Green dragon | |
---|---|
Domain | Nature, Dreams |
Breath | Poison, Acid |
Major leader(s) | Merithra |
Formerly | Ysera |
Secondary leaders |
Itharius Gerithus |
Formerly | Eranikus † |
Racial capital | Eye of Ysera (Emerald Dream) |
Area(s) | |
Homeworld | Azeroth |
Language(s) | Draconic |
Affiliation | Green dragonflight, Valdrakken Accord, Wyrmrest Accord, Titans, Independent |
Status | Active |
“You are bound to the waking Dream of Creation. Nature is your realm, and all things have caught glimpses of the Emerald Dream when they sleep. You see them all, Ysera. And they see you, though they may not know it. Like the Life-Binder, you touch all living beings, and sing to them the songs of creation and interconnectedness.”
- — Eonar's blessing of the Green Aspect
Green dragons are a race of dragons whose scales are green in color. During the ordering of Azeroth, the titan Eonar charged Ysera and her flight with the protection of the natural world and the Emerald Dream, a pristine realm of nature and magic. Thus, green dragons have an affinity for animals and nature. Like red dragons, green dragons are generally more approachable than those of other flights, primarily coming into conflict only with those who attempt to corrupt or destroy nature. They occasionally sought the help of druids to aid in this task; having worked many times with the Cenarion Circle.
Tragically, the green dragons are susceptible to corruption of nature due to their close ties to it; making them a primary target of the Emerald Nightmare. The satyr Xavius used his dark magic to spread the corruption of the Emerald Nightmare throughout the Dream, causing many green dragons, including Ysera's lieutenants and consort, to become rampaging agents of destruction known as Nightmare dragons.[1] The corruption was stemmed after the end of the war Against the Nightmare; though they did eventually return during the events of Legion. Here, Xavius returned once more, empowered by the Old Gods,[2] and began corrupting the Emerald Dream once again. Many emerald dragons succumbed to N'Zoth's influence. Eventually, even Ysera herself was corrupted and needed to be slain,[3] leaving the green dragons leaderless for a time. During the Fourth War, when the Heart of Azeroth needed the coalesced essences of the dragonflights to save the planet from N'Zoth, Merithra of the Dream stepped forward to lead the flight, and to defend Azeroth in her mother's place.
Their breath weapons can consist of a variety of nature-based attacks, including corrosive acid,[4] noxious gas,[5] and emerald-colored fire.[6]
Life cycle and appearance[]
Green 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.
Some green dragons, as evidenced by the [Tangled Dreamweaver], grow foliage and overgrowth upon their bodies; a sign of their ties to the natural world.
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 Caverns being discovered; slitherdrakes have also been found baring green scales.
History[]
Charge of the Dragonflights[]
Before the Titans departed Azeroth, they charged the greatest species of the world with the task of watching over it. In that age, there were many dragonflights, yet five flights, one of which was the green, held dominion over their brethren and were chosen to shepherd the budding world. The greatest members of the Pantheon imbued a portion of their power upon each of the flights' leaders. After blessing the red leader, Eonar also blessed Alexstrasza's younger sister, the lithe green dragon Ysera, with a portion of nature's influence. Ysera fell into an eternal trance, bound to the waking Dream of Creation. Known as the Dreamer, she would watch over the growing wilds of the world from her verdant realm, the Emerald Dream.[7]
The time following this came to be known as the age of dragons when the civilization of dragonkind was at its peak.[8]
War of the Ancients[]
When the night elves inadvertently called the Burning Legion to the world, the Aspect of the Earth, Neltharion, suggested creating a magical artifact to aid in the destruction of the demons. Ysera, showing only the briefest moments of doubt, gave much of her own essence toward the creation of this object, called the Dragon Soul.
