Draconids
Draconids are a type of creature that can be found in all three planes of existence, though they are only native to the outer planes. These creatures boast a combination of reptilian and avian traits, and most are highly attuned to magic. The vast majority of draconids are sapient, much like humanoids.
This article isn’t necessarily common knowledge, but it’s not filled with deep secrets either. Treat this as information you might find in a “The Study of Dragons” or “Outer Planar Ecology” textbook.
For the most part, draconids are not playable races. There are a few humanoid exceptions; these include abishai, kobold, and coatlin. If someone REALLY wants to play a non-humanoid draconid, they will only be allowed to play a medium sized draconid, reduced in power to be equal to the other players, disconnected from their home territory, and treated like an anomaly wherever they go. If you really want to play a draconid, I highly recommend just playing one who has the power to shape-change into a humanoid and do that for the majority of the campaign. Or play one of the humanoid-draconid races, like abishai, kobold, or coatlin.
Lung coatls are the most common coatls, with forearms and hind legs but no wings. Despite the absence of wings, lungs are still capable of flight through innate psionics. They also have a mane of thin, fur-like feathers that wraps around their head like a lion, runs down their backs, and ends in a long puff at the tip of their tails. Most lungs also have whiskers as long as their arms or a bit longer, and most have large, antler-like horns. Lungs are usually yellow, green, or white, with darker colored manes.
Lungs live in mountainous regions in Heaven, often with rivers or large lakes. They are facultative piscivores. Their diets consist mainly of fish, but they also eat large fruits and algae intermittently.
Lungs are naturally attuned to what is considered “holy magic”; things clerics and paladins usually learn. They have a radiant breath weapon, harnessing the power of sunlight in dangerous flashes of radiant power.
Lung Coatls typically have hoards filled with precious gemstones, books, and spell scrolls. They are often collectors of large pearls and circular stones above all other items.
Lung coatl do not often form families. Instead, they meet for brief periods to mate and then return to their territories. They lay their eggs in nests built of soft fabrics and feathers, often their own. Lung eggs incubate over the course of three years before hatching. These coatl are incredibly maternal and will raise their children fiercely, giving up their own lives if necessary to protect them. A coatl's children will often be allowed to stay in their territory for as long as they need, and will leave only out of a desire for their own independence.
Lung coatls are known to be incredibly patient and wise. This reputation likely arose due to the need for lung dragons to share islands with other creatures; since mountainous regions are the most common terrain in Heaven, many cities border on a lung’s territory. Because lungs do not tend to enjoy sharing this space, they tend to bargain knowledge and protection in exchange for peace.
Quetzal coatls are the second most common coatls; they have forearms, hind legs, and wings. Most, if not all, of a quetzal’s body is covered in feathers, with some having bare scales on their faces or bellies at most. They often sport large feather-like whiskers as long as the rest of their bodies. Quetzals are usually cerulean or green with orange and yellow highlights, but they can rarely dip into indigo, violet, or cyan colors with red or magenta highlights.
Quetzals live in humid, tropical regions in Heaven. They are obligate carnivores. Their diets consist mostly of large celestial ungulates, but they are known to fish relatively regularly.
Quetzals are naturally attuned to illusory and enchantment magic, and often master those schools of magic. They do not have a breath weapon like most draconids do.
Quetzals tend to hoard gold and luxury items, such as perfumes, fancy clothing, and even food items like chocolate. They seek gold above other items, but will trade gold for a luxury item they do not yet possess.
Quetzal coatl do not often form families. Instead, they meet for brief periods to mate and then return to their territories. They lay their eggs in nests built of feathers, often their own, but rarely if ever build these nests in their own lairs. Quetzal eggs incubate over the course of 12 years before hatching. Quetzals are not protective of their offspring naturally and will not raise their children; instead, their long hatching time allows for newborn quetzals to hatch with many features necessary for survival, and they will find their own way away from their mother's territory. Most, if not all, quetzals learn language and basic communication skills from humanoids and will latch onto any individual willing to “raise” them, granting them and their loved ones protection and passage through their territories when they grow old enough to hold one. This is how the famous cult of Ku'Kul'Kan was formed.
Quetzals have a reputation for being the most cruel coatls due to their primarily carnivorous diet and child-rearing habits (or lack thereof most obey the laws of Heaven and do not hunt or kill sapient creatures, but there are plenty of stories of quetzals who do not discriminate. Otherwise, their reputation is also fueled by the notoriety of Ku’Kul’Kan, the cherubim coatl representative in the First Circle.
Guivre coatls are the next most common coatls, with massive feathery wings but no forearms or legs. They are also referred to as Amphitheres. Guivres also tend to have crests of feathers on their heads and feathers at the tip of their tails, but not commonly anywhere else on their bodies. They tend to be orange and red, but can also be fuschia, magenta, or rarely yellow.
Guivres tend to live in lightly forested areas in Heaven. They are hypocarnicovorous omnivores. Their diets consist of mostly berries and other small vegetation, but they occasionally supplement their diets with small animals. They are not small coatls, however, and grow to the same size as any other coatl; they just eat much larger quantities of their common foods than other coatls.
Guivres are naturally attuned to what is considered “primal magic”; things druids and rangers usually learn. They have a poisonous breath weapon, producing a toxic gas that seeps into the skin and harms on contact.
Guivres hoard valuable art and sculptures. They will collect gold coins for the purpose of hiring artists to create new works for them, but otherwise do not care for gold.
Guivre coatl mate for life and may have two or three clutches with the same partner before they grow infertile. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They lay their eggs in nests built of soft fabrics and feathers, often their own. Guivre eggs incubate over the course of two years before hatching. These coatl are very familial and will allow their children to stay their territory until their next batch of eggs is ready to hatch or until the children wish to start families of their own. The parents will force the older children to leave in these cases.
Guivres are sometimes mistaken for wyverns and are considered much less intelligent than other coatls. This is likely due to their more hermit-like nature, even compared to other coatls, but this does not make them any less intelligent naturally.
