Black Dragon

Basic Information

Genetics and Reproduction

Black dragons tend to fight for mating rights, travelling far and wide to find a suitable mate to impress by beating a mating rival. Their eggs and young tend to be left to the male, who provide little support aside from occasional advice. Black dragon young are often the ones to leave their parent the earliest, thanks to black dragon parents encouraging them to flee before they become a meal.

Ecology and Habitats

Black dragons typically make their lairs in large damp caves or submerged caverns, and are never far from water. They prefer to have at least a portion of their lair submerged for a hidden entrance below the surface. When a black dragon learns magic, it may use spellcraft to camouflage the entrances to its lair with thick vegetation. If a black dragon chooses to lair inside a structure, it often chooses sunken ruins. Due to their preferred environment, black dragons may occasionally be found near green dragons in forests, but the two tend to maintain an uneasy understanding to avoid feeling threatened by one another.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Black dragons are known to primarily consume aquatic creatures, but they are also known to eat other types of meat. While their diet may seem limited, it is worth noting that they have been known to consume almost anything that they can get their claws on. One interesting fact about black dragons is that their preparation process for food is quite unique. They have been known to allow meat to rot for days before consuming it, which results in a foul smell permeating their lairs. This smell can be quite overpowering and is said to be enough to drive away any intruders who may stumble upon their lairs.

Additional Information

Facial characteristics

Black dragons have deep-set eyes and broad nasal openings that give their faces a skull-like appearance. Their segmented horns curve forward and downward, with minimal curvature at the sides of the head. These horns are typically bone-colored at the base and gradually darken towards the tip. The flesh surrounding the horns and face of a black dragon lacks definition, with only thin layers of hide covering the skull. This only serves to enhance the skull-like facial structure. Their teeth remain exposed even when the mouth is closed. Rows of smaller horns stud their lower jaw and head. Black dragons are known for their forked and flat tongue, which frequently drips with acid.

Lifespan

2,200 yrs.