 Jarod Shadowsong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Gender | Male |
| Race | Night elf (Humanoid) |
| Level | 88 Elite |
| Class | Warrior (presumed) |
| Affiliation(s) | Watcher, Kaldorei Resistance, Guardians of Hyjal |
| Occupation | Leader of the Watchers (currently); Military leader of the Kaldorei Resistance, Guard Captain (formerly) |
| Location | Firelands, Mount Hyjal |
| Status | Alive |
| Relative(s) | Maiev Shadowsong (sister), Shalasyr (wife) |
Jarod Shadowsong is the younger brother of Maiev Shadowsong, and was commander of the Kaldorei Resistance during the War of the Ancients. He becomes a hero and leader to the night elves following the war's conclusion, and is instrumental in easing tensions between his people and the Highborne.[1] Prior to World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, he had not appeared outside the novels, and was never mentioned outside this solitary appearance.
History
By the time the War of the Ancients broke out, Jarod Shadowsong had risen to the rank of captain in the Guard of Suramar, and his sister Maiev was one of the senior Sisters of Elune. The Shadowsong family was not of noble blood, and so both siblings had earned their positions through skill and hard work.[2]
Patrolling night elf lands for possible intruders, Jarod captured Krasus and made the disguised dragon a prisoner. A strange and extremely powerful phenomenon had thrown Krasus back to a time that contained a far younger version of Krasus, and the overlap had left Krasus weakened and ill unless he was in close proximity to his younger self.
From Jailor to Protector
With magical persuasion from Krasus, the captain began worrying that Krasus might die before being questioned. Thus, Jarod sought out one of the priestesses of Elune in the hope that she could heal his prisoner. He happened upon the novice Tyrande Whisperwind, and she consented to lend her aid. Although she could not heal Krasus of his malady, she was soon working with him to help her friend, Malfurion Stormrage, who had recently fallen comatose. The forest demigod Cenarius arrived, to Jarod's poorly concealed astonishment, and returned Malfurion's spirit from the Emerald Dream. Malfurion was reunited with his body and made a quick recovery. Then Jarod accompanied Krasus, Malfurion, and Tyrande as they went to speak with Lord Kur'talos Ravencrest, commander of the night elf army that was fighting the Burning Legion.
Kur'talos was impressed by Jarod's dedication to duty, and put a group of battle-hardened soldiers at Jarod's command. Jarod and his soldiers were responsible for watching over the four strongest spellcasters of the night elf army: Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage, the human wizard Rhonin, and Krasus. Malfurion and Krasus eventually left the army and sought out the rest of the dragons, intending to appeal to them for help against the Legion. They embarked on this quest against Lord Ravencrest's express orders and without Jarod's knowledge. Yet Kur'talos could not find it in his heart to reproach Jarod for failing to halt the spellcasters' departure.
The Assassination of Lord Ravencrest
Eventually Kur'talos' strong leadership of the night elf army irked Queen Azshara, who instructed Captain Varo'then to eliminate the noble. The assassination was successful, and Lord Desdel Stareye became the new leader of the night elf defenders. During that time Jarod was named liaison to the tauren and earthen, largely because Stareye thought Jarod was used to sacrifice. Unfortunately Desdel had no skill at tactics. The invading demons pretended to retreat and then swiftly attacked the night elves from the air. Desdel watched in horror as the demons began pouring containers of boiling red liquid over the night elf army. Hundreds were injured, some mortally. When Jarod asked Desdel what action to take, the panicked noble had no useful response. Jarod caught sight of another group of demons hovering over Desdel, and so Jarod tried to pull Desdel out of the way. However, Desdel took offense at Jarod's effort and ordered him away on pain of imprisonment. Jarod yanked his mount aside just in time to avoid an agonizing death. The demons tipped over their container, and boiling liquid poured down on Desdel and his nearby companions. Desdel was killed in moments, his face maimed beyond recognition.
