Dragon
Dragons are enormous, highly dangerous intelligent creatures who view the world with either caution or contempt. Morally, they hold themselves to be loftier than the common beings within whose world they inhabit; they loathe to intervene, but will take actions when warranted and when practicality allows.
Every dragon understands first and foremost that they are mortal; they are not gods. Dragon folklore tells many tales of dragons who sought to intercede in the humanoid events and activities, only to have things turn awry, orchestrating the dragon's downfall and death. Humanoids are terrified of dragons; and however strong a dragon may be, it's no match for an organized humanoid kingdom.
Misconceptions
While tales abound to the contrary, dragons are not fools. They don't seek beds of cold metal coins, nor do they sleep more soundly than any other being in a dangerous world. Dragons take steps to ensure they're not caught off guard, settling in difficult to reach lairs, with hazards and other protective arrangements.
Though dragons are very large in size, they're extraordinarily nimble — this being part of the magic that enables them to fly. Thus, dragons don't flop around clumsily, enabling attackers to easily seek their rear or flank. Since a dragon's body is covered in spines and sharpened ridges, they cannot be grappled, even by giant creatures, without damage resulting from the dragon's writhing body — not to mention the dragon's claws.
There are some who believe dragons are cowardly or easily deceived, or capable of thickheaded actions. Notions like these arise from humanoid myths invented for the sake of drama and not reality. Those encountering dragons would be wise to remember that even the youngest have lived for scores of years, and are likely much older than the humanoid seeking to outwit them.
Finally, it should be clarified that dragons aren't born with soft, Achilles' heel-like places, in which they might be killed with a single blow. They require much great deal of effort to kill, always giving as good as they get.
Biology
With some exceptions, dragons are usually composed of an abnormally large head upon a thick serpent-like body, tapering towards either a feathered or leathered fan-like tail. This can be used to whip opponents. The body has four limbs ending in claws, which bear some characteristics of talons.
Dragons with metallic colouring, such as silver, gold, copper, brass or bronze, tend to dwell in high alpine places, preferentially in the ice caves of glaciers. These are generous, patient and tolerant of humanoids, though cautious of their ways; if carefully and respectfully approached, especially by those with a reputation, they can be welcoming and helpful. Nonetheless, they tend towards reclusiveness and won't tolerate interlopers and rude persons for long. Within those lands granted to their sovereignty, they may do as they wish without fear of outside repercussions.
Dragons with base colouring, such as red, blue, black, white or green, are more scattered and individualistic; they dwell in [[Cavern|caves]], ruins, dungeons and other lost places. They despise humanoid-kind and most other races, treating others with scorn and contempt ... but though they will attack outsiders who near their lairs, they won't venture outwards where they might be hunted down. If an attempt to parley is made, these creatures are hateful and belligerent.
Age
| age | % full grown |
level |
|---|---|---|
| hatchling | ⅛ | — |
| yeulding | ¼ | — |
| young | ½ | — |
| near-grown | ⅞ | — |
| adult | 1 | 1st-2nd |
| old | 1⅛ | 3rd-5th |
| very old | 1¼ | 6th-9th |
| ancient | 1⅜ | 10th-14th |
Dragons pass through eight stages of growth. Regardless of their age, they are presumed to have the same number of hit dice as their older brethren, as their mass at birth is less than a full grown adult, younger dragons have less hit points (h.p.). The table shows their weight at each stage, as a fraction of their adult weight (approximately 500 lbs. per hit die). As dragons pass beyond the adult stage, their bones grow denser, adding to the creature's total mass.
- For example, dragonis fotia, or red dragons, have between 9 and 11 hit dice. An adult red dragon would weigh about 5,000 lbs., with 3-14 h.p./die. A yeulding would be a quarter of that weight, 1,250 lbs., with 2-10 h.p./die; while an ancient red dragon with that many hit dice would weigh 6,875 lbs., with 2-16 h.p./die. From this, it can be surmised that any dragon would be hard to kill. Heavier dragons, of course, cause more incidental damage.
Experience Levels
Once a dragon reaches the adult stage, they will adopt a character class as a druid or mage; the table also indicates their approximate level in these classes, with their corresponding additional hit points, between the ages of adult and ancient.
Dragons also gain full spell benefits, as well as practical sage abilities, from their accumulation of experience while pursuing these classes.
