Dragons

[Anonymoose]

Usually speaking, "Wyrmking" isn't so much a class or genera as it is Bahamut's individual title. There is a "Wyrmking's Perch" in Coerthas, but... as we've seen, the terminology is up in the air. Tiamat et al. are certainly kings, but I think they were always just referred to as "kings among dragonkind," and then you have the fact that, at some times, Bahamut's title has been translated to "The Dragon King!"

I'm on "wait and see" mode when it comes to the dragons.

[Alaltus]

I believe it was mentioned that the title of Wyrm King fall within the realm of Nidhogg, Fafnir, etc. Bahamut isn't a Wyrm King, rather he is revered as a god amongst dragonkin. A tier above the Wyrm Kings.

Source if you could please?

[KaplanHomahru]

Source if you could please?

Hope this helps, it is part of Fern's epic reply in the CG Midlander thread:

"Yoshi-p dropped a few bombs last week revealing that both Midgardsormr and Nidhogg were not primals, but dragon ‘kings.’ However, he also revealed that the dragons are a beast tribe...and that beast tribes have their own gods (primals)... So..."

[Endemerrin]

Hope this helps, it is part of Fern's epic reply in the CG Midlander thread:

"Yoshi-p dropped a few bombs last week revealing that both Midgardsormr and Nidhogg were not primals, but dragon ‘kings.’ However, he also revealed that the dragons are a beast tribe...and that beast tribes have their own gods (primals)... So..."

Thanks for digging it up! This is in fact what I was referring to.

It's been mentioned that Bahamut is an Elder Primal, which according to what has been said about beastmen/primal worship, they see them as the world's true gods. Bahamut might not be a literal god (we can't really be certain on that whole deal or where they came from), but everything seems to point as the dragons worshipping him as their primal and god.

I'm guessing Bahamut's Labyrinth will answer a lot of questions related to him, and the Ishgard content that will be introduced later in the game will satiate everyone's lust for more information on the dragons.

[Alaltus]

Yeah i read that back when it was released but it doesn't refer to the dragons as wyrm kings but as dragon kings. I'm willing to bet Fernehalwes' eye, Okipuit's tail, Rukkirii's tentacles, Camate's furr and Bayohne's healer's robes. That the two titles are not one and the same. =P

But to be honest i would be satisfied just knowing a bit more about the dragons from the opening CG, the ones fighting the empire ships with Migardsormr.

[Alaltus]

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/world/cities/mor-dhona

As the imperial fleet advanced into the skies above Silvertear Lake, the largest inland body of water in Aldenard, it was met with a wholly unexpected sight. Midgardsormr, the dragon deity of the lake, had arisen, summoned by a hand unknown. And as if to answer the mighty wyrm's call, a host of dragons flew in from the northwestern reaches of Dravania and fell upon the Empire's forces. The air was filled with the deafening roars of cannons and dragonkin alike. Locked in a deadly embrace, the thunderous impact of Midgardsormr and the dreadnought Agrius tolled their mutual demise. Thus ended the Battle of Silvertear Skies.

Even now, the carcass of the immense wyrm lies entwined with the wreckage of the Agrius in the center of the lake, a towering monument to the ferocity of the conflict. Ever since that day, the lands of Eorzea have continued an inexorable fall into chaos...

Seems that this update confirms Migardsormr and the Agrius' presence in Mor Dhona ^^?

[Catapult]

http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/world/cities/mor-dhona

As the imperial fleet advanced into the skies above Silvertear Lake, the largest inland body of water in Aldenard, it was met with a wholly unexpected sight. Midgardsormr, the dragon deity of the lake, had arisen, summoned by a hand unknown. And as if to answer the mighty wyrm's call, a host of dragons flew in from the northwestern reaches of Dravania and fell upon the Empire's forces. The air was filled with the deafening roars of cannons and dragonkin alike. Locked in a deadly embrace, the thunderous impact of Midgardsormr and the dreadnought Agrius tolled their mutual demise. Thus ended the Battle of Silvertear Skies.

