Val'sharah

Val'sharah (sometimes spelled as Val'Sharah and pronounced "VAHL-shaw-raw") is a region in the northwestern area of the Broken Isles. It is covered by a thick forest, and is the cradle of night elven druidic culture. It is home to the World Tree Shaladrassil. The zone is currently contested by Xavius and his satyrs attempting to spread the corruption of the Emerald Nightmare.

Early history
Originally, this ancient forest lay within the great and undivided realm of Kalimdor. It was best known as the home to the demigod Cenarius, the Lord of the Forest. It was within this region that Cenarius taught the night elves the way of druidism, with Malfurion Stormrage, who was born in Lorlathil, becoming the first druid under his tutelage. Val'sharah can thus be regarded as the birthplace of druidism.

Soon, the region became the pinnacle of druidism on Azeroth. Its forests were specifically molded by druids to be a reflection of the Emerald Dream – no more than an echo, but as close to the Dream as the real world could ever be. The forest was considered to be sacred by the druids, and was populated by night elves, the children of Cenarius (dryads and keepers of the grove), as well as furbolgs, moonkin and others. The elves considered these races their allies.

At some point thousands of years ago, the World Tree Shaladrassil was planted here. Over the ages, it grew, towering over the area and pushing its roots deep into the land. It became the protector of the region. The druid base of Shala'nir was established at the base of the tree.

Apart from civilian settlements, the region also became the home to one of the most famous night elven fortresses – Black Rook Hold. This mighty but somber keep was chiseled into the solid rock by the House of Ravencrest over multiple generations. It was a well-guarded and mostly impenetrable fortress. Relying on their military might, the Ravencrests rose steadily within the elven society, eventually being considered second to the royal house only. The region was also home to the elven martial city of Kal'delar.

War of the Ancients
The region saw heavy fighting during the War of the Ancients. It was within the forests of Val'sharah that the Wild God Ashamane fought a delaying battle against the Burning Legion forces bound for Suramar. Although she was able to kill the annihilan general Ronokon, the being's self-destruction immolated Ashamane and burned a crater into the forest. The Wild God's actions brought a precious time for the city of Suramar, allowing them to raise a protective shield. She thus saved countless lives. The elves eventually erected a great shrine at the place of Ashamane's sacrifice.

The War of the Ancients also saw a demonic attack on Black Rook Hold. Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest and Illidan Stormrage led the Moon Guard in the defense of the fortress. They eventually succeeded, albeit only at the price of Illidan sacrificing the lives of the other Moon Guard members to absorb their energy. Famous combatants in the battle included Broxigar the Red, Jarod Shadowsong, and Rhonin.

The Legion also tried, and failed, to destroy the Temple of Elune located within the Crescent Vale. The war ended with the Great Sundering, which blasted Kalimdor into pieces. Val'sharah broke off from the mainland and mostly survived as part of the isle group known as the Broken Isles, along with Azsuna, Suramar, and others. Suramar City cut itself off from the surrounding land behind a protective barrier, further isolating Val'sharah from the outside world. In essence, the ancient forest was forgotten by the outside world with the exception of druids. After the war, the surviving satyrs of the forest were assembled together and placed into a deep hibernation under the roots of Shaladrassil.

Druid refuge
Even after its isolation, Val'sharah has remained central to druidic culture. The main druidic organization is the order of the Dreamweavers (also called the Druids of Val'sharah), who have protected the Emerald Dream since time immemorial. Many of its members are ancient enough to remember Shaladrassil taking root. After the Great Sundering, they trained under Cenarius's tutelage, and acquired unparalleled knowledge in the ways of the druids. Their main base of operation is the Dreamgrove, which is directly linked to the Emerald Dreamway, a portion of the Dream that serves as a travel hub to key locations across Azeroth. The location is protected by ancient magic, creating a sanctuary here. The leader of the Dreamweavers is archdruid Rensar Greathoof.

Val'sharah is also the home of several of the strongest druidic individuals alive. The demi-god Cenarius, the Lord of the Forest, lives within the Grove of Cenarius. Elothir, ancient of lore, resides with his acolytes in the ancient grove of Thas'talah. A group of druids live within the Moonclaw Vale, charged with the protection of Val'sharah. The Druids of the Claw make their home in Steelclaw Vale, dedicating themselves to observing the Emerald Dream. The Druids of the Fin patrol Emerald Bay. The Ashen druids guard the legacy of Ashamane in the Mistvale. There are several barrow dens located here, including the Sleeper's Barrow in Steelclaw Vale and the Tel'Andu Barrow Den within the Dreamgrove.

The druids had several key artifacts in their possession. The Ashen guarded the Fangs of Ashamane within their shrine. Meanwhile a branch of G'Hanir, the ancient Mother Tree, was kept in a shrine beneath the roots of Shaladrassil called the Circle of Spirits. Malorne's Idol, a gift by the Wild God herself, was held at the shrine called Malorne's Refuge.

The Sisterhood of Elune is also represented within the region. Their main base of operation is the Temple of Elune within the Crescent Vale, which predates the War of the Ancients. This location also served as the hiding place for the Tears of Elune, an artifact that is part of the group of relics known as the Pillars of Creation.

