Dragons are a minor[1] spacefaring race in the Spelljammer campaign setting.[2]
"Bargain with a dragon, and you're a fool or a corpse."
- Teldin Moore, the Cloakmaster, quoting Aelfred Silverhorn[3]
Overview[]
Dragons are an ancient, winged reptilian race. They are known and feared for their size, physical prowess, and magical abilities. The oldest dragons are among the most powerful creatures in the world. Most dragons are identified by the color of their scales.
There are many known subspecies of true dragons, several of which fall into two broad categories: chromatic and metallic dragons. The chromatic dragons include the black, blue, green, red, and white dragons; they are all evil-aligned and are extremely fierce. The metallic dragons include the brass, bronze, copper, gold, and silver dragons; these are all good-aligned, usually noble, and highly respected by the wise.
All true dragons become more powerful and gain access to greater abilities as they mature (which serves as a defining characteristic of a true dragon as opposed to a lesser draconic creature). They range in length from several feet at hatching to more than 100 feet at attaining the status of great wyrm. The size of a particular dragon depends on its species and its age. A dragon's wingspan is typically equal to its body length.
Although dragons are fearsome predators, they will scavenge when necessary and can eat almost anything if they are hungry enough. A dragon's metabolism operates like a highly efficient furnace, and can even metabolize inorganic material. Some dragons have developed a taste for such fare.
Goals and ideals may vary, but all dragons are covetous. They like to hoard wealth, collecting mounds of coins and gathering as many gems, jewels, and magical items as possible. They find treasure pleasing to look at, and they bask in the radiance of the magical items. For a dragon, there is never enough treasure. Those with large hoards are loath to leave them for long, venturing out of their lairs only to patrol the immediate areas or to get food. Dragons like to make beds of their treasure, shaping nooks and mounds to fit their bodies. By the time a dragon becomes a great wyrm, hundreds of gems and coins may be imbedded in its hide.[4][5]
Combat[]
Dragons attack with their powerful claws and bite, and can also use a breath weapon. Certain dragons may also make additional physical attacks depending on their size. Dragons prefer to fight on the wing, staying out of reach until they have worn down the enemy with ranged attacks. Older, more intelligent or experienced dragons are adept at sizing up opponents and may focus on eliminating more dangerous foes (or staying out of their way while picking off weaker enemies).
When attacking with their claws or their bite, a dragon may "snatch" an opponent, grabbing hold of them in their claws or their mouth, automatically crushing or biting them. The dragon may instead choose to fling their opponent aside, or drop them if the dragon is in flight. Older dragons may buffet or slam their opponents with their wings, possibly knocking them prone, or slap opponents behind them with their tail. A tail slap can smash a light wooden structure and even damage a cube of force.
An airborne dragon, or a dragon jumping and descending from at least 30 feet above a target, can land on a number of opponents, using its entire body to crush them. Victims are knocked prone and pinned beneath the dragon, automatically suffering crushing damage unless the dragon decides to move. If the dragon chooses to maintain the pin, its victims may attempt to wiggle free from beneath it.
Dragons learn spells haphazardly over the years, while also developing spell-like abilities depending on age and species. A dragon can cast each spell it knows at least once a day. Dragons do not use spell books or pray to deities; they simply sleep, concentrate when they awaken, and remember their spells. Dragon spells have only a verbal component. Dragons cannot physically attack, use their breath weapon, use their magical abilities, or fly while casting a spell.
All dragons can inspire panic or fear. The mere sight of a young adult or older dragon can unsettle most creatures, causing weaker willed opponents, as well as non-predatory, non-aggressive creatures, to automatically flee in panic. A dragon is unaffected by the frightful presence of other dragons.
A dragon's hide becomes tougher as it gets older and more powerful: their gem-encrusted hides may even deflect arrows and other small projectiles. Large missiles (from catapults or thrown by giants for example) as well as magical missiles affect them normally. Young adult and older dragons radiate a personal aura that makes them partially resistant to harmful magic. A dragon's resistance to magic increases as it ages.
All dragons have excellent senses of sight, smell, and hearing. Their enhanced senses enable them to detect invisible objects and creatures (including creatures or items hidden in darkness or fog) within a certain radius dependent on age. Some dragons are even able to communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature.
Despite their large size, dragons are graceful and competent fliers; most are maneuverability class C. This is due partially to their powerful wings, and partially to their innate magical nature. When engaging other flying opponents, a dragon can either claw or bite, but not both. An airborne dragon must glide to cast spells (but innate spell-like abilities can be used at any time). A gliding dragon loses 1,000 feet of altitude per minute, and its forward speed falls dramatically to half of its flight speed before it began gliding.[4][5]
Society[]
Although all subspecies of dragons are believed to have come from the same roots tens of thousands of years ago, the present subspecies keep to themselves, working together only under extreme circumstances, such as a powerful mutual threat. Good dragons never work with evil dragons, however, though a few neutral dragon's have been known to associate with either. Gold dragons have been known to occasionally associate freely with silver dragons.
When evil dragons of different species encounter each other, they usually fight to protect their territories. While good dragons of different subspecies are more tolerant of each other, they are also very territorial, though they usually try to work out differences in a peaceful manner. All subspecies of dragons have 12 age categories, ranging from wyrmlings (or hatchling), to adults, and then all the way to wyrm and great wyrm stage.
