Illidan’s Victory and Exile

Full History

The Burning Legion's assault on Ashenvale threatened the night elves with destruction and with a corruption that could outlast any battle. Tichondrius, one of the Legion's dreadlords, worked to spread demonic influence through the forest. Illidan Stormrage saw a chance to stop him, but the power he chose was not one the other defenders would willingly have used.

Illidan took possession of the Skull of Gul'dan, a relic saturated with the warlock's terrible magic. By drawing its power into himself, he gained the strength to confront Tichondrius. The dreadlord fell, and the Legion lost a powerful servant. In that moment Illidan had served the defense of Kalimdor, but the means of victory transformed him into a demonic being.

Malfurion Stormrage did not see the defeat of Tichondrius as a justification for embracing that power. The brothers had already been divided by Illidan's pursuit of magic and by the events surrounding the Well of Eternity. Malfurion confronted him and banished him from the lands he had helped defend.

Illidan departed having won a battle but lost the possibility of reconciliation. His exile showed that the night elves' struggle against the Legion was also a struggle over what forms of power could be accepted, even when those powers seemed to offer victory.