Dalaran (kingdom)

This article is about the lore of the nation and city of Dalaran. For the original territory in Lordaeron, see Dalaran Crater. For the city in-game and everything gameplay related, see Dalaran.

Dalaran
Dalaran City
Main leader	Council of Six  Archmage Khadgar
Formerly	Archmage Jaina  Archmage Rhonin †  Archmage Antonidas † Ardogan †
Race(s)	Human  High elf  Dwarf  Gnome  Blood elf
Capital	Dalaran City
Government	Magocracy
Language(s)	Common, Thalassian, Gnomish
Sub-group(s)	Kirin Tor Kirin Tor Offensive Silver Covenant Sunreavers Violet Eye Underbelly Guard Dalaran Destroyers
Former sub-group(s)	Sorcerers' League, Mages' Guild
Affiliation	Independent, Alliance
Formerly	Alliance of Lordaeron
Status	Healthy
Reputation
Tabard

Dalaran is a small, magocratic nation founded originally as a city-state by Arathi magi near the coast of Lordamere Lake in Lordaeron. It is ruled by the Kirin Tor. Its capital, also called Dalaran, was recently moved to Northrend during the war against the Lich King, and then to the Broken Isles during the third invasion of the Burning Legion.

History

Founding and early history

Dalaran in Warcraft III, before it was destroyed

Dalaran was one of several city-states that emerged as the Arathorian Empire was in decline. Long ago, most human magicians lived in Strom but eventually many fled leaving the restraining confines of Strom behind and traveled to Dalaran, where they hoped to use their new powers with greater freedom, wanting a place more suited to extensive use and study of magic. There, these magicians used their skills to build up the enchanted spires of the city and reveled in the pursuit of their studies. More wizards followed, and the city became a haven for magi and a center of arcane study. The citizens of Dalaran tolerated the magicians' endeavors and built up a bustling economy under the protection of their magic-using defenders. With the mages of Dalaran protecting the inhabitants who weren't magic-users with powerful protection spells, Dalaran became a decadent, extravagant paradise. Later it was found that Dalaran had been built atop a massive ley line.

Yet, as their numbers and influence grew with more and more magi practiced their arts, the fabric of reality around Dalaran began to weaken and tear. The wizards' overuse of magic with no proper protection or regulation acted as a beacon for the Burning Legion, luring them back to Azeroth. Demons slipped through the gaps in reality, terrorizing the locals until the ruling Magocrats were forced to turn to the elves for aid. The Convocation of Silvermoon sent high elven wizards who quickly realized what had happened. Though not a prominent thread, they warned that if humanity continued to wield magic the demons would never be completely eradicated. The Magocrats, unwilling to sacrifice their power, instead proposed selecting a group of powerful magic casters to protect them from the Legion.^{[citation needed]}  The Council of Tirisfal would form a secret defense for the world, with a Spearhead as their main acting weapon. The elven lords decided to reveal them the history of ancient Kalimdor and the Burning Legion. At the same time, the Magocrats sent some of their number to research and catalog all human magic. These wizards would eventually become the Kirin Tor, a specialized organization that was charged with cataloging and researching every spell, artifact, and magic item known at the time. Under the vigilant watch of the Order, Dalaran became the chief center of learning for magicians throughout the land.^{[citation needed]} 

In time, the Kirin Tor became the city's ruling power. Dalaran, though not a large city, was a beautiful place of towering spires and glittering streets, and the people there were happy and well protected. The Kirin Tor's headquarters was the Violet Citadel, an impressive building so named for its stone walls which gave off a faint violet light. The building had many libraries, research chambers, testing rooms, classrooms, meeting alcoves, and bedrooms.^{[citation needed]}  At some point, the half-elf Alodi was abandoned in Dalaran. He was raised in the orphanage and, becoming a student of the Kirin Tor, showed a great affinity towards frost magic.

