Post by Kestrel on Mar 25, 2009 11:46:42 GMT 1
The first mention of the Guardians is in oral histories that predate the Sundering. They were initially formed as a fast strike force, chosen from some of the most battle-hardened warriors, experienced in the conflicts with the Trollish empires. Known only as ‘The Guardians’ these fierce warriors would descend upon their foes with berserker fury, often proving devastating and decisive, though they paid a heavy toll for their victories. The life-span of a Guardian was often short.
Change came in the War of the Ancients and the Sundering, when the High Warden of the Guardians, Nuuana Stormwing was slain by Highborn zealots for refusing a direct order to destroy renegade Malfurion Stormrage and his followers. This pushed the Guardians to side with Stormrage, and follow him in the attack on the first Well of Eternity, which sealed the fate of the Highborn and helped establish the pact between the Kaldorei and the Dragonflights.
Following the war, the order renamed itself the Cenarion Guardians, in honour of Malfurion and the others loyal to Cenarius. The order pledged it's loyalty to Malfurion and the Cenarion Circle; an organisation dedicated to protecting nature, and working to heal the hurts inflicted by the Burning Legion. They pursued this agenda for 10000 years, and served with distinction under Fandral Staghelm in the war of the Shifting Sands.
The Third War nearly brought about the doom of the Guardians. Gathered again at Stormrage's side, the Guardians were part of the desperate defence that kept Archimonde from Nordrassil long enough for the druids to trap and defeat the archdemon Archimonde of the Burning Legion. Only seven Guardians survived the battle, among them Illidor Stormfeather, who assumed command. Wearied by millennia of service, Illidor sought a new direction and asked for the Guardians to be freed of their oath to the Circle. Stormrage granted the request, and Staghelm later honoured it -- though always reluctantly.
As an independent order, the Guardians remained protectors of Ashenvale, based at Maestra's Post. They also undertook heavy war efforts agaisnt the Burning Legion in Outland. Perhaps following Stormrage's example with the Alliance, Illidor opened the Guardians' ranks to all races. The new, more cosmopolitan Guardians made war on the Legion until disaster struck again.
Roughly a year after hostilities in Outland begun, Illidor and his most seasoned warriors were lost (though as it turned out, not killed) in an ill-fated assault to sabotage the Legion's attempt to open a portal to invade yet another world. At the same time in the old world, assassins struck and thinned the ranks of the Guardians almost to extinction for the second time inside a decade. The disaster left it's mark even on the survivors, and for a while seemed to finally break the Guardians' will.
The order was saved by an offer from Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm, who promised the Guardians reinforcement from the Cenarion Circle, on the condition that the Guardians once again pledge themselves to the Circle's service. The Guardians' highest surviving officer, huntress Almae Shadowstar, reluctantly agreed. Shortly after she also swore them to the service of the Red Dragonflight. Almae is now MIA, presumed lost in the course of some private mission to Silvermoon: in her absence, leadership has been assumed by her second in command Sarama.
Change came once more when the Cataclysm should the world to its very core. In the wake of the destruction, Sarama stepped down and gave the title to Mehtomiel, who later fell ill.
The current High Guardian is Dannelor Thornroot, the first Druid to hold the position. Under his leadership the Guardians retain their independence as an order separate from the Cenarion Circle - though still occasionally taking on their dirty work - and hold true to their own guiding principle; Balance before all.
Change came in the War of the Ancients and the Sundering, when the High Warden of the Guardians, Nuuana Stormwing was slain by Highborn zealots for refusing a direct order to destroy renegade Malfurion Stormrage and his followers. This pushed the Guardians to side with Stormrage, and follow him in the attack on the first Well of Eternity, which sealed the fate of the Highborn and helped establish the pact between the Kaldorei and the Dragonflights.
Following the war, the order renamed itself the Cenarion Guardians, in honour of Malfurion and the others loyal to Cenarius. The order pledged it's loyalty to Malfurion and the Cenarion Circle; an organisation dedicated to protecting nature, and working to heal the hurts inflicted by the Burning Legion. They pursued this agenda for 10000 years, and served with distinction under Fandral Staghelm in the war of the Shifting Sands.
The Third War nearly brought about the doom of the Guardians. Gathered again at Stormrage's side, the Guardians were part of the desperate defence that kept Archimonde from Nordrassil long enough for the druids to trap and defeat the archdemon Archimonde of the Burning Legion. Only seven Guardians survived the battle, among them Illidor Stormfeather, who assumed command. Wearied by millennia of service, Illidor sought a new direction and asked for the Guardians to be freed of their oath to the Circle. Stormrage granted the request, and Staghelm later honoured it -- though always reluctantly.
As an independent order, the Guardians remained protectors of Ashenvale, based at Maestra's Post. They also undertook heavy war efforts agaisnt the Burning Legion in Outland. Perhaps following Stormrage's example with the Alliance, Illidor opened the Guardians' ranks to all races. The new, more cosmopolitan Guardians made war on the Legion until disaster struck again.
Roughly a year after hostilities in Outland begun, Illidor and his most seasoned warriors were lost (though as it turned out, not killed) in an ill-fated assault to sabotage the Legion's attempt to open a portal to invade yet another world. At the same time in the old world, assassins struck and thinned the ranks of the Guardians almost to extinction for the second time inside a decade. The disaster left it's mark even on the survivors, and for a while seemed to finally break the Guardians' will.
The order was saved by an offer from Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm, who promised the Guardians reinforcement from the Cenarion Circle, on the condition that the Guardians once again pledge themselves to the Circle's service. The Guardians' highest surviving officer, huntress Almae Shadowstar, reluctantly agreed. Shortly after she also swore them to the service of the Red Dragonflight. Almae is now MIA, presumed lost in the course of some private mission to Silvermoon: in her absence, leadership has been assumed by her second in command Sarama.
Change came once more when the Cataclysm should the world to its very core. In the wake of the destruction, Sarama stepped down and gave the title to Mehtomiel, who later fell ill.
The current High Guardian is Dannelor Thornroot, the first Druid to hold the position. Under his leadership the Guardians retain their independence as an order separate from the Cenarion Circle - though still occasionally taking on their dirty work - and hold true to their own guiding principle; Balance before all.