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ashtarels-archives · 1 year ago

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Traversing Tel'anor: Insights into Kaldorei Funeral Traditions

Tel'anor, perhaps translated to: Holy Earth from Darnassian.

“This is a city for the dead… It is beautiful, and it is tragic. It is–was–a sacred place for my people. Or what my people once were.” -Thaedris Feathersong, the redeemed

Nestled in the mountains just beyond Suramar city's borders, the resting place of Tel'anor once commemorated the Kaldorei fallen. Today, it is overrun by disturbed spirits, harpies, and withered scavengers. Traversing through the burial site and taking a closer look at the architecture, offerings, and placards has offered some insights into the funeral traditions of the Kaldorei people. It appears that some shal'dorei still pay respects to their forebears and loved ones here, as we see in Thaedris Feathersong's story. Valtrois also echoes this sentiment in the quest [Honoring the Past]: “We nightborne owe our unmatched grace and intellect to a noble heritage. The ancestors at rest in Tel'anor deserve proper tribute.”

Architecture and History

Thaedris Feathersong explains that he used to visit this place often “before the barrier was raised,” implying that it was likely first established prior to the events of the War of the Ancients. Additionally, the fact that some plaques here give honorifics to the heroes of this war could indicate that it was actually the surviving Kaldorei of the Broken Isles, perhaps the Sisterhood of neighboring Val’sharah as an example, who created these memorials in addendum to those of the Pre-Sundering era. As the shal’dorei were confined within the barrier around Suramar city, some other group was likely responsible for these specific placards, and the subsequent upkeep of Tel’anor until the incursion of the harpies and withered. This city of graves is a wonderfully preserved window into the architecture of the ancient world. The marbled stone so iconic among the Highborne ruins that we see strewn about the world is also the primary choice of masonry here. The layout of this memorial site speaks to a highly manicured aesthetic, with deliberate and controlled inclusion of natural flora within shaped stone confines; notably in circular, ocular, and teardrop (almost comet-like) varieties. Pale pink and ivory flowers seem to be the ornamentation of choice for gravestones; while more richly pigmented purple flowers decorate the vases. As the rest of the area speaks to a lack of groundskeepers in recent times, much of Suramar’s native wildlife has begun to adorn the structures by way of vines and tree growth. In the central fountain area, there is a depiction of three women holding up a pillar, similar to the statues of Haidene. These maiden figures are each adorned with a green garland of flowers around the waist: one purple, one orange, and one blue. A grand statue of Elune, or perhaps a past elder of the Elunarian faith, is situated before the spire at the back of the grounds. Inside of this building is another statue in the center of an offering pool, this time of a man. He holds out an open tome, and wears a gleaming diadem on his brow. Who this depicts and what occupation he holds is uncertain, though he may signify an Elunarian faithful, a ritualist of Tel'anor, a sorcerer, or a star augur of old. Purple cloth banners and runners also adorn many of the open-air gazebos, though some are completely barren. Certain sites bear the symbol of the Highborne, while others are decorated with nondescript cloth. Flags are flown atop many of the buildings here as well; some with purple and gold trim, and some with blue and gold trim. These could have been another layer of marking one's status or even a building's purpose, as we know that the Highborne caste had a "penchant for all things purple." Blue and gold were the primary architectural colors in Zin-Azshari, as seen in the Azshara Warbringers cinematic.

Lunar Headstones:

A recurring motif throughout Tel'anor are the headstones that bear lunar symbolism, likely from the prevalent influence of the Elunarian faith. An intriguing detail of the headstones is that they are reminiscent of different moon phases: some appearing to be waxing, waning, or even the new/full moon. I do wonder what their symbolism could mean: maybe this marks the moon phase they died upon, when they were interred, the moon phase of their birth, their favorite moon phase, social status, combat ranking, generic imagery in homage to Elune, or something else entirely? The graves and ornate coffins accompanying them reinforce the idea that Kaldorei prefer to bury their dead, and in the past, even entomb them. There are headstones and sarcophagi both outdoors and indoors, interestingly enough. Some also bear a small glowing orb in the center that others lack, perhaps another indicator of one’s accolades in life.

During the quest Tools of the Trade, we learn that the deceased are anointed with sacred oils, preserving incense, and burial shrouds before their interment. The sacred oils are housed in a heavy skin that bears a strong fragrance, likely to help mask any scent from the deceased. What exactly makes them sacred is unclear, though they might derive from ingredients considered sacred; such as specific herbs, remains from honored animals, or have been blessed by a member of the Elunarian faith. The bundles of preserving incense are said to be surprisingly dry and undamaged, perhaps owing to a highly effective storage method, or especially resilient reagents. These could have included anything in the realm of leaf, bark, and wood powders; gums and resins; herbs, fruits, seeds, and flowers; as well as wines and honey mixtures. The chest of burial shrouds is described as being sealed tightly shut and feels lightweight to hold. It is not specified what material these shrouds are made of, though protection and preservation of the body seem to have been of great importance.

