- This article is about magic of Elune. For the damage immunity potion, see
[Light of Elune]. For the Alliance carrier, see Light of Elune (carrier).
Tyrande Whisperwind wielding the light of Elune.
The moonlight (also known as Elune's light[1] or the Light of Elune)[2][3] is a form of holy magic[4] that can be used by the followers of the moon goddess Elune, notably the night elves or the tauren (who revere her as Mu'sha in their mythology). In the same way that the Holy Light, the light of Elune can be used to attack, heal, blind, protect, bless, purify, and resurrect someone. The priestesses of the Sisterhood of Elune are dedicated to the worship of the mother moon, and can be found throughout the world, ready to heal the war-weary Azeroth with her light.
In Ashenvale, there is a known location just to the west at Lake Falathim where the goddess's moonlight always touches down, day or night.[2] Moonwells are bound to the magic of nature and the moonlight of Elune. They are known as places of healing for those who drink of their waters, that purify their surroundings for years, and possess extraordinary restorative properties.[5][6] Magi and other spellcasters can refresh their mana in these pools — a gift from Elune to Azeroth's other defenders.[7]
Background[]
- Main article: Elune
Elune, the Moon Goddess.
The moonlight appear as a glowing white, silver light, and is the power of Elune, one of the few true deities of Azeroth.[8] Worshipped by several mortal cultures throughout the Great Dark Beyond,[9] she is best known as the primary goddess of the night elves, whom she considers her "favored children".[10] She is associated with the larger of the planet's two moons, the White Lady.
Some tales say that Malorne fell in love with the goddess Elune during the world's first nightfall. Her light guided him through the woods and showed him he was not alone. It banished fear and brought hope. Many creatures have loved the moon and pursued her to madness. She grants light as she will, on her own timetable, and moonlight cannot be captured or possessed. Even so, night after night, the White Stag chased her across the skies. He grew so swift and strong that at last he succeeded in reaching her. She was so moved by his devotion and beauty that she made him her consort. To this day he loves the wilds best when they are lit by her radiance.[11]
When the Wild God Omen fell into madness, due to fel poisoning, a group of ancient heroes gathered in the village of Nighthaven and confronted the rampaging beast. They called down the moon's wrath and Omen, blinded and stunned by the power of the moon goddess, fled into the deep waters of Lake Elune'ara. That day marked the end of his rampage, and symbolized a new beginning for the people of Azeroth and the followers of Elune.[12]
During a visit to Darnassus, Prophet Velen explained that the kaldorei's description of Elune, as well as the demonstrated powers of the goddess, matched his experiences with the Holy Light and powerful naaru. He began to offer advice regarding how to commune with powerful naaru, but while Tyrande thanked him for his opinion, she cordially requested that he refrain from making such outlandish claims when in Darnassus or in the presence of the Sisterhood of Elune.[4]
The Night Warrior is a title given to the person who channels Elune's powers in a ritual to become her avatar. Legend says that long ago, the Night Warrior was used by the night elves to secure Kalimdor. For thousands of years thereafter, none who attempted the ritual survived, for Elune's raw power tore them apart. This ritual is extremely dangerous, and even witnessing the ritual can be a danger. During the Fourth War, Tyrande Whisperwind became the first night elf known to survive the ritual. The process empowered many other night elves as well, forming the Army of the Black Moon.[13]
Uses and effects[]
Elune lifting Ysera's spirit with tendrils of moonlight.
As devotees of the moon goddess, priestesses of the Moon can wield the moonlight to perform numerous deeds granted by Elune. They can cast a rain of solid moonlight to fall if they face enemies.[14] They can give blessings[15] and purify the darkness.[16] They have the ability to calm races engaged in battle by singing a song of peace at night, until sunrise.[17] They can also heal, mend broken bones,[18] and grant a follower the gift of healing.[1] When Broxigar's hand was burned by Illidan Stormrage, Tyrande prayed to Elune, and a stream of silver light encompassed the priestess and wrapped around Brox's hand. As the moonlight touched his fingers, in a few seconds the burned flesh healed, the gaps where bone showed through regrew, and the horrific injury utterly vanished.[1] When Maiev Shadowsong called on the power of Elune, the moon goddess destroyed a demon, shattering it into scorching fragments, and leaving the warden free to heal the seared flesh of its victims.[19] She later drew on the light of Elune and used her power to blink, vanishing from where she laid.[20] It can also be used to light more or less around the caster.[16][21]
High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind using the Night Warrior's power to eradicate the Horde forces in Darkshore.
