Red dragon

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Red dragon
Fire Dragon HS.png
Domain Creation, Life
Breath Fire
Major leader(s)  Alexstrasza
Secondary leaders IconSmall DrakeRed2.gifIconSmall Vulpera Female.gif Majordomo Selistra
IconSmall DragonRed2.gif Torastrasza
  Formerly IconSmall DragonRed2.gifIconSmall Krasus.gif Korialstrasz †
IconSmall DragonRed2.gif Tyranastrasz †
Racial capital Valdrakken
Ruby Lifeshrine
Area(s) Dragon Isles, Borean Tundra (Amber Ledge, Transitus Shield), Dragonblight (Ruby Dragonshrine, Wyrmrest Temple, Ruby Sanctum), Twilight Highlands (Obsidian Forest, Vermillion Redoubt)
Homeworld Azeroth
Language(s) Draconic
Affiliation Red dragonflight, Kingdom of dragons, Valdrakken Accord, Wyrmrest Accord, Independent
  Formerly Old Horde (enslaved)
Status Active

“This is my gift: compassion for all living things. A drive to protect and nurture them. And the ability to heal that which others cannot, birth what others may not, and love even the unlovable--who surely need such grace more than any other souls.”

— Eonar's blessing of the Red Aspect[1]

Red dragons are dragons that have red scales and breath fire that gives both life and death.[2] They are led by Alexstrasza the Life-Binder; with most of their race being part of the eponymous red dragonflight. The titan Eonar charged Alexstrasza with protecting life, and her brood wishes to do so, often battling those who wish to do the world harm. A red dragon would never hurt a soul, unless they tried to hurt them first.[3] To mistake their benevolent charge for weakness is unwise; the red dragons have a capacity for destruction that is tempered only by the spring of abundant life that emerges in the wake of their cleansing flames. They are considered the most noble and trusting of the five flights, but it is also true that such virtues have led these dragons to suffer some of the deepest losses among their kind.[4]

Following the betrayal of Deathwing during the War of the Ancients, the red dragonflight slowly recovered from its losses and continued to fulfill its duty of protecting the world. However, many red dragons were enslaved by the Dragonmaw clan to serve the Old Horde during the Second War. During the Cataclysm, the red dragons spearheaded the war against Deathwing and his black dragonflight, culminating with the Dragon Aspects sacrificing their powers to destroy the Destroyer. For years, the red dragonflight continued to help the mortal races against the enemies of Azeroth until the Dragon Isles were uncovered. Following the defeat of Fyrakk and the blooming of Amirdrassil, the Dragonqueen was once again empowered as the Red Aspect, but this time by Azeroth herself.

Life cycle and appearance

Alexstrasza the Dragon Queen.

Red dragons, as with all other dragons, go through various life stages before they are fully grown. These stages are divided into whelps, drakes and dragons. Whelps are the children of their kind, while drakes are adolescents and young adults. The oldest of their kind become dragons, though they appear to still grow in some capacity, as far older dragons are usually larger than their younger kindred. Traditional dragons look largely the same, akin to an immense lizard with four legs and wings sprouting along their spine. In their youthful stages, whelps seem to exclusively travel by way of flight, with older dragons flying or walking depending on their whims. The wyrm denotation usually signifies a mature dragon more than 500 years old, or simply refers to the adult stage of the dragon life cycle.[5]

Several of these dragons also take unorthodox forms to those traditionally found, such as the wylderdrake and velocidrake. As these are specified as drakes, it is unknown what their 'dragon' forms or whelp forms would look like; though they are presumably just smaller and larger variations of these appearances. With the advent of Zaralek Cavern being discovered, slitherdrakes have also been found bearing red scales.

History

Main article: Red dragonflight

Notable members

Main article: Red dragonflight members
Name Type Role Status Location
Neutral  Alexstrasza Aspect Aspect of the red dragonflight, Aspect of Life, Queen of all dragons and leader of the Wyrmrest Accord and the Valdrakken Accord. Alive Various Locations
Neutral  Korialstrasz Dragon Last prime consort of Alexstrasza, member of the Council of Six as Krasus, sacrificed himself to halt the Twilight's Hammer. Deceased Various Locations
Neutral  Devrestrasz Dragon Commander of Wyrmrest Temple's defenses, led the retaking of the temple during its siege. Alive Wyrmrest Temple, Dragonblight
Neutral  Keristrasza Dragon Red dragon who helped kill Saragosa, but was later captured and forced by Malygos to become his new consort. Deceased Axis of Alignment, The Nexus
Neutral  Selistra Drake Majordomo of Alexstrasza on the Dragon Isles. Alive Waking Shores, Dragon Isles
Neutral  Torastrasza Dragon Majordomo to the ruling council of the Wyrmrest Accord and right hand of Alexstrasza. Alive Wyrmrest Temple, Dragonblight

In the RPG

Icon-RPG.png This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Many members of the red flight still remain distrustful towards mortals, especially the orcs, citing they have brought only danger and death to the world.[6] For the most part, it was the representatives of the flight near Grim Batol who acted strangely hostile to any outsiders.[7]

Description

A red dragon from Manual of Monsters.