Dragons follow a number of reproductive strategies to suit their needs or temperaments, ensuring the continuation of their bloodline no matter what happens to the parent dragon or their lair. Young adults, particularly evil or less intelligent pairs, may leave clutches of up to six eggs all over the countryside, leaving their offspring to fend for themselves. These hatch into clutches of dragons which stick together until they can establish their own lairs.
Older and more intelligent dragons may pair up together to form families, where they can care for up to five offspring together. Shortly after a dragon becomes a young adult (or rarely, a juvenile), it leaves its parents to establish a lair of its own. A pair of mated dragons beyond the mature adult stage usually split up, independence and the lust for treasure driving them apart. Older female dragons continue to mate and lay eggs, but only one parent stays behind in the lair to raise the young. Dragons, especially older ones, are generally solitary due to necessity and preference. They distance themselves from civilization, which they consider to be a petty and foolish mortal invention.[4][5]
In Spelljammer[]
Most terrestrial draconic species do not fare all that well in wildspace. As with all living creatures, a dragon that leaves the atmosphere of a planet may take along enough air in its personal air envelope to survive up to 200 minutes[note 1] in the void of space, but this would only allow them to fly to a relatively close moon. As a result most dragons prefer to remain within the atmospheres of planetary bodies.
That being said, spacefaring dragons have been encountered in wildspace, usually as a result of some magical effect, or they may have been enslaved and co-opted as a spelljamming vessel through the use of a neogi Leech.[6] In wildspace, most forms of dragon breath are limited to the edge of an air envelope, especially the various gaseous attacks (including fire). However, lightning, acid and cold attacks are unaffected and function as per normal.[2]
Chromatic and metallic dragons are common throughout the Known Worlds, and several planets have significant draconic populations, including Bodi, Radole, Nubis, and Nivil; the Upgood and Vastdarken regions of Faeriespace; Boran in Greatspace; Coliar in Realmspace; Cumberland in Herospace; Edill and Raenei in Greyspace; Golot in Golotspace; and Chislev, Morgion, Reorx, Sargonnas and Zeboim in Krynnspace.
In addition, the Known Spheres teem with unusual or unfamiliar draconic species, including sun and moon dragons, as well as those species that are unique to certain worlds, such as the mithril and air dragons. However, only the majestic celestial dragons and their enormous stellar-kin, are able to survive in the depths of wildspace indefinitely.
Types of terrestrial dragons[]
Chromatic dragons[]
Chromatic dragons form the evil branch of dragonkind, and are invariably aggressive, greedy, vain and just plain old nasty.[7]
Black dragon[]
Black dragons are abusive and evil-tempered, and though they're not as intelligent as other dragons, they are cunning and malevolent. They are extremely selfish, and resentful of intrusion of any kind, and as a result most black dragons live alone, though mated pairs with young may be encountered. Adults will usually protect their offspring; however, if it appears that their lives are in jeopardy, they will abandon their young to save themselves.[8]
Description[]
At birth, a black dragon's scales are thin, small, and glossy. But as the dragon ages, its scales become larger, thicker, and duller, which helps to camouflage them in their chosen environment. Black dragons speak their own dialect, as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-10 black dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Black dragons prefer dismal surroundings heavy with vegetation, and can be found in swamps, marshes, rain forests, and jungles. They revel in steamy environments where canopies of trees filter out most of the sunlight, swarms of insects fill the air, and stagnant moss-covered ponds lie in abundance. Black dragons are excellent swimmers and enjoy lurking in the gloomy depths of swamps and bogs. They are graceful in flight; however, they prefer to fly at night when their presence is hidden by the darkness of the sky.
Black dragons lair in large, damp caves and multi-chambered subterranean caverns. Older dragons are able to hide the entrance to their lairs with their plant growth ability. They can eat almost anything, though they prefer to dine primarily on fish, mollusks, and other aquatic creatures. They are fond of eels, especially the giant varieties. They also hunt for red meat, but they like to "pickle" it by letting it lie in ponds within their lair for days before eating it. Black dragons are especially fond of coins. Older dragons sometimes capture and question humanoids about stockpiles of gold, silver, and platinum coins before killing them.
Combat[]
Black dragons prefer to ambush their targets, using their surroundings as cover. When fighting in heavily forested swamps and marshes, black dragons attempt to stay in the water or along the ground; the numerous trees and leafy canopies limit their flying maneuverability. When faced with an opponent which poses too much of a threat, a black dragon will attempt to fly out of sight, so as not to leave any tracks, and hide in a deep pond or bog.
A black dragon's breath weapon is a 60-foot long, 5-foot wide stream of acid. All black dragons can breathe underwater indefinitely and are immune to acid. As they mature, black dragons gain the following abilities:
- Juvenile dragons can cast darkness as per the spell three times a day, with an area of effect depending on its age category.
- Adult dragons can corrupt a volume of water once per day, making it stagnant and unable to support animal life. A dragon may also use this ability to render certain potions and elixirs useless.
- Old dragons gain access to plant growth once a day.
- Venerable dragons can summon insects once a day.
- Great wyrms can charm reptiles three times a day.