Lindyr coatls are the second least common coatls; they have forearms, but no hind legs and no wings. They are the first of the listed coatls to be completely unable to fly. Lindyrs have horns and spikes running down their backs, and their tails often end in pointed spikes or spades. They also tend to have frills of spikes with webbed skin connecting them around their heads and along their backs, but not all do. Lindyrs are most commonly earthy colors like dull greens and browns, but can be orange or even blue on rare occasions.
Lindyrs tend to live on the largest continents in Heaven regardless of the terrain; due to being entirely landlocked, they have a hard time surviving on smaller, isolated islands. They are obligate carnivores. Their diets consist mostly of celestial rodents and lagomorphs, but they are known to hunt larger animals if they are convenient to catch. Similarly to Guivres, their smaller food sources do not mean they are small coatls, they simply eat more often than other coatls.
Lindyrs are the least magically inclined of all coatls and do not have a natural leaning towards any type of magic; they are still magically inclined, however, and tend to study spells as they grow like wizards do to compensate for a lack of natural affinity. Instead of a breath weapon, they can scream at volumes harmful to most nearby creatures, which most consider to be supplementary to a breath weapon.
Lindyrs typically have hoards filled with books, magic items, spell components, and spell scrolls. They are often eager to find a spell they do not yet know and will often trade anything else in their hoard for such knowledge.
Lindyr coatl mate for life and may have two or three clutches with the same partner before they grow infertile. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They lay their eggs in nests built of soft fabrics, furs, and often moss or other soft foliage. Lindyr eggs incubate over the course of four years before hatching. These coatl are familial and will allow their children to stay nearby their territory even into adulthood; often, large chunks of a Heavenly continent are composed of a single lindyr family's territories. Lindyr are also very passionate about sharing their knowledge with their offspring, so even a young lindyr is often a competent spellcaster.
Lindyrs have a reputation for being tricky and cruel. Similarly to quetzals, their diet is likely to blame for this; it’s hard for most people to trust a giant lizard who would eat you at the earliest convenience if not for the laws of the land.
Aido coatl are by far the least common coatl, and have no limbs at all. Similarly to lindyr, they cannot fly. They also have no feathers or fur, simply resembling giant snakes. Some sport spikes or horns, but not all do. They have iridescent scales, making them appear as rainbow colored at varying levels of brightness.
Aido tend to live on small, isolated islands with more arid climates. This habitat restriction, as well as the difficulty of surviving as a massive land-locked creature in Heaven, is why they are so rare. Aidos are also obligate frugivores. Their diet consists mainly of large fruits, with the occasional leafy green. They also eat massive insectoids on rare occasions to fill in the rest of their dietary needs.
Similarly to guivres, aidos are naturally attuned to what is considered “primal magic”; things druids and rangers usually learn. They do not have a breath weapon like most draconids do.
Aidos tend to hoard animals over any object, creating menageries of critters around their lairs to admire. As they are often isolated, they will happily aid any who are willing to deliver them a new creature for their hoards.
Aido coatl do not often form families. Instead, they meet for brief periods to mate and then return to their territories. This is only possible through magic; an aido seeking a mate will use druidic magic to communicate with any flying creatures that land on their islands, sometimes even creatures they have kept in their hoards, asking them to find another suitable aido. This process may take years, even outliving the original messenger if the first is slain, but in the case that a messenger finds a valid partner, they will use magic to see through the creature's eyes and teleport to the other aido's island. Once eggs have been laid, the aido either summons or calls for a strong enough flying creature to carry the egg (or eggs, though aidos usually only lay one egg per clutch) to a solitary island, protect it until it hatches, and teach the baby aido language and basic spells. Often, these creatures will stay with the baby aido into adulthood and willingly become the first members of their hoards. They then return to their home island. The chosen creature will build a suitable nest however they would for their own offspring, and the aido egg hatches after 7 years of incubating.
Aidos are considered signs of good luck and bringers of fortune due to their rarity and general peaceful demeanor. Their rainbow sheen also contributes to this perception. Generally, though, these coatl are no different from other coatl in natural alignment.
Red dragons are the most populous of the chromatic dragons and are widely considered to be the most powerful of all dragons, only comparable in strength to gold dragons. They have scales in every shade of red (tending to grow darker as they age), they have the largest wingspan relative to their body out of all dragons, and they have pointed horns that curve over their brows and point behind them.
Red dragons typically dwell in warm mountainous regions, hills, desert mesas, and badlands. The main factors in them choosing a place to live is primarily a high elevation and secondarily a high temperature; while cold does not especially hamper them, they do not like it, but they will put up with it for the sake of elevation. Many prefer to dwell within volcanoes, even within the caldera itself, or sulfurous geysers or other areas of geothermal activity. They are most likely to claim territories in Phlegethos, Malbolge, and sometimes Cania. Red dragons are obligate carnivores and hardly ever, if at all, consume anything other than meat. They are known to consume hot coals and lava on occasion, but this is more like medicine for them, not for sustenance.
Red dragons are highly attuned to fire elemental energies. They have powerful fiery breath weapons and are often grand fire elementalists.
Red dragons typically hoard gold, magic items, precious gemstones, and any other items of high value. They rank themselves and each other based on their raw strength and the value of their hoards, thus collecting valuable items is of high importance to a red dragon.
Red dragons do not mate for life, but may live nearby several potential mates for whenever they desire new eggs. They lay their eggs in nests built from hot coals buried in soft dirt or sand, reheating the nests whenever they get too cold. Red dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave. Red dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large distances.
Many believe red dragons to be inherently evil. They are seen as the most cruel, dishonorable, and wicked of all dragons. This is driven by their desire to follow in Tiamat’s footsteps (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page) and their general culture; they rank themselves and each other based on their raw strength and the value of their hoards, thus their need to prove themselves stronger often ends in the deaths of many. They are not truly evil by nature, though, and many red dragons have gained formidable reputations as merciful and even compassionate dragons, it is just much easier to amass wealth and strength if you don’t care about other lives.
