So, what exactly are drakota?

[goldfeesh641]

I know this is probably common knowledge, but I was just curious.  I always just assumed drakota were young dragons, but now I think possibly otherwise.  I mean, back during the old, old intro to the game, your ship was attacked by a drakota, and that was their first introduction.  However, the big thing to me seems that the Roekillik (back during the World Event where they first showed up -- The Disturbance quest series) worked with the Drakota as a collective, not with "dragonkind" or anything like that, which leads me to believe they may be seperate entities.  This is probably all revelaed in KoS, which, while an old expansion, really isn't one that I've used too much (what can I say, I like deserts and forests better than jungles...)  Anyway, any enlightenment would be great...

[Josgar]

Oh how i miss that starting boat ride...Im guessing they are dwarfed dragons... I think they have arms attached to their wings as opposed to seperate arms like dragons.

[Konka]

Drakota," by Pearl Honeywine -- Being a study of the lore of the Norrathian drakota. <p>The drakotas are surrounded by many legendary tales. This book strives to maintain a balance between the truth and the lore. You be the judge of its veracity. </p><p>The drakota are the lesser of all dragonkind. Although the lesser of all dragonkind, they are still quite formidable. </p><p>They have existed for as long as dragons have been placed on Norrath. They were the most chaotic of dragonkind and most drakota pillaged settlements of elder races. </p><p>Powerful creatures with powerful bodies, drakota have the gift of flight and are considered some of the fastest flyers of all dragonkind. </p><p>Their hides are also considerably thicker than that of most standard dragons, but lack any magical properties. </p><p>The greater dragons at first frowned upon the careless actions of the drakota, but soon came to realize their formidable power. </p><p>The drakota needed to be controlled lest they destroy everything in their path and then turn on their own kind. </p><p>At this point, all information about the drakota becomes a bit muddled. </p><p>It would be easiest to wrest the information directly from a drakota, but this is also a good way to find oneself on the wrong side of the Ring of Scale, to whose faction the drakota belong. </p><p>One must proceed as cautiously and coyly as a dragon itself. </p><p>Some legends say that a method of controlling the drakota was created and that this artifact had been used to successfully command the drakota in a variety of battles. </p><p>Other legends say that over time, the drakotas' spirit matured and they learn to calm themselves without external influences. </p><p>Perhaps the truth lies somewhere else entirely. </p><p>There have been sightings of drakota in modern Norrath that do support the notion that they have calmed down somewhat. </p><p>They glide across the skies, wings outstretched and heads turning this way and that, as though keeping a close eye on everything in their path. </p><p>Mariners report sightings of drakota circling their ships, occasionally landing and tearing apart any container they find. </p><p>Sometimes, this includes the entire ship as the drakota uses its strength to pull apart a deck to view the contents of that ship's hold. </p><p>With these sorts of reports, it seems the drakota are searching for something. </p><p>What that might be, or even if they are searching, is unknown. </p><p>They are an impressive sight in the air, though, especially at sunset when they appear to be the most active. </p><p>Now, I have interviewed several drakota and have obviously lived to tell about the experience. </p><p>They are fierce, secretive and intelligent beings. One must never underestimate their power. </p><p>By being open and honest about my goals I was able to earn enough trust to hold a short audience with them and to leave in one piece. </p><p>I hope this information provides you with enough basic information about drakota that you will be able to learn more about them on your own. </p><p>Be wary, respectful and evasive and you may soon know more about the drakota than this historian. </p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>I'd place them below droags but above Wyverns on the Draconic intellegence scale. Both Droags and Drakota serve their dragon masters, but the droag have free will, whereas the drakota need "The Harness" to keep them in line.</p>

[Ama]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I'd place them below droags but above Wyverns on the Draconic intellegence scale. Both Droags and Drakota serve their dragon masters, but the droag have free will, whereas the drakota need "The Harness" to keep them in line.</p></blockquote><p>I don't know about that Cusashorn.  Here's how I would put the drakota in the draconic tree:</p><ul><li>Dragons</li><li>Drakota</li><li>Droag</li><li>Drakes</li><li>Wyverns</li></ul><p>Dragons are the highest intelligent beings there are and this is recognized by droags.  Drakota have intelligence and magical capabilities, but they are not on par with that of a dragon.  However I consider it to be above that of a Droag.  </p><p>Droags are the middle of the tier because they are humanoid/draconic creatures.  They may attain near drakota like power, but its doubtful in my book.  However Droags as you say have free will and are not bound by a power of harness forcing them to be slaves.  </p><p>Drakes are bellow Droags because they may have a measure of intelligence, but I put it bellow the droags.  They are probably as smart as children if even that which allows them some magical aptitude.  This is what makes them efficient body guards and pets.  </p><p>Wyverns are the lowest rung because they are dumb to put it bluntly.  If a drake and a Wyvern went at it full force I would put my money on the drake.  Wyverns are only useful as semi pet guardians and probably 1st line attackers to wear an enemy out.  Once the enemy is exhausted you send in a main platoon with droags and drake handlers.  </p>

[Cusashorn]

<p>I'd place them at:</p><p>Dragons</p><p>Droags</p><p>Drakota</p><p>Wurms</p><p>Wyverns</p><p>Drakes</p><p>Droags and Dragons are the only ones who show deliberate sentients. The only times I remember the drakota talking is those couple of drakota you had to kill in order to get to Darathar in the Prismatic questline.</p>

[Rad]

I always had the impression that wyverns were more intelligent than you're giving them credit for.  I remember in Skyshrine in EQ1 a lot of them were quest givers.  I'd put them above drakes and wurms, and even drakota.