Red dragons once ruled as lords over all dragonkind. This nobility is reflected in every aspect of a red dragon, from its proud demeanor to its aura — one that inspires awe. It is as debilitating as the terrifying presence that other dragons possess, except that it overwhelms with a beatific aura.

Red dragons exemplify the serenity of life and nature. Legends hold that the earth is renewed wherever a red dragon walks upon the earth or burns the soil with its flaming breath. Although they use fire to protect and punish, the flames always give way to new life.

Age cycle

Red whelps are the youngest of red dragonkind. Scales resembling solid flame glisten on the small dragon's form. Although not great in size, she nevertheless has wicked claws, and her fangs are visible as she turns her head. Though clearly a predatory creature, the glint of wisdom and kindness shines in her eyes. These hatchlings are highly intelligent; unless newborn, they know enough about humanoid creatures to be friendly even when first encountered. They are suspicious of orcs and avoid them if possible, due to the Horde's previous enslavement of the red flight. Those red whelps raised near Grim Batol are more aggressive due to the events that occurred there (and possibly for other reasons connected to the contents of the fortress).

Red whelps flee combat if alone or clearly overwhelmed. If they are with a group, older whelps attack in order to give the younger children a chance to retreat; red dragons invariably put their own health and well-being second to that of a friend or loved one, even at this young age.

Red whelps speak Common and Draconic.[8]

Red drakes are the adults of the red dragonflight, and most are fully grown at this stage. Once friends to nearly every living creature, red dragons are now much more suspicious, tending to seek only the company of their own kind. The capture of the Dragonqueen and the accompanying loss of a great number of their flight has left reds crippled, but not defeated. Although many reds feel they owe a debt of gratitude to the Alliance for its assistance in Alexstrasza's rescue, others distrust all mortals, noting that even the night elves once brought danger and death to the world. Generally, though, red dragons are friendly to humans, elves, and their other traditional friends and allies; for the most part, it is the representatives of the flight near Grim Batol who are strangely hostile to any outsiders. Red drakes typically consider the various Horde races to be enemies, with the possible exception of tauren, whom they respect for their druidic abilities.

This dragon has a lithe frame; though large, the crimson drake is graceful and noble in form. The fiery horns atop the dragon's skull resemble a crown upon the head of a worthy king. Golden orbs scrutinize every motion, obviously judging whether one might be friend or foe.

Red drakes are honorable and always fight on equitable terms if battling honorable or worthy opponents. For instance, they sacrifice their aerial advantage if their enemies meet them fairly on the ground. They quickly dispense with honor when facing those they consider dishonorable, however; such beings are to be expunged with every instinct and ability that red dragons possess. Red drakes use flame to entrap enemies and force them into difficult terrain, using their aerial advantage for greater mobility. They seek to destroy an opposing force's leadership first, ruining its command structure and hopefully setting the younger or less experienced combatants to flight. Like younger reds, drakes willingly put themselves at risk to protect a companion (or even more so, their eggs).

Red drakes speak Common and Draconic, and some speak other languages.[9]

Society

Alexstrasza in Shadows & Light.

The red flight was once charged with the protection of all living things on Azeroth. In time, their vision became clouded. Humanoid races were in an uprising, and some red dragons insisted that they must make war upon them to protect the wilderness. Others believed that the mortal races could be allies to help in bettering the world. This led to a great schism within the red flight that has never been repaired. When their Aspect, Alexstrasza, went missing, the red dragons scattered in order to find her. Deathwing and his black flight took this opportunity to attack the leaderless, scattered red flight. They fought back against the black flight and forced a detente, but doing so caused delays in looking for Alexstrasza. They soon found out that orcs held the Dragonqueen, and even were using the new generations of red dragons in the Second War. Soon, mortals helped free Alexstrasza, and the red flight resumed its ancient charge of defending Azeroth.

Culture

The dragon's scaled hide shimmers in the sun like countless rubies. Its long neck is a graceful arc as its noble, ridged head takes in the surroundings. Its golden eyes gleam with great wisdom.[10]

The term "red dragon" may refer to a member of the species regardless of age, or more specifically in place of "mature" to describe the adult phase of a red dragon's lifecycle, between adolescence and becoming a wyrm. They are 100-500 years old.[11] Red dragons are associated with fire.

