A cultural study of Dragons is naturally going to be difficult, even dangerous. However, as is often the case with dragons, the rewards for taking the time and effort is often well rewarded.

Dragons in many ways embody all the challenges previously faced in cultural studies. They are immortal, isolated by geography and biology, somewhat xenophobic and certainly alien, yet are driven by their needs as much as anything else... yet they seem to exist in a state of enlightened contentment.   Dragons can be all things to all people, and yet never once loose that which makes them... dragons.

Let us begin by adressing the Assumptions upon which our Study must be grounded.

Assumption One: Dragons are intelligent and capable of speech. This is an obvious choice for a starting point. Some may consider this fact, but they neglect the large variety of tales that present Dragons as little more than beasts.  Many source documents, despite given each Dragon it's proper name and occasionally obscure but definite motives, never have record the Dragon as speaking, furthering the myth of 'dumb brutes'.  While Dragons present themselves as smarter than all other species, this may simply be arrogance.

Assumption Two: Dragons are effectively immortal, either possessing godlike lifespans, or as with the elves, simply lacking the biology to 'age' beyond their prime.  Unlike the Elves, however, Dragons are virtually indestructable, immune to most diseases and capable of surviving all but the worst natural disasters. It has long been belived that the only thing capable of killing a Dragon was another Dragon. Of course, as every other Source Document shows that Dragons tend to have distressingly short life expectancies when faced with determined, yet all to human, opposition this has proven decidedly false.

Assumption Three: Dragons, while capable of learning spellcraft, are no more or less capable than any other species. This runs contradictory to many beliefs, which often holds Dragons as masters of Arcane Lore and creatures of unmitigated magical might. However, a close reading of the Source Documents show that the 'Average' Dragon rarely, if ever, casts spells.  Their 'mastery' of Lore comes more from their excessively long lifespans.

Assumption Four: Dragons lay eggs, that is they reproduce. This assumption lays false all the previous concepts of Dragons as 'immortals from the dawn of creation'. While there are no doubt a few dragons of such advanced age, Source Documents regularly treat upon the subject of "dragon eggs" and a few more biologically oriented studies show quite a few Mating Behaviors in Dragons. Couple this with comments about younger, or less potent dragons

Assumption Five: Draconic biology is significant in that they can fly and breath fire. While Source Documents suggest a possible variety of breaths, the iconic image of fire breathing is the one that reigns supreme. Non-firey  breath is typically described as a hot acidic wind, possibly fumed with the gasses that permit flame.  There has been some suggestion that the two extraordinaries are linked, that is to say that the flight and fire breathing owe their existances to once key mechanism of biology, however, such theories do not adequetly take into account the source documents.  Biology suggests that such a large creature can not simply fly by flapping it's wings, yet Dragons DO fly.  Magic is the answer.

Assumption Six: Dragons are, fundamentally, reptiles. There has been an effort on the part of some researchers to suggest that Dragons are a seperate classification only loosly related to reptiles. While it is not normally the place of cultural studies to disagree with biological studies, in this case an exception must be made.  In order to properly understand Draconic behavior, an understanding of their more accessable relatives must be made.  To do otherwise would force this study to dwell endlessly on speculative theorizing, rather than understanding simple facts.

Assumption Seven: Dragons are not ignorant of the world around them and the rise and fall of various civilizations.  One might assume they absent themselves from such civilizations much as an adult absents himself from the games of children. Such speculation however, is likely to be erronious.

Assumption Eight: Dragons are solatary predators, with little interaction with others of their own kind outside of mating or territorial battles. They eat meat, and a decently large amount of it given their size.  However, as source documents refer occasionally to 'flights' of dragons and large groups of Dragons coming together for various activities, one must assume that they have learned to work together for various reasons.

Assumption Nine: Dragons occasionally crave the attention of other races.  Notice the ego-stroking Dragon worship of various lizardkin tribes, the rise of Draconic Cults, complete with temples, the occasional mentions of conversations or kidnappings with or by Dragons. A human, of either gender, hardly provides a meal to a full grown Dragon, and even if one did, keeping the prey alive to be rescued is hardly practical eating. Obviously such behavior serves another purpose. Presumably, this is to assuage loneliness.  


It is not the purpose of this study to illuminate history or biology. Yet at times it is impossible to study a culture without fully grasping the forces that shaped it. Those forces, all to often are historical or biological in nature.  Could a study of a Dragons NOT dwell excessively on the very things that make them Draconic? Of course not, and it would be foolishness to even attempt it.

To begin with, there is absolutely no reason for Dragons to have developed a higher intellect, much less one that is largely compatable with human psychology. They are, to be blunt, apex predators, and a great deal of their behavior borders on instinctual.  Their territorial nature, their low breeding rate, their often lethal battles for dominance are all survival behaviors that point to an animal that only needs to compete with it's own kind.  Yet, despite all that they have developed a mind which craves knowledge and companionship.  

