Dragonflight lore, explained (2024)

After two years of content beyond the veil of life and death in Shadowlands, Dragonflight has us returning to our roots and venturing to the heart of Azeroth—the Dragon Isles. First mentioned in the game files during the development of the original iteration of World of Warcraft, the Dragon Isles didn’t officially become canon until Battle for Azeroth. With the return-to-Azeroth idea, Blizzard shifted from this whole cosmic battles theme to a more grounded and deeply-rooted WoW idea: dragons.

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This makes Dragonflight’s lore fairly simple and easy to follow, not hidden behind elaborate research or books. Essentially, the plot of Dragonflight follows a simple plot: a villain is on the loose, and we, as heroes of Azeroth, have to stop her. Although there’s some speculation on the future lore of Dragonflight involving the Old Gods and Galakrond, the first major content drop is still a long way ahead of us.

With all this in mind, let’s take a look at Dragonflight’s lore as a whole to uncover the true intentions of the Primalists.

The Dragon Isles before the Alliance and the Horde

Once a place of great power and eminence to all Azeroth denizens, and not only Dragonkin, the Dragon Isles were hidden from the curious eyes and looming threats of the Burning Legion and Old Gods for 10,000 years. Now that the Beacon of Tyr was re-lit once again, the Dragon Aspects have returned and the isles are waking up from their slumber. The four zones of the Dragon Isles—the Waking Shores, Ohn’ahran Plains, the Azure Span, and Thaldraszus—are once again brimming with life and energy.

Related: WoW Dragonflight campaign quest list

The Horde and the Alliance arrive at the Dragon Isles

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After hearing that the ancient home of all Dragonkin is under attack by the Primal Incarnates and the Primalists forces looking to free Azeroth of Titans’ influence and save the Dragonkin from the clutches, the Horde and the Alliance rushed to the Dragon Isles but soon realized they are in a far worse state than they ever expected.

Primalists, led by Kurog Grimtotem, invaded the Forbidden Reach and freed the leader of the Primalsits, Raszageth,from her prison. They were merciless in their effort to overtake the Dragon Isles, stealing dragon eggs in an attempt to imbue them with elemental power. Thankfully, we were able to bring the endangered eggs to Alexstrasza. Soon after, Raszageth and her forces attack the Ruby Life Pools but were ultimately defeated and Ruby Life Pools were secure once again.

On the other side of the Waking Shores, two black princes—Wrathion and Sabellian—are in dire need of help as they try to reclaim the Obsidian Throne from Djaradin. With our help, the Black Aspects reclaim their seat of power but are now stuck in the middle of siblings’ quarrel as Wrathion and Sabellian try to one-up each another and claim the Obsidian Throne for themselves.

The Primalists in the Ohn’ahran Plains

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In the Ohn’ahran Plains, one of the leaders of Primalists—Koroleth—and her forces attack the Green Dragonflight as they tried to reach the Emerald Dream to further spread their powers and ideas. Desperate to defeat the Green Dragonflight, Koroleth recruited Balakar Khan of Clan Nokhud to do her bidding. During the civil war between Maruuk Centaur tribes, Balakar Khan and Koroleth captured the wild god of the wind, Ohn’ahra. Later, they used it to attempt to assassinate the daughter of the Green Dragonflight, Merithra, but their forces were repelled and Koroleth had to lead a new assault on the Green Dragonflight. That ended poorly for her as she was slain and her forces were defeated.

The Azure Span troubles

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Guided by the idea that the Titans corrupted dragonkind, Raszageth leads the attack on the Azure Span, attempting to take over Vakthros and the web of ley lines connected to it. With the joint power of the Kirin Tor and the Blue Dragonflight, we put an end to this ruthless attack. Unfortunately, the territory was left under the control of the Primalists.

Enemy among our ranks

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Restless and not taking a break from their goal, the Primalists then invade the capital of dragons, Valdrakken. But we, the heroes of Azeroth, bring swift justice to them and quickly regathered our forces to stop the betrayer—Eranog. As we’re dealing with time anomalies, Raszageth breaks and enters to Vault of the Incarnates to free her cousins. Although we defeat her, the foul ritual was still completed, allowing Vyranoth, Fyrakk, and Iridikron to escape.

The healing of Forbidden Reach

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After Raszageth’s fall in Vault of the Incarnates, her storms scattered across the Forbidden Reach have calmed and together with Scalecommander Viridia, we’re heading to the Dracthyr starting zone to reclaim their home and purge it of Primalists’ influence.

As soon as we get there, we’re swamped with tasks—learning the secrets of Zskera Vaults, clearing the island of numerous threats, and helping Scalecommander Emberthal and Ebyssian to reclaim the Dracthyr’s old creches. But as soon as we set out on this quest, Scalecommander Sarkareth and his Sundered Flame forces attack us.

After the showdown with Sarkareth and Sundered Flame, Ebyssian and Emberthal join forces and agree to help one another in claiming the legacy of Neltharion.

Three forces clash in Zaralek Cavern

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Looking to claim Neltharion’s legacy, the Primalists break into Zaralek Cavern and Scalecommander and his forces follow suit. We follow them together with Ebyssian, Sabellian, and Wrathion, and soon after Wrathion’s reckless charge, we meet a new friendly race—Loamm Niffen. Further diving into the secrets of Zaralek Cavern, we discover Sarkareth has only worry on his mind: controlling the Dracthyr.