Black dragons are the next most populous of all dragons. They have dark gray and black scales, often with slightly lighter patterns that mirror the bones under their skin. They are abnormally slender in comparison to other dragons; wiry, but not gaunt. Physically, they are most distinguished by their horns, which protrude from the sides of their heads and wrap around, projecting forward, similar to a ram. Spikes run down their body from behind the head to the tip of their tail.
Black dragons typically live in swamps, jungles and fetid marshlands. They are excellent swimmers and often make their lairs in submerged caves or underground chambers near swamps or murky ponds. Their lairs always have two entrances: one underwater through the adjacent swamp or pond, and one above-ground, disguised amidst the undergrowth. They are most likely to claim territories in Minauros, Maladomni, and sometimes Stygia. Black dragons are obligate carnivores and hardly ever, if at all, consume anything other than meat. They favor fish over other kinds of food, but won’t be picky if something edible lurks too close to their lair.
Black dragons are highly attuned to acid elemental energies; they have powerful acidic breath weapons. Aside from their acidic affiliation, they often practice necromantic magics.
Black dragons do not mate for life, but may live nearby several potential mates for whenever they desire new eggs. They lay their eggs in pools of mild acid, which insulate the eggs. Black dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave. Rarely, children will be allowed to stay until adulthood and claim territories nearby.
Black dragons tend to hoard precious gemstones over any other form of wealth. This is because they are harder to destroy, and a black dragon can protect the majority of their wealth by submerging these stones in pools of acid.
Like red dragons, most believe black dragons to be inherently evil. They are seen as tricky, cruel, and traitorous individuals. This is driven by their desire to follow in Tiamat’s footsteps (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page) and their demeanors compared to other chromatic dragons. As they are much thinner compared to other dragons, they can hardly win one-on-one fights with other chromatic dragons. Thus, they choose other strategies such as ambushes or summoning spells to fight in their stead, garnering them a distasteful reputation even among other chromatic dragons.
Blue dragons are the next most populous of all dragons. They have scales in lighter shades of blue, leaning towards cyan, which tend to grow darker as they age. Blue dragons are also physically distinguished by the single large horn protruding from their heads like a rhinoceros. They have large spines that run down their bodies from behind their head to the tip of their tail, and have spikes extending from the tips of their tail.
Blue dragons are native to arid wastelands and deserts. They make their lairs in underground caves; easily accessible to the dragon as they could burrow through the ground. They are most likely to claim territories in Dis, Cania, and sometimes Avernus. Blue dragons are facultative carnivores and consume a mixture of meat and vegetation wherever they can find it. They hunt regularly for the sake of collecting and storing food in case they are unable to find anything in their more sparse habitats.
Blue dragons are highly attuned to lightning elemental energies. They have powerful lightning breath weapons and are often grand electric elementalists.
Blue dragons typically hoard both gold and food items, keeping dried foods, spices, and aged alcohols in their hoards alongside gold pieces. Because of where they live, finding food can be enough of a worry that most blue dragons keep a supply at home in case of emergencies.
Blue dragons do not mate for life and must hunt down a suitable partner when they desire eggs. Instead of building nests in their own lairs, they will seek unclaimed lands and mark out a small territory for their offspring. They will then build small lairs for their eggs and build nests out of soft sand to lay them. Blue dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. The mother dragon will stay with her young for long enough to teach them language and point out useful locations in their new lairs before returning to their own lairs. Blue dragons will grow up with their clutch and often live with these siblings for the rest of their lives, amassing joint hoards and expanding their lair and territories to compensate.
Unlike most other chromatic dragons, blue dragons are considered to be incredibly lawful and rules oriented. They still have an air of cruelty to them, but more in the form of strict and unwavering judgement. They obey the rules and laws imposed by their lord Tiamat (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page), which often makes them seem more evil than they truly are.
Green dragons are the next most populous of all dragons. They have scales in all shades of green, which tend to grow lighter rather than darker as they age. Green dragons are also notable for their tails being nearly double the length of the rest of their bodies. They also have forked tongues, unlike most other dragons, and retractable fangs like a venomous snake. Green dragons' scales do not fully harden, granting them greater flexibility than other chromatic dragons. They also have particularly long bodies and elongated necks.
Green dragons typically live near woodlands, including jungles, bayous, and forests. The typical green dragon lair is located underground and is a complex of caves and tunnels, with its main entrance hidden behind a waterfall. The preferred green dragon lair is a cave high up on a cliff, if possible. If necessary, green dragons will hide their lair behind thickets of magically-grown plant life. They are most likely to claim territories in Maladomni and sometimes Minauros. Green dragons are hypocarnivores and primarily consume fruits and vegetation that most creatures consider poisonous, but they will also consume meat as a delicacy.
Green dragons are highly attuned to poisonous elemental energies; they have powerful poison gas breath weapons. Aside from their poison affiliation, they often practice druidic magics.
Green dragons typically hoard art, instruments, and other sentient creatures. They are notorious participants in slave trades and tend to amass small villages of captured sentient creatures.
Green dragons do not mate for life, but will seek out mates whenever they desire new eggs. They lay their eggs in nests built from moss, soft flowers, and other foliage. Green dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. They are raised to adulthood in the green dragon’s lair and claim adjacent territories to their parents, creating vast networks of green dragon families.
Green dragons are considered wicked even compared to other chromatic dragons. Their cultural history of slavery is distasteful among most draconic communities, thus they are considered morally bankrupt even in draconic circles. Like many chromatic dragons, they owe their cultural practices and habits to their lord Tiamat (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page).
White dragons are the next most populous of all dragons and the least populous of all of Tiamat’s spawn (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). They have white or off-white scales, often light grey or off-white blue. They are physically the smallest of the chromatic dragons, even smaller than black dragons. White dragons are also physically distinguished by several features: their necks are short and thick, and they have rows of hollow spines all over their bodies to help with insulation. White dragon toes are spaced more widely than those of other dragons, with barbed claws to aid movement on ice. Their very thin eyelids prevent snow blindness when observing arctic landscapes.