Combat

Red dragons are honorable and fight on even terms if battling honorable or worthy opponents. They will sacrifice their aerial advantage if they are met fairly on the ground. The red dragon's wrath, however, dispenses with honor when facing those they consider dishonorable — any evil creatures, as well as orcs. Such beings are to be expunged with every instinct and ability that red dragons possess. Red dragons prefer to use flame to entrap enemies and force them to difficult terrain, using their aerial advantage for greater mobility. They prefer to destroy an opposing force's leadership first, ruining its power structure and hopefully setting the younger or less experienced combatants to flight.[12]

History

Prior to the War of the Ancients the red dragons were numerous and co-existed peacefully with the other dragonflights, working together to safeguard their world. But this age would not last forever.[13]

During the Second War, the reds who had avoided capture by the orcs were initially bewildered to find their queen had gone missing. The flight scattered to search for her, becoming easy prey for the vicious Deathwing and his black dragonflight. Isolated, leaderless, and confused, the reds fought back as best they could. When the blacks had been sufficiently pushed back the reds resumed their search and found the orcs were responsible for Alexstrasza and the rest of the flight's disappearance and were using her offspring as pawns in the Second War.[14]

Eventually, all but a few members of the red dragonflight were freed from the Dragonmaw Clan's control.[15]

Guardians were placed outside Grim Batol under the leadership of the wyrm Garshilan, assisted by the eager young dragon Acridistrasz, the dragonspawn flametongue captain Baleflame,[16] and legions of red dragonspawn eager to guard the remnants of the red dragonflight.[17] Explorer Brann Bronzebeard managed to speak with Acridistrasz and was told the reds were "guarding a secret that living creatures are not meant to know."[16]

Following the Battle of Mount Hyjal, red dragons were stationed at Hyjal Summit, where they, along with the blues, greens, and bronzes, guarded the World Tree from another attack by the remnants of the Burning Legion in Darkwhisper Gorge.[18][19] In addition red and green dragons were sent to Sunwell Grove to investigate and safeguard the remains of the Sunwell.[20]

As a mount

As a companion pet

Notes

Generic dragon from the Warcraft II Manual.
  • In Warcraft II, the dragon mounts used by the Horde were green, the broodmothers were grey and they were all simply dragons, as the storyline had not yet been expanded to include the dragonflights, different colors and their backstory. It was not until Day of the Dragon that they were referred to as Red dragons.
  • Their description during the Warcraft III beta was as such: "Ruled by the mighty Dragon queen, Alextrasza[sic], the Red Dragons exemplify the grace and serenity of life and nature. Though the Orcs captured the Dragon queen and raised her whelps as living weapons during the Second War, the Red Dragon flight has since regained its former power and sworn to uphold its ancient charge of defending the wild things of the world. Though noble and wise, Red Dragons are terrible enemies when their wrath is incurred. Their destructive, fiery breath is feared by all races - the Orcs in particular."[21]
  • Through a focused ritual that can't be interrupted, red dragons can permanently prevent the remains of the dead from being reanimated unto undeath, such as what death knights are able to do.[22]
  • Shades of red are often used when describing these dragons, such as "ruby" and "crimson".
  • Unlike the other dragon colors, there has never been an evil or antagonistic red dragon portrayed in World of Warcraft. While there have been red dragon bosses, they have largely been corrupted to do the bidding of another master; usually another dragon such as Vaelastrasz and Keristrasza.

Gallery

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Art & concepts
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References

 
  1. ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects, chapter 21
  2. ^ Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 76
  3. ^ Mount Journal entry for  [Reins of the Red Drake]
  4. ^ World of Warcraft: The Dragonflight Codex, pg. 42 - 43
  5. ^ World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue II, pg. 21
  6. ^ Dark Factions, pg. 147
  7. ^ Monster Guide, pg. 47
  8. ^ Monster Guide, pg. 46
  9. ^ Monster Guide, pg. 47
  10. ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 37
  11. ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 38
  12. ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 37 - 38
  13. ^ Monster Guide, pg. 39
  14. ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 37
  15. ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 80
  16. ^ a b Lands of Conflict, pg. 73
  17. ^ Dark Factions, pg. 6
  18. ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 17
  19. ^ Dark Factions, pg. 146
  20. ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 114
  21. ^ Creeps
  22. ^ A [20-60] Life Preserver
Primary dragon types
Other dragon types
Red Dragonflight
Leader

Alexstrasza the Life-Binder - Queen of Life

Characters
Territories
Types
Dragonflights
Other draconic groups
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