Chapter Text
So, you want to learn how to slay dragons, huh? Well it's just your luck, because you've come to the right place. They don't call me, Grace Harper, knight in training, the Dragon Slayer for nothing. No, I am a new breed of dragon slayer, what with my blood and everything. Yeah, I meant a literally different breed. My Dru'unan blood makes me stronger, faster, and better in combat than any other regular human could be.
Anyway, enough about me. I'm writing this guide for YOU, my dear reader. Dragon slaying is no easy feat, even for me, and the rise in dragons slightly has the Kingdom on high alert, so I figured I would spend all this time I have while bedridden after my triumphant defeat of Tur'huk (which I'm sure you heard all about) and detail a way for everyday ordinary people like you how to take down dragons.
In this four part guide, I'll teach you the basics of dragon killing, what weapons, allies, and environmental hazards you can use to defeat those pesky dragons. Then, I'll run you through the types of dragons I've seen around the kingdom. I'm sure there's more out there, but I've got extensive research on the ones we see around here. After that, I'll run you through some more advanced techniques, like fighting tactics, what to do incase of an emergency, and other more in depth maneuvers. Finally, I'll let you in on some more secrets; consider it a 'fun fact' section on something very not fun.
Dragons aren't something to play around with, so take this shit seriously. You'll need an extensive arsenal of weapons to even hope you'll make a dent in those fuckers. Most swords won't do you any good, because dragon scales are a very high density material. Slashing them won't normally do much more than give them a little scuff. The best way to get past a dragon's primary defenses is with smaller, piercing items like arrowheads. The smaller the surface area, the better. If you're going with the arrow option, try to go for a crossbow rather than a manual bow and arrow. A human's weak average draw strength isn't as strong as a crossbow's mechanical strength, and you're gonna need a ton of that for your arrow to pierce through scales.
Swords will work, but only if you have one like mine (but you WONT, because I don't
want to
feel like bleeding myself dry on every piece of steel in this kingdom to make dragon-proof swords. The other option you could use is a Plexysteel sword, but as everyone knows, that is the rarest material in this whole kingdom. If Plexysteel weapons exist around here, only the nobles have them, so that won't be happening.
That being said, if your only weapon choice is a sword: don't give up yet! Try to aim for areas that tend to have the least amount of scales, like the legs. Or, you can hit it in areas like the eyes, nostrils, and the inside of its mouth. However, try to only do that if it's your LAST resort, because being that close to a dragon's head will usually get you, well, eaten, or burnt to a crisp.
A really important tool to have when slaying dragons is something to immobilize it. If a dragon can't move, it can't attack, or even flee, making it a sitting duck. A weighted net would be the most ideal, but make sure you bring the right material with you. Some dragons will burn through a rope without a second thought, or freeze and shatter metal with ease. Have common sense when choosing material, or you'll never make it against a beast.
One of the more important parts of dragon slaying is bringing friends with you. NEVER go alone to fight a dragon (unless you're me. Let's be honest, everything in this book will have an exception of me) because that is how you get stomped on in about thirty seconds. If you're looking for an ally, I would be absolutely flattered to be your first choice, but I'm quite the busy squire, so good luck with that. The next best person to find would be someone with quite a large access to Plexysteel, or (and I know how this sounds) a werewolf.
Most werewolves will want you dead just as much as the dragons do, and they have a much more brutal way of getting their wish, but if you can find one of the good ones, you're in for a lot of luck. Something about werewolf teeth and claws is really effective at chipping and ripping off dragon scales, though I've yet to find out why exactly that is. It may have something to do with their advanced bone density.
How else could they survive that disgusting change?
Their bones (including teeth) have to grow pretty strong if they're constantly being broken and reformed again, so they make quite the formidable opponent.
You could also bring someone proficient in spells and magic, but those kinds of guys freak me out, so I'll choose to pass up on that, thanks.
If you can't find anyone else other than your average joe, then just bring a shit ton of them. The more the merrier I always say, and this time I mean it. Having larger numbers only increases your strength, no matter how much weaker your troops may be, your chances are far better if you have more of you.
Plus, makes getting celebratory ales at the tavern that much more fun.
So, what have we learned so far? Weapons with smaller surface area work better to break scales, but swords are effective against weaker (but more dangerous) spots. Immobilizing the dragon should be a primary objective. Bring backup, whether they're beyond regular human capabilities, or not. And don't forget to give it your all, because if you don't look good doing it give it everything you've got, what's the point in trying?
I'm sure I'll be bedridden for the next while, under orders of Her Highness (who's actually looking at me right now so pretend I'm writing something interesting and- oh, okay she's gone. Where was I?) so next I will teach you about the different kinds of dragons I've seen around the kingdom. What to expect from them, and tips for taking down each of them with their unique circumstances, so don't go anywhere, dear reader.
I'm only just starting.