Khrrck
18-05-2004, 07:28
A Guide to Practical Dragon-Slaying
By Armaka'karema
Part One
Common Misconceptions
********************************************
Dragon-slayers are often depicted mounted, wearing full plate and wielding a lance. Either that, or they're on foot and wielding a sword. 'Taint so.
A moment's thought will expose the obvious flaws in the plan.
First of all. No horse is brave or stupid enough to stay still when it can see a dragon. If a horse sees a dragon, it'll run. Dragons eat horses, and the horses know that very, very well, because horses who don't know that tend to die.
Second. Armor is rather ineffective against anything that can breathe fire. In fact, in the case of plate armor, all it does is conduct heat to the body, making you die faster. If you must have armor, stick with chainmail and leather padding, with perhaps a light helmet for your head. The only thing it'll defend you against is the dragon's claws.
Third. Firebreath and claws will beat a sword any day of the week. Lances aren't much better; a dragon can comfortably incinerate you while still staying out of the range of your lance.
The best weapon for dragon-slaying varies. If you're a very good shot, you might be able to get the dragon through the head with a longbow arrow. If you do go that route, I reccomend you poison your arrows. The poison that can kill a dragon hasn't yet been invented, but every bit helps. Curare is a good choice.
If you aren't too confident in your aim, contact your local witch, wizard, or mage and have them put a seeker-spell on your arrows. A properly cast seeker-spell will at least double your chances of hitting where you aim.
If you're the brawny type, and not too good with bows, you could go with harpoons. I recommend you poison them, and get a magic-worker to put the deadliest spell he can think of on the barbs.
So, armed with this new knowledge, we have a entirely different image of the dragon-slayer. He travels afoot, wearing light chainmail. He is armed with a longbow and quiver, or a harpoon.
Part Two
Tactics And Tricks
********************************************
Of course, there are more ways to go up against a dragon than on foot.
First of all, inquire to see whether there is a ballista about, or if one can be acquired. A ballista is a siege weapon, resembling a giant crossbow. If the dragon has a cave or lair that he frequents, moving the ballista into position while he sleeps and shooting him when he comes out is one of the most reliable ways to kill a dragon.
Despite popular opinion, a bombard is not a useful dragon-slaying weapon. Bombards are inaccurate, heavy, loud, and require large powder stores which can easily be set off by dragonflame.
Explosives are a possibility. Many dragons breathe fire according to the following sequence.
1. The dragon opens his mouth.
2. The dragon takes aim at the target.
3. The dragon flames.
There is a 2 to 3-second pause between 1 and 3 that can be used to lob a explosive device down the dragon's throat.
Unfortunately, some dragons, especially those with military training, open their mouth, aim, and fire. All with one motion. This gives you no time to throw, dodge, or, indeed, to react in any way.
Part Three
Know Your Dragon
********************************************
One should never assume things about dragons. Assume that a dragon is firebreathing, for instance, and you may find yourself with frostbite or acid burns. You may find yourself electrocuted, cursed, mauled, and, quite possibly, dead.
First of all, observe the dragon if possible. Try and see how it attacks.
According to my researches, there are at least two kinds of dragons:
Earthfire or "Normal" dragons. Your standard dragon fare, the sort you all hear about. They tend to be bright, fiery colors: yellow, red, and green, with the occasional black.
Icefire or "Ice" dragons. According to what I've read, the Earthfire dragons killed this species off several hundred years ago, for some unspecified crime. I'm not so sure they're all dead. The typical Earthfire dragon doesn't seem to know about this species, which is strange.
The typical Icefire dragon, according to records, is white or bluish-white, with the occasional black.
There's also a unusually large number of mutants. Most of the really dangerous ones are acid-spitters or have some sort of venom. Most of the "odd" dragons are in the Ice Blades, a sort of dumping ground for all the dragons that want to join the military but the Fire Blades won't accept.
Second of all: Ask around. If you know the dragon's name, contact the dragons. I reccomend the dragons' military organization, the Fire Blades. They serve as a sort of police force, as well as border patrol and army. Ask if the dragon has committed some crime. Most dragons who make a nuisance of themselves in human lands have. See if you can get the dragons to deal with it.
If you can't get the dragons to deal with it, get all the help you can. Never face a dragon alone if you can help it.
As for tactics, they differ with every dragon. I recommend you study the dragon. Learn its habits, if it has any. Formulate a strategy accordingly.
One final thing. Never go up against a dragon with magical training. If you do, you will die. Quite horribly. Get the dragons to deal with it, call in the Wyrms, call in several mages, or see if you can convince the dragon to go away.
