Arrakoa is based off ancient Indian/ Hindu civ

[mvaliz]

arrakoa is an a inspiration/rip-off from the bird people in the movie dark crystal.

That was the first incarnation of the Aarakoa in Burning Crusade. And even then, it was just the physical design. Their culture is FAAAR from that of the Skeksis.

Clearly these Aarakoa are having a whole different form of inspiration back them up in this expansion. The focus around Chakra is really all you need, nevermind the rest...

Also, in before an NPC Spirit Elekk named "Gadesh'ra" or something similar. :P

[Deleted]

Well that explains why their zone literally looks like India, even Sri Lanka is represented as an island south of it.

[Facerockker]

For the most part, names aren't really much to go on. They might even be placeholder, for all we know. Other than those few names there's no real indication as to what they're based off of, aside from The Dark Crystal movie and a few various other speculated medium.

[Deleted]

[GennGreymane]

DO not forget what they praise!

[Blufossa]

arrakoa is an a inspiration/rip-off from the bird people in the movie dark crystal.

D&D had bird people before this movie.

Movie came out in 1982, D&D had them in 1981.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...A%29#Aarakocra

The Arakkoa are based on more than just this goofy movie.

@the OP: I really hope they do make them playable too. GW2 have the Kenku, but I think I'd prefer WoW do a bird race (playable) first.

[BlackwingHecate]

D&D had bird people before this movie.

Movie came out in 1982, D&D had them in 1981.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...A%29#Aarakocra

The Arakkoa are based on more than just this goofy movie.

@the OP: I really hope they do make them playable too. GW2 have the Kenku, but I think I'd prefer WoW do a bird race (playable) first.

Last I checked, you could not (alas) Play as a Tengu in GW2.

[Shaani]

nope, i did too xD

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I honestly would have related them to more middle eastern, muslim culture. Think the whole Hindu/Indian culture could be used in a more cool way, that isn't crazy bird people trying to summon gods of mass destruction. Maybe another skinny, multi armed blue race people from another world.

If you talk about a difference of Middle East (Muslim culture) and India / Hindu, it becomes a little trick. Persian and Hindu culture are both heavily influenced by the Vedic / Pre-Vedic civilization. It is nicely seen in the similarity of Persian and Indian architecture, traditional music as well as the language (there is a lot of similarity between Persian, Arabic and Sanskrit). And that is also where the Muslim culture intermixed since the Arabs have a history with the Persians.
There might be different religious believes by now, but their common origin is undeniable the same: Vedic civilization.

[Tenjen]

So iam looking at the boss name and ability's and they all have references to ancient indian history and indian mythology (the Mahabharata etc) and words from Sanskrit (ancient indian language, Latin would be a directly comparable reference for it).

I for one think its about time we got more ancient cultures into the mix.

Ancient india had MASSIVe trading going on during that part of the world. a lot of other cultures languages rubbed off on India (and back).

Especially Persia, Persia has had MASSIVe influence on ancient indian culture. The Moguls were persian in origin and were rulers who owned big swaths of india for AGES until the british came along . They're considered part and parcel of india.

So yeah, all this talk about things being more "persian" is quite irrelevant if you're trying to say its not ancient indian.

"Rukhsha" sounds like rakhsha, which means "to protect".

Also, the names are as likely to be placeholder about as much as the names of the Warlords (Grom is actually Snuggy Snow Puff in the final release btw). They're way too specific, unique and tie in with other stuff in the abilities etc.

[Deleted]

There might be different religious believes by now, but their common origin is undeniable the same: Vedic civilization.

Iranians and Indians don't look the same at all, you can easily tell them apart. Indians are far more dark-skinned.

[Pandapuncher]

Go dammit blizzard, make it playable. I want a toon with an awesome accent and awesomer customabilty and the awesomely civ ever existed.

ill trade pandas for these and jiynu

[GodEmperor]

Iranians and Indians don't look the same at all, you can easily tell them apart. Indians are far more dark-skinned.

Not true. Indians come in almost every color except for pale white skin. You'll see people with dark brown skin and then you see some fair skinned which look pretty close to Iranians, Egyptions and even spaniards.

[Krazzorx]

I really hope they make some great looking Indian themed armor and weapons.

[The Stormbringer]

Wait a minute... gale force wind with chakra? Playable Arakkoa with monk class confirmed.

[Deleted]

Pffft, we sunwalkers praised the sun before it was cool.

Arakkoa would make me role an alliance so hard.
Warrior, Paladin (sun worshipper), hunter, mage, monk, priest

Not sure about warlock with the whole nobility thing, not sure about shamans, druids wouldnt be right would they? Apart from raven flight form.

[Stonecloak]

Isn't Hindu-ish stuff already implied slightly with the Draenei?

Oddly the art kind of does in a way, and also the elephant type mounts they use, but the whole worshipping the light is nothing like Hinduism.

[KrakHed]

Oddly the art kind of does in a way, and also the elephant type mounts they use, but the whole worshipping the light is nothing like Hinduism.

And Sun-Worship is?

Anyhow, the Light really is an odd sort of thing. Some people in Warcraft seem to treat it as if it's a God or something to be worshiped and paid tribute to, but that's not what it actually is at all.

It's not a power that comes from outside from some deity, but one that originates from oneself and their connection to the universe.

[Stonecloak]

And Sun-Worship is?

Anyhow, the Light really is an odd sort of thing. Some people in Warcraft seem to treat it as if it's a God or something to be worshiped and paid tribute to, but that's not what it actually is at all.

It's not a power that comes from outside from some deity, but one that originates from oneself and their connection to the universe.

Idk. If that's the case then I guess there is maybe a connection, but I'd need a link where you got this connection to the universe info from. Also Paladins which are synonymous with the Draenei resemble holy warriors, crusaders. Which is obviously more Christian related. It might just be a mish-mash and not technically resemble one more than the other. Though to me they seem more like zealots.

[KrakHed]

Idk. If that's the case then I guess there is maybe a connection, but I'd need a link where you got this connection to the universe info from. Also Paladins which are synonymous with the Draenei resemble holy warriors, crusaders. Which is obviously more Christian related. It might just be a mish-mash and not technically resemble one more than the other. Though to me they seem more like zealots.

It's mentioned in various places, though a lot of it was in the RPGs.

Anyhow: http://wowpedia.org/Holy_Light_%28religion%29

[Stonecloak]

It's mentioned in various places, though a lot of it was in the RPGs.

Anyhow: http://wowpedia.org/Holy_Light_%28religion%29

Seems like a mix honestly, but imo in no way does that scream Hinduism. Only similarity would be the connection to the universe.