When each dragon had contributed a portion of his or her essence to the artifact, Neltharion deemed it complete. The greens joined the other dragons in flight over the battle and the Black Aspect brought the Dragon Soul to bear against the Legion, with devastating effects on the demonic swarm — but only for a precious few moments. He then shocked his fellow aspects and turned the artifact against the terrified night elves as well, and finally his own brethren. The shocked dragons were helpless to resist the power of the Dragon Soul, for it contained a fraction of the essence of each — with the exception of Neltharion himself. All the dragonflights, save Neltharion's own, were paralyzed in midair until the timely intervention of Korialstrasz, a mate of the red dragonqueen, who had been absent from the initial use of the artifact. While Korialstrasz was no match for the Aspect of Earth, he did manage to interrupt Neltharion's concentration for a moment, freeing the other dragons from their paralysis and allowing them to act. Malygos, infuriated at the betrayal by his ally, struck first, but at a great price. As the blue dragonflight flew into formation to attack Neltharion, the mighty black wyrm unleashed the full fury of the Dragon Soul against them, and the power instantly slew nearly every one of them. As the other dragons turned to act, Neltharion retreated, leaving the blue dragonflight broken in his wake.[9]
Wounded and shocked, Ysera and the other noble dragons were forced to abandon their mortal allies. The dragonflights secluded themselves, hoping to recover from the Dragon Soul's powers, but the damage to the draconic race had been done. The Kaldorei and their allies just barely managed to defeat the Legion, but at great cost. Azeroth was sundered.[10]
Aftermath of the Sundering[]
Deathwing’s betrayal was so destructive that the five dragonflights never truly recovered.[10] If that had not been enough, the ensuing war between the dragonflights decimated the species, and the greens were no exception. They would never again be seen in the same numbers as before. The age of dragons had passed.
To ensure Deathwing would never hold power over dragonkind again, Alexstrasza, Ysera, and Nozdormu placed an enchantment upon the Demon Soul, so that no dragon could wield it, and hid the foul disc deep beneath the earth.[11] The trio later visited the Night Elven survivors to present the devastated race a gift. Alexstrasza had planted a colossal tree within the new Well of Eternity that would come to be known as Nordrassil. Both Ysera and Nozdormu placed their blessings upon it. Ysera bound the tree to her realm, the Emerald Dream, along with the night elven males, now the druids of their race. As part of the pact, the druids agreed to sleep for centuries at a time so that their spirits could roam the infinite paths of the Emerald Dream alongside the green flight. Though the druids were grieved at the prospect of losing so many years of their lives to hibernation, they selflessly agreed to uphold their bargain with Ysera.[12]
The greens, with the druids' help, maintained their posts through the long millennia that followed.[13] Green dragonflight broods were stationed at several of the Great Trees, defending the portals to the Emerald Dream, where they remain to this day.
Loreth'Aran[]
One particular brood of Ysera's was closely allied with the night elves of the Azuremyst Isles, who were ruled by Prince Toreth. Ysera kindly allowed the night elves to ride her children into battle and they were known the Dragon Riders of Loreth'Aran. Ysera's benevolence raised the ire of Deathwing and he launched an attack against Wyrmscar Island where the dragonriders slept. The blacks, including Razormaw, a lieutenant of Deathwing, mercilessly slaughtered the Kaldorei. The greens rose up to protect their allies but were unsuccessful. Not one was spared, though many blacks, including Razormaw, also perished in the battle. The skeletons and spirits of the murdered greens still litter the small island.
War of the Shifting Sands[]
A thousand years before modern times, the green dragons lent their aid to the night elves and the bronze dragonflight during the War of the Shifting Sands. Led by Merithra of the Dream, child of Ysera, the greens fought the Silithid and their Qiraji masters furiously and ultimately helped push them back to their city where they were sealed away from the world. The dragons suffered few casualties but the progeny of Ysera, Merithra, was believed lost, having charged deep into Ahn'Qiraj during the final push. After the war, a shard of the Scepter of the Shifting Sands was entrusted to the green wyrm Eranikus by Anachronos the bronze.[14]
Unbeknownst to her flight, Merithra, along with Caelestrasz and Arygos, was not dead, simply captured. The dark master of Ahn'Qiraj used the tortured dragons to power his new creations: Moam and the other Obsidian destroyers.[15]
Temple of Atal'Hakkar[]
The exiled priests of the Gurubashi, servants of the blood god Hakkar the Soulflayer, had fled into the Swamp of Sorrows and erected the Temple of Atal'Hakkar, where they could prepare for his arrival into the physical world. The great dragon Aspect, Ysera, learned of the Atal'ai's plans and smashed the temple beneath the marshes. For a thousand years, the temple has been known as the Sunken Temple. The great emerald wyrm Eranikus, consort to Ysera, was dispatched to deal with the surviving Atal'ai priests, along with his brother Itharius, and a brood of green dragonkin to prevent the trolls from any more evil doings. To this day, the temple's drowned ruins are occupied by the green dragons, who prevent anyone from getting in or out.
