Dragonspawn

The dragonspawn are dragonkin that form the ranks of the ground army within each of the five great dragonflights,The World of Warcraft Bestiary as well as within the dragonflights at the service of the Old Gods.
When dragons left the Dragon Isles after the Sundering, dragonspawn were among those left to care over the isles.https://www.well-played.com.au/dragon-racing-dragon-snoots-and-dragon-sheep-talking-draconic-with-the-wow-expansion-devs/
==Background==
The dragonspawn are semi-humanoid dragon-like creatures. They're somewhat similar in concept to a centaur — from the waist up they are humanoid lizards and from the waist down they have the body of a dragon. They walk on their four dragon legs and use their arms to carry their weapons. They usually wear armor. The largest, most powerful dragonspawn (such as General Drakkisath) have wings as well, though most do not. They do not seem to be able to fly, though.
Like the similar drakonid, dragonspawn were originally mortals that were transformed by the dragons they served (via intentional alteration or via “unintended side effect of hanging out with dragons”)."Archive lore tweets from loreology The process does not have to be willing.World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume I Issue II, pg. 22 While the species originated as transformed mortals, they can lay eggs and it is possible to be born as a dragonspawn.Unscathed Egg
After finishing their training, young dragonspawn are given a Calling which will determine the job they are to do for the dragons. The ceremony to get their Calling is called the Lifecalling Ceremony. A Calling can change throughout a dragonspawn's life.A Ruby Lifecalling
Heeding the call of their goddess, Ysera, the green dragonspawn stand to protect Azeroth from the waking evil within the Sunken Temple. Among the murk-ridden marshes of the Swamp of Sorrows, the green dragonspawn patrol at the behest of their dreaming mistress; Ysera has warned of a lurking terror within the temple, and her loyal servants are determined to protect the land from the emerging doom.
Dragonspawn of the red dragonflight tell legends of the Great Dragon Spirit, a red dragon who is said to have, as she died, sang a song so beautiful that it caused flowers to bloom around her body. It is said that if a red dragonkin proves their devotion to life, her spirit will rise to sing the song once more.Garden Party
During the war against the Primalists, dragons returned to the Dragon Isles and many dragonspawn rejoiced in their return, joining them in the Valdrakken Accord. However, a number of dragonspawn was discontent with them and the Dragon Aspects and instead joined the Flightless in an open rebellion against Valdrakken, or the Sundered Flame, seeking artifacts and power, as well as the Primalists. Alexstrasza worked with the Scalesworn and the adventurers to stop the rebellion in Thaldraszus. On other fronts, numbers of the Sundered Flame and the Primalists were defeated.
==Flights==
Dragonspawn can be found as members of all five major dragonflights, though they are also a common sight in the various derivatives of these flights as well. A number of them have also joined with the Primalists; seeking to remove the rule of the Aspects from their people.
;Main
* Black dragonflight
* Blue dragonflight
* Bronze dragonflight
* Green dragonflight
* Red dragonflight
;Derived
* Chromatic dragonflight
* Infinite dragonflight
* Twilight dragonflight
==Notable==
Name 	Role 	Flight 	Status
 	Leader of the red dragonspawn forces at Vermillion Redoubt, in the Twilight Highlands. 	Red 	
 	Leader of the dragonspawn armies of Nefarian in Blackrock Mountain. Killed by the adventurers.	Black 	
Elion 	The last eggtender of the black dragonflight at the Ruby Lifeshrine, in the Waking Shores. 	Black 	
Gemisath	Emerald emissary to the Maruuk Centaur in the Ohn'ahran Plains. Killed by Balakar Khan. 	Green 	
Goramosh	Negotiator sent by Malygos to create an alliance with the Ethereum during the Nexus War. 	Blue 	
Therazal	Emissary of the Dragon Isles to the adventurers in Valdrakken. 	Bronze 	
 	Leader of the Twilight's Hammer cultists and twilight dragonspawn in Grim Batol. 	Twilight	
==In Warcraft III==
* Blue Dragonspawn Meddler
* Blue Dragonspawn Apprentice
* Blue Dragonspawn Warrior
* Blue Dragonspawn Sorcerer
* Blue Dragonspawn Overseer
* Blue Dragonspawn Lord (campaign only)
==In the RPG==
===Description===
Dragonspawn are monstrous beings trained to serve under the five dragonflights of the world, and some say they evolved from humans who dedicated their lives to servitude under the great dragons.Monster Guide, pg. 48
The dragonflights of Azeroth are not without retainers and assistants. Noble humanoids serve the dragons with absolute loyalty, acting as footmen, soldiers, assistants, and companions. They are endowed with many of the dragon's mystic abilities and virtuous qualities.