As the High Priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind stated that she relied upon Elune's power to remain hidden during the night.[22] Facing camouflaged demons, she used the moonlight to infuse her weapon and as an aura, in order to reveal their position and scare them away.[23] She used the silver moonlight to draw the spirit of Jarod's deceased wife, Shalasyr, and guided her on her sacred journey in death.[24] When she lost her glaive, she shaped the light of Elune into a moonlight weapon that resembled her favored glaive.[25] Against Varok Saurfang, the light of Elune was blazing and bright and white, then flooded the area as Saurfang froze where he stood, gripped by the spell as if turned to stone.[26] She then used her powers in all its fury and beauty, with a dozen points of Elune's light hovering over the orc's head.[27] During the Battle for Darkshore, Tyrande used petrifying starlight to freeze a group of Forsaken enemies in moonlight.[28] During the Ashenvale war, Tyrande used Elune's light to dissipate the fog of war created by the Horde's goblins, burning their machinery in the process.[29]
Under conditions, it can be used to resurrect the dead, as Tyrande noticed that a priestess of the moon could not bring back to life a slain kaldorei who had been "dead for several days".[30]
Priestess Belysra Starbreeze using Elune's light against demons.
Since the worgen curse has roots in both the Emerald Dream (through the wolf Ancient Goldrinn) and the holy power of the goddess Elune,[4] Belysra Starbreeze was able to calm the cursed Genn Greymane by using the light of Elune, but only for a short time.[31] During the War of the Satyr, the Scythe of Elune was created to help the night elves control the wolf pack form, mixing the power of the moon goddess with the wolf form.[32] The scythe is said to possess untold lunar power for the druid with balance enough to keep control.[33]
When Ysera was corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare, and mournfully killed by Tyrande, tendrils of moonlight reached down from a lunar eclipse and cleansed both Ysera and the Tears of Elune from the Nightmare's taint.[34] Despite the strength of the Nightmare eating away at Eranikus, the light of Elune as channeled through Tyrande was enough to free the "Tyrant of the Dream".[35]
By using Elune's Light and a moonwell, the priestesses of the Moon are able to create holy water which can notably be used to break the will of a demon.[36][37] The dryad Tarindrella used the water from Teldrassil's moonwells to imbue the night elf adventurer with the "Vengeance of Elune", granting them power of nature and moonlight to defeat the Bough of Corruption.[38]
Elune's candles are artifacts of great reverence to the disciples of the Lunar Festival. Stored within the candle is true moonlight, which is harmless to most creatures, but can burn and dazzle Omen and his minions.[39] Daniss Ghostdancer channeled Elune's power into the Drums of Primal Might, harnessing the "raw, primal might of the slain beasts" into "instruments of destruction".[40]
Practitioners[]
Sheldras Moontree, a druid using lunar magic.
Druidism[]
According to Tahu Sagewind, it is no secret that all druids, tauren and night elf alike, can call upon Elune's light (or Mu'sha as known in tauren mythology). As creatures of the night, the night elves druids put great stock in the moon goddess and her light.[41] By leveraging the sacred powers of the moon, the sun, and the stars, balance druids access arcane and nature magics to aid in the fight against imbalance that threatens the natural order of all things. With experience, they can also rain celestial fury on their enemies from a great distance.[42]
- The talent [Fury of Elune] allows balance druids to directly call upon the power of Elune, calling down "a beam of pure celestial energy" to inflict Astral damage against enemies.
- The talents and abilities [Moonfire], [Elune's Guidance], [Starsurge], [Full Moon], [Blessing of the Ancients], and [Starfall] appear to call upon Elune's power as well.
Sisterhood of Elune[]
In the Sisterhood of Elune, the priestesses of the Moon epitomize the power and grace of their race's ancient moon goddess.[43] When the night elves rode into battle, the priestesses of the Moon fought side by side with the Sentinels, singing to Elune and calling upon her power. Oftentimes the lunar goddess responded by visiting her wrath upon the night elves' enemies. It was even said that the priestesses could bring a semblance of the moon into the noonday sky, lending some of Elune's strength to the nocturnal night elves. After the battle was won, the priestesses prayed over the wounded and brought them healing.[44] The light of Elune is a part of themselves.[45]
Their battle chants can call down Elune's wrath to smite an enemy, and their prayers can heal even the gravely wounded.[46] The night elves priests who prove themselves worthy of Elune can learn one of her spells unique to their people, 
[Starshards].[47] For the most dedicated of them, it is tradition to teach them the spell known as 
[Elune's Grace].[48]
Others[]
A moonkin casting the power of the moon.
- As the Watchers were made up at first of volunteers from the Sisterhood of Elune,[49] some like Maiev Shadowsong are able to use the light of Elune.[20][19]
- As they were charged by Elune to protect her places of importance[50] and sacred places, the wildkin may turn aggressive if they are cut from the light of Elune.[51]
- Once beloved of Elune, the spider Lady Sathrah spun her silver threads through the moonlight, catching the evening mist. Her silvery dew had strong healing powers.[52]
- The owl spirit beasts Ban'thalos and Dori'thur attack with harsh moonlight of Elune to burn their foes.
