Proto-dragon
- For Howling Fjord and Ember Clutch mobs, see Proto-Drake.
| Proto-dragons | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Major leader(s) |
    Primal Incarnates |
| Area(s) | Northrend & Dragon Isles |
| Homeworld | Azeroth |
| Average height | Varies by species and age |
| Affiliation |
Independent, Vrykul clans, Dragonmaw clan, Primalists Formerly: True Horde |
Proto-dragons (also called primal dragons[1][2][3] or proto-drakes, and also spelled proto dragons or protodragons) are dragons untouched by titan influence. Millennia ago, the titans altered some of them into the Aspects and their ordered dragonflights, reshaping them both physically and ideologically. This new species is now simply known as dragons. Some primal dragons shunned the gift of the titans and still roam the wilds of Northrend and the Dragon Isles.[2] Among the proto-dragons of Northrend, some were subjugated and used as mounts by mortal races such as the vrykul or the Dragonmaw orcs.
History
The proto-dragons descend from wild elementals who either escaped the Elemental Planes[4] or avoided being imprisoned in those planes and instead remained on Azeroth, where some of them gradually transformed into creatures of flesh and blood.[5] More specifically, Brann Bronzebeard recently uncovered evidence, corroborated by reports from adventurers in Deepholm, that proto-dragons may have origins in elemental dragons. The inhabitants of Deepholm, the Skywall, the Firelands, and the Abyssal Maw are less than talkative on these matters, however, and most of them were not around when the elemental prisons were created.[6] Muradin Bronzebeard theorizes that the Savage Thicket in Sholazar Basin may be where they first came from.[7] The proto-dragons lived in northern Kalimdor, which they referred to as the Dragonwilds.[8]
Galakrond, a massive proto-dragon,[9] is known as the "progenitor of dragonkind" and long ago resorted to cannibalism. This act of consuming other proto-dragons gave Galakrond unbelievable strength and increased his size, but horribly mutated his body as well. His breath reanimated the dead proto-dragons around him into a form of undeath. It is said that from Galakrond the titans created the Aspects,[10] but this is a rumor the Aspects actively encouraged so as to keep the truth about Galakrond's power a secret from the dragonflights.[11]
The truth of the connection between Galakrond and the Aspects is that the five proto-dragons who would become the Aspects were united by Tyr and worked together to defeat Galakrond. Afterward, in recognition of their power when working together, the titans blessed those five proto-dragons and transformed them into the Aspects, the first dragons. However, some proto-dragons rejected the order of the titans, and infused themselves with elemental energy to become the Primal Incarnates and rebel against the Dragon Aspects.
Wrath of the Lich King
During the war against the Lich King, the Scourge raised some ancient proto-dragons into undeath as members of the Frostbrood, but only those that were powerful members of long-forgotten draconic flights.[12]
In the Storm Peaks, the Hyldnir frost vrykul of Valkyrion served the Lich King by capturing proto-drakes and their eggs, in order to infect them with the Plague of Undeath through the Blighted Pool, waters filled with corruption and disease. The infected creatures became their mounts and nest all around in the mountains above their village.[13] These plagued proto-drakes were also used as mounts by the vrykul of Valkyrion in Icecrown, and were later targeted by Gretta the Arbiter who ordered adventurers to destroy the plagued eggs.[14]
Cataclysm
During the Ashenvale war, Garrosh Hellscream brought some proto-drakes from Northrend to invade Ashenvale, and the Horde managed to domesticate them by holding their young hostage.[15]
Mists of Pandaria
Following the fall of Deathwing and the black dragonflight, the Dragonmaw clan began subverting proto-drakes for the needs of the True Horde.[16]
Warlords of Draenor
At the time of the war in Draenor, Warlord Zaela and her Dragonmaw continued to use proto-drakes, and they brought Ragewing the Untamed to Blackrock Spire from the Twilight Highlands.
Consequently, troops were sent to recover proto-drake eggs from Warlord Zaela's army in Upper Blackrock Spire, as many druids feared that the proto-drake populations were plummeting.[17]
Dragonflight
The Primalists who rebelled against the Aspects long ago return and free their leaders, the Primal Incarnates, from their prisons.
Proto-drakes on the Dragon Isles are described as being "...naturally flame resistant, stronger than steel, and [their scales] don't lose flexibility in the process [of crafting]." Proto drake whelps are further described as having smaller scales that "should be more pliable until we've mastered...techniques with [them]."[18]
A number of proto-dragons ultimately unified with the Netherwing dragonflight and the Thorignir storm dragons under the leadership of Vyranoth after she became the Aspect of Storms.
