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I’ve seen this done with the httyd cast, so I thought I’d do it with the TOA team.

In a future where dragons do return, I have each of the OG cast with their own dragon, most new species not seen by the surface before, as is tradition with new dragon riders.

I’ll let you guess each one’s classes.

And yes, Merlin has history with Dragons, but not the kind you think.

And Yes. Steve does get a dragon- he did request a Dragon quest.

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How to train your Dragon x tales of Arcadia. P2

With that all said and done, now is onto personal headcannons of mine.

But one last thing: Archie and Charlemagne.

They are Dragon’s we meet in TOA, and look different from the dragons we know. But just like trolls, dragons are very diverse in there appearance, it would make sense to assume that Archie and Charlie’s appearance is in accordance to their species, which to make things simple I call Shiftwings. ( due to Archie’s shape changing ability.)

As for why they are still here and not in the Hidden world, I headcannon they found safety in entrusting their loyalty and companionship with wizards. A class of humans who were equally demonised by the rest of human kind.

And over time, they changed, sharing there magic, making bonds with Wizards to becoming familiars, understanding common due to those bonds and later speaking it themselves. And discovering and harnessing shapeshifting abilities to blend in among a shifting world.

Essentially becoming the last existing, and in some ways thriving species of dragon, left on the surface. While every single other, slowly disappeared, becoming nothing more than legends, in the eyes of all humans.

But what about trolls?

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What happened? How did every single dragon just disappear like that? we only know of Berks dragons retreating to the hidden world, so what happened to the rest of the world? and what impact did it make on the magical world as a whole?

This is where my head cannons come in.

I head cannon Dragon’s had a very important roll in shaping the history of the magical world, it just hasn’t been relevant yet.

We know dragons are a very respected and powerful species of magical creature, Wizards wouldn’t dare cross one provoked. As with Douxie and Charlemagne. As well as dragons having a deep connection with a Wizards magic. As with Melins brief correction on the difference between Draconic and Ancient Draconic, the very language of the dragons.

We can also gather that dragons as one if not the most ancient species of this world. If we take into account there longevity and our own history, with very similar reptiles in dinosaurs, ruling the earth for far longer then humans, ands by extension trolls ever have. So by extension dragons did for the magical world, what dinosaurs did for the mortal one. So we can assume dragons are a big deal, also taking into account there depictions in so many cultures all over the world!

So what is that history? and what do they mean to Trolls?

Well, what is one thing that connects both trolls and dragons, without a them being in the same cave.

A Heartstone.

I want to quickly divert to something els for a moment and highlight the importance of individual species to the balance of nature.

Take bees.

A single species that serves as essential pollinators, crucial for our plants reproduction, and food production.

Wolfs are essential in controlling prey populations

And beavers are ecosystem engineers, which modify their environment to support other species.

Decomposers like worms and fungi are essential in breaking down organic matter.

Even large animals like Elephants, influencing vegetation by digging for water and grazing as ecosystem engineers.

Magic is emotion, is tied to the same rules as the natural world itself, so it’s safe to assume it abides by those rules too.

So why are Dragons essential, what is their impact?

Well, what is the very problem that’s been explored throughout the entirety of the TOA story line.

Balance.

With their absence there is imbalance.

Dragons acted like a bridge, they were the bridge. Creatures that conquered the land, the seas and the sky. Creatures of flesh like humans, but magic and long life like trolls, acting as the third primary apex predictor along side humans and trolls.

But they disappeared.

And while most humans celebrated, dethroning the dragons and becoming the top apex predators of this world. Trolls had other opinions, and were quick to retaliate. Breaking the barrier between the two species, leading to war.

War, that lead to Trolls going underground, and humans forgetting magic even existing.

But why would trolls care what happened to dragons, surely they would be happy too?

But that’s the thing, Dragons never stole a throne to begin with.

They not only drew the line between magic and mortal, but also sentience.

A dragon has deep understanding of magic, and the emotions of all other living beings. An empathy that did not discriminate, dragons were willing to live along side humans, as they did with Berk, so who’s to say they hadn’t already done so with trolls.

And what if they also helped them. In the words of Ruffnut and Tuffnut themselves.

Symbiosis.

What if dragons established a symbiotic relationship with trolls, in accordance to protecting and rejuvenating there heartstones. Using both species impeccable magics, trolls geological understanding and the prowess and power, that comes from Draconic magic.

In that sense, they are essential to the ecosystem of magic and nature, as are trolls as natural guardians of the special gemstones they are born from.

So when one essential species disappears from the world, what happens to the heartstones of the surface? And the trolls who since the first moments of there emersion, have established deep connections and generational history living along side such creatures?

They morn, but then get angry and have clear evidence of who to blame.

