the destroyers as faster and lighter than human ships; carrying fewer weapons but compensating with their speed, and therefore as excellent additions to the Alliance of Lordaeron maritime forces during the Second War.[2]
History
Second War
At the beginning of the Second War in 5 ADP, Supreme Commander Anduin Lothar's call to war was met with mixed feelings by the quel'dorei, with High King Anasterian Sunstrider himself not considering the orcs a threat. Nonetheless, the king sent a small elven fleet to the Alliance of Lordaeron, commanding the rest of his forces to stay in Quel'Thalas. Some high elves, however, disobeyed the king's orders, choosing instead to join in the fight under the leadership of the ranger captain Alleria Windrunner.[3] During the conflict, elven destroyers constituted a critical part of the Alliance of Lordaeron naval defense force, as they could unleash their firepower upon dreaded aerial forces of the Orcish Horde.[1]
At some point, the Flying Osprey was carrying a load of Lightforge iron and joined the Kul Tiran's Third Fleet for protection, however, both were ultimately destroyed by the Dragonmaw clan and their subservient red dragons. Since then, the vessel's wreckage remains, and its cargo can be found on the coast of the Wetlands, at the entrance of Menethil Bay.[4]
Third War
During the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas in 20 ADP, Grand Magister Belo'vir Salonar tasked Archmage Rommath with the evacuation of Silvermoon City, instructing him to transport as many people as he could to the safety of the Isle of Quel'Danas. While the defenders held off the Scourge, evacuation ships led by Captain Revenn were ordered to take many quel'dorei children to safety with the Wildhammer dwarves in the Hinterlands. Unfortunately, the Fellovar, Morn'danel, and Varillian were attacked and sunk by gargoyles, leading to the death of all the children and refugees on board.[5]
Overwhelmed by the undead, High King Anasterian Sunstrider and the surviving elves eventually gathered aboard their fleet and retreated to Quel'Danas.[6] While Arthas Menethil and his forces were preparing to march for the Sunwell, some of the undead, with nothing else left in sight to destroy, split off to attack the elven docks farther along the coast.[5]
The Burning Crusade
Prior to the invasion of Outland in 26 ADP, Sunsail Anchorage in Eversong Woods was invaded by Wretched led by Aldaron the Reckless.[7] The sin'dorei adventurers were eventually tasked to recover the armaments left behind,[8] as well as to clean up the harbor from its invaders.[9] Half-submerged ships, some of them dating back to the Second War, still populated the harbor.[10]
At some point, the Dawn Runner was looted by the Theramore Marines in Dustwallow Marsh. With the help of Horde adventurers, Balandar Brightstar and Ithania were able to reclaim their cargo.[11]
During the Battle for Quel'Danas, three destroyers fell under the control of the Dawnblade, only to be waylaid by Shattered Sun dragonhawk strikes who ignited the sails.[12]
Wrath of the Lich King
During the war against the Lich King in 27 ADP, the Sunreavers sailed The Crimson Dawn and The Firehawk on the Sea Reaver's Run, where they fought against the kvaldir and their kraken.[13]
Tides of War
Prior to the Attack on Theramore Isle in 30 ADP, Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron was expected to assist in the battle, instead, he and Ranger-General Halduron Brightwing opted to send the Blood Knight Kelantir Bloodblade and two ships of blood elven warriors on their behalf.[14] During the attack on Northwatch Hold, the sin'dorei, Forsaken, and goblin vessels landed the Horde troops on the shores of Southern Barrens, using their dinghies under enemy cannon fire.[15] After their success, the fleet assembled and waited in Horde waters near Ratchet, until they were instructed by Warchief Garrosh Hellscream to sail for the assault on Theramore Isle.[16]
Mists of Pandaria
As part of the Sunreaver Onslaught, Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron led the Crimson Treader, Salabria, and Starchaser destroyers to the Greymist Firth, from where they began their operations against the Mogu empire on the Isle of Thunder. After the assault on Zeb'tula, the ships left the isle while Dawnseeker Promontory became the blood elves' base of operations.[17]
During the Siege of Orgrimmar, blood elven ships could be seen among the Darkspear Rebellion and Alliance fleets that arrived in Bladefist Bay.[18] On one of them, Lor'themar Theron, Sylvanas Windrunner and Aethas Sunreaver could be found observing the battle over the docks, where they eventually sent the Horde adventurers to break the True Horde's blockade.[19]
Legion
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion in 32 ADP, The Sunstrider destroyer transported Horde infantries from Durotar to Azuremyst Isle, in preparation for the Argus Campaign.[20]
Midnight
Decades after its destruction, Silvermoon City was fully rebuilt and expanded with the Silvermoon Harbor, where the kingdom's navy can be found docked.
