Wretched
Wretched elves | |
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Faction/Affiliation | Independent, Burning Legion |
Character classes | Warrior, Mage, Warlock, Rogue |
Racial capital | None |
Racial leader(s) | None |
Homeworld | Azeroth |
Language(s) | Thalassian |
The Wretched are blood elves or high elves that failed to control their innate addiction to magic, overindulging in arcane sources to the point of deformity and, often, insanity. Obsessed with obtaining and devouring magic, they are a danger to both themselves and others and are usually too violent to surrender.[1] They are considered to be little more than lowly parasites to blood elven society and serve as a reminder of the dangers of allowing their magical addiction to control them.[2]
Background
World of Warcraft
Years after the Third War, the night elf Gershala Nightwhisper feared that the blood elves would one day experience a fate similar to that of the satyrs or naga if they continued to toil with demonic magic. He sent Alliance adventurers in Blackfathom Deeps to get corrupted brain stems from naga and satyrs, and with enough samples, he hoped to draw a correlation between the mutations and prevent the blood elves from delving deeper into deformity and evil.[3]
The Burning Crusade
By the time of the invasion of Outland, the Wretched were scattered throughout Eversong Woods and while they lacked any general leadership a few of them still managed to set up and organize raids against the kingdom of Quel'Thalas. In time, they infiltrated the Ruins of Silvermoon, Sunsail Anchorage,[4] and even Falthrien Academy on Sunstrider Isle.[5] Though considered more of a pest than a true threat in blood elf society, the Wretched represented a failure to reach the equilibrium between deficiency and overindulgence that all blood elves strived to maintain, and served as an important reminder of the dangers that overindulging in magic can present.[2]
At some point, Magistrix Elosai was exiled into the Thousand Needles because she had been researching for a cure to the blood elves' magic addiction. In the end though, instead of curing her addiction, the tonic accelerated it, which caused her to become a Wretched. She despaired that her years of research had been for nothing, and miserably wondered whether the other blood elves were right and that their magic addiction was something they must live with- that it cannot be overcome.[6][7]
A bounty on the head of Thaelis the Hungerer for repeated crimes against the general populace of Silvermoon City, including the murder of two city guards.[8]
The Felblood Initiates at the Throne of Kil'jaeden became Wretched after they had their fel energy drained from them.[9]
Fury of the Sunwell

During the Battle for Quel'Danas, a new type of Wretched was created with fel magic. The basic symptoms included bulging green eyes, black rot-like mouths with what looked like black drool coming from them, less hair, green growths, feet, and hands that were more claw-like with an almost demon-like brown color, and small holes where growths should be from their Wretched transformation. The ones with the most dramatic changes had deep sucked-in chests, more holes that looked like they appeared from popped growths, markings near their eyes, and more of a monster-like appearance, barely resembling their former selves.
Magic-addicted elves too small and frail to serve in Kil'jaeden's army were relegated to servant roles for the higher-class demons.[10]
Cataclysm
By the time of the Cataclysm, all the high elves at Quel'Lithien Lodge in the Western Plaguelands became wretched after Ranger Lord Hawkspear found an item of seductive energy.[11]
Notable
- Main article: Wretched NPCs
Aldaron the Reckless
Ellaria
Felendren the Banished
Magistrix Elosai
Thaelis the Hungerer
Vor'na the Wretched
As a companion pet
[Servant's Bell] drops from the Eredar Twins in Sunwell Plateau.
In the RPG
Blood elves are evolving from their high elven cousins due to the use of fel magic (the first sign of evolutionary change are "glowing green eyes"). It is said in time they may become as distant to high elves as satyrs are to night elves.[12] The Wretched may be examples of further evolution, though it is somewhat of a devolution.
Trivia
- When Magistrix Elosai temporarily turns into a Wretched, she takes the form of a male one, as female models for Wretched don't exist. This also applies to the female Felblood Initiates.
- The Wretched are the only elf species in World of Warcraft not to feature a female model, and the only time one has been depicted was in the non-canon Trading Card game (see gallery). Its resemblance to its male counterpart is minimal, as the expression and skeletal figure remain the same; save her feminine features.
- Wretched use the undead/Forsaken skeleton for animations.
- All of the Wretched NPCs in the game have a mana bar, as fitting to their characteristics.
- Wretched were called "the winnowed" in early World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade expansion development.[13]
- The data file for Wretched blood elves is humorously called "crackelf".
- The Wretched share some similarities to the Lost Ones. Both were changed by magic and ended up shunned by their original species.
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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While the Sunwell has been restored, providing a constant supply of magical energy to both blood elves and high elves, it is unknown if the Wretched have access to the energies of the restored Sunwell, or if their transformation has turned them into a new species cut off from this supply. It is also not clear if the transformation into Wretched is reversible.
Gallery
Wretched model prior to patch 2.3.0.
Felendren the Banished in the TCG.
References
- ^ Blood of the Highborne
- ^ a b
[1-10] Thirst Unending
- ^
[24D] Researching the Corruption
- ^
[1-30] Situation at Sunsail Anchorage
- ^
[1-10] Felendren the Banished
- ^
[28] A Different Approach
- ^
[28] Testing the Tonic
- ^
[1-30] WANTED: Thaelis the Hungerer
- ^
[25-30 Daily] Blood for Blood
- ^
[Servant's Bell]
- ^
[15-30] Wretched Hive of Scum and Villainy
- ^ Monster Guide, pg. 54
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Blood Elves on GameSpy
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