Comments on: Oriental Druids

By: Inwë (formerly Silmae & Dunae)

Inwë (formerly Silmae & Dunae) — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 03:55:13 +0000

I think they chose a Norse style, with a bit of Asian influence as well. The names are all extremely Norse and Celtic sounding, etc… Just as any elves from other places like Lord of the Rings, etc.
But the bowing and the wisps and the honorable air NEs have is all very ‘Japonaise’!

By: Korryna

Korryna — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:03:16 +0000

The term “oriental” was simply meant to describe the way the culture was themed and not in any way as a slur or anything negative. I apologize if anyone was offended. =)

By: Runycat

Runycat — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 15:22:51 +0000

Hey, thanks for the shout-out! I’ve definitely gotten some interesting submissions thus far, and I encourage people to keep writing them.

By: Sydera

Sydera — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:03:35 +0000

Well, “oriental” could be the right word, in the Edward Said sense. Something that is “orientalist” reflects Western ideas (a collection of stereotypes collected through the ages) about the East. We’re not talking about an imitation of real people here–what’s being imitated is an artistic style, or rather a collection of styles (Anime, architecture, etc). What is Eastern is rich, exotic, indolent, all that jazz. Orientalism isn’t generally a good thing–it’s actually a means of perpetuating negative stereotypes. However, I think Blizzard had very good intentions with the Night Elves–It’s their version of cultural diversity. I would say that the designers admired the look of Japanese architecture and the anime look and ran with it. I love the look of Night Elves, and I think it’s an attempt on Blizzard’s part to make one of the alliance races less white. My main beef with the Alliance in design terms, actually, is that it’s a conglomerate of white looking characters v. a more diverse Horde (though don’t get me started on the troll voices as means of ethnic stereotyping, I hate them). Sigh, if only the undead were cuter.

By: fb

fb — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 03:37:04 +0000

things are oriental, people are asian, the title of this just sounds kind of ignorant. :-/

this wasnt to reply to ^ but to the main post, sorry

By: Korryna

Korryna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:30:19 +0000

@MeanderingMind: Make sure you submit your entries to Unbearably Hot!

By: Korryna

Korryna — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:27:48 +0000

^_^ Yeah, I’ve studied a lot about elves and fae myself, Nilianil. I not sure why Blizzard chose an Asian influence for Night Elves. With Dwarves, Gnomes and Humans, I think they already used so much Germanic and Nordic influence there that they wanted to make the Night Elf culture to contrast more by choosing other cultural influences.

By: MeanderingMind

MeanderingMind — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:17:06 +0000

Seeing Treants burn,
only you can prevent them,
wisdom from Bear Form.

Start with highest rank,
with second best repeating,
proper Moonfire spam.

Great saga of durid,
knowledge ageless and humble,
teaches Alamo.

By: Nilianil

Nilianil — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 17:04:35 +0000

I hope I don’t sound like too much of a jerk saying this, but the first mention of elves comes from Norse mythology, where they tended to be described as beautiful, strong humanoids, although they weren’t as lithe as they appear in modern culture. They were also prominent in Scandinavian lore. The long ears and more androgynous look, so far as I know, were made the staples by good ol’ Tolkien, who is said to have based them somewhat on Norse mythology. Elves have tended to retain these qualities in games since then, going back to EverQuest or even further back to games like Gauntlet where the elf was a quick, nimble being.

I can’t say I have any idea about the architecture, though. Still, the Lunar Festival and the like certainly exist

And now I’m going to jump over to that contest, hehe.

Gus – Nature’s Grasp won’t work in any raid but Hyjal, and the time spent going cat form and cowering will very often leave you dead if a mob has decided he wants to whack on you :p

By: gus

gus — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 16:51:30 +0000

Ways to avoid harm

Turn kitty form and use cower hopefully convincing the mobs after you that you are not so much of a threat after all

Nature’s grasp and root em in place

and most important of all

/yell Get over here Tank or your healer will die