Melniboné

Melniboné
Map of the Young Kingdoms, with Melniboné at center
Elric of Melniboné location
Created by	Michael Moorcock
Genre	Fantasy, Sword and sorcery
Type	Monarchy
Ethnic group(s)	Melnibonéans
Notable locations	Imrryr (capital)

Melniboné (/mɛlnɪˈboʊneɪ/ mel-ni-BO-nay), also known as the Dragon Isle, is an imaginary country, an island featured in the writings of Michael Moorcock. It is the homeland of Elric, one of the incarnations of the Eternal Champion.

Centuries before Elric's birth, Melniboné ruled its world through sorcerous might and sheer power. However, by the time of Elric's birth, it has slipped from its preeminent place, being one of many nations. Its people, the Melnibonéans, are not wholly human, and although popular culture describes them as being almost elvish they are not. Elric and the Melnibonean people are descended from dragons. Melnibonean dragon ancestry is discussed at length in the novel, Heart of the Dragon, an untold tale of Elric. — skilled with magic and beautiful, though psychologically similar to cats, with a callous nature. They are bound by many ancient customs.

Melniboné's capital and only surviving city is Imrryr, known as The Dreaming City. Most of the rest of the island has been allowed to revert to wilderness in Elric's time. Caverns exist below the island, in which dragons sleep, awaiting the Melnibonéans' summons to war.

Only a small area of the island of Melniboné is described in the series. The decadent Melnibonéans of Elric’s time have lost their curiosity about the world. The shrinking population seldom leaves its single remaining city. Only slaves travel to other parts of the island, and their actions are not followed in the books.