Dalaran

Full History

Dalaran grew from a profound change in human history. After humans learned the use of arcane magic in their struggle against the forest trolls, the practice spread beyond the first disciples taught by the high elves. Wizards gathered to study powers that could defend kingdoms and reshape the world. Over time, Dalaran became their city, governed by the Kirin Tor, whose work combined magical scholarship with responsibility for the dangers magic could invite.

Those responsibilities grew during the wars with the Horde. Dalaran's libraries and spellcasters supported the Alliance of Lordaeron. Its treasures attracted enemies as well: the death knights serving Ner'zhul sought the Eye of Dalaran while gathering magical artifacts for portals on Draenor. The city's learning gave it influence, but it also made its defenses and vaults coveted targets.

The Third War brought the catastrophe that ordinary siegecraft had not. As the Scourge advanced across Lordaeron, Prince Arthas returned not as its protector but as a death knight. His army attacked Dalaran, and the archmage Antonidas died opposing him. The lich Kel'Thuzad used the Book of Medivh to summon Archimonde into Azeroth. The demon's arrival made the city expendable to the invaders: Archimonde devastated Dalaran with overwhelming magic after the summoning was complete.

The ruins did not end Dalaran's significance. Illidan later attempted to use the Eye of Sargeras against the Frozen Throne, and Malfurion and Maiev interrupted that spell. Dalaran's history thus joined two kinds of danger: the power mortals studied to protect themselves and the forces determined to seize it for conquest.