Unwilling Hero
When Stareye was killed (much to the relief of Krasus and Rhonin) — and soon after Lord Del'theon was killed — Jarod unconsciously assumed field command of the troops. With his intuitive grasp of tactics and his natural talent at leadership, he quickly found himself appointed the new leader of the night elf army. As a result, the tide of the battle was turned from the death of the resistance into a small victory within hours. The relieved nobles eagerly followed his commands. Jarod continued to doubt his importance to the war effort, but he received a very welcome surprise. Cenarius led a large group of demigods into the midst of the night elf army and humbly knelt before the astonished captain. The demigods had agreed to fight under Jarod's direction. Rhonin, the earthen and the tauren insisted that Jarod assume complete command of the allied forces, to which he reluctantly agreed. Most of the nobles and Moon Guard agreed he should lead them. Jarod's unorthodox tactics were extremely effective in holding the line against the Burning Legion (about 25 miles out to sea from Kalimdor's current coast) with minimal loss of life until the arrival of Archimonde to the battlefield. These battles even liberated the night elves from Stareye's mistakes and improved relations with other races, and even served to deteriorate the caste system of the Kaldorei (which placed only nobles as leaders).
Jarod's mere presence also seems to serve in raising morale. It is noted that, unlike the commanders before him, all fight harder and obey him with greater swiftness. An amused Rhonin, however, realizes that Jarod probably doesn't consider himself impressive at all, and believes he is only doing what he must. Unfortunately for his modesty, his people's reverence for him only grew when the demigods joined the conflict, and willingly placed themselves under his command. He even manages to earn the admiration and respect of his sister, who had never seemed to approve of him.
As the captain continued to rally the night elves and turn the tide of battle, he caught the eye of the demon lord Archimonde. Malfurion's absence from the battlefield had frustrated the massive demon, who decided to take out his fury on Jarod. Archimonde was certain that the Legion's victory was inevitable, and so he took his time, sadistically toying with Jarod, slowly beating him to death. Very likely Archimonde took even greater pleasure in the prospect of finally breaking Jarod's iron will. Before Jarod was too badly wounded to recover, though, Malfurion and Illidan Stormrage worked their combined magic on the Well of Eternity. All the demons, including Archimonde, were sucked into the Well and forced back into the Twisting Nether, howling in fury. Although he believed his people would consider his resistance pathetic, as he fought so poorly against the demon commander, he was celebrated as a hero. In spite all but impossible odds, he had stood defiant against a commander of Burning Legion, even though the latter had merely been toying with him.
Jarod was known to have at least partly returned the affection of Shandris Feathermoon despite how when he first met her during the War of the Ancients, he described their age gap as being "A gulf the size of the Well of Eternity," although the difference was only a few years. As of such, he is initially disturbed by the affectionate smiles the younger night elf always gave him. At the end of the war, however, he admits that he began to find comfort in them, especially with the pressures of leadership.
After the Sundering
The Great Sundering triggered the birth of a new ocean, and the rushing waters chased the night elves all the way to Mount Hyjal. At last the waters subsided, and Jarod led a group of night elves to scout the area for drinkable water. They discovered that Illidan had created a second Well of Eternity. Jarod attempted to stop him, but was badly beaten by the other's vast command of the arcane. When they discovered him, Maiev and Shandris quickly went to tend to him. A furious Maiev then attempted to kill Illidan for harming her brother, but is stopped by Tyrande and Malfurion. Jarod gave Malfurion the power to decide his reckless brother's fate, and so it was Malfurion who sentenced Illidan to an imprisonment that would last ten thousand years. Jarod later agreed to his imprisonment and was present during the birth of Nordrassil, and the blessing it recieved from the Dragon Aspects. He also helped guide his people in finding a new place, and new ways, to live.
A reluctant army commander, Jarod was deeply gladdened by the end of the war. He dissolved the makeshift army and continued to serve as a kind of administrator for a short time, but he had never wanted to be a leader. Gradually he directed increasing numbers of petitioners to the new high priestess of Elune, Tyrande Whisperwind, whose compassion and wisdom went a long way toward calming post-war tensions. By the time Tyrande established the night elves' new army, the Sentinels, Jarod had deliberately faded into the background. He did not think of himself as a hero, and he did not wish others to do so.
Self-Exiled
Jarod and his dying wife
Over time Jarod Shadowsong grew disenchanted with the polarization of the night elf society after the War of the Ancients and felt that Malfurion and his druids were more concerned with nature than their own people. One day, Jarod vanished together with his lover, and later wife, Shalasyr. He did not say where he was going or even bid anyone farewell.