Most white dragons build lairs in ice caves, often dug into the side of an arctic mountain, on tundra, or glacial plains. They can create their own caves by applying their breath weapon to tightly packed snow in order to transform it into solid ice. They are most likely to claim territories in Minauros and sometimes Stygia. Rarely, a white dragon will claim territory in Nessus, but life has a difficult time taking hold in the final layer of Hell. White dragons are obligate carnivores and hardly ever, if at all, consume anything other than meat.
White dragons are highly attuned to ice elemental energies. They have powerful frigid breath weapons and are often grand ice elementalists.
White dragons typically hoard gemstones like diamonds and quartz as well as copious amounts of silver pieces. They are more enamored with treasure that matches their scales or their environment, so they may have less valuable hoards filled with white, silver, or light blue objects just to have an aesthetic array of items.
White dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They lay their eggs in nests of soft snow, which they replace regularly. White dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. The infants are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave.
White dragons are considered to be the dumbest and least competent of all chromatic dragons. This is because they do not care for actual wealth and are more concerned with things looking pretty than being useful. They are also not physically competent compared to other chromatic dragons, being the weakest and smallest of all chromatic dragons, so most do not consider them particularly threatening. Because of this, they are seen as neutral, if not good, chromatic dragons.
Yellow dragons are the most populous of Kimaahet’s kin (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page), but their population is drastically lower than that of even a white dragon. All of Kimaahet’s spawn make up around 10% of all living chromatic dragons; yellow dragons happen to be the most populous of these remaining kin. Yellow dragons have scales in shades of yellow, often pale yellow or even bordering on lime colored, which tend to grow darker with age. Yellow dragons are also notable for their thin and lanky body composition, their line of short spines growing down their backs, and having long, almost shark-like snouts.
Yellow dragons live in scorching-hot sandy deserts. They make their lairs in underground caves made up of soft stones, often half filled with sand. They are most likely to claim territories in Dis and Malbolge. Yellow dragons are omnivores and consume anything edible they can get their hands on. They hibernate for several months at a time, triggered purposefully when they have stockpiled a large amount of food.
Yellow dragons are highly attuned to lightning elemental energies; they have powerful lightning breath weapons. Aside from their lightning affiliation, they often practice illusory magics.
Yellow dragons, similarly to blue dragons, typically hoard both gold and food items, keeping dried foods, spices, and aged alcohols in their hoards alongside gold pieces. They tend to stockpile food before hibernating in order to conserve as much energy as possible.
Yellow dragons do not mate for life and must hunt down a suitable partner when they desire eggs. They lay their eggs in nests of soft sand and bury them deep in the dunes to hatch. Yellow dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. The infants are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave.
Yellow dragons are extremely solitary, making it seem like there are much less of them than there actually are. This is what allowed many of their kind to survive the onslaught against Kimaahet’s kin in the earliest Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page). They are considered cowardly for this as well, and many dragons (especially other dragons descending from Kimaahet) despise them for this trait.
Orange dragons are the next most populous chromatic dragons, and are generally tied in population with gold and silver metallic dragons. Orange dragons have scales in shades of orange, often bright orange dipping into bright reds, which tend to grow darker with age. Orange dragons are also notable for their thick scales and stout body composition, appearing almost crocodilian.
Orange dragons inhabit one of two different environments: some favor tropical forests and swamps, where they build lairs beside rivers and lakes; they are excellent swimmers. They choose these damp environments in part because it meant the fires caused by their breath weapon didn't spread. Orange dragons who live in these environments tend to allow algae growth on their backs in order to better blend in with their environment. Others favor extremely hot environments like volcanic terrain, because their scales make them immune to any damage lava could inflict and their scales blend in better in these environments. They are most likely to claim territories in Maladomni, Malbolge, and sometimes Minauros. Orange dragons are obligate carnivores and consume mostly fish.
Orange dragons are highly attuned to fire elemental energies. They have powerful breath weapons of both hot magma and superheated air, and are often grand fire elementalists.
Orange dragons keep very small hoards of magic items and other things not easily destroyed by magma; like black dragons, orange dragons like to bury their hoards beneath magma to protect it, thus they only keep what won’t be destroyed.
Orange dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They lay their eggs in pools of magma, both for their protection and incubation. Orange dragon eggs incubate over the course of three years before hatching. They are raised to adulthood in the orange dragon’s lair and claim adjacent territories to their parents, creating vast networks of orange dragon families.
Orange dragons are considered to be cruel and short tempered. This is largely because of their cultural perception of other dragons; orange dragons generally hate any dragon that isn’t an orange dragon, mostly pointing blame towards the Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page) where most other dragons either actively killed their kind for their loyalty to Kimaahet (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page) or avoided the conflict, leaving orange dragons to fend for themselves. They were historically the most active participants in the earliest Draconic Wars.
Purple dragons are the next most populous chromatic dragon. They have scales in shades of light purples and dull violets, sometimes leaning into magenta. Purple dragons are also notable for their incredibly small scales, making them almost appear to have smooth skin, and a general lack of other features.
Purple dragons live in caves, caverns, subterranean vaults, and other dark regions. They can hear distant noises transmitted through rock and soil. Accustomed to the ways of the sound-distorting depths, a purple dragon can catch the sound of the merest cave cricket skittering up a wall on the far side of a vast cavern. They are most likely to claim territories in Phlegethos, Cania, and sometimes Avernus. Purple dragons are facultative insectivores and consume a large amount of insectoid creatures in addition to any fungal growths that survive their environments.
Purple dragons are highly attuned to poisonous elemental energies; they have a powerful poison spray breath weapon. Generally, purple dragons also dabble in alchemy, using their affinity to create potent poisons and venoms.
