By now, the Exodar had long served as a home for the Draenei. Having used it to flee their shattered and doomed territories on Draenor, the Exodar was a familiar comfort to many. But to Avehi, it was a stifling cradle which she had outgrown. Once she called it home, yes. But even before her ill-timed fate, the Exodar was never a place she wished to spend her days. It was a trap; the Prophet chose to remain to be among his people, and the skittish people remained to cling unto the Prophet. Why here? It was just a ship, after all; a vessel meant to translocate her people to a safer world. And it had… years ago. Her people weren’t meant to live in the wreckage of the vessel that brought them here! Now, the Exodar only served as a hive for those too scared or afraid to venture out further than the Isles. It had become a breeding ground for xenophobia and closed-mindedness. And the Death Knight found it abhorrent.
Returning was never pleasant; for that reason, and others. The irritating tinge of Light energies soaked into every stone and crystal felt irradiating to her now. It had been years now, since O’ros was destroyed here by the Legion. But his presence remained, permeated into the vessel itself. It was stifling. Avehi’s lips curled to an uncomfortable snarl as she paced through the metallic corridors. She’d come here with a purpose, but every step she took made her wonder whether or not it was worth the trouble. She had almost turned back twice, now. But both times, Raetos’ face flashed across her mind’s eye. His words echoing in her thoughts.
“He is actually sorry and apologetic for what he did…”
“He knows he did wrong. He died for it. The Grand Vindicator judged that he deserved a chance to repent and make amends… “
“Repentance means he learned and aims to do better…”
‘Damn it, Raetos…’ she thought to herself, in a huff. How could someone so dumb also be so wise? It didn’t help at all that he, himself, was living proof that a zealot could reform and better themselves. He was almost worse than Argonas was, when she first met him. Argonas at least treated her with a modicum of reverence for having perished in battle. Raetos, meanwhile, had insisted she hadn’t joined with the Light because her faith wasn’t strong enough. But he’d come so far since then; now, he was dating a Void Elf and lecturing her on not judging others by their practices and beliefs. She hated that he was right about Argonas-- he at least deserved a chance at repentance. And that’s why she was here.
Avehi stepped out into the Crystal Halls; of all the sections of the Exodar, this was her favorite. Serene and calming, without the blinding Light glaring down from every corner. No, it was a relaxing place, with reflecting pools and - as the name implied - softly-glowing purple and blue crystals. It reminded her of Shadowmoon Valley, and the time she spent there with her mother. Perhaps that was why it seemed to calm her irritations. As expected, she saw a familiar broad-shouldered figure kneeling beside one of the pools. She knew few Draenei as large in stature as Argonas; one of only a few mortals whose natural strength rivaled the unholy strength granted to her by virtue of undeath. She remembered learning that in their grapple when all of his interference first began…
--No, she pushed the thought from her mind! That train of thought was a slippery slope to changing the tone of this visit from forgiving to vindictive. That wasn’t why she was here.
“Argonas.” she called out, stopping a comfortable distance from him.
He turned, tail twitching as his name was called. Argonas stood as he looked at Avehi. He’d let himself go, it seemed-- generally he was very precise about his professional and clean appearance, trimming his hair and keeping clean-shaven. But now, he bore a thick beard, and the hair behind his crest was easily twice as long as usual, tied back into a loose ponytail. He wasn’t in his armor today; another deviation from his norm. Instead, he wore a simple sleeveless shirt and cotton-woven pants. Avehi peered at the runic scars etched into his arms. She’d heard of what happened to him in Tanaan… but had never seen the scars until now. Argonas approached, expression both hopeful and contrite. He bowed his head, stopping an arm’s length from Avehi.
“Sister… you bring news? Is it time?” he asked, a glint of determination in his tone.
Honestly, it had been some time since Argonas referred to Avehi as ‘Sister’. The honorific dealt between Draenei helped instill a sense of community and equality among one another. It wasn’t fitting to call your betters-- Argonas would never call the High Vindicator ‘Brother’, for example. But the act of not calling Avehi ‘Sister’ for so long was, admittedly, scornful. Petty, even. Just another of his wrongdoings for which he had to atone. He was still wary of Avehi, but no longer for the same reasons as before. He had seen what awaited the departed in the Maw. He bore witness to the horrors those killed and cast into it had to endure. Avehi was fighting to right those wrongs. He knew that now. What had him wary was Avehi’s demeanor in Arathi, as he was brought back. He was wary of the pain he’d caused her, knew full well that were their positions reversed… he’d be vengeful. Why wouldn’t she be?
