World of Warcraft (Longplay/Lore) - 00300: Ghostlands (Cataclysm)

Once a part of Eversong Forest, the Elrendar River was all that separated these forests from the northern woodland. Its largest settlement was Tranquillien, and housed the abode of the renowned Windrunner family. An'owyn, An'telas, and An'daroth, three locations in the forest from which key ley lines forked, were each imbued with a mooncrystal that connected all the way to Quel'Danas. With the crystals in place, they passively empowered Ban'dinoriel, the great magic shield protecting Silvermoon. The mooncrystals' locations were hidden in an invisibility stasis and protected by guardians, to ensure no invaders learned their secrets. The fierce Amani trolls also based their power in this region of Quel'Thalas, from their foreboding city of Zul'Aman.

The Ghostlands claimed their name during the Third War, in which the undead Scourge invaded Quel'Thalas and capriciously defiled, slaughtered, and tore their way through the woodlands. The Elfgates were overcome, the mooncrystals were pilfered, their guardians slain, and the entire southern woodland fell to the Scourge's corruption. Most, if not all of the elven settlements were obliterated during the invasion, not to be reclaimed until years later. Towns and villages were razed, and human necromancers saw to the reanimation of fallen elves. Under Ranger General Sylvanas Windrunner, the Farstriders put up a vicious but impossible fight against the Scourge, and were forced north.

The elves, now calling themselves the blood elves in honor of the perished, eventually gathered their strength and began taking back portions of Eversong Woods, restoring much of their kingdom, including their beloved capital. However, the elves were divided on how to approach the Ghostlands. Some were content to remain north, while others (such as Lady Liadrin) would not rest until all of Quel'Thalas was reclaimed, the Scourge destroyed and driven from the land forever. When the Blood Knight order was formed, several of their first missions took place in the Ghostlands, and the Farstriders also began re-establishing a presence.

It was also in the Ghostlands that Dar'khan ambushed the Blood Knights as well as setting Lor'themar Theron ablaze before being killed by the Regent Lord.