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If there is one thing the fantasy genre is known for, it’s for the winged beasts who soar high up in the skies and spit large flames that incinerate things and people in a number of seconds. When it comes to the many wondrous creatures that populate imaginary worlds, fantasy dragons rule the roost and for good reason.
Dragons are a common sight to behold in fictional worlds and when people see them, an array of emotions course through their bodies. Some stand in awe of their terrifying powers, others are full of fear and run to seek shelter. These winged creatures are not to be trifled with and yet, people are enamored by them.
When it comes to the story, fantasy dragons shape it in various ways. A popular way is to have it serve in the role of a villain, whether as a main one or a secondary one. This allows creators to showcase their awe-dropping capabilities in both lethal and non-lethal ways. Fighting them is a sight to behold, both for the person who’s locked in combat with one and for those watching the clash.
Not surprisingly, dragons play an important role in the worlds they appear in. Some see them as gods, others vicious beasts to be avoided at all costs, and some even consider them friends. They are capable of playing many different roles, cognizant on their relationship with the people of the world.
This is the first article in the fantasy creatures series. If you’re interested in seeing what else we have to offer, there’s a sterling selection of articles you can find, all available on our blog page!
The fantasy genre is replete with dragons that have become legendary. From Smaug to Gleeok, there is no shortage of these amazing and majestic beasts. What is it about them that just draws people in? Why are people curious about them?
One reason why fantasy dragons are enormously popular is that they are the personification of the genre. That is, they are solely imagination-based with no real-world counterparts even though once upon a time, people genuinely believed they existed. They are representative of the untapped potential that exists in fantasy.
Dragons are extremely intelligent and cunning. They are capable of communicating and attempt to lead people astray by finding out their weaknesses and then using said weaknesses against them. This makes them excellent villains since the power of words is among one of their most effective weapons.
These winged terrors are menaces in the skies. They can wage battle high up in the sky or attack targets on the surface from high up. Their fireballs is their main weapon of choice though they have no qualms about using their razor-sharp talons and teeth to inflict damage when the opportunity arises.
Another reason why people love fantasy dragons is the fact they have aerial capabilities. With their great wings, they can fly long distances without stopping for a rest. This means they can fly across vast oceans in a number of hours and not show the slightest bit of fatigue which makes them deadly to face when they attack an unsuspecting community whether it’s seaside or further inland.
Perhaps the true reason why dragons are popular is their presence on the battlefield. With just several successive fireballs, they have the power to lay waste to entire armies and their tough scale makes them extremely difficult to slay. Their ginormous size enables them to effortlessly swat people around with their heavy tails and sharp claws.
In many of the stories they appear in, dragons take center stage, becoming major players. The amount of storytelling potential that comes with them is endless, meaning there’s no limit to what you can have them do. Unlike many of the wondrous creatures of the genre, these majestic beasts are versatile in many ways.
A popular way creators incorporate fantasy dragons in their tales is to have them serve as the villain or major antagonist. As the personification of fire and power, these winged terrors are excellent villains due to their fearsome size and the powers they have at their disposal. Indeed, many stories depict the heroic protagonist bravely clashing with a vicious dragon whether it be outside the castle or in the midst of a battlefield.
Some stories have them serving the big bad, whether as one of his main lieutenants or as his personal steed. Even though they may not be the one running the show, they still present a major threat to the forces of good since their mere presence is enough to dramatically shift the tide of the battle to their master’s side. The crafty ones use the art of deception to their advantage to weave tales that confound the heroes and make them question things they thought they knew for certain in order to sow chaos for the forces of good.
While the majority of plots have fantasy dragons in a villainous capacity, there are those where they are on the side of good. With their long lifespan, they are full of wisdom, having seen things most people haven’t. They offer sage counsel to all who would listen though they caution the listener that only he can make the choice for himself.
Some dragons choose to observe events from afar as spectators and not active participants. They have no desire to intervene in the unfolding drama, believing to let things occur naturally. When they cross paths with the protagonist, they only give him their thoughts and suggestions on what he ought to do despite his efforts to get them to join the fight against the rising forces of darkness.
These great beasts aren’t just characters in the story, they’re part of the world the plot takes place in. As such, they have a role to play in the world beyond what the audience sees. And they are capable of playing it to much gusto.
Fantasy dragons are one of the oldest beings to walk in the world. In some worlds, they are immortal or at least semi-immortal. They’ve been around since the early days when the deities still lived in the world. They remember what things were like then and the great wars that erupted between good and evil. This makes them excellent sources to ask for information about the history of the world, provided they’re in a good mood.
They live in remote places, far removed from civilization. Places like volcanoes, mountaintops, and so on are perfect for them since not many people go to these areas. These places are full of ash and char with little to no vegetation growing anywhere in the vicinity. Moreover, these sites offer them great vantage points at which to observe events from afar and to keep track of what’s going on in the world from the reports they receive from the birds and other small creatures who visit them from time to time.
Dragons live in close-knit communities. They are fiercely territorial and will drive out those they deem intruders, even their fellow brethren from other lands, if they have sinister designs. They do not suffer disrespect and will harshly punish those who insult their intelligence or one they are close with.
In some worlds, the sudden appearance of fantasy dragons from out of nowhere is seen as a harbinger of coming bad times. It could preclude the rise of a dark lord, a natural disaster, or another kind of calamity. For people in the know, they perceive something ill is coming and they use the time left to prepare for it.
No matter what you use them for in your tale and world, fantasy dragons are great since there are a lot of things they can do, whether being the villain or just a monster terrorizing a community. Even after many years of appearing in all forms of media, people are amazed at the powerful capabilities of these magnificent creatures.
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