Black Dragon

Black dragons, also known as skull dragons, are far and away the most vile tempered and cruel of all chromatic true dragons. They are solitary creatures that live in the swamps and marshlands all around Elaris, from flooded forests to dank jungles.

Description

Black dragons appear abnormally slender in comparison to other chromatic dragons—wiry, but not gaunt. Physically, they are most distinguished by their horns, which protrude from the sides of their heads and wrap around, projectilg forward. A large frill adorns the upper part of the neck. They smell like rotting vegetation and foul water. A black dragon grows to a maximum size of 16 feet tall, 85 feet in length, with a wingspan of 80 feet. They weigh up to 159,000 pounds.

Personality

Solitary and extremely territorial in their nature, black dragons will seldom form clans, opting to do so only when they live in the most hazardous of environments or when faced with a danger that can wipe out large swaths of their population.

Combat

Black dragons prefer ambushes to straightforward fighting, taking any advantage possible and never worrying about honorable combat.

Ecology

Lair

Black dragons live in swamps, jungles, and fetid marshlands. They are cunning creatures who live to inspire fear and rule by intimidation. The black, glossy scales of black dragons add to their camouflage within swamp lands. They prefer to ambush their targets, using darkness or water as their cover. They prefer to ambush their targets, using darkness or water as their cover. They are excellent swimmers and often make their lairs in submerged caves or underground chambers near swamps or murky ponds. Their lairs always have two entrances: one underwater through the adjacent swamp or pond, and one aboveground, disguised amidst the undergrowth.

Parenting and Development

Female dragons take the lead when it comes to breeding, choosing their mate largely based on the size of the hoard of prospective males. Because of this, male black dragons will often brag about their accumulated wealth to communicative creatures or others of their own kind, in the hopes that rumors of their hoard will spread to any females in the area that are looking to mate. When two or more females select the same male as their partner, they will fight for dominance high in the air above the lair of the male, allowing him to gaze upon his future mate's victory in admiration.
Black dragons are not noted as good parents, relying more upon disguise and hiding to protect their eggs than upon guarding them personally. Black dragon eggs must be submerged in strong acid while growing, which helps protect the dragon as well. Black dragons will only protect their yuoung so long as that responsibility doesn't threaten their own life. If they have to choose between saving thriw own life or those of their clutch or spawn, they will most certainly choose the former; though they will assuredly seek revenge afterward.

Diet

A black dragon's diet consists of fish, mollusks, aquatic critters, and some red meat from terrestrial animals.

Notable Black Dragons

WIP

This is a stub

This article will be expanded upon in the future

This is a

Good Article

Table of Contents

AD&D 2e Statistics

Size

Gargantuan

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

3.5th Edition Statistics

Size

Wyrmling

Tiny

Very Young

Small

Young

Medium

Juvenile

Medium

Young Adult

Large

Adult

Large

Mature Adult

Huge

Old

Huge

Very Old

Huge

Ancient

Huge

Wyrm

Gargantuan

Great Wyrm

Gargantuan

Type

Dragon

Subtype(s)

Water

Alignment

Always Chaotic Evil

Challenge Rating

Wyrmling

3

Very Young

6

Young

5

Juvenile

7

Young Adult

9

Adult

11

Mature Adult

14

Old

16

Very Old

18

Ancient

19

Wyrm

20

Great Wyrm

22

--

4th Edition Statistics

Size

Wyrmling

Medium

Young

Large

Adult

Large

Elder

Huge

Ancient

Gargantuan

Origin

Type

Magical Beast

Keyword(s)

,

Alignment

Evil

Level

Wyrmling

2

Young

4

Adult

11

Elder

18

Ancient

26

5th Edition Statistics

Size

Wyrmling

Tiny

Very Young

Small

Young

Medium

Juvenile

Medium

Young Adult

Large

Adult

Large

Mature Adult

Huge

Old

Huge

Very Old

Huge

Ancient

Huge

Wyrm

Gargantuan

Great Wyrm

Gargantuan

Type

Dragon

Subtype(s)

Water

Alignment

Always Chaotic Evil

Challenge Rating

Wyrmling

3

Very Young

6

Young

5

Juvenile

7

Young Adult

9

Adult

11

Mature Adult

14

Old

16

Very Old

18

Ancient

19

Wyrm

20

Great Wyrm

22

--

Pathfinder 2e Statistics

Level

Young

7

Adult

11

Ancient

16

Size

Young

Large

Adult

Large

Ancient

Huge

Alignment

Chaotic Evil

Traits

, , , (ancient only)

General Information

Movement

Flying, Swimming

Vision

Darkvision, Low-Light Vision, Blindsight

Activity Cycle

Any

Diet

Carnivorous

Intelligence

Average

Language(s)

High Draconic, Black Draconic, Vibrant Draconic

Favored Climate

Warm

Favored Terrain

Marshes

Appearance

Skin Color(s)

Black (Scales)

Eye Color(s)

White, Yellow, Green

Typical Build

Dragon

Distinctions

Forward-Curling Horns, Tattered Wings, Acid Breath