Earthen Ring

The Earthen Ring is a neutral faction of shaman dedicated to preserving the balance between the elements. Led by the Council of Elders, it includes shaman from both the Alliance and the Horde, who put aside old rivalries for the good of the world. During the Cataclysm, they healed the world and the elements wherever they could. They also fought the Burning Legion alongside the other class orders during the demons' third invasion.

Description
The Earthen Ring have forgotten more about old gods, ancient legends and lore than most scholars will ever know. This gathering of the most powerful shaman of Azeroth seeks to maintain the balance between the world's elemental forces, unlike its sinister adversary, the Twilight's Hammer cult.

Their main focus lately was to repair and stabilize the damage caused by Deathwing's return. As the Shattering ravaged the planet, the Ring traveled to places as distant as the waters of Vashj'ir and the domain of Deepholm in the hopes of healing the world and defending it from the Old Gods' followers. Those who assist the Earthen Ring find themselves rewarded with items that reflect the wisdom and primal power of the elements.

History
Contrary to what many have come to believe, the Earthen Ring was not established to counter the actions of the Twilight's Hammer; that particular conflict arose later. The group was originally founded by tauren some time before the year -230 to lead their people with wisdom and maintain the harmony between the elemental spirits. The spirits of the elements are by nature chaotic and prone to destructive outbursts, but equally are capable of forming symbiotic relationships with all other things. These intricate interrelationships constitute the very fabric of Azeroth and are what makes life on it possible. The shaman who founded the Earthen Ring acted on a growing premonition that they had to begin to directly prevent the elements from entering states of great imbalance, or all life would soon face a mortal threat. After several meetings and pacts, these elder shaman founded what is now known as the Earthen Ring. While members of the organization have never been overly visible in the past, the Shattering caused by the corrupted Dragon Aspect Deathwing severely weakened the barriers between the elemental planes, and destructive elemental activity is rapidly increasing across the face of Azeroth. Today, the Earthen Ring has never been more vital to the world's survival, and its necessity stands as a testament to the foresight of its founders. Shaman connected to the Earthen Ring work tirelessly to keep the elementals pacified, attempting to ensure their feuds cannot destabilize the world beyond a critical threshold.

The Farseer
Long ago, the first Farseer of the Earthen Ring was given a vision of the elements. In the vision, she foresaw the arrival of a new Farseer, one who would lead them through a time of terrible crisis and unite the elements. Nobundo believes that the adventurer is the Farseer of this prophecy, called to lead before they were ever born. Neptulon himself remembered the prophecy and, sensing the potential for great power within the Farseer, waited to see if it held true.

Shaman - past
When Sorcerer-thane Thaurissan released Ragnaros (during the War of the Three Hammers) and shattered the Redridge Mountains of the Eastern Kingdoms, the effects of the natural upheaval were felt as far as Kalimdor. Like the Eastern Kingdoms, Kalimdor was also suffering from natural disasters ranging from earthquakes to the land shattering apart. Oreg Earthfury was a member of the Earthen Ring who convened to discuss the effects of the natural upheaval and how to deal with the threat to their people. With the world being so chaotic, at times the elements had refused to answer the calls of the shaman, making the shamans’ role in defending their people from the natural disasters difficult. While Shotoa advocated that they take a more commanding role with the elements and force the elements to do as they demand, Oreg advocated for the Earthen Ring to follow their traditions of old and continue bargaining for and borrowing the powers of the elements. When the earthquakes hit a tauren camp, Oreg and other shamans rescued some of the tauren. However, several such as Shotoa and his apprentice Kiche, were presumed dead when they fell into fissures.

Forsaken and the Horde
Sometime after the tauren's induction into the Horde, the Earthen Ring began inducting Horde shaman into their order. Due to the shared cultural reverance for the wisdom of shamanism between the orcs, Darkspear Trolls, and tauren; the Earthen Ring became a highly regarded advisor in Horde politics.

To convince the Horde to accept the Forsaken into its alliance, the undead ambassadors claimed that they merely sought a cure for their degenerative condition, which they said only the powers of shamanism and the life-giving energies of the earth could provide. In exchange for this healing aid, the Forsaken vowed to support the Horde in all of its ventures throughout Lordaeron and Azeroth.

Having done battle with the undead on many occasions, orc Warchief Thrall and tauren chieftain Cairne Bloodhoof of the Horde were immediately suspicious of the Forsaken's motives. However, due to growing political tensions, the warriors acquiesced to a council of sages known as The Earthen Ring. The council argued that it was the Horde's duty to aid the Forsaken, who wrestled with inner demons just as the Orcs had for generations.

