Quel'Thalas (Kingdom)

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Quel'Thalas (Thalassian: "High Home") is a heavily forested region located to the north of the of the kingdom of Lordaeron. It was originally founded by the Highborne after their exile from Kalimdor, and has remained the homeland of the high elves since. It is also sometimes referred to as the Land of Eternal Spring. The land's capital is Silvermoon City.

History

Founding (Year -6,208)

After they were exiled from Kalimdor for refusing to give up arcane magic, those of the Highborne that survived challenged the storms of the Maelstrom behind their leader, Dath'Remar. They ultimately came to new shores across the sea - shores that would eventually belong to the kingdom of Lordaeron - and Dath'Remar (the first Sunstrider) sought out places that were host to powerful ley power in order to build a new home for his people.

The first settlement they founded in the Tirisfal Glades was theorized to have been placed upon a place of something incredibly evil as within a few years many of the Highborne began to go mad. Ultimately, they moved again and faced the perils of the land without the life-giving energies of the Well of Eternity. In the process, they lost many of the traits that would have identified them as Kaldorei and instead became the Quel'dorei of the modern day.

However, the greatest threat was the forest trolls of Zul'Aman. The Amani empire spread across the majority of the northern lands of Lordaeron, and the trolls fought to keep the unwanted strangers from their lands. Yet after many long years the Quel'dorei eventually found land that was reminiscent of the forests of Kalimdor. Deep within the northern woods of the continent, they founded the kingdom of Quel'Thalas. Unfortunately, it was soon realized that Quel'Thalas had been founded upon an ancient troll city that was held to be sacred, and the trolls continued to attack the settlements en masse.

The elves fought back with the magics they had gained from the Well of Eternity and managed to keep the trolls at bay. They defeated the warbands under the leadership of Dath'Remar, though out of fear of attracting the attention of the banished Burning Legion, a protective barrier was erected around their lands that would mask their magical enchantments. They created a series of runestones at various points around Quel'Thalas which marked the boundaries of the magic barrier.

Over time, Quel'Thalas grew to be a shining monument that was reminiscent of the ancient halls of Kalimdor interwoven with the natural topography of the land. The Convocation of Silvermoon was founded as the ruling power over the elven lands, though the Sunstrider Dynasty remained relevant in the political powers of the lands.

For nearly four thousand years the high elves lived peacefully within their kingdom, though the trolls continued to plot against the elves and grew their warbands along its borders. Eventually, a huge army charged from the forests and laid siege to Quel'Thalas.

The Troll Wars (Year -2,208)

They Amani besieged Quel'Thalas for many years and nearly drove the kingdom to its defeat. Ultimately, the high elves turned to the human empire of Arathor. While they too suffered from the trolls, it was not until ambassadors from Quel'Thalas arrived that their king, Thoradin, realized the desperation of the situation. Ultimately an agreement was reached where the elves would train some men in the arts of magic in exchange for military aid. Thoradin agreed despite his distrust of magic due to necessity. After the legions of Zul'Aman had broken, the elves pledged an oath of loyalty to Thoradin and his bloodline.

The Second Troll Wars (Year 612)

Coming soon.

The Opening of the Dark Portal (Year 632)

Quel'Thalas was thrown into a degree of chaos due to an increase in warlock activity centered around its capital of Silvermoon City, which had resulted in the supposed murder of Dar'khan Drathir, a magister and friend of Kael'thas. During the investigation that resulted, an attempt was made on Kael'thas's life, and Velameestra Windrunner was framed, forcing herself and her companions to flee the capital city while warlock strength continued to increase.

Through continued investigation, it was found that Dar'khan Drathir's death had ultimately been faked. He was, in actuality, one of the masterminds behind the warlock activity and was pushing the agenda of the Burning Legion. While an admirable effort was made by prince Uther, his mother, and their companions to halt the former magister's machinations, by using the trollish blood bone daggers he had gathered, Dar'khan was able to utilize a blood sacrifice in order to aid in ripping open a portal in the heart of the Sunwell.

The orcish Horde and Legion forces poured through the open portal, quickly overrunning Silvermoon and forcing the elves to flee their lands. Kael'thas, using the moonkeys that his allies had gathered, erected the Ban'dinoriel to trap most of the Horde in Silvermoon and Quel'danas and hopefully buy his people time until reinforcements could be gathered to combat the invaders.

Geography

Regions of Quel'Thalas
Eversong Forest • Isle of Quel'Danas
Categories: Azeroth | Eastern Kingdoms