Description
Proto-drakes are generally bestial and display none of the great intelligence and wisdom of true dragons,[19] though several ancient proto-dragons including those that would later become the Dragon Aspects proved otherwise when they fought alongside Tyr against Galakrond. Kalecgos noted in his visions of the past that this was extremely odd.[20] A primal dragon's nature is most often described as willful and fierce, qualities that stand in clear reflection of the chaotic elementals from which they originated. They boast a variety of breath attacks—from electric discharges to blasts of flame, ice, sand, or noxious fumes. Unlike the bestial broods found in Northrend, those on the Dragon Isles are capable of speech, complex reasoning, and enduring social structures.[21]
Proto-dragon whelps grow at an incredible rate and can devour nearly twice their weight in raw meat per day.[22] Some proto-dragons have a wide array of strengths and abilities, with examples including incredible fortitude, massive size, or the ability to unknowingly tap into latent elemental energies in order to breathe fire or frost at their enemies.[23]
Within Tyr's hidden vault, the Keeper had made note that proto-dragons have an unusual ability to adapt to all variations of the elements, changing them uniquely in both physical appearance and utilization of abilities, to the point he wondered if there is any element--or even energy--that, given the appropriate conduit, vessel, and time, proto-dragons were unable to integrate.[24]
The vrykul frequently use proto-dragons as flying mounts in the Howling Fjord and other parts of Northrend, and could be seen doing so in their constant siege of Valgarde. Wild proto-drakes can be seen in areas such as Storm Peaks and Sholazar Basin. Bronze proto-drakes were used as mounts by the Argent Crusade in Icecrown after they were discovered in the Bronze Dragonshrine by the bronze dragonflight. The Time-Lost Proto Drake is famous for being extremely hard to catch.
Black proto-drakes were bred specifically to honor those heroes who showed exceptional resilience and fortitude facing the dangers in Northrend,[25] and the plagued proto-drakes to honor those who showed significant courage and persistence.[26]
Types
In Northrend
Red proto-dragons- Appear most abundant throughout Northrend.
Blue proto-dragons- Mostly only found in the Storm Peaks.
Green proto-dragons- One can be acquired through the Oracles. Their whelps can be found in Sholazar.[27]
Bronze proto-dragons- Native to the Bronze Dragonshrine. Have been seen in Icecrown working alongside their dragon brethren, some serve the Jotunheim vrykul. Two Time-Lost proto drakes were found, one in Northrend and the other in the Time-Lost Glade in northeastern Nagrand.
Black proto-dragons- Broodmother Slivina is found in Sholazar Basin. Dragonmaw Proto-Drakes are used during the Siege of Orgrimmar. Ragewing Whelps and Ragewing the Untamed can be found in Upper Blackrock Spire, ridden by the Dragonmaw clan.
Plagued proto-dragons- Can be found in the Storm Peaks and Icecrown.
Violet proto-dragons- Can only be acquired through achievements. A small terrified one was found by Alexstrasza and Ysera in the past.
Ironbound proto-dragons- Covered in metal plates crafted and fused onto their skin originally by Ignis the Furnace Master. Due to the metal covering nearly every part of the proto-dragon, it is hard to distinguish from which flight they could be from by simply looking at them.
On the Dragon Isles
On the Dragon Isles there are a variety of proto-dragons infused with elements, the most powerful of which are the Primal Incarnates.
Air proto-dragons- Infused with the element of air, they have gained the ability to express gusts of wind from their body, resulting in an effective, if rudimentary, deterrent for nearby foes.[24]
Earth proto-dragons- Imbued with the element of earth they exploit an increase in scale density with a minor reduction in flexibility compared to baseline proto-dragons.[24]
Fire proto-dragons- The element of fire has seen one of the most successful adaption rates of the species, with subjects being able to hurl globes of fire hot enough to melt metal.[24]
Ice proto-dragons- Infused with the element of water, they lost its fire-breathing capabilities and gained the frozen possibilities of ice.[24]
Ancient types
- Blue-green proto-dragons
- Coros and three others, rivals of the prehistoric Malygos.
- Blue-white proto-dragons
- Malygos and those related to him, such as Tarys.
- Orange proto-dragons
- Alexstrasza and her brother Dralad.
- Yellow proto-dragons
- Ysera, Alexstrasza's younger sister, is a "yellowish" color despite being related to an orange.
- Charcoal grey proto-dragons
- Neltharion and an animal-like one that attacked Malygos and Alexstrasza.
Dust-brown proto-dragons- One is seen hunting, catching two animals at once. Malygos admires his cunning and timing. Nozdormu is this color as well, possibly the same one seen hunting.
- Silver proto-dragons
- Seen devoured by Galakrond and one joins in Talonixa's attack on Galakrond, breathing what appeared to be liquid metal.
- Gold proto-dragons
- Talonixa and her mate Zorix. Their breath is a powerful blast of lightning.
- Copper proto-dragons
- One is scarred by Talonixa's followers.
- Silver-green proto-dragons
- One was seen attacking Neltharion and Nozdormu after being bitten by an Undead.
- Not-living
- Shriveled undead husks, nothing but skin and bone, appear mysteriously in the northern reaches of Ancient Kalimdor. They are the regurgitated victims of Galakrond.