When Xal'atath and the Devouring Host began their invasion of Quel'Danas, Arator and the adventurers were tasked to rescue the citizens and lead them to Silver Landing,[21] where several have been prepared by the regent-lord for an evacuation to Silvermoon City.[22] During the crossing, the fleet was attacked by Void beings that sank one ship before the heroes arrived on dragonhawks, destroying the invaders and rescuing the survivors who eventually reached the capital safely.[23]
Known ships
- Main article: Thalassian ships and sailors
| Name | Captain | Location(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crimson Treader | Lor'themar Theron
|
Greymist Firth, Isle of Thunder | Active |
| Dawn Runner | Balandar Brightstar
|
Tidefury Cove, Dustwallow Marsh | Sunk |
| Fellovar | Revenn †
|
Quel'Thalas | Sunk |
| Flying Osprey | Unknown | Menethil Bay, Wetlands | Sunk |
| Morn'danel | Unknown | Quel'Thalas | Sunk |
| Salabria | Unknown | Greymist Firth, Isle of Thunder | Active |
| Starchaser | Unknown | Greymist Firth, Isle of Thunder | Active |
| Silvermoon's Pride | Captain Valindria
|
Sun's Reach Harbor, Quel'Danas | Active |
| The Crimson Dawn | Unknown | Sea Reaver's Run, Hrothgar's Landing | Active |
| The Firehawk | Captain Aerthas Firehawk
|
Sea Reaver's Run, Hrothgar's Landing | Active |
| The Sunstrider |  Fleet Admiral Zar'gov
|
Bladefist Bay, Durotar | Active |
| Varillian | Unknown | Quel'Thalas | Sunk |
- Formerly
| Name | Captain | Location(s) | Affiliation | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloodoath | Unknown | Sun's Reach Harbor, Quel'Danas | Dawnblade | Sunk |
| Dawnchaser | Unknown | Sun's Reach Harbor, Quel'Danas | Dawnblade | Sunk |
| Sin'loren | Unknown | Sun's Reach Harbor, Quel'Danas | Dawnblade | Sunk |
- Others
Trivia
- A white unicorn's symbol could be found on the sails of the Second War-era high elven destroyers. The modern blood elven ones now use the phoenix symbol.
- In the Mists of Pandaria alpha, [85] Captain Cartheron described Captain Cartheron Bladesong and his sin'dorei crew as some of the most experienced sailors in the Horde.
Gallery
High elf destroyer in Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness.
Blood elf ship design in Dragonflight.![Early WoW "Elven Crusier" design.[24]](/images/thumb/Unknown_boat.png/103px-Unknown_boat.png?f033a7)
Early WoW "Elven Crusier" design.[24]
![Early WoW "Elven Crusier" design.[24]](/wiki/File:Unknown_boat.png)
References
- ^ a b Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Alliance Naval Units, Elven Destroyer
- ^ Tides of Darkness, chapter 7
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 2, pg. 156 - 157
- ^
[29] Lightforge Iron
- ^ a b Blood of the Highborne, chapter 2
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 62
- ^ [1-30] Situation at Sunsail Anchorage
- ^ [1-30] Lost Armaments
- ^ [1-30] Wretched Ringleader
- ^ Blood of the Highborne, chapter 4
- ^ [15-30] Twilight of the Dawn Runner
- ^ [70 Daily] Intercept the Reinforcements
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 131
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 7
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 8
- ^ Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, chapter 11
- ^ [32-35] The Assault on Zeb'tula
- ^ Siege of Orgrimmar trailer
- ^ Galakras's Horde prologue
- ^ [45] The Hand of Fate
- ^ [80] The Hour of Need
- ^ [80] A Safe Path
- ^ [80] Luminous Wings
- ^ The Art of Warcraft, pg. 147