Changes: Velinde Starsong

Revision as of 18:59, 5 January 2011

Most races possess some sort of cultural faith that reflects their values, fears, and hopes. Races sometimes personify their faiths in the form of a god, but members of the race understand that their “god” is really just a symbol of their philosophical beliefs, not an actual being. Some, however, see actual beings as gods or demigods that do exist (either as a God, gods, or demigods is debatable among the races themselves), such as those who view Cenarius as a demigod. Others, such as the titans, are seen as beings that actually exist, not symbolism for philosophic beliefs. Others, such as Firelord Ragnaros, are seen by some to have achieved a god-like status. Most racial faiths include the concept of an afterlife, along with cultural mores and taboos to indicate the correct path to the afterlife. Spiritual leaders who guide their race along the proper philosophical path tend to be shaman or druids. Few races revere an actual deity to whom they can dedicate their lives as priests.^[1] In the quest The Formation of Felbane, the quest giver, Loramus Thalipedes, mentions the concept of a singular god as a blessing; "May your determination and faith, carry you through this ordeal. Should you fail, know that your God smiles down upon you, mortal." Strangly enough, in the first two Warcraft games (including expansions), humans referred to a singular God behind the [Holy Light].

Notable faiths

The following are the currently known religions in the Warcraft Universe:

Fel and Demonology

Members: Warlocks, demons, satyr, fel orcs, fel-corrupted races
Organizations: The Burning Legion, The Illidari, The Shadow Council

Followers of the Old Gods

Members: Naga, elementals (prior to the ordering), qiraji, nerubians
Organizations: The Twilight's Hammer

Voodoo and Loa-worship

Members: Trolls

[Geomancy]

Members: Pandaren, troggs, quilboar, kobolds

Arcanum

Members: Humans, high elves, naga, gnomes, blood elves, draenei, undead, trolls, dwarves, night elf, worgen, goblins, orcs
Organizations: The Kirin Tor, The Echo of Life

Dragon worship

Members: Humans, orcs, draenei, night elves, dragonspawn
Organizations: The Wyrmcult, The Sect of the Dragons

Arkkoroc

Members: Sea giants, murlocs, makrura
The Arkkoran

Miscellaneous faiths

Furbolg culture

Some accounts have them worshipping primitive godlike figures, but primarily they revere nature and the spirits of the world.^[2]

Night elves in other cultural beliefs

In the early histories of dwarves and humans, the Kaldorei are shadowy figures of dark perfection wielding incredible god-like powers.^[3] Tauren sometimes view night elves with awe and fear. Tauren have long seen the Kaldorei as a mythic race of demigods, possessed of great magic and steeped in natural powers.^[4]

Ogre culture

Among ogres, bone crushers are seen as the living avatars of Nath. In a society that prize strength above anything else, a bone crusher is as close to a god as an ogre can get.^[5]
Nath is the ogre war god revered by both ogres and half-ogres. The term mok'nathal means the "sons of nath".

Tuskarr culture

Outland faiths

Terokk/Rukhmar

Terokk was the greatest hero of the arakkoa, closely associated with their god Rukhmar. He left his people when worship of Rukhmar began to wane, leading to speculation that he was Rukhmar in mortal form. It is unknown if they are the same being, or are separate beings that were combined in stories as the legends of Terokk were retold throughout the years.

Anzu

Anzu is a god of the Grishnath arakkoa. The Oracles of the Raven prophesied that the Raven God would soon rise again.

Murmur

Murmur is a being from a dimension of the cosmos unfathomable to mortal minds. Its very entrance into existence shattered all reality around it. Murmur is a god that, when summoned by a mortal possessed of arcane and dark knowledge, eventually destroyed the world of the summoner. The Shadow Council is now trying to bring forth this entity into Outland.

Murloc culture

Deep Mother
The One in the Deeps
Sea Witch a mysterious goddess, a powerful naga spellcaster.^[6]

References

^ Johnson, Luke. Dark Factions, 88. ISBN 9781588464460.
^ White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 10. ISBN 9781588467737.
^ Arthaus. Lands of Conflict, 17. ISBN 9781588469601.
^ Arthaus. World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 48. ISBN 9781588467812.
^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 38. ISBN 9781588467720.
^ Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 141. ISBN 9781588467720.

[1] Johnson, Luke. Dark Factions, 88. ISBN 9781588464460.

[2] White Wolf. Alliance Player's Guide, 10. ISBN 9781588467737.

[3] Arthaus. Lands of Conflict, 17. ISBN 9781588469601.

[4] Arthaus. World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game, 48. ISBN 9781588467812.

[5] Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 38. ISBN 9781588467720.

