Why Wrathion’s Red Eyes Captivate World of Warcraft Players
Wrathion, the Black Prince, is one of the most enigmatic and compelling characters in World of Warcraft. His striking red eyes are a significant part of his visual design, immediately setting him apart from other dragons and sparking countless questions among players. The simple answer is that Wrathion’s red eyes are a visual indicator of his unique, uncorrupted nature as a Black Dragon. They highlight his importance within the lore and symbolize the titan magic he absorbed. But there’s so much more to the story than just that simple explanation. Let’s delve into the fascinating details behind this captivating feature.
The Significance of Eye Color in Dragonflights
Eye color within the dragonflights of Azeroth often denotes specific characteristics or affiliations. For instance, most Black Dragons are heavily influenced by the Old Gods’ corruption, and this taint is usually manifested visually, but Wrathion is different. The Black Dragonflight was initially tasked by the Titans to safeguard Azeroth, but this task was subverted by the Old Gods. Wrathion, however, represents a deviation from this norm.
Red: A Symbol of Purity and Titan Magic
Wrathion’s red eyes are a direct consequence of the experiments conducted by the Red Dragon Rheastrasza. She tirelessly worked to create an uncorrupted Black Dragon egg. The successful outcome resulted in Wrathion, a dragon free from the influence of the Old Gods. The red hue can be seen as representing not just this purity, but also the titan magic he absorbed after consuming the heart containing it. This consumption imbued him with cosmic visions and insight, contributing further to his unique status and compelling narrative.
Unique Design as a Storytelling Tool
Beyond the lore implications, Wrathion’s unique model and eye color serve a vital purpose from a game design perspective. It immediately conveys his importance and separates him from other dragons like Sabellian, who has a more standard black dragon appearance. In storytelling, visuals play a critical role in conveying information, and Wrathion’s distinctive eyes do just that, signaling to the player that he is a character of significance and potential. This differentiation is important when players are choosing sides between Wrathion and Sabellian.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Wrathion
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the story and details surrounding Wrathion.
1. What race is Wrathion, exactly?
Wrathion is a Black Dragon. However, he is unique within the Black Dragonflight because he was created free from the corruption of the Old Gods, which tainted nearly all other members of his flight. This sets him apart genetically and philosophically.
2. How was Wrathion born?
Wrathion was born from an egg that was the result of an experiment performed by Rheastrasza, a Red Dragon. She was determined to create an uncorrupted Black Dragon and painstakingly engineered an egg that would produce a dragon resistant to the Old Gods’ influence.
3. How old is Wrathion in human years?
During the Pandaria expansion, Wrathion was approximately 6 years old in human years. Given the time skips in World of Warcraft, he is now estimated to be around 15 years old.
4. Are Wrathion and Anduin romantically involved?
The official word from Blizzard Entertainment, as relayed through author Christie Golden, is that Anduin and Wrathion are just close friends. While their relationship is complex and deeply meaningful, it is not currently portrayed as romantic within the game’s narrative.
5. Why did Wrathion free Garrosh Hellscream?
Wrathion’s decision to free Garrosh Hellscream was part of a complex and ultimately flawed plan to forge a stronger Azeroth. He believed that by creating a significant threat, such as the Iron Horde from an alternate Draenor, he could unite the factions of Azeroth against a common enemy, preparing them for a future Legion invasion. This plan, however, backfired spectacularly, leading to the events of Warlords of Draenor and contributing to the circumstances that led to the Legion expansion, along with numerous deaths including Varian Wrynn.
6. Is Wrathion a dragon or a humanoid?
Wrathion is primarily a dragon, specifically a Black Dragon. However, he possesses the ability to shapeshift into a humanoid form, allowing him to interact more easily with other races and carry out his plans in secret.
7. Is it better to choose Wrathion or Sabellian?
Choosing to side with either Wrathion or Sabellian during certain questlines has no long-term impact on the storyline. While the rewards from their respective factions may vary, you can freely switch allegiances between them each week without losing reputation with the other faction. This makes the choice more about personal preference and desired rewards than about altering the main narrative.
8. Is Wrathion Deathwing’s son?
Wrathion is not Deathwing’s son. He is Deathwing’s grandson. His mother was Nyxondra, one of Deathwing’s daughters and sister to Onyxia.
9. Is Sabellian older than Wrathion?
Yes, Sabellian is significantly older than Wrathion. Sabellian is Deathwing’s son and served as one of his lieutenants. He was entrusted with safeguarding black dragon eggs on Draenor during the events of Warcraft II.
10. Why does Anduin blame Wrathion for his father’s death?
Anduin blames Wrathion because he sees Wrathion’s release of Garrosh Hellscream as the catalyst for the events that led to Varian Wrynn’s death. Without the Iron Horde and the subsequent involvement of Gul’dan, the Legion would not have been summoned to Azeroth, and Varian would not have fallen during the initial invasion.
11. Could Anduin be Arthas’ son?
There is currently no evidence within the established World of Warcraft lore to suggest that Arthas is Anduin’s biological father. All official sources indicate that Varian Wrynn is Anduin’s father.
12. What happened to Prince Anduin?
Prince Anduin Wrynn became King Anduin Wrynn following his father Varian’s death during the Legion invasion. He took up the mantle of leadership, guiding the Alliance through numerous conflicts and crises.
13. What are the Black Dragons known for?
The Black Dragonflight was initially tasked by the Titans with protecting Azeroth. However, they were corrupted by the Old Gods, leading to their downfall. They became known for their destructive tendencies and their role in many of Azeroth’s conflicts. Wrathion is unique in that he represents a potential for redemption for the Black Dragonflight.
14. Is Wrathion one of the last Black Dragons?
Yes, Wrathion is one of the few remaining Black Dragons. The corruption of the Old Gods decimated their numbers, and many were killed during the events of the Cataclysm. His survival and uncorrupted state make him a crucial figure in the ongoing narrative of Azeroth.
15. What cosmic visions did Wrathion receive?
After consuming the heart imbued with titan magic, Wrathion experienced cosmic visions that spoke of a fallen Titan and a mysterious power seeking to rebuild it. This vision foreshadowed future events and set Wrathion on a path to protect Azeroth from unforeseen threats, further solidifying his role as a key player in the grand scheme of the World of Warcraft universe.
Wrathion’s red eyes are more than just a striking visual feature. They are a symbol of his unique origins, his resistance to corruption, and his connection to the greater cosmic forces at play in the World of Warcraft universe. Understanding the significance of this detail adds another layer of appreciation for this complex and compelling character. For more information on game design and the learning aspects of games, please visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.