Dalaran (kingdom)

For the city in-game and everything gameplay related, see Dalaran.
Dalaran, officially the Magocracy of Dalaran,Of Blood and Honor, chapter 5 is a small, magocratic nation founded originally as a city-state by Arathi magi near the coast of Lordamere Lake in Lordaeron. It is ruled by the Kirin Tor. Its capital, also called Dalaran, was recently moved to Northrend during the war against the Lich King, and then to the Broken Isles during the third invasion of the Burning Legion.
==History==
===Founding and early history===
Dalaran was one of several city-states that emerged as the Arathorian Empire was in decline. Long ago, most human magicians lived in Strom but eventually many fled leaving the restraining confines of Strom behind and traveled to Dalaran, where they hoped to use their new powers with greater freedom, wanting a place more suited to extensive use and study of magic. There, these magicians used their skills to build up the enchanted spires of the cityThe Last Guardian, pg. 127 and reveled in the pursuit of their studies. More wizards followed, and the city became a haven for magi and a center of arcane study. The citizens of Dalaran tolerated the magicians' endeavors and built up a bustling economy under the protection of their magic-using defenders. With the mages of Dalaran protecting the inhabitants who weren't magic-users with powerful protection spells, Dalaran became a decadent, extravagant paradise. Later it was found that Dalaran had been built atop a massive ley line.Ley Energies
Yet, as their numbers and influence grew with more and more magi practiced their arts, the fabric of reality around Dalaran began to weaken and tear. The wizards' overuse of magic with no proper protection or regulation acted as a beacon for the Burning Legion, luring them back to Azeroth. Demons slipped through the gaps in reality, terrorizing the locals until the ruling Magocrats were forced to turn to the elves for aid. The Convocation of Silvermoon sent high elven wizards who quickly realized what had happened. Though not a prominent thread, they warned that if humanity continued to wield magic the demons would never be completely eradicated. The Magocrats, unwilling to sacrifice their power, instead proposed selecting a group of powerful magic casters to protect them from the Legion. Thus, the Magocrats and the elves would formed a secret order known as the Council of Tirisfal. It would form a secret defense for the world, with a Spearhead as their main acting weapon. The elven lords decided to reveal them the history of ancient Kalimdor and the Legion. At the same time, the Magocrats sent some of their number to research and catalog all human magic. These wizards would eventually become the Kirin Tor, a specialized organization that was charged with cataloging and researching every spell, artifact, and magic item known at the time. The Council of Six became the rulers of the Kirin Tor, and eventually replaced the Magocrats at the head of Dalaran.Mantle of the First Kirin Tor
Under the vigilant watch of the Order, Dalaran became the chief center of learning for magicians throughout the land."The Guardians of Tirisfal" Dalaran, though not a large city, was a beautiful place of towering spires and glittering streets, and the people there were happy and well protected. The Kirin Tor's headquarters was the Violet Citadel, an impressive building so named for its stone walls which gave off a faint violet light. The building had many libraries, research chambers, testing rooms, classrooms, meeting alcoves, and bedrooms. At some point, the half-elf Alodi was abandoned in Dalaran. He was raised in the orphanage and, becoming a student of the Kirin Tor, showed a great affinity towards frost magic.Archive of the Tirisgarde#Ebonchill, Greatstaff of Alodi
Dalaran's prosperity eventually made it inundated by reckless spellcasters. Their abuse of magic inadvertently tore open rifts in reality. Through one such rift, Kathra'natir clawed his way into Azeroth. The demon found Dalaran ripe for upheaval. Many of the city's non-magic users were superstitious, and they viewed spellcasters with thinly-veiled unease. Kathra'natir used :Apocalypse to inflame these fears. He tainted Dalaran's water supplies and food stores. Gruesome plagues ravaged the city, which the common fold believed had originated from the magi. The Council of Tirisfal tried to defeat the demon but lost their Spearhead, Aertin Brighthand. Eventually, Meryl Winterstorm and Alodi came up with the idea of the Guardian. As such, Guardian Alodi banished the dreadlord and saved Tirisfal Glades and Dalaran from destroying themselves.Libram of the DeadThe First Guardian
Dalaran established a friendship with Silvermoon, which while tested, would stand for over two thousand years to come.What's in the Box? Although predominantly a human city, some elves, including their own crown prince Kael'thas Sunstrider, would study, live, and even rule in Dalaran at one point or another. According to Jaina Proudmoore, some of these elves were among those who had taught humans magic to begin with.The Fate of Dalaran Some gnomes, dwarves, and even goblins would also come to reside in Dalaran.
