The Magestic dragons of older Mythic Great Empire of the Dawn: ASOIAF

A Song of Ice and Fire (ASoIaF Stories): Part 5

Timeline: Prehistoric – 8000 BC

The Age of Wonder

The Arrival of the God-on-Earth

Long before recorded history, the Great Empire of the Dawn was founded by the celestial being known as the God-on-Earth. His descent from the heavens marked the beginning of an age of wonder and prosperity. Among the many gifts he brought to the people of the eastern lands were the dragons, magnificent creatures of fire and might. These dragons were not tamed or ridden but were revered as divine beings, symbols of the God-on-Earth’s power and favor.

The Dragon Sanctuaries

The God-on-Earth established sanctuaries across the empire where the dragons could live and thrive. These sanctuaries were sacred places, often built on high mountain peaks or deep within lush valleys, far from the bustling cities. The people of the empire would visit these sanctuaries to pay homage to the dragons, offering sacrifices and prayers in hopes of gaining their favor and protection.

The Reigns of the Emperors

The Pearl Emperor’s Era

During the reign of the Pearl Emperor, the dragons were a common sight in the skies above the empire. The Pearl Emperor, known for his love of exploration, often sent expeditions to discover new dragon sanctuaries and learn more about these majestic creatures. Scholars and priests dedicated their lives to studying the dragons, documenting their behaviors and the mysteries of their origins.

The Jade Emperor’s Era

The Jade Emperor, with his appreciation for beauty and artistry, commissioned grand mosaics, sculptures, and paintings depicting the dragons. Temples were built in honor of these creatures, adorned with jade and precious stones. It was believed that the dragons’ presence inspired creativity and brought blessings to artists and craftsmen.

The Tourmaline Emperor’s Era

Under the Tourmaline Emperor, the dragons played a more practical role. Known for his military prowess, the Tourmaline Emperor sought to harness the power of the dragons for the empire’s defense. While the dragons could not be ridden, their mere presence was enough to deter invaders. Stories spread of enemy armies retreating in fear at the sight of dragons flying overhead, their shadows casting a long, ominous presence on the battlefield.

The Onyx Emperor’s Era

The Onyx Emperor, faced with internal strife and rebellion, turned to the dragons for guidance. The priests and scholars who had devoted their lives to the dragons were called upon to interpret signs and omens from these creatures. The dragons, seen as messengers of the divine, were believed to foretell the future and provide wisdom to those in power. The Onyx Emperor often sought their counsel in times of crisis.

The Topaz Emperor’s Era

During the Topaz Emperor’s reign, a great celestial event occurred. A comet, bright and fiery, streaked across the sky. The people of the empire saw this as a sign from the dragons, and it was said that on the night of the comet, the dragons danced in the skies, their flames illuminating the heavens. The Topaz Emperor, fascinated by the stars, believed this event to be a message of great importance and dedicated his reign to studying the heavens and the dragons’ connection to them.

The Opal Emperor’s Era

The Opal Emperor, known for his wisdom and fairness, fostered a deep bond between the people and the dragons. He decreed that every city in the empire should have a temple dedicated to the dragons, where the citizens could come to offer their prayers and seek blessings. Festivals were held in honor of the dragons, with grand processions and offerings. The dragons were seen as protectors and benefactors of the empire, their presence a source of comfort and hope.

The Decline and Fall

The Amethyst Empress’s Era

The decline of the Great Empire of the Dawn began with the reign of the Amethyst Empress. Her rule, marked by decadence and corruption, saw the sanctuaries neglected and the dragons forgotten. The people, disillusioned with their leaders, turned away from the old traditions. The dragons, sensing the empire’s decay, became more reclusive, retreating to their remote sanctuaries.

The Bloodstone Emperor’s Era

The final blow to the empire came with the rise of the Bloodstone Emperor, the Amethyst Empress’s younger brother. His dark reign, filled with terror and sorcery, saw the dragons flee the empire entirely. It is said that the Bloodstone Emperor attempted to bind the dragons to his will using dark magic, but the dragons, being creatures of pure fire and spirit, could not be controlled. In his rage, the Bloodstone Emperor destroyed many of the dragon sanctuaries, scattering the remaining dragons to the winds.

The Long Night

With the fall of the Great Empire of the Dawn, the Long Night descended upon the world. The dragons, once symbols of light and hope, vanished into legend. The sun and moon disappeared, and the stars ceased to shine. The world was plunged into darkness, and the Others, or White Walkers, emerged from the far north, bringing death and destruction.

The Legacy of the Dragons

The tales of the riderless dragons of the Great Empire of the Dawn persisted through the ages. In the cities of Yi Ti and Leng, their stories were passed down through generations, becoming part of the cultural fabric. The ruins of the dragon sanctuaries became places of pilgrimage, where people would come to remember the golden age of the empire and the divine creatures that once graced their skies.

In Westeros, the legends of the Great Empire of the Dawn and its dragons took on new forms. The maesters of the Citadel collected fragments of these ancient tales, weaving them into the broader tapestry of the world’s history. The dragons, though long gone, continued to inspire awe and wonder, their legacy enduring in the hearts and minds of those who remembered the age of the Great Empire of the Dawn.

Disclaimer

The ASOIAF Stories mentioned here is based on stories of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin and fan theories. (Canon and Non-Canon)

In the mythic history of George R.R. Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire,” the tales of the Great Empire of the Dawn are interwoven with the legends of majestic, riderless dragons. These magnificent beasts soared through the skies long before the rise of Valyria, and their stories are as old as the empire itself.

Click ASoIaF Stories to read more stories about the world of Ice and Fire.