Thalassian priesthood
 |
This article's name is unofficial.
|
 Thalassian priesthood | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Main leader | Unknown |
| Formerly |
  High Priestess Liadrin  High Priest Vandellor † |
| Secondary leaders |
 Matron Arena Matron Ossela |
| Race(s) |
 Blood elf |
| Formerly |
 High elf |
| Character classes | Priest, High priest, Cleric, Inquisitor, Templar |
| Capital | Silvermoon City |
| Base of operations |
Sanctum of Light Netherlight Temple |
| Theater of operations | Azeroth, Outland |
| Language(s) | Thalassian |
| Affiliation | Kingdom of Quel'Thalas, Horde, Conclave |
| Formerly | Alliance of Lordaeron |
| Status | Active |
“Our role is to preserve life and illuminate our comrades in the splendor of the Light. It is far easier to draw blood than to staunch it,
and when you lie battered and dying on the battlefield, you will thank the Sunwell for our talents.”
The Thalassian priesthood is an order of priests within the kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Ill-suited for the rigors of combat, the priests' role is to preserve life and illuminate their comrades in the splendor of the Holy Light.[1] As holy field medics, they roam the battlefields curing the wounds of fallen comrades.[2]
Background
Long ago, the technique of channeling the positive energies into healing energy waves was notably developed first by the high elves, and later taught to humans.[3]
Second War
During the Second War in 5 ADP, when the Orcish Horde and the Amani trolls invaded the kingdom, High King Anasterian Sunstrider resolved to crush them once and for all. He dispatched raids of magi and priests to supplement the Farstriders and warriors, with the priestess Lady Liadrin as part of Ranger Halduron Brightwing's company.[1]
Third War
“Greetings. We are priests from Quel'Thalas. We've come to help heal the land of this strange curse.”
During the Third War in 20 ADP, despite their kingdom's official departure from the Alliance of Lordaeron, many high elven mage-priests diligently studied their mysterious arts within the Halls of Magic of Dalaran.[5] When the Scourge arose, the altruistic priests of Quel'Thalas refused to abandon their roles as healers and remained in Lordaeron, despite the edicts from their masters in Silvermoon.[3] They later joined with Prince Arthas Menethil and Jaina Proudmoore in investigating the Plague of Undeath, with the goal of healing the land of its strange curse.[4][6]
During the Culling of Stratholme, several High Elf Mage-Priests assisted the prince in purging the infected citizens. When Arthas pursued the nathrezim Mal'Ganis to Northrend, a number of quel'dorei priests followed him as part of the 1st Legion.[7] After the prince was corrupted by Frostmourne, the Scourge nearly wiped out the entire expedition, including the elves whose souls were absorbed into Frostmourne.[8]
Following the Scourging of Lordaeron, Quel'Thalas dispatched high elf priests to help the Alliance nations defeat the undead, but nothing could stand against the undead.[9] The mage-priests roamed the battlefields to cure the wounds of fallen comrades, using their Light-given powers to bolster the spirits of Lordaeron's fighting elite.[3]
At the beginning of the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas, Thalassian Priests were among the forces who faced first the corrupted Arthas, only to be slaughtered where the Dead Scar would begin.[10] When Ranger General Sylvanas Windrunner ordered most of the kingdom's magi and priests to gather in Silvermoon City, she took the Farstriders and several priests outside to mount a fierce resistance.[11] Nevertheless, despite their tactics and magic, the high elves were ultimately forced to retreat on the Isle of Quel'Danas.[12] When the Scourge shattered the capital's defenses, they cut a path north toward the island, slaughtering the population and prominent figures such as High Priest Vandellor.[13]
After Anasterian Sunstrider was slain by Arthas, the priest Falon and his brother Solanar made a daring rescue attempt, securing the fallen king's body from the defilement of undeath. They returned to Silvermoon to the astonishment of the gathered crowds, their act of heroism providing the beleaguered elves with a much-needed morale boost.[14]
Prior to the Siege of Dalaran, Lady Jaina Proudmoore worked tirelessly to rally as many refugees as she could, and when she set sail for Kalimdor,[15] several high elven priests joined the Human Expedition and the Great Alliance to fight the Burning Legion.[16] Some high elven priests survived the Scourging of Quel'Thalas, or were not present during its destruction.[17]
When Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider returned from Dalaran, a raid of Farstriders, warriors, priests,[18] and the surviving Magisters accompanied him to the Isle of Quel'Danas. Upon discovering that the Sunwell was fouled and corrupted by necromantic energies, the prince and magi conducted a great ritual that destroyed the fount of power.[19]
Following the Battle of Mount Hyjal in 21 ADP, Jennalla Deemspring led a group of several high elf survivors, including priests, as part of the Human Refugees who were stationed near the ruined Lordaeron palace gardens in Tirisfal Glades. They attempted to find refuge with the Alliance resistance in the ruins of Dalaran, however, Arthas ordered the Scourge to slaughter them all before they could escape from his undead kingdom.[20]
Rise of the sin'dorei
After the destruction of their kingdom, the surviving high elves cast off their name and rose to become "blood elves", in honor of their fallen brethren.[21] When Grand Magister Rommath returned from Outland to teach his people Kael's magic siphoning ways, some elves were disgusted by the practice and refused to siphon magic from living creatures. Unable to lead a divided nation, Regent Lord Lor'themar Theron exiled the dissenters from the kingdom, including High Priestess Aurora Skycaller and others who found residence at Quel'Lithien Lodge in the Eastern Plaguelands.[22] Some high elven priests, at odds with their reclusive masters in Silvermoon since Anasterian's day,[23] remained with the Alliance and did not return to Quel'Thalas.[24] After Dalaran was rebuilt, the Sunreavers and the Silver Covenant factions each had a priestess amongtheir ranks, namely Matron Ossela and Matron Alesso.
