The Story of Illidan Stormrage - Full Version [Lore] 

I slowly realized that almost the entire history of Warcraft and the saving of Azeroth happened because a girl turned Illidan down as a teenager.

So in reality he's actually a flawed hero who had the best intentions for everyone but as always .. gets viewed as the monster.

In retrospective I have to say that its such a strange thing. Tyrande does something forbidden and there is no punishment - Illidan does and the whole race turns against him.

The best way to describe the love triangle in the war of the ancients trilogy. Illidan: i love tyrande!Tyrande: no i love malfurion! Malfurion: do i love her? She loves me? I dont know i just like trees!

I really want Illidan back, fuck arthas, I'm all about that Illidan.

When it comes to Illidan... Well the old saying "Good intentions, poor execution" fits perfectly in. He never meant to be a bad guy, in fact he did everything he could to be the total opposite, but his thirst for power (to be used against the Legion) did pretty much go against the laws bullshittery from night elves, and may have made a a bit reckless... But still, in the end, all he wanted to do was save the world from the Legion, which does take some risky risks.

I was going to ask "what about the legion expansion you left out" then i checked the videos upload date Lol 2014

Nice work man. Illidan is one of those characters who always sticks with you. I remember when I first saw him back in W3 and got to play with him, I never wanted to play another character ever again. Such a cool badass character who in my opinion is sorely misunderstood. Though his search for power and knowledge led him to dark places, his intentions were always good, and he understood that in order to save everyone, a few sacrifices had to be made. Not that he wanted to kill Maiev or Thrall, but in order to rid the world of Lich King, he made an alliance with someone he shouldn't have had. He paid for it all in the end and in my opinion he does deserve a redemption, but I prefer the story stays the way it is. So complex and so amazing.

Inprisoned for 10,000 year. Banished from my own homeland. And you enter my domain. You are not prepared!

"Illidan Stormrage, for recklessly endangering countless lives and threatening the very balance of the world, I hereby sentence you to death" maiev shadowsong. what about Malfurion Stormrage and his storm that almost killed both the invaders of the burning legion and the night elf's ?

Illidan is the guy that gave everything to be a hero, to his people, and specially to Tyrande and gets rejected and shunned every time despite having done so much. Without him the world would of fallen, he saved his people twice during the war of the ancients and during Warcraft 3 and both times he is rejected despite of it all. The night elves own their immortality and prosperity within Tendrassil to Illidan Stormrage. The woman he loves calls him a monster and taunts him and tells him she was wrong for having set him free AFTER he saved the world.

You crack me up every time you roll your R's.

Now I've said this before, but I'm of the opinion that Illidan wasn't evil (at least until he was considered insane after his defeat at Icecrown), but the misunderstood antihero who used his dark talents and powers for good and just had the short end of the stick at every turn. But regardless of his overall alignment, you have to admit that for a character who commanded so much respect for his "badassery", he had some pretty bad story writing. You would think that with all the admiration from the fans and opinions of him being one of the best characters in the Warcraft universe that he'd live up to this role in the story, and all we get basically was a Night Elf who had unrequited love, imprisonment and banishment for making sacrifices towards the greater good, failure to accomplish his noble goal of defeating the Lich King and death at the hands of his traitors, hunter, and a bunch of adventurers looking to get some phat loot. I don't care whether he was a good guy or a bad guy, I just wish he had much better writing than being portrayed as Blizzard's redheaded stepchild. Cuz I mean come on, most of us WC fans love him, at least give him some proper respect. I'll just keep hoping they bring him back with a good redemption story.

It's such a shame that Illidan's lore wasn't really represented very well in BC, he was in the cinematic, and then you just sort of kill him later in Black Temple.