Blue dragon[]
Blue dragons are extremely territorial and voracious. They can be found in deserts; arid, windswept plains; and hot humid badlands. They love to soar in the hot desert air; usually flying in the daytime when temperatures are the highest. Some blue dragons nearly match the color of the desert sky and use this to their advantage in combat. They enjoy the bleak terrain because there are few obstacles - only an occasional rock outcropping or dune - to interrupt the view of their territories. They spend hours looking out over their domains, watching for trespassers and admiring their property, and love to spend equally long hours revelling in their triumphs and admiring their trophies.[9]
Description[]
The size of a blue dragon's scales increases little as the dragon ages, although they do become thicker and harder. The scales vary in color from an iridescent azure to a deep indigo, retaining a glossy finish throughout its life as the blowing desert sands polish them. This makes blue dragons easy to spot in barren desert surroundings. However, the dragons often conceal themselves, burrowing into the sand so only part of their heads are exposed. Blue dragons speak their own dialects as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-8 blue dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Blue dragons lair in vast underground caverns in which they store their treasure. Although blue dragons will collect anything which looks valuable, they are fond of gems - especially sapphires. Most blue dragons live alone because they do not want to share their territories with others. However, when a mated pair with young are encountered, the male dragon will attack ferociously, protecting his property - his mate and young. The female dragon will also join in the attack if the threat proves significant.
Blue dragons are able to consume nearly anything, and sometimes are forced to eat snakes, lizards, and desert plants to help sate their great hunger. However, they are particularly fond of herd animals, such as camels, and they will gorge themselves on caravans of the creatures which they cook with a lightning bolt. Blue dragons compete with brass dragons who prefer much the same environment. If a blue dragon discovers a brass dragon in the same region, it will not rest until the trespassing dragon is killed or driven away.
Combat[]
Blue dragons prefer to fight from a distance so their opponents can clearly witness the full force of their breath weapon while posing little threat to themselves. Blue dragons will often attack from directly above or will burrow beneath the sands until opponents come within 100 feet. Older blue dragons will use their special abilities, such as hallucinatory terrain, in concert with these tactics to mask the land and aid in their chances to surprise. Blue dragons will only run from a fight if they are severely injured, since they view retreat as cowardly.
A blue dragon's breath weapon is a 100-foot long, 5-foot wide bolt of lightning. All blue dragons are immune to electricity, and as they mature, they develop the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can create or destroy water as per the spell three times per day.
- Juvenile dragons can imitate certain sounds at will.
- Adult dragons can cast dust devil as per the spell once per day.
- Old dragons can cast ventriloquism as per the spell once per day.
- Venerable dragons can use hallucinatory terrain as per the spell once per day.
Green dragon[]
Green dragons are mean, bad tempered and cruel. They love intrigue and endeavour to enslave other woodland creatures, killing those who cannot be controlled or intimidated. They prefer to control creatures such as humanoids through intimidation and suggestion, and enjoy interrogating creatures to learn more about their societies, their abilities, events occuring in the countryside, or the location of any nearby treasure.[10]
Description[]
A hatchling green dragon's scales are thin, very small, and a deep shade of green that appears nearly black. As the dragon ages, the scales grow larger and become lighter, turning shades of forest, emerald, and olive green, which helps it blend in with its wooded surroundings. A green dragon's scales never become as thick as other dragons', remaining smooth and flexible. Green dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-8 green dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Green dragons can be found in sub-tropical and temperate forests; the older the forest and bigger the trees, the better. The sights and smells of the woods are pleasing to them. and they considers the entire forest or woods their territory. Sometimes a dragon will form an alliance with other evil-minded forest-dwelling creatures, which keep the dragon informed about current events within the forest and surrounding area in exchange for their lives. They prefer to make their lair in caverns deep beneath its forest. Most green dragons live alone, however, when a mated pair and their young are encountered, the female will leap to the attack, while the male will take the young to a place of safety before joining the fight. The parents are extremely protective of their young, despite their evil nature, and will sacrifice their own lives to save their offspring.
Although green dragons have been known to eat practically anything, including shrubs and small trees when hungry enough, they especially prize elves. If a green dragon lives in a forest on a hillside, it will seek to enslave any local hill giants, which the dragon considers its greatest enemy. Hill giants, in turn, hunt younger green dragons as they consider them a delicacy.
Combat[]
Green dragons are belligerent and initiate fights with little or no provocation, picking on creatures of any size. If their chosen opponent is intriguing for some reason or appears to be difficult to deal with, the dragon will stalk the creature, using its environment for cover, until it determines the best time to strike and the most appropriate tactics to use. If their opponent appears formidable, the dragon will first attack with its breath weapon, magical abilities, and spells. However, if the target appears weak, the dragon will make its presence known quickly as it enjoys evoking terror in its victims. When the dragon has tired of this game, it will bring down the creature using its physical attacks so the fight lasts longer and the creature's agony is prolonged.
A green dragon's breath weapon is a cloud of poisonous chlorine gas that is 50-feet long, 40-feet wide, and 30-feet high. Green dragons are immune to all poisonous gasses. As a green dragon matures, it gains the following additional abilities:
- Juvenile dragons learn to breath underwater indefinitely.
- Adult dragons can use suggestion as per the spell once a day.
- Mature adult dragons can warp wood as per the spell three times a day.
