San'layn Megathread
Note: Thread and all of its images broke, hence it was gutted. OP no longer has Trust Level 3, and isn't active in WoW. Sorry about that. Feel free to search up images online or ask in the thread for some examples of our ideas.
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Thanks everyone for contributing so much and supporting this race! You're all wonderful, and despite some trolling and insults, we will continue! Note here: Please read everything in the post before responding, we do address many issues in this post brought up by people that end up not reading this stuff at all. If you don't care to read it, don't bother commenting.
The Big Question: Could San'layn be an Allied Race at some point in World of Warcraft? We discussed wanting them added, but they have potential to actually be a thing now! This thread is to show support and share ideas. Please read it entirely before jumping to conclusions! We have a disclaimer below for those concerned about there being "more elves".
DISCLAIMER: We understand that many want to see other Allied races first and by no means are asking for San'layn before or instead of others. This is just a speculation thread for sharing ideas and such.
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Allied Race Ideas
The Story
Let's start off with debunking the myth that all San'layn are extinct. While their numbers are likely low, we understand that a race with a small population can still be played perfectly fine by the playerbase--see Blood Elves and especially the new Void Elves.
Ren'dorei are a small section of the Sin'dorei, in fact, that ended up being exiled. Take a tiny fragment of an already extremely small population and make an entire race out of that! Blizzard has done it once and they can do it again if it makes sense. But back to the extinct issue (which is no longer an issue, anyway, due to their showing up in BfA.). Now, we've seen major San'layn leaders destroyed by the heroes of Azeroth, most notably Lana'thel. But we know that not all were actually killed off--the Blood Princess in the Legion expansion is a good example of this. While we do kill her in Violet Hold, she is a good indication that the race is still there and did not suddenly keel over dead upon the death of Lana'thel (a ridiculous notion anyway).
I'd like to mention the missing Blood Princes. I will mention their names here, too: Prince Theraldis, Prince Atherann, and Blood Lord Vorath (he was in the TCG so might not be considered in lore itself, I am not sure on that one.) Any one of the above could be ambassadors for the San'layn joining either faction of the current dynamic (I will get into what faction I see them joining in a moment.)
We see the highest concentration of San'layn in En'kilah, where we are tasked with offing Prince Valanar. There is a huge concentration of NPC San'layn there, and while many of them could have been wiped out, a few could have survived and avoided detection to further work for the Lich King, only to have their wills freed upon Arthas being slain. I will get more into the discussion of 'will' in a moment as well. But anyway, the concentration of San'layn were only seen as NPCs there as well. We never saw the Ren'dorei in any location, including Ghostlands, until right when they were introduced, and they were inserted as potentially being in Ghostlands at some point in time. What's not to say a section of San'layn were hiding out somewhere in Icecrown? Or Grizzly Hills? Or other areas in the Borean Tundra? It's not that much of a stretch to say strategic forces were scattered along Northrend and then found themselves without a leader upon the death of Lana'thel and Arthas.
Now then, would their wills be bound to the new Lich King? Or could they break from the will or even have had broken from the will of Arthas (an odd sect of San'layn, anyway) like Death Knights? The Darkfallen were selected as among the most intelligent of undead. It is not a stretch to say that when the Arthas's control began to fade upon the undead, they broke from him just like the Death Knights. Many simply continued to work for him, but a few could have taken other routes or hidden.
We would have on our hands a shattered force of vampyr Blood Elves all around Northrend in this case--potentially being brought together by these princes. What would these elves seek to do? Continue to spread terror and rip people to shreds? Or could they potentially join a faction and, like the Death Knights, be accepted and integrated back into places they once called home? Remember, Death Knights were seen as mindless killing machines at one point, and we've seen that they did regain their personalities back, with one catch of course. They must continue to cause suffering in one way or another. These elves could have regained themselves with that same catch--the need, however, would be shifted to needing to feed off of living races' blood or energy. Not unlike what Blood Elves have to do in general, really, but with the San'layn they'd benefit much more from blood and its magics in general.
