Curse

Guardian Rohan · Apr 05, 2007, 12:51 AM // 00:51

youre welcome

ShadowsRequiem · Apr 05, 2007, 02:23 AM // 02:23

asexual reproduction

SotiCoto · Apr 05, 2007, 10:25 AM // 10:25

As another random thought.....
Regardless of whether you kill Glint or not... you can't take her egg with you through the portal... and she should be smart enough to know this... so why would she even fret if you try to steal her eggs?

I'm betting the A-Net people were just trying to come up with something quickly for a bonus and didn't put any thought into it.... instead just playing on the classic dragon stereotype.
*Tuts*

Dragons do NOT asexully reproduce.
If they did then there would be dragons all over the place... much like other asexually reproducing critters (e.g. aphids... bacteria... etc)

Sophitia Leafblade · Apr 05, 2007, 10:47 AM // 10:47

Some Lizards and Amphibians can reproduce Asexually so why not Dragons, the reason they arent everywhere is probably because they get hunted, the dont reproduce every often (once every 100 years) or there in hiding.

Not to mention lore about dragons often says that are 'magical' thus making it ever more likely they can produce in a special way like Asexually.

SotiCoto · Apr 05, 2007, 01:02 PM // 13:02

... I'm not sure where you've been reading that, but you have your facts a little mixed up.

Some lizards and amphibians can change their gender under certain circumstances. That doesn't equate to asexual reproduction. They cannot reproduce without a member of each gender participant.

Asexual reproduction is the older, primitive means of self-replicating... It was replaced by sexual reproduction for the sake of promoting genetic diversity and safeguarding against significant genetic defects. There is no reason why as obviously complex a being as a dragon would reproduce asexually.... as it would essentially kill off the species through genetic faults.

And .... just for the record.... I'd reckon most dragons more than capable of defending themselves from hunters... and more likely to be doing the hunting themselves.

Guildmaster Cain · Apr 05, 2007, 01:15 PM // 13:15

Ye if they can reproduce asexually, it doesnt mean they do it that often. Maybe she has a headache every night and isnt in the mood or something...

Sophitia Leafblade · Apr 05, 2007, 01:24 PM // 13:24

You forget all the magical side of the world, Magical beings dont always need partners to reproduce, thats often whats gives them there magical status.

As for dragons being capable of defending themselves, sure they can, but if you look into alot of storys and myths and lores ull find the common theme that despite this they still get hunted not stop, all it takes is a few very successful hunters to destroy the population.

SotiCoto · Apr 05, 2007, 07:25 PM // 19:25

Wishful thinking on the part of humans... making themselves out to be superior.... against a creature several times their size, capable of flight, naturally armed and armoured... and wielding a whole arsenal of nasty body-functions.... not to mention often more intelligent than they are.

*Yawns*

Not really the point though.

The "magic" argument is just a convenient Deus Ex Machina for situations like these. No matter how stupid something might be.... anyone can pull the "it's magic" card to explain it. It is just a fancy-pants way of saying "we have no bloody clue how it works" ...
Can't really argue.

Eldin · Apr 07, 2007, 02:04 AM // 02:04

The eggs in Glint's room are definitely fertilized (or they don't require fertilization and already have an embryo developing - whatever). What few have noticed is that, if you look REAL closely at a dragon egg, you can see a little, silhouetted dragon inside it.

I still don't get why some people think the eggs create facets. I don't know why, but it doesn't seem right. She is willing to toss 6 facets at you without any complaints, so I don't see why she is so protective of the eggs (unless, and this is likely, that few ever reach Glint's lair, let alone slay the facets, making it a rare and irritating occasion in which she needs to make new ones).

Plus, as Sophitia added, we need to take into account all magical aspects. What if Glint didn't biologically lay those eggs (I wouldn't like sharp crystal eggs in my belly, then again Glint has real tough skin, though on the inside? Eww). Perhaps Glint is simply summoning clones/parallel universe dragons and you need something with a resonance frequence (even I'm not totally sure if what I'm saying is making sense) such as crystal to contain the portals as they form, otherwise there will be a huge, magical explosion a-la the Cataclysm.

Villager · Apr 07, 2007, 03:24 AM // 03:24

First of all, some reptiles do occasionally reproduce by parthenogenesis. There was a fairly recent case of a female Komodo dragon at the Chester Zoo in England giving birth without ever having been around a male. See the following link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16784022/

Secondly, there is at least one baby dragon in Guild Wars. Do the quest Goren's Stuff: Part 2.

Captain Arne Is PRO · Apr 07, 2007, 03:58 AM // 03:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by SotiCoto

Dragons do NOT asexully reproduce.
If they did then there would be dragons all over the place... much like other asexually reproducing critters (e.g. aphids... bacteria... etc)

Population can't be based purely on type of reproduction buddy.

Who says that Glint isn't an asexual being who can only lay eggs once every eight TRILLION years. Who says that the eggs will only hatch when the planet falls into the sun and the Underworld turns neon orange?

THIS IS A GAME.

FYI.

Solveig Ikram · Apr 07, 2007, 07:31 AM // 07:31

One word: PMS

darkorical · Apr 07, 2007, 03:58 PM // 15:58

Lets see we have Rotscale and 2 other large Bone dragons in Fow. All three of them are missing hind quarters. Perhaps Dragon mating rituals are like that of some insects, Where the female kills and eats portions of the males. This would also explain the excessive bad mood of the three big bone dragons. They got laid and killed all at once. "It was the best of times. It was the worst of times."

nekopowa · Apr 07, 2007, 04:18 PM // 16:18

Discussing the origin of eggs? Are you bored? If you're bored you can farm for me, I could use the money.

Patrick Smit · Apr 07, 2007, 05:48 PM // 17:48

many species are hermafrodites^, some even able to fertilize themselves. Don't see the reason why Glint couldn't perform such a feat.

Alternatively she could produce offspring in a apomictic* way

^: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermafrodite
*: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apomixis

darkknightdominator · Apr 07, 2007, 06:39 PM // 18:39

The origin of the eggs is probably one of myth and legend. Maybe glint did mate with a male dragon, many thousands of years ago back when she was young and foolhardy, he called her pretty, and nice to talk to and then...she laid eggs. Hasn't seen him since. Point is, maybe the eggs dont hatch for a reason? or maybe they just have a several thousand year gestation period?

Barrett · Apr 07, 2007, 07:57 PM // 19:57

perhaps she is a kind of dragon which just lays eggs?
(steals ideas from films :P)
like a self breeding lifeform
is there anythin like that in real life cuse i dunno but u just neverknow i mean
its not the real world u gotta think the unthinkable with GuildWars

darkknightdominator · Apr 07, 2007, 08:42 PM // 20:42

Thats what asexual means. Self breeding. The ability to reproduce without a second entity. Self replicate so to speak but not necessarily in the true sense. Slugs do it. They are asexual. they have kids...alone.

Maybe glint is a deformed slug?

Onarik Amrak · Apr 07, 2007, 10:00 PM // 22:00

Eeeew, Deformed Slug with wings... By the way this thread has gotten quite disturbing in a sick way. Lets just end it with "she likes eggs for breakfast" :P

Zelyoniy · Apr 07, 2007, 11:09 PM // 23:09

I'll probably have a lot who disagree with this conjecture, and I'm not really thinking this is true, just a guess.

The Forgotten are her servants and practically worship her. Perhaps she is their "queen". Not saying that she actually reproduces with Forgotten male, but rather she is taking care of their eggs, and teaching them, training them, and nurturing them from birth.

I know this doesn't explain the fact the embryo in the eggs look like Mini-Glints, but this is just a guess.