There is a theory, rarely spoken of, but supported by some tangental Source Documents, that suggests that Dragons are not as old as the world.  But first, a question... If dragons are immortal beings, why have they not spoken of the Time of the Titans? Dragons have, on rare occasions, thrown light into the dark crevices of history, just as Elves might, and with less egocentric points of view. Yet, the Dragons have never spoken of that time before history... have never elucidated the origins or reasons behind such indescribably ancient ruins or artefacts of inexplicable purpose.  Surely they, of all the races, should know?

Some suggest that they do know, that they fear the Titans of Old. This is suggested without reason, though evidence might suggest it's truth. Others suggest the Dragons were the Titans. This holds little weight with learned scholars, as such ruins and artefacts are singularly impractical for Draconic physiognomy.  The Theory, if one might call it such, holds that Dragons, like the other intelligent races, were simply bred up from some stock material BY the titans for their own usage.

Dragons are no more natural than Orcs or Elves then. There exist 'sub draconic' species of various sorts. Often far smaller, less intelligent than their better known kin, they often possess similar traits. This breed flies but is incredibly small, that breed is large and breaths fire but lacks even vestigal wings.  The Theory holds that the Titans created a race of flying warsteeds, bolsters by natural magics to support their prodigious weight, from some lesser lizards species, or perhaps several species. They used this living war machine to wage war on the Lizardmen culture, and perhaps others lost to us. Intelligence made them easier to train, easier to use. Perhaps the early dragons were much less intelligent than those of today, but the fearsome beasts are still purely killing machines.  The revolt, which has been speculated upon endlessly, freed the Dragons, who reverted to instinctive behavior for a time, the strongest and smartest continued to breed until the race we know today emerged. If the Dragons remember the Titans at all it is dimly at best, stories from older, less articulate generations that fell under the talons and flames of younger, more powerful, more intelligent kin.  Dragons fear civilizations, because they recognize a force that can enslave them, destroy them.  Their arrogance masks a great weakness.

But what does that mean? What does it say about the nature of Draconic culture? Why, simply this; Dragons are animals with the minds of men. They are partially enslaved by their instincts, their intelligent minds trapped by animalistic souls.  Dragons act as the beasts they are, they eat what they can catch, like lizards they like hard rough surfaces for nesting, like men they appreciate beauty and value, so they create their homes out of treasures. The hoard of legend is true, but it's purpose is to clean and debride the rough scaly skin of the Dragon while pleasing his eye, soothing his ego by providing a sense of worth to him.  

While Dragons do meet from time to time peacably, or so we can presume, and can speak with one another, they cannot abide the presence of a rival for food or shelter in their territory for any length of time. So, to assuage their inevitable lonliness, for they were once social creatures we can assume, they must interact with the civilizations, the races, they naturally fear. While a single human is normally no match for a Dragon (exceptions have been noted numerous times), a city of them can bring an unwary dragon to an early demise, and kingdoms have hunted them for sport. The Dragon then makes a great, intricate, game out of finding and luring a single human to them, seeking the unpredictability of social intercourse.  One might assume they play similar games among themselves.  To feed themselves, they might encourage the development of animal husbandry and local farms.  

Because they fear the smaller races so, they often engage in elaborate deceptions, possibly coordinating with other dragons to spread misinformation and outright contradictions, the nature of which are carefully hidden so as to confuse the curious for as long as possible.  The existance of a Draconic language, when carefully studied, is one such deception. Dragons are perfectly capable of normal humaniod speech, evidence to their created nature, yet there is a structured (too structured) language using mostly sounds impossible for the human vocal apparatus, though Elves, consumate mimics that they are, have few difficulties with. Draconic is needlessly layered and complex, far more so than convienent for even the simplest of ideas. Its purpose is to confound, not to communicate.  Strikingly, however, this makes it as superb language for Magic, as the heavy structure and layering allows for greater clarity and concentration when shaping magical forces.  As the only other 'magical' language of note is a known fabrication created just FOR magic, and shares a great number of similar features, a connection between the two is obvious.

One factor of note is Dragon Riders; many source documents depict humans and dragons coexisting in symbiotic relationships for purposes of war or other activities. Dragons are fairly easy to ride, and often show a great deal of concern for the welfare of their riders.  This once again points back to the Theory that the Titans created dragons as mounts.  Dragons, naturally, remain mute on the topic.

I've told you before of your awesomeness..

But I thought you, and everyone who wants to show you some love, might like to know (if you haven't checked for yourself)...

I've copied all of your text on these.  With .5" margins and Verdana 10pt single-spaced text, you're up to 30 pages.  Simply amazing!

Kudos, many times over.

That many?  Wow... not bad for something I knocked out for my own amusement...

A HA!!!!


I KNEW there was one about Dragons somewhere... damn sneaky bugger it was...