What Were Blood Elves Called Before? A Deep Dive into Elven History
Before embracing the name “blood elves,” these enigmatic beings were known as the “high elves,” or Quel’dorei in their native tongue. This name, meaning “children of noble birth,” reflected their proud heritage and long-standing connection to the ancient city of Quel’Thalas. Their history, however, is far more complex and stretches back to a time before even that moniker existed. To truly understand the significance of the name change and the journey the blood elves have undertaken, we must explore the depths of their past.
The Ancient Ancestry: Kaldorei Exiles
The story of the blood elves doesn’t begin with the high elves, but rather with their ancestral roots as night elves, or Kaldorei. Millennia ago, a group of night elves, known as the Highborne, became enamored with the power of the Arcane. This interest was met with opposition from the druid-centric society of their time. Driven by a thirst for arcane magic, this Highborne faction eventually brought forth the destruction that came with the Great Sundering. They were exiled from Kalimdor. This separation marks the beginning of a distinct elven lineage, setting the stage for the eventual emergence of the high elves.
A Long Journey: From Kalimdor to Quel’Thalas
Following their banishment from the ancient night elf society, the Highborne began their long journey. They eventually settled in the eastern kingdoms and established a civilization dedicated to the study and practice of arcane magic. During this period they become known as the Quel’dorei. They built their grand city of Silvermoon within the forests of Quel’Thalas. The term “high elf” or Quel’dorei became synonymous with this new culture, reflecting their refined nature, magical prowess, and the high standards they held.
The Fall and Rebirth: From High Elves to Blood Elves
The idyllic life of the high elves in Quel’Thalas was brutally disrupted by the events of Warcraft III. The undead Scourge, led by Prince Arthas, invaded and ravaged the kingdom. This devastating event saw much of their nation destroyed and the Sunwell, their source of arcane magic, polluted. This catastrophe forever changed the high elves.
The Shift in Identity: A Need for Survival
Many high elves were left with a debilitating magic addiction after the Sunwell was destroyed. Desperate to survive, these survivors turned to morally questionable methods to feed their magical dependency. Some even began draining magic from living creatures and demons and, through these dark practices, they began to lose any connection to the name “high elf.” In an act of defiance and sorrow, they renamed themselves the “sin’dorei,” or “blood elves” in honor of their fallen people and to signify their blood-soaked path of survival. This name change was not merely a superficial act but a profound declaration of their changed circumstances and a vow to reclaim their power and pride.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Blood Elves
1. Are Blood Elves Just High Elves by a Different Name?
Yes, fundamentally, blood elves and high elves are the same race. The difference lies in their political and cultural affiliations and how they choose to source their magic. High elves are the group who remain aligned with the Alliance, while Blood elves are the remnants that now reside within the Horde.
2. What Caused the Change in Eye Color for Blood Elves?
Initially, High Elves had blue or grey eyes. Blood Elves developed green eyes from their proximity to, and use of, fel magic in the aftermath of the Scourge invasion. They absorbed the fel energies, causing their eyes to glow a characteristic green.
3. Why Do Some Blood Elves Have Yellow Eyes?
The yellow eyes seen in some blood elves signify their connection to the Light and its holy energies. This change is a result of the restored Sunwell being infused with the Light through the power of a naaru. This is further evidence that these elves are more than simply just a dark, fel-tainted race.
4. Who is the Leader of the Blood Elves?
The current leader of the blood elves is Lor’themar Theron, who holds the title of Regent Lord. He is responsible for guiding the blood elves in their current situation, leading their people through difficult and uncertain times.
5. Were Blood Elves Always Part of the Horde?
No, blood elves were not always aligned with the Horde. Initially, they were associated with the Alliance as high elves. However, after their struggle to survive, they ultimately found their place within the Horde, where they were welcomed as a powerful race and valuable ally.
6. Did All High Elves Become Blood Elves?
No, a faction of high elves, though small, remained loyal to the Alliance. These high elves did not partake in the fel magic practices and thus maintained their name. They still hold true to the name High Elves and often carry resentment toward the Blood Elves.
7. Is Sylvanas Windrunner a Blood Elf?
Sylvanas Windrunner, though a high elf by origin, is complicated. She received a Blood Elf model in Wrath of the Lich King, but was not a Blood Elf in life. After her death, Sylvanas was reanimated as a banshee.
8. What Kind of Magic Do Blood Elves Primarily Use?
While originally dependent on arcane magic, blood elves have adapted to use a range of magic types, including arcane, fel, and holy magic. Their connection to the restored Sunwell has allowed for greater access to the Light.
9. Are Blood Elves Evil?
While the blood elves initially used morally questionable methods in their quest to survive, they are not inherently evil. Their actions stemmed from desperation and a need to ensure the survival of their people. They are depicted as a more morally grey faction.
10. Do Blood Elves Live as Long as Other Elves?
Yes, blood elves are known for their long lifespans. They are stated to have something akin to “immortality” through the power of the Sunwell, extending their lives far beyond that of typical mortals.
11. What is the Sunwell?
The Sunwell was originally a powerful fount of arcane magic. After being destroyed, it was later restored with a combination of arcane and holy energies. This has played a major role in the change within the Blood Elves and their cultural practices.
12. What Do Blood Elves Eat?
While not deeply explored, blood elves are known to consume foods such as bloodberries and honey bread, possibly with a hint of their night elf ancestry. Their cuisine may have evolved since joining the Horde.
13. Do Blood Elves Have Any Ties to Night Elves?
Yes, all elves, blood and night alike, are descendants of the same Kaldorei ancestors. Blood elves are the direct descendents of the Highborne who left the Kaldorei, but all elves have similar historical and genetic markers.
14. Are There Any Blood Elf Vampires?
The San’layn are a subsect of blood elves who were raised in undeath by the Lich King. These undead blood elves are not quite traditional vampires, but rather are more akin to a blood-thirsty undead. One such member is Blood Queen Lana’thel.
15. Is “Blood of Elves” a Good Place to Start Reading Witcher Lore?
While not directly connected to the Warcraft universe, “Blood of Elves” is a novel in the Witcher series and is recommended for reading after some foundational knowledge of that franchise. It is not related to Warcraft blood elves.
By understanding the complex history and the cultural shifts of the blood elves, we can appreciate the journey they’ve undertaken from their ancient origins as night elves, to the proud Quel’dorei, to the modern sin’dorei. Their story is a testament to resilience, the impact of magic, and the ever-shifting tapestry of the world of Warcraft.