Changes: Children's Week (Alliance)

Revision as of 02:57, 6 November 2010

Template:Racebox

Vrykul (pronounced ['vraɪ.kʊl]) are a race of heavily Norse-themed half-giant warriors native to the Howling Fjord, located in southeastern Northrend. It is said that in ancient times the vrykul race inhabited the land, founding a vast and prosperous civilization. Suddenly one day, without warning or explanation, the vrykul race vanished, leaving behind only deserted villages and abandoned temples. Due to the encroachment of the Alliance settlement of Valgarde on their lands, vrykul have recently returned.

Led by King Ymiron, these formidable warriors have begun attacking Horde and Alliance settlements from the fortress of Utgarde Keep, not far from Valgarde. Vrykul motives and their whereabouts for the past several thousand years remains a mystery, though they have recently become allied with the Lich King, accepting him as their "Death God".

Vrykul are brutal in nature, and are served by worgs and a similarly mysterious race of proto-dragons. They practice a runic magic that even the most experienced wizards find unfamiliar. For some reason, they frown on manual labor, thinking it lowly.^[1]

The quest Anguish of Nifflevar states that vrykul children born in a certain time after their gods "abandoned" them were "weak and ugly". King Ymiron ordered all those children to be killed, but events observed in the preceding quest The Echo of Ymiron imply that not all of the parents obeyed this order, instead hiding their children in order for them to grow up far away from Northrend. This evinces that vrykul are the progenitors of humans, which is also stated by Thoralius the Wise - "There is no extinct "missing link" to humans as the Explorers' League proposed. The vrykul are the missing link. They are the progenitors of humanity".

A dialogue uncovered by Brann Bronzebeard in Ulduar lists the vrykul (along with the earthen and the giants) as "seed races", implying that they are direct creations of the titans as opposed to having evolved from some other race over time.

Appearance

Vrykul appear as very large and muscular humans, usually with beards.

Types

A few subraces of vrykul exist. The only currently known ones are:

Vrykul

A race of half-giants in which humans are connected to.

Iron vrykul

Have stone or metal-like skin with engraved runes. Sjonnir The Ironshaper appears to be this type of vrykul. Iron vrykul serve the titan Loken, as well as his master, Yogg-Saron. They are not true vrykul, however, as Loken created them from a saronite/iron alloy and so they are more akin to earthen.

Frost vrykul

Have blue skin and are covered in ice. They are adapted to living in the colder areas of Northrend.

Kvaldir

A fleshy variation, covered in green scales and barnacles; they are almost entirely aquatic. They come from an unknown location and attack the beaches of southern Northrend. Additionally in a chain of flashbacks beginning with

[81] Visions of the Past: The Invasion of Vashj'ir, Varkul the Unrelenting leads a huge army and claimed the then abandoned Ruins of Vashj'ir. Both he and his kvaldir were defeated by an army of naga lead by Lady Naz'jar and Fathom-Lord Zin'jatar.

Three undead variants derived from vrykul stock also exist.

File:IconSmall Val'kyr Small.gif Val'kyr

Incorporeal undead raised from vrykul females. The inhabitants of Valkyrion aspire to this transformation.

File:IconSmall Vargul Small.gif Vargul

Vrykul brought to undeath that weren't found worthy by the Lich King.^[2] They are the losers of the challenge to "ascend" at Jotunheim. The winners are the Ymirjar.^[3]

An organization exists of both live and undead vyrkul.

File:IconSmall Vargul Small.gif Ymirjar

Not a type, but an organization of frost vrykul loyal to the Lich King. They are the winners of the challenge to "ascend" at Jotunheim, but for some reason has vargul members.

Clans/Communities

Friendly

Hyldnir

Neutral

Scourge

Myth

The vrykul seem to be inspired by the Einherjar (ine-her-yar, "lone ravagers/army of one") of Norse mythology who were the spirits of warriors who died glorious deaths in battle and were resurrected to serve the gods at the time of Ragnarök. Unlike the Einherjar however, the vrykul serve an evil purpose.

The name vrykul comes from the Greek equivalent of the vampire, the vrykolakas (from the Slavic vǎrkolak). (The vrykul were originally supposed to be vampiric in nature, this aspect was later seperated and implemented as the Darkfallen)

In addition, the vrykul may have ties to the Warhammer universe's Norscans, a nomadic and violent race of humans enthralled to the Chaos gods. The Warcraft series is believed to be originally inspired, in part, by the Warhammer games.