Even now, the carcass of the immense wyrm lies entwined with the wreckage of the Agrius in the center of the lake, a towering monument to the ferocity of the conflict. Ever since that day, the lands of Eorzea have continued an inexorable fall into chaos...

Seems that this update confirms Migardsormr and the Agrius' presence in Mor Dhona ^^?

That actually sounds like a v1.x description and is largely well documented... mostly by Erik.
But there is something new in there. It describes Midgardsomr as a "deity", meaning it does fall into a gods-related category even if it is different to the primals in origin and nature, and that is was in fact summoned rather than just choosing to rock up for the party.

[Anonymoose]

The "deity" namedrop seems to be fool's gold.

There was the birth of Althyk, god of time among the Twelve, and in turn, His younger sister Nymeia, goddess of fate. And then there was water, and through it the Silvertear Falls came to be at the center of all that was. Here was the source not only of water, but the fount of all magic as well. Now, when water came into being, so too did the great dragon Midgardsormr. Brother Time and Sister Fate, fearing the Falls might fall into the hands of evil, ordered Midgardsormr their protector and warden. Much later, with the arrival of man, would Midgardsormr be worshipped as the guardian deity of Silvertear Falls. Have you been to Silvertear Falls, Forename? Or are you as untraveled as you are unread? Have you gazed upon the enormous dragon corpse, frozen as a statue with wings outspread? If you have, you have gazed upon Midgardsormr. That tragedy is but ten years old. After invading my home of Ala Mhigo, the Garleans launched a fleet of airships led by the monstrosity Agrius. They flew for Silvertear Falls, knowing it to be the greatest concentration of aether. And then, as those horrific instruments of evil loomed overhead, casting the dark shadow of death, the surface of the lake suddenly parted and burst skyward as Midgardsormr emerged to defend his waters. The battle between Midgardsormr and Agrius has since come to be known as the Battle of Silvertear Skies. The dragon fought with divine strength and purpose, and after a fierce and grueling struggle, succeeded in bringing down the airship. As it fell into the lake, the impact caused the ceruleum onboard to detonate, and Midgardsormr was killed, his corpse charred black in the conflagration. The structure formed by the wreckage of Agrius and the entangled remains of Midgardsormr is now called the Keeper of the Lake. For many religious and mythological enthusiasts, it stands as proof of the existence of the gods. For most people, however, it serves as a grim reminder of the horrific, dare I say deicidal, power of Garlemald. Why did that dragon appear that day? Was it truly the Midgardsormr, the legendary guardian of Silvertear Falls? Such questions and more remain unanswered. For my part, I make the entire debacle for an elaborate Garlean fabrication, acted out to near perfection.

This fits with Ferne's post in GC Midlander:

Yoshi-p dropped a few bombs last week revealing that both Midgardsormr and Nidhogg were not primals, but dragon ‘kings.’ However, he also revealed that the dragons are a beast tribe...and that beast tribes have their own gods (primals)... So...

Something I didn't notice until now is just how similar Midgardsormr really is to the Lominsan sea serpent. Both of them are heavily associated with water, they are anatomically similar discounting the skull shape and skin texture (long body, mini wings, lots of little fins), they are said to be created directly by members among The Twelve, and they are charged with guarding something important.

I'm betting we'll see more of this...

[Alaltus]

After re-reading the Dragoon questline, i believe i have an idea about how the Dragons tick inside. This is going to be big so if you haven't read the Dragoon questline recently, you might want to read/re-read it. http://forum.square-enix.com/ffxiv/t...l=1#post990168

I will be using quotes from various sources to back up my theory.

Alberic: Sensing the great wyrm's unbridled rage others of his kind began to rouse, and in such numbers as to blot out the sun with their wings. A deep, foreboding darkness swept over Ishgard. ~Unfading Scars~

Their language is emotion/desire/willpower/purpose. Throughout the Dragonkin, be they sentient or not, they all should understand these things, and if Nidhogg is hellbent on attacking Ishgard, all the dragonkin in the vacinity are too. Because they feel his anguish and so his emotions become theirs.

