Cold Drakes

Cold-drakes (Q. "Helkaloki"; sing. "Helkaloke") comprise the most common and oldest breed of Dragon. All other Dragons are descended from their line. Bred by Morgoth as the ultimate fighting creatures, they were the first monsters to threaten the peace of Middle-earth.

There are four types of Cold-drakes, Winged Cold-drakes and three wingless varieties: true Cold-drakes, Ice-drakes, and their smaller cousins, the Land Drakes.

True Cold-drakes are powerful, armored creatures whose scales are thicker than those of other Dragons. Agile but wingless, they have powerful limbs and long, steely claws. A Cold-drake's bite can crush a fully-armored foe, and a sweep of its whip-like tail can easily fell a Mûmak. They relish physical combat and are quick to strike when confronted. Cold-drakes enjoy the hunt, but they love the fight.

Most Cold-drakes live in cold or frigid climes, preferring the wastes and alpine highlands to more temperate lands. These monsters were, after all, spawned in the uttercold of the Farthest North. Thus, they are stout, strong, immune to icy weather, and capable of smelling prey up to ten miles away. (No Dragon possesses as greatas e n s e o f smell.) Their coloring also reflects their affin ity for the snows. Although they vary in hue like other Dragons, most are grey-white or even white in color. Still, the older, more powerful, Cold-drakes are often black, brown, or even red.