Order of the Cloud Serpent

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For the quests, see N [10-70] Order of the Cloud Serpent and B [10-35] The Order of the Cloud Serpent.
NeutralOrder of the Cloud Serpent
Riding the Skies.png
Main leader  Elder Anli
  Formerly  Jiang †
Race(s) PandarenPandaren Pandaren
IconSmall CloudSerpent.gif Cloud serpent
Alliance & Horde Various races[1]
Base of operations The Arboretum, Temple of the Jade Serpent
Theater of operations Pandaria
Language(s) Pandaren, Common
Affiliation Pandaren Empire
Status Active
Quartermaster  San Redscale
Notable reward(s) Cloud serpent mounts

“Through thunder and storm, we fly together. Through sea and sky, we fly together. Through wind and tide, we fly together.”

— The order's trainers to the adventurer.[2]

The Order of the Cloud Serpent is an order of serpent riders sworn to defend the Jade Forest and the Temple of the Jade Serpent, dedicated to the August Celestial Yu'lon. They are mighty warriors who rode on the backs of the ferocious beasts, and are said to swoop into battle as swiftly as the wind itself, striking with the strength of storm and sky.[3] They welcome and train all who wish to join them at the Arboretum.

Background

Founding and Zandalari wars

Main article: The Founding of the Order of the Cloud Serpent
Jiang's cloud serpent riders turned the tide for the Pandaren Empire during the Zandalari Troll Wars.

During the Zandalari Troll Wars in 11,900 BDP,[4] just after the founding of the Pandaren Empire, the young pandaren Jiang found a small cloud serpent injured in the Arboretum. Naming it Lo, they became fast friends,[5] forming a lasting bond between the pair as a result of the pandaren's kindness.[6] However, the townsfolk begged the young girl to get rid of Lo before he became old enough to hurt her,[5] as the cloud serpents were feared by the pandaren, who saw the beasts as violent and aggressive creatures at the time.[3]

As the Zandalari army invaded Pandaria and entered the Jade Forest, Jiang answered the call to arms, defending her people on the beaches. When Jiang nearly perished at the hands of a troll spear, Lo came to the rescue and flew her far from the battle to safety. She later approached the leaders of Pandaria's defenses, pleading that the cloud serpents could help and turn the tide of the conflict; however, her words fell on deaf ears. The monks were mired in their own wisdom, choosing to continue their defense in the way they saw fit.

Several days later, the Zandalari trolls had pushed to the great bridge near Dawn's Blossom, where the pandaren champions stood their ground. As all hope of victory began to fade, Jiang and Lo arrived on the battlefield, plucking the Zandalari from the bridge and striking down their bat riders. The war would still take many months to win, but soon Jiang was training other pandaren how to ride cloud serpents, and from that day forward, the serpent became a symbol of hope to the pandaren people.[5] Weapons for serpent riders were also developed and crafted, such as the Spear of Xuen.

The trolls knew there was little they could do to win by conventional means, so Mengazi, commander of the Zandalari forces, turned to his final tactic: resurrecting Lei Shen, first emperor of the mogu empire, which the pandaren had overthrown long ago. A battle erupted at the Tomb of Conquerors, where Lei Shen's corpse was enshrined, and Jiang sacrificed herself to kill Mengazi and prevent the resurrection. There was a great celebration throughout the empire, but also mourning, especially for Jiang. Lo was seen circling the skies above the Jade Forest for decades after the war, seemingly searching for his friend and rider. The other serpent riders honored Jiang's memory by codifying her teachings in the Order of the Cloud Serpent, which would survive for millennia to come.[4]

Mists of Pandaria

Mists of Pandaria This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.