Alberic: Even as I buried my lance in Nidhogg's flesh, our gazes locked, and mine eyes met then with a look that would fair impale a man. In that instant, I found myself assailed by a torrent of emotions not mine own...

Alberic: Sorrow... Rancor... Pity... They threatened to drown the man in me and leave behind a dragon. Fearing that i might turn traitor, I chose to purge myself of the power that the Eye had bestowed upon me. ~Fatal Seduction~

In Ferndale the dragons seem to be said to have just sat and watched Alberic's and Nidhogg's fight as if he willed his battle be 1 v 1. Then rather than retreat when Nidhogg is defeated, the dragonkin ransack Ferndale. Did Nidhogg communicate his desire for it to be destroyed? did the dragons understand that Alberic no longer had any dragon power? .

Alberic: Alas, countless of his brethren yet remained. As if to mock me, they fell upon Ferndale with a vengeance. Bereft of my power, it was all i could do but save one child. ~Fatal Seduction~

There were no mention of lesser dragons fighting with him before his eye was stolen by Haldrath's Lance.

Alberic: Their journey brought them to a wide chasm, whereupon Thordan and his people set to building a bridge. It was then that a dark shadow descended upon them─the great wyrm Nidhogg. Heedless of his own safety, Thordan fearlessly charged at the colossal beast. Alas, he was pushed into the chasm by one of his own, a man seduced by the wyrm, and fell to his death.

Alberic: Taking up his slain sire's lance, Haldrath hurled himself at Nidhogg, even as tears streamed down his face. The confrontation ended when the young man, his hand guided by Halone, landed a mighty thrust that prized out Nidhogg's eye. With a terrible roar of pain, the great wyrm took wing and fled, while jubilation reigned below. ~Lance of the Fury~

It sounds as if the Ishgardians moved into Nidhogg's territory at the edge of Dravania, and rather angry at their imposition over his land. He confronted them and lost his eye in the process. This left him feeling slighted and humiliated forever begrudging Ishgard's existence upon his land. And the one who stole his eye.

Estinien: Dragons long outlive men and do not soon forget the wrongs done them. What grudge they harbor burns as a fire in their hearts, over time becoming an unquenchable inferno. Look back on history, and you will see that Nidhogg grows stronger with each awakening. ~Double Dragoon~

Then we have Migardsormr, all the way in Mor Dhona and yet fleets of dragons from Dravania fly to his aid.

And as if to answer the mighty wyrm's call, a host of dragons flew in from the northwestern reaches of Dravania and fell upon the Empire's forces. ~FFXIV website > Locations > Mor Dhona~

Note: again Wyrm is attributed to a Dragon King.

They can commune over Long distances and so if a desire is strong enough they will answer it. This communion is capable of effecting even ordinary humans and possibly your average monster to boot. But most of all it effects the Azure Dragoon.

Alberic: Being derived from our mortal enemies, the power of the Azure Dragoon is a double-edged sword. Even as it lends us the strength we need to smite dragons, it heightens our communion with the creatures, rendering our minds more susceptible to their seduction than ordinary men. ~Fatal Seduction~

This doesn't only apply to more powerful dragons either it goes all they way down the chain to lowest of the low. Though less powerful dragons with low sentience probbably have less sway with it.

Alberic: Being close kin to dragons, drakes also hold sway over the hearts of they who wield dragon power.

Alberic: Lock wills with this adversary and prevail. In doing so, prove yourself worthy to champion the cause to which your lance is sworn. Then the Dragon within you shall awaken with a mighty roar. ~Fatal Seduction~

edit: I noticed this and had to add it as well.

Erik: Much later, with the arrival of man, would Midgardsormr be worshipped as the guardian deity of Silvertear Falls.

Migardsormr was worshipped by man, so then surely not all men in Eorzea believe all dragons to be malign.

TLDR: Dragons are not inherently evil, they are linked together by emotion and desires. Acting together like they were an extension of one another.

[Catapult]

As someone who hasn't played the Dragoon story arc yet...

/makes note that:

• Ishgard was founded in approximately year 550 6th Astral Era, give or take a few decades.
• Niddhog's last arousal was the same year as the fall of Ala Mhigo.