Dragon (cosmere)
| Dragon (cosmere) | |
|---|---|
| |
| 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, though apparently in small numbers, on other worlds.[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
Dragons are intelligent and inherently ageless.[7][8] They are also more suited towards long lifespans.[9]
They have the ability to shapeshift, taking on the form of different species, including humans; how much a dragon can shapeshift depends on an unknown factor.[10][11] When the dragon is transformed, there is no apparent sign that it's not the species it's presenting as.[12] Their shapeshifting method is different to that of the kandra, even if the result is similar.[13]
In their true forms, they are not necessarily large; some are smaller than sandlings, while others can be as large as chasmfiends.[7][1] They have four legs, as well as a pair of massive wings that allow them to fly. Their skin is covered with pearlescent scales, as well as silvery streaks that run along the body. Xisisrefliel, and likely other dragons, have claws and some scales composed of Dragonsteel.[11] Despite their nonhuman form, they are still able to speak with a human-sounding voice.[1][11]
Despite being reptilian, they are able to grow hair across the head, and under the neck and chin as a beard.[11]
Both Frost and Xisisrefliel are shown to hold a non-interventionist policy toward humans in the Cosmere.[14][15] It is possible that this is a general trait of Dragons.
Presence in the Cosmere
Three dragons are known to exist, two of them being known to have been alive since the Shattering of Adonalsium. One is Frost, living on Yolen.[16] He has some relationship with the Seventeenth Shard, and actively corresponds with Hoid while the latter is on Roshar.[17][18] Though not a worldhopper, he has significant knowledge of the cosmere.[16]
The second is Koravellium Avast, the original Vessel of Cultivation, though she prefers to hide her true form, even when speaking to other Shards.[19][20] She is the only dragon on Roshar.[1] She is the only dragon that is currently a Shard.[21]
The third is Xisisrefliel, who lives underneath the Crimson Sea on Lumar.[22] Xisis' primary goal on Lumar is research, and he has inhabited the planet for hundreds of years.[11][22] Additionally, Xisis exhibits the power to grant various boons to any individual who would bring him a servant, with such boons including the purging of the Spore Eater condition and the gift of advanced technology from other planets.[14][23]
It's possible that other dragons are also around, but they have not revealed themselves.[12] How much other inhabitants of the cosmere know about them is unclear. On Nalthis, dragons are part of the local mythology, with the phrase "dragon's nest" referring to a highly dangerous place.[24][25] On Roshar, dragons are effectively unknown to its modern-day inhabitants.[1] It's possible that they were known in the distant past, as there exists old artwork depicting dragon-esque creatures.[26]
![[26]](#cite_note-Oathgate_Locations.jpg-26){kind=link}
Even before the Shattering, dragons were much more cosmere aware than other races, and a few may have gone off-world.[27]
Notable Dragons
Trivia
- Though still present in the cosmere in background roles, dragons will not become major players until Dragonsteel.[28]
- Brandon likes dragons a lot;[29] they are also the only classical fantasy race to feature in the cosmere.[30]
- Adonalsium wasn't a dragon.[31]
Notes
- ↑ a b c d e 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# - ↑ a b OdysseyCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-08# - ↑ Supanova 2017 - Sydney
— Arcanum - 2017-06-16# - ↑ YouTube Spoiler Stream 3
— Arcanum - 2021-12-16# - ↑ Skyward Atlanta signing
— Arcanum - 2018-11-17# - ↑ a b c d e Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 51#
- ↑ a b Leipzig Book Fair
— Arcanum - 2017-03-24# - ↑ JordanCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-23# - ↑ a b Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 52#
- ↑ Elantris Annotations
— Arcanum - 2006-04-17# - ↑ a b /r/books AMA 2015
— Arcanum - 2015-09-08# - ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 26 epigraph#
- ↑ OdysseyCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-08# - ↑ YouTube Livestream 23
— Arcanum - 2020-12-17# - ↑ Rhythm of War chapter 114#
- ↑ Mini-Con 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-11-22# - ↑ a b Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 31#
- ↑ Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 53#
- ↑ Warbreaker chapter 17#
- ↑ General Twitter 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-08-12# - ↑ Oathgate Locations
- ↑ FanX 2021
— Arcanum - 2021-09-17# - ↑ Orem Signing
— Arcanum - 2019-03-16# - ↑ Ad Astra 2017
— Arcanum - 2017-05-05# - ↑ YouTube Livestream 3
— Arcanum - 2020-01-25# - ↑ White Sand vol.1 Orem signing
— Arcanum - 2016-06-29#
