Dragons

Dragon
Dragon, from Ultima VII manual.
Variants:	griffon wyvern
First appearance:	Ultima III
Last appearance:	Ultima IX

Dragons are intelligent and powerful reptilian creatures which appear in both Britannia and on the Serpent Isle. They appear in Ultima III, Ultima IV, Ultima V, Ultima VI, Ultima VII, Ultima VII Part Two and Ultima IX.

Description

Dragons did not appear in the lands of Sosaria until late in the Age of Darkness around the time of Exodus' rise to power, although accounts of such creatures as the fire-breathing dragon turtle indicate that encounters with dragons may have occurred as early as the time of Mondain. Early encounters with dragons often saw them in the company of griffins and wyverns – similar species, which like dragons, possessed wings and the ability to eject bolts of magical fire. Eventually, however, the wyvern and the griffin disappeared from the rapidly changing landscape of what would become modern Britannia, leaving dragons as often solitary predators, occasionally seen in the company of the hydrae, another breed of fire-breathing gargantuan reptiles.

In later eras, observers would increasingly recognize dragons as a highly intelligent species, capable of human speech and skilled in the working magical incantations – rendering themselves invisible or even of summoning servitors to their aid. Towards the time of the Gargoyle War which marked late Age of Enlightenment large colonies of dragons came to settle in the dungeon Destard, and over time numerous drakes (immature dragons) could be encountered in the area. Over time, as Destard grew increasingly synonymous with the species, many questants in search of fame or treasure would often journey there, and even gourmands would come to seek the eggs of such beasts that they might prepare rare and exotic dishes.

Throughout the course of history, most Sosarian and Britannian dragons have exhibited green or red coloration, although the universal green pigmentation of immature drakes may imply that these creatures change color with age. In the last years of the Age of Armageddon, however, blue dragons – similar to the frost dragons of Serpent Isle – also appeared in the realm.

Ice Dragons

On the cold world of Serpent Isle, the icy northlands were home to frost dragons, blue and white beasts whose magical breath cast bolts of blue ice-fire at their foes. Such creatures became particularly populous on a particular island in the northern seas after the enchantress Drogeni summoned such a beast there which eventually took a mate and sired many hatchlings. These arctic beasts, according to legend, mate for life and sing to one another in the process of courtship.

Amongst the civilized Gwani of the region, ice dragon blood is highly prized as a medicinal remedy, and is said to be capable of curing any illness and hunts for such beasts are often organized in times of need.

Skeletal Dragons

Main article: Skeletal dragons

Seen only on the Serpent Isle, skeletal dragons are beasts whose mind and spirit reached such heights that they became capable of animating the creature's body even after its death, in a manner similar to liches.

Hydrae

Main article: Hydrae

The three-headed hydra is believed to be a sub-species of the common dragon, and these strange beasts appear to be similar to dragons in both power and temperament.

Dragon Turtles

Main article: Dragon turtles

In early Sosaria, a race of fiery-breathing aquatic reptiles existed which were said to be a sub-species of dragon kind. These beasts were similar to their flying cousins, but were equipped with flipper like limbs and a hard protective shell to better outfit them for a life at sea.

Lore

“

These creatures can hurl mystical Fireballs at thy Party from afar. They are the only creatures that can wreak havoc upon thee when not in Conflict Mode. Any Party luckless enough to venture within three squares of one of these creatures will be subject to an awesome attack. The Great Dragons can destroy a Party before the Party ever engages in combat with the Dragon! – from The Book of Play (Ultima III)

“	The Dragon is an evil, flying serpent which can cross water and blast ships with huge fireballs. Not many ships can withstand a couple passes by an attacking Dragon. – from The History of Britannia (Ultima IV)

“	Strongest and most feared of creatures, dragons shoot extremely damaging magic fireballs and are nearly impossible to defeat. They can attack while in flight and may do in an entire party before it has a chance to engage in close combat. Killing a dragon, however, can earn the slayer great treasure. – from Book of Lore (Ultima V)

“

How many myths have been built around this winged, fire breathing holdover from Britannia's distant past? Event the strongest warrior has been known to wilt under the intense magical flames and noxious fumes that pour from the enraged beast's nostrils. Though mortal, dragons are extremely difficult to kill. It is therefore, a wonder that some bold souls have actually managed to steal eggs from a dragon's nest to satisfy the culinary delights of wealthy town dwellers! – from Compendium (Ultima VI)

“

Dragons are a mysterious ancient race of highly evolved reptiles that possess magical abilities and a high degree of intelligence. They have large wings and are capable of rapid flight. A dragon is formidable in combat and is all the more lethal due to its noxious flaming breath. Its lair is usually a cave or a dungeon where it guards its eggs and treasure. – from The Book of Fellowship (Ultima VII)

“

Found almost exclusively in the dungeon Destard, dragons are an ancient race of large reptiles. They possess great intelligence, and a few also use magic, sometimes summoning other creatures to fight with, or for them in battle. However, in combat, they are quite formidable without any aid, for in addition to their sharp claws and the rows of razor-like teeth that fill their maws, they are capable of producing large clouds of fiery death. That, combined with their ability to become invisible makes them more than a match for any foolish enough to cross one. Shouldst one ever be found that is willing to bargain with thee, I strongly suggest doing so, for very few can survive a battle with one of these terrible lizards, and even fewer can emerge victorious. – from The Dragon Compendium (Ultima VII)

“	Similar to the ferocious, flying lizards of old Sosarian fame, the dragons here differ primarily in appearance. Ice dragons have white-blue scales and spew flames of blue death. – from Beyond the Serpent Pillars (Ultima VII Part Two)

“

A feared creature in communion with other planes, a dragons knows of your presence in its lair before you know your dangerous location. Legion are the numbers who have been felled by the fiery breath of these highly intelligent creatures. Despite their cumbersome mass, dragons are excellent flyers with keen senses and must be addressed with ranged weapons and magic. It is reputed that they possess innate magical abilities, although there have been few volunteers to test this notion. – from Journal (Ultima IX)

Notable Examples

• Freitag: a dragon mentioned in Ultima VI who was slain by the warrior Gertan; a reference to Dr. Cat's early game Caverns of Frietag.
• Dracothraxus: a dragon in Ultima VII's Forge of Virtue whose life became inextricably ties to the Trial of Courage upon the Isle of Fire. Rendered invincible and immortal by the powers of the test, she could only meet her demise at the end of the Black Sword.
• Draxinar: a dragon in Ultima VII Part Two's The Silver Seed, who inhabited the lair or the liche, Aram-Dol; a peaceable conversationalist with a passion for riddles.
• Talornia: a dragon Ultima IX who brokered a deal with the Guardian that she might have uncontested dominion over Destard; savagely destroyed the village of Dawn before she was eventually slain at the hands of the Avatar.

Trivia

• Dragons and griffins were to be included in the canceled Ultima IX. See Planned monsters for Ultima X: Dragon and Planned monsters for Ultima X: Griffon for further details.

Gallery

• 

  Dracothraxus in Ultima VII

• 

  Dragon from the original Apple II Ultima manual

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  Ultima X concept art

• 

  Dragon in the introduction of Ultima IX

• 

  Ultima IX concept art

See Also

• Drakes
• Ultima III monster data
• Ultima IV monster data
• Ultima V monster data
• Ultima VI monster data
• Ultima VII monster data
• Ultima VII Part Two monster data
• Ultima IX monster data