Approximately five hundred years prior to the opening of the Dark Portal, the black dragon Sintharia, former prime consort of Deathwing, attempted to bring down the Kirin Tor with a curse that left all the wizards in the city unable to use their magic. Her scheme was foiled in part by Korialstrasz, consort to Alexstrasza, and when Sintharia was defeated, most believed her to be dead when her own magic had been turned on her.Night of the Dragon, chapter 11
The Kirin Tor mages and leadership took interest in Medivh, the Guardian, and around the time of the First War, they sent Khadgar to Karazhan to act as his apprentice. Several mages asked Khadgar to learn various details regarding the tower or the Guardian. Among them was Guzbah, who studied demon lore. He was the first victim of strange demon killings across the Eastern Kingdoms.The Last Guardian
As the First War started, the wizards of Stormwind were first intrigued and then terrified by the orcs' appearance, and sent many letters with information and then requests for aid to Dalaran as the situation grew more dire for them. The northern mages appreciated the orcs' danger but thought them little more than a local nuisance, confined to that continent, and as such didn't do much to help.Tides of Darkness, chapter 3
===Second War===
During the Second War, Dalaran pledged to support the Alliance of Lordaeron and gave large amounts of aid, magi and sorcerers to the war effort. It was home to the four towers, sanctum to the lands' greatest sorcerers. During the conflict some of its citizens were captured by AlteracBetrayal and the Destruction of Alterac (WC2 Human) and the city itself was attacked by the Horde at some point,The Siege of Dalaran (WC2 Orc) and so the wizards had to focus their magics in a device known as the Eye of Dalaran in order to rebuild it to its former glory.The Eye of Dalaran (WC2 Orc) Some fallen spires were as such raised back.Weathered Diary - Dates from the Third War
Though the Dark Portal was destroyed, in the aftermath of the Second War the Kirin Tor noticed that a rift remained that connected Azeroth and Draenor together, and so they build up the Nethergarde Keep with the help of the other nations of the Alliance in order to watch over the rift.Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal manual, The Aftermath of the Second War After the war, Teron Gorefiend and his death knights, aided by Deathwing, were able to successfully enter the Arcane Vault located in the city of Dalaran and steal the Eye of Dalaran from it.Beyond the Dark Portal, chapter 15 Deathwing was aware of the danger Dalaran represented for his disguise and hoped that he could sow distrust among the wizards and toward the other Alliance members. His plans were ultimately thwarted following the Battle of Grim Batol which forced Deathwing into hiding, causing Daval Prestor to mysteriously vanish from the royal court of Lordaeron.Day of the Dragon
The Kirin Tor also developed an interest in the defeated orcs' strange lethargy. Although Dalaran remained loyal to the fractured Alliance in the war's aftermath, it was noted for being politically aloof and secretive - magi of the Kirin Tor did not get involved in "ordinary" politics, and outsiders were rarely welcome in Dalaran, even visiting royalty.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King
===Third War===
Dalaran was the home of an incredibly large library of books and tomes, in addition to many of the greatest sorcerers of the day including Antonidas, Khadgar, Jaina Proudmoore, Arugal and Kel'Thuzad. It was also the site of the vault where the staff of Medivh, Atiesh, was kept after the master mage's death. At this time, most contemporary human and high elven mages bowed to the sovereignty of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor.
Tutored in the Halls of Magic at the mystical city of Dalaran, sorceresses and priests diligently study their mysterious arts within the depths of the arcane sanctum.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Game Manual, pg. 76
When the Third War began, some of the aspiring geniuses of the magocracy were allured by the dark arts and forsook their very souls, becoming necromancers in service to the Scourge.Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos manual, Undead Units, Necromancer When King Terenas Menethil II was killed by Arthas and Capital City fell, magi from Dalaran went to the ruined kingdom of Lordaeron along with other Alliance soldiers to deal with the rampaging undead army, but soon found themselves overwhelmed. Powerless, Antonidas instructed Jaina Proudmoore to take a number of citizens and flee to Kalimdor.
When the Scourge directed itself on the violet city, the majority of the civilians were evacuated, leaving only a small but powerful resistance. The arcanic defenses and the magical guilds in the city tried to defend it but they, alongside the powerful Archmage Antonidas, fell to Arthas in battle shortly after. Arthas acquired the spellbook of Medivh, which Kel'Thuzad utilized to summon Archimonde, who destroyed the city in merely seconds. The great demon single-handedly laid waste to the city by creating a magical effigy out of the dust, which he then crushed; the mighty towers of Dalaran fell simultaneously. People died trapped under the rubble of the fallen city, unable to be reached in time by their comrades. The city remained only partially under the control of the Kirin Tor, and its remnants went to chaos, with mutants, experimental rejects, renegade wizards and berserk water elementals roaming the streets.Misconceptions (WC3 BloodElf)
Soon after the defeat of the Burning Legion atop Mount Hyjal and as parts of the city were contested by the Scourge and later by Illidan Stormrage's naga forces,Malfurion's Vision (WC3 NightElf)The Ruins of Dalaran (WC3 NightElf) human efforts began to rebuilt the ruined city as Dalaran's ruins were taken over by Grand Marshal Garithos and the Alliance Remnants, who were battling the Scourge in Lordaeron. Parts of the city were still infested by the undead but also its tunnels and dungeons under it.The Dungeons of Dalaran (WC3 BloodElf) Prince Kael'thas Sunstrider and his brethren had also arrived to join forces with Garithos, but his animosity toward the elves led to the prince and his army being detained in Dalaran's dungeons and sentenced to mass execution. With effort, they escaped to Outland, leaving Dalaran behind them. What power the surviving Kirin Tor members had in Dalaran around this period remains vague, although some (such as Modera and Ansirem Runeweaver) are believed to have been present. 
