Malfurion Stormrage

Malfurion Stormrage was the first mortal druid on Azeroth, and the night elf who initiated the mainstream use of druidism among the kaldorei people ten millennia ago under tutelage of the demigod Cenarius. He is the twin brother of Illidan Stormrage, as well as the loving and beloved husband of the high priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind. Together, the two have represented the highest leadership of the night elves ever since the fall of Queen Azshara and her Highborne caste.

Through Malfurion's guidance, the night elves successfully halted the Burning Legion's first invasion of Azeroth during the legendary War of the Ancients. In its aftermath, he became the greatest of the world's archdruids. Malfurion and his druids slept to protect the Emerald Dream for 10,000 years to rebuild the world while his lover Tyrande was promoted to General of the Sentinels and would protect Kalimdor. Malfurion and Tyrande then led the night elves in the Third War, defeating the Burning Legion as they had done in ages past at the Battle of Mount Hyjal. He subsequently fell into a comatose state while in the Emerald Dream.

After recovering in the wake of the Cataclysm, Malfurion and Tyrande were wed and now lead their people as one. Malfurion is often referred to as Shan'do, which means "honored teacher" in Darnassian. Connected deeply to the ebbs and flows of life on Azeroth and bearing ages of responsibility and wisdom, he is one of the mightiest and most venerated mortals of the Warcraft universe.

Malfurion serves as one of the main protagonists in the Warcraft franchise.

War of the Ancients
Malfurion and his twin brother, Illidan, were born at Lorlathil in Val'sharah and grew up in Suramar as friends with Tyrande Whisperwind. As a young adult his home was located near a waterfall just outside of Suramar, chosen by him because of the tranquility and untouched nature of the falls.

Malfurion was the most dedicated of Cenarius' disciples, learning the art of druidism in the forest of Val'sharah. Under the tutelage of wise Cenarius, he had become the first mortal druid on Azeroth. In the ancient world before the Great Sundering, Malfurion was a respected scholar loyal to his admired Queen Azshara. He was among the first to notice the distance Azshara and her followers were keeping from their people, and he began to suspect that the powers granted by the Well of Eternity were not as pure as all had believed. Though he could not possibly fathom what was soon to come, Malfurion knew that the Kaldorei would be forever changed.

Azshara and her Highborne were interested in the Well and ordered them to find as much as possible about the well. As time passed, the Highborne learned how to draw power from the Well and manipulate its energies. Finally, Azshara's reckless use of magic drew the attention of Sargeras, Enemy of All Life and Lord of the Burning Legion. By opening a portal in Azshara's palace, Azshara's Highborne sorcerers, led by High Lord Counselor Xavius, let hordes of demons into Kalimdor, including the Legion's commanders — Archimonde, Mannoroth, and Hakkar the Houndmaster — enabling them to run rampant among the lands and striking down all who opposed them. The night elves desperately fought them back, but too many were falling to lend them aid. The Burning Legion was winning. The highborne also managed to cast a bigger portal over the Well of Eternity to start the summoning of Sargeras.

But from the ranks of the desperate Kaldorei rose Malfurion Stormrage. Convincing his twin brother, Illidan, to forsake the use of magic, Malfurion and his love, Tyrande Whisperwind, high priestess of Elune, quickly went to seek out the demigod Cenarius in the hopes that he might have reprieve for their beleaguered people.

Even with the help of Cenarius and Alexstrasza the Dragon Queen, Malfurion knew that his people could not stand up to the constant barrage of demonic invaders. Believing the Well of Eternity to be their gateway, Malfurion decided that it must be destroyed. Knowing that its destruction would render them mortal and without any magic, the night elves reluctantly agreed to storm Azshara's stronghold and bring an end to the invasion.

However, Illidan, spurred by his addiction to magic and his frustrated love for Tyrande, refused to give up his power, and left their resistance to warn the Highborne. Knowing that Illidan would quickly reach them, Malfurion attacked immediately to retain some surprise.

Azshara and her highborne were prepared for them, and her chaotic magics ripped Malfurion's forces to shreds. But it was the sight of Tyrande falling to the hands of Azshara's former Highborne, now transformed into satyrs that gave Malfurion the strength for one final strike.

Azshara's battle with Malfurion threw the portal out of its magical alignment, and the vortex grew unstable. Malfurion cast a spell to create a gigantic gale that would rip all the demons from the ground and send them on a one-way trip into the Well and to the Twisting Nether. The Well of Eternity then started to collapse on itself, pulling land, Azshara's palace and the ruined city of Zin-Azshari into itself. Although Sargeras knew that the portal was closing, he tried to do the unthinkable - step into the portal to recreate it and enter Azeroth. The portal finally collapsed and trapped Sargeras in it. The Well of Eternity exploded in a catastrophic eruption that left the world sundered forever.

However, Malfurion survived. Constructing crude rafts and sailing to what would become Kalimdor, Malfurion, Tyrande, and Cenarius agreed to lead their people to a new home.

To their horror, however, a lake atop Mount Hyjal had become fouled by the magical energies of the Well of Eternity, which they had hoped was gone forever. Illidan, who had sought to preserve the arcane magic he was addicted to, had taken seven vials of the Well's waters and poured three of them into the lake, creating a new Well of Eternity. Knowing that Illidan's addiction to magic would always be a threat to the safety of the world, Malfurion imprisoned his brother in the caverns below Hyjal; the Barrow Deeps. However, with the Sundering still fresh in their minds, Malfurion and the night elves dared not attempt to destroy the new Well. Malfurion would later note that sometimes he went to visit Illidan in his prison in the hopes of turning him from his fatal path.

Seeking the counsel of the Aspects, Malfurion requested the presence of Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu, returned from their hiding places, and they were shocked to hear of the new Well. All of them suspected that the Burning Legion would sniff out its energies once again and find Azeroth a second time.

Malfurion agreed, and they all decided to safeguard this Well. To this end, they created the World Tree, Nordrassil, which they pledged to use to protect the Well of Eternity and the night elves themselves. Alexstrasza, the Life-Binder, grew the tree herself from an enchanted acorn of G'Hanir. Nozdormu, the Timeless, placed an enchantment upon the tree: for as long as it stood, the night elves would never die of old age or sickness. Ysera, the Dreamer, linked Nordrassil to the Emerald Dream. Through the tree, she would slowly rebuild the world. However, to maintain the Emerald Dream, she needed consciousnesses to roam its eternal pathways. To sustain it, all the druids agreed to sleep for centuries at a time, despite the years they would lose, and be linked to the Emerald Dream forever.

Malfurion and Tyrande helped their people rebuild their society amongst the forests of Ashenvale surrounding Hyjal. Cenarius taught them the ways of the wood, and Malfurion grew considerably in power as he learned the art of the druid, and he became a great Archdruid, first among his people.

Though he dearly wished to remain with Tyrande, Malfurion and his druid kindred slept peacefully for many years until they were awakened by an attack by Dath'Remar and the Highborne survivors. He was quickly routed, but the druids refused to destroy them with so many lives already lost, so Malfurion decided that the Highborne were to be exiled. Dath'remar and his followers would later become the high elves. Though it pained his heart beyond belief, Malfurion left Tyrande to rejoin the Emerald Dream, settling into his long sleep in Malfurion's Barrow Den in Moonglade.


 * At times, it is hinted that Malfurion and the other druids were asleep for all ten millennia between the War of the Ancients and the Third War, awakening only in times of great peril. However, most sources agree that there was a cycle, and that the druids would awaken every few centuries to interact with their wives, sisters, and daughters. This cycle could be easily interrupted if needed, but the druids must return to the Dream at the earliest opportunity.

Curse of the Worgen


While experimenting with the druids' shape-shifting abilities, Malfurion discovered the lupine Pack Form. However, its feral nature was far too much for him to control, and Malfurion lost himself to rage, even going so far as to attack Cenarius. The demigod healed Malfurion's anger by forcing him to slumber beneath the great tree Daral'nir, within the Emerald Dream. From that point, Malfurion banned all of his students from using the Pack Form, but despite his efforts a sect calling themselves the Druids of the Pack appeared.

Some years after the War of the Ancients, the Satyrs gathered the few demons that remained and engaged in a war across Ashenvale. Ralaar Fangfire fought for their shan'do to lift the ban on the Pack Form, but Malfurion was adamant, even when Arvell died because he promised he would not use the transformation.

