Burning Crusade: Khadgar in Shattrath City

Lore fans that aren’t in the Closed Beta may be glad to find here a slight coverage of the current lore of Khadgar, who may be found by the Terrace of Light within Shattrath City.  The city can be found in between Nagrand and Terokkar regions.  If you are in the Hellfire Peninsula you should find an entrance to Terokkar on the southwest corner.

Shattrath is simply huge. It is a Noah’s Ark of refugees of all intelligent species who have fled from the Burning Legion and Illidan. The main reason the city has not been breached is that recently a Naaru arrived after detecting some Draenei and his power alone prevents any enemy attack. Shattrath City is referred to as “Sanctuary”.

At the center of the city is a round chamber named the Terrace of Light.  Here is a huge Naaru and Khadgar … surrounded by Aldor Draenei forces. The music composer really made this chamber a place you wish to stay at. The Naaru named A’dal doesn’t speak. It emits musical melody instead, similar to chimes. This place seems like a good spot to set your hearthstone. The Terrace of Light has six portals leading to major cities of Azeroth.

At first, Khadgar won’t talk to you.  To the northern gate of the Terrace of Light you will find a Haggard War Veteran.  He starts a quest titled: A’dal.

QUEST: A’DAL

Haggard War Veteran: Welcome to Shattrath City.  This might be the one place in all of Outland where you’ll find any semblance of safety.

A group of naaru known as Sha’tar drove the demons away from here.

If you’ve never met a naaru, you ought to see A’dal inside the Terrace of Light.  The leader of the Sha’tar is an awe-inspiring sight if I ever saw one.  Sure is a change of pace from anything else in this bleak land.

QUEST: A’DAL

(A soothing light fills you as you approach the naaru.  Slow musical chimes echo within your mind and, though a word is not uttered, you feel an assurance of safety.  You are welcome in Shattrath City.)

(You are safe here)

NOTE: As soon as you finish the quest, Khadgar now has a yellow exclamation sign hovering above him.  You may now speak to Khadgar.

> I’ve heard your name spoken only in whispers, mage.  Who are you?

I am Khadgar, former apprentice to the fallen Guardian, Medivh.  I’m sure you’ve heard his name before.

It was I who discovered that Medivh had been possessed by the Evil One, Sargeras – and that he had opened the Dark Portal between this world and Azeroth. Though I honored my Master, I was forced to slay him and put his tortured soul to rest.

> Go on, please.

I fought alongside Lord Anduin Lothar as we drove the Horde from our lands on Azeroth.  As the heir of Medivh’s legacy, I could do no less.

When the call finally came to invade this grim world – and put and end to the orc’s evil forever – I stepped forward along with my friends Turalyon, Alleria, Danath and Kurdran.

> I See.

My comrades and I called ourselves the Sons of Lothar – in honor of the greatest, most selfless man we ever knew. We gave our all to defeat Ner’zhul and end his madness.

As this doomed world fell apart around us, we shattered the Dark Portal to prevent any further harm befalling our beloved Azeroth.

> What did you do then?

Trapped in this broken wasteland, we did our best to survive.  Over time we sensed that a new evil was closing in around us from the Twisting Nether.  More foul than the dark orcs – it was the Burning Legion itself that sought to take hold of this … Outland.

> What happened next?

While my comrades held the line against the enroaching darkness, I used my magic to reach out into the Great Dark Beyond.  There, I sensed beings of immense Light – of unfathomable purity.

It was A’dal and his naaru I had found.  It was nothing short of a … miracle.

> I see.

(Khadgar grins to himself)

I convinced A’dal and his brethren to return here with me.  I believe that only their power can drive the Legion from this universe.  But as you will no doubt find – their power must first live in our hearts.

To combat the darkness, we must become beacons of their eternal Light.

> There was something else I wanted to ask you.

ALLEGIANCE TO THE ALDOR

Are you certain of your choice?  The Aldor will welcome you as an ally, but the Scryers will not easily forgive your decision.

ISHANAH

Now that you’ve decided to side with the Aldor, you’d do well to introduce yourself to their leader.  You will find High Priestess Ishanah inside the Shrine of Unending Light.