Let's take a look into more lore. We were introduced to more issues on the vampyr this expansion in Stormheim, most notable the vampirates. They were compared to the San'layn, as a matter of fact, which was interesting... and then Lucard enters the picture. We kill him, and he says, "I.. am not... defeated...". Then, Mrrgleton comments, "Vampyr CAN be killed, can't they?" What could this imply? Could Lana'thel potentially be brought back, should those missing princes not be used? Did she really die at all--could she have been weakened or actually have drank enough blood of the heroes to appear dead but actually manage to flee while they were taking on Arthas? Again, this is speculation on how all of this could be possible, and who their leader could be.
Now, what faction would they join? Who is the most likely to take them in? Easy. The Horde.
They almost actually joined the Horde in BfA. We just... don't see them on Horde side. Sadly this never comes to pass, as we never see San'layn again beyond 8.0 at least at the time of this edit (as of 6/20/2020). I have some albums below on what's seen on either side in regard to this, it relates to the Battle for Azeroth War Campaign.
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Let's start off with debunking the myth that all San'layn are extinct. While their numbers are likely low, we understand that a race with a small population can still be played perfectly fine by the playerbase--see Blood Elves and especially the new Void Elves.
Ren'dorei are a small section of the Sin'dorei, in fact, that ended up being exiled. Take a tiny fragment of an already extremely small population and make an entire race out of that! Blizzard has done it once and they can do it again if it makes sense. But back to the extinct issue (which is no longer an issue, anyway, due to their showing up in BfA.). Now, we've seen major San'layn leaders destroyed by the heroes of Azeroth, most notably Lana'thel. But we know that not all were actually killed off--the Blood Princess in the Legion expansion is a good example of this. While we do kill her in Violet Hold, she is a good indication that the race is still there and did not suddenly keel over dead upon the death of Lana'thel (a ridiculous notion anyway).
I'd like to mention the missing Blood Princes. I will mention their names here, too: Prince Theraldis, Prince Atherann, and Blood Lord Vorath (he was in the TCG so might not be considered in lore itself, I am not sure on that one.) Any one of the above could be ambassadors for the San'layn joining either faction of the current dynamic (I will get into what faction I see them joining in a moment.)
We see the highest concentration of San'layn in En'kilah, where we are tasked with offing Prince Valanar. There is a huge concentration of NPC San'layn there, and while many of them could have been wiped out, a few could have survived and avoided detection to further work for the Lich King, only to have their wills freed upon Arthas being slain. I will get more into the discussion of 'will' in a moment as well. But anyway, the concentration of San'layn were only seen as NPCs there as well. We never saw the Ren'dorei in any location, including Ghostlands, until right when they were introduced, and they were inserted as potentially being in Ghostlands at some point in time. What's not to say a section of San'layn were hiding out somewhere in Icecrown? Or Grizzly Hills? Or other areas in the Borean Tundra? It's not that much of a stretch to say strategic forces were scattered along Northrend and then found themselves without a leader upon the death of Lana'thel and Arthas.
Now then, would their wills be bound to the new Lich King? Or could they break from the will or even have had broken from the will of Arthas (an odd sect of San'layn, anyway) like Death Knights? The Darkfallen were selected as among the most intelligent of undead. It is not a stretch to say that when the Arthas's control began to fade upon the undead, they broke from him just like the Death Knights. Many simply continued to work for him, but a few could have taken other routes or hidden.
We would have on our hands a shattered force of vampyr Blood Elves all around Northrend in this case--potentially being brought together by these princes. What would these elves seek to do? Continue to spread terror and rip people to shreds? Or could they potentially join a faction and, like the Death Knights, be accepted and integrated back into places they once called home? Remember, Death Knights were seen as mindless killing machines at one point, and we've seen that they did regain their personalities back, with one catch of course. They must continue to cause suffering in one way or another. These elves could have regained themselves with that same catch--the need, however, would be shifted to needing to feed off of living races' blood or energy. Not unlike what Blood Elves have to do in general, really, but with the San'layn they'd benefit much more from blood and its magics in general.
