Warcraft: Day of the Dragon
Encyclopedia
Warcraft: Day of the Dragon is a novel by Richard A. Knaak
based in Blizzard Entertainment
s Warcraft Universe
. It was published by Pocket Books
.
It is the first book released in the Warcraft Universe.
but before Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
, Day of the Dragon is the story of how a human Mage, Rhonin ventures into the last remaining Orc-controlled lands in Khaz Modan by the order of Krasus. Krasus is actually a red dragon named Korialstrasz, yet is disguised as a human mage of Dalaran during the earlier chapters of the book. He is loyal to his captured queen, Alexstrasza, Queen of the Red dragon flight and one of the five great Aspects. By using the "Demon Soul", Nekros Skullcrusher, leader of the orcs in Khaz Modan, is able to hold Alexstrasza and her consorts, such as Tyranastrasz, against their will and use their offspring as pawns against the other races of Azeroth.
Whilst Korialstrasz sought help from the other Aspects, Nozdormu, Malygos and Ysera, Deathwing helped Rhonin get into the Orc Fortress in order to convince Nekros Skullcrusher that there was an imminent Alliance attack on Grim Batol. Deathwing's real motivation was that he wanted the eggs so he could replenish his flight, not to free the Red Dragonqueen. Believing a great army to be on its way, Nekros had the eggs transported elsewhere, placing them in the open where Deathwing wanted them. However, as Deathwing was stealing the eggs, he was confronted by a dying Tyranastrasz. Despite initial problems, Korialstrasz managed to gain the aid of the other three Great Aspects in his task to free Alexstrasza. With the help of Rhonin, Vereesa Windrunner, Falstad Dragonreaver (Falstad Wildhammer), and a number of dwarven resistance fighters, the group managed to destroy the "Demon Soul" forever. By doing so, they free Alexstrasza, who kills Nekros Skullcrusher in an instant, aiding in the defeat of the orcs in the area. Ironically, Deathwing helped with the release of Alexstrasza, yet was not concerned due to the fact that the "Demon Soul" has drained the other Aspects powers. However, with the destruction of the "Demon Soul" the powers were returned to the four Aspects and Deathwing was last seen fleeing from three angry Aspects at the time as Alexstrasza went to Korialstrasz.
The storyline also covers Deathwing's plot to throw the mortal kingdoms into disarray by posing as Lord Prestor, using his draconic powers to manipulate the rulers of the human kingdoms into making him king of Alterac, then planning to marry into the Lordaeron royal family to become its heir. However, with his defeat at the hands of the other four Dragon Aspects, Lord Prestor is never seen again.
. The location of Grim Batol has been in the game since its release in 2004, and with the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
, it serves as a five player dungeon.
The remains of the Dragonmaw Orc clan are still present in the area, known as the Wetlands, and a large number of red dragonspawn are also present, guarding Grim Batol, hostile to all others.
The storyline of the Prestor family attempting to throw the Alliance into disarray continued, as Deathwing's daughter took place as part of the noble family, and became a royal advisor to the kingdom of Stormwind before eventually being discovered to be, in fact, the dragon Onyxia. Onyxia has since been slain.
The Red Dragonflight have recovered since their imprisonment in Day of the Dragon, and in World of Warcraft are a strong presence in the Wyrmrest Accord, an alliance between dragons. Korialstraz sits beside Alexstrasza in the accords's base of operations, the Wyrmrest Temple. Rhonin and Veressa Windrunner are also found in game, leaders of the kingdom of Dalaran in Northrend.
Richard A. Knaak
Richard A. Knaak is the author of Dragonlance novels, Dragonrealm, six novels for Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo series, and nine works in the Warcraft universe...
based in Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is an American video game developer and publisher founded on February 8, 1991 under the name Silicon & Synapse by three graduates of UCLA, Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce and currently owned by French company Activision Blizzard...
s Warcraft Universe
Warcraft Universe
Warcraft is a franchise of video games, novels, and other media originally created by Blizzard Entertainment. The series is made up of Four core games: Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, and World of Warcraft...
. It was published by Pocket Books
Pocket Books
Pocket Books is a division of Simon & Schuster that primarily publishes paperback books.- History :Pocket produced the first mass-market, pocket-sized paperback books in America in early 1939 and revolutionized the publishing industry...
.
It is the first book released in the Warcraft Universe.
