A dragon can spring into action quickly if it finds its own life in peril, or if it must protect its mate, its offspring, or its hoard. Otherwise, few problems seem urgent. A dragon’s wrath can stretch on for many human generations, matching the creature’s patience. The humanoid who wrongs a dragon may escape its wrath by dying a natural death before the dragon gets around to exacting revenge. The humanoid’s descendants, however, should be wary if they know about the situation, because the dragon might strike at them years or centuries after the original perpetrator has died. ALL ABOUT DRAGONS
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DRAGON SOCIETY “Dragons never gather without purpose.” —Kacdaninymila, gold dragon Dragons keep to themselves, breaking their solitude only to mate, rear offspring, or obtain help in meeting some threat. Dragons of different species seldom form alliances, though they have been known to cooperate under extreme circumstances, such as when a powerful mutual threat arises. Some scholars believe dragons suffer from xenophobia. This view is not far from the truth—any dragon simply enjoys its own company. When it becomes prudent or necessary to have a companion, a dragon seeks one out, but it prefers a companion as much like itself as possible. Metallic dragons of different species are more apt to cooperate with each other than chromatic dragons are, though only gold and silver dragons are known to forge lasting friendships. The loquacious brass dragons enjoy the company of other metallic dragons, but most dragons (even other brass dragons) prefer to take brass dragons in small doses. Metallic dragons never cooperate with chromatic dragons. When evil dragons of different varieties encounter one another, they usually fight to protect their territories. Good dragons are more tolerant, though also very territorial, and usually try to work out differences in a peaceful manner.
TERRITORY A dragon usually claims all the territory within a day’s flying time of its lair. The dragon will share this area with no other dragons except its mate and offspring (if it has any), and
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even then, younger dragons most often part after mating and leave their eggs untended. Though chromatic dragons are not eager to share territory, they tolerate some overlap between their territories and those of neighboring dragons of the same species or alignment. These boundary areas become places where dragons can meet to parlay and exchange information. In many cases, a dragon shares overlapping territory with a mate or a potential mate. Among dragons too young to mate, the need for security and defense usually overrides the desire for solitude. Clutches of dragons born together usually stick together until each individual is strong enough to survive on its own and establish its own lair.
CONFLICT AND INTERACTION BETWEEN DRAGONS When dragons fight, the conflict is seldom over territory. It is much easier for a dragon to simply take wing and find an unclaimed area than to risk injury and death in a battle with another dragon. Dragons most often fight for the opportunity to loot each other’s lairs. A dragon’s desire to amass large amounts of treasure is legendary, even among the dragons themselves, and every dragon knows that a victory over a rival is often the best way to gain wealth. Dragons also fight over mates (such contests are not limited to males) and usually try to kill or drive away neighboring dragons of different alignments. Enmity is particularly strong among chromatic and metallic dragons that typically inhabit similar territories. Blue dragons and brass dragons, for example, both prefer to live in deserts and often come into conflict. When two or more dragons meet and wish to avoid a conflict, they usually take to the air and circle slowly, each examining the other carefully. If the dragons are of different sizes or ages, these preliminaries end fairly quickly. Status among dragons comes with age. Older dragons know they have little to fear from younger dragons, provided the senior dragon is not already injured. Younger dragons are likewise aware that their older brethren can
