Lightforged Draenei questions!

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Hello friends. I’ve been considering rolling a Lightforged Draenei warrior but I have a few questions regarding their lore and how to properly RP one. I figured this was the best place to ask so pardon my dumb questions!

1.) Is the process of Lightforging directly related to faith? Can an individual be chosen to undergo the trials if they are less-than-faithful but are great combatants?

2.) Assuming a Lightforged Draenei and a Void Elf made physical contact what exactly would the effect be? Pain? Mild discomfort?

3.) Aside from Jed’hin what exactly would Lightforged Draenei have done to blow off steam. Alcohol was likely considered contraband but is it also likely a few would’ve been able to sneak bottles for celebratory times? Was there any time for romance among the Lightforged?

4.) What are the benefits to undergoing the forging process? Are Lightforged individuals faster, stronger, or inherently better than other combatants? Is it merely to improve resistances to the fel and void?

5.) If the Army of Light has been fighting since Argus fell, roughly 25k years before current events, wouldn’t it be highly unlikely for a player Lightforged to be exceptionally old? If so then did these pockets of Draenei reproduce during the war?

I, again, apologize for the dumb questions. I’m very well versed on normal Draenei lore but am curious as to the differences found in the allied race.

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1.) Faith does indeed seem to be critical to surviving the lightforging process, though whether you place your faith in the Light, yourself, or something else entirely is debatable. I would say though that it takes some faith in the Light, as that is the power that you are swearing to uphold and being infused with. With how intense the ritual is supposed to be it’s probably not a good idea to undergo it without some faith in the Light.

2.) I would expect mild discomfort at the least. Alleria and Turalyon are filled with Void and Light respectively–they feel a lot of pain when physically touching each other, as portrayed in the audio drama.

3.) The Lightforged seemed to have their own alcohol, Light-infused of course. The quartermaster on the Vindicaar sells it. Jed’hin is likely a favorite pastime, as well as other forms of sparring that ensure combat readiness. There’s also likely books to read or perhaps holograms to view, although the selection is probably very limited.

4.) It’s unknown exactly what lightforging does, but at the least it seems to enhance the abilities of the individual that undergoes the process. Additionally, those who are lightforged are functionally immortal.

5.) Player created lightforged could be newly created, or thousands of years old. The lightforged likely do not reproduce, given that their sole purpose is serving on the battlefield…at least they likely do not reproduce in the conventional sense. However, others may undergo a ritual to become lightforged themselves. The only race seen doing this en masse so far(willingly) is the draenei.

In essence, Lightforged are a more devout, militaristic version of normal draenei. A good chunk of their culture remains the same, and there will of course be variations on the individual level.

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Is the process of Lightforging directly related to faith? Can an individual be chosen to undergo the trials if they are less-than-faithful but are great combatants?

Note this is based on my inferance of the Army of Light. Becoming Lightforged is part of the Army of Light. Though there isn’t something that says pure faith in the Light is a requirement, it is insinuated heavily. Xera and Turalyon are huge parts of the AoL. Personally, if you are not pledged wholly to the Light, then I have doubts you’ll get very high in their rankings enough to reach the Lightforged trial. Could you go along with things and feign that level of fervor for the Light? Probably. You could channel your faith in something else as if it was faith in the Light. However, the Army of Light strikes me as an almost fanatical organization. But, we have no absolute lore either way.

Assuming a Lightforged Draenei and a Void Elf made physical contact what exactly would the effect be? Pain? Mild discomfort?

The Light and the Void are antonyms of each other. Most concensus is that a void elf using the Light would find it painful. Both beings are infused with the elements, so it would make sense that the opposing element would clash when in contact, causing some level of discomfort. HOWEVER… touching, caressing, kissing, etc are all probably fine. The forces are within the individual, not coating them. Turalyon and Alleria still have a relationship, despite their opposing forces, however they do still feel pain when touching.

Aside from Jed’hin what exactly would Lightforged Draenei have done to blow off steam. Alcohol was likely considered contraband but is it also likely a few would’ve been able to sneak bottles for celebratory times? Was there any time for romance among the Lightforged?

A very individual question. There is no stated lore that alcohol was contraband, so it really depends on how you want to take it. Turalyon and Alleria are still a couple, so I am sure there was time to get cozy with each other within the AoL. I could see one taking passion in a sort of profession hobby, like blacksmithing. Jed’hin is the only canon thing, but an individual would have individualized ways to relax. Writing, drawing, reading, exercise, meditation, blacksmithing, gemcrafting, etc. Being on Argus or in space for a while (time is hard to tell in the nether), hobbies would be dependant on supplies.

What are the benefits to undergoing the forging process? Are Lightforged individuals faster, stronger, or inherently better than other combatants? Is it merely to improve resistances to the fel and void?

They are more intuned with the Light and can more readily call upon its powers. More resistant to the Void and Fel. Inherently better is hard to say, but they would probably be better at Light based magics. Even classes normally without Light magic has access to some. Actual benefits depend on the individual and are unclear from Blizzard, but they seem to be immortal… granted draenei were already practically ageless to begin with.

If the Army of Light has been fighting since Argus fell, roughly 25k years before current events, wouldn’t it be highly unlikely for a player Lightforged to be exceptionally old? If so then did these pockets of Draenei reproduce during the war?

Based on the unlocking and intro quests, it appears that the Army of Light is increasing its ranks of Lightforged. That means you could potentially have an Azerothian draenei join, prove themselves, and undergo the trial. So, any adult age goes really. We have no evidence that they reproduced, though they could have. It is unclear, though they are devoted wholly to fighting the Legion and battle for the Light so child rearing was likely not a thought. Bird and the Bees though… so I don’t think it would be impossible. Does Lightforging sterilize? Not a clue.

I imagine the Lightforged as a Light Faith based draenei turned up to 15 with a military mix as well. Personally. However like all races and classes, each is an individual so variance will happen.

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Depends on the process. For the current one? Faith seems important. For when Xe’ra was around? Well, she was willing to Lightforge Illidan. So probably less vital. We also know the Dreadlord Lothraxion was forged.

Some pain. Alleria and Turalyon touch in A Thousand Years of War and that’s what is said, though it seems like a vague zap as far as intensity because they just flinch from it.

Not much is really known in these regards. Headcanon is probably fine.

They become immortal. Seemingly a better connection to the Light overall. More confidence and wisdom.

Hard to say. There are a number of Draenei besides Velen who lived on Argus, so it is very possible to be that old.

It seems likely.