Lament of the Highborne

The Lament of the Highborne (item) is a small book that contains the Thalassian song of the same name. The lament was composed by Derek Duke and Russell Brower and sung by artist Vangie Gunn. It appears on the Burning Crusade soundtrack. The book serves no gameplay purpose, other than to offer the player a chance to reread the lyrics as many times as they wish. The composers revealed that "the quest design team enhanced a new quest line to incorporate the song as a payoff moment".
The lament can be heard in-game by Lady Sylvanas Windrunner and her Highborne Lamenters (pleasant-voiced banshees) after finding her locket (The Lady's Necklace, a gift from her sister Alleria) at Windrunner Spire in the Ghostlands and returning it to the Dark Lady. The Lament of the Highborne song and event were originally absent from the beta phase of The Burning Crusade — however, before release, the event was added to the quest, along with the lyrics to the song. The haunting melody can also be heard as the Burning Crusade credits music, and variations on the lament play in the Eversong Woods, certain areas of the Ghostlands and the Isle of Quel'Danas.
==History==
As denoted by the term "Highborne", the Lament of the Highborne is an ancient song that dates back over 10,000 years. It was a lament to fallen night elves and a tribute to those whose bravery remained steadfast against overwhelming odds. While the melody hasn't changed, the words of the song were altered about 2,800 years ago to reflect the losses the night elves' high elven descendants suffered during the Troll Wars. Finally, during the Third War, the song was used again to illustrate the elves' grief during the Scourge invasion of Quel'Thalas. Sylvanas Windrunner, who died defending Quel'Thalas from the Scourge and thus failed to protect her people, still grieves at this failure, if her claims are to be believed.
==Source==
*Players who would like to store the lyrics in-game should finish the quests The Lady's Necklace (quest) and Journey to Undercity. This involves giving Sylvanas Windrunner , a gift from her beloved sister Alleria. When the singing is finished, talk to Ambassador Sunsorrow afterwards. He will give a book with the lyrics.
*Hearing the song in-game is still possible even if one chooses not to do the quest line or as Alliance (who cannot do the chain as it is Horde only). Typing /script PlaySoundFile("Sound\\Music\\GlueScreenMusic\\BCCredits_Lament_of_the_Highborne.mp3") into the game chat box, or as part of a simple macro, will cause the song to play. Alternatively, on the login screen, click "Credits" and the song plays over the credits for the Burning Crusade.
*It could be heard after the release of Wrath of the Lich King during The Battle for the Undercity event, where Sylvanas started singing, giving a buff to all the players participating in the event.
*This song (sans words) can also be heard in the Crimson Halls in Icecrown Citadel.
*If a player brings back Blood of Sylvanas to Sylvanas by ending the quest Sylvanas' Vengeance, she will reward with Sylvanas' Music Box, a music box that summons two lamenters and plays the song.
*As of Patch 4.0.3a, Sylvanas sings the Lament during Cities in Dust, the culminating quest of the Silverpine Forest storyline.
==Media==
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===Official machinima===
This video, published by Blizzard on September 19, 2007, shows the assault of the Scourge on Quel'Thalas and the assassination of Sylvanas and her afterdeath rising by Arthas along with Sylvanas singing the song, which is the part players can watch as well for themselves while playing the game.
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Although not official, Patty Mattson, the voice actor for Sylvanas, decided to make a new version of the Lament of the Highborne with Sylvanas's current state of mind at the time,Patty Mattson on Twitter: "Thanks Russell. Wanted to do it for those requesting it and give it a touch of her current state of mind while not totally losing the beautiful original. Instead harkening back....while embodying her state of mind now." due to requests and a Twitter petition posted by fans of Warcraft.Patty Mattson on Twitter: "In response to requests and the Twitter Petition posted by the wonderful fans of World of Warcraft and #SylvanasWindrunner. I've done an updated version of Lament of The Highborne. Hope everyone likes it. Made a few little changes. :O)"
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===Fan made by Erutan===
A fan-made video of the song, Lament of the Highborne.http://wow.joystiq.com/2013/01/13/know-your-lore-hands-drenched-in-blood/
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==Lyrics==
==Notes and trivia==
*Much like it is shown in the machinima, the song can actually be heard throughout the Undercity when triggered by the quest (much like a zone-wide announcement), displacing the Undercity theme music if it is playing.
*If Sylvanas happens to be attacked by the Alliance while she is singing, the Highborne Lamenters will immediately despawn and she will engage in battle. The event will not pick up where it left off, nor will Sylvanas retrieve Alleria's necklace from the ground should she de-aggro. Lament of the Highborne will still continue to play until the song is finished however.
*Ironically, although the song is entitled Lament of the Highborne, the original Highborne themselves aren't mentioned, and neither are the high elves despite the song displaying the invasion of Quel'Thalas.
*An instrumental version of Lament of the Highborne plays in the background when in Quel'Thalas (Eversong Woods, The Ghostlands and the Isle of Quel'Danas); it might play when inside Magisters' Terrace.
*It was Russell Brower's first song written for World of Warcraft.Russell Brower on Twitter: "Lovely cover by @PattyMattson of the first song I wrote for #WorldofWarcraft with @derekmduke"
==Gallery==
;Fan art
Lament of the Highborne.jpg|Fanart of Sylvanas singing the lament, by Jiao Qiao.
==References==
==External links==
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Category:Music
es:Lamento de los Altonato