Here is the file for download to read on your own time.

 

A Compilation of Draenei Lore

Sites

www.wowwiki.com/draenei

www.worldofwarcraft.com/burningcrusade/townhall/draenei.html

And numerous other sources...

Class Lore

Paladins = Vindicators

While Paladin clearly indicates a Knight, a medieval hero going on the quest and keeping his code of Chivalry, the Vindicator is something different.

To Vindicate means to clean something from shame and dishonor, to continue ones work in way. As such Vindicators: pay great attention to Honor, and try to restore it (by Fighting Evil which consumed large part of the race?) They are NOT like classic paladins, they are no Knights in Shining Armour, rather warriors of great honor and resolve wielding the Light (As such they are -no- preachers)

Priests = Anchorites

Anchorite is a sort of religious hermit, who devotes himself to meditation and understand of divine ways.
Draenei anchorites are no hermits, as such I think they are more of scholars and are closer to Buddhist monks rather than to Catholic priests. They are no preachers, rather more of Guides as in eastern philosophies, so Draenei priest should be addressed as Sensei, rather than Father....so to speak

PS: Female version: Anchoress

For Shamans read this.

General Lore

On the Planet of Argus, nearly 25,000 years ago, the Eredar race arose as a powerful force. They were extremely intelligent and had a natural affinity for magic in all its myriad forms. Using their gifts, they developed a vast and wondrous society. Soon, at the height of their society, the Eredar's three most prominent leaders, Kil'jaeden, Archimonde, and Velen, were approached by Sargeras, the Fallen Titan. Sargeras claimed he was impressed by the work of the Eredar, he wanted to supply them with even more power and knowledge, in exchange for their loyalty. But while Kil'jaeden and Archimonde readily accepted the deal, Velen had a vision of the future that filled him with sick dread. He saw the dark future his people were heading towards: siding with the dark titan Sargeras and transformed into demons. Velen saw the Legion in all its terrible might and witnessed the destruction it would wreak upon all of creation. He hastened to warn Kil'jaeden and Archimonde, but they dismissed his concerns and proceeded to profess loyalty to the Destroyer of Worlds. Together, they transformed a majority of their people into an insidious race of warlocks (Man'ari) and later allied themselves with the Burning Legion.

Details of the flight from Argus: Only a couple hundred Draenei fled with Velen (The rest became Man'ari) They gathered on the 'longest day of the year' on the 'tallest mountain of Argus'. K'ure, the original Naaru inside of the Exodar, appeared above them, wrapped them in a shield of light (think giant bubble), and they ascended into the Exodar, which then vanished out of sight. Velen stole the Ata'mal crystal from a grand community temple on Argus, which was given to the Draenei millenia ago by the Naaru and is what 'summoned' the Exodar to them. The crystal broke into 7 pieces when the Exodar appeared. It was warm to the touch, and could grant healing and visions.

The renegades barely escaped from Argus in the Naaru fortress Tempest Keep, with the Burning Legion only moments behind. Kil'jaeden was furious with what he felt was Velen's betrayal, and the demon vowed to hunt Velen and the rest of the Draenei to the ends of the cosmos if need be.

The Legion chased the Draenei for many thousands of years. The Draenei visited many worlds and explored much of the known cosmos in their quest to find safe harbor. Still the Legion, under the guidance of a hell-bent Kil'jaeden, would not give up its pursuit. Meanwhile, the enigmatic Naaru race blessed the Draenei with Light-given knowledge and power. The Naaru explained that there were other forces in the cosmos that would stand against the Burning Legion. One day the Naaru would forge them into a single unstoppable army of the Light. Deeply affected by the Naaru's words, the Draenei vowed to honor the Light and uphold the Naaru's altruistic ideals.

At last Velen and his Draenei settled upon a remote and peaceful world that seemed an ideal refuge. They named it Draenor, or "Exiles' Refuge", and there they quietly cultivated their society once again. Ever wary of being discovered again by Kil'jaeden's forces, Velen and his mystics kept their magics hidden for generations.

The Draenei did not arrive on Draenor on purpose nor did they arrive in Tempest Keep. They arrived by accident on the dimensional ship known to the Orcs as Oshu'gun ("Mountain of the Spirits" in the common Orcish). *Something apparently befell the Naaru navigating the vessel, named K'ure, and he put it down on the nearest habitable planet. The wreckage of this ship, which resembled a large, flying diamond, became a place of great reverence to Orc shaman due to the large number of spirits who were drawn to its location. Oshu'gun is the largest diamond in the known universe located in southwest Nagrand.

In time the Draenei met and befriended the shamanistic Orc clans that already lived in the tranquil southern grasslands (later called Nagrand). Aside from engaging in some limited trade, the Draenei and Orcs regarded one another with respect but kept mostly to themselves.

