Black Dragon

Black dragons, also known as acid dragons or swamp dragons, are one of the five known species of chromatic dragons that were born from the scales of the Brownwyrm at the start of the Draconic Era.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Black dragons have elongated, lithe bodies, with four splayed legs and a long, flexible tail; their general build is said to resemble that of a lizard or a crocodile. The digits in both their legs and their wings end in sharp, hook-shaped claws. Their heads are characterized by their relatively short snouts, long chins and long horns that are typically curved frontwards. Befitting their name, their scales are usually black, with a green or yellow underside, and their membranes' color matches that of their underside.

Genetics and Reproduction

Like other true dragons, black dragons reproduce asexually. When a black dragon's scale is buried in mud and exposed to acid, it grows over the course of approximately a week into a roughly human-sized egg, from which a new dragon will eventually hatch.

Growth Rate & Stages

Like other true dragons, black dragons go through four stages through their life:

• Wyrmling, encompassing the dragon's first 50 years of life. Wyrmlings typically are between 1 and 2 meters long.
• Young, when the dragon is between 50 and 100. Young dragons typically are between 3 and 7 meters long.
• Adult, when the dragon is between 100 and 300 years old. Adult dragons typically are between 8 and 12 meters long.
• Ancient, from 300 years onwards. Ancient dragons typically are between 12 and 20 meters long.

Ecology and Habitats

Black dragons typically make their homes in murky swamps and marshes, lairing in flooded ruins and grottoes. They quickly establish themselves as apex predators wherever they go, with even young dragons easily outcompeting other carnivores both on land and water.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Like other true dragons, black dragons are carnivores, and despite their size they are capable of going for months without eating, possibly because of their magical nature.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Black dragons, like other true dragons, posess darkvision greater than that of most mortal species, being able to see up to a greater distance and, reportedly, even distinguish colors. They also posess an innate, seemingly magical capacity of simply sensing creatures within a certain distance.

Civilization and Culture

Major Language Groups and Dialects

Carrying the essence of the Brownwyrm with them, all black dragons can speak Draconic.

Common Dress Code

Black dragons, like most other dragons, are rarely seen wearing any forms of clothing.

History

Like the other four kinds of chromatic dragons, the first black dragons appeared shortly after the rise of the Brownwyrm in Tertobelus. The first black dragon was Iestygo the Sable, born from a scale carried to the Ellumian Bog and submerged in its mud by a kobold follower of the Brownwyrm; whether the kobold became Iestygo or simply assisted in their creation by planting the scale is a subject of discrepancy.

Historical Figures

• Iestygo the Sable, the first black dragon and ancestor of all other known black dragons.
• Vlakween Qatastroff, a black dragon born in the Great Swamp of Rottermoor, Valendar, that became a dracolich with the help of Lusotto the Schemer in order to escape death. They're one of the Three Liches of Valendar.

Scientific Name

Chromodraco iestygoi

Lifespan

500 years

Conservation Status

Functionally extinct in Valendar and Tertobelus, unknown status in rest of the world.

Average Length

• Wyrmling: 1-2 meters
• Young: 1-2 meters
• Adult: 8-12 meters
• Ancient: 12-20 meters