Following the death of Grand Marshal Garithos at Capital City, the remaining human refugees and paladins still surviving in Tirisfal Glades started retreating to Dalaran. Many of them were intercepted by the Scourge and slain.King Arthas (WC3 Undead)
At some point, the pets of Hakkar the Houndmaster fought and killed a lot of Dalaran wizards.The Demon Soul It could have happened when the city was still infested by demons.
===World of Warcraft===
At some point, the surviving wizards of Dalaran returned to the ruins and constructed a vast, magical dome around the heart of their city. Some believe it was for protection from the violence of these times, others say they merely wanted solitude, to study and plot. The shield was opaque and completely impenetrable by any known means warding off any new attack while the magi slowly regained their strength. Archmage Rhonin was chosen to lead the Kirin Tor and led the reconstruction of Dalaran and its defenses. The area and ruined outskirts of their city was patrolled by the wizards and their elemental slaves,Dalaran Patrols but the dome is powerful enough to destroy creatures that venture too close.
The region was was also the site of a guerrilla war between the Alliance and the Forsaken. The thieves of the Bloodstone Artifacts led by Kegan Darkmar were granted asylum from the Forsaken and the relics were quarantined in the Lordamere Internment Camp by the wizards.Prison Break In Warden Belamoore then spent days studying the bloodstones.Belamoore's Research Journal
The Kirin Tor also have forces stationed in Ambermill, Nethergarde Keep, the Lordamere Internment Camp and parts of Silverpine Forest. Dalaran also has a strong presence in Outland. Dalaran's army is largely responsible for the survival of Alliance power in Silverpine; without the aid of the magi, the town of Pyrewood Village would have fallen to the Scourge long ago. All travelers in southern Silverpine will note the massive presence of Dalaran's troops. The city is the northern-most state with a sizeable force after the invasion of the Scourge.
At some point, Jaina Proudmoore designed the Antonidas Memorial statue.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War, pg. 272
===Relocation===
Eventually, the city, including the Violet Citadel, was magically moved by the Kirin Tor to Northrend, floating above the Crystalsong Forest — close to the border with Icecrown where the stronghold of the Lich King is located. In its original location, a crater was left.
Shortly after the city of Dalaran, which was raised above the skies of Northrend to counter the growing threat of the Lich King, was attacked by the forces of the Blue Dragonflight who laid open siege to the floating city, led by their leader, the fallen Aspect of Magic, Malygos. Archmages Rhonin, Modera and Aethas Sunreaver combined their efforts to hold off the assault, magically creating a massive shield around the city and, despite the initially unfavorable odds and treachery from within their ranks, the Kirin Tor eventually manage to drive away Malygos and his flight.Mage
===Wrath of the Lich King===
Though traditionally barred from Dalaran, the Horde was accepted into the city through the efforts of Archmage Aethas Sunreaver, who sought the aid of his people back in Quel'Thalas on behalf of the Kirin Tor.. With this decision, Dalaran declared itself a neutral city during the war against the Lich King, and became a place where all were welcome, so long as they behaved themselves.Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 65
One thing to take into consideration is that three of Dalaran's best wizards: Khadgar, Jaina Proudmoore and Rhonin, have had positive dealings with Horde individuals in the past. Also, Antonidas studied the effects of the orcs' lethargy extensively enough to know that orcs could be reasonable in the absence of their demonic bloodlust. The Horde's allies, the blood elves, have been allies and productive members of the Kirin Tor for over 2,000 years and have vouched for them. The inclusion of blood elves within the Kirin Tor's ranks and the Horde supporter Aethas Sunreaver in the Council of Six ensured the Horde a sanctuary within the city, though Rhonin's wife Vereesa Windrunner was opposed to this notion.
The Council of Six are the ones to preside over the magical city of Dalaran, though only Archmage Modera, Archmage Aethas Sunreaver and its leader Rhonin are seen within the city. As base of operations, the Alliance was given the Silver Enclave which was the base of the Silver Covenant. For the Horde, they were given the base of the blood elven Sunreavers, the Sunreaver's Sanctuary. 