However, no amount of preparation could keep the Draenei hidden forever; eventually Kil'jaeden, in his quest to find more minions of the Legion, stumbled upon the planet and found the Draenei. But, his attention was soon fixed on the neighboring Orcs. Intrigued, Kil'jaeden realized that they were exactly the race of warriors he was looking for and soon succeeded in corrupting the Orcs through his protégé Gul'dan. Smoothly manipulated from a state of wary acceptance into blind rage and blood lust, the Orcs attacked the Draenei. This bloody conflict lasted nearly eight years, but the Orcs' triumph was inevitable. The Orcs killed over eighty percent of the Draenei race and sent the rest fleeing for safety to the remote corners of the world. Afterward, Draenei who had fought the Horde and survived found that they had been affected by the Fel energies wielded so freely by the Orc warlocks. These Draenei have since mutated into lesser forms, resulting in a series of subspecies.

The Orcs started attacking the Draenei before they drank the blood of Mannoroth. They were still corrupted by Kil'jaeden, but not through direct blood corruption. They were corrupted by lies and tricks, but willingly made the choice to attack the Draenei and see them as a threat.

After coming to Draenor, the blood elves discovered the power of Tempest Keep and successfully seized it. To escape, the Draenei managed to wrestle control of a wing of the keep, the Exodar, and tried to use it to flee and find aid in retaking their home. Before they could, however, the blood elves managed to sabotage what is essentially the 'engine' of the Draenei's trans dimensional travel. The remainder of the Keep lies in Outland in the Netherstorm area and is now the home of Prince Kael'Thas.

When the Draenei tried to plane shift, the engine went haywire, and the Exodar ended up hurtling out of control through the Twisting Nether, crash-landing on a chain of islands called Azuremyst Isles, off the western coast of Kalimdor. As the surviving Draenei salvage what they can of their ship, they begin exploring this new world; contact with the Night Elves of Darkshore is imminent.

Race Lore

The Eredar were heavily-influenced by the Naaru during their early development on Argus. Most of this interaction has passed into legend, and almost no Draenei would remember specifics.

The Draenei were originally Eredar, but followed Velen when he refused to join the Burning Legion. They renamed themselves Draenei, or “Exiled Ones”.

Draenei do not have children very often. Because they are so long-lived, they do not generate offspring very rapidly. When Durotan and Orgrim stayed for a day in the Telmor, they saw not a single Draenei child.

"All but a handful of us know what we fled on Argus", said Larohir. "We remember it. We remember what Kil'jaeden did, what happened to our people. We would--we will--happily die to preserve even a handful of our race uncorrupted."

That passage right there states that only a very few Draenei are unable to recall Argus.

Some Draenei live to be very old. Whether this is natural or a mutation is unknown. On average the Draenei live about 3000 years old. A few have been alive for much longer, an example would be Velen , Archimonde, and Kil'jaeden. Others have lived to be just as old, but only a handful.

The Draenei appear to have a limited form of telepathy that they can use to communicate with others of their race (unsure if this mental communication extends to other races or not; for now, assume that it doesn't). This ability can be used to convey words as well as images and memories. *The sharing of memories is completely voluntary and information doesn't appear able to be "pried" out. (This is the reason most Draenei remember the flight from Argus)

The voice and language of the Naaru is described as being wonderfully melodic, warm, and soothing. Hearing the Draenei language is a similar experience. It's possible that the Naaru taught early Eredar how to speak, and that could explain the similarity.

Draenei males have tendrils coming out of their chin and a fan-like forehead plate which rises and overlaps other forehead plates behind it. Male Draenei have large tails which are held erect by developed muscle structure. The women look very different: Rather than the forehead plates that the men have, they have cranial extensions, vaguely horn-shaped, that extend over the upper cranium and end on either side of the crown. Female cranial tendrils sprout behind the ear and typically are long enough to reach the shoulders. They are thinner than the men's. The women's tails have a lower muscle density. In both genders, the hooves are relatively large, in contrast to the more compacted hooves of their demonic counterparts. Draenei have a vast variety of hair colors including gray, white, brown, and purple.

The Man'ari Eredar view life as the end justifies the means, and that the strongest have natural right of power, survival of the fittest. They are not corrupted by blood, but instead pursue the goals of the Legion out of voluntary free will.

Cultural Lore

Capital city (or at least the grandest city) on Argus was Mac'Aree (from in-game).
Known cities that were on Draenor: Shattrath, Temple of Karabor, Telmor
Draenei resting place on Draenor: Auchindoun (near Telmor), also known as the city of the dead. -Where Draenei bury their dead.

The Eredar were heavily-influenced by the Naaru during their early development on Argus. Most of this interaction has passed into legend, and almost no Draenei would remember specifics.

