Dragon is a mythical beast in the folklore of many European and Asian cultures. Legends describe dragons as large, lizard like creatures that breathe fire and have a long, scaly tail. In Europe, dragons are traditionally portrayed as ferocious beasts that represent the evils fought by human beings. But in Asia, especially in China and Japan, the animals are generally considered friendly creatures that ensure good luck and wealth.
Many European legends tell how a hero slew a dragon. For example, Apollo, a god of the ancient Greeks and Romans, once killed a dragon called Python. Saint George, the patron saint of England, rescued a princess from a dragon by slaying the beast with a lance.
According to some medieval legends, dragons lived in wild, remote regions of the world. The dragons guarded treasures in their dens, and a person who killed one supposedly gained its wealth.
In China, the traditional New Year's Day parade includes a group of people who wind through the street wearing a large dragon costume. The dragon's image, according to an ancient belief, prevents evil spirits from spoiling the new year. Another traditional Chinese belief is that certain dragons have the power to control the rainfall needed for each year's harvest.
The Red Dragon of Wales (y ddraig goch), although perhaps of Chinese origin, was introduced to Britain by the Romans some eighteen hundred years ago. Initially a military standard, in time this mythical beast developed into the flag of a nation. The Welsh may be the only people to have entered this millennium with the "same" flag as they entered the current one.
In modern times, the idea of what a dragon looks like has become increasingly stereotypical: reptilian, two bat-like wings, four legs, long neck and tail, tail spade, breaths fire, hoards treasure, and is often green. But this was not always the case. Ancient dragons were very diverse in form and behaviour. This diversity makes it difficult to write a definition of what a dragon is. Dictionary definitions are fairly accurate, but give no clue about whether a creature lacking all of the traits a dragon 'usually' has could still be a dragon. Or how to tell a dragon apart from a creature which also has some of these traits.
One answer would be to say that a dragon is any monster which is claimed to be a dragon by the tellers of the myth. There is a big language problem with this approach. In many cultures dragons have a close affinity with some other species. The dividing line between snakes and dragons is particularly small in many cultures. Some serpentine dragons look like giant snakes, and have some snake-like attributes (such as spitting poison). This similarity is reflected in language: often one word can be used to describe a snake or a dragon. Among the Polynesians, Mo'o or Moko1, means a lizard of some type. From language alone the moko of a legend could just as easily be a fearsome dragon, or a cute little gecko.
Probably the most accurate way of deciding what is a dragon, is to compare the creature with other dragons. There are a number of traits that many dragons possess, and a number of themes which appear time and again in the legends. If a creature shares a fair number of these traits and themes, there is a good chance it is a dragon. Below is a checklist of traits which many dragons share. A dragon does not need all (or even most) of these traits to be a dragon. A list of themes from dragon myths will be kept on a separate page (currently under construction), as it is a large topic in its own right.
These are some of the most common traits among dragons. All of these appear in numerous cultures. It is unlikely to find a dragon which does not have at least one of these traits:
� Reptile-like in appearance or behaviour.
� Breathing or spitting fire or poison.
� Living in water, or being associated with water.
� Having control over some aspect of the weather (particularly storms, rain and wind).
� Being able to fly (not necessarily by having wings).
� Guarding something (often treasure or knowledge, but it could be a city, maiden, or some other resource. This also leads to comments about a dragon's vigilance, as many of these guardians fight to the death to protect the resource).
� Magical/Supernatural powers. Sometimes these are powers displayed by the live dragons, and sometimes magical properties of dead parts of the dragon.
Less Widespread Common Traits:
� Having bird-like traits2 (most commonly feathers).
� Roundals on the wings and/or body.
� Ability to turn into another type of animal (including human).
� Holding a position of power (such as a being a god, or close servant of the gods).
Section Two: What a Dragon is Not
Another important point when deciding what is and is not a dragon, is to beware modern stereotypes. There are many generalisations and stereotypes which are taken to be true of all dragons. They are not. Below are a few of these stereotypes and generalisations. If you are discounting a creature as a dragon because it lacks these, then it is a good idea to think again:
� Stereotype 1 - Western dragons are evil, and Eastern dragons are good: there is a general trend for eastern dragons to be more benevolent than their western counterparts. Even so, Eastern dragons are capable of causing total havoc and destruction (and did on many occasions). And there are Western dragons who are kindly towards local humans. For example, there are numerous helpful household dragons in the West3.
� Stereotype 2 - Dragons must have legs and wings: Many of the European dragons had no limbs, such as some of the wyrms, and the Midgard Serpent4. Some dragons are sometimes shown with legs, and sometimes without, such as Ouroboros5.
