Games - Dragon

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In modern fantasy fiction, dragons are often depicted as having many different races, each usually based on a particular color of their scales or an affinity with an element; much of this originated in the Dungeons & Dragons
(D&D) role-playing game and similar sources.

Dragon classification

In D&D, there are many color-coded races of dragons, each of which breathes a different element; for example, red and gold dragons breathe fire, white dragons breathe frost, and blue dragons breathe bolts of lightning. Some dragons (particularly metallic dragons) have two different kinds of breath, usually one that kills (fire, ice, acid, electricity, etc.) and another that is typically non-lethal (paralyzation, repulsion, confusion, etc.).

D&D divides these races of dragons into three main categories : chromatic dragons, such as green and black dragons, which are evil-aligned; metallic dragons, such as gold and silver dragons, which are good; and neutral-aligned gem dragons, rare creatures that possess psionic abilities. Earlier versions of the game only had the chromatic and metallic dragons.

In addition, there are other sub-species of dragons that don't fit into the three main categories. For example, steel dragons would seem to be metallic dragons, but in the Dungeons & Dragons world they are considered to be outside of the main family of metallic dragons because of various biological differences. Also, there are other smaller categories of dragons such as the "linnorm dragons", "elemental dragons", and "lung dragons" or spirit-dragons of Oriental Adventures
. There also exist the 'planar dragons', a very distinct classification. Examples of 'planar' dragons are the Tarterian Dragon or the Radiant Dragon, the Chaos Dragon, etc. Detailed information about D&D dragonkind may be found in the Draconomicon, a D&D supplement book designed especially for draconic information and aids.

The full classification is as follows:

Other dragon species that exist outside of the main dragon families include: Steel, Mercury, Pearl, Amber, Cloud, Mist, Fairy, Drakes, Landwyrms, and many more.

Various types of lesser dragons exist, including:

Dragon Turtles
Dragonnel
Elemental Drakes
Faerie Dragons
Felldrakes
Landwyrms
Pseudodragons
Spiretop Dragons
Wurms
Wyverns

Dragon abilities

In D&D, dragons grow stronger and stronger as they grow older (they become bigger, more resistant to damages and magic, have a more dangerous breath, and so on). Old dragons can cast draconic magic which is a special form of D&D magic (dragons can cast spells with just a few words, they don't need a sometimes long and complex ritual involving words, gestures and components like other D&D wizards), and radiate a mystical fear aura around them. After a millennium or two, a dragon reaches his maximum development. In the Draconomicon, there is also an article about Advanced Dragons, dragons that have reached their oldest age category but can still advance "virtual age categories", and become larger and stronger.

All D&D dragons have some innate magical abilities, but they vary from race to race. Metallic dragons are often able to shapechange into small animals or human forms, and use this ability to secretly help or watch over humans. Dragons also have some innate powers upon the element they are linked too. For example a red dragon (fire) will have some control over fires. Like all other draconic powers, they gain more as they grow older.

Dragon biology

D&D dragons are able to eat almost everything, but each race have a preferred diet (some prefer flesh, other prefer to eat precious metals or gems, and so forth).

Dragons are inherently magical beings, but in no case should dragons be considered reptiles, despite of obvious similarities such as reproduction by laying eggs. In fact, Dragons are more akin to feline creatures than reptiles. A good example of this is the placement of the legs: Reptiles have their legs placed on the sides of their body, while most mammals have them placed underneath their body.

The number of eggs laid each time depends on the race of the dragon, but is usually low (between one and ten). Dragons can also cross-breed with virtually any other creature, creating a half-dragon. The most commonly heard of are in the humanoid races.

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons) ]

Games - Dragon

Dragon classification

Dragon abilities

Dragon biology

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