Related: How to start and complete the main questline in WoW Dragonflight Patch 10.1

On the other side of Caldera, the Primalists and Fryakk are using Shadowflame to grow even stronger and during our encounter with Fyrakk Sabellion is badly hurt. Luckily, we manage to escape and continue our adventures by dealing with Djaradin.

Once we diminish Djaradin’s forces, we meet again with Emberthal and try to reason Sarkareth from entering Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible. But it was all in vain. Sarkareth enters Aberrus and the Horde and the Alliance follow him and he meets his demise.

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Dragonflight lore, explained (2024)

FAQs

What is the lore behind Dragonflight? ›

After being hidden for 10,000 years due to the events of the War of the Ancients, the Dragon Isles, the ancestral home to all dragon-kind, reveals itself on Azeroth. In a secluded area known as the Forbidden Reach, a race of dragonkin soldiers known as the dracthyr awaken from a 20,000-year slumber.

Who is the bad guy in Dragonflight? ›

The Primalists are the main antagonists of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight. They are a faction of rogue proto-dragons and their mortal followers that have rejected the edicts of the Titans, in favor of the elements.

Who corrupted Neltharion? ›

Then came the madness that destroyed Neltharion's mind, changing him and his kind forever and leading to the creation of the powerful item known as the Dragon Soul, later the Demon Soul. The inner-voices of the Old Gods convinced him that he could have power beyond his imagination if he served them.

Are the black dragonflight evil? ›

Destruction became their sole goal, fire, and magma their instruments. Once held in high regard by all others as wise and steadfast, black dragons of modern times are vicious evil creatures, despised by all decent living beings.

What happened to Jaina in dragonflight? ›

Following the War of the Thorns, Jaina returned to her homeland of Kul Tiras in the name of the Alliance but was imprisoned for treason by her mother at the suggestion of Lady Priscilla Ashvane.

Who is Tyr dragonflight? ›

Tyr is regarded as a dear friend to the Dragon Aspects, who he worked together with to defeat Galakrond long ago. His valiant sacrifice to protect the vrykul from Loken would cause him to be revered by them, and his legend would be passed on to their human descendants.

Does Raszageth have a human form? ›

Unlike her siblings, the dragon was never shown in mortal appearance. And as the events unfold, it's unlikely that players will ever have the chance to see her in human guise. Thus, the champions of Azeroth are left to speculate and create their own versions.

Who becomes leader of the black dragonflight? ›

After their victory, Wrathion and Sabellian competed to determine who should be the new Aspect of the black dragonflight. However, after they discovered Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible and the reality of Neltharion's dark legacy, it was Ebyssian who was chosen by his brothers as the new leader of their dragonflight.

What is the easiest class to play in WoW Dragonflight? ›

WoW Best Class for Beginners

Hunter: Hunters are a ranged DPS class that is great for beginners due to their simplicity and versatility. They have a wide range of abilities that allow them to deal damage from a distance, control the battlefield, and even heal their pets.

What is the most fun class in WoW? ›

Besides Evoker, Rogue is also among the most fun classes in World of Warcraft currently. It can be hard to play as a Rogue at times, but it is incredibly fun if you can pull it off as the payoff is huge. The damage you inflict is some of the highest in the game.

Is Gul dan Warlock? ›

Gul'dan was the first orcish warlock as well as the de facto founder of the Horde. He betrayed both his people and his mentor Ner'zhul to the demon lord Kil'jaeden for personal gain and power, and was directly responsible for the orcs' fall to demonic enslavement and their subsequent invasion of Azeroth.

Why did Neltharion turn evil? ›

Though he was once a kind benevolent dragon, he was driven mad by the Old Gods and he turned against the other Aspects during the War of the Ancients, using a weapon he created called the Dragon Soul which could channel the power of all the Aspects. However, the weapon nearly destroyed Neltharian himself.

Is Nefarian Deathwing? ›

Nefarian was the eldest son of Deathwing and his Prime Consort Sintharia. Like his father and his younger twin sister Onyxia, he had a human guise, appearing as Victor Nefarius, Lord of Blackrock.

What will Dragonflight be about? ›

Delve into the story of the Dracthyr in a brand-new starting experience and learn how to use your new abilities before venturing forth. Dracthyr Evokers can fight from mid-range with claws and fiery breath attacks (Devastation) or draw upon the life-giving magic of renewal to bolster their allies (Preservation).

What do dragonflights represent? ›

Dragonflights (aka flights) represent the overarching organizations that uphold the objectives of the dragons.

What happened at the end of Dragonflight? ›

Fyrakk is dead, the Dream and the world are saved, Amirdrassil comes into Azeroth, and the night elves begin building their new home. In any other expansion, everything would have been glossed over, and the player would have returned to the world as normal. We got to celebrate the victory.

What is the story of the green dragonflight? ›

The green dragonflight, ruled by the dreaming goddess, Ysera, holds a special love for the night elves and their druids. Though most green dragons live within the mystical dimension known as the Emerald Dream, a few of the graceful creatures still roam the shadowy paths of Ashenvale forest.

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