Overview

A former member of the Horde who defected to the Alliance.

Guanglai and his pet/best friend Duwang were born living the ideal Pandaren life on the Wandering Isle, but learned that a life of relaxation must be worked towards and defended. When their new life in the Horde was threatened from within; Guanglai made the brave decision to leave for the Alliance, to lend his hand towards the path he believed would end in peace.

Now, making friends on both sides, Guanglai aims to unite the Horde and Alliance for a future they can all prosper in.

Bio

Gender: Male (he/him)
Race: Pandaren
Class: Survival Hunter
Birthplace: The Wandering Isle
Age: 32
Birthday: Aug. 30th, Yr. 10
Favorite Things: Duwang and his loved ones, lazing around, hot soup
Least Favorite Things: Unnecessary conflict and suffering, feeling helpless, wasted leftovers

Personality

• Guanglai enjoys doing nothing, if possible. He isn't one to stand on the sidelines when something needs to be done, though. He'll stand up to do what needs to be done before anyone else, all for the end goal of reaping the sweet rewards of relaxation and enjoying life.
• He is very loving, very loyal to his family and friends. Even when he left the Horde, he bore no ill will towards his comrades in the Horde's guild, and hoped that his efforts would lead to a future where they could all enjoy each other's company once again. This does end up being his greatest weakness, as he isn't able to actively fight against anyone he's grown close to, only go on the defensive, and this can put him and his allies in danger.

Story

• Born on the Wandering Isle, Guanglai was raised by his grandfather, a dragon turtle rancher. One of these turtles hatched when Guanglai was still in diapers; he and this turtle, named Duwang, grew up incredibly close together. They lived a very peaceful life, as Pandaren are wont to do; until a Hozen attack left many of their eggs broken, their farm ruined, and Guanglai's grandfather injured. Realizing his lack of strength, Guanglai started training at Master Shang Xi's Academy, learning martial arts alongside Duwang, developing a style defined by their bond.
• Mists of Pandaria - After a few years of training, Guanglai and Duwang proved their strength, and were sent by Shang Xi, alongside Aysa Cloudsinger and Ji Firepaw, to retrieve the four elemental spirits of the Wandering Isle. Together, the team handled every threat that came across their path; eventually sending off Shang Xi, learning the truth about the Wandering Isle, and healing the Isle - Shen-zin Su of his injury, meeting the Alliance and Horde in the process. When choosing what faction to go along with; Guanglai followed Ji to the Horde. He followed the Huojin philosophy over Tushui, bonded more with Ji, and figured that he could use someone on his side, since Jojo Ironbrow was going with Aysa to the Alliance. He soon met the Horde's Adventurer's Guild, creating a solid bond with their members as they quested to Pandaria together. While he was very grateful for the friendships his choice to join the Horde brought, he would come to regret it as Garrosh, Warchief of the Horde, turned his warmongering up to 11. Guanglai joined Vol'jin's rebellion against Garrosh's "True Horde", fighting in the Siege of Orgrimmar, freeing Ji from execution, and helping to take down Garrosh. Seeing Vol'jin's honorable actions made Guanglai optimistic for the future of the Horde as the troll was crowned Warchief.
• Legion - After the failure at the Broken Shore, Guanglai mourned at Vol'jin's death, unsure if Sylvanas was the right choice to be his successor, but he trusted Mumkhar's loyalty to her. Eventually, he would be recruited into the Unseen Path, and through his efforts uniting hunters of the world together, obtaining Talonclaw, Thas'dorah, and Titanstrike; and defeating Hakkar the Houndmaster, became Huntmaster of their order.
• Battle for Azeroth - Seeing that Sylvanas had the Horde assault the Night Elves, eventually burning down Teldrassil, Guanglai saw happening again what he had witnessed before with Garrosh. The Horde was once again falling under the leadership of an insane warmonger, and he needed to do something about it. In a tragic, emotional moment with his comrades, Guanglai announced his departure from the Horde; to join the Alliance, lending them his hand to take down the Horde's corrupt leadership and hopefully create a world where him and his allies can live together in harmony once again. While in most cases, a member of the Horde walking into Stormwind would usually end in blood, Guanglai had former friends in Aysa and the Tushui Pandaren, as well as the heroes of the Alliance's guild that he fought alongside against the Legion, to vouch for his character.
• Dragonflight - A few years after the Jailer's defeat, the Alliance and Horde have reached some semblance of peace. Guanglai took this opportunity to attempt to reach out to his former friends in the Horde, and to bring both sides' guilds together. With the years of personal moments of hatred between them, this would usually be impossible, but Guanglai's rapport with both gave him the benefit of the doubt to give enough time to actually hear the others out and fight alongside each other.

Relationships

• Duwang - His best friend. Duwang hatched while Guanglai was a baby, and the two are inseparable.
• Bozatrox - Very close. The two hold similar values, despite the differences of their background and fighting styles. While the period after Guanglai's defection from the Horde was very painful, in the present the two get to be together once again.
• Anguilla - Enjoys her company, and her peaceful, calm nature. When Guanglai passes away, he would trust Anguilla to keep Duwang company.
• Mumkhar - Respects his old "boss". Mumkhar became very bitter at Guanglai when he left the Horde, but Sylvanas showing her true colors started the long, long path towards forgiveness.

Other

• Duwang is a Black Dragon Turtle. His favorite foods are leek and cabbage.
• The two of them have created the perfect sleeping position for napping anywhere together.

Author's Notes

• Ridiculously, named after "Guanglai Kangyi" of Duwang fame, the horrible Japanese->Chinese->English translation of JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable. I sometimes feel bad about keeping this name, but I just can't bring myself to change it. chew.
• He did start on the Horde, but for reasons I cannot remember I faction transferred him to Alliance.