Quick Overview
Quel'Thalas had endured centuries of conflict with the forest trolls, but the Scourge brought a devastation unlike those older wars. The high elves had built their homeland around arcane traditions preserved since Dath'Remar's exile from Kalimdor. Sylvanas's fate later became vital to the founding of the Forsaken, while Kael'thas sought a new identity for the surviving elves.
Full History
Quel'Thalas had endured centuries of conflict with the forest trolls, but the Scourge brought a devastation unlike those older wars. Arthas marched north to reach the Sunwell, and Sylvanas Windrunner's defense could not halt his invasion. Silvermoon suffered ruin, and the fallen ranger-general was forced into undead service. The power sustaining the high elves became the means of raising Kel'Thuzad.
The high elves had built their homeland around arcane traditions preserved since Dath'Remar's exile from Kalimdor. That inheritance made the Sunwell valuable to the Lich King's plans. The undead army pressed through elven territory despite determined resistance, destroyed much of the kingdom, and corrupted its magical center for the ritual that restored the lich. Arthas then moved against Dalaran, where the Book of Medivh enabled the summoning of Archimonde.
The fall of the elven kingdom and the destruction of Dalaran showed the Legion's strategy spreading far beyond Lordaeron. Sylvanas's fate later became vital to the founding of the Forsaken, while Kael'thas sought a new identity for the surviving elves. The campaign left several peoples facing displacement, divided loyalties, and the loss of institutions that had seemed secure for ages.
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