Dalaran's prosperity eventually made it inundated by reckless spellcasters. Their abuse of magic inadvertently tore open rifts in reality. Through one such rift, Kathra'natir clawed his way into Azeroth. The demon found Dalaran ripe for upheaval. Many of the city's non-magic users were superstitious, and they viewed spellcasters with thinly-veiled unease. Kathra'natir used Apocalypse to inflame these fears. He tainted Dalaran's water supplies and food stores. Gruesome plagues ravaged the city, which the common fold believed had originated from the magi. The Council of Tirisfal tried to defeat the demon but lost their Spearhead, Aertin Brighthand. Eventually, Meryl Winterstorm and Alodi came up with the idea of the Guardian. As such, Guardian Alodi banished the dreadlord and saved Tirisfal Glades and Dalaran from destroying themselves.

Dalaran established a friendship with Silvermoon, which while tested, would stand for over two thousand years to come. Although predominantly a human city, some elves, including their own crown prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, would study, live, and even rule in Dalaran at one point or another. According to Jaina Proudmoore, some of these elves were among those who had taught humans magic to begin with. Some gnomes, dwarves, and even goblins would also come to reside in Dalaran.

The Kirin Tor mages and leadership took interest in Medivh, the Guardian, and around the time of the First War, they sent Khadgar to Karazhan to act as his apprentice. Several mages asked Khadgar to learn various details regarding the tower or the Guardian. Among them was Guzbah, who studied demon lore. He was the first victim of strange demon killings across the Eastern Kingdoms.

Second War

Dalaran in Warcraft II

This section concerns content related to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness or its expansion Beyond the Dark Portal.

During the Second War, Dalaran pledged to support the Alliance of Lordaeron and gave large amounts of aid, magi and sorcerers to the war effort. It was home to the four towers, sanctum to the lands' greatest sorcerers. During the conflict some of its citizens were captured by Alterac and the city itself was attacked by the Horde at some point, and so the wizards had to focus their magics in a device known as the Eye of Dalaran in order to rebuild it to its former glory. Some fallen spires were as such raised back.

Though the Dark Portal was destroyed, in the aftermath of the Second War the Kirin Tor noticed that a rift remained that connected Azeroth and Draenor together, and so they build up the Nethergarde Keep with the help of the other nations of the Alliance in order to watch over the rift. After the war, Teron Gorefiend and his death knights, aided by Deathwing, were able to successfully enter the Arcane Vault located in the city of Dalaran and steal the Eye of Dalaran from it. Deathwing was aware of the danger Dalaran represented for his disguise and hoped that he could sow distrust among the wizards and toward the other Alliance members. His plans were ultimately thwarted following the Battle of Grim Batol which forced Deathwing into hiding, causing Daval Prestor to mysteriously vanish from the royal court of Lordaeron.

The Kirin Tor also developed an interest in the defeated orcs' strange lethargy. Although Dalaran remained loyal to the fractured Alliance in the war's aftermath, it was noted for being politically aloof and secretive - magi of the Kirin Tor did not get involved in "ordinary" politics, and outsiders were rarely welcome in Dalaran, even visiting royalty.

Third War

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

Dalaran as seen in Warcraft III

Dalaran was the home of an incredibly large library of books and tomes, in addition to many of the greatest sorcerers of the day including Antonidas, Khadgar, Jaina Proudmoore, Arugal and Kel'Thuzad. It was also the site of the vault where the staff of Medivh, Atiesh, was kept after the master mage's death.

When the Third War began, some of the aspiring geniuses of the magocracy were allured by the dark arts and forsook their very souls, becoming necromancers in service to the Scourge. When King Terenas Menethil II was killed by Arthas and Capital City fell, magi from Dalaran went to the ruined kingdom of Lordaeron along with other Alliance soldiers to deal with the rampaging undead army, but soon found themselves overwhelmed. Powerless, Antonidas instructed Jaina Proudmoore to take a number of citizens and flee to Kalimdor.^{[citation needed]} 

When the Scourge directed itself on the violet city, the majority of the civilians were evacuated, leaving only a small but powerful resistance. The arcanic defenses and the magical guilds in the city tried to defend it but they, alongside the powerful Archmage Antonidas, fell to Arthas in battle shortly after. Arthas acquired the spellbook of Medivh, which Kel'Thuzad utilized to summon Archimonde, who destroyed the city in merely seconds. The great demon single-handedly laid waste to the city by creating a magical effigy out of the dust, which he then crushed; the mighty towers of Dalaran fell simultaneously. People died trapped under the rubble of the fallen city, unable to be reached in time by their comrades. The city remained only partially under the control of the Kirin Tor, and its remnants went to chaos, with mutants, experimental rejects, renegade wizards and berserk water elementals roaming the streets.

