The Mysteries Of Elunite Ore

Shadows of the Empire

"...the ancient elven island of Azsuna. Long ago, it was where the Highborne elves of Suramar perfected their mightiest of magics. Now, it is a cursed ruin." [Down to Azsuna]

Ashtarel Moonshoal, Sister of the Shore 🐚 Artwork by Firbess

“Min’dorei na’di Lune rae Minn-sharas’shal, anu andas isil rae lura fal.” (Daughters of the Moon and Her tides of night, we are one with silver and sea.) - Binding words of the shoreside sisters, ancient Zoram

Grave of Artorias

Moonlight Butterfly

by Fotoberg

In the Heart of Amirdrassil

The Enigma of Elune & the Elements

The goddess Elune is known by many names across cultures and even planets; such as Mother Moon, White Lady, Night Warrior, Mu’sha, etc. She has a wide reach across various spheres of cosmology, and her domain seems to at least encompass the arcane, the natural, the astral, the spiritual, and in many unexpected connections–the elemental. It could be that, as Elune is considered a life goddess with some connections to the afterlife, she may have pseudo-elemental expressions of power because they are partially intertwined with spirit. This might explain the physical tangibility, and yet silvery-blue coloring that often manifests within elements of Elunian origin. The following is a collection of curiosities in which the goddess’s influence presents itself in such forms.

Water

The first, most notable link between Elune and the elements would be her thematic ties and manifestations of power within water. An iconic and central piece of Kaldorei culture is the moonwell: it is often the focal point of temples, and a place of respite in the wilds which restores mana, cleanses impurities, blesses armaments, purifies corruption, and even banishes maddened elementals. Dave Kosak, in his development of the Warcraft cosmology, describes the combination of spirit and water as one of the main vehicles for healing; both of which are linked to the outer ring of Nature. An old myth of the Kaldorei Empire described Elune sleeping inside of the Well of Eternity during the day, and rising into the sky as the moon each night. Today, moonwells are established through local wild spirits granting their blessing, a combination of natural and lunar magick, as well as a droplet of eternal waters from another purified well. All of these spheres together (spirit, water, nature, and arcane) encompass the very essence of Elune's moonwells.

Tears of Elune are one of the most recurring themes in relation to the goddess - seen in the pillar of creation, and lesser items scattered throughout the world. We do not know for certain how these tears form; however, there is an implication that they are a manifestation of Elune’s emotions, whether crying tears of sadness, or of joy. These remnants from the goddess seem to possess a myriad of properties the beholder can make use of: the Tearstone of Elune legendary ring has a chance to cast an additional regrowth on targets, Tears of the Goddess from the Hyjal raid slow the player’s falling speed, and Elune’s Tear can ease the symptoms of illness. Mu’sha’s Tears are gathered at the base of a waterfall in Highmountain, which are guarded by fiercely protective water elementals, to eventually be used during a ritual that allows us to witness the events of the War of the Ancients. Interestingly, these specific tears are said to “flow of their own accord,” entirely ignoring the rushing rapids that would normally carry away physical objects or other water currents; which may lend to the notion that Elune’s elemental manifestations are partially comprised of spirit. The Sisters’ Tear, born of Elune and the Winter Queen’s combined power, is yet another example of renewal and lifegiving springing forth from the goddess’s sorrow: which resulted in the growth of the World Tree, Amirdrassil.

Elune is described as having partial influence over the tides, a power that she shares with Neptulon, as evidenced by the Tablet of the Balancing Tides: "The whispers of Elune and Neptulon play on the tides, their words etched in stone are a tribute to the balance of their powers." There is additionally a brief archaeology quest in Throne of the Tides we can pick up from an ancient fountain. Delving into our historical knowledge from reading a Highborne Scroll fragment, we discover that the purpose of this fountain is to confer a blessing called “Waters of Elune,” which specifically increases our damage against the naga while inside the domain of Neptulon, further strengthening the alliance between the two. The goddess also seems to feel a responsibility, or at least have an interest, in purifying maddened water elementals. We see this demonstrated in Moon Priestess Tharill’s questline in Darkshore, who asks us to use a relic called the Orb of Elune; which has the power to soothe and permanently banish these beings back to their plane. This ultimately protects the elementals from the cycle of being resummoned, further manipulated, and driven to madness. As the orb was carried by Tharill just south of Auberdine, this may have been a prized and sacred relic of the town used in banishing angered elementals from the coasts of Darkshore. It would not be the first or only sacred artifact kept here, as Auberdine also once housed the Eye of Elune.

