Paladins and Religion in the WarCraft Universe

[yandawunt]

This may also be Applicable in the other Games universe

But How does 'Holy Magic' work in the WarCraft Universe? In WarCraft II, I was under the impression some Archbishop taught the 'Purest' of Knights Holy Magic to create the Paladins, and their power stems from 'The Holy Light'.

However, in "WarCraft Day of the Dragon", (again written by Richard A. Knaak) the Paladins show the kind of flaws real world men of the cloth are often stereotyped; They are arrogant, prone to prejudice. By WarCraft III we have Uther the Light Bringer who frequently talks AT Arthas, and Arthas himself, who burns an entire city and goes on a mission of vengance.



I was under the impression That a Paladin's power stems from how good and pure they are, or atleast try to be, NOT on How good and Pure One would like to think they are. So while a few might become self righteous fanatics, what ever higher Power gives them their power would immediately widthdraw them.


I'd imagine Arcane magic, (Like the ones practiced by Mages, Sorceresses, Conjurers and the more powerful Naga) would be more prone to corruption. Also the Shammanic Magic of Thralls Orcs, and the Druidic Magic of the Night Elves stem from nature, are both different from the Holy magic, Arcane Magic and Warlock magic, But I wonder if anyone else noticed a closeness between those two disciplines.

[Ntrik_]

sounds bit too complicated for me.. well I just play the game, and dont really care about those..

Well shammanic magic and Druid magics.. well they are different in sort right? Every time I see them, I think of nature, purity, greeness. Every time I see arcane magic, it reminds me of artificial, mechanic, something more.. powerful, fiery.

[_JaKE]

i usually pick the archmage anyway.

[Bomba923]

Originally Posted by yandawunt

This may also be Applicable in the other Games universe

But How does 'Holy Magic' work in the WarCraft Universe? In WarCraft II, I was under the impression some Archbishop taught the 'Purest' of Knights Holy Magic to create the Paladins, and their power stems from 'The Holy Light'.

However, in "WarCraft Day of the Dragon", (again written by Richard A. Knaak) the Paladins show the kind of flaws real world men of the cloth are often stereotyped; They are arrogant, prone to prejudice. By WarCraft III we have Uther the Light Bringer who frequently talks AT Arthas, and Arthas himself, who burns an entire city and goes on a mission of vengance.



I was under the impression That a Paladin's power stems from how good and pure they are, or atleast try to be, NOT on How good and Pure One would like to think they are. So while a few might become self righteous fanatics, what ever higher Power gives them their power would immediately widthdraw them.


I'd imagine Arcane magic, (Like the ones practiced by Mages, Sorceresses, Conjurers and the more powerful Naga) would be more prone to corruption. Also the Shammanic Magic of Thralls Orcs, and the Druidic Magic of the Night Elves stem from nature, are both different from the Holy magic, Arcane Magic and Warlock magic, But I wonder if anyone else noticed a closeness between those two disciplines.

How are Paladins "arrogant, prone to prejudice"...? Hmm--Paladins can appear pure...but then again anything can be corrupted, especially with the traumatic events Arthas experiences. Anyway, "Holy" as they are...they are still Human.

Their power stems NOT from how "holy" or "pure" they are....but rather from their Mastery of holy magic. For example, "Holy Bolt" does NOT become more powerful b/c the paladin is "more holy"....but rather because the paladin gains experience in using it, healing/fighting...etc..etc.
*Seriously, how do you think Arthas slew a whole village? Did he "Holy Bolt" all them townspeople!? :rollie
(Of course not!)
No! Paladins have those massive biceps+warhammers for a reason. The "archbishop's" (Alfonsus Faol) strength comes from just "holy magic" (that's why holy priests don't fight :halo). Paladins have those biceps+warhammers to allow some "not-so-holy" business!

Also, Arcane Magic IS practically ALREADY corrupted --->just look at those Necromancers, Demon Hunters, Liches, Banshees...etc. Even the Blood Mages are "vengeful" with that "fire magic" of theirs. Secondly, those archmages are already, as you describe, "arrogant, prone to prejudice". Finally, just remember that Azeroth has this "Maelstrom"/big sea between Lordaeron and Kalimdor b/c of the "ARCANE" magic practiced by the night elves...some time ago (well, it blew up on them!). So there you have it. (add some Warlock magic in corrupt list too)

*Finally, Shamanistic magic deals with Earth+Sky-->the abiotic, "non-living" type of nature magic. Druidistic magic deals with the "living nature"--e.g., trees, plants/animals...the "living" nature. There are differences, for the main part.

[Emperor Pan I]

I would like to point out the Paladins were actualy just knights that were taught to use holy powers. They are not more "holy" than anyhting, they were just granted the aspect of a particular magic (think warcraft II where Knights upgraded to Paladins.)

[Chris]

Paladins are Holy Knights that use magic that rather benefits and saves mankind from the impure and the evil forces of darkness and undead. Priests don't attack but help act as the "medics" for armies.