Using a scythe crafted from a fang of Goldrinn and a staff blessed by Elune, the druids who followed Ralaar eventually became the first Worgen in an attempt to control the Pack Form and prove Malfurion wrong about its savagery. However, while the Worgen proved effective weapons against the Satyrs, they would often harm allies in their savage fights.

Malfurion called the druids who did not follow Ralaar - now called Alpha Prime - to a meeting in the Moonglade. They set guidelines for all future druids to follow and decided on actions to take against the Worgen, and with Cenarius's blessing formed the Cenarion Circle. The priestess Belysra Starbreeze, a friend of Ralaar and the mate of the deceased Arvell, interrupted the meeting and brought the Scythe of Elune to Malfurion.

Meeting Alpha Prime and his followers in a field of peacebloom, Malfurion mournfully used the Scythe of Elune to seal the Worgen away in the Emerald Dream, forcing them beneath Daral'nir.

Creation of the Emerald Nightmare
4,500 years before the First War, Fandral Staghelm took branches from Nordrassil, the World Tree, and planted them over saronite that had begun to appear across the world, including a particularly large source of saronite in the Grizzly Hills. Five of these became the Great Trees, and he named the World Tree he planted in the Grizzly Hills Andrassil, or "Crown of the Snow". Malfurion Stormrage and the rest of the Cenarion Circle became furious upon learning that these branches had been planted without their approval. They did, however, agree that the plan seemed to have worked, and for several decades and all seemed well, until it was discovered that the tree got corrupted by Yogg-Saron.

Eternity's End
Ten thousand years later the second coming of the legion pushed Tyrande to reawaken the druids. After battling through the three enchanted keepers of the grove — Lightning Protector, Fire Protector, and Ice Protector — she reached the Horn of Cenarius. Malfurion was awakened to the sound of the Horn of Cenarius. He could sense the corruption and decay of his land, even in the Emerald Dream, and when he awoke, he summoned treants from the forest to dispose of the undead invaders who were closing on his Den.

Tyrande, responsible for his awakening, told him that Archimonde had returned to Kalimdor, and he had brought the Burning Legion with him. Malfurion immediately knew what the warlock was after; he would assail Mount Hyjal, and attempt to drain the mystical energies of Nordrassil. Their mission was clear: they had to awaken the druids and stop Archimonde.

When Malfurion saw the outlander races battling the undead, he thought that perhaps they would make good allies in the coming conflict. But Tyrande immediately rejected the idea, stating that they had killed Cenarius, and deserved whatever fate the undead had in store for them.

This savage nature became more prevalent as they attempted to awaken the druids of the talon, sleeping in the Druid of the Talon's Barrow Dens in Winterspring. Tyrande found a group of furbolgs, whom she had tried to help in Ashenvale, and who were now corrupted by the darkening shadow. Tyrande's forces killed them all. They fought their way through the undead, with orcs and humans fighting them at every turn, until they reached the barrow dens, where Malfurion sounded the Horn of Cenarius. The druid of the talon awoke, and pledged to help Malfurion awaken the druids of the claw in the Barrow Deeps of Mount Hyjal.

Upon entering the mountainous caverns, Malfurion and Tyrande discovered gigantic spiders and other creatures, vastly mutated by the evil corruption, even within the sanctity of Hyjal. Soon, they came upon a doorway that led to the halls which held Malfurion's treacherous brother, Illidan. Despite Malfurion's protests, Tyrande entered the prison to free Illidan. Malfurion continued on, and found that the druids of the claw had forgotten themselves, and had embraced their feral bear forms as opposed to their night elven forms. The druids' minds were now identical to those of bears, making them impossible to reason with. But with the Horn of Cenarius, Malfurion broke them free of this state. Grateful to have their minds restored, the druids of the claw agreed to participate in the fight against the Legion.

Meanwhile, Tyrande had released Illidan, hoping that he could also make a significant contribution in the war effort. Still, after all these years, Malfurion refused to trust Illidan for his betrayal. Illidan pointedly reminded Malfurion that they fought the demons together once, but Malfurion was adamant; he would have nothing to do with this.

Illidan took a force of night elves into the corrupted forests of Felwood, and began to battle Tichondrius. Tyrande and Malfurion immediately rushed to reinforce Illidan, but when they arrived, Illidan was already victorious, and in the form of a monstrous demon. Illidan had claimed the powers of the Skull of Gul'dan for his own in order to gain the power to slay Tichondrius. Malfurion and Tyrande both could not believe Illidan's dire choice, and Malfurion banished him from the forests forever. Illidan did not bother to argue with his brother, and left of his own accord. That night, Malfurion received a vision. A great raven came to him and told him to bring Tyrande to the base of Mount Hyjal. Curious, he did as was instructed, and they met Jaina and Thrall, the leaders of the outlander forces in Kalimdor.

Tyrande rebuked them and was about to battle them when suddenly the raven appeared, revealing himself to be Medivh, the last Guardian of Tirisfal. Medivh convinced the night elves to join forces with the outlanders in a last ditch effort to stop Archimonde's relentless assault towards the world tree. Tyrande reluctantly agreed. From "The Sacrifice" at Hyjal's summit, where the World Tree and the Well of Eternity rested, Malfurion formed a plan of attack. The defenders quickly built fortifications all the way up the mountain, and prepared for Archimonde's ascent. Malfurion knew what had to be done; in order for Archimonde to be defeated, he had to unleash the powers of the world tree upon the mighty demon lord.

Archimonde, aided by three of his most powerful remaining lieutenants (the lich Rage Winterchill, Azgalor, successor of Mannoroth, and Anetheron, successor of Tichondrius) laid siege to Hyjal, ripping through Jaina and Thrall's bases. Finally, he came to Tyrande's last stronghold, and in turn, tore it to shreds, blew open the enchanted gates, and made his way to the World Tree. Tyrande and Malfurion watched as he approached, heedless of the Ancestral Guardians who had gathered during the battle, at the base of the World Tree. Archimonde's victory over the desperate defenders had made him overconfident, and he was completely unaware of the trap they had set for him.

When Archimonde reached the Tree, Malfurion sounded the Horn of Cenarius. The thousands of Ancestral Guardians, roused by nature herself, stirred from the trees and attacked Archimonde, detonating in an explosion so large it unmade Archimonde and incinerated the forests atop Hyjal, shattering the world tree and ending the night elves' immortality.

Malfurion and Tyrande would remain in Hyjal and began rebuilding.

Terror of the Tides
While checking on Nordrassil one day, Malfurion and Tyrande were unexpectedly met by a runner from Maiev the warden, pleading for assistance against Illidan. The former demon hunter had resurfaced and recruited a race of amphibious snake-people known as naga to aid him in his plans, which had come to include the attempted slaughter of Shadowsong and her troops. Malfurion immediately left with Tyrande to assist them.

Malfurion brought mountain giants with him to aid in the battle, and they battled through hordes of naga to reach Maiev. When they did, she was upset with Tyrande since the priestess had killed many of Maiev's Watcher guards when she freed Illidan. Malfurion stopped the argument between the two women before it broke into a fight and advised them to set aside their personal feud until Illidan was dealt with. They battled fiercely against the naga, until they finally confronted Illidan when he captured Tyrande. But he let her go with a warning not to go after him, and fled before they could apprehend him. They followed him across the sea, and landed on the shores of Lordaeron.

Troubled by the corruption of the forests, Malfurion retreated into the woods to commune with the forest spirits, but commanded Maiev and Tyrande to forget their differences for the time being in his absence during their search for Illidan.

As he went into the woods, Malfurion felt the pain of the earth, and was met by benevolent spirits of the forest who granted him a vision of Northrend, which was crumbling apart due to Illidan's reckless magics with the Eye of Sargeras. Malfurion feared for the world and resolved to stop his brother.

But when he found Maiev, he could not see Tyrande. Maiev sadly reported that Tyrande had fallen in battle. Infuriated, Malfurion led his forces against Illidan's naga, and with the help of Maiev and her new ally Kael'thas and the paladin Magroth the Defender, they defeated Illidan's forces and captured him. Malfurion accused Illidan of causing Tyrande's death, but Kael chimed in, saying that it was premature to assume her dead, and that she had only been swept down a river. Realizing that he had been deceived, Malfurion entangled Maiev and left to look for Tyrande, with Illidan volunteering his naga to scour the river.