Hands down my favorite Warcraft character, I hated how they pretty much changed him from something of an antihero to more of a villain in TBC, I hope he is brought back at some point

You miss out on all but one of the points, where he risks everything to save his people, and is condemned for it, again and again. His attempt at creating a second Well of Eternity. Was never meant to be used to summon demons, only to restore to his people what they had lost. The converted high born that found him doing this, thought he was trying to summon he demons again. And so they attacked him on sight. He killed them in self-defense. And when his brother.... His naive, self-righteous and stuck up brother found him. He condemened him to 10 000 years in a completely inhumane prison. With a zealous, almost certainly partly insane warden, that tortured him from time to time(there is evidence of this in wc3). And his act of creating this(laying the groundwork for the tree of life), is the only reason they were able to stop the invasion of the legion when Archimonde came. Aswell as the reason they retained their immortality. The way Xavius influenced Illidan, was quite similar to how the Lich King whispered to Arthas. Both asasulted by this attempt at manipulation and partial mind control in their moment of weakness, as their lives and dreams were being shattered, and then being offered a way out. Yes, Illidan no doubt eventually became twisted. 10 000 years, in wrongful imprisonment(at least partially wrongful), a life of being hunted, being condemned for the very things he did that saved his people and often cost him greatly(For example once he came to his senses, he used his situation to turn on Sargeras and try to save the world), and lets not forget the influence of the fel energies he had to control, can do that to you. Especially when the ones you thought of as family, are the ones that ones that sentence you(anyone reminded of Game of Thrones? Tyrion anyone?). Everything Illidan ever believed in was shattered for him, again and again. His feelings for his brother and Tyrande: Ruined in one of the most extreme ways imaginable. His master(Rhonin) that scolds him for failing during extreme circumstances, just after he was rejected by Tyrande(While I think Rhonin can be forgiven here, as he did not know about the circumstances. It doesn't lessen how shitty his treatment of him was). His belief and trust in his people, completely voided by how they rejected him for studying the arcane, imprisoned and condemned him after he helped them(in spite of how horribly they had all treated him). And finally hunted him all across the world, and even into another(He doesn't know that Maiev was alone in this decision). Illidan took a lot of crap, but in the end he still chose to save his people twice over, even after how they rewarded him the first time. And even after that, he did not seek vengeance, only solitude and safety. Following what is not pure misconception and having read through all could find out about Illidan, keeping it as close to cannon as possible(especially considering the story blizzard put out on their own website so many years ago), I have to say that I see Illidan as the most mistreated character in all of warcraft lore. Sure he was not perfect anyone can see that, but it did not warrant the insane treatment he had to put up with. And his flaws were quite certainly caused by the extreme treatment he recieved. When you've read it all, and rewatch that cinematic again. You really do agree with, and understand his words: "Betrayer... In truth, it was I who was betrayed..." (I don't just mean how Tyrande first rejected him, or how disdainful Malfurion was of his arcane practices ). His original "Betrayal", is like calling Arthas "the traitor prince". Even worse, as he eventually broke completely free of his(partial) mind control and the shrouds of manipulation, even going so far as to use his situation to his peoples advantage. No, I am talking about how he did not betray, nor intend to betray the Night Elves when he created the 2nd Well of Eternity. In the end, his supposed original "Betrayal", even workd to their advantage. The only reason that plan partially failed, was because of the Old Gods interference. But... No, the true betrayal, was when Illidans help was rewarded with cruel imprisonment, without any actual trial. And how when he in action redeemed himself, was first banished for his new state of being(nothing he had actually done to anyone), and then hunted. As the decision to leave him be, for services rendered was revoked without warning.

Seriously, it's gotta SUCK to be Illidan. Everyone is teaming up on you and totally overreacting to what you do.

You silver-tongued story teller you! Loved it brah! Illidan for Warchi..... SOMEONE IMPORTANT!!

I think Illidan will return in the inevitable Return of the Burning Legion expansion. This time he will be on our side and train a new generation of Demon Hunters, WoW's second hero class, to help the Alliance and the Horde in the battle against the Legion.

Spoilers: Illidan does come back. Trust me... I'm from the future.

