 Bashal'Aran | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Bashal'Aran when controlled by the Alliance during the Fourth War. | |
| Type | Ruins |
| Leader(s) | None |
| Formerly |
 Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage |
| Race(s) | None |
| Formerly |
  Night elf  Human  Worgen Ancient  Gnome  Forsaken  Goblin Banshee Wraith  Satyr |
| Faith(s) | Elune |
| Affiliation(s) | None |
| Formerly | Darnassus, Gilneas, Alliance, Forsaken, Bilgewater Cartel, Horde, Deth'ryll, Kaldorei Empire |
| Location | Northern Darkshore[45, 36] |
| Status | Ruined[1] |
“To all was known that Elune, light of the eternal twilight, aspect and goddess of the moon, dwelt within its waters at such time that she rested from her works. Upon the shores of the Well did the children of the stars, favored of Elune, build their homes, even as their gaze was trained ever skyward, into the moonlit night. Though there were many towns and places of habitation constructed upon the lakeshore, Ameth'Aran and Bashal'Aran were the foremost, having the touch of Azshara, the Kaldorei's beloved queen, in their creation. Her favored servitors, those of the highborne, she brought to the twin towns to reside...”
Bashal'Aran is a night elven ruin found to the southwest of Lor'danel in northern Darkshore, formerly consisting of ancient Highborne ruins.
During the Battle for Darkshore, the ruins could be captured and turned into a night elven or a Forsaken base of operations, from where to launch an attack against the Alliance or Horde forces controlling the region. The warfront was won by the Alliance,[2] but Bashal'Aran was later left in ruins once again.[1]
History[]
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This section is a lore stub. |
Ancient times[]
Before the time of the Great Sundering, Queen Azshara brought her favored servitors, those of the Highborne, to the twin towns of Ameth'Aran and Bashal'Aran.[3][4] To govern these towns, Azshara placed Athrikus Narassin, an elf of considerable magical power. His second, a mage known for his prowess in the arcane arts as much as with his physical abilities, was Asterion, who lived among the people of Bashal'Aran, and went many times to Ameth'Aran to see to the needs and wants of its people.[3] In its prime, the twin cities were graced by the blessing of the queen and were a sight to behold, with bazaars and temples to Elune.[1]
Eventually, these two cities were destroyed when the first Well of Eternity was shattered. After the Sundering,[citation needed] the powerful Athrikus Narassin used his craft to create a moonstone seal, forming a prison to hold Asterion by the means of magic.[4] The reasons why he was held in the ruins of Bashal'Aran by his former master are unknown, but from that point on, he began a long and painful life. When he died at some point, Asterion discovered to his horror that even as a specter he was still imprisoned.[5]
World of Warcraft[]
The ruins of Bashal'Aran.
Thousands of years later, the ruins of Bashal'Aran were overrun with demonic minions - grells and satyrs - which had taken up residence in the area. These evil creatures fed upon the magical energies left among the ruins, their powers growing from the continued exposure. Even so, they never approached the shrine where Asterion was imprisoned.[6]
An Alliance adventurer managed to recover the seal imprisoning Asterion from the Deth'ryll satyr[7] and went south to Ameth'Aran where it could be destroyed, finally freeing the ghostly elf from a life of torment.[4]
Cataclysm[]
After the Cataclysm, Bashal'Aran became inhabited by Cursed and Writhing Highborne, the ghostly remains of the denizens that once inhabited the city. Ranger Glynda Nal'Shea sent adventurers to the ruins to extinguish the Final Flame of Bashal'Aran so their ancestors' spirits could find peace.[8]
Arya Autumnlight came to the ruins to grant peace to these troubled spirits. However, the task put a heavy burden on her mind and she asked for help from an adventurer. With the traveler help, they managed to accomplish the task.[9]
A night elf druid by the name of Cerellean Whiteclaw sent adventurers to Bashal'Aran to destroy the spirit of her lover, Anaya Dawnrunner, in order to free her. Once done, the two lovers said farewell as Anaya's spirit faded away.[10]
Battle for Azeroth and aftermath[]
Bashal'Aran when controlled by the Horde.
