/r/dragons
ROAR!
Welcome to the subreddit for all things Dragons! Art, questions, creations. Whether it be anthropomorphic dragons, classic European style, or Asian dragons, this is the place for it all. We are strongly against AI art. You must have at least 50 post and comment karma to post here.
Dragons are the coolest creatures to ever fly!
Here is everything draconic that you could ever need!
Related Subreddits:
CSS design by moonchav
RedditRice - Help the World Food Programme!
/r/dragons
I’ve always loved wyverns, hydras, ect, but I really want to deep dive into the biology of these guys as well as all of the others. Anyone know a good book or online guide to this? I’ve found a few but a lot of them seem to be for video games or the writers own world. I want the facts pulled from actual tales and mythology, if that makes sense. Thanks for any help!
The Turner dragoness
Set after The Dragon of Pasir, this tale shows a glimpse into Gira's new role as Pasir's guardian. During the lawlessness of the Dark Age, as dragons imposed their will on mankind, Gira was the city's savior, preventing the destruction and massacres that swept over the rest of the land. Just as she begins feeling boredom from this self-imposed guard duty, an intruder arrives to give her the shakeup she's been secretly hoping for. Will it be more than she bargained for, though?
Originally posted in r/DeacoWriting! I post art, lore and stories about this magical land there. If you're interested, I'd love to have you.
***
Gira quietly eyed the people around her. The dragon was lying on the ground, just outside the city of Pasir. A few folk were out and about in the midday sun, mostly children playing. Normally Gira would hide herself so as to not cause alarm, but the people of Pasir had been under her protection for so long that even the children were no longer afraid of her.
The dragon lay in the grassy plains outside the city walls, half asleep. Occasional shouts and cries rang out around her, either adults at work, or children at play. The whole mood of the place was quite lively, but Gira couldn’t feel any less excited.
What a boring day! Even among the happy and energetic humans, Gira could barely find the energy to keep her eyes open. She wondered why exactly that was. This day wasn’t that different from all the rest. She even left her silent and barren cave, and was among some quite jubilant folk!
Perhaps, she thought, I am craving some adventure? Some new scenery to shake myself out of the monotony? Ah, but I couldn’t leave the people defenseless. They are counting on me!
“Excuse me?”
Gira’s eyes opened a sliver as her neck raised up off the ground slightly. “Hmm? I am awake…” A small child stood in front of her, looking extremely nervous. The boy clutched a rock to his chest. “Ah, hello. What is it, child?”
The boy hesitated. Gira tilted her head, a playful expression of curiousness on her face. “Umm… I… I wanted… I wanted to know…”
Gira yawned, stretching herself out as the boy watched in fear. “Ah… Excuse me, that was rude of me. Go on. What is it?”
“I… want to fly on you!”
Gira paused, blinking. “Excuse me?”
“I want to see what it’s like! Up in the sky!”
Gira couldn’t help but laugh. “Ah, I am not sure that is wise, child.”
The boy frowned. “Why not?”
The dragon tapped her claws on the ground. “Well, what if you slipped and fell? So far up above in the sky! If anything happened to you, well, not only would the people hate me for it, but I would never be able to forgive myself.”
There was a brief moment of silence before the boy spoke again. “What if you stayed low to the ground? Please?”
Gira sighed. Such insistence! “Well, maybe if I remained very close to the ground… Or perhaps high enough that I would have time to catch you if you fell? No, we will start low. Well, how about this? Ask your parents. Tell them I said it is alright. If they say yes, we can try it. How about that?” The boy didn’t even say anything before turning around and sprinting back into the city. Gira chuckled to herself. “Ah, such spirit…”
Her thoughts were interrupted by a loud roar. Immediately, Gira’s eyes widened in worry. Other dragons were never good news. She looked to the sky and saw the silhouette of a dragon, wings spread, soaring towards her. Quickly, Gira stood up, ready for a fight. She moved forward, putting herself in between the dragon and the city.
As the dragon approached, she could see the beast in greater detail. The dragon was blue. Recalling what she had heard, blue dragons were generally very blunt and to the point. They were often aggressive, but had a sort of honor about them. They would attack you, but only after making their intentions clear. Well, there were worse foes than a forthcoming one.
