On the Lack of Dragons in Randos

Although motifs and artistic representations can be found across Randós, no example of living dragons have ever been found. There are several creatures across Randós that have been described as dragons but none are the true beast. Lareth is home to one creature that could be seen as a dragon. The sea serpents, or “Leviathans” as they are called by the Larethi, are large serpentine aquatic creatures that inhabit the Opal Ocean. They have also been described by the Merfolk of the area. The orchid dragons are a rare sight in the Larethi Isles. However, they are insects and are in no way related to dragons. They are only reffered to that was due to their scale like hide and lizard like eyes. River dragons are a common sight in Kilt, usually found sun bathing covered in mud on the banks of rivers. Another creature commonly mistaken for dragons are the sand skippers of Ekarus, sometimes called sand dragons. These are tall lizard like animals that hop on their large hind legs across the arid plains near the Polythemic Desert. Terrador and Maelstrom both have tales of true dragons but no comparable creature exists in either of their lands.

The word “dragon” actually comes from the ancient runic language of Terrador, being “drak”. This word can be seen in the namesake of the countries founder and first king, Ranthor Whitedrake. It seems that the concept of dragons is one that is emblazoned into the mind of every race across Randós although no evidence for them ever existing has been found. Some scholars believe that these common “dragon-like” creatures are responsible for the concept of dragons existing in the collective consciousness, despite them never existing at all. There are interesting tales of true dragons that come from Terrador however. Ancient custom speaks to a belief that the races of men were once true dragons. Not that men flew around breathing fire but that in ancient times there was no distinction between men and dragons. This lends credence to an ancient runic inscription found on Ranthor’s Throne in the capital city of Terrador. It reads: “Vith Vornum Einsin Drakar,” translated as “Once we were dragons”….