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Radun@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>I always had the impression that wyverns were more intelligent than you're giving them credit for.  I remember in Skyshrine in EQ1 a lot of them were quest givers.  I'd put them above drakes and wurms, and even drakota.</blockquote>Ahh! You're right. I completely forgot about those NPCs.

[Ama]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Radun@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>I always had the impression that wyverns were more intelligent than you're giving them credit for.  I remember in Skyshrine in EQ1 a lot of them were quest givers.  I'd put them above drakes and wurms, and even drakota.</blockquote>Ahh! You're right. I completely forgot about those NPCs.</blockquote>Well that does put a damper on things since i've never seen them before.  Perhaps Drakota and Wyverns can gain intelligence, however the droags keep that under control through some sort of breeding.  Thats probably why the drakota under Darathar's command had a level of intelligence since he trained them that way.  With the droag ones they are breed only for being attack/guard dogs and not for intelligence.

[Daine]

I was under the impression that the Drakota were the Dragons' right handers, their best servants.  Are we ranking these guys according to RANK or by INTELLECT?  Drakota would probably be right under dragons according to rank, but lower according to intellect.For that matter, how do we know that Drakota aren't sentient?  Maybe we're just not smart enough to understand them <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

[troodon]

All the draconic creatures, including Wurms, Wyverns, and Drakes, had quest giver NPCs in EQ1.  Perhaps the wild versions (like the no-hope wyverns) aren't quite as intelligent....  different breeds

[Drager]

personally i would think Dragons would hold the most dragon like creatures over the less dragon like creaturesDragonsDrakotaDrakesDroagsWyvernsWurms

[DrkVsr]

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>I'd place them at:</p><p>Dragons</p><p>Droags</p><p>Drakota</p><p>Wurms</p><p>Wyverns</p><p>Drakes</p><p>Droags and Dragons are the only ones who show deliberate sentients. The only times I remember the drakota talking is those couple of drakota you had to kill in order to get to Darathar in the Prismatic questline.</p></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;color: #993300;font-family: comic sans ms,sand;">Legible vocalisations does not make one intelligent (there are plenty of people who speak who are complete and babbling idiots, with less descernible intelligence than a dead pet rock <img src="/smilies/69934afc394145350659cd7add244ca9.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />)</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;color: #993300;font-family: Comic Sans MS;">Sentience is also no indicator of intelligence (a slug is sentient afterall)</span></p>

[teddyboy4]

Personally, I think Drakota are more intelligent, and capable, then you are all giving them credit for. I tend to think that the castes of wyrm-kind go something like this:Dragons<span class="postbody"><p>Drakota</p><p>Droags</p><p>Wyvern</p><p>Drakes</p>WyrmsNow, I place Drakota second b/c next to Dragons, they seem to be the most powerful and are given the most vital and important tasks to be carried out. After the Drakota I believe the Droags would be next, they seem to be the foot-soldiers of wyrm-kind and serve that role quite well. Then I put the Wyvern and Drakes, w/ the Wyvern being slightly higher in rank than the Drakes. The Wyvern seem to be trusted only as guardians for sacred locations, or to carry out some tasks that aren't worthy of expending Drakota on. Then the Drakes and Wyrms seem to only serve as added muscle when necessary and aren't given any important tasks.</span>

[Xita]

<p>were there any drakota in eq1? i dont remeber any but, well its been a long time...</p><p> wurms always struck me as mindless beasts</p><p>.</p>

[teddyboy4]

<cite>Xita wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>were there any drakota in eq1? i dont remeber any but, well its been a long time...</p><p> wurms always struck me as mindless beasts</p><p>.</p></blockquote>I don't really remember any specific Drakota in EQlive no, but I'm sure they were "around" just out of sight.I also see everyone in this thread using "Wurm", I know that in most fantasy worlds dragons are "Wurms", but in the EQ world aren't they "Wyrms"? I might just be getting signals crossed here, but I swear I remember dragons being referred to as "Wyrms". I'm not nitpicking, and I don't care which is used, I'm just asking b/c I know I remember it being "Wyrm" somewhere, and I always thought it was EQ. But again, I could be wrong and am thinking about some other fantasy world and getting it confused with Norrath and EQ.

[Cusashorn]

<cite>Eandiil@Lucan DLere wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Xita wrote:</cite><blockquote><p>were there any drakota in eq1? i dont remeber any but, well its been a long time...</p><p> wurms always struck me as mindless beasts</p><p>.</p></blockquote>I don't really remember any specific Drakota in EQlive no, but I'm sure they were "around" just out of sight.I also see everyone in this thread using "Wurm", I know that in most fantasy worlds dragons are "Wurms", but in the EQ world aren't they "Wyrms"? I might just be getting signals crossed here, but I swear I remember dragons being referred to as "Wyrms". I'm not nitpicking, and I don't care which is used, I'm just asking b/c I know I remember it being "Wyrm" somewhere, and I always thought it was EQ. But again, I could be wrong and am thinking about some other fantasy world and getting it confused with Norrath and EQ.</blockquote>Both spellings are technicially the same thing. It doesn't matter how it's spelled.