Sentinels

Before the Great Sundering, the military of the ancient Kaldorei Empire had devolved into a decadent hierarchy where rank was decided by noble lineage rather than martial skill. The devastation of the War of the Ancients proved that this aristocratic structure was utterly unfit to defend Azeroth. In the aftermath, High Priestess Tyrande Whisperwind spearheaded radical reforms across night elf society. She turned to the Sisterhood of Elune, an order that had survived intact and possessed extensive experience in tactics, combat, and healing. From its devout ranks, Tyrande forged the Sentinels: a standing martial army dedicated to selflessly protecting their emerging society without regard to noble heritage.

While Tyrande Whisperwind remains the spiritual supreme commander, active military leadership belongs to her lieutenant, General Shandris Feathermoon, operating out of Feathermoon Stronghold in Feralas. The Sentinels are renowned for disciplined marksmanship, deadly moonglaives, and specialized divisions. Their forces consist of elite archers, nightsaber-riding huntresses, and scouting hippogryph riders who dominate the skies. Centuries before the Third War, they fought under Archdruid Fandral Staghelm during the brutal War of the Shifting Sands in Silithus, halting the qiraji swarm. Every night elf settlement—from Astranaar to the sprawling branches of Darnassus—relies upon Sentinel garrisons for security.

During the Third War, the Sentinels mounted desperate defenses against both demonic invaders and early incursions by the Horde, suffering immense losses when Cenarius fell in Ashenvale. After surviving the Battle of Mount Hyjal and pursuing Illidan across Lordaeron, they returned to find Kalimdor irrevocably changed. Today, the Sentinels face peril on multiple fronts. On Teldrassil, garrisons contend with corrupted wildlife and enraged furbolgs. Farther south, the Silverwing Sentinels clash relentlessly with the Warsong Outriders in Warsong Gulch, resolved to drive the Horde out of Ashenvale and defend the ancient forests from further exploitation.