The Story of Illidan Stormrage - Full Version [Lore]

I did 3 individual videos on Illidan Stormrage, uploading this full version for easy linking.

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The music in this video is provided royalty free. (Creative Commons License)
Songs:The Path of the Goblin King
© 2001-2008 Kevin MacLeod

World of Warcraft® and Blizzard Entertainment®

3d modeling (16:12) by XimVoodoo:

Voice acting ( 13:00) by Trixen01:

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Twitter: @Nobbel87

[jennk]

I slowly realized that almost the entire history of Warcraft and the saving of Azeroth happened because a girl turned Illidan down as a teenager.

[buldren]

Now I've said this before, but I'm of the opinion that Illidan wasn't evil (at least until he was considered insane after his defeat at Icecrown), but the misunderstood antihero who used his dark talents and powers for good and just had the short end of the stick at every turn. But regardless of his overall alignment, you have to admit that for a character who commanded so much respect for his "badassery", he had some pretty bad story writing. You would think that with all the admiration from the fans and opinions of him being one of the best characters in the Warcraft universe that he'd live up to this role in the story, and all we get basically was a Night Elf who had unrequited love, imprisonment and banishment for making sacrifices towards the greater good, failure to accomplish his noble goal of defeating the Lich King and death at the hands of his traitors, hunter, and a bunch of adventurers looking to get some phat loot. I don't care whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, I just wish he had much better writing than being portrayed as Blizzard's redheaded stepchild. Cuz I mean come on, most of us WC fans love him, at least give him some proper respect. I'll just keep hoping they bring him back with a good redemption story.

[Dead_End_Angel]

I really want Illidan back, fuck arthas, I'm all about that Illidan.

[Nairneh]

In retrospective I have to say that its such a strange thing. Tyrande does something forbidden and there is no punishment - Illidan does and the whole race turns against him.

[the_DarkSoul]

I was going to ask "what about the legion expansion you left out" then i checked the videos upload date

Lol 2014

[SuperOmegaish]

Seriously, it's gotta SUCK to be Illidan. Everyone is teaming up on you and totally overreacting to what you do.

[Nyarlathotep_Flagg]

You miss out on all but one of the points, where he risks everything to save his people, and is condemned for it, again and again.

His attempt at creating a second Well of Eternity. Was never meant to be used to summon demons, only to restore to his people what they had lost. The converted high born that found him doing this, thought he was trying to summon he demons again. And so they attacked him on sight. He killed them in self-defense.

And when his brother.... His naive, self-righteous and stuck up brother found him. He condemened him to 10 000 years in a completely inhumane prison. With a zealous, almost certainly partly insane warden, that tortured him from time to time(there is evidence of this in wc3). And his act of creating this(laying the groundwork for the tree of life), is the only reason they were able to stop the invasion of the legion when Archimonde came. Aswell as the reason they retained their immortality.

The way Xavius influenced Illidan, was quite similar to how the Lich King whispered to Arthas. Both asasulted by this attempt at manipulation and partial mind control in their moment of weakness, as their lives and dreams were being shattered, and then being offered a way out.

Yes, Illidan no doubt eventually became twisted. 10 000 years, in wrongful imprisonment(at least partially wrongful), a life of being hunted, being condemned for the very things he did that saved his people and often cost him greatly(For example once he came to his senses, he used his situation to turn on Sargeras and try to save the world), and lets not forget the influence of the fel energies he had to control, can do that to you. Especially when the ones you thought of as family, are the ones that ones that sentence you(anyone reminded of Game of Thrones? Tyrion anyone?).

Everything Illidan ever believed in was shattered for him, again and again.
His feelings for his brother and Tyrande: Ruined in one of the most extreme ways imaginable. 
His master(Rhonin) that scolds him for failing during extreme circumstances, just after he was rejected by Tyrande(While I think Rhonin can be forgiven here, as he did not know about the circumstances. It doesn't lessen how shitty his treatment of him was).
His belief and trust in his people, completely voided by how they rejected him for studying the arcane, imprisoned and condemned him after he helped them(in spite of how horribly they had all treated him). And finally hunted him all across the world, and even into another(He doesn't know that Maiev was alone in this decision).