Soon after the defeat of the Burning Legion atop Mount Hyjal and as parts of the city were contested by the Scourge and later by Illidan Stormrage's naga forces, human efforts began to rebuilt the ruined city as Dalaran's ruins were taken over by Grand Marshal Garithos and the Alliance Remnants, who were battling the Scourge in Lordaeron. Parts of the city were still infested by the undead but also its tunnels and dungeons under it. Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider and his brethren had also arrived to join forces with Garithos, but his animosity toward the elves led to the prince and his army being detained in Dalaran's dungeons and sentenced to mass execution. With effort, they escaped to Outland, leaving Dalaran behind them. What power the surviving Kirin Tor members had in Dalaran around this period remains vague, although some (such as Modera and Ansirem Runeweaver) are believed to have been present.

Following the death of Grand Marshal Garithos at Capital City, the remaining human refugees and paladins still surviving in Tirisfal Glades started retreating to Dalaran. Many of them were intercepted by the Scourge and slain.

At some point, the pets of Hakkar the Houndmaster fought and killed a lot of Dalaran wizards. It could have happened when the city was still infested by demons.

World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

Dalaran under a magical dome in World of Warcraft

At some point, the surviving wizards of Dalaran returned to the ruins and constructed a vast, magical dome around the heart of their city. Some believe it was for protection from the violence of these times, others say they merely wanted solitude, to study and plot. The shield was opaque and completely impenetrable by any known means warding off any new attack while the magi slowly regained their strength. The area and ruined outskirts of their city was patrolled by the wizards and their elemental slaves, but the dome is powerful enough to destroy creatures that venture too close.

The region was was also the site of a guerrilla war between the Alliance and the Forsaken. The thieves of the Bloodstone Artifacts led by Kegan Darkmar were granted asylum from the Forsaken and the relics were quarantined in the Lordamere Internment Camp by the wizards. Warden Belamoore then spent days studying the bloodstones.

The Kirin Tor also have forces stationed in Ambermill, Nethergarde Keep, the Lordamere Internment Camp and parts of Silverpine Forest. Dalaran also has a strong presence in Outland. Dalaran's army is largely responsible for the survival of Alliance power in Silverpine; without the aid of the magi, the town of Pyrewood Village would have fallen to the Scourge long ago. All travelers in southern Silverpine will note the massive presence of Dalaran's troops. The city is the northern-most state with a sizeable force after the invasion of the Scourge.^{[citation needed]} 

At some point, Jaina Proudmoore designed the Antonidas Memorial statue.

Relocation

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft manga or comics.

Eventually, the city, including the Violet Citadel, was magically moved by the Kirin Tor to Northrend, floating above the Crystalsong Forest — close to the border with Icecrown where the stronghold of the Lich King is located. In its original location, a crater was left.

Shortly after the city of Dalaran, which was raised above the skies of Northrend to counter the growing threat of the Lich King, was attacked by the forces of the Blue Dragonflight who laid open siege to the floating city, led by their leader, the fallen Aspect of Magic, Malygos. Archmages Rhonin, Modera and Aethas Sunreaver combined their efforts to hold off the assault, magically creating a massive shield around the city and, despite the initially unfavorable odds and treachery from within their ranks, the Kirin Tor eventually manage to drive away Malygos and his flight.

Wrath of the Lich King

This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

Dalaran as seen from above

Archmage Rhonin was chosen to lead the Kirin Tor and led the reconstruction of Dalaran and its defenses. Though traditionally barred from Dalaran, the Horde was accepted into the city through the efforts of Archmage Aethas Sunreaver, who sought the aid of his people back in Quel'Thalas on behalf of the Kirin Tor.. With this decision, Dalaran declared itself a neutral city during the War against the Lich King.

