Dragon champion

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Disambig icon.png This article is about the leaders of the Elder Dragons' armies. For the NPC rank, see NPC rank#Champion. For the fifth episode of the Icebrood Saga, see Champions.

Lieutenants are hand-picked by the dragons. They're not mindless drones, but intelligent killers, and have the power to corrupt living beings.

Arcanist Fenn

Champions, sometimes referred to as lieutenants, are created or corrupted by the Elder Dragons to lead their armies and to reinforce their minions. Dragon champions are of themselves extremely powerful, but they also tap into the inexhaustible power of their masters. An Elder Dragon may have multiple champions at any given time,[1] with the champions' shapes ranging anywhere from draconic to humanoid.

The difference between a champion and other dragon minions is that champions are imbued with a much greater amount of the Elder Dragons' will and magic, and possess an intellect of their own with which they act according to their master's wishes.[2][3] Champions are also capable of spreading corruption much faster than lesser minions or even swarms of minions.

The more powerful champions also seem to play a role in the awakening of the Elder Dragons, Primordus's awakening having been heralded by the Great Destroyer and delayed by fifty years upon that champion's defeat. In this context, these champions are known as heralds.[4] The Elder Dragons use the champions to gather magical energy for their awakening by assimilating more beings into the Elder Dragons' armies.[1]

Occasionally, dragon champions are not referred to as individuals but rather a rank in the Elder Dragons' forces. For example, the Claw of Jormag is not a single individual but a rank of champion whose objective is to harry kodan refugees coming from the north.[5]

List of confirmed dragon champions[edit]

Jormag (Icebrood)[edit]

Kralkatorrik (Branded)[edit]

Mordremoth (Mordrem)[edit]

Primordus (Destroyer)[edit]

Zhaitan (Risen)[edit]

Bonded champions[edit]

Unlike normal dragon champions, some are corrupted without stripping away their free will. These figures are often considered bonded instead of corrupted as a means to differentiate them. Those who become bonded champions always choose to be corrupted and open their minds to their Elder Dragons rather than resist it, calling it a connection.[6][7] This does not include dragon minions who regained their free will via a purification ritual after their will had been stripped away, like Glint or the Pale Tree.

Primordus (Destroyers)
Jormag (Icebrood)
Aurene (Unknown)
Soo-Won (Unknown)

Trivia[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Stéphane Lo Presti and Jeff Grubb, GuildWars2Guru.com; links broke - image of posts: [1] [2] [3] [4]
  2. ^ Magic Sucks
    Trahearne: I would be surprised if Zhaitan even bothers with controlling its lesser minions. They do nothing but destroy. [...]
    Trahearne: These seem to be more powerful. They also hold a larger quantity of magic. More of Zhaitan's will, perhaps? [...]
    Trahearne: Indeed, these creatures are acting with more self-will! Zhaitan's infused them with tremendous energy. See how the weapon affects them!
  3. ^ Ree Soesbee on Wartower.de interview, Youtube.com
    Ree Soesbee: The difference between minions and champions is that minions tend to be mindless—they just destroy whatever is in front of them—whereas champions are intelligent: they know the will of the dragon, and the will of the dragon is to destroy. And they lead and organize the unintelligent followers for the best effect to carry out the dragon's will. So Tequatl, unlike the other undead, is completely intelligent and is aware of what he's doing, and he's very much coordinating the attacks against the hylek.
  4. ^ That Old College Try
  5. ^ Whispering Echo
  6. ^ The Crystal Blooms
    <Character name>: Caithe, are you...YOU?
    Caithe: Oh, I'm me. We were right—she DOES need both of us. Now I know what my role is. And it's...humbling.
    Taimi: I thought dragon minions couldn't be corrupted by other dragons! Is it 'cause her egg absorbed Mordremoth's magic? How—
    Caithe: Taimi, it's all right. She asked, and I accepted. This isn't corruption—it's connection. [...]
    Story journal: Caithe finally offered herself to Aurene as a vessel to speak through and stepped into Aurene's Brand. The result was astounding: teal crystalline flowers blossomed over her as a deep mental and emotional bond joined them—an experience far different from the violent subjugation of Kralkatorrik's Branding.
  7. ^ Wildfire
    <Character name>: Braham! Where—did he survive?
    Aurene: I believe he was able to bond with Primordus, yes. But I'm cut off from him now.
  8. ^ Leivas
  9. ^ Fallout
    Kuunavang: But it was not until Zhaitan that I sought her out. An act of desperation to save what was left of a land I loved. [...]
    Kuunavang: My bond with her is much like yours with Aurene. Or perhaps more like your friend Caithe's. I feel her, but she doesn't control me.
  10. ^ Dragon Response Mission: Brisban Wildlands
    Ryland Steelcatcher: Such as: we are the only three people in the world who know what it's like to be close to an Elder Dragon.
    Caithe: Changes you. It's like finding your purpose, and fulfilling it.
    Ryland Steelcatcher: I didn't find my purpose—I made it. No more climbing the ranks of other people's armies. Jormag sees me—sees my worth.
    <Character name>: Jormag implied you two have some sort of mind-meld. A dragon's voice can be...seductive.
    Ryland Steelcatcher: Were you coerced? Was Caithe? I have agency, thank you; I can make my own choices. No persuasion needed.
    Caithe: The commander's right to be wary. When it comes to Elder Dragons, Aurene is often the exception, not the rule.
    Ryland Steelcatcher: You've been "the" dragon champion for a while, Commander. Sharing the spotlight...that's gotta chafe. [...]
    Ryland Steelcatcher: The powers Aurene gave you worked today. But you'll face worse before it's over.
  11. ^ Precocious Aurene
    Luminate: Ah, Commander. Excellent timing—I was just about to send word. Aurene has been calling for you.
    <Character name>: Yes, I know. She's been appearing to me. Much like she is right now.
    Luminate: Aurene? What are you talking about?
    <Character name>: And she's gone. Didn't you see her?
    Luminate: Interesting... I saw nothing. You must've made quite an impression on her. It's as if she's chosen you to light her path.
  12. ^ Durmand Priory Emissary
  13. ^ Darkrime Delves
    Bangar Ruinbringer: The bow was a rallying cry. The Ice Dragon will know a true champion when it sees one.
    Ryland Steelcatcher: So dragon serves champion? Or does champion serve dragon?
    Bangar Ruinbringer: Jormag will serve me. My charr imperium will reach from the Shiverpeaks to Cantha.