Wolfspider said:
Please define what you mean by "wizardly" dragons.
I mean ability of dragons to use magical spells, especially the exact same magical spells that humans use. In other words, a wizardly dragon is a dragon who has the same abilities as a human wizard.
Heh. Dungeons & Dragons has influenced pop culture quite a bit, I would say, and if its dragons are "wizardly," as you put it, I guess that they are more than just winged lizards who breathe fire.
Err, I have trouble understanding what you exactly mean here. Are you saying that, since D&D has had an influence on pop culture, then the specific trait of "wizardly" dragons must exist in pop culture as a whole, and thus is now considered to be an important part of dragons by most people?
This is not the case at all. If you want to argue that spellcasting dragons are common, you need to provide evidence from outside D&D. A (non-tabletop RPG based) videogame, an anime, or something else specific that has spellcasting dragons would suffice.
Anyways, one of my favorite depictions of dragons is in the videogame Odin Sphere. In that game, the dragons are all essentially winged lizards who breathe fire (except that not all have wings and not all breathe fire). Every battle against them is a massive fight against a giant reptilian monster who stomps (or flies) around the battlefield. One Wagner, breathes fire down upon you that conjures up fire spirits, and creates tornadoes when he beats his massive wings. Another, Belial, fights only by biting, trying to inhale you, and spitting out the armor of the soldiers he has digested. The last one, Levanthan, is a colossal serpent than breathes down giant energy beams that ruin the landscape and is surrounded by crackling lightning. But beyond being powerful beasts, Wagner and Belial are wise and philosophical, offering help and advice as much as they seek battle and destruction, aiding their friends and devouring their enemies. Another dragon, Hindel, is a powerful prophet.
I don't think any of those dragons needs magic spells, especially silly things like Alarm spells and Illusions, in order to be interesting. The power that comes from their physical power, the elemental might of their breath weapons, and the wisdom of their long age is more than enough.