Battle of Grim Batol[]
In the events leading up to the Second War, Deathwing led a powerful orc warlock named Nekros to the Dragon Soul — now renamed the Demon Soul. Nekros used the Demon Soul to force the red Dragon Aspect, Alexstrasza, into submission and forced the rest of the red dragonflight to serve him or risk the death of their queen. Korialstrasz, who escaped by faking his death sought the assistance of the other Aspects to free his queen.[16] While deeply concerned, Ysera did not immediately act to save her sister. Korialstrasz had pleaded for assistance but had been turned down countless times by Ysera's consorts. Eventually, Korialstrasz found a way to speak with the Lady of the Dream directly and Ysera agreed to do what she could in assisting to free the Red Aspect. Ysera spoke with Malygos and Nozdormu and convinced them to act as well.
With the Aspects convinced, Korialstrasz waited until Nekros brought Alexstrasza and her eggs out of the fortress, just as Deathwing had desired. When Deathwing made his appearance, Ysera and the others arrived and proceeded to battle Deathwing in the sky near Grim Batol. Korialstrasz's human apprentice, Rhonin, defeated Nekros and used one of Deathwing's scales to destroy the Demon Soul. The destruction of the artifact released the ancient power that had been sealed inside for millennia, making the Aspects whole once more and allowing them to overpower Deathwing and force his retreat. This final battle was known as the Battle of Grim Batol.[17]
Following the Battle of Grim Batol and the restoration of their power, Ysera and her agents continued to uphold the pact made with the titans to safeguard Azeroth, taking a somewhat more active role in the world, though their duties in the Emerald Dream continued to take precedence.
Emerald Nightmare[]
At some unknown point, a new threat appeared within the Emerald Dream. This threat, the Emerald Nightmare, is a region of corruption that travels and grows through the dreamscape, twisting and distorting the native flora and driving living creatures mad, including the green dragonkin. These victims became the mad slaves of the Old Gods. Ysera and her flight attempted to fight against this mysterious threat, alongside Malfurion and Cenarius while trying to avoid becoming its prey. Fortunately, the Nightmare did not, at least initially, approach the Eye of Ysera.
The Nightmare's influence continued to grow and even began seeping into Azeroth. Many members of the flight became inflicted, including a brood dispatched to the Sunken Temple led by the mighty green consort Eranikus. Not long after four of Ysera's most powerful lieutenants also fell to the Nightmare's sway and periodically invaded Azeroth through the portals found at the Great Trees. Two of these crazed dragons, Lethon and Emeriss, were put down by mortal heroes but their twisted spirits persisted in the Emerald Dream.
When the scepter shard held by Eranikus was needed the denizens of Azeroth discovered they would have to bring the green wyrm to Azeroth and cleanse him of his corruption. Remulos lured Eranikus to Moonglade and after a short battle against the dragon and an army of nightmare shades Tyrande Whisperwind arrived, and used the light of Elune to cleanse Ysera's consort and free him of the Old Gods' control.
The Nightmare[]
Shortly after the Lich King's defeat the situation with the Nightmare suddenly intensified. Beings of all races, dragon, and mortals alike, became the Unwaking, trapped in their own horrifying dreams. The green dragonflight inside the Emerald Dream was losing ground against the monstrosity and soon nearly the entirety of the dreamscape was consumed by nightmare. Not long after those who remained awake were forced to defend against their own slumbering comrades before being brought to the dream itself to fight in the War Against the Nightmare.
