Summary
World of Warcraftsuffered a great loss when the beloved night elf city of Darnassus was destroyed. Ever since the pre-patch events of Battle for Azeroth, the World Tree Teldrassil has remained lifeless and desolate. But a new possibility brews on the horizon, as the cycle of life, death, and renewal has shown all of Azeroth’s denizens that hope yet remains.
Years have passed with both the night elves and worgen ofWorld of Warcrafthaving nowhere to call home. But with Dragonflight’s fast-approaching patch, Seeds of Renewal, all that is about to change. The worgen will return to their ancestral city of Gilneas, and most notably, the night elves will have a new home in the majestic Dragon Isles called Bel’ameth.
World of Warcraft’s Night Elves Have Been Homeless Since Battle for Azeroth
Sylvanas Windrunner left her markon the world, gouging deep scars in the minds of the kal’dorei people. She mercilessly set Teldrassil ablaze, shocking both the Alliance and her own Horde soldiers at the sheer brutality of her actions. Hundreds of innocent lives were lost, but as players ventured into the Shadowlands, they learned how death was not the end.
How WoW: Shadowlands Led to a New World Tree
The realm of Ardenweald, essentially a mirror plane of the Emerald Dream, was a place where nature spirits went after death. There, the slumbering spirits are watched over by the Winter Queen, who oversees their eventual rebirth. The countless night elves who perished in the flames ended up in Ardenweald, andafter the events of Shadowlands, many of them chose to enter the cycle of rebirth.
Dragonflight Continues the Story of a New World Tree
These selfless souls imbued their spirits with the seed of a new World Tree, Amirdrassil, which would grow within the Emerald Dream for safekeeping. When the Primal Incarnate, Fyrakk, threatened to consume its power,Azeroth fought back. Fyrakk was defeated, and Amirdrassil was finally strong enough to be brought into the physical world.
In the far west of the Ohn’ahran Plains, a section of the Dragon Isles watched over by theGreen Dragonflight, Amirdrassilhas set down its roots. In the tranquil shade of its boughs, a new night elf settlement has been founded. Bel’ameth, meaning Arms of the Goddess, has become the new beating heart of kal’dorei culture. This fledgeling town mirrors the encampment within the Emerald Dream, making use of the classic night elf architectural colors and style.
The Cross-Faction City of Bel’ameth Will Be in the Dragon Isles
The usual amenities forWorld of Warcraft’s faction citiescan be found within, including portals to various other zones such as Stormwind, Darkshore, Val’sharah, and Mount Hyjal. There’s a bustling inn and loads of vendors, as well as familiar NPCs with souped-up models. Both Alliance and Horde players can visit, although the night elves are a little wary of the latter given what happened to their previous home.
Many different night elf factions are present, most notably the Shen’dralar, who man the portals to other zones. These kal’dorei mages were once servants of Queen Azshara, and their history with the other night elves has been rife with conflict. They had even been banished from night elf lands many years prior, so it’s abig deal that Tyrande Whisperwindhas welcomed them back. It shows how the kal’dorei are truly embracing a new future, one where unity is the main agenda.
World of Warcraft’s Forsaken Still Don’t Have a Home
AlthoughBel’ameth is a cross-faction city, it does bring into question whether the Horde’s Forsaken will get a new capital city as well, since Teldrassil was not the only victim of Sylvanas’ tirades. The Undercity was rendered uninhabitable during Battle for Azeroth as well, poisoned by an immense cloud of blight. Cleanup efforts have been initiated, but as of this moment, neither the living nor the undead can enter the iconic city.
GivenGilneas is also being reclaimed, this does leaveWoWwith an imbalance of faction capitals. Hopefully, the Horde will soon have another city, be it old or new, to address the discrepancy. Either way, Bel’ameth is a welcome addition to the game, and all players, be them night elf or not, are eager to explore it.
