SWU's Monthly Colloquium!

Stormwind University is proud to announce the continuation of our ongoing monthly Colloquium Series in 2021!

WHEN: The THIRD Wednesday of each month at the 7th bell of the evening ((7pm Pacific/10pm Eastern)).

WHERE: Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria (OOC) / The Liu-Tsao Peace Center on the Stormwind University campus (IC)

WHAT: Stormwind University professors and volunteer guest speakers from all throughout Azeroth will present fascinating talks on academic subjects of importance to us all - delivered in a friendly and non-academic tone that everyone can understand and enjoy.

Topics may include, but are not at all limited to:

• History
• Religion
• Biology
• Alchemistry
• Martial arts and sparring
• Lore
• First aid
• Defense against dark arts
• Herbalism
• The art of relic recovery
• Mechanized automatons and other engineering topics
• Performing arts
• Psychology in the modern world
• Global law and jurisprudence

And much, much more!

LOOKING FOR SPEAKERS:

Are you an expert in your field and can explain it in simple terms to a knowledge-thirsty audience? Feel free to SIGN UP! We have spots open throughout the year, but they do fill up fast! Talks should be at least 25-30 minutes in total, but feel free to spend up to one hour presenting your lecture, as needed! Furthermore, please take into account the potential for audience questions and allow for additional time accordingly!

To propose a talk:

  • Send an in-game mail ((OOC or IC, your choice!)) to Amaranthaea or Maurien
  • Whisper any member of the Stormwind University membership
  • Contact us through social media via Tumblr
  • Contact us through our SWU Community Discord

FAQ ((OOC))

Q: Wait … what?
A: Colloquium is a monthly roleplay/IC event where a lecturer gives a public talk on an academic— but Warcraft and roleplay related! — subject to the general public. When our Colloquium began several years ago, it was only available and conducted on Alliance side. But due to popular demand over time, we started hosting this event in a Neutral faction setting and it’s remained that way ever since! ALL are welcome - Alliance AND Horde alike, and everything in-between!

Q: Isn’t this just like Stormwind University’s Literary Conclave?
A: Nope! Our weekly Literary Conclave is for the sharing of poems, songs, stories (mostly fictional, but quite potentially non-fictional to the teller ICly!) and various other forms of presentation and entertainment. The Colloquium Series is monthly and is for non-fiction within the auspices of in-game, IC lore and canon. (With some wiggle room for a bit of headcanon too, as long as it’s presented concisely and reasonably!)

Q: Come on! How is a talk on “The Mechanisms of Druidic Shapeshifting” not fiction?
A: It is fiction for us, OOCly, but for our characters who ICly exist within the realms of World of Warcraft/Azeroth, it’s non-fictional based in “reality”.

Q: Isn’t this just a rehash of the old Alliance Medical Association talks?
A: It was inspired by the Alliance Medical Association, certainly! But instead of limiting topics to only medicine, Stormwind University embraces all “academic” subjects. We decided to pick up the general theme for this community event back in late 2015, and have been running it consistently on a monthly basis ever since!

Q: FOR THE HORDE!
A: That’s not a question, but YES! This event is now also FOR THE HORDE!

Q: This sounds fun! May I do a talk?
A: Sure! See above and look for “To propose a talk”.

Q: What if I have a question not listed here?
A: Contact any Stormwind University member in-game, be it ICly or OOCly!


Our Next Talk:

WHO: Rachel Velmora, Professor of Combat & Sparring @ Stormwind University

WHAT: “The Art of Dance!”

WHEN: Wednesday, August 18th at 7:00pm (Server time)

6 Likes

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - Tomorrow evening!

WHO: Elliistra Thera’dorei, Handmaiden of Elune

WHAT: “The Afterlife”

WHEN: Wednesday, January 23rd at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Hall of Explorers, Ironforge

Our monthly Colloquium Series lecture is set to take place tonight!

WHO: Elliistra Thera’dorei, Handmaiden of Elune

WHAT: “The Afterlife”

WHEN: TONIGHT!!! January 23rd at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Hall of Explorers, Ironforge

What’s the topic this month?

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - This Wednesday!

WHO: Amathea Treemender

WHAT: “The Emerald Dream 101"

WHEN: Wednesday, February 20th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: Moonglade!

Due to the overwhelmingly popular demand of our very first Neutral [A & H] Literary Conclave earlier this month, we’ve decided to host a Neutral [A & H] version of our Colloquium lecture as well! (Hence the new venue change from Ironforge to Moonglade!)

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

I’m very excited for this, I can’t wait. I’ll do my best to be there.
See you guys soon!!
:paw_prints: :crescent_moon:

Between the change of venue & the elixir this is a great opportunity for the H-Pandaren who enjoy the debates & more informal interactions with SU to extend their participation.

One more bump, for tonight’s the night! Hope to see you there~

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - This Wednesday!

WHO: Zhangshe Cranewind, Professor of Pandaren History & Antiquities

WHAT: “Is There A Fifth August Celestial?" - An Introspective

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

Our monthly Colloquium Series lecture is set to take place tonight!

