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Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

By Mark W. Kaelin

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Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

Ooo, Exodar in the moonlight.

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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Mark W. Kaelin

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

Technologia: A first look at Exodar and the Draenei

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

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By Mark W. Kaelin
Mark W. Kaelin has been writing and editing stories about the information technology industry, software, hardware, gaming, finance, accounting, and technology geekdom for more than 30 years.