Black dragonflight

Black dragonflight
Domain	Earth, Protection
Breath	Flame, Magma
Major leader(s)	Wrathion (self-proclaimed) (Azeroth)   Sabellian (Outland)
Formerly	Deathwing †
Secondary leaders	Ebyssian
Racial capital	Neltharion's Lair (formerly)
Area(s)	Eastern Kingdoms (Badlands, Blackrock Mountain, Burning Steppes, Redridge Mountains, Twilight Highlands, Wetlands), Kalimdor (Azshara, Dustwallow Marsh, Stonetalon Mountains), Broken Isles, Northrend (Dragonblight), Outland (Blade's Edge Mountains)
Homeworld	Azeroth
Language(s)	Draconic
Affiliation	Wyrmrest Accord, Titans, Old Gods' forces, Independent
Status	Nearly extinct, but recovering.

“My blessing upon you will seem humble compared to those which have been bestowed upon the others: the managing of time, of life, of dreams and magic. I offer you the earth. The soil, the ground, the deep places. But know that the earth is the basis of all things. It is where we are rooted. Where you must come from, if you are to go to. Here is whence true strength comes. From deep places...within the world, and within oneself.”

— Khaz'goroth's blessing of the Black Apect

The black dragonflight are dragons with black scales who can breath magma. Powerful black dragons can breathe Shadow Flame. Led by the Dragon Aspect Neltharion, later known as Deathwing, the black dragonflight was charged by the titans with protecting the earth. The ambitious Neltharion was chosen by the Old Gods to be their ultimate tool of destruction and their corruption eventually spread to the entire dragonflight. Following the creation of the Demon Soul during the War of the Ancients, the black dragonflight became one of the most prominent reoccurring threats to the mortal races of Azeroth.

By the end of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm, nearly every black dragon on Azeroth was dead. Wrathion, a whelp purified of the Old God's corruption, saw to the death of every other black dragon, including his father. Wrathion claims he now wishes to protect Azeroth from the coming battle with the Burning Legion. Meanwhile in Outland, Sabellian has acquired baby whelps of his own. His goals are unknown. Another uncorrupted, and considerably older, black dragon has recently been discovered in the form of Ebyssian, who has long lived among the Highmountain tauren under the guise of an eccentric spiritwalker named "Ebonhorn".

Years after the Cataclysm, the black dragonflight appears to somehow be recovering, with young black dragons appearing to seek Azerite during the Blood War.

Member types

File:Black drake.jpg

Black drake

The black dragonflight includes the black dragons themselves as well as all other black dragonkin such as dragonspawn and drakonid.

• Black dragon
  • Black wyrm
• Black drake
• Black whelp
• Black dragonspawn
• Black drakonid
• Dragonmen

Culture

Though the black dragonflight was nearly annihilated in ages past, a few of the evil creatures have made their homes in the dry, desolate wastes of The Barrens. With their lord, Deathwing, either missing or dead, the black dragons seek to appease only themselves. The creatures are immensely powerful and cruel and revel in mortal suffering. The black dragons are the enemies of every other dragonflight, especially the great red dragons of Lordaeron.

Black Dragons were for a time, like their aspect Neltharion, the defenders of Azeroth, living deep in the caverns of the earth. They shaped the lands, raised mountains, and created valleys. The black dragonflight represented the strength of the earth itself. Even the symbol of the black dragonflight is a volcano, as it represents great power of earth and elements. For countless millennia the black dragons and the other flights lived in peace and harmony and worked together to safeguard Azeroth from all forms of violence and destruction. Then they fell prey to the influence of the Old Gods, Neltharion most of all. Gone was their regard for their charges. 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. They delight in the pain and misery of others. Having been driven mad by the whispers in their heads, they seek dominion of Azeroth and considering all other flights to be hated enemies. Even members of their own flight are never to be trusted, and can nearly all be described as power hungry. Black dragons will often take humanoid form and meddle in the affairs of mortal kingdoms in hopes of bringing about their downfall. They will attempt to turn any situation or conflict they may come across to their advantage.

Black dragonkin are sometimes referred to as Obsidian or Onyx.

Scales of the black dragonflight almost always retain their heat.

