Difference between revisions of "Dragon (cosmere)"
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=== Behaviour === |
=== Behaviour === |
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+ | {{quote |
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+ | |The deal has been struck. I must pay you, however little I think the trade was worth. |
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+ | |[[Xisisrefliel]]{{book ref|tress|52}} |
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+ | }} |
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+ | |||
Dragons are fond of bargains; in some cases, this can take the form of magical interactions that involve the dragon granting the petitioner a boon of some sort.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{book ref|sa3|114}} They are likewise fond of collecting useful assets, which includes people, in form of slaves, followers or even corporate employees.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{wob ref|16187}} They will frequently make themselves known throughout the [[cosmere]], so as to plant knowledge of themselves that they can use later.{{book ref|tress|51}} |
Dragons are fond of bargains; in some cases, this can take the form of magical interactions that involve the dragon granting the petitioner a boon of some sort.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{book ref|sa3|114}} They are likewise fond of collecting useful assets, which includes people, in form of slaves, followers or even corporate employees.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{wob ref|16187}} They will frequently make themselves known throughout the [[cosmere]], so as to plant knowledge of themselves that they can use later.{{book ref|tress|51}} |
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Where dragons do settle, they will often grant boons to humans; Xisis receives gifts of human slaves in exchange for various boons both material, such as advanced off-world technology, and more insubstantial, like information or medical treatment.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{book ref|tress|53}} Over on [[Roshar]], Koravellium Avast grants her own boons to various petitioners, though rather than taking anything in exchange, she grants a matching curse.{{book ref|sa3|114}} Whether this is her own choice or a compulsion is unclear. |
Where dragons do settle, they will often grant boons to humans; Xisis receives gifts of human slaves in exchange for various boons both material, such as advanced off-world technology, and more insubstantial, like information or medical treatment.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{book ref|tress|53}} Over on [[Roshar]], Koravellium Avast grants her own boons to various petitioners, though rather than taking anything in exchange, she grants a matching curse.{{book ref|sa3|114}} Whether this is her own choice or a compulsion is unclear. |
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− | === Cultural |
+ | === Cultural Influence === |
+ | {{quote |
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+ | |Like a grandmother tucking away that bit of string that wrapped her package, the dragons want to know they have a certain number of easily influenced cultures around, for the proverbial rainy day. |
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+ | |[[Hoid]]{{book ref|tress|51}} |
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+ | }} |
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+ | |||
Dragons frequently reveal themselves to developing human cultures, so as to plant the seeds for later use.{{book ref|tress|51}} The effectiveness varies. On [[Roshar]], dragons are virtually unknown in the present times, although ancient artwork depicting draconic creatures suggests this was not always the case.{{book ref|sa4|80}}{{file ref|Oathgate Locations.jpg|text=Oathgate Locations}} On [[Nalthis]], dragons are known mythological creatures, with the phrase "dragon's nest" referring to someplace highly dangerous.{{book ref|wb|17}}{{wob ref|1346}} |
Dragons frequently reveal themselves to developing human cultures, so as to plant the seeds for later use.{{book ref|tress|51}} The effectiveness varies. On [[Roshar]], dragons are virtually unknown in the present times, although ancient artwork depicting draconic creatures suggests this was not always the case.{{book ref|sa4|80}}{{file ref|Oathgate Locations.jpg|text=Oathgate Locations}} On [[Nalthis]], dragons are known mythological creatures, with the phrase "dragon's nest" referring to someplace highly dangerous.{{book ref|wb|17}}{{wob ref|1346}} |
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Revision as of 21:02, 31 July 2023
Dragon (cosmere) | |
---|---|
by Howard Lyon
| |
Abilities | Agelessness, shapeshifting |
Sapient | Yes |
World of Origin | Yolen |
Universe | Cosmere |
“First, he would find a way to have colorful scales like the dragon. Second, he would learn to speak the language of men like the dragon. Third, he would learn to fly like the dragon. ”
Dragons are a sapient species within the cosmere. Originally, they came from Yolen, but can now be found on other worlds (typically in very small numbers).[2][3] They are one of Yolen's three sentient species, alongside humans and Sho Del.[4] Like the Sho Del, Dragons are a form of fainlife.[5][6]
