'The Routing of the Ancient Dragons. Godwyn the Golden fought to the last, Earning the friendship of dread Fortissax.' The Ancient Dragons were the lightning-wielding god-race of the Lands Between, ruled by the Dragonlord Placidusax in his city of Crumbling Farum Azula. They are not the same beings as the wyrms (Greyoll, Ekzykes, Magma Wyrms); they are an order older still, and more like gods than beasts. Placidusax's elden ring was a different elden ring, predating Marika's by an age. When the Greater Will arrived from outside the world, the dragons fled time itself: Farum Azula now exists in a stopped instant, suspended above the cloud line, slowly crumbling.

'A record of crafting techniques taught by the capital's ancient dragon cult. Details techniques that harness lightning, the weapon of the ancient dragons.' The war against the surviving dragons is remembered through a single name: the monument to the Routing records only that Godwyn the Golden fought to the last. Godwyn made one friend in that war: Fortissax, who would later defend Godwyn against Those Who Live in Death after the Night of the Black Knives. The dragon cult of Leyndell was born of that friendship: Godwyn's defeat of Fortissax 'gave rise to the ancient dragon cult in the capital', and its faithful teach the lightning incantations of the old gods inside the city of the new ones. The Crucible Knights are no kin of theirs: they served Godfrey, the first Elden Lord, and bore 'the power of the crucible of life, the primordial form of the Erdtree', not the legacy of dragons.

◆ Sources

Boss LoreRemembrance of the Dragonlord

Remembrance of Dragonlord Placidusax, hewn into the Erdtree. The power of its namesake can be unlocked by the Finger Reader. Alternatively, it can be used to gain a great bounty of runes.

ItemAncient Dragon Smithing Stone

Smithing stone made by polishing a golden Gravel Stone. A scale of the Ancient Dragonlord, and hidden treasure of Farum Azula. Strengthens armaments to +25. The Ancient Dragonlord's seat is said to lie beyond time. This stone lightly twists time, allowing the creation of a weapon capable of slaying a god.

CookbookAncient Dragon Apostle's Cookbook

A record of crafting techniques taught by the capital's ancient dragon cult. Details techniques that harness lightning, the weapon of the ancient dragons.