[SPOILERS] Tal'Darim

[Visions of Khas]

Because of my work schedule, I've only now finished LotV, and I must say I was fairly impressed with the improved story telling. I was glad to see the story tackle the existential issue of identity so thoroughly, even lightly touching upon the Ship of Theseus (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus) conundrum with regard to a certain character.


Now, while I can partly rationalize my way through this particular question, I want some input. The Tal'Darim, and Alarak.


The Tal'Darim retain their nerve cords, but lack any sort of possession by Amon. How can this be? I expected an 11th Hour betrayal by that magnificent bastard Alarak -- either by him renegging on our "bargain", or he and his forces being possessed by Amon. Were they cut off from the Khala by use of Sundrop?


If Sundrop was in use, I suppose that answers my next question. But as we stormed the Citadel of the Executor, I was taken aback by Alarak's power, and wondered if he might be using Twilight powers. He's obviously connected to the Void, and his intact nerve cords could allow access to High Templar-like powers.


Finally, what the hell are Bloodshards? Just captured and modified Khaydarin?


And BONUS question: What happened to the Uraj and Khalis?

[Gradius]

It's the Khala that was corrupted, not the nerve cords. I guess they just don't use the khala, therefore can't be possessed.

Where'd you see bloodshards? I forget. :P

Uraj & Khalis = exploded with the temple I guess

[Visions of Khas]

Where'd you see bloodshards? I forget. :P

Bloodshards power the Tal'Darim Void Rays, Destroyers. They're mentioned someplace else, too.


Uraj & Khalis = exploded with the temple I guess

While calibrating the temple, Artanis mentions he is doing so whithout the presence of the Uraj and Khalis.


It's the Khala that was corrupted, not the nerve cords. I guess they just don't use the khala, therefore can't be possessed.

Er, that's some pretty faulty logic. The Khala is realized through the communal link, which all protoss share automatically when they possess nerve cords.

[Nissa]

It helps if you've read the Dark Templar Saga. Granted, Blizz didn't entirely follow these books, but in it they claimed that the Tal'darim were separated from the Khala by the drug sundrop. Not sure if that counts, though.

[Gradius]

Er, that's some pretty faulty logic. The Khala is realized through the communal link, which all protoss share automatically when they possess nerve cords.
No it's not. You have to exert effort to use the Khala. The protoss before the Aeon of Strife didn't use the khala and had to learn by attuning themselves to khaydarin crystals.

[Visions of Khas]

Okay, my understanding is that the Khala is a set of disciplines for moderating emotions, thought and psionic power through the Communal Link, which serves as the conduit for these things.

So by your logic, shouldn't it have been a simple matter of the Protoss to "de-focus" and abandon the Khala without severing their nerve cords, which is what connects them to the Communal Link?

[Gradius]

I think the Khala has been retconned to sharing only emotions now.

I think it takes training and time for a protoss to attune himself to the Khala and doing the opposite requires the same thing.

I didn't say it was a good explanation, but the only one I have. :P

[Visions of Khas]

I think the Khala has been retconned to sharing only emotions now.


Then it completely breaks down the reasoning behind the Dark Templars' reliance on the Void. Without a connection to the Communal Link afforded by their Nerve Cords, the Dark Templar were forced to utilize the Void.

[Gradius]

Then it completely breaks down the reasoning behind the Dark Templars' reliance on the Void. Without a connection to the Communal Link afforded by their Nerve Cords, the Dark Templar were forced to utilize the Void.
Again, you didn't have to cut your cords, just refrain from immersion in the Khala. Cutting the nerve tendrils was "ceremonious" according to the manual. But obviously it also forces you to rely on void energy.

[ragnarok]

It's the Khala that was corrupted, not the nerve cords. I guess they just don't use the khala, therefore can't be possessed.

Where'd you see bloodshards? I forget. :P

Uraj & Khalis = exploded with the temple I guess

Hmmm, I don't even recall anyone plugged those crystals into the temple to begin with

[Gradius]

I was thinking that since the Khala is corrupted now, they couldn't actually get a Khala user to insert the Uraj crystal.

[ragnarok]

I was thinking that since the Khala is corrupted now, they couldn't actually get a Khala user to insert the Uraj crystal.

Ok I'll give you that one, but what about the Khalis? I don't recall that had been blown up with the temple.

[Gradius]

Ok I'll give you that one, but what about the Khalis? I don't recall that had been blown up with the temple.
Gotta be able to use both for it to work.

[ragnarok]

Gotta be able to use both for it to work.

I see. I guess I was just never convinced because you only need the twin crystals to properly channel the energies, as Raszagal said in BW. If you're just going to blow it up....

[KaiserStratosTygo]

I was thinking that since the Khala is corrupted now, they couldn't actually get a Khala user to insert the Uraj crystal.

I wish they would've explained that, then if that's the case.

[Visions of Khas]

So my current understanding is that the Khala is the consciously-manifested aspect of the Communal Link; All Protoss are naturally linked empathically at a subconscious level, but it is through the mental training and disciplines of the Khala that they may bring this connection to a higher, conscious level.

The Tal'Darim, possessing nerve cords but lacking a conscious, Khala-type connection to it, are subject only at a basic emotional level, as evidenced by their anger and hatred but retention of self and higher brain functions. The Khalai, on the other hand, are at the mercy of Amon's corruption.

Am I getting this right?

[ragnarok]

I wish they would've explained that, then if that's the case.

And say that the Khalis had fallen into Amon's hands, leaving the Protoss with no choice but to overload the temple and destroy Shakuras

[Turalyon]

Am I getting this right?

Don't know if anyone here is of any authority to say so, unless you're expecting Blizz to pipe in and answer. It's anyone's guess at this point but it sounds good enough for me. It fits in with the conclusion that Shadow Archon and I came up with in regards to the Protoss communal link being the Khala and not the Khala at the same time.

[UrunOfTheAuriga]

Apparently the Tal'Darim being pre-Aeon of Strife exiles were not "awakened" to the Khala the same way Aeon of Strife era Protoss of Aiur weren't despite having intact nerve cords. The natural spirit link apparently isn't enough for spontaneous connection to the Khala since it apparently took some centuries, Khaydarin Crystalls and Khas' intitiative to activate it.

[TheEconomist]

It helps if you've read the Dark Templar Saga. Granted, Blizz didn't entirely follow these books, but in it they claimed that the Tal'darim were separated from the Khala by the drug sundrop. Not sure if that counts, though.

Pretty sure that and Ulrezaj himself went the way of the Cerebrates.

[ragnarok]

Pretty sure that and Ulrezaj himself went the way of the Cerebrates.

No he didn't. He's still stuck in the Khaydarin Crystal Zamara trapped him into. He's still alive, so there's still a chance to see him again in the future.