In the following years, most of the sin'dorei became disillusioned with the Light, holding it in contempt for failing their homeland in its hour of greatest need.[25] After the capture of the naaru M'uru, Magister Astalor Bloodsworn and the Magisters worked tirelessly to harness and twist its holy energies, and the result was a free method by which the sin'dorei could now wield the Light again. Lady Liadrin, a former priestess, was the first blood elf to offer herself to test the powers, thus becoming the first Blood Knight.[26]
The Burning Crusade
By the time of the invasion of Outland in 26 ADP, the priesthood was active within sin'dorei society, with their members seen training new apprentices, protecting the realm from the undead, and even contributing to political stability. In Eversong Woods, the priest Ponaris sent his apprentices to bless the Eversong Rangers, as he feared the Scourge attacks would eventually break their morale.[27] Meanwhile in Silvermoon City, the priest Ennas and Lyria Skystrider protested against the excessive use of magic, rejected Lor'themar Theron's choice to ally Silvermoon with the Horde, and branded the Magisters as traitors to Quel'Thalas. Priest Kath'mar was eventually summoned to use a mind-control spell, forcing both protestors to support the regent lord's decisions.
In Outland, sin'dorei priests were among the Sunfury armies protecting Tempest Keep in the Netherstorm, as part of the Crimson Hand[28] and Bloodwarder troops.[29][30] Some remained loyal to the cause of Illidan Stormrage, such as Lady Malande of the Illidari Council, while Matron Ismara followed Voren'thal the Seer and the Scryers in Shattrath City.
During the Battle for Quel'Danas, several priests joined the Sunblade forces, guarding the Magisters' Terrace and the Sunwell Plateau from the Shattered Sun Offensive.[31][32]
Wrath of the Lich King
During the war against the Lich King in 27 ADP, several blood elf priests joined the ranks of the Kor'kron, with some fighting the Scourge on the Rampart of Skulls of Icecrown Citadel.[33]
Cataclysm and aftermath
Following the Cataclysm in 28 ADP, the sin'dorei priest trainers sent their apprentices to meet Tyelis at Grommash Hold.[34] As a member of Silvermoon's delegation to Orgrimmar,[35] he tasked them to prevent the influence of the Twilight Hammer over the Dark Iron clan, such as burning the books they distributed to prevent them from recruiting in Blackrock Depths.[36] He also tasked the Horde priests to gather unique materials that could only be found within Shadowfang Keep, as Warchief Garrosh Hellscream had commissioned the master enchanter Godan to create a special weapon for them, in recognition of their dedication to the Horde's cause.[37]
During the events of the End Time in 29 ADP, several Time-Twisted Priests could be encountered at the Azure Dragonshrine.
During the Invasion of Pandaria in 30 ADP, Bloodhilt Lightsworns were among the Horde forces fighting to take control of Lion's Landing, in order prevent the Alliance's expansion deeper into Pandaria.[38]
During the war in Draenor in 31 ADP, a few blood elven priests could be met and recruited as followers at the Frostwall garrison.[39]
Legion
During the Battle for Broken Shore in 32 ADP, several Silvermoon Priests were among the Horde forces following Sylvanas Windrunner on the battlefield, fighting the demons and healing their allies.[40] Others were among the Hooded Battle-Priest who protected the Northern Barrens during the Legion Invasions across Azeroth.
