After Hours

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

By // February 1, 2007, 6:08 AM PST // markwkaelin

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  • One of the best reasons for experienced World of Warcraft players to buy the Burning Crusade expansion pack is the introduction of a new race --- they call themselves Draenei. And they arrived on Azeroth via a nethership called the Exodar, which crashed and now serves as their home capitol city. To get a look at this new race, I created a Draenei warrior named Leakramwink. Here are just some of the sights you will see in and around the new capitol city of Exodar.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is the first thing you see when you enter the game as a Draenei. It is part of your nethership and you just survived the crash. Others were not as fortunate.

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  • Ah, the commonality of crystals. Everyone wants to tap their power.

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  • One of the more fascinating mob models is this moth. If tradition holds, you will see progressively larger moths as you move through the Burning Crusade.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The color theme for the Draenei revolves around pink and purple. Not exactly my favorite color combination.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • The Draenei also seem to like open air architecture --- these altars are peppered all around the starting area.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Looking down on the Draenei starting area. A definite purple hue.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Leaving the initial starting area for the first time. I have to make it to the next town and then on to Exodar.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is what Leakramwink looks like. Reminds me of a smurf --- only one on steriods.

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  • This is your first inn, where you can find food and drink and quests of course. Bits and pieces of Exodar litter the landscape. The bigger bits are put to work.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Ooo, Exodar in the moonlight.

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  • This is piece of the ship servers as a grand gateway. It also offers additional evidence of Draenei architecture.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is Exodar from the outside. Looks small doesn't it?

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Yep, purple and pink everywhere. Oh, Exodar is very big. It is also mostly buried.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • One of the large doorways separating the various areas in Exodar.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • This is a holographic image of one of the demons in Outland. Or maybe it is imprisoned.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • All of the Outland demons are represented. I'm too young to know the details yet, but maybe when I'm older.

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  • The indside of Exodar reminds me of a cave. High ceilings with things sticking out of them.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Looking down from one of the ledges you can get a fell for the expansion of this city.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • In the center of Exodar is a flowing purple stream. If this were Star Trek, Data would probably call it a plasma stream. It looks to be the energy source.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Yes, the Draenei have tails. As far as I know you can't use it as a weapon.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • Ah ha! The source of the stream is one of these Ankh shaped beings. So what have we discovered --- one of these beings is in each of the new capitol cities. I wonder that means --- I intend to find out.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

  • I'll say one thing for Draenei, they look the part of a warrior. Too bad they have to fight on the Alliance side of things.

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    Mark W. Kaelin

One of the best reasons for experienced World of Warcraft players to buy the Burning Crusade expansion pack is the introduction of a new race --- they call themselves Draenei. And they arrived on Azeroth via a nethership called the Exodar, which crashed and now serves as their home capitol city. To get a look at this new race, I created a Draenei warrior named Leakramwink. Here are just some of the sights you will see in and around the new capitol city of Exodar.

© CNET Networks / TechRepublic
Mark W. Kaelin

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By Mark Kaelin

Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the IT industry, gadgets, finance, accounting, and tech-life for more than 25 years. Most recently, he has been a regular contributor to BreakingModern.com, aNewDomain.net, and TechRepublic.