Dragons
From Editable Codex
| Dragon | |
|---|---|
 Dragon, from Ultima VII manual. | |
| First appearance: | Ultima III |
| Last appearance: | Ultima IX |
Dragons are huge, flying, fire-breathing reptiles with a strong mind and fearsome magical abilities like the ability to summon Daemons and becoming invisible. Only a fool or the strongest warriors would challenge a Dragon to a fight. But such perils are usually rewarded with the treasure the Dragon kept. Dragons can come in quite a number of variety. The Dragons of Britannia usually are either green or red in color, while the rare Ice Dragons of the Serpent Isle are blue in color. Ice Dragons mate for life and sing to each other during courting. Their blood can cure almost any disease.
Dragons can usually be found in dungeons, but they also roam the wilderness. The most well-known dwelling place of Dragons is the Dungeon Destard.
First seen in Ultima III, Dragons stayed a part of the series to the very end, with exception of the two Underworlds (for obvious reasons) and Ultima VIII. Due to the enormous difficulty that laid in defeating a Dragon, their power was reduced in Ultima VII, to give players a fair chance to defeat them. In Ultima IX, Dragons seemed to have lost all magical abilities and yet, at the same time, there seems to be three types. There are green, blue and red dragons, now. There are several of the green variety throughout the world but only two blue dragons (and you have to hunt to find them) and only one red dragon.
[edit] Lore
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 "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
[edit] Named dragons
- The Avatar meets Dracothraxus in the Test of Courage on the Isle of Fire in Ultima VII. She is one of the few Dragons that didn't attack the Avatar at once but instead talks first. Attempting to kill her is futile, since she is invincible. However, a won duel gives the Avatar possession of the Ether Gem, to forge the Black Sword, which in the end would be the key to destroying Dracothraxus.
- Riddle-loving dragon Draxinar, also known as "Stumpy" due to his tendency to stump people with his riddles, appears in Ultima VII Part Two: The Silver Seed, in Aram-Dol's Lair.
- Talornia is the only red dragon in Ultima IX. You need to kill her and take her head back to the Isle of Valoria in order to gain entrance to the volcano. She likes to talk to you first but, afterward is easy to kill.