When the third invasion of the Burning Legion began, many sin'dorei priests answered Alonsus Faol's call to unite all the priesthoods of Azeroth, and later joined the ranks of the Conclave under its new High Priest.[41] Therefore, several grand priests and priests could be found in the Netherlight Temple, while sin'dorei priestesses later fought demons on the Broken Shore as members of the Armies of Legionfall. They were also present to defend the temple from the nathrezim Balnazzar and his demonic army.[42]
When the order mobilized on the Broken Isles,[43] they eventually saved Archon Torias, a skilled sin'dorei researcher on both the Light and Shadow who agreed to lend his expertise to their cause.[44]
Fourth War and aftermath
On Exile's Reach, the ghost of Sha'zul taught priests the holy spell of Resurrection, in order to save the Horde castaways' souls from being consumed by the necromantic magic of Gor'groth.[45][46]
During the Fourth War in 33 ADP, High Priests of Silvermoon fought in the Battle for Lordaeron, while Honorbound Priests defended Vol'dun during the Alliance invasion.
During the annual ritual remembering the losses of the blood elves to the Scourge, visions of High Priest Vandellor and High Priestess Liadrin could be seen as part of the recreation of the fall of Quel'Thalas and the destruction of the Sunwell. In the aftermath, Silvermoon's inhabitants and some priests gathered at the Court of the Sun to listen to Lor'themar Theron's speech.[18]
In Year 35 ADP, the sin'dorei priest trainers began to send their apprentices to meet Martin Goodchilde of the Conclave in the priest section of the Barracks.[47][48]
Midnight
When the Devouring Host invaded Quel'Danas, Matron Arena, Ponaris, and Priest Kath'mar were seen healing Injured Defenders at Sunstrider Rise.[49] They later moved to the Silver Landing, where they healed the injured sin'dorei citizens before they could be evacuated on the ships for Silvermoon City.[50]
At some point, Matron Narsilla joined the Twilight's Blade cult, helping them in their attack on Tranquillien, and was later taken out by the adventurers.[51]
With the complete restoration of Silvermoon, the priests Aldrae, Belestra, and several acolytes have moved into the capital's Sanctum of Light. Meanwhile on Quel'Danas, the Sunwell Priests remained stationed at the Sunwell Ramparts, where pilgrimages into the Sunwell Plateau appeared to have been suspended while the Voidstorm raged.[52]
Culture
“Now you can see how the Light serves us, allowing us to help others, but only after we have helped ourselves.”
In the modern blood elven society, the priests are separated from the Magisters.[53] The priesthood ranks are made up of apprentices, priests, and high priests.[54] In recent times, some of their members have also taken on roles such as cleric, inquisitor, and templar in a military context. By the time of the Third War, Vandellor and Liadrin had the respected rank of high priests in Quel'Thalas.[54]
In the kingdom of Quel'Thalas, the young high elves were taught to revere the Holy Light when they were young.[55] However, following the fall of Quel'Thalas, most of the blood elves became disillusioned with the Light, holding it in contempt for failing their homeland in its hour of greatest need.[56] A disillusioned High Priestess Liadrin and many of her followers eventually renounced their vows, and would later use the Light as a tool as part of the Blood Knights. They came to incorporate the notion of "bending" the Light to their will, forcibly taking it rather than relying on faith to wield it.[26]
By the time of the invasion of Outland, some priest in Quel'Thalas said that the path of a priest was often misconstrued as a path of pacifism; and for the blood elves, this couldn't be further from the truth. Not only do they mend bone and spirit, but they also act as a fist of vengeance for those who would transgress against the sin'dorei.[57] After the sacrifice of M'uru, the sin'dorei have embraced the renewed Sunwell, leading their people into a more promising future through a harmonious relationship with the Light. To many blood elves, there is no cultural distinction between the Sunwell and the Light.[58]
The trainers regularly refer to giving "sermons,"[59] a phrasing largely associated with holy blessings and, by extension, Light worship.
