Velen was one of the three leaders of the eredar who lived on Argus many millennia ago. When the dark titan Sargeras discovered the eredar, he offered them untold power in exchange for their service. The two other leaders, Archimonde and Kil'jaeden, gladly accepted the offer, along with two thirds of the eredar race. Velen however had the gift of sight, and was warned by the naaru K'ure of Sargeras' alterior motives. Sargeras was planning on turning the eredar into evil beings to champion his Burning Crusade against all light in the universe. Velen and his followers narrowly managed to escape Argus, closely pursued by the newly created Burning Legion. Once his best friend, Kil'jaeden had sworn the destruction of Velen no matter the cost. For thousands of years, the exiles, or "draenei" as they now called themselves, fled Sargeras armies. They eventually settled on the world of Draenor. On Draenor, they found the tribal orcs, and began trading with them. The draenei established Shattrath as their capital, and Velen set up his own refuge at the Temple of Karabor, on the eastern edge of the lands of the Shadowmoon Clan. This peace, however, was short-lived. Kil'jaeden's minions discovered Draenor, and informed their master of the draenei's whereabouts as well as the existence of the orcs. Kil'jaeden recognized the orcs as a tool for vengeance, and contacted the elder shaman Ner'zhul, suggesting the draenei were plotting against the orcs. In short time, the orcs began to distrust the draenei, and soon began to attack them. Under Kil'jaeden's manipulation, the orcs became increasingly violent and bloodthirsty, and soon began to wield shadow magic against the draenei. The shaman Gul'dan became Kil'jaeden's prime pupil, and as one of the first warlocks led the orcish horde against the draenei. Shattrath city was destroyed, and Velen along with the surviving draenei went into hiding. Velen's temple was seized by Gul'dan and turned into the Black Temple. Over the following years, the Dark Portal was opened, the Orcs invaded Azeroth, and Draenor was eventually torn asunder, henceforth to be known as Outland. Still many years later, Outland was visited by Illidan Stormrage and his companions, Kael'thas Sunstrider and Lady Vashj. As Kael'thas took up residence in the naaru fortress of Tempest Keep, Velen decided it was time for his people to find a safer home, and personally led a raid against the blood elves to capture the Exodar, a satellite structure of Tempest Keep. The draenei succeeded in capturing the Exodar, but the Blood Elves managed to sabotage the ship, causing the draenei to crash land in Azeroth, on the Azuremyst Isles. After the dust settled, the surviving draenei once again began building a new home. Word of a heroic Alliance of Light-wielding races had reached the Prophet and his people, and they set out to discover their potential new allies in their continued resistance to the Burning Crusade.