Gira also chided herself. She was a black dragon after all, supposedly the most sadistic and needlessly cruel of the dragons. Color indicated tendency, not certainty.
The blue dragon landed before Gira. He was about her size, so he was also a young adult. Well, at least she wasn’t outclassed. “What business do you have with me?” Gira called out to the dragon facing her.
The blue dragon grinned. “Your lands are forfeit to me. These people are mine to command.”
The black dragon’s eyes narrowed. “Foolishness, outlander. Turn back or seal your death.”
The blue dragon laughed. “Ah, a woman with some backbone! Perhaps I will spare you, and keep you around.”
Gira snorted. “What a shame. You would almost be courtable, if you just kept your mouth shut.”
The dragon’s grin quickly grew into a snarl, which made Gira shoot him a cocky smile. If there was anyone that needed their pride injured, it was this fool.
Her smile vanished as the blue dragon launched himself at her, flying forward so fast Gira didn’t have time to even raise up her claws in defense. The dragon slammed into her, sending her flying backwards.
The stone wall surrounding the city crumbled as she knocked into it. A few panicked screams made Gira look back in worry. Luckily however, it looked as though no one had been crushed, nothing but rubble around her.
Gira snarled and got back to her feet, launching herself back at the invader. The blue dragon looked genuinely surprised that she had gotten up so quickly, unprepared for her retaliation.
Gira knocked into the blue dragon, clinging onto him as the two of them rolled around on the ground in front of the city. They came to a stop, Gira on top of the other dragon, keeping him pinned to the ground.
“You must yield!” Gira shouted, claws brushing against her foe’s neck.
Suddenly, pain wracked Gira as frost magic poured out of the blue dragon’s maw into her face. She felt the stinging freeze of the deep north cling to her.
Grabbing a hold of herself, Gira managed to recover from the pain, grabbing the blue dragon’s face and twisting it to the side. His frost breath was now flowing harmlessly off onto the grass beside them.
“Enough! Concede defeat!” Gira’s demand was answered with a deep pain shooting through her hind leg, the other dragon hooking his claws into her leg and digging in as best he could. Gira gasped deeply as the hooked claw tore into her, feeling blood beginning to pour down her right leg. “Please,” she whispered desperately, “do not make me do this. No one must die.”
The blue dragon responded by hooking his other set of claws into her left hind leg, doing whatever it took to slay his enemy. Gira roared out in shock, looking down at the other dragon. He was snarling and looking down towards their entangled legs, seemingly unconcerned with his position and preoccupied with causing as much damage as possible.
“Please…“ The dragon shifted his weight, getting into a better position to tear with his claws. “S - Stop…”
The blue dragon ignored her, continuing to run his hind claws against her legs, slicing new cuts and deepening old ones. She couldn’t put herself at risk like this anymore.
“I tried to grant you mercy…” Gira dug her claws into the dragon’s neck, the male roaring in great pain as she raked her claws along his throat.
She continued, digging deeper as the blue dragon’s resistance grew weaker. Finally, his struggles ceased altogether.
Gira climbed off the dragon, gazing down at him. The male was laying in a pool of blood, eyes wide and motionless. The black dragon felt a twinge of guilt. Despite the aggression, the crude remarks, the desire to be the master of her people and turning down several chances for surrender, Gira still didn’t feel he deserved death… and she didn’t want to become a killer. She looked back at the city. A few people were poking their heads out, staring at her from behind the city walls.
Gira took a deep breath and furrowed her face. She had come to a decision. Slowly, the black dragon blew down on the fallen foe, coating him in healing magic. The blue dragon’s neck began to close up, gashes and tears mending themselves. Gira watched as her former opponent suddenly gasped, springing back to life. He took several deep breaths before calming down, and climbing to his feet.
The dragons’ eyes met, Gira glaring at the blue dragon as he looked back in surprise. It seemed like he really didn’t expect to be saved. The dragon’s expression softened, the former foe bowing deeply to Gira. his head lowered to the ground as he gazed downward.
“You have abused my mercy and hospitality. Leave at once.”