.Ever since the beginning Illidan has always been good. Though most of his acts, have a part of his own personal gain and the heroic act. 1. Obtaining the artifact called Demon Soul was actually was his intention to use it and close the demonic portal… Personal Gain: To impress Tyrande and to make her chose him over his brother Heroic Act: To close the portal and end the war so the demons will stop entering Azeroth. Though he did not succeeded but at least it was a part of his good intention. 2. Creating the 2nd Well of Eternity… Personal Gain: To satisfy his hunger for magic and power Heroic Act: To use it in case the Burning Legion will return, and newsflash for anyone who didn’t realize this, he was RIGHT all along the Legion did return. And also without the new Well of Eternity he had created, of course, the World Tree would not been created which has given the Night Elves immortality. None of them would have lived long enough to defend the planet Azeroth from the Legion's return. 3. Claiming the Skull of Gul'dan… Personal Gain: To become more powerful than ever Heroic Act: To use its new powers against the demons and undead, and against their leader, Tichondrius. Also the fact that, the skull itself was corrupting the forests so, by consuming the energies of the skull, he also stops the skull's corruption to the forests. Illidan only had to do what he had. 4. Slay Tichondrius, the most intelligent, most powerful and the leader of the Dreadlords This is a pure Heroic Act: Because this time he did not have any personal gain in killing Tichondrius. Tichondrius is the Chief Infiltration Specialist, and Legion’s Intelligence, obviously next to Kil’Jaeden and Archimonde, Tichondrius was the best asset the Burning Legion has. 5. Saving Tyrande’s life from the Undead Scourge armies… This is another act of pure Heroism of Illidan: Despite everything his fellow Night Elves had done to him, he still showed love to Tyrande though he had already accept the fact that Tyrande chose his brother over him but still his feelings for her still remained and promised her whatever he may become that he will always look out for Tyrande. And there is definitely nothing wrong about that, right? Using his own naga armies, they fought and destroyed multiple undead bases, including the Shadowglen forest trolls just to save Tyrande and return her to Furion safely, despite the deadly risk of, by saving Tyrande he had betrayed his new boss, Kil'Jaeden. 6. Lord of Outland… This one has 3 intentions of him 1st. To protect himself from Kil'Jaeden's wrath by failing to destroy the Lich King...Well, he had to defend himself... after-all he only obeys Kil'Jaeden conditionally, only because of the deal they made, but it is no doubt that Illidan and the Burning Legion ARE STILL ENEMIES. 2nd. Heroic Act: By doing this, he didn't just protect himself; he also was actually saving the last remnants of the Draenei from Magtheridon's lordship. For we all know that Magtheridon (Another powerful Lord of the Burning Legion) commands his demons and fel orcs to hunt down the Draenei to extinction. And if ever, no one had realized this, by Illidan invading Outland, it also goes to show that the Burning Legion has not only been defeated and battered in Azeroth but also in Draenor/Outland. 3rd: Personal Gain: Since he had to conquer and defeat Magtheridon, he had some interests as well... since he has no more place in the planet of Azeroth he had to move and find a new kingdom, besides Illidan said it himself that he has no interest in ruling Azeroth. Well, in Akama's part, he didn't like Illidan ruling the black temple as well as Magtheridon but at least Illidan is a better ruler than Magtheridon. At least under Illidan's rule the demons and fel orcs would no longer have to kill the Draenei to extinction. 7. Destroying the Frozen Throne… Personal Gain: He is doing it for the reward of great magic and power promised to him by Kil'Jaeden Heroic Act: He was not only doing it for the power but he is also doing it to destroy the Undead Scourge completely in which by doing it so, he is doing it for vengeance and a huge favor for all the mortal races. For we all know, just like their demon creators of the Burning Legion, the Undead Scourge is also the enemy of all living races that includes the neutral races, the horde, the alliance and even his fellow night elven brethren and sisters. Though he did not succeeded in it, at least it was still a part of his good missions.

Illidan for....night elf king thingy :P I love his lore and how he is totally displayed as a bad guy, even though he saved everyone, twice

Illidan is the true hero of the Azeroth. He and Broxigar managed to hurt the Burning legion the most.

"It. Is. MINE. MINE MINE MINE!!" "Dude, shut the hell up and lis...." "MIIIIIIINEEEEE!!" Deathwing the spoiled brat.

