The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Jarod Shadowsong

This article is a copy of "The Warcraft Encyclopedia," an official article by Blizzard Entertainment. It presented information about a variety of things in the Warcraft universe. The original article, formerly located at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/encyclopedia/index.xml, did not survive the overhaul of the World of Warcraft Official Website.

By the time the War of the Ancients broke out, Jarod Shadowsong had risen to the rank of captain in the Guard of Suramar, and his sister Maiev was one of the senior Sisters of Elune. The Shadowsong family was not of noble blood, and so both siblings had earned their positions through skill and hard work.

Patrolling night elf lands for possible intruders, Jarod captured Krasus and made the disguised dragon a prisoner. A strange and extremely powerful phenomenon had thrown Krasus back to a time that contained a far younger version of Krasus, and the overlap had left Krasus weakened and ill unless he was in close proximity to his younger self.

From Jailor to Protector
With magical persuasion from Krasus, the captain began worrying that Krasus might die before being questioned. Thus, Jarod sought out one of the priestesses of Elune in the hope that she could heal his prisoner. He happened upon the novice Tyrande Whisperwind, and she consented to lend her aid. Although she could not heal Krasus of his malady, she was soon working with him to help her friend, Malfurion Stormrage, who had recently fallen comatose.

The forest demigod Cenarius arrived, to Jarod's poorly concealed astonishment, and returned Malfurion's spirit from the Emerald Dream. Malfurion was reunited with his body and made a quick recovery. Then Jarod accompanied Krasus, Malfurion, and Tyrande as they went to speak with Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest, commander of the night elf army that was fighting the Burning Legion.

Kur'talos was impressed by Jarod's dedication to duty, and put a group of battle-hardened soldiers at Jarod's command. Jarod and his soldiers were responsible for watching over the four strongest spellcasters of the night elf army: Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage, the human wizard Rhonin, and Krasus.

Malfurion and Krasus eventually left the army and sought out the rest of the dragons, intending to appeal to them for help against the Legion. They embarked on this quest against Lord Ravencrest's express orders and without Jarod's knowledge. Yet Kur'talos could not find it in his heart to reproach Jarod for failing to halt the spellcasters' departure.

The Assassination of Lord Ravencrest
Eventually Kur'talos' strong leadership of the night elf army irked Queen Azshara, who instructed Captain Varo'then to eliminate the noble. The assassination was successful, and Lord Desdel Stareye became the new leader of the night elf defenders.

Unfortunately Desdel had no skill at tactics. The invading demons pretended to retreat and then swiftly attacked the night elves from the air. Desdel watched in horror as the demons began pouring containers of boiling red liquid over the night elf army. Hundreds were injured, some mortally.

When Jarod asked Desdel what action to take, the panicked noble had no useful response. Jarod caught sight of another group of demons hovering over Desdel, and so Jarod tried to pull Desdel out of the way. However, Desdel took offense at Jarod's effort and ordered him away on pain of imprisonment.

Jarod yanked his mount aside just in time to avoid an agonizing death. The demons tipped over their container, and boiling liquid poured down on Desdel and his nearby companions. Desdel was killed in moments, his face maimed beyond recognition.

Unwilling Hero
After Desdel's death, the remaining nobles could not agree on a new strategy for the army. Jarod was forced to step into the breach. With his intuitive grasp of tactics and his natural talent at leadership, he quickly found himself appointed the new leader of the night elf army. The relieved nobles eagerly followed his commands.

Jarod continued to doubt his importance to the war effort, but he received a very welcome surprise. Cenarius led a large group of demigods into the midst of the night elf army and humbly knelt before the astonished captain. The demigods had agreed to fight under Jarod's direction.

As the captain continued to rally the night elves and turn the tide of battle, he caught the eye of the demon lord Archimonde. Malfurion's absence from the battlefield had frustrated the massive demon, who decided to take out his fury on Jarod. Archimonde was certain that the Legion's victory was inevitable, and so he took his time, sadistically toying with Jarod, slowly beating him to death. Very likely Archimonde took even greater pleasure in the prospect of finally breaking Jarod's iron will.

Before Jarod was too badly wounded to recover, though, Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage worked their combined magic on the Well of Eternity. All the demons, including Archimonde, were sucked into the Well and forced back into the Twisting Nether, howling in fury.

After the Sundering
The Great Sundering triggered the birth of a new ocean, and the rushing waters chased the night elves all the way to Mount Hyjal. At last the waters subsided, and Jarod led a group of night elves to scout the area for drinkable water. They discovered that Illidan had created a second Well of Eternity, and with Malfurion's help, Jarod and the others captured Illidan. Jarod gave Malfurion the power to decide his reckless brother's fate, and so it was Malfurion who sentenced Illidan to an imprisonment that would last ten thousand years.

A reluctant army commander, Jarod was deeply gladdened by the end of the war. He dissolved the makeshift army and continued to serve as a kind of administrator for a short time, but he had never wanted to be a leader. Gradually he directed increasing numbers of petitioners to the new high priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind, whose compassion and wisdom went a long way toward calming post-war tensions.

By the time Tyrande established the night elves' new army, the Sentinels, Jarod had deliberately faded into the background. He did not think of himself as a hero, and he did not wish others to do so.

One day he simply vanished, along with a few personal possessions. He did not say where he was going, nor, in fact, did he bid anyone farewell. Since that time, there have been no sightings of him.