Eranikus, who had been hiding away from his love and his people ever since his redemption, was stumbled upon in Ashenvale by none other than the high priestess Tyrande and her companions. Although reluctant to assist them, he did so, showing them the way into the Emerald Dream to free Malfurion Stormrage, held by the Nightmare Lord Xavius. Despite being hindered by the twisted spirits of Lethon and Emeriss they manage to free the Archdruid, but only at the cost of Ysera becoming the Nightmare's newest prisoner. At the climax of the conflict, Eranikus sacrifices himself to save his queen while Malfurion and his allies defeat Xavius and manage to seal the Nightmare safely within the Rift of Aln.
Following the conflict's conclusion Ysera, along with her sister Alexstrasza, presided over Malfurion and Tyrande's marriage ceremony. Immediately after the two Aspects blessed the new world tree Teldrassil as they had done to Nordrassil ten thousand years before.[18]
During the war against Deathwing, the green dragonflight and the others joined together in order to liberate the Wyrmrest Temple from the forces of Twilight's Hammer cult.[19]
Legion[]
When Cenarius began to succumb to the Emerald Nightmare, Malfurion, Elothir, and Koda Steelclaw summoned Ysera to ask for her aid. Ysera believed that the only way to save the Forest Lord was with the Tears of Elune, and sent an adventurer to a nearby temple of Elune to retrieve them.
However, Xavius attacked the temple and stole the Tears of Elune before Malfurion could use them to save Cenarius from an affliction caused by the Nightmare. Without the Tears, Cenarius succumbed to corruption, and Malfurion pursued Xavius in his rage at the loss of his shan'do. Unfortunately, Xavius was not done taking from Malfurion: when Ysera and an adventurer located Xavius, he was able to corrupt the former Aspect herself, turning her into a dragon of Nightmare. Xavius and Ysera retreated with Malfurion held captive, followed by the adventurer and Tyrande Whisperwind.
A reunion with Tyrande was something Xavius had longed for many years. With Malfurion held captive, Xavius gave the High Priestess an ultimatum: she could pursue him and spend her husband's last moments at his side, or she could return to the Temple of Elune and protect it from Xavius's forces which would be led by Ysera. Mournful and distraught, Tyrande chose her goddess over her love, though the decision hurt her. At the temple, Ysera was put to rest, and with her last breath she stated that the nightmare had felt so real. As she fell, Tyrande gently told Ysera to sleep forever and dream no more.
More dragons fell to Xavius as well, and the four Dragons of Nightmare returned as a boss encounter within the Emerald Nightmare raid.
Battle for Azeroth[]
Members of the Green dragonflight banded together to reforge a [Dreamglow Dragonscale] after the Void attacked the Emerald Dreamway and the Dream itself.[20]
Dragonflight[]
By the time the Dragon Isles were re-revealed to Azeroth, the green dragonflight was in an unstable state. While Merithra was the flight's de facto leader after Ysera's death, she was not a proper aspect, and not all of the flight agreed that Merithra should lead them.[21]
Notable members[]
- Main article: Green dragons
Name | Type | Role | Status | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
Merithra | Dragon | Daughter of Ysera, commander in the War of the Shifting Sands. Aspect of the green dragonflight. The Dreamer. | Alive | Various |
Ysera | Aspect | Former leader of the green dragonflight, Former Aspect of Dreams, former ruler of the Emerald Dream. | Alive | Various |
Eranikus | Dragon | Consort of Ysera, corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare but later redeemed, killed during the War Against the Nightmare. | Deceased | Emerald Dream |
Ysondre | Dragon | Corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare, she was redeemed until she was drawn back into the Nightmare, where she was ultimately killed. | Deceased | Emerald Dream |
Valithria Dreamwalker | Dragon | Captive of the Scourge in Icecrown Citadel, until she was freed by the adventurers. | Alive | Emerald Dream |
Lord Itharius | Dragon | Ambassador of the Green Dragonflight, brother of Eranikus, agent of the Green Dragonflight. | Alive | Various |
In the RPG[]
Description[]
A green dragon is the adult phase of a green dragon's lifecycle, between adolescence and becoming a wyrm. Green dragons are rare creatures, not often seen on the Physical Plane. They are creatures of dream and make their home on the plane of the Emerald Dream. This plane is not just a place of dream crafting, but an immense verdant realm of unspoiled paradise. Other flights often call greens "brothers and sisters of Dream" in respect to the realm from which they hail. The dragon has translucent, jewel-like scales that shine with a faint green light. Its eyes are glowing orbs of green-gold light, with no pupils or irises. Its sinuous and shining form flies through the air as if swimming through water.
