Deathwing the Destroyer, originally Neltharion, the Earth-Warder, is one of five Dragon Aspects and leader of the black dragonflight. Thousands of years ago, Neltharion was empowered by the Titans with dominion over the earth and the
deep places of Azeroth. However, driven
mad by the Old Gods, he turned against the other Aspects during the
War of the Ancients. Among both mortals and dragons his name has become one whispered with a feeling of
fear and contempt.
The black aspect involved himself in the Second
War, adopting the form of Lord Daval Prestor, in order to destroy the Alliance from within. He also managed to turn his greatest enemy, Alexstrasza, into a
slave of the Horde, with whom he later allied himself. After suffering a series of defeats culminating with his being chased off by the other Aspects, Neltharion "Deathwing" retreated to the elemental plane Deepholm to recuperate. From Deepholm, Deathwing observed his former mate Sintharia's experiments with the twilight dragonflight in
Grim Batol. Deathwing now continues his
late consort's
work.