The Exile’s Refuge: Unraveling the Mystery of Draenor’s Name
The answer to why the planet Draenor bears the name of the draenei is surprisingly straightforward, yet steeped in the tragic history of this resilient race. Draenor, meaning “Exiles’ Refuge” in the eredar language, was the name bestowed upon the planet by Velen and his followers upon their arrival. They believed it would be a sanctuary, a world far removed from the clutches of the Burning Legion, where they could rebuild their lives and honor the Light. The indigenous orcs, lacking a specific name for the world beyond simply calling it “world,” eventually adopted the term from the newcomers.
The naming of Draenor signifies more than just a geographical designation. It embodies the draenei’s hope, their resilience, and their desperate search for a place to call home after fleeing the corruption and destruction of their homeworld, Argus. It is a testament to their identity as “exiled ones” seeking solace in the vast expanse of the cosmos.
The Flight From Argus and the Dawn of the Draenei
Before they were known as the draenei, they were eredar, a highly intelligent and magically gifted race native to the planet Argus. Sargeras, the fallen titan, corrupted a faction of the eredar, led by Kil’jaeden and Archimonde, to form the core of the Burning Legion. Velen, gifted with prophecy, foresaw this impending doom and, guided by the Naaru, gathered those eredar who remained uncorrupted. He renamed them draenei, meaning “exiled ones,” a poignant reminder of their shattered past.
Their escape from Argus was perilous, involving a long and arduous journey through the cosmos aboard the Genedar, a vessel provided by the Naaru. After millennia of wandering, they discovered a relatively peaceful, uncharted planet: the world that would become known as Draenor.
Orcs and Draenei: A Fated Encounter
When the draenei landed on Draenor, they sought to build a peaceful existence. They established settlements, most notably Karabor (later the Black Temple) and Shattrath City, and began to explore and understand their new home. For the most part, the draenei and the native orcish clans remained distant. Initially, relations were civil, with occasional trade and interaction.
However, the seeds of corruption were already being sown. Kil’jaeden, ever vengeful towards Velen and his followers, manipulated the orcish shaman Ner’zhul into believing that the draenei posed a threat. This deception, combined with the Burning Legion’s influence, culminated in the formation of the Orcish Horde, a bloodthirsty force bent on the annihilation of the draenei.
From Refuge to Battlefield: The Tragedy of Draenor
The Orcish Horde’s assault on the draenei was brutal and relentless. Fueled by demonic blood and driven by false pretenses, the orcs decimated draenei settlements, slaughtered their people, and desecrated their sacred places. Draenor, once a sanctuary, became a battlefield soaked in the blood of the exiled.
The atrocities committed against the draenei had far-reaching consequences, not only for the draenei themselves but also for the future of Draenor. The rampant use of demonic magic and the sheer violence unleashed by the Horde began to destabilize the planet.
The Shattering and the Legacy of Outland
The climax of the Second War, brought about by the opening of numerous portals by Ner’zhul, strained Draenor’s very essence, resulting in a catastrophic explosion that shattered the planet. What remained became known as Outland, a shattered husk of its former self. Despite the devastation, pockets of draenei survived, though many were twisted and corrupted by the demonic energies, becoming the Broken and the Lost Ones.
The name Draenor, though tied to a world largely lost, continues to resonate within the World of Warcraft universe. It serves as a reminder of the draenei’s resilience, their unwavering faith in the Light, and the tragic consequences of unchecked corruption and hatred. The draenei eventually found their way to Azeroth, where they joined the Alliance, carrying with them the legacy of their lost home. Their story, from their exodus from Argus to their struggles on Draenor and beyond, continues to be a poignant narrative of survival, redemption, and the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does “draenei” actually mean?
The word “draenei” translates to “exiled ones” in the eredar language, which is the ancestral tongue of both the draenei and the eredar who followed Sargeras. This name reflects their status as refugees fleeing the corruption of their homeworld.
2. Where did the draenei come from before Draenor?
Prior to settling on Draenor, the draenei originated from the planet Argus. They were initially part of a race called the eredar, but they were re-designated as draenei after fleeing the Burning Legion.
3. Are all draenei blue-skinned?
No. While blue is a common skin tone among the draenei, they can also have shades of purple, gray, and even white. Skin color is one of the ways draenei may differ in appearance.
4. What is the relationship between draenei and eredar?
Eredar is the umbrella term for the entire species. Those who fled Argus with Velen began calling themselves draenei to distinguish themselves from the eredar who joined the Burning Legion. Therefore, all draenei are eredar, but not all eredar are draenei.
5. What language do the draenei speak?
The draenei primarily speak the Draenei language. It is their official language of choice used by all types of draenei from Outland or Azeroth, including Broken, Lost Ones and uncorrupted draenei.
6. How long do draenei live?
Draenei are considered to be an extremely long-lived race, perhaps even immortal. While concrete age limits are not explicitly defined, figures like Velen have lived for thousands of years.
7. What is the Light that the draenei worship?
The Light is a cosmic force in the Warcraft universe, representing positive energy, healing, and hope. The draenei’s worship of the Light is central to their culture and provides them with immense power.
8. What happened to the draenei who became corrupted on Draenor?
Draenei who were exposed to the corrupting influence of demonic magic and the Orcish Horde’s atrocities on Draenor underwent physical and mental transformations. They became known as the Broken and the Lost Ones, twisted remnants of their former selves.
9. How did Draenor become Outland?
Draenor was shattered due to the reckless opening of numerous dimensional portals by the orcish shaman Ner’zhul. The resulting magical backlash tore the planet apart, leaving behind the fragmented remains known as Outland.
10. What is the significance of Exodar?
The Exodar is a Naaru dimensional ship that crashed on Azeroth after the draenei used it to escape Outland. It serves as their main base of operations on Azeroth and a symbol of their resilience and determination to rebuild.
11. Do draenei have surnames?
Draenei culture does not typically use surnames in the traditional sense.
12. Are Draenei based on Tieflings?
The Draenei and Tieflings share some physical similarities, such as horns, hoofs, and tails. However, their origins, lore, and motivations are distinct within their respective universes. The Tieflings come from Dungeons and Dragons, the Draenei from World of Warcraft.
13. What animal are Draenei based on?
The Draenei are often described as anthropomorphic goat-like humanoids due to their cloven hooves. Some fans have playfully dubbed them “space goats,” but their resemblance to goats is primarily limited to this feature.
14. What was the genocide of the Draenei?
The genocide of the Draenei refers to the systematic extermination of the Draenei people on Draenor by the Orcish Horde, who were manipulated and corrupted by the Burning Legion.
15. What are some famous Draenei characters?
Some of the most recognizable draenei characters include:
- Velen: The wise and prophetic leader of the draenei.
- Maraad: A renowned paladin and uncle of Garona Halforcen.
- Yrel: A prominent figure from alternate Draenor who plays a significant role in the Warlords of Draenor expansion.