Chapter 11: Chapter 11: History of high elves
No one could fathom the protruding feeling from knowing the upcoming dangers, nor could they calmly accept their own demise. Anyone could relieve their worries and anxiousness when the situation fell upon non-related people. But as soon as it struck themselves, the only simple singular detail one required themselves to pay attention to, which was to calmly acknowledge the current circumstances and produced several solutions, became the hardest thing for a decision maker.
Likewise, Lireesa suffered the same immense pressure and her whole mind was burdened by this heavy weight. What she could optimally do was to share with her closest relatives and reached out for their support. Lireesa must deliver the intended messages in a way, others could interpret and were more willing to believe in.
Ella was the first to express her incredulity, because she knew how strong the Windrunner family was. Even if the trolls waged an all-out war and Windrunner family suffered severe catastrophic defeat, there wasn't a slight possibility of Windrunners being wiped out. Ella thought Lireesa was delusional.
Alleria took the news the calmest despite in utter confusion. She knew her mother would never joke about things related to her family. There must be something more her mother would elaborate on to garner more understanding.
Sena opened her mouth wide immediately. Similar to Ella's reaction, she wasn't convinced. But thinking of Lireesa's urgent plans and her motives, reasons for everything she wanted to realized must have suited for the following futures. She didn't say a word.
Although everyone wasn't convinced of Lireesa's statement, they waited for her continuation. They noticed Lireesa's tone when she'd mentioned in front of them had already lost her usual composure. It included a sense of dread and complexity. Although Lireesa didn't dive too much into the future dangers right now, a sense of urgency would always be there, regardless. It's as if you know there would be an exam which you were not very knowledgeable about, even if the test date was far away, you were also stressed. Right now, Lireesa was deep in thoughts with regards on how she was going to convey in an explainable way.
Silence prevailed for a few minutes, and Lireesa rubbed her temples slowly collecting several methods and decided to start by revealing secrets and histories of High elves hidden by their agenda. Since she had determined, she took a deep long breath and exhaled out loud, preparing her speech. Both hands clasped interlocking her fingers, she spoke in a deep voice, "Let's start with something else, so that what I will say will be more convincing to you."
Looking at both sides who surrounded her, Lireesa asked slowly, "Can anyone briefly describe our high-elves history and some legends on how Quel'Thalas was found?" Her three audiences looked puzzled, but Alleria first answered, describing how their ancestors were forced to leave from Kalimdor in the west by elves who weren't fond of arcane magic and were jealous of their possible threat, so they moved out and traveled across the vast sea overcoming several dangers until they arrived at Quel'Thalas; they summoned the Sunwell, making Quel'Thalas powerful and thriving till this day.
"Actually, in Kalimdor, our ancestors were part of Night elf race." Ella added, recalling from what she had heard from tales and read from travelers' diaries. "Only due to some side-effect of Sunwell, did we become different from Kalimdor elves. Our skin changed from purple-bluish color to this creamy skin mixed with white, yellow and brown, which is very beautiful in my opinion. And we called ourselves high elves because we thought using arcane magic was a gift from Azeroth and prided ourselves to be superior to other races."
"I don't have anything to add," Sena besides said annoyed she didn't really study even if there were sources available in Windrunner family and told herself to read more to get more attention from Lireesa, who, if she knew her thoughts, would definitely want to beat the shit out of her head to explore what Sena's brain was made of. Everyone was focused on the threats, and you still wished for my time. Fortunately, Lireesa couldn't read mind; otherwise, she was sure to vomit her blood.
Alleria was impatient why now they were discussing history; so, she put in her thoughts, "But mother, how does our history relate to what we will be talking next?"
Lireesa wasn't annoyed by her interruption but calmly stated, "Be patient everyone. We'll get to that point later. Our history wasn't as great as we were told. Firstly, we were not the noble race nor superior to others. Our ancestors were guilty of immeasurable crime and exiled to this eastern continent, the current land where our Quel'Thalas stands."
"Your history sounds correct, but it is obvious to neglect on purpose some of the important details how our ancestor struggled through." Lireesa said in a narrative tone. "To begin with, we had to understand our real and true ancestors. I know it might even make you suspicious of life but you gotta first promise me not to interrupt." She stared at the three of them who became more serious and sit upright and continued to express her thoughts.
"20,000 years ago, in Azeroth, where there existed only one big single continent unlike today's different land regions separated by oceans, which was connected together at that time. The continent was dominated by troll race where different variations lived, with their own attributes and divergent appearances. One tribe known as the dark trolls, were the most seclusive, subsiding underground and went out only during the darkest of the night. Their behavior led to the evolution of nocturnal tendencies—skin becoming blue-hued and grayish. Their isolation from the rest of trolls' tribe caused them to settle at the very center of the continent and discovered a captivating power originating from a huge well-known as Well of Eternity.
Constant proximity to the well resulted in a dramatic change of these particular trolls such as heightened intelligence and high appearance in a new beautiful sleek form. Similarly, cultural and spiritual revolution took place, causing them to abandon their barbaric and old customs including their own language after developing a new refine one influenced by the relics and artifacts left by Titans, I don't know which. Don't look at me like that. Pay attention, here comes shocking part, just don't be too flabbergasted." Noticing the impatient behaviors by the three who didn't want to study or know trolls' history until the titans' part came their eyes full of curiosity, Lireesa was annoyed but helpless, remembering her times in high schools where teachers always had to announce loudly just for the attention. She now felt the exact feeling and sympathize her old teachers. Lireesa increased her tone to show serious part was coming next.
