Commission done by  Nenana-uso. Thanks so much! And those of you reading, lemme know what you think of Koriki!

For my vulpera, as much as I might love Ranji the warrior and Rikou the shaman, Koriki the monk remains the one that I like the most. Monks are my favorite class in WoW, have been since they came out in Mists of Pandaria. Just the aesthetic and all really clicked for me, and the original ability to fistweave heal just sold me. Fistweaving has definitely changed since then, but even so, I still love my monk characters.

Back on subject.

***

Koriki had always held that there should be a way to work through problems that don't necessarily require violence. Not that he's opposed to fighting, quite the opposite. A life among the dunes of Vol'dun teaches one that oftentimes you have little choice but to fight, be it against monsters, bandits, or the newly imperialistic sethrak. But Koriki found that sometimes talking to the other, the one threatening you, can lead to understanding, possibly even trade, or a new ally. And he held to that philosophy always.

Not long after he became a defender of the caravan, he began to have a recurring dream. He knelt before an oasis pool, stars shining above. He reached to drink, but found he had no reflection. He didn't know what it meant, but knew the answers would come in time.

When the Horde came to Zandalar's shores and brought with them new ideas and the strength to help the vulpera stop those in Vol'dun who sought the ruin of all, Koriki was fascinated. So many different points of view, so many different ideals, and yet the races of the Horde were able to work together peacefully. It was everything he'd been talking about for years, and when a Pandaren monk rescued his caravan from a bandit attack, Koriki invited him to stay the night.

Over the campfire, Koriki learned of his journey and the mentality of a monk. And after talking to Koriki, the monk suggested he seek out a trainer, as even though he lacked the martial arts training, his heart was that of a monk.

Eager to test himself and determined to do his best, Koriki left Vol'dun and sought out the Peak of Serenity, traveling across the oceans and the continent of Pandaria to find it. Once there he knew he'd found his calling.

His training proceeded rapidly, as he ceaselessly worked to better his mind and body. Through meditation he found his inner chi and mana to heal wounds and cleanse maladies. And through rigorous training he found a strength in his body, a nimbleness he hadn't known he had, the ability to strike fast and hard. And with a splash of alcohol he learned how to bob and weave, shrugging off attacks that were meant for his friends and fortifying his spirit to withstand blows that would have toppled larger people.

His training completed, Koriki left and explored the world, following in his Pandaren friend's pawsteps, journeying from place to place and ridding those areas of any threats to peace and safety. He continues to do his best to defuse situations, to allow words to prevent violence, and helping those in need, lending his healing powers and his own body to the defense.

From Kalimdor's jungles to the Eastern Kingdom's furthest hinterlands.

From a broken world, infested with demons and crazed orcs, so unlike those he'd come to know; to a frozen wasteland, crawling with undead driven by an evil so powerful it threatened to cover the surface of Azeroth in death.

A forgotten realm, deep under the waves and controlled by naga who wish to conquer the land. A desert realm rich in the history of the shapers of the world, with a machine that could scour the world of all life.

Returning to Pandaria and exploring more of the land once shrouded in mists, protecting those who helped him from threats both without and within.

A world, similar and yet so unlike that shattered one he had seen. Gazing up to a sky not rent with streams of mana and magic, gazing onto the infinite blackness beyond, but of blue and clouds, seemingly safe, but wholly dangerous in a different way.

Coming back to home, to Azeroth, to find that the demonic threat had finally made its move. Watching heroes die and desperate plans concocted.

Meeting with those that trained him back on the peak where he learned who he was, only to watch it be destroyed by the demons and forced to save those he could before his body gave out and blackness took him. Waking up to find himself now in a leadership position.

After seeking weapons of great power, he sought out the Highmountain Tauren, looking to acquire the hammer they held in order to stop the Legion. He helped Mayla Highmountain find her own place as high chieftain, and reclaimed the hammer for Azeroth.

Having contributed to the Legion's defeat, he left upon hearing of war brewing between the Alliance and the Horde. Stunned at his Warchief's decisions, he could only help to try and prevent the retaliation from the Alliance from claiming innocent lives.

Once the Undercity fell during the siege of Lordaeron, he joined the team that freed Princess Talanji of the Zandalari troll empire and left with her, back to Zandalar, his homeland, where his journey continues as he continues to seek peace in a world at war.

One night after returning to Zandalar, he had that same dream of the oasis. He stepped toward the pool, but as he did, mid-stride his clothing shifted. No longer the vestments of a vulperan nomad, but his clothing he wore as a healer. His walking stick transformed to his staff of mists. Kneeling down, he was surprised to see his reflection for the first time. But it was a reflection of him in his defender's armor, the wanderer's companion in his hand, the stars red above him.

Fascinated, he reached down, his claws touching the water, touching his own hand. And with that touch, he knew now why he never saw his reflection. He had never really known his place in the world. His journey had taken him across and beyond this world and had taught him who he was deep down. He was a vulpera, yes, but he was also a healer. A protector. He had found his calling.

The world was ravaged by war. The people cried out for heroes. And he would do his best to be one of those heroes.

***

Hope you like him, Nenana did a great job.

The vulpera and all Warcraft stuffage © Blizzard
Koriki is mine,
Art again done by