Purple dragons are strange in that they usually create their own hoards. For the majority that learn alchemy, they create heaps of potions and poisons that they keep as a reminder of their progress, and in case they ever need to use any themselves. They may also create works of art or other trinkets that they learn in their free time.
Purple dragons do not mate for life, but may live nearby several potential mates for whenever they desire new eggs. They lay their eggs in nests built from dried fungi and other cave-dwelling plants. Purple dragon eggs incubate over the course of six years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave. Purple dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large cave networks.
Purple dragons have a reputation for being recluse and antisocial outside of their own familial networks. However, as they are less passionate about wealth and more interested in their crafts, they are seen as skilled and passive compared to other, more volatile chromatic dragons.
Indigo dragons are the next most populous chromatic dragon. They have scales in shades of dark blueish-purples, dark blues, and sometimes dark grays or black, growing darker as they age. Indigo dragons are also notable for having a long fringe of spines emerging from the back of the dragon's neck, their webbed talons, and their powerful tails featuring a swimming fin.
Indigo dragons are native to swamplands, rivers, lakes, and vast oceans. They tend to make their lairs in underwater caves or hidden caverns along riverbanks. These dragons are not able to breathe water completely without the help of magic, but can hold their breaths for hours or even days at a time, long enough to sleep comfortably underwater. They are most likely to claim territories in Stygia and sometimes Minauros. Indigo dragons are obligate carnivores and consume mostly fish.
Indigo dragons are highly attuned to acid elemental energies; they have powerful acidic breath weapons. Aside from their acidic affiliation, they often practice water-based magic.
Indigo dragons are one of the few sentient water-dwelling draconids, thus they do not compete with other dragons for much. This includes their favored hoard items: indigo dragons are fond of shells, pearls, and trinkets that others lost in the depths of their habitats.
Indigo dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They will section off a room in their lair to lay their eggs; the dragon then fills the room with breathable air using magic. They will build nests out of soft clay to lay the eggs. Indigo dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. The infants are raised in this nursery, taught language and survival techniques by their mother, and stay until they are adolescent. After which, the mother forces them to leave.
Indigo dragons are considered aloof and passive compared to the more well known chromatic dragons. Their lack of natural conflict with other dragons makes them generally more peaceful, and other dragons see them as mediators more so than threats. Humanoids still have reason to fear them, though, as they can be more paranoid about smaller sentient creatures being too close to their lairs (these creatures are more likely to steal from them than other dragons would be).
Pink dragons are the rarest of the chromatic dragons, with their population being around the same as mercury or electrum metallic dragons. They have scales in bright shades of pink, magenta, fuschia, and sometimes lean into red colors, growing darker as they age. Pink dragons are also notable for having thin, fur-like feathers that cover most of their bodies, and upwards pointing horns.
Pink dragons build their lairs in ice caves, often dug into the side of an arctic mountain, on tundra, or glacial plains. They may also build lairs in snowy forested areas. They are most likely to claim territories in Stygia and sometimes Maladomni. Rarely, a pink dragon will claim territory in Nessus, but life has a difficult time taking hold in the final layer of Hell. Pink dragons are facultative carnivores and consume mostly fish, but supplement their diets with algae, fungi, or seagrass when available.
Pink dragons are highly attuned to ice elemental energies; they have powerful frigid breath weapons. Aside from their icey affiliation, they often practice enchantment magic.
Pink dragons are extremely emotional dragons and often choose to hoard willing sentient creatures. These hoards are not literal like a green dragon's living hoard; instead, a pink dragon will consider a creature “part of its hoard” if it feels a strong enough attachment to it. This often leads to bouts of jealous rage if a creature spends too much time with or attention on another dragon, as though the pink dragon sees it as the opposing dragon “stealing a part of their hoard”. Otherwise, a pink dragon will collect gold and trinkets like normal, but for the primary purpose of winning over other creatures.
Pink dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of soft snow and their pruned feathers. Pink dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother and are allowed to stay until they are adults, when the mother forces them to leave. Pink dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large distances.
Pink dragons are seen as dangerous and unpredictable, even compared to other chromatic dragons. They are only a bit smaller than red dragons, meaning they are formidable for their strength alone. While they are not usually actively malicious and try to be kind, their reputation for throwing fits and their jealous behavior means it is hard to know when you may be in danger or not, and even harder to know why.
Gold dragons are the most populous of the metallic dragons, and are widely considered to be the most powerful metallic dragons. Gold dragons appear to have scales made of solid gold. Their other notable features include smooth, branching metallic horns that sweep back from its nose and brow, several pairs of long, flexible muscular spines that resemble whiskers or barbels, and tails that are double the length of the rest of their bodies.
Culturally, gold dragons do not have strong preferences about their lairs, but they tend to choose lairs made of stone, such as caves and castles, and recruit other loyal creatures as guards. They are most likely to claim territories in Phlegethos, Cania, and sometimes Malbolge. Again, a gold dragon usually does not have hard preferences, so they may lair in any part of Hell they find comfortable. Gold dragons are omnivores and tend to consume whatever is easiest to obtain.
Gold dragons are attuned to fire elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful fiery breath weapon. Aside from their fiery affiliation, they often practice divination magic. In addition to their fire breath, gold dragons can exhale a subduing toxin that relaxes the muscles of anything that comes in contact with it.
Gold dragons tend to enjoy treasure that shows artisanship, such as paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and porcelain. They don’t typically look for raw money despite most coins having a similar complexion to themselves; instead, a great fascination for magic items and loved to add them to their hoards.
Gold dragons do not mate for life and travel frequently, thus they may seek a new mate whenever they run into someone viable. Gold dragons are not familial and tend not to raise their own eggs; instead, they will seek a dragon currently raising a clutch and either try to sneak eggs into their nest or convince the dragon parent to add the gold eggs to their batch, offering some kind of payment or reward for their parentage. In the case that a gold dragon tends to their own eggs, they will make nests out of whatever is available. Gold dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. Gold dragon parents will continue to offer other creatures payment for raising their hatchlings even after they have hatched, and will force young dragons to leave their care as soon as they can do so without ensuring the child’s death.