Elune’s aqueous blessings were also a crucial part in the battle of the Molten Front within the Firelands. It seems that somehow, the nature of Elune’s blessings can circumvent traditional interactions between elements. The very existence of a moonwell, or any body of water for that matter inside the scorching plane of Ragnaros, would reasonably evaporate. The fact that this one is able to withstand the extreme heat of the Firelands speaks to a high resistance, if not complete immunity, to the effects of fire. Ayla Shadowstorm explains that the moonwell’s waters can indeed provide some protection against flame, as well as bless the expedition’s food stores. Once the well is filled, small bushes and trees begin to sprout nearby that eventually bear eternal fruits which can be used indefinitely while inside the Molten Front. While it is unclear what role Elune plays in the existence of wisps, these spiritual beings are considered “perfectly suited” to banishing elementals (similar to the goddess herself) as seen in this quest where the wisps aid us in closing the portals of fire elementals.

In the tauren mythos of Eyes of the Earthmother, Mu’sha as she is called, is said to "dance with the waters of the tides," "flow out of shadow’s reach like water," and bind injuries with the powers of water and wind.

Fire

The satyr camp of Sargeron in Desolace, known colloquially as the Palace/Sanctuary/Cathedral/Temple of Elune, reveals an interesting relic that links Elune to the element of fire. Unearthed from the ruins of the temple here, there is a tall runestone monument known as the Ancient Vortex Runestone. It is said that the ancient Kaldorei “revered the gems created by this mystical object, claiming that they were gifts from the goddess herself. It was believed that they were weapons capable of delivering them from any enemy.” As we progress in the questline, we are able to make use of these gemstones, which summon forth a giant firestorm, whose power is strengthened “either through sustained worship of Elune, or charged by spiritual energies of the fallen.”

During the war against the scourge in Northrend, the settlement of Stars’ Rest converted their moonwell to house the liquid fire of Elune, an offshoot of traditional moonwell waters. The very nature of this substance seems to be an oxymoron, combining two opposing elements of fire and water into one. However, if we consider again Dave Kosak’s notes on the life-giving essence of spirit; he links spirit and water with healing, and spirit and fire with holy powers of retribution. The fact that Elune’s liquid fire encompasses spirit, water, and fire then becomes clearer in the goal of this quest: to pour it over the corpses of scourge-blighted animals and cleanse them of their corruption. This essentially combines Kosak’s ideas through healing their bodies and demonstrating a retribution against the unnatural state of undeath. This may also speak to the circumventing of traditional elemental interactions, as the liquid fire of this moonwell (assumedly) prevents the vessel from freezing over.

In Darkshore, a moonkin named Aroom requests our aid in cleansing their corrupted brethren. They task adventurers with slaying a ghost of their kind who wields a relic called Elune’s Torch. After retrieving the torch, Aroom creates a ritual bonfire with the flames from this item, which allows the corrupted moonkin to find rest in the afterlife and “return to Elune, finally.” It could be that these flames of Elune act as spiritual purification, essentially burning away the madness or corruption clouding the moonkin’s minds. The fact that they are able to find peace (after this torch is used to create a larger and more substantial bonfire) may indicate that Elune’s flame acts as a beacon of guidance for the dead, which allows them to more easily move on from the physical plane.

There is also a unique type of silvery blue and purple fire found in Kaldorei settlements, old ruins, and temples that is vastly different from traditional orange, red, and yellow flame. The most intriguing are the braziers found in Azsuna and Tel’anor of Suramar, a necropolis assumed to be abandoned by its groundskeepers. Yet, all throughout the area there are braziers still burning brightly as if just fed with wooden kindling. It is unclear how they are sustained, but this may reinforce the idea that it is not true fire in the typical understanding of the element, but a mixture of fire and spirit together.

Earth

While Elune seems to be more distant from the element of earth than its counterparts, it is interesting to consider her manifestations that appear in traditionally earthbound mediums.

