Highland Drake

Highland Drake is an epic dragonriding mount added in the Dragonflight expansion. It is the third drake you obtain as you progress through the main storyline of the Dragon Isles. The mount is granted as a reward for completing the quest Calling the Blue Dragons in The Azure Span. The quest is part of the Vakthros questline — the fourth chapter of The Azure Span story.

The Highland Drake is the closest in appearance to the classic image of a dragon: a massive body, powerful wings, and distinctive scales. Its base coloration references the blue dragonflight, fitting the lore of the zone. The mount supports the Dragonriding system and can use the "Whirling Surge" ability, allowing it to carry a second player.

• Guaranteed acquisition — the Highland Drake is granted for completing a quest. There is no random drop chance: finish the questline and the mount is yours
• Dragonriding — the mount fully supports the dragonriding system with boosts, ascents, and maneuvers. You also unlock the "Whirling Surge" ability when you obtain the drake
• Extensive customization — dozens of appearance options: scales, horns, patterns, tail, armor, crests, and much more. You can create a drake unlike any other
• Account-wide access — once learned, the mount becomes available on every character on your account
• Passenger — you can take another player along, who turns into a small drake and flies with you

The Highland Drake is granted for completing the quest "Calling the Blue Dragons," which is part of The Azure Span storyline.

1. Reach the Dragon Isles and complete the story zones The Waking Shores and Ohn'ahran Plains. The quests guide you through the chain automatically
2. Arrive in The Azure Span and follow the zone's main storyline
3. Complete the "Rotting Roots" questline in Iskaara. This is a mandatory requirement: Kalecgos will not offer the next quest until you finish this chain
4. After completing the chain, Kalecgos offers the quest Calling the Blue Dragons. Speak with him — a cinematic of the blue dragonflight reuniting will play
5. Upon completing the quest, you receive the Highland Drake and unlock the "Whirling Surge" ability
6. Use the item you receive to learn the mount. You will also be credited with the achievement "Azure Ally"

The questline leading to the Highland Drake is part of the sweeping story of the blue dragonflight. Understanding the context will help you navigate the quests.

General Structure

The Azure Span story is tracked by the achievement "Sojourner of the Azure Span" and consists of 52 quests divided into several chapters. The quest "Calling the Blue Dragons" opens the fourth chapter — Vakthros.

Key Events Before Obtaining the Mount

1. Arrival in The Azure Span — you meet Kalecgos, the former Aspect of Magic, who is trying to gather the scattered blue dragons
2. Iskaara and the tuskarr — a questline in the tuskarr settlement, including "Rotting Roots." Kalecgos attends a funeral in Iskaara and will not offer the next quest until you finish this line
3. Calling the Blue Dragons — Kalecgos resolves to call the blue dragonflight back. A cinematic plays: the blue dragons arrive at his call
4. Vakthros — after the flight reunites, you set out alongside Kalecgos and Khadgar toward the Vakthros tower, which is under attack by the forces of the Stormbringer

After Obtaining the Mount

Obtaining the Highland Drake is not the end of the story. The Vakthros plot continues: you confront the forces of the Stormbringer at an ancient tower, and at the climactic moment the blue dragons arrive to aid Kalecgos, confirming the reunion of the flight.

One of the main features of the Highland Drake is its extensive customization system. You can change dozens of appearance elements.

Customization Categories

• Scales — color and type of scales (smooth, spiked, and other variants)
• Horns — shape, style, and color of horns
• Pattern — the design on the drake's body (spots, stripes, solid color)
• Tail — various tail shapes
• Armor — decorative armor elements and their color
• Crest — variations of the crest along the back
• Head — brow ridges, jaw, chin, nose, maw, ears
• Neck — throat ornaments and features
• Eyes — color and style of eyes

How to Customize

To change the drake's appearance, use the Rostrum of Transformation. Approach the rostrum and interact with it — the customization screen will open.

Rostrums are marked on the map with a golden dragon-head icon.

Sources of Drakewatcher Manuscripts

New appearance options are unlocked through drakewatcher manuscripts. The main sources:

• Renown with the Iskaara Tuskarr — most manuscripts for the Highland Drake are unlocked through increasing Renown with the Iskaara Tuskarr (levels 7, 13, 19–26)
• Quests — some manuscripts are granted for completing story and side quests in Thaldraszus and other zones of the Dragon Isles
• Faction vendors — vendors offer manuscripts upon reaching certain reputation levels (Friend, Honored, and above)
• The Inscription profession — players with this profession can craft manuscripts through crafting orders
• Rare enemies and events — manuscripts drop from rare enemies, from fishing catches, and from world events
• Dungeons and raids — special manuscripts drop from dungeon bosses, for example from Echo of Doragosa
• Achievements — silver results in the dragon races in The Azure Span unlock unique options
• Seasonal events — "Pirates' Day" and "Feast of Winter Veil" offer special options through seasonal vendors

Special Skins

In addition to standard customization, there are full transformations that change the drake's entire appearance:

• Embodiment of the Hellforged — a full-transformation manuscript that turns the drake into a likeness of Kazzara, the Hellforged. Drops from Scalecommander Sarkareth in the Aberrus, the Shadowed Crucible raid
• Embodiment of the Infinite — a full transformation from the dungeon "Dawn of the Infinite"
• Embodiment of the Crimson Gladiator — a unique transformation for achieving the Gladiator title in the first season of Dragonflight. It adds spiked armor and fiery elements