Dragons in Ardalencor
Sharing the Ancestral Stories
“Wings and scales on the setting sun. Dragons came to Ardalencor.”
This quotation and subsequent italicized passages are from WIP book two in the Ardalencor series.
Something Old, Something New
I thought I’d revisit the topic of dragons but approach it from how I incorporated dragons into my medieval fantasy setting, into the land of Ardalencor. For more general worldbuilding thoughts on dragons, check out my earlier article linked below.
Apex Predator
Dragons are nearly ubiquitous in medieval fantasy settings and featured prominently in many stories. I didn’t want to tell a story about dragons but also didn’t want to discard the symbolism and idea entirely.
My view of the prominent dragon archetype is that dragons are the equivalent of a hyperintelligent attack helicopter. Placing dragons into a medieval setting — whatever their mental, physical, or magical characteristics — warrants due consideration of the impact on the setting’s equilibrium, so as to mitigate or plan for the potential cataclysmic influence on the world and also on its history.
I don’t think sticks-and-stones humans developing alongside dragons takes place without extensive explanation. For me, if dragons sensed humans could even pose the remotest of threats, they’d put an enormous clawed foot on the balance scale in one way or another.
Encounters
“Six dragons appeared in the west. Attacks on flocks and herds. A season of calamity.”
Albeit in small numbers, dragons arrive in Ardalencor and are quickly seen as a significant threat.
Falanika nodded, knowing the story but wanting him to say more, hoping to hear new insights within an old tale.
“Our men surprised one gorging on a slain herd: sheep, shepherds, dogs and all.” Jarvis’ face churned as if experiencing the sight of the bloody meadow as he spoke. “Hide and scales so thick that bows and slings did little, but volleys kept the dragon’s full fury at bay. Arnem the Archer eventually downed the shimmering beast. In the light of Indalos, Arnem struck a wing just so to lame it. Big beast couldn’t fly on one wing.”
“Knights and men-at-arms stalked the dragon by gloom and firelight; then swarmed the giant after striking with arrows several times in the eyes and nose. Looked like a forest grew from its snout, so many arrows embedded.” Jarvis’ eyes lit up just as when he heard the tale for the first time. “The daring men who ventured close and survived the fight joked with themselves, giving each other honors and titles like ankle scratcher, toe chopper, and shadow dweller.”
“My father shared stories that the dragons weren’t as smart as a man exactly, but they had a wisdom to them. They seemed connected in some way. They sensed one another. The other dragons became wary after one was killed. Local nobles, led by my family, formed search parties. Long riders followed the dragons wherever they went. Even if their wings were just a silhouette in the sky, they followed.”
“It feels good to tell the old stories. Speaking these tales renews my strength.” Jarvis paused. “Where was the Order? Concerned with guarding their own possessions or out searching and trying to rid the country of dragons? I never heard a mention of your wizarding bunch.”
“We have a dragon skull hanging in the hall of the Academy. Maybe one day you’ll be invited to see it,” teased Falanika. “The Order, too, had its dragon hunters. Bards in the pay of nobles embellish the deeds of their paymasters.”
“I see,” said Jarvis. “Well, the dragons seemed to weaken when another was killed. Two were found sheltering in a cave. The caves were described as being warmer than what you might expect. … Maybe it was a place of magic that the dragons sought. Most warriors didn’t want to go inside the caves. They wanted to seal the cave or hoped that the dragons would just leave Ardalencor. My family didn’t take that chance. My ancestors followed them through the caves. Dragon venom could bore holes in stone, wide tunnels, smoother than the finest dwarven stonesmith. The stone shimmered like glass. The shield protected those who ventured into the caves.”
“It was never designed with dragons in mind?”
“No. No one had ever seen a dragon in Ardalencor. Just whispers from foreign merchants or traveling tales of boastful elves.”
“The shield adapted to the threat.”
“Yes. It concealed the presence of those who went into the caves. Their footfalls didn’t make a sound. The dragons were trapped. The shield is smaller than a dragon’s eye, but it could resist the hideous breath, the venom that burned like flame.”
A passion radiated from Jarvis, and Falanika felt the power of the tale; as if the small landing were about to expand and they would be on the trail of dragons.
Jarvis puffed out his chest and stood a bit taller on the front of his bare feet. “No other family can claim this in Ardalencor. Not Arkwen, Stokes, Boscawent, Tarpley, Vraim, not even a Padazar for all their warrior spirit, can claim to be a dragon slayer. Not even the heroic families of the oldest songs like the Otways can make that claim.”
“Brave men venturing into a cave with danger lurking at every turn. One of them was a Jarvis for whom I’m named.”
Hope you’ve enjoyed this glimpse into book 2 in the Ardalencor series as well as a brief history of dragons.
Leave a comment with your thoughts. Do you use dragons in your fantasy setting? How do you contextualize your dragons within the broader ecosystem?