When they found Tyrande, she and a small contingent of Sentinels were desperately battling the undead. Illidan fought to get to her through the river with his naga while Malfurion fended off the undead attackers. Finally, they pushed through the undead forces and Illidan rescued Tyrande.

When Illidan brought Tyrande back to Malfurion, he was grateful. He decided that Illidan had earned his freedom, but Malfurion warned his brother that if he ever disturbed the night elves again, he would not be so forgiving. Illidan agreed to those terms, and opened a mystic portal.

As he retreated, Maiev caught up with them, and furiously chastised Malfurion and Tyrande for allowing Illidan to leave. In a rage, she and her Watchers followed Illidan into his portal. Tyrande tried to stop her, but Malfurion let her go, knowing that nothing they could say would change her mind.

With a heavy sigh, Malfurion and Tyrande left to return to their own realm and people, for there was still work to be done.

Aftermath
In the aftermath of the horrific conflict, Malfurion and Tyrande helped their people rebuild their shattered villages and briefly ruled their people. He also befriended Hamuul Runetotem whom he began teaching in the druidic art and blessing him with the touch of nature. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world. When Malfurion heard about this plan, he warned that nature would never bless such a selfish act. Shortly thereafter, Malfurion entered the Emerald Dream to replenish his strength but his spirit became lost within the depths of the Dream when Fandral Staghelm ambushed him in his barrow den. Though his fellow druids attempted to find his wandering spirit, only his body remained sleeping within his barrow den. With Malfurion missing, Fandral Staghelm, his top lieutenant with whom he had clashed and the leader of those who wished to plant the new World Tree – became the new Archdruid of the druids. In no time at all, he and his fellow druids and the convinced Circle of Ancients from Darkshore had forged ahead and planted the great tree, Teldrassil, off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor.

Something went wrong with Malfurion's dreamstate, causing him to become trapped somewhere within the Dream, beyond even the reach of the green dragons who control it. In-game quests during vanilla indicated he was fighting alongside Cenarius's spirit against the Nightmare.

The details of Malfurion's condition were a state secret. Only the highest-ranking members of the Cenarion Circle and the Sisterhood of Elune were aware of it.

World of Warcraft
Malfurion was in a comatose state prior to the events of World of Warcraft, and remained that way through the events of the Burning Crusade and the invasion of Northrend, only awakening in the aftermath of the Lich King's defeat. This did not stop him from trying to safeguard Azeroth.

He appeared via the Emerald Dream twice, once in Moonglade, and another time in the Temple of Atal'Hakkar during the Green Shard fork of The Scepter of the Shifting Sands quest chain.

Defeating any of the Dragons of Nightmare yielded a Nightmare Engulfed Object. When taken to Remulos a vision of Malfurion, still trapped in the Emerald Dream, appeared and had a discussion with Keeper Remulos concerning the disturbing rise of the Four Dragons and the Emerald Nightmare:

In the Temple of Atal'Hakkar, during the The Scepter of the Shifting Sands quest chain, Malfurion appeared again and confirmed the existence of an Old God corrupting the Emerald Dream.

The Nightmare Lord and the return of Stormrage
In the novel Stormrage, it is revealed that Malfurion was being kept in the Emerald Dream by Fandral Staghelm, who used the Morrowgrain collected by adventurers to slowly kill his Shan'do's physical body. Malfurion was captured in the Emerald Dream and was being tortured and used by the Nightmare Lord for the purpose of conquering both the Emerald Dream and Azeroth. The Nightmare Lord was the ruler of the Emerald Nightmare, the terrible plague that covers the Emerald Dream, and later revealed to really be Malfurion's old nemesis Xavius. Malfurion gave Thura false dreams about her uncle Broxigar´s death in order to lure her to him in the Emerald Dream out of vengeance. Indeed Thura was able to enter the Emerald Dream and reach the tree where Malfurion was trapped. Unfortunately, Tyrande and her allies were in the Dream as well and despite his warnings to turn Tyrande away, she remained and wanted to stop Thura. Thura was eventually able to cut the tree form that kept Malfurion imprisoned, thus freeing him. However, he witnessed something unexpected. Ysera was lured into a trap by Lethon and the Emerald Nightmare. It was at that moment that Malfurion realized that Ysera was the Nightmare Lord's main target all along, where as Malfurion was trapped only because of personal reasons. Malfurion, alongside Tyrande, Broll, Lucan Foxblood, and Thura escaped the Emerald Dream and Malfurion´s dreamform returned to his body in the Moonglade, where the Nightmare was also present. From there he flew to Ashenvale, where he noticed the corrupted Teldrassil.

As he neared he found druids trying heal the tree. However, Malfurion understood what they were really doing: they were inadvertently corrupting it even further. Malfurion got to the Cenarion Enclave, where he found a trapped Hamuul Runetotem, Naralex and Shandris Feathermoon. Immediately, he was attacked by a crazed Fandral Staghelm, who was behind the corruption of Teldrassil. As they were battling, druids came to the Enclave where they had found Broll, who they believed to be a traitor; though Broll tried to explain that Fandral was the traitor. During the battle, Malfurion had freed Hamuul, Naralex and Shandris, and the tauren and female night elf confirmed Fandral's betrayal. At that moment, Fandral cast a spell, which started to kill the druids. Malfurion however, was able incapacitate Fandral by driving him into a state of near-catatonia after he destroyed a shadow masquerading as his late son, Valstann. After this, Malfurion saw Broll's gold eyes, thus coming to the conclusion that he has met his true potential by helping the other druids. Afterwards, he then went to Teldrassil´s crown, where he discovered the true reason for Teldrassil´s corruption: a branch of Xavius grafted onto the World Tree. After removing the branch, Malfurion led all druids to healing Teldrassil from Xavius' corruption. The healing was successful; thus allowing Alexstrasza to bless the World Tree. From that moment on, the tree became the haven and monument it was meant to be. The Dragon Queen told Malfurion that all portals to the Emerald Dream were closed, all except for Fandral's hidden portal which Malfurion knew the location of. He then ordered Shandris to take care of Darnassus´ citizens and Broll and Hamuul to watch over him as he used his dream form to travel to all over Azeroth - to Stormwind, where he convinced Varian to lead an army against the Nightmare; to Thunder Bluff, where Baine Bloodhoof also aided him; and Dalaran, though there they all were dreaming. After calling the survivors of the Emerald Nightmare's attack to arms, he returned to his body, only to find Remulos, who told him about Tyrande's kidnapping and the theft of the Axe of Cenarius. Malfurion appointed Broll to coordinate the dreamform army while he and Remulos entered the Nightmare. When they got to the location where Tyrande and the axe were held, it became apparent that Xavius used Remulos as his pawn and has corrupted him. Malfurion had to defeat the Moonglade's keeper to release Tyrande. After which, they shifted to a safer location but was still attacked by satyrs. While Tyrande called for Elune's power to hold off the satyrs' assault, Malfurion sent Broll to Thura and then heard Ysera's voice, who thanks to Lucan was able to speak and reveal where she was being imprisoned. Malfurion helped Eranikus to free Ysera, but in order to do so, Eranikus had to sacrifice himself. Though Ysera was freed, she could not save her consort and could not help Malfurion in his plan. So he decided to collect energy from both Azeroth and the Emerald Dream to cleanse Azeroth from the Nightmare. Then he attacked the tree of Xavius in Azeroth while Thura struck down Xavius' shadow tree in the Emerald Dream. With Xavius dead, what was left of the Nightmare receded into the Rift of Aln, where Xavius' master fought to keep its grip.

The Battle against the Nightmare was over and mortals battling in the Dream returned to Azeroth. Exhausted Malfurion then awoke in Darnassus. Without wasting any time and with the blessings of Ysera and Alexstrasza, well wishes from the leaders of the Alliance and their friend and old compatriot Thrall of the Horde, the two were finally married in the capital city of the night elves, Darnassus.

The Shattering: Prelude to Cataclysm
After King Magni Bronzebeard's petrification, as the leaders of their people Malfurion and Tyrande attended the memorial gathering in Old Ironforge.

