Information

Boban's thoughts on Draenei

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The Draenei are, in my own humble opinion, the coolest race in World of Warcraft. But, due to the fact that they barely existed prior to the Burning Crusade expension, not a whole lot is known about them. So I'm here to share with you some facts and some opinions on the Draenei. Things that are simply my own speculation will be italicized

Personal Information
Draenei are 'ageless' but they do show signs of aging. It is stated that the Prophet Valen and Kil'jaeden were friends since childhood despite the much older appearance of Valen. I believe this to be a physical manifestation of how mature they are on the inside (Even though Valen is Ancient, he only looks old due to his wisdom and possibly the stress of being on the run for so long). I do not believe the draenei care much for the motion of age at all. After all, the Draenei as a whole treat humans with the same respect they afford themselves. I would also believe that they don't take much note for the passage of time. A year, or a century, or even a millenium is simply a relative term and does not hold much stock for them.

Draenei do not have last names. Probably due to the fact that the oldest member of a family would be just as 'young' as anyone else. However, it is quite possible for the Draenei to have chosen names after their arrival on Azeroth, possibly as a way of remembering their lost family members.

Draenei have their own language but they picked up common perfectly and incredibly quickly. While the exact method is unknown, I believe it is because they are quick learners and have much experience speaking with other cultures. They also were able to speak Orcish perfectly at the onset of the Orc-Draenei war.

Background
A brief Timeline of Draenei History
The Draenei flee Argus with the help of the Naaru to escape their race's recruitment to the burning legion.

For 10,000 years, they wandered the cosmos aboard the ship that is now "Ohsa'gun". During this time they landed on many worlds and met many different races but were always chased out and the world they'd found destroyed.

The dreanei settle on Draenor and lived there for 200 years peacefully. During this time, they remained aloof from the Orcs, although trading with them on occasion. The Orcs were eventually tricked by the Burning Legion into slaughtering the Draenei.

For about 50 years the Draenei hid out in Zangarmarsh. A number of them became 'krokun' or Broken. They were exhiled and formed their own communities. Only about a thousand draenei were left during this time and they layed low, causing the orcs to believe they'd just about been exterminated.

When the Humans came through the dark portal, they aided the Humans with attacking Auchindoun. They cohabited Draenor with the Humans stuck beyond the Dark Portal for 26 years. It is quite possible that they formed a closer relationship with the Humans stranded beyond the dark portal and used their help in restoring Shattrath and other draenei communities. This may also be why the Humans accepted them into the Alliance so readily.

Before the "The burning Crusade", the Draenei captured the Exodar and sent a portion of their population to Azeroth in order to enlist the Alliances help in defeating the Legion. Possibly also with returning to Outland and rescuing their kin back in Outland. It's important that none of the Draenei stepped foot on the Exodar till they were on the way out from Outland

The Draenei now see Azeroth as their new home and have set up villages in Bloodmyst (Blood Watch) and Ashenvale (Forest Song).

They currently have a brigade station in the Borean Tundra, but the Commander of the base refuses to use them. They have taken it upon themselves to root out Cultist spies.


Last edited by Evilnerf on Jul. 30th, 2009 8:48 pm; edited 3 times in total
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Classes
Paladin Most Draenei 'Vindicators' are members of the Hand of Argus. The offensive military of the Draenei.

Priest Called Anchorites, they are the spiritual leaders of the Draenei and often the direct intermediaries between the Draenei people and the Naaru. it's worth noting that the female form of Anchorite is Anchoress, but I've never heard them called that anywhere. The priesthood of Shattrath city was known as the Aldor, and remained in the city in hiding after it was sacked.

Before the Orc-Draenei War, The Temple of Kerabor was the major center of the Anchorage. There is another important sect known as the Auchenei. They tended to the Spirits of the dead entombed in the massive mausoleum of Auchendoun. These Draenei routinely communed with the dead and aided them in finding peace in the after life (Despite their dark nature, they still used Light-based spells).

For shadow, see "Dark Arts"

Hunter The Draenei had to hunt for food when they were in hiding in zangarmarsh due to the inability to farm. They had to learn how to gather food while avoiding Orc Patrols. The Draenei used both guns and crossbows before their arrival on Azeroth.

Mages The Eredar were skilled Arcanists, stretching back eons. Mages today carry on this tradition. The Eredar are a very curious race, and this curiosity is eventually what led them to taking Sargeras's offer.

Dark Arts
The Eredar are a very curious people. It's this curiosity, this desire for the new magics and abilities that Sargeras used to lead the Eredar down their dark path. It's probable that the Draenei have either outright banned dark arts such as Demonology, Affliction and others because they know of the temptation that these schools offer, or they simply choose to avoid it.

