Illidan Stormrage (also known as the Demon Hunter) is a fictional character in the Warcraft universe — a fictional universe in which a series of games and books are set.

Biography

Illidan Stormrage, brother of the Night Elf Arch Druid Malfurion Stormrage, has led a ten thousand year life of misery.

Born as one of the immortal Night Elves, Illidan was a prominent member in the original war against the demons of the Burning Legion. Illidan and a group Night Elves embraced the magic of the Well of Eternity, using its immense power against the Demons. In their actions they caused a rift to grow between the Night Elves, primarily against his brother Malfurion. The magic of the Well was destructive and caused immense amounts of devastation when wielded by the Highborne, as thus were named the followers of Illidan. However, the might of the Well turned against them, and in an immense cataclysm, the world was sundered apart, stranding the Highborne, later known as High Elves, on the Eastern Continent. The remaining Night Elves, at this point fully devout to the magic of nature through druidism, created the World Tree of Mt. Hyjal to sustain themselves. Illidan and his few remaining supporters were banished to underground prisons, fiercely guarded by the Wardens. To Illidan himself Maiev Shadowsong was assigned as his personal jailor, and there he would remain for ten thousand years until new tidings changed.

Shortly after the return of the Burning Legion, the Priestess Tyrande and the Arch Druid Malfurion made a desperate jounrney down into the Barrow Downs of the Druids of the Claw. Thease druids had been in hibernation, but had nestled very close to the prison of Illidan. Deep in the depths of the Barrow Down, at the entrance to the prison Tyrande made a decision to free Illidan, and to let him face the Burning Legion with his powers. Furion opposed this decision, and the two went their own ways. Tyrande and a small group of Night Elf Sentinels fought their way to the cell containing Illidan and set him free.

Upon returning to the surface, he led the Night Elves in destroying some of the Dimensional Gates. Then he disappeared for a while until the World Tree was safe. Intending on re-capturing Illidan, Maiev searched for him throught the Ashenvale Forest. They found that now Illidan was neither Night Elf nor Demon, but something more. Illidan also recruited a group of Nagas — snake-like amphibious creatures.

With the help of the Nagas, Illidan located the Tomb of Sargeras and found the Eye of Sargeras, an immensely powerful acient artifact. At the command of the supreme Demon Lord Kil'jaeden, Illidan was supposed to destroy the Frozen Throne and kill the Lich King. Just when the spell was about to be complete, his brother Malfurion intervened and all the efforts of Illidan was lost.

He escaped to the Blasted Outlands and destoyed the 4 Dimensional Gates linking the Outland to the Twisting Nether, hoping to avoid punishment of Kil'jaeden. Nevertheless he was found easily. Kil'jaeden gave him a second chance at destroying the Frozen Throne while promising untold powers of magic. Illidan sets out on the quest with the Naga and the Blood Elves he has recruited.

At Northrend, he confronted the Lich King's greatest servant Arthas, former Prince and paladin of Lordaeron. However Illidan was no match for Arthas with his relic sword, Frostmourne.

In shame Illidan retreated back to the Outland to regroup while Arthas ascended to the Frozen Throne and fused with the Lich King.

More details about Illidan, the Nagas, and the Blood Elves should be revealed in World of Warcraft.

External links

• Illidan's biography at the WarCry Network (http://wow.warcry.com/index.php/content/characters/?letter=I)