So, the current direction regarding the cosmic chart is that the cosmic forces do not boil down to Good VS Evil ; rather, they’re primordial components represented and regulated by their own Pantheon and they’re ultimately looking to assert their own interests… and spread their own vision throughout the universe. Because each cosmic force is associated with a certain philosophy, a set of values that the different mortal races may or may not share. As such, a culture may have a particular ideological affinity for Order, while another may rather feel like seeking guidance from Life. I for one appreciate this new direction. It’s just more interesting this way.
Recently, Void’s “inherent evilness” was toned down, and it’s now very clear what its philosophical inclination is : the Void sees endless possibilities and is willing to acknowledge many truths & explore many different paths, as opposed to Order and Light’s tendency to only deem one path worth following (the difference between Order and Light right now could be mostly defined in terms of rationalization VS faith). As such, the Ren’dorei have a Void-oriented mindset, and this is acknowledged as an actually valid vision by the new lore.
But one cosmic force is still lacking this sort of relativist treatment and increased depth : Fel. So far, it’s only been about devouring, destroying, corrupting, leeching life off and driving insane. I feel like Fel needs the same treatment as the others. Surely, if valid ideological guidance can be sought from the Void, then it should be possible with Fel as well.
Sure, Demon Hunters exist, but they’re only about “fighting fire with fire”. By that point, I hope you understand that this is not what I’m talking about.
Let’s think about it for a second. Fel is the force of Disorder, right ? Then I propose we have it be associated with Disruption and Revolution. If Fel is about “destruction”, then expand on the value of destruction as a catalyst for rebirth : “one must first tear down to build anew”. That could take a great variety of meanings depending on the context, from a resistance group seeking to overthrow their rulers/slavers and conduct a political revolution to a nation realizing that its traditional structures and identity have led them to a deadlock situation and they must reinvent themselves completely… Retrospectively, this would’ve been a great fit for Blood Elves, because that’s basically what they went through (even taking up a new name to symbolize that rupture in their identity). Their experiments with Fel coincided with their cultural shift and their new political alignment with the Horde. That would be a great way to have them come back to their TBC themes to some extent, something which Belf fans have been asking about for many years. Midnight is on its way, and more than ever, the ideological shift between Belves and Helves must be emphasized and acknowledged : it’s always been one of “cling to survival by any means necessary, even if that implies groundbreaking changes VS cling to the traditional Thalassian identity”. The philosophical study of Fel could play some role in this. Maybe create a proper Blood Elf order of Warlocks ?
Perhaps evolution? Fel leads to some major changes to the body without delving into body horror in the same way void does and its use has led to what can be considered almost entirely separate species in some cases, such as the Eredar and Wrathguard demons splitting off on the original race and further changes to the Eredar Brutes. And unless I’m mistaken, the Old Horde modified Sethe’s cursed blood with Fel to make the poison that transformed the Draenei into the Broken and Lost Ones. And can do things like turning High and Blood Elves into Felblood Elves and causing Orcs to have their skin change from brown to green and red, which admittingly is more cosmetic, but still.
I believe evolution/change would definitely fit Fel thematically, although I’d argue Life has kind of already been established as the cosmic force of Change (see what they did with the ED in 10.2.0, especially in regards to Nymue, Q’onzu, etc). Or rather, the way I see things, both forces embody a different vision of Change : Life is about “harmonious change”, and considers creation to be a process of constant evolution ; while Fel represents brutal, radical change, and calls for triggering evolution as opposed to waiting for it to maybe happen.
You could say that Life is about cherishing, nurturing the cycle, and let it unfold without intervening ; Fel, on the other hand, is about breaking the cycle, disrupting the established order.
Or life and fel are the opposites of one another. When life is held in check, it’s nurturing and bountiful. Too much unchecked life and you get the sporemounds on draenor that devour everything in its path which leads to the death of the world
Fel seems difficult to paint as rosy or benevolent, when it is mostly used to keep itself in check - Demon Hunters and Warlocks come to mind.
It feels like a force where the most powerful must rise above the others and command them, or they will be true to their nature, and chaotic. Almost like its best use is to contain itself.
That could be painted as a necessity- sort of as “Rage.” Rage can be wild and chaotic- but it also can be tempered and controlled. Focused.
Frankly, I believe there is room for some more Lore with the Fel, since we don’t know a lot about the PreSargeras Fel societies and the rumored “Fel Lords”haven’t really made an appearance.
This, the Scythe of Elune quests say as much, Fel is the antithesis of Life. That’s why on my original cosmic chart breakdown they were shown in conflict. Fel is the conjunction of flame and Shadow (similar but different to shadowflame) it’s a byproduct of Chaos. Chaos wants to consume the whole universe. That’s why warlock spells also consume spirit (Spirit is Life.)
