"It is said that in the beginning there was Light and there was Void and a time long ago, the two collided in the abyss of the Great Dark.
Infinite worlds spiralled out into the newly forming cosmos... "
- Chris Metzen, WoW the Magazine, 5th Edition
On Reality
Before reality, before matter, before magic, before the cosmological constants - there existed only the Light,
and the Void. Some scholars incorrectly interpret the Void to be the mere absence of light - but in the beginning, there was no space or time - no dimensions - and yet both existed
simultaneously.
Such is the nature of reality, my Priest brothers and sisters! The Light and the Shadow are not enemies, but star-crossed lovers - their limbs inextricably entangled for eternity.
"Lux et Umbra" - "Light
and Shadow" - for one cannot exist without the other. This is the fundamental truth that all priests recognize, it is this distinction that perverts the will of Paladins - who foolishly believe they can exterminate the very Void: they would seek to create a universe of only Light. Be sure that they are mistaken, for in a universe of boundless light - there is no contrast - and all reality would be obscured in Light. Just as, inexxorably, when the last Star burns out - the Shadows will be left alone - and without contrast,
reality will fade.
Like Romeo and Juliet, without the one - the other will die of loss and despair.
All reality - all things - are defined through the contrast, the competition, the conjugal pairing, and the carnal lust - the relation between Light and Darkness, between Good and Evil, between Joy and Despair, between Apathy and Energy. Alone, these terms are meaningless - for each is an interpretation of that immortal romance between the darkness and the light in us all.
What Do Shadowpriests Do?
We do not require greatswords, jagged daggers, the submission of beasts, fire or ice - to defeat our enemies. A priest's great weapon is merely that fundamental knowledge on the nature of reality. Initiate Priests must meditate on the meaning of this truth to find the many interpretations - the many truths - which are embedded within that simple knowledge that Light and Shadow exist together: as one.
I can speak words which will describe this understanding, but only a priest will truly see how such a simple tenet can become so powerful. For example, all Priests know that Suffering is an immutable element of the universe - it can be transferred, postponed, concentrated or dissipated - but it cannot be destroyed. For to destroy suffering, one must also destroy pleasure - and to destroy both would tear the very fabric of The Real. Therefore, suffering is not to be feared but to be accepted - and perhaps embraced - for through our suffering we provide pleasure. This manifests for example, in the ability to Shift the Void - to transfer the suffering of our allies into ourselves: to take their pain as our own - or to steal their comfort for ourselves. It is the tenet of Masochism, through which our mana is regained.
It is through the same simple tenet of reality - 'Lux et Umbra' - that my understanding of words differs greatly from your own. For any Hunter or Rogue, even scholarly Mage or mad-for-power Warlock may speak the Word 'Shield', or 'Fortitude' - but to no greater effect than the verbal transfer of information. Yet, when a Priest speaks the word, 'Shield' - they protect their ally with the will of the Light. If I speak the word 'Fortitude' you feel empowered - for in the speaking, I offer you a brief glimpse of the divine: the truth behind all reality.
It is through this same understanding that allows me to say the word 'Pain' and inflict that sensation upon you - not with poison or blade, not with pestilence or loss - but merely a thought, imbued with a higher understanding. You might know the term 'Pain' - but only a Priest truly understands the meaning. Pray that I do not show you the truth behind 'Death' - it a suggestion you might take
to heart.
Why are there so many apparent themes amongst Shadowpriests?
All words are imbued with some degree of understanding of their meaning - but between Priests there is but one unspeakable word in our lexicon: for it describes all things. It is not a word which we would ever need to speak, for all priests know it - and its understanding conveys every truth within reality. Priests need not speak to other priests to understand everything about them, it is a bond we all share - through our shared understanding of the Light and the Shadow.
Yet, if we wish to convey our intent to non-Priests - we must speak with words they can fathom. We must sing with words they can hear. Thus, what you know as 'Vampiric Embrace' - does not involve hugging vampires - it is simply a crude interpretation for the act of transferring the suffering and pain of our enemies (a metaphorical vampirism) into the direct pleasure and contentment of our nearest allies (a metaphorical embrace). It is a directed transferral of pleasure and pain, rather than the diffuse transferral caused when any other suffering in the universe is inflicted.
If a horde rogue assassinates a citizen of Southshore Village, they create pain not only within the dying villager, but also the within the lives of that villagers lovers, siblings, children and friends. Yet - the rogue also takes pleasure in the act of victory, and spares future generations of the pain that villager and their descendants would have caused. 'Vampiric Embrace' merely directs all future pleasure gained from suffering created into the immediate seconds following the act, into the immediate area and allies of the priest.
Lastly, it should become clear now how it is that Priests take and seek control over the Mind. To Blast your Mind, I need merely to introduce you to the confusion of that fundamental tenet of reality - and watch as you panic - baffled by the instantaneous flood of the unknowable universe. To flay your mind I need merely let you dwell on some aspect of the dark or light, which you are unprepared to comprehend and accept. I show you truths which you fear, I show you visions of your own inadequacies made real before your eyes.
I show you suffering, or perhaps most terrifying of all - I show you joy, pleasure, or serenity: all of which are naked, bound, and tied - to the eternal cycle of both domination and submission with the Void, the Darkness, the Shadows. To live is to inflict death, to find serenity is to inflict doubt, to find joy is to doom others to despair: to be born, is to be a monster by any other name. A Priest makes peace with this truth, and resolves to interpret it.
Therefore, we priests often seek to be penitent - to be stoic - to be moderate - to strike balance between the Light and the Shadows. But also - when necessary - to offset balance as we see fit. Balance between the two provides us a fluidity of action when we foresee the path - yet, like the hips of dancing lovers, the light and shadow will never be still: balance itself is not the goal, it is merely a convenience. We are all instruments of the divine: which is both one and many. At times the Light and Shadow are a singular entity, at times they are paired lovers, at times they are every individual upon a warring battlefield, at times they are every star - and every void between them - in the universe.
Meditate upon these teachings, initiate Priest - and if they should begin to take meaning beyond the simple words I use to convey them - then you have begun the path of the Priest
Some of my Other Popular Lore Posts
The Sha-Touched Weapon Post everyone liked
An entertaining / illuminating conversation between a Priest and Warlock perspective
It's too bad I can't find any old posts off Shadowpriest.com
I wrote a big lore post there back in TBC, and a Shadowpriest poem that was quite popular