Guises

The preferred humanoid forms of the black dragonflight when in disguise amongst mortals are humans with black hair and dark eyes. Though black dragons can easily take other forms, humans have been especially useful. The powerful and semi-industrial human kingdoms could more easily accomplish the goals of Deathwing and his ilk than the nomadic tauren, the magically-minded high elves, or the mountain-dwelling dwarves. Humans are also far less sensitive to the presence of dragons than other races. Night elves, for instance, can identify a dragon with relative ease.^{[citation needed]}  Known black dragons that have taken human form are listed in their dragon state and respective human names: A few known exceptions are Lady Sinestra who, when acting as an ambassador to the Dragonmaw clan, uses a blood elven guise, Blackwing Spellbinders in Blackwing Lair who also take elven form and Spritwalker Ebonhorn who takes a Highmountain tauren form.

• Deathwing as Lord Daval Prestor
• Nefarian as Lord Victor Nefarius
• Onyxia as Lady Katrana Prestor
• Sabellian as Baron Sablemane
• Darkblaze as Grand Magus Doane
• Kalaran the Deceiver as Kalaran Windblade
• Fahrad, the Grand Master Rogue

Nomenclature

Members of the black dragonflight occasionally have names ending in "ion" for males, or "ia" for females. Sometimes synonyms of the word "black", or terms relating to fire and undesirable character traits their way into their names as well.

History

This section concerns content related to the Warcraft novels, novellas, or short stories.

Black Dragon in Warcraft III

Charge of the Dragonflights

Satisfied that the small world had been ordered and that their work was done, the Titans prepared to leave Azeroth. But before they departed, they charged the greatest species of the world with the task of watching over Azeroth. In that age, there were many dragonflights. Yet there were five flights that held dominion over their brethren. It was these five flights that the Titans chose to shepherd the budding world. The greatest members of the Pantheon imbued a portion of their power upon each of the flights' leaders. Khaz'goroth, the Titan shaper and forger of the world, bestowed some of his vast power upon the mighty black wyrm, Neltharion. The great-hearted Neltharion, known afterwards as the Earth-Warder, was given dominion over the earth and the deep places of the world. He embodied the strength of the world and served as Alexstrasza's greatest supporter.

The time following this came to be known as the age of dragons, when the civilization of dragonkind was at its peak.

War of the Ancients

At some point prior to the War of the Ancients, Neltharion and his flight, unknown to the others, fell prey to the whisperings of the Old Gods. The other Aspects attributed Neltharion's oddness to his displeasure with the actions of the bold Highborne Kaldorei. The Highborne had opened a portal for the Burning Legion and the demons began to invade Azeroth. The Black Aspect suggested creating a magical artifact to aid in the destruction of the demons. The other Aspects, had nothing but the upmost respect for wise Neltharion, and they gave much of their own essence toward the creation of this object, called the Dragon Soul. Neltharion and his flight however had secretly refrained from imparting any of their own power.

When each dragon had contributed a portion of his or her essence to the artifact, Neltharion deemed it complete. The blacks 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.

The black dragonflight's actions left their former allies wounded and shocked, and the 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.

Aftermath of the Sundering

Deathwing’s betrayal was so destructive that the five dragonflights never truly recovered. If that had not been enough, the ensuing war between the dragonflights decimated the species, most of all the blacks. The black dragonflight was hunted down and nearly annihilated, all but slain because of Deathwing's mad plots. Deathwing's remaining consorts were slain, by his own recklessness, in the first few days of the war, leaving him with limited options to repopulate his flight. 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, including Deathwing, could wield it, and hid the foul disc deep beneath the earth.

Within Neltharion's Vault, Huln Highmountain used the  [Hammer of Khaz'goroth] to purify one of Deathwing's eggs, which hatched into an uncorrupted black whelp named Ebyssian.

Loreth'Aran

An Obsidian Skyterror.

One particular brood of Ysera's were closely allied with the night elves of the Azuremyst Isles, whom were ruled by Prince Toreth. Ysera kindly allowed the night elves to ride her children into battle and they were known as 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. Razormaw's hatred for the greens was so great that his restless spirit remained soaring high overhead, forever haunting the island.

Second War

During the Second War Deathwing saw his opportunity to decimate Alexstrasza and her flight. Deathwing was unable to wield the Demon Soul himself, but it could be placed in the hands of a being that would use it against his enemies. Deathwing sent visions of the artifact to the chieftain of the Dragonmaw Clan, a shaman named Zuluhed the Whacked, who claimed the disc for the Horde. The device was given to his lieutenant, the warlock Nekros Skullcrusher, whose magic the disk eagerly reciprocated, and was used to enslave Alexstrasza and most of her flight, turning them into the Horde's hounds of war.

Beyond The Dark Portal

Gruul fighting Deathwing.

