Pyrock and Blizzrock

Blizzrock (left) and Pyrock (right)

**Pyrock and Blizzrock** were a pair of characters from defunct roller-coaster, *Dueling Dragons*.

## History

### Background

#### Origins

Pyrock and Blizzrock were a pair of evil, rival warlocks with Pyrock having fire abilities and Blizzrock having ice powers. Pyrock belonged to the kingdom of Fire, also known as the *Cindered Lands* where he slept dormant beneath a giant volcano. Blizzrock lived in the icy kingdom of *Hellfrost* within a glacial fortress.

After Merlyn was turned into the Enchanted Oak of the *Merlinwood*, the two sought after his spell book within his castle. Once they found the book, the curse which Merlin placed on it transformed both of the warlocks into dragons with Pyrock breathing fire while Blizzrock breathed an icy breath.

As dragons, the two would fight and terrorize the kingdom with Merlyn too weak to stop them. Merlyn warned many knights about them, only for the knights to try and slay the beasts then be killed in the process. The two dragons frequently fought in Merlyn's castle, reducing it to rubble.

#### Dueling Dragons

Merlyn recruited several individuals to assist him in a plan to train the dragons via magic. He had his recruits choose their fate on which dragon to mount then subdue via riding through the air amidst a battle.

### Development history

These characters were created original for the *Dueling Dragons* in Universal's *Merlinwood* area. When this area became the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the ride was changed to "Dragon Challenge" with Pyrock and Blizzrock being changed to represent dragon species' from the Harry Potter franchise. In 2017 the ride closed and was replaced in 2019 by *Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure*.

In 2023, the characters were brought back and expanded upon by the Halloween Horror Nights 32 house *Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate*, and its associated story *Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate* on the Spotify series *Halloween Horror Nights: Haunted Tales*.

## Appearances

### Halloween Horror Nights

#### Dr. Oddfellow’s Traveling Oddities

The two appeared in dragon form on a poster within "Dr. Oddfellow’s Traveling Oddities".

#### Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate

This haunted house was based around being a prequel to Dueling Dragons, made after the closure of the original attraction. The two appeared both as warlocks and as dragons.

### Islands of Adventure Trading Company

During the 2023 winter holidays, Christmas ornaments depicting Pyrock and Blizzrock were hung on garlands outside of this shop.

### Lost Continent

#### Dueling Dragons

This attraction surrounded Pyrock and Blizzrock, who were represented by the sculptures outside and by the rollercoaster vehicles themselves.

#### Treasures of Poseidon

he parks have a Dueling Dragon themed candle called "Dragon Duel" with Pyrock and Blizzrock on the logo.

## Trivia

* On the Velocicoaster, velociraptors emulate the pairs' pose.
* A mural in the queue for Hagrid's Motorbike has an ice dragon and fire dragon with the words "Dueling Club".
* Dueling Dragons: Choose Thy Fate had a "Bad Ending" in which Blizzrock wields the severed head of Merlyn at the end.
* The dragons' Legion of Horror is unknown.
* Halloween Horror Nights 13 in 2003 featured the scarezone "Immortal Island" which was a thematic tie-in to Dueling Dragons, revolving around the war between the Fire King and the Ice Queen.

## References

1. ↑ https://insidethemagic.net/2017/09/tribute-dragon-challenge-officially-closes-universal-orlando-preparing-new-harry-potter-ride-18-years-thrills/
2. ↑ https://touringplans.com/blog/the-saturday-six-looks-at-hhn-32-across-the-universal-orlando-resort-revenge-of-the-dead-coconut-club-in-3d-cabana-bay-and-more/
3. ↑ https://universalparksnewstoday.com/2023/11/photos-dueling-dragons-sindbads-swords-and-poseidons-trident-ornaments-honor-retired-attractions-on-universal-islands-of-adventure-holiday-decorations/
4. ↑ https://wdwnt.com/2022/07/sunken-garden-and-dragon-duel-candles-are-being-sold-at-treasures-of-poseidon-in-islands-of-adventure/
5. ↑ https://touringplans.com/blog/s6\_velocicoaster/
6. ↑ https://ew.com/movies/2019/06/20/harry-potter-hagrids-motorbike-adventure-coaster-universal-studios/