At the Blizzcon '07 WoW Lore panel, Chris Metzen said “The first time we started talking about these guys, there were probably six different things that defined them, right? They’re giant…dark…vampiric…barbarian…vikings…from hell, right? The list just kept going.”

Speculation

This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.

It is possible that the vrykul may originally have been iron vrykul (or some unseen "stone vrykul") transformed by the Curse of Flesh, similarly to how it transformed earthen into dwarves. As mentioned, Thoralius the Wise stated that the vrykul is the "missing link" to the humans. As this theory is worked out by the Explorer's League, the "first piece" is probably the Titans or/and the Earthen.
It can be speculated that the disappearance of the vrykul can be traced back to the Sundering if they, like the earthen, were greatly affected by the event and retreated to hibernate for thousands of years. This possibility may be seen in Jotunheim and Gjalerbron where some of the vrykul are in a state of hibernation. The Tribunal of Ages hints that Loken put them in stasis at the end of his war.
Although the vrykul are generally seen as an inherently brutal race, focused on nothing but violence, power and servitude to their king, there are several cases throughout WoW where a disobedience to power, whether it be king or magic, are seen. For example, during the quest chain in Howling Fjord which gives a possible explanation as to how humans came to be, a vrykul couple choose to save their "weak" and "ugly" child (as they were described by King Ymiron) out of what appears to be the same moral values that their human descendants would currently hold.

Gallery

Male vrykul concept art
Female vrykul concept art
Older model
A vrykul fighting a dwarf warrior in Utgarde Keep in The Wrath of the Lich King Alpha.
concept art
concept art
concept art
Vrykul4.jpg

concept art
Dragonflayer clan's banner
Winterskorn clan's banner
Gjalerbron's banner?

References

[1] ttp://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/dungeons/utgarde.xml

[2] Quest:Light Won't Grant Me Vengeance

[3] Quest:The Duke

[1]

[2]

[3]