For thousands of years, the monks of the Arboretum have watched over Windward Isle, protecting their kind since the beginning of the order's existence.[7] However, after the rediscovery of Pandaria in 29 ADP, the Slitherscale saurok invaded the island, stealing the eggs and even killing the young and old cloud serpents. Members of the Order tried to reason with the saurok with peace, but that effort failed,[8] so they sent adventurers to steal the saurok's weapons,[9] to kill the saurok,[10] including their leader Slitherscale Lizard-Lord,[11] and to recover the serpent eggs[12][13] and leash serpent hatchlings to their post at the other's camp[14] as well as to heal injured hatchlings[15] and catch fish for their serpents.[16]

When the order's students were stung by the Orchard Needler, Elder Anli had the wasp killed by the adventurer, a feat that the students had failed.[17] Aside the saurok, the order also dealt with tigers[18] and sprites on the isle,[19] and their numbers had to be reduced. The latter have been causing problems in the form of thievery[20] and ultimately the pranks got too far that Anli sent the hero to take out their leader, the Shadowfae Madcap.[21] The tigress Windward Huntress and her mate Windward Saber were a great danger to the local cloud serpents, so Anli had them killed as well.[22][23]

The Anglers fishermen of Sri-La Village also asked the order for help with nearby spiders, and as was their duty, they helped save the villagers[24] and kill the disturbed spiders.[25] Order members were concerned with the sha, and had their energies measured.[26] The distraction appeared to have been caused by the Seed of Doubt, which the adventurer defeated on the order of Anji.[27] Another threat that the order was dealing with was the Oona tribe of hozen were stealing and pillaging resources along the coast near Sri-La Village.[28] They even captured some serpents and forced them to fight. The Order managed to rescue and take care of them with the help of adventurers.[29] In response, the hozen numbers were reduced and their leader, Lord Oona, killed, as requested by Anli.[30]

Trainers also assisted with taking care of the serpent cloud hatchling that the Alliance and Horde adventurers rescued and eventually instructed them how to fly with it when it grew.

The Strength of Steel

WoW-novel-logo-16x62.png This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

After surviving a gunship's crash and reluctantly agreeing to take care of a young cloud serpent, the orc Koak decided to bring the hatchling to the Order of the Cloud Serpent after seeing two of their riders in the sky. When he arrived at the Arboretum, however, he was convinced to remain with the pandaren riders in order to train the beast, seeing an opportunity to prove himself to the Dragonmaw clan. Having learned of the Dragonmaw's subjugation of the red dragons and their downfall, Elder Anli took Koak alone to the farthest spire across Windspire Bridge, where they discussed the Dragonmaw's ways and how the order founder, Jiang, formed a bond through compassion and trust with Lo. After Koak still opined that chains were still better than giving a choice, Anli asked him a simple question: Do you know the difference between steel and iron?

While trying to train his serpent for months, Koak would find himself struggling with using the order's ways and what he knew of the Dragonmaw ways of training. Upon learning that the Horde was fracturing into civil war, Koak decided to force his serpent to obey him; only to feel immense guilt for his actions after his companion fled from him. Once they reconciled, Elder Anli reminded Koak of her question about steel and iron, and explained that the Order of the Cloud Serpent is a blacksmith that forges the strongest steel through love, folding it hundreds upon hundreds of times with the utmost care, whereas the Dragonmaw (though not directly naming them) was like how a blacksmith treats iron, heating and hammering the metal until it is forced into the desired shape, which becomes blackened and brittle when it cools. The end result may seem strong for a time, but the iron will inevitably break when one needs it the most.

On Koak asking what the smith should do on making a mistake, Anli answered that he needed to correct it "while the metal is still hot," and perhaps it was time for him to start giving his cloud serpent a choice. Flying together for the first time, Koak was inspired to bestow the name "Steel" on the serpent and after passing overhead of the pleased Order members at the Arboretum, journeyed directly to the Shrine of Two Moons in order to aid his people by joining the Darkspear Rebellion.[3]

Battle for Azeroth

Battle for Azeroth This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

During the Black Empire's Assaults on the Vale of Eternal Blossoms, Instructor Windspear was corrupted by N'Zoth, and was later encountered by the heroes.[31][32]

Exploring Azeroth

WoW-novel-logo-16x62.png This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

By the time of the awakening of the Dragon Isles in 40 ADP, the saurok have been driven away from Windward Isle by the Order of the Cloud Serpent and adventurers.[7]

Culture and philosophy

“[...] the strongest steel is forged through love. A smith folds it with the utmost care, hundreds upon hundreds of times.
Such is the Order of the Cloud Serpent. We are the smiths, and the serpents are our steel.”

— Elder Anli[3]
The Arboretum in Jade Forest.

