Unveiling the Mysteries of World of Warcraft's Fierce Druids of the Flame

Highlights

Druids of the Flame, previously thought to be extinguished, have resurfaced in World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, aligning with Fyrakk and wreaking havoc.

After losing his son, Fandral Staghelm, who was once a revered druid leader, embarked on a path tainted by darkness. In his desperation, he struck a bargain with Ragnaros, resulting in his transformation into a unique kind of druid.

Disillusioned by what they deemed as Elune's lack of intervention, surviving night elves aligned themselves with the Druids of the Flame. Together, they have set their sights on seizing the formidable power held within the Emerald Dream.

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight has brought back the Druids of the Flame, a faction known for their opposition. Believed to have been eradicated during Cataclysm, their unexpected return in Dragonflight surprised many. Their origins shed light on why any druid would willingly reject Azeroth.

Typically, druids in World of Warcraft protect and value the delicate harmony of nature. However, the Druids of the Flame defy this norm. They take pleasure in causing destruction and reducing all living beings to ashes. Recently, they have joined forces with Fyrakk, the Flame Incarnate, sharing a common objective. The great proto-drake learned from them how to access the Emerald Dream, putting the entire world in jeopardy.

The Druids of the Flame Used to Serve Ragnaros in World of Warcraft

Ten thousand years ago, Malfurion Stormrage held the esteemed position of Archdruid among his people, the night elves known as the Kal’dorei. However, after his spirit entered the Emerald Dream, he fell into an unbreakable slumber. In his absence, Fandral Staghelm was chosen to stand by Tyrande Whisperwind as a leader until Malfurion's return. Fandral was highly regarded within the Cenarion Circle and had previously saved the world.

Though Fandral initially appeared to be the ideal candidate, he gradually became entangled in darker plans. The heartbreaking loss of his son Valstann, who had been mercilessly slaughtered by a Qiraji General in Silithus, seemed to have been overcome. However, this grief continued to devour him, especially as he realized there was no way to bring his child back to life.

Fandral's pain gradually transformed into seething rage, eroding his sanity over the passing years. Even with Malfurion's return, Fandral remained intent on assassinating the Archdruid and infecting their sanctuary with nightmarish sorcery. As a consequence, he was imprisoned. However, the Cataclysm shook Azeroth to its core, causing doubt to creep into the hearts of some members of the Cenarion Circle. Eventually, those devoted to Deathwing's agenda freed Fandral.

Once a noble night elf, Fandral struck a bargain with Ragnaros, the Firelord, in which he and his followers were transmogrified into a new type of druid. Their once fair skin turned a dark crimson, while their eyes blazed with fiery orange hues. Their sole mission was to incinerate Mount Hyjal and reduce its World Tree to ashes, destroying anyone who dared to oppose them. Predictably, their plots were thwarted and Fandral met his demise within the Firelands. However, this did not mark the end of the Druids of the Flame.

During the War of the Thorns, Sylvanas Windrunner's act of burning Teldrassil and destroying Darnassus left the surviving night elves deeply affected. Disillusioned with Elune for not protecting them, they turned away from their previous reverence. Unbeknownst to them, a group of surviving Druids of the Flame emerged and offered solace to the traumatized night elves.

Now, Fyrakk has formed a powerful alliance with these lost druids, who have utilized their knowledge of the Emerald Dream. The Flame Incarnate intends to forcefully enter this lush realm and seize the power of a World Tree for himself. Backed by the Druids of the Flame, his might appears virtually unstoppable. Azeroth must rally all its heroes to combat these fires and safeguard the Emerald Dream from annihilation.

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is available now for PC.