Majestic Creatures Profile

The Cave Dragon

Habitat: Delvheim
Dimensions: Size of a Horse and Bigger
Diet: Carnivore
Rated Danger Level: 5
The Beast Tamer:

Cave Dragons

are considered to be the only pure Delvic breed of dragons.

Globally, there are variety of different versions of

Cave Dragons

. Though they all differ to some degree or another. Two examples of these would be the Grootslang and Cuélebre.

Also known to be referred to as Grote Slang, is a serpent-like creature, as the Afrikaans and Dutch meanings of the word translates to “big snake”. It is known to dwell in a deep cave in the Richtersveld, South Africa.

According to legend, the Grootslang is as old as the world itself, and tales state that gods, new to the crafting of things, made a terrible mistake in the creation of the Grootsland. Giving it tremendous strength, cunning and intellect. Upon realising their mistake, the gods split the creature up into separate creatures and thus created the first elephants and first snakes.

However, one of the original Grootslangs escaped and it is claimed to devour elephants by luring them into its cave, known as the “Wonder Hole” or “Bottomless Pit” which supposedly connects to the sea. Local legend has it that the cave is filled with diamonds. Another factor that it lives in warm rivers and lakes too. In Benin, it is said to be a huge elephant-like creature with a serpent’s tail. While other depictions make it as a snake with orange gems for eyes.

In addition to the tale, Grootslangs covet gems, particularly diamonds and despite the creature’s lust for cruelty, victims can often bargain for their freedom by offering a Grootslang enough precious gems.

The Cuélebre (Austrian) or Culebre (Cantabrian), is a giant winged serpent-dragon of the Asturian and Cantabrian mythology in Spain. It lives in a cave, guarding treasure and keeps anjanas (also known as xanas, translates to fairies) as prisoners.

Cuélebre age despite being immortal, their scales thicken making them impenetrable and bat wings grow from their bodies. Eventually they fly to the Mar Cuajada, a paradise located beyond the sea, as a compulsion.

They prefer to stay put, and only move it is in order to eat cattle and people. Should one give a red-hot stone or a bread full of pins to consume it can kill the creature. The saliva is believed to turn into a magic stone that can heal a variety of diseases.

In Midsummer, a magical night in Asturian and Cantabrian folklore, it’s most possible for brave men to defeat the cuêlebre whose spells don’t take effect that night and marry the xana and also get the treasure. Though in Cantabrian areas, it is said the creature increases its power and unleashes all its fury people in revenge on the night of Saint Bartholomew.

Within World of Legends,

Cave Dragons

can be found within an unknowingly wide net of caves and tunnels under the mountains of Delvheim. Academics consider this as the purest breed of Delvic dragons and also have the most sightings and tales regarding them to certainly claim they exist.

Cave Dragons have a unique appearance consisting of, four limbs, but no wings (their is speculation that they evolved into losing their wings as it would impair their movements inside underground caves) and incredibly thick and strong scales with a beautiful crystal formation growing directly on them.

Many assume the likely possibility that cave dragons have a tendency to sleep the majority of the time, perhaps even for centuries consecutively, however these are merely theories. This stems from the knowledge that they are completely blind, and live in complete darkness. How do they get about you may wonder? They use their keen sense of smell and hearing to navigate their surroundings and hunt.

Tales of these dragons state they are incredibly intelligent and are able of speech. But, they are also extremely aggressive towards people. Due to this aggressive nature they are often considered the culprit for many disappearances of dwarves with no evidence left behind. Even if the number of people they prey on every year is minuscule to what most would believe, they are not only dangerous creatures down below, taking advantage of victims’ disorientation kills more than them.

As of late it’s unknown if the Cave Dragon attack dwarves because they are considered as prey or if its a territorial dispute. However, take note that the majority of stories about these creatures’ abilities and ferocity come from people who have barely escaped them - they could be completely inaccurate.

For more detailed sources of information, see the following links: https://worldoflegend.eu/library/1174b187-5e15-4abd-bedb-92a52ca60e0c
Header image source: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/49Ere8

~ The Mystic, Hecate