It already kinda existed in BFA a cult of mages called the Empyrean Society lead by Kathra’natir impersonating/ corrupting Archmage Vargoth. He was trying to make a group of mages that used all forms of magic, even forbidden magic like blood magic and fel.
I think that Blizzard hasn’t thought their universe out to anything close to the degree in which you’re operating in.
Fel energy has never been shown to be anything other than an agent for corruption and destruction. That’s why it is always shown in sickly shades of green. For Blizzard that’s the flag of truly irredeemable bad guys we can stomp on with no ethical or moral qualms.
Quoting the Chronicle Vol. 1 description, “Disorder is manifested as highly destructive fel magic. This brutal and extremely addictive energy is fueled by drawing life from living beings.”
Given this, it is outright confirmed that there is a undeniable link between Life and Disorder, with fel coming from Life.
Further tying into this same point, the Emerald Dream book about Eonar gives us this line whenever she planted the tree from Elune: When Aman’Thul saw what Eonar had done, he chided her. “This is not Order!” he bellowed. “You have infected this world with uncontrolled chaos!”
To wrap it back around to your question, not only does Disorder as a force serve as the cosmological counterbalance for Order, but it is also linked with life and other “disorderly” concepts such as free will, as we can see rapidly appear in Titan constructs who were affected by the “Curse” of Flesh (though free will also manifested more in other stone constructs as time went on).
These would be the redeeming qualities of this force.
Im liking this idea of fel/disorder being used as a revolutionary force. What is revolution compared to destruction other than two sides of the same coin? They’re largely matters of perspective. A revolution destroys the old order and if you’re in favor of the old order you see nothing but destruction, chaos, loss, and harm. If you’re for the new order, however, you see progress, freedom, and opportunity.
If we accept this newer arcane/order/titan route they’re going with the titans being all controlling, nearly robotic, singularly minded, and uncompromising, imagine how droll it could be for anyone at the bottom rung of this ordered society. Especially if you’re not a fan of what you’re doing. That change, or potential for change, can be enticing. That is where fel could shine as a neutral, or even positive, force.
Too much fel and disorder, of course. creates an equal yet opposite stagnation where nothing long term can truly be accomplished. Aracne/Order/Titans step in to create some sort of longevity and intention. In that way it keeps with this supposedly balanced cosmology they’re trying to do.
I mean ? They’ve been doing it/are currently doing it with Void. I’m literally only asking for Fel to be given the Void treatment.
In fairness, that’s the Titans’ version of the ancient history of Draenor, basically “this planet located in a remote corner of the Great Dark absolutely needed our ordering, they weren’t doing it right”. “Life must be kept in check” corresponds to a very specific vision, that of Order
As for the relationship between Life and Fel, I believe they’re both antagonistic forces AND sister forces. If I remember the Grimoire of the Shadowlands book correctly, they’re part of the “Disorder axis” (Void, Life, Fel) as opposed to the “Order axis” (Light, Order, Death)
That’s fair and I hadn’t really thought about the titans version of it. It’s easy to forget how much of history the titans and the Keepers erased, changed or kept hidden so only their version of things remain
Writers seem to struggle to portray the kind of nuanced cosmic balance you’re describing here. The only recent example I can think of where it was done in a manner that wasn’t just “x force bad but used by y person for good” ala Demon Hunters is Kena: Bridge of Spirits. The Rot is portrayed as a force necessary for renewal and growth, not something bad in itself.
Exactly !!! Counter-revolutionary forces seeking to preserve the current system will always tell you they’re “fighting for order”. Carrying out a (potentially armed) revolution implies destroying the previously established social and political structures. The Titans are being increasingly shown as a group that tends to enforce its own vision on the natives of the worlds they “order”, and once they’ve successfully done so, to secure that ordering and make sure no one may disrupt the new structures and deviate the world from the path they favor (again, see Nymue and the ordering of the Dream, the One True Timeline the Bronze are supposed to maintain, etc).
And that’s where the nuance of the whole thing lies : some races may welcome Order with open arms, either because they themselves were born from Order (the Titanforged races for instance), because it’s in their interest, or because their vision of the universe is aligned with that of Order… and some other races may not, for the exact same reasons but in reverse. Both valid reactions depending on your perspective. Let the players decide with which one they vibe the best. Give them the lore room needed to be into Fel without being a villain.
That’s why I believe it would make so much sense for the force that’s the polar opposite of Order to be wielded for revolutionary purposes