Black Dragon
Black Dragons are large four-legged winged Dragon species that are encountered nearly anywhere in the known world. They are ferocious and fierce predators, hunting from ambush either from the air or thick ground cover. They are very intelligent, and are prodigious liars and braggarts. They love to hear stories about themselves and the fear they inspire, and will keep prey alive just to hear more about themselves. They are one of the largest species of chromatic dragons, and the largest specimen was nearly 90' long and weighed more than 35,000 lbs. They are immensly strong solitary predators, preferring to hunt from ambush when possible and to take their prey back to their lair to consume it at their pleasure.
They have the ability to spew an acidic bile in a cone of up to 30', and the bile will immediately begin to dissolve flesh. Only the saliva of the dragon will counter the bile (to better allow the beast to consume its prey's flesh), but copious amounts of fresh water will slow the effects.
Basic Information
Anatomy
A large, four-legged winged chromatic Dragon. Armored hide of deep black, only its open mouth has any variation in color. Claws, teeth, horns and wings are all a deep, dark shadow-black. On large, mature specimens, wingspans of more than 80' are common, meaning that a Black Dragon weighing as much as 18 tons could still gain and maintain flight with relative ease.
Biological Traits
One of the larger species of chromatic dragons, with rare examples reaching lengths of more than 85' and weights in excess of 40,000 lbs. Breath attack is a cone of acidic bile expelled from the mouth in a cone of up to 30'. The acid is a noxious, deadly poison if consumed, and can dissolve flesh utterly if not removed rapidly, leaving only bleached bones and metal items. Black Dragons are violently antagonistic towards other species of dragons, but have been known to cooperate amongst their own kind to achieve specific goals.
Genetics and Reproduction
Hatched from eggs laid in clutches of 2 to 4, eggs hatching after 180 days and capable of flight and hunting at 10 months. Capable of reproduction at three years of age.
Growth Rate & Stages
As with all dragons, Black Dragons continue to grow as long as they live. Molting its hide after two years, and again every two to three years after that. Black Dragons can add nearly two feet to their length with each molt.
Ecology and Habitats
Seeming to prefer to live and hunt in wild, secluded regions, but can be found nearly anywhere. Most commonly found in rough, hilly country where dens and lairs can be more easily dug out.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Voracious carnivores, capable of consuming as much as a hundred weight of meat each day. Any meat available will be consumed: fresh, stale, cooked or carrion. Expelled bile from the beast immediately begins to soften and dissolve flesh, but the saliva of the dragon counters the effects should the beast wish to preserve its prey for later consumption. Well known to prefer to hunt and consume intelligent prey over dumb animals, with a real fondness for humanoid and dragon flesh.
Behaviour
Black Dragons have a particular hatred for followers of the Pantheon of Heaven faith. This particular faith has as its doctrine the origins of the pantheon and the creation of the world as stemming from the defeat and destruction of primordial dragons that they feel are their direct ancestors. As such, they delight in the torture, killing and consuming of any adherent to the Faith that they encounter, especially members of the Order of the Swords of Heaven.
Known to decorate the approaches to their lairs with the remains of previous kills, particularly skulls. It is uncertain as to why this is so, but some experts believe it is a means of denoting and defining territorial limits for other dragons while others think it is a means by which status or mating availability might be established. This nearly universal habit of Black Dragons makes finding their lairs particularly easy for hunters and adventurers.
Like all chromatic dragons, Black Dragons keep and protect hoards. Of particular value to Black Dragons are magical items of all types. A typical Black Dragon hoard will contain a significant amount of gold, precious gems and stunning jewelry, but the most valuable pieces will always be items of a distinctly magical nature. Magic swords, rings, cups, cloaks, mirrors, spell scrolls, books, tomes, vials of magical potions, elixirs, wards, essesences and powders... all can be found in a Black Dragon hoard, fiercely protected by a Black Dragon itself.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
As with other dragons, every part of the beast is rare, magical and very valuable. The most valuable part is the Dragon Oil that can be pressed from glands removed from the beast's neck, tail and snout. When properly combined with other components, the oil can either remove or prevent poisoning or cause it. Black Dragons are irresistably drawn to the smell of the oil, however, and simply carrying a container of the oil within half a mile of one will bring the beast investigating without fail. The stomach bile that the beast expells as an attack weapon is also highly prized as a poison component, and is nearly as valuable as the dragon oil.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Can be found anywhere, but generally found in desolate, wild places
Average Intelligence
Very intelligent
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Exceptional eyesight, incredible sense of smell, poor hearing
Civilization and Culture
Common Myths and Legends
Black Dragons are universally convinced that they are direct descendants of primordial creatures from which all of creation has sprung. As such, they see themselves as utterly opposed to anyone adhering to the Pantheon of Heaven faith, especially the members of the Order of the Swords of Heaven. They will go to great lengths to hunt and kill members of the faith in general and the Order specificly whenever and where ever they can.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
Scientific Name
Draconidae Nigrum Terrorem
Lifespan
Limited only by size
Average Weight
30,000 tp 40,000 lbs and still able to fly
Average Length
50' - 80' long
Geographic Distribution
