Dragonkin

Dragonkin are all creatures descended from and including dragons. Dragonkin sometimes refers specifically to a type of creature closely related to a dragon, but usually lacking wings or full dragon abilities, powers, and spells. Nearly all dragonkin belong to one of the main or lesser dragonflights.

Characteristics in World of Warcraft

Reptilian and almost always have a tail.
Scaly skin that is usually skinnable.

Dragon scales often have magical properties and are highly valuable to craftsmen.

Have sharp claws.
Semi-intelligent to very intelligent.
Some can fly and usually have bat-like wings in that case.
Some have a breath-weapon.
Some have special abilities or powers and can cast spells.
Most are susceptible to the Druid's [Hibernate] ability.

Flights

Major

Lesser

Types

The infant stage of the dragon race: Whelp

The adolescent stage of the dragon race: Drake

The adult stage of the dragon race: Dragon

The leaders of the dragonflight empowered by the titans: Aspect

Servants of the dragonflights: Dragonspawn

Servants of the dragonflights: Drakonid

Ancestors of the dragon race: Proto-dragon

Dragonkin experiment of Nefarian: Drakeadon; Dragonman

As a more specific term

At times dragonkin may refer exclusively to non-dragon dragonkin.

The term dragonkin has been used to refer to a category that seemingly includes both dragonspawn and drakonids. Some dragonspawn are known as "dragonkin", like the Elder Dragonkin and the Twilight Dragonkin. They are called such as a whole in Quest:The Essence of Enmity. Maxnar the Ashmaw, a drakonid, is described as "one of the dragonkin, half-man, half-dragon."^[1] The dragonkin originate when dragons empower mortal servants, changing them into something halfway. This process does not have to be willing.^[2] They are separate races from the dragon race. They became dragonspawn and drakonid thanks to the dragons they served (via intentional alteration or via "unintended side effect of hanging out with dragons").^[3]

Tyri at the Celestial Ridge calls the nether dragons there "dragonkin,"^[4]^[5] perhaps denoting their strangeness in relation to true dragons.