The Dragon

Name: The Dragon

AKA: War Dragon, Fire-drake

Location: Stone-Cave

Novel: Beowulf

Author: Unknown (Anglo-Saxon origin)




Natural History:
Not much is known of the dragon that battled Beowulf. The dragon stole precious gems and gold from across Scandinavia, hiding them deep in a cave on the sea-side. Here the dragon would guard the treasure from intruders and kill any that dare try to steal his hoard. It terrorized the Scandinavian people for 300 winters.

One intruder did mange to steal some gold while the dragon was asleep, but upon waking it discovered the missing treasure and sought revenge on the people that stole it. Beowulf  on hearing about the dragons' attacks, sought to destroy it. Beowulf led a group of eleven men to confront the creature and all abandoned Beowulf but Wiglaf.

Like many dragons, this dragon was immune to physical attacks. Beowulf struck with his sword but could not skewer the dragon. The dragon raged and spewed fire at Beowulf, biting and clawing at the warrior. The battle raged for sometime until Beowulf drew his knife and began to cut at the dragons vulnerable underside. However, Beowulf had been poisoned by the dragons bite and the wound proved to be fatal. Beowulf's dying wish is to have the dragon's treasure brought to him. When Wiglaf returns to the cave the dragon is gone, and as far as we know as never been heard from again.

It is interesting to note that the dragon from Beowulf and Smaug might be related. They are both described as fire-drakes and are similar in color and their lust for jewels and gold. Perhaps this can be confirmed once we visit more dragon-kin.

Smaug

Name: Smaug

AKA: The Great Worm, Smaug the Magnificent, Smaug the Golden, the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities

Location: Erebor, the Lonely Mountain

Novel: The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien



Natural History:
In the year of the Shire 2770, the Third Age of Middle-Earth, Smaug the dragon descended on Erebor, having heard of the great wealth contained within its halls. Upon his arrival he destroyed the town of Dale and drove the dwarves from their home. Smaug remained king of the Lonely Mountain and its fortune until 2941, when Thorin Oakenshield set out to reclaim his throne and treasure. Smaug was killed by Bard of Esgaroth.

Though one of the mighty fire-drakes (Urulóki) of old, Smaug had a weak spot on his left breast near his heart. The hobbit Bilbo Baggins discovered the spot when riddling with the dragon, which is the only way to speak to dragons, if you don't want to reveal your proper name, and don't want to infuriate them by a flat refusal. No dragon can resist the fascination of riddling talk and of wasting time trying to understand it.

Smaug had a great sense of smell and taste, enabling him to identify other races. Especially if he had previously consumed them. The smell of hobbit, however, greatly puzzled him. His eyes let out piercing red light. Iron scales adorned his backside. His underside was covered with the jewels and emeralds from the treasure upon which he rested. Out of his nostrils and mouth he could send forth a raging fire and vapor.

Smaug may have been the last dragon in Middle-Earth.

"My armour is like tenfold shields, my teeth are swords, my claws spears, the shock of my tail a thunderbolt, my wings a hurricane, and my breath death!" -Smaug