Green dragons have no enemies in the Emerald Dream, but they know that the world of Azeroth is not as lucky or as peaceful. They are capable of fighting, but choose not to if there is any option other than their own death. If conflict is unavoidable, they try to neutralize foes with their breath weapon and leave the area. Some consider green dragons to be pacifists or weaklings. Those who have roused a green to combat fast learn the error of this opinion. After all, dreams and nightmares are not so very different.[22]
Age Cycle[]
Green whelps are precious to the green dragonflight, especially with the increasing danger of a mysterious, dark force that seems to have arisen in the Emerald Dream. Green whelps spent much of their time in the Emerald Dream in the past, but those children who have not yet experienced travel to the Dream have (fortunately) been kept from entering, and thus safe from contamination. Most green whelps in the world are found under the careful watch of an older dragon. The verdant hatchling is small, but nevertheless it exudes a spiritual aura, one that implies great wisdom even in such a young creature. Its wings look barely large enough to keep it aloft, yet it manages to be imposing in spite of its seeming frailty.
Green whelps usually retreat if engaged in combat. If doing so is impossible, they use their breath weapon or try to use magic to increase their chances of escaping.
Green whelps speak Common, Darnassian, and Draconic.[23]
The green dragonflight was, until recently, one of the few that still flourished. It was only recently that disaster struck: green dragons, clearly insane due to some sort of corruption, appeared on Azeroth. A dark and corruptive force seems to have arisen in the Emerald Dream. While the strongest of the green dragons seek the answer to this mystery, typical green drakes — the average adults of the flight — try their best simply to maintain order and keep themselves and their young alive and well. A look of sadness and pain is clear on the features of this majestic beast. It appears to be struggling with something inside itself, something threatening its very essence. The creature’s once-brilliant scales have dimmed to a forest green.
Green dragons avoid combat, preferring to use incapacitating magic or their breath weapons to stop their foes. If pushed, however, they fight to the best of their abilities, using quick thinking and their magical prowess to outwit and outmaneuver their foes. Unlike most dragons, greens call upon the power of nature for their magic, and this gives them one major advantage: healing magic. If necessary, a green drake wears down her opponent, then flies away briefly to heal before reengaging. In battles with allies, such as other dragons, a few green drakes often stay back to heal their group and use beneficial spell-like abilities.
Green drakes speak Common, Darnassian, and Draconic. Some speak other languages as well.[24]
Culture[]
As a result of Ysera's charge, the greens can simultaneously see the landscape of Azeroth, and the corresponding dreamscape. This enchanted vision, known as dreamsight, allows green dragons to perceive their surroundings with perfect clarity despite their closed eyes. When they venture to the physical world, they act as though it is the illusion and the realm from which they hail is the only source of reality, often only appearing as an illusion in half ethereal forms, or not physically at all.[25]
Other flights often call greens "brothers and sisters of Dream" in respect to the realm from which they hail.[25] Many night elves form such a close bond with the green flight they become dragonsworn,[26] though dragonsworn of other races are suspected.