- Old dragons can use plant growth as per the spell once a day.
- Very old dragons can use entangle as per the spell once a day.
- Wyrms can pass without trace as per the spell three times a day.
Red dragon[]
Red dragons are the most covetous and greedy of all dragons, forever seeking to increase their treasure hoards. They are obsessed with their wealth and possessions, and memorize an inventory accurate to the last copper. They are exceptionally vain and self confident, considering themselves superior not only to other dragons, but to all other life-forms in general.[11]
Description[]
The small scales of red dragon hatchlings are a bright, glossy, scarlet, meaning they can be easily spotted by predators and humanoids who hunt them for their hides. Hatchlings are hidden in deep subterranean lairs and not permitted to venture outside until their scales have turned a deeper red, the glossy texture has been replaced by a smooth, dull finish, and they able to take care of themselves. As a red dragon matures, their scales become large, thick, and as strong as metal. Red dragons speak their own dialects, as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-6 red dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Red dragons can be found on great hills or on soaring mountains. From a high perch they haughtily survey their territory, which they consider to be everything that can be seen from their position. They prefer to lair in large caves that extend deep into the earth. They enjoy their own company, preferring not to associate with other creatures, or even other red dragons, unless they further the dragon's aims in some way. Some dragons may charm humanoids, and will instruct their "allies" to act as their eyes and ears, gathering information about nearby settlements and sources of treasure. When a red dragon's offspring reach the young adult stage, they are ordered from the lair and the surrounding territory, as they are viewed as competition.
Red dragons are meat eaters, although they are capable of digesting almost anything. Their favorite food is a maiden of any humanoid race, and they will sometimes charm key villagers into regularly sacrificing maidens to them.
Combat[]
Red dragons are quick to fight any and all creatures which encroach on their territory, especially copper and silver dragons which sometimes share the same habitat. They hate gold dragons above all others because they believe gold dragons are "nearly" as powerful as themselves.
Because of their arrogance and self-confidence, red dragons never take the time to appraise an adversary. As soon as they take note of a viable target they make a snap decision whether to attack, using one of many "perfect" strategies worked out ahead of time in the solitude of their lairs. If the creature appears small and insignificant, such as an unarmored humanoid, the dragon will land to attack with its claws and bite, not wanting to obliterate the creature with its breath weapon, as any treasure might be consumed by the flames. However, if a red dragon encounters a group of armored warriors, it will use its breath weapon, special abilities, and spells before landing.
A red dragon's breath weapon is a searing cone of fire 90-feet long, 5-feet wide at the dragon's mouth and 30-feet at the base. All red dragons are immune to fire, and as they grow older, they gain the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can affect normal fires (as per the spell) three times per day.
- Juvenile dragons can use pyrotechnics as per the spell three times per day.
- Adult dragons can use heat metal as per the spell once per day.
- Old dragons can use suggestion as per the spell once per day.
- Very old dragons can use hypnotism as per the spell once per day.
- Venerable dragons can detect all gems within a 100-foot radius three times a day, and can determine the exact type of gem and how many.
White dragon[]
White dragons are the smallest and weakest of the chromatic dragons, and are slow witted but efficient hunters. They are impulsive, vicious, and animalistic, and tend to consider only the needs and emotions of the moment: they have no foresight or regrets. Despite their low intelligence, they are as greedy and evil as the other chromatic dragons.[12]
Description[]
The scales of a hatchling white dragon are a mirror-like glistening white, which makes them virtually invisible against a snowy background. As the dragon matures the sheen disappears, and by the time it becomes very old, pale blue and light gray scales become mixed in with the white. White dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-14 white dragons are able to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
White dragons live in chilly or cold regions, preferring lands where the temperature rarely rises above freezing and ice and snow always cover the ground. When temperatures become too warm, the dragons become lethargic. White dragons bask in the frigid winds that whip over the landscape, and they wallow and play in deep snow banks. They usually lair in icy caves and deep subterranean chambers, and typically select caves that open away from the warming rays of the sun. White dragons store all of their treasure within their lair, and prefer keeping it in caverns coated in ice, which reflect the gems, especially diamonds, because they are pretty to look at. White dragons are lackadaisical parents. Although the young remain with their parents until they reach juvenile or young adult stage, once they are no longer considered hatchlings they are expected to fend for themselves; learning to hunt and defend themselves by watching their parents.
Although white dragons are able to eat nearly anything, they are very particular and will consume only food which has been frozen. Usually after a dragon has killed a creature with its breath weapon it will devour it while the carcass is still stiff and frigid. Other kills are buried in snow banks until they are suitably frozen. A white dragons' natural enemies are frost giants, who hunt the dragons for food and their hides, and subdue them for use as guard-creatures and mounts.
Combat[]
Regardless of an opponent's size, a white dragon's favorite method of attack is to use its breath weapon and special abilities before closing in. This tactic sometimes works to the dragon's detriment, as it can exhaust its breath weapon on smaller prey and then be faced with a larger creature that it must attack physically. If a white dragon is pursuing creatures in the water, such as polar bears or seals, it will attack them with its claws and bite.
A white dragon's breath weapon is a come of frost 70-feet long, 5-feet wide at the dragon's mouth, and 25-feet wide at its base. All white dragons are immune to cold, and as they grow older, they gain the following additional abilities:
- Juvenile dragons can walk on ice as easily as they can walk across flat, dry ground.
