Dragon (cosmere)
| 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]
Behaviour
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.
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]
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.[20] He has some relationship with the Seventeenth Shard, and actively corresponds with Hoid while the latter is on Roshar.[21][22] Though not a worldhopper, he has significant knowledge of the cosmere.[20]
The second is Koravellium Avast, the original Vessel of Cultivation, though she prefers to hide her true form, even when speaking to other Shards.[23][24] She is the only dragon on Roshar.[1] She is the only dragon that is currently a Shard.[25]
The third is Xisisrefliel, who lives underneath the Crimson Sea on Lumar.[26] Xisis's primary goal on Lumar is research, and he has inhabited the planet for hundreds of years.[10][26] 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.[15][27]
It is possible that other dragons are alive, but have not revealed themselves.[13] 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.[28][29] On Komashi, they have been known since the time of the Torio kingdom which had sculptures of them;[30] by the time the hijo were freed, they were common figures in mythology.[31][11] One year in Nagadan is known as the Year of the Dragon.[32] 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 dragonlike creatures.[33]
![[33]](#cite_note-Oathgate_Locations.jpg-34){kind=link}
Even before the Shattering, dragons were much more cosmere aware than other races, and a few may have gone off-world.[34]
Notable Dragons
Trivia
- Though still present in the cosmere in background roles, dragons will not become major players until the Dragonsteel series.[35]
- Brandon likes dragons a lot;[36] they are also the only classical fantasy race to feature in the cosmere.[37]
- Adonalsium wasn't a dragon.[38]
- Dragons on Yolen were seen as deities, and see themselves as deities.[39]
Notes
- Footnotes
- References
- ↑ 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# - ↑ 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 Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 51#
- ↑ a b Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 28#
- ↑ a b c d Shardcast Interview
— Arcanum - 2023-07-30# - ↑ a b Leipzig Book Fair
— Arcanum - 2017-03-24# - ↑ JordanCon 2016
— Arcanum - 2016-04-23# - ↑ a b c d Tress of the Emerald Sea chapter 52#
- ↑ Oathbringer chapter 114#
- ↑ The Way of Kings chapter 19 epigraph#
- ↑ Elantris Annotations
— Arcanum - 2006-04-17# - ↑ Shardcast Interview
— Arcanum - 2023-07-30# - ↑ 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# - ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 40#
- ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 10#
- ↑ Yumi and the Nightmare Painter chapter 16#
- ↑ 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# - ↑ Tress Spoiler Stream
— Arcanum - 2023-03-31#