One thing to take into consideration is that three of Dalaran's best wizards: Khadgar, Jaina and Rhonin, have had positive dealings with Horde individuals in the past. Also, Antonidas studied the effects of the orcs' lethargy extensively enough to know that orcs could be reasonable in the absence of their demonic bloodlust. The Horde's allies, the blood elves, have been allies and productive members of the Kirin Tor for over 2,000 years and have vouched for them. The inclusion of blood elves within the Kirin Tor's ranks and the Horde supporter Aethas Sunreaver in the Council of Six ensured the Horde a sanctuary within the city, though Rhonin's wife Vereesa Windrunner was opposed to this notion.

The Council of Six are the ones to preside over the magical city of Dalaran, though only Archmage Modera, Archmage Aethas Sunreaver and its leader Rhonin are seen within the city. As base of operations, the Alliance was given the Silver Enclave which was the base of the Silver Covenant. For the Horde, they were given the base of the blood elven Sunreavers, the Sunreaver's Sanctuary.

Evidently, the blue dragonflight, led by Malygos, declared war on all mortal magic-users including the magic city of Dalaran and all its denizens. From up above the skies of Crystalsong Forest, the main factions located in the city, stand in defiance against the blue dragonflight as well as the Scourge forces of the Lich King.

During the War Against the Nightmare, Malfurion Stormrage entered the city in order to find anyone capable to fight in the Emerald Dream against the Emerald Nightmare and the Nightmare Lord. He found most of the mages, including Rhonin and Vereesa, trapped in their nightmares. Modera and her comrades, however, were holding against the shadowy attackers, despite their exhaustion, so they did not join him in the dreamform army.

Interlude

Between the Cataclysm and the discovery of Pandaria, Dalaran remained in Northrend.

The nation was invited by the leadership of the Alliance to send a representative to their diplomatic meeting in Darnassus, though declined to do so, citing its desire to retain its neutrality and continue to help bridge the gaps between the Alliance and the Horde.

Tides of War

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

After a desperate Kalecgos goes to Dalaran for aid in seeking the stolen Focusing Iris, Rhonin sends him to Jaina Proudmoore in the hopes that she might be able to aid him in his search. However, as Jaina and Kalecgos soon learn of Garrosh Hellscream's ambitions to conquer the whole of Kalimdor, starting with a brutal attack on Jaina's own stronghold, Jaina herself visits Dalaran on Kalecgos's advice, requesting for assistance in staving off the impending Horde invasion.

Despite Rhonin's initial reluctance to involve the neutral Kirin Tor into a conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, the Council of Six ultimately agree to provide limited assistance to Jaina Proudmoore in the defense of Theramore Isle. A Sunreaver agent was a part of the Horde's attack on the city, though Aethas later denies responsibility and vowed to atone for Thalen's treachery. During the attack, Rhonin sacrificed himself in an attempt to localize Garrosh's mana bomb detonation, sparing Jaina from death. Following his death, the Kirin Tor, while refusing to launch an attack on Orgrimmar in retaliation for Theramore's decimation, chose Jaina as Rhonin's replacement and as the new leader of the Council of Six, with Kalecgos also joining the Kirin Tor. Both of them moved to the city, though the dragon felt the distrust from the other mages and thus found excuses to go out of the city.

Mists of Pandaria

This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

While the Alliance and the Horde were clashing in Pandaria, Jaina discovered that Sunreavers had helped Garrosh Hellscream steal the Divine Bell by using Dalaran portals to infiltrate Darnassus, which lead to the conception of the mana bomb that destroyed her city. Jaina mobilized the Kirin Tor, Alliance forces and the Silver Covenant to purge the Horde from Dalaran. Though Aethas Sunreaver claimed he knew nothing of Garrosh's scheme, Jaina nonetheless chose to incarcerate him and his Sunreavers after Aethas refused to order his people to leave the city peacefully. Those that surrendered were imprisoned in the Violet Hold while those that resisted were put to the sword, after which Jaina pledged the Kirin Tor to Varian's war cause, effectively bringing Dalaran back into the Alliance. The purge also put an end to Dalaran's alliance with Silvermoon, which had stood for over 2,000 years.

