Unseen Path

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NeutralUnseen Path
Unseen Path Banner Legion.png
Main leader Hunter  The Huntmaster
  Formerly Neutral  Namuria Gladesong †
Secondary leaders Neutral  Emmarel Shadewarden
Alliance  Shandris Feathermoon
Alliance  Vereesa Windrunner
Horde  Halduron Brightwing
Race(s) Night elfNight elf Night elf
Blood elfBlood elf Blood elf
OrcOrc Orc
IconSmall UndeadElf Male.gifIconSmall UndeadElf Female.gif Darkfallen
High elfHigh elf High elf
Highmountain taurenHighmountain tauren Highmountain tauren
DraeneiDraenei Draenei
DwarfDwarf Dwarf
GnomeGnome Gnome
WorgenWorgen Worgen
HumanHuman Human
NightborneNightborne Nightborne
PandarenPandaren Pandaren
TaurenTauren Tauren
Tol'virTol'vir Tol'vir[1]
Jungle trollJungle troll Jungle troll
IconSmall Mok'Nathal Male.gifIconSmall Mok'Nathal Female.gif Half-ogre
IconSmall FrostVrykul Female.gif Frost vrykul
VrykulVrykul Vrykul
Murloc Murloc[2]
Character classes Hunter, Archer, Beastmaster, Dark ranger, Elven ranger, Huntress, Marksman, Ranger, Scout, Tracker, Trapper
Base of operations Hunter Trueshot Lodge
Theater of operations Azeroth
Language(s) Darnassian, Taur-ahe, Common, Various languages
Sub-group(s) See below
Affiliation Armies of Legionfall, Independent
Status Active
Reputation
Quartermaster  Outfitter Reynolds

“We do not fight for glory, for fame, or riches. We exist to protect those who need it most, often without reward or recognition.
We are the watchers in the wild. We are the eagle on the wind. We walk the lonely road. For ours is the Unseen Path.”

— Emmarel Shadewarden reciting the oath of the the Unseen Path.[3]

The Unseen Path is an order[4] of the world's greatest hunters, archers, rangers, beastmasters, and trappers[5] blessed by the Wild God Ohn'ahra. Dedicated to the protection of Azeroth and its people, its origins date back to the aftermath of the War of the Ancients, when Namuria Gladesong and her fellow night elf hunters left Mount Hyjal to return to the Broken Isles. Upon learning of the Unseen Path's vigil for the return of the Burning Legion, the Highmountain tauren recognized the nobility of their cause and offered them friendship. From their order hall located at the top of the Talon Peak, named the Trueshot Lodge, the hunters fought against the demons alongside the other class orders as part of the Armies of Legionfall during the third invasion of Azeroth.

Since the end of the Argus Campaign, the Unseen Path are still carrying out missions to help innocent people across Azeroth, but also train promising young hunters in the ways of the hunt.

History

Ancient times

Ohn'ahra, the Wild God of the Wind.

Ten thousands years ago, in the aftermath of the War of the Ancients, Namuria Gladesong and Emmarel Shadewarden, along with their fellow kaldorei hunters, left Mount Hyjal and returned to Highmountain on the Broken Isles,[6] where their order sought to specifically guard against the Burning Legion's eventual return. During their travel, they met Chieftain Gardrel Highmountain and her sister Arien, and joined forces with the local Highmountain tauren who recognized the nobility of their cause and offered them friendship. After Arien had led them to the summit of a nearby mountain, the eagle Wild God Ohn'ahra appeared and blessed the site where they built Trueshot Lodge. From that day forth, they called this sacred place the Talon Peak, from where the Unseen Path vowed to be ready should the demons return, keeping watch over the land through a trio of towers known as the Three Towers. In time, the elves and the tauren learned much from each other, and Arien eventually joined the order, becoming one of its greatest members.[7]

In time, the leaders of the Unseen Path were given special emergency flares that were only to be used in times of great need. Upon seeing it, they had to head to Trueshot Lodge's southern watchtower to meet with whoever lit it. The last time any of the flares were used was hundreds of years ago.[8]