The Order of the Cloud Serpent welcomes all who wish to join their ranks.[33] The Arboretum is their home, a safe haven where they raise young hatchlings and train their students.[17] Novices begin their journey by raising a baby cloud serpent from the egg, training with it every day, and watching it grow to adulthood. There is no greater honor than rising through the ranks of the organization, and once their members have proven themselves, they are free to walk the land with their serpent as their flying mount.[34] Only those exalted with their faction may acquire their cloud serpents.[35]

When the serpent is fully grown, its rider is ready to begin flight training.[36] The students regularly test their speed in an aerial competition known as the Sky Race, where they must traverse the course among the spires of Jade Forest and pass through the checkered flags on each of the ten balloon checkpoints. The pennants mark the race course, but one will not be penalized for finding other routes. The faster they race, the better their prize.[37] Just as a sword must be forged through fire, so must their students test themselves against one another.[38]

All riders play catch with their serpents, an important lesson that teaches them how to read each other's moves and instill in serpent and rider a vital give-and-take relationship.[3]

The Order's history stretches back thousands of years, and although they have tried to preserve the old ways, there are ancient techniques that have been lost over time. Consequently, Jenova Longeye works with adventurers to recover some of this knowledge by searching Pandaria's dig sites for clues to their past.[39]

Most disciples espoused humility in their simple attire and good sportsmanship, on the other hand, Ace Longpaw chose to adorn himself in fine silken shirts and gaudy jewelry.[3] They rarely meddle with the natural balance on Windward Isle, until they had no choice but to fight the saurok, as it was important to save the cloud serpents above all.[10]

During his training, it occurred to the orc Koak that any order that sought to ride such raucous beasts must be well practiced in the mending of broken bones. After a few months, the pandaren had taught him a valuable lesson: true loyalty can never be enforced; it can only be earned. He had raised and nurtured his serpent, cared for and confided in it, and in return it had saved his life.[3]

Members

Elder Anli, the current leader of the Order of the Cloud Serpent.[40]

Removed from game The subject of this section did not make it out of the beta stages.

Unnamed

Reputation

San Redscale, quartermaster for the Order of the Cloud Serpent.

Description

Guardians of the East Temple

Quests

Optional breadcrumbs: B [10-35] The Order of the Cloud Serpent or N [10-70] Order of the Cloud Serpent

  1. N [10-35] Wild Things
  2. N [10-35] Beating the Odds & N [10-35] Empty Nests & N [10-35] Egg Collection
  3. N [10-35] Choosing the One
  4. N [10-35] The Rider's Journey
  5. N [10-35] It's A...
  6. Get to revered with daily quests and N [10-35] Onyx To Goodness (repeatable)
  7. N [10-35] They Grow Like Weeds (at revered)
  8. N [10-35] Flight Training: Ring Round-Up
  9. N [10-35] Flight Training: Full Speed Ahead
  10. N [10-35] Flight Training: In Due Course
  11. Get to exalted with daily quests and N [10-35] Onyx To Goodness (repeatable)
  12. N [10-35] Riding the Skies

Four of the available daily quests are gated by the player's secondary professions. You need at least skill level 525 in Cooking, Archaeology, First Aid or Fishing to unlock each profession's daily quest. If you only have one profession of sufficient level the dailies for the other 3 professions will not be available. Players who have the necessary skill levels can increase their reputation faster than players who have neglected the secondary professions.

Daily quests

All profession quests + one quest hub each day
Profession
Arboretum
Saurok/turtles
Sprites
Tigers
Race day*
Widow's Wail*
Oona Kagu*
Areas marked with a * require revered standing with the Order to be offered

Rewards

Heavenly Crimson Cloud Serpent
San Redscale
<Order of the Cloud Serpent Quartermaster>
Reputation Item Cost Type
Honored  [Design: Jade Panther] 200g Jewelcrafting (600)
 [Design: Sunstone Panther] 200g Jewelcrafting (600)
Lucky Hanging Lantern 475g Housing decor
Revered  [Grand Commendation of the Order of the Cloud Serpent] 50g Rep token
 [Design: Ruby Panther] 200g Jewelcrafting (600)
 [Design: Sapphire Panther] 200g Jewelcrafting (600)
 [Cloud Ring] 1000g Consumable
 [Finish Line] 100g Consumable
 [Floating Finish Line] 100g Consumable
 [Floating Racing Flag] 25g Consumable
 [Racing Flag] 25g Consumable
Red Crane Kite 950g Housing decor
Exalted  [Design: Jeweled Onyx Panther] 200g Jewelcrafting (600)
 [Reins of the Azure Cloud Serpent] 3000g Riding (300)
 [Reins of the Golden Cloud Serpent] 3000g Riding (300)
 [Reins of the Jade Cloud Serpent] 3000g Riding (300)
 [Order of the Cloud Serpent Tabard] 10g Tabard
 [How to School Your Serpent] 50g Other