WHO: Zhangshe Cranewind, Professor of Pandaren History & Antiquities

WHAT: “Is There A Fifth August Celestial?" - An Introspective

WHEN: Wednesday, March 20th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

All are welcome! Alliance, Horde and everything in-between!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

Have what I hope will be a fun & thought-provoking presentation prepared. Look forward to seeing everyone in a culturally appropriate setting.
:smile:

Someone asked last night if the lecture notes could be posted. Here they are as originally written, with pre-planned emotes removed.

Lecture

FIFTH CELESTIAL LECTURE

Is there a Fifth August Celestial ? Let’s begin tonight’s quest together - with the sort of riddle which appeals to anthropologists, archaeologists, historians.

There is a people taller and bulkier than most - not quite as large as Tauren or Yaungol. Their large incisors and other physical details indicate evolution from predators. Individuals’ fur varies in color & pattern. You see a variety of beautiful kites flying over many of their buildings. Their architectural aesthetics are clear evidence of their closeness to the land.

They live far across the sea from both Kalimdor & the Eastern Kingdoms. When most of you first encounter them their land is just coming out of a mysterious mist which separated them from the rest of us. On the other hand, some of the spend the essential part of their life on the back of a giant sea turtle. Indeed, some made the long journey on their turtle to Pandaria.

Their elders are close to the elements - a bit differently from other people’s shamans – in deep contact with a unitary spirit or force which flows through all things. Their mystics & warriors use this power to protect their people. One elder reminds outsiders how the cataclysmic sundering of our world was caused by delving too deeply into powerful magics. He warns they are fully prepared to fiercely defend homes & families from an unwanted war the factions brought to their shores.

Here are some more clues that may prepare you to answer the riddle:

A people whose scholars walk the land listening to & sharing lore which they gather into great collections of scrolls, tell their children stories of a wanderer whose name begins with L, are eager for tales of other lands, … These people are perplexed by others’ lust to corrupt or steal the ancient artifacts protecting their land. They depend on adventurers to prevent this.

Who are these people? What do we call them?

The people I have described are the Tuskarr. And the Tortollan.

Outside the realm of maths there is rarely one correct answer which stands apart from other possibilities. Questions are better than answers. As cubs we all strive for a firm answer to our questions & those set for us by our teachers. As we reach full maturity we are prepared for intellectual perplexities which would unduly disturb the young.

Archaeologists, anthropologists, historians gather scattered & jumbled up pieces of culture. Make a great effort to tease out what belongs together & what is part of other puzzles. Paradoxically – perhaps – contemplating what we only understand well enough to be curious about is more satisfying than resting within the limitations of that which we are confidence that we already know. This quest, the puzzles themselves, are always incomplete. Often we must take clues from other cultures to help us guess what may belong in the gaps.

Tonight I share some of my own questions grounded in the best evidence available. Hopefully your own curiosity is sparked enough to take some clues away with you on your own quest for understanding.

Let’s set aside for a while whatever debate there is about distinctions between Loa, Wild Gods, Ancient Guardians & August Celestials. We’ll take some pieces of our puzzle from all these demigods.

The Tuskarr worship four powerful spirits who guide & protect their people. They appear in the guise of animals. One is a bird who provides courage & also has the power to affect weather. Something like our August Celestial Ch-Ji, our Red Crane, who created rainbows to give us courage through hope.

The Tortollan Elder Kupakka tells of a guardian tiger spirit who died protecting them in a battle. His temple is in the North. He is reborn or resurrected to protect them again. Very much like the August Celestial Xuen, the White Tiger.

Turtles are important to both the Tuskarr & the Tortollans. Tortollan worship Torga, who sometimes speaks to them. This benevolent sea turtle spirit’s avatar closely resembles our Shen-zin Su - another wise being who guides & speaks to Pandaren.

Loh, the Tortollan wandering adventurer became one with a turtle spirit when he died. He’s what is called a culture hero. An ancestor who created or guided the culture. Whose myths instruct the young & remind communities of their values & ethos. Similarly, Liu Lang, wandering Pandaren scholar & hero, became one with the great turtle Shen-Zin Su. His stories & songs are teaching devices & mementos of social values, especially of the Wanderers’ Way, one of three great Pandaren spiritual Paths.

Other peoples of Azeroth are also involved with great turtle spirits. There is Tortolla the Wise, gravely wounded in the wars of Azeroth, who sends adventurers on a journey far beyond their homeland. Another, Nespirah also speaks to the wise among us & needs adventurers’ help to heal her wounds. Interesting parallels there to Shen-zin Su.

On a more practical level, the Tuskarr fish & explore the sea on great turtles. They name them. One brave adventurer, Yotimo, even made the long sea journey all the way from Northrend to Pandaria. Interestingly he settled in Krasarang, the region where Liu’s wanderings & returnings took place.