Let's take a look into more lore. We were introduced to more issues on the vampyr this expansion in Stormheim, most notable the vampirates. They were compared to the San'layn, as a matter of fact, which was interesting... and then Lucard enters the picture. We kill him, and he says, "I.. am not... defeated...". Then, Mrrgleton comments, "Vampyr CAN be killed, can't they?" What could this imply? Could Lana'thel potentially be brought back, should those missing princes not be used? Did she really die at all--could she have been weakened or actually have drank enough blood of the heroes to appear dead but actually manage to flee while they were taking on Arthas? Again, this is speculation on how all of this could be possible, and who their leader could be.
Now, what faction would they join? Who is the most likely to take them in? Easy. The Horde.
They almost actually joined the Horde in BfA. We just... don't see them on Horde side. Sadly this never comes to pass, as we never see San'layn again beyond 8.0 at least at the time of this edit (as of 6/20/2020). I have some albums below on what's seen on either side in regard to this, it relates to the Battle for Azeroth War Campaign.
Summary of Our Ideas (click the arrows for pictures!)
Model Variations
- Claws
- Fangs
- Sharpened or serrated teeth, like goblins:
- Tall, lithe model
- Modified Blood Elf (Think Lana'thel):
- Modified Night elf (Think Blood Princes):
- Temporary or perm wings
- Patterned Body Scars
- Blood dripping from claws, toggleable, see suggestion
- Pulsating Blood Scars
- Glowing Blood Runes
- Bat-like ears, Varying ear options in general(Like goblins)
- Facial Scars or marks:
- Torn ears
- Black, Red, and Amber, pure white, white with a red pupil, black with a red center eye options
- Grey/Black/white skin
- Bandages to hide scars due to vanity
Hair
- Blood-stained Hair
- Dual colors like some of the princes:
- Typical colors, DK colors
Hair Styles:
- Mixture of Blood Elf, Night Elf, and Void Elf Hairstyles?
- Half mohawk for females
- Mohawk for males/partial mohawk
- Long hair for males (examples: Alucard from Hellsing)
- Facial Hair options
- Gothic/Punkish hairstyles that reflect the BIPOC community as well
Misc Customization
- Spiked chokers
- Blood Spatter Patterns
- Void Elf/Night Elf Hair styles of a more goth/punk variety, and in exchange they'd get blood elf hair styles.
- Facial piercings
Architecture
- Examples from Blood Halls
- Necropolis
- Gothic Themed
- Castle-like
- Naxxanar reused
- Ghostlands reused
- Deathholme as a base
- Nazmir temples as a base due to blood themes
Jokes
- What am I doing? Nothing much, just San'layin around.
- It's so hard getting dental work done when every dentist you see runs screaming.
- No, we don't consume void energy--that's the Ren'dorei. Totally different emo elf.
- I vant to suck your blood! Or have it in a smoothie. That sounds nice too.
- My favorite color is red. For the Horde, why would you think there's other reasons?
- At least we don't sparkle either.
- I actually don't mind the worgen all that much, aside from their constant yapping.
- Too many elves, you say? You haven't met the murlocs yet.
- I see a black door and I want it painted red.
- You think we're hot? You haven't seen Bolvar yet, have you?
- We take the 'Blood' in 'Blood elf' very seriously.
- ...Why did you throw sparkle dust on m-- oh. I get it. And I'm not laughing.
- I actually don't mind worgen all that much, they're easy to get along with if you have a stick and yell 'fetch!'.
- Why does everyone keep asking me for an Interview, and then laugh?
- What? Ok fine, just this once. Bleh! I vant to suck your blood!
- Why did I decide to become a Rogue? They wear leather. You've seen Underworld, haven't you? I look just as good in leather.
- No I don't sprout tentacles! That's the Ren'dorei. Totally different emo elf.
- I love Worgen, their fur is so soft, and fluffy, and cuddly, I could just relax on it in front of the fire pit all night.
- I don't mind a Worgen coming to visit me, their timing always coincides perfectly whenever I need a new carpet.
- I'm tired of hearing things about being a San'Layn... 'Oh your teeth are so sharp! Oh your skin is so pale!' Oh you're so damn annoying.
- We loved red so much we joined the horde, and other reasons of course.
- Nooo! I do not sparkle!
- Whats the mirror for?