Diplomacy is always an option.
By Armaka'karema
Part One
Common Misconceptions
********************************************
Dragon-slayers are often depicted mounted, wearing full plate and wielding a lance. Either that, or they're on foot and wielding a sword. 'Taint so.
A moment's thought will expose the obvious flaws in the plan.
First of all. No horse is brave or stupid enough to stay still when it can see a dragon. If a horse sees a dragon, it'll run. Dragons eat horses, and the horses know that very, very well, because horses who don't know that tend to die.
Second. Armor is rather ineffective against anything that can breathe fire. In fact, in the case of plate armor, all it does is conduct heat to the body, making you die faster. If you must have armor, stick with chainmail and leather padding, with perhaps a light helmet for your head. The only thing it'll defend you against is the dragon's claws.
Third. Firebreath and claws will beat a sword any day of the week. Lances aren't much better; a dragon can comfortably incinerate you while still staying out of the range of your lance.
The best weapon for dragon-slaying varies. If you're a very good shot, you might be able to get the dragon through the head with a longbow arrow. If you do go that route, I reccomend you poison your arrows. The poison that can kill a dragon hasn't yet been invented, but every bit helps. Curare is a good choice.
If you aren't too confident in your aim, contact your local witch, wizard, or mage and have them put a seeker-spell on your arrows. A properly cast seeker-spell will at least double your chances of hitting where you aim.
If you're the brawny type, and not too good with bows, you could go with harpoons. I recommend you poison them, and get a magic-worker to put the deadliest spell he can think of on the barbs.
So, armed with this new knowledge, we have a entirely different image of the dragon-slayer. He travels afoot, wearing light chainmail. He is armed with a longbow and quiver, or a harpoon.
Part Two
Tactics And Tricks
********************************************
Of course, there are more ways to go up against a dragon than on foot.
First of all, inquire to see whether there is a ballista about, or if one can be acquired. A ballista is a siege weapon, resembling a giant crossbow. If the dragon has a cave or lair that he frequents, moving the ballista into position while he sleeps and shooting him when he comes out is one of the most reliable ways to kill a dragon.
Despite popular opinion, a bombard is not a useful dragon-slaying weapon. Bombards are inaccurate, heavy, loud, and require large powder stores which can easily be set off by dragonflame.
Explosives are a possibility. Many dragons breathe fire according to the following sequence.
1. The dragon opens his mouth.
2. The dragon takes aim at the target.
3. The dragon flames.
There is a 2 to 3-second pause between 1 and 3 that can be used to lob a explosive device down the dragon's throat.
Unfortunately, some dragons, especially those with military training, open their mouth, aim, and fire. All with one motion. This gives you no time to throw, dodge, or, indeed, to react in any way.
Part Three
Know Your Dragon
********************************************
One should never assume things about dragons. Assume that a dragon is firebreathing, for instance, and you may find yourself with frostbite or acid burns. You may find yourself electrocuted, cursed, mauled, and, quite possibly, dead.
First of all, observe the dragon if possible. Try and see how it attacks.
According to my researches, there are at least two kinds of dragons:
Earthfire or "Normal" dragons. Your standard dragon fare, the sort you all hear about. They tend to be bright, fiery colors: yellow, red, and green, with the occasional black.
Icefire or "Ice" dragons. According to what I've read, the Earthfire dragons killed this species off several hundred years ago, for some unspecified crime. I'm not so sure they're all dead. The typical Earthfire dragon doesn't seem to know about this species, which is strange.
The typical Icefire dragon, according to records, is white or bluish-white, with the occasional black.
There's also a unusually large number of mutants. Most of the really dangerous ones are acid-spitters or have some sort of venom. Most of the "odd" dragons are in the Ice Blades, a sort of dumping ground for all the dragons that want to join the military but the Fire Blades won't accept.
Second of all: Ask around. If you know the dragon's name, contact the dragons. I reccomend the dragons' military organization, the Fire Blades. They serve as a sort of police force, as well as border patrol and army. Ask if the dragon has committed some crime. Most dragons who make a nuisance of themselves in human lands have. See if you can get the dragons to deal with it.
If you can't get the dragons to deal with it, get all the help you can. Never face a dragon alone if you can help it.
As for tactics, they differ with every dragon. I recommend you study the dragon. Learn its habits, if it has any. Formulate a strategy accordingly.
One final thing. Never go up against a dragon with magical training. If you do, you will die. Quite horribly. Get the dragons to deal with it, call in the Wyrms, call in several mages, or see if you can convince the dragon to go away.
Diplomacy is always an option.