Fyrakk and the Green Dragonflight
The scene opens with Gerithus, son of Merithra, who we first met during the main story of Ohn’ahran Plains. Gerithus is on the floor, face down. Though a green dragon, he’s in his visage form – an immediate indication that he is vulnerable and helpless. His captor, Fyrakk – the Fire Primalist Incarnate – is standing over him.
We learn that Fyrakk’s original intended captive was Merithra, who was recently appointed Aspect of the Green Dragonflight. Gerithus is often seen at Merithra’s side, and plays an active role in the flight.
Fyrakk: Little green dragon. All alone. I was hunting the Aspect of your kind. Your dear mother. But you will have to do.
Gerithus: What… What do you want?
Fyrakk: I know what your flight is hiding. A fledgling World Tree, locked away in your Emerald Dream. And you are going to take me there.
Gerithus: I will never betray my kin.
Amirdrassil – The World Tree Target
Fyrakk’s motivation comes as no surprise. He is after the fledgling World Tree, Amirdrassil. The Dragon Aspects have been anticipating this attack since the events of the Dawn of the Infinite dungeon.
When sisters Elune and the Winter Queen met during the Shadowlands, together they created the Sister’s Tear – a powerful artifact resembling a seed. Later, the Night Elf souls who had died during the burning of Teldrassil infused this seed – though they had been offered a tranquil eternity in Ardenweald, they chose to invest in their people’s future instead. That seed was gifted to Tyrande, who planted it in the Emerald Dream – where it began to grow under the protection of the Green Dragonflight.
Amirdrassil is destined to become a great World Tree, the Night Elves’ new home – but for now, it is still vulnerable.
Fyrakk: Let me be clear. I will kill every dragon who stands between me and the power in that great tree’s heart. You can save them. Just let me in.
Fyrakk’s threat is not to be taken lightly. The Burning of Teldrassil is a recent and still painful memory, one that the Fire Incarnate threatening another World Tree cannot help but bring to mind. That tragedy caused many Night Elves to question their goddess Elune – even Tyrande’s faith was badly shaken – and Iridikron has promised something similar will happen again. This time, the faith of dragons will be shaken when their gods, the Titans, don’t bother to save them from Fyrakk’s wrath.
Shadowflame Corruption
For a moment, Fyrakk almost seems like he is going to try sound reasonable. He promises Gerithus a way to save his kin… if he just lets Fyrakk have the tree. But Fyrakk is empowered by Shadowflame, the same corrupting power that empowered – and consumed – Neltharion.
As Fyrakk pushes Gerithus, the fire of his eyes begins to turn to Shadowflame and his voice changes – it sounds deeper, echoing, more similar to Deathwing’s booming voice – like Deathwing, Fyrakk seems to be falling to the madness of the Void.
The scene is interrupted by Vyranoth, the Frost Primalist Incarnate. The moment she tells Fyrakk to calm down, the fire in his eyes are extinguished, as if a switch has been turned off. The dynamic between the two echoes earlier interactions we’ve seen between them – Fyrakk is hotheaded, but Vyranoth is reasonable.
Vyranoth: Calm yourself, brother. We are meant to break the Titans’ iron grip on this world, not steal their children’s future, as they did ours.
Vyranoth – The Principled Primalist
Vyranoth reminds Fyrakk of the Primalist Incarnates’ principles, and references the Titans’ stealing the Primalists’ children’s future – the infusion of Dragon Eggs with Order-aligned water – an act that Alexstrasza recently called abhorrent.
In this moment, Vyranoth shows us that she represents the Primalists’ just cause. Not only that, but while some Primalists have committed abhorrent acts of their own in order to pursue their goals – including corrupting dragon eggs themselves – Vyranoth does not believe in crossing unnecessary lines, and will intervene when she witnesses her allies go against what she believes should be their principles.
Again, Fyrakk starts out attempting to sound reasonable, taking on a wheedling tone as he tries to excuse his actions, but the moment he begins to use his powers on Gerithus, the Shadowflame appears again and its influence almost immediately seems to take him over. He begins to laugh maniacally, and Vyranoth has to interrupt him with a blast of ice to get his attention.
Fyrakk: I was just offering this whelp a chance to serve our cause and spare his people a gruesome… yet delightful, massacre.
Vyranoth: Fyrakk. Fyrakk!
Fire vs Ice
This time, the flame isn’t extinguished. Fyrakk, already naturally hotheaded, seems to lose his temper, and he and Vyranoth begin to fight – fire against ice, a battle we suspect we will see a lot more of in Dragonflight’s future. Fyrakk, empowered by Shadowflame, clearly has the upper hand, and his fire begins to engulf Vyranoth’s ice.
Though she’s unable to defeat him physically, Vyranoth once again illustrates her true power – her ability to reason. Once again, it’s her words that extinguish Fyrakk’s flame – she reminds him of their cause.
Though Fyrakk accepts what she says with bad grace, he does accept it – for now. He leaves behind lava scratches in the wall, making it clear he’s still filled with fiery rage.
Vyranoth: Brother, remember what we are fighting for.
Fyrakk: So be it. I’ll find another way into their precious Dream. And then the power that grows within…
Fyrakk: …will be ours.
Fyrakk’s parting comment is particularly interesting – it suggests the war plan is not just to burn Amirdrassil – but to claim its power. Many of the powers of previous World Trees have usually been based on the blessings they receive from the Dragon Aspects. Amirdrassil, created from the Winter Queen and Elune’s tear, and infused with the souls of the Night Elves, must be exceptionally powerful in its own right. World Trees are linked to the Emerald Dream, and those that have not been blessed by the Aspects have become easily corrupted by the Emerald Nightmare.
Crack in the Ice
Vyranoth watches Fyrakk as he leaves, and she seems thoughtful – perhaps troubled by the fact that Fyrakk is clearly more motivated by obtaining power than by her more idealistic goals.
Gerithus: Thank you.
When Gerithus thanks her, she turns to look at him. Again, Vyranoth seems to be grappling with her thoughts – but she reveals nothing about what’s going through her mind, and leaves without a word. Gerithus is still trapped – Vyranoth might have been willing to save him in the moment, but that grace does not extend to talking with him, or releasing him.
For now, at least, Vyranoth remains on the side of the Primalist Incarnates. Even so… the first cracks in her loyalty are showing.