Notable proto-dragons
As a flying mount
- Main article: Proto-drake mounts
Several proto-drake mounts are available as rewards for various achievements, as well as a few that drop from mobs and bosses:
| Mount type | Availability |
|---|---|
 [Time-Lost Proto-Drake]
|
Drops from the rare mob Time-Lost Proto Drake. |
| [Blue Proto-Drake]
|
Rare drop from Skadi the Ruthless. |
| [Green Proto-Drake]
|
Low chance to hatch from  [Mysterious Egg], purchasable at Revered reputation from The Oracles once every 3 days.
|
| [Red Proto-Drake]
|
Reward for completing  [Glory of the Hero].
|
| [Violet Proto-Drake]
|
Reward for completing  [What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been].
|
 [Ironbound Proto-Drake]
|
Reward for completing  [Glory of the Ulduar Raider (25 player)].
|
| [Rusted Proto-Drake]
|
Reward for completing  [Glory of the Ulduar Raider (10 player)].
|
 [Galakras]
|
Reward for completing  [Glory of the Orgrimmar Raider].
|
| [Black Proto-Drake]
|
Was rewarded from  [Glory of the Raider (25 player)]. No longer obtainable.
|
| [Plagued Proto-Drake]
|
Was rewarded from  [Glory of the Raider (10 player)]. Only obtainable through the Black Market Auction House as of Mists of Pandaria.
|
Notes and trivia
- While not immediately obvious, proto-dragons do have tiny front arms beside their wings.
- Proto-dragons are described as, "...ruthless predators that can not be reasoned with..." by Azurathel.[28]
- The Battlelord's Bloodthirsty War Wyrm resembles a proto-dragon.
- Before it gives
[10-30] Root Causes, the Ember Clutch Ancient reveals that Ember Clutch was the ancient breeding ground of the proto-dragon "broodmother" before the vrykul perverted it. Whether it referred to Broodmother Slivina, Veranus, or another is unknown. - In an early beta of Wrath of the Lich King, proto-dragons used placeholder models that looked like pale white drakes, a model that was later used for the
[Reins of the Albino Drake] mount. - The proto-dragons were originally described as early version of dragons before they evolved into the sapient, beautiful majestic creatures they are known as today.[29] But Dawn of the Aspects changed it so that many of the proto-dragons were actually sapient before that.
Speculation
|
This article or section includes speculation, observations or opinions possibly supported by lore or by Blizzard officials. It should not be taken as representing official lore.
|
- Dinosaurs resemble proto-dragons, meaning that they may be related.
- Proto-nether drakes are basilisk-like creatures that resemble proto-drakes but seem to be presented as a stage in the nether dragon life cycle.[30]
Gallery
Galakras, a descendant of Galakrond.
Proto-wyrm of the Frostbrood.
A Primalist proto-dragon infused with fire.
A Primalist proto-dragon infused with fire.
A Primalist proto-dragon infused with ice.
A Primalist proto-dragon infused with earth.
A Primalist proto-dragon infused with air.
Various Dragonflight proto-dragon models.
Various proto-whelps.
A proto-dragon skull, with no visible eye sockets.
A proto-dragon as seen in Legacies.
Legacies concept art.
Art of the dragon pens in Utgarde Keep.
Early Wrath of the Lich King concept art.
Dragonflight concept art.
Concept art of Primalist proto-dragon eggs. From left to right: fire, frost, earth, and air.
Primalist eggs: fire, earth, frost, and air.
- Card games
Veranus in Hearthstone.
Emberscale Drake in Hearthstone.
Herald of Flame in Hearthstone.
Plagued Protodrake in Hearthstone.
Primordial Explorer in Hearthstone.
Prized Promo-Drake in Hearthstone.
Smolderthorn Lancer in Hearthstone.
Time-Lost Protodrake in Hearthstone.
Corrosive Breath in Hearthstone.
Concert Promo-Drake in Hearthstone.
Violet Proto-Drake in the Trading Card Game.
References
- ^ Sam Vostok - Dragonflight - Interview de Steve Danuser - "Proto-drakes (or primal dragons as they prefer to be known) are dragons untouched by titan influence [...]"
- ^ a b https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-gb/news/23876527/the-story-so-far-take-wing-through-time-with-the-dragon-aspects
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 122
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 12
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 40
- ^ Ask CDev Answers - Round 2
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 122
- ^ World of Warcraft: War of the Scaleborn
- ^ Legends Volume 3: Fiend, pg. 19
- ^
[15-30] Audience With The Dragon Queen / 
[15-30] Audience With The Dragon Queen
- ^ Dawn of the Aspects, part 5
- ^
[Frostbrood Proto-Wyrm]
- ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 148
- ^ [25-30 Daily] The Aberrations Must Die
- ^ Wolfheart
- ^ Secrets of Ragefire
- ^
Egg Them On!
- ^
[10-70] Practice Materials
- ^
[Proto-Drake Skeleton]
- ^ Dawn of the Aspects Part 1
- ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 131
- ^ [Proto-Drake Whelp]
- ^ World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1, pg. 42 - 43
- ^ a b c d e [70] Hall of Samples
- ^ [Reins of the Black Proto-Drake]
- ^ [Reins of the Plagued Proto-Drake]
- ^ Emerald Proto-Whelp
- ^ [10-70] Primal Pests
- ^ http://us.blizzard.com/blizzcast/archive/episode3.xml
- ^ [20-30] What Came First, the Drake or the Egg?
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