Wizards are brought before the dragons and bonded to them under their thrall. They are not pets in the literal sense as they have their own home and lives but if their dragon calls upon them they must obey. The dragons use the wizards to keep humans out of their affairs, ensure their food supply is maintained and other things depending on the dragon in question. How can the dragons keep their wizards obedient and keep this system in check? The way I have it written is, both dragons and wizards are creatures of magic, wizards are brought before the dragons who shout at them kinda like the Thu'um in Skyrim and as the superior more dominant creature of magic this binds the wizards to them. Of course they'd need to have trained, unbonded wizards available for thralling when an older wizard dies or when a new dragon is born. The PR spin would be that in this world dragons are revered and that serving them is a great honour.
Powerful telepathic hypnosis. Related to 'snake fascination' that hypnotizes birds. Even from a great distance, once the geas has been laid on, the wizard will see the dragon's glittering eyes in a dream or a vision that overwhelms and must respond to the compulsion to go and serve.
Bonus points if you add pain from distance. The further they get away from their dragon, the bonded wizard is overcome with pain. Can work well to keep people in line and a lot of fun to write! Imagine, a dragon placing a wizard in a cell and then taking a long, long flight away to teach them a lesson in obedience.
Young wizard: Hey, can I ask you a question? Old wizard: Sure Harry. How can I help? Young wizard: My name's not Harry. Old wizard: Oh? Sorry about that. You just remind me of someone. What do you want to know...Harry? Young wizard: Yeah, about this thing we have going with the dragons. How come they're in charge and we're treated like household pets? Old wizard: That goes back a long way. Back before my grandfather's grandfather. A spell of some kind, I believe. Young wizard: A spell of some kind? Like, you don't know? Old wizard: A long, long time ago. No-one remembers. Young wizard: Except the dragons. Old wizard: Not them either. They've got brains the size of walnuts, couldn't tell ya who they fried for breakfast. Young wizard: Then why do we do it? Old wizard: Do what? Young wizard: Live in subservience. Like servants. No worse than that. Like domesticated pets. If no-one remembers the spell, then why do we let them have control? Old wizard: Kid... Young wizard: Yeah? Old wizard: Talons. Teeth. Fire breathing fiery death. That enough for ya? Young wizard: ? Old wizard: I swear to Gandalf they'll let anyone through wizard school these days.
Domesticate the wizards. In this case, the dragon would make them lose their ownership and freedom. Then the dragon would become the provider. The wizards would become dependent on the dragon. And the dragon would be divisive. The wizards would be too busy hating other people to realize what the dragon is doing to these wizards.
The exchange of magic, power, or threat of BBQ? People respond to the reward/threat form of control. Just look at many politicians .
I would say that the wizards depend upon the dragons to give them magic. Perhaps in a bonding ritual. Without the dragons there is no magic, that's why the wizards are pets.
Like Dragonheart, yeah? Anyone remember that old CGI fest? Not sure it aged well . . . the idea was that the human was immortal because it shared the dragon's heart. Maybe the wizard's magic needs a spark to burn inside him. The dragon gives the wizard this, the wizard develops it, but the dragon can always take it back. So he's indebted to the dragon, and unless he wants to possibly lose his magic, he must obey orders.
Was that the one with Sean Connery voicing the dragon? I vaguely remember it. The idea is also similar to the fact that Harry Potter could fight Voldemort because he understands the language of snakes. He has a little of the enemy in him.
maybe through some shared DNA--an experiment made by wizard with the intent to command dragons ended up being the way round, with the dragons being able to "speak" to the wizards and command them into obedience to some degree. Mixed with the desire of being chosen, it leads to wizards trying to trick others into believing they are the chosen ones by the dragons...?
