No, they don't respawn.

That's why I've taken to avoiding the main quest as all costs on my characters.
Dragons are more of a bother then they are a feature I'd like to enjoy.

I've had a level 78 character and am playing a lvl 81 character now, and in all those hours I've only had 1 random NPC death - some farmer outside Whiterun during a CW battle on my first character. I think it's more of a playstyle thing, than a dragon thing. I've never once had a dragon spawn in a city besides open 'ciities' like Winterhold because I rarely fast travel.

I am the type of player who hates NPCs dieing, and feel an obligation as the PC, I mean Dragonborn, to keep them safe, so I am always aware of what idiot is running at danger with an iron dagger. I am one of those uptight players who couldn't stand the idea of a dog or a horse getting killed, so I never risk even taking them anywhere. Too bad they don't realize I am better at looking after myself than anyone they'll ever meet, and I really don't need or want them to charge into danger in my defense.

If an NPC died in my game I would load up a save, and not trust to the resurrect command, because it would play on my mind that maybe the NPC wasn't quite right after briefly seeing the afterlife waiting room (plus the command may have issues).

I fast travel, simply because after 1,100 hours + in-game I don't feel the need to fight every bear from Riften to Solitude for the thirtieth time.

I'm just as nuts about my NPCs, I had to restart a file because I was being plagued with random creature spawns when I would visit cities. Trying to keep the stable hands alive when half a dozen monsters spawn, including three dremora is basically impossible.

As far as dragons though, even before I got lazy and started fast traveling I'd see dragons landing on rooftops of smaller villages. They'd land and for some reason every farmer in the region thinks that they can take on an elder dragon with a dagger... All you'd see is farmer corpses flying this way and that, guards (if there were any) shooting arrows from afar and my head banging against the keyboard.

There really needs to be a script in place that tells weak NPCs to RUN from a dragon, not to commit suicide by darting right down their gullet. These morons might as well slather themselves with barbecue sauce and carry bowls of potato salad around with them.

When my NPCs die, I reload every time as well it's almost maddening sometimes.

CrimsonLegend, that was hilarious. I'm only at Level 30 something this game and the other day a pretty tough Frost dragon landed on the north shore near High Gate Ruins and an Imperial Camp. I ran for the camp and before I could get there, I saw that dragon fling four soldiers like chew toys and fly back to where he was harassing Horkers. He killed me later too and the next round wasn't near that camp so they were still alive. He was a tough one...never know what you'll get in a dragon fight. I save as soon as I see a dragon and reload the fight if people die...or horses or dogs, just hate it.

What are the ramifications of entering kill on a dragon? Does it bug out, do you get the soul? I may just do this when they appear in town.

I've spilled my drinks several times now due to posters on these forums. But as for the random dragon attacks, if you're in a walled city, just leave and you could fight it outside. if your out in the wilds or in open cities, draw the dragon to you by attacking it and going into in an open area where it can land ... if ou can take it on yourself.

You can cast a raise dead spell on a merchant killed by a dragon, but from then on he'll only sell you brains so it's pointless.

I once transformed into one while hidden, to kill that insufferable Talos preacher in Whiterun without getting a bounty. It worked, but when it was all over, I discovered a civil war had taken place in the town. Near as I could figure it, the companions came to my defense against the rest of them. Eorlund Greymane was dead as were many of the outdoors characters. I quickly went back to the save I made before trying this.

I've never seen a dragon attack a walled city. My first game is close to 400 hours old, and my new one is 130. I fast travel to towns constantly. So this issue is news to me.

I've never seen a dragon in a walled city, but here's the thing, a dragon can kill a person in a heartbeat. By the time it sets down in the city it is already too late. Good advice though, I'll be sure to do that if one ever attacks.

As for in outdoor cities, the problem is that the dragon doesn't automatically target me if I attack it. There have been many times where I've been fighting it and it takes a little break from me to go fight something else. My next step will be to get the rend dragon shout, I assume that's immensly useful here.

If only there was a "become a zombie" storyline in addition to vampires and werewolves then this would be useful...

Why aren't brains an item in Skyrim? Sounds like a missed opportunity.

OMFG, what a nerd! ...but, yeah, I'm the same way so that means...NVM.

There's no such thing as a nerd who looks hot in pigtails. Therefore, you and I are not nerds.

Shh. ...wait...you or me?