Dragons

No ear has escaped tales of the most fearsome beasts known as dragons. While many of these tales are old and these creatures are rare, dragons are quite real indeed.

Dragons appear in amazing variety, both in appearance and in temperament. Many are full of malice and greed while others are models of benevolent majesty and confident kindness. Reptile-like, most dragons are covered in scales of unusual toughness and savage beauty. Most grow ever larger as they age—in maturity reaching enormous size.

While dragons seem ready to rule all the lands, if they were so inclined, tales suggest that their ancient enmity with giants and humanoids keeps them in check. Even so, they often dominate the landscape surrounding their lairs.

Mind the Legends. Adventurers should familiarize themselves with the dangers of aggressive dragons they might encounter. While usually solitary, they are at their most defensive when guarding their lair, especially if there is a clutch of eggs. In addition to fearsome physical attacks, most dragons can use their breath as a weapon. You are advised to heed the local legends. It is best to know whether you are up against fire, lightning, icy cold, poison, acid, or some other danger.

True Dragons

While there are creatures, such as the wyvern, that are dragon-kin, a true dragon is the most majestic and formidable of beasts.

A true dragon is a reptilian creature with four legs and a pair of wings. They grow throughout their lives to enormous size and can defend themselves with a fiery, icy, poisonous, acidic or otherwise extraordinary breath weapon.

Chromatic Dragons

Chromatic dragons—vicious, greedy, and voracious—are the most feared of all dragons. They come in at least five color variants: black, blue, green, red, and white, each of which has its peculiar habitats and breath weapons.

Green Dragons

Green dragons are cunning, manipulative forest-dwellers, as notorious for their toxic words as they are for their toxic breath. They weave their lairs into ancient woodlands and remote groves, ensnaring both nature and intruders in a web of deceit.

Wicked Intelligence. Among the chromatic dragons, the green dragon is the most wickedly clever. It uses this trait to ensnare humanoids who serve both its whims and its villainous purposes.

Beast of the Forest. Green dragons are well-suited to their forest environs. Their scales reflect the myriad hues of the forest canopy, and their eyes glimmer like emeralds—offering a false impression of wisdom and serenity while concealing a malevolent intelligence. As they age, their scales grow thicker and tougher, enhancing their natural camouflage and providing formidable armor. They exude the pungent aromas of the ancient forests they call home.

Silver-Tongued Scheming. While most chromatic dragons are overtly malevolent, green dragons are masters of manipulation and guile. They are more likely to engage in intrigue, luring adventurers into complex traps or pitting enemies against one another. They form alliances with intelligent forest creatures, only to betray them when they are no longer of use. Their cruelty is often masked by elaborate deceptions and eloquent lies.

Treasures of the Ensnared. Green dragons take great pride in their hoards, which often consist of items acquired through deception or coercion. You won’t find mere piles of gold and gems in a green dragon’s lair. Instead, their treasures often include a band of sycophants or the arts and treasures they have surrendered to the dragon.