The blue dragon was silent, raising his head back up. Slowly, he nodded, averting his gaze from Gira in a show of submission before turning and launching himself up into the sky, flying back the way he came.
Cheering erupted from behind Gira as the people celebrated, relieved that they were safe. The dragon smiled to herself. If this wasn’t a fine way of asserting her intentions to the cynical, she didn’t know what was.
Gira went back to the city, smiling and nodding at the people before plopping herself back down where she had been before all this had started. If that child came back, well, he’d just need to wait until tomorrow.
Gira had gotten her fill of excitement and adventure. Today, she wanted nothing more than some peace and quiet.
Art by me of course.
I made 2 bee dragons last night. Took me a few hours with the first one as I didn’t know what I wanted to do and needed to correct my pattern a few times. The second one came together much faster. I’m thinking I’ll sell them later but I’m not sure yet. What else should I loaf dragonify?
The Kingdom of Geralthin is a kingdom by and for humans, born from the ashes of the fallen Deacan Empire that overthrew their draconic conquerors and regained their freedom. A large reason for this liberation was Gira, a black dragon that sided with humanity and helped the first king rule. After swearing an oath, the dragon has dedicated her life to the nation, and never left, even after he passed. She is the Eternal Regent, the dragon watching over the monarch's palace, always there to give her sagely wisdom and long life to each ruler of the kingdom. She is the heart of the kingdom itself. Set after the fall of the Empire, this story shows the very first step in her long adventure to becoming the legendary Black Dragon, as she arrives during the Dark Age of draconic rule over the continent...
Originally posted in r/DeacoWriting! I post art, lore and stories about this magical land there. If you're interested, I'd love to have you.
***
Wind gently breezing, the beast moved through the sky. The winged lizard moved toward the city. A black dragon.
The people had been debating about this all day. The old empire had been destroyed, individual towns, villages and cities ripe for the taking. What the other races didn’t conquer or reconquer, the dragons took. With no real system of law in place besides cultural norms and taboos, the dragons all rushed about the humans’ lands, taking whatever uncontested land they could and declaring it theirs.
The humans living there were their property, in the dragons’ eyes. Most of them, at least. They could exterminate them, but the populations of the cities had already been slaughtered so much that there weren’t many left in the first place. Most new dragon “lords” treated the populace as a source of income, and nothing more. They taxed and taxed, bleeding the people dry to gather their own personal hoard.
Well, there were a few exceptions. The dragons, though united in their conquest, were now bound to no law or leader. Completely operating by their own merits and ideals, their treatment of the people varied, from brutal oppression to benign neglect.
With the dragon overlords came conflict. As more and more territory was claimed, the “free” cities and towns were becoming very low in number. Draconic norms and codes of honor had resulted in peace thus far, but there were more dragons than towns. Some arrogance and rivalries would result in bloodshed, eventually.
It was these things the council debated: they were a major city out in the open, thus far unclaimed. What would they do when a dragon came? Arguments all the way from fighting to the last man to groveling for mercy were brought up, but they had their consensus now. They would ask for partial autonomy, showering the dragon in gifts and treating it with honor if the beast accepted. If a hike in taxes was the only difference in city life, they would just have to deal with it. If the beast murdered randomly and tormented them however, they would resist. Likely fruitlessly, but there were some things no human being would tolerate.
Now, a dragon approached, their plan put into action. A few people came outside to greet it, with archers on the walls. They were told to ‘go for the eyes’, the only thing not covered in impenetrable scales.
The dragon landed. It had black scales, a horrifying realization. These were rumored to only feel emotions when relishing in torturing and killing. This was the worst possible outcome. Out of any type of multitude of dragon in the known world, they just had to get a black dragon. Were negotiations even possible?
They noted that the dragon was very small, by draconic standards anyway. It was either just barely reaching adulthood, or was still near the end of adolescence. Well, that was… good? Maybe it wasn’t experienced in diplomacy. They could make it think it was getting a much better deal than it was, possibly.
A man approached, offering a bow. “Greetings. Welcome to Pasir.”
The dragon seemed to be appraising them, eyes running over every person there with vested interest. What did it plan? Were they all about to die?
