Dunkelzahn
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Dunkelzahn is a character from the Shadowrun book and RPG Series. He was a blue and silver Great Western Dragon who took an interest in the development and technology of humanity and up until the time of his death appeared to be genuinely interested in the preservation of the species.
[edit] Character History
Dunkelzahn first appeared on 12 January 2012 (having been in hibernation during the magical downcycle pre-2011) at Cherry Creek Lake, Denver in the United Canadian and American States (UCAS). At this time he gave a 12-hour interview to reporter Holly Brighton.
Dunkelzahn became fascinated with the media and hosted the occasional talkshow Wyrm Talk for many years (often on whatever subject interested him at the time). As draconic communication is telepathic, and this is not receivable by technology in the Shadowrun universe, he used a translator (or 'voice') who would repeat his words to the camera.
In 2056 he became a citizen of UCAS and in 2057 he ran for the Presidency as an Independent. In an unexpected victory Dunkelzahn became the first metahuman President of the UCAS. He was seemingly assassinated on 9 August 2057—the night of his inauguration—by a magical attack on his limousine outside the Watergate Hotel in Washington D.C.. This which resulted in an 'Astral Rift' at the site of his death; every mage who attempted to study it either died or was driven insane.
His last 'voice', an Eastern European elven woman named Nadja Daviar, was subsequently made Vice President of UCAS and CEO of a new corporation set up according to his will to administer his estate, the Draco Foundation.
Dunkelzahn's brother, Ghostwalker, appeared several years after his death in 2061.
It would subsequently be revealed in the Dragon Heart Saga books that Dunklezahn committed suicide in order to power a magical artifact called The Dragon Heart which would be used to keep humanity safe from a great enemy from another plane of existence.
[edit] Trivia
- "Dunkelzahn" is German for "Dark Tooth".
- His nickname, and occasional username in online discussions, was "The Big D".
- Dunkelzahn is just the name he used in public in the 21st century. His draconic name was "Far Scholar".
[edit] Earthdawn Links
There is a major dragon in the RPG series Earthdawn, initially made by the same publisher as Shadowrun, by the name of Mountainshadow. One of Mountainshadow's agents or alteregos is called "Dark Tooth" (the English translation of the German "Dunkelzahn"). It is possible that Dunkelzahn and Mountainshadow are the same dragon at different points in history.
If one takes this possibility at face value, it could be said that Dunkelzahn is the brother of Ghostwalker, the Great Dragon that emerged from the Dunkelzahn Rift during the Year of The Comet. According to Earthdawn lore, Mountainshadow and Icewing (read: Ghostwalker) were borne of All-Wings' last clutch before her destruction. Johnthepatriot 13:37, 25 March 2007 (UTC)