Jarod Shadowsong

Jarod Shadowsong is the younger brother of Maiev Shadowsong, the former Captain of Suramar's Guard, and was commander of the Kaldorei Resistance during the War of the Ancients, notably surviving a direct encounter with Archimonde himself. He became a hero and leader to the night elves following the war's conclusion, and was instrumental in easing tensions between his people and the Highborne. He made his first appearance at Mount Hyjal in World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, although he previously appeared in several novels.

Having estranged himself from greater night elf society after becoming disillusioned with Malfurion and his druids' increasing distance from their people following the ancient war, Jarod married Shalasyr, and led a reclusive life with her in Kalimdor's wilderness for several millennia before finally re-settling in Darnassus and rejoining his people after the Cataclysm. Jarod found out that his older sister Maiev Shadowsong was responsible for targeting and murdering the recently returned Highborne and helped to save most of them, although Maiev escaped.

He then returned to Mount Hyjal to assist the Guardians of Hyjal, and later traveled to Val'sharah in the Broken Isles, a region near his home city Suramar, to seek out his sister, eventually rescuing and reconciling with her. Afterwards, Jarod successfully defended Val'sharah from the Legion's further encroachments, and most recently returned to Kalimdor with Maiev and other night elves to fight in the Battle for Darkshore, a warfront which he once again helped his people ultimately win.

Biography
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 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 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.

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, and. 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 ' strong leadership of the night elf army irked, who instructed Captain to eliminate the noble. Varo'then sent Kelorn Nightblade to carry it out. The assassination was successful, and Lord became the new leader of the night elf defenders. During that time, Jarod was named a liaison to the tauren and earthen, largely because Stareye thought Jarod was used to sacrifice. 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
When Stareye was killed (much to the relief of Krasus and Rhonin) — and soon after was killed — Jarod unconsciously assumed field command of the troops. 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. As a result, the tide of the battle was turned from the death of the resistance into a small victory within hours. 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. Rhonin, the earthen and the tauren insisted that Jarod assume complete command of the allied forces, to which he reluctantly agreed. Most of the nobles and Moon Guard agreed he should lead them. Jarod's unorthodox tactics were extremely effective in holding the line against the Burning Legion (about 25 miles out to sea from Kalimdor's current coast) with minimal loss of life until the arrival of Archimonde to the battlefield. These battles even liberated the night elves from Stareye's mistakes and improved relations with other races, and even served to deteriorate the caste system of the Kaldorei (which placed only nobles as leaders).

During the war, Jarod saved the life of Huln Highmountain. Huln promised to carve Jarod's name on his spear, which would cause Jarod to be honored for generations of Huln's line. At some point later, during a battle in Eldarath, Jarod and Huln fought Tichondrius.

Jarod's mere presence also seems to serve in raising morale. It is noted that, unlike the commanders before him, all fight harder and obey him with greater swiftness. An amused Rhonin, however, realizes that Jarod probably doesn't consider himself impressive at all, and believes he is only doing what he must. Unfortunately for his modesty, his people's reverence for him only grew when the demigods joined the conflict, and willingly placed themselves under his command. He even manages to earn the admiration and respect of his sister, who had never seemed to approve of him.

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. Although he believed his people would consider his resistance pathetic, as he fought so poorly against the demon commander, he was celebrated as a hero. In spite all but impossible odds, he had stood defiant against a commander of Burning Legion, even though the latter had merely been toying with him.

Jarod was known to have at least partly returned the affection of Shandris Feathermoon despite how when he first met her during the War of the Ancients, he described their age gap as being "A gulf the size of the Well of Eternity," although the difference was only a few years. As of such, he is initially disturbed by the affectionate smiles the younger night elf always gave him. At the end of the war, however, he admits that he began to find comfort in them, especially with the pressures of leadership.

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. Jarod attempted to stop him but was badly beaten by the other's vast command of the arcane. When they discovered him, Maiev and quickly went to tend to him. A furious Maiev then attempted to kill Illidan for harming her brother, but is stopped by and. 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. Jarod later agreed to his imprisonment and was present during the birth of Nordrassil, and the blessing it received from the Dragon Aspects. He also helped guide his people in finding a new place, and new ways, to live.

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.

Self-exiled
Over time Jarod grew disenchanted with the polarization of night elf society after the War of the Ancients and felt that Malfurion and his druids were more concerned with nature and the Emerald Dream than their own people. Unknown to anyone else, he entered into a relationship with Shalasyr, a novice priestess. As he was seriously considering leaving their people behind, the couple agreed to keep their relationship secret. Jarod partially hoped that, if he departed, Shalasyr would not follow him into what amounted to self-exile, and she would be free from having to answer questions as to why he had left.

Eventually, Jarod made up his mind to leave, and Shalasyr decided to go with him. The two secretly vanished together; he did not say where he was going or bid anyone farewell, and it was generally assumed that Shalasyr wandered away and was killed in an accident, even though searchers never found a body. With their love a secret, no one realized that the two disappearances were actually related. Eventually most thought that Jarod was probably dead.

