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

[dANdeLION]

I have seen some people are getting mad on list, and hope my posts are not a souce of their madness. Please forgive me High Lord Hobbs.

[hierachy]

what do you mean im me danlo, aren't I anything else?

[Penner Theologius Pott]

From my point of view, dragons would have seemed out of place in the Land if only because they seem to me to be a very European kind of entity (oriental dragons excluded) and I was always impressed with Donaldson's ability to excise the more overt European influences from the novel -- a very strong way of distinguishing it from Tolkien's work.

(Although it's been a while since I read "The One Tree", wasn't there some giant sleeping worm underneath it that was vaguely reminiscent of the Jormungand Serpent?)

Oh, and as for "Gi-ents"; it might be interesting to note:

English "Giants"; from
"Jotuns," as in "Jotunheim", the land of Giants; from
"Etins," an earlier form of the word; from which Tolkien hypothesized the existence of
"Ents," the root being of them all.

So, the association is not such an illogical one to make.

[danlo]

There can be on only 1!

[aTOMiC]

From my point of view, dragons would have seemed out of place in the Land if only because they seem to me to be a very European kind of entity (oriental dragons excluded) and I was always impressed with Donaldson's ability to excise the more overt European influences from the novel -- a very strong way of distinguishing it from Tolkien's work.

(Although it's been a while since I read "The One Tree", wasn't there some giant sleeping worm underneath it that was vaguely reminiscent of the Jormungand Serpent?)

Oh, and as for "Gi-ents"; it might be interesting to note:

English "Giants"; from
"Jotuns," as in "Jotunheim", the land of Giants; from
"Etins," an earlier form of the word; from which Tolkien hypothesized the existence of
"Ents," the root being of them all.

So, the association is not such an illogical one to make.

Interesting point about the geographic flavor of the Land. I agree.

[The Chosen]

Though I love dragons... I think it would take away a 'real life feeling' from the books... I know you say "but what about the powers that everyone can use?" The 'power' is 'nature' which gives you a 'rational' conection to real life... after all we use things like oil and coal for energy. The people of the land just have a more direct connection to it... We dont really have anything that can connect reality to dragons that fly... anyone agree?

[TRC]

I also am a Huge fan of The Dragon,and the myths and theories behind them,So with all of their glory i feel that dragons would have served a purpose in the Land, and agree that even Griffins strayed away from the main theme of earthpower and creatures that would be formed from the use/misuse of that power.

[dANdeLION]

Okay, after much introspection, I have come to the conclusion that dragons would have been difficult to put in the Land, as they would radically alter the balance of power. For instance, if the raver's army had employed dragons to fly the army up the cliffs of Revelstone and deposit them on the upland plains near Glimmermere, then Revelstone would surely have fallen. Or, if Korik's mission utilized dragons for it's transportation, then there would still be Giants in the Land. Ranyhyn would be just horses, Ramen would have to shine shoes for a living, and HIgh Lord Kevin would have headed an aerial attack on Foul's Creche instead of performing the Ritual.