Exactly how they came into being is a guarded secret of the flights. Though they have dragon-like qualities, these creatures are not descended from dragons. Instead, they are distant kinfolk, descended from humanoids who spent their lives so close to the dragons that they took on the qualities of their masters after generations of service. They are gifted with unique advantages of their dragon blood and heritage, including immunity to their dragonflight's breath weapon. They have the same alignment and goals as their patron dragonflight. The lower bodies of dragonspawn are much like dragons, a scaled hide with four legs and a tail. They have humanoid torsos with long, thick arms, and scaled, draconic heads. Their hides and draconic features are the color of their patron flight. They can be of either gender and serve their dragonflight with the utmost dedication. Dragonspawn have similar physiques regardless of the flight they belong to, but each individual squadron is armed in the color of its dragonflight. Furthermore, dragonspawn often bear a mark upon their breastplates or shields that reflect their individual mentor or patron, giving honor to the dragon who trained them. Armor always reflects the scale coloring of the patron dragonflight (black, blue, bronze, green, or red). On Azeroth, draconic influence does not increase the potential to be a sorcerer. As such, those few wyrmkin who do develop magic abilities are prized as rare "throwbacks" to their ancestral human ties.Manual of Monsters, pg. 39
thumb|left|upright=.5|Blue dragonspawn and a dragon in Lands of Mystery.
Dragonspawn have the lower body of a reptile, with four legs and a tail. Their torso and arms are humanoid, while their head is that of a dragon. Black dragonspawn have a scaled hide of lustrous ebony and eyes that are deep red. A black scalebane wears massive scale mail etched with draconic motifs, and a helm and shield with a crested black dragon design. A bejeweled greatsword hangs in a sheath across their back along with a lacquered composite longbow.Manual of Monsters, pg. 42 Bronze dragonspawn have a hide of shimmering bronze with rich copper markings. A bronze flametongue wears fine bronze-plated scale mail and a broad shield engraved with draconic designs, with a well-crafted longsword at his side and a spear in one hand.Manual of Monsters, pg. 41 A red wyrmkin has a scaled hide of deep red and bright crimson. He wears scale mail that is of superior quality, a dark copper in tone and etched with draconic sigils. His golden eyes gleam with zealous fervor as he hefts an exotic longsword in one hand and a broad shield in the other.Manual of Monsters, pg. 40
===Culture===
Dragonspawn society is limited in scope and is comprised of flametongues, scalebanes, and wyrm kin. Trained as a slave race, they worship dragons and are willing to die without question in their mentor's name. They prize loyalty and honor as well as strength at arms, and their societies are little more than military units and segregation. Dragonspawn are most often seen near or around the holdings or lairs of the dragonflights they serve. They travel in small to large organized squads, marching in formations.Manual of Monsters, pg. 39 - 40
By virtue of their unique lineage, dragonspawn are immune to the breath of their own flight. For example, red wyrmkin are immune to the fiery breath of a red dragon. Dragonspawn are likewise generally immune to the frightful presence of any dragon of their flight. Black and red both share the fire subtype. Chromatic dragonspawn technically have both the cold and fire subtypes, which effectively negate one another, limiting their resistance to acid, cold and fire.
===Military tactics===
Each dragonspawn host has a unique way of waging war, with few similarities among them. One of the few unifying tactics is an en-masse assault that involves hindering enemy movements with great numbers of wyrmkin infantry. As the dragonspawn occupy enemy forces, a dragon invariably bathes the writhing melee with its breath weapon. Dragonspawn are immune to the breath weapons of their hosts, so these attacks leave devastating gaps in enemy defenses. With this tactic, the dragonspawn systematically wade through the remnants of now charred or slowly dissolving enemy formations.
