Legends of Warcraft #4: a new beginning

"Legends of Warcraft" series — Legends #4. The prehistory of Warcraft in order, from the creation of the universe to the last Guardian of Tirisfal. The episodes are listed in order at the end of the post.

The origin of the Dragon Aspects is a story of survival. Before the dragonflights existed, Azeroth had proto-dragons, and one of them, Galakrond, grew by devouring the others until he became a threat to the whole world. Five proto-dragons faced him with the help of the Keeper Tyr. After the victory, the titans gave them the power that turned them into the Aspects.

The proto-dragons and Galakrond

Long before the colorful dragonflights, the skies of Azeroth belonged to the proto-dragons, large, wild creatures that gathered in flocks. The biggest of all was Galakrond.

Galakrond began to hunt and eat other proto-dragons. With each one he devoured, he grew bigger and stronger. Those who died near him came back as undead and began to serve him. Over time, Galakrond became a monster the size of a mountain, and no flock could face him alone.

The five who faced him

Five proto-dragons decided to fight together:

• Alexstrasza, who would become the Aspect of Life;
• Ysera, her sister, who would become the Aspect of Dreams;
• Neltharion, who would become the Aspect of Earth;
• Malygos, who would become the Aspect of Magic;
• Nozdormu, who would become the Aspect of Time.

The Keeper Tyr fought alongside them, and it was in this battle that he lost one of his hands to Galakrond. Tyr replaced it with a silver fist, the Silver Hand, which became a symbol of sacrifice for justice. Millennia later, the paladins of Lordaeron named their order after it.

Galakrond was defeated. In the story told to mortals, the Aspects were created from him. The truth, which the Aspects themselves hid for a long time, is that Galakrond was a cannibal, and his end was a fight for the survival of the species.

How the Aspects received their powers

After the victory, Tyr suggested that the Keepers give power to the five dragons so they could protect the world. Odyn forbade it, but the other Keepers disobeyed. They called on the Pantheon, and each titan blessed the dragons through the Keepers:

| Titan | Aspect | Duty | |------|---------|-------| | Aman'Thul | Nozdormu | Guard time | | Eonar | Alexstrasza | Protect all life | | Eonar | Ysera | Care for nature and the Emerald Dream | | Norgannon | Malygos | Guard magic | | Khaz'goroth | Neltharion | Rule the earth and the depths |

Each Aspect began to lead a dragonflight: red, green, black, blue and bronze. Together, they were the protectors of the world the titans left behind.

Read more: Dragonflights as political blocs and Alexstrasza, the Dragonqueen.

What this new beginning leaves for the future

• Neltharion will be corrupted by the Old Gods and become Deathwing, the greatest traitor in dragon history.
• Malygos will go mad after Deathwing destroys almost the entire blue dragonflight, and in WotLK he declares war on mages.
• Nozdormu will discover that he himself will become Murozond, the leader of the infinite dragonflight.
• Galakrond's bones remain in Northrend to this day, and the Lich King tries to reanimate them in WotLK.

Read more: Dragon Isles: a historical overview.

Who's who in this episode

| Name | Who it is | |------|--------| | Galakrond | The largest of the proto-dragons, who devoured the others and grew with each victim. | | Alexstrasza | The Aspect of Life, queen of the red dragonflight. | | Ysera | The Aspect of Dreams, guardian of the Emerald Dream and Alexstrasza's sister. | | Neltharion | The Aspect of Earth, who would one day become Deathwing. | | Malygos | The Aspect of Magic, boss of the Eye of Eternity raid in WotLK. | | Nozdormu | The Aspect of Time, leader of the bronze dragonflight of the Caverns of Time. |

Where to see it in WotLK

• Dragonblight: Galakrond's giant skeleton lies in the north of the zone, and a quest chain shows the Scourge trying to bring him back.
• Wyrmrest Temple: the temple where the dragonflights gather, with Alexstrasza at the top.
• The Eye of Eternity: the raid of Malygos, the Aspect of Magic.
• Caverns of Time, in Tanaris: the refuge of Nozdormu and the bronze dragonflight.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Galakrond?

The largest of the proto-dragons, who devoured other dragons and grew with each victim. He was defeated by the five future Aspects with the help of the Keeper Tyr.

Who gave the Aspects their power?

The titans of the Pantheon, through the Keepers. Aman'Thul blessed Nozdormu, Eonar blessed Alexstrasza and Ysera, Norgannon blessed Malygos and Khaz'goroth blessed Neltharion.

Where are Galakrond's bones?

In Dragonblight, in Northrend, where the Scourge tries to reanimate him during WotLK.

"Legends of Warcraft" series

← Previous: Legends #3: Time to leave Next → Legends #5: The evolution of Azeroth

• Legends #1: The Creation
• Legends #2: The origin of Azeroth
• Legends #3: Time to leave
• Legends #4: A new beginning (you are here)
• Legends #5: The evolution of Azeroth
• Legends #6: The rise of the Trolls
• Legends #7: The new empires
• Legends #8: The War of the Ancients
• Legends #9: After the Sundering
• Legends #10: The split of the Elves
• Legends #11: The Sunwell
• Legends #12: The end of the Pantheon
• Legends #13: The betrayal of Loken
• Legends #14: The sacrifice of Tyr
• Legends #15: The rise of Arathor
• Legends #16: Dalaran and Tirisfal
• Legends #17: The Seven Kingdoms
• Legends #18: The War of the Shifting Sands
• Legends #19: The song of Aegwynn
• Legends #20: The War of the Three Hammers
• Legends #21: The last Guardian