- I'd flirt with you, but I'm afraid all my lines either suck or bite.
- Where'd I get this snow cone? ...Icecream Citadel.
- Nosfer-who? No... do my fangs look like a beavers to you?
- Where do we go for a snack? No not the blood bank, we just go to Snaxxramas.
- The dirty looks sometimes drive me batty.
- No, I don't like to watch you sleep, what do I look like? A freak?
- Blue is such a horrible color. why would the alliance pick it?
- I love a good fight, but usually my opponents are too drained to go in.
- Wooden stakes? Garlic? Holy water? Mere annoyances compared to tooth decay.
- Get a life? Well I suppose your's will do.
- What's the difference between a gnome and a basketball? You can't drink a basketball before you dunk it.
- Looks like it's time for a bloodbath... Why are you looking at me like that? It works wonders for your skin! I swear people are too jumpy these days, I wonder why?
- It's 'squash', not 'gnomeball.
Flirts
- Don't worry, I won't bite. At least, not unless you want me to…
- I hunger for you... not your blood, of course.
- If you were a blood type, you'd be my favorite
- Is that Bloodlust I'm sensing - or just lust?
- Is there room for two in your coffin?
- You're so beautiful I think my heart just stopped. Wow it really did!
- You're like the sun you're so hot you make my blood boil
- Will you turn into bat for me? A long, hard one?
- Do you mind if I take a bite? I want to see if you're as good inside as you are outside.
- I vant to suck your- no! Not that, your blood! Oh stop it, you’re embarrassing me!
- No, YOU suck. ... well, I mean- so do I. But, totally different sucking.
- I'm a darkfallen, but I'm so darkfallen for you.
- How about joining me for a bite?
- I suck? Oh honey you have noooooo idea.
- I think I've Darkfallen in love with you!
Racial ideas
- Self resurrection every half hour; not applicable in PvP or PvE(?), only open world
- A % leech buff
- % Leech Proc
- Sylvanas "Banshee Queen" form, or something similar
- Teleportation racial of some sort, like blood racial Dreven used
- Enthrall: Temporarily control an NPC or pet
- The San'layn takes the form of the target for 3 seconds, confusing them and becoming unattackable
- Take Control: A mind control that lasts for 3 seconds.
- Soul Reflect: % damage is reflected for 3 seconds.
- Blood spatter effects on racials
- Blood mist or cloud of bats racial mount; this also could work similar to the monk "Zen Flight" move, where it is not as fast as an actual mount.
Heritage Armor
- Armor that looks to have wings like Lana'thel
- Armor similar to those that the Blood Princes wear
- Vampiric cape and collar
- Famous fanged mask
- Dracula styled armor
- Phantom of the opera themes
Racial Mount
- Corpse spider
- Skeletal Wolf
- Decaying Wolf
- Blood Tick
- Bat (No flying?)
- Some form of Felbat model with messed up wings (prevent flying):
- Skeletal Lynx or some form of skeletal cat (could use the dark manasaber model with some skeletal modifications), felsaber variation(?):
- Skeletal Dragonhawk:
Potential Leaders
- Blood Prince Dreven resurrected
- One of the missing Blood Princes (Prince Atherann or Prince Theraldis)
- Lana'thel ressurected
- Kael'thas resurrected (ritualistically? His head is currently on a pike)
- Thal'ena ressurected
- Lucard (from Stormheim)
- An entirely new Blood Kind or Queen
- Liadrin, killed and rezzed
- Rommath
Noteable Posts:
Ideas about San'layn starting scenario Part 1
Ideas about San'layn starting scenario Part 2
Ideas about San'layn starting scenario Part 3
Ideas about San'layn starting scenario Part 4
Character Development for Dreven continued
Why the Banshee Bear would be poked
A Possible Ressurection Scenario for Lana'thel
A Short Story depicting potential personality
Blood King Kael'thas
San'layn FAQ (Double Important)
Doom's ideas!
A Night Warrior Questline Idea (CUSTOMIZATION!)
Zurogrusel's Ideas for San'layn in relation to Orcs!
Why I hate Venthyr
Discussion on San'layn talents begins!