During the purge, Dalaran had already left Northrend and was in motion. However, for game purposes, Dalaran remains unchanged after the questline is completed (see Notes).

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Dalaran's new location, hovering over the Broken Isles

As of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the local forces of Dalaran in Hillsbrad Foothills are trying to reconstruct the remaining ruins of the Dalaran Crater, overseen by Archmage Cedric.

Deadwind Pass

Right after the Battle for the Broken Shore, that marked the beginning of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Jaina Proudmoore arranged for Dalaran to move to Deadwind Pass in order to aid in the protection of the Eastern Kingdoms. Dalaran was hovering over Deadwind Pass and more particularly Karazhan.

The entire city had been moved by a giant Blink spell, and all the shops were ordered to close down because of the various troubles created by that sudden transportation. Some citizens were now suffering from dizziness and nausea, while others were re-materialized at the wrong place and were stuck in walls or in various other objects. Some of them were even fleeing because of unstable energy running amok in the city. Several recovery specialists such as Fanny Frizzlepop, Brilda and Grindle Dopplegink, as well as the nurses at the First to Your Aid clinic, were trying to fix their problems. The content of the Dalaran Merchant's Bank's coffers had been thrown out, and several Kirin Tor Guardians had to protect the bankers while they were working on fixing the situation. Jepetto Joybuzz himself was stuck on a toy zeppelin flying around the city. The entrance to the city sewers were shut and Krasus' Landing was damaged by fel energy.

Believing that the Kirin Tor needed the help of both the Alliance and the Horde, Khadgar called the Council of Six to vote on letting the Horde back into the city. While Jaina and Ansirem were completely against it, the vote was carried and passed. Feeling betrayed, Jaina, outraged, teleported out of Dalaran, leaving Khadgar effectively in charge. Together with an adventurer, Khadgar then searched Ulduar and Karazhan for means to stop the Legion's advance and close the portal in the Tomb of Sargeras, and discovered that such a feat would be possible with the help of five titanic artifacts called the Pillars of Creation, which laid scattered over the Broken Isles.

File:Argus from Dalaran by Jorge Jacinto.jpg

Argus appearing in the skies of Azeroth, as seen from Dalaran

Broken Isles

The Burning Legion then launched an attack on the city. With that confirmation they had the right objective, the Council cast a spell to teleport Dalaran to the southern shores of the Broken Isles in close proximity to Azsuna, so it would once again serve as a hub for Azeroth's heroes at the front lines in the renewed war against the Legion when countless forces pour from the Tomb of Sargeras.

With Jaina's departure, Kalecgos and Vargoth filled out the Council of Six's membership. Aethas was allowed to return to Dalaran, although not as a member of the council.

Several Crimson Pilgrims have appeared in Dalaran. Due to their choice of attire, they may be former Scarlet Crusade members.

The Unseen Path is providing secret protection for the city at the request of Archmage Khadgar.

Shieldbreaker Murdonn broke through the outer defenses of Dalaran, and made it all the way to Krasus' Landing where he was taken out by the champions of the Class Orders.

The tallest spire atop the Violet Citadel is actually a weapon used for the defense of the city but has been sabotaged by the Legion. The dreadlord Kathra'natir, helpless and imprisoned within the  [Nightborne Soulstone], has his power siphoned to re-power the weapon.

After the death of Kil'jaeden and Illidan's use of the Sargerite Keystone, Argus appeared in the sky of Azeroth. Dalaran's citizens grew worried, especially as doomsayers started to spread panic.

People and culture

The demonym for things originating from Dalaran is "Dalaranian".

Factions

Dalaran has been a hub for the Alliance and the Horde in their wars against the Lich King and the Burning Legion. Three main factions have the most influence over the city.