World of Warcraft
At some point, the Earthen Ring awarded Krog with armor crafted by Mosarn. What for, is unknown.

The Burning Crusade
As the Horde reached Outland, they were able to bolster their ranks within the Earthen Ring in Nagrand in the shadow of Oshu'gun, the Spirit Mountain where orcs traveled for generations in search of shamanistic wisdom in connection with their ancestors and the Elements. As draenei are also now embracing shamanism, there are even broken and Draenei shamans within the Earthen Ring. They originally started out as a group of Horde sages, but when some of them moved to Outland they incorporated broken into their ranks. Their main goal is to heal Outland.

In the Throne of the Elements, the members of the Earthen Ring collaborate with the Furies of Outland to bring peace to the restless elemental spirits of Nagrand. Elementalist Lo'ap, under the guidance of Watoosun of the Water, instructs adventurers to kill the destructive Lake Spirits nearby and aids them with securing Incineratus' blessing. With the fiery essence of Incineratus himself granted to the adventurers, Lo'ap tasked his agents to set fire to Windyreed Village, whose inhabitants had agitated the water spirits in their efforts to create a marshland in Nagrand. Meanwhile, Watoosun cleansed the water spirits of their corruption; but in doing so, created a twisted spirit essence. Lo'ap sent adventurers to purge Watoosun's Polluted Essence and its offspring, the Lake Surgers.

Gordawg also directs adventurers to kill tainted earth elementals and destroying the one responsible for their corruption: Gurok the Usurper. Elementalist Morgh also sent adventurers to slay Murkblood Putrifiers, who have been using dark shamanism to control air spirits.

Shaman - present
Before the Cataclysm, the Earthen Ring faced problems between their leadership.

Cataclysm
The Earthen Ring journeyed to the place where Deathwing had burst into Azeroth from Deepholm, the Maelstrom. His breakout had left a scar between the surface of Azeroth and the Elemental Plane. This instability cascaded over the world, stirring the elemental spirits into an even greater frenzy. Healing the rift that Deathwing made would prevent the destruction from unfolding across Azeroth. Deathwing's violent exit from Deepholm had also shattered the World Pillar, which bore the weight of all magnetic and elemental forces there, causing all of Deepholm to slowly collapse into Azeroth.

Several members of the organization are also involved in the unfolding events in Vashj'ir. Their task is to protect the Abyssal Maw and aid the servants of Neptulon in their war against the naga. The organization's ranks were added to with the inclusion of Wildhammer dwarves and goblins.

Its members are also present in the Twilight Highlands.

During the Old Gods' assault on Wyrmrest Temple, several members of the Earthen Ring that had interacted with players in previous zones may have died protecting Thrall as he transported the Dragon Soul to the Aspects in a scene that parallelled the Argent Crusade captains' encounter with Sister Svalna.

Tides of War
After the death of Deathwing, Muln stepped down from his position as the leader of the Ring and Thrall became the main leader. Its members continued to heal the world from Maelstrom. Some time after the discovery of Pandaria the task was finished.

Warlords of Draenor
The Earthen Ring kindly requested that all plundered mail armor be divided equally among those who wear it. Otherwise, the elements might become displeased.

Legion
During the battle at the Broken Shore, the shaman of the Earthen Ring accompanied Thrall and the Horde to battle.

Campaign
After the battle at the Broken Shore, the four winds were sent by the Earthen Ring to seek the powerful shaman adventurer out. Once they were found in Dalaran, the Whispering Winds guided them to Thrall. Thrall explained that the defeat at the Broken Shore was decisive. The Burning Legion had now a foothold on Azeroth, the best of their armies were retreating in tatters, and what was left of the Horde and the Alliance were at one another's throats. The elders of the Earthen Ring thus called an emergency council near the heart of the world, the Maelstrom. Thrall told the shaman that heroes like them were the world's last great hope, that their triumphs throughout Azeroth and alternate Draenor were the stuff of legend, and that they were needed now more than ever. He asked them to join him at the Maelstrom. The shaman accepted and met with Stormcaller Mylra, who took them on her gryphon.