Gold dragons are seen as noble and wise by most non-dragons, and are seen as pompous by other dragons. Their love of travel and the arts makes them well-versed in worldly matters, and they tend to want to do good wherever they go, giving them a heroic and selfless reputation. Their familial tendencies are the polar opposite of most metallic dragons, however, making their reputation more sour among other dragons.
Silver dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Silver dragons appear to have scales made of pure silver. Their other notable features include a large frill running from the top of their head down to the tip of their tail and straight horns pointing backwards.
Silver dragons tend to build lairs in ice caves, often dug into the side of an arctic mountain, on tundra, or glacial plains. They are most likely to claim territories in Stygia and sometimes Minauros. Rarely, a silver dragon will claim territory in Nessus, but life has a difficult time taking hold in the final layer of Hell. Silver dragons are obligate carnivores and consume mostly wild game such as mountain goats and deer.
Silver dragons are attuned to ice elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful frigid breath weapon. In addition to their ice breath, silver dragons can exhale a paralytic toxin that causes paralysis in anything that comes in contact with it.
Silver dragons tend to hoard weapons or things of cultural or religious significance. They are usually fascinated by history and collect historical relics, including magic items that played a hand in a historical event if they can get their hands on any.
Silver dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build large communal nests out of soft fabrics and furs. Silver dragon eggs incubate over the course of seven years before hatching. Silver dragons are extremely familial and live in clan-based groups, raising hatchlings together. A silver dragon will only leave its clan if they intend to create a new one with their mat, if they embark on a monumental quest or journey, or if they are ever banished by force.
Silver dragons are seen as strategic and contemplative. They are culturally fascinated by history and battles and love partaking in strategic thinking, making them excellent generals or tacticians. That being said, they often make their communal lairs with high strategy in mind; that, on top of their hoards being generally low-value, makes most treasure hunters avoid silver dragons like the plague.
Bronze dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Bronze dragons appear to have scales made of bronze with turquoise speckles throughout the body, mainly on their backs and tails. Their other notable features include having incredibly spiky tails, frills on the sides of their head, and additional fins at the base of their tail to assist in aerial and aquatic mobility.
Bronze dragons are often found along coastal regions or other humid environments. They are exceptional swimmers, thus the entrance to a bronze dragon's lair is usually underwater. The bulk of the lair is above water level. They are most likely to claim territories in Stygia, Maladomni, and sometimes Minauros. Bronze dragons are obligate carnivores and consume mostly fish.
Bronze dragons are attuned to lightning elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful electric breath weapon and often become lightning elementalists. In addition to their lightning breath, bronze dragons have incredible lung capacity; they can exhale air at such force that anything in range of the blast is knocked dozens of feet backwards.
A bronze dragon's hoard consists of whatever the dragon can scavenge from the sea, sunken cities, lost ships, or vessels it attacks. Since saltwater can corrode most metals and other valuables, the dragon's hoard often consists largely of ceramics, statuary, and gemstones; durable goods that are immune to the effects of the dragon's environment.
Bronze dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of fine fabrics and furs. Bronze dragon eggs incubate over the course of seven years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother and are allowed to stay until they are adults, when the mother forces them to leave. Bronze dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large distances.
Bronze dragons are seen as incredibly rule-oriented and stubborn. Bronze dragons see the world in black and white, right and wrong, and they choose not to appreciate the subtlety of gray. Culturally, they believe their views to be inherently correct and see outside perspectives as willfully ignorant. They do not tolerate other viewpoints well and often react violently to any misunderstanding or opposing belief system.
Copper dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Copper dragons appear to have scales made of pure copper, with green markings seen throughout the body mirroring copper oxidation. Their other notable features include having triangular-shaped wings that meet the body further down on the tail and upwards curving horns.
Copper dragons are incredibly social with non-dragons and most choose to establish their territories near humanoid settlements or frontiers, regardless of the layer of Hell. In fact, many copper dragons choose to live in the midst of large cities. City-dwelling copper dragons either hide in deep dungeons or vaults beneath the streets, or they come to an understanding with the local rulers that allows them to take up residence in outlying estates or royal palaces as "nobles," protectors, or advisors. Copper dragons that have no such arrangements make their lairs in abandoned structures or ruins. An old castle, dungeon, or monastery is perfect, since such a place has thick walls and is highly defensible. Lairs with commanding views of the nearby countryside are especially prized. Copper dragons are omnivores and tend to consume whatever is easiest to obtain.
Copper dragons are attuned to acid elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful acidic breath weapon. Aside from their icey affiliation, they often practice illusory magic. In addition to their acid breath, copper dragons can exhale a relaxant that slows anything that comes in contact with it.
Copper dragons value fine art of any kind, especially beautiful metalwork. Well-made jewelry captivates most copper dragons, inflaming the avarice in their hearts. Magical trinkets, amulets, or other enchanted jewelry tend to be their favorite hoard items.
Copper dragons do not mate for life, but may live nearby several potential mates for whenever they desire new eggs. They lay their eggs in nests built from fine fabrics or cushions from the societies they build near. Copper dragon eggs incubate over the course of six years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave.
Copper dragons are seen as deceitful and tricky. Copper dragon culture thrives on cultivating their lively senses of humor. They delight in outfoxing and deceiving enemies, and they love a good jest. Most are insincere and facile in their dealings with other creatures, and a few are cruel and deceitful, deliberately spreading mayhem with malicious lies and subtle manipulation.
Brass dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Brass dragons appear to have scales made of pure brass. Their other notable features include a large crest-like horn that surrounds the head like a triceratops, and almost butterfly-like wings.