� Stereotype 3 - Dragons must be intelligent: There are many dragons who talk in legends, and form cunning plots. However, this is not true of all of them. Some of the polynesian Taniwha show remarkable strength, but not a whole lot of thinking power. The apocrathal dragon in 'Bel and the Dragon' shows no signs of great intelligence. It eats what humans give it, does not talk, and does not have the intelligence to see the threat which kills it.
� Stereotype 4 - Mythological dragons are large: Contrary to popular belief, it was not roleplaying games like AD&D that created the fairy dragon. Various forms of fairy dragon, and draconic household spirits, appear in folklore6. In general they are very small. Much smaller than a human.
Based on everything said here, there are a number of creatures which could be mistaken for dragons. Gryphons are one of these creatures. They fly, they hoard gold, and some even have serpent tails. Unlike dragons, gryphons have a limited physical range. They mainly consist of a mix of cat and bird traits. They have bird-like wings and a bird-like head (including beak) with ears. Though other parts of the gryphon vary, they generally have a cat-like back half, with cat back legs, and a bird-like front half, with bird talons for front legs. Gryphons also tend to store their gold in a nest. Bird style nests are not common among dragons.
As was mentioned earlier, dragons and snakes have a lot in common. In mythology, snakes are sometimes attributed with certain powers. Usually these are effects caused by touching the snake. Common examples are healing powers and sexual references (such as changing the sex of anyone who touched them). Neither of these two themes are common among dragons. Snakes also tend to be the size of real snakes.
Conclusion
Defining dragons is a very complex subject, and cannot be done with a few sentences. Even a more elaborate definition, such as this one, has problems classifying some creatures. Ancient sources of dragon information can be hard to translate, and some information may only be found in one source. This means that sources cannot always be crossed checked. Even with good sources, there are some creatures who are borderline cases, such as nagas. Nagas are from India. They are serpents, with human heads. Many have supernatural powers. Nagas would not be the first dragons to look chimeric. Having human parts is not intrinsically different from a dragon having bird wings or fish fins. Dragons already share other human traits (such as intelligence), so why could a dragon not share physical traits too? It is a matter of opinion whether there is a difference in looking like a human, to looking like a bird. Issues like this also contribute to blurring the borderlines of what is a dragon, and what is not a dragon.
If you think this of my Dragons then you'd be utterly wrong, I have to say that I'm a man who likes to break stereotypes and who likes to change the way things work in modern and not so modern Fantasy. On Ashirion Dragons are intelligent, highly so. They can shape change into their Draconic Forms, and a chosen Humanoid Form. Rather like the Shakari and Eldrin etc. They have an intermediate Half Dragon/Humanoid Form, but they often do not wear this much.
And not all of them have a breath weapon, not all of them cast magic, and not all of them are evil based on their colouration. In fact colour in an Ashirion Dragon means diddly squat apart from that they're another colour from another Dragon. Evil is in the heart not the colour. So if you see a Silver Dragon raising an army of the dead, you'll know he's a bad one. Not that many Dragons ever go bad. Because truth be told, Dragons are damn rare here.
Dragons are also damn near ageless, they're old, but they were created by Dralgos, the First Dragon. Known as the Dragon God, or the Bronze Man. Due to having a bronze/gold skin colouration. He was made into the Incarnation of Dragons for his works on Ashirion in the past. The Dragonlands used to be a popular place until the doorway was sealed and the God placed into an eternal sleep along with his people in the City of Draconis.
What are some of the Sizes of Dragons...gods what a question to ask, well ok, you've seen little Dragons on TV and Film right? You've seen Big Dragons on TV and in Film right? well Ashirion Dragons are fricking huge compared to most Dragons.
A Black Dragon might look like this: A long supine neck rises above a massive muscular torso, as black as the night sky, scaled and powerful. The eyes of this creature are intelligent and almost seem to reflect the universe within them, a galaxy of stars lost in the seas of the void. A pair of huge wings slowly cut the air, again black and leathery tipped with sharp ivory wing-spurs. A huge tail whips slightly behind him, thrashing to the beat of his heart. Lastly and by no means least are the claws which are around two to three feet in length. Attached to powerful and sinuous arms, which are most of the time folded into a parody of human action. His body nose to tail is around seventy feet in length, with a massive wingspan of one hundred and fourty feet, his entire presence evokes a sense of awe and fear from most.
Usually I've maintained that a Dragon's size should be discussed with the Admin so that we can work out what looks right to us, or rather what feels right to me. I'm likely to turn down a request for a seven hundred foot long Dragon with a Wingspan of one hundred and fourty thousand feet. Usually I work out that the length of the wings is twice that of the nose to tail length.
