Official High Elf Discussion Megathread

[MyWholeLifeIsThunder]

I guess this is the best way to explain them, plus you could just RP them as a risen quel'dorei who decided to rejoin Alleria, a war hero of both Alliance and Quel'thalas, after Sylvanas abandoned Horde and left her Dark Rangers to their own fate.

As I said before, void elf darkfallen possibly will not be huge thing in the future, they will not be in spotlight and right now, there are not even any NPCs to represent them, but since they got it, one line from Velonara would be enough. Something like:

There are those among the kaldorei and ren'dorei raised by Sylvanas' val'kyr who wish to return to their own. If Tyrande or Alleria would have them back, they are free to go. The rest will be welcome in the ranks of the dark rangers.

Easy as that.

Pretty much. Honestly overall makes me believe the decision to allow VE's to have Dark Ranger options was just a late one, but given that they also didn't gave any explanation for the natural skin and hair colors, explaining why VE's get new stuff is faaar from a priority.

Regardless, I think it works within the lore we have so I am not bothered per se, even tho I would have liked a more solid explanation.

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Icecrown t-mogs are pretty good for representing San'layn. I think you could also come a long way with some venthyr t-mogs too.

Agreed tbh; between the them both I think we have a pretty solid San'layn aesthetic going on. Hell, I think right now we have more outfits that give that San'layn aesthetic than Void Elves have lol.

[Gaidax]

Pretty much. Honestly overall makes me believe the decision to allow VE's to have Dark Ranger options was just a late one, but given that they also didn't gave any explanation for the natural skin and hair colors, explaining why VE's get new stuff is faaar from a priority.

Regardless, I think it works within the lore we have so I am not bothered per se, even tho I would have liked a more solid explanation.

Of course Void Elf Darkfallen is as stretchy as it gets and was given simply as a candy for players.

The explanation? Practically, it's one of the time immemorial of "figure this one out for yourself" things. It is your unique character backstory, not everything has to be literally spoonfed.

People really forgot how we did it 2-3 decades away or even now in D&D sessions. Your character got killed fighting Sylv forces in Shadowlands and got reanimated by her Val'kyr. Then you came to your senses out after last of Sylv's Val'kyr were slain. Like, whatever - what's there to stop you.

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That is also why I am pro-customizations as far as it can get nowadays. Not everything should be explicitly written and lawyered up. "How the hell is there X that is also Y?". Because *use your imagination*, that's how.

[Tanaria]

yupyup I agree there; perhaps the intended use should be Darkfallen instead of just Dark Rangers

I'd hope they give San'layn transmogs for Blood Elves too considering that it's possible that it wasn't just Dreven and his grunts

As @Vaedan mentioned, the ICC sets already give off a San'layn vibe. Especially the 25 man heroic Mage set, which is red, black and orange.

Then we do have others like the Warlock sets which can also work for a San'layn.

[Kyriani]

yupyup I agree there; perhaps the intended use should be Darkfallen instead of just Dark Rangers

I'd hope they give San'layn transmogs for Blood Elves too considering that it's possible that it wasn't just Dreven and his grunts

Some darkfallen transmog ideas were posted on the official forums in the san'layn topic:



Maybe those will inspire some ideas of your own!

[Rhlor]

yupyup I agree there; perhaps the intended use should be Darkfallen instead of just Dark Rangers

I'd hope they give San'layn transmogs for Blood Elves too considering that it's possible that it wasn't just Dreven and his grunts

we killed vorath and his undead army in this patch. sanlayn for the void elves they use necromancy

[Vaedan]

we killed vorath and his undead army in this patch. sanlayn for the void elves they use necromancy

Both void and blood elves just got san'layn options.

[Varodoc]

Now that the undead necromantic powers of the Dark Rangers have joined the Ren'dorei, it would be ironic and advantageous if they revived Dar'khan Drathir. So that they can make him talk and explain all of his research in thorough detail. After all, it was through Drathir's studies that Magister Umbric and his followers found Telogrus Rift. There is potential in Drathir's knowledge.

Add this to the (already very long btw) list of potential Void elf storylines, to be reserved for future developments.

[Rhlor]

Now that the undead necromantic powers of the Dark Rangers have joined the Ren'dorei, it would be ironic and advantageous if they revived Dar'khan Drathir. So that they can make him talk and explain all of his research in thorough detail. After all, it was through Drathir's studies that Magister Umbric and his followers found Telogrus Rift. There is potential in Drathir's knowledge.

Add this to the (already very long btw) list of potential Void elf storylines, to be reserved for future developments.

Darkhan the original void elf

[Schwert]

There's a solid chance one of the scourge warlords is Dar'khan. I can see the sin'dorei unable to handle him, but the ren'dorei wind up surpassing him and taking him hostage for questioning, or outright "killing" him again and figuring out his weird perma-rez that was going on pre-TBC was actually void necromancy.