[6] Bennie, Scott; Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch. Horde Player's Guide, 141. ISBN 9781588467720.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{source needed}}
-{{npcbox
-|image=Velinde.jpg
-|name=Velinde Starsong
-|location=Unknown; last seen in a caravan to [[Duskwood]]
-|status=Missing in action
-|affiliation=[[Darnassus]], [[Sentinels]], [[Alliance]]
-|race=Night elf
-|creature=Humanoid
-|gender=Female
-|occupation=Cleansing the forest of [[Burning Legion]] remnants, summoner of the [[worgen]].
-|character=[[Warrior]], [[Priest]]
-|faction=Alliance
-|relatives=[[Melyria Frostshadow]] (successor)
-}}
+Most [[races]] possess some sort of cultural faith that reflects their values, fears, and hopes. Races sometimes personify their faiths in the form of a god, but members of the race understand that their “god” is really just a symbol of their philosophical beliefs, not an actual being. Some, however, see actual beings as gods or demigods that do exist (either as a God, gods, or [[demigod]]s is debatable among the races themselves), such as those who view [[Cenarius]] as a demigod. Others, such as the [[titan]]s, are seen as beings that actually exist, not symbolism for philosophic beliefs. Others, such as Firelord [[Ragnaros]], are seen by some to have achieved a god-like status. Most racial faiths include the concept of an afterlife, along with cultural mores and taboos to indicate the correct path to the afterlife. Spiritual leaders who guide their race along the proper philosophical path tend to be shaman or druids. Few races revere an actual deity to whom they can dedicate their lives as priests.<ref>{{ref book |author=Johnson, Luke |authorlink=Luke Johnson |title=[[Dark Factions]] |isbn=9781588464460 |pages=88}}</ref> In the quest {{quest|The Formation of Felbane|The Formation of Felbane}}, the quest giver, [[Loramus Thalipedes]], mentions the concept of a singular god as a blessing; "May your determination and faith, carry you through this ordeal. Should you fail, know that your God smiles down upon you, mortal." Strangly enough, in the first two Warcraft games (including expansions), humans referred to a singular [[God]] behind the [[Holy Light]].
-[[Image:Velinde Starsong.jpg|thumb|The {{quest|The Scythe of Elune|specter of Velinde Starsong}} in the Howling Vale.]]
-'''Velinde Starsong''' was a [[priestess]] and [[sentinel]] in [[Ashenvale Forest]] who was given the task of clearing the forest of [[demons]]. At first, it seemed she had the situation in Ashenvale and [[Felwood]] under control, but little by little her efforts faltered. One day, she simply disappeared. Sentinel [[Melyria Frostshadow]] was sent to Ashenvale to continue her work. The Sentinels believed that she had her own reasons for leaving, and expected that she could return at any time. Velinde had done much in the past to earn their trust.<ref>{{quest|Velinde Starsong}}</ref><ref>{{quest|Velinde's Effects}}</ref>
-== Biography ==
+==Notable faiths==
+The following are the currently known '''religions''' in the [[Warcraft Universe]]:
-=== Velinde's Cleansing ===
-Frostshadow sent some scouts to investigate the disappearance of the Sentinel and found that Velinde had prayed to [[Elune]] for aid on her task. Elune is believed to have granted her wish and given her the magical [[Scythe of Elune]]<ref>{{quest|The Howling Vale}}</ref>, although it's unclear if it was truly Elune who gifted her with the Scythe. The weapon had the power to weaken the barriers of time and space.
+===The [[Light]]===
-Holding the scythe in her hands, she received a vision of chaos. Wolf-men, the [[worgen]], battled an incredible enemy. The worgen fought savagely, as fit their primitive race, but they faced an unflinching enemy: [[Lords of the Emerald Flame]].
+* Members: [[Human]]s, [[Dwarf|Ironforge dwarves]], [[Forsaken]], [[Wildhammer|Wildhammer dwarves]], [[High elf|high elves]], [[naaru]], [[draenei]], [[Half-elf|half-elves]], [[Blood elf|blood elves]], [[Worgen (playable)|worgen]]
+* Organizations: The [[Church of the Holy Light]], The [[Silver Hand]], The [[Argent Dawn]], The [[Argent Crusade]], The [[Scarlet Crusade]], The [[Brotherhood of the Light]],  The [[Sha'tar]], The [[Aldor]], The [[Scryers]], The [[Hand of Argus]], The [[Blood Knight]]s
+===[[Shaman lore|Shamanism]]===
-It was then that Velinde realized the true power of the scythe. By focusing on it, she was able to communicate with the worgen. However, it was not speech she used to contact them. The worgen heard and understood her. By further channeling the energy of the scythe, the barriers weakened more, and she was able to draw the worgen to [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]]. She summoned a score and a half. The worgen followed her into battle and, with their brutish strength at her command, they tore into the demons of Felwood.
