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For Howling Fjord and Ember Clutch mobs, see Proto-Drake.
Proto-dragons
Rotnest Drake HS
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] 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[]

Dawn of the Aspects art

The future Dragon Aspects fighting Galakrond.

Legacies Proto-dragons becoming Aspects

The first proto-dragons evolving into dragons.

The proto-dragons descend from elementals who avoided being imprisoned in the Elemental Plane and instead remained on Azeroth, where some of them gradually transformed into creatures of flesh and blood.[3] More specifically, Brann Bronzebeard recently uncovered evidence, corroborated by reports from adventurers in Deepholm, that proto-dragons may have origins in elemental drakes such as stone and storm drakes. 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.[4]

Galakrond, a massive proto-dragon,[5] 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,[6] but this is a rumor the Aspects actively encouraged so as to keep the truth about Galakrond's power a secret from the dragonflights.[7]

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[]

Wrath-Logo-Small This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.

During the war against the Lich King, the Scourge raised some ancient proto-dragons into undeath to become members of the Frostbrood, but only those that were powerful members of long-forgotten draconic flights.[8]

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.[9] 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.[10]

Cataclysm[]

Cataclysm This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

During the Ashenvale war, Garrosh Hellscream brought some proto-drakes from Northrend to invade Ashenvale, the Horde managed to domesticate them by holding their young hostage.[11]

Mists of Pandaria[]

Mists of Pandaria This section concerns content related to Mists of Pandaria.
Galakras

Galakras, a descendant of Galakrond.

Following the fall of Deathwing and the black dragonflight, the Dragonmaw clan began subverting proto-drakes for the needs of the True Horde.[12]

Warlords of Draenor[]

Warlords of Draenor This section concerns content related to 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.[13]

Dragonflight[]

Dragonflight This section concerns content related to Dragonflight.
Tazenrath

A proto-dragon on the Dragon Isles.

The Primalists who rebelled against the Aspects long ago return and free their leaders, the Primal Incarnates, from their prisons.

Proto-drakes in Dragon Isles are described as being "...naturally flame resistant, stronger than steel, and don't lose flexibility in the process [of crafting][sic]." Proto drake whelps are further described as having smaller scales that "should be more pliable until we've mastered...techniques with [them]."[14]

Within Tyr's hidden vault, Tyr had made note that proto-dragons have a unusual ability to adapt to all variations of the elements changing them uniquely in both physical appearance and utilization of abilities.[citation needed] 

Description[]

Legacies Proto-dragons Ysera Alexstrasza

Proto-dragons protecting their eggs from their foe.

Proto-drakes are generally bestial and display none of the great intelligence and wisdom of true dragons,[15] 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.[16]

Proto-dragon whelps grow at an incredible rate and can devour nearly twice their weight in raw meat per day.[17] 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.[18]

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,[19] and the plagued proto-drakes to honor those who showed significant courage and persistence.[20]

Types[]

Types in Northrend[]

Proto-drakes

Proto-drakes from Northrend.

Wrath-Logo-Small This section concerns content related to Wrath of the Lich King.
IconSmall ProtoRed Red proto-dragons
Appear most abundant throughout Northrend.
IconSmall ProtoBlue Blue proto-dragons
Mostly only found in the Storm Peaks.
IconSmall ProtoGreen Green proto-dragons
One can be acquired through the Oracles. Their whelps can be found in Sholazar.[21]
IconSmall ProtoBronze 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.
IconSmall ProtoBlack 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.
IconSmall ProtoWhite Plagued proto-dragons
Can be found in the Storm Peaks and Icecrown.
IconSmall ProtoViolet Violet proto-dragons
Can only be acquired through achievements. A small terrified one was found by Alexstrasza and Ysera in the past.
IconSmall ProtoPlated 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.

Types on the Dragon Isles[]

Dragonflight This section concerns content related to Dragonflight.
Elemental proto-dragon leaders

The four elemental infused proto-dragon types.

On the Dragon Isles there are a variety of proto-dragons infused with elements, the most powerful of which are the Primal Incarnates.

IconSmall ProtoAir 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.[22]
IconSmall ProtoEarth 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.[22]
IconSmall ProtoFire 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.[22]
IconSmall ProtoWater Ice proto-dragons
Infused with the element of water, they lost its fire-breathing capabilities and gained the frozen possibilities of ice.[22]

Ancient types[]

WoW-novel-logo-16x62 This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.
Primordial Drake HS

A Primordial Drake in Hearthstone

IconSmall ProtoGreen Blue-green proto-dragons
Coros and three others, rivals of the prehistoric Malygos.
IconSmall ProtoBlue Blue-white proto-dragons
Malygos and those related to him, such as Tarys.
IconSmall ProtoRed Orange proto-dragons
Alexstrasza and her brother Dralad.
IconSmall ProtoBronze Yellow proto-dragons
Ysera, Alexstrasza's younger sister, is a "yellowish" color despite being related to an orange.
IconSmall ProtoBlack Charcoal grey proto-dragons
Neltharion and an animal-like one that attacked Malygos and Alexstrasza.
IconSmall ProtoRusted 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.
IconSmall ProtoPlated Silver proto-dragons
Seen devoured by Galakrond and one joins in Talonixa's attack on Galakrond, breathing what appeared to be liquid metal.
IconSmall ProtoBronze Gold proto-dragons
Talonixa and her mate Zorix. Their breath is a powerful blast of lightning.
IconSmall ProtoRusted Copper proto-dragons
One is scarred by Talonixa's followers.
IconSmall ProtoGreen Silver-green proto-dragons
One was seen attacking Neltharion and Nozdormu after being bitten by an Undead.
IconSmall ProtoWhite 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[]

