World of Warcraft: Chronicle Volume 1 by Blizzard Entertainment Read Free Book Online Page A

the mightiest of the keepers, was the first of his kind to notice the danger posed by Galakrond. He warned his fellow keepers of what he had seen, but he could not motivate themto act. Though the keepers had once sworn to protect the world, the war with theOld Gods and the Ordering of Azeroth had sapped their collective strength and willpower. They had become indifferent to the world at large, focused solely on maintaining their vaults and arcane machineries.
    But Tyr was not deterred by his siblings’ apathy. His drive to seek justice and order in the world pushed him forward. Tyr knew that if Galakrond remained unchecked, he would devour all nature, spreading his affliction to the far corners of Azeroth. Thus the keeper sought a means to destroy the giant proto-dragon and his minions.
    Tyr found his answer with five of the greatest and most intelligent proto-dragons in existence:Alexstrasza,Neltharion,Malygos,Ysera, andNozdormu. Nearly all of these creatures hailed from different strains, and each of them displayed unique powers. Even the two sisters Alexstrasza and Ysera commanded distinct abilities. The tenacious and kindhearted Alexstrasza could summon gouts of fire from her maw. The mighty Neltharion possessed incredible strength, and his piercing roar could shatter bone and rock alike. The cunning Malygos could breathe frost, encasing his foes in solid ice. The wise Nozdormu could assail his enemies with blinding storms of coarse sand. The elusive Ysera’s breath could debilitate her enemies, sapping their willpower and throwing them into a deep trance.
    Tyr beseeched the five proto-dragons for aid in thwarting Galakrond. The creatures were initially suspicious of the strange being who had approached them, but they soon vowed to fight by his side. Despite their differences, the five proto-dragons showed a surprising willingness to work as one.
    Under Tyr’s guidance, Alexstrasza and her companions warred with Galakrond and his fetid minions. Their battles raged over the snowy peaks and rocky spires of northern Kalimdor. Initially, Galakrond’s jagged hide warded off the attacks of the five proto-dragons. Though disheartened by their enemy’s resilience, Alexstrasza and her allies soon found his weaknesses. They assaulted Galakrond’s many eyes and his soft, vulnerable gullet. By using their powers in harmony and trusting in one another, the five proto-dragons vanquished their gargantuan foe. Galakrond’s lifeless husk plummeted to the ground, smashing into the frozen tundra of what would become known as the Dragonblight.
    The five proto-dragons had won despite all odds, but they had only done so by working together. It was a lesson they would not soon forget. Alexstrasza and the others would carry on this ideal of unity and cooperation for ages to come.

T YR AND THE S ILVER H AND
    Tyr fought alongside the proto-dragons, but Galakrond proved too powerful even for the keeper of justice. In one particular battle, the monstrous creature bit off Tyr’s iron hand, suffusing him with necrotic energy. Although Tyr survived, his wound would never truly heal. Many years later, Tyr would replace his lost hand with one forged of pure silver. This silver hand would come to symbolize his belief that only through personal sacrifice could one achieve lasting justice .

MAP OF AZEROTH AFTER THE FALL OF THE BLACK EMPIRE

W hileTyr and theproto-dragons were battlingGalakrond, the other keepers finally emerged from their stupor. Too late, they realized the threat that the corrupted monstrosity posed. They were heartened by the resolve of Tyr’s winged allies and ashamed of their own apathy. Tyr, however, never chastised the other keepers. Instead he convinced them to imbue the five proto-dragons with powers so that they could safeguard the lands of Azeroth.
    Only KeeperOdyn challenged this idea. Though he acknowledged the proto-dragons’ heroism, he did not agree that Azeroth’s fate should be placed on their shoulders. Odyn