Pale Lady: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Pale lady.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The [[Pale Lady]] over Outland.]] | [[File:Pale lady.jpg|200px|thumb|right|The [[Pale Lady]] over Outland.]] | ||
The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the [[orc]]ish name of the moon of [[Draenor]]. It is a bright white celestial body whose light illuminated the landscape at night. The Pale Lady played a role in traditional orcish culture, particularly during the [[Kosh'harg]], and the orcs used the phases of the moon in their measurement of time.<ref name=" | The '''{{PAGENAME}}''' is the [[orc]]ish name of the moon of [[Draenor]]. It is a bright white celestial body whose light illuminated the landscape at night. The Pale Lady played a role in traditional orcish culture, particularly during the [[Kosh'harg]], and the orcs used the phases of the moon in their measurement of time.<ref name="RiseHorde1">''[[Rise of the Horde]]'' (2006), ch. 1</ref> | ||
Following the destruction of Draenor and its transformation into [[Outland]], the moon remained visible, but it appeared substantially larger than it had previously. Other celestial bodies were also visible in the altered skies of Outland.<ref name=" | Following the destruction of Draenor and its transformation into [[Outland]], the moon remained visible, but it appeared substantially larger than it had previously. Other celestial bodies were also visible in the altered skies of Outland.<ref name="BeyondPortal28">''[[Beyond the Dark Portal]]'' (2008), ch. 28</ref> | ||
==Appearance== | ==Appearance== | ||
The Pale Lady was white and exceptionally bright. During a Kosh'harg in [[Nagrand]], the Pale Lady is described rising above the trees while in her waning phase. Despite not being full, she was bright enough to cast a powerful light upon the snow. The orcs hailed her as a white orb that commanded the night sky, while her light made their raised hands appear silver.<ref name=" | The Pale Lady was white and exceptionally bright. During a Kosh'harg in [[Nagrand]], the Pale Lady is described rising above the trees while in her waning phase. Despite not being full, she was bright enough to cast a powerful light upon the snow. The orcs hailed her as a white orb that commanded the night sky, while her light made their raised hands appear silver.<ref name="RiseHorde1" /> | ||
The light of the Pale Lady is elsewhere described as a white glow; moonlight reflected from the snow was sufficiently bright that the young [[Durotan]] felt exposed while attempting to move unseen with [[Orgrim Doomhammer]]. He was subsequently able to see Orgrim's face clearly by moonlight.<ref name=" | The light of the Pale Lady is elsewhere described as a white glow; moonlight reflected from the snow was sufficiently bright that the young [[Durotan]] felt exposed while attempting to move unseen with [[Orgrim Doomhammer]]. He was subsequently able to see Orgrim's face clearly by moonlight.<ref name="RiseHorde1" /> | ||
The Pale Lady passed through recognizable lunar phases.<ref name=" | The Pale Lady passed through recognizable lunar phases.<ref name="RiseHorde1" /> | ||
Periodically the moon would appear red and be known as a ''bloodmoon''.<ref | Periodically the moon would appear red and be known as a ''bloodmoon''.<ref>''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans]]'' manual (1994), p. 18</ref> | ||
==Orcish culture== | ==Orcish culture== | ||
The Pale Lady held cultural significance among the orcs of Draenor. The traditional Kosh'harg festival began at moonrise and thousands of assembled orcs greeted the appearance of the Pale Lady with cheers while their wolves howled. The orcs raised their hands toward her and the festivities continued beneath her light.<ref name=" | The Pale Lady held cultural significance among the orcs of Draenor. The traditional Kosh'harg festival began at moonrise and thousands of assembled orcs greeted the appearance of the Pale Lady with cheers while their wolves howled. The orcs raised their hands toward her and the festivities continued beneath her light.<ref name="RiseHorde1" /> | ||
Durotan later remembered the Kosh'harg as a place where he had danced around the fire and chanted to the moon. These practices predated the corruption of the orcs by the [[Burning Legion]] and formed part of the traditional orcish culture associated with the elements and ancestral spirits.<ref | Durotan later remembered the Kosh'harg as a place where he had danced around the fire and chanted to the moon. These practices predated the corruption of the orcs by the [[Burning Legion]] and formed part of the traditional orcish culture associated with the elements and ancestral spirits.<ref>''[[Rise of the Horde]]'' (2006), ch. 11</ref> | ||
==Destruction of Draenor== | ==Destruction of Draenor== | ||
