Purity of Form Irony

[DutyFree]

A thought hit me a while back, but I just recently explored it further:

The Protoss are supposed to have purity of form - as evidenced by their strong soldiers and ability to survive on many planets, but:

1. They are the least prolific race
2. Their greatest strength is their use of powerful psychic abilities (look at HTs or the Khala), which is seemingly to opposite of "form," more suited to "essence."
3. Due to their fewer numbers, they have resorted to using more robots in battle, becoming the race to use the least number of actual people in fighting (stalkers, immortals, and phoenixes have been explicitly described as having the pilot's soul merged with the machine, and if you need machines to augment your body, then it doesn't really count.

It seem to me that the Zerg are more aptly described by "purity of form" due to their prolific nature, vast physical variations, and use of no machines, whereas the Protoss, with their "quality over quantity" approach and mental powers (and again, the Khala) would be more suited to "purity of spirit."

This seems like the kind of thing that would have been discussed before, but I'm unwilling to look in the lore forums past page 10 of threads. Anyway, thoughts? Comments? GTFOL2Ps?

[Arkalis]

I always thought of that but Purity of Form i tho it was about their incorruptile bodies (they cnat be infested), their incredible physical prowess (strong, fast, agile)
Their psionic powers are mostly reserved to Templars but all Protoss are supposed to be joined mentally to the Khala. Thus their form was pure (redundancy)

While the Zerg have Purity of Essence because their core genus (the Zerg larva) are able to store the DNA of all the Zerg strains and mutate into them. Thus the essence of all Zerg is basically the same: they all come from the same being (the larva) and are all metally united to the Overmind (or now Queen of Blades) that controls them through Cerebrates (previously) and they by Overlords.

The difference between those links is obvious: the Protoss keep their unity and uniqueness while the Zerg mantain their loyalty and organization (considering their previously assimilated ancestors were mostly mindless and/or pacific beings)

Just remember that the Xel'Naga were looking for the closest races to have those traits, so it doesn't mean that they are 100% Pure

Im not a loremaster, but thats wat i can tell you. Correct me if im wrong

[TheEconomist]

The manual explains. I would go into more detail but it's better if you read it.

Both of the words are used in a different context.

@Arkalis: Ummm, no

[Roland]

Purity of Essence remains pretty mysterious, but I think it's largely related to the ability to modify and adapt your own genetic code. It's possible that the fundamental nature of it is tied to the hyper-evolutionary virus, which all the Zerg's racial powers are tied to one way or another.

Purity of Form can quite possibly entail psi-powers. The Zerg don't seem to have any significant personal psi-powers, but the Xel'naga have been strongly hinted at being very powerful psychics. Point being it must has come from their Purity of Form side of teh family, as Essence doesn't seem to have it.

In addition to their simple physical prowess, Protoss probably supplement everything they do with psi-powers. Zealot's charge so fast because of their psi-powers, and nothing else. Protoss are so physically tough because of how their psi-abilities improve their natural strength.

I'm fairly certain Protoss wouldn't qualify as having Purity of Form if they were only as psychic as Terran in general. If I'm right, then their Purity of Form is still very much in use, as embodied by their advanced psi-based tech.

[Visions of Khas]

No, the manual leaves it rather ambiguous. Purity of Form and Essence are never specifically defined, but it is hinted at that the Overmind represented the "terrible essence" of the zerg swarm, embodying their need to assimilate and evolve, as well as representing their unity. They conform to their environment and dominate.

The protoss, on the other hand, seem capable of making their environment conform to them in every way possible by way of psionic abilities, so I wonder if this has something to do with it. Regardless, they are the strongest and most capable species the Xel'Naga ever conceived.


EDIT Hm, I never really considered the genetics of the Zerg too much into their Essence. I mean, I always saw it as a means to an end, not the end itself. But it's true that their essence remains undeniable whenever something is infested or assimilated. Anything and everything becomes Zerg. Maybe this is why they can't properly infest Protoss, who retain a purity of Form. It would be like dividing by Zero, it just doesn't happen. It was mentioned in the comics that their connection to the Khala - which represents the unity of their psionic abilities - is what maintains this protection. Does their psionics also define their physical form? Is this how the Dark Templar adapted themselves, by willing that change?

[Norfindel]

No, the manual leaves it rather ambiguous. Purity of Form and Essence are never specifically defined, but it is hinted at that the Overmind represented the "terrible essence" of the zerg swarm, embodying their need to assimilate and evolve, as well as representing their unity. They conform to their environment and dominate.

That's what i think. The Overmind was the essence of the Zerg race. The Zerg all shared one mind, so it's a pure essence, one that isn't dispersed among different individuals that pursue their own goals.

es·sence (sns)
n.
1. The intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to characterize or identify something.
2. The most important ingredient; the crucial element.
3. The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things.
4.
a. An extract that has the fundamental properties of a substance in concentrated form.
b. Such an extract in a solution of alcohol.
c. A perfume or scent.
5. One that has or shows an abundance of a quality as if highly concentrated: a neighbor who is the essence of hospitality.
6. Something that exists, especially a spiritual or incorporeal entity.

[Visions of Khas]

"My life for Aiurony!"

Could't resist.


Y'know, I think there's more to the fact that protoss derivce some purity from exerting their psionic abilities. Through an application of will that can shift their form from that of corporeal to an energy being; the dark templar may have willed their change in biology, adapting them to Shakuras.

In these cases, it's always change coming from within. Their form remains pure. With the Zerg, it's change that's coming from outside, ie they assimilate new genetics and biology, and make it their own. Everything becomes undeniably zerg, hence purity of essence.

[Arkalis]

I'm starting to think theres one of two solutions to this confusion:

a) It's up to your mind. As any art piece is left for the viewer to interpretate, maybe this part of the lore was left to the gamer's opinion and criteria to choose what fits in. Because as you can see in this thread we all have different arguments but all fit in some way.

b) It was just a mistake. Nobody's perfect; maybe the story developers didn't payed much attention to make the Pures a solid fact. Who knows...nothing can be 100% perfect

c) Wait and you'll see. Maybe it was just left for Starcraft 2 (since we are to see much about the Xel'Naga) and this confusion can be cleared up. Makes sense...


Hope its not B but most probable C...we'll have to wait

[PhanttoM]

For the zerg purity concept, I can't help thinking of Ash's line from the first Alien film - "I admire its purity......a survivor..... unclouded by conscience, remorse, or delusions of morality."

[Noctis]

About the protoss being few in number and whatnot

the Xel'Naga can't reproduce period. Yet...they are the greatest/MOST perfect beings in the universe.

Perfection is impossible, evolution can potentially lead to it. What hasn't been made clear is if the XN have been getting stronger/evolving more and more with each Cycle. Possibly there will be one cycle that results in a reproductive capable XN