Sisterhood of Elune

Sisterhood of Elune

For more background information on this organization, see The Warcraft Encyclopedia/Sisterhood of Elune.

Sisterhood of Elune

High Priestess Haidene statue in Darnassus

Race(s): Night elf

Capital: Unknown

Main leader: High Priestess Tyrande

Former Capital: Temple of the Moon, Temple of Elune

Theater of operations: Kalimdor, Broken Isles

Former theater of operations: Ancient Kalimdor

Affiliation: Darnassus, Alliance, Conclave

Former affiliation: Kaldorei Resistance, Kaldorei Empire

Status: Active

The Sisterhood of Elune (aka Sisters of Elune or simply the Sisters) could be the oldest night elf religious and magical order, predating the quel'dorei by some 2,000 years. As the name implies, they are an order of priestesses dedicated to the worship and servitude of the moon goddess, Elune. The Sisterhood is led by the High Priestess of Elune while the priestesses of Elune are the elite of the organization.

They have existed long before the Great Sundering, and formal worship dates back about 15,000 years.

History

War of the Ancients

The headquarters of the Sisterhood was originally the Temple of Elune in the city of Suramar, but the Sisters staffed temples and chapterhouses on the whole length and breath of Ancient Kalimdor. The temple was lost when Suramar was overrun by the nathrezim, but the Sisterhood, under the leadership of high priestess Dejahna, escaped and flocked to the banner of Lord Ravencrest in the Kaldorei Resistance. A few weeks after the abandoning of Suramar, Tyrande Whisperwind was made high priestess following the death of her predecessor at the hands of Hakkar the Houndmaster. The Sisterhood continued to fight in the War of the Ancients after Tyrande's capture by Xavius — under the leadership of first Marinda, and then Maiev Shadowsong.

The first members of the Watchers were the volunteers from the Sisterhood.

The Long Vigil and current times

Following the conclusion of the war and the creation of Nordrassil, the Sisterhood continued in a less formal role (many of the Sisters became Sentinels), particularly during the Long Vigil. After the defeat of Archimonde at Mount Hyjal and the night elves freedom from the Long Vigil, Tyrande leads a much more formal and religious Sisterhood of Elune from the Temple of the Moon in Darnassus.

They came to help the troubled citizens of Auberdine.

During the War Against the Nightmare, Shandris Feathermoon commanded the Sentinels and the Sisters of Elune to help the inhabitants of the ruined Darnassus.

After Sargeras destroyed Silithus, Tyrande sent the priestesses there. Together with the druids of the Cenarion Circle, they built moonwells there.

Role in the night elven society

The Sisters are a major and active night elven political faction, and fulfil the role of magistrates, officials, and others for the night elven government. The highest-ranking of the Sisters are privy to the government's most important secrets, such as the original condition of Malfurion Stormrage and the power struggle that erupted between Tyrande Whisperwind and Fandral Staghelm.

The Sisterhood of Elune is the highest echelon of the priesthood that serves the goddess of the moon, Elune. The Sisterhood has remained exclusively female up until recent times. This is largely because of a common belief that the deepest mysteries of Elune can only be comprehended by women. Although the vast majority of Elune's priesthood is still comprised of night elven women, the order has come to accept Kaldorei males into its ranks as well.

The Sisterhood has maintained its role since the days of the ancient Kaldorei Empire, over 10,000 years prior; although this role was significantly less political before the Great Sundering. Owing to their military capabilities, the Sisterhood also played an active role in the War of the Ancients, where they joined with the Kaldorei Resistance to curb the invasion of the Burning Legion. They ultimately played a decisive role in numerous battles with the demons, acting as both, elite shock troops, and adept healers.

Membership

All priests who served Elune were night elf women. However, after the devastation of the Third War, they thought that the organization had drifted too far away from night elf society and decided to open up their group more to the world. As a result, although a majority of Elune's priests are still women, the order now welcomes men into its ranks.

Elune expected dedication from her priests, but she did not demand that they give her every waking moment — the Mother Moon was a kind, loving mistress. One of these dedications was called the Ritual of the High Moon.

The center of her worship was the Temple of the Moon in Darnassus. Tyrande Whisperwind is her high priestess, but many priests, are found throughout the world, ready to heal the war-weary Azeroth with her light.

Members

Name	Role	Status	Location
Alinya	Priestess	Alive	Ruins of Auberdine, Darkshore
A'moora	Priestess	Unknown	Temple of the Moon, Darnassus
Alathea	Priestess, priest trainer	Unknown	Temple of the Moon, Darnassus
Astarii Starseeker	Priestess, priest trainer	Deceased	Temple of the Moon, Darnassus
Amara	Moon Priestess	Unknown	Dolanaar, Teldrassil
Aquinne	Sister, novice priestess	Unknown	Temple Gardens, Darnassus
Belysra Starbreeze	Priestess of the Moon	Unknown	Howling Oak, Darnassus
Dejahna	High Priestess of Elune (penultimate)	Deceased
Dentaria Silverglade	Priestess of the Moon	Alive	Teldrassil and Darkshore
High Priestess Siralen	High Priestess of Vashj'ir	Unknown
Haidene	High Priestess of Elune (first)	Deceased
Hel'jara		Deceased
Jia		Deceased
Kyleen Il'dinare	Priestess	Alive	Odesyus' Landing, Azuremyst Isle
Kalo'thera	High Priestess of Elune	Unknown	Unknown
Lasara	Moon Priestess	Alive	Temple Gardens, Darnassus
Laurna Morninglight	Priest trainer	Unknown	Dolanaar, Teldrassil
Maestra	Moon Priestess	Alive	Maestra's Post, Ashenvale
Maiev Shadowsong	Former member, High Priestess of Elune (interim)	Alive	Unknown
Marinda	High Priestess of Elune (interim)	Deceased
Merende		Unknown	Unknown
Nici	Moon Priestess	Alive	Dalaran, Northrend
Serendia Oakwhisper	Priestess of the Moon	Alive	Lor'danel, Darkshore
Shalasyr	Former Priestess	Deceased
Shandris Feathermoon	Former member	Alive	Feathermoon Stronghold, Feralas
Shiromar	Priestess	Alive	Unknown
Tharill	Moon Priestess	Alive	Darkshore
Tyrande Whisperwind	High Priestess of Elune (current)	Alive	Temple of the Moon, Darnassus

Unnamed

Priestess of Elune

Priestess of the Moon

Notable leaders

High Priestess Haidene †

High Priestess Kalo'thera

High Priestess Dejahna †

High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind

Interim High Priestess Marinda †

Interim High Priestess Maiev Shadowsong

Notes and trivia

The Warcraft Encyclopedia says that since the night elves emerged from their societal isolation, the priests of Elune have also extended membership to a few priests, male and female, of other races. No priests of the moon from other races have been seen.

The Sisterhood have a special language to commune with the lunar deity.

The server Sisters of Elune US is named after the organization.

Speculation

Judging by the appearances of Priest Ellandras, Priest Iridil, and Priest Sal'shanan, they may be one of the first known male members of the organization.

The Disciples of Elune in Sargeron were likely priestesses of the Sisterhood.

See also

Sisters of the Moon

Temples of Elune