Difference between revisions of "Dragonne"

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| hpdie = d10
 
| hpdie = d10
 
| attack = '''3''': two [[Claw (attack)|claws]], [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]]
 
| attack = '''3''': two [[Claw (attack)|claws]], [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]]
| dmg = claw (2–16); fangs (3–24)
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| dmg = claw [2–16]; fangs [3–24]
| special = [[Deafening|deafening roar]], [[Raking|raking]], [[Surprise (combat)|surprised only on a 1]]
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| special = deafening roar, [[Raking|raking]], [[Surprise (combat)|surprised only on a 1]], weakness
 
}}
 
}}
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'''Dragonnes''', also ''draconne'', are [[Beast|beasts]] native to the high, dry lands of the Atlas Mountains and the Hodh plateau near the Senegal Basin. In earlier centuries they ranged as far north as southern France and Spain, but by the 9th century they had been driven out or destroyed in those regions. Rare accounts persist of isolated individuals, though such reports are uncommon and often unverified. Dragonnes are solitary creatures, never observed in groups. No confirmed mating pairs or young have been recorded, leaving their means of reproduction unknown. Their total number is believed to be fewer than one hundred.
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[[File:Dragonne.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
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__TOC__
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The dragonne bears the tail, scaled hide and leather wings of a dragon, joined to the body and head of a lion. It is considerably larger than a lion, though not of a size to rival true dragons. Its colouring ranges from dull bronze to dark brass, with a muted sheen that may appear gold in low light. The wings are not capable of flight, nor can they be used to buffet opponents, but when driven by the creature’s powerful stride they aid its speed, allowing it to outpace a lion over open ground.
  
Also ''draconne'', a beast that formerly inhabited the high dry lands of southern France and Spain. Driven out or eradicated by the 9th century, a few rare creatures dwell between the highlands of the Atlas Mountains and the Hodh plateau near the Senegal Basin. Dragonnes are solitary in nature; it's not known if they breed, as neither a mated pair or young dragonne have been seen. It's estimated that they number fewer than one hundred creatures.
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Though active during the day, the dragonne avoids exertion in the height of heat, withdrawing to hollows, ruined vaults or stone overhangs where the air remains still and dry. It will remain there for hours without movement, conserving its strength. With the fall of light it becomes active, and at dawn and dusk it hunts, taking advantage of long shadows and reduced visibility to close upon large prey. The creature feeds infrequently but in great quantity. It can go for weeks without eating, showing no visible loss of strength. When it does make a kill, it gorges, consuming immense amounts of flesh in a single period — as much as a ton of meat or more in a day — before withdrawing again into inactivity.
 
 
[[File:Dragonne.jpg|left|350px|thumb]]
 
These beasts possess the tail, leather wings and scaled covering of a dragon, with the body and head of a lion.  Much larger than an ordinary lion, the creature is hardly imposing as a dragon.  In colour it ranges from a dingy bronze to dark brass; it can appear golden when encountered in twilight.  The creature cannot fly or buffet it's wings, but by beating its wings while running it can easily outdistance a lion.
 
  
Families possessing the dragonne as a [[Heraldic Crest|family crest]] most likely have a lord ancestor reaching back to the time of Charles Martel or earlier.
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Families bearing the dragonne as a [[Heraldic Crest|family crest]] are presumed to trace their lineage to a lord or knight of the early Frankish period, most often to the time of Charles Martel or before.
  
 
== Advantages ==
 
== Advantages ==
When the Dragonne attacks, it prefers to attack the most heavily armoured creatures within reach. If it strikes with both its forepaws, the dragonne gets two additional attacks, '''raking''' with its rear claws, each causing 2-12 damage on a hit.
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The dragonne shows a marked preference for engaging heavily armoured opponents, directing its attacks toward those it perceives as the greatest threat. This reflects the creature's understanding that these are the more dangerous of opponents, recalling that the beast's intelligence allows for more than brute strategy when fighting. When the dragonne strikes successfully with both forepaws, it immediately follows with two additional '''raking''' attacks from its hind claws, each causing [2-12] damage.
 
 
The beast's most dreaded weapon is its '''deafening roar''': this is always directed towards creatures who have the least amount of armour.  Those within 120 ft., or 24 [[Combat Hex|hexes]] are [[Deafness|deafened]] for a period of 2-12 [[Combat Round|rounds]].
 
