Hello there, forums.
It’s been bugging me for a little while that, to me, in the Warcraft Universe, there’s a distinct lack of dedicated, theistic religion - sorry Trolls, you’re exempt from this. My druid follows Ashamane above even Elune, but the Wowpedia page for the Ashen is an entire two short sentences in length.
Thus, I am considering starting something of a pet project - one that I hope will prove interesting to others. Blizzard have established the primary religious and spiritual organisations of the setting - the Church of the Holy Light, the various sects dedicated to the Loa, and on the list goes. What I’m planning to do is make a small compendium of possible deities and figures for characters to follow on a smaller or more personal scale.
Disclaimer: As this is intended to have a lot of emphasis on individual characters and their practices, I can’t promise that it will strictly adhere to the written lore. I won’t add anything that disregards it, but this is something of a ‘headcanon’ project.
I’m going to be starting fairly small on this and adding more to the thread as it comes to me (and hopefully as people contribute their own thoughts!).
Some initial examples that have interested me:
The Wild Gods
Ashamane
For those who revere her and seek to pay her homage, Ashamane, the great Panther Ancient, has several key traits and lessons that can be taken from the stories of her life:
She was a peerless huntress; no predator, animal or otherwise, could challenge her and no prey could elude her.
She was possessed of great resolve; in her battle with Ronokon, and despite her exhaustion, she was able to sacrifice her own life to slay him and save Suramar from his army.
She was a fierce individualist; she hunted and lived alone. Any challenges she faced she did so alone - even Freya rarely saw her.Thus, the followers of the Great Panther must strive to echo these traits; they must walk her path and endeavour to meet their own fate with the same resolve. Ashamane represents the apex predator of Azeroth’s ancient world, the pinnacle that all hunters must aspire to reach.
The site of the greatest importance to these Ashen is the place of her violent death in battle; Ashamane’s Fall, where her fangs were once held - before being taken for use in the war against the Legion.
Goldrinn
It is said that Goldrinn, known to the Tauren as Lo’Gosh, was among the first to Azeroth’s great wilderness; a wolf of surpassing strength and power, born of a noble heart and of savage bloodlust. His is a story of defiance, against Elune and against his own violent impulses - two foes he could never defeat. From him were born the Druids of the Pack and, eventually, the primal worgen.
Azeroth’s myriad races whose civilisations reach back to the War of the Ancients, tell of Goldrinn’s iron will and aggression as he defied the Legion’s armies. Though the legends vary, one truth is shared - he died in battle, but his unconquerable spirit lived on. His presence was felt even on Draenor, driving the instincts of the Orcish clans.
Forever after, to those who walk his path, the Wolf Ancient exemplifies passion and nobility. From fury comes the strength to defend those in need, but it must always be tempered. To lose oneself in anger and its adrenaline is to sacrifice one’s heart and honour. There must always be a balance; the vicious worgen in their feral state stand as a testament to the risks one must face when serving the most untamed of the Wild Gods.
The Dragon Aspects
Malygos
Although the Aspect of Magic was slain by the heroes of Dalaran at the conclusion of the Nexus War, that does not mean his noble cause died with him. The Spellweaver was right; the mortal mages of Azeroth cannot be trusted to wield the Arcane. They are reckless and dangerous, corrupting the world around them with their vain pursuit of power. Groups such as the Kirin Tor and the Highborne are enemies of the sanctity of the world and must be stamped out - alongside any others who would misuse magic.
Although at first glance, it could be assumed that no mage could side with this ideology, the Mage Hunters employed during the Nexus War were originally members of the Kirin Tor and agreed with Malygos’ noble goal. Any other mortal of Azeroth who has seen what destruction the uncontrolled use of magic can cause might find themselves sworn in service to this unfinished war.
Malygos himself continues to represent this battle, his beliefs and conviction passed down to those who carry his torch. He was unjustly murdered, and to win a final victory in the Nexus War in his name is the truest way to pay homage. On a smaller scale, working against the various magocratic organisations of the world is an admirable endeavour.
