Loremonger: Teldrassil

Lore, Roleplaying

The island of Teldrassil is located in the Veil Sea northwest of the main continent of Kalimdor  and takes its name from the World Tree found there.  In Darnassian the word means “Crown of the Earth,” and it is here that the kal’dorei have made their new capital of Darnassus.  The island was originally known as Kalidar before the new World Tree was forced into being.

During the second invasion of the Burning Legion into the world of Azeroth, Archimonde and his army of demons returned to Kalimdor to continue the fight with the kal’dorei, who had banished them from this world in a defeat over ten thousand years prior.  Their goal was the old World Tree Nordrassil, located on Mount Hyjal.  By acquiring the power of the World Tree — which also granted immortality to the kal’dorei — the Burning Legion hoped to finally accomplish their goal of world domination.

While the Second Invasion was prevented by the combined forces of the orcs, humans, and kal’dorei, the spell cast by druid Malfurion Stormrage to defeat Archimonde subsequently destroyed Nordrassil and most of the surrounding Hyjal Summit.  Though the legion had been defeated, it had been at a very high cost: immortality.  The kal’dorei faced prospects of being mortal again.

Shortly after Malfurion returned to his slumber, the Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm — who had seized control of the kal’dorei druids in Malfurion’s absence — decided that it was time to create a new World Tree, thereby hopefully returning to his people their immortality.  He turned to the Circle of the Ancients in Darkshore, a group of powerful tree-like elementals who had often served as protectors of the land in the past.  Staghelm convinced the Circle to use their powers to grow a new World Tree on the island of Kalidar and with their efforts Teldrassil was created.  Unfortunately, unlike the previous incarnation of the World Tree, Teldrassil was not blessed by the heads of the three dragonflights, most importantly Nozdormu of the Bronze Dragonflight who had originally placed the blessing on Nordrassil that granted the kal’dorei their immortality.

Despite this setback, the kal’dorei have made the giant tree of Teldrassil their home.  The heads of the government reside here, including the Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm of the Cenarion Circle and High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind of the Sisters of Elune.  The island is protected by members of the elite fighting guard known as the Sentinels, who follow the orders of Tyrande and her lieutenant, Shandris Feathermoon.

Teldrassil in Roleplaying

Teldrassil is a very common place of origin for may roleplayers who have kal’dorei characters.  This makes sense since it is the first area to which they are introduced when playing this race.  However, the events that prompted the creation of the new World Tree occurred less than a decade prior to the current events in World of Warcraft.  For a race that supposedly doesn’t reach maturity until after their first century at the very least¹, it would be impossible to claim that a kal’dorei grew up on Teldrassil.

However, Teldrassil was grown on top of an island originally known as Kalidar.  It is feasible to believe that some people may have lived on that island prior to the new World Tree’s creation, especially given the fact that it did possess its own unique name.  Therefore, a kal’dorei could claim that he grew up on the island currently known of Teldrassil, but at a time before the World Tree existed.  The difference may seem rather minute, but it does express an understanding of lore that would benefit most roleplayers.

Roleplayers may choose to approach the topic of Teldrassil in a number of different ways.  Some indviduals may be amazed by the beauty of the island and World Tree, especially given how its creation — and the subsequent creation of the capital city of Darnassus — occurred over such a short period of time.  This may be an enviable feat in the eyes of a human, who may very well have watched the destruction of the city of Stormwind during the events of the First War; it took years for the city to be restored to its former grandeur, but its rebuilding is founded in civil unrest and discontent.

Kal’dorei in particular may be moved by the existence of the Teldrassil.  For some, it is a sign of the race’s tenacity.  Despite having lost their immortality, the kal’dorei managed to recreate in part the old World Tree and its size is larger and more majestic than Nordrassil.  Some may be hoping that the Teldrassil may somehow one day return immortality to the kal’dorei.  While this is dependent on a source of power equal to the blessing originally bestowed upon the old World Tree by Nozdormu, the creation of a new World Tree is a very significant first step.  These individuals may be faced with their own mortality and may be desperate to reclaim their immortality.

Others, most likely those with close ties to nature or who possess very concrete beliefs regarding its manipulation, may be revolted by Staghelm’s decision and subsequent actions.²  It is feasible to believe that many people objected to Staghelm’s conduct, though he currently doesn’t seem like the sort of individual to rely on the advise of others.  In particular, those who support Tyrande or Malfurion — both individuals who have butted heads with Staghelm in the past — may be strongly opposed to any action or decision made by the current Arch Druid.

Loremonger explores various topics in World of Warcraft lore, explaining their significance and how they tie into the current existing universe. It then goes further to explain how this information can be used by roleplayers in fleshing out their characters. Articles in this series may be found in the Lore category.

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