Draenei Shaman - info needed.

[Kerath]

So I'm looking to flesh out my main with some backstory, so I'll be putting together a bio for her. Just run into something of a snag.
Is it just me, or is lore regarding Draenei Shamans really thin on the ground? I've read up on general Draenei lore, so I think I have a reasonable idea of her basic background, but can't find much that relates to Shamans specifically, other than references to Nobundo and how the broken (and subsequently broken shamans) came to be. I don't particularly want to RP her as a broken... But can't find much other info.
If anyone has some good reference points for me, I'd be grateful

[Khorianas]

Too bad my alliance Lore knowledge is so limited. I can't really remember anything more than Nobundo's story for shamanistic background. But if you haven't done so I would recommend checking the Shamansim page of Wowpedia: http://www.wowpedia.org/Shamanism_and_nature_worship Since in my perception, shamans share most beliefs and motives across species. So the "basic" motivations would be the same for all races.

[Deleted]

nobundo"the first draenei shaman" teaches it to the brokens who have lost touch with the light then proceeds to share their knowledge to other interested draeneis. i think thats it. there are still possibilities to build on that so .

[Darced]

You could in theory say she learned while captured by orcs, or that she was friends with a wayward orc shaman. Perhaps she learned after being plunged into a river and communed with the elements as she neared death. There are plenty of possibilities, many unconventional. You don't need to follow the lore to a T, sometimes stories call for some innovation; I look forward to what you decide on. Good luck :P

[Kerath]

Thanks for the link, Khorianas, I'll be sure to read through it carefully.
On the whole though, seems I've got a fair bit of 'wriggle room' when it comes to carving out a history for my Shaman, so I'm sure I'll have fun with that

[Khorianas]

I think when playing a shaman you have a lot of room. Just make sure you hit and comment on the proper events in draenei history and you should be good. For my orc shaman, Lord of the Clans was a huge help. It describes the relationship between a shaman and the elements quite detailed. The main principle is the give and take between the elements and the shaman. And the fact that the elements may and will at times refuse the shaman's pleas.

[Kerath]

I see that Draenei are also listed on Wowpedia as an immortal race.... http://www.wowpedia.org/Lifespans ... interesting. That I did not know.

[shadowkras]

Well, velen is pretty old.

[Synaxis]

I see that Draenei are also listed on Wowpedia as an immortal race.... http://www.wowpedia.org/Lifespans ... interesting. That I did not know.

We don't know for a solid fact that all draenei are immortal as it has never been explicitly stated either way, but some of them have lived a long time.

[pateuvasiliu]

I don't think they're immortal as in never dying from old age, seeing as how Velen has that beard and looks pretty old.

The Light is known to lengthen lifespans and since Draenei are very close/attuned to the Light/Naaru, I'm guessing that's the reason.

[Kerath]

Yeah, think I'll be taking that with a pinch of salt. Still, Velen is over 25,000 years old apparently, which is a fairly staggering age O.o

[Baracuda]

Yeah, think I'll be taking that with a pinch of salt. Still, Velen is over 25,000 years old apparently, which is a fairly staggering age O.o

They're biologically immortal, not "invincible immortal".

[sebun]

Main thing to remember is that there were no draenei shaman before Nobundo, so make sure your character didn't study shamanism back in Argus or something silly like that. :P

[checking facts]

So I'm looking to flesh out my main with some backstory, so I'll be putting together a bio for her. Just run into something of a snag.
Is it just me, or is lore regarding Draenei Shamans really thin on the ground? I've read up on general Draenei lore, so I think I have a reasonable idea of her basic background, but can't find much that relates to Shamans specifically, other than references to Nobundo and how the broken (and subsequently broken shamans) came to be. I don't particularly want to RP her as a broken... But can't find much other info.
If anyone has some good reference points for me, I'd be grateful

read unbroken and you'll learn of nobundo's story and how he was exiled for being broken, than learned of the elements from the elements themselves. that's where draenei shamans started.

when nobundo learned shamanism he went to velen and got permission to spread the shamanistic knowledge to the rest of the draenei, including the ones who weren't broken.

the catch is that many draenei did not trust him. there was a lot of prejudice towards him because he was broken and couldn't wield the light. however, a select few decided to trust him and learn from him and became shamans.

obviously there was a lot of prejudice against shamanism as well. the rest of the draenei didn't attack shamans because that's not how they were thought to behave, but they didn't trust shamans much. to some of them, this power source outside the light could very well be something sinister.

over time, more and more of the draenei started to trust shamans and to seek nobundo for training. shamanism is much more well accepted now than it once were, but shamans are still a minority among the draenei.

this is an interesting bit of lore for draenei shamans:

"Magtoor has told me of the shamanism that the Broken practice. The great Nobundo once said that the path of the elements may, in a way, be another way to the Light."

so, nobundo believes that perhaps the power of the spirits and the elements is an indirect way for the light to help the broken, as they were cut off of their connection with the light. this connection (that may or may not be true) may be the cause of the draenei shifting their perspective about shamanism.

