Chinese girlies have been saying that we should put effort into talking about how Love and Deepspace has taught us about Chinese culture. While I previously talked about possible connections to Norse mythology, I decided to try and find any links to Chinese mythology, as well as other perhaps religious things that could be of value to linking him to China.
I am obviously not Chinese and my knowledge is surface level at best. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can offer their own insights on it.
I will be using pictures and information I found on the internet. My neurodivergent brain is currently overloading, so I do not remember exactly where I got what. If one of the pictures I use is yours, please let me know, so I can give proper credit.
Chinese mythology does not have werewolves the way the western world knows them, with the transformation during the full moon and the curse of biting another human that then turns into a werewolf and is usually malevolent.
In Chinese mythology, plants, insects, inanimate objects that gain sentience and animals can absorb spiritual energy from the universe, and cultivate magical powers. They can often gain the ability to shapeshift into human form.
They are called Yaoguai or Yao.
In Chinese folklore and modern fantasy, a Wolf Demon is translated as Láng Yāo (狼妖).
In traditional Chinese folklore, wolves are historically depicted as cunning, ruthless and dangerous. A Lang Yao in classical literature is frequently portrayed as a malicious spirit or marauding monster.
This is not quite different from how the wolf was depicted in western literature for centuries, I think. Most of us know the story of the Wolf and Three Pigs, or the Boy Who Called Wolf. We know the wolf is also tied to the occult through Dracula and all the depictions of werewolves in modern western media.
In modern Chinese novels, anime, and games, Lang Yao characters generally exhibit specific archetypes: They often possess a hybrid form—such as a human body with wolf ears, fangs, claws, and a tail—or can seamlessly shift between a massive feral beast and a full human disguise. We see Valko do this in his trailer.
They are typically written as exceptionally agile, physically strong, and possessing heightened senses. They often control elements like wind or shadow to execute swift slash attacks.
They are rarely solitary and are commonly depicted living in packs, tribes, or powerful military clans led by a tribal chief or "Wolf King." This is what we see with Valko as well. From the little things we know about him, we have learned that he is the head of his werewolf clan and his standard myth companion is called the Wolf Lord.
We also know he has at least a grandma, cousin and an auntie in his pack and from the way he referred to them in Chinese, they were part of his paternal line.
I am wondering if we were gonna see more about that in his standard myth, or perhaps in future cards of his, but I guess we won't know now. Even if I hope they bring him back and reinstate him in the game.
The Wolf Demon/Spirit lore would be great for a future myth.
WinterzDream on X was so kind to explain most of this, so I got most of the info from her. She also mentioned several stories that are worth checking out. And I fully intend to do that.
Yao-Chinese Folktales: The acclaimed animated anthology features various traditional spirits, notably in episodes like The Summer of Mr. Yao (set on Lang Lang Mountain) and Linlin, which beautifully explores the perspective of a wolf spirit trying to integrate into human society.
The Wolf of Zhongshan: A famous Ming-dynasty fable that highlights the traditional cultural view of wolves. While it focuses heavily on a wolf's capacity to deceive humans after being saved, it laid the foundation for Lang Yao tropes where wolves manipulate human empathy.
"Wolf Grandmas" (Láng Wàipó): The tale of Lon Po Po or the story of General Wang’s mother from Taiyuan. In these accounts, ancient wolf spirits shapeshift into elderly matrons to infiltrate households, blending a deceptive human identity with predatory beast instincts.
Chinese girlies have been saying that we should put effort into talking about how Love and Deepspace has taught us about Chinese culture. While I previously talked about possible connections to Norse mythology, I decided to try and find any links to Chinese mythology, as well as other perhaps religious things that could be of value to linking him to China.
I am obviously not Chinese and my knowledge is surface level at best. I would greatly appreciate if anyone can offer their own insights on it.
I will be using pictures and information I found on the internet. My neurodivergent brain is currently overloading, so I do not remember exactly where I got what. If one of the pictures I use is yours, please let me know, so I can give proper credit.
Chinese mythology does not have werewolves the way the western world knows them, with the transformation during the full moon and the curse of biting another human that then turns into a werewolf and is usually malevolent.
In Chinese mythology, plants, insects, inanimate objects that gain sentience and animals can absorb spiritual energy from the universe, and cultivate magical powers. They can often gain the ability to shapeshift into human form.
They are called Yaoguai or Yao.
In Chinese folklore and modern fantasy, a Wolf Demon is translated as Láng Yāo (狼妖).
In traditional Chinese folklore, wolves are historically depicted as cunning, ruthless and dangerous. A Lang Yao in classical literature is frequently portrayed as a malicious spirit or marauding monster.
This is not quite different from how the wolf was depicted in western literature for centuries, I think. Most of us know the story of the Wolf and Three Pigs, or the Boy Who Called Wolf. We know the wolf is also tied to the occult through Dracula and all the depictions of werewolves in modern western media.
In modern Chinese novels, anime, and games, Lang Yao characters generally exhibit specific archetypes: They often possess a hybrid form—such as a human body with wolf ears, fangs, claws, and a tail—or can seamlessly shift between a massive feral beast and a full human disguise. We see Valko do this in his trailer.