Seeds of Faith
After the Cataclysm caused Azeroth to be plagued by a series of natural disasters, Malfurion used his druids to survey the damage to night elf settlements. Though some settlements still stand, others such as the ones in Darkshore were unapproachable due to strong wind currents and storms. Worst, there was a recent report of naga invading the area. Malfurion accompanied Tyrande Whisperwind in the search and rescue of General Shandris Feathermoon. The two night elves dispatched the invading naga force stationed at Sardor Isle and rescued the critically injured general. Malfurion and Tyrande later attended a memorial service for those who fell during the recent calamitous events and stood together against the tide of pain and loss.

Wolfheart
Malfurion Stormrage has tried his best to maintain unity within the Alliance, but his duties as a druid caused him to focus more on the wilds. Both he and his mate, Tyrande, knew that someone else must take up the mantle of guiding the Alliance, especially since in the wake of the Cataclysm, they faced a revitalized Horde led by a violent new warchief. Both Malfurion and his mate set up a summit not only to propose the induction of the worgen and Gilneas into the Alliance, but also to see if one would arise to lead the Alliance in this new world. A task not easily done as King Varian Wrynn harbored animosity towards the now humbled King Genn Greymane. Malfurion also faced other troubles. Aside from dealing with the politics of the Alliance, there have been sudden reports of Highborne being murdered in Darnassus.

Unbeknown to him, Malfurion had drawn the ire of Maiev, who was outraged that he has forgiven the Highborne and welcomed them back into night elf society. Not only that, she despised Malfurion for not having Teldrassil properly blessed, thus preventing the night elves from regaining their immortality. Malfurion felt that the night elves have grown too complacent and jaded with their immortality and that it was time for them to once again start living mortal lives to better appreciate the world. Maiev had planned on capturing Malfurion and giving him a slow rotting death. Yet her machinations were foiled by her own brother, Jarod Shadowsong, who rescued him. Malfurion and Jarod then rescued the Highborne from being slaughtered by Maiev and drove her away. Later on, Jarod was appointed to lead a new security force, and Malfurion warned him not to follow the path of obsession as Maiev did. Malfurion then witnessed the worgen being officially accepted into the Alliance.

Cataclysm
Malfurion makes his formal in-game debut in Darnassus, standing next to Tyrande Whisperwind as a co-leader of the night elves.

In Darkshore, Malfurion has called a massive swirling vortex of air to fight the Elements. He is giving every ounce of his power to prevent Darkshore's entire landmass from being shattered and swept into the ocean, while the night elves and adventurers attempt to stop the rampaging elementals and save the region. He then took part in stopping the Naga and Twilight's Hammer threat at the southern end of the region. Later on, the adventurer is sent to retrieve the Horn of the Ancients, revealing that Queen Azshara was responsible for the troubles of the zone, in order to keep Malfurion's attention away from the work being done in Hyjal. Malfurion then leaves to join the Guardians of Hyjal in stopping Ragnaros.

In Hyjal, Malfurion leads the charge against the Firelord Ragnaros and takes part, along with Hamuul and Cenarius, in sending the Firelord back to the Firelands.

Elemental Bonds
Malfurion met with his friend Thrall, and Thrall's mate Aggra to combine the powers of the druids and shamans in Hyjal. However, they are attacked by a mysterious assailant - who shatters Thrall's essence into the elemental planes. Malfurion swears revenge on the figure, who promptly reveals himself as none other than Malfurion's former pupil; the Archdruid of Darnassus in his absence -- Fandral Staghelm.

Rage of the Firelands
Fandral begins to take druids into his new, corrupted sect in service of Ragnaros, named the Druids of the Flame. Leyara - Fandral's daughter in law, who had blamed Malfurion's neutrality with the Horde for her daughter's death - attacks and seemingly kills Hamuul Runetotem, whose wounded body is brought to the Sanctuary of Malorne for healing. Malfurion later attempts to convince Leyara that Fandral's corruption runs too deep, though she disregards his words, only paying attention when Malfurion reveals Hamuul is indeed alive. He watches as a revitalized Hamuul disposes of her, and the two friends leave.

Following Thrall's restoration, Malfurion is present alongside Tyrande to witness Aggra and Thrall become life-mates.

During the raid into the Firelands, an enraged Fandral demands that his followers bring Malfurion to him alive. During the final battle against Ragnaros in his most powerful form, Malfurion alongside Cenarius and Hamuul assist heroes in ending the Firelord's ambitions for good.

Well of Eternity
His past self appears in the Well of Eternity, released in Patch 4.3: Hour of Twilight. While the players aid Illidan and Tyrande in battling Mannoroth and Varo'then, Malfurion aids the aspects in closing the portal in the Well of Eternity, forcing the Burning Legion out of Azeroth.

Tides of War
When the Horde was about to attack Theramore, Jaina asked Malfurion and Tyrande for warriors and ships. The Archdruid and his wife sent Shandris and a group of Sentinels to aid in the defense effort.

Malfurion and his wife were also willing to help Varian in the counter-attack by sending a few dozen ships.

War Crimes
After Tyrande was chosen as the Accuser in the trial of Garrosh Hellscream, during their dinner in Darnassus, Malfurion told her that he was worried about how the trial might change her, as she was inciting hatred and a desire to condemn others, not using her beautiful heart.

A Terrible Portent
During the war in Draenor, Archimonde held a fragment of power from the Rift of Aln that was supposed to have been sealed away, which disturbed Malfurion greatly, as it possibly meant that the Emerald Nightmare was apparently breaking free once again. Believing it to be a terrible portent, he set off for Val'sharah, where he was first trained as a druid.

Legion
Malfurion attended the funeral of Varian Wrynn and says the Alliance must find balance despite their shared grief. When Jace Darkweaver arrives at the funeral to inform the assembled leaders that Stormwind's guards have been infiltrated by the Legion, Malfurion is uneasy about the demon hunters no longer being locked up.

Within the Moonglade, Malfurion gathers Hamuul Runetotem, Zen'tabra, Naralex, Remulos, and an adventurer to open a portal through the Emerald Dream to the Dreamgrove in Val'sharah. After the adventurer retrieves an artifact of great power, Malfurion names them an Archdruid of the Cenarion Circle.

The Tears of Elune, one of the Pillars of Creation needed to close the Tomb of Sargeras and stop the invasion of the Burning Legion, is located in Val'sharah. Malfurion sends word to Khadgar in Dalaran that retrieving it should be simple and he need only ask Cenarius for the relic. However, upon arrival at the Grove of Cenarius Malfurion discovers that his shan'do is afflicted by the Emerald Nightmare and will not wake. Distraught, Malfurion calls for three ancient archdruids — Koda Steelclaw, Thaon Moonclaw, and Elothir — to join him at the Forest Lord's side. While Koda and Elothir are gathered, Thaon is corrupted by the resurrected Xavius and ultimately slain.

Malfurion, Elothir, and Koda call on Ysera to ask for her aid, and the former Aspect believes the Tears of Elune can save Cenarius. However, the temple where they are held is under attack from Xavius. The Nightmare Lord steals the Tears of Elune before Malfurion can use them to save Cenarius. Without the Tears Cenarius succumbs to corruption, and Malfurion pursues Xavius in his rage at the loss of his shan'do. Unfortunately, Xavius is not done taking from Malfurion: when Ysera and an adventurer locate Xavius, he is able to corrupt the former Aspect herself, turning her into a dragon of Nightmare. Xavius and Ysera retreat with Malfurion held captive, followed by an adventurer and Tyrande, who had arrived after seeing a vision of her husband.

With Malfurion held captive, Xavius gives the High Priestess an ultimatum: she can pursue him and spend her husband's last moments at his side, or she can return to the Temple of Elune and protect it from Xavius's forces which will be led by Ysera. Mournful and distraught, Tyrande chooses her goddess over her love, though the decision hurts her. After Ysera's death, Tyrande tasks adventurers with following Xavius and Malfurion. At the Darkheart Thicket Malfurion is freed and Xavius's shade on Azeroth defeated, but his true form still lurks within the Nightmare. Within the Emerald Nightmare, Malfurion aids adventurers against his fallen Shan'do. But with Malfurion's urging, they are able to get through to Cenarius and, while he is beaten, the great demigod is only unconscious. Malfurion focuses all of his energy into cleansing Cenarius. He dares not venture into the Rift of Aln himself, as while his bond to the Emerald Dream gives him great power it also makes him vulnerable to the rift's darkness; if Malfurion were to enter the Rift of Aln, he would be taken by the Nightmare just as Cenarius was. With Malfurion staying behind with his Shan'do, he entrusts adventurers to slay Xavius, cleanse the Emerald Dream, and save Azeroth.