Evidently, the blue dragonflight, led by Malygos, declared war on all mortal magic-users including the magic city of Dalaran and all its denizens. From up above the skies of Crystalsong Forest, the main factions located in the city, stand in defiance against the blue dragonflight as well as the Scourge forces of the Lich King.
During the War Against the Nightmare, Malfurion Stormrage entered the city in order to find anyone capable to fight in the Emerald Dream against the Emerald Nightmare and the Nightmare Lord. He found most of the mages, including Rhonin and Vereesa, trapped in their nightmares. Modera and her comrades, however, were holding against the shadowy attackers, despite their exhaustion, so they did not join him in the dreamform army.Stormrage
===Interlude===
Between the Cataclysm and the discovery of Pandaria, Dalaran remained in Northrend.MMO-Champion Blue Tracker - Dalaran and Cataclysm
The nation was invited by the leadership of the Alliance to send a representative to their diplomatic meeting in Darnassus, though declined to do so, citing its desire to retain its neutrality and continue to help bridge the gaps between the Alliance and the Horde.Wolfheart
===Tides of War===
After a desperate Kalecgos goes to Dalaran for aid in seeking the stolen Focusing Iris, Rhonin sends him to Jaina Proudmoore in the hopes that she might be able to aid him in his search. However, as Jaina and Kalecgos soon learn of Garrosh Hellscream's ambitions to conquer the whole of Kalimdor, starting with a brutal attack on Jaina's own stronghold, Jaina herself visits Dalaran on Kalecgos's advice, requesting for assistance in staving off the impending Horde invasion.
Despite Rhonin's initial reluctance to involve the neutral Kirin Tor into a conflict between the Alliance and the Horde, the Council of Six ultimately agree to provide limited assistance to Jaina Proudmoore in the defense of Theramore Isle. A Sunreaver agent was a part of the Horde's attack on the city, though Aethas later denies responsibility and vowed to atone for Thalen's treachery. During the attack, Rhonin sacrificed himself in an attempt to localize Garrosh's mana bomb detonation, sparing Jaina from death. Following his death, the Kirin Tor, while refusing to launch an attack on Orgrimmar in retaliation for Theramore's decimation, chose Jaina as Rhonin's replacement and as the new leader of the Council of Six, with Kalecgos also joining the Kirin Tor.Jaina Proudmoore: Tides of War Both of them moved to the city, though the dragon felt the distrust from the other mages and thus found excuses to go out of the city.Dawn of the Aspects
===Mists of Pandaria===
While the Alliance and the Horde were clashing in Pandaria, Jaina discovered that Sunreavers had helped Garrosh Hellscream steal the :Divine Bell by using Dalaran portals to infiltrate Darnassus, which lead to the conception of the mana bomb that destroyed her city. Jaina mobilized the Kirin Tor, Alliance forces and the Silver Covenant to purge the Horde from Dalaran. Though Aethas Sunreaver claimed he knew nothing of Garrosh's scheme, Jaina nonetheless chose to incarcerate him and his Sunreavers after Aethas refused to order his people to leave the city peacefully. Those that surrendered were imprisoned in the Violet Hold while those that resisted were put to the sword, after which Jaina pledged the Kirin Tor to Varian's war cause, effectively bringing Dalaran back into the Alliance. The purge also put an end to Dalaran's alliance with Silvermoon, which had stood for over 2,000 years.
During the purge, Dalaran had already left Northrend and was in motion. However, for game purposes, Dalaran remains unchanged after the questline is completed (see Notes).
===Legion===
As of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the local forces of Dalaran in Hillsbrad Foothills are trying to reconstruct the remaining ruins of the Dalaran Crater, overseen by Archmage Cedric.Chilled to the Core (quest)
====Deadwind Pass====
Right after the Battle for the Broken Shore, that marked the beginning of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, Jaina Proudmoore arranged for Dalaran to move to Deadwind Pass in order to aid in the protection of the Eastern Kingdoms.The Fallen Lion Dalaran was hovering over Deadwind Pass and more particularly Karazhan.Dalaran over Karazhan phases in after completing the Broken Shore scenario.
The entire city had been moved by a giant :Blink spell, and all the shops were ordered to close down because of the various troubles created by that sudden transportation. Some citizens were now suffering from dizziness and nausea, while others were re-materialized at the wrong place and were stuck in walls or in various other objects. Some of them were even fleeing because of unstable energy running amok in the city. Several recovery specialists such as Fanny Frizzlepop, Brilda and Grindle Dopplegink, as well as the nurses at the First to Your Aid clinic, were trying to fix their problems. The content of the Dalaran Merchant's Bank's coffers had been thrown out, and several Kirin Tor Guardians had to protect the bankers while they were working on fixing the situation. Jepetto Joybuzz himself was stuck on a toy zeppelin flying around the city. The entrance to the city sewers were shut and Krasus' Landing was damaged by fel energy.