One of your best lores so far (... who am I kidding, I love them all!)! Illidan has always been one of my favorites alongside of Arthas. And that brings me to my next question: will there ever be an epic story of Arthas just like this one? Pretty please? With chocolate on top?

Wow this made me hate malfurion lol Illidan got screwed he deserved better I would love to see illidan get a redemption story now cause he isn't really a bad guy he just played the hand fate felt him

It's lame how Tyrande and Furion are so ungrateful to Illidan. Basically he helps them and they are like "omg you noob, we jelly of your power, gtfo you banned". But I don't understand why did Illidan accept to serve Kil'Jaeden,

i find it so ironic that stormrage an Tyrande did this to illidan yet they act like its all his fault. hes the living embodiment of a 3rd wheel.

See, how talented young man fucks his life over because of love? Illidan could have gone for lady Vashj instead, maybe that would even prevent her from becoming the naga, but no, had to be Tyrande and all went to shit.

OK I've watched this video several times now and I don't get why Illidian was considered evil enough for us to kill him. On the contrary it seems like he damned his own soul to save azeroth. He seems to have made some questionable life choices and has weird sexual tastes, but probably less so than most politicians. Am I missing something?

illidan is power hungry, he tried doing the right thing but got blinded by power, over and over again.. illidan is one of the most iconic characters blizzard has made, and probly one of the best. so bringing him back would be awesome

Thanks a lot man, so happy that Illidan is back. I really do view him as a hero, despite his flaws, he saved and helped the world many times, and was only driven towards joining the Legion when his people would never appreciate his actions and he had nowhere else to turn.

Liam O'brien's voice is so perfect for Illidan. You can hear the spite in every word, the fury. it's so great.

wow i watched the whole dam thing! Longest video I have every watched on youtube. Good job , loved it!

I love to play as Illidan in warcraft 3. Favorite character!

I am most disappointing in the direction they took Illidan. Up to the point of the Burning Crusade Illidan gave all of his effort to the greater good (protecting Azeroth and the Nightelves until they imprisoned him, and then for Azeroth and Tryande). Then in the Burning Crusade they painted him so heavily as a evil dictator.

I already watched all three parts, but i'm going to watch this again due to the amazing storytelling :) Keep up the good work Nobbbel!

...I love that in the new "Illidan" book they explain why he has his weapons when we find him in the cell in WC3...

This is the first lore video I've ever watched. I have to say that I am very impressed with the quality of the work you have put into this project. I was happily entertained and didn't even notice as the time slipped by. Well done, thank you!

this was illidan stormrage the movie. now i want to solo the black temple

Illidan is back, the redemption story is real.

i really hope that Illidan returns. he`s the best character in WOW

This Video has just earned you a subscriber. I loved listing in on this, and know that i UNDERSTAND the history behind the demon hunters i can't wait for the new patch! Will be sure to leave a like, share this video to those that don't know this awesome story. Keep it up Nobbel87! I love your work!

Honestly, playing WCIII, he did have a power addiction, but he was still right minded that he did what he had too do. When his brother asked: But at what cost, your soul?" Yes, he saved your bloody arse. You can not say he is bad because he turned himself into something that aided you. That is a sacrifice in a sense, but also a selfish one. Then you get Kil'Jaden, who Illidan knows upon confrontation he can not simply disobey, not till he can beat him, because you will get another Lich King. He only played that card because there was nothing he can do, plus killing the LK was something he needed to do also, two birds baby, and doing so will get him more power. He did do a few bad things, but from WCIII, I do not see any evil that outweighs the good.

I have watched this video about 12 times now, and I never get bored of it. Amazing, simply AMAZING work, Nobbel. I like a lot of youtubers, some even more than this channel. Nevertheless, you will always hold a very special place in my heart, and I wouldn't trade your compelling retelling of these stories for any other. I really, really love your work!

Who else is here to rewatch this after the announcement of Legion expansion?

Dude I just love you videos, the way you narrate it, and the information just fascinates me. Keep it up man, you're a boss at this! Peace

I disagree on Illidan being bad. I think it's way more complicated than that.

