Dragon

**Dragons** were powerful and giant reptilian creatures that could be found across the entire Unnamed Realm. Two distingusihing characteristics of the creature were the ability to to fly and breathe fire, though it is unknown if all dragon species were able to do both or either. They possessed a higher level of intelligence as they were able to converse using their own language and were able to be tamed to a degree.

## History

During the Great War dragons were used in battle. The Sky Force likely rode dragons. During the Battle of the Black Cliffs, a famous (though unnamed) Sky Force pilot was burnt by an enemy dragon.

In Summer of Ten, Age of Southern Influence, champion dragonrider Nancy Dawson had her right leg bitten off and swallowed by an opponent's dragon during the annual dragonriding tournament.

In Winter of Eleven, Eighth Age of the Wintersea Republic, over forty dragons were targeted during the annual winter dragon cull in Great Wolfacre. During the same time period, there were reports of increased encounters with dragons near popular resorts.

In Winter of One, Third Age of the Aristocrats, Hawthorne Swift showcased his dragonriding skills at the Wundrous Society's Show Trial and was chosen as one of nine top candidates for the society that year.

## Dragons in the Wintersea Republic

In the Republic, dragons were considered a Class A Dangerous Apex Predator as well as a Plague Proportions Pest. There was an annual winter cull of dragons in Great Wolfacre by the Dangerous Wildlife Eradication Force where the Force was either successful in destroying dragon nests or would die in the process.

## Dragons in the Free State

In the Free State, dragons were flown by dragonriders in dragonriding tournaments. Those that were bred or kept for this purpose were kept in special dragon stables.

Dragons and dragonriders have historically been used in warfare in the free state.

## Dragon Community

Dragons speak a language known as Dragontongue, or Draconian, to English speakers. It is a tricky language to master.

## Behind the Scenes

* Marina Cheery and Mahir Ibrahim speak varying degrees of Draconian
* A common Draconian greeting is *H'chath shka-lev* ('Long may you burn') with a reply of *Machar lo'k dachva-lev* ('I burn brighter knowing you').
	+ It is the Dragontongue equivalent of wishing someone good health and, in return, being thanked for your friendship.
* Hawthorne tries to greet a dragon with *hal'clahar fejh alm'ok* (essentially saying he has a meat grinder at home which could come across as a threat - instead of 'your fire burns bright as the sun') hoping to get a return greeting of *mish kadrach f'al* ('your eyes are as hungry as a foot' - not what he probably meant).
* Dragon scales are one of Upper Zeeland's major exports (along with jade and wool).
	+ This would suggest that there is some monetary value to dragon scales.

## Trivia

* Dragons exist in the legends of many cultures worldwide. The dragons found in the Nevermoor books have so far followed most closely to Western or European Dragons (rather than Asian Dragons) in that they have wings to fly and they breathe fire.

## Appearances

* *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* (First appearance)
* *Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow*
* *Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow*
* *Silverborn: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow* (Expected)

## Notes and References

1. ↑ *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 11 (*The Book Trial*) "Which famous Sky Force pilot was roasted to a crisp by an enemy dragon during the Battle of the Black Cliffs?" Airplanes or other air-transportation has yet to be mentioned in the novels so it is likely that the Sky Force piloted dragons (or other flying creatures).
2. ↑ *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 9 (*Wundrous Welcome*)
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 1 (*The Cursed Crow*)
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 21 (*The Show Trial*)
5. ↑ *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 21 (*The Show Trial*) ". . . often made headlines in culling season. Either for successfully destroying a nest or for having their faces burned off."
6. ↑ *Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 6 (*Missteps, Blunders, Fiascoes, Monstrosities, and Devastations*) "Draconian's just another name for Dragontongue."
7. ↑ *Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 6 (*Missteps, Blunders, Fiascoes, Monstrosities, and Devastations*)
8. ↑ *Wundersmith: The Calling of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 10 (*Demands and Dragons*)
9. ↑ Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow *Chapter 7 (*Rook*)*
10. ↑ *Hollowpox: The Hunt for Morrigan Crow* Chapter 11 (*Visitors*)
11. ↑ *Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow* Chapter 11 (*The Book Trial*) "What are the thre major exports of Upper Zeeland?" . . . "Jade, dragon scales, and wool!"
12. ↑ @digressica Instagram Stories, June 02, 2021 "...we'll delve a bit more into Hawthorne's dragonriding world, which is quite fun."