Quel'Thalas — Home of the High Elves

A realm of eternal spring

Quel'Thalas spread across the far northeast of the continent, north of Lordaeron. It was founded by high elves exiled from Kalimdor for their devotion to arcane magic. In their new home they created the Sunwell — an artificial fount of magical power that nourished the whole kingdom. Around it rose the shining city of Silvermoon, and the lands of Eversong bloomed in eternal spring through magic.

Allies of the Alliance

The high elves long kept to themselves, but kinship bound them to humanity: elven blood ran in the veins of Anduin Lothar, the last of Arathor's line. In the Second War, when the Horde burned the edges of the elven forests, Quel'Thalas joined the Alliance. Elven archers and mages fought side by side with humans, and the Windrunner sisters — Alleria and Sylvanas — became living legends.

The Dead Scar

The Third War brought the kingdom's doom. Arthas, driven by the Lich King's will, invaded Quel'Thalas at the head of the Scourge. His army cut a black swath of devastation through the blooming forests — the 'Dead Scar' — leading straight to the Sunwell. Arthas defiled the fount to resurrect the necromancer Kel'Thuzad. King Anasterian fell, roughly ninety percent of the elves perished, and the defenders' leader Sylvanas Windrunner was slain by Arthas and raised as a banshee.

Quel'Thalas in WoW Classic

In the Vanilla era the lands of Quel'Thalas — Eversong Woods and the Ghostlands — are still closed to players. But the shadow of its fall lies across the whole continent: surviving high elves are scattered through the Eastern Plaguelands serving the Argent Dawn, and Sylvanas leads the Forsaken toward vengeance. The kingdom itself heals its wounds away off the map.

On the WowX5 server (x5)

On WowX5 x5 the legacy of Quel'Thalas is felt through magic and history: playing a mage or studying elven lore, you touch the fate of a fallen kingdom. Read the story of Sylvanas Windrunner, consult the Warcraft timeline and create a hero to write your name into the chronicle of Azeroth.

FAQ

What is Quel'Thalas?

Quel'Thalas is the ancient kingdom of the [high elves](/en/wiki/quel-thalas) in the far northeast of the continent. Its heart was the Sunwell — a source of magical power — and its capital was the beautiful city of Silvermoon.

Who destroyed Quel'Thalas?

In the Third War, [Arthas](/en/wiki/arthas-menethil) at the head of the [Scourge](/en/wiki/scourge) cut a 'Dead Scar' through the kingdom to reach and defile the Sunwell. King Anasterian and roughly nine out of ten high elves perished.

Can you visit Quel'Thalas in WoW Classic?

In the Vanilla era the lands of Quel'Thalas (Eversong Woods and the Ghostlands) are not yet accessible to players. But the kingdom's lore is referenced constantly: the fate of [Sylvanas Windrunner](/en/wiki/sylvanas-windrunner) and the high elves is bound to its fall.