Glaurung

Name: Glaurung

AKA: The Father of Dragons, the Great Worm, the Worm of Morgoth, the Golden

Location: Angband

Book: The Silmarillion

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Natural History:

Glaurung was said to have been the first of the Urulóki, the fire-drakes of the north, conceived during the First Age. He left the gates of Angband as a young and scarcely half-grown dragon, causing dismay to the Noldor. Being young and not fully armed, he fled from the darts of the Noldor and returned to Angband for over 200 years.

 In 455, Glaurung led Morgoth's army during the Battle of Sudden Flame, or Dagor Bragollach, against the Noldor Elves and their allies. He then returned in 472 during the Battle of Unnumbered Tears, or Nírnaeth Arnoediad. During that battle he stopped the two armies, Maedhros and Fingon, from joining. However, the Naurgrim, Dwarves of Belegost, stood their ground, for they had armor that could withstand the fire of the dragon. The Naugrim, led by Azaghâl, Lord of Belegost, formed a circle around Glaurung. Glaurung in his rage struck down Azaghâl and crawled over him. Azaghâl, with his last stroke, stabbed the dragon in the belly. Glaurung fled, and the beasts of Morgoth followed him in his retreat to Angband.

 In 495, Glaurung led the Battle of Tumhalad against the Noldor. Túrin was the only one of the Noldor who could withstand the dragon's fire, being clad in dwarf armor. However, Túrin was not immune to the dragon's spells and stood helpless. Glaurung overthrew the people of Nargothrond, enslaving the women and maidens and plundering what treasure lay there, making himself king.

Glaurung eventually moved from Nargothrond to Cared-en-Aras, near the river of Teiglin. There, while he rested, he was mortally wounded by Turambar (Túrin). Turambar thrust his sword, Gurthang, into the dragon's soft belly. Retrieving his sword, Turambar was burned by the venomous black blood that spouted from the wound. Turambar lay as one dead. Glaurung was not dead yet. He would finally perish when Nienor, daughter of Húrin and sister of Túrin, came looking for Turambar. Glaurung lifted his curse on her, and she, remembering her life and lineage, threw herself into the river to be lost in the wild water. Glaurung then finally perished.

Glaurung's lidless serpent eyes could put a binding spell on those that looked into them. He could learn all about someone just by bending his will. His words were poison to those that heard his voice, enchanting the listener with spells of forgetfulness and utter darkness. Laying in a river, he could blind his foes with vast vapour and a foul reek. For even horses cannot stand the maddening dragon-stench. 

The brood of Glaurung would return in the Fall of Gondolin.

"But Turin passed away on the northward road, and Glaurung laughed once more, for he had accomplished the errand of his Master. Then he turned to his own pleasure, and sent forth his blast, and burned all around him."  

 

Ancalagon

Name: Ancalagon

AKA: Ancalagon the Black

Location: Angband

Novel: The Silmarillion

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien





Natural History:
Ancalagon was the greatest of the winged dragons of Morgoth.

Morgoth used this new breed of winged dragons, which had not yet been seen before, as a last desperate assault during the War of Wrath during the First Age.

Ancalagon, the mightiest of those dragons, had a fire that nothing could withstand, and wings that could put a shadow over the land for miles.

Death befell Ancalagon after a day and night of battle. He fell from the sky upon the towers of Thangorodrim, which broke into ruin.

"It has been said that dragon-fire could melt and consume the Rings of Power, but there is not now any dragon left on earth in which the old fire is hot enough; nor was there ever any dragon, not even Ancalagon the Black, who could have harmed the One Ring, the Ruling Ring, for that was made by Sauron himself." -Gandalf

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