Well of Eternity (Hyjal)

The Well of Eternity (or simply the Well)Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 52, 102 at Mount Hyjal is an immensely powerful pool of arcane magic that rests just beneath the World Tree Nordrassil at the mountain's summit. This well is referred to as the second Well of Eternity, the first having sat at the center of Ancient Kalimdor for countless millennia before its eventual destruction. The second Well of Eternity glows with an intense blue radiance and remains pure due to the deep roots of Nordrassil.The Sundering, pg. 575, 588 (ebook) The World Tree was designed to keep others from abusing the magic of the new Well, and also to prevent the second fount's power from growing too great overtime.Stormrage, chapter 1
At the end of the War of the Ancients, when the original well imploded in on itself, the night elf Illidan Stormrage rescued several vials of its waters from destruction. After the ensuing Sundering, he would forge a new, second Well of Eternity using three of these vials. However, Illidan's actions were regarded as a crime by his kin; to both protect and control this new font of power, Nordrassil was grown atop it.
Since its birth, the second Well has been a target of destructive forces, and was unsuccessfully attacked by the Burning Legion during both their second and third invasions of Azeroth.
==History==
===Birth===
The first Well of Eternity sat at the center of the ancient continent of Kalimdor since its formation by the Titans, existing as the very lifeblood of Azeroth's world-soul made manifest. Its constructive power gave birth to the Kaldorei Empire, but also drew the attention of the demons of the Burning Legion. Though their following invasion failed, the Well was irreparably destabilized and collapsed in on itself in a vast explosion.
Just prior to the Well's death, the legendary night elf Illidan Stormrage secretly gathered seven vials of its waters. Illidan remained convinced that a new font of power would be needed if the demons' were to return, and hoped to create a new Well of Eternity to realize this. The other kaldorei survivors, however, would consider Illidan's plan both dangerous and insane, for it was the Well's power which first drew the Legion to Azeroth.
Illidan traveled to a lake at the summit of Mount Hyjal, a body of water luckily untouched by the war. There, he began emptying the vials of the Well's water into the lake, which began to take on the properties of the Well of Eternity. By the third vial, he was interrupted by the other night elves present, who were horrified upon realizing exactly what Illidan was doing. When they moved to stop him, Illidan struck at his kin, killing most of them with magical flames.The Sundering, pg. 353 Only the intervention of his brother, Malfurion, halted Illidan's rampage. However, even three out of seven of the vials was enough to transform the lake into something approaching the previous Well.The Sundering, pg. 356
A second Well of Eternity had been created, possessing a large portion of the enchanting and dangerous power of the first. With the help of the Dragon Aspects, Malfurion and the other night elves oversaw the planting of a World Tree above the new font, anxious to protect and contain its energies. The three Aspects present (Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu) also placed their own enchantments on the tree. Over the following millennia, Nordrassil and the second Well became sacred to the new night elf civilization, who guarded both with fierce determination.
===Third War===
As was feared during its creation, the existence of a new Well of Eternity would become another target for the Burning Legion. After over 10,000 years, the demonic armies of Sargeras once more invaded the world. Leading the assault, Archimonde the Defiler marched on Kalimdor with the Well and World Tree as his goals.Ultimate Visual Guide, pg. 36, 47 The Legion planned to consume the concentrated, powerful energies contained within WellArthas: Rise of the Lich King, chapter 21 and use its power to form a powerful gateway for the Legion and conquer Azeroth once and for all.
Though they mounted a defense, both individually and eventually united, the races of Azeroth could not withstand the Legion's relentless advance. In a last ditch effort, armies of the kaldorei, Horde, and Alliance tried to hold Archimonde back at Hyjal's summit to buy time for Malfurion Stormrage. When the Defiler reached Nordrassil and victory seemed at hand, a trap was sprung. A great explosion detonated by wisps vaporized the demon lord, in addition to severely damaging the World Tree. Nevertheless, both the Well of Eternity and the tree survived, and were safe for the time being, although the Tree's Dragon Aspect blessings were nevertheless depleted and the kaldorei permanently lost their immortality as a result.
===Cataclysm===
The Well was left untouched for many years following the Third War, while Azeroth's druids maintained a close watch on it and Nordrassil. During the Cataclysm, both would be threatened by the elemental invasion of Ragnaros, the Firelord. The very shores of the Well would became a base for the Guardians of Hyjal. After much fighting throughout the region, this attack was eventually defeated.