When an Alliance player reaches Prestige Rank 2, Malfurion can be found in Stormwind Keep alongside other notable leaders of the Alliance. During A Royal Audience (Alliance), he is present at the ceremony hosted by King Anduin Wrynn that congratulates the character for their battles against the Horde, following their receiving of the Grand Marshal's Medal of Valor from the King, as well as an artifact appearance.

Moments of Reflection
Before he left for Antorus, the Burning Throne for the final battle with the Legion, a revived Illidan created a crystal with a message for Malfurion. He spoke of how the teachings of Cenarius were not for him as they were for his brother, and how all the power he sought was not to conquer or rule, but to save Azeroth, despite Malfurion's distrust--though Illidan admitted he did not make it easy for Malfurion to do so. With his fate becoming clear, Illidan wished to finally quiet the strife that had long divided them and entrust the safety of the world to his brother, for there was no one he trusted to face threats more than him. While Malfurion had spent a lifetime fighting for the dream of what Azeroth could be, he now must fight for what it is. With his final words, Illidan asked Malfurion to take care of Tyrande and listen to her counsel, for she was always the best of them. The road ahead would be long, but whatever came, he knew Malfurion would bring honor to the name Stormrage.

Malfurion's response was to speak of how his brother made selfish choices, brought pain to so many, and his transgressions were difficult to forgive. And yet, he recalled the times when they fought together for a common cause and shared purpose, calling them good days. But with the wound Sargeras inflicted in Silithus, it was not the time to ponder personal regrets. Malfurion declared that they must focus on healing the world.

Before the Storm
After being made aware of the dire condition Azeroth was in, Tyrande Whisperwind and Malfurion Stormrage met with King Anduin Wrynn to discuss the night elves' progress in healing Azeroth and their investigations about Azerite. Malfurion told him that the Cenarion Circle sent druids to Silithus to assess the damage. As they rode through the city of Darnassus on nightsabers, Malfurion further elaborated that the druids of Cenarion Hold were all killed by Sargeras' destruction and Tyrande had sent priestesses of Elune to help when she got word of their deaths. Although the night elves thought to make moonwells to heal the wounds of Silithus, their priestesses and druids were unable to finish creating one with the goblins plundering Azerite from the land. The night elves, however, found a vein of Azerite and took some samples to study. Malfurion told Anduin that although he cannot deny the magnificence of Azerite's power, he promised Anduin the night elves will do all within their power to prevent its misuse. Tyrande introduced Sentinel Cordressa Briarbow to Anduin whose unit was providing protection to the Explorers' League. Anduin commended Tyrande for her wise initiative and pledged some of his own men to guard further expeditions as well. During their discussion, a gnome Kirin Tor mage portalled in to deliver a message from Kalecgos. Kalecgos reported Jaina Proudmoore's visit to him and informed Anduin she will be unavailable for the foreseeable future. Anduin revealed the message spoke of Jaina and all the leaders spoke of their hopes that Jaina will one day return to active duty in their coalition. With their business concluded, Anduin Hearthstoned back to Stormwind.

War of the Thorns
While the night elf fleet was en route to Silithus and Tyrande was in Stormwind City, the Horde began to invade Ashenvale. The Sentinels in Ashenvale sent a hurried warning to Malfurion in Darnassus. After being briefed of the situation, Malfurion sent Sentinel Eriadnar to inform the Alliance leadership of the invasion and notified them that he will slow the Horde's advance until reinforcements arrive. He will also be evacuating the civilians of Darnassus and Darkshore and sending them over to Stormwind. Meanwhile, Malfurion also dispatched a druid trainee named Teshara to recall the night elf fleet en route to Silithus. With luck, the night elf defenders will buy enough time to evacuate the civilians and for the reinforcements to arrive in time to turn the Horde away. Malfurion sent a group of druids to Captain Delaryn Summermoon and ordered her to slow the Horde's advance until he arrives. As Malfurion made his way to the battlefront, he encountered a group of druids under attack by Horde assailants. He told the sole survivor, Ferryn, to escape while he paid his respects to his fallen druid brothers and sisters.

Captain Summermoon managed to delay the Horde for a while at Falfarren River, but eventually the Horde overcame their defenses. When the Horde breached the night elves' side of the river, Malfurion arrived at the edge of the forests and ordered Summermoon's beleaguered forces to retreat while he and a few defenders covered them. As the night elves fell back deeper into the forests, Malfurion Stormrage spoke to High Overlord Saurfang from the concealment of the woods. Saurfang proclaimed that the night elves' lands would soon belong to the Horde and offers the night elves a chance to leave in peace; Malfurion responded that the Horde will pay in blood for each step it gains. Malfurion ripped hard into the Horde in the northern borders of Ashenvale. As he tried to slow the Horde down, he was ambushed by a Horde rogue named Lorash Sunbeam. Malfurion was far too quick for Lorash however, and easily evaded his attack. He then summoned roots to subdue the blood elf. Malfurion told Lorash that his animosity was senseless and tried to remind the blood elf that the kaldorei and the sin'dorei had once lived, fought, and died together. Lorash, however, responded that Malfurion was the one that created the division between their peoples by exiling his ancestors. Lorash blamed Malfurion for the suffering his people had to endure while trying to establish themselves in the Eastern Kingdoms and had personally lost family from harsh winters, hostile trolls, and the Scourge. Malfurion countered that his people had just repelled the Burning Legion and lost their homeland, yet not once did he entertain the idea of attacking Quel'Thalas despite the wars between their factions. When Lorash did not seem to regret his hatred and was taunting Malfurion about losing his home, Malfurion pitied him and said he is glad most of his kind is not as lost. Suddenly, their conversation was interrupted by an attack from Sylvanas Windrunner. As Malfurion defended himself, he had his roots crush Lorash's throat while proclaiming that the Horde has not conquered his home yet.

Malfurion evaded Sylvanas and continued to covertly wreak havoc on the Horde. Sometime later, he circled back south to Astranaar, where Captain Summermoon was drawing Varok Saurfang out into the open for an ambush. The moment Saurfang was lured out of his inn, he sensed a trap and was about to return to safety. However, Malfurion arrived just in time to suddenly strike at Saurfang, causing enough chaos for Captain Summermoon's forces to take the Horde guards by surprise. Malfurion pursued Saurfang to Astranaar's inn, where he summoned an overgrowth to consume Saurfang and the inn. Saurfang challenged Malfurion to a mak'gora, but Malfurion did not care about orcish duels and simply tried to ensnare Saurfang. Malfurion eventually overwhelmed Saurfang and used roots to bind his legs. Trapped in a collapsing inn, Saurfang admitted to himself that there was nothing he could do against Malfurion's power. But as the inn began to collapse around them, Sylvanas Windrunner fired an arrow of dark magic at Malfurion, distracting him from Saurfang. Sylvanas had rallied the Horde to route the night elf defenders and forced Malfurion to retreat with them. Although he last saw Saurfang being buried by collapsing rubble, Saurfang's appearance at Zoram'gar revealed he had survived the ambush.

At the Twilight Vale in Darkshore, Malfurion held off the Horde forces, Sylvanas included, with roots and a wall of wisps. Among the wisps he had called were the spirits of Astranaar's dead. When Captain Delaryn Summermoon reported that Sylvanas had made her way to Zoram'gar Outpost, Malfurion told her to gather as many night elf troops from the surrounding outposts as she could. Malfurion tasked an adventurer with putting down the Blackwood furbolgs that had been driven into a frenzy by the Horde's destruction of Darkshore, and gathering druids to meet at the Grove of the Ancients. Once the Horde forces at the grove were defeated, Malfurion blinded Sylvanas and her forces with Sunfire.