During the orc's second intrusion into Azeroth, the black dragonflight briefly joined the Horde. Seeking magical artifacts, Ner'zhul had sent a party under Teron Gorefiend to Blackrock Spire to bring the Blackrock clan back into the fold and acquire their red dragons. Rend refused and Teron left defeated, but they were soon approached by Deathwing. Deathwing presented the Death Knight with an offer. He and his children would lend their aid to the Horde, in return for safe passage of his flight and eggs to Draenor. Gorefiend accepted and the black aspect summoned his flight to him. Before departing Deathwing spoke with Nefarian and Onyxia, asking them to remain on Azeroth and take command of the orcs left within the spire. The remaining members of the black dragonflight, led by Deathwing and his lieutenant Sabellian, allowed the orcs to ride upon them in order to retrieve the needed artifacts.

Once in possession of the artifacts, Ner'zhul pulled the Horde back to Draenor. The black dragons, taking special care of the eggs, crossed through the Dark Portal. Deathwing spoke with Ner'zhul, bidding his farewell and taking the Skull of Gul'dan. A few dragons stayed with the Horde at Hellfire Citadel, but the bulk of the flight settled within the valleys of Frostfire Ridge and Gorgrond, where they could tend to the delicate eggs. Their presence there was not welcome by Gruul, father of the Gronn and ruler of the Ogres. Gruul and his subjects, assisted by members of the Alliance Expedition sent to recover the skull, attacked drake and egg alike. Deathwing was outraged by the destruction of his precious eggs and fought back, only to be driven off by a strategic spell from Khadgar. Sabellian managed to escape as well. The remaining black dragons, now leaderless, quickly fell to the fury of Gruul's children, and were crushed and impaled upon the spires of Frostfire Ridge.

Not long after, Ner'zhul's portals began to tear Draenor apart, and soon the planet was going through its death throes. Deathwing quickly escaped back to Azeroth, abandoning his remaining progeny on the doomed world. Then the cataclysm came and Draenor was shattered, only what would become known as Outland remained. Many of the black dragon eggs were exposed to the twisting nether and the dragons that emerged were no longer truly members of the black flight. These ethereal dragons would come to be known as the Netherwing dragonflight.

Battle of Grim Batol

An Obsidian Pyrewing.

The blacks were nearly extinct and their master, Deathwing, was believed to have been brought down during an organized strike by the most powerful members of the Kirin Tor, his body falling into the sea. But this was nothing more than a ruse.

Secretly he had assumed the guise of Lord Daval Prestor and sought a way to rebuild his flight. He devised a plan to steal the eggs of his greatest foe, Alexstrasza, slave of the Dragonmaw. Not wanting to possibly damage the eggs by directly assaulting Grim Batol, he sought a way to bring the eggs out into the open. He fooled Nekros into believing the Alliance planned an invasion, and the warlock ordered to have Alexstrasza and her eggs moved to Dun Algaz where he believed the bulk of the Dragonmaw Clan was stationed. When Deathwing appeared Nekros sent Tyranastrasz to face him, but the old red did not last long against the dark aspect. Deathwing began stealing Alexstrasza's eggs only to be stalled by the sudden arrival of the other Aspects, who 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.

The Aspects gave chase and Deathwing was gravely wounded but not killed. The Black Aspect went into hiding in Deepholm, the realm of earth inside the elemental plane, and no creature, not even members of his flight knew his location. The black dragonflight went into a state of civil war following deathwing's disappearance, fighting over who would rule the flight. Nefarian and Onyxia managed to take control over a large portion of the flight, and the two plotted on how to scour Azeroth of the mortal races and other dragonflights.

Third War

This section concerns content related to Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos or its expansion The Frozen Throne.

Like the other dragonflights, the black dragonflight did not play any significant role in the events of the Third War. Arthas Menethil, then prince of Lordaeron, did however assist a group of dwarven dragon hunters track down and slay the black drake Searinox near Strahnbrad. Malfurion Stormrage also encountered a small group of black whelps and drakes hiding in the Barrow Deeps, and was quick to dispatch the vile spawn of Deathwing.

The Reign of Nefarian and Onyxia

Onyxia as Lady Katrana Prestor.

Nefarian as Lord Victor Nefarius.

Long ago, Onyxia drove the Stonemaul ogres from the caves in Dragonmurk, a dismal swamp located within Dustwallow Marsh. She did so in order to procure a place to raise her numerous children, who would then leave to infest the Wyrmbog. She and her children became known for terrorizing any travelers who strayed too close to her home.