• Kirin Tor - The main body of the city with its leaders of the Council ruling over it. Neutral to the Alliance and the Horde. Led by Archmage Khadgar.
• Silver Covenant - Supporters of the Alliance and hostile to the Horde. Led by Vereesa Windrunner.
• Sunreavers - Representatives of the Horde and hostile to the Alliance. Led by Archmage and former Council member, Aethas Sunreaver.

During the Third War, the city was also inhabited by the Sorcerers' League and Mages' Guild, two Alliance-aligned wizard-factions that fought alongside the Kirin Tor against the Scourge. As they haven't been mentioned since then, they were possibly either destroyed or fused with the Kirin Tor. With the Horde being purged from Dalaran, the Sunreavers were forced to leave the city, but their leader, among other blood elves, were shown to rejoin it in World of Warcraft: Legion.

Geography

Old location

A large, gaping crater has replaced the old location of Dalaran, with a weakened shield in place of the opaque dome, though there is some purplish smoke around the site — possibly residue from magic dome or the city's (literally) earth-shaking exit. It was located near the southern shores of the Lordamere Lake, north of the Hillsbrad Foothills. The city itself currently hovers over the Broken Isles after having moved from Northrend.

• 

  Dalaran's position in Warcraft II.

• 

  Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft II.

• 

  Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft III.

• 

  Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft III.

• 

  Dalaran in Reforged.

• 

  Peter Lee's 2008 concept of the remnants of Dalaran bordering the Alterac Mountains.

• 

  The crater.

• 

  The remains of the dome.

• 

  The ruins left.

• 

  The dome before Dalaran moved to Northrend.

Settlements

Other settlements under the magocracy's rule were Kirin'Var Village, Nethergarde Keep and Ambermill, all lost. Dalaran also had outposts in Northrend such as Amber Ledge.

Notable members

The Council

Main article: Council of Six

•   Khadgar - Formerly Medivh's apprentice, he was the member of the council that suggested appointing Jaina as their leader, following the events of the attack on Theramore. Now leads the council as of Jaina's departure.
•   Ansirem - Known member of the council. Like Modera, he was on the council when Garithos condemned Kael'thas.
•    Kalecgos - Joined the Kirin Tor after the fall of Theramore.
•   Karlain - An alchemist and mage. Once at the mercy of his emotions, he has since become one of the most controlled and thoughtful members of the Kirin Tor.
•   Modera - The longest-standing member.
•   Vargoth - Survivor of the Alliance Expedition and former resident and notable of Kirin'Var Village.

Notable leaders

•   Antonidas ^†
•   Rhonin ^†
•   Jaina Proudmoore
•   Khadgar

History	Second War	Invasion of the Scourge	Reconstruction	War against the Lich King	War against Deathwing	Discovery of Pandaria	War against the Iron Horde	Third Invasion of the Burning Legion	Fourth War
Ruler	Antonidas		Rhonin			Jaina Proudmoore		Khadgar

The banner of Dalaran.

Dalaran in Warcraft II

This section concerns content related to Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness or its expansion Beyond the Dark Portal.

Leader: The Kirin Tor

Nation Color: Violet

Background: Dalaran is a small, magocratic nation ruled by a conclave of Wizards known as the Kirin Tor. The capital of Dalaran is the Violet Citadel at Cross Island. This nexus of supernatural forces is home to the four great towers that are sanctum to many of the land's greatest sorcerers. The Kirin Tor are strong supporters of the Alliance and to its cause have devoted the knowledge contained within their voluminous libraries as well as the power of their awesome magiks.

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Dalaran was one of the original city-states founded during the Arathorian Empire. Since its inception, the city has served as a hub of magical knowledge and experimentation in Lordaeron and the world. A multi-racial wizards’ council called the Kirin Tor ruled the city for centuries, overseeing Dalaran from the Violet Citadel — a great, slender spire in the city’s heart that housed the most extensive libraries and greatest laboratories in the world.