The first is Elunite Ore - ore in general being a naturally occurring rock or stone with valuable minerals inside. Elunite is described as being a fine material to work with, and directly blessed by Elune herself. The nature of Elunite is unclear; we do not know if it is an ore that is blessed by the goddess after its formation, or if Elune has a hand in its creation within the earth. It is not a usable material by miners and blacksmiths, perhaps implying that crafting with Elunite is a rare technique known only to select artisans, Elanaria (the questgiver) being one of them. It could also be that the privilege of shaping Elunite requires performing an act in defense of the goddess’s domain; as Elanaria tells us that in order to make our weapon, we must slay a satyr corrupting a moonwell, and defeat the shade of Elura who has cursed herself to guard her shipment of Elunite ore beneath the waves for all eternity.

The next earthly manifestations of Elune come in the form of gemstones, which traditionally find their origin from “deep in the earth, brought to the surface by explosions of molten rock.” Some are also “crystallized slowly from hot fluids and gases, formed from liquids filtered into cracks and pockets in rock, formed when rocks were heated and pressurized by earth movements, and recombined to form new, different minerals.” It is unclear whether Elunian gems are created similarly, or whether they are perhaps crystallized magic of some kind. As mentioned in the section of Fire, the Ancient Vortex Runestone was said to produce gemstones that Elune bequeathed to her followers here to defend themselves with. Additionally in Winterspring, there is an old altar that once housed a precious relic called the Gem of Elune that allowed direct communication with Her, and through which she “channeled her infinite wisdom.” In Outland, there are also rare jewels called Stars of Elune that can be prospected from various native ores, and dropped by random enemies.

In the Legend of Elun’Ahir, the goddess is said to be one who gifted Eonar with a branch of G’Hanir, a Mother Tree that once existed inside the Emerald Dream. After Aman’thul ripped it from the earth, its roots still grew below ground, nourished by Eonar’s tears: “Below ground, the roots fed upon the tears of Eonar and grew strong. The war was long, but in the end, the titans claimed victory. And Eonar was pleased, knowing Elune's legacy would endure. It is said that much later, as the world entered a new age, mysterious guardians arrived who dedicated their lives to protecting the roots.”

There are also several flowers said to be touched by Elune. One grows in the shadows of Duskwood, called Elune's Grace, which glows with the intensity of the moon and attracts wolves to its location. The flowers required to craft various Blossom Crowns during the Lunar Festival supposedly hold a strong connection to the goddess as well, imbued with a "solemn peace," "Elune's might," "happiness," and "great fortune." Myrael Lunarbloom also wields a staff whose flowers bloom during this time of year, greatly empowered by a moonwell pilgrimage ritual. She even says, "Flowers flourish under Elune's light. She was always known to cherish them."

Air

The Eyes of the Earthmother tells of the goddess’s early mythological origins, and her sphere of influence includes both water and wind. It seems that Elune (Mu’sha in this story) works with the wind most commonly as a means to communicate, and to deliver thoughts, words, and feelings. While the Earthmother slumbers, Mu’sha’s powers were said to be diminished, and she could no longer harness the winds' power since they “whipped up in storms and blizzards.” She is also described as “sharing secrets” with the winds, later sending upon them a plea to the Earthmother. Eventually, the Earthmother is able to find her way back to Mu’sha, because “the winds pulled at her hands, and guided her swiftly to find her Sun and Moon.” After the Earthmother’s sacrifice, Mu’sha pays homage to her by carrying her last words on the breeze for the tauren to hear, as well as setting the winds across the tides so that her voice could always be followed. Mu’sha’s favored weaponry was also said to be the bow and arrow, the efficacy of which is highly dependent on wind flow. Her movements are described as “quick as the wind,” and when her brother, An’she, is severely wounded, she calls upon these forces in an attempt to heal his injury: “Mu'sha tried to bind her brother's wound with water and wind, but no matter what she did, he continued to bleed.”

An in-game connection between Elune and the realm of wind is from a side quest in Darkshore just following the events of the Cataclysm. Sentinel Selarin, at the Auberdine refugee camp, leads the endeavor to eradicate the Twilight’s Hammer wind elementals overtaking the ruins of the town. An arduous process that requires an intricate solution, as the Twilight’s Hammer can continuously resummon the elementals at their command. In order to put an end to this, the elementals must be “slain;” after which we take their bracers, thought to be physical bindings anchoring them to this plane. The way to stop this cycle once and for all is to place the bracers into a moonwell. This act is said to not only prevent the elementals from being resummoned, but completely destroying the bracers as well. While this is not said to “soothe” them like the Orb of Elune, this seems to accomplish the same goal of freeing the enslaved elementals and the remaining Kaldorei.

