620_17668_DraconomiconA.qxd 9/8/03 10:18 AM Page 48
Gold Dragons by Size
ALL ABOUT DRAGONS
CHAPTER 1:
Size Medium Large Huge Gargantuan Colossal
Overall Length 16 ft. 31 ft. 55 ft. 85 ft. 120 ft.
Body Length 5 ft. 10 ft. 16 ft. 23 ft. 33 ft.
Neck Length 5 ft. 9 ft. 15 ft. 23 ft. 33 ft.
Tail Length 6 ft. 12 ft. 24 ft. 39 ft. 54 ft.
listener, and even the most long-winded talker does not try its patience (though even a gold dragon will draw the line if a brass dragon bends its ear for too long). The dragon usually avoids philosophical or ethical arguments with lesser beings, though it often cannot resist trumping an argument that advocates chaos with an aphorism or fable promoting law. When it encounters a being that advocates evil, a gold dragon tends to be silent, but marks the speaker for future attention. Gold dragons have a worldwide hierarchy with a single leader at the top. This leader is elected by the whole species from the ranks of great gold wyrms and serves for life or until he or she decides to resign. Many serve until the onset of their twilight (see page 14); others serve until they believe a successor can do a better job. The leader is always addressed by the honorific “Your Resplendence.” When a vacancy occurs, every gold dragon in the world participates in the selection of the replacement, who is almost always selected by acclamation. Occasionally, two candidates of equal merit are available when the previous ruler dies or retires. In such cases, the two work out some method of sharing of office. During the past, there have been co-rulers, alternating rulers, and rulers who simply have retired early to make way for another. The ruler’s duties usually prove light because the position’s authority rarely needs to exercised. Most gold dragons know how they are expected to behave, and they act accordingly. The ruler mostly serves to advise individual gold dragons on the nature and goals of their quests against evil. The ruler often can point out hidden consequences for a quest, such as the effects on the politics of lesser creatures or the impact on the local environment or the balance of power. The ruler also serves as the gold dragons’ chief representative in dealing with other species (in the rare event when some matter of interest to all gold dragons arises), and as chief enforcer and judge (in the exceptionally rare case of gold dragon misconduct). Gold dragon courtship is both deliberate and dignified. Often two prospective mates spend years debating philosophy and ethics, and go on several quests together, so as to get the full measure of one another. Once a pair agree to mate, they seek the ruler’s approval as a matter of protocol. Permission to mate is rarely withheld.
Body Width 3 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft. 15 ft.
Standing Height 4 ft. 7 ft. 12 ft. 16 ft. 22 ft.
Maximum Wingspan 27 ft. 40 ft. 68 ft. 90 ft. 135 ft.
Minimum Wingspan Weight 12 ft. 320 lb. 18 ft. 2,500 lb. 30 ft. 20,000 lb. 40 ft. 160,000 lb. 60 ft. 1,280,000 lb.
Despite their lawful nature, gold dragons allow themselves remarkable freedom. Some mate for life, other only for a short time. Some are monogamous, and others have multiple mates at the same time. Gold dragons always tend and instruct their young carefully, though it is common for parents to send their offspring into the care of foster parents (always lawful good, but not always dragons) when they perceive the need. Young gold dragons may be fostered to protect them when danger threatens, to free up the parents for a quest, or simply to broaden their horizons. Gold dragons prefer treasures that show an artisan’s touch. They are particularly fond of paintings, calligraphy, sculpture, and fine porcelain. They enjoy pearls and small gems, which also are their favorite foods. Approaching a gold dragon with gifts of pearls and gems is a good way to gain favor, provided the gifts are not offered as bribes. Gold dragons usually parley before fighting. When conversing with intelligent creatures, they use discern lies to help them determine if combat really will be necessary. They prefer to delay combat until they can cast preparatory spells.
GREEN DRAGONS Green dragons are belligerent creatures and masters of intrigue, politics, and backbiting. They prefer forests; the older the forest and bigger the trees, the better. Green dragons are as territorial and aggressive as any other kind of evil dragon, but their aggression often takes the form of elaborate schemes to gain power or wealth with as little effort as possible. Green dragons seek out caves in sheer cliffs or hillsides for their lairs. They prefer locations where the lair’s entrance is hidden from prying eyes, such as behind a waterfall or near a lake, pond, or stream that provides a submerged entrance. Older green dragons often conceal their lairs with plants they have magically grown. Green dragons sometimes clash with black dragons over choice lairs. The greens frequently pretend to back down, only to wait a few decades before returning to raid the black dragon’s lair and loot its hoard. Dungeon-dwelling green dragons prefer locales with some kind of vegetable life, such as grottos filled with giant mushrooms.
Green Dragons by Size Size Small Medium Large Huge Gargantuan
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Overall Length 8 ft. 16 ft. 31 ft. 55 ft. 85 ft.
Body Length 2-1/2 ft. 5-1/2 ft. 10 ft. 17 ft. 24 ft.
Neck Length 2-1/2 ft. 6 ft. 11 ft. 18 ft. 28 ft.
Tail Length 3 ft. 4-1/2 ft. 10 ft. 20 ft. 33 ft.
Body Width 2 ft. 3 ft. 5 ft. 8 ft. 10 ft.
Standing Height 2-1/2 ft. 5 ft. 9 ft. 15 ft. 20 ft.
Maximum Wingspan 16 ft. 24 ft. 36 ft. 60 ft. 80 ft.
Minimum Wingspan 8 ft. 12 ft. 18 ft. 30 ft. 40 ft.
Weight 40 lb. 320 lb. 2,500 lb. 20,000 lb. 160,000 lb.