I hope I helped

[Deleted]

I think Velen should generally be considered as an exception than a rule. Sure a Draenei could perceivably live from Argus to Azeroth but the chances of the Draenei not being killed by, for example, the Orcish attack on Shattrath. It's more down to probability than lifespan. (Bare in mind my own Shaman is from Argus originally, but survived due to being more aloof from the cities when the Orcish attacks happened ) There are also those that conjecture that Velen is only the age he is from constant contact with the Naaru. Needless to say, conjecture is bad, but if your Draenei is from Argus they probably wouldn't be the most energetic.

Shaman playable Draenei aren't Broken (Least not in anything but PvP /kidding). They can either be two types (in my mind): The young Draenei seeing Shamanism as a new way to reach the Light, or the older Draenei from Argus who see it as.. more "natural" than being a Anchorite (priest), since it invokes nature. The Broken who travelled with the Exodar probably started teaching young acolytes in the Shaman ways after the crash (going by my vague recollections of the Exodar crash from just before Wrath launched). Now when I say "young", remember that the Draenei landed on Argus around 200 years before WC1. (Actually, Rise of the Horde is a REALLY good read for RPing a Draenei. Helped me a lot).

Also, a general thing I've found about Shaman is that they're half wise sage and half bloodthirsty warrior. I think a quote is "We are not Druids, we are quick to anger". Think like this, your entire race has been on the run for over 200 millenia (can't remember how long ago Argus was). The Draenei in general adopt a "We shall stand and fight" attitude on Azeroth. Now go out and get them, Shaman!

[checking facts]

Also, a general thing I've found about Shaman is that they're half wise sage and half bloodthirsty warrior. I think a quote is "We are not Druids, we are quick to anger".

actually it depends on the shaman lol

taunka shamans are very agressive (they bully the elements lol)

I'd say you have some shamans who are more "druidic" (those who are worried about healing the world and getting it to a peaceful balance among the elements), others who are more agressive (beating the elements into balance lol) and some who are downright evil (especially the dark shamans, who enslave and corrupt the elements).

spec-wise, I'd say resto is more "druidic", enhancement is more agressive and elemental is sort of a gray area.

(note: when I say druidic, I mean with a druidic mentality of preservation. I don't mean they'll go on moonkin form ans spam moonfire lol)

[Kerath]

They're biologically immortal, not "invincible immortal".

Yep, the whole 'population being decimated by demonically influenced orcs' bit was something of a give-away

@checking facts - I stumbled on Unbroken earlier tonight when browsing wowpedia - it was indeed an excellent source of information! Your post was very helpful.

I think I have enough now and have made a start. I'm feeling a bit inspired so thinking of presenting her history as a short story. I'll see how it goes, I may abandon that plan altogether but it'll be fun to try anyway.

Edit: Thanks Queen Ultima for your insight!

[Deleted]

Checking facts, I'd agree but in general I always found the Shaman as an offensive attacker, while the Druid would be a bit more... Passive isn't the word. The Shaman would focus on rage but the Druid would be calculating... If that makes sense? Again, I'm working off WC3 biases :P Spec wise, Feral (I think more bear/Guardian) would be the raging Druid and Resto shaman the calmest Shaman.. But remember, water can be calm like in a pool or as raging as a tidal wave, how destructive can a tree be? :P

Kerath, anytime. RPing a Draenei that eventually became a Shaman for years brings a little insight

[Zaelsino]

Draenei immortality is something they really need to clarify; it would make draenei character concepts so much easier.

[checking facts]

But remember, water can be calm like in a pool or as raging as a tidal wave, how destructive can a tree be? :P

if one day a large tree falls on top of your car you'll understand

(I hope it never happens though, because this is a dangerous and expensive experience lol)

the thing is: you're basing class behaviour in WC3. the shamans in warcraft 3 were orcs and orcs are agressive by nature (and by demon-induced bloodlust as well lol).

but if you compare a draenei resto shaman with a worgen feral druid, obviously the druid will be MUCH more aggressive