Leading to the events of the present, to wich the very primordial beings of this world, deem past the point of redemption. And doom every living thing to the fate of extinction in the case it will be better.

So, what were to happen, if the Trollhunters and the Ninth configuration find a way to prevent that, and dragons came back?

Well remember what hiccup said.

“it's the dragons letting us know they're still here. Waiting for us to figure out how to get along.”

Dragons can only return, when we figure out how to get along. What if it’s not just humans, but trolls and the world of magic and moral alike, in that sense it becomes a whole lot harder. But it just takes one spark, to light up something remarkable.

Just like it took one human, to liberate the world of trolls, and a team of all kinds of creatures, to save the world.

Perhaps it takes one dragon, to spark up another adventure.

One that could save the fate of the world, the Arcane Order dreamed, inevitable of its end.

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Ok, Wow that was a lot, but those are my thoughts and I’d love to hear yours.

I love these two franchises and will continue to love them beyond there on screen appearances. And fanfics and Art is exactly where that can continue.

And exactly where I plan to explore these ideas. So keep an eye out.

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How to train your Dragon x tales of Arcadia. P1

Ok, so I’ve wanted to make this post for such a long time but it’s finally here.

My two favourite franchises have always been httyd and Trollhunters, and the fact that it is cannon that these two universes are connected, are not talked enough about.

So, I’m going to talk about it. Some head cannons I’ve got, and why it is cannon in the first place.

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So, why do I think it’s possible these two worlds are connected?

First off, both franchises are owned, and made by the same company Dreamworks, so the possibility of the two worlds alining can happen.

Second, the world both are based in is very grounded to our own, just in seperate time periods.

And third, BOTH franchises reference each other closer then any other Dreamworks production has done. But also in a way that doesn’t break the idea itself.

So let’s start at the beginning shall we.

Httyd 1- 2010

Befor the world of Trollhunters was even brought to light, the first how to train your dragon film gives us hints that other magical creatures besides dragons, exist in there world. But not just any creatures as hiccup explains.

“Vikings say that a hideous name will scare off gnomes and trolls.”

Gnomes and trolls! where have I seen those two creatures lining up in the same room?… oh yea.

Furthermore, it’s not the end of it, because Gober later explains.

“Trolls exist! they steel your socks, but only the left ones, ah what’s with that?”

Just to clear up Gober only has a left foot so of course it’s just the leaft ones, but what have we also seen trolls do in Trollhunters on multiple occasions.

And if that doesn’t convince you, let’s move on to Trollhunters, shall we.

Trollhunters season 1, ep 7 ‘To catch a changeling’

After Jim and Toby meet up with Blinky, Aaarrrgghh and Vendel about there discovery of Killahead bridge. They pull out a tarp they think is hiding said bridge, only to reveal a Viking long boat in its place. But not just any model, the same ones used in httyd. This image being of Johanna’s trading ship from RTTE.

Now it could just be a model reuse, just like how Pixar puts in Easter eggs in each of there movies and there not connected. Or aren’t they? because the long boat isn’t the only thing.

On multiple occasions, team trollhunter uncover items like Viking helmets, jugs and various other items from the other franchise, but one of the greatest examples, is in season 2 ep 8 ‘Just add water.’

Where you can see Blinky, Aaarrrgghh and Draal playing a trolls version of D&D ( which I love by the way) using a Maces and Talons board!!

Now for any httyd fans who haven’t watched the shows, Maces and Talons is a strategy game played in Race to the edge (on Netflix) which plays a significant roll in establishing one of the villains motives and cunning.

And it’s used in Trollhunters!

Now you might think, how did they even come to aquire it, why isn’t it in a museum or back with nature. Trolls live for centuries, no doubt a troll during the time period undercover it and somehow bought it to Dwosa and later Trollmarket to be used for other means.

And if that doesn’t convince you, I’ve got more.

In wizards tales of Arcadia, during the dungeon break, there are two, animated Night terrors in one of the cells in Camelot. I’m not joking it’s a blink and you will miss it, but they are there.

Not only are this Viking culture cannon, but the very dragons themselves!

And now for my final peice of evidence, the crown jewel itself, these two images.

A source of light and sustenance- that’s what a heartstone is, and it is the same in both scenarios.

Trollhunter and HTTYD are of the same cannon universe.

And I LOVE THAT!!!!

That opens up so much possibility for storytelling it is blowing my mind!!

Now, I am not forgetting the picture of Toothless on Jim’s desktop laptop in episode one, but I have an explanation for that one too.

What if both the httyd films and characters are cannon to that universe, Hear me out.

In our world, the world and characters are crafted, inspired by the book series we all know and love. So what if instead of books in the TOA world, it’s history.

