It was easy to tell when the Sunwell fell, when it was corrupted. Yes, it meant that everything so far had failed, that the Scourge had won through and doom was soon to fall on the world. Some of the elves felt it as a loss, as they staggered and cried, weeping as they were cut off from the waters and power that sustained them. Already, ripples of Fel and Death leaked out into the enchantments, twisting and corrupting the enchantments that had not yet been shattered or torn. It had only just begun, and already it was a dull scratching itch, a wrongness that would not abate.

My own children... they faltered for a moment. But I was with them. I was so much lesser than the well that gave me this second life, barely more than a glimmer that caught a sunbeam as it passed through. But it was enough, as I reached out, as I gripped that connection that bound us all, to the link that every high elf shared, that was woven into the very land itself. "Fear not my children, for even as the sun has set, the dawn will come. Keep faith with each other and stand strong."

They cried, as I reached up to the heavens to praise the sun, my eyes closed for a moment. And then I blazed, pouring flames down that connection pouring myself into those conduits, a song of defiance in my soul, solar flares surging as I expended it all, every last scrap of hoarded strength from a century and a half, every bit of stolen power and faith. It was not much in the grand scheme of things, but I could hope that it would be enough. That it would matter. A fools hope perhaps... but in the face of the end, what does one have but hope?

"Children of the sun. I can give but embers to warm you in the night to come. But the dawn will come once more, the sun will rise over Quel'thalas."

Aftermath Of The Scourge

The fall of the Sun Well in many ways broke the High Elves, as they cried out in fear and loss. However, even as many were distracted, stunned by its loss and corruption, the scourge pulling back, moving to Dalaran, there was a bright flare of hope. The Ashen Crusade's patron, the elemental Matgeron revealed itself to the High Elves at large. Born from a sliver of the Sun Well, some speculate that some aspect of chronomancy or divination was involved, that it was meant as a contingency for this very event. That its actions were to pour itself into the same channels where the power of the sun once freely flowed to the elves only lends credence to this.

It snapped many from the despondence and listlessness that they were suffering from, eyes clouded with loss and despair burning with new resolve, an ember of power inside of them that could be nurtured, that would keep the worst of their new found hunger for magic at bay. It was, as reported by many elves, not much, the hunger always there, but unless they expended large amounts of magic or gave into despair, so long as they kept hope that the dawn would come, it was always something that could be held at bay.

Some gave into the hunger, lost to despair and scornful of hope, or mistrustful of what was offering it. Their embers fading into ashes, they glutted themselves on magic to try and sate their hunger. Only to find that the more that they devoured, the greater the hunger became in a vicious cycle. The wretched, as they became known, are hollowed out elves whose only thoughts are on feeding their hunger. Those in the final stages are noted for their withered and shrunken appearance, as their bodies begin to cannibalize themselves every moment they are not devouring outside mana sources, their lives brutal and bleak.

In the wake of the Scourge Invasion, the Ashen Crusade's numbers swelled. Despite the loss of their elemental patron, they continued to fight, still channeling the light and the flame, still champions of protection and retribution. While the Blood Knights would rise, they would be considered an attempt to capitalize on the prestige and efforts. Among the common elves, the Ashen Crusaders would always be the more respected and legitimate institution.

Kael'thas Sunstrider

He looked at the Shrine of Embers, where the flickering and guttering remains of Matgeron rested. He owed the elemental more than he could pay. Because the embers in his heart, in his peoples hearts... the elemental had nearly killed himself to accomplish such a feat, to give them such a gift. In fact, even years later, recovery was... minimal. Perhaps some stabilization, the coin managing to keep spinning on its edge by prayers and puffs of air, but nothing more.

Apparently, his Grand Magiester had made an alliance with... well, the benefactor of their people from ten thousand years before. Illidan Stormrage, suffering his own scars from the Burning Legions invasion. Apparently, he possessed more of the relics that had been used to MAKE the Sun Well in the first place. And so, he had bargained for another vial, for what was needed to restore the Sun Well... along with additional sources of mana. Nothing fel corrupted of course, his people were not that desperate, even as he found the idea of supping on the blood of those who brought them low ironic.

But, he considered. As it is, he would send the call, for there would be many that would seek to put down the Scourge, and the Lich King that commanded them all. Perhaps this would be the dawn that was promised? He could but hope, for the night had been long and cold.

Anveena Teague

She looked to the north once more, even as she stroked the head of the oddly colored bird on her lap. She was glad that Purge remained, the bird cuddled into her chest and warm like a blanket as she shared her worries, as she wondered if she should... would she even remain herself of she returned the well? The elven prince had promised her that he would look into alternatives, as did Kalec. She wanted to live, to dance and love, to simply be. But, did she have the right to keep so many cold and hungry, only embers staving off the warmth and the hunger instead of the warmth of the sun?

She shivered, and cuddled the phoenix chick closer, guilt gnawing at her. So many people would be hurt soon... would they be safe if she gave herself up instead? It tore at her, as Purge nuzzled her, as she would wait for Kalec to get back, to talk with him. Or maybe Tyrygosa? A small smile crossed her lips. She enjoyed talking with her... often about Kalec yes, but... she blushed, cheeks burning. Well, girls were supposed to talk about cute boys, but she was less sure about talking about threesomes and experimentation.