Dragons

For dragon types in Divinity: Dragon Commander, see Dragons (Dragon Commander).

Dragon Painting DOS2 — Knight fighting a dragon

“

Rivellon, is also the domain where the ancient and almost extinct races of dragons reside. Of all creatures that inhabit our world, dragons appeal the most to people's imaginations. Wise, powerful, aggressive, and cunning are all words that come to mind. They are the epitome of all that is beautiful in nature, and if one ever gets to see a dragon, he is considered blessed… that is if he lives long enough to tell the tale. Sightings of the various species of dragons have included the description of size, colour and even its friendly nature.

Some report of Giant Black Behemoths with fiery red reptile like eyes, although looking like a Spawn out of Hell, no acts of Destruction has ever been reported by witnesses. Still there is a price on the head of this dragon that has picked up the nickname the Patriarch, those of you foolish enough to go after the title of ‘Dragon Slayer’ good luck to you.

„

—Dragons of Divine Divinity^[1]

Dragons also known as the Ancient Ones are children of Ouroboros the god of dragons and the first beings to ever master the Source magic.

Background[]

Dragons, also called the Creator race are one of the oldest races to ever live upon Rivellon alongside the Eternals. ^[2] Unlike Eternals, dragons are speculated to have created Rivellon and many other worlds. They granted many gifts to young races such as speech, dominion over fire, the shape of the wheel. ^[3] Despite being immortal however, they started to slowly disappear.

With their mysterious decline the true dragons began to kidnap the children of elder races such as elves or dwarves; however, with the appearance of the humankind dragons turned their attention to them and began to kidnap their children at night and raising them as their own. With time they granted these humans their power, thus converting them to dragon knights. ^[4]

Over the years, true dragon sightings became increasingly rare to see and eventually disappearing completely; save for those few unlucky adventurers who ventured too close to a dragon's lair.

Since then, the dragon knights have been mistaken for bona fide dragons and have therefore also been named that. Both dragon knights and dragons have dwindled in numbers since the supposed death of Lucian by the hand of a Dragon Knight controlled by Damian, hunted by the Order of the Dragon Slayers. The slayers have never brought down a fully grown dragon, due to them their belief that dragon knights are true dragons. ^[5] In spite of this, dragons and their agents didn't have slayers as their primary enemy but Damian himself.

During and after the Great War many small dragons have been captured by the Black Ring, drained of their will to serve as mounts and defenders of the Black Ring's fortresses.

Physiology[]

Slane the Winter Dragon — Sourcerers facing the Winter Dragon Slane

“

I shall still live when all their bones are dust and their very civilization lies forgotten

„

—Patriarch the Black ^{Divinity II Ego Draconis}

Dragons come in many sizes and forms which they are able to change as they wish if they have the power to do so. In their original form, dragons may be big as a horse, some large as a two store house and some may even be as large as a mountain. Usually the more powerful the dragon is the bigger it is.

Most of the known dragons have two wings and are bipedal or quadrupedal, however there are accounts of dragons being able to shapeshift. Ancient dragons may change their form completely as they please and there are several accounts of shapeshifted dragons throughout history. Both in case of ancient dragons such as Aurora who changed herself into a beautiful woman out of love for a human emperor or in case of sentient creatures being fooled by their visage. ^[6] Not all dragons may change their form; some are limited to only one form. This applies to Dragon knights who may switch only between their dragon and original form respectively.

Since Dragons are beings of magic they may have an affinity for certain kinds of elemental magic which is visible upon them. For example fire dragon scales are red in colour and water or ice dragons have blue scales.

Culture[]

“

Nonetheless, I hate them for their blind attempt to eradicate all that is Draconic. They destroy so many of the phenomena given unto them by our mediators, the Dragon Knights. Heedlessly they crumble great sources of wisdom and beauty. That is why I despise them.

„

—Patriarch the Black ^{in Divinity II Ego Draconis}

There are no known dragon constructions however, there are places which definitely show their influence. This is especially notable in temples and places dedicated to Maxos. These buildings have giant dragon statues and towers whose peaks are held by wingless stone dragons. The interiors often contain lightning in form of dragon heads with flames in their mouths.

As with all powerful beings dragons are very proud, some say arrogant, creatures and for a reason.^[7] Ancient dragons value wisdom and knowledge above all else and they are known to willingly share it although that depends on the dragons current mood, personality.

One of the particularly known, nearly synonymous traits is a desire to hoard treasure and all of the Ancients are said to have accumulated vast hoard over the centuries. ^[8]

Dragons are also known to possess have their own language which may be spoken only by dragons or dragon knights. One of the ways for non-dragons to be able to correctly and succesfully pronounce or even cast a spell in draconic language is by using drudanae in a special ritual involving drinking dragons blood and draconic artefact called Chalice of the Dragon. ^[9] ^[10]

The power of names[]

“

My name cannot be uttered here, for it is itself a spell of creation that would give different shape to these surroundings and would spawn new unheard-of species. Even dwelling on it in my mind may topple nearby statues or push new breeds of flowers from the ground.

„

—Patriarch ^{in Divinity II Ego Draconis}

Ancient dragons being the oldest Source masters wield untold divine powers. Even their names bear that power and because of this there are true dragons known by nicknames or other names and titles such as Patriarch the Black. Only when the dragon has been slain may its name be spoken without encountering side effects.

Species[]

Dragon Battle — A wild dragon (right) fighting a corrupted black ring dragon (left) in Divinity II: Ego Draconis

“

They are empty husks, soulless shells bereft of all that made them part of the Ancient Race. Pity them if you meet them, and give them a swift death.

„

—Patriarch when asked about Damian using dragons in war ^{in Divinity II Ego Draconis}

Despite the dwindling number of original dragons there are still many younger and smaller dragons roaming Rivellon and count as members of the species due to sharing their magic and origins with ancient dragons.

The only known exception are dragons enslaved by the Black Ring in Divinity II: Dragon Knight Saga which had lost their free will and serve only as Black Ring mounts and pets.

Dragons, a small story...[]

"Small dragons

...Parts of this page have been made unreadable...

...

...As ordered by king Leonard II...

...Of all creatures that inhabit our world, dragons appeal the most to people's imaginations. Wise, powerful, aggressive, and cunning are all words that come to mind when contemplating their kind. They are the epitome of all that is beautiful in nature, and if one ever gets to see a dragon, one is considered to be blessed. (At least if he survives) ...

...Words that don't generally appear in descriptions of dragons are lazy, stupid, stinking and cowardly. Still, it is this author's deep conviction that the latter series is more fitting, especially when it comes to small dragons. I've had the displeasure of meeting several of them while venturing through the north, and I must say that everything I'd heard about dragons was far overrated...

...The rat which has been steadily going through my supplies this month is more intelligent than those creatures...

...Never before have I met a species capable of dialogue so dimwitted as the small dragons of the north...

...To all those adventurers preparing themselves to combat one of these creatures, I say, don't bother, you'll never ...

...The moment they'll sight you, they'll be flying to safety as fast as their little wings can, flatulating as they go. (The latter being probably the main reason why I despise them so much)...

...Since I know this will be met with disbelief by most of my readers, I did a little bit of research in order to back up my claims...

...The rulers of the north...

...King ... offered a huge bounty for every dragon slayed...

...The wizards vowed to keep...

...burned and destroyed all...

...While I find it strange that this story doesn't appear in popular tales, it was recorded by the great sage and historian Tacnitus, so I presume there is some truth in it...

..." - Small Dragons^[11]