Spirit Fonts:

From a gameplay perspective, spirit fonts are usable objects that, when given an offering of Ancient Mana, buff the player character with 10% haste and movement speed (called Spiritual Infusion), and transform them into a spectral model. Their flavor text describes them as being “unused for some time,” though they still possess a radiant magical aura and full basin. Perhaps they are filled with blessed water, the liquid fire of Elune, or some other remnants of a moonwell. It is said in the Stormrage novel that, "magi and other spellcasters can refresh their mana in these pools.” This could be why the Withered are so drawn to this place, given that these fonts may still hold some semblance of the moonwell's restorative cleansing properties, both on one's lifeforce, and on their mana. In Elegy, Astarii Starseeker describes that bathing in a moonwell "eases feelings of pain, weariness, and grief," an experience the mana-starved Withered likely long for. They may also be feeding upon the energy of offerings left for the deceased here, scrounging for any motes of magic that still remain. These fonts may be, or once were, used for spirit communion; or to facilitate offerings to spirits. The crux of using these fonts indicates a sort of exchange between the living and the dead; as offering up the crystallized mana gives us, in turn, a boon. Thaedris Feathersong recalls that Tel’anor had a sect of caretakers who performed rituals and venerated the dead, so it may be that the rites of the spirit fonts were relegated to them specifically. The fact that these bestow a spectral form for a short time has some interesting implications as well. For one, it is possible that an offering ritual shifts someone partway into the spirit realm, perhaps to better communicate with the souls of the dead. Secondly, it could be that a spirit is imparting some of their energies to the offeror, and thus briefly strengthens them in the physical plane. Lastly, this boon could quite literally infuse the offeror with the essence of a particular spirit, which causes them to take on their guise or characteristics.

The Chimes of the Moon:

Across Tel'anor, chimes can be seen hanging in various locations and sounding throughout the environment. Near the southeastern portion lies a larger set of these instruments, reading: "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." Singing seems to be a prominent aspect of Elune worship, perhaps in emulation of the Goddess as described here. According to the novel The Demon Soul, priestesses impart peace and comfort through chanted spellwork. During the Burning of Teldrassil, Priestess Astarii begins to sing to the refugees in the temple, and Elune responds in kind by granting them a peaceful slumber so they would not feel a painful death in the overwhelming flames. These chimes may have been crafted in such a way that Elune responds through them, or so the Kaldorei once believed. Considering chimes are typically used before or after a prayer, it seems possible that Elune could have used these as a conduit of communication with her faithful. Perhaps from fervent prayers, significant offerings, a new soul passing over, or even in warning, She was thought to harken through the chimes. Smaller, more personal chimes could be something Kaldorei carry with them, hang in their homes, or store in places of worship, similar to the windchime item discoverable through archaeology. Perhaps an old practice of the Kaldorei involved using chimes to contact or call out to spirits. This large chime monument in Tel'anor could also be the last of their kind - their likenesses and ancient craftsmanship no longer reproduced.

Silver Braziers:

Countless braziers glowing with silver fire still burn to this very day in Tel'anor. Given that this place is overrun by all manner of aggressive beings, there are likely no groundskeepers continually tending to the flames here. The quest The Liquid Fire of Elune implies that a flame can be born from the energies of a moonwell, and can cleanse scourge-blighted creatures. Unless a wayward devotee keeps all of these braziers lit, the fact that these fires are still active speaks to just how enduring the magic of Elune and Her moonwells really are. It could be that the vestiges of the Well of Eternity keep these flames everburning, or that they have thrived off of Elune’s energies each night without physical kindling.

Ancestral Offerings:

Alongside the worship of Elune, revering one's ancestors has endured as an integral part of Kaldorei culture, for a myriad of offerings adorn the grounds of Tel'anor. Many graves and headstones are beset with candles, vases, flowers, urns, water basins, and statues.

Thaedris Feathersong has us gather some scattered memento urns in his stead during the quest Fragments of Memory. He tells us that "these relics are tokens and mementos of the former lives of those interred here. They like to be remembered and these offerings keep them in their eternal peace." The Kaldorei seem to carefully select items unique to each of the dead that then remain with them, and serve as anchors of the memories they made in life. The abandoned state of Tel’anor could explain why there are so many disturbed spirits wandering aimlessly through its paths, because there has been no one to leave mementos and remind the spirits that their memory lives on; thus shattering their ‘eternal peace.’

There are countless seating areas with benches and fountains in Tel’anor, and clearly this was a place where people spent quality time, either alone or communally, in the resting place of their ancestors.

On nearly every epithet in Tel’anor, the same message echoes in the last words.

"Anu dorah. We remember."

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