+* Members: [[Orc]]s, [[troll]]s, [[tauren]], [[draenei]], [[furbolg]]s, [[Wildhammer|Wildhammer dwarves]], [[tuskarr]], [[quilboar]], [[Goblin (playable)|goblins]], and [[ogre]]s
+* Organizations: The [[Earthen Ring]], The [[Mag'har]], The [[Kurenai]]
-=== The Worgen ===
+===[[Druid (lore)|Druidism]]===
+* Members: [[Night elves]], [[tauren]], [[half-elves]], [[Wildhammer|Wildhammer dwarves]], [[furbolg]]s (debated),[[Worgen (playable)|worgen]], [[high elves]] (somewhat), [[Troll|trolls]]
-In the beginning, all was well. She summoned larger numbers of the worgen to fight at her side and she marveled. Though they were of simple mind, they exhibited impressive ability to coordinate their attacks and function as a group.
+* Organizations: The [[Cenarion Circle]], The [[Cenarion Expedition]]
+===[[Elune]]===
-She identified the leaders in their packs and gave them command of small groups. She then organized her rescued warriors into multiple attack parties, sending them out into the tainted forest to fight the demons.
+* Members: [[Night elves]], [[wildkin]]
+* Organizations: The [[Sisters of Elune]], The [[Sentinel]]s
+===[[Mystery of the Makers]]  (The [[titans]])===
-She waited as her attack parties rampaged through the Felwood, slaughtering the demons in their path. Velinde waited until the appointed time for her soldiers to return came and went; only a few did. She called and searched for the people Elune had entrusted to her. She found not a trace of those missing packs. She returned to her camp, her half-man servants enjoying the freedom Velinde had given them. She lifted her scythe to contact the worgen’s violent home world. There she could bring more to her cause.
+* Members: [[Dwarf|Ironforge dwarves]]
+* Organizations: The [[Explorers' League]]
+===[[Shadow]] and [[Necromancy]]===
-But though she had not summoned additional worgen, their numbers continued to increase. It was as though the scythe no longer required her intervention for the summoning process. She gathered as many of the packs as she could find, and ordered them to remain at the [[Shrine of Mel'Thandris]]. Velinde hurried to search the libraries in [[Darnassus]] and consulted with [[Onu]] in [[Darkshore]], but not one scrap of information about these worgen could she find. She heard whispers of a [[Kirin Tor]] wizard named [[Arugal]], who was said to have also summoned worgen. Velinde decided to venture to the [[Eastern Kingdoms]] and find this wizard in hopes of learning from him.<ref>[[Velinde's Journal]]</ref>
+* Members: [[Undead]] beings, living followers
+* Organizations: The [[Cult of the Damned]], The [[Scourge]], The [[Cult of the Forgotten Shadow]], The [[Knights of the Ebon Blade]]
+===[[Fel]] and [[Demonology]]===
-=== Unforeseen consequences ===
+* Members: [[Warlock]]s, [[demon]]s, [[satyr]], [[fel orc]]s, fel-corrupted races
-Velinde traveled to the port in [[Ratchet]] and booked passage to [[Booty Bay]]<ref>{{quest|Passage to Booty Bay}}</ref> on the [[Black Osprey]]. From there she took a caravan to [[Duskwood]]<ref>{{quest|The Caravan Road}}</ref> and then she disappeared from history. It looks like she was summoned to the worgen world, or died. She still can talk by the scythe that was lost in a mine on Duskwood. [[Jitters]] picked up the weapon, triggering its effect of summoning. The mine was immediately filled with worgen, who then proceeded to rip the men apart. Jitters escaped with the weapon, but was hunted by the worgen across the woods, which were steadily darkening with the scythe's released curse.
+* Organizations: The [[Burning Legion]], The [[Illidari]], The [[Shadow Council]]
+===Followers of the [[Old Gods]]===
-In an attempt to rid himself of their chase, Jitters disposed of the weapon near the [[Yorgen Farmstead]], whereupon he encountered the Black Riders from [[Deadwind Pass]]. The riders slaughtered [[Sven Yorgen]]'s family in front of [[Jitters]]' eyes. The frightened man then escaped to [[Raven Hill]]. The darkness lingers in Duskwood, although it is unclear whether the [[Black Riders]] claimed the Scythe of Elune and took it with them back to Karazhan. Now the people huddle in former [[Grand Hamlet]], renamed [[Darkshire]], battling the undead and wolf men who inhabit the murky woods.
+* Members: [[Naga]], [[elemental]]s (prior to [[The Old Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth|the ordering]]), [[qiraji]], [[nerubian]]s
+* Organizations: The [[Twilight's Hammer cult|Twilight's Hammer]]
