Dragon Warrior Or Final Fantasy?

By Jessica L Parker

Two of the most influential series' are Dragon Warrior (Dragon Quest in Japan) and Final Fantasy. Both series' were started on the NES and became two of the most well known RPGs of all time. This article will focus on the American versions of the games as there are quite a few differences between the Japanese version and the American version. Also, America has quite different fads than Japan.

DW doesn't quite have as many games in the overall series as Final Fantasy does. However, games such as DW 3, DW 4, and Dragon Quest 7 will forever remain in the hearts of its obsessed fans. The openness of Dragon Warrior 3 in selecting your party was a revolution for its time. Other games like Ultima had a similar party selecting system, but were so much more difficult that Dragon Warrior was able to simplify the rpg gaming experience. It was so much easier to play Dragon Warrior than other rpgs that required knowledge of the D&D system such as Wizardry.

FF is sometimes considered a copy of DW as DW came out first. However, such themes as the Wind Fiend, Fire Fiend, Water Fiend, and the Air Fiend were brand new concepts. In addition, Final Fantasy brought in the concept of time travel. The spell level system was also something new that Dragon Warrior never really competed with. FF even has better replay value than DW as Final Fantasy can be "soloed" to try and make the game more and more difficult. For instance, you can solo white mage the game by killing off the rest of your party members so that they get 0 experience points throughout the entire game.

Considering that the two games are so much different in story, yet so much similar in game play, it isn't too much of a challenge to compare the two. There will always be DW fans and there will always be FF fans. Try playing the two games and you'll immediately form your own opinion.

Jessica Parker is an experienced gamer. She prefers RPGs and Classic Games. Her fabulous website is http://www.maidofhonorspeecheshelp.com. She really thought this article was cool too - things to do as a bridesmaid.

------------------------------------------------------------

For more on Dragon Fantasy, see the Best Dragon Guide site at www.bestdragonguide.com.

Dragons - A Symbol of Protection

By Jeff Bronson

The dragon is a powerful, mythical creature of legend and lore that you can find in pretty much every culture. While the strength of a dragon is a constant in different societies, the appearance and significance is not. Today, many of us adorn our homes and bodies with dragons for their qualities of good luck, well-being, and protection.

In the West, dragons were thought to bring hardships and destruction and often were the guardians of treasure and representations of greed. Societies such as the Norse used the symbol of the dragon as their figurehead, carving dragons into the heads of their ships and placing them on crests and shields. When Christianity was introduced, dragons' reputations became even worse and they came to be known as satanic beasts.

However, in the East and even in some Western societies, including Celtic, Gnostic, Alchemy, and Draconic Wicca, dragons symbolize a supreme being. This divine creature is believed to represent the spirit of nature and the ability to transform. It offers hope, courage, and good fortune. Legend often presents dragons as the guardians of the "flaming pearl," a gem symbolizing spiritual perfection. You will often see this pearl in dragon figurines and collectibles. You will sometimes see Celtic dragons in a circular position, tail to mouth. As in paganism, the circle is perfection, the circle of life, transformation, and eternity.

In our modern literature and movies, dragons are portrayed as terrifying, fire-breathing creatures that create obstacles in our personal journeys and that threaten to eat our women and children. Dragons worn with the more Western beliefs symbolize power and freedom and independence, but not usually an intention of evil. Most of the time, when we see a dragon, it isn't a symbol to fear, but one of protection.

Dragon images are one of the most requested tattoo designs. The inked image represents goodness and honor, power, and wisdom. It may also symbolize magic and a spiritual or personal quest. The actual form and meaning of the image depends on the culture it is from, whether it is Chinese, Japanese, Celtic, Western, Tribal, etc. Once the dragon becomes a permanent part of a person's body, the power of the dragon becomes a part of that person's existence. The tattoo also comes to represent that person or a part of that person's life.

Dragon images make powerful amulets. Worn close to our body, the talisman radiates protection, drives away negative forces, and attracts good fortune. You can wear your amulet all the time, or you can wear it when you feel you need it. You may also carry your amulet or sleep with it under your pillow-it depends on what you are seeking.

Dragon décor is a popular and stylish way to surround yourself with the power of dragons. From collectible figurines, statues, incense holders, chess sets, plaques, goblets, and even a roof cresting, there is a dragon for every part of your home.

