Greatwyrms were dragons that had achieved godlike abilities,[4][5] approaching the powers of the aspects of Tiamat and Bahamut.[1][3]
Abilities[]
Greatwyrms were massive, exceeding the size of any other kind of dragon and rivalling the largest creatures in existence. Although their exact powers varied with each type of greatwyrm, in general all greatwyrms had abilities that allowed them to return to near-full strength just before death.[1][3][2] They also all possessed extraordinarily heightened dragonsight, which allowed them to be aware of events and activities across many worlds of the Material Plane.[5] Many of their other abilities were more powerful versions of those of the normal chromatic, metallic, or gem dragon from which the greatwyrm had ascended:
- Chromatic greatwyrms were cloaked in the power of their dragon breath, and were able to make spears out of arcane power.[1]
- Metallic greatwyrms could summon maelstroms of elemental power, and their breath was able to drain the energy of their foes.[3]
- Gem greatwyrms appeared to be made of diamond, and possessed incredibly powerful psionics, especially telekinesis.[2]
Society[]
According to Fizban the Fabulous (one of Bahamut's aspects), greatwyrms were normally created when ancient dragons, usually at least twelve centuries old, ate or ritually merged with their "echoes" from other worlds, or consumed their energies in other ways.[4][5] A powerful dragon could be helped along this path by one of the dragon gods.[3]
Becoming a greatwyrm was akin to achieving apotheosis,[1] and thus many greatwyrms were considered deities and worshiped by humanoids and other mortal races. While other dragons respected the power of the greatwyrms, they did not worship them nor regard them as gods.[6]
Notable Greatwyrms[]
- The Thanes of Sardior, a group of five greatwyrms (one of each of the five types of gem dragons) who intended to absorb every one of their echoes with the ultimate goal of coming together and reforming Sardior.[2]
- Aasterinian, a brass greatwyrm who served as a messenger for the dragon gods, and was often considered a goddess of invention.[3][7][6]
- Ashardalon, a red greatwyrm who devoured his echoes with the aid of a balor.[1]
- Astilabor, a topaz greatwyrm who was considered a goddess of greed.[8]
- Chronepsis, a black greatwyrm who was considered a god of fate.[1][6]
- Laerahkralan, who covertly interfered in affairs of state throughout the Shining South[9]
- Lendys, a silver greatwyrm renowned for enforcing justice among dragonkind, and thus often considered a god of justice.[3]
- Tamara, a silver greatwyrm sometimes considered a goddess of life and mercy.[3][6]
- Velsaertirden, a steel dragon greatwyrm sage[9]
Appendix[]
See Also[]
- Dragon ascendant, a dragon that achieved godlike powers via a different approach than becoming a greatwyrm.[10]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 168. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 200–201. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 208–209. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 37. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 7–8. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 93. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Edited by Judy Bauer, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 152. ISBN 978-0-7869-6729-2.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Ed Greenwood (2021-10-28). Velsaertirden (Tweet). theedverse. Twitter. Archived from the original on 2021-10-28. Retrieved on 2021-12-01.
- ↑ Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 90. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.