After Deathwing's departure, Onyxia and her older brother Nefarian rose to lead their brethren and recoup their failing numbers. Nefarian claimed Blackrock Spire as his aerie, subverted the remaining Blackrock Orcs and ensnared the black dragons not already under his control. Onyxia became one of Nefarian's mightiest supporters. Onyxia aided Nefarian with the orchestrations of their human personas, in order to work toward replenishing the black dragonflight.

Nefarian has been experimenting with the blood of all of the various dragonflights to create a chromatic dragonflight of unstoppable warriors. In this task he has succeeded his father, and aided by his sister, he plans to use them to rally the Black Dragonflight to his command. While Nefarian remained at Blackrock Spire to create twisted abominations that would carry out his will, Onyxia preferred subtle manipulation to further their goals. For several years, Onyxia masqueraded as one of the highest nobles in Stormwind, Lady Katrana Prestor, preventing the people there from sending much-needed aid to the areas near the Burning Steppes (where her brother has great power and influence). Her final goal was to become the ruler of Stormwind, through manipulation and evil schemes. Her plot was foiled by Marshal Reginald Windsor and she was unmasked in the halls of Stormwind Keep. Having fled to her lair, the recently returned King Varian Wrynn led an army to Kalimdor to slay Onyxia and annihilate her brood.

Meanwhile, mortal heroes arose to raid Blackrock Spire and slay Nefarian.

Second Battle of Grim Batol

Sinestra

The cursed fortress had not seen the last of the black dragonflight. More than a decade after Deathwing's defeat, his prime consort Sintharia, now called Sinestra, took the mountain for herself, driving off the remnants of the red dragonflight. Sinestra, assisted by the blood elf Zendarin Windrunner and a large brood of black dragonkin led by the drakonid Rask, set up a lair to continue the experiments started by her son Nefarian to create a new powerful dragonflight. Sinestra planned to use the shards of the Demon Soul in conjuncture with Balacgos's Bane to combine the essence of the captured nether dragon Zzeraku with the stolen eggs of various flights. Korialstrasz sensed something happening deep within the mountain and returned to Grim Batol to find the black consort in the midst of creating the twilight dragonflight and newest and most powerful of which was known as Dargonax. Korialstrasz and his allies rushed to stop Sinestra while dwarven resistance fighters battled her brood managing to kill the drakonid Rask. Thanks to Zzeraku's sacrifice, and the anger felt by Dargonax towards his "mother", Sinestra and her creation were defeated. The mountain was once again abandoned, unaware to anyone that Deathwing lurked still deeper within.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

The Madness of Deathwing.

The flight is ultimately destroyed by heroes of the Alliance and Horde, through the aid of the four other dragonflights, and even with the aid of one of their own: Wrathion, the uncorrupted. Wrathion, only a simple whelp, is very powerful due to the experimentation on his egg by the red dragonflight. He has been orchestrating the assassinations of his remaining dragonkin siblings and even ordered the death of his own father, Deathwing. He has since gone into hiding and believes himself to be the last known black dragon to exist.

However, he may not be the only living as some may have gone hiding. Some time before the destruction of Theramore, Jaina commented that some black dragons still exist in Dustwallow Marsh and Grazzle the Great there owns three Onyxia's whelps. Sabellian and his group of dragons continue to live in Outland and Wrathion is unaware of them.

At some point after the Cataclysm, black drakes and whelps present in the Charred Vale in the Stonetalon Mountains surrounded Aramar Thorne and his friends. One of the drakes took hold of Makasa Flintwill until it was defeated by Llaran and Iyneath of the Sentinels.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

A black drakonid.

Remnants of the flight can still be found in Hordemar City in the Blackrock Spire. Dragonspawn Refugees are visible from the bridge where Ragewing the Untamed is battled.

A dragonman by the name of Kyrak have also joined the Iron Horde and are creating Drakonid Monstrosities for Warlord Zaela.

Legion

This section concerns content related to Legion.

Ebyssian, who has watched over the Highmountain tauren in disguise as Spiritwalker Ebonhorn since his hatching in the aftermath of the War of the Ancients, helps Huln's descendant Mayla Highmountain become High Chieftain of her people in Neltharion's Vault, revealing his own origins as part of the custom. After Dargrul is defeated in Neltharion's Lair, Ebyssian says that he has "family matters" that require his attention.

Battle for Azeroth

This section concerns content related to Battle for Azeroth.

During the events surrounding the induction of the Highmountain tauren into the Horde, Baine Bloodhoof learned of Ebonhorn's true nature, but agreed to keep it a secret.

Though the black dragonflight was supposed to be decimated, black dragons can appear on island expeditions and the pristine state of their scales indicate that they are young. Wrathion himself is searching for the Dragon Isles for some purpose. These dragons also refer to themselves as "the earth-warders" and claim the Azerite is theirs by right.

In World of Warcraft

This section concerns content related to the original World of Warcraft.

File:Blackdragonkin.JPG

Black dragonkin in the Burning Steppes

• Nefarian, in the absence of his father, rules a large portion of the black dragonflight. Black dragonkin under his command can be found as far north as the Badlands, in the Searing Gorge, throughout the Burning Steppes, and as far south as the Redridge Mountains. His forces are most heavily massed inside the upper regions of Blackrock Mountain. Using the guise of Victor Nefarius, he has taken control of Blackrock Spire and the Dark Horde barricaded inside. Deeper still inside, in Blackwing Lair, Nefarian and his brood work at creating a Chromatic dragonflight with the powers of all the flights. They have kidnapped whelps of other flights, such as the blue whelps of Mazthoril, to be used in their experiments.

• Onyxia's brood persists in Dustwallow Marsh, found heavily through The Dragonmurk and the Wyrmbog, the later including the former home of the Stonemaul clan of ogres. One ogre Brogg is determined to retake his clans village. The brood also has drakes present at Alcaz Island, where King Varian Wrynn was once held hostage.

Removed

The subject of this section has been removed from World of Warcraft.

• The broodmother Onyxia had disguised herself as a noble of Stormwind (much like her father once did within Lordaeron), influencing the child king Anduin Wrynn, and interfering with the armies of Stormwind from being used for their intended purposes, including protecting the Alliance lands from the orcish armies of her brother Nefarian. Her true identity was discovered by Marshal Reginald Windsor, who remained a prisoner of the Dark Iron dwarves in Blackrock Depths.

The Burning Crusade

This section concerns content related to The Burning Crusade.

Dragons' End

• A number of black dragons abandonded on Outland still reside in the Blade's Edge Mountains. Many of the dragons met their end at the hands of Gruul the Dragonkiller and his sons, and can be seen impaled on the rocky spires at Dragons' End. The black dragon Sabellian seeks revenge for the death of his children. The blacks here are revered by a mortal organization known as the Wyrmcult. They are led by the Drakonid Maxnar the Ashmaw, operating from Blackwing Coven in Raven's Wood.

• Overlord Mor'ghor, servant of Illidan Stormrage on Netherwing Ledge, has recently been approached by an emissary from the black flight, Lady Sinestra. Sinestra claims their master (Deathwing) is alive and well and is interested in recovering the Nether Dragons Mor'ghor has been grooming for Illidan, as they are the black aspect's progeny. Mor'ghor, once an unwitting servant of Deathwing, quickly agrees.

Wrath of the Lich King

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

• The black dragon ambassador Nalice, can be found at Wyrmrest Temple in the Dragonblight as a member of the Wyrmrest Accord, an alliance of the remaining dragonflights, defending the temple from the blue dragonflight's siege. In addition the Scourge has laid siege to the surrounding dragonshrines in an effort to raise new variations of undead dragons. Nalice sends adventurers to Serinar at the Obsidian Dragonshrine to fight off the forces of the Lich King.

• Deathwing, continuing his consort's experiments, entrusted a batch of twilight eggs to the black dragon Sartharion to be guarded in the Obsidian Sanctum beneath Wyrmrest Temple. The Sanctum Guardian is aided by three powerful twilight drakes: Shadron, Tenebron and Vesperon.

• Following the sacking of the Obsidian Sanctum, a powerful war party of the black dragonflight, led by the fearsome Twilight dragon, Halion, have launched an assault upon the Ruby Sanctum. By destroying the sanctum, the Black Dragonflight look to crush those that would stand in the way of their master’s reemergence into Azeroth and to ultimately shatter the Wyrmrest Accord.

Cataclysm

This section concerns content related to Cataclysm.

• Deathwing has returned, and left the world shattered in his wake. The Aspect of Death can be seen periodically invading the various regions of Azeroth, raining fire upon the earth and killing any who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in his path.

• Seeking to route out the last remaining blues, black drakes have traveled to Sable Ridge in Azshara in search of the elusive Azuregos. They are led by the drake Malicion.

• Darkblaze, brood of the world breaker, has used the human guise Grand Magus Doane to take control of the Blackrock clan of the Redridge Mountains. He hopes to march upon Lakeshire and ultimately Stormwind.

• Deathwing's upheaval has caused volcanic activity at what was once the Charred Vale in the Stonetalon Mountains, where the broodmother Seldarria and her clutch of eggs can be found.

• In eastern Wetlands, numerous black whelps can be found at the remains of the orcish caravan. Led by the drake Pyrricion, and assisted by numerous dragonspawn, they fight off the remaining dragonmaw orcs who seek to capture and tame them.

• Black dragonkin can be found throughout the Badlands. Drakes and whelps populate Lethlor Ravine, protecting precious eggs. Nyxondra, a broodmother, has been captured by the red dragon Rheastrasza, who hopes to use her to produce a purified black dragon egg. In search of the egg Kalaran the Annihilator makes an appearance, followed by an army of dragonspawn that have taken over New Kargath, and finally Deathwing himself.

• The black dragonflight continues to work alongside the Dark Horde in the Burning Steppes. In the west at the Whelping Downs, orcs and black whelps guard captured whelps of other flights before they are taken inside the Spire. In the east an army of black dragonspawn led by the drake Minyoth and the Drakonid Tugnar Goremaw, has settled around the base of Dreadmaul Rock. The Alliance veteran John J. Keeshan and the reformed blackrock orc Ariok seek to destroy the army before the Dark Horde can invade Redridge.

• Deathwing in his crusade to wipe out all life on Azeroth, seeks to activate the reorigination mechanism found in Uldum, which requires a powerful artifact known as the Coffer of Promise. He has enlisted Commander Schnottz's expedition to find the coffer and sends black dragon emissaries, including the formidable Myzerian, to ensure the artifact becomes his.

• Full-out warfare has erupted in the Twilight Highlands between the black dragonflight and the meddlesome red dragonflight. Black dragonkin can be found roosting at the Obsidian Forest, constantly under attack by the red flight, and black drakes can be found spread throughout the southern regions of the Highlands. The broodmother Obsidia has relocated her lair nearby and is also targeted by the reds. Even the mighty Aspects themselves, Deathwing and Alexstrasza, become engaged in the battle over Grim Batol.

• Nefarian and his attempts to create a new breed of dragon were thought defeated following his death. But his father, Deathwing, has reanimated Nefarian and set him to work deeper still inside the mountain in Blackwing Descent. His experiments now continue and even surpass his previous creations in wickedness and power, with one in particular being near and dear to his heart.

• Following the defeat of Ragnaros at mortal hands, Deathwing and his black and twilight dragons, aided by his Old God benefactors, have laid siege to Wyrmrest Temple. The remaining Aspects and the world shaman Thrall have agreed upon a course of action and fought to bring the Dragon Soul to bear against the Destroyer and bring about his final end.

• With the black dragonflight approaching its end, Wrathion, uncorrupted prince of the flight, wishes to kill off the last remaining survivors and bringing about his fathers death. The young dragon seeks adventurers capable of aiding him in these specific tasks that he would repay in turn.

Warlords of Draenor

This section concerns content related to Warlords of Draenor.

It is revealed that a few abandoned black dragon eggs are found within the Upper Blackrock Spire. Kyrak, now serving the Iron Horde, was tasked to preserve and fortify them.

Notable members

Name	Type	Role	Status	Location
Deathwing	Aspect	Aspect of the black dragonflight, Aspect of Death, former Earth-Warder, creator of the Demon Soul and instigator of the Cataclysm	Deceased-Killable	Various Locations
Sintharia	Dragon	Prime consort of Deathwing, matriarch of the black flight and creator of the twilight dragonflight	Alive-Killable	Twilight Caverns, Bastion of Twilight
Nefarian	Dragon	Son of Deathwing and Sintharia, Lord of Blackrock Spire, creator of the chromatic dragonflight	Deceased-Killable	Various Locations
Onyxia	Dragon	Daughter of Deathwing and Sintharia, temporary broodmother of the flight, manipulated the Stormwind court as Katrana Prestor	Deceased-Killable	Onyxia's Lair; Vault of the Shadowflame, Blackwing Descent
Wrathion	Drake	The Black Prince, son of Nyxondra and grandson of Deathwing, claims to be the last uncorrupted black dragon on Azeroth	Alive	Various Locations
Sabellian	Dragon	Son and former lieutenant of Deathwing, leader of Outland's black dragons, nemesis of the gronn	Alive	Circle of Blood, Blade's Edge Mountains
Nyxondra	Dragon	Daughter of Deathwing, forced by Rheastrasza to lay eggs for experimentation, mother of Wrathion	Killable	Ruins of Kargath, Badlands
Ebyssian	Dragon	Uncorrupted black dragon rescued as an egg from Neltharion's Lair by Huln Highmountain	Alive	Various Locations
Atramedes	Dragon	Dragon blinded as a whelp by Maloriak	Killable	Athenaeum, Blackwing Descent
Baltharus the Warborn	Drakonid	Participant of the assault on the Ruby Sanctum	Killable	Ruby Sanctum
Creed	Drakonid	Warlord of the Blackhowl under the guise of a Gilnean noble	Deceased-Killable	Gilneas City, Ruins of Gilneas
Cyrus Therepentous	Dragonspawn	Dragonspawn who tasked adventurers with the retrieval of Bael'Gar's heart	Unknown	Unknown
Darkblaze	Dragon	Leader of the Dark Horde forces in Redridge under the guise of Grand Magus Doane	Killable	Stonewatch Keep, Redridge Mountains
General Drakkisath	Dragonspawn	Leader of Nefarian's dragonspawn armies	Deceased	Formerly Spire Throne, Upper Blackrock Spire
Emberstrife	Drake	Gatekeeper of Nefarian, overseer of dragonspawn seeking to become members of Onyxia's elite guard	Killable	Emberstrife's Den, Dustwallow Marsh
Fahrad	Dragon	Disguised as Grand Master Rogue of Ravenholdt, last corrupted member of the flight to be killed by Wrathion	Deceased	Ravenholdt Manor, Hillsbrad Foothills
General Jirakka	Dragonspawn	Leader of the assault on New Kargath	Killable	New Kargath, Badlands
Kalaran	Drake	Manipulated adventurers into thwarting the Dark Iron clan's efforts under the guise of Kalaran Windblade	Killable	Dustbowl, Badlands
Karsh Steelbender	Drakonid	Armorer of the Twilight's Hammer	Killable	Twilight Forge, Blackrock Caverns
Kyrak	Dragonman	One of the last survivors of Nefarian's experiments, allied with the Iron Horde	Killable	Rookery, Upper Blackrock Spire
Broodlord Lashlayer	Drakonid	Guardian of Nefarian's inner sanctum in Blackwing Lair	Killable	Halls of Strife, Blackwing Lair
Malicion	Drake	Leader of black dragonflight forces at Sable Ridge	Killable	Sable Ridge, Azshara
Maloriak	Dragonman	Powerful alchemist and servant of Nefarian	Killable	Fleshrender's Workshop, Blackwing Descent
Maxnar the Ashmaw	Drakonid	Patriarch of the Wyrmcult	Killable	Blackwing Coven, Blade's Edge Mountains
Moldarr	Dragonspawn	Champion of General Jirakka	Killable	New Kargath, Badlands
Myzerian	Dragon	Emissary of Deathwing, overseer of Commander Schnottz's operation in Uldum	Killable	Obelisk of the Moon, Uldum
Nalice	Dragon	Leader of the Blackwyrm Cult, former ambassador of the black flight at Wyrmrest Temple	Deceased-Killable	Various Locations
Obsidia	Dragon	One of the last breeding black dragons	Killable	Obsidian Lair, Twilight Highlands
Rask	Drakonid	Loyal servant of Sintharia, killed by Rom	Deceased	Unknown
Razorgore the Untamed	Dragonspawn	Guardian of the eggs of Blackwing Lair	Killable	Dragonmaw Garrison, Blackwing Lair
Razormaw	Dragon	Lieutenant of Deathwing, leader of the attack on the Dragon Riders of Loreth'Aran during the War of the Ancients	Killable	Wyrmscar Island, Bloodmyst Isle
Saviana Ragefire	Drake	Participant of the assault on the Ruby Sanctum	Killable	Ruby Sanctum
Sartharion	Dragon	The Onyx Guardian, guardian of the twilight eggs in the Obsidian Sanctum	Killable	Obsidian Sanctum
Seldarria	Dragon	Broodmother of the Stonetalon Mountains	Killable	Charred Vale, Stonetalon Mountains
Searinox	Dragon	Rogue dragon slain by Arthas Menethil at behest of Feranor Steeltoe	Deceased	Unknown
Serinar	Dragon	In charge of clearing out the undead from the Obsidian Dragonshrine	Unknown	Maw of Neltharion, Dragonblight
Torth	Drake	Mount of Narkrall Rakeclaw	Deceased	Bloodgulch and Gullet, Twilight Highlands
Lord Valthalak	Drakonid	Drakonid lord killed by the Veiled Blade	Deceased	Formerly Upper Blackrock Spire
Overlord Wyrmthalak	Dragonspawn	Overseer of the forces in Lower Blackrock Spire, lieutenant of Drakkisath	Killable	Chamber of Battle, Lower Blackrock Spire
General Zarithrian	Dragonspawn	Participant of the assault on the Ruby Sanctum	Killable	Ruby Sanctum

In the RPG

This section contains information from the Warcraft RPG which is considered non-canon.

Culture

Black dragons were once earth-warders, caring for stone and mountain using their formidable abilities to cause the rise and fall of terrain. They were to watch as the world of Azeroth changed and to maintain the boundaries and lines of delineation between the races so that none would fall to war over land. They maintained this purpose for a time, living in relative harmony with the other races and shaping the land to better use. In those peaceful times, their leader was known as Neltharion, and his wisdom and power were renowned.

Then came the madness that destroyed Neltharion's mind. As the black dragonflight followed their leader into madness, so did their powers. He lowered mountains and destroyed land so that races would mingle and fight over territory. They traded their gifts over earth for the powers of fire and magma. Destruction was their art and death was their goal. All the other dragons of Azeroth have fought against Deathwing's flight at every opportunity.

In modern times black dragons are some of the most evil, sadistic creatures known on the face of Azeroth. Black dragons are vicious, selfish beings, not caring even for the lives of their flightmates and children, often killing other blacks to rise in prominence among the flight. Before Deathwing's disappearance the black dragons sought to emulate their dark master. A wyrm's goal in life was to become the foul black aspect's right hand or even replace him entirely, caring little for any other blacks that got in the way of this goal. Nowadays the black dragonflight is in civil war. With their leader, missing from the black flight, each individual desires to become the new leader of their dark kind. Most black dragons follow the instructions of another only if they expect a benefit or they're confident that the other dragon could eat them.

Black dragons spend their time hunting, as well as watching the various wars around the world, and can often be found torturing prisoners, animals, or anything else unfortunate enough to fall into their care. The Aspect of the black flight, Deathwing, is one of the fiercest and most evil creatures in existence. In his lifetime, he has destroyed many ancient cities. Deathwing often makes deals with the intelligent races, trading members of his dragonflight for slaves and humanoid torture subjects.

History

Prior to the War of the Ancients the black dragons were numerous and co-existed peacefully with the other dragonflights, working together to safeguard their world. But this age would not last forever.

After having wiped out nearly every member of the flight, the black dragons were not ready to leave the last few blues in peace. The survivors of the blue dragonflight fled to Northrend, then Deathwing attacked the blue dragons, slaughtering them by the dozens. The survivors fought back but were no match for Deathwing's ferocity. In the process their homes were destroyed and the land so damaged it could never recover. That area became the Dragonblight. Over what is now Crystalsong Forest another battle between the blacks and blues was waged, and many blue dragons died. Their magic released into the air and settled as glittering light on the ground and the rocks and the trees. Finally an elder blue dragon, beset by many blacks, unleashed a powerful spell to strip the life from his attackers and turn them to stone. The loose magic altered and amplified the spell, spreading it across the entire region and changing soil and stone and wood and flesh into living crystal.

In the early years following the sundering, is said that Deathwing's black flight attempted to subjugate the bronze dragons. The assault was unsuccessful, primarily because the bronze dragons did not stay and fight as expected. His command of time offering insight into the blacks' plans, Nozdormu alerted his flight of the danger. The bronze dragonflight scattered to the four corners of the globe, where they continued to monitor events.

Trivia

• One of the realms in World of Warcraft is named after the black dragonflight. Server:Black Dragonflight
  • See: Realm Names and their place in Warcraft Lore

Speculation

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.

• Sabellian may still be alive in Outland since he may have not been noticed by Wrathion.
• The fate of the black dragon mounts of the Dragonmaw clan is unknown. However, the proto-dragons being used by the Dragonmaw clan in the Siege of Orgrimmar raid may prove that their black dragons are dead as well, and they have decided to use proto-dragons instead.
• Since Deathwing never put his power inside the Dragon Soul unlike the other four Aspects, then the black flight should in theory still be able to breed even after the others became sterile following Cataclysm.^{[citation needed]} 

External links

• Wowhead
• WoWDB