Prince Tortheldrin

Prince Tortheldrin is the ruler of the Shen'dralar, the Highborne who survived the ancient world's destruction in the city of Eldre'Thalas, now called Dire Maul. For ten thousand years he kept his people alive by feeding them the energy of a captive demon, Immol'thar, and when that energy began to fail, he murdered most of them to keep more for himself. He is the final boss of Dire Maul West, friendly and talkative until the demon dies, then a whirling swordsman.

Background

Tortheldrin was a loyal servant of Queen Azshara and the lord of Eldre'Thalas, a city the Highborne built to keep the night elves' arcane secrets. When The Sundering destroyed the Well of Eternity, his sect of mages shielded the city from the worst of the cataclysm, but they were cut off from the source of their magic. Tortheldrin found a replacement: he had five pylons built, summoned the demon Immol'thar into the force field between them, and let his people drain it. The stolen energy kept the Shen'dralar immortal.

The prison weakened over the millennia. According to Warcraft Wiki, by about 1,200 years before the opening of the Dark Portal the power was failing, and Tortheldrin decided that fewer mouths meant more for those who remained. He ordered the deaths of many of his own vassals. Magister Kalendris carried out the order gladly. Illyanna Ravenoak refused and was killed, her spirit bound to her body as an undead guard. The prince's mind, twisted by long exposure to demonic power, saw nothing wrong in any of it.

According to World of Warcraft: Chronicle, the Horde came to Dire Maul in Year 25 and banished Immol'thar. Tortheldrin rallied his remaining followers against them and was killed, and the ruined city became his tomb.

Abilities

• Whirlwind: physical damage to everyone within 8 yards.
• Thrash: extra attacks in quick succession, with a weapon in each hand.
• Arcane Blast: arcane damage and a knockback on one player.
• Counterspell: interrupts a caster and locks them out of spells for 15 seconds.

Strategy

Tortheldrin can't be attacked while Immol'thar lives. Until then he sits in the Athenaeum, friendly, and offers to trade stories: "For 10,000 years I have ruled this kingdom." Once the demon falls, he shouts "Who dares disrupt the sanctity of Eldre'Thalas? Face me, cowards!" and turns hostile.

The fight is mostly about his whirlwind. Melee players step out of range when he starts to spin, and the tank stays in front of him while the healer keeps up with the damage from his two weapons. Arcane Blast knocks his target back, so the tank is best placed against a wall. Casters spread out so a Counterspell only stops one healer at a time.

Loot

Mind Carver is a one-handed sword for casters, Distracting Dagger a dagger, Timeworn Mace a one-handed mace and Stoneshatter a crossbow.

Beside the prince is the Prince's Chest, which holds the [Gauntlet of Gordok Might]. That is the relic Captain Kromcrush of the Gordok ogres wants back.

Quests

• The Madness Within: the Shen'dralar Ancient in the west wing asks the group to kill Immol'thar and then Prince Tortheldrin. The reward, from The Treasure of the Shen'dralar, is a chest of Shen'dralar treasure.
• Unfinished Gordok Business: after a tribute run in Dire Maul North, Captain Kromcrush tells the new king that Tortheldrin, "da creepy elf," stole the Gauntlet of Gordok Might from an old ogre king. Bringing it back earns class gloves such as [Gordok's Gauntlets].

Trivia

• During Classic, the Shen'dralar Zealots in the library said that Tortheldrin would reveal the whereabouts of the Ashbringer to anyone who could tell him how Nefarian died. Nothing came of it in Classic. Years later, in Legion, a paladin does tell the prince the tale of Nefarian's fall in return for what he knows of a book about the Ashbringer.

Sources

• Prince Tortheldrin - Warcraft Wiki
• Gauntlet of Gordok Might - Warcraft Wiki