Dragons have always been a significant part of World of Warcraft, especially since the release of its current expansion, Dragonflight. From epic bosses to loyal mounts, dragons have a special place in the game. Lesser known but no less important are the proto-dragons, whose lore is deeply intertwined with that of the dragons. The game's draconic characters have taken the spotlight in World of Warcraft's newest expansion, Dragonflight, where even more of their lore is being explored.
Proto-dragons, also known as proto-drakes, were first introduced in World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King as Northrend's dragon-like inhabitants. In stark contrast to the highly intelligent, magical, and near-immortal dragons, these beasts seemed like little more than wild animals. Delving deeper, however, it soon became apparent that Azeroth’s true dragons owe all they are to their primitive cousins. Appearance-wise, the two creatures are night and day. Dragons in World of Warcraft look like the typical European mythos— large, muscular, winged reptiles with four legs and fiery breath.
World of Warcraft's Proto-Dragons Are the Ancestors of Modern Dragons
There are many nuances between the different types of dragons, called dragonflights in World of Warcraft, usually based on their color and special abilities - but the general rules for a dragon stand. Proto-dragons, on the other hand, appear as hulking, ferocious beasts with massive wings. They can also breathe fire, but they lack the intelligence and finesse that makes dragons true masters of magic.
Long ago, before the mortal races we know today, the planet of Azeroth, was a world devoid of dragons. Only the proto-drakes ruled the skies, hunting and fighting one another as they squabbled for territory. The first of their kind, Galakrond, was an immense proto-drake whose size rivaled mountains. His power was unmatched, and although he began as a benevolent force, he soon grew into something else entirely. It is not known exactly why Galakrond had such a change of heart, but it is hinted that Dragonflight's Titan Keeper, Tyr, had something to do with it.
Galakrond's incredible size and power made him almost invincible, and what's more, he had the power to raise fallen proto-drakes as undead creatures, forcing them to serve him once more as mindless slaves. With his insatiable appetite, Galakrond consumed all life around him, until five brave proto-dragons decided that they'd had enough. Their names will ring familiar to WoW players, as they were called Neltharion, Ysera, Alexstrasza, Malygos, and Nozdormu. They didn't have any particular special powers at the time, but with their creativity and determination, they eventually figured out a way to defeat World of Warcraft's Galakrond, the Father of Dragons by choking him to death with an immense boulder.
Galakrond's bones remain to this day scattered about the zone fittingly named Dragonblight. Triumphant at last, these proto-drake companions were rewarded by Tyr for their achievement, and charged with protecting Azeroth forever more. Each of them led a dragonflight of their own, representing an aspect of the planet they guarded and hence becoming known as the five dragon Aspects in World of Warcraft. This gift from the Titans changed their bodies and minds, granting them the upgraded appearance and enhanced skills that would enable them to evolve into the true dragons players have known since World of Warcraft was released.
Not all the proto-dragons accepted this gift, however. As is explained in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, four proto-drakes, the Primal Incarnates, and their followers, rejected Tyr's gift. They believed that the dragons had been corrupted by the Titan's magic and that proto-dragons were meant to remain wild and free, unsullied by the taint of Order, as they call it. The Primal Incarnates are the main antagonists in Dragonflight, and as more mysteries are uncovered, players will learn how the Aspects may not have shared the whole truth of how they came to be, as for the first time, the proto-dragons are telling their side of the story. Either way, the proto-dragons have been around for far longer than the dragons have, and which side will prove right is yet to be seen.