Difference between revisions of "Dragon (cosmere)"

{{lifeform|name=Dragon

{{spoilersspoiler|yumitsm}}

'''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).{{wob ref|4410}}{{wob ref|14441}}{{book ref|tsm|10}} They are one of Yolen's three sentient species, alongside humans and [[Sho Del]].{{wob ref|9676}} Like the Sho Del, Dragons are a form of [[fain]]life.{{wob ref|15686}}{{wob ref|16020}}

Most dragons in the cosmere are [[fain]] creatures, and as such they are hexapedal, with four legs and two wings.{{wob ref|16020}} They are inherently ageless, and suitedtherefore towardsthey theirstop longaging lifespansafter a certain point, but they are not unkillable.{{wob ref|5730}}{{wob ref|15310}}{{wob ref|16543}} In their true forms, they are not necessarily large; some are smaller than [[sandling]]s, while others can be as large as [[chasmfiend]]s.{{wob ref|2655}}{{book ref|sa4|80}} Their skin is covered with pearlescent scales, as well as silvery streaks of [[Dragonsteel (metal)|dragonsteel]] that run along the body, mostly the limbs, up towards their horns, which are made entirely of dragonsteel.{{book ref|Tress|51}} Even in this nonhuman form, they are still able to speak with a human-sounding voice.{{book ref|sa4|80}}{{book ref|tress|51}} Despite being reptilian, they are able to grow hair across the head, and under the neck and chin as a beard.{{book ref|tress|51}} At least some of them are carnivorous.{{book ref|yumi|28}}

Most dragonsDragons have the capabilityinherent ability to shapeshift,.{{book takingref|tress|51}}{{wob onref|14996}}{{book theref|tsm|8}} formThe scope of differenttheir species,shapeshifting includingpowers humans.may vary by individual,{{bookwob ref|tress|5112076}} In fact,but 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.{{wob ref|16187}} It is also likely that assymingassuming a humanoid form is required for them to bear children. {{ref|group=fn|text=Brandon has stated that dragons "give birth in humanoid form."{{wob ref|16187}} Given the context, this most likely means that the dragon is born as a humanoid. It is unknown if a dragon needs to be in humanoid form to bear children.}} When in their humanoid form, dragons aredo indistinguishablenot formdisplay theany speciesidentifiable theynonhuman are presenting ascharacteristics.{{wob ref|7171}}{{book ref|tsm|8}} Their shapeshifting method is different to that of the [[kandra]], even if the result is similar.{{wob ref|148}}

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}}{{book ref|sa3|114}} 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}}

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.{{wob ref|16187}} 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.{{book ref|tress|52}}{{epigraph ref|sa1|19}}{{wob ref|2214}}

Most dragons have at least two names -- a full, long name (such as [[Xisisrefliel]]) and then a shorter nickname they aremay moreuse commonlyin knownsome assituations (suchfor example, Xisisrefliel corresponds with some people using the asname "Foil").{{wob ref|16182}}

Aside from the so-called "greater dragons", the cosmere is also home to a number of lesser dragons, or drakelings. Little is known about the lesserLesser dragons, asidehave fromsome thenotable factdifferences that unlike theirto greater cousines,dragons; they aredo quadrupedalnot share the amphibian--like possessedlifecycle of onlygreater fourdragons, limbsand -- andare incapable of transformation into humanoid form. ItAn unnamed planet is unclearhome ifto thosea variety of non-hexapedal lesser dragons areknown fainas creatures,'''drakelings'''.{{wob andref|16187}} ifNothing thereelse is anyknown evolutionaryabout relationthe betweenbiology themor abilities of lesser dragons, and thetheir relationship (if any) to greater dragons.{{wob ref|16187}}is unclear.

{{image|Koravellium Avast by Connor Chamberlain.jpg|side=right|width=250px300px|[[Koravellium Avast]], also known as the [[Shard]] [[Cultivation]]}}

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 athe [[Shard]] --of the[[Cultivation]].{{file onlyref|Alethi dragonGlyphs toPage have done so2.jpg}}{{wob ref|1514914564}} 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]].{{epigraph ref|sa1|26}}{{wob ref|2682}}{{wob ref|3679}}

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 racesspecies, dragons retain a substantial presence in the city, owning corporations, vast establishments and even entire skyscrapers.{{wob ref|16187}} However, even dragons who would consider Silverlight their home base occassionally depart for manya centuries,long time. One such asdragon is [[Xisisrefliel]], who for centuries has been living underneath the [[Crimson Sea]] on [[Lumar]] in order to research the breakdown of aethers and aether spores.{{book ref|tress|31}}{{book ref|tress|51}}

WhereWhen dragons do settle, they will often grant boons to humans;the locals. 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.

=== Cultural InfluenceInfluences ===

Dragons frequently reveal themselves to developing human cultures, so as to plant the seeds for later use; the term "dragon" is known to nigh-on every cosmere culture.{{book ref|tress|51}} The effectiveness of this approach varies, however. On [[Roshar]], despite the world being home to the sole draconic Shard, 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]], on the other hand, dragons are well-known mythological creatures, with the phrase "dragon's nest" referring to someplace highly dangerous.{{book ref|wb|17}}{{wob ref|1346}} Similarly, dragons are a familiar concept on [[Lumar]], though it's unclear how well-known they were before Xisis moved there.{{book ref|tress|51}}