[]
Notes and trivia[]
- Auras of moonlight were called for the wedding of Tyrande and Malfurion.[53]
- From the Veil, the moonlight at Lake Falathim allowed Uuna to see a friend in the physical world.[54]
- Magnataurs couldn't be blinded by the moonlight, as they are creatures of Northrend who live in places where snow and ice could be even more blinding.[55]
- Night elf bards were known to perform in Darnassus,[56] where they played music as soft as Elune's light and as soothing as the gentle splash of falling water.[57]
- In the End Time, the Echo of Tyrande was forever separated from the comforting light of Elune and torn by questions about why her goddess did nothing to put an end to such madness.[58]
- Night elves were against using the arcane but night elf druids use(d) Elune/Astral Arcane magic.[59] Why they use(d) Elune/Astral Arcane magic was supposed to be covered in the World of Warcraft: Chronicle.[60]
- In Warcraft III, night elves were only able to use [Shadowmeld] at night. According to Tyrande Whisperwind's dialog, it is Elune's power.[61]
Gallery[]
The Night Warrior's ritual with the Eye of Elune.
Moonfire ability in the Trading Card Game.
Celestial Moonfire in the Trading Card Game.
Blessing of Elune in Hearthstone.
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b c The Well of Eternity, chapter, 8
- ^ a b [7-30] Bathed in Light
- ^ Wolfheart, chapter 1
- ^ a b c Ask CDev#Ask CDev Answers - Round 2
- ^ [45] Homeward Bounding
- ^ [45] Eminent Grow-main
- ^ World of Warcraft: Stormrage, pg. 149
- ^ [Tearstone of Elune]
- ^ perculia 2020-07-09. Shadowlands Lore Interview with Lead Narrative Designer Steve Danuser - Elune, Sylvanas, Calia. Wowhead. Archived from the original on 2020-07-09.
- ^ [60] The Power of Elune
- ^ Druid of the Antler#Quotes
- ^ World of Warcraft Community Site: The Lunar Festival. Archived from the original on 2006-02-09.
- ^ [60] In Darkest Night
- ^ The Sundering, chapter 19
- ^ Stormrage, chapter 5
- ^ a b Stormrage, chapter 9
- ^ The Demon Soul, chapter 8
- ^ Elegy, pg. 85
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 2
- ^ a b World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 30
- ^ Stormrage, chapter 10
- ^ Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual
- ^ The Sundering, chapter 14
- ^ Wolfheart, chapter 9
- ^ Stormrage, chapter 26
- ^ Elegy, pg. 74
- ^ A Good War, pg. 78
- ^ [60] In Darkest Night
- ^ Wolfheart, chapter 24
- ^ Seeds of Faith
- ^ Curse of the Worgen Issue 1
- ^ Curse of the Worgen Issue 3
- ^ Legion: Druid Artifact Reveal
- ^ [10-45] The Fate of Val'sharah
- ^ Eranikus, Tyrant of the Dream
- ^ [10-40] Catching His Eye
- ^ [10-40] Ominous Portents
- ^ [1-30] The Vengeance of Elune
- ^ [60] Festive Lunar Pant Suits
- ^ [50] Make Some Noise
- ^ [73] An Injured Colleague
- ^ Legion Class Preview Series: Druid
- ^ Priestess of the Moon (Warcraft III)
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Sisterhood of Elune
- ^ Stormrage, chapter 4
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia: Elune
- ^ [10] Stars of Elune
- ^ [20] Elune's Grace
- ^ The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Watchers
- ^ [10-45] Where the Wildkin Are
- ^ [45WQ] Rage of the Owlbeasts
- ^ [12] Tears of the Moon
- ^ Stormrage, chapter 30
- ^ [Uuna's Doll]
- ^ Wolfheart, chapter 27
- ^ World of Warcraft: Illidan, chapter 3
- ^ Elegy, pg. 6
- ^ Echo of Tyrande#Adventure Guide
- ^ Official Game Guide: Talent Calculator - Balance Druid Can take on the form of a powerful Moonkin, balancing the power of Arcane and Nature magic to destroy enemies at a distance.
- ^ Micky Neilson on Twitter: Night Elves were against using the Arcane;so why did/do NE Druids use it? What's so special about Elune/Astral Arcane magic?TY "Magic will be covered in WoW Chronicle - should answer this question."
- ^ Daughters of the Moon (WC3 NightElf)
[7-30] 
[45] 
[73] 
[10] 
| |||||||||||||||||||