Believing that the Kirin Tor needed the help of both the Alliance and the Horde, Khadgar called the Council of Six to vote on letting the Horde back into the city. While Jaina and Ansirem were completely against it, the vote was carried and passed. Feeling betrayed, Jaina, outraged, teleported out of Dalaran, leaving Khadgar effectively in charge.Calling of the Council Together with an adventurer, Khadgar then searched UlduarThe Diamond King and KarazhanHiding in the Stacks for means to stop the Legion's advance and close the portal in the Tomb of Sargeras, and discovered that such a feat would be possible with the help of five titanic artifacts called the Pillars of Creation, which laid scattered over the Broken Isles.
====Broken Isles====
The Burning Legion then launched an attack on the city. With that confirmation they had the right objective, the Council cast a spell to teleport Dalaran to the southern shores of the Broken Isles in close proximity to Azsuna,In the Blink of an Eye so it would once again serve as a hub for Azeroth's heroes at the front lines in the renewed war against the Legion when countless forces pour from the Tomb of Sargeras.
With Jaina's departure, Kalecgos and Vargoth filled out the Council of Six's membership. Aethas was allowed to return to Dalaran, although not as a member of the council.
Several Crimson Pilgrims have appeared in Dalaran. Due to their choice of attire, they may be former Scarlet Crusade members.
The Unseen Path is providing secret protection for the city at the request of Archmage Khadgar.Unseen Protection: Defending Dalaran
Shieldbreaker Murdonn broke through the outer defenses of Dalaran, and made it all the way to Krasus' Landing where he was taken out by the champions of the Class Orders.Encounter at Krasus' Landing
The tallest spire atop the Violet Citadel is actually a weapon used for the defense of the city but has been sabotaged by the Legion.An Urgent SituationBackup Plan The dreadlord Kathra'natir, helpless and imprisoned within the Nightborne Soulstone, has his power siphoned to re-power the weapon.Arming Dalaran
After the death of Kil'jaeden and Illidan's use of the Sargerite Keystone, Argus appeared in the sky of Azeroth. Dalaran's citizens grew worried, especially as doomsayers started to spread panic.
==People and culture==
*Unsurprisingly, Dalaran's national color is violet.
*The demonym for things originating from Dalaran is "Dalaranian".Sean Copeland on Twitter: "Lore from Chris Metzen and Micky Neilson! Alteraci (“alterackee”), Lordaeronian, Stromic, Dalaranian, Stormwindian. BOOM." March 10, 2014
*Dalaran had no trained militia.Arthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 20
*They have a specific accent, as a young Khadgar mentioned to Medivh that he had to entertain a crew of Kul Tiras with it during his journey to Karazhan.The Last Guardian, chapter 2
*Like the other realms, the kingdom of Dalaran can apply the death penalty for its criminals, the task being accomplished by an executioner, as a gallows is present among the ruins under reconstruction around the Dalaran Crater.
*Founded centuries ago in Lordaeron, the Church of the Holy Light spread its faith through the Seven Kingdoms, thus the human citizens of Dalaran became followers of the Holy Light, as indicated by the Chapel Yard and the symbols of the church in the cemetery of Kirin'Var Village.
*The highest honor available to non-citizens of Dalaran is the Violet Signet, a magical ring that grew in power for those who proved their loyalty to the Violet Eye, and which may become as those of the archmages of the Kirin Tor when its full power is released.The Violet Signet questline
===Factions===
Dalaran has been a hub for the Alliance and the Horde in their wars against the Lich King and the Burning Legion. Three main factions have the most influence over the city.
* Kirin Tor - The main body of the city with its leaders of the Council ruling over it. Neutral to the Alliance and the Horde. Led by Archmage Khadgar.
* Silver Covenant - Supporters of the Alliance and hostile to the Horde. Led by Vereesa Windrunner.
* Sunreavers - Representatives of the Horde and hostile to the Alliance. Led by Archmage and former Council member, Aethas Sunreaver.
During the Third War, the city was also inhabited by the Sorcerers' League and Mages' Guild, two Alliance-aligned wizard-factions that fought alongside the Kirin Tor against the Scourge. As they haven't been mentioned since then, they were possibly either destroyed or fused with the Kirin Tor. With the Horde being purged from Dalaran, the Sunreavers were forced to leave the city, but their leader, among other blood elves, were shown to rejoin it in World of Warcraft: Legion.
==Geography==
===Old location===
A large, gaping crater has replaced the old location of Dalaran, with a weakened shield in place of the opaque dome, though there is some purplish smoke around the site — possibly residue from magic dome or the city's (literally) earth-shaking exit. It was located near the southern shores of the Lordamere Lake, north of the Hillsbrad Foothills. As of the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the local forces of Dalaran are trying to reconstruct the remaining ruins, overseen by Archmage Cedric.Chilled to the Core (quest)
The city itself currently hovers over the Broken Isles after having moved from Northrend.