Characteristics
Biology
Most dragons in the cosmere are fain creatures, and as such hexapedal, with four legs and two wings. They are inherently ageless, and suited towards their long lifespans, but they are not unkillable.[7][8] In their true forms, they are not necessarily large; some are smaller than sandlings, while others can be as large as chasmfiends.[9][1] Their skin is covered with pearlescent scales, as well as silvery streaks of dragonsteel that run along the body, mostly the limbs, up towards their horns, which are made entirely of dragonsteel.[10] Even in this nonhuman form, they are still able to speak with a human-sounding voice.[1][10] Despite being reptilian, they are able to grow hair across the head, and under the neck and chin as a beard.[10] At least some of them are carnivorous.[11]
Most dragons have the capability to shapeshift, taking on the form of different species, including humans.[10] In fact, shapeshifting into a human is a core aspect of their life cycle. Dragons are born in humanoid form, then transition into their draconic form upon hitting puberty, and eventually gain the ability to switch between those two forms at will.[12] It is also likely that assyming a humanoid form is required for them to bear children. [fn 1] When in their humanoid form, dragons are indistinguishable form the species they are presenting as.[13] Their shapeshifting method is different to that of the kandra, even if the result is similar.[14]
Dragons appear to possess some form of intrinsic connection to Tamu Keks; using a Tamu Kek, one may speak to a dragon, and the dragon can, in turn, respond and influence the speaker's emotions in some manner.[12]
Behaviour
“The deal has been struck. I must pay you, however little I think the trade was worth. ”
Dragons are fond of bargains; in some cases, this can take the form of magical interactions that involve the dragon granting the petitioner a boon of some sort.[15][16] They are likewise fond of collecting useful assets, which includes people, in form of slaves, followers or even corporate employees.[15][12] They will frequently make themselves known throughout the cosmere, so as to plant knowledge of themselves that they can use later.[10]
Aside from that, draconic personalities vary. Some take their self-appointed duties towards people extremely seriously; others devote themselves to scholarships; yet others simply do not care and do as they wish.[12] Both Frost and Xisisrefliel are shown to hold a non-interventionist policy toward humans in the cosmere, but this does not hold for all their kin.[15][17][18]
Most dragons have at least two names -- a full, long name (such as Xisisrefliel) and then a nickname they are more commonly known as (such as Foil).[19]
Lesser Dragons
Aside from the so-called "greater dragons", cosmere is also home to a number of lesser dragons, or drakelings. Little is known about the lesser dragons, aside from the fact that unlike their greater cousines, they are quadrupedal -- possessed of only four limbs -- and incapable of transformation into humanoid form. It is unclear if those dragons are fain creatures, and if there is any evolutionary relation between them and the greater dragons.[12]
Presence in the Cosmere
Yolen
Even prior to the Shattering, dragons were much more cosmere-aware than humans and Sho Del, and a few may have gone off-world before anyone else did.[20] On Yolen, dragons were worshipped as deities and considered themselves divine in turn, with believers praying to them through Tamu Keks.[21][22] Adonalsium, however, was not a dragon.[23]
Two dragons are known to have been involved in the Shattering of Adonalsium, with one being Koravellium Avast, who would go on to take up a Shard -- the only dragon to have done so.[24] The other one, Frost, would remain on Yolen after the Shattering, assuming a stance of non-intervention, although he would amass a significant knowledge of the wider cosmere through his relations with both the Seventeenth Shard and Hoid.[25][26][27]
Direct Influences
The Cognitive Realm-located city of Silverlight was originally built as a collection of dragon palaces. Even in the present day, as the city grew to house worldhoppers of other races, dragons retain a substantial presence in the city, owning corporations, vast establishments and even entire skyscrapers.[12] However, even dragons who would consider Silverlight their home base occassionally depart for many centuries, such as Xisisrefliel, who has been living underneath the Crimson Sea on Lumar in order to research the breakdown of aethers and aether spores.[28][10]
Where dragons do settle, they will often grant boons to humans; Xisis receives gifts of human slaves in exchange for various boons both material, such as advanced off-world technology, and more insubstantial, like information or medical treatment.[15][29] Over on Roshar, Koravellium Avast grants her own boons to various petitioners, though rather than taking anything in exchange, she grants a matching curse.[16] Whether this is her own choice or a compulsion is unclear.
