A good post on the matter by a lore buff.
"Mmmm... Nothing like Emerald Nightmare twisted Green Dragons.
Hakkar, you filthy beast, good job giving us some new challenges!
As for you all, allow me to enlighten you on one of the current theories regarding the existance of these Dragons.
World of Lorecraft: The Emerald Nightmare
This particular story is one currently under debate by many people. Further, it is still just theory. Take the information here as simply that until the truth has been revealed. This is merely the consensus that has been reached about the current situation within the Emerald Dream.
In the recent years, the Gurubashi and Atal'ai Trolls have been reuniting and reaffirming ancient ties. In this, worship of the ancient Serpent God of Old, Hakkar, was renewed in Stranglethorn Vale and spread to many of the other Troll tribes, including those currently inhabiting Zul'farrak in Tanaris to the home of the Vilebranch Trolls, Jintha'alor. This also provided the Atal'ai Trolls with fresh bodies and trollpower to renew their dark arts in the worship of Hakkar.
This also has allowed them to summon Hakkar forth into our world once again.
Hakkar, to quote the texts, was an ancient spirit of evil. A vile, bloodthirsty spirit of great power. He is what the Trolls refer to as a Loa God. It is believed that the Loa are spirits of Nature and the Creatures of the world, powerful entities that they worship as Gods. Or, perhaps a Loa Gods are otherwise. Perhaps they are leftovers from the power of the Old Gods. Perhaps they are Ancients, like Cenarius or Agamaggan. This will be clarified more in Zul'Gurub.
One thing we know about Hakkar... By giving him sacrifices and more willing servants, Hakkar the Soulflayer became stronger and stronger still.
Dreaming of entering the mortal world, Hakkar's only desire is to feast on the blood and souls of all living things. A terrible Serpent God with surprising powers and horrifying powers. Whatever the Loa Gods are, they are powerful entities indeed... and could tip the balance of the mortal world.
Yet, Hakkar's power was not complete. He was unable to enter the Mortal World to feast as he desired. But now, with the reunion of the Atal'ai and the Gurubashi Trolls, Hakkar's worship grew once again. The Lost Temple of Atal'Hakkar flourished in the Swamp of Sorrows... as the preparations were made to bring Hakkar into our world.
However, the growing energies drew the attention of the ever watchful Dragons. Ysera's Green Dragonflight, tied so closely with the forces of Nature, felt this disturbance as Hakkar was coming closer and closer to being brought to our world. Ysera herself sent one of her children to crush the Lost Temple, and sink it under the swamps. The wrath of the Dragons was swift and brutal. Many Trolls died in the attack, while others fled towards Zul'gurub to warn them of what the Dragons had done.
The Priests of Atal'Hakkar were not without their defenses, however, and Hakkar himself was not powerless.
The Priests raised a dark barrier inside their sunken temple behind which the Dragons couldn't attack them. Maintained by spectral, undead Trolls, the Green Dragons were helpless to kill the Prophet of Hakkar. The Prophet, Jammal'an, called upon Hakkar. And... Hakkar answered.
Hakkar struck a painful blow, attacking Eranikus, the Adult Dragon sent by Ysera and instantly killed him. By transforming him into a Shade, Hakkar gained access, through Eranikus' own connection, to the Emerald Dream. The Drakes and Dragonspawn that served Eranikus, his own children and followers, were swept up by this attack. Becoming darker and more corrupt, they became guardians over a sleeping, dreaming Shade of the Dragon that Eranikus once was. Hakkar's corruption swept into the Emerald Dream like a storm, and a wide section of it was transformed. Many of the Green Flight suffered grievously in this, and likely even Ysera herself was caught up in this dark act.
Feeling the disturbance, the Archdruid Furion Stormrage himself entered the Emerald Dream. He hasn't been seen since he did, and no one knows if he is even still alive.
One ancient Elder Druid, sleeping in the caverns below the Barrens, was caught in the Corruption. His Emerald Dreaming became an Emerald Nightmare. Horrible creatures emerged from his sleeping mind, and his once students were transformed in belief and stricture... becoming the first Druids of the Fang, druids capable of commanding the Serpent Creatures created by the sleeping Elder, and transforming into Serpents themselves.
The Wailing Caverns was born.
In recent times, more Greens have taken up guardianship around the Sunken Temple, unsure what to do without the guidance of Ysera. They turn all away, killing those who try to enter the Sunken Temple if they can. Recently four Portals that have stood silent have gained dangerous groups of guardian Green Dragons. These Portals are rumored to lead to the Emerald Dream.
One is in Boughshadow, in the Northeast corner of Ashenvale Forest. Heavily guarded by terrible Dragonspawn and a Drake leading them.
The Second is in Seradane, north of the home of the Vilebranch Trolls. Worshipers of Hakkar and the Scions of Ysera glare at one another from across the Hinterlands.
The Third is in Feralas. Known as Dream Bough, it is filled with many Green Dragonspawn and lead as the others by a near adult Drake.
The Fourth is in Duskwood, in the Twilight Grove. Mysteriously unguarded, it stands in a silent, twilight world. It is currently unknown why no Dragonspawn or Drakes guard this portal.
It is believed by adventurers, sages, and the Druids that something terrible has happened in the Emerald Dream. The Emerald Nightmare is what many Adventurers are calling it, and many are trying to find a way past the Dragons and into the Dream. Some wish to find Furion, others to save the Emerald Dream, while others go for the Power that must await them on the Emerald Dream.
What awaits them when they finally can enter the Emerald Dream? "
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