Tarrenmillregion.JPG|Dalaran's position in Warcraft II.
WarCraftII-TidesOfDarkness-Orcs-Mission13-SiegeOfDalaran.png|Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft II.
Dalaran4.jpg|Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft III.
The Siege of Dalaran Map.jpg|Dalaran as depicted in Warcraft III.
Warcraft III Reforged - Dalaran.png|Dalaran in Reforged.
Dalaran Concept by Peter Lee 2008.jpg|Peter Lee's 2008 concept of the remnants of Dalaran bordering the Alterac Mountains.
Dalaran hole 1.jpg|The crater.
Dalaran hole 2.jpg|The remains of the dome.
Dalaran hole 3.jpg|The ruins left.
Old dalaran.jpg|The dome before Dalaran moved to Northrend.
===Settlements===
The other major settlements under the magocracy's rule were Kirin'Var Village, Nethergarde Keep and Ambermill, all of them have been lost or destroyed in recent years. 
However, during their campaigns, the magocracy of Dalaran established outposts and bases of operations on different continents of Azeroth, and even beyond. In Northrend, they took up a position in the Transitus Shield, the Amber Ledge and the Violet Stand. In Pandaria, they landed and created the Violet Rise on the Isle of Thunder. During the War in Draenor, they set up The Overlook as an encampment situated on a plateau overlooking Mage Quarter,Everbloom map name and the Khadgar's Tower in the Zangarra of Talador.
==Notable members==
===The Council===
* - Formerly Medivh's apprentice, he was the member of the council that suggested appointing Jaina as their leader, following the events of the attack on Theramore. Now leads the council as of Jaina's departure.
* - Known member of the council. Like Modera, he was on the council when Garithos condemned Kael'thas.In the Shadow of the Sun
* - Joined the Kirin Tor after the fall of Theramore.
* - An alchemist and mage. Once at the mercy of his emotions, he has since become one of the most controlled and thoughtful members of the Kirin Tor.
* - The longest-standing member.
* - Survivor of the Alliance Expedition and former resident and notable of Kirin'Var Village.
===Notable leaders===
*
*
*
*
History	Second War	Invasion of the Scourge	Reconstruction	War against the Lich King	War against Deathwing	Discovery of Pandaria	War against the Iron Horde	Third Invasion of the Burning Legion	Fourth War	
Ruler 	Antonidas 	Antonidas 	Rhonin 	Rhonin 	Rhonin 	Jaina Proudmoore 	Jaina Proudmoore 	Khadgar 	Khadgar 	Khadgar
==Dalaran in Warcraft II==
Leader: The Kirin Tor
Nation Color: Violet
Background: Dalaran is a small, magocratic nation ruled by a conclave of Wizards known as the Kirin Tor. The capital of Dalaran is the Violet Citadel at Cross Island. This nexus of supernatural forces is home to the four great towers that are sanctum to many of the land's greatest sorcerers. The Kirin Tor are strong supporters of the Alliance and to its cause have devoted the knowledge contained within their voluminous libraries as well as the power of their awesome magiks.Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness manual, Nations of the Alliance, Dalaran
==In the RPG==
Dalaran was one of the original city-states founded during the Arathorian Empire. Since its inception, the city has served as a hub of magical knowledge and experimentation in Lordaeron and the world. A multi-racial wizards' council called the Kirin Tor ruled the city for centuries, overseeing Dalaran from the Violet Citadel — a great, slender spire in the city's heart that housed the most extensive libraries and greatest laboratories in the world.