+===[[Voodoo]] and [[Loa|Loa-worship]]===
-The Scythe itself somehow made its way to [[Tal'doren]] in [[Gilneas]]. As of the [[Patch 4.0.3a|Cataclysm]], she remains missing in action and is presumed deceased. As of the [[Patch 4.0.3a|Cataclysm]], the original Scythe of Elune quest line is no longer doable, and the new quests in Duskwood make no mention of her, deepening the mystery of her vanishing.
+* Members: [[Troll]]s
+===[[Geomancy]]===
-== Further reading ==
+* Members: [[Pandaren]], [[trogg]]s, [[quilboar]], [[kobold]]s
-* [[Velinde's Journal]]
-* [[Jitters' Completed Journal]]
+===[[Mage (lore)|Arcanum]]===
-==See also==
+* Members: [[Human]]s, [[High elf|high elves]], [[naga]], [[gnome]]s, [[Blood elf|blood elves]], [[draenei]], [[undead]], [[troll]]s, [[dwarf|dwarves]], [[night elf]], [[worgen]], [[goblin|goblins]], [[orc|orcs]]
-* [[Archmage Arugal]]
+* Organizations: The [[Kirin Tor]], The [[Echo of Life]]
-* [[Druids of the Pack]]
-* [[Gilneas]]
-* [[Nightbane pack]]
-* [[Worgen]]
+===[[Dragon|Dragon worship]]===
-==References==
+* Members: [[Human]]s, [[orc]]s, [[draenei]], [[Night elf|night elves]], [[dragonspawn]]
-{{reflist}}
+* Organizations: The [[Wyrmcult]], The [[Sect of the Dragons]]
+=== [[Arkkoroc]] ===
-==External links==
+* Members: [[Sea giant]]s, [[murloc]]s, [[makrura]]
-<!-- Read http://www.wowpedia.org/Wowpedia:External_links before posting your links here.
+* The [[Arkkoran]]
-Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
-Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
-Have a nice day. :) -->
-{{Elinks-NPC|3946}}
+==Miscellaneous faiths==
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Starsong, Velinde}}
+{{accuracy}}
-[[Category:Lore characters]]
-[[Category:Night elves]]
+===Furbolg culture===
-[[Category:Sentinels]]
+Some accounts have them worshipping primitive godlike figures, but primarily they revere nature and the spirits of the world.<ref>{{ref book |author= White Wolf |title= [[Alliance Player's Guide]]  |isbn= 9781588467737 |pages=10}}</ref>
+===Night elves in other cultural beliefs===
+In the early histories of dwarves and humans, the Kaldorei are shadowy figures of dark perfection wielding incredible god-like powers.<ref>{{ref book |author=Arthaus |title=[[Lands of Conflict]] |isbn=9781588469601 |pages=17}}</ref> Tauren sometimes view night elves with awe and fear. Tauren have long seen the Kaldorei as a mythic race of demigods, possessed of great magic and steeped in natural powers.<ref>{{ref book |author= Arthaus |title= [[World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game]] |isbn=9781588467812 |pages=48}}</ref>
+===Ogre culture===
+*Among ogres, bone crushers are seen as the living avatars of Nath. In a society that prize strength above anything else, a bone crusher is as close to a god as an ogre can get.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]]  |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=38}}</ref>
+*[[Nath]] is the ogre war god revered by both ogres and half-ogres. The term mok'nathal means the "sons of nath".
+===Tuskarr culture===
+*[[Tayutka]]
+*[[Karkut]]
+*[[Issliruk]]
+===Outland faiths===
+*[[Terokk]]/[[Rukhmar]]
+Terokk was the greatest hero of the [[arakkoa]], closely associated with their god Rukhmar. He left his people when worship of Rukhmar began to wane, leading to speculation that he was Rukhmar in mortal form. It is unknown if they are the same being, or are separate beings that were combined in stories as the legends of Terokk were retold throughout the years.
+*[[Anzu]]
+Anzu is a god of the [[Grishnath]] [[arakkoa]]. The [[Oracles of the Raven]] prophesied that the [[Raven God]] would soon rise again.
+*[[Murmur]]
+Murmur is a being from a dimension of the cosmos unfathomable to mortal minds. Its very entrance into existence shattered all reality around it. Murmur is a god that, when summoned by a mortal possessed of arcane and dark knowledge, eventually destroyed the world of the summoner. The Shadow Council is now trying to bring forth this entity into Outland.
+===Murloc culture===
+*[[Deep Mother]]
+*The [[One in the Deeps]]
+*[[Zar'jira|Sea Witch]] a mysterious goddess, a powerful naga spellcaster.<ref>{{ref book |author= Bennie, Scott |coauthors= Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch |title= [[Horde Player's Guide]]  |isbn= 9781588467720 |pages=141}}</ref>
+== See also ==
+* [[Shamanism and nature worship]]
+* [[:Category:Religions|Religions category]] for a list of other categories or articles on religions.
+==References==
+{{Reflist}}
+{{Religions}}
+[[Category:Lore]]
+[[Category:Religions| Religions]]

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