Sometime later Malfurion commanded the Alliance's forces in battle with the Horde at the Wildbend River, but with the Horde having superior numbers he decided to regroup in Darnassus. To bolster Malfurion's forces, an Alliance champion rallied the Priestesses of Elune, Sentinels, and Druids of the Claw. They met up with Malfurion at Rut'theran Village, where Malfurion welcomed back the recalled night elf fleet. Soon after, the night elves made their last stand. The battle turned, however, when the Horde somehow infiltrated Darkshore from the north and were luring the wisps to another front. With the wisps distracted, the wisp wall began to disperse, allowing the Horde army to breach Darkshore. Malfurion knew he could not save his people and could only mitigate the disaster. He told Teshara to give a missive he wrote to Tyrande, explaining that he was going to try to assassinate Sylvanas alone. As Captain Summermoon despaired, Malfurion comforted her and commended her for her efforts. He tasked her to take her troops to Mist's Edge and do what they could. Malfurion then traveled to face Sylvanas and her army. When Malfurion found Sylvanas, he told her that she will not be forgiven for her atrocities; to which Sylvanas responded that she was well aware. Malfurion battled Sylvanas outside Lor'danel. Despite Sylvanas calling on various Horde soldiers for assistance, she was nearly killed by Malfurion. However, Saurfang arrived and in a moment of quick thinking or desperation, he struck Malfurion from behind, taking him unaware and heavily injuring him. Saurfang, however, felt remorse for what he thought was a dishonorable act, despite Sylvanas praising him and offering him the final blow. Sylvanas tasked Saurfang with taking Malfurion's head shortly before departing for the world tree. Yet despite this, Saurfang could not bring himself to execute Malfurion. When Tyrande arrived, she spared Saurfang for sparing Malfurion, and then took her wounded husband to Stormwind via a hearthstone from Anduin, though not before criticizing Saurfang for participating in this honorless war and darkly claiming they will return to reclaim their homeland. Tyrande tasked the Alliance adventurer with traveling to Darnassus to make the occupation more tolerable, but soon afterwards Teldrassil was burned down by the Horde.

Malfurion and Tyrande later relocated to Stormwind Keep with him having fully recovered.

Tides of Vengeance
Sometime later, Tyrande returned to Darkshore to undergo the ritual of the Night Warrior: the incarnation of Elune's fury. Legend said that long ago, the Night Warrior was used by the night elves to carve out their empire. None who have attempted the ritual since then have survived, for Elune's raw power tore them apart. Despite the danger, Tyrande managed to survive. Malfurion ran into his beloved at the Ashwood Depot in Darkshore shortly after she dealt with Deathstalker Commander Belmont and his forces. Though Malfurion wanted to fight the nearby Nathanos Blightcaller and his two Val'kyr alongside Tyrande, Tyrande instead told him to wait on the sidelines until she gave the order.

On the beach where Delaryn had died outside Lor'danel, Nathanos was attempting to raise both her and Sira Moonwarden, who Tyrande arrived just barely too late to save. Partway into her battle with Nathanos Tyrande was shackled by the Val'kyr Brynja, but she quickly broke free and shrouded the area in darkness with the Night Warrior's power. It was then that Malfurion joined her, battling Brynja in bear form as Tyrande handled Nathanos. However, the Val'kyr succeeded in raising Delaryn and Sira. Despite Tyrande's efforts to convince them not to give in to darkness, they blamed both her and Elune for abandoning them and declared their allegiance to the Forsaken. Tyrande angrily slew Brynja as the Horde escaped, and while Malfurion wanted to hunt them down, Tyrande instead convinced him to pull back their forces for the time being.

Malfurion later raided Horde supply caravans; and later on, spurred the Ancients and spirits of nature to aid the Alliance during the Battle for Darkshore.

He was later present on the Kul Tiran vessel in Stormwind Harbor with the other Alliance leaders to witness the Kul Tirans gifting the vessel to Anduin and rejoining the Alliance.

Shadows Rising
Following the fall of N'Zoth, Malfurion, Tyrande, and the night elven people made their new home in Nordrassil. Malfurion and Tyrande had taken to ignoring any and all missives sent to them by the young King Anduin Wrynn. In light of both the Cenarion Circle and Earthen Ring sensing something horrible within the spirit world, Malfurion and Tyrande agreed for Thrall to meet with them under the condition that the Earthen Ring Yukha was to be present and for Thrall to bring what was owed.

After Thrall and his companions (Baine Bloodhoof and Calia Menethil) arrived, Malfurion, Tyrande, Shandris Feathermoon, and Maiev Shadowsong greeted them with frosty, rigid silence. Thrall formally apologized to night elves and explained how the Horde sought to change, causing Malfurion to give Thrall the smallest nod of understanding, showing that he was listening. Tyrande stated that she saw their words as empty pledges of justice, and then the moon grew darker and more menacing ready to assault Thrall and his companions. Fortunately, Malfurion soothed the Night Warrior and avoided bloodshed. Malfurion witnessed Thrall promising to give his wife the head of Sylvanas Windrunner.

Shadowlands
Malfurion was present in Bashal'Aran and witnessed Tyrande's speech about Horde's defeat in Darkshore. Within the visions of Ysera while in the wildseed, Malfurion can be seen comforting Tyrande Whisperwind.

Quests

 * Darkshore
 * Malfurion's Return
 * Protector of Ameth'Aran
 * The Land Is in Their Blood
 * The Last Wildkin
 * Sworn to Protect
 * The Blackwood Pledge
 * The Wildkin's Oath
 * The Emerald Dream (quest)
 * Leaving the Dream
 * The Eye of All Storms
 * Mounting the Offensive
 * The Offering to Azshara
 * The Battle for Darkshore


 * Peering Into the Vortex


 * Mount Hyjal
 * Protect the World Tree
 * War on the Twilight's Hammer
 * The Flameseer's Staff
 * Flamebreaker
 * The Return of Baron Geddon


 * Firelands Invasion
 * A Ritual of Flame
 * To the Sanctuary!
 * The Sanctuary Must Not Fall
 * Through the Gates of Hell
 * Into the Depths (Molten Front)
 * The Rest is History


 * The Dreamway
 * To The Dreamgrove
 * Ascending The Circle
 * Word on the Winds
 * Tying Up Loose Ends
 * Cenarius, Keeper of the Grove
 * Nature's Call (quest)
 * Return to the Grove (Elothir)
 * Return to the Grove (Evelle Nightwhisper)
 * Return to the Grove (Koda Steelclaw)
 * The Emerald Queen
 * The Emerald Nightmare: Piercing the Veil


 * A Soft Glow
 * Hidden Amongst the Leaves
 * Mercy for the Mad
 * Malfurion Returns
 * "Rock" The World
 * Long Away
 * A Looming Threat (Alliance)
 * A Threat from the North
 * Rescue Effort
 * Defending Lor'danel


 * Eranikus, Tyrant of the Dream (quest)
 * Shadow of the Defiler
 * Dark Waters

Powers and abilities
Malfurion Stormrage is viewed as a prophet and savior to his people, the greatest druid ever to live, and "arguably one of the most powerful beings in history", and Tyrande Whisperwind called him "the wisest and most powerful of all the druids". He has been described as "unique―the greatest druid the night elves had ever produced" and so deep was his affinity for nature that he possessed a stag's antlers, feathers on his muscled arms like wings, and feet resembling those of a great cat, in full command of whichever aspect of himself he manifested. The Highborne also hold Malfurion in high esteem, with Mordent Evenshade believing that he has given them a chance to survive, and even Var'dyn Skyseeker and his fellow Shen'dralar greatly respected the power of the legendary archdruid.

Malfurion Stormrage's feats even during the War of the Ancients, when he himself was still a student of druidism under Cenarius, are also considerable. Malfurion was able to infiltrate the Eternal Palace using the Emerald Dream to bypass its defenses; summon massive roots from the earth forcing Archimonde to retreat after he witnessed Malorne being killed; defeat Xavius by turning him into a tree, vanquish Hakkar the Houndmaster using a ferocious lightning storm, and instantly kill Varo'then by drawing upon his world's natural energies. Towards the end of the war, he successfully healed Ysera after one of her wings was badly wounded in aerial combat, and summoned a massive tornado at the heart of the Well of Eternity which destroyed the Legion's portal and banished most of their ranks from Azeroth, resulting in the Great Sundering. At least in the original timeline, after seeing Tyrande suffer grievous wounds at the Queen's Royal Guard, Malfurion, in "a murderous rage", tried to kill Queen Azshara herself, their devastating battle throwing the Highborne's spellwork into chaos and causing the Sundering. He also allegedly ​destroyed the dreadlord Kathra'natir during the conflict.