- Mature adult dragons can use gust of wind as per the spell three times a day.
- Very old dragons can use wall of fog as per the spell three times a day, producing snow or hail rather than rain.
- Wyrms can use freezing fog three times a day, which obscures vision in a 100-foot radius and causes frost to form, creating a thin layer of glare-ice on the ground and on all surfaces within range.
Metallic dragons[]
The metallic dragons make up the good branch of dragonkind, but can be every bit as aggressive as their evil cousins when threatened or challenged. They also tend to be covetous and proud.[13]
Brass dragon[]
Brass dragons are egotistical and often boorish, and love to talk but are not particularly good conversationalists. They often have useful information, but will only divulge it after drifting off the subject many times and after many hints that a gift would be appreciated. If an intelligent creature tries to take its leave of a brass dragon without conversing with it at length, the dragon might, in a fit of pique, try to force the creature to remain, either using its suggestion ability or by giving the creature a dose of sleep gas. If the victim falls asleep it will awaken to find itself pinned under the dragon or buried to the neck in the sand until the dragon's thirst for small talk is slaked.[14]
Description[]
At birth, a brass dragon's scales are a dull, mottled brown. As the dragon gets older, the scales become more brassy, until they reach a warm burnished appearance. The grand head-plates of a brass dragon are smooth and metallic and it sports bladed chin horns that get sharper as it ages. Wings and frills are mottled green toward the edges, darkening with age. As the dragon grows older, its pupils fade until their eyes molten metal orbs. Brass dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons.
Society[]
Brass dragons are found in arid, warm climates; ranging from sandy deserts to dry steppes. They love intense, dry heat and spend most of their time basking in the sun. They lair in high caves, preferably facing east where the sun can warm the rocks, and their territories always contain several spots where they can bask and trap unwary travelers into conversation. Brass dragons are very social. They usually are on good terms with neighboring brass dragons and sphinxes. Brass dragons are dedicated parents. If their young are attacked they will try to slay the enemy, using their heat breath weapons and taking full advantage of their own immunity.
Like other dragons, brass dragons can, and will, eat almost anything if the need arises. In practice, however, they eat very little. They are able to get nourishment from the morning dew, a rare commodity in their habitat, and have been seen carefully lifting it off plants with their long tongues.
Because they share the same habitat, blue dragons are their worst enemies. Brass dragons usually get the worst of a one-on-one confrontation, mostly because of the longer reach of the blue dragon's breath weapon. Because of this, brass dragons usually try to evade blue dragons until they can rally their neighbors for a mass attack.
Combat[]
Before battle, brass dragons typically create a cloud of dust using their dust devil or control winds abilities before charging into melee. Brass dragons often use their control temperature or create heat abilities to discomfort their opponents. When faced with real danger, younger brass dragons will fly out of sight, then hide by burrowing, while older dragons spurn this ploy.
A brass dragon has two breath weapons: a cone of sleep gas 70-feet long, 5-feet wide at the dragon's mouth, and 20-feet wide at its base; or a cloud of blistering desert heat 50-feet long, 40-feet wide, and 20-feet high. Brass dragons can speak with animals freely, and are immune to fire and heat. As they age, they gain the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can create or destroy water as per the spell three times a day.
- Juvenile dragons can use dust devil as per the spell once a day.
- Adult dragons can use suggestion as per the spell once a day.
- Mature adult dragons can use control temperature as per the spell three times a day, with an area of effect depending on its age category.
- Old dragons can control winds as per the spell once a day.
- Great wyrms can summon a djinni as per the spell once a week. The dragon usually asks the djinni to preform some service. Although the djinni serves willingly, the dragon will order it into combat only in extreme circumstances, as the dragon would be dismayed and embarrassed if the djinni were killed.
Bronze dragon[]
Bronze dragons are inquisitive and fond of humans and other humanoids, and enjoy polymorphing into small, friendly animals so they can observe them unobtrusively, especially adventurers. Bronze dragons thrive on simple challenges such as riddles and harmless contests. They are fascinated by warfare and will eagerly join an army if the cause is just and the pay is good.[15]
Description[]
At birth, a bronze dragon's scales are yellow tinged with green, showing only a hint of bronze. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color deepens, slowly changing to a rich bronze tone that gets darker as the dragon ages. Very old dragons develop a blue-black tint to the edges of their scales, similar to a patina on ancient bronze armor or statues. Bronze dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-6 bronze dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Bronze dragons like to be near deep fresh or salt water. They are good swimmers and often visit the depths to cool off or to hunt for pearls or treasure from sunken ships. They prefer caves that are only accessible from the water, but their lairs are always dry—they do not lay eggs, sleep, or store treasure under water. Bronze dragons are fond of sea mammals, especially dolphins and whales. These animals provide the dragons with a wealth of information on shipwrecks, which the dragons love to plunder, and detail the haunts of large sharks. Bronze dragons detest pirates and will disable or destroy their ships.
Bronze dragons eat aquatic plants and some varieties of seafood, and especially prize shark meat. They also dine on an occasional pearl, and, like other dragons, can eat almost anything in a pinch. Their greatest enemies include evil-aligned amphibious sea creatures (particularly sahuagin) who invade their air filled lairs.
