The Amani Forest was the heart of the Amani Forest Trolls' territory. Their capital, Zul'Aman, was located in the southeastern corner of this vast woodland, which was dotted with numerous troll settlements throughout.
To evade the eyes and ears of the Forest Trolls, the fleet chose a landing site on a small island at the northernmost tip of the Eastern Continent, directly connected to the mainland.
Although this place had not yet been named, Andreas, referencing the maps in his memory, knew that this was the region known to later generations as Sunstrider Isle—the starting point for every Blood Elf player's adventure.
Sunstrider Isle was not large, connected to the mainland by a small stretch of shoals.
The Forest Trolls seemed entirely uninterested in this small island; a large area of land surrounding Sunstrider Isle showed no signs of troll habitation.
"It's here... no, that's not right..."
After disembarking and setting up camp, Dath'Remar paced back and forth, appearing somewhat obsessed. He frowned as he looked toward the northeast of Sunstrider Isle; the ley line node that drew him seemed to be even further north.
The patriarchs of the various Great Houses gathered around Dath'Remar. After some discussion, they confirmed Dath'Remar's intuition. All the Highborne leaders turned their gazes toward Andreas simultaneously.
"Uh..."
Becoming the focus of everyone's attention, Andreas scratched his head helplessly. "I get it. I'll arrange for the exploration ships to continue searching further north."
"Dath'Remar, I'll say the unpleasant words first. After helping you settle your new home and establish your nation, I expect to receive a return in the years to come."
Celeste widened her eyes slightly upon hearing this. "Uncle Andreas?"
Dath'Remar laughed heartily and waved his hand to silence Celeste's doubt. "Andreas is taking a certain risk to help us. Seeking a return is only natural."
"But..."
Danas patted his sister's shoulder and advised, "Celeste, we have already parted ways with the Night Elves. Andreas has no obligation to help us."
"If we want to maintain a good cooperative relationship, it's impossible for only one side to give. Long-term mutual interest is the best bond to maintain a partnership."
Dath'Remar promised with a solemn expression, "Right now we have nothing and cannot provide the return you need for the time being. But if you are willing to believe in us, I promise you in the name of Dath'Remar Sunstrider that we will surely repay this kindness in the future."
Andreas nodded with a smile. "Those words are enough. I believe you can carve out a new future here in the Eastern Continent."
...
The Highborne's perception of magic was exceptionally keen. The ley line node sensed by Dath'Remar and the others was indeed on another large island even further north of Sunstrider Isle.
When Dath'Remar led the patriarchs of the Great Houses onto this island, the rich magical energy caused them to take deep breaths subconsciously.
However, although the magic here was concentrated enough to be almost visible to the naked eye, the Highborne—now mortals—could not easily tap into the energy of the ley line node. The problem they faced was very similar to what had once happened at Shandaral.
Yet, unlike the Highborne of Shandaral, Dath'Remar had already planned the path for their future before they left.
Following the increasingly thick magic, Dath'Remar and the others reached a plateau on the island, where they finally found the most conspicuous large-scale ley line node in the entire Eastern Continent.
Andreas watched in awe at the materialized arcane energy flowing around the node. The ley line node had even spawned many primitive arcane energy entities nearby, which were currently wandering aimlessly around the node.
"It's not inferior to the ley line node of Nordrassil..."
Dath'Remar snapped out of his trance-like state of envisioning the future. He took a long breath and slowly walked to the edge of the small lake where the ley line node was located.
Taking an exceptionally exquisite vial from his spatial bag, Dath'Remar, in front of everyone, reverently and carefully poured the well water from the vial into the small lake.
Andreas watched the vial in Dath'Remar's hand with interest. Water from the Well of Eternity? This can be considered a stroke of luck that Illidan unintentionally left for the High Elves.
As the waters of the Well of Eternity were infused, a dazzling arcane light shot up from the small lake into the sky, illuminating a vast area around them.
Originally, the energy overflowing from the ley line node had been wild and untamable, impossible for the Highborne to control. But now, Dath'Remar and his people could feel an incomparably warm magical flow coursing through their entire bodies.
The Highborne stationed on Sunstrider Isle simultaneously felt the warm energy filling their bodies. Countless people immediately knelt on the ground devoutly, bowing their heads in silent prayer toward the pillar of light.
The patriarch of House Moonwrath stared intently at the golden energy spring right before his eyes, unable to look away for a long time. The other patriarchs of the Great Houses were not much better off.
"What heart-warming energy. It illuminates our path forward like bright sunlight."
"Sunstriders... now that I think about it, it's as if destiny has been guiding us."
The patriarch of House Morningstar agreed, "Since that is the case, let us name this source of hope for the Highborne... the Sunwell."
...
Far away in Zul'Aman, the Amani Trolls had also noticed the activity on the northern island. The current Chieftain, Mandolin, and the Prophet, Kah'mar, gazed silently at the striking pillar of light in the distance.
After a long time, Prophet Kah'mar frowned and waved his hand backward, summoning a Forest Troll guard.
"Send men by boat to the northern island to investigate. I suddenly have a bad premonition."
Mandolin was stunned for a moment, then asked with a heavy expression, "Prophet, do you think this pillar of light will pose a threat to us?"
Kah'mar shook his head. "I am not sure, but I can feel the restlessness of several Loas."
"I hope it is not truly as I suspect. Otherwise... the two thousand years of peaceful life for the Forest Trolls will reach a turning point."
...
The establishment of the Sunwell signaled the arrival of a new era for the Highborne.
Drawing from the symbolism of the Sunwell, Dath'Remar officially ordered his people to abolish their faith in the Moon and instead draw energy from the "Sun."
To demonstrate their determination to bid farewell to their past lives, Dath'Remar and the others discarded their original title of Highborne and began calling themselves High Elves.
With the Sunwell as their foundation, the High Elves quickly established a large settlement upon the Amani ruins along the eastern coast of Sunstrider Isle. Dath'Remar named it Silvermoon City.
Under the witness of Andreas and the others, the High Elves announced the formation of a brand new nation—Quel'Thalas. In the Kaldorei tongue, this name meant "Home of the High Elves."
As the redeemer who led his people through hardships to carve out a new home, the Sunstrider family was collectively honored by the Great Houses as the High Elven royalty. Dath'Remar became the first Sun King of the Kingdom of Quel'Thalas.
Immediately after taking office, Sun King Dath'Remar returned the favor by bestowing noble titles upon the various houses according to their contributions during the migration.
But before the reborn High Elves could even gain a steady footing in Silvermoon City, the vanguard of the Amani Trolls happened to run straight into the High Elf scouts who were out exploring the forest.