The night elves have several villages scattered throughout the area. These include the travel hub of Lorlathil, Ash'theran, Lightsong, Shadowfen, the enclave of Shala'nir and others. Several other sentient races also inhabit the forest, including the Cenarius's children, furbolg, moonkin, harpies and grell. Recently a new village, Bradensbrook, was founded on the west coast by uncorrupted humans from Gilneas. Val'sharah has a very vivid fauna and flora.

Legion
During the Burning Legion's third invasion of Azeroth, Val'sharah was assaulted by the satyr lord Xavius and the Emerald Nightmare. He was able to wake up the satyrs slumbering below Shaladrassil, and corrupt the World Tree itself. With its roots deep within the ground, the great tree then began to corrupt the forest. The satyrs broke through and overran Shala'nir.

Following this, the Emerald Nightmare began to manifest itself throughout Val'sharah. Cenarius was overtaken by an affliction that caused him to lie unwaking in his grove; he was eventually successfully corrupted and yanked into the Nightmare itself. Malfurion Stormrage was captured by the satyrs while trying to free his erstwhile mentor. The Wild God Malorne was also lost in the Nightmare. Archdruid Thaon Moonclaw was also corrupted by Xavius, and eventually slain. Furbolgs, moonkin, keepers of the grove, dryads, ancients and sprites succumbed to madness en masse.

At some point, the Order of the Silver Hand sent their troops in the region to destroy a rampaging satyr warband, led by Illbringer Zizzifrax, in order to help the druids of the Cenarion Circle who have their hands full with the satyr and the Nightmare. They also attacked nagas in southern Val'sharah, in order to collect their weapons crafted from Lumenstone, and later investigated about the furbolgs of the region who appear to have come under the demonic influence of a man'ari eredar, named Summoner Djobi, who was taken down by the paladins.

The Dragon Aspect Ysera arrived at Val'sharah to intervene, seeking to recover the Tears of Elune from the Temple of Elune to cleanse Cenarius. However, Xavius got to the artifact first, and managed to corrupt Ysera herself with it. Tyrande Whisperwind tracked down the Nightmare Lord, although not before losing the archdruid Elothir to the corrupting influence. In the climactic battle at the Temple of Elune, Tyrande and her companions were forced to kill Ysera, reclaiming and cleansing the Tears of Elune in the process.

These dramatic events caused heavy damage to the forest and its inhabitants. Shala'nir was completely lost to the Nightmare, its luckier inhabitants evacuating the village. A similar fate befell Shadowfen, which was hastily abandoned. Whole sections of the forest, such as the area of Dreadwood and Moonrest, were lost to the affliction. Crazed creatures began appearing throughout the land, and brazen satyrs and their allies attacked several locations. Many elves escaped to places such as Starsong Refuge, or even crossed the border into Suramar. The corrupted tendrils of Shaladrassil followed them even there.

The Burning Legion also assaulted the region directly. The heroes of Azeroth helped the Dreamweavers and other locals repel the assault. Demons attacked several key locations, including the Shrine of Ashamane and Sundersong Glade.

A wholly different crisis emerged around Black Rook Hold. The warlock reanimated the spirits of Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest and his soldiers,  who started assaulting Bradensbrook. With the help of Jarod Shadowsong, the villagers were eventually able to repulse this threat. Shadowsong and adventurers then pushed into Black Rook Hold itself. After heavy fighting, they were able to slay the dreadlord Dantalionax, and finally put the spirits of Ravencrest's soldiers to rest.

Adventurers eventually followed Xavius into the corrupted Darkheart Thicket, managing to free Malfurion Stormrage. Eventually, the adventurers entered the Emerald Nightmare itself, freeing Cenarius and slaying Xavius. With the immediate danger gone, the druids began the work to cleanse the Nightmare from the land, hoping to reclaim Shala'nir and safeguard the roots of the World Tree. However, it remains to be seen if the corruption can ever be fully cleansed.

Travel hubs

 * Flight paths from Lorlathil
 * Flight paths from Gloaming Reef
 * Flight paths from Bradensbrook
 * Flight paths from Garden of the Moon
 * Flight paths from Starsong Refuge
 * Flight paths from Dreamgrove

Quests
Archmage Khadgar is trying to recover one of the Pillars of Creation, the Tears of Elune. At the same time Malfurion Stormrage is on a mission to figure out what happened to his mentor, the demigod Cenarius. The Nightmare is starting to take hold and the satyr Xavius has designs on the Tears and Ysera. Can adventurers sort everything out in time?

Resources

 * Cloth
 * Shal'dorei Silk
 * Herbalism
 * Dreamleaf
 * Yseralline Seed
 * Felwort
 * Skinning
 * Stonehide Leather
 * Stormscale
 * Unbroken Tooth
 * Unbroken Claw
 * Felhide
 * Mining
 * Leystone Ore
 * Felslate
 * Infernal Brimstone
 * Fishing
 * Silver Mackerel
 * Black Barracuda
 * Mossgill Perch

Wild creatures

 * Bears
 * Crows
 * Falcons
 * Goats
 * Lobstroks
 * Nightsabers
 * Owls
 * Owlkins
 * Fish
 * Remoras
 * Sharks
 * Oozes
 * Stags
 * Turtles
 * Unicorns
 * Wasps
 * Wolves

Trivia

 * During the beta, Lost to History described a titan communicator somewhere in Val'sharah.