The Pantheon
Aggramar
Although the true nature of the Titans has only begun to be unravelled in recent years, those who know of the ancient architects of Azeroth’s civilisation know of their mighty Champion of the Pantheon: Aggramar the Avenger. Once Sargeras’ chief lieutenant, he took the Dark Titan’s place after his departure from their vaunted ranks.
For eons he fought to destroy and imprison the vile demons of the Twisting Nether and, eventually, succeeded alongside Sargeras. His massive, flaming sword Taeshalach was the searing bane of his foes; no demon could escape his burning retribution. He faced the darkness and evil of the universe but never wavered or fell - in this, he is greater even than his former leader.
Although the common denizens of Azeroth’s societies know little of the Pantheon - let alone Aggramar - and their true nature, for those who have come to learn of his story, Aggramar may yet prove a symbol of inspiration and courage; an example of rigid determination to scour all wickedness that exists.
Perhaps even their faith in the righteousness of Aggramar’s own burning crusade may yet give them access to their own inner flame; the holy fire of the Light. To follow Aggramar is to bring light to the shadows that infest the world; it is to take his lead and destroy the demons of the Nether, wherever they might be found.
Norgannon
For the many curious and enlightened souls of Azeroth, the pursuit of knowledge is the noblest cause of all. To unravel the secrets of the universe is a quest that may take one’s whole life and beyond, but it is perhaps as much about the journey as it is the destination. With a greater understanding of the Pantheon and the Titanic creators of the world’s civilisation, comes an awareness of the finest scholar in existence: Norgannon the Dreamweaver.
Archaeologists and intellectuals; wizards and philosophers. Any who aspire to learn all that they can about everything there is may find themselves honouring the Titan of Lore and Magic. Even engineers and scientists may uphold him as the pinnacle of his profession, for the Titan’s understanding of mechanics is unparalleled; Mimiron himself was infused with a fraction of his incomprehensible mind.
There is both wonder and duty in his path. The passion to covet knowledge, magic or otherwise, but also the wisdom to know how to use it. Norgannon’s servants and followers strive to understand this lesson well, as they do all things.
The Holy Light
Tyr
For humanity - and particularly for the Church of the Holy Light - Tyr is a name spoken in measures of awe and reverence. While the true origins of his life were for many years lost to the ages, the oral tradition of mankind has ensured that his importance has not died with him. The Silver Hand, Tirisfal Glades, and Tyr’s Hand are named in his honour.
Those who have remained abreast of the various discoveries and uncovered mysteries of recent years may know of the truth - Tyr was one of the Titanic Watchers, charged with courage and valour by Aggramar himself. His story is defined by two great sacrifices; first his hand from his battle with a terrible and unspoken monster, and finally his very life against two of Loken’s C’Thraxxi.
However, for those men and women who pay homage to him, Tyr is still shrouded by myth and the millennia that have passed since he walked Azeroth. He is an example of courage and order, showing those compelled by devotion and conviction that true justice may only come through sacrifice.
Tyr was the steward of early humanity, an exemplar of everything mankind aspires to. To serve him is to serve the Light’s justice.
Further examples may include, but are not limited to, the Wild Gods, the Loa, the Pantheon, the Dragon Aspects, the Titan Watchers, and more.
So - what do you guys think? Good idea, or largely pointless/not of much use?
Would it better if I was more succinct in writing these? Am I not writing enough?
Does your own character already follow a faith, creed, or ideology that isn’t necessarily heavily-represented (or represented at all!) in your own roleplay?
Perhaps they have their own interpretation of how to honour Goldrinn, or Tyr, or whatever figure they swear themselves to. This isn’t necessarily about religious faith and devotion; it could just as easily involve seeking to replicate an awe-inspiring example set.
I’d be 100% interested in adding other people’s takes to this little list of mine, to make it something more of a collaboration than simply my own crazy, rambled typing.
If nothing else, I’d be interested to see any discussion about it. ![:eyes:](https://d1bg94bbsh66ji.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/eyes.png?v=6" ":eyes:")
![:slight_smile:](https://d1bg94bbsh66ji.cloudfront.net/en/wow/images/emoji/twitter/slight_smile.png?v=6" ":slight_smile:")