Death Knights Out of any race, Draenei are the most likely to accept Death Knights. Ontop of their wise and forgiving nature, the Draenei lack the historical animosity that naturally arises from the War with the Scourge in the past. Auchenai also have experience communing and seeking the aid of their Dead.

Profession Notes Before their escape from Argus, the Eredar were incredibly advanced technologically. [i]This brings to mind the addage, 'Sufficient technology is indistinguishable from magic
. Therefor, Artifcers and Magewrights are present. This can present itself as Jewelcrafters, Enchanters and Engineers. The Eredar were very curious, and the Draenei continue to carry that curiosity about the arcane.
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Places Draenei are from:
Argus: Due to their incredibly long lifespans, it is quite possible for your character to have been recruited by Valen in secret when he first sought to flee Kil'Jaeden and Archimonde. At the time of the exodus, there were only a few hundred draenei.

The places in between: The Draenei travelled for thousands of years while on the run from the Burning Legion. During this time they briefly settled on many worlds and met many of their native creatures. Your character may also have been born aboard the ship that is now known as Osha'gun.

Draenor: The Draenei had many townships by the time the Orcs began their slaughter. Their cities were often built into bluffs or mountains, or sequestered in forests. A seemingly large amount of temples and relatively small amount of villages survived. It is possible that the draenei cities were all made of materials more valuable to the Orc war efford and were therefor more quickly stripped (these materials being the metallic and crystal stone seen in the Exodar and Forest Song), while the Temples were made from more humble materials and continue to persist despite their ruination (and more easily made habbitable and fortified by the Alliance and other denizens).
Terrokar: Shattrath was obviously the larges population center of the draenei. However, it's possible that it was not truely the capital. The Prophet Valen lived in the Temple of Kerebor, and being the head of state, it was likely that most of the cities were automotous or were led from the temple..
Shadowmoon Valley: This was a much nicer place back in the day. Home of the Temple of Kerabor and the town of Baa'ri. This could indicate that the valley was the Spiritual center of Draenei society.
Nagrand: Nagrand was Orc Territory before the Draenei were exterminated. The Draenei kept to the forests, and the Orcs had the plains. It is stated in "Rise of the Horde" that the closest city to what is now "Geradar" was the hidden city of Telmor in Terokkar Forest. It is likely that Telaar and possibly Halaa were built by the Broken.
Hellfire Penninsula: Location of two more Temples, and once again, much nicer before then it is now.
Netherstorm: Once known as the "Fields of Faralon," this was the location of a town called Enkaat. I have no idea why this town would be located so far from all other Draenei settlements. It was likely a fishing town. Perhaps on the river that is now a gaping abyss.
Zangarmarsh: By all accounts an unpleasant place to live. After the Orcs slaughtered the the Draenei, the survivors fled to to this marsh for sanctuary. Many of these survivors probably became Lost Ones. The rest survived until Illidan and the Blood Elves captured the Tempest Keep. And then recaptured the Exodar. Telredar was most likely built during this time of hiding as place to house draenei. There is also probably more of these mushroom refuges.

Born after the Orc War: Draenei populations are a tricky things. With a lifespan as long as they have, it's likely they would have a low birth rate. However, the Draenei population goes from hundreds, to living in numerous cities, back to just over a thousand, and then back up to a faction comparable to the Elves or Dwarves. This means that they likely have normal birth rates but are capable of a marvelous degree of population control. Therefor, it's possible that some, maybe even many children were born while in hiding in an effort to increase the population.

Azeroth: Due to their long lifespans, it is HIGHLY unlikely that the Draenei have an expedited maturation.
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Draenei and the Races of Azeroth:

Orcs: The history between the Draenei and the Orcs is a long and Violent one. For a detailed perspective, read "Rise of the Horde" by Christie Golden. Here, I will attempt a summation, along with possible contemporary viewpoints.

The Orcs and the Draenei used to be peaceful coexisters. The Orcs saw the draenei as mysterious and aloof. And the Draenei stayed seperate outside of isolated trading. This persisted for 200 years.

The Orcs were then tricked by the Burning Legion into attacking the draenei. First in small skirmishes and ending with Assaults on the Temple of Kerabor and Shattrath.

The Draenei knew the orcs were under the influence of the Legion at the time, even going so far as to tell the orcs so. Despite this, the atrocities were many and frequent and could be construed as unforgivable under any circumstances. They took no prisoners and tortured then killed any draenei survivors they found, and even made a road to their citidel using the bones of Draenei. By the time the the portal was opened (by a ritual involving the sacrifice of a Draenei child) the Orcs thought they had killed just about every draenei on the planet.