Considering themselves now as husband and wife, Jarod and Shalasyr would spend the next 10,000 years enjoying their life together in the wilderness. Some time after the Battle for Mount Hyjal occurred, they heard rumors that they had become mortal.

Some time after the Cataclysm occurred, Shalasyr was struck by an illness due to aging, one of the first signs of the loss of the Timeless One's blessing on Nordrassil. While she and Jarod agreed to bring her to the new capital of Darnassus to be saved by Tyrande and Elune, Shalasyr actually knew that she was dying and that it was her time. She privately wished to die among her people, and to make certain her beloved wouldn't remain alone in self-exile. Though Jarod did get her to Darnassus and sent for Tyrande, she passed away before the priestess arrived.

Wolfheart
Jarod’s return was quickly noticed by Malfurion, as well as Shandris Feathermoon and his sister, Maiev. Shandris had an emotional reunion with Jarod. She revealed that she once had feelings for him, and envied Shalasyr and the time she spent with him. Jarod apologized to Shandris for his sudden and unexplained disappearance, and explained that while he was flattered by her affections, their choices prevented a romantic relationship; Shandris had been training to take on a more active role in night elf society, while Jarod wanted to live out his life in seclusion. Both Shandris and Jarod resolved to have a platonic relationship, after which Shandris gave her condolences. Jarod's reunion with Maiev was more bitter. Though he was happy to reconnect with the only family member he has left, Maiev was angry at him for abandoning his people and duty. Still, she eventually softened to him when he sympathized with the traumatic events that transpired in her life after which she also gave her condolences for his loss.

When Maiev was called upon to investigate the Highborne murders, Jarod assisted his sister in her search. Eventually, Jarod discovered that Maiev had been orchestrating the Highborne assassinations, and that she had kidnapped Malfurion as well. Jarod rescued Malfurion and later the other Highborne Maiev had captured. Though he could have killed Maiev in their bloody confrontation, he was unable to kill his own sister and thus allowed her to escape. After he recovered from his injuries, Jarod had vowed to hunt down Maiev and bring her to justice. Tyrande Whisperwind appointed Jarod Shadowsong as the leader of a new force for Darnassus and will hunt down its threats and enemies, with their first target being Maiev. Shandris was ordered to aid Jarod with forming his new task force, in order to help him choose some possible candidates from the Sentinels. Malfurion quickly realized that Tyrande did this in the hope that Jarod will grow closer to Shandris in the future.

Cataclysm
He appears at Mount Hyjal being held captive inside a Twilight Hammer camp in Darkwhisper Gorge. He's scheduled to be sacrificed by the ogres of the Twilight's Hammer as part of this year's initiation. On 's orders, adventurers infiltrate the Twilight's Hammer forces at Darkwhisper Gorge and incite conflicts between ogre and non-ogre members - while the primary goal is sneaking out Jarod Shadowsong out of Twilight's Hammer's custody. After his rescue Jarod aids and the Ancients against the forces of. Once again he is charged with leading the military operations against an enemy with demigods walking among him.

Legion
When Illidan's corpse was stolen from the Vault of the Wardens by and, Maiev pursued them and subsequently went missing. Wardens loyal to Maiev began to search for her across the Broken Isles, and Jarod volunteered to help them. Jarod feels he has been a poor brother to Maiev, for he knows Maiev would never have committed the murders in Teldrassil unless she was under some foul influence, but he did not investigate and simply assumed the worst.

Jarod is first seen in Bradensbrook, a town of human refugees who escaped from the Gilnean lands years ago during the Scourge uprising. The nearby Black Rook Hold has become plagued by undead night elves, and Jarod has come to investigate while also searching for his sister, but the Gilneans do not trust him. After having an adventurer prove his trustworthiness, Jarod ventured to Black Rook Hold and found that Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest's body had gone missing, raised along with the other undead in the fortress. Jarod and the adventurer put the night elf spirits to rest while also searching for his captured sister.

When Maiev is freed, she reveals that Gul'dan raised Ravencrest and the soldiers of Black Rook Hold to protect the secrets within the tower, with the ghost of protecting the dungeons. In her reunion with Jarod she is surprised that he came for her even after she tried to kill him, but Jarod says to forget about it, that he heard what happened in the Vault of the Wardens, and jokes that luckily his hair cannot get any grayer. He thanks Elune that his sister is still alive, and together the Shadowsong siblings defeat Stareye, who, like all the undead in Black Rook Hold, believes them to be demons.

Legionfall
Jarod and Cenarius lead the defense of Black Rook Hold when Val'sharah comes under invasion by the Legion Assaults.

