#korvold

KORVOLD from MAGIC: THE GATHERING

Traversing the world of Eldraine can be a fascinating experience. One time you pass through one of five courts within the Realm, and then after a while you notice your surroundings starting to shift and you find yourself in the unpredictable Wilds. Tales abound in both, of trickster fae, of food gone rogue, of perilous adventures…

Once Upon A Time by Matt Stewart

…and of course, encounters with dragons.

What to Expect

Opportunistic Dragon by Chris Rahn

Eldranian dragons come in many shapes and sizes.

Body and limbs: Their size can range from the size of a small cottage to the breadth of an entire castle. Gait and proportions of limbs can vary from dragon to dragon. Some have long limbs; some have a gait not unlike that of a lizard's; some have thick limbs while others do not. All are covered with scales, but color varies from dragon to dragon.

Wings: I've found two kinds of wing structures among Eldraine's dragons. First is the usual, bat-like wings, membrane stretched across elongated finger bones. The second one, unique to this world, has many more 'fingers' growing directly, evenly-spaced, from the main arm instead of from a common point.

Greed to Hunger

Transformed at his own wedding, he promptly ate the banquet, the gifts, and the guests.

Korvold, Fae-Cursed King by Wisnu Tan

I have not encountered tales about named dragons in Eldraine except for one. The dragon, named Korvold, wasn't even originally a dragon to begin with. His tale demonstrates one of many ways the fae can inflict punishment on those they deem deserving. It is said that he was punished for his greed, turning it into an eternal hunger he sates to this day.

Korvold's draconic form displays the unique Eldrainian dragon wing structure. Even in this form the proportions of his limbs remain humanlike. I can only assume that the numerous horns on his head are a mockery of the crown he once had.

Dangers

As the blaze raced towards her, Syr Ameril closed her eyes and pictured Castle Ardenvale so her last thoughts would be of home.

Scorching Dragonfire by Eric Velhagen

Breath weapon: fire

Eldrainian dragons live far from the Realm, far from the human settlements. The Wilds, however, are another matter. Out of their lairs, they can be found lurking in the dark forests, flying near picturesque lochs, or resting among the crags. One might even find the more massive ones reclining against castle ruins. However, a dragon might occasionally wander onto a village and wreak havoc, devouring human and beast alike, although some might just abduct them or steal treasure and take them heavens know where.

Syr Damon looked at the dragon and saw the faces of every innocent it had devoured. Suddenly, his sword blazed like the sun.

Righteousness by Howard Lyon

Knights traversing the wilds or dragons wandering into the realm are causes for conflict, and there are no shortage of tales of such confrontations. It might happen by happenstance, or the knight might be hunting the dragon down for some transgression. Fights could go to either, with the knight striking a fatal blow on some weak point or the dragon burning the other to ashes. In cases of the former, it seems as if the knights' weapons respond to their wielders' will - even burning hotter than dragonfire just to slay their foe.

Despite its ferocity, its favor can be won with a gift of something it’s never seen before.

Loch Dragon by Mike Bierek

They may be fierce, but not all dragons are truly straightforward. Some exhibit a sense of curiosity, and may even spare your life when sated. There are also dragons with some control over elemental magics capable of, for example, magical storms formed by pairs flying in circles.

Transformed at his own wedding, he promptly ate the banquet, the gifts, and the guests.