What if toothless is a well known historical dragon in history, depicted in tapestries, books and architecture that Hiccup and the vikings of Berk left behind that has been discovered by archaeologists of the 21st century. Which have made for interesting story’s to then be adapted into the films. But the films are slightly different from the real life events, which in this case would be the franchise we know. But toothless very much staying the same. Which is realy cool to think about.

( I am not counting the nine realms logic, that was made after both franchises existing, that is not cannon and I will never accept it to be.)

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Bonus!!!

I have a feeling the inner child in Jim was imagining this specifically when he mentioned ‘A life of something more.’

I mean, who wouldn’t imagine themselves flying on dragons when there riding there bike, I know I do!

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Bonus!!

I have a feeling the inner child in Jim was imagining this specifically when he mentioned ‘A life of something more.’

I mean, who wouldn’t imagine themselves flying on dragons when there riding there bike, I know I do!

After a hard long day, even as the Trollhunter, sometime’s you need that little bit of escapism to feel that touch brighter.

Fun fact! just as Gun Robot is Toby’s favourite film, Jim’s is his worlds Httyd. Evidence from the picture of toothless on the home page of his laptop at the end of episode one!

So I head-cannon he listens to the music when he has had a particularly harsh day, and needs to take his mind elsewhere.

This is cannon in my mind.

And I love it!

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After a hard long day, even as the Trollhunter, sometime’s you need that little bit of escapism to feel that touch brighter.

Fun fact! just as Gun Robot is Toby’s favourite film, Jim’s is his worlds Httyd. Evidence from the picture of toothless on the home page of his laptop at the end of episode one!

So I head-cannon he listens to the music when he has had a particularly harsh day, and needs to take his mind elsewhere.

This is cannon in my mind.

And I love it!

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Villans-Mermay 2025- Leviathan gunmar the black.

Run out a little bit of time with this one, but I had to finish it.

Finishing off with the leader of the gum gums, Gunmar the Black.

Quite similar to his troll counterpart, Gunmar was banished to the dark sea of the Havoc trench for trying to bring forth the Eturnal storm. A plague that would flood the world into oceanic shadows. Allowing him and his beastly army to roam free with no fear of the sun, and an end to humanity.

Steeling the souls of leviathans to build his army using the Decimar trident, Gunmar became a force of the seas, destroying navy,s thought the centres, causing dismay for both sea and surface dwellers. Only to fall to darkness at the hands of the Leviathan hunter.

Waiting only till the day he is free from his prison, and can resume his long desired conquest.

His only weakness in the Blood moon guandao, the only thing that can end his tyranny. And free those souls trapped under it.

Note.

I am going to continue with this au regardless of may, I’m having to much fun. But I am going to take a break for a bit. But keep an eye out, because I’m only getting started.

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Villans- Mermay 2025. Leviathan Angor rot.

The mysterious sea assassin strikes once more. Angor rot is inspired by a Eurypterid, also known as a sea scorpion, a once deadly predator, fitting.

Due to Angors serrated pincers, he covers one in thick leather and a cement like substance before coating his claw in poison. Projecting it from his hard shell and allowing what were already effective blades to cut that fatal bit deeper.

Angor has been asleep for a long time that corral had also grown over his shell, deep glowing grooves aline his body from where he has sacrificed his own skin for ritual magic.

But it wasn’t always that way, as with all misguided souls Angor was once a noble warrior. Cursed to serve the ‘pure one’ in taking down every one of Merlin’s sea sentry’s, the Leviathan hunters.

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Mermay 2025 - Villans- leviathan Bular the Butcher.

Much like his troll counterpart bular wreaks heinous wrath across the lake town of Arcadia, waiting upon his father’s servants to help in freeing him from his prison in the havoc trench.( aka this worlds darklands, but in ocean form.)

One thing this bular has made for himself is a reputation. A local legend about a red eyed sea spirit spotted around the original old fishing town that had been shut down a few decades ago due to a deadly accident that had left the area deserted. Many claims it is due to the area being particularly unfriendly to fishing gear and ships, hostile wildlife like sharks or other predators making the waters dangerous to fish in, or a change in climate that had laid the area unfit for business, and frankly too dangerous to locals. but non of that is the truth.

For monsters lurk in these waters, and many unfortunate to wonder down have never been seen since. The only thing found are the glowing red eyes of a beast treading back to deep depths.

Claiming it was the work of the red eyed sea wraith. Least do they know it is not a haunting spirit taking revenge on those curious enough to wonder to far, but a very hungry and tyrannical leviathan who is board of both incompetence and waiting. Bular.

And if anyone’s wondering, Bular is inspired by a dunkleosteus, which just fit too perfectly.

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Mermay 2025 Seafolk au Leviathan Vendel.

Can’t forgot grandpa Vendel! who of which in this case is a combination between a Plesiosaur and a leafy sea dragon.

