Pandaren Philosophy: Huojin, Firepaw and the Horde

Most of us (at least I hope) have, by now, leveled and quested their way through Pandaria, meeting the various monsters, Sha, demons and challenges that awaited us in a strange and mystical land. We’ve met the Shado-Pan, who’s attitude against foreigners is completely adverse toward both the Horde and Alliance. We’ve encountered the Mantid, who ferociously battle their immortal enemies. Yet despite all of this Wanderlust, questing and of course, fighting, I want to look at how the Pandaren’s, specifically the Huojin, acceptance into the Horde has shifted or changed.

Well, it hasn’t really – at all! If we look towards the Huojin philosophical statement:

“Always challenge. Always question. In the pursuit of a greater good, inaction is the only wrong.”

-Master Zurong

Unsurprisingly, it’s no wonder that Ji Firepaw, a prevalent student and adherent of Huojin philosophy, chose to join the lovely, war-craving regime of Hellscream.

Ji, Ji, he’s our man, if he can’t do it, no one can!

It’s fairly simply really, this was a Horde that broke families apart and asked what the implications of doing that were. This is pretty much exclusively seen in Theramore, where the absolutely dire moral situation presented the Horde as abominations who would do anything to gain total victory. Whilst this example is depressing, and whilst the better suggestion such as the Horde’s Landing in Pandaria is fairly indicative of their mental drive, the Huojin add to this desire for action that creates the stark difference between them and the Tushui. To quote the Huojin philosophy once more:

“The Path of the Huojin is marked by practical and decisive action. Followers of this discipline believe that morals and ideals are not absolute, but change with circumstances. As such, a Huojin Master must remain flexible in his or her thinking, always evaluating the greater good.”

A Huojin follower is not adverse to war and fighting, should it be necessary. In roleplay, we have seen this first hand when  Huojin Pandaren would easily join the fray to aid a comrade rather than assess the issue from afar, questioning the outcomes of an act.

Who even is Master Feng? Master of Quotes?!

In essence, at least in my view, it is clear that the Huojin share similar interests with the Shado-Pan, who, despite being wary. will act in accordance to their laws and customs (perhaps if you combine the Tushui and the Huojin together, the Shado-Pan might be born?)

Taking the Tushui motto, we can see how completely different the philosophies are:

“Discipline is not a war that is won. It is a battle, constantly fought.”

– Master Feng

The idea of restraint and adherence to a set of values is something that the Huojin Pandaren would soon rather avoid, whereas the Alliance, following a semi-strict ethos of ideals, is perfect to house the Pandaren (Tushui) who deliberate life and make choices that are accordance to a moral set of truths rather than basing their actions on decisive ones rather than contemplative ones. In fact, the best way to describe these two is to simply attribute two words: active and passive.

Indeed, this active lifestyle is what drove Ji Firepaw to the Horde. This Horde would take the necessary steps in order to achieve it’s goals and would not be apprehensive to applying itself to war should it need. In such a way did it drive Ji and Aysa apart, as sad as it may seem. However, is it possible that this ‘new dawn’ for the Horde could take a leaf out of the Huojin’s book? Possibly. I have no doubt that the Vol’jin would appreciate the council of all the races under his dominion but most importantly would see the strength in being decisive entirely. This philosophy of the Huojin is what the Horde emulates, not tyranny or power, but stability in action.

I’m glad you’ve decided to do an article on Pandaren, with Warlords of Draenor coming soon, I have a horrid feeling in my gut that Pandaren, like Gnomes, will go on mostly forgotten! I hope not. They have a lot to bring to future conflict and key events.

In terms of Tushui being passive, I’m not entirely sure of that – they do act, but not irrationally. What it boils down to, at least in my opinion, is that Tushui reflects mindful actions, whereas Huojin actions seem to reflect the heart. Emotion, for the Huojin, is the real driving force behind what they do. Like emotions, the Huojin act on impulse.

Do you play a Huojin Pandaren – what is your interpretation of the philosophy? And how do you think Warlords of Draenor might affect Pandaren roleplay? Comment below!

By the Light! Why keeping Blood Elf Roleplay stuck in “The Burning Crusade” really is a thing of the past.

‘Anar’alah Belore!’ 

For all those who are accustomed to Blood Elf roleplay, this phrase is a common sight and holds a great importance to each and every Blood Elf. It means ‘By the Light of the Sun(well)’ and can either be used as a positive expression, when excited, or as a negative expression: when shocked or terrified. However, throughout most of the Warcraft series, this phrase has been associated with cataclysmic events, such as the Scourge pillage of Quel’thalas. Yet, this phrase is more than just an expression of emotion, it is a symbol of the nation.

If you’ve grinded Sunwell Plateau as many times as I have, you’ll know that the Sunwell’s power is tremendous and has been used multiple times as a gateway or a means to restore life. Initially, the Sunwell flowed with Arcane energy and worked as a ‘font’ of power for the High Elves who had been exiled by their Night Elf cousins. But this source of power was taken from them when the Scourge invaded. From this point on, the Blood Elves were born. They relied on Fel energies for their power… and in time, this corrupted them. However, with the turn of the Burning Crusade expansion… we see the Sunwell restored.

Interesting chap!

When the events of the Sunwell Plateau unfold, Velen reignites the Sunwell with the last essence of Mur’u. In this final gesture, the Sunwell is reborn and paves a new era for the Sin’dorei; a new start.

