The Shattering of Draenor: Unraveling the Cataclysm
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The destruction of Draenor, the homeworld of the orcs and former sanctuary of the draenei, is a pivotal event in the World of Warcraft universe. While it wasn’t a single act by a solitary villain, the planet’s demise was a tragic consequence of a series of reckless actions, primarily driven by the orcish shaman Ner’zhul. Therefore, the most direct answer to the question, “Who destroyed Draenor?”, is: Ner’zhul, through his reckless manipulation of dimensional portals, was the primary catalyst for Draenor’s destruction. However, it’s essential to understand the chain of events and contributing factors that led to this catastrophic event.
The Reckless Actions of Ner’zhul
Ner’zhul, once a respected orc shaman, fell from grace after being manipulated by the demon Kil’jaeden. He became consumed by paranoia and a lust for power, leading him down a dark path. Following the orcs’ defeat in the First War on Azeroth, Ner’zhul sought to establish new territories for the orcish Horde through the use of dimensional portals. Blinded by ambition, he didn’t comprehend the risks associated with such large-scale portal openings.
Ner’zhul began opening numerous portals across Draenor, ripping tears in the fabric of reality. The immense energy surge from these portals destabilized the planet’s core, causing it to break apart. It was not a deliberate act of destruction aimed at the planet itself, but the consequence of the shaman’s actions to flee a losing war and seek new conquests without any concern for consequences. This reckless pursuit of power and conquest directly led to Draenor’s fragmentation.
The Alliance Expedition’s Unintended Role
In the aftermath of the Second War, an Alliance Expedition led by heroes such as Khadgar, Turalyon, and Alleria Windrunner followed the retreating orcs back to Draenor through the Dark Portal. Their primary goal was to prevent further invasions of Azeroth. When the Alliance Expedition realized that Draenor was collapsing, their actions to close the Dark Portal from their side, while heroic, ultimately trapped themselves and unintentionally accelerated the fracturing of Draenor. In a bid to save Azeroth, they severed the connection, leaving Draenor to its terrible fate.
The Birth of Outland
The result of Ner’zhul’s portal abuse and the Alliance’s actions was catastrophic. Draenor was not simply destroyed; its remnants were flung through the Nether, the chaotic realm between worlds. These shattered pieces of what was once a vibrant planet became known as Outland. This shattered state is what players explore during The Burning Crusade, where they experience a desolate, broken version of the orc’s once lush world.
While Ner’zhul’s actions were the direct cause of the portals opening, the Alliance’s closing of the Dark Portal played an important role in trapping the already fractured planet, thus contributing to the birth of Outland. Thus, while Ner’zhul initiated the cataclysm, the heroic actions of the Alliance further sealed Draenor’s fate, though their intention was, of course, to save Azeroth.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to provide a more comprehensive understanding of Draenor’s destruction and its consequences:
1. What was Draenor like before it shattered?
Draenor was a lush and diverse world, featuring vibrant forests, towering mountains, and vast plains. It was home to not just the orcs and draenei but also various other creatures and civilizations. The land was rich in resources and sustained various cultures before its fateful disintegration.
2. How did the orcs initially refer to Draenor?
According to Rise of the Horde, the orcs simply referred to Draenor as “World”. This highlights their perception of it as their only home and emphasizes the tragedy of its loss.
3. Did the Ogres have a name for Draenor?
While the orcs simply called it “World,” given their shared history, it’s likely that the Ogres may have referred to it as “Dawgar,” similar to their own civilization.
4. What happened to the alternate Draenor in Warlords of Draenor (WoD)?
The alternate Draenor featured in WoD is a different timeline. It was not directly impacted by the destruction of the primary Draenor. Instead, players fought to prevent the Iron Horde from invading Azeroth and eventually defeated the alternate Gul’dan.
5. Who took Garrosh Hellscream to alternate Draenor?
Kairoz, a bronze dragon, along with Wrathion, orchestrated Garrosh Hellscream’s escape from his trial and his transport to an alternate version of Draenor.
6. Why was Illidan “evil” in The Burning Crusade (BC)?
Illidan’s actions were driven by a complex mix of ambition and a twisted sense of duty. His power-seeking led him down dark paths and made him an enemy of both the Alliance and the Horde.
7. What was the role of Archimonde in the destruction?
While not directly responsible for the planet’s fragmentation, Archimonde’s actions played a key role as he hurled Gul’dan through a portal into Azeroth to further the Legion’s agenda, setting up the next expansion of the game.
8. Why did Sargeras create the Burning Legion?
Sargeras created the Burning Legion with the intention of destroying the Void Lords’ corruption. He mistakenly believed this to be the only way to save the universe, leading to a cycle of chaotic destruction that has shaped much of the Warcraft lore.
9. Why was Warlords of Draenor Considered a bad expansion?
Warlords of Draenor is often seen as one of the lesser expansions due to a laggy launch, the lack of endgame content, unpopular garrisons, and a rushed development cycle.
10. Are orcs fallen elves?
In the Warcraft universe, orcs are not fallen elves. The orc race was created from the native wildlife through the corruption of the demon Kil’jaeden. The lore is unique and separate from Tolkien’s work in which Orcs are created from corrupted Elves.
11. What was the “Secret of Draenor Engineering”?
Secret of Draenor Engineering was a crafted trading item in WoD, used to purchase engineering recipes within the garrison or in Ashran.
12. Who was the main villain in Warlords of Draenor?
An alternate version of Gul’dan served as the main antagonist of the Warlords of Draenor expansion, who, having been rejected by Grommash Hellscream and the Iron Horde, aligned himself with the Burning Legion.
13. Was Warlords of Draenor more expensive than previous expansions?
Warlords of Draenor was indeed more expensive than previous expansions, launching at $49.99 compared to the $39.99 price of its predecessors.
14. Who was the last boss of Warlords of Draenor?
The last boss in Warlords of Draenor was Archimonde during the encounter in Hellfire Citadel in Tanaan Jungle.
15. How did the Burning Legion seemingly get defeated?
The Burning Legion was seemingly defeated at the end of the Legion expansion, but the nature of their malevolent existence hints that their defeat may only be temporary.
Conclusion
The destruction of Draenor is a complex tale of reckless ambition, unintended consequences, and ultimate sacrifice. While Ner’zhul was the primary catalyst for the planet’s fragmentation through his abuse of dimensional portals, the Alliance Expedition‘s actions, while intended to safeguard Azeroth, contributed to sealing the planet’s fate. The resulting shattered remnants of Draenor, now known as Outland, serve as a constant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded, providing a rich backdrop for stories within the World of Warcraft universe.