The traitor Prince Arthas Menethil laid siege to Dalaran in the Third War. He murdered its citizens, including the great archmage Antonidas, and broke into the city’s heart. His ally, the lich Kel’Thuzad, then summoned Archimonde, the Burning Legion’s leader. Archimonde wielded foul magic to topple the city’s towers and sunder its walls. Shortly after Dalaran’s fall, the undead abandoned the city to the wind and mist. Months later, a resistance force led by the surviving Dalaran wizards arrived and laid claim to the ruins. Pooling their magical power, the wizards covered Dalaran in an opaque magical sphere. It is unknown what occurs beneath the dome and the wizards warn others not to get too close. The magi are certainly working on something — but none can discover what it is.

Despite its hardships during the Third War, the Kirin Tor refused to abandon their home. After returning to the ruins, they destroyed those few undead creatures that remained and reclaimed their city. They erected a glowing dome around the entire city, powerful enough to destroy anyone who touches it, while they worked to rebuild their fallen city long the headquarters of magical study in the world of Azeroth. The dome was impenetrable, violet and opaque — nothing could be seen beyond it. Located on Lordamere Lake's southern shore, the original location is a low-pressure region. The environment creates mists and clouds, the air is cool and damp. A rise to the city's east marked where the demon lord Archimonde used his magic to shatter the city's spires. There were a few wrecked houses, with empty streets. Not much there.

Today, the Magocracy of Dalaran continues to rule its nation, the city. Despite the destruction of its capital, Dalaran has remained an important member of the Alliance. The exact number of people living within Dalaran's protective dome is unknown, but believed to be around 3,000 or so and only 120 of them are members of the Kirin Tor. Mostly wizards and their conjured or created guardians inhabit Dalaran, and the city possesses few real citizens. A couple hundred troops probably dwell within and can be mustered when the call to arms is sounded. Wizards are often seen outside the dome. In particular, Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver constantly moves about the dome’s periphery. The archmage seems to be in charge of Dalaran and leads a conclave of fellow wizards in their vigil of the dome. The mages hold no love for the Scourge. They would see it destroyed.

The fortified outpost of Nethergarde Keep and the surrounding area in the Blasted Lands is under control of Dalaran and Stormwind.

Relations with other kingdoms

Though Dalaran had been an independent nation at some point after the Third War, it has recently pledged itself to the Alliance. Dalaran considers all Alliance nations to be their allies. They are officially at war with the Scourge, although they have driven the Scourge far enough away from their borders for this to not be a real war any longer. Dalaran is also opposed to the Syndicate. They openly support war with the Qiraji of Silithus. During the Nexus War, Dalaran was at war with the Blue dragonflight. With Malygos' death, tensions appear to have ceased but mortals are still wary of blue dragons due to their participation in Malygos' schemes.

The Violet Citadel does not support the Scarlet Crusade openly, but accept their movements and operations as long as they continue to cause disorder among the undead. They had also been at open war with the Forsaken and did not have much dealings with the Horde, having been invaded by them during the Second War.^{[citation needed]} 

Film universe

This section concerns content exclusive to the Warcraft film universe and is considered non-canon.

Khadgar flies toward Dalaran.

The flying city of Dalaran.

History

Khadgar travels to Dalaran to meet with the Kirin Tor. Initially scorned by the Kirin Tor who once trained him, the runaway Novitiate uses his research to convince Archmage Antonidas to assist him in seeking help for the Guardian's corruption. He is then led to an ancient artifact with a cube form. In response to his presence, the magical cube opens and allows the young mage inside. In the magical interior of the cube, Khadgar encounters the entity that he saw in Karazhan, Alodi, who explains that she has used the last of her power to bring him to her. She tells him that the Guardian has been corrupted and that Khadgar must defeat him, repeating the words found in the tome he stole from Karazhan: "From light comes darkness, and from darkness, light." Knowing what he must do, the young mage leaves Dalaran and returns to Stormwind to free Lothar.

Archmage Antonidas would later attend King Llane Wrynn's funeral, as a representative of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor.

The nation of Dalaran is depicted close to its World of Warcraft incarnation. It is led by Archmage Antonidas. The nation participated in the council that would eventually lead to the creation of the Alliance.

