WoW Forever Skyborne lore: Zephras Isle, Skywall and the two orders
28 Oct 2026 (AEDT), from the beta notes incl. the 26 Oct (US) final racial pass. Launch: Thu 5 Nov 10:00 AEDT. Unconfirmed = our read; may change at launch.
Summarised from Blizzard's Meet the New Skyborne article.
Origin
Thousands of years ago a group of Highborne exiles made a pact with elemental wind spirits and built a civilisation within Skywall, one of the elemental planes. The Skyborne call themselves shen'dorei.
The crisis on Zephras Isle
When you arrive, the air spirits that protected Zephras Isle have vanished. Ancient structures are failing, communities are cut off, and the Skyborne are divided over what to do next. Zephras Isle is the level 1–12 starting zone.
Two orders, two factions
Windshaper (Horde)
Descendants of the first shen'dorei to receive the wind spirits' gift of elemental skysight. They want the wind spirits restored and their way of life kept. Lore links them to elemental tradition and the Shaman class.
High Order (Alliance)
Descendants of the Highborne scholars of Eldre'Thalas. They concluded that depending on elemental patrons left the Skyborne vulnerable, and want arcane self-reliance. Lore links them to the Mage class.
Unconfirmed: how the story continues after level 12 isn't covered in the article. See Skyborne racials and Skyborne classes.
Sources
- news.blizzard.com
- worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com