Welcome to the second issue of Global Supremacy! This week, we dive into lore analysis of the Highbourne and their ancient arcane empire! Last week, we covered the Horde and analysis for the Horde races and their futures in Cataclysm and beyond.
You may be wondering, what is Global Supremacy?
Global Supremacy is an MMOwned news feature about the influence of philosophy and political science on World of Warcraft and its storyline. Here, we'll be talking about WoW's lore and storyline, and how it relates to political and philosophical concepts in the real world.
The other half of Global Supremacy is lore speculation and debate. Readers can get involved any time by posting a comment on the article of the week. I will select a pool of readers from the comments each week, and will end each post with a question for my readers. You are also free to make suggestions in the comments, and I will try to read as many as I can at once.
But let's be done with all of the boring technicalities, and dive right in!
The Fall of Antiquity
The Highbourne once reigned over the ancient cities of central Kalimdor, long before the continent of Azeroth even existed. In fact, it was the Highbourne who essentially created Azeroth and the Eastern Kingdoms; if not for the Sundering, it wouldn't even exist.
Queen Azshara and her self-elected councils of Highbourne lords held Kaldorei society in their iron grip. The poor and common-blooded were oppressed by the aristocracy, in a period that most Kaldorei refer to as "The Antiquity".
Government after the fall of the Highbourne
At the end of this era, the Kaldorei rebels and Highbourne traitors vowed never again to resurrect the noble hierarchy. Instead, they would push forward into a new age of statecraft, where all law would be determined by several councils, elected by multiple officials. At the heads of the councils were the most influential and merited members of each profession.
Religion after the fall of the Highbourne
Even religion was changed after the fall of the Highbourne. The prevailing cult of Elune claimed the most followers after moonlight was introduced to the druids. Followers gathered in the opened arms of Elune. Prior to the dominance of this religion, the Kaldorei had many patron gods and saints, with the richest families laying claim to the most blessings from their familial gods. The Kaldorei and Highbourne both differed from the Tauren in that they almost never worship their ancestors. While the Kaldorei show great respect for their Elders and passed-on ancestors, they do not hold them with a such a reverence that is famous within Tauren culture.
Of Noble Blood
During the long reign of the Highbourne empire, which is estimated to have been well over 5,000 years, some of the greatest works of literature and art were developed. The Highbourne were the first of the sentient (and non-titantic) races to map to the stars and galaxies with scientific precision. Their empirical observations in the scientific and medical fields revolutionized the way sicknesses and diseases were treated. Unfortunately, many of these great secrets were lost during the fall of their Empire, and some of their greatest pieces of artwork were burned by Ravencrest's rebellion.
The Highbourne were the true inventors of telescopes and refracting lenses. They created some of the greatest marvels with their advanced engineering. Some of their inventions can still be seen in museums across the Alliance and Horde. The Ironforge Explorer's League has the most extensive collection of Highbourne artifacts.
Classism and Racism
The Highbourne were most famously classist. Even the lowest nobility were prejudiced against the commoners, and thought that non-Highbourne Kaldorei were "disgusting". There were probably a few minor exceptions, as I imagine that many nobles fell in love with commoners. Since there is no evidence in any lore that I can remember to attest to this, though, we won't explore that further.
Ravencrest's generals were extremely racist against non-Kaldorei. They refused to work with the Furbolgs or even the Tauren. Some of this racism and supremacy has carried on into the current world. Fandral Staghelm and his followers are known for their dislike for the Tauren, and for their staunch belief in Kaldorei supremacy.
Military
Most of the Highbourne military was composed of commoners, which was a bad thing for the Highbourne in the end. The Moon Guard had dominance over the regional militaries, with Highbourne lords having automatic control over their own military units.
There were a few masterful arcane magi amongst the military was well. Since the Highbourne only rattled sabers with powerful troll empires and the Qiraji at the time, they didn't have a need for a supreme military. The crushing battles with the trolls during the Well of Eternity age were enough to send them far away from Kaldorei lands for millenia.
Economy
There has to be a lot of speculation in this part. There was no note of a "free market" within Highbourne society, but merchants certainly did exist. We have no idea how much these merchants were taxed, but we do know that they were a lot higher in society than your typical commoner.
Oftentimes, these merchants doubled as adventurers or hunters, and stalked the wild beasts of the untamed regions of Kalimdor for their pelts and scales.
Some merchants purportedly ascended to positions of nobility if they were in service of Highbourne lords. These honorary "nobles" were treated with the same respect as any other man or woman of noble blood.
Hierarchy
Queen Azshara and her male council of Moon Guardians came above all in society. It is interesting that the largely-patriarchal Highbourne gave way to the modern-day matriarchal society of Darnassus.
Highbourne Lords had ultimate power over regions. They were given their own terraces and plazas in the largest of the Highbourne cities (Suramara, Zin'azshari) to watch over and protect with their own forces.
It was much like feudal Europe, in the sense that the nobility had ultimate power, but had to ultimately answer to the King or highlord.
This is why Night Elves must have a problem with modern human society, or see the humans as young and childish. The Night Elves abhor the very idea of monarchy and nobility.
Nevertheless, the Highbourne had a massive influence on Kaldorei society and the rest of Azeroth, even today. Without them, the Sundering of Azeroth may have never taken place. The Alliance and Horde may not even exist.
Question of the Week
Every week, I send a question about WoW lore out to the community to allow you to give your twocents or opinion on the subject. To respond to my question, simply post your answer to the following question in the comment box below.
"Do you think that Highbourne society was purely evil before the corruption of Azshara, or do you believe that the Kaldorei were better off with a suppressive monarchy? Why?"
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