The post is long, it's true, I'll be honest, well I characterize myself for being like that and I like it.
I read some NOT everything, when you mention dragons I think they never existed, however they are key in the movies, in plots like the one you write, dragons will always be admired and they also awaken feelings of fear, adrenaline is what they instill, something that human beings love.
RE: Sagas of a landlocked pirate: Battle of the coins and the Dragon mysteries (part 1)