While not a manifestation of elemental power per se, Elune’s influence upon the winds is also demonstrated in priestesses who channel her power through song; as well as relics like the Chimes of the Moon in Tel’anor: “The Sisters say that Elune sings a song, notes pure and beautiful. The Chime does not ring often, but when it does it is the same note as the one She is singing.” During the War of the Ancients especially, the strengthening magic utilized by the Sisters was invaluable to the war effort, notably through battle chants: “Then, another welcome surprise—chanting came from the center of the advance. The Sisterhood of Elune, resplendent in their battle armor, strengthened the fighters further. Day might have held precedence at the moment, but the priestesses’ rhythmic singing literally fed the nocturnal warriors. It was as if the moon herself suddenly hung over the host.” (Demon Soul, Ch. 8)

While we may think of this magic as under the strict purview of the elementals, it has been said that "Elune’s true nature is not fully understood," and the breadth of her power and influence may be even more vast and complex than initial impressions.

Delving into Blackfathom Deeps

An excerpt from Glory to the Queen Born of Stars:

"Of the wonders our queen brought to this world, perhaps none was so great as Lathar'Lazal. As masons constructed the temple, Azshara shaped the waters around it with the Scepter of Tides. She spoke the names of the rivers and the seas, and they moved at her command. Salt water from the roaring ocean and fresh water from the mountain streams trickled to Azshara's side. With the flick of her wrist, the queen partitioned them into great lakes that hugged Lathar'Lazal's sturdy foundation."

Architecture:

Blackfathom Deeps, as we know it today, was once called "Lathar'Lazal," or "Seat of the Sky" in Darnassian. Long ago, this was a temple to Elune built by Queen Azshara with the aid of Sharas'dal (her tide-scepter) in the ages before the Sundering. Pelagic imagery still endures in the architecture of these sunken ruins, described at one point to have contained "gem-encrusted bridges and effervescent lakes." Motifs of fish-head fountains, wave-inspired stonework, scale-like patterns, and ionic columns are repeated in the masonry and pottery of the forlorn halls. It is unclear what the seafoam-colored stone the temple is made of, though it is interesting to note that it almost bears a resemblance to a body of water's surface: like the way a pool shifts and shimmers with the light. Some kind of material borne of the sea, melded together with the queen's Sharas'dal, or a common mineral of the region? They could also simply bear cracks and signs of weathering considering the age of the temple, but watery stone would be fitting symbolically.

Azshara's Influence:

"Whenever she [Azshara] walked the bridges of Lathar'Lazal, nearby schools of exotic fish would array themselves in colorful patterns. She even kept a colossal sea giant bound to one of the lakes. She used her scepter to make him perform tricks and feats of strength, much to the delight of the watching Highborne. Curious night elves from the far corners of the empire journeyed to Lathar'Lazal to study the mythical creature and his habits."

Perhaps Lathar'Lazal was a bustling tourist attraction then in the days of the empire, both for education and entertainment. With such tourism drawn to the temple, I wonder if the nearby land/city of Zoram benefited from this economically.

The passage above seems to imply that the Highborne rather enjoyed the spectacle of the imprisoned sea giant, and this poses an interesting dichotomy to the original purpose of the temple: a house of Elune, simultaneously hosting a creature trapped against its will. Such an exhibition created by Azshara here speaks to her penchant for show and amusement, and possible disregard for the faith. If only a historical record existed of a priestess's personal journal or the like; and whether she would be disappointed with such behavior, or complacent in the suffering of other races/creatures as night elves often were during this era.

Tideweaver:

Queen Azshara, even before her naga transformation, always had a fascinating dominion over water, both with her scepter Sharas'dal and the Well of Eternity. Supposedly Xavius was the one who actually gifted the queen with this ornate weapon that later shaped the temple:

"A night elf named Lord Xavius presented the queen with a jeweled scepter, etched with delicate magical sigils. He promised Azshara that so long as she kept it close, it would bring her prosperity and great power. Azshara held the scepter aloft, and the jewels shimmered in the light of the moons like brilliant stars. The sight of the queen and her gift was so beautiful that it brought many of the attendant Highborne to tears."