The Draenei named their planet Draenor, or "Exile's Refuge," but held no illusions of arrogance that others should call the world such. They loved Draenor, however, and were intensely proud of the life they built there. It isn't difficult to imagine that they will share the sentiment with Azeroth, if they don't already.

Draenei do not have last names, but they do seem to value family. ((Many of their greetings and farewells and well-wishes address the individual's family as well as the individual, and I'm assuming they haven't come up with these greetings since crashing on Azeroth.))

The Light is not a theory to them. They have been literally touched by it. It's deeply personal and tangible, they totally differentiate with humans who've been teaching it as an academic "philosophy" for generations.

Men and women are perfectly equal in Draenei society. Both men and women serve as guards and trainers in approximately equal numbers.

They are extremely interested in other cultures and very patient with people who don't get theirs.

Birth is a rare event among the Draenei. As such, it is highly celebrated. It is likely that the Prophet himself would preside over such an occasion.

Death is also a rare event. The death of a Draenei is a very somber occasion and the Prophet Velen presides over many, if not all, funerals. Burial is customary for the dead. On Draenor, the midrange kept a necropolis called Auchindoun. A typical custom is to put their dead in crypts.

Meditation is a common practice before going to bed. The Draenei also bathe before meals and after battles as a sign of purification and cleansing.

Draenei highly value hospitality. Guests are treated with unending patience and respect and are given the finest treatment the Draenei can offer for the duration of the visit. Draenei are open and honest in the extreme. Ask, and they will answer if they can or give as they are able. I cannot emphasize this point enough; the Draenei are (for the most part) saints.

Draenei do fall in love in the usual way, though there is no evidence of marriage.

The militant and religious orders of the Draenei are led by triumvirates. Three Leaders that consult each other, all the same in rank and stature. The leaders are probably selected and not elected.

Draenei have various Titles within their society some of the them are:
- Exarch = Leader, approximately the equivalent of the human Magistrates
- Caregiver = Innkeeper
- Peacekeeper = Guard
- Artificer = Engineer although probably with the aid of magic
- Anchorite = Priest low rank
- Vindicator = High ranking military rank, usually a Paladin
- Defender = Sentry or garrison
- Technician = Engineer
- Hunter = Soldier/Scout
- Knight Defender = High Ranking/Veteran Defender
- Neophyte = Priest medium ranking
- Messenger = messenger
- Harbinger = Consul / Advisor

They have massively advanced technology at their command. On a par with gnomish devices but much more elegant and beautiful and precise.

Draenei hunt in the same manner as Orcs. They do not seem to cultivate livestock. Bands of Draenei hunting parties go out and stalk animal herds, and pick singles off from the pack.

Draenei seem to believe themselves superior to other races. Not in condescending way, but sort of like a parent or guardian. They have a 'holier-than-thou' belief in regards to wanting to protect other races. Similar to the way you would treat a pet. You love it and care for it but know that you are far greater than it (and thus is your duty to protect that which is less fortunate than you). To other races, this belief can come across as haughty and arrogant.

The Draenei lived almost exclusively in Terokkar Forest on Draenor. Their capital was the city Shattrath and means "Dwelling of Light" in their own tongue. They guarded their land well with roaming parties of archers, soldiers, and mages that were tasked with keeping the forest safe.

Other Lore

within the Draenei society many factions that all serve the same cause exist. Probably the faction are linked to each other. Some of them are:
- Shields of Velen: The Prophets personal Elite Guard.
- Hand of Argus: Defenders of Blood watch, hunters of the Blood Elves.
- Swords of Argus: Probably a brother faction of the Hand, maybe more labor doing than the hand?
- Aldor: The Aldor are found primarily in Shattrath City and Shadowmoon Valley. They are an ancient order of Draenei priests, once led by the prophet Velen, now led by High Priestess Ishanah. The Aldor are at odds with the Scryers, though both factions are dedicated to assisting the group of Naaru known as the Sha'tar in their fight against the Burning Legion.

The Draenei have a racial/spiritual Leader called Prophet Velen, he ruled the Draenei for over 25000 years. He is a wise and pious figure. No apparent hereditary possibility or other form of electoral leadership exists. No faction tried to grasp the rule of Velen from him over the years. No rebels exists within the Draenei society.

Velen is very, very, very, very old. He is describing as being not only far older than an Elder, but so old, that he is older than ancient. Durotan describes him as being all but outside of the space of time itself.

The Prophet Velen resided in a place called the Temple of Karabor. The Temple of Karabor was taken by the Orcs during their campaign of genocide and was defiled horribly. After its capture, it would be the site where Mannoroth's blood was spilled for the Orcs to drink. The Temple of Karabor has since been renamed "The Black Temple" and an insignificant little character named Illidian is the current resident.

