Much has been written to justify or explain the seemingly infinite and yet finite powers attributed to dragons. Their prowess in battle, able to spew a variety of materials from their mouths and with bodies heavily armored by metallic scales, have made them legendary opponents. Yet there is no known tale in which the dragon is not ultimately proved mortal and laid low by swords, spears, or bows.

One would think it a simple matter to consult a dragon on the matter, as their fondness for talk, flattery, and riddles are equally legendary. Yet for all those who have spoken to one of the great wyrms and lived to set down the tale, none have come away with answers. It seems that dragons have little in the way of written or oral traditions, with adults meeting only to breed and whelps ejected from the nest as soon as they are old enough. This seems to ensure that the dragons themselves do not know the source or nature of their powers and nature, a troubling theory indeed.

The theory most in vogue at the moment is that elaborated by the Collegium of the Ancient Library. This theory, as elaborated upon by Collegister Maduin, holds that dragons have a the same dual nature as man, with both a physical and a metaphysical body. Unlike man, however, the Collegister argues that the metaphysical form of the dragon is not a soul but rather raw magic, and that dissipation, rather than afterlife, is their fate upon death. This, he claims, explains both their extraordinary power and clear mortality.

Until such time as the Collegium is equipped to dissect a deceased dragon without repeating the Incident of ’52, this may be the last word on the matter.

  • Like what you see? Purchase a print or ebook version!