Dar'khan was utterly wasted back in TBC, so I'm really hoping they bring him back and do him justice. He could wind up being a popular character if they translate his look from the comics into the game properly too. Dude's got style.|

Also, out of all the pre-established undead groups, san'layn is likely the one that'd be joining up with the void elves. We already look like traditional vampires more than any other elf race in the game, and if they add any more customization options to us, vampiric stuff goes hand in hand with the gothic stuff we already have.
Talanji didn't trust Dreven, Dreven turned on the Forsaken when things got rough, the blood elves seemed shocked to see one in general, the darkfallen in general apparently weren't welcome in blood elf society - it's pretty much foreshadowed at this point. Exiles for exiles. Also can potentially play into Dar'khan's story too.

Would also be interesting to see how the story handles all of the thalassian exiles getting together and getting fed up with being exiled, especially with the Alliance backing them. When you have so many splinter groups of your society rallying under one banner, they could actually start getting enough of a force to strike back against who kicked them out. Rommath and Lor'themar could be in trouble if we recruit them.

[Varodoc]

There's a solid chance one of the scourge warlords is Dar'khan. I can see the sin'dorei unable to handle him, but the ren'dorei wind up surpassing him and taking him hostage for questioning, or outright "killing" him again and figuring out his weird perma-rez that was going on pre-TBC was actually void necromancy.

Dar'khan was utterly wasted back in TBC, so I'm really hoping they bring him back and do him justice. He could wind up being a popular character if they translate his look from the comics into the game properly too. Dude's got style.|

Also, out of all the pre-established undead groups, san'layn is likely the one that'd be joining up with the void elves. We already look like traditional vampires more than any other elf race in the game, and if they add any more customization options to us, vampiric stuff goes hand in hand with the gothic stuff we already have.
Talanji didn't trust Dreven, Dreven turned on the Forsaken when things got rough, the blood elves seemed shocked to see one in general, the darkfallen in general apparently weren't welcome in blood elf society - it's pretty much foreshadowed at this point. Exiles for exiles. Also can potentially play into Dar'khan's story too.

Would also be interesting to see how the story handles all of the thalassian exiles getting together and getting fed up with being exiled, especially with the Alliance backing them. When you have so many splinter groups of your society rallying under one banner, they could actually start getting enough of a force to strike back against who kicked them out. Rommath and Lor'themar could be in trouble if we recruit them.

The San'layn will never join the Horde, that's for sure.

The situation was already dire after all the pro-Horde San'layn (Dreven and co.) were slaughtered in BfA. In Shadowlands, the last hope for Horde San'layn was shattered when this San'layn prince attacked the Sin'dorei.

It is also worth noting that the Sylvanas novel reveals that many rangers actually wanted Allerias as Ranger-General, not Sylvanas, this is despite Alleria not wanting the job. So many Darkfallen, who are raised Quel'dorei, could simply join the Alliance out of sheer admiration for Alleria.

[shoc]

Darkhan the original void elf

I'm shipping Darkhan and Xalatath now and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me

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The San'layn will never join the Horde, that's for sure.

The situation was already dire after all the pro-Horde San'layn (Dreven and co.) were slaughtered in BfA. In Shadowlands, the last hope for Horde San'layn was shattered when this San'layn prince attacked the Sin'dorei.

It is also worth noting that the Sylvanas novel reveals that many rangers actually wanted Allerias as Ranger-General, not Sylvanas, this is despite Alleria not wanting the job. So many Darkfallen, who are raised Quel'dorei, could simply join the Alliance out of sheer admiration for Alleria.

I don't think there needs to be a reason, everything is clearly moving towards factions being irrelevant in the game. So what does it matter if there's Darkfallen Elves in the Alliance if it makes no meaningful difference.

[Schwert]

I'm shipping Darkhan and Xalatath now and there's nothing anyone can do to stop me

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I don't think there needs to be a reason, everything is clearly moving towards factions being irrelevant in the game. So what does it matter if there's Darkfallen Elves in the Alliance if it makes no meaningful difference.

...because the factions still exist and matter in story, for aesthetics, and for the whole focal point on Horde vs Alliance in the franchise?

[Alanar]

Both void and blood elves just got san'layn options.

Its hard to call them san'layn options tho.

To be fair its one single option and its called dark ranger. Hell they could have atleast called it darkfallen to suit both organisations. Its just weird. I wish we had more vampiric options, such as fangs, claws like those blood princes.

I have noticed some heavy resistance in the alliance, but also horde as they are just mere costumization options, people wanted the full thing.. the whole its your own interpetation and how you want them to be.. is actually hitting a lot of nerves. I knew this would happen, which such a vague explanation and you as player npt actually playing an undead or darkfallen, just a blood elf with pale skin.
Its lazy imo.

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Its hard to call them san'layn options tho.

To be fair its one single option and its called dark ranger. Hell they could have atleast called it darkfallen to suit both organisations. Its just weird. I wish we had more vampiric options, such as fangs, claws like those blood princes.

San'layn is just the name of a faction of Darkfallen elves. Specifically, the ones raised by the Lich King and are more magically inclined. "Blood" magic, to be precise.


EDIT: What Blizzard considers "vampiric in nature" or the term "vampyr" in the WoW universe is kind of inconsistent. I wish they would go all in on Blood Magic being a serious type of force.

[Alanar]

San'layn is just the name of a faction of Darkfallen elves. Specifically, the ones raised by the Lich King and are more magically inclined. "Blood" magic, to be precise.


