Thalyssra

"We are only as strong as our will."

First Arcanist Thalyssra is the current leader of the Nightborne, a race of elves that occupy the region known as Suramar. She once served as an advisor to Grand Magistrix Elisande, and was against the alliance Suramar formed with the Burning Legion during their third invasion of Azeroth. Exiled after a coup d'état, she became one of the many Nightfallen and subsequently formed a rebellion. This insurgency was significantly aided by the efforts of those who arrived from Dalaran, which successfully concluded with the overthrow of Elisande and subsequent freedom from the Legion's influence. Given the Sin'dorei's warmth during the rebellion, Thalyssra swore her people's allegiance to the Horde, which finally brought the nightborne to the forefront of Azeroth's affairs.

= History = Born as a Highborne, Thalyssra lived in Suramar City prior to the War of the Ancients and was there when the city was protected by a conjured dome during the The Sundering. As centuries passed, her kin's features gradually changed until they became recognized as the Nightborne.

Considering her position as advisor to the Grand Magistrix, Thalyssra was present when Gul'dan, the Burning Legion's emissary, threatened the Nightborne with a menacing offer: to bring down the city's barrier and allow the demon army access to the Nightwell, or be destroyed. While those on the rest of Elisande's council appeared willing to submit before the Legion, Thalyssra stood her ground and argued against Gul'dan's threat, claiming that they were being presented a scheme. In response, she amassed a small number of nightborne to prevent Elisande from disabling the barrier. Though her people were nervous, Thalyssra reassured them of their prior victory over the demons during the War of the Ancients, which inspired enough encouragement for their incursion in the night. However, they were ambushed by the Grand Magristrix's guards and Thalyssra barely managed to slip away. Her accomplice, another advisor named Melandrus, culled her attempts, however, and stabbed her in the back before tossing her body into the listless river below.

While Suramar succumbed to the Burning Legion, Thalyssra survived. She did not run; she stayed, and plotted her revenge.