[@JaceBeleren] Yes, I've played Dark Souls 1 and 3, and I like your idea. How about dragon worship? As the dragons are heralds of change and affect the world in their way, perhaps some people have formed cults around dragons, seeing them as powerful figures.

How sentient the dragons would be? Of course, there could be also other "lesser" dragons, like wyverns, that might be more animalistic than their dragon breathren.

I've had an idea on magic: it could wane and grow in centuries long cycles. Sometimes, there's more magic in the world, sometimes less.