When [[Ner'zhul]] opened numerous dimensional portals across Draenor, the resulting catastrophe tore the planet apart. When [[Turalyon]] subsequently returned through one of the rifts, the heavens had changed dramatically. The sun was no longer visible, the sky had become dark red, and the moon hung high overhead, appearing considerably larger than it had before the destruction.<ref name=" | When [[Ner'zhul]] opened numerous dimensional portals across Draenor, the resulting catastrophe tore the planet apart. When [[Turalyon]] subsequently returned through one of the rifts, the heavens had changed dramatically. The sun was no longer visible, the sky had become dark red, and the moon hung high overhead, appearing considerably larger than it had before the destruction.<ref name="BeyondPortal28" /> | ||
Two additional celestial bodies were visible afterward: a rosy sphere and a smaller, bright blue sphere. The account distinguishes these objects from "the moon", describing them instead as a second and third sphere. [[Khadgar]] explained that the destruction had disrupted reality itself, including gravity and space.<ref name=" | Two additional celestial bodies were visible afterward: a rosy sphere and a smaller, bright blue sphere. The account distinguishes these objects from "the moon", describing them instead as a second and third sphere. [[Khadgar]] explained that the destruction had disrupted reality itself, including gravity and space.<ref name="BeyondPortal28" /> | ||
It is unclear whether the two additional spheres were moons, other celestial bodies, or phenomena resulting from the disruption of Draenor and the surrounding [[Twisting Nether]]. | It is unclear whether the two additional spheres were moons, other celestial bodies, or phenomena resulting from the disruption of Draenor and the surrounding [[Twisting Nether]]. | ||
Revision as of 8:50 PM, October 2, 2026
The Pale Lady is the orcish name of the moon of Draenor. It is a bright white celestial body whose light illuminated the landscape at night. The Pale Lady played a role in traditional orcish culture, particularly during the Kosh'harg, and the orcs used the phases of the moon in their measurement of time.[1]
Following the destruction of Draenor and its transformation into Outland, the moon remained visible, but it appeared substantially larger than it had previously. Other celestial bodies were also visible in the altered skies of Outland.[2]
Appearance
The Pale Lady was white and exceptionally bright. During a Kosh'harg in Nagrand, the Pale Lady is described rising above the trees while in her waning phase. Despite not being full, she was bright enough to cast a powerful light upon the snow. The orcs hailed her as a white orb that commanded the night sky, while her light made their raised hands appear silver.[1]
The light of the Pale Lady is elsewhere described as a white glow; moonlight reflected from the snow was sufficiently bright that the young Durotan felt exposed while attempting to move unseen with Orgrim Doomhammer. He was subsequently able to see Orgrim's face clearly by moonlight.[1]
The Pale Lady passed through recognizable lunar phases.[1]
Periodically the moon would appear red and be known as a bloodmoon.[3]
Orcish culture
The Pale Lady held cultural significance among the orcs of Draenor. The traditional Kosh'harg festival began at moonrise and thousands of assembled orcs greeted the appearance of the Pale Lady with cheers while their wolves howled. The orcs raised their hands toward her and the festivities continued beneath her light.[1]
Durotan later remembered the Kosh'harg as a place where he had danced around the fire and chanted to the moon. These practices predated the corruption of the orcs by the Burning Legion and formed part of the traditional orcish culture associated with the elements and ancestral spirits.[4]
Destruction of Draenor
When Ner'zhul opened numerous dimensional portals across Draenor, the resulting catastrophe tore the planet apart. When Turalyon subsequently returned through one of the rifts, the heavens had changed dramatically. The sun was no longer visible, the sky had become dark red, and the moon hung high overhead, appearing considerably larger than it had before the destruction.[2]
Two additional celestial bodies were visible afterward: a rosy sphere and a smaller, bright blue sphere. The account distinguishes these objects from "the moon", describing them instead as a second and third sphere. Khadgar explained that the destruction had disrupted reality itself, including gravity and space.[2]
It is unclear whether the two additional spheres were moons, other celestial bodies, or phenomena resulting from the disruption of Draenor and the surrounding Twisting Nether.
Endnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Rise of the Horde (2006), ch. 1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Beyond the Dark Portal (2008), ch. 28
- ↑ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans manual (1994), p. 18
- ↑ Rise of the Horde (2006), ch. 11