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Zan Fi

Legendary master warrior and founder of the Whistling Fists Clan during the Combine Empire era, considered the progenitor of the unarmed monk combat tradition on Norrath.

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Connections
Foundedfaction:whistling-fistsEQ2Enemy ofdeity:cazic-thule
At a glance
Type
Figure
Attested in
EQ1EQ2
Sources
9 texts

Overview

Drawn from Creation of the Swifttails in-game book.EQ1Primary · official · best available source

Master Zan Fi believed in his power and faith and made way to do battle with Cazic-Thule in his own plane. Dispatching his minions one by one he came to the Lord of Fear. He saw and threw insult and challenge to him. Zan Fi would fight Cazic-Thule alone. It was a fight that lasted for days, Cazic-Thule was weakened but Zan Fi would be defeated in the end.

Cazic-Thule seeing this amazing skill in battle decided that it should be instilled into broodlings of his great race. He took the essence of Zan Fi and placed it into an Iksar. Tynn was the product of this creation. Cazic-Thule granted Tynn one great gift, the gift of the Whistling Fists. He did this to mock Zan Fi and his failure in battle. He was placed within the empire of Iksar and would have only one thing in mind, to train other Iksar the way of the monk to inflict the pain unto their foes.

Overview

Drawn from The Founding of the Whistling Fists Clan in-game book.EQ2Primary · mirrored · best available source

The Founding of the Whistling Fists Clan by Brother Nusad, Clan Historian

In the days when the Combine Empire ruled over much of Norrath, there arose a mighty warrior named Zan Fi. Little is known of his past, for despite all his talents, Zan Fi was extraordinarily humble and spoke few words about his life. We know from his deeds, however, that he was a master of many forms of combat, perhaps more than any who had come before him. It is said that he was equally skilled with swords, bows, maces, halberds, staves, axes, and any other weapon one could name.

Zan Fi also had a natural affinity for magic, with a far greater understanding of its ways than most mortals could hope for. Of special interest to him was the way bards could weave magic into their songs. It is said that Zan Fi's voice alone could cast a spell potent enought to stop an enemy in its tracks.

Yet Zan Fi was not satisfied with mastering the martial techniques of others. He began taking bits and pieces of other styles, assembling them over the years to form his own form of combat. It was a form of grace and elegance, of carfully applied force tempered with wisdon. He would eschew the reliance upon heavy armor, instead training his own body to withstand a degree of punishment that would cause most beings to crumble. He Refused to rely upon most weapons, for he belived that anything crafted by mortals could not be relied upon. Instead, he trained his fists to be weapons, practicing until they were more durable and deadly than the strongest steel.

After all his training, Zan Fi still felt there was something missing. After much meditation, he realized what would make his combat style complete. He applied bardic songs to his very fists, enchanting them with melodies of swiftness and power. Zan Fi called this his Whistling Fists style, and those who saw it in practice were filled with awe.

Though Zan Fi developed the Whistling Fists style of combat only for his personal use, word of it quickly spread and others began to come to him seeking training. The master was very selective as to whom he would train; would-be students had to prove worthy not only physically, but spirtually and mentally as well. With a select band of devoted followers, Zan Fi founded the Whistling Fists clan, which was the first order of fighting monks on Norrath

Official Lore

7

Collected official lore pieces, from in-game and out.

EQ1Primary · officialPrincipal account

WFBk2

In-game bookVerant/SOE

Zan Fi believed in his power and made way to do battle with Cazic-Thule in his own plane. Dispatching his minions one by one he came to the Lord of Fear. He saw and threw challenge to him. The battle lasted for days, Cazic-Thule was weakened but Zan Fi would be defeated in the end. Cazic-Thule seeing this amazing skill in battle decided that it should be inst…

Read the full source
EQ1Primary · officialPrincipal account

WFBook

In-game bookVerant/SOE

The fists shall be born again for you. Take with you the satchel covered with flayed skin. Fill it with four items of power. The original fists, which no longer have their power. The Flute of Zan Fi, given and taken from an undead brother. Also place in the satchel the remains of Grandmaster Tynn, bones forever strong, and finally the remains of Zan Fi, still…

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EQ2Primary · mirroredPrincipal account

The Monastery of the Lost Circle

In-game bookSOE-EQ2

The Monastery of the Lost Circle by Brother Nusad, Clan Historian Tsaph Katta, Imperator of the Combine, knew of Zan Fi's reputation and skill. After hearing how mighty the Whistling Fists Clan was becoming, the Imperator sought to compel Zan Fi to become a part of his army.

Read the full source
EQ2Primary · mirroredPrincipal account

The Founding of the Whistling Fists Clan

In-game bookSOE-EQ2

The Founding of the Whistling Fists Clan by Brother Nusad, Clan Historian In the days when the Combine Empire ruled over much of Norrath, there arose a mighty warrior named Zan Fi. Little is known of his past, for despite all his talents, Zan Fi was extraordinarily humble and spoke few words about his life.

Read the full source
EQ1Primary · mirroredMajor source

Monks of The Whistling Fist

NPC dialogueVerant/SOE

…Brother Qwinn says 'The [monks of the Whistling Fist] are called the Lost Circle by others. We are an ancient league of monks, long forgotten and nearly extinct. Within this realm, there are only two. [Brother Zephyl] and myself. We seek the items stolen from us. I seek the [Code of Zan Fi].' You say, 'What Monks of the Whistling Fist?'

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EQ1Primary · mirroredMajor source

Brother Qwinn, Southern Plains of Karana

NPC dialogueVerant/SOE

…"The [monks of the Whistling Fist] are called the Lost Circle by others. We are an ancient league of monks, long forgotten and nearly extinct. Within this realm, there are only two. [Brother Zephyl] and myself. We seek the items stolen from us. I seek the [Code of Zan Fi]." "The monks of the Whistling fist were forged from the vision of the great master, Zan…

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EQ1Primary · mirroredMajor source

Brother Zephyl, Rathe Mountains

NPC dialogueVerant/SOE

…"The [monks of the Whistling Fist] are called the Lost Circle by others. We are an ancient league of monks. Long forgotten and few yet remain. Within this realm there are only two. [Brother Qwinn] and I. We seek the items stolen from us. I seek the [idol of Zan Fi]." "Then venture to the lands of evil. The swamps of the trolls and ogres.

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Further sources

1

Lore that mentions this in passing.

Connections
Founded
faction:whistling-fistsEQ2
Enemy of
deity:cazic-thule
† opens the source text behind a claim.
Zan Fi — Library of Erudin