In close combat, the tactics of a force of dragonspawn vary from host to host. Black dragonspawn are brutal and relentless, often able to rage and sunder the enemy’s defenses with their brute strength and vicious claws and teeth — augmented by draconic magic or magical equipment.
Red and green dragonspawn rely on strategy, planning and sheer strength. Their ability to intimidate the enemy through size and numbers serves them well; few can withstand the sight of a tactically sound dragonspawn charge.
Bronze and blue dragonspawn are the most likely to use offensive magic in combat. They rely on spellcasters and magi like other armies might rely on archers. With waves of arcane bolts and fire falling from the sky, an opposing force often finds itself the victim of arcane assault long before it will ever engage a dragonspawn in close combat. When a dragonspawn finally moves in for the kill it is armed with alchemical flasks, weapons, and magically enhanced armaments, and heavy armor covers it from head to toe.
Dragonspawn rely on castes to regiment their armies. Wyrmkin serve as solid ground troops. These warriors train long and hard and serve as buffers between a dragon and his enemies. Scalebanes serve as unit commanders in the field, acting as the instruments of their master’s will. Half taskmaster, half drill sergeant, a scalebane often serves as the source of a dragonspawn host’s arcane firepower. Most are warriors and magi both, capable of bringing sword or spell to bear on an enemy. Heavily indoctrinated by their masters, and privileged with better living conditions and food, scalebanes are the dragonspawn elite in the actual field of war. They are much more highly valued than most wyrmkin.Dark Factions, pg. 175 - 176
===Subraces===
*Flametongues
*Scalebanes
*Wyrmkin
===Names===
Dragonspawn names are harsh and simple, with no family name to speak of; they are usually referred to by their place in the hierarchy, much like a military rank, and the name they were given at birth. Dragonspawn adventurers often refer to themselves simply by their given names.Dark Factions, pg. 6 - 7
*Male names: Kaz, Brak, Fash, Shez, Verrik, Yzyr, Zoar.
*Female names: Fraya, Mahut, Adru, Shanza, Zstrsa.
===Notable===
*
*
===Blue dragonspawn===
Blue dragonspawn are the descendants of mortals who associated with blue dragons so closely that their families gradually transformed into part-humanoid, part-dragon crossbreeds. They take many roles in the blue dragonflight, serving as foot soldiers, emissaries to the humanoid races, and companions. While the dragons respect them, they are essentially a slave race, and they are trained from birth to give their lives to protect dragons (most dragonspawn are intelligent and loyal enough to sacrifice themselves without any such training, however). Most dragonspawn are raised and tutored by a dragon, in addition to their dragonspawn parents, and they often wear the symbol of this mentor for the rest of their lives. While dragonspawn exist for all the major dragonflights, an unusually large number of blue dragonspawn progress beyond the level of simply serving as grunt soldiers of the blue dragonflight. The unusual intelligence and disposition toward magic associated with the blue dragonflight is true of the dragonspawn as well, and this makes them more likely to follow in the footsteps of their mentors and become arcanists. Magical aptitude is rare among dragonspawn, however; it is simply less so among the blues.
General Cobaltann, one of the eldest and most powerful of the blue dragonspawn, has organized an army to protect all creatures against the threat of the black dragonflight — and if he has his way, his army will grow strong enough to obliterate the black dragonflight.
