Dragonlord

Dragonlord is a fantasy term used to denote a figure who commands dragons or wields dragon-related power. In many settings, a dragonlord is either a sovereign ruler of a dragon-guarded realm or a sorcerer who binds dragons to their will. The term fuses dragon lore with rulership and conquest, and it appears across video games, tabletop RPGs, and fantasy literature as a title, archetype, or character concept.

In video games and related media, Dragonlord is used as the name of a character, boss, or central antagonist in several titles released from the 1980s onward. Players may encounter a Dragonlord whose powers include dragon-taming, flame manipulation, or commanding dragon armies. The portrayal varies by work, ranging from noble protector to tyrant.

In fantasy literature and role-playing games, dragonlords are often portrayed as ancient beings with long lifespans and deep knowledge of dragonkind. They may serve as guardians of dragon hoards, mentors to dragon riders, or antagonists whose schemes threaten both dragon and human realms. The ambiguous status of Dragonlord as a title reflects its flexible use in different settings.

Because the term appears in multiple, unrelated works, Dragonlord does not refer to a single canonical character or object. Its meaning is defined by the specific narrative or game world in which it appears.