The Kaldorei look at the Alliance, and wonder if any of it
was worth it. Eastern Ashenvale lies in ruins, and the rapacious goblins
plunder Azshara. Where were the dwarves during the Fourth War? They mostly hid
in fortresses—but what can one expect from a people who wrench rivers into
unnatural shapes and rip the lifeblood out of mountains?
More than any other Alliance race, the Kaldorei were frustrated with the conclusion of the Fourth War. The Alliance gave precious little aid and then had the temerity to ask the elves to help the Horde rebuild. The Legion's invasion, and the culpability of Suramar, should have warned the world that the arcane can never truly be trusted. But once again, this was ignored. The younger races rush headlong into magic and technology.
In reaction, the Kaldorei have turned farther inward. Many left the towns and cities to reconnect with Elune. Isolated anchorages now dot the slopes of Mount Hyjal. A new conservatism dominates. Kaldorei mages find that they are rarely welcome in their own lands, and many have left for friendlier places. Worshippers now see Elune as a goddess of the hunt, and leave fresh kills on her altars so that their arrows may find their marks. This hardened faith sees Azeroth as the only true reality, the other worlds of the cosmos pale reflections of its glory.
Those night elves who disagree often find themselves roaming the larger world. These Kaldorei will remind their brethren that Horde, Alliance, and neutral races all rallied to the defense of Mount Hyjal and the restoration of the Emerald Dream. Though only some of them are druids, they often lend their aid to heal lands wounded by magic or fel corruption. Nature is not Elune's gift to the Kaldorei but Her will imposed upon all peoples, and indeed, all worlds.
And these same venturesome Kaldorei go to the Eastern Kingdoms and look at the smoke-scarred sky, at the towns that grow ever bigger and noisier and brighter, and wonder about the future. Elves inclined to shun technology usually stay in northern Kalimdor. Others simply prepare themselves to ameliorate the damage.
The Exodar
The Draenei always had faith in their mission, but deep down,
few believed they would live to see it finished. Now that it has, they are at a
loss as to their next step.
The daily rituals of work and worship still define life within the Exodar's crystalline hallways. The Legion's deadliest incursion occurred here but the Draenei have repaired most of the damage. The Most Holy Light still directs their efforts yet there is some debate as to how it should best be applied. Many believe that it is their duty to uplift the other races, starting with the Alliance. The Draenei were at first were enthusiastic supporters of the Humble Fellowships spreading through human lands, but were horrified when they discovered that charlatans and abusers ran some of these congregations. Since then, the Draenei have been cautious. They realize that their own people only transformed under the direct guidance of the Naaru. The humans, who are at a lesser stage of development, will need time (millennia, probably) before they can attain a truly holy society. The dwarves are a little bit closer, the gnomes a little bit farther away, the Gilneans considerably farther away, and the Draenei don't really know where to place the Kaldorei.
Nor have the Draenei ignored the Horde. However, direct help is difficult. Of the Horde races, only the Tauren seem at all receptive to the Draenic message and their version of the Light bears little resemblance to the standard. Where the Draenei do help is in generous donations. They take great honor in being able to help the orcs who once slaughtered them, for what is holier than forgiveness? It is only through peace and reconciliation that the orcs will one day be able to turn their considerable energies to a constructive task.
All Draenei agree that Azeroth and Outland are the homes for their people. Argus is left to the Krokuun, though researchers occasionally brave Mac'aree to search for useful knowledge (or to destroy that knowledge which is malign). The sight of Mac'aree, so oddly preserved, shook those few Draenei who were born on Argus. Through this they remembered a life before the Holy Light, one where the Draenei decided their own fate. Sargeras and Kil'jaeden are proof that such selfishness can only end in woe, but was there not some beauty and worth in those old citadels?
The Lightforged also troubled the Draenei. Here was a society beyond them in holiness. What Draenei are to humans, the Lightforged are to Draenei. And with this comparison, some Draenei look at the Lightforged and wonder if that's really what they wish to become. Life is a holy journey, but the destination seems so consumed with love for all that it feels love for no one.
The Lightforged
The Lightforged are Draenei who have given themselves wholly to the Most Holy Light. Unmarred by hesitation or uncertainty, they never hold back in their pursuit of the greater good. It is this that enabled them to carry on the war against the Legion for so long. Though countless of their comrades died, they always marched forward, willing to accept any personal sacrifice in order to spread the Holy Light. The majority of the Lightforged continue fighting the innumerable splinter armies of the Burning Legion, but some have settled on Azeroth.
Azeroth is the toughest challenge they have ever faced. Now they must walk with people who live as individuals. Even the regular Draenei seem awfully fond of their friends—should not all sentient beings be held in equal love? Many of the Lightforged turn their attentions to the Horde, which they see as a potential threat. However, they will not strike unless they are struck first. Any amount of pain is acceptable in order to fulfill the Light, and the Light's triumph is a historical inevitability. It is difficult for them to speak with members of other races, who each seem so consumed by idiosyncratic and individual concerns. In learning, they may learn more than they are prepared to.
The Broken
More and more of the Broken are leaving the Exodar. They
weary of the constant discipline and sharing. Around them is a strange and
vibrant world with new peoples and frontiers—why should they not explore it?
The Draenei respect the right of the Broken to leave, but they are troubled by
it. Azeroth's many temptations dig deep.
Plenty of the Broken remain in Draenic lands, of course. They work and worship and seek grace in their piety. But the Draenei no longer enjoy the authority they once did. Humans and dwarves and others have come to the Exodar, and told the Broken about the outside world.
Azeroth's Broken are spread across the globe, sometimes alone, sometimes in groups. Their strong bodies and indomitable spirits make them formidable laborers and guards, and their insatiable curiosity has driven some into more scholarly pursuits. Memories of their Draenic past grow more and more distant and there is now a new generation that has come of age in Azeroth. If they are broken, they do not feel it.
The Kurenai
Those Broken who remain in Outland's Nagrand live much as they have
since contact was reestablished. The trials of their violent land have
bolstered their faith. Though they fell prey to corruption, they might still be
redeemed through faith. Draenic priests channel the Kurenai's occasional
aggression into constructive pursuits, but they must still defend themselves
against ogres, other Broken tribes, and the Mag'har.
The failure of the Ashtongue Deathsworn to carve out a home in Shadowmoon Valley proves the wisdom of the Draenic ways. While the Broken of Azeroth might doubt, the Kurenai will not.
Pearlfin Jinyu
They will be discussed in a separate entry on Pandaria.
The High Elves
The long-suffering Quel'dorei are still spread out across the
Alliance. Their talent and skill have enabled most to do quite well, but a
homeland still eludes them. The House bonds with the blood elves have never been
forgotten, not even during the darkest days of the Fourth War. The Quel'dorei
government-in-exile is based in Stormwind City, which also hosts a large exile
population. Other population centers include Gnomeregan, Dalaran, and among the
Wildhammer dwarves of the Twilight Highlands.
The Quel'dorei have taken responsibility for the mysterious void elves who so recently sought shelter in the Alliance. Culturally, the few dozen Ren'dorei tend to take after the Quel'dorei in most respects
Allerian Stronghold
This remote town is a sovereign member of the Alliance. Time
has been kind to Allerian Stronghold. Its location in Outland let it avoid the
Cataclysm and the Fourth War. Though rugged, it is by most accounts a wonderful
place in which to live so long as one doesn't go too deep into the forest.
Allerian Stronghold also has an interesting demographic trend. If followed, it
will be the first known majority half-elf community.
Though they know Alleria Windrunner has returned, she has not yet had time to visit her namesake town. Outland is pretty far away.
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