===Legion===
During the third invasion of the Burning Legion, the demons once again targeted the Well atop Mount Hyjal. The Legion wanted to open a gateway within the pool itself, and spill forth to overwhelm the area's defenders. Druids of the Dreamgrove arrived to drive back the invaders, also seeking the waters of the Well in order to purify G'Hanir. Together, they drove the demons back and slew their leader Destromath. This harmed the Well terribly but, despite being heavily depleted, so long as a single drop remains, it endures.Cleansing the Mother Tree
Later, the Well is shown whole when the Archdruid of the Cenarion Circle, Keeper Remulos and several other druids attempted to commune with Malorne.Communing With Malorne Later, the Alor'idal Crystal given by Illidan to Tyrande summoned past visions of Tyrande, Illidan and Malfurion that transformed into sparkles and dived into the Well.Moments of Reflection
===Battle for Azeroth===
During the Fourth War, :Azerite scars and elementals appeared at the roots of Nordrassil. Aviana came to aid, fighting against an Azerite Leviathan that had emerged in the lake.Healing Nordrassil
After the war, when Thrall, Baine Bloodhoof, and Calia Menethil went to a meeting with Tyrande Whisperwind in Nordrassil, Calia noticed faerie dragons chasing each other across the surface of the lake below Nordrassil. The Horde leaders met with the night elven co-leaders in a bower on a hill, on the opposite side of the lake from Nordrassil Inn.Shadows Rising, pg. 132
==In the RPG==
Following its birth, to protect the World Tree Nordrassil and continue to guard the Well, Malfurion gathered all the druids into a conclave, where they underwent a great slumber, sending their spirits into the Emerald Dream. A great barrier of mist grew around Kalimdor, to prevent eyes even in Azeroth from finding the Well.Alliance Player's Guide, pg. 124 Thanks to the World Tree, the Well of Eternity itself no longer provided the Twisting Nether with such a potent source of corruption.Magic & Mayhem, pg. 18
The glowing, swirling pool ways once a sizable lake. It extends around Nordrassil, creating a layer of protection around the Tree. Its mystic power is so potent that none who attempt to drunk from it - or, foolishly, swim in it - can hope to survive, assuming that the ambassadors would let anyone get close enough to make the attempt. The Eternity Bridge arcs from the south shore of the Well to the massive roots of Nordrassil.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 203 The magic of the Well and the Tree make the creatures of Hyjal stronger and smarter than those anywhere else on Kalimdor.Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 202World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, pg. 18 - 19
Coveted by demons, warlocks, and many mages, the well is currently the greatest source of arcane magic in the world. While the World Tree's powers have suppressed the corrupting nature of this magic for centuries, if the tree were ever destroyed, this Well would be the source of unfathomable power to an evil creature powerful enough to wield it. The Tree and the Well are now guarded by the blue, red, and bronze dragonflights. Brann Bronzebeard feared that the remaining demons were tunneling from the Darkwhisper Gorge closer to the Well.Lands of Mystery, pg. 17 Eventually, blue dragons discovered that demons led by an eredar warlock were draining the waters of the Well into the tunnels. The warlock planed to consume the water in a ritual in an attempt to gain enough power to resurrect Archimonde.Lands of Mystery, pg. 18
Alexstrasza believed that the water from the Well of Eternity could restore the defiled Sunwell.Lands of Conflict, pg. 115 Illidan Stormrage wanted to create another Well of Eternity on Outland to fuel his blood elves' magical addiction.Shadows & Light, pg. 151
==Notes==
*Prior to the Third War, sea turtles were seen at the base of Nordrassil.Beached Sea Turtle (5)
*Before the Cataclysm expansion pack, the only way to see Nordrassil and the Well of Eternity was to go through the Caverns of Time and the Hyjal Summit raid instance. The Well's waters give a debuff of Eternal Silence. After leaving the waters, the player suffers from Residue of Eternity.
*After Cataclysm, players can visit the Well underneath the roots of Nordrassil in Mount Hyjal for themselves. If they dive to the bottom, which is extremely deep, they will find solid rock.
*Although the Well contributed to the creation of the moonwells, which have enhanced the kaldorei society and military for millennia, it is nevertheless unclear whether Illidan's arguments that its existence was necessary to provide the kaldorei with sufficient strength to combat their enemies were ultimately valid, and whether its creation overall wrought more good than harm. For example, without the Well's perpetual and ambient energies, it is possible that Azeroth's magi or Kalimdor's defenders would have been weaker today than they otherwise would be. Although Archimonde was indeed drawn to the Well, the Legion invasion was inevitable in any case, and it is uncertain how the Third War would have played out without their forces targeting Mount Hyjal en masse.
==Gallery==
Mount Hyjal Archimonde skeleton.jpg|The Well in the original, closed Mount Hyjal zone.
==See also==
*Sunwell
*:Azerite
*Mount Hyjal and Illidan's Gift & The World Tree and the Emerald Dream
==References==
Category:Lakes
Category:Mount Hyjal
Category:Hyjal Summit
Category:Lands of Mystery
Category:War of the Ancients Trilogy
Category:Undisplayed locations