Cultural Influence
“Like a grandmother tucking away that bit of string that wrapped her package, the dragons want to know they have a certain number of easily influenced cultures around, for the proverbial rainy day. ”
Dragons frequently reveal themselves to developing human cultures, so as to plant the seeds for later use.[10] The effectiveness varies. On Roshar, dragons are virtually unknown in the present times, although ancient artwork depicting draconic creatures suggests this was not always the case.[1][30] On Nalthis, dragons are known mythological creatures, with the phrase "dragon's nest" referring to someplace highly dangerous.[31][32]
The planet of Komashi appears to have been particularly taken with dragons for a long time. They were known during the times of the Torio kingdom, with sculptures depicting them frequently used as decorations.[33] Centuries later, in Nagadan, dragons remained a popular motif, with plush dragons being sold as childrens' toys, and one of the years of the Nagadan calendar being named the year of the dragon.[11][34] Despite this, Komashi myths seem to paint dragons as antagonistic, with stories of heroes slaying them being well-known.[35]
Notable Dragons
- Koravellium Avast - the Vessel of Cultivation on Roshar
- Xisisrefliel - a scholar who studies aethers on Lumar
- Frost - a friend of Hoid, currently living on Yolen
Trivia
- Though still present in the cosmere in background roles, dragons are not slated to become major players until the Dragonsteel series.[36]
- Brandon likes dragons a lot;[37] they are also the only classical fantasy race to feature in the cosmere.[38] However, the early books in the cosmere were published at the time where "dragon books", such as Eragon and How to Train Your Dragon were extremely popular. As such, Brandon felt that the market was "dragon flooded" and postponed involving dragons in his stories until much later.[12]
Notes
- Footnotes
- References
- ↑ a b c d Rhythm of War chapter 80#
- ↑ #tweettheauthor 2009
— Arcanum - 2009-07-08# - ↑ General Reddit 2020
— Arcanum - 2020-11-22# - ↑ Arcanum Unbounded release party
— Arcanum - 2016-11-22# - ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 4
— Arcanum - 2022-06-16# - ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 5
— Arcanum - 2022-12-02# - ↑ Supanova 2017 - Sydney
— Arcanum - 2017-06-16# - ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 3
— Arcanum - 2021-12-16# - ↑ OdysseyCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-08# - ↑ a b c d e f g h Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 51#
- ↑ a b Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 28#
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Shardcast Interview
— Arcanum - 2023-07-30# - ↑ Leipzig Book Fair
— Arcanum - 2017-03-24# - ↑ JordanCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-23# - ↑ a b c d e Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 52#
- ↑ a b Oathbringer chapter 114#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 19 epigraph#
- ↑ Elantris Annotations
— Arcanum - 2006-04-17# - ↑ Shardcast Interview
— Arcanum - 2023-07-30# - ↑ FanX 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-09-17# - ↑ Shardcast Interview
— Arcanum - 2023-07-30# - ↑ Tress Spoiler Stream
— Arcanum - 2023-03-31# - ↑ White Sand vol.1 Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2016-06-29# - ↑ Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 26 epigraph#
- ↑ OdysseyCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-08# - ↑ /r/books AMA 2015
— Arcanum - 2015-09-08# - ↑ Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 31#
- ↑ Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 53#
- ↑ Oathgate Locations
- ↑ Warbreaker chapter 17#
- ↑ General Twitter 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-08-12# - ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 40#
- ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 16#
- ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 10#
- ↑ Orem Signing
— Arcanum - 2019-03-16# - ↑ Ad Astra 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-05-05# - ↑ YouTube Livestream 3
— Arcanum - 2020-01-25#