Kaldorei

From WoWWiki

The kaldorei were a race of nocturnal, feral nomadic humanoids that once lived in the jungles of the former continent of Kalimdor,^{S&L 128} at the time the sole continent of Azeroth. They were considered the greatest tribe in the land.^{WRPG 20} They journeyed around the continent eager to uncover secrets hidden in dark places.^{M&M 14} At some point, they were drawn to the shimmering power of the Well of Eternity. They named the continent Kalimdor and settled near the vortex of cosmic energy.^{WRPG 20} They adopted the name kaldorei meaning "children of the stars" in their native tongue.^{WC3Man 47} After several ages spent in peace and learning, the kaldorei grew in power and wisdom so that they soon outstripped the other humanoid races of Azeroth. Their kingdom^{WRPG 30} had now become an empire.^{LoC 16, 19 LoM 12 APG 75 DF 10, 166} The kaldorei would later be known as the night elves.^{WRPG 21 M&M 14}

After the War of the Ancients, they sought to rebuild a new kaldorei empire.^{WRPG 22 APG 179}

Contents 1 Culture 2 Terminology 3 Notes 4 Speculation 5 References

Culture

The kaldorei venerated the moon goddess, Elune, even before they settled around the Well of Eternity.^{WoWRPG 250} They believed she dwelled within it during the day and would arise from it at night.^{WRPG 153}

Terminology

Kaldorei is a Darnassian word meaning "children of the stars". It can also be interpreted as "people of the stars". It can refer to the tribe which existed before the night elves, to the night elves themseleves, and sometimes to the Highborne.

The kaldorei race includeds both the night elves as a whole and the Highborne (quel'dorei) upper class.^{WRPG 20}

The naga are cursed Highborne who were smashed to the bottom of the sea at the end of the War of the Ancients.^{S&L 19}

Notes

• Some sources state that the race was called the kaldorei before finding the Well of Eternity. Other sources state they adopted the name after finding the Well of Eternity.
• It is not known why or when the kaldorei starting being known as the night elves, but sources show the term by the time of the War of the Ancients.^{WRPG 21}
• Following with the entries above, the kaldorei could be seen as either: 1) The exact same race as the night elves 2) Viewed as a race that became the new race of night elves over time and exposure to the Well of Eternity (which did change them physically).

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.

Perhaps the early kaldorei race's tribe were the mysterious dark elves.

References