I would say, reasonable sizes for the Dragons are around 100 ft nose to tail with a 200ft Wingspan, and that would be a HUGE Dragon IMHO.
What has been the Scaled Ones impact on the History of Ashirion? Well to be quite honest and blunt, not a great deal of impact has been made since the Dragons really are not a race that have shown themselves overly much. They tend to be rather insular and keep to the high mountain areas of the realms. Or they keep themselves hidden and carefully locked away from human or non-human eyes. Always they have been strong supporters of the forces of light, although some have slipped into the practices of darkness. Even those who walk a dark path have come forwards to aid the realms in a time of danger or war however, for they know without the world around them, they are nothing, and shall be as nothing.
The First known Dragon on the lands was seen in the year 700 AW, and appeared to aid the Heroic forces of light against their dark enemies. He vanished as quickly as he came and most people look upon him as somewhat of a Legend, his name was Karwen. The truth is another matter, some have said his daughter resides on this plane still and could give the true answer about her father and his deeds.
One of the other notable Dragons to help the fighters of light is the dark and mysterious Lord Blackmoor. Often appearing as a Human Magi he holds a darker secret, and being of a shadowy past and manner, often is looked upon as being evil. The colour of this dragon is black, a pitch shade. But it could have just have easily been white. So in conclusion Dragons are an old, almost forgotten race that has very little known history, even to their own kind. They are a Uber Special Approved NPC race. And it's VERY rare I find anyone who can play one properly. You can ask, but expect to be utterly vetted and possibly refused. I don't want a DragonMU*
And one Clarification, Dragons and Dragonmen are not the same, the Dragonmen are a weak bloodline of the Dragons. So if you play a Dragonman or woman, don't give people the wrong idea, unless that's ICly what you're trying to do, then expect one day. A real Dragon to hear about it and come and sniff you out, they are curious creatures.
True Dragons
Much larger than most of the shapechanging dragons, by 50 to 60 percent, these are the beings of Ashirion that Dralgos favours. They are strange, aloof and mystical creatures. They do not shape change, they have only one shape and will only allow their bonded Dragonmaster to touch them - anyone else is flatly refused, even the Queen of Ruatha would be refused such a request.
They are deeply mystical creatures as stated, and have their own rites, rituals and guidelines that are steeped in magical history. A True Dragon attempts to have as little to do with most people as possible, only appearing when it's truly needed, or unless their bonded Dragonmaster has called them. True Dragons hail from the Dragonlands - where the fabled City of Draconis serves as a beacon for all Draconic kind of that nature.
Only the Dragonmasters are allowed to bond with a true Dragon, and they will even restrict their bond from other lesser Dragons to this end. At this turn of Ashirion's age, the True Dragons are few and far between, they should not be an /every/ day occurance and should be only glimpsed /once in a blue moon/.
Players are not allowed to play True Dragons, infact as of this cycle no Player is allowed to play a Dragon due to the fact: I've never met a player yet who has even done justice to this particular lesser race, let alone a True Dragon. Ask for one, you'll be denied. There's a lot of work that goes into making one of these creatures effective fit in, and so far I've had only complaints about the lesser Dragons played by regular players - these complaints are the reason that the creatures have been so restricted, it just isn't fair I'm afraid on the other players. Dragons are GM only creatures and should only be part of a scheduled series of events or RPs/TPs.
True Dragons are linked with their god Dralgos, and it is said once he wakens so will the True Dragons return to Ashirion, and with them the ancient and mystical order of the Dragonmasters - this is part of the current plot and timeline. A True Dragon who is so bonded to their Dragonmaster will interact with their bonded, and around others they will be respectful but oddly silent - speaking to their bonded in telepathic mind speech. They will hardly engage the rest of humanoid kind in idle banter and should never be played lightly - they are proud and magnificent creatures that should evoke a sense of wonder - if they appear too frequently - they lose that appeal, so players should react appropriately upon seeing one. Remember people this is not a Dragon, but a True Dragon, something about them instantly makes one aware of the power that they bear...any reaction should be rp'ed accordingly - for instance True Dragons are so intimidating most allies will feel a sense of unease when in their presence - rather than a sense of calm and concentration.
True Dragons are big, scary beasts who have a wide variety of ways to maim and destroy things - don't let them be turned into a regular run of the mill - oh this is another Dragon, let's kill it and take its hoard. If you're going to do that, you shouldn't be roleplaying around one, or if you're doing this as a GM - you should be including one in your TP. If in doubt, ask the Wolf.
For more information goto link http://www.draconian.com trust me there is more information about dragons there than you could poke a stick at! I would have put it in this book but there was just too much information and pictures...