Proverb is a twice-weekly column discussing the lore of Warcraft. It is spoiler heavy for all Warcraft games, novels, and other media. Comment on this post or send a tweet to @Heartbourne and let us know what you would like to see in future columns!
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| Sylvanas Windrunner, Dark Ranger |
The
Windrunner sisters are the three most prominent members of the
high elf Windrunner family. The eldest sister,
Alleria, has been missing since she ventured into Draenor (now known as
Outland) during the Second War. The youngest sister,
Vereesa, is currently the leader of the
Silver Covenant and wife to
Rhonin (leader of the
Kirin Tor), and the middle sister,
Sylvanas, was raised as a banshee by
Arthas and currently leads the
Forsaken (the undead faction allied with the Horde). The sisters were very close and have a tragic history.
The Windrunner family resided in
Windrunner Spire in
Eversong Forest, currently known as the
Ghostlands. During the
Second War, King
Anasterian Sunstrider sent Alleria Windrunner and a small group of high elven rangers to aid the Alliance. Alleria was one of the greatest
elven rangers and her skills were invaluable to the Alliance. Alleria had quickly gained a strong distaste for the orcs and was one of the few high elves who believed that they would be a threat to the high elves and not just the humans. She devoted her rangers to the Alliance during her excursion to join the Alliance at
Southshore.
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| Vereesa Windrunner |
Meanwhile, Vereesa Windrunner was tasked with escorting the human mage
Rhonin to the port of
Hasic. They had some strange encounters along the way that led them to the
Battle of Grim Batol. The details of their journey can be read in the novel
Day of the Dragon.
The Second War was brutal. The Horde managed to push as far north as the borders of
Quel'thalas. Sylvanas discovered
jungle trolls burning the forests and attacking her rangers, which she quickly terminated. Sylvanas got word from Alleria that there was a massive army of orcs headed their way, and this was quickly relayed to Anasterian. It was at this point that Anasterian admitted that the trolls were involved with the orcs and he fully dedicated the high elves to the cause of the Alliance and defeat of the Horde. Alleria and the Alliance quickly returned to defend
Silvermoon. Alleria fought along sight her sister Sylvanas and their good friend
Lor'themar Theron. Sylvanas was perhaps the most skilled ranger of the high elves, hence her position of Ranger-General of Quel'thalas. The high elves repelled the invasion of the Horde, but it was at a great loss, especially to the Windrunners. Eighteen of their kind died, including
Lirath Windrunner, younger brother to the sisters. On that day, Alleria's hatred of the orcs intensified, and she would forever view them as savage beasts that must be exterminated at all costs. Her despair led her into the arms of the Paladin
Turalyon, with whom she likely had an affair.
Shortly after, the iconic battle of Grim Batol occured. Vereesa Windrunner was instrumental in freeing the dragon queen
Alexstrasza and draining of the power of the
Demon Soul, which was enchanted by the
Dragon Aspects so that it could never be used by dragonkind again. This was the turning point of the Second War, and the orcs began to be rounded up and placed into the internment camps.
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| Statue of Alleria Windrunner in Stormwind |
Following the Second War, Anasterian and the high elves would have little to do with the Alliance. Vereesa and Rhonin were tasked with touring the various nation of the Alliance and reminding the nations to stay together, as there would be threats besides the orcs in the future. The pair fell in love, and eventually had twins,
Galadin and
Giramar. Half elven child births often fail, as do twins, and as such their healthy arrival into the world was viewed as very fortunate.
The Alliance sent military forces through the
Dark Portal to
Draenor to retrieve the
Book of Medivh to seal the Dark Portal once and for all, as well as stop the orcs from opening portals into new worlds to continue their bloodthirsty campaign. Alleria and her rangers continued their own mission to exterminate the orcs.
It is unclear as to precisely when Alleria gave birth to her and Turalyon's son,
Arator. It seems to be retconned, and the current story is that Arator was already a child when the Alliance ventured through the Dark Portal. Before departing, Alleria split the necklace she inherited from her parents into three pieces, and sent a piece of it to each of her sisters. She kept the emerald for herself and sent the ruby to Vereesa, while she sent Sylvannas the sapphire.
Continue on to
part 2!
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