When the soldiers of Black Rook Hold once more begin to attack Bradensbrook, Jarod returns to the village to defend it from his fallen comrades. He discovers that this assault is led by Lord Erdris Thorn, who was a key commander of Lord Ravencrest's forces and who was actually risen later than the soldiers that had come from the hold so far. Jarod and the adventurer travel into Black Rook Hold, where they discover Lorgos the Resurrector reviving Rooksguard soldiers and tricking them into thinking the people of Bradensbrook are demons. Several Rooksguard are freed and put to rest, and Lorgos is killed, but Erdris - still under the Legion's spell - vows to raise his own army. Jarod sends the adventurer to report to the Council of Six in Dalaran while he scouts the hold for Erdris, saying that he will call for aid when the time to strike arrives.

Later, Jarod and the adventurer, along with Callie Carrington and Granny Marl from Bradensbrook, confront Erdris and his army atop Black Rook Hold. Jarod urges Callie and Marl to leave for their safety, but they insist on defending their home. When the healer, Jarod, Callie, and Marl confronted Erdris, they were being mind-controlled as considered to be demon worshippers. The three regained themselves and finished off the commander. After the threat was secured, Jarod provided the healer a portal back to Dalaran of their success in Black Rook Hold.

Battle for Azeroth
Jarod returned to Kalimdor for the Battle for Darkshore and served as Recruitment Officer at Bashal'Aran under Maiev's leadership.

Abilities

 * Azshara (Huln's War)

Quests

 * Graduation Speech
 * Twilight Riot
 * Slash and Burn
 * Might of the Firelord
 * The Sanctum of the Prophets
 * Magma Monarch


 * The Warden's Signet
 * Children of the Night
 * Jarod's Mission
 * Kur'talos Ravencrest (quest)
 * Maiev's Trail
 * The Rook's Guard
 * Black Rook Prison
 * Brotherly Love
 * Huln's War - Shadowsong
 * Huln's War - The Nathrezim


 * Black Rook Orders

War of the Ancients

 * Jarod: "I just feel like I look like a buffoon!"
 * Rhonin: "You won't get much argument from me."


 * "I'm no hero, Master . You and the others slay demons with barely the wave of a hand. I just try to preserve your heads so that you can continue to do it."
 * "I still have a home... Suramar is still my home."
 * "I won't stand behind while those who followed me face the enemy in my name!"
 * "I await you, ." (after Archimonde isolates him from his army, and he sees the archdemon approach).

Cataclysm

 * Molten Front


 * They are tokens with respect, purchased only with blood on the battlefield. Earning enough of these marks will be critical if we plan on winning this war.


 * To stand a chance in this battle against Ragnaros, we must gather allies who will gladly brave the scorched plains of the Firelands. And before we can recruit such allies to our cause - be they druid, soldier, or simple provisioner - we will need to give them reason to join us.
 * Carrying even a handful of these marks signifies you as a hero of our cause. Gather them in the hundreds... and you will lead armies.
 * Are you beginning to see the plan yet?


 * Gossip
 * say
 * say
 * say

Legion

 * Greeting
 * We protect those we love.
 * Honor and courage.
 * Hail, soldier.
 * My blade is ready.


 * Pissed
 * Yes? Can I help you?
 * What do you want?
 * Do you have something to SAY?
 * Stop fooling around! Time is wasting!


 * Farewell
 * Serve well, friend.
 * Save travels.
 * Ishnu-alah.


 * Bradensbrook
 * I see that I am speaking to a seasoned veteran.
 * I will restrain my hand against these civilians. They do not know who I am, and I am in no danger from them.
 * I must make them heed my words, not my sword. Novices will often resort to force, but persuasion is a master's weapon.


 * Aggroed Lothros
 * yell


 * The Red Axe pick up
 * yell


 * After using Arcane Siphon
 * say
 * say
 * say


 * If you've completed all side quests during the scenario
 * say
 * say
 * say

Notes and trivia

 * The novel Wolfheart states that when Malfurion and Jarod first met, the druid was more than one thousand years older than Jarod.
 * Before his appearance at the Molten Front, Jarod had the exact same model as . An unused Jarod Shadowsong with this model has been in the game files since launch.
 * There are some inconsistencies regarding his status with the Watchers' leadership.
 * Jarod Shadowsong's Coin can be fished up from the fountain in the version of Dalaran.
 * Jarod's mount is a Swift Frostsaber named Bard.
 * An unused NPC representing Jarod is situated in the same ID range as other legendary warriors presumably meant to appear in Skyhold. He and most of these NPCs didn't make it out of the Legion alpha stage.
 * Jarod is one of the very few male night elf warriors of significant prominence and authority after the War of the Ancients (with Valstann Staghelm another rare example), with female Sentinels typically serving as fighters, hunters and protectors while night elf men traditionally favoring spellcasting roles, both prior to and after the Sundering.
 * Jarod is voiced by Greg Chun in Legion.

Speculation
Besides being Maiev's brother, he may also be related to, and.