abstract
| - The Barrow Deeps was an ancient cave system beneath Mount Hyjal in Warcraft III. It was the sleeping place of the Druids of the Claw for thousands of years until the return of the Burning Legion and the Third War. After awakening the Druids of the Talon from their slumber, Malfurion Stormrage and Tyrande Whisperwind entered the Barrow Deeps in search of the remaining Druids. Deep in the caves, the night elves discovered giant spiders which were mutated by corruption in the roots of Hyjal, and Tyrande saved a Furbolg Shaman after he had been bitten by the creature. They also came across the dwelling of The Largest Panda Ever, which would attack if disturbed. Having nearly forgotten after all the years, Malfurion and Tyrande found the gates to the prison of Illidan Stormrage, Malfurion's brother. Despite adamant protests from Malfurion, Tyrande entered the prison. She believed that Illidan would be a powerful ally against the Legion so she split off from Malfurion and went in search of his imprisoned brother. Malfurion continued on in search of the Druids of the Claw. He soon found them but they were lost and feral, their minds gone into atrophy. The Druids had slept for so long in their bear forms that they remained as such and even began to believe that they were bears. Malfurion freed them from their hibernation with the Horn of Cenarius. Grateful to be awake and in their right minds once more, the Druids of the Claw agreed to follow Malfurion in the fight against the demonic Legion. Meanwhile, Tyrande had freed Illidan from his prison. When reunited with his brother, Malfurion refused to trust Illidan after his betrayal long ago but accepted the aid offered.
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