Combat[]
Bronze dragons dislike killing animals, and would rather bribe them (perhaps with food), or force them away with their breath weapon. When confronted with intelligent opponents bronze dragons use their ESP ability to learn their intentions. When attacking they blind their opponents with a wall of fog, and then charge into melee. When fighting under water, they use their airy water ability to maintain the effectiveness of their breath weapons, and to keep away purely aquatic opponents. Against boats or ships they summon a storm or use their tail slap to smash the vessels' hulls. If the dragon is inclined to be lenient, seafaring opponents might find themselves becalmed, fog bound, or with broken masts.
A bronze dragon has two breath weapons: a stroke of lightning 100-feet long and 5-feet wide or a cloud of repulsion gas 20-feet long, 30-feet wide, and 30-feet high. Creatures caught in the repulsion gas will move away from the bronze dragon for several minutes depending on the dragon's age. Bronze dragons can breathe underwater indefinitely, can speak with animals at will (as per the spell), and are immune to electricity. As they age, they gain the following additional powers:
- Young dragons can create food and water and polymorph self as per the spells three times a day.
- Juvenile dragons can cast wall of fog as per the spell once a day.
- Adult dragons can use ESP as per the spell three times a day.
- Mature adult dragons can use airy water as per the spell three times a day, with an area of effect depending on its age category.
- Old dragons can use weather summoning as per the spell once a day.
Copper dragon[]
Copper dragons are incorrigible pranksters, joke tellers, and riddlers. They are prideful and do not like to lose, though they are more gracious when they win. Most are good-natured, but they can be particularly selfish and greedy.[16]
Description[]
At birth, a copper dragon's scales have a ruddy brown color with a copper tint. As the dragon gets older, the scales become finer and more coppery, assuming a soft, warm gloss by the time the dragon becomes a young adult. Very old dragons' scales pick up a green tint. Copper dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-7 copper dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature. Copper dragons can jump 90-feet forward or to the side, reaching heights of up to 20-feet at mid jump. They can also jump 30-feet straight up.
Society[]
Copper dragons like dry, rocky uplands and mountains. They lair in narrow caves and often conceal the entrances using their move earth and stone shape abilities. Within the lair, they construct twisting mazes with open tops. These allow the dragon to fly or jump over intruders struggling through the maze. Copper dragons appreciate wit, and will usually leave good or neutral creatures alone if they can relate a joke, humorous story, or riddle the dragon has not heard before. They quickly get annoyed with creatures who don't laugh at their jokes or do not accept the dragon's tricks and antics with good humor.
Copper dragons are determined hunters, the good sport a hunt provides is at least as important as the food they get. They are known to eat almost anything, including metal ores. However, they prize giant scorpions and other large poisonous creatures (they say the venom sharpens their wit). The dragon's digestive system can handle the venom safely, although injected venoms affect them normally.
Because they often inhabit hills in sight of red dragons' lairs conflicts between the two subspecies often occur. Copper dragons usually run for cover until they can equal the odds.
Combat[]
Copper dragons like to taunt and annoy their opponents, hoping they will give up or become angry and act foolishly. Early in an encounter, a copper dragon will jump from one side of an opponent to another, landing on inaccessible or vertical stone surfaces. If there are no such places around a dragon's lair, the dragon will create them ahead of time using their stone shape, move earth, and wall of stone abilities. An angry copper dragon will mire its opponents using its rock to mud ability, and will often kick victims into the mire. Once all its opponents are trapped in the mud, the dragon will crush them with a wall of stone or carry them aloft. When fighting airborne opponents, a dragon will draw its enemies into narrow, stony gorges where it can use its spider climb ability in an attempt to maneuver the enemy into colliding with the walls.
A copper dragon has two breath weapons: either a cloud of slow gas 30-feet long, 20-feet wide, and 20-feet high or a spurt of acid 70-feet long and 5-feet wide. Creatures caught in the gas will be slowed (as per the spell) for several minutes depending on the dragon's age. Copper dragons can spider climb stone surfaces only (as per the spell), and are immune to acid. As they age, they gain the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can neutralize poison as per the spell three times a day.
- Juvenile dragons can use stone shape as per the spell twice a day.
- Adult dragons can cast forget as per the spell once a day.
- Mature adult dragons can use rock to mud as per the spell once a day.
- Old dragons can use move earth as per the spell once a day.
- Great wyrms can use wall of stone as per the spell once a day.
Gold dragon[]
Gold dragons are wise, astute and benevolent. They hate injustice and foul play, and will often embark on self-appointed quests to promote virtue and righteousness, and are not easily distracted from them. A gold dragon will frequently be encountered in disguise, typically assuming the form of a human or an animal.[17]
Description[]
At birth, a gold dragon's scales are dark yellow with gold-metallic flecks. The flecks get larger as the dragon matures until, as an adult, its scales are completely golden. Gold dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. More than 1-in-6 gold dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Gold dragons can live anywhere. Their lairs are secluded and always made of solid stone, either within a cave or in the form of a castle. Their lairs are usually guarded, either by animals appropriate to the terrain, or by storm or good-aligned cloud giants, who usually agree to serve as guards as a result of a mutual defense agreement between them and the dragon.
