Which was retconned in WoW, considering that we see old High elven ruins in the Ghostlands that also red. The idea that the Blood elves, while struggling on the brink of survival took the time to repaint the whole city (even the ruins) red, is such a laughable one, it almost reminds me of your “alleria’s voice doesn’t have an echo” argument. Lazy, and unconvincing. Funny that you just vanished after that show of stupidity.
This change had nothing to do with their “name” either, High elves have always had a deep, unquenchable thirst for mana, and power. We’ve seen examples of ruthless High elves like the one who betrayed Quel’thalas, we know the High elves of Allerian hold siphoning magic from Draenei relics, this isn’t something new, or unique to Blood elves. We’ve seen neutral High elves act in the same way, like the High elves of Quel’lithien lodge who also left over their disagreement on siphoning magic, and yet were seduced by a relic of great magic and turned into wretched.
They didn’t have the luxury to “reject any faction” as evidence by many of the early quests in the Blood elf zone that revolve around their reliance on the horde forces to not be completely overwhelmed by the Scourge. The only reason they even join the Horde is because Sylvanas, their Ranger general reaches out to them.
That does not reflect any cultural shift, that reflects their need for help in order to survive.
Except they embraced an entirely different culture over their own, their “conservative” attitudes were an outlier compared to the majority of the High elven population. The high elves as a race officially left the Alliance, and cared very little for the dealings of man, while a minority group remained. These “minorities” don’t better reflect High elven society than the ruling majority, who consist of the Blood elves. Which tells us that the Blood elves reflected the views of the majority of High elves, so their choices best align with what traditional high elves would have done in their position.
If Arthas’ attack never occured, Alliance high elves would have been an outlier in high elven society, and not the best reflection of how the High elves as a people think, or behave.
Alliance High elves do not practice High elven traditions, they do not wear High elven clothes, they are not given High elven voice lines, heck Alliance High elves don’t even procreate with other High elves. Elisande goes over this in front of Suramar, essentially telling them that their behavior is a disgrace to their namesake, and that they are not worth of the name “High elf” which pretty much summarizes my point.
No, it isn’t, especially when no actual traditions are changed. Blood elves changed their names to honor the Fallen High elves, not as a departure from who they are. Void elves on the other hand changed their names to reflect their new affiliation with the void. They are the ones who changed the color of their crest, and scheme of their entire race.
They have different names for “gameplay” purposes, but they are exactly the same. We see Kul’tiran women and men who look identical to generic human males and females. The name “Kul’tiran” reflects a whole different set of beliefs unique to their nation, while the name “Blood elf” merely honors their fallen.
This idea that “Alliance” High elves are the truer High elves makes so little sense when you take into consideration how the High elves behaved before the attack. By your logic, all the High elves who left the Alliance and returned home were “less” High elven than those who decided to remain behind, despite representing only a paltry number of High elves in comparison. Blood elves are the remaining High elves that returned home, who’s opinions, and views aligned with the majority of their people.