The traitor Prince Arthas Menethil laid siege to Dalaran in the Third War. He murdered its citizens, including the great archmage Antonidas, and broke into the city's heart. His ally, the lich Kel'Thuzad, then summoned Archimonde, the Burning Legion's leader. Archimonde wielded foul magic to topple the city's towers and sunder its walls. Shortly after Dalaran's fall, the undead abandoned the city to the wind and mist. Months later, a resistance force led by the surviving Dalaran wizards arrived and laid claim to the ruins. Pooling their magical power, the wizards covered Dalaran in an opaque magical sphere. It is unknown what occurs beneath the dome and the wizards warn others not to get too close.Lands of Conflict, pg. 91 The magi are certainly working on something — but none can discover what it is.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 20
Despite its hardships during the Third War, the Kirin Tor refused to abandon their home. After returning to the ruins, they destroyed those few undead creatures that remained and reclaimed their city. They erected a glowing dome around the entire city, powerful enough to destroy anyone who touches it, while they worked to rebuild their fallen cityAlliance Player's Guide, pg. 154-155 long the headquarters of magical study in the world of Azeroth. The dome was impenetrable, violet and opaque — nothing could be seen beyond it. Located on Lordamere Lake's southern shore, the original location is a low-pressure region. The environment creates mists and clouds, the air is cool and damp. A rise to the city's east marked where the demon lord Archimonde used his magic to shatter the city's spires. There were a few wrecked houses, with empty streets. Not much there.Lands of Conflict, pg. 90-91
Today, the Magocracy of Dalaran continues to rule its nation, the city. Despite the destruction of its capital, Dalaran has remained an important member of the Alliance. The exact number of people living within Dalaran's protective dome is unknown, but believed to be around 3,000 or soLands of Conflict, pg. 90 and only 120 of them are members of the Kirin Tor.[[Alliance Player's Guide], pg. 155 Mostly wizards and their conjured or created guardians inhabit Dalaran, and the city possesses few real citizens. A couple hundred troops probably dwell within and can be mustered when the call to arms is sounded. Wizards are often seen outside the dome. In particular, Archmage Ansirem Runeweaver constantly moves about the dome's periphery. The archmage seems to be in charge of Dalaran and leads a conclave of fellow wizards in their vigil of the dome. The mages hold no love for the Scourge. They would see it destroyed.Lands of Conflict, pg. 90-91
The fortified outpost of Nethergarde Keep and the surrounding area in the Blasted Lands is under control of Dalaran and Stormwind.World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 13
===Relations with other kingdoms===
Though Dalaran had been an independent nation at some point after the Third War, it has recently pledged itself to the Alliance. Dalaran considers all Alliance nations to be their allies. They are officially at war with the Scourge, although they have driven the Scourge far enough away from their borders for this to not be a real war any longer. Dalaran is also opposed to the Syndicate. They openly support war with the Qiraji of Silithus. During the Nexus War, Dalaran was at war with the Blue dragonflight. With Malygos' death, tensions appear to have ceased but mortals are still wary of blue dragons due to their participation in Malygos' schemes.
The Violet Citadel does not support the Scarlet Crusade openly, but accept their movements and operations as long as they continue to cause disorder among the undead. They had also been at open war with the Forsaken and did not have much dealings with the Horde, having been invaded by them during the Second War.
==Film universe==
===History===
 travels to Dalaran to meet with the . Initially scorned by the who once trained him, the runaway Novitiate uses his research to convince to assist him in seeking help for the 's corruption. He is then led to an ancient artifact with a cube form. In response to his presence, the magical cube opens and allows the young mage inside. In the magical interior of the cube, Khadgar encounters the entity that he saw in , , who explains that she has used the last of her power to bring him to her. She tells him that the Guardian has been corrupted and that Khadgar must defeat him, repeating the words found in the tome he stole from Karazhan: "From light comes darkness, and from darkness, light." Knowing what he must do, the young mage leaves Dalaran and returns to Stormwind to free .
Archmage Antonidas would later attend 's funeral, as a representative of Dalaran and the Kirin Tor.
The nation of Dalaran is depicted close to its World of Warcraft incarnation. It is led by . The nation participated in the council that would eventually lead to the creation of the .
===Notes===
*By the time of the opening of the , Dalaran has already become a flying city.Warcraft It notably contains the Chamber of Air, located within the Violet Citadel.
==Notes and trivia==
*The city's libraries record up to twenty centuries of human history, though the earliest histories are wrapped in legends.The Last Guardian, chapter 8
*Dalaran has a cemetery.Waking the Dead
*The city's foundation has cracks.Glowing Foundations
*Before the First War, Dalaran was known to sometimes send ambassadors to the southern Kingdom of Stormwind, where they were received by the King and his council.The Last Guardian, chapter 4 Dalaran also maintained an official embassy in Lordaeron's Capital City,Day of the Dragon, chapter 13 its ambassador trying to convince King Terenas to quarantine the Lordaeron northlands against the plague before the Third War started.The Warning (WC3 Human) Dalaran itself was noted to be a very political environment, where an honest and open man like Anduin Lothar wouldn't last more than a day and a half. Khadgar noted that the mages of Stormwind had less obvious rivalries between them than those of Dalaran.
*Dalaran and Dalaran Ruins are melee tilesets in Warcraft III and The Frozen Throne, representing the city before and after its destruction by Archimonde.
*The Kirin Tor floated the city so that no ground assault by the Scourge could reach them again.Sean Copeland on Twitter (2014-01-30) (dead link)
*The city is protected by defensive shields based on Antonidas' earlier version magical field that destroyed any undead that touched it during the Third War.The Archmage Antonidas - Part III 
*Dalaran has magic schools where young mages and schoolchildren are educated and trained in the use of magic.STAY OUT!!!The Old Wizard's Almanac Before the Third War, the Archmage Antonidas was in charge of teaching in some magic classes.Journal of Archmage Antonidas
**As a child, Khadgar learned from most of his lessons that non-Dalaran mages, wild, untrained, and self-taught wizards without restraint, control, and thought, always ended in the same fashion with a bad end, and sometimes, though not often, destroying a large amount of the surrounding countryside with them.The Last Guardian, chapter 1
*When Khadgar introduced himself to Moroes, he stated that he was from Dalaran in the kingdom of Lordaeron.