Notes

• By the time of the opening of the Great Gate, Dalaran has already become a flying city. It notably contains the Chamber of Air, located within the Violet Citadel.

Notes and trivia

• Dalaran has a cemetery.
• The city's foundation has cracks.
• Dalaran and Dalaran Ruins are melee tilesets in Warcraft III and The Frozen Throne, representing the city before and after its destruction by Archimonde.
• The Kirin Tor floated the city so that no ground assault by the Scourge could reach them again.
• The city is protected by defensive shields based on Antonidas' earlier version magical field who destroyed any undead that touched it during the Third War.
• Dalaran has magic schools where young mages and schoolchildren are educated and trained in the use of magic. Before the Third War, the Archmage Antonidas was in charge of teaching in some magic classes.
• When Khadgar introduced himself to Moroes, he stated that he was from Dalaran in the kingdom of Lordaeron.
• In Beyond the Dark Portal, a Dalaran expedition was depicted as having reached the Broken Shore. They had built internment camps for the Old Horde survivors there, and had sealed the entry of the Tomb of Sargeras with two elven runestones and numerous soldiers.
• In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, a bulletin board inside Durnholde Keep indicated that the Kirin Tor was recruiting, complete with a little drawing of a mage tower.
• According to Ian Bates reporting on a discussion with Chris Metzen, some of the Cataclysm-era Silverpine Forest quests are non-canon due to a developer's error, specifically the ones dealing with Ambermill and the Forsaken-Kirin Tor conflict. The Kirin Tor at this point is supposed to be neutral. Blizzard never officially spoke about this so it is unsure if the information is real.
• Even though it was never led by a king, Dalaran is still referred to as a kingdom.
• Dalaran has a Battle Ball team called the Dalaran Destroyers, but don't seem to win much.
• The Ultimate Visual Guides erroneously described Dalaran as "formerly ruled" by magocracy. However, the Council of Six still rules it as of Legion, and it has been confirmed that Dalaran is thus still a magocracy. The similarly-named Magocrat Lords, however, are long-since defunct.
• During the Legion announcement at gamescom 2015, it was indicated that Dalaran had some ancient purposes that weren't fully understood and that the city would be affected by proximity to the Tomb of Sargeras, with the Violet Hold in particular containing newly-awakened secrets related to the origins of Dalaran, the Kirin Tor, and even the world itself. However, this plotline seems to have been dropped during development.
• The Violet Gardens and the Halls of Magic used to be in the city of Dalaran.
• Fresh Alterac grass is apparently still growing on the earth outside the walls of the floating Dalaran island.
• The Kirin Tor with their floating magocracy closely resemble Forgotten Realms' Netheril, one of the ancient human empires of Faerûn.

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

• The two districts in the city occupied by foreigners, the Greyfang Enclave (former Silver Enclave) and the Windrunner's Sanctuary (former Sunreaver's Sanctuary), may have been previously occupied by the Sorcerers' League and the Mages' Guild, the other organizations that inhabited Dalaran alongside the Kirin Tor prior to the Third War.
• Like with Stromgarde Keep, the siege on Dalaran during the Second War hasn't been mentioned in any other sources besides Warcraft II, and it is thus unclear if the attack is canonical.

Gallery

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  Early concept art of the city of Dalaran.

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  Concept art of Dalaran.

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  Concept art of Dalaran.

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  Dalaran in-game.

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  Dalaran in-game.

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  The Violet Hold.

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  Dalaran in-game.

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  Dalaran in-game.

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  A full view of Dalaran from the air in Icecrown.

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  A tunnel opening underneath to the Underbelly.

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  Concept art of Dalaran while still in the Alterac Mountains.

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  Concept art for the Warcraft film.

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  A vision of Dalaran falling from the sky, as shown by Medivh to Khadgar in Harbingers.

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  Dalaran attacked by the Legion.

Fan art

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  The Golden Days of Dalaran by Lost-In-Concept.

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  The Early Days of Alterac by Lost-In-Concept.

See also

• Nobles of Dalaran