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
+{{Racebox
-{{WorldEvent/Children's Week|doc=}}
+| image = King Ymiron.jpg
-{{questbox
- | name = Children's Week (Alliance)
+| name = Vrykul
+| capital = [[Utgarde Keep]]
- | faction = Alliance
+| other major cities = Unknown
- | level = 60
+| faction = [[Scourge]]
- | levelreq = 10
+| mount = [[Polar bear]], [[Proto-dragon]], [[Mammoth]], [[Felsteed]]<ref>[[Gjalerbron Warrior]]s ride them.</ref>
- | type =
+| homeworld = [[Azeroth (world)|Azeroth]] ([[Northrend]])
- | category = Children's Week
+| language = [[Vrykul (language)|Vrykul]] (presumed)
- | start = [[Orphan Matron Nightingale]]
+| slang =
- | end = [[Human Orphan]]
- | reputation = [[Alliance]] +10
+| leader = [[King Ymiron]]
- | experience =
+| height = Unknown
- | rewards =
- | money =
- | repeatable = Yes
- | previous = None
- | next =
- | id = 1468
 }}
+'''Vrykul''' (pronounced ['vraɪ.kʊl]) are a race of heavily Norse-themed [[half-giant]] warriors native to the [[Howling Fjord]], located in southeastern [[Northrend]]. It is said that in ancient times the vrykul race inhabited the land, founding a vast and prosperous civilization. Suddenly one day, without warning or explanation, the vrykul race vanished, leaving behind only deserted villages and abandoned temples. Due to the encroachment of the [[Alliance]] settlement of [[Valgarde]] on their lands, vrykul have recently returned.
-== Objectives ==
+Led by [[King Ymiron]], these formidable [[warrior]]s have begun attacking Horde and Alliance settlements from the fortress of [[Utgarde Keep]], not far from Valgarde. Vrykul motives and their whereabouts for the past several thousand years remains a mystery, though they have recently become allied with the [[Lich King]], accepting him as their "Death God".
-Use the [[Human Orphan Whistle]] to talk with the child you will be looking after during Children's Week.
+Vrykul are brutal in nature, and are served by [[worg]]s and a similarly mysterious race of [[proto-dragon]]s. They practice a [[Rune magic|runic magic]] that even the most experienced [[wizard]]s find unfamiliar. For some reason, they frown on manual labor, thinking it lowly.<ref>http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/wrath/features/dungeons/utgarde.xml</ref>
-== Description ==
+The quest {{quest|Anguish of Nifflevar}} states that vrykul children born in a certain time after their [[Titan|gods]] "abandoned" them were [[human|"weak and ugly"]]. [[King Ymiron]] ordered all those children to be killed, but events observed in the preceding quest {{quest|The Echo of Ymiron}} imply that not all of the parents obeyed this order, instead hiding their children in order for them to grow up far away from Northrend. This evinces that vrykul are the progenitors of humans, which is also stated by [[Thoralius the Wise]] - "''There is no extinct "missing link" to humans as the Explorers' League proposed. The vrykul are the missing link. They are the progenitors of humanity''".
-You're willing to help us here at the orphanage? Bless you, friend; your aid during Children's Week will be invaluable.
+A [[Tribunal of Ages|dialogue]] uncovered by [[Brann Bronzebeard]] in [[Ulduar]] lists the vrykul (along with the [[earthen]] and the [[giants]]) as "[[seed races]]", implying that they are direct creations of the titans as opposed to having evolved from some other race over time.
-Take this whistle. You will only be able to use it for a short amount of time - typically not longer than Children's Week itself. When you use it, you will be able to talk with the child you've agreed to look after. Using it again will dismiss the child.
+==Appearance==
-By all means <name> - use the whistle and meet your ward! I'm sure the child will be most eager to meet you.
+[[File:Vrykul.jpg|thumb|Vrykul art from the official site.]]
+Vrykul appear as very large and muscular humans, usually with beards.
-== Completion ==
+==Types==
+A few [[subrace]]s of vrykul exist. The only currently known ones are:
+*{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Female|Small}} Vrykul
-Um... hi.  My name is Randis, and I guess you're looking after me?  You're an adventurer, like my mom and dad were.  I'm happy to meet you.
+:A race of [[half-giant]]s in which [[human]]s are connected to.
+*{{RaceIcon|IronVrykul|Male|Small}} [[Iron vrykul]]
-I hope we'll have a lot of fun together.  I have some things I'd like to do, and the matron says you'll be like a big brother to me during this week.  I'd like that a whole bunch, yes sir.
+:Have stone or metal-like skin with engraved [[runes]]. [[Sjonnir The Ironshaper]] appears to be this type of vrykul. Iron vrykul serve the [[titan]] [[Loken]], as well as his master, [[Yogg-Saron]]. They are not true vrykul, however, as Loken created them from a saronite/iron alloy and so they are more akin to earthen.
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Frost vrykul]]
-Provided: [[Human Orphan Whistle]]
+:Have blue skin and are covered in ice. They are adapted to living in the colder areas of Northrend.
+*{{RaceIcon|Kvaldir|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|Kvaldir|Female|Small}} [[Kvaldir]]
-== Quest progression ==
+:A fleshy variation, covered in green scales and barnacles; they are almost entirely aquatic. They come from an unknown location and attack the beaches of southern Northrend. Additionally in a chain of flashbacks beginning with {{Questlong|Alliance|81|Visions of the Past: The Invasion of Vashj'ir}}, [[Varkul the Unrelenting]] leads a huge army and claimed the then abandoned [[Ruins of Vashj'ir]]. Both he and his kvaldir were defeated by an army of [[naga]] lead by [[Lady Naz'jar]] and [[Fathom-Lord Zin'jatar]].
-<onlyinclude>#{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|Children's Week (Alliance)|Children's Week}}
