Darnassus

Note: For characters 110 and above, Darnassus will be inaccessible by default unless they talk to Zidormi in Darkshore. For characters below 110, Darnassus appears as it did before the War of the Thorns.

Were you looking for the state after the War of the Thorns, see Remains of Darnassus or the faction, see Darnassus (faction)?

Darnassus
Type	Capital
Population	15,000
Races	Night elf  Highborne  Draenei  Human  Dryad  Ancient  Treant  Worgen  High elf (very few)
Government	Theocracy
Rulers	High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind Malfurion Stormrage
Languages	Darnassian, Common
Faiths	Elune, Ancients, Druidism
Resources	Gold, Hunting, Timber
Affiliation	Alliance
Location	Teldrassil

Darnassus (aka Darnassus City) is the capital city of the night elves of the Alliance. The high priestess, Tyrande Whisperwind and the Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage reside in the Temple of the Moon surrounded by sisters of Elune and Draenei ambassadors.

Atop the massive boughs of the second World Tree, Teldrassil, lies the wondrous city of Darnassus. The elegant bridges, beautiful groves, and leaf-covered pathways that dot the city’s landscape are testaments to the night elves’ reverence for nature. One of Darnassus’s most notable structures is the stunning Temple of the Moon, the center of worship for High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind and her Sisters of Elune.

Darnassus is home to night elves of all vocations, and the city has recently opened its doors to human refugees from Gilneas as well. Many of these embattled humans have contracted a strange curse that transforms them into feral wolf-beasts known as worgen. Although they’re usually reclusive, the night elves have allowed these outsiders into Darnassus because they know the perils of the Gilneans’ cursed state all too well: it was, in fact, a group of night elf druids that created Azeroth’s first worgen millennia ago. Despite the arrival of these new residents, Darnassus remains a symbol of the night elves’ rich culture and glorious history.

Background

Craftsmen's Terrace

Darnassus is the greatest city of the night elves, housing the leaders of both the druids and the faithful of Elune. It is carefully guarded by Sentinels, ancient protectors, and ancients of war. The city is formidable in spite of the peaceful natures of the night elves. In addition to the night elves, many guests and diplomats from elsewhere reside here, such as groups from the Explorers' Guild and the Knights of the Silver Hand, as well as a few representatives of the Horde negotiating peace treaties. There is only one High elf allowed within its borders. The population here is almost entirely elven, and most of the night elves are tolerant of others. However, there is political strife between the druids and priests.

The atmosphere inside the city is a quiet and somewhat a melancholic one. It does not have the feeling of confinement that one would feel in Stormwind or Ironforge, where the buildings are grouped close together. Darnassus is open to the sky, and the graceful bridges spanning the lake around which it is built set the buildings wide apart. The prime reason why the city's population is so low is that it is isolated: Teldrassil is a small island away from the main mass of Azeroth, and the only way to gain access from another continent is to fly or sail to Rut'theran Village, a small settlement at the base of Teldrassil, and from there step into the glowing portal to the city proper. This is a good thing, though. It is the elves' capital, and should therefore be serene and quiet, holding the mystic and melancholic elements of the night elves.

History

Darnassus map

In the aftermath of the Third War, the night elves had to adjust to their mortal existence. Such an adjustment was far from easy, and there were many night elves who could not adjust to the prospects of aging, disease and frailty. Seeking to regain their immortality, a number of wayward druids conspired to plant a special tree that would reestablish a link between their spirits and the eternal world.

With Malfurion Stormrage missing, Fandral Staghelm — the leader of those who wished to plant the new World Tree - became the new Arch-Druid. In no time at all, he and his fellow druids had forged ahead and planted the great tree, Teldrassil, off the stormy coasts of northern Kalimdor. Under their care, the tree sprouted up above the clouds. Among the twilight boughs of the colossal tree, the wondrous city of Darnassus took root. However, the tree was not consecrated with nature's blessing and soon fell prey to the corruption of the Burning Legion. Now the wildlife and even the limbs of Teldrassil are tainted by a growing darkness.

In World of Warcraft

This section concerns content exclusive to World of Warcraft.

Defenses

The defenses are spread out due to the water that surrounds a town. A death knight with Path of Frost can easily get a whole raid in the water and to the temple, passing all guards. However, Darnassus does boast the traditional sentinel guards in most locations, and some elite hunters prowl the city on impressive catlike mounts. However, the city is almost completely abandoned by high-level players, who typically congregated in places like Dalaran during Wrath of the Lich King and now mostly Stormwind City since Cataclysm.

Normally players don't heed the warnings of an advance. Unless you're on an RP server, most really don't care about what happens to Darnassus. Though some people do like this city and manage to defend it, the Horde can easily raid it with enough players even during peak hours.

There is a second route into Darnassus for sufficiently devious Horde players. By using an elixir of Water Walking, a Horde player with a fast land mount can cross from Darkshore to the outskirts of the great island tree where Darnassus is located. By running up the tree, then jumping off onto one of the lower roots, the toon will die and be brought to the graveyard inside the tree. By accepting local resurrection and waiting out the resurrection sickness, the Horde toon can gain access to the island and all its territories without encountering any guards at all.

Terraces

Warrior's Terrace

Darnassus is arranged in a few terraces on the north, east and southern sides of a central lake area.