Nervous, the man continued. “I am Vercan. I represent the mayor of Pasir. I’m here to negotiate with our new ruler.”
More silence. A smile slowly formed on the dragon’s face. What horrid torture fantasies were running through its head?
“Ah, we, um, had some propositions on the shifting of power, and your lordship. Perhaps you might like to hear some of these proposals…?”
The grinning dragon finally spoke. “Lordship…?” Its voice was shockingly soft and gentle.
“Err, yes. That is why you have come, no? To claim this land as yours?”
The dragon let out a soft chuckle. “First of all, that is ladyship to you, sir.”
“O - Oh! Terribly sorry, Lady-”
“And secondly, I suppose, while technically true… I have no interest in being your mistress. You may put me down as the ruler of Pasir on parchment, but I am not here to tell you what to do.”
A few people looked at one another in confusion and surprise. The diplomat, Vercan, retorted. “The people may need your clarification. What is it you intend? We had a reorganized legal system made to incorporate your rule ready for you to review…”
“I just wanted to learn more about you all. I am certain you can tell, but I am very young and inexperienced,” she gestured to herself, “I have never met humans before, and well, I just had to see for myself. And my goodness, are you so precious!”
Everyone was taken aback by this. Even the militiamen on the walls lowered their bows and looked at each other with both amused and incredulous looks on their faces, as if saying to one other, “Can you believe this?”
“Err… I’m sorry?”
“Oh you’re just so small, and yet courageous, facing me plainly! I do so admire your resolve! You impress me, good sirs!”
“I… thank you?” Vercan, experienced in diplomacy as he was, couldn’t keep a straight face. He shook his head in disbelief.
“I would just love to learn more about you all! I would like to stay and speak with you daily, learning of your activities and culture. Could I do that? Would that please you?” The dragon had a look of anticipation and excitement on her face, as if a child who had just been told they would be getting sweets.
Vercan, recovering, put on a false smile, still inwardly in disbelief. “Nothing would make us happier, Lady…?”
“Ah, oh goodness! How could I forget to introduce myself? How rude! I hope you will excuse this slight. I am Gira.”
“Well, Lady Gira, you said you would be taking the mantle of Lady of Pasir, correct? Yet you also said you don’t want to rule. What is it you would like, then?”
Gira scratched her chin with a claw. “Hmm… Oh, I know! Do you have any sick or injured? If so, bring them to me!”
Vercan managed to hide his shock and fear, though some broke through the facade. “Are you… culling the weak?”
Gira looked horrified. “What? No, never! I’d never harm a hair on any of your lovely heads, humans! I promise, I am only trying to help.”
The diplomat grimaced. He wasn’t sure that was true, but to maintain good relations with their new ‘ruler’... “Very well. I will speak with the people.”
A few people emerged from the gates, two groups carrying two different people. The first was an older looking bearded man, covered in bandages all over. There were even wraps over one of his eyes. The second was a young woman, covered in pustules and slick, greenish skin. Her eyes were vacant, as if she was unaware of everything around her.
“Oh, no! What is this?” Gira asked, looking at the two with concern written on her scaled visage.
“This is Mikkos,” Vercan pointed at the man, “he’s an herbalist. He was out foraging when he was attacked, and then mauled by a wolf. Gregory, a hunter, heard his screams and just barely got there in time. He’s been ruined, and the poor man’s lost an eye.”
“Oh dear!” Gira answered, craning her long neck down to look at him.
“And this is Rhea,” Vercan announced, pointing to the woman, “She came down with… some kind of horrid pox. No one knows what it is, but she lives in agony. We fear it to be contagious as well, so these brave volunteers that brought her to you… Whatever it is you’re planning, I hope it was worth it.”
Gira frowned. “Oh, dear. Please, you fellows, place the two on the ground before me. You bringers of Rhea, stay as well. I shall aid you all!” The two groups complied, bringing the two close and laying them in the grass before the dragon. “Wonderful! Now… this may be frightening for you, but just remember that there is nothing to worry about. I am here to help, this I swear!”
Varcan felt fear creeping up his back. “What is it you’re planning on doing, Lady Gira?”