Brass dragons prefer deserts, arid savannahs, and similar environments. They spend hours lying on rocks near pools of lava, if they are available. Brass dragons make their lairs in rocky caves atop mesas, steep hills, or the walls of inaccessible canyons. They are most likely to claim territories in Dis, Phlegethos, and sometimes Malbolge. Brass dragons are hypocarnivores and consume mostly desert vegetation like cacti, supplementing their diets with large insectoids or any other meat they can get their hands on.
Brass dragons are attuned to fire elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful fiery breath weapon. In addition to their fire breath, brass dragons can exhale a sleeping gas toxin that causes anyone that comes in contact with it to fall asleep.
Brass dragons are especially fond of handcrafted work in materials such as bone, wood, stone, or fabric (particularly weaving). They have a hard time letting go of items, so their hoards are also usually filled with twice as many broken or burnt items.
Brass dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of soft sand and woven fabric. Brass dragon eggs incubate over the course of five years before hatching. They are raised to adulthood in the brass dragon’s lair and claim adjacent territories to their parents, creating vast networks of brass dragon families.
Brass dragons are considered unlawful and cowardly among dragons. Brass dragons are among the most talkative of dragons and are slow to anger. Even in battle, brass dragons are rarely cruel or vengeful, and they frequently allow beaten enemies to retreat. Their culture is very mercenarial; they readily strike deals to fight in exchange for rich rewards. The better ones rigorously fulfill their bargains, but less honorable members of them have a nasty habit of breaking inconvenient deals if something better comes along. Pure self-interest governs most brass dragons, and they never take sides without first asking, "What's in this for me?"
Iron dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Iron dragons appear to have scales made of raw iron. Their other notable features include jagged scales that give iron dragons a more rough appearance, bumpy horns that extend backwards, and short toes that give iron dragons almost rhino-like legs.
Iron dragons typically live near woodlands, including jungles and forests, favoring settings that offer plenty of game and good cover. They build lairs in dense forest or broken hills; terrain that offers many hiding places for a large predator. In the absence of truly inaccessible terrain, an iron dragon settles for the most difficult and tangled ground cover it can find to build lairs in. Caves in brush-filled forest ravines or briar-choked gulches are common iron dragon lairs. Given their tough, thick scales, iron dragons have no qualms about plunging through the thickest patches of thorny foliage. They are most likely to claim territories in Maladomni and sometimes Minauros. Iron dragons are obligate carnivores rarely, if ever, consume anything other than meat.
Iron dragons are attuned to fire elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful fiery breath weapon. In addition to their fire breath, iron dragons can exhale a petrifying gas that slowly turns anything that comes in contact with it to stone.
Iron dragons hoard typical coins like gold and silver more than anything else. Otherwise, they are likely to add stone victims from their breath weapon attacks to their hoard.
Iron dragons do not mate for life, but may live nearby several potential mates for whenever they desire new eggs. They create nests made from mosses and tangled shrubbery. Iron dragon eggs incubate over the course of three years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother forces them to leave.
Iron dragons are seen as barbaric and cruel, especially compared to most metallic dragons. They are, at best, sullen and reclusive, preferring their own company to that of others. Most iron dragon cultures are violent and downplay the impact of violence in general, seeking to sate emotional impulses by devouring or robbing any creature foolish enough to intrude on their demesnes. They do not value cleverness and can sometimes be outwitted through bribery, flattery, and other such tactics; their greed can easily override their sullenness.
Steel dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Steel dragons appear to have scales made of processed steel. Their other notable features include a mane of spikes around their heads, barbed tails, and spiked wings.
Steel dragons are a strange case among dragons; the vast majority of their kind are almost always polymorphed as a humanoid rather than appearing as their true form. Because of this, steel dragons live in towns and cities, they live as humanoids do: in houses, with jobs and general humanoid lives. They will establish humanoid histories and families, living through generations if they need to fake their deaths or simply want to tey a new persona. In case an enemy discovers its identity, a steel dragon maintains a secondary lair in a ruin, such as a crumbling temple, castle, or tower. The harder it is for other creatures to reach such a site, the better. Wards, traps, and guardians protect these refuges. Because of their tendency to masquerade, steel dragons do not settle in any specific layer of Hell. Steel dragons are omnivores and tend to consume whatever is easiest to obtain.
Steel dragons are attuned to ice elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful frigid breath weapon. In addition to their ice breath, steel dragons can exhale a neurotoxin that causes blindness in anything that comes in contact with it.
Steel dragons invest in property and business. A steel that maintains multiple identities might hold controlling shares in two or more enterprises. Steel dragons outfit their homes with art, antiquities, tomes, magic items, finery, and hired servants.
Steel dragons do not mate for life and must travel to seek a new mate. Steel dragons grow incredibly attached to any individual they mentor or help raise, and theor own children are no different; they will take time out of their humanoid masquerading to protect and incubate their eggs, often having one of their personas “embark on a quest” or some other journey to mask their true intent. They will build nests out of the most comfortable material available to the societies they pretend to be a part of, often fine fabrics, mattresses, and pillows. Steel dragon eggs incubate over the course of eight years before hatching. Steel dragon parents will raise their children as dragons until adulthood, when they will help integrate their children into humanoid society. Most steel dragon families keep in touch and know of each other's network of personas, guaranteeing a safe place to visit in any city they have kin.
Steel dragons are seen as wondrous and powerful liberators by most humanoids, but as disgraces to most dragons. Humanoids generally enjoy having the secret protection of a powerful dragon just because their local pastor happened to grow metal wings. The empathy for sentient life that a typical steel dragon has is immeasurable compared to that of most other dragons. Not all humanoids enjoy a steel dragon's presence, though; steel dragons are notorious for taking the law into their own hands, having a distaste for authority in general and often a trigger-happy sense of underdog justice.
Dragons, on the other hand, find the behavior of steel dragons to be repulsive and disrespectful to the essence of dragonkind. Why choose to be something lesser? Even pink dragons, more emotional towards other creatures than most dragons, find the cultural practices of steel dragons absurd. It's like watching someone who loves animals go to live as a moose for the rest of their lives. Needless to say, if you ever meet a racist dragon, steel dragons are likely to be at the top of their shitlist.
