Lore

Situated at the top of the Dragon Shrine, the Ancient Dragon is a demigod that has lived since the beginning of time. Undead seek the Ancient Dragon's guidance in hopes of breaking the Curse. It can communicate telepathically with the player.

The Ancient Dragon stands magnificently, deep within the shrine on the eastern outskirts of Drangleic. The Ancient Dragon has watched over the world for aeons past. This powerful being stands and waits for whoever may visit him. The path to the Ancient Dragon is guarded by Drakekeepers. These eternal guardians of the Shrine are garbed in onyx armor, staunchly watching, ready to defend its resident or allow one worthy enough to be granted audience. A number of the Drakekeepers hold Greatshields of Glory. These shields were specifically commissioned for Syan, King Vendrick’s most loyal knight, and indicate the Drakekeepers were likely creations of Aldia and Vendrick. The terrible deeds carried out in Aldia led to the unintentional birth of several shadowy things, all of them eerily malformed and it is said that something dark indeed eats away at the Drakekeepers.

The Shrine is also protected by the Dragon Knights. These warriors serve to protect the Ancient Dragon, and the Petrified Egg. These zealots sought everlasting life and are said to have conducted rites to imbue stones with the strength of dragons. The large petrified egg is surely their most precious object, for eggs are vessels that harbor life itself and symbolize the deepest secrets of existence. This Petrified Egg must contain the answers they seek, perhaps they are waiting for it to hatch?

It is strongly suggested that the Ancient Dragon is a creation of Lord Aldia. The mysterious Lord Aldia secluded himself inside a manor to conduct various experiments. He attempted to uncover the secrets of life itself, and viewed the Undead as a key to this mystery. Those invited to the manor disappeared, replaced over time with malformed beasts that roamed its halls. Unspeakable deeds were performed and unnatural creatures created. Aldia kept Giants in his manor, and attempted to recreate a dragon, but after some time was not heard from again. His manor contains skulls of unidentified creatures, possibly those of dragons. The Enhanced Undead we encounter seem to be half-dragon, but with the mind of a Hollow. The Ancient Dragon drops a Petrified Dragon Bone and a Soul of a Giant. If the Ancient Dragon was a genuine creation it would never have the Soul of a Giant. From all of this it is clear that the Ancient Dragon is not genuine, it is a prop, a false deity created by ones who would cozen fate herself.

The Ancient Dragon was created, and it is likely because dragons were seen as a possible cure to the Curse. King Vendrick condemned his own elder brother, Lord Aldia, to the mansion on the eastern outskirts of Drangleic. They both sought the truth, but through different means, and their fervour meant the eventual withering of their familial ties. If our human flesh is our greatest weakness, then those who seek a form that imitates the ancient dragons are the true vanguard. Touching an ancient dragon scale brings our own flesh closer to that of the eternal ancient dragon and gives one a glimpse into the Abyss. Believers in the Dragon will rise above this petty corporeal existence.

If able to gain audience with the Ancient Dragon, it will give you the Ancient Mist Heart, a manifestation of ashen mist that allows one to delve into the memories of the withered. It does this by communicating telepathically with the Player.

"In the Age of Ancients, the world was unformed, shrouded by fog. A land of grey crags, archtrees and everlasting dragons." - Prologue