It was at Bashal'Aran where Tyrande Whisperwind performed the ritual to become the Night Warrior, and where the Eye of Elune was located. The combined Alliance forces under Maiev and Shandris successfully fought to defend Tyrande from waves of Horde attackers, upon which the newly empowered Tyrande immediately slew the entire Horde battalion.[11]
Afterward, Bashal'Aran became the base of operations for the Alliance and the Horde during the Battle for Darkshore, depending on which faction is assaulting the zone. Jarod Shadowsong was stationed here as a Recruitment Officer, as were most of Maiev Shadowsong's surviving wardens and the major commanders of the Gilnean forces sent to assist the kaldorei. Sentinel Cordressa Briarbow, Moon Priestess Lasara, and Erion Shadewhisper were all present as well, situated at the Hunter's Lodge, the Altar of Elders and the Glaiveworks, respectively.
For a time, Bashal'Aran remained an Alliance stronghold in the region after the Army of the Black Moon and Maiev Shadowsong ultimately triumphed over the Horde. Tyrande Whisperwind gave her victory speech there before the kaldorei and their allies before she went into the Shadowlands.[12]
Despite this, some time after the war, Zekhan and Rexxar visited Darkshore and found that both, Ameth'Aran and Bashal'Aran, were in ruins. From the remains, they took rubbings of the tablets and sent them to Orgrimmar for translation. When it was done, the tablet spoke about the avatars of Elune. Zekhan ultimately noted that the twin cities are now nothing but dust.[1]
NPCs[]
Alliance control[]
-
- Named
-
- Unnamed
Horde control[]
-
- Named
-
- Unnamed
- Forsaken Deadshots
- Forsaken Deathguards
- Forsaken Lancers
- Kaldorei Dark Rangers
Battle for Darkshore[]
...
Notes[]
- When the Horde is in control, a goblin platform containing the portal to the Port of Zandalar has banners and a billboard which are also seen in the MOTHERLODE!! and are presumably from the Venture Company. Zarvik Blastwix working on the platform has the Bilgewater Cartel tabard, so it is likely that the banners were used mistakenly.
- The Highborne Kaldorei Empire banner prominently used by the night elves at Bashal'Aran in the Fourth War could be found in Suramar, but has recently appeared in other parts of Kalimdor, including the Caverns of Time Warcraft's Anniversary celebration alongside other Alliance nation flags, and some battlegrounds such as Warsong Gulch. The Nar'thalas Magi in Stormwind's Wizard's Sanctum also display several Kaldorei Empire banners next to their portal. It is possible the night elves, after the destruction of Teldrassil and most of their race, and having reconnected with some Highborne groups including the Shen'dralar and the Court of Farondis, have chosen to adopt the ancestral symbol of their civilization - itself carved out by the Night Warrior, perhaps to signify they are fighting not only for the memory of a single tree, but rather to preserve the ancient legacy of their people, and the future of their entire race.
Gallery[]
Tyrande Whisperwind invoking Elune's power at Bashal'Aran
The Well of Purity after the Night Warrior ritual.
The moonwell under Horde's control.
Another view of the Horde Bashal'Aran.
Videos[]
Patch changes[]
- Patch 8.1.0 (2018-12-11): Updated.
References[]
- ^ a b c d World of Warcraft: Exploring Azeroth: Kalimdor, pg. 36
- ^ BlizzCon 2019: WoW Q&A Panel
- ^ a b The Lay of Ameth'Aran
- ^ a b c [13] Bashal'Aran
- ^ [12] Bashal'Aran
- ^ [12] Bashal'Aran
- ^ [13] Bashal'Aran
- ^ [5-30] The Final Flame of Bashal'Aran
- ^ [5-30] Solace for the Highborne
- ^ [5-30] A Love Eternal
- ^ [60] In Darkest Night
- ^ [50] A New Hope
