.:| Quote |:.
"In darkness, no one sees you bleed or cry..."
-- Kierath Ranamor
.:| Vornae Proverbs |:.
"I no naka no kawazu taikai o shirazu."
A frog in a well does not know the great sea.
"Ame futte chi katamaru"
After the rain, earth hardens
.:| Libraries |:.
The Philosophy of The Way
While most Vornae in the Southern regions hail from Draelonde at some point in their history, there exists a group of Dark Elves under the Duchy of Elysia in an Empire called Ellentari. Our brethren there call themselves “Thorae”, or “Protected Ones”, as in their history there were crystal Wards that surrounded their mountain which were placed there to protect them from their enemies. These wards turned their skin purple for a number of years, but the wards’s power began to fade and the purple skin effect disappeared.
The Way is the philosophy taught to all Thorae. In general, The Way basically states that a Dark Elf will strive for perfection in all aspects. Good or evil, peaceful or militant; all Dark Elves seek to be the best at what they desire.
An unknown scholar wrote The Way during a period of Ellentari history known as the “Weeping Sojourn.” This time had the Ellentari Elves crossing the surface world in search of a new haven (it is believed this may have been a journey from Draelonde, but this has not been proven to date).
An original copy of The Way is something continuously sought for and would be considered priceless if found. Here is a part of what has been recorded:
“The Way is the belief that a person should exercise their full intentions, and continuously strive for perfection, although they will never be able to attain it. It is in this way that all should be like the warrior, and fight honorably for one’s goals. It is in this way that we shall find a new homeland and the Vornae shall come to prosper again. The Way of the Warrior is death, and when one must choose between life and death, they shall always choose death. This does not mean to want death, but rather to accept it. If you keep yourself true, correct and honorable from night until daybreak, accustomed to the idea of death, you will become one with the Way. You will then be able to pass through life with no possibility of failure and perform your office and duties properly. So when you embark upon some task, before you start, fix your intentions upon the Four Oaths and put selfishness behind you. Then you cannot fail.”
The Four Oaths
- Thou shalt never be late with respect to the Way, and continuously strive for perfection.
- Thou shalt be useful and remain loyal to your family and liege.
- Thou shalt go beyond love and grief, and exist for the good of all elves.
- Thou shalt show respect to your parents, elders, and superiors.
This philosophy is taught in all schools of training in Ellentari, and by maturity all Thorae swear these oaths to their family elders. The third oath has caused debate with the terminology “love and grief.” The strictest of teachers in The Way contend that this means an almost total loss of emotion to the point of absolute stoicism. This point of view is, however, generally not taken, and most Elves interpret this as a statement against excess amounts of these emotions, in order that one does not become totally consumed by one emotion. It is a point open for debate.