An enigmatic man of terrifying skill and power, I do wonder where Xavius procured this weapon in the first place; as its design does not appear to be of Kaldorei craftsmanship. Perhaps it hails from the ancient jinyu culture, the primordial titans, or some other past world power. Examining its details, what do you think of Sharas'dal's origins?

"Queen Azshara's enchanted scepter afforded her great power. Imbued with the Well of Eternity's potent waters, it held sway over the rivers and the seas, aquatic creatures of all kinds, and the life energies that stirred within Azshara herself."

In the Tablet of Balancing Tides, it is stated that:

"The whispers of Elune and Neptulon play on the tides, their words etched in stone are a tribute to the balance of their power."

I find it interesting that Azshara utilized a form of magic half-intrinsic to the moon goddess. Did she derive some of her aquatic power from Elune, or use a different magick entirely? The descriptions of Azshara wielding the scepter use language that speaks to a command over water, rather than a unity with the elementals, spirits, and goddess.

This item's flavor text also mentions Neptulon--Elemental Lord of Waters--interestingly now a sworn enemy of Queen Azshara and her naga forces in the present day.

The Moonshrine Ruins:

This place supposedly once hosted a moonwell, with an area known as the Moonshrine. The foundations here might suggest that before the Sundering, Lathar'Lazal could have been built just upon the shores, or expanded out into the sea itself with the tides embracing the temple all around. Swimming beneath the waters of the Moonshrine, there appear to be large pillars supporting the walkways here; much like a pier.

The Inner Sanctum:

Crescent imagery is prevalent inside of the sanctum, as well as sets of 3 seats, perhaps symbolism of the triple moon (waxing, full, and waning or the maiden, mother, and crone archetypes) holding some importance in the rituals carried out here. These could also represent a large meeting space, high-ranking priestesses for ritual, a council of leadership, divisions of the temple, seating for observers, or something else entirely. They face partitioned rooms with crescent moon symbols.

If we look at the central dais of the sanctum, (Azshari statue and cultist altar notwithstanding) there is a raised platform with a pyramid-like structure carved into the ceiling. Perhaps a skylight once existed here to let in moonlight for lunar rites, or this area hosted something of great importance to be kept safe inside the sanctum.

The Moondoors:

The moondoors are an especially interesting piece, and the last apparent threshold of the Seat of the Sky. Upon passing through, there are only a handful of pillars flanking the sides of the cavern. They seem to accompany each other in pairs on each side - marking a possible entrance, exit, or some other pathway to the temple. While I am unsure of their true purpose or the mechanism to unlock them, the various square pieces are almost akin to a puzzle. This model is used in other Kaldorei architecture and I've long been intrigued by their possible uses. These moondoors are typically used as entrances to the tall, thin ivory towers of Kaldorei ruins. Perhaps Elunarian priests or arcanists weave (or wove) intricate spellwork rooted in the arcane, or the moon cycle in order to lock these types of barriers. What was intended to lie beyond them is anyone's guess: powerful artifacts, sacred relics, enshrined lore, or even concealed secrets.

"The Great Sundering shattered the glorious temple, sinking it beneath the waves of the Veiled Sea."

I hope you enjoyed these musings! There's something equally fascinating and solemn looking back at the remnants of the Kaldorei Empire - in the shadows of glory that once eclipsed the continent.

Alanorah Lune’Morinendel. My Kaldorei Priestess of Elune and her summoned scimitars. Pre-Sundering Alanorah's Highborne family were Star Augurs of the courts. Since this practice was based more on the natural coming & going of heavenly bodies she was able to continue her study, but more Arcane elements of the practice were done in secret until the Shattering. Now she does so openly. She leans more toward Elune's darker phase, the Night Warrior, since her focus as a Priestess is going to Highborne ruins to speak with the dead & help them pass. In doing so she hopes to recover knowledge of the Sisterhood that was lost in the sundering by speaking to the spirits of Priestesses. Any who deface the ruins of the Highborne or Elune's Temples will face her blade and wrath.

"Bowl of Water with Night Sky" 2023 oil painting by David Stanger