Blue dragonspawn have the same interests and lifestyles as their blue dragon mentors, but they tend to work in groups, often times with a military function. These dragonspawn are almost never found far from at least one dragon of their flight.Lands of Mystery, pg. 114-116
====Appearance====
Blue dragonspawn resemble blue dragons from the waist down, but their upper bodies are those of scaled humanoids. Their arms and torsos resemble those of a human, with only slight claws in most cases, but their heads more closely resemble their draconic allies. Blue dragonspawn scales are similar in color to those of blue dragons, and they typically wear armor with colors to match their dragonflight as well.Lands of Mystery, 115 This creature have the lower body of a reptile, with four massive, scale-covered legs. His torso and arms are humanoid, while his head is that of a dragon — and he has a noticeable draconic tail as well. His scales are azure, but it is difficult to distinguish them from the blue armor he wears over them. His armor is etched with draconic symbols, and similar tattoos line the scales on his exposed lower arms.Lands of Mystery Extra: Blue Dragonspawn Stats, pg. 1 Standing tall on four well-muscled legs, the creature flexes massive arms clearly capable of swinging its sword with deadly force. Its scaled armor is an enameled sapphire blue, brighter than the color of the natural scales that cover the majority of its humanoid upper body. The creature’s head resembles that of a small azure dragon.Monster Guide, pg. 48
====Culture====
Blue dragonspawn communities are male dominated, not because of any difference in power or physical strength, but rather due to the amount of time females spend dealing with the young. While blue dragonspawn value their children as much as any race, they are so focused on military objectives and the achievement of greater power and knowledge that they often neglect their young more than most races; this is especially true of the males. Unlike blue dragons, dragonspawn have a set ranking system. Blue dragonspawn ranks include (in ascending order) azurewing, cold talon, shiver scale, ice blade, magefury, winterfury, arctic magus, and ice tempest. The highest ranks are available only to those individuals who exhibit arcane mastery.
Many dragonspawn are warriors, rogues, hunters, scouts or other combat-oriented classes. The gladiator prestige class is popular among melee-oriented dragonspawn. A few dragonspawn priests worship the blue dragonflight or Malygos, contrary to most blue dragon beliefs.Lands of Mystery, pg. 116
==Trivia==
*Before Dragonflight, almost every female dragonspawn was a caster instead of a melee fighter, with visible breasts. They shared this trait with quilboar, centaur, and (to a lesser extent) gnolls. The new dragonspawn models are unisex, with no visible female attributes.
*Before Dragonflight, the dragonspawn featured prominently with every flight except for the bronze dragonflight; of whom only a single bronze dragonspawn could be found, the Guardian of Time. Notably, the infinite dragonflight has many dragonspawn members.
*In the Dragonflight expansion which has numerous dragonspawn on the Dragon Isles there isn't a single instance of a dragonspawn that has wings.
**Agapanthus, a dragonspawn initially introduced with wings, does appear; though conveniently (inconveniently for him) his wings had been removed by the Burning Legion during a battle with them.
*Early information from the Beastiary on the Blizzard site states that while dragonspawn may not descend from dragons, they are considered part of their respective dragonflights:
:Heeding the call of their goddess, Ysera, the Green Dragonspawn stand to protect Azeroth from the waking evil within the Sunken Temple. Dragonspawn form the ranks of the ground army within each of the five great dragonflights. Among the murk-ridden marshes of the Swamp of Sorrows, the Green Dragonspawn patrol at the behest of their dreaming mistress; Ysera has warned of a lurking terror within the temple, and her loyal servants are determined to protect the land from the emerging doom.
==Speculation==
"Dragonkin" as a more specific term than the creature type may be a "race" that includes both drakonid and dragonspawn, as the term has been used to refer to a category and origin story that seemingly includes both.
*Some dragonspawn are known as "dragonkin", like the Elder Dragonkin and the Twilight Dragonkin.
*Dragonspawn are called "dragonkin" as a whole in The Essence of Enmity.
*Maxnar the Ashmaw, a drakonid, is described as "one of the dragonkin, half-man, half-dragon."Maxnar Must Die!
*Brann speculates in his notes that the dragonkin originate from when dragons empower mortal servants, changing them into something halfway. This process does not have to be willing (explaining those of the black dragonflight).World of Warcraft: The Magazine Volume II Issue I, pg. 89
**Note that in this case, "dragonkin" is not defined, but seems to be referring to the category discussed here, as seen with the above synonyms.
*Maloriak, a dragonman, was created when a human was fused with the corpse of a dragonspawn.
*When asked if the dragonmen are drakonid, Sean Copeland stated "Metzen has ruled that they are separate races from the dragon race. They became dragonspawn and drakonid thanks to the dragons they served (via intentional alteration or via “unintended side effect of hanging out with dragons”)."Archive lore tweets from loreology
*In Blackwing Lair, where drakonid were first seen by players, drakonid were thought to have been artificially made by combining dragon and human blood in the labs of Nefarian,Underdev/Blackwing Lair: "It is believed, however that Nefarian has been experimenting with the blood of all of the various Dragon Flights to produce unstoppable warriors." but there are many variants that could not have been made by him.