The Heart of Azeroth
On the way to the Maelstrom, Mylra explained that all around the world, their forces fell back, that it was a real massacre, and that unless they find a way to turn this around, Azeroth would fall. Approaching the Maelstrom, she pointed towards a rocky formation and said that what was left of the greatest shaman of Azeroth gathered below. They arrived in the middle of a conversation, where Thrall was claiming that shaman must strike back, but he didn't know how. Nobundo responded that they needed weapons capable of overcoming the Legion.

The shaman adventurer then spoke to Nobundo, who explained them that there was no more faction there, the few present were all that remained of the Earthen Ring. They had to struggle together or perish alone. Survivors continued to make their way here from the four corners of Azeroth. The shaman was thus tasked with seeing that their wounds were tended to. They needed hope if they were to rejoin the fight against the Legion.

But before that, Thrall was worried that the Legion would come for them. Nobundo pointed out that there were ancient safeguards there, and that they must use them, to which Rehgar replied that the Maelstrom Pillar had sat useless for ten thousand years. Erunak answered that it just needed "a little boost", turning to the shaman adventurer and asking them for a hand. The shaman channeled lightning into the Pillar, triggering it. Erunak commented that it was now working, and that the world would fight for itself if it was given the tools needed to do so.

The shaman then went to accomplish their duties. They revived Screech, Iain Firebeard's gryphon which was fading fast. Thanking him, Myra shared that the Highlands were completely overrun, and that the Wildhammers were scattered.

The shaman then approached a group of shaman, with Bath'rah the Windwatcher trying to light a campfire. Tribemother Torra asked him what kind of shaman could not light a fire, to which the troll replied that their hands were shaking and that the wood was wet. The shaman adventurer thus cast a flame shock on the pyre, allowing them to warm themselves. Torra thanked them, and explained that the Legion destroyed the tauren in the open fields, and that not even Thunder Bluff was safe from the infernals.

The Legion's return
Unfortunately, the Legion had followed the shaman to the Maelstrom, and infernals started raining down from the skies, led by the fel lord Geth'xun. Thrall charged towards the fel lord while he asked the shaman adventurer to take care of the infernals. After destroying them, the shaman used Torra's spear, guided by the winds, to bring Geth'xun's felbat, Falthus, down. The shaman of the Earthen Ring then gathered around the Maelstrom Pillar and focused their energy into it, powering up a powerful discharge. Geth'xun brought Thrall to his knees, ready to deal the final blow, when the shaman adventurer jumped on top of the Pillar and received the combined focused energy of all the shaman, which they unleashed upon the demon. Geth'xun was thrown into the Maelstrom, saving Thrall from a fatal blow, but so was the Doomhammer.

Thrall thanked the shaman and shared that he was weirdly outmatched. He confessed that his relationship with the elements had changed since the events on alternate Draenor. He told the shaman that he had some soul-searching to do, and that they must carry the Earthen Ring forward without him. He told them that they were the leader they needed.

He also explained that Nobundo was right: conventional tactics would not work against the Legion, the Broken Shore taught them that. They had to scour the world for weapons to use against the demons. He said that the Doomhammer, missing, needed to be recovered, and that Rehgar and Erunak had other suggestions as well.

The reforged Ring
The shaman adventurer returned to the Heart of Azeroth, now equipped with a powerful weapon. Stormcaller Mylra told them to speak with Nobundo and take their place around the circle. The Earthen Ring would rise again, she said, with them as its leader. Within these stones stood the legendary Heart of Azeroth, which she suggested they could use as a base of operations. She believed that the power of their artifact could unseal the hidden chambers. The shaman thus spoke to Nobundo, who held the following speech:


 * say
 * The elements have chosen you as their champion, the artifact you wield is proof. It is your destiny to lead the Earthen Ring against the Burning Legion. We need you. Do you accept this burden?
 * say
 * say
 * say

The new Farseer of the Earthen Ring thus approached the Ancient Rockslide which blocked the way towards the hidden chambers, raised their weapon, and made it crumble, spawning two Immortal Stone Protectors to guard the entrance.

One with the world
Nobundo asked them if they could feel the earth and wind and waves clash together here in the Heart of Azeroth as if one could speak directly with the world. He told them the artifact they wielded housed great power, but even greater potential. He told them to carry it below and seek out the ancient elemental altar overlooking the fury of the Maelstrom. From there, they could commune with Azeroth and imbue their artifact with even greater abilities. After doing so, the Farseer shared with Nobundo what they had learned. The latter sensed that the Farseer's work here had only begun. As they would get more familiar with their artifact, they would be able to continue augmenting its power. He explained that the others were watching them carefully, that he had become a symbol of hope in the Ring's struggle against the Legion.

