Spelljammer Wiki
Register
Advertisement

A moon dragon

A Moon Dragon is a draconic creature from the Spelljammer campaign setting.[1]

Overview[]

Moon dragons are inextricably linked to the moons they inhabit, and undergo physical, as well as mental, changes that ostensibly reflect the various phases of the moon, as seen from its primary.[1]

Description[]

A moon dragon's coloration changes every 30 days, irrespective of the lunar cycle of the moon it inhabits. Starting out as brilliant white, a large black shadow slowly forms on the dragon's left side, and gradually spreads across the creature until the dragon is completely black. This process takes 15 days, whereupon a small sliver of white appears on the creature's left side and slowly spreads across the dragon until, 15 days later, it is completely white again.

A moon dragon's power and alignment varies with its coloration, and each "phase" lasts seven days. When the dragon is completely black, it is chaotic evil and at its full strength. When the dragon is either black with white markings, or white with black markings, it is neutral evil and its power and combat ability is at half strength. When the dragon is completely white, it is lawful evil and its power and combat ability is at quarter strength. The dragon's size and Intelligence does not change. When a moon dragon is completely white, lycanthropes immediately transform into their were-forms and obey the moon dragon's every command as though charmed.

Moon dragons speak the tongue common to all dragons, and about 1-in-5 are born with the ability to communicate with any living being.[1]

Behavior[]

Moon dragons are arrogant and elitist, and have a strong sense of superiority over all other creatures. Like most dragons, they prize wealth and power, and are obsessed with lunar motifs and the dichotomy between light and darkness. Moon dragon's collect white or black pearls and diamonds, moonstones, and any coin called a “moon” by its society.[1]

Combat[]

Moon dragon's dislike lowering themselves by engaging in mere combat. If provoked, a moon dragon will typically lead with its breath weapon and hope this panics their enemy. If the dragon's opponent does not flee, the dragon breathes again, sometimes casting a spell or two “for variety's sake”. Moon dragons dislike using their claws and bite, considering such brawling beneath them.

Moon dragons breathe a cone of black frost 160-feet long, 40-feet wide at the base, and 10-feet wide at the dragon's mouth. Besides causing tremendous damage, the black frost hardens rapidly. Those who fail to escape are encased in a tomb of black ice, with only enough air for up to 5 minutes before they suffocate. A victim trying to break the ice from the inside will find that it requires a great deal of effort due to the constraints of being encased. Breaking the ice from outside takes up to 6 minutes uninterrupted chipping, while magical fire will melt the ice in less than 4 minutes. There is of course the risk of excess fire burning the victim.

Moon dragons are immune to cold-based damage. They also have superior vision and are unaffected by either light or darkness spells. As they mature, moon dragons gain the following spell-like abilities:[1]

  • Young dragons can cast light as per the spell three times a day.
  • Juvenile dragons can cast darkness, 25-foot radius as per the spell three times a day.
  • Adult dragons can cast continual light as per the spell three times a day.
  • Old dragons can cast Melf's minute meteors as per the spell three times a day.
  • Very old dragons can cast repulsion as per the spell three times a day.
  • Venerable dragons can cast reverse gravity as per the spell three times a day.

Society[]

Moon dragons exclusively inhabit caves located on moons. A mated pair will have up to 4 young. Moon dragons will eat almost anything, and keep a well stocked larder of frozen victims. Only rarely do they range across their moon looking for food. Moon dragons are the mortal enemies of sun dragons and attack them on sight.[1]

Appendix[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 John Terra, MC9 Monstrous Compendium Spelljammer Appendix II, 1991, (TSR Inc.), Dragon, Moon entry
Advertisement