Gold dragons can eat almost anything: however, they usually sustain themselves on pearls or small gems. Gold dragons who receive pearls and gems from good or neutral creatures will usually be favorably inclined toward them, as long as the gift is not presented as a crass bribe. In the latter case, the dragon will accept the gift, but react cynically to any requests the gift-giver makes.
Combat[]
Gold dragons usually attempt to negotiate before engaging in battle. When conversing with intelligent creatures they use their detect lie and detect gems abilities to gain the upper hand. In actual combat, they quickly use their bless and luck bonus abilities, although older dragons may have already used luck bonus that morning. Gold dragons rely heavily on spells in combat, especially sleep, stinking cloud, slow, fire shield, cloudkill, globe of invulnerability, delayed blast fireball, and maze.
A gold dragon has two breath weapons: a cone of fire 90-feet long, 5-feet wide at the dragon's mouth, and 30-feet wide at its base, or a cloud of potent chlorine gas 50-feet long, 40-feet wide and 30-feet high. Gold dragons can breathe underwater indefinitely, can speak with animals freely (as per the spell), and are immune to fire and poisonous gasses. They also have the innate ability to polymorph self (as per the spell) three times a day. Each change of form lasts until the dragon chooses a different form; reverting to the dragon's natural form does not count as a change. A gold dragon's natural form has wings; however, they sometimes choose a wingless form to facilitate swimming, though they somehow retain the ability to fly. As gold dragons mature, they gain the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can use bless as per the spell three times a day.
- Juvenile dragons can detect lie as per the spell three times a day.
- Adult dragons can use animal summoning as per the spell once a day.
- Mature adults can use luck bonus as per the spell once a day. A dragon may choose to use this ability to enchant a single gem: as long as the dragon bears the gem, usually embedded within its hide, it provides a good luck bonus to all allied creatures within a radius dependent upon the dragon's age. If the dragon gives the gem to someone else, only they will receive the good luck bonus.
- Old dragons can use quest as per the spell once a day, and detect gems three times a day, which allows the dragon to determine the number and type of precious stones within a 30-foot radius for up to a minute.
Silver dragon[]
Silver dragons are kind and helpful, and will cheerfully assist good creatures if their need is genuine. They often take the forms of kindly old men or fair damsels when associating with people.[18]
Description[]
At birth, a silver dragon's scales are blue-gray with silver highlights. As the dragon approaches adulthood, its color slowly lightens to brightly gleaming silver. An adult or older silver dragon has scales so fine that the individual scales are scarcely visible. From a distance, these dragons look as if they have been sculpted from pure metal. Silver dragons speak their own dialect as well as the tongue common to all dragons. About 1-in-6 silver dragons are born with the ability to communicate with any intelligent creature.
Society[]
Silver dragons prefer aerial lairs on secluded mountain peaks, or amid the clouds themselves. When they lair on clouds there always will be an enchanted area with a sold floor for laying eggs and storing treasure. Silver dragons seem to prefer a human form to their own, and often have non-draconic companions. Frequently they share deep friendships with humanoids; inevitably, however, the dragon will reveal its true form and takes its leave to live apart for a time. Silver dragons prefer cooked food, and can live on such fare indefinitely.
Because they lair in similar territories, silver dragons come into conflict with red dragons. Duels between the two species are furious and deadly, but silver dragons generally get the upper hand since they are more capable of working together against their foes and often have humanoid allies.
Combat[]
Silver dragons are not belligerent, and avoid combat except when faced with evil or aggressive foes. If necessary, they use their feather fall ability to stop any missiles fired at them. They use their wall of fog or control weather abilities to blind or confuse their opponents before charging into melee. If they have been angered, they will resort to using their reverse gravity ability to fling enemies helplessly into the air. When faced with flying opponents, a silver dragon will hide in clouds (relying on its control weather ability to create appropriate cover on clear days), remain there using their cloud walking ability, and then ambush their opponent when they have the advantage.
A silver dragon has two breath weapons: a cone of cold 80-feet long, 5-feet wide at the dragon's mouth, and 30-feet wide at its base, or a cloud of paralyzing gas 50-feet long, 40-feet wide, and 20-feet high. Silver dragons are immune to cold and can polymorph self (as per the spell) three times a day. Each change in form lasts until the dragon chooses a different form and reverting to their natural form does not count as a change. They can also cloud walk, which allows a silver dragon to tread on clouds or fog as though they were solid ground. Though this ability functions continuously, a silver dragon can revoke the ability or resume it at will. As silver dragons mature they gain the following additional abilities:
- Young dragons can use feather fall as per the spell twice a day.
- Juvenile dragons can use wall of fog as per the spell once a day.
- Adult dragons can use control winds as per the spell three times a day.
- Mature adult dragons can control weather as per the spell once a day.
- Old dragons can use reverse gravity as per the spell once a day.
