For almost as long as the concept of dragons has existed in real-life mythology, some have had the ability to shapeshift into mortal forms. World of Warcraft has continued this long tradition of transformation with its own dragons, expanding upon the supernatural ability even further. All across World of Warcraft’s history, dragons and draconic creatures have taken on various humanoid guises to blend in with - or deceive - the mortal races.
However, the ability of dragons to shapeshift holds a great deal of cultural significance. These forms, called “visages,” are an important part of the dragon’s identity. Like their draconic creators, the dracthyr, World of Warcraft’s new playable race, also has a humanoid visage. With Dragonflight delving deeper into the lore of the dragons and their history, understanding the importance of dragon visages - both in and out of the game world - is more important than ever.
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The History of Visages in World of Warcraft
A dragon’s visage is the main humanoid form they choose to take when interacting with mortals. Beyond a simple guise, this form is a way for dragons to view the world as mortals do. A visage means something significant to each dragon - some may use it as a way to learn about or walk among mortals, while others may use it to control or hunt them. Regardless, a dragon’s chosen visage is important to their identity.
Dragons can take different humanoid forms, like how Vaelastrasz appeared as both an orc and a human in Blackrock Spire, but their visage is their default humanoid shape. Visages are also not static, as evident with Wrathion’s glow up in Battle for Azeroth, or Neltharion’s sinister shift after becoming Deathwing.
The term “visage” was first coined by World of Warcraft narrative director Steve Danuser in 2021 in the “Visage Day” short story first published in the Folk & Fairy Tales of Azeroth anthology. The short story features the bronze dragon Chromie and her struggle to choose her perfect visage. Though Danuser’s work established the cultural significance of a dragon's visage, dragons have been shapeshifting in World of Warcraft for over 20 years now.
The first instance of a World of Warcraft dragon taking a humanoid guise is found in Day of the Dragon, a Warcraft 2 companion novel written by Richard Knaak in 2001. In the novel, Deathwing takes the guise of the human noble, Daval Prestor, in an attempt to take over the Alliance. Before he is forced to contend with other schemes, he almost married Calia Menethil, princess of Lordaeron and Arthas’ older sister. Deathwing’s daughter Onyxia would try a similar scheme in Vanilla World of Warcraft to take over Stormwind as Lady Katrana Prestor.
Dracthyr and Visages in Dragonflight
True dragons are not the only draconic creature to have a visage in World of Warcraft. The new dracthyr race introduced in Dragonflight also has a visage form. Like the worgen, this form is fully-customizable by the player. However, unlike the worgen, dracthyr can actually battle in both their dracthyr and visage forms, though some abilities reliant on draconic physiology revert the character to dracthyr form when used.
The visages of the dracthyr are a bit different from that of true dragons. Instead of taking the form of an existing type of creature, dracthyr transform into a unique, scale-covered elf-like humanoid. Though highly customizable, many players were dismayed they were forced to use this form, rather than choosing from existing races. However, judging from a conversation between two major dracthyr NPCs, the fact that all dracthyr took this form may be a plot point World of Warcraft could cover in the future. This makes it unlikely, but not impossible, that World of Warcraft could let dracthyr take other forms, like tauren or gnome, in the future.
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Players will not have access to the dracthyr form immediately upon making their character - the ability is taught to them after the Forbidden Reach starting experience in Dragonflight by Wrathion or Ebyssian for Alliance or Horde dracthyr respectively. During the quest, the two black dragon characters explain the significance of their own visage forms, including why and how they chose theirs.
The theme of personal identity and destiny is also heavily featured in the Dragonflight Legacies animated shorts, which feature the bronze Aspect Nozdormu showing Scalecommander Emberthal moments in the history of dragonkind. It is not a coincidence this same theme is featured across all of Dragonflight, from the dracthyr starting experience to the “Visage Day” short story, which World of Warcraft recently made available for free on its website.
Visage Day and Representation in World of Warcraft
In retrospect, the “Visage Day” short story did a lot of work towards setting World of Warcraft up for Dragonflight. The short story established Visage Day as a draconic coming-of-age celebration; the moment where young dragons decide what mortal form suits them best. In addition to the sneak peek at draconic society, it also went deeper into the backstory of Chromie, one of World of Warcraft’s most important and beloved bronze dragons.
Like many Warcraft dragons, bronze dragons have naming conventions based on gender: male bronze dragon names often end in “-ormu,” while females typically end in “-ormi.” Chromie’s full name is Chronormu, yet identifies as female. This led many World of Warcraft fans to wonder if Chromie was a transgender dragon - a fact that Danuser confirmed in “Visage Day.” During the story, Chronormu struggles to decide on what form fits them. After consulting several dragons, including Nozdormu, Onyxia, and Kalecgos, she finally realizes a female form fits her better than a male one.
The wonderful short story has led many players to hope Visage Day is added as an in-game holiday event in World of Warcraft. Such an event would not only be a fun and thematic fit for Dragonflight, but also a fantastic way to spread stories of representation and inclusivity within World of Warcraft. March 31 - Trans Day of Visibility - or any time during June for Pride Month would be perfect place to add the new draconic holiday event. While World of Warcraft has not made any plans to do so, Dragonflight would be the perfect time and place to make it happen.
World of Warcraft is available now for PC. Dragonflight launches on November 28.
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