Dreken

Dreken is a fictional creature originating from the lore of the *Dragon Age* video game series, developed by BioWare. Often described as a hybrid of dragon and human, dreken are the result of a dragon’s egg being hatched by a human, typically through the use of a dragon’s egg sac. This process is believed to have been discovered by the mages of the Qunari Empire, who sought to create a mount capable of withstanding the harsh environments of the world of Thedas.

Dreken are known for their intelligence, loyalty, and physical strength, making them highly valued as mounts and companions. They possess a dragon’s natural abilities, such as flight, fire breath, and enhanced senses, while retaining a human-like level of intelligence and social behavior. Their appearance varies, but they generally have a humanoid torso with wings, a dragon’s tail, and sometimes scaled limbs. Some dreken exhibit traits of their dragon parent, such as coloration or unique markings.

In the *Dragon Age* universe, dreken play a significant role in military and diplomatic contexts. They are often used by the Qunari as war mounts due to their endurance and combat prowess. However, their use is not limited to the Qunari; other factions, including the Templars and certain mage circles, have also employed dreken in battle. The bond between a dreken and its rider is considered sacred, with many believing that the creature’s loyalty is earned through trust and care rather than force.

Dreken are also featured in the *Dragon Age: Origins* expansion *Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening*, where players can hatch and raise their own dreken. This expansion introduced the concept of dreken as a mountable companion, allowing players to customize their appearance and abilities. The creature’s popularity in the series has cemented its place as a beloved element of *Dragon Age* lore, symbolizing the unique relationship between humans and dragons in Thedas.