EDIT: What Blizzard considers "vampiric in nature" or the term "vampyr" in the WoW universe is kind of inconsistent. I wish they would go all in on Blood Magic being a serious type of force.

Yea I know, its just an organisation and a sect of darkfallen. Tho its mentioned they van develop more besides pale necrotic skin, such as clawsn fangs and bat ears.

The annoyence is now that you are just using one option which is called dark ranger and its exactly that. Just kinda hard to rp as a san'layn imo, as the costumization options just lack for that. On top of that is that its just an rp element and not an allied race or class (dark ranger) its neither, so it will always feel like a mere rp thing and not canon. The game doesnt see you as one either. Same as the sandtrolls, you can rp as one, but the nowhere is said the farraki joined the horde. The sandtrolls lack options as well imo, we only have sul the sandcrawler as example. I wish they added beards.

I think blizz is really lacking on that front and I wish they were a little clearer with these things in game. Its just annoying.

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Yea I know, its just an organisation and a sect of darkfallen. Tho its mentioned they van develop more besides pale necrotic skin, such as clawsn fangs and bat ears.

The annoyence is now that you are just using one option which is called dark ranger and its exactly that. Just kinda hard to rp as a san'layn imo, as the costumization options just lack for that. On top of that is that its just an rp element and not an allied race or class (dark ranger) its neither, so it will always feel like a mere rp thing and not canon. The game doesnt see you as one either. Same as the sandtrolls, you can rp as one, but the nowhere is said the farraki joined the horde. The sandtrolls lack options as well imo, we only have sul the sandcrawler as example. I wish they added beards.

I think blizz is really lacking on that front and I wish they were a little clearer with these things in game. Its just annoying.

I think it reveals much of Blizzard's thoughts/beliefs on the San'layn and even the extent of Dark Rangers being a viable option to players... by connecting the lore of the San'layn to Dark Rangers now just being the same type of undead elves, just under 2 different banners (vampiric mage-like "dark" wizards and "dark" archers)... so perhaps down the line we will get the more San'layn-specific customization options?


Unless the current team does not really like the concept of undead vampire elves. Who knows? I agree with you on wishing Blizzard would do so more fleshing-out of these.


Shame. I really like the concept of Dark Rangers, "Darkfallen" elves, and the San'layn as a faction of Darkfallen elves. I suppose too many elves already.

[BaumanKing]

many rangers actually wanted Allerias as Ranger-General

A couple of randos isn't "many". Both Lor'temar and Halduron and other key Farstriders wanted only Sylvanas as Ranger-General. And besides, all those who supported Alleria went with her through the Dark Portal. So they're probably all dead by now. Alleria is a nobody in Quel'Thalas, just some figure from the past, who holds no political sway within Silvermoon nowadays.

[Varodoc]

A couple of randos isn't "many". Both Lor'temar and Halduron and other key Farstriders wanted only Sylvanas as Ranger-General. And besides, all those who supported Alleria went with her through the Dark Portal. So they're probably all dead by now. Alleria is a nobody in Quel'Thalas, just some figure from the past, who holds no political sway within Silvermoon nowadays.

Source that it is just "a couple".

Aside from your bias against Alleria of course, which is well known.

Alleria is a nobody in Quel'Thalas, just some figure from the past, who holds no political sway within Silvermoon nowadays.

Factually wrong.

On top of being one of the most famous and beloved war heroes in Thalassian history, Alleria Windrunner is the current head of House Windrunner, the last great noble house from Quel'Thalas, and is the leader of the Ren'dorei, the most powerful and greatest Alliance Thalassian faction.

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A couple of randos isn't "many". Both Lor'temar and Halduron and other key Farstriders wanted only Sylvanas as Ranger-General. And besides, all those who supported Alleria went with her through the Dark Portal. So they're probably all dead by now. Alleria is a nobody in Quel'Thalas, just some figure from the past, who holds no political sway within Silvermoon nowadays.

You're half right. She is a nobody currently. In present times.


She is still regarded as a hero to Silvermoon and Quel'Thalas... in the past. That is why she was given a pass for the incident she caused at the Sunwell. She was facing charges of sabotage and on the cusp of being arrested for it. Given her status as a hero of their past... she was banished instead.


As she is banished from Silvermoon currently, she holds no weight with the blood elves.

[Vaedan]

You're half right. She is a nobody currently. In present times.


She is still regarded as a hero to Silvermoon and Quel'Thalas... in the past. That is why she was given a pass for the incident she caused at the Sunwell. She was facing charges of sabotage and on the cusp of being arrested for it. Given her status as a hero of their past... she was banished instead.


As she is banished from Silvermoon currently, she holds no weight with the blood elves.

Agreed. Most of her sympathizers joined her on her journey to Lordaeron and later Draenor. Those who stayed within Quel'thalas possibly later defected as high elves and most recently, void elves.

The name Windrunner is possibly tainted for most blood elves by now, with both Vereesa and Alleria being Alliance and Sylvanas for commiting genocide, betraying Horde and serving Jailer. It is now more symbol of old times for thalassian exiles.