Ten thousand years later Shalasyr was struck by an illness, one of the first signs of the loss of the Timeless One's blessing on Nordrassil. While Jarod had brought her to Darnassus to be saved by Tyrande and Elune, Shalasyr knew she wouldn't reach Darnassus alive. She silently wished to die among her people, and to make certain her beloved wouldn't remain alone in self-exile. Though Jarod did get her to Darnassus and sent for Tyrande, she died before the priestess arrived.
Wolfheart
Jarod’s return was quickly noticed by Malfurion, as well as Shandris Feathermoon and his sister, Maiev. Shandris had an emotional reunion with Jarod. She revealed that she once had feelings for him, and envied Shalasyr and the time she spent with him. Jarod apologized to Shandris for his sudden and unexplained disappearance, and explained that while he was flattered by her affections, their choices prevented a romantic relationship; Shandris had been training to take on a more active role in night elf society, while Jarod wanted to live out his life in seclusion. Both Shandris and Jarod resolved to have a platonic relationship, after which Shandris gave her condolences. Jarod's reunion with Maiev was more bitter. Though he was happy to reconnect with the only family member he has left, Maiev was angry at him for abandoning his people and duty. Still, she eventually softened to him when he sympathized with the traumatic events that transpired in her life after which she also gave her condolences for his lost.
When Maiev was called upon to investigate the Highborne murders, Jarod assisted his sister in her search. Eventually, Jarod discovered that Maiev had been orchestrating the Highborne assassinations, and that she had kidnapped Malfurion as well. Jarod rescued Malfurion and later the other Highborne Maiev had captured. Though he could have killed Maiev in their bloody confrontation, he was unable to kill his own sister and thus allowed her to escape. After he recovered from his injuries, Jarod had vowed to hunt down Maiev and bring her to justice. Tyrande Whisperwind appointed Jarod Shadowsong as the new leader of the Watchers. These new Watchers will serve as a new security force for Darnassus and will hunt down its threats and enemies, with their first target being Maiev.
World of Warcraft
Jarod at Mount Hyjal
Jarod Shadowsong makes his World of Warcraft debut in Cataclysm. He appears at Mount Hyjal being held captive inside a Twilight Hammer camp in Darkwhisper Gorge. He's scheduled to be sacrificed by the ogres of the Twilight's Hammer as part of this year's initiation. On Elementalist Ortells orders, players infiltrate the Twilight's Hammer forces at Darkwhisper Gorge and incite conflicts between ogre and non-ogre members - while the primary goal is sneaking out Jarod Shadowsong out of Twilight's Hammer's custody. After his rescue Jarod aids Ysera and the Ancients against the forces of Ragnaros. Once again he is charged with leading the military operations against an enemy with demigods walking among him.
Quests
- Quest:Graduation Speech
- Quest:Twilight Riot
- Quest:Slash and Burn
- Quest:Might of the Firelord
- Quest:The Sanctum of the Prophets
- Quest:Magma Monarch
Relatives
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This section includes speculation on characters that might be related, usually because they may share a last name. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
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Besides being Maiev's brother, he may also be related to Nessa Shadowsong and Fiskal Shadowsong.
Memorable quotes
- Jarod: "I just feel like I look like a buffoon!"
- Rhonin: "You won't get much argument from me."
- "I'm no hero, Master Malfurion. You and the others slay demons with barely the wave of a hand. I just try to preserve your heads so that you can continue to do it."
- "I still have a home... Suramar is still my home."
- "I won't stand behind while those who followed me face the enemy in my name!"
- "I await you, Archimonde." (after Archimonde isolates him from his army, and he sees the archdemon approach)
Trivia
- Before his appearance in Firelands he had the exact same model as Orenthil Whisperwind.
Videos
Lore For Noobs: Jarod Shadowsong
References
External links
Template:Welink
| Preceded by: Desdel Stareye |
Position: Leader of the Kaldorei Resistance |
Succeeded by: End of the War |
| Preceded by: Desdel Stareye (unofficial) |
Position: Ruler of the Kaldorei (unofficial) |
Succeeded by: Tyrande Whisperwind (official) |
| Preceded by: Maiev Shadowsong |
Position: Leader of the Watchers |
Succeeded by: incumbent |