For a thousand years, the Unseen Path had watched and waited, remaining few in number, as only a select few even knew their group existed. The order quietly acted behind the scenes when Azeroth needed them,[6] and apparently had always provided assistance to those in need.[9] Around 2,800 BDP,[10] they notably sent Emmarel Shadewarden to help Silvermoon City against an Amani troll incursion during the Troll Wars, where she fought alongside Talanas Windrunner, the first Ranger-general of Silvermoon.[11]

Around 975 years BDP, Namuria was one of the many hunters lost in the War of the Shifting Sands in Kalimdor, and her order was "all but wiped out" during the conflict against the Qiraji. Their sacrifice is honored on the Remembrance of the Fallen, at Trueshot Lodge. Emmarel, who succeeded her, kept the Unseen Path small and secluded following the conflict, quietly keeping vigil for a thousand years.[6]

Over the centuries, most of their watchers have been lost, and the few of them remaining sought out heroes worthy to heed the call when the Unseen Path was needed once again.[6][12]

Legion

Legion This section concerns content related to Legion.

“Since ancient times, my order has stood vigil on these Broken Isles, watching for the Legion's return. Only a handful of us remain... but that changes today.”

— Emmarel Shadewarden[4]
The Trueshot Lodge in Highmountain.

Following the disastrous Battle for Broken Shore in 32 ADP, Emmarel Shadewarden met the hunter adventurer in Dalaran,[13] asking for their help to find several artifacts to fight against the Burning Legion, including Titanstrike, Thas'dorah, Legacy of the Windrunners, and Talonclaw.[14][15] These weapons would serve as symbols to unite hunters of all kingdoms and creeds. At the Trueshot Lodge in Highmountain, Emmarel revealed that the Unseen Path had been looking for hunters who could lead the order into a new era.[4] They then held a campfire meeting, where hunters from all over Azeroth gathered to pledge themselves to its new leader, including the Farstriders and the Silver Covenant respectively led by Halduron Brightwing and Vereesa Windrunner.[6] The hero then made their first step in becoming a true leader of hunters, taking their oaths of service before the statue of the Wild God Ohn'ahra, who suddenly appeared in the sky to bless the reformed Unseen Path.[5]

After their scouts had mapped out the Broken Isles, the Unseen Path began their strikes against the Burning Legion.[16] As word of Ohn'ahra's omen traveled fast, many wished to pledge their loyalty to the Unseen Path's new leader, the Huntmaster.[17] Among them, Altar Keeper Biehn recommended recruiting Loren Stormhoof and Emmarel Shadewarden as champions to ease the burden of leadership.[18][19] When the dark ranger Lenara was ambushed by demons,[12] she received help from the order and began training Squads of Archers,[20] who eventually saved Survivalist Bahn from the Bloodtotem tribe.[21] Making good on their promise to help those in need, the Unseen Path scouts also reported that Bradensbrook was attacked by undead hounds and sent reinforcements.[9] The Huntmaster itself came to the aid of the Gilnean citizens, working briefly with Hudson Crawford to kill the Black Rook undead led by Captain Tevaris.[22][23]

Meanwhile, the scouts returned with reports from all over Azeroth, and Emmarel was not sure that their small numbers could keep up.[24] In order to do the most good, they needed the best hunters at their side, including Rexxar, whom the Unseen Path considered as one of the greatest hunters of his time. On the other hand, while the beastmaster never doubted that the group was respectable, he considered them to be a bit dull for his tastes and had never really been eager to aid them.[25] When the Huntmaster sought to recruit him, Rexxar challenged them to survive the night in the wilds of Highmountain, for he believed that the Unseen Path did too much watching and waiting without enough action.[26] After the Huntmaster returned successful, Rexxar agreed to join the organization as one of their champions.[27] The order also called back one of their scouts in Stormheim, the vrykul Beastmaster Hilaire,[28] who only agreed to return after the Huntmaster helped her prove to the Kirin Tor that one of their mages was killed by the felhound Zoarg, and not her mountain lion pet.[29][30]

The hunters of Azeroth gathering at Trueshot Lodge.

