(background) Comic #357 The dawn of men and the age of dragons

[Mithandir]

In Comic #357 the dragon popularly known as 'the lava dragon' states it has witnessed the dawn of men which prompted people to wonder why it had not gone insane yet, as Myhrad said in Comic #349.

The reason is of course both complex, as simple. On one hand dragons, like people, differ from one to another and the onset of insanity is different for each. On the other hand, the dawn of man was really not that long ago, a mere seven thousand years ago. While this is quite a long time, even for a dragon, it's theorethically possible that even some elves have survived that long (though they wouldn't admit it). A dragon with enough stimulation and change is quite able to bridge that time without going entirely insane (also the process of going insane is very slow and gradual). Besides, what's normal for a dragon anyway?

To give you some idea of the standard life expectancy amongst species in the world that is:

Species	Life Expectancy	Oldest known
Humans	40-55 years	The Necromancer Ghridal (218 years, unnatural, killed) Saysey the sage (103 years, natural)
Elves	1900-3000 years	Myalan of Siral (6312 years and counting)
Dwarves	160 years	King Ulzhon (318 years, squashed)
Trolls	Unknown	Rall (has been petrified in dwarven couryard for 718 years, but still has life signs)
Dragons	6000-10000 years	Zar "the harvester" (about 19300 years, killed)
Greater Dragons	Billions of years	The galactic dragon Andromeda (8 billion years and counting)
Fey	Immortal until destroyed	N/A
The old Gods	0 seconds (if they gain life they cease being old Gods)	N/A

[Shadow Phoenix]

Humans   40-55 years

Wow! Those humans need to learn about health care. And how do they know the life expectancy of Galactic Dragons? There can't have been that many to start with, and there're probably even fewer who died... Oh, and how'd the dwarf get squashed? A landslide? Cave-in?

[pav]

Humans   40-55 years

Wow! Those humans need to learn about health care.

Absolutely. In the middle ages, average life expectancy was something like 30 years. 40 years if you got lucky or rich.

Oh, and how'd the dwarf get squashed? A landslide? Cave-in?

A troll stomps on him?

[TL Wyvren]

A troll stomps on him?

That's what I'm thinking...

Gee, I wonder why?

[Ivellios]

In Comic #357 the dragon popularly known as 'the lava dragon' states it has witnessed the dawn of men which prompted people to wonder why it had not gone insane yet, as Myhrad said in Comic #349.

What would make you think it hasn't not all insanity display's itself with foaming at the mouth and gibbering mindlessly.
And I would know after all I don't foam at the mouth or gibber mindlessly

oops did I admit to being insane  though truth be told I am

[Whosoever]

Whats A greater dragon?  I've read through the archives but I never saw anything about that... maybe I missed it? 

EDIT: hi this is my first post on this forum.  how you doin?

[Mithandir]

Greater dragons have not been mentioned in the strip itself, only in the fluff (background pages).

As it happens I'm writing an article on dragons in the world that is that mentions them right now

[hkmaly]

Humans   40-55 years

Wow! Those humans need to learn about health care. And how do they know the life expectancy of Galactic Dragons? There can't have been that many to start with, and there're probably even fewer who died... Oh, and how'd the dwarf get squashed? A landslide? Cave-in?

Yup, they need to learn indeed. Starting with learning what is penicilin and how it can be massproduced. Another good learning topic is "How to make coronary artery bypass". Also, artificial teeth might come handy if you don't want to eat only mush.