Nobundo asked them to seek out Advisor Sevel just to the south, and locate the scouting map from which they could direct their champions. The Ring would also indicate on the scouting map various hot-spots around the Broken Isles that required the Farseer's attention. After they chose their first point of attack, Nobundo opened up an astral portal to Dalaran to help their people move quickly between their base of operations and the Broken Isles.

Battle for Azeroth
The Earthen Ring joined the Cenarion Circle and Magni Bronzebeard in Silithus to help heal the wound left by Sargeras.

The Earthen Ring at the Maelstrom was attacked by Azerite elementals, with several members being injured.

Shadows Rising
After the Fourth War, the Earthen Ring shaman sensed a disturbance in the spirit world. The orc Yukha was sent as a messenger from the Maelstrom to inform Thrall in Orgrimmar about it and later went to a meeting with the night elf leaders in Nordrassil who claimed to have similar information from their priestesses.

Shadowlands
After the Fourth War, the Earthen Ring makes its appearance in the shaman section of the Training Hall in Stormwind and the Barracks in Orgrimmar, with Mulric Boldrock, Remaari, and Hretar Riverspeaker as shaman trainers.

Member organizations

 * Earthcallers
 * Earthwatchers

Reputation description
''This gathering of the most powerful shaman of Azeroth seeks to maintain the balance between the world's elemental forces. Their main focus during the cataclysm has been to repair and stabilize the damage caused by Deathwing's arrival.''

Gaining reputation
Reputation can be gained by completing non-repeatable quests and by championing. There are no repeatable quests available for earning reputation with the Earthen Ring. The non-repeatable quests are located in Vashj'ir, Deepholm, and Twilight Highlands, and in some of the dungeon instances in those zones (see Earthen Ring quests). The Thrall quests added in 4.2 also give some reputation points.

In the RPG
The Earthen Ring is the shaman organization of Azeroth. Its main goal is to maintain the balance between the world and the elementals that dwell upon it. Talking to and dealing with the spirits of the elements, members of the Earthen Ring try to keep the spirits pacified as well as prevent them from raising havoc on Azeroth. Relatively little of the Earthen Ring's time is spent on hunting down rogue elementals and cultists. However, elemental activity is on the rise on Azeroth, so the Earthen Ring is getting busier. Some believe that the role of the organization in the preservation of the world has become essential.

History in the RPG
Contrary to what some believe, the Earthen Ring was not created in order to fight the Twilight's Hammer; that particular conflict arose later. The group was actually formed to keep in check the elemental spirits. These spirits are by nature chaotic and destructive, but also capable of reasoning and clever actions.

The tauren have had shaman for quite a while now, but the Earthen Ring group itself is of more recent origin. People outside the group only noticed its existence about 150 years ago. The founding shaman believed that someone had to prevent the elemental forces from wreaking havoc; otherwise, the world would be in danger Thus, after several meetings and pacts, they founded what is now known as the Earthen Ring. With the passing years, the group, which was at first made exclusively of tauren, began to include a growing number of orcs. Each race now makes up about half the group.

While members of the Earthen Ring have not been overly active in the past, the events of the Third War weakened the dimensional barriers all around Azeroth and elemental activity is now on the rise. Indeed, the Earthen Ring has never been more necessary. Agents of the group work hard to pacify the elementals, thus ensuring they do not cause trouble in the world.

Forsaken and the Horde
When the Forsaken first asked to join the Horde, Thrall would have refused if it were not for the Earthen Ring's urgings. According to Thrall, a council of sages, known as the Earthen Ring, asked him to allow the Forsaken into the Horde. They claimed that the Forsaken battle demons that Thrall’s own race is still fighting to this day. To turn his back on the Forsaken was to forget the horrors the orc race fought for generations.

Notes and trivia

 * Mob and NPC members of the Earthen Ring usually have the title.
 * Pyromancer Loregrain is a former member of the ring.
 * The Earthen Ring had pure intentions towards the Forsaken and their entrance into the Horde, but there are some who wondered about the motivations of those whispering about it in the ears of the Elder Council. This may refer to Magatha Grimtotem, who was one of the proponents of the alliance between the tauren and the Forsaken, and claimed that the tauren and their shamanistic ways could help the Forsaken find a path back to being human.
 * The server Earthen Ring US is named after the organization.