*The Dalaranium is a rare metal, named after the city of Dalaran, that can be found in trash heaps of Mechagon Island.
**Moxie Lockspinner harvested this metal in order to sell it on the black market.One Gnome's Trash
*In Beyond the Dark Portal, a Dalaran expedition was depicted as having reached the Broken Shore. They had built internment camps for the Old Horde survivors there, and had sealed the entry of the Tomb of Sargeras with two elven runestones and numerous soldiers.The Tomb of Sargeras (WC2x Orc)
*In the canceled Warcraft Adventures, a bulletin board inside Durnholde Keep indicated that the Kirin Tor was recruiting, complete with a little drawing of a mage tower.
*According to Ian Bates reporting on a discussion with Chris Metzen, some of the Cataclysm-era Silverpine Forest quests are non-canon due to a developer's error, specifically the ones dealing with Ambermill and the Forsaken-Kirin Tor conflict. The Kirin Tor at this point is supposed to be neutral.Scrolls of LoreScrolls of Lore Blizzard never officially spoke about this so it is unsure if the information is real.
*Even though it was never led by a king, Dalaran is still referred to as a kingdom.The World of Warcraft Townhall/Classes#The MageDalaran being among the Seven KingdomsThe Magical Kingdom of Dalaran
*Dalaran has a Battle Ball team called the Dalaran Destroyers, but don't seem to win much.Mustard Dogs!
*The Ultimate Visual Guides erroneously described Dalaran as "formerly ruled" by magocracy.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 18 However, the Council of Six still rules it as of Legion, and it has been confirmed that Dalaran is thus still a magocracy. The similarly-named Magocrat Lords, however, are long-since defunct.
*During the Legion announcement at gamescom 2015, it was indicated that Dalaran had some ancient purposes that weren't fully understood and that the city would be affected by proximity to the Tomb of Sargeras, with the Violet Hold in particular containing newly-awakened secrets related to the origins of Dalaran, the Kirin Tor, and even the world itself. However, this plotline seems to have been dropped during development.
*The Violet Gardens and the Halls of Magic used to be in the city of Dalaran.
*Fresh Alterac grass is apparently still growing on the earth outside the walls of the floating Dalaran island.The Fate of Apprentice Argoly
*The Kirin Tor with their floating magocracy closely resemble Forgotten Realms' Netheril, one of the ancient human empires of Faerûn.
==Speculation==
*The two districts in the city occupied by foreigners, the Greyfang Enclave (former Silver Enclave) and the Windrunner's Sanctuary (former Sunreaver's Sanctuary), may have been previously occupied by the Sorcerers' League and the Mages' Guild, the other organizations that inhabited Dalaran alongside the Kirin Tor prior to the Third War.
*Like with Stromgarde Keep, the siege on Dalaran during the Second War hasn't been mentioned in any other sources besides Warcraft II, and it is thus unclear if the attack is canonical.
==Gallery==
File:Dalaran Concept Art Peter Lee 1.jpg|Early concept art of the city of Dalaran.
File:Dalaran Concept Art Peter Lee 2.jpg|Concept art of Dalaran.
File:Dalaran City concept.jpg|Concept art of Dalaran.
File:Dar3.jpg|Dalaran in-game.
File:Dar7.jpg|Dalaran in-game.
File:Violet Hold.jpg|The Violet Hold.
File:Dar5.jpg|Dalaran in-game.
File:Dalaran Northrend.jpg|Dalaran in-game.
File:Dalaran from Icecrown.jpg|A full view of Dalaran from the air in Icecrown.
File:Underbelly tunnel out end.jpg|A tunnel opening underneath to the Underbelly.
File:Olddalaran.jpg|Concept art of Dalaran while still in the Alterac Mountains.
File:Dalaran-film.jpg|Concept art for the Warcraft film.
File:Dalaran Falling Harbingers.jpg|A vision of Dalaran falling from the sky, as shown by Medivh to Khadgar in Harbingers.
File:Dalaran - Legion Invasion.jpg|Dalaran attacked by the Legion.
File:Defensive shield 1.jpg
File:Defensive shield 2.jpg
;Fan art
File:Fanart - The Golden Days of Dalaran by Lost In Concept.jpg|The Golden Days of Dalaran by Lost-In-Concept.
File:Alterac fan art.jpg|The Early Days of Alterac by Lost-In-Concept.
Fanart - Streets of Dalaran by Ima Dreamwalker.jpg|Streets of Dalaran, by Ima Dreamwalker.
==See also==
*Nobles of Dalaran
==References==
 
Category:Cities
Category:Human territories
es:Dalaran
fr:Dalaran