It is also worth noting in passing that the structures mounted on large turtles captured & trained by goblins bear a striking similarity to Pandaren architecture in both form and color. An example can be found on the Speedbarge.

August Celestials are often equated with Ancient Guardians or Wild Gods. Torga, Tortolla & Nespira are all named as such. Given the parallels, Shen-zin Su may be a plausible candidate for a fifth Celestial. Let’s take a closer look at some supporting archaeological evidence in Pandaria.

Liu Lang was born in the Western part of Valley of the Four Winds. Despite being described as the heartland of Pandaria this region lacks a temple like the ones dedicated to the four August Celestials - each of which is located near the coast.

Or at least it appears not to.

Between Liu’s home village & Krasarang is a place known as Torjari Pit. The slave-masters of the First Dynasty were known to throw unruly Pandaren into the sinkhole there to drown. Nearby is an ancient structure. First Dynasty motifs & its state of ruin mark this site as older than the Celestials’ temples. They are honored as guides of & participants in the Pandaren Revolution. So their temples – no matter how venerable – must belong to a subsequent era.

Furthermore, it must have been of great importance at one time. To this day it is guarded by one of the First Dynasty’s animated stone warriors. One exceptional enough to have an individual name. Strangely for the rolling fields of the Valley numerous large turtles live here.

Immediately South of the ruin is Wind’s Edge, marking the division between the Valley & Krasarang. It’s an overhang still showing signs of whatever cataclysm created it. The meandering Yan-Zhe River runs quite close yet parallel to these cliffs for most of its course rather than plunging over at the other end of the Valley as might be expected. Except for offshore monoliths Krasarang is flat - sand or brackish swamps. The river course, the cliffs, and a region that seems to be built up as a beach rather than worn make me wonder if Krasarang did not exist prior to the Great Sundering. I am no geologist so it remains a question.

Was the Valley of Four Winds where great sea turtles were born & migrated from before the Sundering forced them instead to leave the deep sea at Turtle Beach? Is the ruin found there an ancient temple dedicated to an Ancient Guardian connected with them? Perhaps from the early era when the First Dynasty still obeyed the Titans? Perhaps a long-forgotten August Celestial is currently embodied as Shen-zin Su?

The spiritual bond with one of our two great culture heroes and the elders who followed him, his sentience, and his guidance to the places and situations we needed to explore in order to thrive as a people are indications. This great wise Turtle has now returned to shore as a central part of the re-uniting of our people with the rest of Azeroth. The idea of a Celestial connected to all our three great Paths, interested in helping Pandaren become integral to the future of Azeroth, & eager to bring others to Pandaria in return, gives me great hope for the future.

Thank you Dean, fellow Faculty, and Friends for allowing me to share these questions with you tonight.

I could kick my self for not having Elephant - or at least to have screen-recorded - the Question & Answer / Discussion that followed. Far better than the lecture imho.

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - This Wednesday!

WHO: Elliistra Thera’dorei, Handmaiden of Elune

WHAT: “Identifying and Building Relationships" - An In-Depth Analysis

WHEN: Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

Our monthly Colloquium Series lecture is set to take place TONIGHT!

WHO: Elliistra Thera’dorei, Handmaiden of Elune

WHAT: “Identifying and Building Relationships" - An In-Depth Analysis

WHEN: TONIGHT! Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

All are welcome! Alliance, Horde and everything in-between!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

BUMP!!! One hour until start time!

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - This Wednesday!

WHO: Professor Caniell Lyca, Dept. Head of Fine Arts @ Stormwind University

WHAT: “The Science and Patterns of Music"

WHEN: Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - Tomorrow!

WHO: Professor Caniell Lyca, Dept. Head of Fine Arts @ Stormwind University

WHAT: “The Science and Patterns of Music"

WHEN: TOMORROW! Wednesday, May 15th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - Tomorrow Evening!

WHO: Zhangshe Cranewind, Professor of Pandaren Antiquities and Culture @ Stormwind University

WHAT: “Pandaren Martial Arts and the Paths of Daily Life"

WHEN: TOMORROW! Wednesday, June 18th at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)

Very much looking forward to this evening. Hoping what is offered will be both easy to digest & worth ruminating over after the feast.

Busy sweating over the stove. Needs to cook slowly, so I’ll be at it all day. :slight_smile:

A quick BUMP!!! for our monthly Colloquium Series lecture - TONIGHT!!!

WHO: Zhangshe Cranewind, Professor of Pandaren Antiquities and Culture @ Stormwind University

WHAT: “Pandaren Martial Arts and the Paths of Daily Life"

WHEN: TONIGHT! at 7:00pm (Server time)

WHERE: The Dreamer’s Pavilion, Jade Forest, Pandaria

This is a faction neutral event, in the spirit of Stormwind University’s global policy of free academic exchange!

Elixir of Tongues will be necessary for cross-faction communication! The CrossRP add-on is a plus but not mandatory to enjoy this event!

(Summons will be provided prior to start time for our attendees’ convenience!)