Notable members
- Main article: Thalassian priesthood members
| Name | Role | Location(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandellor
|
High Priest | Unknown | Deceased |
| Arena
|
Matron | Sunspire, Eversong Woods | Alive |
| Ossela
|
Matron | Various | Alive |
| Torias
|
Archon | Hall of Balance, Netherlight Temple | Alive |
| Aldrae
|
Priest Trainer | Sunfury Spire, Silvermoon City | Alive |
| Belestra
|
Priest Trainer | Sunfury Spire, Silvermoon City | Alive |
| Lotheolan
|
Priest Trainer | Sunfury Spire, Silvermoon City | Alive |
| Ponaris
|
Priest Trainer | Various | Alive |
| Falon
|
Priest | Unknown | Deceased |
| Kath'mar
|
Priest | Bazaar, Silvermoon City | Alive |
| Tyelis
|
Priest | Grommash Hold, Orgrimmar | Alive |
| Taloren Whitedawn
|
Priest | Deliverance Point, Broken Shore | Alive |
- Formerly
| Name | Role | Current affiliation | Location(s) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liadrin
|
High Priestess | Blood Knights | Various | Alive |
| Galell
|
Priest | Blood Knights | Unknown | Deceased |
| Aurora Skycaller
|
High Priestess | Independent | Quel'Lithien Lodge, Eastern Plaguelands | Alive |
  Ennas
|
Priest | Ren'dorei | Various | Alive |
 Lady Malande
|
Priestess | Illidari Council | Chamber of Command, Black Temple | Deceased |
 Narsilla
|
Matron | Twilight's Blade | Tranquillien, Eversong Woods | Killable |
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.
|
Lady Liadrin's sermon to pilgrims at the Sunwell during the Quel'Delar quests and officiation of the wedding of Lor'themar Theron and First Arcanist Thalyssra indicate that she resumed her role as a Thalassian religious leader after The Burning Crusade. As such, she may have resumed her leadership of (or at least her membership in) the priesthood, whose ties to the Blood Knights are likely stronger since the restoration of the Sunwell.
Gallery
- World of Warcraft
- Art and cinematics
Quel'dorei priest supporting the Alliance in Warcraft III.
Alliance VS. Horde in Warcraft III: Reforged
Blood elf priestess cinematic concept art.
Priest in Reign of Chaos.
High elven version.
Priest in Reforged.
Magepriest concept art.
_WC3.png)
_Reforged.png)
References
- ^ a b c Blood of the Highborne, chapter 1
- ^ Battle.net: Priest (unit)
- ^ a b c Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual - Priest
- ^ a b Ravages of the Plague (WC3 Human)
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual - Arcane Sanctum
- ^ March of the Scourge (WC3 Human)
- ^ The Shores of Northrend (WC3 Human)
- ^ Ghostly Priest
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 55
- ^
[50-80] The First to Fall
- ^ [50-80] The Day Hope Died
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 61
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 64
- ^ Blood of the Highborne, chapter 3
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 65
- ^ Twilight of the Gods (WC3 NightElf)
- ^ World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 81
- ^ a b [50-80] The Fall of the Sunwell
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 3, pg. 88
- ^ King Arthas (WC3 Undead)
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Blood Elves
- ^ In the Shadow of the Sun
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual - Priest
- ^ World of Warcraft: Ultimate Visual Guide, Updated and Expanded, pg. 81
- ^ Burning Crusade Behind The Scenes - Blood Elves. YouTube (2008-03-19).
- ^ a b Blood of the Highborne, chapter 4
- ^ a b
[5] Cleansing the Scar
- ^ Crimson Hand Inquisitor
- ^ Bloodwarder Mender
- ^ Bloodwarder Physician
- ^ Sunblade Dawn Priest
- ^ Sunblade Dusk Priest
- ^ Kor'kron Templar
- ^ Dark Cleric Cecille (quest)
- ^ Meet with Tyelis
- ^ [20-30D] Twilight Scheming
- ^ The Dark Cleric's Bidding
- ^ Lion's Landing (scenario)
- ^ Robin Fredericksen, Ruthia the Unchaste, Handel Shadereaver and Harley Soubrette
- ^ [10-45] The Battle for Broken Shore
- ^ [10-45] The Light and the Void
- ^ [45] A Light in the Darkness
- ^
Troops in Training
- ^ [10-45] Troops in the Field
- ^ [1-10] A Priest's End
- ^ [1-10] Resurrecting the Recruits
- ^ [8-30] Journey to Orgrimmar
- ^ [20-30] Journey to Orgrimmar
- ^ [80] Champions of Quel'Danas
- ^ [80] The Hour of Need
- ^ [80-83] The Traitors of Tranquillien
- ^ Devout Pilgrim
- ^ Micky Neilson on Twitter: Blood Elf priest Lore Q: Do they operate under Rommath and the Magisters, or have they got their own organization? "I had them separate."
- ^ a b Blood of the Highborne, chapter 2
- ^ Alleria: Light and Shadow
- ^ Burning Crusade Behind The Scenes - Blood Elves. YouTube (2008-03-19).
- ^ [2] Priest Training
- ^ [83-88] Renewal for the Weary
- ^ Tyelis's gossip
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