So I read all 3,437 posts to get some ideas. Some of what I post below has been said by others in this thread whether by just bringing up the subject or going into more detail. I came up with these ideas before reading any post that had the exact same idea. The credit has to go to those who mentioned it before me. I’ve also got ideas from others and took that and went further. If I saw it posted before in this thread I’ll mention that I saw it posted.
(Posted in this thread about them looking different) Whatever they look like they need to be different then just reskinned BE’s. They have to be taller or shorter and thinner. I would say they could be heavier but they are dead so not many dead fat elves running around, lol.
Hair
- Two hair colors (Posted by someone else in this thread). I think there should be a base color that is either black, silver or white. A second color that is the highlight should be either black, silver, or white for those that want one hair color or a dark red, dark blue or dark purple for those that want highlights.
- Elvira style hairdo for females. I’ve always had a crush on Elvira and I think her hair style would be kind of cool to have as a San’layn. (Personal preference)
Dance
- The Waltz. It is very refined and kind of what I expect of vampires masquerading around in costumes.
- The Batusi. Kind of a weird dance I remember from my childhood and one weird enough for Blizz to use. Go to 1:50 for the basic dance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsYA8Gr5NTY
- Combine the two dances mentioned above. Start with the Waltz and make a complete circle and then start in on the Batusi, lol.
Heritage Armor
- Gothic/Ballroom attire. The fluffy dresses, top hat, tux and ballroom masks. (Not really a fan of this because it’s more Worgen style imo)
- Elvira dress with the slit. Add in a high, pointed collar that comes up to your head, black pantyhose or thigh high stockings and a long flowing cape. Could even add in some chandelier type shoulders. (Female only version which Blizz hasn’t done a separate male/female heritage yet)
Classes
- Same as Blood Elves. They are raised Blood Elves so why would they not have the same class skills they died with?
- Could always give them Warlock, Mage, Warrior, Death Knight but only if not an AR, Rogue, Hunter and either Monk or Priest though I think Priest might be too much light even though it has Shadow.
Racials
- Illusion magic. When you near death, 5% - 10% max life, you create an illusion of yourself that takes all aggro as you disappear for 3secs.
- Mark of death. Just like the ones that were with Dreven in the Alliance campaign. You mark an enemy and if you die they die or have it deal your max hp to that enemy so you can’t one shot a raid boss. Probably only for PvE and probably a 10 - 30 min cooldown.
- Masquerade. You can turn into any target regardless of faction for X minutes. 10 - 30 minute cooldown.
- Blood Worm. Every enemy you kill creates a blood worm that heals you for X hp or they attack enemy and heal you as they attack. Low damage and low heal so as to not be OP.
- Blood Crystal/Globe. You pull out a blood crystal/globe and suck on it to replenish you life. Works kind of like Zandalari racial.
- Gnome Slam. It is the exact thing we see that San’layn do to the gnome in the Alliance campaign. It works like execute for warriors. When enemy health gets below a certain threshold you can use that skill.
What if Sylvanas knew that Deven couldn’t be trusted and she figured that she would use him like he was trying to use her. Why would the San’layn join the Horde?
Reason for joining the Horde
- Bolvar breaks free and tries to get San’layn to work for him. When they refuse he declares them enemies. They join Horde for self preservation. (Not my favorite)
- Stuck up Dreven was the son of the Blood King. When he finds out that the Alliance killed him he seeks revenge and joins with the Horde since they know the Alliance better and have had many conflicts with them. (Good idea but needs more work)
- The San’layn have an inner conflict going on also. Dreven was part of the San’layn that want nothing to do with outsiders. The Horde is approached by another group that wants to join the Horde and since the Horde was working with Dreven, even though he had no desire to help them, this group of San’layn consider that to be their best option. The Alliance is out because they killed a fellow San’layn.
- Xal’atath either entered into a San’layn when she was freed, even though it looks like a void elf, or she swaps bodies and inhabits a San’layn. Feeling the power they possess she tries to lead them. When she sees that the Alliance kills the San’layn on the boat she tries to manipulate the Horde and so appears to be joining them.
- Xal’atath was actually the very first San’layn raised. When she was freed from the dagger she returns to take back what’s hers. Her cruel way of ruling causes some San’layn to seek an ally in the Horde in order to defeat her. (I like this one)
- Sylvanas becomes their leader (kind of posted by some in this thread). Maybe she becomes part San’layn on top of banshee. She also could use the blade of Xal’atath to steal Bolvar’s powers and raise the San’layn.
- Since the Lich King had crushed the Nerubian Empire the San’layn had occupied some of the Old Kingdom. When the Lich King was defeated a lot of the San’layn were scattered. Over time they finally came to live in the Old Kingdom but the Nerubians also returned. The Nerubians occupy the Upper Kingdom while the San’layn occupy some of the Old Kingdom. Since the Nerubians have the power to reproduce the San’layn are losing. They come seeking help from the Horde. In return for helping the San’layn they will help repel the Alliance attack since they have attempted to take Silvermoon (Attack on Silvermoon was posted my someone in this thread). (I like this one a lot and it sets up WotLK 2.0 with Alliance getting Nerubians, which they won’t want)
Now where do they live. I’ve seen mentioned a number of Necropolis, En’kilah or Deatholme. Other ideas could be:
Possible Homes
- Ahn’kahet - They would battle the Nerubians for control. The San’layn dug out part of the Old Kingdom while the Nerubians have the Upper Kingdom. Could be fighting between them over the rest of the Old Kingdom. Also sets up WotLK 2.0. (This is my choice)
- Naxxanr and/or En’kilah - These have been mentioned and would make a nice little city with a Necropolis.
- Utgarde Keep - A San’layn is a boss there but that is the only reason I even mention it. Worse place imo.
- Malykiss - It is not finished but maybe the San’layn finish it and occupy it.
- Necropolis in Halls of Reflection - After the battle between Sylvanas and the Lich King there is a Necropolis chained to the ice cliff. Could San’layn be inside preparing for the war the Lich King is making. Fortunately the Lich King is defeated before they are used and they still occupy it.
- Zeramas - Only empty Necropolis I’ve seen or heard about in game. Could be free for San’layn to use.
Who would lead them? I’ve seen Kael’thas, Sylvanas, Blood Princes, Lana’thel, even Lor’themar . Here are some possible leaders:
Possible Leaders
- Sylvanas (posted by someone in this thread). I think she could use the Blade of Xal’atath to steal Blovar’s powers and use them to raise San’layn. Then they would be loyal to her.
- Lirath Winrunner (posted by someone in this thread). Maybe the Lich King had raised him to get under Sylvanas’s skin but never got the chance to use it against her.
- Kael’thas Sunstrider (posted by someone in this thread). Decapitation does not stop one from being raised as a Forsaken or San’layn from what I read/understand. So that makes him a possible choice though I personally think that would backfire on the Horde.
- Thalorian dawnseeker. He was Lana’thel’s good friend and the wielder of Quel’delar before Lana’thel took it. Could he have been raised as the Blood King? Maybe Lana’thel made him a Blood Prince?
- Lana’thel. What if she possessed Illusion magic and just before she died she made an illusion that the champions killed instead of her? She is still alive.
I still have about half my notes to post but I’m tired of staring at the screen so I’ll end it here. Will post the rest tomorrow. It will include 9.0 xpac ideas, two Blood Princes, plot against Sylvanas, blood rituals and what they could mean, the rule of 3, quest chains to unlock San’layn and another after you unlock them, and other ideas.