The Nightborne from World of Warcraft join the Horde. But how does this happen? We explain the background.
On the PTR of Patch 7.3.5 of World of Warcraft, many game files indicate content for the new expansion Battle for Azeroth. One of the core features is the six new allied races that will later be available as playable characters.
While the Nightborne, Highmountain Tauren, and Zandalari Trolls join the Horde, Void Elves, Dark Iron Dwarves, and Lightforged Draenei go to the Alliance.
But how exactly do these races join the factions? This is explained in detail in an interesting questline. In the case of the Nightborne, this questline has already been largely read from the game data.
Spoiler Alert: The text logically contains spoilers for Battle for Azeroth.
Until the release, much can still change, but so far, it seems the inclusion of the Nightborne into the Horde happens as follows:
The Invitation to Silvermoon
The Nightborne under First Arcanist Thalyssra are fundamentally neutral, after all, they fought in the war against the Legion on the side of the mortal races.
After the war, Thalyssra tries to negotiate with both sides – however, her request is quickly rejected by Tyrande and thus the Night Elves.
Lor’themar Theron, the leader of the Blood Elves, does not reject Thalyssra’s request. He invites the leader of the Nightborne, along with Silgryn and Valtrois, to Silvermoon.
As fate would have it, Alleria Windrunner is also visiting the Blood Elf capital at the same time. The High Elf wanted to revisit her homeland and at the same time bring the words of High King Anduin Wrynn to Lor’themar as a diplomat.
However, Lor’themar does not want to hear anything about Anduin and is disappointed that Alleria did not return “out of love for Silvermoon” but only to spread the “words of the child king.”
The Void in the Sunwell
When Alleria realizes that her words will not reach Lor’themar, she decides to leave the city but asks to see the Sunwell one last time.
Lor’themar grants her this request, as he still views Alleria as “the child of Quel’thalas” and will not deny an elf this journey. However, he insists that Thalyssra comes along to experience the splendor of the Sunwell.
Thus, the Sunwell is a clear lure, as the Nightborne have just lost their Nightwell.
However, an incident occurs at the Sunwell. The Void from Alleria’s body breaks forth and threatens to corrupt the Sunwell once again.
To prevent the catastrophe, Lor’themar, Grand Magister Rommath, the three Nightborne, and Alleria try to reverse the event, which they only manage with great effort.
Alleria is then permanently banished from Quel’thalas. In addition, the Blood Elves prohibit the use of Void magic, as every Void Mage poses a threat to the Sunwell and thus all of Quel’thalas.
Thanks to this unfortunate incident, the Blood Elves are very grateful for the help of the Nightborne and willingly offer them to join the Horde (which Sylvanas had already intended).
The banishment of the Void Mages from Silvermoon also sets the stage for the story of the Void Elves, which we will explore in more detail in the coming days.