**As such, the difference between natural drakonid and dragonspawn is unknown (beyond the number of legs).
*In promotional materials for World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the phrase "dragonspawn and dragonkin" appears in relation to creatures that debuted in Blackwing Lair,AusGamers.net - World of Warcraft: Dragonflight - The Big Interview : "You're going to be meeting with dragonspawn and dragonkin, some of our ancient friends from Blackwing Lair (up-resed for the new generation)" indicating that what are most likely drakonid are internally known as "dragonkin".
==Gallery==
File:DragonSpawn1.jpg|Blue dragonspawn from Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne.
File:Emeraldon Tree Warder.jpg|Dragonspawn from original World of Warcraft.
File:Dragonspawn.png|A dragonspawn
File:General Jirakka.jpg|Armored dragonspawn
File:Death Talon Wyrmkin.jpg|Female dragonspawn
File:General Drakkisath.jpg|Dragonspawn with wings
File:Infinite Agent.jpg|Infinite dragonspawn, introduced with The Burning Crusade.
File:Azure Spellbinder.jpg|Blue dragonspawn from Wrath of the Lich King have a unique look.
File:Twilight Dragonspawn.jpg|Twilight dragonspawn wear unique armor, introduced with Cataclysm.
File:Ruby Dragonspawn.png|A red dragonspawn in Dragonflight.
File:Little Duck.jpg|A black dragonspawn
File:Agapanthus - Valdrakken.png|A blue dragonspawn
File:Timetender Athekk.png|A bronze dragonspawn
File:Gemisath.jpg|A green dragonspawn
File:Jon mcconnell dragonspawn concept.jpg|Dragonflight dragonspawn model.
File:Whitedragonspawn-1.jpg|Unused white color dragonspawn.
File:Whitedragonspawn-2.jpg|Unused white color armored dragonspawn.
;Concept art
File:Dragonspawn Classic.jpg|Concept art.
File:Dragonspawn Art.jpg|Concept art.
File:Dragonspawn Concept 1.jpg|Concept art.
File:Dragonspawn Concept 2.jpg|Concept art.
File:Reforged - Blue Dragonspawn Warrior concept.jpg|Concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
File:Reforged - Blue Dragonspawn Apprentice concept.jpg|Concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
File:Reforged - Blue Dragonspawn Sorcerer concept.jpg|Concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
File:Reforged - Blue Dragonspawn Meddler concept.jpg|Concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
File:Reforged - Blue Dragonspawn Overseer concept.jpg|Concept art for Warcraft III: Reforged.
;Trading Card Game
File:Bronze Emissary TCG.jpg|Bronze Emissary=
File:Ruby Flameblade TCG.jpg|Ruby Flameblade
File:Emerald Tree Warder TCG.jpg|Emerald Tree Warder
File:Azure Magus TCG.jpg|Azure Magus
File:Bronze Guardian TCG.jpg|Bronze Guardian
File:Emerald Wanderer TCG.jpg|Emerald Wanderer
File:Infinite Suppressor TCG.jpg|Infinite Suppressor
File:Last of Her Kind.jpg|Last of Her Kind card with Baleflame.
;Hearthstone
File:Dragonkin Sorcerer HS.jpg|
File:Cobalt Scalebane HS.jpg|
File:Cobalt Spellkin HS.jpg|
File:Prestor's Pyrospawn HS.jpg|
File:Agony HS.jpg|
File:Curse of Agony HS.jpg|
;Other products
File:Blackdragonspawn.jpg|Black dragonspawn in World of Warcraft: The Comic.
File:WoW12CoverSample.jpg|A black dragonspawn fighting Lo'Gosh in The Comic.
File:Dark Factions races 1.jpg|A dragonspawn among other races in the RPG book Dark Factions.
File:Dark Factions races 2.jpg|A dragonspawn among other races in the RPG book Dark Factions.
File:Statue Drakkisath Pose.png|General Drakkisath in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
File:Statue Colbatann Boss Pose.png|General Colbatann in Warcraft Arclight Rumble.
==References==
 
Category:Monster Guide
Category:Manual of Monsters
Category:Dark Factions
fr:Draconide