Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book Two
An Inquiry into the species and nature of Dragons
A complete guide to the scaled beats of the sky, based on old tomes and mainly the evidence and examinations left by The Order of The Blades.
First Edition - Volume II.
By Emrar Charime Oricano Laratheous
Of all the creatures known to man Dragons are amongst the oldest yet least known. Many have tried to study these ancient beings in the times before their alleged extinction and thus there remain many examinations into the nature of these beats, but only few and far between. The information contained in such books and scrolls has proven to be contradictory and in many cases completely wrong. However this book is a collection of the most trustworthy sources and contains much of the information recorded by The Order of The Blades.
This tome is an extensive guide to the species of Dragons and their nature, a collective work carried out by myself and a group of fellow experts: Nadaria Morenthey - a fellow Altmer scholar, Bernette Comeradus - imperial historian and a specialist in the history of The Blades, Berton Festus - One of High rocks most respected librarians, and finally myself: Emrar Oricano - altmer adventurer, historian, scholar and writer.
List of Contents
What is Known of Dragons
Species of Dragons
Dragons Classification Index
What is Known of Dragons
“According to the writings of Archmage Shalidor, dragons had existed since the advent of time, but were initially as wild as anything else. It wasAlduin, Firstborn ofAkatosh, who created their civilization.Nordic legend says that in these early years, the dragons were the only creatures who could harness the power of their voice for great feats of magic, though they only did so in times of "True Need".
Dragons are believed to have lived in and around isolated mountain villages. The villages were purportedly situated in areas that allowed flight free of obstructions as well as flats for raising cattle.There is even some indication they practice smithing.Dragons are also thought to prefer solitary mountain lairs safe from thieves and aggressors.
The avatar of Akatosh is a flaming dragon; he is said to be the father of dragons, whom he made in his image. Some stories tell of a dragon named Akatosh co-mingling with and organizing groups of dragons, although this representation may be entirely fictional. Peryite also takes the form of a dragon, but this may only be as some primordial jest to Akatosh.”
Dragons are believed to originally hail from Akavir though some sources claim some dragons can be traced to the continent of Atmora. During the earliest recorded years the dragons were said to rule the north through The Dragon Cults that enthralled the population and worshiped Dragons as their gods. The leaders of such slave-societies were known as Dragon Priests who in return for enslaving their peoples obtained power from the dragons they served.
However, as time passed mortals somehow learned the power of the dragons: the voice magic known as The Thum. I will not delve into details regarding The Dragon War as it is a major historical event that reserves a tome of its own but the result of The Dragon War was that dragons lost their grip on power and many of them went into hiding in mountain layers.
“Their numbers dwindled over the years due to many causes: their population in Akavir was wiped out by the Tsaesci, who also brought their onslaught toTamriel and the dragons inVvardenfell were overrun by invadingcliff racers. The Akaviri Dragonguard and its successor, theBlades, along with other heroes, hunted dragons and their followers throughout the eras until dragons were nearly extinct. Tiber Septim offered those who remained protection in return for their fealty. Despite his pledge, almost all known wild dragons were killed or driven off, disappearing from sight in Tamriel. Some sources claim that all dragons disappeared at once, being devoured by a dragon king or absorbed by Tiber Septim when he ascended to godhood.”
Species of Dragons
As an order of dragons layers The Blades recorded a difference in the strength of different types and species of dragons. There are believed to be seven different types of dragons: Ordinary Dragons, Blood Dragons, Frost Dragons, Elder Dragons, Reversed Dragons, Legendary Dragons and Dragon Kings (Fx. Alduin). All the dragon species look alike, but defining elements in the structure of their skulls can be used to tell them apart:
Dragons Classification Index
Ordinary Dragons: The weakest of all the dragon types (although more deadly than any other creature known to mortals). The basic dragon is known to have three different skin colors: brown, white and bronze. Their thum (or voice magic) can posses both the powers of frost and fire.
Blood Dragon: The Blood dragon is slightly stronger than the basic dragon and in difference to the ordinary dragon, the blood dragon is only known to have green scales. Also the blood dragon can posses the powers of a frost and a fire thum.
Frost Dragon: As the name suggests the frost dragon possesses a thum of frost. The frost dragons are stronger than the blood dragons but are also more predictable since their thum is always that of frost. Whereas basic- and blood dragons have small spikes along their spine The Frost Dragon is easily told apart due to its white scales and large spikes along the spine.
Elder Dragon: All Elder Dragonsare bronze in color and are recorded to be significantly tougher than the previous types, in all aspects of combat. Their wings have a unique two-tone pattern, with bronze at the top and a lighter green lower down. They can breathe either fire or frost.
Reversed Dragon: Revered Dragons are orange-scaled dragons that have long, flat bodies and broad tails. In addition to their Fire Breath, they can use a dangerous dragon shout that damages the life essence of any creature struck. Reversed Dragons are amongst the rarest and most deadly dragon species.
Legendary Dragons: Second only to Dragon Kings in their sheer power, Legendary Dragons have striped black and purple scales, large curved horns, unusually long claws on their white-and-purple wings, and what appear to be compound eyes. Like the Revered Dragons, they can use a life draining dragon shout as well as the traditional Fire or Frost Breath. Only two legendary dragons were ever recorded by The Blades and are thought to be some, if not the, most powerful creatures known to man.
Dragon Kings: Through history there is thought to be only one dragon king - Alduin. But recently discovered evidence supports that this might not be the case. Little is known about the dragon kings, only that they are god-like beings that master all aspects of the thum. More information has not ever been found regarding dragon kings.
There are believed to be other types of dragons still, but no recordings exist of such creatures. The dragons listed in this index are all The blades ever faced.
*Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book One*
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*Tomes of Knowledge Series - Book Three*
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