Name Role Status Location
Neutral IconSmall Galakrond Galakrond Largest known proto-dragon, rumored progenitor of dragonkind Deceased Galakrond's Rest, Dragonblight
Boss IconSmall ProtoAir Raszageth Primal Incarnate of storm Deceased Vault of the Incarnates, Thaldraszus
Boss IconSmall ProtoEarth Iridikron Primal Incarnate of earth Alive Vault of the Incarnates, Thaldraszus
Boss IconSmall ProtoWater Vyranoth Primal Incarnate of ice Alive Vault of the Incarnates, Thaldraszus
Boss IconSmall ProtoFire Fyrakk Primal Incarnate of fire Alive Vault of the Incarnates, Thaldraszus
Mob IconSmall ProtoBlack Broodmother Slivina Broodmother of the Savage Thicket, quarry of Hemet Nesingwary Killable Savage Thicket, Sholazar Basin
Neutral IconSmall ProtoBlue Veranus Broodmother of the Storm Peaks, former mount of Thorim Killable Broodmother's Nest, Storm Peaks
Boss IconSmall ProtoIronbound Razorscale Corrupted version of Veranus Killable Razorscale's Aerie, Ulduar
Boss IconSmall Galakras Galakras Direct descendant of Galakrond, mount of Warlord Zaela Killable Dranosh'ar Landing, Siege of Orgrimmar
Neutral IconSmall ProtoRed Flamebringer Favored mount of Thane Torvald Eriksson, used against him by adventurers Alive Voldrune, Grizzly Hills
Neutral IconSmall ProtoBronze Glory Bronze drake in service of the Argent Crusade Alive Argent Vanguard, Icecrown
Boss IconSmall ProtoBlue Grauf Mount of Skadi the Ruthless Killable Eagle's Eye, Utgarde Pinnacle
Mob IconSmall ProtoBlue Safirdrang Mount of Overthane Balargarde Killable Balargarde Fortress, Icecrown
Mob IconSmall ProtoRed Zeptek the Destroyer Mount of Warlord Tartek Killable Spearborn Encampment, Sholazar Basin
Mob IconSmall ProtoBronze Time-Lost Proto-Drake Extremely elusive proto-drake, source of the Ability mount drake proto [Reins of the Time-Lost Proto-Drake] Killable Storm Peaks
Boss IconSmall ProtoBlack Ragewing the Untamed Proto-drake raised by the Dragonmaw clan, has formed a strong bond with Warlord Zaela Killable Hall of Blackhand, Upper Blackrock Spire

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
Ability mount drake proto [Time-Lost Proto-Drake] Drops from the rare mob Time-Lost Proto Drake.
Ability mount drake proto [Blue Proto-Drake] Rare drop from Skadi the Ruthless.
Ability mount drake proto [Green Proto-Drake] Low chance to hatch from Inv egg 02 [Mysterious Egg], purchasable at Revered reputation from The Oracles once every 3 days.
Ability mount drake proto [Red Proto-Drake] Reward for completing Inv helmet 25 [Glory of the Hero].
Ability mount drake proto [Violet Proto-Drake] Reward for completing Achievement bg masterofallbgs [What a Long, Strange Trip It's Been].
Ability mount razorscale [Ironbound Proto-Drake] Reward for completing Inv helmet 122 [Glory of the Ulduar Raider (25 player)].
Ability mount razorscale [Rusted Proto-Drake] Reward for completing Inv helmet 19 [Glory of the Ulduar Raider (10 player)].
Inv belt 44a [Galakras] Reward for completing Inv axe 60 [Glory of the Orgrimmar Raider].
Ability mount drake proto [Black Proto-Drake] Was rewarded from Inv helmet 06 [Glory of the Raider (25 player)]. No longer obtainable.
Ability mount drake proto [Plagued Proto-Drake] Was rewarded from Inv helmet 22 [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.[23]
  • According to Muradin Bronzebeard, the Savage Thicket in Sholazar Basin may be where they first came from, though that's only a theory on his part.[24]
  • The Inv warriormount [Battlelord's Bloodthirsty War Wyrm] resembles a proto-dragon.
  • Before it gives N [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 Ability mount drake blue [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.[25] But Dragonflight changed it so that many of the proto-dragons were actually sapient before that.
  • Before ever venturing to the Dragon Isles, there was no evidence to suggest the higher than average intelligence level of the proto-drakes beyond that of eating, mating, and habitation.

Speculation[]

Questionmark-medium
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.

Gallery[]

Card games

References[]

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