In World of Warcraft: Legion some characters appeared that not much is known about. We explain who Alleria and Turalyon actually are.
World of Warcraft is undoubtedly one of the largest game worlds that has ever existed. This refers not only to the sheer area of the game but also to the multitude of characters and their backstories. Those who were not fans since “Warcraft I” and consumed all the books and comics can only guess about some events in the game world.
For a long time, there has been the loading screen hint that no one has seen Turalyon and Alleria for years – until now. But who are the two? Why are they important? And where have these characters appeared before?
In this post, we summarize who Turalyon and Alleria actually are.
Alleria Windrunner – Part of a Family with a Great Name
Alleria Windrunner is a High Elf and the daughter of Lireesa Windrunner, who was a ranger general of Silvermoon for a long time. She is the sister of Sylvanas, Vereesa, and Lirath. Lirath died in an attack by the Orcs, after which Alleria swore to hunt down all Orcs for vengeance.
Alleria was actually supposed to be the next general of the rangers; however, she had no interest in traditions and instead joined the Wayfarers (a subgroup of the rangers) to fight for her people all over the world. When a large part of her family was killed in the attack by the Orcs, she sought comfort in the arms of her companion, the human Turalyon. From this union came the half-elf son Arator, whom paladins meet during their class hall quest line. He can also be found as an Alliance member in the shattered realm.
Turalyon – From Priest to Paladin to Legend
Turalyon was originally a priest chosen by Alonsus Faol to found the Knights of the Silver Hand. Among them were also other well-known paladins, like Uther or Tirion Fordring. During the Second War, he served under Lord Anduin Lothar and developed a strong friendship with Khadgar, the apprentice of Medivh.
After helping in the defense of the capital and later in Quel’Thalas, he rushed with Anduin Lothar to defend Ironforge and later stormed Blackrock Mountain.
There, Turalyon saw Anduin fall in the fight against Orgrim Doomhammer, but took up his sword and led the Alliance to victory, forcing the Orcs to retreat.
Warcraft II – Beyond the Dark Portal
In the expansion of Warcraft II Beyond the Dark Portal, Turalyon and Alleria are almost always together. They led an expedition through the Dark Portal to Draenor (together with heroes like Khadgar and Danath Trollbane), where they were to retrieve the Skull of Gul’dan to safely close the portal.
During the expedition, they found out that the Orc warlock Ner’zhul wanted to open more portals so that the Horde could plunder even more worlds. Although they were able to obtain the Skull of Gul’dan from Deathwing, they failed in their mission. Ner’zhul opened numerous portals, tearing apart all of Draenor, which has since been known as the ” shattered world”.
To prevent the spread of this destruction to Azeroth, they sealed the Dark Portal from the inside, trapping themselves in the shattered world.
When the portal was opened again in World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade, players encountered the last survivors of the expedition and some notable characters – such as Khadgar.
However, there was no trace of Turalyon and Alleria, as they disappeared without a trace just under 3 years after the closure of the Dark Portal.
In the entrance of Stormwind stands a statue of Alleria, meant to honor her heroic efforts and sacrifice in Draenor – the words of praise were even written by Sylvanas Windrunner when she was still among the living:
“Ranger Captain Alleria Windrunner”
“Famous troll hunter from Quel’Thalas. Chief scout and secret agent for the Alliance expedition that invaded Draenor, the homeland of the Orcs. Presumably fallen.”
“You flew like an arrow in the wind, sister. You were the best of our order. You were the dearest of our kin.”
– Sylvanas Windrunner –
Ranger General of Quel’Thalas”
The Return of Turalyon and Alleria in World of Warcraft: Legion
Only in World of Warcraft: Legion was it revealed what happened to the two. During the quest line about the Heart of Light, players find out that Turalyon is still alive and has joined the “Army of the Light.” This army has been fighting against the Burning Legion for “thousands of years” and is on the brink of despair. This is possible because time flows differently and chaotically in the Twisting Nether – so one day on Azeroth can correspond to several years in the Nether, but the opposite can also be the case.
How they found their way to the Army of the Light (and why Turalyon is thousands of years old as a human) will surely be explained in the upcoming patches.
If you are soon facing Alleria and Turalyon, then you at least know who you are up against: heroes of the Alliance who first appeared in a video game over 20 years ago and have since been nothing but legends.
The title image is by KORHIPER (deviantart).
How it could continue after Legion has been outlined here in a theory about the Black Army.