“Just trust me,” the dragon exclaimed happily, “And please, just Gira will do! Now...” She lowered her gaze to the sick woman and injured man, those that had brought them standing beside the two. The dragon, for the first time, didn’t have an excited or joyful expression. If he could place it, Varcan would wager she looked… determined. He wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.
Suddenly, she reared back, moving back forward as she opened her maw. For a split second, Vercan thought they had been had, and she was about to devour the two. Why she wanted to eat a diseased peasant, he didn’t know. Instead, she leaned close and blew a strange, blue mist over the group. As everyone watched, the boils on Rhea shrank, and shrank, and shrank, until they were all gone, and her skin was back to the same old, pale complexion that it had been before the illness.
Both her and Mikkos sat up, suddenly fully awake and energetic. The man tore at the bandages on his face, revealing a perfectly fine, functioning eye! As he tore at the rest of his wrappings, he found no slices or gashes, and no scars. It was as if he was never attacked in the first place.
Gira looked to be absolutely beaming with pride and joy as everyone else stared with gaping mouths. “There! See? I told you all that you could trust me!”
Varcan gawked at the spotless pair, mouth agape. “W - What…? How…?”
Gira continued grinning. “Though I was born with the black scales of my father, my mother was a white-scale. I inherited the healing powers her side possesses. I can only help you with this power!” She pointed at the citizens that had carried Rhea. “And you! If you did happen to catch anything from bringing the fair Rhea here, my magic has surely purged it from your systems.”
As Mikkos and Rhea stood up, looking up in wonder, Vercan approached, bowing. “L - Lady Gira, on behalf of the Council and People of the City of Pasir… I offer you our deepest, sincerest thanks.”
“Oh, it is nothing!” Gira said shyly, “I just enjoy helping, is all!”
“It is not nothing, Lady Gira. if there’s anything we could ever offer you…”
“I said Gira would do,” the dragon muttered, eyes averted in a show of timidness, “I am not your mistress. I do not mean to turn this into obedience. Please, I will take you up on this offer, but I only ask to be allowed to stay beside the city, allowed to speak with your fine people as I reside here!”
“Of course. If that is what you want, you are more than welcome to stay wherever you wish… Gira.”
A sudden roar in the distance grabbed everyone’s attention. Far up in the sky, another dragon approached, headed right for Pasir! Gira’s head shot up in alarm. “Quickly, get behind me!”
No one asked questions. Everyone moved behind the - admittedly small - black dragon as she turned and stood as imposingly as she could, facing the newcomer.
The other dragon, red in color, noticed her, quickly shifting its flight to the side, passing by Pasir in search of different territory. Everything was silent as this happened, until the red dragon was finally gone over the horizon.
Gira turned back and smiled. “There. We are safe.”
Vercan shook his head. “You can heal all of our people, and turn away other dragons, sparing us all from their tyranny and wrath… and you ask for nothing more than to live here in return?”
“Correct,” Gira answered, “I am simply dying to meet you all, and learn more about all of you. You can do whatever you want, I will not be dismantling whatever old system you had in place, surely I would only muck up the effectiveness of it!” she said with a laugh.
“So… you don’t want to divert the treasury funds to your own collection?” Vercan tested.
“Oh, how silly! What use do I have for coins?” Gira asked, “It is not as if I buy food from a market. I will sustain myself, and you will do, well, whatever it is you do. I just want to be your friend and helper, is all!”
The dragon looked down at the sea of faces staring back at her. Those humans, all looking amused and in awe… Goodness, how precious they are!
I was talking with my friends today, and by pure chance we started talking about fantasy stuff ecc ecc... At one point we started discussing about what dragons were our favourite in all of fiction, from books, to videogame or movies. Personally my all time favourite is the Valstrax and it's crimson variant from the Monster Hunter series. What is your favourite dragon? Let me know
FOR EXAMPLE I saw a period pad ad in this subreddit and I was like “wait what does this have to do with dragons- oh wait it’s an ad. So that gave me inspiration to draw this thing on my phone with my finger. I can draw better than this I’m just terrible at using my finger to draw 😭😭😭