Illidan took a lot of crap, but in the end he still chose to save his people twice over, even after how they rewarded him the first time. And even after that, he did not seek vengeance, only solitude and safety.

Following what is not pure misconception and having read through all could find out about Illidan, keeping it as close to cannon as possible(especially considering the story blizzard put out on their own website so many years ago), I have to say that I see Illidan as the most mistreated character in all of warcraft lore. Sure he was not perfect anyone can see that, but it did not warrant the insane treatment he had to put up with. And his flaws were quite certainly caused by the extreme treatment he recieved.

When you've read it all, and rewatch that cinematic again. You really do agree with, and understand his words:
"Betrayer... In truth, it was I who was betrayed..."
(I don't just mean how Tyrande first rejected him, or how disdainful Malfurion was of his arcane practices <he was more or less simply a mage before he became a demonhunter>).

His original "Betrayal", is like calling Arthas "the traitor prince". Even worse, as he eventually broke completely free of his(partial) mind control and the shrouds of manipulation, even going so far as to use his situation to his peoples advantage. No, I am talking about how he did not betray, nor intend to betray the Night Elves when he created the 2nd Well of Eternity. In the end, his supposed original "Betrayal", even workd to their advantage. The only reason that plan partially failed, was because of the Old Gods interference.
But... No, the true betrayal, was when Illidans help was rewarded with cruel imprisonment, without any actual trial. And how when he in action redeemed himself, was first banished for his new state of being(nothing he had actually done to anyone), and then hunted. As the decision to leave him be, for services rendered was revoked without warning.

[kompuglobalhypermega]

Illidan is the true hero of the Azeroth. He and Broxigar managed to hurt the Burning legion the most.

[streetpaladin]

You silver-tongued story teller you! Loved it brah!
Illidan for SOMEONE IMPORTANT!!

[archvaldor]

OK I've watched this video several times now and I don't get why Illidian was considered evil enough for us to kill him. On the contrary it seems like he damned his own soul to save azeroth. He seems to have made some questionable life choices and has weird sexual tastes, but probably less so than most politicians. Am I missing something?

[decapitationmode]

Spoilers: Illidan does come back. Trust me... I'm from the future.

[tacos_and_brew]

i find it so ironic that stormrage an Tyrande did this to illidan yet they act like its all his fault. hes the living embodiment of a 3rd wheel.

[foxnord]

illidan is power hungry, he tried doing the right thing but got blinded by power, over and over again..
illidan is one of the most iconic characters blizzard has made, and probly one of the best. so bringing him back would be awesome

[Shiftea]

I already watched all three parts, but i'm going to watch this again due to the amazing storytelling :) Keep up the good work Nobbbel!

[eggbeater]

I have watched this video about 12 times now, and I never get bored of it. Amazing, simply AMAZING work, Nobbel. I like a lot of youtubers, some even more than this channel. Nevertheless, you will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I wouldn't trade your compelling retelling of these stories for any other. I really, really love your work!

[Zonyxe]

"It. Is. MINE. MINE MINE MINE!!"
"Dude, shut the hell up and lis...."


Deathwing the spoiled brat.

[brettallen]

I am most disappointing in the direction they took Illidan. Up to the point of the Burning Crusade Illidan gave all of his effort to the greater good (protecting Azeroth and the Nightelves until they imprisoned him, and then for Azeroth and Tryande). Then in the Burning Crusade they painted him so heavily as a evil dictator.

[jackblack]

"Whatever I may be--whatever I may become in this world--know that I will always look out for you, Tyrande."

Blizz, bring back this is Illidan, not the nut job from BC

[zodikaiautlaw]

This Video has just earned you a subscriber. I loved listing in on this, and know that i UNDERSTAND the history behind the demon hunters i can't wait for the new patch! Will be sure to leave a like, share this video to those that don't know this awesome story. Keep it up Nobbel87! I love your work!

[Pyrokarsmash]

I've been playing since only now I realise how COOL was all the content back then! I surely will start paying more attention to the lore itself, thanks Nobbel!