The Unofficial High Elf Discussion Megathread

Shadows-emerald-dream · February 7, 2019, 4:56am

Alliance asked for Dark Iron Dwarves. Check.
Alliance asked for Lightforged Draenei. Check.
Alliance asked for more varieties of humans. Check.
Alliance asked for Thalassian elves. Check.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 4:56am

Elune is the Light’s version of an old god change my mind.

Fyorsing-sargeras · February 7, 2019, 5:00am

I don’t understand the question. I stated that many/most modern High Elves are likely to be the descendants of individuals who left Quel’thalas and settled elsewhere (specifically, Dalaran). The bulk of the membership of the Silver Covenant (i.e. always-Alliance High Elves) are presumably those who’ve long been citizens of Dalaran.

I’m sort of hoping that all of the kerfuffle lately is a long-term redressing of the mistake that was placing the NE’s and BE’s with the Alliance and Horde, respectively.

The steps would basically include:

The NE’s that are aligned with the Alliance, as well as the BE’s that are aligned with the Horde, become numerically diminished.
The NE’s that are aligned with the Horde (Nightborne), as well as the Blood Elves that are aligned with the Alliance (Void Elves), become numerically bolstered.
This new spread is further reinforced by the additions of playable races in the future. So, just spit-balling, High Elves for the Alliance and Forsaken NE’s for the Horde (or, Felborne could be interesting, even).

The result being a new understanding that the Alliance isn’t the faction most Night Elves belong to, while the Horde isn’t the faction most Thalassian’s belong to.

Oh, to dream.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 5:10am

Oh I see what you’re saying now. I thought you meant some random mysterious group of High Elves that went to live in solitude or something.

That’s definitely the most plausible suggestion I’ve heard, but ultimately it would step on the toes of the story Blizzard has been establishing where High Elves in that “pureblood” state are a rarity.

Fyorsing-sargeras · February 7, 2019, 5:23am

It seems as if what is/isn’t plausible, regarding playable High Elves, is largely going to be determined by how Blizzard elects to develop the Void Elves going forward.

It’s possible that the recently mentioned push by the Void Elves to find a way to replicate the ritual that created them could lead to the High Elves actually becoming Void Elves themselves – in which case playable HE’s would become almost impossible to justify, narratively.

It’s just as possible, however, that the same push by Void Elves to recreate the circumstances of their creation leads to many additional Blood Elves becoming Void Elves – in which case, playable High Elves remain a possibility.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 5:29am

I have a strong feeling that this is where the story is going, yeah.

I realize that doesn’t alleviate the want for High Elves in many players’ eyes though, so I’m hoping they find some way to at least compromise with them.

I think explicitly stating that High Elves are amongst those turning to this void ritual plus normal skin tones and hair would be a compromise. Technically not sacrificing any previously established story, but allowing people to at least have the particular model and justification for High Elves existing in the players’ hands on Alliance side.

Cryptkeeps-thrall · February 7, 2019, 5:35am

There’s already Void Elves dressing like High Elves too across different incursion places where they’re present. I keep wondering if they’re former High Elves who went through the ritual or something else.

Personally, just letting Void Elves have flesh skin but maybe still keeping their void-like hair tones is the best compromise. Maybe even add flesh skin to enhance their more goth aesthetic compared to the other elf races, maybe with darker hair colors compared to the bright and sunny Blood Elves.

Fyrebusche-kiljaeden · February 7, 2019, 5:37am

thats a blood elf

Cryptkeeps-thrall · February 7, 2019, 5:39am

You’re a Blood Elf.

Anyway, it really depends on how well they can alter flesh skin to be a bit more signature to Void Elf. They could add more subtle cool-colored tints to it, more hints of violet and blue. Funny enough, a lot of Void Elf customization would strikingly look the same as Blood Elf Death Knights but the dev team managed to add slight alterations to it so the difference is quick to notice from a close observation.

Drede-cairne · February 7, 2019, 5:43am

The more Void Elves are developed the more the idea that a sizable portion of the High Elves would become them is far fetched.

High Elves would not want to corrupt nature and they would not want constant intrusive thoughts. They took a stand and rejected dark powers that went against their ideals even at the cost of their own survival.

Blood Elves would dive right into it though given their history.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 5:45am

So.

What’re they doing in Telogrus Rift?

Fyrebusche-kiljaeden · February 7, 2019, 5:46am

yea and who is alleria

Drede-cairne · February 7, 2019, 5:47am

A small number of researchers who may not even want to become full on Void Elves.

Also Blizzard might not do the whole “New Void Elves” thing the way we expect if at all.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 5:48am

Sure, sure.

I’m curious. Despite whatever you think could happen, if you had to put money on a particular outcome in this scenario, what do you think you’d bet on?

Drede-cairne · February 7, 2019, 5:51am

Blood Elf rebellion/attempted coup of Silvermoon since it was already hinted at several times.

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 5:52am

I meant in regards to the Void Elf numbers and High Elves just being at Telogrus for passive research.

Drede-cairne · February 7, 2019, 5:56am

That was my answer to that.

The Void Elves start recruiting from Silvermoon as an attempt to take it.

If they ever learn to convert more.

Fyorsing-sargeras · February 7, 2019, 5:58am

If the intent is for Void Elves to be expanded upon, such that they’re actually viewed as an acceptable stand-in for High Elves by the players asking for the latter, then in my view there are three things which are required:

There must be a set of circumstances whereby it is explained, reasonably, that the predominating majority of the existing High Elves elect to become Void Elves. Subsequently, the well-known High Elves (now Void Elves, in this scenario) must become integral to the future of the Void Elves.
There must be additional customization options, which allow for players to at least somewhat recognize their characters are being former High Elves (and this would, intriguingly, also apply to those who enjoy Blood Elves as well).

I would posit that those customization options need only include a couple extremely de-saturated shades of blonde and red hair colors, potentially tattoos. Though if it were up to my personal tastes, I’d forego the tattoos in lieu of the option to have Void-colored eyes (instead of blue, which don’t make much sense to me).

Edit: It’s worth questioning, though, to what gain would High Elves have to willingly become Void Elves? It’s been brought up dozens of times throughout this thread, but BfA has made is somewhat clear that High Elves are absolutely the magical equals of Void Elves (and in some cases, superior in all ways).

Disglain-wyrmrest-accord · February 7, 2019, 6:01am

I’ve never seen anything suggesting this but I’d love to.

Bukabuka-kilrogg · February 7, 2019, 6:02am

High Elves are just peppered everywhere through the Alliance, even in BFA content like the Arathi Warfront. It would be weird for them to NOT be added at some point, like Ogres for the Horde.