World of Warcraft
For many in World of Warcraft, taking their first steps after being resurrected as an undead in Deathknell is a unique experience. The dreary, overcast skies, the hauntingly beautiful ambient music, and the twisted, dying trees create an atmosphere unmatched anywhere else in Azeroth. Tirisfal Glades can be described as a monument to free will, resilience, and the dark evolution of the Forsaken.
This place has transformed from an ancient, sacred woodland to the epicenter of the Scourge plague, let’s explore the rich history and secrets of Tirisfal Glades.
Touch of Madness in Tirisfal Glades
Long before the human kingdom of Lordaeron was founded, Tirisfal Glades was a land of ancient magic. When the exiled High Elves (led by Dath’Remar Sunstrider) first landed on the shores of Lordaeron, they attempted to settle in Tirisfal. However, they were soon driven mad by dark, maddening whispers echoing from beneath the earth. Unbeknownst to them, a horrifying Old God monstrosity (later revealed as Zakajz the Corruptor) was buried deep beneath the region. The elves abandoned the area, leaving it for the early human tribes who eventually founded the glorious kingdom of Lordaeron. Later on, the Elves eventually allied with the humans and taught them magic, that’s how the first human mages came to be.
Speaking of ancient magic, the very name of the region derives from “Tyr’s Fall”. It was named after the Titan Watcher Tyr, who sacrificed himself here to defeat the Old God monstrosity, Zakajz. This innate magical concentration is exactly why the human and elven magi secretly formed the Council of Tirisfal in these glades, creating the legendary Guardians of Tirisfal, such as Aegwynn and Medivh, to protect Azeroth from the demonic threats of Burning Legion.
The Fall of Lordaeron and Rise of the Forsaken
The true downfall of Tirisfal began with Prince Arthas Menethil. After his campaign to hunt the dreadlord Mal’ganis, he was corrupted by the Lich King. Arthas returned to his homeland as a harbinger of death. He assassinated his father, King Terenas, and unleashed the undead Scourge upon his own people, turning the once-beautiful glades into a plagued wasteland.
Yet, from this devastation rose the Forsaken. Breaking free from the Lich King’s control, Sylvanas Windrunner rallied the free-willed undead and claimed the shattered ruins beneath Lordaeron’s capital as their new home called The Undercity. Tirisfal Glades transformed into the staging ground for the Forsaken’s desperate fight for survival. To bolster their ranks, Sylvanas began using Val’kyr to raise the freshly dead into undeath, a controversial tactic that was heavily questioned by the late Warchief Garrosh Hellscream within a quest that can be encountered in Silverpine Forest. This was also considered controversial to some inside the Horde.
Evolution of Tirisfal Glades
While Tirisfal Glades didn’t suffer massive geographical tears like The Barrens during the Cataclysm, the zone underwent a massive cultural shift. The Forsaken finally established their own identity. The town of Brill, which originally consisted of ruined human barns, was completely rebuilt with imposing, dark-gothic Forsaken architecture, becoming a small hub. The zone evolved to reflect a people who were no longer just brooding over their former graves, but actively conquering their surroundings. Undead became a true member of the Horde after the fall of Lich King.
The Cataclysm revamp also introduced some of the most memorable quests (for me at least) in the game. Fresh out of the grave in Deathknell, players meet Darnell, a not very smart, freshly raised undead like us who cheerfully accepts his new, grim reality, becoming a loyal and somewhat naive companion, accompanying us through the zone sometimes.
In stark contrast stands a gal named Lilian Voss. Raised from the dead, she is terrified and in absolute denial. As the daughter of a high-ranking Scarlet Crusade priest, she was raised to despise the undead. We hold up a mirror to her, forcing her to see her undead reflection. Watching her slowly accept her cursed existence, only to be rejected and hunted by her own father, remains one of the most brilliantly written character arcs in WoW’s history. She appears throughout the expansions here and there, makes me glad Blizzard did not forget about her like lots of well written characters in the game.
Struggles in the Glades
Tucked away in the northeastern mountains lies the Scarlet Monastery. In ClassicWoW, this massive fortress served as the headquarters for the fanatical Scarlet Crusade and was split into four separate dungeon wings, before being condensed into two separate dungeons in later expansions. Blinded by their extreme zealotry, this religious sect seeks to eradicate all undead from Lordaeron, making no distinction between the mindless Scourge and the free-willed Forsaken. The monastery also holds one of the most legendary hidden events in Warcraft history. If an adventurer walked into the Cathedral wielding the Corrupted Ashbringer from the original Naxxramas, the hostile zealots would instantly become friendly and bow to them, triggering an unforgettable, hidden lore event.
Years later, during the Battle for Azeroth expansion, Tirisfal Glades witnessed yet another cataclysmic event. When the Alliance besieged Lordaeron Keep, Sylvanas Windrunner unleashed the devastating Forsaken Blight to deny them the victory, leaving the Undercity and its surrounding glades completely uninhabitable, turning it into another Chernobyl. It wasn’t until the recent Return to Lordaeron events that the Forsaken finally began cleansing the deadly blight, actively rebuilding their ruined home on the surface.
Personal Thoughts on Tirisfal Glades
Hidden high in the mountains on the far western edge of Tirisfal Glades lies a fairy secret called The Whispering Forest. Before flying mounts were allowed in Azeroth, reaching this area required clever wall jumping. In the center of this eerie, quiet forest is a ring of glowing mushrooms. If you are patient enough, a group of Fey-Drunk Darters will slowly gather around the fairy circle and perform a strange, magical song before dispersing. It is a hauntingly beautiful, unexplained phenomenon that perfectly captures the lingering ancient magic of Tirisfal.
This zone remains as my second favorite starting zone. First being Echo Isles and the third Eversong Woods. In contrast to most players, I kind of like areas like these; hauntingly beautiful, nocturnal and eerie. It has its own charm and makes me feel at home, not that I live in a dark forest (I live in a very clean house just so you know). Just writing this article makes me want to create a fresh undead character and level throughout the zone from start to finish. I envy those who have not tasted this zone yet. Sometimes I wish that I would press a button and forget the experience just to start all over and be a noob.