When they returned to the lodge, they discovered that the special emergency flares had been used for the first time in centuries,[31] leading both Emmarel Shadewarden and the Huntmaster to meet the stranger in need of help. At the top of the southern watch tower, they met Archmage Khadgar who revealed that the Burning Legion was planning to invade Dalaran, and that its citizens could benefit from the protection of the Unseen Path, while the Kirin Tor spied on the demon strongholds to uncover any plots involving the floating city.[32] While their champions fought demons across the Brokens Isles,[33] the Unseen Path also provided secret protection for Dalaran and notably defeated Rancidus the Sewer Monster in the Underbelly.[34]

In their ongoing war with the invading harpies, the Skyhorn tribe were left low on supplies and asked for the assistance of the Unseen Path. Working for a time with Meliah Grayfeather, the Huntmaster helped the Highmoutain tauren to kill the invaders and replenish their stocks of food[35][36] and bandages,[37] strengthening the alliance between both groups.[38] The Huntmaster also recruited Hemet Nesingwary[39] and Addie Fizzlebog[40] as champions, along with their party of hunters.[41]

The Unseen Path later received word from Khadgar that he had lost contact with the mages he sent to investigate the Legion's camps, and his request for the hunter's assistance in tracking them down.[42] With the support of Huntsman Blake and his mastiff Baron,[43] the Huntmaster and Khadgar made their way to Suramar where the missing mages were last seen.[44] Using a torn piece of cloth from one of the Kirin Tor tabards, Baron caught their magical scent and led everyone to the culprit, Hakkar the Houndmaster. The powerful demon captured the group before they could stop his felhounds from feeding on the mages, and revealed he would strengthen them until they are strong enough to feed on every mage in Dalaran.[45] Knowing that Hakkar and his hounds are immune to most spells, and that no mage would be safe as long as they remained within Azeroth, Khadgar asked once more for the help of the Unseen Path.[46]

Hakkar the Houndmaster faced the Unseen Path in his task to create a powerful breed of mage-hunter felhounds.

With the help of Kira Iresoul of the Council of the Black Harvest,[47] the Huntmaster learned in Faronaar that Hakkar's new felhounds, in addition to their natural immunity to magic, had an armor-like hide consisting of thick, layered scales. Other than equipping the entire Unseen Path with artifacts, Kira suggested they should fight back with something able to exploit their weakness.[48]

Since many powerful factions had pledged their loyalty to the Unseen Path, Emmarel thought it was finally time to call on them to help the order defeat the Houndmaster.[49] The agents of the Unseen Path were eventually sent to help Shandris Feathermoon and her night elves in their battle against Lady Missra's naga forces.[50] In Trueshot Lodge, the Huntmaster informed the gathered leaders of the situation and together they prepared a plan to defeat Hakkar within the Violet Hold.[51] Among them, Archmage Khadgar needed Millificent Manastorm's Arcane Vessel for them to use it as bait.[52] General Shandris then asked for Arkhana, so that Lyana Stardust could strenghten the Sentinels' weapons with enchantments able to affect demons.[53][54] Meanwhile, Ranger-General Halduron required Azures ores, so that Blacksmith Kyriel could create arrows and ammo capable of piercing the thick, magic-resistant hides of the felhounds.[55][56]

Once the weapons and arrows were distributed to the hunter,[57] Khadgar opened a portal to the Violet Hold and volunteered to be the bait. When the demons invaded the prison, the forces of the Unseen Path fought against the felhounds, with the Huntmaster taking down both Czaadym and Kreenam. Furious, Hakkar the Houndmaster attempted to kill the Huntmaster, only to be defeated and sent back to the Twisting Nether. Back to the Trueshot Lodge, the hunters gathered before the Visage of Ohn'ahra, where Emmarel declared that despire their victory, it was only the beginning of their war against the Legion.[3] In the aftermath, the Huntmaster returned to the Altar of the Eternal Hunt, where they unlocked the full potential of their artifact weapons.[58]

During the Battle for the Exodar, Emmarel Shadewarden and Loren Stormhoof helped the Huntmaster in repelling High General Rakeesh and the Legion forces out of the draenei capital.[59]

Legionfall

Following their victory over the Houndmaster, the Unseen Path, represented by Emmarel Shadewarden,[60] joined the other orders to discuss the Pillars of Creation and form the Armies of Legionfall. Their hunters later helped to repel the legion's assault on Dalaran, and could be seen fighting the demons during the Assault on Broken Shore.