Thrall himself knows of these atrocities and deeply regrets them. However, even he cannot fault any anger or outrage the Draenei may feel. Upon hearing of their arrival on Azeroth, he thought to himself, "How could their possibly peace between the Alliance the Horde now?"

Would the draenei be able to forgive the Orcs? It is debatable. They've shown an incredible desire for peace above all. So perhaps Thrall is pessimistic in his assumption. However, the Draenei had lived in peace with the Orcs before and suffered dearly for it. Perhaps the Draenei do not want to make the same mistake twice.

Humans: The Draenei's first meeting with the Humans was in the crypts of Auchendoun. They deemed the approaching army as "Noble" and wished to aid them in fighting the Orcs. However, being strangers, they were still unwilling to disclose their location.

The draenei and the humans who were stranded beyond the Dark Portal ended up living in Outland for many years. It is highly probably that this is when they started working together to fight the Fel Orcs.

This, combined with the Naaru's arrival, probably led to the state of Shattrath, Allerian Stronghold, Wildhammer Stronghold and the other minor fortifications we know of now.

This also probably led to
the draenei hearing "Tales of the Brave Alliance" and capturing the Exodar in order to flee to Azeroth. At this point, the Draenei would know the humans, gnomes and Dwarves quite well, but the Alliance would know nothing about the draenei.

So why such speedy admittance of the Draenei into the Alliance? Most likely, the humans of outland shared the tales of the Draenei's cooperation with their kin.

In other words, the formal joining of the Draenei to the Alliance was simply an extension of the cooperation the two races shared in the 20 odd years since the Alliance Expedition to Oultand was stranded.

How well do they get along? Quite well, I'd think. The Humans and the Draenei share similar views on religion and values. The cultural ideals of both races are very similar: A light fearing noble defender of the innocents.

However, ideals and reality are often different. The human's practicing of Warlockism is almost suredly a sore spot. Draenei know all too well how tempting the molevolent powers of Sargeras are and would not be happy seeing the humans adapting to it.

The human's lack of unified core is probably somewhat offputting to the Draenei, who pull so much of their individual identities and shared culture.


Night Elves: Proximity can bring two nations together either in pease or in confict. Luckily, it seems to have brought the Elves and the Draenei closer. The Night Elves have been foremost in offering their aid to the Draenei since their arrival. They provide transport between Azuremyst and Kalimdor and have aided them in laying the joint outpost of Forest Song in Ashenvale. This cooperation, along with the appearant lack of competition of resources could be the start of a prosperous friendship.

I for one do not see the Religion as being a sore spot. Neither the Naaru or the Temple of Elune seem particularly interested in converting followers. The Naaru have stated that they simply wish to perseve the balance between darkness and the Light. I believe this means they are willing to Accept the followers of Elune.


Blood Elves: The history between the two races is a complicated one. Immediately upon entering Outland, the Blood Elves under Illidan were at war with the Draenei. Their thirst for magical energies caused them to wreak havoc upon Draenor and attack the Naaru which had come to Draenor to help the Draenei.

The blood elves captured M'uru and sapped him for almost a year before A'dal and the Prophet Valen were able to Convince the Blood Elves through a series of prophecies and visions to fight against Kel'thelas.

The joint Draenei/Blood Elf was successful in recapturing the the Sunwell from the Legion and bestowing it back to the Blood Elf people.

The Blood Elf/Draenei conflict is a great moral as well as military victory for the Draenei. Despite the conflicts and rivalries with the Blood Elves, the Draenei helped the Blood Elves to recapture something that had been so important to them. It exhibits both their forgiveness for a people who have wronged them and their willingness to work with just about anyone for a common goal.

I would say the Draenei/Blood Elf relations have cooled off considerably since the Shattered Sun offensive and might even have been friendly until the point when their Alliances with the other peoples of Azeroth brought them back into conflict.


Gnomes: Personally, I think the Gnomes have a lot in common with the Eredar. They were both deeply curious people with an affinity towards magic and science. I imagine the Draenei would see the Gnomes as following the same path as the Eredar and would likely do what they could to discourage it.
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Little timeline mismatch. Since the draenei separated from the Eredar its been around 25,000 years. They landed on Draenor about 1000 years back and lived in peace with the orcs up until about 200 years prior when then the Legion found them and turned the orcs on them.

Also interesting and maybe more important unlike elven children who develop slowly and reach adulthood somewhere around 400 years or so, Draenei seem to grow and mature at a more or less human pace and just eventually stop. They do however seem to have a very low birth rate, thus keeping populations and children numbers down.

Info varies a bit depending on the source but most of this comes from Rise of the Horde. Sadly, its never been set straight in a defining way.

Leave it open to debate Happy
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