Are the Chronicles helped or hurt by the absence of Dragons?

[hierachy]

I will be disapointed if there are dragons in the third chrons, it would just shout out to me that Donaldson is not what he was, unless of course he does something completely origional with them

[aTOMiC]

Nope, no dragons. It would have twisted the chrons towards more ordinary fantasy...Perfect as it is

Are you saying you don't want a Giant-Raver wielding a fragment of the Illearth Stone from the back of a flying, fire breathing dragon? Imagine the mayhem. The tower of Revelstone toppled. The butresses and battlements scoured by fire. The warward toasted while slowly marching toward Dooms Retreat. Yeah. That would have been just too dang much to bear. Its all just speculation. If SRD had chosen to use them I am confident they would have been very unique. In any case, the Chronicles are perfect as is.

[kastenessen]

Cromas Tummins wrote:

Are you saying you don't want a Giant-Raver wielding a fragment of the Illearth Stone from the back of a flying, fire-breathing dragon

Nope. I'd rather see a Giant-Raver wielding a fragment of the Illearth Stone from the back of a Sandgorgon. Imagine the mayhem...No I forgot, sandgorgons eat ravers for breakfast.

I guess that if SRD had used dragons in the chrons he would have used them very ingeniously, in some very unexpected way...but we will never know will we, unless we meet them in the third chrons...

[Seafoam Understone]

Personally I was glad that there weren't any dragons in the chrons at all. It would have as kastenessen said thrown the whole series into the regular cliche of fantasy novels. There are a lot of dragon stories and stories with dragons... TCTC didn't need any and it's obvious from the forum here overall that SRD didn't need to put them in. TCTC worked splendidly without them... also consider the trouble SRD would've had with TC if he did add Dragons... "well now he knows it's a dream because dragons don't exist!"....
As far as griffins well I was momentarily put off by the arrival but got too deep into the story to care.
Argules and Sandgorgons were original as were the Urviles and Wayhims and other creatures of the Land.... Ranyhyn were horses but WHAT horses! whoo!
If my script gets bought I'm definitely gonna be there when they film that!

[amanibhavam]

No dargons, please...
As for the griffins, I have a theory. One of the most striking things about TC's sojourn in the Land is the he can speak their language without any problem (okay, I know, this is because it would've posed a serious problem if SRD had been forced to deal with the question of different languages, too). So if we look at it internally, it could be that TC's ability comes from the Creator, he (TC) was somehow gifted to be able to speak as Landpeople do. So the term "griffin" might not really be "griffin" at all, but some other name, it is just how this beast was reflected in TC's brain, he "translated" it to the nearest term he could think of.
I am afraid I am very confusing...

[aTOMiC]

No dargons, please...
As for the griffins, I have a theory. One of the most striking things about TC's sojourn in the Land is the he can speak their language without any problem (okay, I know, this is because it would've posed a serious problem if SRD had been forced to deal with the question of different languages, too). So if we look at it internally, it could be that TC's ability comes from the Creator, he (TC) was somehow gifted to be able to speak as Landpeople do. So the term "griffin" might not really be "griffin" at all, but some other name, it is just how this beast was reflected in TC's brain, he "translated" it to the nearest term he could think of.
I am afraid I am very confusing...

I think that is easy enough to understand and the language aspect of it is probably right on. I guess I didn't feel Griffins or Dragons or much of anything SRD might have placed in his story would have been a problem for me. Perhaps it is because Lord Foul's Bane was only the second fantasy book I had read at the time and I hadn't as yet been bombarded with Dragons, Griffins, Harpys, Dwarves, Goblins and such. The cliche thing never occured to me. Having said that I have enjoyed both sides of this topic very much.

[Guest]

Okay, we have let this thread go on long enough without you guys getting to the point of it. Sure, many of you have skirted it with your mentions of "I don't know how it would have worked, but SRD sure would have made the dragons unique enough", to loosly paraphrase your thoughts. Well, unique how? Let me offer a few humble things that I believe would have been characteristic of dragons in the Land.

First, they would have been able to mind-meld. Possibly they would have learned how to from the Haruchai (or vice-versa; see point #4), but more likely they attained the ability by sharpening their beaks on the One Stone, where they would have chosen to nest. The mind-meld would have given them a significant tactical advantage, allowing them to coordinate aerial attacks, reconnaisance missions, etc.

Second, dragons would have been creatures of such power that I doubt any Raver could master one without the Illearth Stone to help him. If they were to have been ridden, then special harnesses made of Clingor would have had to have been fashioned.

Third, If they chose to ally themselves with the Lords, they would have completely circumvented the dangers of Sarangrave Flat, and Hile Troy would have won the Illearth War without the help of Caeroll Wildwood. It's quite possible they would have befriended the Giants, as their fiery breth would have been of great assistance during any Caamora. The Ranyhin would have been jealous, of course, but then again, they would have been food for the dragons, so it wouldn't matter. The job of the Ramen would have therefore shifted from just plain serving the Ranyhin to serving the Ranyhin as the main course. TC would have bargained with dragons to rescue the quest for the Staff of Law in LFB. There would be a "no fly zone" within 12 miles of Revelwood, but otherwise, they would be a welcome sight in the Land.

And fourth, dragons would have been good eatin'. Perhaps the Haruchai would even find them delectible, and over generations of using them as cuisine, maybe even got their mind-meld powers from them. imagine, if you will: dragon wings; mild, hot, or spicy.

[aTOMiC]

Well said Mr. Guest dude. Well said dAN er I mean guest dude man.

[danlo]

I argee--u must have missed my post...

[dANdeLION]

I argee--u must have missed my post...

Every chance I get, Danlo; every chance I get.

[danlo]

Should I begin to get angry with u sucker?

[dANdeLION]

Should I begin to get angry with u sucker?

I'm sorry; did you say something?

Nah, don't get . I'd just drag you to my level and beat you with experience.

[dANdeLION]

I argee--u must have missed my post...

Ahh, the Ranyhyn for food post. I did read it, but had since forgotton about that part of it. Or maybe it just sat there in my subconscious....either way, you came up with the idea first.

[danlo]

Bite ME! I thought u were some silly guest--I should have known better!

[dANdeLION]

Bite ME! I thought u were some silly guest--I should have known better!

Aww, yourself. I can't afford the plane fare

[hierachy]

Nah, don't get . I'd just drag you to my level and beat you with experience.

I have risen above that level now, but if you dragged me down there, I would still have all my old experience and kick your scrawny(or fat, depending on how large it is) ass!!!

[aTOMiC]

What does all this have to do with Dragons? dag nabbit.

[kevinswatch]

Yeah. I don't have to be concered with anything here, right? Are we all cool?-jay

[danlo]

aw Dad! Can't we just wrestle out in the backyard sometimes? (CT, dAN and I are all buds and Tampa Bay fans! And Hierachy is, well, Hierachy... )

[dANdeLION]

Yeah, we're fine. I am a total goof off, and pretty much only goof off with Cromas, Danlo, Dr. Banner, Heirachy and Brinn, who has been known to be much shinier than me. If in doubt, never take me serious. I usually let people know I'm being goofy by using the trusty emoticon.