They are typically written as exceptionally agile, physically strong, and possessing heightened senses. They often control elements like wind or shadow to execute swift slash attacks.
They are rarely solitary and are commonly depicted living in packs, tribes, or powerful military clans led by a tribal chief or "Wolf King." This is what we see with Valko as well. From the little things we know about him, we have learned that he is the head of his werewolf clan and his standard myth companion is called the Wolf Lord.
We also know he has at least a grandma, cousin and an auntie in his pack and from the way he referred to them in Chinese, they were part of his paternal line.
I am wondering if we were gonna see more about that in his standard myth, or perhaps in future cards of his, but I guess we won't know now. Even if I hope they bring him back and reinstate him in the game.
The Wolf Demon/Spirit lore would be great for a future myth.
WinterzDream on X was so kind to explain most of this, so I got most of the info from her. She also mentioned several stories that are worth checking out. And I fully intend to do that.
Yao-Chinese Folktales: The acclaimed animated anthology features various traditional spirits, notably in episodes like The Summer of Mr. Yao (set on Lang Lang Mountain) and Linlin, which beautifully explores the perspective of a wolf spirit trying to integrate into human society.
The Wolf of Zhongshan: A famous Ming-dynasty fable that highlights the traditional cultural view of wolves. While it focuses heavily on a wolf's capacity to deceive humans after being saved, it laid the foundation for Lang Yao tropes where wolves manipulate human empathy.
"Wolf Grandmas" (Láng Wàipó): The tale of Lon Po Po or the story of General Wang’s mother from Taiyuan. In these accounts, ancient wolf spirits shapeshift into elderly matrons to infiltrate households, blending a deceptive human identity with predatory beast instincts.
Attempt no. 2 after studying his face a bit more. Main reason why I don’t make lads art that much is because the characters are so pretty, I have a hard time getting it right 😔🙏🏽
Something that I've noticed about this whole drama, is that seeing how the community can come together. You always hear about "strength in numbers" but I never really believed it until I've been seeing it in action over these last few days.
It's... Amazing.
Players supporting each other, helping each other, learning more about each other, hell even people switching sides and now coming over to add their voices.
I just love that the vibe I'm getting is "Hear our voices." and "Goodness prevails."
The haters tried so many underhanded tactics to undermine everything we cared about for this game, and yet the surge pushing back is handling it with care, grace and compassion. True wolf nobility if ever I saw it, proud, strong and strength in numbers.
Keep going, my lovelies. Karma will deal with the haters, trust me 😘
Ken je het gevoel dat, dat je droom niet uitkomt
Ben je wel eens bang dat het altijd zo blijft
Want het regent alle dagen en ik zie geen hand voor ogen
Jij en ik toch samen, dat zou altijd zo zijn
Tadada dadadadada, dada dadadadadada
Tadada dadadadadada
Oehoe aha
Hier in de diepte hoor ik steeds maar weer je naam
Oeh aha
Oh mijn lief wat moet ik nou
Ik zit diep en ik wil jou niet laten gaan
Ik schuil onder de tafel en ik hoop dat jij me vindt
Ik wacht al heel de avond, ach ik lijk wel een kind
Ik bijt weer op mijn tanden en ik weet dat jij dat ook doet
Maar god wat moet ik anders, wanneer is het genoeg
- De Diepte by Dutch singer S10
English translation of the primary lyrics
Do you know that feeling—that your dream won't come true?
Are you ever afraid that things will always stay this way?
Because it rains every day, and I can't see a thing
You and I, together—it was always meant to be
Tadada dadadadada, dada dadadadadada
Tadada dadadadadada
Ooh-ooh, aha
Here in the depths, I keep hearing your name
Ooh, aha
Oh my love, what am I to do?
I’m in too deep, and I don’t want to let you go
I’m hiding under the table, hoping you’ll find me
I’ve been waiting all evening;
I feel just like a child I grit my teeth, and I know you’re doing the same But God, what else can I do? When is enough, enough?
Ah, and before I‘m getting even more messages with anti Valko propaganda:
This whole thing isn’t about Valko alone!
It‘s against cyberbullying, esp in CN
It’s about cherishing CN culture and heritage
It‘s about rescuing the game as whole
It‘s about showing infold that global can make a difference
Yeah, bringing back Valko doesn’t change the general issues in the game, but so doesn’t his canceling.
We won’t get an MS faster without him, because HE was the main story atp.
It‘s not about making the other Lis less important. They all are a whole package.
The issues with numbers and difficult sentences was blown out of proportion and could have been handled better instead of weaponizing it to cancel a character.
The 731 was in the game already FOR MONTHS! Where were the CN back in April as the WU was implemented? They could have just contacted infold to change it. Simple as that.
The other stuff was fabricated and used by some toxic women to create a mess. This is already proven! Infold itself made a statement with official stamp and everything.
areudirty
annaxmalina
snowghoul
blakekathryn
gummygunk
