High elf (playable)

The high elves (or quel'dorei, for "children of noble birth" in Darnassian and Thalassian) of Quel'Thalas are one of the playable Alliance races in World of Warcraft that were introduced in Turtle WoW. They are a race descended from the night elf Highborne who left Kalimdor and settled in the Eastern Kingdoms, founding Quel'Thalas. The high elves were once a significant force on the continent, but in recent times their numbers have been dramatically reduced: most of their population was slaughtered during the Third War.

Formerly beginning their adventures at the Farstrider Lodge in Loch Modan, high elves now start in the Thalassian Highlands, a remote region of their homeland that has been settled with the help of the Alliance. The outpost of Alah'Thalas, now expanded into a full settlement, serves as the capital of the high elves. Unicorns are their racial mount, and Thalassian is the language they speak, although they are also able to communicate with their allies by speaking Common.

Creation screen description
''Long ago the exiled high elves founded Quel'Thalas, where they created a magical found called the Sunwell. Though they were strengthened by its powers, they also grew increasingly dependent on them. Ages later the undead Scourge destroyed the Sunwell and most of the high elf population. Now these scattered refugees are seeking to find a new place in the world as they search for a cure to their painful addiction.''

Opening cutscene
''For nearly seven thousand years, the high elves nurtured a shining magical kingdom deep within the forests of northern Lordaeron. However, seven years ago, the undead Scourge invaded Quel'Thalas, pushing the elves to the brink of extinction. Led by the death knight Arthas, the Scourge destroyed the mystical Sunwell, severing the elves from the source of their magical power. Now a broken people, the surviving elves gather in the last bastion of their strength, Alah'Thalas. Once abandoned and forgotten, it has been rebuilt and now serves as a home to countless refugees.''

''Nevertheless, with no access to the Sunwell, the arcane addiction of the high elves becomes a growing issue every day. More and more individuals turn to forbidden powers to quench their thirst. As a proud high elf, it is now your duty to restore the former glory of your people and protect your newfound homeland. However, not all is as it seems, and the Regency Council's support for the Alliance may not be as endeavouring as it appears.''

Original opening cutscene
''For nearly seven thousand years, the high elves cultivated a shining magical kingdom deep within the forests of northern Lordaeron. But five years ago, the undead Scourge invaded Quel'Thalas and drove the elves to the brink of extinction. Led by the evil death knight Arthas, the Scourge destroyed the mystical Sunwell, thereby severing the elves from the source of their arcane power.''

''Now a broken people, the only hope for the future lies in the Alliance. Banding together with the survivors, you desperately use what few wagons you could scavenge to head south, looking for a new beginning at a former military lodge of your people in the verdant hills of Loch Modan.''

Classes

 * Hunter
 * Mage
 * Paladin
 * Priest
 * Rogue
 * Warrior

Patch changes

 * Expansion_logo_mysteriesofazeroth.png Patch 1.17.1 (2023-12-20): Starting area moved from Farstrider Lodge in Loch Modan to Brinthilien in the Thalassian Highlands.
 * Expansion_logo_mysteriesofazeroth.png Patch 1.16.1 (2022-07-24):
 * Goblins and High Elves now have custom voice-acted error lines and emotes.
 * High Elf females can now properly sit in chairs and on stools.
 * High Elf females mounting point being slightly shifted to the right has been fixed.
 * High Elf females no longer do a flip on all jumps and only have a chance to do so.
 * High Elves can now properly talk in Thalassian.
 * High Elf Warriors can now properly learn Two-Handed Maces from the Ironforge weapon trainer.
 * High Elves can now add facial hair and earrings for further customization to males and females respectively.
 * WoWlogo.png Patch 1.15.1 (2021-03-11):
 * Distant portraits for the new races.
 * Background for the new races when previewing outfits.
 * WoWlogo.png Patch 1.15.0 (2021-01-05): Added.