The wisest and oldest of the leviathans of Sea market, Vendel watches over his fellow Leviathans as the markets leader. Using his vast knowledge and wisdom to guide young souls through an ever changing and perilous world through the safety of there heartstone.

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Mermay 2025 Seafolk AU leviathan Draal the Deadly!

So Draal’s design is a little more niche in his inspiration, he is actually inspired by a cephalaspis. I needed to find a marine creature that had some form of armour plating, so I could play a bit on the horns. Since in Draal’s case they are one of his more defining features, as well as his spikes, and this fit. The rest I kinda played with to create his unique species.

Just like his troll counterpart Draal is the most formidable warrior of Sea Market, taking after his father in becoming the next Leviathan hunter. That is until the amulet ends up in the hands of a human, and Draal’s destiny takes a different and in many ways a more liberating path.

Forming unlikely friendships that bring him all the honour and fulfilment he had ever wanted.

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TOA Mermay Au 2025, my Seafolk, loveable giant Leviathan Aaarrrgghh!!!

Ok, so if wasn’t obvious, Aaarrrgghh is inspired by a Archelon, a giant sea turtle. Originally I had him as a type of blue whale, but I did some further exploration and this just fit too well.

Parts of his design are also taken from other reptiles, such as a snapping turtle for his spikes and horns.

Also disclaimer, Aaarrrgghh is actually bigger than his troll self in this Au, due to deep sea gigantism. But due to time and magic his flippers are powerful enough to support himself on land just like Blinky’s.

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More TOA Seafolk au Mermay 2025, with our wonderful Leviathan scholar/mentor Blinky!

All the trolls in this universe are based off of prehistoric sea creatures. For Blinky, he is inspired by a frankenprawn, a deep sea fish with excellent eye sight existing from the Cambrian Period ( 500 million years ago). There is also some manatee and peacock mantis thrown in there too. (Plus Blinky’s eye stalks are a reference to the original blinky design of the books.)

I decided to change his outfit to sea weed, inspired by the Luca designs which gave me the idea. And the bag upgrade was just a personal touch, this Blinky’s got standards and style.

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It is may, Mermay. And seeing as I haven’t done one yet it’s time for a 2025 TOA seafolk au.

Starting with our leviathan hunter, Jim lake jr in all his magic metallic tail glory.

Also side note- trolls are all now prehistoric marine creatures in this au, but to make it short they all refer to themselves as leviathans, despite being of different species.

Which I will reveal as the month goes on.

All of them can’t go in sunlight because of drying up and becoming fossilised, but can come on land. Sea market in this case, is an underground air pocket cavern under neath Arcadia’s great lake, directly under the bridge distancing one side of Arcadia to the other.

A great battle takes place under this bridge, a battle between two powerful leviathans, one clasped in gleaming silver armour and wielding a mighty blade. As the sun rises a warrior falls, and a magical amulet is lost to the shores.

A boy takes his morning routine diversion across the water front to school, best friend in tow, coming to a stop by the bridge as a voice calls out his name from the rocks.

“James lake”

You know how the story goes from there.

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Another concept I had for Death in this world.

One of the things I realy like about the character, is how he isn’t a straight up villain, he’s Death and in tern has a respect for life. Hence why he taunts those who disrespect the value of their own, or others.

In Jim’s case he was given a choice, willingly giving a part of himself to death so he can continue to serve in protecting the lives of others. And I believe Death has a lot of respect for that.

Merlin, not so much, but we can all agree with that one.

So have Deaths more, sentimental side.

( I might have got emotional drawing this one… ok definitely emotional it’s the god dam bathroom scene!)

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Well I couldn’t just create a character design and not put it into context to the world, who do you think I am.

Anyways, in Gunmars case, Death taunts him in the final battle, adding to his ego as though Death were truly on his side. But its death, he’s on no one’s side but fates. And fate meant Gunmars downfall.

Death just likes to have a little fun with those he deems unworthy of life, before there final moments. ( I mean, what els is an immortal being of ending supposed to do.)

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I watched PIBTLW recently, and I was inspired.

The character of Death really interested me as an antagonist, but also not, because it’s death, it’s his job.

I read somewhere that in puss and boots the last wish, the character death appeared to a living soul as what they fear most. For puss it’s his polar opposite in the wolf. ( lovely bit of symbolism with that one.) But then I thought, what would death look like in Trollhunters? Since death is a large construct in the franchise and also their both dreamworks projects.

So here’s a design for the character death in the Trollhunters universe, appearing to characters befor their demise. Mainly those who have disregarded life, such as Gunmar or the Arcane order.

Experimented with a different art style, hope you like.

( and yes, I was thinking of Angor Rot when I designed him.)