Notable terrestrial dragons[]
- Blayze was the largest and eldest red dragon on the planet Reorx in Krynnspace.[19]
- Ebon Demise was an unusually intelligent and cunning black dragon who spent several years adventuring off-planet disguised as a Shou Lung woman, before retiring to Chislev in Krynnspace.[20]
- Ewa was the legendary progenitor of the silver dragon population on the planet Nubis.[21]
- Firebrand Flametongue was a powerful ancient red dragon mercenary who retired to live out the rest of his life on Coliar in Realmspace.[22]
- Grendel was an ancient green dragon who was a friend and advisor to King Aelivere and resided in the heart of Mount Agranat, a dormant volcano in Armon, capital city of Faeriespace.[23]
- Hisst was the pseudodragon familiar of the accidental lich Terigamar.[24]
- Lukio and Babia were a mated pair of blind white dragons on Calandia who were among the few native creatures in Vodonispace to survive the supernova.[25]
- Perinaura was a gold dragon logician on Edill in Greyspace.[26]
- Stanus was an ancient silver dragon philosopher and perhaps the most influential creature on Edill in Greyspace.[26]
- Suza the Brass was a female brass dragon who was adopted by the dracons onboard the Spelljammer, who revered her as a prophet.[27]
- Torch was the red dragon war leader on Edill in Greyspace.[26]
- Wildfyre was a powerful red dragon mage who attempted to conquer the jungle planet Boroda before being slain by the pirate-mage Meredith.[28][29][30][31]
- Xilinon was a gold dragon who resided in the city of Armon, capital city of Faeriespace.[32]
See also[]
Appendix[]
Notes[]
- ↑ The text in the Lorebook of the Void uses "rounds" instead of "turns", which directly contradicts the information in the Concordance of Arcane Space and is assumed to be in error.
Gallery[]
External Links[]
- Dragon article at the Forgotten Realms Wiki, a wiki for the Forgotten Realms campaign setting.
- Dragon article at the Chronicles of Astinus, a wiki for the Dragonlance campaign setting.
- Dragon article at the Eberron Wiki, a wiki for the Eberron campaign setting.
- Dragon article at Greyhawkonline.com, a wiki for the Greyhawk campaign setting.
- Dragon article at the Dungeons and Dragons Lore Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from every edition.
- Dragon article at the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition Wiki, a wiki for official Dungeons & Dragons content from 2nd edition AD&D.
References[]
- ↑ Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Major and Minor Races side bar (pp.50, 52 and 54)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Jeff Grubb. AD&D Adventures in Space; Lorebook of the Void, TSR, Inc., 1989, Dragons section, chapter 3: Spacefarers (p.62)
- ↑ Elaine Cunningham, The Cloakmaster Cycle, The Radiant Dragon, page 249
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, General entry, pages 63-64
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook. Monster Manual v.3.5., 2003, (Wizards of the Coast), Dragon, True entry, pages 68-70
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, The Legend of Spelljammer: Captains and Ships, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Personalities of the Spelljammer, page 68
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook. Monster Manual v.3.5., 2003, (Wizards of the Coast), Chromatic Dragons section, pages 70-78
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Chromatic: Black Dragon entry, page 65
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Chromatic: Blue Dragon entry, page 66
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Chromatic: Green Dragon entry, page 67
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Chromatic: Red Dragon entry, page 68
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Chromatic: White Dragon entry, page 69
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook. Monster Manual v.3.5., 2003, (Wizards of the Coast), Metallic Dragons section, pages 79-88
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Metallic: Brass Dragon entry, page 75
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Metallic: Bronze Dragon entry, page 76
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Metallic: Copper Dragon entry, page 77
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Metallic: Gold Dragon entry, page 78
- ↑ Tim Beach et al, Monstrous Manual, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Metallic: Silver Dragon entry, page 79
- ↑ Jean Rabe, SJR7 Krynnspace, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Reorx chapter, page 25
- ↑ Jean Rabe, SJR7 Krynnspace, 1993, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Chislev chapter, pages 47-48
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJR4 Practical Planetology, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Nubis section, chapter 5 Air Bodies, page 38
- ↑ Dale "Slade" Henson, SJR2 Realmspace, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Coliar chapter, pages 15 and 17
- ↑ J. Paul LaFountain, SJA3 Crystal Spheres, 1990, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3, pages 21 and 22
- ↑ Nigel D. Findley, SJA2 Skull & Crossbows, 1990, (TSR Inc.), Sojourn Among The Stars section, chapter 2: Relics & Hulks, page 28
- ↑ Grant Boucher, SJA4 Under The Dark Fist, 1991, (TSR Inc.), chapter 4: The Siege of Calandia, pages 32-33
- ↑ 26.0 26.1 26.2 Nigel D. Findley, SJR6 Greyspace, 1992, (TSR Inc.), Important NPCs section, Edill chapter, page 38
- ↑ Jeff Grubb, The Legend of Spelljammer, Captains and Ships, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Personalities of the Spelljammer, pages 68-69
- ↑ Barbara Kesel, "Trial by Wildfyre", SPELLJAMMER Comic Book #5, 1990, (DC Comics Inc.), page 24
- ↑ Barbara Kesel, "Circle of Fear", SPELLJAMMER Comic Book #6, 1990, (DC Comics Inc.)
- ↑ Barbara Kesel, "Paying the Price", SPELLJAMMER Comic Book #7, 1990, (DC Comics Inc.)
- ↑ Barbara Kesel, "Monster", SPELLJAMMER Comic Book #8, 1991, (DC Comics Inc.)
- ↑ J. Paul LaFountain, SJA3 Crystal Spheres, 1990, (TSR Inc.), chapter 3, page 18