History[]
Prior to the War of the Ancients the green dragons were numerous and co-existed peacefully with the other dragonflights, working together to safeguard their world. But this age would not last forever.[27]
The Great Tree in Crystalsong Forest at some point had twelve green dragons guarding the portal there, nesting in the tree's branches and swooping down to intercept visitors.[28]
Following the Battle of Mount Hyjal, green dragons were stationed at Hyjal Summit, where they, along with the reds, blues, and bronzes, guarded the World Tree from another attack by the remnants of the Burning Legion in Darkwhisper Gorge.[29][30] In addition green and red dragons were sent to Sunwell Grove to investigate and safeguard the remains of the Sunwell.[31]
With the new threat of the Emerald Nightmare, the tranquility of the Emerald Dream, and thus Azeroth, is at stake as everything the nightmare touches become wild and corrupt, including the green dragons and dragonkin themselves.[32]
As a mount[]
- [Reins of the Emerald Drake] are rewarded from the achievement [Awake the Drakes].
- [Tangled Dreamweaver] is a reward from the Collector's Edition for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight.
- Dragonriding drakes can be given green scales if one reaches 19 renown with the Marukai Centaur faction.
As a companion pet[]
- [Emerald Whelpling] is an exceedingly rare drop from Noxious Whelps in Feralas.
- Dream Whelpling are capturable battle pet dragon whelps located in the Emerald Dream after it was cleansed from the Emerald Nightmare.
As a toy or item[]
- [Dragon's Call] is a item that drops from Shade of Eranikus, it has a chance on hit of calling forth an Emerald Dragon Whelp to protect you in battle for a short period of time.
Gallery[]
A green dragon in The Comic.
Green dragon eggs shown third from right in Dragonflight.
Tangled Dreamweaver in the Take to the Skies cinematic.
A Green dragon in Warcraft III.
A Green Dragon Roost in Warcraft III.
Green dragon icon from Warcraft III: Reforged.
Green dragon from the Monster Guide.
- Green drakes
Green drake icon from Warcraft III: Reforged.
Emerald Acidspewer in the TCG.
- Green whelps
Green whelp icon from Warcraft III: Reforged.
References[]
- ^ Micky Neilson; necrophyte218 2015-04-23. Micky Neilson on Twitter. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2016-04-09. Retrieved on 2016-04-09. “Nightmare Dragons would be appropriate I think.”
- ^ [10-45] When Dreams Become Nightmares
- ^ [10-45] The Fate of Val'sharah
- ^ Weaver
- ^ Lethon (Classic)
- ^ Ysera's breath weapon during [10-45] To Old Friends
- ^ "Charge of the Dragonflights" (HTML). Official World of Warcraft Battle.net Site. Retrieved on 2011-10-27.
- ^ The Well of Eternity, pg. 193
- ^ The Demon Soul, pg. 305
- ^ a b "The War of the Ancients" (HTML). Official World of Warcraft Battle.net Site. Retrieved on 2011-10-27.
- ^ The Sundering, pg. 346 - 347
- ^ "The World Tree and the Emerald Dream" (HTML). Official World of Warcraft Battle.net Site. Retrieved on 2011-10-27.
- ^ Day of the Dragon, pg. 236
- ^ "The War of the Shifting Sands" (HTML). Official World of Warcraft Battle.net Site. Retrieved on 2011-10-27.
- ^ "Monsters of Ahn'Qiraj: Moam" (HTML). Official World of Warcraft Community Site. Retrieved on 2008-05-14.
- ^ Tides of Darkness, pg. 137 - 138
- ^ Day of the Dragon, "19-21": 321-68.
- ^ Stormrage, ??
- ^ Thrall: Twilight of the Aspects
- ^ [50] The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of
- ^ Medievaldragon 2022-04-20. World of Warcraft: Dragonflight Interview with Jackie Wiley and Tina Wang. Blizzplanet. Retrieved on 2022-04-22.
- ^ Manual of Monsters, pg. 35-36
- ^ Monster Guide, pg. 44
- ^ Monster Guide, pg. 44-45
- ^ a b Manual of Monsters, pg. 35
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 60
- ^ Monster Guide, pg. 39
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 97- 98
- ^ Lands of Mystery, pg. 17
- ^ Dark Factions, pg. 146
- ^ Lands of Conflict, pg. 114
- ^ Shadows & Light, pg. 147
External links[]
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