“My brothers and sisters, words cannot describe what I felt upon seeing the Sunwell rekindled. In that moment, the Light revealed to me the truth of the terrible things I had done. Our people had walked a dark path and mine was among the darkest of them all. But the Light showed me that I was not lost. It helped me to find the strength to survive in spite of all that had happened and all the evil I had wrought. It is a strength that we sin’dorei all share. It is a strength we will need to free ourselves of the addiction ravaging our people. It will be the most difficult battle we have ever faced, but our resolve and the power of the Sunwell will sustain us until we have been restored to our greatness.”

– Lady Liadrin, said during the Quel’delar questline in Wrath of the Lich King.

With histories aside, I’m going to take a look at the issues of the present day Blood Elf nation and society. One of the major issues is the fact that Blizzard have yet to update Silvermoon. Giant Fel crystals, which linger in major rooms around the city, would be removed completely and perhaps be replaced by either: focusing irises (what strengthen the renewed Sunwell’s energies) or Arcane crystals. Ultimately, the rebirth of the Sunwell has created a rift in Thalassian roleplay.

After years of sucking magical essence from Fel crystals and draining mana from living creatures, an era of redemption has been born for the Sin’dorei. But what does this mean for Blood Elf roleplayers? There’s a few bits of conjecture that need some clearing up.

So, now that the Sunwell is partly made of Light from Mur’u’s essence, does that mean it’s going to be the Church of Light 2.0?

Most definitely not! The ‘actual’ Light abandoned the Elves of Quel’thalas when they chose to abuse Fel consumption to fit their needs. There’s a lot of roleplayers nowadays who prefer to keep Blood Elf roleplay in this ‘grimdark’ environment where almost all hope is lost and are forced to drain from dangerous sources to continue their existence. 

The powers of the new Sunwell take away the Blood Elves’ need for Fel, and instead, are now able to act as they did in the past, using the powers of the Light and Arcane. Their lust is sustained; Fel is a thing of the past!

(Speculation also insists that this holy font of power is to aid with Velen’s Army of Light in the future battle against the Burning Legion)

Alright, with this change I can assume that the eyes of the Blood Elves will revert back to their blue colour then?

Nope, not at all. While I implore there should be a change in motivation and a change in mindset for the Blood Elf nation (with the restoration of the Sunwell) there have been blue posts detailing how the colour of their eyes will remain green and that most of the corruption, however slight it may be, is long lasting:

The situation regarding blood elf eyes is, in fact, extremely similar to that of the green skin of orcs: just being around heavy use of fel magic turned the eyes of the blood elves green. You could be the most pious of priests or most outdoorsy of Farstriders, chances are, if you were a high elf in Quel’Thalas or Outland following the Third War, you were around fel energies, and your eyes would turn green. Like the orcs’ skin color, such an effect would take a very long time to wear off. Fel magic works a bit like radiation in this sense; it permeates the area and seeps into anything in the vicinity. Anything near a source of fel magic shows signs of slight corruption, it just so happens that high elves and orcs manifest it in a very visual way.

A stain forever upon the Blood Elf people; a memory as dear as the blood of their people spilt; a tragic reminder of their past.

So, because they don’t change that means I can continue to roleplay my Fel-loving Sin’dorei who loves to be malicious?

Technically, you can roleplay whatever you like – but from what the Lore seems to suggest, the Sunwell’s revitalised energies completely remove such need for an alternative source of magical consumption. However, this doesn’t cross out the possibility that your Blood Elf is still heavily addicted to consuming Fel magic. Be wary though, there’s a slight chance that those who consume Fel energies will eventually succumb to the powerful corruption that entails with using it. If that’s a character plot and decision you wish to make, then by all means go for it!

“You see, there are ancient, powerful relics found throughout this world that I plan to use to free my people from their addiction and unify them again as the proud, indomitable race we once were. Magic is something to be embraced and, I assure you, a force that can be utilized free of corruption with proper teaching.”

The above is a quote from High Examiner Tae’thelan Bloodwatcher, head of the Reliquary. His words are important, revealing to us the progression of the Blood Elf state. It shows the move away from Fel-consumption (and betrayal of the people by Kalel’thas.)

And while some would argue that if the Blood Elves had not drained demonic magic, then they’d have crumbled entirely. Despite being true in the general sense, it doesn’t legitimise continued exposure.

Well, I’ll just write a letter of complaint to the Regent-Lord! I want to continue my Fel magic consumption!

Hold your horses there, that’s not such a great idea. Remember that little group of protestors in the Bazaar? They got ‘re-educated’ (a nice little term that basically defines the Blood Elves’ abilities at dealing with any form of dissention or traitorous action). The Regent-Lord’s police state keeps the peace and anything revolutionary, at least that doesn’t fit the agenda of his people, is put down mercilessly.

Happiness is mandatory, Citizen.

In essence, with the vital information concluding the changes from the old Burning Crusade lifestyle, it’s definately a must that Blood Elf roleplay should move on from Fel-tinged darkness of the past and into the Sunwell-blessed future. There is a danger that Silvermoon, if not updated by Blizzard, will be forever stuck in a timewarp, where nothing has changed. It is up to us roleplayers to progress the story that Blizzard has intended, to reenact the great rebirth of the Blood Elves.

Progression is key, ladies and gentlemen, and moving away from a state oppressed by one’s addiction to a a flourishing Blood Elven Empire is actually far more reputable than trying to cling to whatever’s left.

Do your agree, or disagree? Share your opinion beneath. Stay majestic, readers!