-#
-#*{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|Spooky Lighthouse}}
-#*{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|The Stonewrought Dam}}
-#*{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|The Bough of the Eternals}}
-#
-#*{{questlong|Neutral|10-80|You Scream, I Scream...}}
-#*{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|Jaina's Autograph}}
-#{{questlong|Alliance|10-80|A Warden of the Alliance}}</onlyinclude>
+Three undead variants derived from vrykul stock also exist.
-==External links==
-<!-- Read http://www.wowwiki.com/WoWWiki:External_links before posting your links here.
+*{{RaceIconExt|Val'kyr|Small}} [[Val'kyr]]
-Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
+:Incorporeal undead raised from vrykul females. The inhabitants of [[Valkyrion]] aspire to this transformation.
-Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
-Have a nice day. :) -->
+*{{RaceIconExt|Vargul|Small}} [[Vargul]]
-{{elinks-quest|1468}}
+:Vrykul brought to undeath that weren't found worthy by the [[Lich King]].<ref>[[Quest:Light Won't Grant Me Vengeance]]</ref> They are the losers of the challenge to "ascend" at Jotunheim. The winners are the [[Ymirjar]].<ref>[[Quest:The Duke]]</ref>
+An organization exists of both live and undead vyrkul.
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} {{RaceIconExt|Vargul|Small}} [[Ymirjar]]
+:Not a type, but an organization of frost vrykul loyal to the Lich King. They are the winners of the challenge to "ascend" at Jotunheim, but for some reason has vargul members.
+==Clans/Communities==
+===Friendly===
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Hyldnir]]
+===Neutral===
+*{{RaceIcon|IronVrykul|Male|Small}} [[Iron vrykul]]
+*{{RaceIcon|SeaVrykul|Male|Small}} [[Kvaldir|Kvaldir clan]]
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Sifreldar Village|Sifreldar]]
+*{{RaceIcon|SeaVrykul|Male|Small}} [[Skadir clan]]
+===Scourge===
+*{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Female|Small}} [[Dragonflayer clan]]
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Jotunheim]]
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Mjordin]]
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}}{{RaceIconExt|Val'kyr|Small}} [[Valkyrion]]
+*{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|Vrykul|Female|Small}} [[Winterskorn clan]]
+*{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Male|Small}}{{RaceIcon|FrostVrykul|Female|Small}} [[Ymirheim]]
+==Myth==
+The vrykul seem to be inspired by the [[wikipedia:Einherjar|Einherjar]] (ine-her-yar, "lone ravagers/army of one") of Norse mythology who were the spirits of warriors who died glorious deaths in battle and were resurrected to serve the gods at the time of [[wikipedia:Ragnarök|Ragnarök]]. Unlike the Einherjar however, the vrykul serve an evil purpose.
+The name vrykul comes from the Greek equivalent of the vampire, the ''vrykolakas'' (from the Slavic ''vǎrkolak''). (The vrykul were originally supposed to be vampiric in nature, this aspect was later seperated and implemented as the [[Darkfallen]])
+In addition, the vrykul may have ties to the ''Warhammer'' universe's Norscans, a nomadic and violent race of humans enthralled to the Chaos gods. The ''Warcraft'' series is believed to be originally inspired, in part, by the ''Warhammer'' games.
+At the Blizzcon '07 ''WoW'' Lore panel, Chris Metzen said “The first time we started talking about these guys, there were probably six different things that defined them, right? They’re giant…dark…vampiric…barbarian…vikings…from hell, right? The list just kept going.”
+==Speculation==
+{{speculation}}
+*It is possible that the vrykul may originally have been [[iron vrykul]] (or some unseen "stone vrykul") transformed by the [[Curse of Flesh]], similarly to how it transformed [[earthen]] into [[dwarves]]. As mentioned, [[Thoralius the Wise]] stated that the vrykul is the "missing link" to the humans. As this theory is worked out by the Explorer's League, the "first piece" is probably the Titans or/and the Earthen.
+*It can be speculated that the disappearance of the vrykul can be traced back to the [[Sundering]] if they, like the earthen, were greatly affected by the event and retreated to hibernate for thousands of years. This possibility may be seen in [[Jotunheim]] and [[Gjalerbron]] where some of the vrykul are in a state of hibernation. The [[Tribunal of Ages]] hints that [[Loken]] put them in stasis at the end of his war.
+*Although the vrykul are generally seen as an inherently brutal race, focused on nothing but violence, power and servitude to their king, there are several cases throughout ''WoW'' where a disobedience to power, whether it be king or magic, are seen. For example, during the quest chain in Howling Fjord which gives a possible explanation as to how humans came to be, a vrykul couple choose to save their "weak" and "ugly" child (as they were described by King Ymiron) out of what appears to be the same moral values that their human descendants would currently hold.
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:Ss5-hires.jpg|Male vrykul concept art
+File:Femalevrykul.jpg|Female vrykul concept art
+File:Vrykul old model.jpg|Older model
+File:WWI_Utgarde_Keep_Mobs.jpg|A vrykul fighting a dwarf warrior in Utgarde Keep in ''The Wrath of the Lich King'' Alpha.
+File:Vrykul1.jpg|concept art
+File:Vrykul2.jpg|concept art
+File:Vrykul3.jpg|concept art
+File:Vrykul4.jpg|concept art
+File:Thorvald's Banner.jpg|Dragonflayer clan's banner
+File:Winterskorn banner.jpg|Winterskorn clan's banner
+File:Vrykul black banner.jpg|Gjalerbron's banner?
+</gallery>
+==References==
+{{reflist}}
+{{Titanic creations}}
+{{Language links}}
+[[es:Vrykul]]
+[[fr:Vrykul]]
+[[Category:Vrykul| ]]

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