#shal'dorei | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lemongrace · 4 months

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madame venimeux

#world of warcraft #my art #my oc #warcraft #artists on tumblr #oc #nightborne #shal'dorei #digital art #idyssa #oc art #imagine fumbling a bad gf like this

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miracide · 1 year

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vel in silvermoon

#art #miracide #veluin #world of warcraft #nightborne #shal'dorei

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elaez · 3 months

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NIGHTBORNE IVAN SKETCH

imma weirdo in choosing fandoms & crossovers

and ah yes... that mf tooth

#alien stage #alnst #alnst ivan #nightborne #world of warcraft #warcraft #warcraft art #warcraft elf #artists on tumblr #digital art #sketch #art #vivinos #shal'dorei

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ratellini · 5 months

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mamaama

#world of warcraft #wow #warcraft #shal'dorei #kaldorei #night elf #nightborne #rat art #procreate

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little-viking-draw · 7 months

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Okay keept myself from posting this long enough

Wanted to keep this secret until the guild found out ic these two have become s thing but eh

I am so proud of it and can't wait anymore xD

The nightborne demon hunter belonged to @/vrayth on Twitter ✨

#world of warcraft #wow #argent dawn #nightborne #night elf #Kaldorei #shal'dorei #demon hunter #dh #illidari #Artie #artiemisia

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ashtarels-archives · 6 months

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Traversing Tel'anor: Traditions of the Ancient Kaldorei

Tel'anor, perhaps translated to: Holy Earth from Darnassian.

A resting place of Kaldorei heroes who fell during the War of the Ancients, Tel'anor is now a memorial site overrun by spirits and harpies nestled in the mountains just beyond Suramar's borders. Although, some Shal'dorei still pay their respects to the sacrifices of their ancestors, as we see in [Thaedris Feathersong's] tragic story.

During my travels here, I noticed some interesting details that could have some significance in Kaldorei lore/roleplay.

Lunar Headstones:

The graves and ornate coffins may reinforce the idea that Kaldorei prefer to bury their dead, or at least used to in ancient times. During the quest [Tools of the Trade], we learn that the deceased were preserved through sacred oils, preserving incense, and burial shrouds. A recurring motif I see throughout the Tel'anor monuments are the headstones that bear lunar symbolism, no doubt the Elunarian faith being an influence at play here. What I find most intriguing about the stones in particular is that they are reminiscent of different moon phases: some appearing to be waxing, waning, or even the new/full moon.

I do wonder what their meanings could be: maybe this marks the moon phase they died upon, when they were interred, the moon phase of their birth, their favorite moon phase, simple imagery in homage to Elune, social status, or something else? What do you think?

Spirit Fonts:

Another interesting detail are the spirit fonts found in the area. These are usable objects that, when given an offering of Ancient Mana, buff the player character with 10% haste and movement speed (called Spiritual Infusion), and transform them into a spectral Nightborne model.

Lore-wise, perhaps these are used for spirit communion, or to aid in ancestral offerings in some way. In roleplay, I could see Kaldorei utilizing something similar to pay homage their ancestors; whether they receive a blessing like this in return or not would be up to interpretation though.

These fonts remind me of the basins in the stylizations of Haidene, the very first High Priestess of Elune, like the grand statue of her in the temple of Darnassus. Perhaps these are filled with blessed water, the liquid fire of Elune, or remnants of a moonwell to sustain a spirit's energy, or to thin the veil between mortal and spirit.

Headcanon time: but perhaps a ritual could be performed in which someone gives an offering and imbibes the liquid from a font like this, and is able to more easily commune with their ancestors/souls of the dead for a short period.

The Chimes of the Moon:

All throughout Tel'anor, chimes can be seen hanging in various locations, as well as playing through the audio of the game. Near the back portion lies a larger set of these celestial instruments, reading:

"The Sisters say that Elune sings a song, notes pure and beautiful. The Chime does not ring often, but when it does it is the same note as the one She is singing."

Singing seems to be a prominent aspect of Elune worship, perhaps in emulation of the Goddess. According to novel The Demon Soul, Elune has "the ability to calm races engaged in battle by singing a song of peace at night, until sunrise." During the Burning of Teldrassil, Priestess Astarii begins to sing to the refugees in the temple, and Elune answers in kind by granting them a peaceful slumber so they would not feel a painful death in the flames.

Purely headcanon, but I speculate that these chimes may have been crafted in such a way that Elune responds through them (or so the Kaldorei think). Considering chimes are typically used before or after a prayer in the real world, it seems possible that Elune may use these a conduit of acknowledgement in the physical plane on Azeroth. Perhaps from strong prayers, significant offerings, welcoming a new soul amongst the stars, some other spiritually powerful event, or even in warning, She harkens through the chimes.

Smaller, more personal chimes could be something Kaldorei carry with them, hang in their homes, or build in places of worship: the ones in Tel'anor could conversely be the last of their kind, their likenesses and ancient craftsmanship now unable to be reproduced.

Braziers of Silver Flame:

Countless braziers glowing with silver fire still burn to this very day in Tel'anor. Given that this place is overrun by all manner of aggressive beings, it would stand to reason that there are no groundskeepers tending to the flames here. The quest [The Liquid Fire of Elune] implies that a flame can be born of the energies from a moonwell, holy pools whose waters marry nature and moonlight together, and can cleanse scourge-blighted creatures. Unless a wayward devotee keeps these braziers lit, the fact that these fires are still active speaks to just how powerful the magic of Elune and the moonwells really are.

There are tales of old that say Elune once dwelled within the Well of Eternity, and that some moonwells still carry traces of this ancient lake. I'm unsure if the vestiges of the Well of Eternity keep these silver flames burning or they simply thrive off of Elune's energy. Do you believe something else keeps them kindled?

It is said in the Stormrage novel that, "magi and other spellcasters can refresh their mana in these pools — a gift from Elune to Azeroth's other defenders." I believe this is partially why the Withered are so drawn to this place, given that these braziers still hold some semblance of the moonwell's restorative cleansing properties, both on one's lifeforce, and on their mana. In Elegy, Astarii Starseeker purports that bathing in a moonwell "eases feelings of pain, weariness, and grief," an experience the mana-starved Withered likely long for. I would guess that they are also feeding upon the energy of offerings left to the deceased here, scrounging for any motes of magic that yet remain.

Ancestral Offerings:

A myriad of offerings litter the grounds of Tel'anor, such as water-basins, candles, vases/urns, flowers, and statues. Alongside the worship of Elune, revering one's ancestors seems to be an important part of Kaldorei culture - as we also see during the Lunar Festival event.

Thaedris Feathersong has us gather some scattered mementos in his stead during the quest [Fragments of Memory.] He tells us that "these relics are tokens and mementos of the former lives of those interred here. They like to be remembered and these offerings keep them in their eternal peace." This line was an especially heartwarming gesture to me, that the Kaldorei select items unique to their fallen to remain with them and serve as anchors of memories made in life. Some items the dead might keep could be: weapons, armor pieces, prized possessions, professional tools, or meaningful effects.

The flavor text of the mementos in specific say: "These urns contain offerings, tokens, and other objects for the deceased." Descendants of the fallen might also leave items that could be considered useful in the next life.

I also think it's sweet that there are seating areas with benches and fountains - clearly this was a place where people spent quality time in the resting place of their ancestors; perhaps yet another way the Kaldorei pay their respects.

On nearly every epithet in Tel’anor, the final words echo the same message:

"Anu dorah. We remember."