Other mounts

Mount Source
 [Reins of the Azure Cloud Serpent] Exalted with Order of the Cloud Serpent, 3000g
 [Reins of the Golden Cloud Serpent] Exalted with Order of the Cloud Serpent, 3000g
 [Reins of the Jade Cloud Serpent] Exalted with Order of the Cloud Serpent, 3000g
 [Reins of the Astral Cloud Serpent] Elegon in Mogu'shan Vaults
 [Reins of the Crimson Cloud Serpent]  [Glory of the Pandaria Hero]
 [Reins of the Heavenly Crimson Cloud Serpent]  [Glory of the Pandaria Raider]
 [Reins of the Heavenly Onyx Cloud Serpent] Sha of Anger
 [Reins of the Onyx Cloud Serpent] N [25-35] Surprise Attack!
 [Reins of the Thundering August Cloud Serpent] Exalted with The August Celestials, 10000g
 [Reins of the Thundering Ruby Cloud Serpent] Alani above Vale of Eternal Blossoms
 [Reins of the Thundering Jade Cloud Serpent]  [Guild Glory of the Pandaria Raider]
 [Yu'lei, Daughter of Jade] Mistweaver Xia during Mists of Pandaria Timewalking, 5000 Timewarped Badge

Notes

  •  [How to School Your Serpent], a lighthearted and picture-filled book on training cloud serpents as pets, is a favorite bedtime book of pandaren children.

Patch changes

See also

References

 
  1. ^ B [10-35] The Order of the Cloud Serpent
  2. ^ a b N [10-35] Riding the Skies
  3. ^ a b c d e f g The Strength of Steel
  4. ^ a b World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 91 - 93
  5. ^ a b c The Founding of the Order of the Cloud Serpent
  6. ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 132
  7. ^ a b Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria, pg. 56
  8. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Restoring the Balance
  9. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Disarming the Enemy
  10. ^ a b N [10-35] Beating the Odds
  11. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Slitherscale Suppression
  12. ^ N [10-35] Egg Collection
  13. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Preservation
  14. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Emptier Nests
  15. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Just a Flesh Wound
  16. ^ N Fishing [10-35 Daily] Snack Time
  17. ^ a b N [10-35 Daily] Needle Me Not
  18. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Thinning The Pack
  19. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Sprite Fright
  20. ^ N [10-35 Daily] The Shoe Is On The Other Foot
  21. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Madcap Mayhem
  22. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Dark Huntress
  23. ^ N [10-35 Daily] On The Prowl
  24. ^ N [10-35 Daily] A Tangled Web
  25. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Weeping Widows
  26. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Lingering Doubt
  27. ^ N [10-35 Daily] The Seed of Doubt
  28. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Monkey Mischief
  29. ^ N [10-35 Daily] Saving the Serpents
  30. ^ N [10-35 Daily] The Big Kah-Oona
  31. ^ N [50 Daily] Minions of N'Zoth
  32. ^ N [50 Daily] Vanquishing the Darkness
  33. ^ Instructor Skythorn's gossip
  34. ^ Instructor Windspear and Wei Lakebreeze's gossip
  35. ^ San Redscale's gossip
  36. ^ N [10-35] Flight Training: Ring Round-Up
  37. ^ N [10-35] Flight Training: Full Speed Ahead
  38. ^ N [10-35 Daily] The Trainer's Challenge: Ace Longpaw
  39. ^ N Archaeology [10-35 Daily] Fragments of the Past
  40. ^ Archived page
  41. ^ a b c Exploring Azeroth: Pandaria, pg. 55

External links

World of Warcraft Community Site World of Warcraft Community Site Order of the Cloud Serpent
 Alliance
 Horde
 Neutral
Individual NPCs
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