Quest Objective

Speak to Ishanah inside the Shrine of Unending Light at the Aldor Rise in Shattrath City.

Performing quests for the Aldor will ccause your Scryers reputation level to decrease.

QUEST: CITY OF LIGHT

The Naaru are wise beyond our understanding.  I’ve learned more from A’dal in the last five months than all the years I spent in the libraries of Dalaran.

Do not burden A’dal with petty inquisitions.  That just might be the most powerful being you ever come face to face with.

You do not look familiar.  I suppose you want to learn about the city?

You’ll have to excuse me if I don’t give you a tour myself, but I’m a bit busy discussing strategy with A’dal.  Perhaps you’ll find a summoned servant acceptable in my stead?  Excellent!

Show our guest around Shattrath, will you?  Keep an eye out for pickpocketing in the Lower City.

Quest Objectives: Follow Khadgar’s servant listen to its story.  Return to Khadgar after completing this task.

Khadgar’s Servant: The Sha’tar, or “born from light” are the naaru that came to Outland to fight the demons of the Burning Legion.  They were drawn to the ruins of Shattrath City where a small remnant of the draenei priesthood conducted its rites inside a ruined temple on this very spot.

The priesthood, known as the Aldor, quickly regained its strength as word spread that the naaru had returned and reconstruction soon began.  The ruined temple is now used as an infirmary for injured refugees.

It wouldn’t be long, however, before the city came under attack once again.  This time, the attack came from Illidan’s armies.  A large regiment of blood elves had been sent by Illidan’s ally, Kael’thas Sunstrider, to lay waste to the city.

As the regiment of blood elves crossed this very bridge, the Aldor’s exarchs and vindicators lined up to defend the Terrace of Light.  But then the unexpected happened.

The blood elves laid down their weapons in front of the city’s defenders; their leader, a blood elf elder known as Voren’thal, stormed into the Terrace of Light and demanded to speak to A’dal.

As the naaru approached him, Voren’thal kneeled before him and uttered the following words:  “I’ve seen you in a vision, naaru.  My race’s only hope for survival lies with you.  My followers and I are here to serve you.”

The defection of Voren’thal and his followers was the largest loss ever incurred by Kael’s forces.  And these weren’t just any blood elves.  Many of the best and brightest amongst Kael’s scholars and magisters had been swayed by Voren’thal’s influence.

The naaru accepted the defectors, who would be known as the Scryers: their dwelling lies in the platform above.  Only those initiated with the Scryers are allowed there.

The Aldor are followers of the light and forgiveness and redemption are values they understand.  However, they found hard to forget the deeds of the blood elves while under Kael’s command.

Many of the priesthood had been slain by the same magisters who now vowed to serve the naaru.  They were not happy to share the city with their former enemies.  The Aldor’s most holy temple and its surrounding dwellings lie on the terrace above.  As a holy site, only the initiated are welcome inside.

The attacks against Shattrath continued, but the city did not fall, as you can see.  On the contrary, the naaru known as Xi’ri, led a successful incursion into Shadowmoon Valley – Illidan’s doorstep.

There he continues to wage war on Illidan with the assistance of the Aldor and the Scryers.  The two factions have not given up on their old feuds, though.  Such is their animosity that they vie for the honor of being sent to assist the naaru there.  Each day that decision is made here by A’dal.  The armies gather here to receive A’dal’s blessing before heading to Shadowmoon.

Khadgar should be ready to see you again.  Just remember that to serve the Sha’tar you will most likely have to ally with the Aldor or the Scryers.  And seeking the favor of one group will cause the other’s dislike.  Good luck, stranger, and welcome to Shattrath City.

Khadgar: I hope you learned a thing or two about Shattrath.  It might take some time for things to sink in.

You: So, how do you fit into all this?  How did you come to Shattrath?

Khadgar: There are other worlds, such as this one and such as Azeroth.  The battle between the legion and the naaru is waged there as well.  Some are won and some are lost.

It was in one such world where I met A’dal and convinced the Sha’tar that they’d best come here and in a hurry.  From the looks of it, they might’ve made it just in time to turn the tide.

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