"Whatever I may be--whatever I may become in this world--know that I will always look out for you, Tyrande." Blizz, bring back this is Illidan, not the nut job from BC

Illidan's story makes me so sad, and I guess I fall right into the ones that think that he is a misunderstood hero, sure he seeked power, but wasn't that along or at least at the start for the sake of Tyrande and to find the great destiny that his people expected of him because of his eyes? I'm not sure how much destruction he would of created for Northrend "splitting" it and I'm sure he feared kil'jaeden but he was no coward and Tyrande was always in his head. I'm confused as to why he became mad, like is there no explanation? You simply said he went insane after his defeat against Arthas, but was he really that weak of a character? Someone who would spend 10000 years locked up and treated as monster by his brother, and would still help those that imprisoned him out of love, someone who could take being called a monster by someone he has devoted his life too and still love that person. I don't know, I just think he is incredible, for his end to be at the hands of some self righteous elf doesn't feel good at all, I failed to see the great crimes he committed, was trying to restore the well such terrible thing? (Here I'm questioning the motives of the huntress) Wasn't it thanks to Illidan (In part) that the night elfs got the tree that they now live in? Why did he have to meet such end, I wish if not for happy ending, one that gives him some honor, some redemption. Such an incredible character. I'm not a master of the lore but I love hearing about it, I'll definitely watch all your videos or most of them, thank you for making them.

I'd like to thank you for all of the work you put into these videos. I'm somewhat new to Wow, and having rushed through the burning crusade I missed alot of great story, I'm almost finished the lich king expansion now and the lore is becoming extremely alluring. Thank you !

I think it is really kind by you to make such "detailed/containing" videos and learn people about the Warcraft lore you deserve more likes, viewers, subscribers and attention, well done!!! ;D /Thakiin

subscribed to this channel ages ago just waiting for you do do the Illidan story, and the wait was worth it. You did a great job with ne of the most complex story's in the game! Thanks for your videos, and all the work and effort you put into them.

Illidan does the stuff the “pure good” people can’t/won’t do when needed

Hey Nobbel, I´ve been following your lore vids a while. It is great that you take the time to gather all the huge and scattered lore form the warcraft universe and condense it into such an entretaining formant. Every time I have a discussion rearding lore from this awesome franchise I reffer my friends to your vids. Thanks a lot for your work and keep it up! Ps: greetings from Spain!

I've been playing since 2007..... only now I realise how COOL was all the content back then! I surely will start paying more attention to the lore itself, thanks Nobbel!

This is very very good. I meaan wow. I thought I knew Illidan's story, but this is too much. Thanks for sharing such a masterpiece.

Aaaand the wish has been granted! :D Looking forward to play the Legion expansion!

He's back, baby! I've been waiting FOREVER for this.

This is awesome. Love Illidan's story and all the lore around him. Thanks for making this.

ok just a fact if anyone have played darksiders the guy who voices war is the same who voices illidan

Illidain is classified as a demon in hearthstone :P

i was never very patient to learn much about lore, but illidan was always my very favorite character in the game. seeing blizz giving us a glance of illidan returning, it was a pleasure to watch this nice video and to know more about his story. it makes the game so much more exciting and meaningful to actually know the lore behind it. subbed and watching all your videos now, also gonna go playing warcraft3

Awesome job dude! I didn't start playing the game until Wrath, but your videos have caught me up on the all the lore! Thanks you and keep up the great work.

Gratz on the 1 million views

I love how blatantly he put this, "Tyrande would be kidnapped, despite Malfurion turning Xavius into a tree." lol the way he says sounds like it's an everyday thing :P

Honestly nobbel, this is so amazing, im at ur streams to but, ive watched like 6 hours of lore and im just looving it. keep up the good work, and have a sub for the great work:)

Nobbel. Just wanted to hop on and say........ I love your lore vids man. Very well done. I myself really only play for the lore aspect, and find myself running old content after I gear up. Finally just subscribed (don't know why I didn't before). But look foreward to much more. Thanks.