Feng Shui has become popular in our Western culture and at the heart of this practice is the dragon. There are specific guidelines in this ideology when placing dragons around your space, including how many dragons you should have in the room, so if you are practicing Feng Shui, go easy on the dragon décor.

To sum it up, dragons are believed to be the protector of treasure, spiritual or material, is also a powerful protector and bringer of fortune in the human realm. There are many ways we can bring dragons into our daily lives and a plethora of benefits we can reap from doing so.

Jeff Bronson is the owner of Obscuria.com, a darkly unique Gothic shop.
Obscuria not only offers a quality selection of dragon figurines and dragon collectibles, but many custom made, exclusive in the U.S items.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more on Dragon Pictures, see www.bestdragonguide.com.

Bearded Dragon Lizards Are Now the Most Popular Exotic Pet

By Mark F Hargreaves

Bearded Dragon Lizards turn out ideal pets for first time owners and children alike. As you may well have guessed the bearded dragon lizard takes its name from its look. Additionally, Bearded Dragon Lizards are calm to handle and will not cause any difficulty even if they are moved from place to place. The Bearded Dragon lizard is capable of living a healthy and dynamic life in captivity. Captive dragons tend to be healthier than the wild-caught bearded dragon lizards and are often free of pesticides. If you mean to keep a lizard in your house, you at least have to know its diet and the methods of feeding them.

Bearded dragon lizards are very much a daytime creature and become sedentary very quickly as soon as the sun goes down. They are well-liked exotic pets, most commonly Pogona Vitticeps, the Inland or Central Bearded Dragon who bask most of the day, absorbing the warmth they need to digest their food.

These beautiful lizards are well known for their beard display and other fascinating behaviour. They have a fantastic temperament, will happily climb on you voluntary if you want. Beardies are independant lizards that fend for themselves but do not mind being handled. When you are handling them ensure all of its body is being supported.

Bearded dragons are found all over Australia; they are hardy creatures and can stay alive as well in the desert as they can in the bush; and they are just as contented in urban or populated areas. When the bearded dragon lizard sits upright and cocks its head towards the heavens, Australian Aborigines know that rain will fall the next day. Lovingly called 'beardiess' by their fans, these lizards are not just tame around humans, but many also seem to get pleasure from the contact.

Many lizards have native habitats that are dry and lightly vegetated, so food may often be hard to obtain in the wild. As a consequence, Beardies are omnivorous, capable of subsisting on a widespread variety of food sources. Fireflies and all other animals with bioluminescence chemicals are fatal to Bearded lizards. They are hardy hunters and you will have to provide them with sufficient food so that they can remain satiated.

Beardies adore grasshoppers, meal worms, and other bugs. Dark green and leafy vegetables are also ideal for bearded dragon lizards. Feeding supplies, enclosures and accessories are obtainable to purchase from specialist pet and lizard supply stores.

The vital thing to remember when using sand as substrate is to sift it to start with to get any gravel out to keep your dragon from impacting, clean it on a daily basis to keep a fresh and hygienic ecosystem for the lizard. Thought should certainly be taken to emulate their natural setting to reduce stress to the creature.

The estimated life span of a bearded dragon is probably about 10 years when cared for correctly, although longer life spans have been reported. When provided with the proper environment, temperatures, and UVB lighting, juvenile they are capable of growing up to an inch or more per week. The nearer the lizard is to the light source, the better. In keeping a bearded dragon lizard, it is imperative that you employ a temperature gradient inside their housing. Kitchen paper towels make excellent substrates for baby lizards. Optional habitat accessories can be placed inside your lizard's habitat to imitate their natural ecosystem.

I advise that you read at least one book on the care of bearded dragons and that you talk to someone who has experience caring for this special species. Beardies are becoming the most fashionable exotic pet to own in the 21st century. Exotic pets might not be everyone's cup of tea but if you knew anything concerning the bearded dragon lizard then you might change your mind.

I can't get enough of my Bearded Dragon Cedric! Caring for your Bearded Dragon is easy when you know how. More care tips, articles and pictures on Bearded Dragon Lizards are available here -------------------------------------------------------- For more information on Bearded Dragons, see www.bestdragonguide.com.