The sacking of Shattrath almost made the Draenei race extinct. Velen knowingly had the people living there stay there to be slaughtered. They died voluntarily. Velen and Larohir devised that the Orcs would not stop until every last Draenei was dead--and that the only way to achieve that was to make them believe it was true. And the only way for it to look true, was if it was true. Even though Shattrath *could* have been evacuated, Velen ordered the Draenei there to defend it with their last breath, even though they had no chance at all. (though he *did* tell them why they had to stay and fight, and they voluntarily did so)

This is an extremely complicated moral decision and it is very likely that some of the Draenei that are still alive believe that Velen *could* have saved the people of Shattrath, and instead sent them knowingly to their deaths. In other words: a good RP hook.

It also means that, because Velen made sure to make it look like the entire Draenei race had been all but wiped out by only saving a small handful, that the NPCs and players we see in-game aren't just a representation of a greater whole, but are quite possibly the exact number of Draenei that still live. Draenei probably number less than 100 right now. They fled from Argus with only several hundred, and the Orcs slaughtered almost all of them, so it is very likely that there are only 50-100 Draenei left in existence.

Kil'jaeden is not so corrupt as to be beyond human comprehension. He, and Archimonde, still believe they are doing what is best for the Eredar race and that Velen was a fool and traitor. He doesn't believe he is evil. (no mustache-twirling).

The Draenei refer to demons, particularly their fallen Eredar brethren, as "man'ari." Man'ari means "something gone terribly wrong" in the Draenei tongue. *They have never, to my knowledge, referred to demonic Eredar as "Eredar," since they don't see them as being the same beings that they once were. Demonic Eredar are always called Man'ari.

Draenor Lore

--Orcs lived here.

--Then came Draenei.

--Next was the Legion.(same time it found Azeroth)

(Introduce Fel corruption)

--Fel Orcs evolve.

(Formation of the Horde)

(Draenei-Fel Orc war)

(After defeat of Draenei, Horde moves on to Azeroth)

--The Broken Draenei appear.(as a result of the Fel energies affecting some Draenei)

(War in Azeroth escalates)

--Then Illidian and the Naga.(fleeing the Night Elf wardens who seeked to re-imprison him)

(Arthas soils the sunwell in Azeroth after defeating the High Elves)

--Then the Blood Elves.(after the sunwell was corrupted).

--Remaining Draenei flee.(crash land on Azeroth)

Opinion Lore(opinions I have encountered during my lore hunt)

Draenei have community-families rather than smaller family units (in other words: they are more like Orcish society than human in terms of family, where entire communities/clans are raised as one big family). If you look at the Exodar, there isn't a single house. Even the inn puts the beds right next to each other. There are no doors, and no separate rooms.

Draenei live, by average, 2500 years. A Draenei NPC states that they have been fleeing the Burning Legion for "ten lifetimes," so we know for sure that Draenei lifespan is around that number since they have fled from Argus 25000 years ago. Most Draenei, when asked how old they are, simply respond with "Very." Note: Prophet Velen is a special case - he is immortal.

Definitions

Velen-The 3rd Eredar leader-prophet who led the Draenei away from Argus and the Man'ari.

Archimonde-One of the Eredar leaders who swore allegiance to Sargeras and the Burning Legion. Also destroyed the world tree of Azeroth.

Kil'jaeden-The other Eredar leader who swore allegiance to Sargeras and the Burning Legion. He hunts Velen and the Draenei for what he believes is their betrayal of the Eredar.

Argus-Eredar home world.

Draenor-After the Draenei fled Argus this became their home world. Also know as Outlands. Orcs lived here too, but that is Orc lore.

Exodar-The spaceship the Naaru came to the Draenei on to rescue them from the Man'ari. A small portion of the Naaru fortress, Tempest Keep.

Eredar-Draenei's original name before the Burning Legion came to Argus.

Man'ari or Man'ari Eredar-The Eredar that joined the Burning Legion. They are mutated into demonic versions of Eredar.

Temple of Karabor-Before the shattering of Draenor, the Black Temple was once the Temple of Karabor, a sacred site to the Draenei. Shortly after the formation of the Horde, Gul'dan ordered the temple conquered, and transformed it into the headquarters for the Shadow Council, renaming it the Black Temple in the process.

K'ure-"I am K'ure of the Naaru. You stand within the heart of my ancient vessel. Oshu'gun, as the Orcs named it, is the ship that first brought the Draenei to this world. Though we fell from the heavens and crashed here many hundreds of years ago, my weakened energies have remained trapped within this wreckage. Regrettably, I am the source of the Orc spirits' pain." The Naaru who helped Velen and the Draenei escape.