This article is fan fiction The contents herein are entirely player made and in no way represent official World of Warcraft lore or history. The characters, places, and events listed are of an independent nature and are applied for roleplaying purposes only.

Dave's Proposal for Independant Pandarens Edit

Let us all share the lovable pandaren.
Chen Stormstout asks that you not rule out the Horde.

♦ Given the established record of neutral cities such as Shattrath and Dalaran (and the existance of items that can disguise you as an opposing race) I don't see why they couldn't allow pandaren players to align themselves as they choose with either the Alliance or the Horde upon character creation.

♦ Starting reputation levels could lean in favor of Dwarves or Tauren respectively.

♦ Ignoring issue of pandaren fighting other pandaren in PvP, at least PvP could be prohibited on the Island of Pandaria itself. Also, as far as small cosmetic variations go, perhaps making their eyes glow Blue/Red for the Alliance/Horde respectively could be a place to start.

♦ As for a class list, I'd propose Warrior, Paladin, Hunter, Shaman, Druid and Priest which would offer both the Alliance and the Horde an additional choice for the Druid, Paladin and Shaman classes.... while representing the pandaren's aversion to the 'Highborne' Mage and Warlock styles of magic.

♦ Pandaren shamans could recieve their respective totems from quest giving NPCs representing the Four Guardians of the Compass (from Chinese/Japanese mythology) which could reside in Pandaria.

Earth > Tortise ( Gui Xian/Genbu ) North
Air > White Tiger ( Baihu/Byakko ) West
Fire > Pheonix ( Zhuque/Suzaku ) South
Water > Wyrm ( Qinglong/Seiryuu ) East

http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/ssu-ling.shtml

♦ Pandaren druids could take forms resembling the Four Guardians:

Bear Form > Tortise ( Gui Xian/Genbu )
Cat Form > White Tiger ( Baihu/Byakko )
Moonkin Form > Pheonix-styled ( Zhuque/Suzaku )
Tree of Life > Wyrm ( Qinglong/Seiryuu )

Qinglong/Seiryuu is also affiliated with the element of Wood in the mythology. An upright torso, lowered head, stubby limbs and upheld tail could produce a stature and posture similar to the one offered by the Tree, with the Wyrm's mane filling in where a Tree's foliage might otherwise be expected. The word Wyrm is used here to differentiate it from the style of Dragons already existing in World of Warcraft, which would allow it to be more easily classified as an elemental (as per Tree)... (unless you count Mana and Frost Wyrms).

Travel Form > Fox
Aquatic Form > Carp
Flight Form > a smaller pheonix form (?)

♦ In Pandaria, the pandaren priest trainers could reside in a temple displaying a Yin Yang symbol displayed on a circular floor.. respresenting Light and Shadow.

♦ If it were my choice, Pandaren would mount chinese Fu Dogs with style, resembling the one at right (adding appropriate color schemes). A name change for these mounts would be probable. It would of course, be the first time they have ever roamed outside Pandaria.