Illidan should definitely come back! Upon replaying BC I realize just how much his character got the axe in that expansion. I still enjoy BC, but the story was it`s weakest point. If you replace Illidan with Kil`jaeden then things start to make a lot more sense. In my own head canon I see the player characters eventually siding with Illidan against Kil`jaeden and the Legion in BC rather than fighting him for some nebulous reason.

21:20 "he put a spell on her that prevented her from talking" heh, sounds useful tbh

The obviously huge amount of thought and effort put into the images accompanying this video just amazes me! First time I actually want to watch a lore video by someone, not just listen to it!

Ik speel niet eens WoW maar man man man wat vind ik de lore toch interessant om te ontdekken doormiddel van jouw filmpjes. Bedankt!

I think they should have made a thrid faction to the game with the Draenei, the Blood Elves, the Naga and the Forsaken. It would fit so perfect in the storyline. The Forsaken and the Horde were always just a partnership of convenience. Silvanas and Illidan had the same goal (Destroying the Frostthrone/Arthas) and Illidan wouldn't have any Problems with Silvanas using her raw Power, like she does now and The Horde could have the Goblin race in return for their loss.

Illidan was my favourite character since Warcraft 3 and I hate to see his story end like that. I don't see him as a villian.

This was such a great video. Thanks for providing such an expansive look at my favorite WoW villain :)

I want to thank you for all you do, my good sir. After Warcraft III I lost track of everything that was happening; World of Warcraft was very hard to follow the story compared to Warcraft series. However, you sir, has made everything clear for me. I am extremely glad for the videos you make. You sir have earned yourself a subscriber :D I guess that's all I can do for you to express the kindest of my appreciation. Ингэж их хичээл зүтгэл гаргаж байгаад тань үнэхээр их гялайлаа :)

Anyone else here because of the new expansion launch? I have Illi questions now....

Malfurion pisses me off.... Illidan saves everyone time and time again, and all Malfurion cares about is killing him.. It makes me feel sad for Illidan. :(

Never was a big fan of wow lore, since i started playing at BC, never played warcraft 3. But now that i know the lore behind raids, they become that much more interesting and enjoyable.

Rushing through all of these lore videos right now. I can't stop questioning why blizz turned such a cool and complex characters from Warcraft 3 like Illidan and Arthas into a pure evil which needs to be executed asap in the WoW. It's just seems so wrong. Vids are great, glad I've found you.

Illidian was my favorite hero in War3 when I was a child just because how badass he looks and the demon form he changes. But I'd never imagine he would ended up dying be Mavie the warden :/

Illidan is a well written character, everything was against him and he had every reason to become a bad guy, yet chooses to still be a hero. *meanwhile* Sylvannas: *gets killed* Sylvannas: I AM FILLED WITH RAAAAAAAGE AND ANGER

I got a chills from this vid . Dude, your vids are amazing!

Love your vids man. they get so deep into lore and you're such a great narrator :D

now illidan is coming back, hype train incoming :D

such a great video, thank you so much Nobbel for your hard work !! :)

These videos are so great to watch while I'm farming stuff in game. Great stuff.

fel beast as demon hunter mount confirmed! :D

if illidan and salavanas teamed omg i'm hooked

After reading the Wolfheart and Illidan novels, listening to this and your story of Maiev Shadowsong I see that Maiev is truly the villain in the WoW story. It makes me think of the Shadowlands Jailer. Maiev is a Warden, Illidan's JAILER. What if the Shadowlands broke earlier than current speculation?

amazing video dude you put a lot of work in your videos good job thanks for all this

1 year later and Illidan is back! Plus a Demon Hunter class! Hype for Legion is real.

This was very well done, I really like your storytelling style :D

With legion Coming Out I went on a lore spree, thanks for making all the Vids Nobbel!

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME, thanks for doing this kind of stuff! I enjoy it a lot

So, after ten thousand years... Wait, a little less... Well, I mean... He is back, he is back!

Oh Lord Illidan, long was the wait for your return. You deserve to be known as the true hero you've always been!

Im just now starting to watch these videos. got to say u got me hooked on WoW lore

You should upload these as podcasts on spotify. I love listening to these kinds of videos while i commute :P

Why does Warcraft 3 Illidan have panda faces on his glaives?