Born among a family of hunters, Ilvarael Stormweave's early life was thought one with fond, untroubled memories. He was among the lowly kaldorei who held no title; no distinct interest in anyone's eye, or thought to ever live a life with songs telling of it. He was merely a tanner's hand, and when he was away from such honest living, he had much interest with the merchants who passed by his humble village; keen for word from the cities they travelled from, yet had equal fascination in the exotic wares they brought along with them.

It was through this and perhaps destiny as it were that he came across someone who would change his life forever in more ways than one. Rhysarn Whisperwind soon became almost like a brother to him and, in those days, the two developed a flair for telling stories and arguing about their different way of lives. Of course, all this seemed nothing in comparison to the pleasure they had in romancing each other's sisters. However, where Ilvarael's sister Ailysia was quite taken with Rhysarn's past noble self, Ilvarael's humble spirit had little effect in wooing Siaisa's heart beyond friendship.

Such changed when the War of the Ancients began.

It was an easy decision for Ilvarael to choose whose side in the war he was to take. Trusting Rhysarn's judgement, Ilvarael quickly offered his life to Cenarius and thus the teachings of becoming a druid. Yet he had certain motives for it, and none more open than having little love for the Highborne and Queen Azshara. He saw the hedonistic, conceited hearts in them with anger and fuelled his desire to see them stripped of their power so that they wouldn't harm or take anyone for granted again. These vengeful motives eventually took their toll on his compassionate outlook on life, which Siaisa became worried of and saw her heart finally open up to him. By then Ilvarael decided to abandon the war for both her sake and his; taking them far into the wilderness where he knew they'd be safe. And without a moment to think back on this decision, the Sundering ripped the old world apart and everything Saisia once called her home.

As times of uncertainty passed during their survival in the wild, the young lovers eventually reunited with few family and friends among the refugees of Winterspring. The reunion did not last long, however, as it was only a short matter of time before Ysera ended up calling upon the druids to join her in the Emerald Dream. Ilvarael, whether willingly or not, trusted Rhysarn that he would see Siaisa again. Yet for all the centuries he slumbered within the Dreamways, no one knew how he was, especially himself. It was as much a mystery to him when he awoke one tragic day and knew not who or where he was. Driven by fury and fear of not knowing what was happening, Ilvarael slipped away under the crescent eye of Elune and disappeared from the sight of his people. Some say he even attacked them when they tried to save him from his madness. Nothing by then could stop his slow descent into savagery, although there are those who feel Elune's whispers calmed him in great times of anguish to save his soul from sinking further into darkness; whispers that lead him towards a new destiny.

During the short months after Archimonde's fall at Mount Hyjal, Ilvarael managed to regain shreds of his humanity, yet was found nearly dead by a scouting party loyal to the banners of Theramore. They took him back to their isle for healing, and although Ilvarael was grateful, he still could not recall who he was. An Ironforge Dwarf in the area gave him purpose, though, and it was through an unlikely partnership with him that Ilvarael agreed to follow him towards lands across great seas. He did so in fear that his own people would not welcome him back for what he believed was murder against several of his kin, in the time he savaged through their lands without mind.

In many ways, Ilvarael's life was renewed when he set his foot on foreign lands. Putting whatever past he might have had behind, he quickly offered his services as a warrior to help keep safety for those in Menethil Harbour. Although it wasn't long till he made his way further north, where he was befriended among the Wildhammer Dwarves in the Hinterlands for several years. A certain peace of mind washed over him there as he grew content in its natural surroundings and in the end saw it as his newfound home for an assured life that made good use of his many developed woodsman skills.

All this time, though, he could never shake the one memory that robbed him of sleep since the day he awoke from the Emerald Dream; the image of a beautiful night elf female that was brutally killed while crying out for his name. Yet as fate would eventually carry the dream into reality, he learnt that the nightmare that constantly bothered him was as real as the female he felt his soul was somehow betrothed to, when she reappeared in his life as a wandering hunter that he immediately remembered by scent alone, aside from her eyes that starved wildly for his own to answer so many questions they were bound to eventually find out.

Ilvarael was finally reunited with his love. The last great chapter of his uncertain life was over.

Since then, Ilvarael wanders between two worlds. Although much of his time is with Siaisa in Ashenvale, he sometimes returns to the Hinterlands to catch up with old Wildhammer friends and aid them with whatever means before returning back to Kalimdor for his family. Nowadays, Ilvarael is a humble woodsman, and making a good living from it, despite having a keen heart for blacksmithing at a forge in Auberdine; due thanks to the many years he worked side by side with the dwarves. He also has quite an understandable interest in gryphon raising...

And gah, that's it for now. Skipped a few parts of his life and major details to try and not make this description of him too long winded... which I think I might have failed in. lol, but anyhoo, I don’t mind how this work came out. Been meaning to draw Ilvarael for quite a while now, and it felt about right after drawing his wife and known children with her. Just on a side note, he is a full brother to Ailysia, who I have drawn once in the past with similar hair and skin complexion. I’m liable to draw her next… then probably Kyniren, if time shows enough mercy. I’m actually quite happy to draw some Warcraft characters for a change, because although I can’t stand WoW anymore, Azeroth is still a fine world… if you count most of WoW’s story out of it.

But yes, enjoy! Hope some people can appreciate these long descriptions.

Artwork // Ilvarael Stormweave - © Kristopher P. Love // Night Elves - © Warcraft

This art has been granted permission to be seen elsewhere ONLY at *elves.