Jinyu The Jinyu are a race of fish - like humanoids native to Pandaria . They are considered wise creatures even among the pandaren , as they have the ability to converse with the land . The jinyu were once murloc s that evolved when exposed to sacred pools in the Vale of Eternal Blossoms . Alliance players who arrive at the Jade Forest will be trying to sway the jinyu into siding with the Alliance . The rampaging hozen have caused much destruction to jinyu settlements and have been historical enemies . Waterspeaker represent the highest ranking jinyu . Biography . Before the Great Sundering . The Jinyu originated from Murloc s who were fortunate enough to live near the enchanted pools of the Vale of Eternal Blossoms . The magic of the pools expanded their minds and grew their bodies , until they became one of the great ancient cultures of Pandaria . In the days before the Sundering , legend has it that all rivers flowed to Pandaria . Few were more aware of this than the clever jinyu . Over time the wisest of their people learned to commune with the waters of the river and listen for the future and news it would bring . These elders were respected by most races and earned their title of " Waterspeaker s " . After the Great Sundering . The Jinyu have been at war with the hozen for a long time . Many thousand years ago , the Pearlfin Tribe stood on the throne of all Pandaria . At one point they trusted a tribe of hozen which somehow led to a great betrayal ; consequently causing a waning of their numbers and influence . After this betrayal , Pearlfin Village became all that was left of their people . The jinyu have been distrustful of outsiders ( and at war with the Hozen ) ever since . Joining the Alliance . After the Cataclysm , Alliance players encounter a Jinyu named Bold Karasshi and enlist his aid in rescuing Admiral Taylor from a hozen prison . After escaping their captors , the Alliance and jinyu prisoners seek sancturary in Pearlfin Village , home of the Pearlfin tribe . After discovering that the Horde has allied with the hozen , the Alliance attempts to recruit the Jinyu into the Alliance . After consulting with their water spirits and the spirit of the former Jinyu emperor of Pandaria , Rassharom , the Pearlfin Jinyu agree to ally themselves with the Alliance . The Alliance trains the Pearlfin in their superior military knowledge and arms them with weaponry . In exchange , the Pearlfin pledges their support in the Alliance ' s war against the Horde . Unfortunately , during a battle between the Alliance forces under Admiral Taylor and the Horde forces ( now bolstered by the Hozen ) under General Nazgrim at the Statue of the Jade Serpent , things take a turn for the horrific , as the negative energies born of the pure hatred betwixt the two rival factions gives a mighty sha ( which was imprisoned underneath the Jade Serpent ) enough strength to break free of its prison ( much to the horror of the local pandaren ) . Society . Jinyu society is caste - based . Jinyu are chosen for their roles ( such as warriors or priests ) at a young age , and final say in all communal decisions is granted to the elder Jinyu in a tribe . While this rigid structure can seem constricting , the elders ' roles are often deserved : they can speak and listen to the waters that flow throughout Pandaria , making them extremely wise and terribly powerful .