  
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Its most feared ability is its '''deafening roar'''. All creatures within 120 ft., or 24 [[Combat Hex|hexes]], in every direction are [[Deafening|deafened]] for [2-12] [[Combat Round|rounds]]. Those affected suffer disorientation from the [[Deafness (condition)|sudden loss of hearing]], incurring a -2 penalty to their [[Armour Class|armour class]]. This roar can only be applied every third turn, but there is no other limitation on its use.
  
This sound
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In addition, affected creatures must make a [[Saving Throws|saving throw against paralysation]] or become '''weakened''', losing [2-8] points of [[Strength (ability stat)|strength]].
causes weakness to all within 12" of the monster unless they save against
 
paralyzation. Furthermore, any creature within 3" or less of the dragonne
 
will be deafened. Both effects of the dragonne's roar last for from 2-12
 
melee rounds. Those weak from fear from the sound lose 50% of their
 
strength; deafened creatures cannot hear any sound and will strike at -1
 
on their attack dice due to disorientation. Dragonnes are able to fly only
 
short distances (1 -3 turns) with their small wings. T
 
  
  
 
See [[Bestiary]]
 
See [[Bestiary]]
  
[[Category: Lacks Image]]
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[[Category: Reviewed]]

Latest revision as of 17:51, 14 April 2026

Dragonne
Species beast
No. Appearing 1
Behaviour solitary
Range desert, savanna
Size 8 ft. long
Weight 800 lbs.
Intelligence 5
Armour Class 3
Hit Dice 9
Action Points 5
Max. Stride 17
THAC0 15
Hp/Die d10
Attack Forms 3: two claws, fangs
Damage claw [2–16]; fangs [3–24]
Special Attacks deafening roar, raking, surprised only on a 1, weakness

Dragonnes, also draconne, are beasts native to the high, dry lands of the Atlas Mountains and the Hodh plateau near the Senegal Basin. In earlier centuries they ranged as far north as southern France and Spain, but by the 9th century they had been driven out or destroyed in those regions. Rare accounts persist of isolated individuals, though such reports are uncommon and often unverified. Dragonnes are solitary creatures, never observed in groups. No confirmed mating pairs or young have been recorded, leaving their means of reproduction unknown. Their total number is believed to be fewer than one hundred.

Dragonne.jpg

Contents

The dragonne bears the tail, scaled hide and leather wings of a dragon, joined to the body and head of a lion. It is considerably larger than a lion, though not of a size to rival true dragons. Its colouring ranges from dull bronze to dark brass, with a muted sheen that may appear gold in low light. The wings are not capable of flight, nor can they be used to buffet opponents, but when driven by the creature’s powerful stride they aid its speed, allowing it to outpace a lion over open ground.

Though active during the day, the dragonne avoids exertion in the height of heat, withdrawing to hollows, ruined vaults or stone overhangs where the air remains still and dry. It will remain there for hours without movement, conserving its strength. With the fall of light it becomes active, and at dawn and dusk it hunts, taking advantage of long shadows and reduced visibility to close upon large prey. The creature feeds infrequently but in great quantity. It can go for weeks without eating, showing no visible loss of strength. When it does make a kill, it gorges, consuming immense amounts of flesh in a single period — as much as a ton of meat or more in a day — before withdrawing again into inactivity.

Families bearing the dragonne as a family crest are presumed to trace their lineage to a lord or knight of the early Frankish period, most often to the time of Charles Martel or before.

Advantages

The dragonne shows a marked preference for engaging heavily armoured opponents, directing its attacks toward those it perceives as the greatest threat. This reflects the creature's understanding that these are the more dangerous of opponents, recalling that the beast's intelligence allows for more than brute strategy when fighting. When the dragonne strikes successfully with both forepaws, it immediately follows with two additional raking attacks from its hind claws, each causing [2-12] damage.

Its most feared ability is its deafening roar. All creatures within 120 ft., or 24 hexes, in every direction are deafened for [2-12] rounds. Those affected suffer disorientation from the sudden loss of hearing, incurring a -2 penalty to their armour class. This roar can only be applied every third turn, but there is no other limitation on its use.

In addition, affected creatures must make a saving throw against paralysation or become weakened, losing [2-8] points of strength.


See Bestiary