Malfurion was able to defeat Xavius once again in the Emerald Nightmare by drawing upon the primal connection between Azeroth and the Emerald Dream, saving the inhabitants of his entire world from being consumed and corrupted by its darkness, and seemingly ending the Nightmare's threat for several years. Using every ounce of his power at the Eye of the Vortex, the newly reawakened Malfurion prevented Darkshore's landmass from being shattered and swept into the ocean after the Cataclysm, with some assistance from others in the region, and summoned a cyclone to push back a flood at Sardor Isle and called down the wrath of a thunderstorm to sear dozens of naga with lightning bolts. He later led the resistance efforts against Ragnaros himself atop Mount Hyjal, being personally instrumental to the Firelord's ultimate defeat after helping fight him in the Firelands, where he notably protected others from his fire attacks using his Cloudburst ability, and with tremendous effort was later able to successfully cleanse Cenarius of the Nightmare's taint.

During the War of the Thorns, Malfurion was able to easily defeat Varok Saurfang, one of the mightiest and most experienced warriors and leaders of the Horde, within seconds after facing him in direct combat, and Saurfang himself had earlier privately expressed a belief that there was no doubt that he would lose were he to fight Malfurion. He served as an entire front against Horde forces all by himself, and appeared able to easily take advantage of Ashenvale's environment against his enemies, tearing their ranks asunder as he struck, and evening the odds such that Saurfang realized that there would be more Horde casualties than kaldorei once the final numbers were tallied. Malfurion was able to fight evenly with Sylvanas Windrunner, whom his student and fellow druid Ferryn described as "arguably the most powerful member of the Horde", after they clashed several times throughout the conflict, and even she at first seemed uncertain if she alone could match either him or Tyrande Whisperwind in open battle.

In times of great need and difficulty, Malfurion has been able to call upon the assistance of wisps, the departed spirits of his ancestors. His first instance, using the Horn of Cenarius, ignited the Dragon Aspect blessings upon Nordrassil, enabling the night elves to destroy Archimonde and win the Third War. He beckoned their aid once again most recently in the War of the Thorns, where they were able to incinerate nearly a hundred armored Horde soldiers within moments, and then together form a massive protective wall acting as a formidable barrier capable of temporarily holding even Sylvanas and the entire Horde military at bay.

During the Fourth War, in bear form, Malfurion was able to simultaneously destroy several goblin-piloted Sputtering Fleshrenders using multiple Engulfing Roots, and single-handedly ambushed and slew an entire Horde supply party within minutes in bear form. He has also shown himself capable of flying using the Archdruid's Lunarwing Form, and at Bashal'Aran, he called upon several powerful ancients, Shadebough and Gnarlroot, to support the kaldorei's efforts to restore the land and rallying them against the Horde.

Malfurion can also summon treant allies to defend himself, call forth Entangling Roots to hold and constrain other powerful beings,  temporarily blind and weaken others using Sunfire, and he once temporarily granted a young human orphan a pair of functional white wings. While Malfurion was born with silver eyes, unlike his brother Illidan who had golden eyes signifying strong druidic potential, his eyes eventually acquired a golden incandescence, as his "wholehearted dedication" to the noble path of Cenarius gave him a power and skill far beyond most druids.

His powers are not without limits, however. He has been defeated by the Shade of Xavius after allowing his anger and rage to take control of him, and further stated that his bond with the Emerald Dream makes him vulnerable to the Rift of Aln's darkness. Despite his greatly enhanced senses and considerable knowledge as one of the oldest and most experienced Alliance leaders, he is not infallible, as he was defeated after Saurfang ambushed him from behind after throwing his axe into his back, and had he single-handedly fought the Horde army at Ashenvale, he would have inevitably fallen to them.

In the RPG
Illidan acquired Nature's Ring, a powerful druidic ring, as a gift from his brother Malfurion long ago, before their rivalry.

Brann and the druids
After speaking with the druids in Moonglade, Brann Bronzebeard was given an explanation behind the mysterious circumstances of Malfurion's coma — that someone actually attacked Malfurion. "An unknown assailant recently did something to the famed leader of the druids, Malfurion Stormrage, and he has been in some sort of catatonic state ever since. With the knowledge that the Cenarion Circle has an enemy powerful enough to incapacitate their leader, the druids have become increasingly worried and suspicious. After speaking with some of the druids here, I learned some unusual — and unsettling — facts." Brann believes that whatever did this may be one of the most powerful entities in the world. "Prime suspects are Remulos and Fandral Staghelm, since they are the only druids powerful enough to potentially sabotage Malfurion's efforts in the Emerald Dream; but perhaps the betrayer wasn't a druid at all."

Personality
Malfurion is the wise and stalwart leader of the night elf druids. He has a fatherly air about him, and takes great pleasure in guiding people to discover insights about themselves and the environment around them. He prefers not to solve problems directly for individuals, or to give completely thorough answers, but rather provide useful hints and advice so that others may achieve discovery on their own.

He is grateful to the orc and human armies for their assistance against the Burning Legion and welcomes visitors of those races with open arms. He also holds great respect for tauren and dwarves. However, Malfurion considers high elves and goblins extremely distasteful, and will expel them from Ashenvale whenever he encounters them. Horde and Alliance politics hold little interest for Malfurion as, in his mind, the needs of his people and their environment transcend what he considers to be petty rivalries between the other races.

Visitors who display a proper respect for the natural environment and its inhabitants will be greeted warmly by Malfurion and his druids. They welcome outsiders for short periods of time with offers of shelter and sustenance. However, Ashenvale is the sacred home of the night elves, and Malfurion does not appreciate or tolerate prolonged visits by members of the other races. Emissaries and adventurers are occasionally welcome, but settlers and those who attempt to wrest profit from the land are expelled immediately.

"Stalwart," "wise", and "righteous" are the words that best describe Shan'do Stormrage. He is set in his path of safeguarding his beloved forests and the sanctity of life on Azeroth. Malfurion's burden is a hard one to shoulder; he must safeguard both the forests of Kalimdor and the Emerald Dream, a nearly impossible task. Malfurion must sometimes be reminded that others may help him shoulder the burden — Cenarius was his teacher and the other druids and ancients are more than willing to aid their Shan'do. The one thing Malfurion loves above nature and life is Tyrande, his beloved — to live without her is not to live at all.

In combat Malfurion calls on nature to aid him in battle. He relies on summoned creatures, treants, dryads, night elf warriors and other allies. He supports them with spells and acts as their general. If Malfurion is encountered alone, he usually uses his spells and abilities to escape into the forests and return later with help.

Appearance
Malfurion generally looks like a normal male night elf, with the exception of a pair of stag antlers growing from his head. Unlike most other night elves with antlers (a blessing of Cenarius considered to be a sign of future greatness ), he grew them later in life while other elves such as Broll Bearmantle had them at birth. Since Malfurion's spirit spent many years in the Emerald Dream while his body slept, it started to take on attributes of his animal forms: He gained the attributes of a bird (feathers on arms), a cat (feet), and a bear. There are also glowing blue bolts along his arms, shoulders, chest and stomach. His beard has also grown much longer than before.

There is some inconsistency as to the color of Malfurion's hair. In Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne it is shown to be blue. However, the The Well of Eternity cover shows it green. Furthermore the action figure, other colored images, the Warcraft III cinematic and his World of Warcraft model show it to be green. It seems most likely for it to be green as the most World of Warcraft and the RPG images were the last sources given.

Personality
He feels remorse when he asks nature to sacrifice itself in order to heal others. After he realized how much Xavius had suffered he felt truly sorry for him.