In time, Odyn the All-Father invited the Huntmaster to attend the Night of the Wilds, an event where the spirits of beasts of legend rise in the Fields of the Eternal Hunt. After they hunted several beasts and fought against the ghosts of various vrykul kings, the Huntmaster defeated the Great Hunter Haukenulfnir and received the Huntmaster's Loyal Wolfhawk as their mount.[61]

During the Argus Campaign, the Unseen Path troops were present on Argus under the orders of the Huntmaster, and were sent to fight the Legion and protect the Vindicaar at Darkfall Ridge. When Sargeras impaled Azeroth with his sword, gravely injuring its world-soul, a hunter champion among other champions of Azeroth drained the sword of its corruption with a sacred artifact of the Unseen Path, using it as a vessel for its vast power.[62]

Shadowlands

Shadowlands This section concerns content related to Shadowlands.

After the Fourth War in 34 ADP, the Unseen Path made its appearance in the Training Hall of Stormwind City and the Barracks of Orgrimmar, with Dalgrun Steelpine, Camille Taylor, and Tamanji as hunter trainers.

Organization

The Trueshot Lodge, headquarters of the Unseen Path.

In the aftermath of the War of the Ancients, it was the descendants of Huln Highmountain who led the Unseen Path where they built the Trueshot Lodge. At the time of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Highmountain tauren have helped restore the lodge, such as replacing two damaged watch towers with tauren structures.[6]

Leadership

When the Unseen Path was founded, Emmarel Shadewarden served its first leader, Namuria Gladesong, acting as her eyes and ears when she was needed elsewhere. Ten thousand years later, she is now serving the Huntmaster as their right hand to carry out their requests and ease the burden of leadership.[19]

During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the Unseen Path received the support from some of the greatest military factions and their leaders, including General Shandrus Feathermoon of the Sentinels, Ranger-General Halduron Brightwing of the Farstriders, and Ranger-General Vereesa Windrunner of the Silver Covenant.[51]

Membership

The Unseen Path's scouting map.

The ranks of the Unseen Path are made of hunters, archers, rangers, beastmasters, and trappers[5] from all over Azeroth. Among their recruiters, Dark ranger Lenara is an extraordinary archer who train the Squads of Archers.[20] Sampson is an extraordinary tracker who filled the order's stables with animals that he had tracked and tamed.[63]

In order to devise their strategies and missions across the Broken Isles, the Unseen Path use a scouting map with the help of Tactician Tinderfell.

On the battlefield, the Unseen Path deploy Squad of Archers, Unseen Marksmen, Band of Trackers, Pathfinders, and Nightborne Hunters.

  • Skilled with bows, and often used to support infantry from range, archers are effective in groups when they concentrate their fire on a single target, or at a cluster of enemies.
  • The master Marksmen of the Unseen Path develop their skills so completely, that they are able to hit an enemy with little to no visibility.
  • No matter how severe the elements or faint the trail, Unseen Trackers are capable of expertly pursuing and dispatching their quarry.
  • While all hunters have some skill in the outdoors. Pathfinders embrace the lifestyle completely, and not only survive out in the wild by choice, but also have no equal in using the terrain against their opponents.
  • Rarely seen among the Nightborne, their hunters are experts at striking from hidden positions. They often leverage the paths of the Arcways themselves to attack, and then disappear before their foe even knew they were there.[64]

Holt Thunderhorn and his researchers are in charge of learning more about the artifacts' lore and power,[65][66] and record the information into the Tales of the Hunt.

Survivalist Bahn is a cunning strategist who agreed to lend his skill to the order's cause and help shape Trueshot Lodge into a great base of operations.[67]

The Altar of the Eternal Hunt is the artifact forge used by the order, which acts as a focus for ancient powers such as the Wild Gods, the Keepers, and even elven wells of magic. Certain ancient relics can be infused by such powers to become ever more potent, with the Altar acting as a conduit to those primordial forces under the care of Altar Keeper Biehn.[68]