"Inspired and influenced, they discovered the oracles of a certain deity called Elune and then knew the name of the continent they lived—Kalimdor, or 'Land of Eternal Starlight'. This tremendous change affirmed their decision to give themselves a new name, no longer troll, called kaldorei, or night elves, which meant 'Children of the Stars'. These kaldorei.."
"Hang on! What in the Sunwell did you just said," Ella exclaimed in utter disbelief. "How's this even possible that our true old ancestor was the trolls we abhor for many generations." Alleria and Sena didn't realize what Lireesa was telling until Ella's shout reminded the unbelievable facts. They were stunned for a second and they also exploded likewise. Lireesa was helpless. She knew this possibility long time ago. Not to mention them, she herself, who'd played the franchise from the start was also uncomfortable after reading the lore. The beautiful elven civilizations which could be compared to the golden age of the earth, originated from those savaged troll tribes. This was a complete blasphemy.
Lireesa could only raise her hand and voice to soothe their emotions. She could only divert a topic, "You might not believe it. But that's a fact. Ancestry is not that important. After so many years, separated by times and cultures, there is no relationship with trolls any longer. So, we could say we aren't part of trolls now. You don't need to care about these. Let me continue."
After she cleared her throats, she continued her story: "Where was I? Yep, kaldorei. Kaldorei explored the well and subsequently led to the development of arcane magic and sorcery. Their civilization rose due to the well and was able to subjugate the surrounding areas, establishing themselves in a prosperous time known as Kaldorei Empire. The peak of those times was due to a leader, a queen called Queen Azshara, which we, some of us high elves are also awared of. She walked her civilization to the path of greatness, as well as toward complete destruction. Similar to as our historical records dictated, she introduced the demons into Azeroth and war occurred, but there is a difference from what I'm saying next.
It was not a sudden occurrence but was a systematic abuse of arcane magic which led to demons discovering our Azeroth. The reason why Azshara allowed this act was she herself was enthralled by the potential of the Well of Eternity, believing if they unlock the full power, Kaldorei empire could ascend toward unprecedented heights. Unbeknownst to the rest of Kaldorei, demons had communications with the high-borne and I don't know how everyone was very convinced to allow the mysterious entity to enter our world. That was the part I couldn't explain. Nobody knew why the wise Azshara decided to allow the demon to enter our world, but what we knew was that there existed some kind of protections left behind by ancient beings. Hence, no demons could go in without the indigenous permission. You can understand it that way.
So, now that demons entered Azeroth, they initially pretend to be civilized and willing to exchange knowledge. But gradually, once they had enough strength, they immediately showed their fangs. So, the apocalypse of Kaldorei empire was under countdown. This was the war, which we had recorded, known as War of the Ancients. Finally, piled with numerous sacrifices, War of the Ancients ended with Night elves' victory. There was the greatest cost, which was the sundering of the Well of Eternity. It exploded and the continent became divided into what we knew today—Kalimdor in the west, Eastern continent, Pandaria somewhere in the south unknown, and the Northrend in the north. After realizing the true cause of this war, many night elves who already had grudges with high-borne decided to ban the use and research of arcane magic. For the high-borne, most were the practitioner of arcane sorceries, the move meant nearly to kill them. So, they rebelled as even if they didn't use arcane, they were not treated well as many blamed the high-borne for the near-destruction of the world."
"Wait, Lireesa," Ella cut in. "Who are the high-borne, you didn't elucidate about them in your stories." Lireesa was stunned and scratched her head. She asked back, "I didn't talk about them?"
All of her listeners shook their head. Alleria replied, "We knew they were night elves, but we aren't sure what's the difference mother."
Lireesa thought for a moment and answered for clarification: "High-borne or quel'dorei were generations of night elves, who were talented to practice arcane sorcery. They believe they were superior than others and most of them were confidants of Azshara. It's similar to what we knew in the human kingdom—nobles and civilians, which was the class difference. We'll get to that later on. Now you know who they were right."
Alleria, Sena and Ella were mesmerized by the stories, and their eyes showed understanding. They nodded and their faces expressed longing for more.
Lireesa continued what she had left off, "Consequently, refusing to accept this law forbidding arcane, high-borne were exiled and ventured toward the east where they founded a new kingdom known as kingdom of Quel'Thalas, calling themselves as high elves. Disconnection from the Well of Eternity caused dramatic mutations in appearance in addition to the new smaller Well of Eternity known as the Sunwell."
Alleria alongside with Sena and Ella signed, feeling the glory and guilt of the high-borne, who could be regarded at their ancestors. Now knowing the histories, of which although it couldn't be fully relied on because it was from Lireesa, the remaining gaps, which had confused many generations, had been filled. They could declare proudly to other high elves and patted their chest, showing off their histories. Currently, they knew the history, but they were confused how it was related to the future crisis and were deep in thoughts. Their eyes lit up and thought, could it be, she really foresees it? She saw all the events through her eyes. But how did it happen?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
PraiseElune
PraiseElune I don't know about others, but to me, Queen Azshara was the generation of heroes. She was wise and powerful. Not to mention, her arcane sorcery was at the level of demi-god.
Perhaps arrogance and pride had destroyed her like what Blizzard told us. But I believe more on her intrigue toward the Well of Eternity, convinced she could use these power to lead her race to a more prosperous one. She, though, was similar to many nobles who looked down on civilians, wanted to discover full potentials of well of eternity.
The demons made full use of her desires and promises, which were my guesses, to teach how to use the well of eternity.
As someone in a higher position, it was rare for a person to be stupid enough to allow unknown into their own territories. Maybe she had other plans, but her plan didn't consider the attitude of the rest of her people. And she became the villain. The difference between genius and lunatic is only so litte.
Suffering from writer's block. Cheer me up by commenting too! XD
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone