Galakrond

Galakrond was a massive proto-dragon,Warcraft: Legends Volume 3, pg. 19 who is known as the "progenitor of dragonkind".Exploring Azeroth: Northrend, pg. 82 He was a threat which five proto-dragons of varying colors united against.Dawn of the Aspects description It is said that from him the titans created the Aspects, but this is a rumor the Aspects actively encouraged so as to keep the truth about Galakrond a secret from the dragonflights so that no one would follow his path.Dawn of the Aspects, part V
His size alone was greater than all of the Aspects combined,Audience With The Dragon Queen large enough that the only possible being Galakrond could be compared to was himself. His roar could be heard from miles around, and the flap of his wings generated powerful wind. As he continued to consume the life-energies of his fellow proto-dragons, Galakrond grew hideous mutations all over his body (such as limbs and even eyes) and his skin started to decay, almost as if he had become an undead like his victims.Dawn of the Aspects, part IV, pg. 123 Galakrond was not always this large and he used to have a smoother, more streamlined appearance.Dawn of the Aspects, part II, chapter 2 His mutations were caused by cannibalizing on other proto-dragons, and as a by-product of his absorption of the proto-dragons' life essence, his vomited-up victims came back as undead, called the not-living.
==History==
===Dawn of the Aspects===
Galakrond who once hunted with his fellow proto-dragons and was seen as benevolent suddenly changed and became terror that caused the other proto-dragons in prehistoric Azeroth to fear him. While the proto-dragons did not know what caused the change in Galakrond, Keeper Tyr at least blames himself for Galakrond's actions and mutations, saying "We never intended this path. Galakrond should never have journeyed in the direction he did, and we did not prevent it."Dawn of the Aspects: Part III, pg. 106 - 107 Galakrond's mutations were caused by Yogg-Saron corrupting the waters which Galakrond drank from.Progress Report: Uldorus
On a day when dozens gathered to hunt, Galakrond appeared and took their prey, terrifying them all. The blue-white proto-dragon Malygos was curious as to why Galakrond would hunt in that area when he never had before, to which his new friend Neltharion responded that there was more food. Malygos, however, was quick to point out that the food was their food. In addition, Galakrond began to devour dozens of other proto-dragons, which was unthinkable to the others as they didn't practice cannibalism. However, the horror did not end there as it was revealed that those cannibalized by Galakrond rose as undead, called the Not-living, enslaved to his will.
At Galakrond's command, the not-living hunted their living counterparts and infected those they bit. The proto-dragon Coros sought to emulate Galakrond believing that Galakrond would not devour those like him. To this end Coros would meet with Galakrond in secret and inform him of the time and place that Talonixa, the chosen alpha of the living proto-dragons, decided that the proto-dragon army would venture forth and attack Galakrond. Seemingly pleased with this information and the thought of the feast that he would have Galakrond flew off, seemingly sparing Coros and his fellow cohorts. However, as Coros and his band took off to the sky Galakrond returned and quickly devoured them all.
Despite Talonixa learning of Coros's betrayal and striking at a different place and time, Galakrond was able to use not-living forces to lure the proto-dragon to him. Galakrond erupted from the ground when the army was in position and swiftly shattered it. After killing Talonixa, Galakrond was unable to devour the fast of the army due to the actions of Malygos, Nozdormu, and Neltharion. As Malygos broke off to find Ysera and Alexstrasza, Galakrond ended up engaging in battle against the future aspects only to be driven off by Tyr after being stunned by his hammer.
An unknown time later, Tyr met with the five proto-dragons, informing them that Galakrond was sleeping in a mountain range to the north and that it was the perfect time to attack. After eating and gathering their strength Tyr and the others met up near Galakrond's slumbering place and would engage the behemoth in battle. During the course of the battle, Tyr's hammer and his Spark of Tyr were knocked free from his person and as he reached out to grab the Spark, Galakrond's massive maw came within range and ended up claiming both the artifact and Tyr's hand. Pleased by his victory and being further mutated, Galakrond did not even notice when his enemies had left the battle.
After regaining his senses Galakrond found himself unable to find prey as the living had become adept at hiding. With his hunger ever-growing Galakrond, in a move that stunned and surprised the future aspects, began to devour his own not-living as they were the only thing that would not hide from him. Despite his hunger, Galakrond was able to show restraint by keeping enough not-living to serve as a scouting force to hunt down his preferred prey: the living proto-dragons.
With Tyr out of commission from his wound, the proto-dragons had to battle Galakrond alone. Galakrond and his remaining not-living forces would eventually be attacked by the future Aspects, in what would become known as the Dragonblight. During the battle, Malygos would be able to lodge a boulder into Galakrond's throat; an action which not only saw Galakrond to focus his attention on dislodging it, instead of combating the others, but also forced him to release his hold on the remaining not-living who then began to attack one another. Despite his best efforts, the actions of Malygos's ice breaths would force the boulder to remain in the place and the boulder would ultimately be lodged further down his throat when Neltharion blasted a not-living into it, causing Galakrond to ultimately choke to death.
Wanting to keep the truth about Galakrond a secret in order to prevent others from following in his path, the aspects encouraged the rumor that the titans created them from Galakrond.Dawn of the Aspects
After Galakrond's death, a fragment of his claw and of the boulder that killed him were recovered and placed in Nal ks'kol in Zaralek Cavern by the black dragonflight.Informational Plaque
===Present day===
More than 20,000 years later, a taunka named Buniq was trying to prove herself worthy to her mate Akiak. Akiak along with Trag Highmountain found her corpse near the remains of Galakrond in Dragonblight. A bone fragment from his corpse was retrieved by Trag. He could see its potential and took it with him.
Some time afterwards, the Lich King put Grand Necrolord Antiok in charge of an effort to raise Galakrond into undeath. These plans were thwarted by adventurers who slew Antiok and ended his rituals.Galakrond and the Scourge
When Deathwing attacked Wyrmrest Temple for the second time, Galakrond's boneyard was used by the Twilight's Hammer as an assault point against Thrall and his companions.
Following a meeting between the former aspects, Kalecgos discovered the Spark of Tyr--and later Tyr's hand--within Galakrond's skeleton. The artifact showed Kalecgos visions of the distant past, which caused him to learn the truth about Galakrond. As Kalec was rocked by these visions Jaina Proudmoore traveled to Galakrond's skeleton looking for a way to aid her love. Both Kalec and Jaina encounter the ghost of the taunka Buniq in their exploration's of Galakrond's skeleton (Jaina theorized her to be Tyr in disguise). After using the artifact to remind the other former aspects of their duties, Kalec thought he saw Tyr standing at Galakrond's Rest.
Galakrond's bloodline continued into the present day, and his direct descendant Galakras was ridden by Warlord Zaela during the Siege of Orgrimmar.
Deep within Uldaman, a fresque depicting Galakrond's fall against the future Aspects can be found.
Galakrond's corpse appears in the dungeon Dawn of the Infinite as adventurers travel back in time to shortly after his defeat. Iridikron managed to take some of Galakrond's essence.
==Quotes==
===Dawn of the Aspects: Part III===
*"Where will they gather?"
*"Great I am. You would be great too."
*"There can be only one me...."
==In Hearthstone==
Galakrond is the central antagonist of the Descent of Dragons expansion for Hearthstone, playing a similar role to C'Thun from Whispers of the Old Gods. Galakrond appears as five different hero cards for each class representing the League of E.V.I.L., and a new mechanic, , directly upgrades him into a more powerful form. The hero cards representing him are as follows:
* , raised by and infused with venom. This card's flavor text reads: The enormous creature unfurled terrifying claws dripping with poisonous ichor. King Togwaggle was pleased, but inwardly disappointed the great Nightmare refused to wear the candle.
* , raised by with the power of the elements. Flavor text: Hagatha cried out over the winds: "Truly, you are as powerful as the Maelstrom!" To which the Tempest answered: "I AM THE MAELSTROM."
* , raised by and upgraded with advanced armor. Flavor text: The ground quaked beneath the behemoth as Dr. Boom continued: "…with over 400 TONS of solid Storm Silver plate." Then he beeped a small remote. "And luxury spikes!"
* , raised by and corrupted by the Old Gods. Flavor text: Lazul called Galakrond's name, her voice echoed by whispers from the deep. Both of Galakrond's eyes opened... and then other eyes opened, as well.
* , raised by using fel magic. Flavor text: Fel-flames slowly writhed around the skeleton, until the great bones knit themselves together into a demonic monstrosity. Rafaam shielded his face from the heat but could not hide his grin.
When upgraded for the first time Galakrond becomes "" and when he's upgraded for the second time he becomes "".
Galakrond, the Nightmare.jpg|Galakrond, the Nightmare
Galakrond, the Apocalypse (Rogue).jpg|Galakrond, the Apocalypse rogue version
Galakrond, Azeroth's End (Rogue).jpg|Galakrond, Azeroth's End rogue version
Galakrond, the Tempest.jpg|Galakrond, the Tempest
Galakrond, the Apocalypse (Shaman).jpg|Galakrond, the Apocalypse shaman version
Galakrond, Azeroth's End (Shaman).jpg|Galakrond, Azeroth's End shaman version
Galakrond, the Unbreakable.jpg|Galakrond, the Unbreakable
Galakrond, the Apocalypse (Warrior).jpg|Galakrond, the Apocalypse warrior version
Galakrond, Azeroth's End (Warrior).jpg|Galakrond, Azeroth's End warrior version
Galakrond, the Unspeakable.jpg|Galakrond, the Unspeakable
Galakrond, the Apocalypse (Priest).jpg|Galakrond, the Apocalypse priest version
Galakrond, Azeroth's End (Priest).jpg|Galakrond, Azeroth's End priest version
Galakrond, the Wretched.jpg|Galakrond, the Wretched
Galakrond, the Apocalypse (Warlock).jpg|Galakrond, the Apocalypse warlock version
Galakrond, Azeroth's End (Warlock).jpg|Galakrond, Azeroth's End warlock version
A "Devastation" is unleashed when playing when the hero already is Galakrond, the four devastations show Galakrond and his abilities:
Annihilation HS.jpg|
Decimation HS.jpg|
Domination HS.jpg|
Reanimation HS.jpg|, showing undead proto-dragons reanimated by Galakrond
Reanimated Dragon HS.jpg|, an undead proto-dragon reanimated by Galakrond
Galakrond is in the art of some class-specific cards in the Descent of Dragons set and adventure as well as an alternate skin in Battlegrounds:
Awaken! HS.jpg|
Invocation of Frost HS.jpg|
Dragon's Pack HS.jpg| in the background
Summon Galakrond HS.jpg|
Rafaam & Galakrond.jpg|
Unleash Galakrond HS.jpg|
Deep Sea Galakrond HS.jpg| in Battlegrounds
==Speculation==
===Magic===
When Galakrond started destroying the life essence of proto-dragons by consuming them, he underwent mutations. Eventually, he started to breathe a sickly green mist that Malygos described as "slow death" and reminded him "much too much of that 'breathed' by the not-living."Dawn of the Aspects, part IV, pg. 46Dawn of the Aspects, part IV, pg. 16 Those exposed to this mist became either lethargic as if their lives were slowly seeping out afterwards,Dawn of the Aspects, part IV, pg. 47 or violent.Dawn of the Aspects, part IV, pg. 48 
*This shares characteristics with fel magic, which is created by destroying life energy andSean Copeland on Twitter (2013-11-25) manifests as entropic green, causing demonic mutations in those exposed to it, and sometimes makes people more violent or lethargic.Lethargy of the Orcs Richard A. Knaak stated that he likes the theory of Galakrond being affected by fel and that it works with what he knows of fel, but that Blizzard instructed him to keep the "green stuff" mysterious.Richard A. Knaak on Twitter (2014-10-09): "Listen, I like the logic and it works with what I know of Fel, but I can only tell you that Blizzard kept it mysterious. :)" However, when Micky Neilson was asked if Galakrond was affected by fel energy, he stated that he believes it was just disease.Neilson on Twitter (2015-04-13): "I believe it was just disease."
*It may have been a form of death magic, given how it gave rise to the not-living and how Galakrond's skin started to decay. Death magic sometimes appears as green, such as the Unholy specialization for death knights.
*It may have been Decay, which would explain his rotting flesh and match the sickly green color of Decay as seen in Dragonflight.
This ambiguity may be related to his multiple Hearthstone forms above.
==See also==
*Galakrond Control Band
*The Age of Galakrond
==References==
Category:Skeletons
Category:Proto-dragons
Category:Cannibals
Category:Deceased characters
Category:Legends characters
Category:Dawn of the Aspects characters
Category:Mount Journal characters
Category:Lore characters
Category:Hearthstone legendary cards
Category:Legacies characters
es:Galakrond