Much to Argonas’ surprise, Avehi didn’t appear hostile. Her expression still bore the beginnings of a scowl, but somehow dulled. Softened. She didn’t seem as mad… more disappointed. Somehow it was worse.
“Not yet. Not for you.” Avehi replied, plainly. “I am not here with any news. Rather… to speak.”
“Speak?” Argonas blinked, confused.
“To… check on you.”
Avehi glanced away, tail flickering. This was harder than she had anticipated. Awkward and tense. She and Argonas had never been close, despite sharing similar experiences. Both were trained by High Vindicator Khanaros, but at separate times. They lived in separate regions on Draenor, and were assigned to different posts. Their lives had taken them down different paths, even along the same major events. When the Exodar crashed on Azeroth, Argonas mourned his fallen love while Avehi ventured out to deliver vengeance upon the elves that sabotaged their ship. And yet, for all their differences, they had similarities in their paths, too. Again, trained by Khanaros, who forged them into some of the best defenders of their people. Their parents were artisans, crafting weapons, armor, and tools from metal and crystal. And now, just as dying had opened Avehi’s eyes… it had opened Argonas’ eyes, too. Considering that helped to dissipate some of the tension.
“When I died and came back… it was shocking to me, as well.” she explained, her gaze meeting his again. “One of the short-comings of such a singular path, like how you and I were brought up, is that we never learned to deal with the reality that the sole path we’re taught doesn’t account for everything. For me, being raised as undead rather than joining with the Light, like I was promised, was more painful to me than when I actually died.”
Argonas was speechless; for the best. Listening seemed much more appropriate as Avehi opened up to him. He didn’t expect her to sympathize with him… or honestly, to even try. In all the time he’d known her, she’d never reached out to find any measure of common ground between them. Then again… neither did he. The two were so caught up in their differences, they never considered the experiences they shared. And now, of all things, dying was one of them.
“I suppose what I’m saying is… I know what you’re experiencing right now. Before I died, I was like you.” she went on. “I… looked down on anyone who did not incorporate the Light into their lives. But the Light alone can’t answer all the problems we face. History has proven that, too; the Krokul and shamanism helped us to heal the land and gain allies in the elements. The Demon Hunters, too, helped us return to Argus and join with our Lightforged kin to defeat the Legion. And now… those like me who are undead will lead us into the Shadowlands to fight for the souls of our people!”
She recoiled some at her own words-- not out of any disbelief or discomfort with them. But she hadn’t intended to lay on the point so heavily. As she well knew, Argonas was experiencing a crisis of identity. All he knew was altered. And it wasn’t an easy realization to accept. But she had hoped that, in highlighting truths she had learned, that he’d manage to cope with it better.
“You see that now, yes?” she asked, in a calmer tone. “The Light is one of many paths. And all paths have their uses.”
“I… know this.” Argonas nodded, brow furrowed slightly. “I have always known this. But… until now, I have always managed to accomplish what was needed through the Light. Even surviving on Argus was the Light’s doing. It delivered me from death. What bothers me is… I have never known why. I still do not. Why would the Light spare me, if there is nothing I can do for my people?”
“Nothing? Argonas…” Avehi frowned, shaking her head. “You are a Vindicator. A protector of our people. There is much you can do for our people. Those living, and those departed.”
She reached forward, placing her cold, plated hand on Argonas’ shoulder. Her lichfire eyes pierced his now, commanding his full attention-- and he gave it entirely to her, both wary and intrigued.
“You’ve learned much you would not have, had you died on Argus, yes? What good would you be to our people dead, trapped in the Maw?” she asked. “You want to know why the Light delivered you? To help deliver more of our people from that terrible fate. People like Sinafay.”
“--Y-Yes! Yes, I must save her!”
“We must save her. We must save all of our kin, Argonas. You would not know that, nor be equipped to, if you had died on Argus.”
She jostled him, emphasizing her point before pulling her hand back. With a nod, she stepped back from Argonas. His expression had changed to one of pure conviction. He peered back at Avehi, and returned the nod.
“You… are right. This affects not just Sinafay, but all our people. And I… I cannot make a difference myself. The Light can help, but I must get there, first. And that is what you can do, yes? That is what you and the Ebon Blade are working towards?”
