Illidan Stormrage, twin brother of the Night Elf Archdruid Malfurion Stormrage, has led a life of misery and strife that has lasted over ten thousand years.

Born of the immortal Night Elves, Illidan was a prominent figure in the first war against the demons of the Burning Legion. Illidan and a group of Night Elves were the only ones to embrace the magic of the Well of Eternity outside of Queen Azshara and her elite Highborne mages. They caused a rift to grow among the Night Elves, primarily between Illidan and his brother Malfurion, as the magic of the Well was addictive, destructive, and caused immense amounts of devastation when wielded. However, the Well had to be destroyed to prevent the Legion’s commander Sargeras from entering the realm of Azeroth, and in doing so, the continent was torn asunder, stranding the Night Elves (many Highborne included) on the considerably smaller continent of Kalimdor.

Illidan, thoroughly addicted to the magical energies, reasoned that the power was a blessing and should be used simply because it was available. He secretly took some of the water which he had saved from the first Well and created a second Well of Eternity on the peak of Mount Hyjal. Shocked at his actions, Malfurion again explained the Well’s danger to Illidan but his brother refused to listen. The Aspects then created the World Tree to contain the energies of the Well, but the Highborne, after attempting to re-use the powers of the Well and create a magical storm (hoping thereby to bully Malfurion into allowing the use of the Well magic) were exiled. They left for Quel’Thalas, where they became known as the High Elves and developed their own distinct civilization, dependent largely on magic. Meanwhile, 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 circumstances shifted in his favor once again.