Allied organizations

Notable members

Main article: Members of the Unseen Path
Hunter champion wielding Thas'dorah in the Legion: Celebrate the Classes artwork series.
Name Role(s) Status
Neutral  Addie Fizzlebog Hemet Nesingwary's ghost writer. Alive
Alliance  Brightspear Scout of the Silver Covenant. Alive
Alliance  Dalgrun Steelpine Hunter trainer in Stormwind City. Alive
Neutral  Gharset the Aimtrue Member of the Unseen Path. Alive
Neutral  Kari the Beastmaster Member of the Unseen Path. Alive
Horde  Lenara Dark ranger recruiter. Active
Neutral  Loren Stormhoof Emissary of the Skyhorn tribe. Alive
Neutral  Moorgoth Leader of the Hunters of Death. Alive
Neutral  Nighthuntress Silus Nightborne hunters recruiter. Alive
Alliance  Raene Wolfrunner Member of the Sentinels. Alive
Alliance  Tyrathan Khort Member of The Thirty-three. Alive

Notes and trivia

Gallery

References

 
  1. ^ Gharset the Aimtrue
  2. ^ Slrglrglr "Stabby" Glrslrslr
  3. ^ a b N Hunter [45] In Defense of Dalaran
  4. ^ a b c N Hunter [10-45] On Eagle's Wings
  5. ^ a b c N Hunter [10-45] Oath of Service
  6. ^ a b c d e f N Hunter [10-45] The Unseen Path
  7. ^ Tales of the Hunt - Talonclaw, Spear of the Wild Gods
  8. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Homecoming, N Hunter [10-45] Signaling Trouble
  9. ^ a b N Hunter [10-45] Lending a Hand
  10. ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 129
  11. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Rendezvous with the Courier
  12. ^ a b N Hunter [10-45] Making Contact
  13. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Needs of the Hunters
  14. ^ N Hunter [10-45] The Hunter's Call
  15. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Weapons of Legend
  16. ^ N Hunter [10-45] The Campaign Begins
  17. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Pledge of Loyalty
  18. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Champion: Loren Stormhoof
  19. ^ a b N Hunter [10-45] A Strong Right Hand
  20. ^ a b N Hunter [10-45] Recruiting The Troops
  21. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Troops in the Field
  22. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Rising Troubles
  23. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Assassin Entrapment
  24. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Urgent Summons
  25. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Recruiting Rexxar
  26. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Survive the Night
  27. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Champion: Rexxar
  28. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Calling Hilaire Home
  29. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Bite of the Beast
  30. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Champion: Beastmaster Hilaire
  31. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Homecoming
  32. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Signaling Trouble
  33. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Unseen Protection
  34. ^ Campaign Unseen Protection: Defending Dalaran
  35. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Big Gamy Ribs
  36. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Highmountain Salmon
  37. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Silkweave Bandages
  38. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Aiding Our Allies
  39. ^ N Hunter [45] Champion: Hemet Nesingwary
  40. ^ N Hunter [45] Champion: Addie Fizzlebog
  41. ^ a b N Hunter [45] Highmountain Hunters
  42. ^ N Hunter [45] Baron and the Huntsman
  43. ^ N Hunter [45] Ready to Work
  44. ^ N Hunter [45] Missing Mages
  45. ^ N Hunter [45] The Scent of Magic
  46. ^ N Hunter [45] Assisting the Archmage
  47. ^ N Hunter [45] Knowing Our Enemy
  48. ^ N Hunter [45] The Nature of the Beast
  49. ^ N Hunter [45] Requesting Reinforcements
  50. ^ Campaign Requesting Reinforcements
  51. ^ a b N Hunter [45] Informing Our Allies
  52. ^ N Hunter [45] The Missing Vessel
  53. ^ N Hunter [45] Required Reagents
  54. ^ N Hunter [45] Delicate Enchantments
  55. ^ N Hunter [45] Ore Under the Sea
  56. ^ N Hunter [45] Azure Weaponry
  57. ^ N Hunter [45] Same Day Delivery
  58. ^ N Hunter [45] A Hero's Weapon
  59. ^ N [10-45] Bringer of the Light
  60. ^ World of Warcraft: Legion - Patch 7.2 – The Tomb of Sargeras Trailer
  61. ^ N Hunter [45] Night of the Wilds
  62. ^ N [110] The Power in Our Hands
  63. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Recruiting More Troops
  64. ^ Class Hall followers
  65. ^ N Hunter [110] Furthering Knowledge
  66. ^ N Hunter [110] Knowledge is Power
  67. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Tech It Up A Notch
  68. ^ Altar Keeper Biehn's gossip
  69. ^ Tyrathan's gossip
  70. ^ N Hunter [10-45] Tactical Matters
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