“Mm. The time will come soon.” Avehi replied. “And when it does… you will come with me. We will redeem our trapped kin together.”
Standing tall and proud once more, Argonas grunted his affirmation. It seemed to be precisely what he needed-- a call to arms. A purpose. And Avehi was somehow glad to see his spirit lifted and his motivation restored. And now… toward a goal they shared. He smiled at Avehi, and bowed his head.
“Thank you, Avehi. I… know I have not treated you well in the past.” he apologized, sincerely. “I appreciate you including me in this important work, nonetheless. I am in your debt.”
Avehi shook her head, and returned the smile. She could tell Argonas was earnest in his contrition. She knew well what he was enduring. The pain he faced, and the resolve he needed to find purpose after such a traumatic shattering of his reality. It was something she needed once, too. Raetos’ words echoed once more in her mind; and she echoed them here now, to Argonas.
((What follows is the introduction for an Week-long Open-Participation RP...))
Luminess stood before the portal to the Exodar with a modicum of trepidation. This was, by no means, a frightening or even daunting task before her... but nonetheless, she could hardly bear the anticipation of finally executing a plan that had been in arrangement for quite some time already...
A few months prior, at the Sha’tari Bazaar, Luminess had nearly emptied her personal savings to purchase time spent with the Varistus, Exarch of the Sha’tor. Though the crowd gasped, laughed, cheered and goaded her on as she went to battle with her opposing bid-makers... the price escalated far outside of her budgetary constraints, and she was left defeated.
But after, she approached the Exarch with a smile, explaining her motive for attempting to buy his time was that so she could visit Azuremyst and the Exodar, that she could learn from her fellow worshipers and scholars of the Light, and bridge a gap between their remarkably similar cultures.
Varistus beamed at this with a soft laugh, as he informed the Beacon that she was free to visit whenever she wished, no price or conceit required. With great relief, she promised him that she would take him up on this offer the very minute she could give it the time and attention that she desired... and that time has come.
Stepping through the portal, she immediately gasped in awe of the scenery. What artistry, what lights, what beauty to behold, even in this: The salvageable remnants of an ark that the Draenei used to escape Draenor, only to find themselves crash landing upon Azeroth: This world, this Titan that slumbers.
Humbled, she felt, as she interlocked her digits and hummed to herself happily, tracing the Light-energy that flickered about on strings and in radiant crystals abounds.
Hovering slowly forward, she marveled at the massive cluster of crystals in the center of the Seat of the Naaru which powers the Exodar and, as far as she could surmise, the rest of their surrounding settlements.
She smiled. There was so much to learn here, and so much to see. Varistus would soon introduce her to many of his kin of all walks, and she could not stand the anticipation any longer.
Yet wait she must, she determined, as she drifted towards the seemingly unnamed Inn of the Exodar. Tonight, she shall rest, unpack, prepare her notes and note-taking devices, and try to narrow down the millions of questions she has in store...
((This is an OPEN RP WEEK where you can join Luminess on the Exodar for a week of learning, discovery, and maybe even a few surprises! Stay tuned for announcements for one or two scheduled events, but otherwise feel free to reach out as you desire, Lumi would love to meet you ~))
I snuck past some Night Elven guards and made it through the portal to Azuremyst Isle! I was overjoyed to be able to see the Exodar with my own eyes, something I didn't think I'd be able to do in this lifetime. What an ethereal beauty this place is.
The Exodar was once a ship, capable of flying through the stars and entire dimensions! Now, it acts as the capital city of the noble Draenei people on Azeroth.
Earth Mother watch over you.
Do you know if the Exodar is still in the ground or if it is floating now?
originally, in catacalysm (specifically, the short story prophet’s lesson), the exodar was stated to be nearly, then fully, repaired. it was never specified whether that meant it had been dug out of the ground or not—just that its “key systems” were operational, and it was fully repaired by the end of the story.
they seem to have retracted that in legion, however; velen states in the quest that has you initially board the vindicaar that “the exodar has long been crippled by the crash brought us to this world many years ago” and that “every spare moment, every resource, has gone toward the birth of a new vessel.” it’s implied that parts of the exodar went into building the vindicaar as well.(i suppose it might be possible that they attempted flight with the exodar after initially fixing it, but it failed and broke down beyond repair.)
all that said… yeah, it’s still in the ground. it’s likely been gutted of all its salvageable mechanisms, and the impact all those years ago probably wedged it permanently into that mountain. it can’t fly.