• Warrior's Terrace (area beyond and including the city gate)
• The Temple Gardens (west over causeway from Warrior's Terrace)
• Craftsmen's Terrace (north of Warrior's Terrace)
• Tradesmen's Terrace (south of Warrior's Terrace)
• The Temple of the Moon (south over causeway from Temple Gardens)
• Cenarion Enclave (west of Craftsmen's Terrace)
• The Howling Oak (north between Cenarion Enclave and Craftsmen's Terrace)

Notable characters

The temple was rebuilt in Darnassus after the Battle of Mount Hyjal.

Haidene, first high priestess of Elune.

Main article: Darnassus NPCs

From the Temple of the Moon, the high priestess Tyrande Whisperwind rules alongside her husband Malfurion Stormrage with the support of her fellow priestesses of the Moon.

Points of interest

The Darnassus Bank

• The Bough of the Eternals ^{[40, 42]}
  , which contains the bank of Darnassus. It is located on the central island of the Temple Gardens.
• The portal to Rut'theran Village ^{[30, 41]}
  , west of the bank. The portal from Rut'theran Village is also usable by Horde characters, allowing Horde raids on the city.
• The Temple of the Moon ^{[39, 76]}
  , home of the Sisters of Elune, the high-priestess order of the Night Elves. This is where the leader of the night elves, Tyrande Whisperwind can be found.
• The Cenarion Enclave ^{[36, 14]}
  , where the Arch Druid Fandral Staghelm resides.
• The Auction House ^{[57, 53]}
  , located in the Tradesman Terrace.
• The inn ^{[67, 15]}
  , located in Craftsmen's Terrace. It is the second most eastern big building in the terrace.
• Three mailboxes: one outside the bank ^{[41.7, 42.0]}
  , one outside the auction house ^{[59.7, 55.1]}
  , and one outside the inn ^{[67.1, 16.5]}
  .
• The forge ^{[58, 46]}
  , located in Warrior's Terrace, next to Weapon Master Ilyenia Moonfire.

Travel connections

Flight Paths

Rut'theran Village, Teldrassil

Dolanaar, Teldrassil

Portals (in the Temple of the Moon)

Stair of Destiny, Blasted Lands

Exodar, Azuremyst Isle

Teleporter

The boat pier is at Rut'theran Village.

Rut'theran Village, Teldrassil

Faction

The Darnassus faction has a repeatable cloth donation quest for reputation; see Raedon Duskstriker.

Known Faction related bonuses:

• The standard vendor discounts of 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% (depending on standing).
• At Exalted you can purchase a saber mount (not limited to night elves!).

There are a few Repeatable Reputation Quests (RRQs) which raise Darnassus faction and increase reputation:

•  [48] Pristine Yeti Hide
•  [55] Morrowgrain to Darnassus
•  [55] Morrowgrain to Feathermoon Stronghold
•  [60] Additional Runecloth
•  [60] One Commendation Signet (Part of Ahn'Qiraj opening event and only available on new servers)
•  [60] Ten Commendation Signets (Part of Ahn'Qiraj opening event and only available on new servers)
• The 4 Egg quests available from turning in an egg from an Egg Crate

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

This section concerns content exclusive to Cataclysm.

Darnassus in Cataclysm

Outside the Worgen District

Darnassus will gain a small worgen district, known as the Howling Oak.

World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content exclusive to Battle for Azeroth.

In an attempt to strike a permanent, disabling blow against the Alliance, Sylvanas Windrunner has Teldrassil set aflame. All within that could not escape in time, including those in Darnassus and its surrounding areas, die in the inferno. What remains is still on fire, destroyed.

Notes

• Darnassus is second to the Exodar in being the least visited city of the Alliance. This is likely due to the lack of ease to travel to Darnassus. You will rarely find players hanging out at Darnassus as you would find players hanging out at Ironforge or Stormwind. Since the Cataclysm release, there is slightly more traffic due to proximity to Mount Hyjal, but with portals directly from Stormwind City to Nordrassil Inn it makes little difference.
• When Horde players attack Darnassus, Alliance players rarely will go to try and defend Tyrande Whisperwind because of the hassle it is to travel to Darnassus.
• Prior to the Cataclysm, there were no trainers associated with  [Mining],  [Engineering], or  [Blacksmithing].
• Characters over level 110 cannot access Darnassus by any means, as Teldrassil is no longer physically in the game world, thus swimming, flying, and abilities such as [Eagle Eye] do not work. To access the older version of Darnassus, players must speak to Zidormi in Darkshore.

Video

Patches and hotfixes

• Patch 3.2.0 (04-Aug-2009): One mailbox added.
  
• Patch 2.4.0 (25-Mar-2008): One mailbox added.
  
• Patch 1.6.0 (12-Jul-2005):
  • Darnassus has been converted over to the new graveyard system. The system will place your character's spirit at the closest allowed graveyard in the zone.
  • An Alliance-only graveyard has been added at the eastern end of Darnassus. Alliance characters dying in Darnassus will use this new graveyard. Horde characters dying on Teldrassil will still only be able to use the graveyard at Dolanaar.
    
• Patch 1.4.0 (2005-05-05): Patrolling scouts that can see through stealth and invisibility have been added to Darnassus.
  
• Patch 1.3.0 (07-Mar-2005): Added a mailbox to the Darnassus Bank.
              The mailbox next to the inn was actually moved, rather than a new mailbox added.
  

External links

• Wowhead
• Thottbot
• WoWDB

Old

Web.Archive.org Major Cities - Darnassus archived page (US) (archived 7-Aug-2010)

Web.Archive.org The Major Cities - Darnassus archived page (EU) (archived 23-Sep-2010)