Plot Summary
Set after Warcraft II: Tides of DarknessWarcraft II: Tides of Darkness
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness is a fantasy-themed real-time strategy game published by Blizzard Entertainment and first released for DOS in 1995 and for Mac OS in 1996...
but before Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos is a real time strategy computer game released by Blizzard Entertainment on July 3, 2002 . It is the second sequel to Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, and it is the third game set in the Warcraft Universe...
, Day of the Dragon is the story of how a human Mage, Rhonin ventures into the last remaining Orc-controlled lands in Khaz Modan by the order of Krasus. Krasus is actually a red dragon named Korialstrasz, yet is disguised as a human mage of Dalaran during the earlier chapters of the book. He is loyal to his captured queen, Alexstrasza, Queen of the Red dragon flight and one of the five great Aspects. By using the "Demon Soul", Nekros Skullcrusher, leader of the orcs in Khaz Modan, is able to hold Alexstrasza and her consorts, such as Tyranastrasz, against their will and use their offspring as pawns against the other races of Azeroth.
Whilst Korialstrasz sought help from the other Aspects, Nozdormu, Malygos and Ysera, Deathwing helped Rhonin get into the Orc Fortress in order to convince Nekros Skullcrusher that there was an imminent Alliance attack on Grim Batol. Deathwing's real motivation was that he wanted the eggs so he could replenish his flight, not to free the Red Dragonqueen. Believing a great army to be on its way, Nekros had the eggs transported elsewhere, placing them in the open where Deathwing wanted them. However, as Deathwing was stealing the eggs, he was confronted by a dying Tyranastrasz. Despite initial problems, Korialstrasz managed to gain the aid of the other three Great Aspects in his task to free Alexstrasza. With the help of Rhonin, Vereesa Windrunner, Falstad Dragonreaver (Falstad Wildhammer), and a number of dwarven resistance fighters, the group managed to destroy the "Demon Soul" forever. By doing so, they free Alexstrasza, who kills Nekros Skullcrusher in an instant, aiding in the defeat of the orcs in the area. Ironically, Deathwing helped with the release of Alexstrasza, yet was not concerned due to the fact that the "Demon Soul" has drained the other Aspects powers. However, with the destruction of the "Demon Soul" the powers were returned to the four Aspects and Deathwing was last seen fleeing from three angry Aspects at the time as Alexstrasza went to Korialstrasz.
The storyline also covers Deathwing's plot to throw the mortal kingdoms into disarray by posing as Lord Prestor, using his draconic powers to manipulate the rulers of the human kingdoms into making him king of Alterac, then planning to marry into the Lordaeron royal family to become its heir. However, with his defeat at the hands of the other four Dragon Aspects, Lord Prestor is never seen again.
Characters in "Warcraft: Day of the Dragon"
- Neltharion (Lord Prestor)
- Korialstrasz (Krasus)
- Alexstrasza
- Dragon Aspects: Ysera, Nozdormu, Malygos
- Tyranastrasz
- Rhonin
- Vereesa Windrunner
- Falstad
- Nekros
- Kryll
- Medivh (Mentioned, not present)
Within World of Warcraft
Little of the content covered in Day of the Dragon is within the game World of WarcraftWorld of Warcraft
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game by Blizzard Entertainment. It is the fourth released game set in the fantasy Warcraft universe, which was first introduced by Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994...
. The location of Grim Batol has been in the game since its release in 2004, and with the release of World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is the third expansion pack for the massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft, following the last expansion Wrath of the Lich King. It was officially announced at BlizzCon on August 21, 2009, although dataminers and researchers discovered details...
, it serves as a five player dungeon.
The remains of the Dragonmaw Orc clan are still present in the area, known as the Wetlands, and a large number of red dragonspawn are also present, guarding Grim Batol, hostile to all others.
The storyline of the Prestor family attempting to throw the Alliance into disarray continued, as Deathwing's daughter took place as part of the noble family, and became a royal advisor to the kingdom of Stormwind before eventually being discovered to be, in fact, the dragon Onyxia. Onyxia has since been slain.
The Red Dragonflight have recovered since their imprisonment in Day of the Dragon, and in World of Warcraft are a strong presence in the Wyrmrest Accord, an alliance between dragons. Korialstraz sits beside Alexstrasza in the accords's base of operations, the Wyrmrest Temple. Rhonin and Veressa Windrunner are also found in game, leaders of the kingdom of Dalaran in Northrend.