War of the Ancients Trilogy

 * "You'll find us a sour treat." (Malfurion's answer to Sargeras' threat that he will devour all of Azeroth.)
 * "You want power? Feel the power of the world you would betray, captain!"
 * "For you, there is only the Well and the supposed might of a demon that claims godhood. For me--there's the power of the world itself as my ally."
 * "You have betrayed too many, you have hurt too many, lord advisor. I won't let you hurt anyone, anymore. From you there will only come life from now on, not death."
 * "Hush Tyrande! Where is Illidan?
 * "Illidan, the Well is out of control!
 * "Not if we are caught up in it! Why weren't you running? What have you've been doing with your hand in the Well, Illidan?

Warcraft III

 * "The horn has sounded, and I have come as promised. I smell the stench of decay and corruption in our land. That angers me greatly."
 * "Oh, no. How could I have forgotten? This door leads to Illidan's prison, Tyrande. We should go... now!"
 * "That beast must never be set free!"
 * "Illidan! You were sentenced to pay for your sins, nothing more!"
 * "Whatever comes, my love, remember--our bond is eternal."
 * "If pride gives us pause, my love, then perhaps we have lived long enough already."
 * "You have brought much suffering to the world, Illidan. For that, you can never be forgiven. However, you saved the life of my love. For that I will let you go. But, should you ever threaten my people again..."

Stormrage

 * You are beyond being my student anymore. No student could I dare ask what I must ask you now!

Cataclysm

 * Greetings
 * "Hail to the night!"
 * "May Elune grant us strength."


 * Dialogue

My heart is heavy with the burden of this war. I lead my people to their deaths. But if we cannot stand against Ragnaros now, how will we withstand Neltharion?
 * Molten Front

We must fight with everything we have, or witness the destruction of our world.


 * You have done well, . Our presence here can no longer be unnoticed by Ragnaros.  We are an essential thorn in his side.  As his rage grows, so must we continue to press forward.
 * We must stay ever vigilant here, but it is time to cast our eyes upon the final battle. It is time to face the Lord of Fire himself.


 * We are building a permanent outpost here in the Firelands, . Even if Ragnaros is defeated, another may someday take his place. We cannot allow what happened in the Burning Steppes and Mount Hyjal to threaten our world again.
 * To that end, we will grow the "Sentinel Tree." A tree with roots in Azeroth, but a protective canopy growing here in this terrible realm. Under its shelter, we will permanently station a group of druids to maintain an eternal vigil over this desolate world.

Warlords of Draenor
It is good to be back among the ancient trees of the Moonglade, even if only for a brief respite.
 * Moonglade gossip

Legion

 * Greetings
 * "How may I aid you?"
 * "How may nature serve?"
 * "I must protect the wild."
 * "Greetings, friend."


 * Irritated
 * "Time wears thin."
 * "You tempt nature's wrath."
 * "Time waits for no one."


 * Farewell
 * "May nature guide your path."
 * "May the winds be at your back."
 * "Nature stands with you."

Cenarius, my mentor...
 * Grove of Cenarius

What foul power could hold sway over him?


 * Dialogue

Welcome to Lorlathil, sanctuary of the druids. Though this forest has aged, its spirits still remember me.
 * Lorlathil

Battle for Azeroth
The Horde will come to regret the day they stepped into Darkshore. Mark my words, .
 * Gossip

In Hearthstone

 * Malfurion is the HS Malfurion Stormrage (default hero) (player character) for the druid class in Hearthstone. His flavor text reads: "The lord of the night elves is a wise and noble leader. Yes, those antlers are real."
 * Winning 1,000 HS Ranked or HS Arena games as a druid unlocks the alternate HS Shan'do Malfurion hero, whose flavor text reads: "A good seed that blossomed into one of the most powerful archdruids of all time."
 * In the Knights of the Frozen Throne expansion, the nine heroes of Warcraft have been raised as powerful death knights of the Lich King, with Malfurion embracing the spreading of plagues through insects and becoming HS Malfurion the Pestilent. His flavor text reads: "Cenarius once taught me about the precarious balance between life and death. I have come to understand: there IS no balance. Death always wins."

In Heroes of the Storm
Malfurion is a in Heroes of the Storm.

One of his skins, "Betrayer Malfurion", depicts an alternate reality in which Malfurion became the Betrayer, Illidan became archdruid and Tyrande became a warden. The skin's description reads: "Sargeras's whispers of power were impossible for the broken Malfurion to resist. She had called him "Betrayer"... Soon, they would all call him Master." Another skin, "Storm Mantle Malfurion", depicts a reality where Broll Bearmantle died protecting Mount Hyjal. The description reads "Although Broll Bearmantle had saved the Archdruid's life, it had cost him his own. Even now, Malfurion wears his armor to remind himself of the sacrifices that saved Hyjal."

Notes and trivia

 * Malfurion considered Elerethe Renferal as a sister and vowed to tend to Alterac Valley in her name.
 * While Stormrage establishes Malfurion and Tyrande as the official co-leaders of their people (at her insistence), in the game only Tyrande is classified as a racial leader. While still a boss class, Malfurion is not even flagged for PvP, and does not assist Tyrande if she is attacked by Horde players.
 * Malfurion's parents died by accident years before the events of the War of the Ancients. According to Malfurion, if his parents had lived to see him they would have died of shame for how humbly he dressed.
 * Malfurion is occasionally called Furion or Mal by close friends or relatives; the shortened versions of Malfurion, although these nicknames have only been used in older novels.
 * Interestingly, Furion was used only in the first version of the History of Warcraft chapters and in Warcraft III, while only Mal is used in subsequent media. The Illidan novel presents a scene from Brothers in Blood where Tyrande calls him Mal, instead of Furion as was in the game.
 * Malfurion is seen during the Children's Week festivities, where the human orphan desires to meet with the newly returned Archdruid. Malfurion grants him a temporary pair of white wings.
 * Malfurion commands a great deal of respect from other prominent characters in the Warcraft lore; Medivh called Malfurion by the kaldorei title "Shan'do" (honored teacher) during The Third War, and Thrall addresses him as "Master Stormrage". During the War of the Ancients, Ysera allowed Malfurion to ride her as a flying mount, and expressed respect for his tremendous druidic talents, especially after he helped heal her during aerial combat, and even Varok Saurfang regarded him as one of the night elves' greatest heroes, having survived ten thousand years of war, and expressed deep regret after felling him with an dishonorable blow from behind.
 * Rumor has it that that the Swift Stormsaber was named after him.
 * According to the Heroes and Villains section of the Warcraft III manual, Malfurion and Illidan were 15,032 years old as of the Third War in Year 20.
 * The Sundering states Malfurion was only a few decades old during the War of the Ancients that occurred in year 10,000 BDP.
 * The Warcraft Encyclopedia states Malfurion and Illidan grew up with Tyrande millennia before the Great Sundering, reinforcing the Warcraft III account.
 * The novel Wolfheart states that when Malfurion first met Jarod, the druid was more than one thousand years older than Jarod. It was also mentioned that Malfurion believed Velen was older than any night elf alive.
 * However, Chronicle Volume 1 instead establishes that the dark trolls first began to settle around the Well of Eternity around the year 15,000 BDP, with Malfurion being described as a young night elf at the start of the War of the Ancients 5,000 years later.
 * During the Cataclysm beta, datamined soundfiles began to circulate the internet regarding Malfurion concerned of a "Traitor within our walls. Someone who is well connected.". The end result was Denatharion being revealed as that traitor and Malfurion saying that he knew him when he was young and had hope in his heart. However, this event was never actually implemented in-game.
 * Malfurion's Coin can be fished up from the fountain in the version of Dalaran.
 * Malfurion wrote a book, the Encyclopedia Botanica.
 * Malfurion is the first druid character to have unique, personalized animal forms, with the addition of Bear Form model for him in Patch 8.1.0 that keeps his identifying features such as tattoos instead of being a generic bear.
 * The Alliance Tier 9 Druid set is named after him, as is the druid Tier 2 set.
 * Chris Metzen commented that Malfurion Stormrage is his personal favorite character in the Warcraft lore.
 * There are two servers named after him: Server:Malfurion US and Server:Malfurion Europe.
 * He shares a name with Furion of Clar Karond, a dark elf sorcerer from the Warhammer universe.
 * Originally, some datamined sound files revealed that Malfurion was meant to participate in the Battle for Darkshore, opposite of Nathanos, and while he is present, it is not as a major boss NPC.
 * Malfurion is voiced by Ed Trotta.