Damascus dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons. Damascus dragons are the least illustrious of all the metallic dragons, but still have scales that mime their namesake metal. They are usually dark grey with light grey circular markings mimicking the metal, but can sometimes be primarily dark dusty brown, dark dull indigo, or black, with markings that are silver, white, blue, copper, or bright orange. Their other notable features include a line of flexible spines running from the top of their heads down to the base of their tail, growing thicker as they go down the body; multiple sets of complex, curved horns; and two sets of dark eyes.
Damascus dragons favor extremely hot environments like volcanic terrain, because their scales make them immune to any damage lava could inflict and their scales blend in better in these environments. They are most likely to claim territories in Malbolge or Phlegethos. Damascus dragons are obligate carnivores and hardly ever, if at all, consume anything other than meat.
Damascus dragons are attuned to fire elemental energies. They have powerful magma breath weapons and often become fire elementalists. Aside from their fiery affiliation, they often practice occult magics. In addition to their lava breath, damascus dragons can spit silvery liquid sodium; this spit dries quickly, and the sodium bursts into flame on contact with air and even more so with water, setting everything in the general vicinity on fire.
Damascus dragons are attuned to particularly destructive energies, thus don't usually keep items that are easy to destroy. Their hoards are often filled with precious gemstones and magic items, as well as any coins that can survive the heat of their lairs. They are also culturally driven to the occult, and tend to hoard dangerous magical relics and cursed items just as often as benevolent ones.
Damascus dragons mate for life and will usually lay a new clutch every hundred to two hundred years. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of hot sand and embers, and graduate to pools of lava when their eggs have formed a resilient enough shell. Damascus dragon eggs incubate over the course of fifteen years before hatching, the longest incubation time of any dragon. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother and are allowed to stay until they are adults, when the mother forces them to leave. Damascus dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large distances.
Most view damascus dragons as the epitome of hellish spawn. Their appearance is jarring and uncanny to most other dragons, and their tendency towards occult practices makes them feel driven to a deeply devilish nature that even most devils don't replicate. They are feared and respected equally, though, as their broad magical prowess is hard to match.
Electrum dragons are the next most populous of the metallic dragons and are some of the rarest metallic dragons. Electrum dragons appear to have scales made of printed electrum coins. Their other notable features include dark spikes and horns, thick spiked tails, and dark spines on the edges of their wings. They are often mistaken for steel dragons due to their similar appearances.
Electrum dragons live in caves, caverns, subterranean vaults, and other dark regions. They can hear distant noises transmitted through rock and soil, and are adept at burrowing through even hard, rocky terrain. They use their breath weapons to create labyrinths of caves within the minds of any trespassers who set foot in their lair. They are most likely to claim territories in Phlegethos, Cania, and sometimes Avernus. Electrum dragons are hypocarnivores and consume any fungal growths, fruits, or vegetation that survive their environments, in addition to small amounts of meat whenever they can get it.
Electrum dragons are attuned to lightning elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful electric breath weapon and often become lightning elementalists. In addition to their lightning breath, electrum dragons can exhale a hallucinogenic that causes confusion in anything that comes in contact with it.
Electrum dragons are very fond of beautiful objects. For that reason, their hoards tend to have relatively small amounts of coins, but large amounts of finely crafted items such as statues, tapestries, musical instruments, gems, and jewelry.
Electrum dragons mate for life and will usually only lay a single clutch in their lifetimes. They also spend a much longer time than most dragons deciding on a mate; they will exchange spells, dances, knowledge, and secrets until they either decide their partner is the one or they decide against it, going their separate ways. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of soft sand and clay. Electrum dragon eggs incubate over the course of nine years before hatching. They are raised to adulthood in the electrum dragon’s lair and claim adjacent territories to their parents, creating networks of electrum dragon families.
Electrum dragons are seen as antisocial and paranoid. They are the most reclusive of all metallic dragons, choosing mostly to keep to themselves or only stay with individuals they deeply trust and value. Their culture encourages careful planning and deduction, meaning they are usually incredibly intelligent at the cost of being untrusting and cold.
Mercury dragons are the second least populous metallic dragons. Mercury dragons appear to have scales made of liquid mercury. Their other notable features include horns and frills that slope downwards as if they were melting, thin snouts, and long, whip-like tails.
Mercury dragons hail from volcanic mountain ranges in tropical climates. They prefer spontaneity and do not tend to make lairs or settle in any one place; instead, they find others who are willing to house them as they search for new experiences. As long as they receive variety, mercury dragons serve as bodyguards, messengers, or assassins for powerful mages, generals, or rulers. When a mercury dragon works for another creature, the dragon takes part of a larger fortress and turns a section of the area into a temporary lair, filling it with traps to frighten off any curious lackeys and to keep its personal hoard safe. The traps and guardians on the periphery of a mercury dragon's lair are often nonlethal, intended to capture, wound, or frighten intruders rather than kill them outright. They are most likely to claim territories in Malbolge, Maladomni, and sometimes Phlegethos. Mercury dragons are obligate carnivores and consume mostly meat, though they are known to crave anything different from whatever it ate most recently.
Mercury dragons are attuned to poison elemental energies. They have a moderately powerful poisonous gas breath weapon and often become skilled poisoners. In addition to their poison breath, mercury dragons can exhale a hallucinogenic that harms the mind and causes hysteria in anything that comes in contact with it.
A mercury dragon's hoard is usually a hodgepodge of coins, jewelry, and items from scores of lands and dozens of eras. Older mercury dragons might seek out some items they've heard about but never seen, and they're avid treasure traders. If adventurers can acquire some rare item from a far-off land, a mercury dragon is often willing to part with treasures from its hoard in exchange, especially if the dragon is trading away a duplicate.
Mercury dragons do not mate for life and usually travel far to search for a mate whenever they desire new eggs. They create nests made from any soft material they can get their hands on. Mercury dragon eggs incubate over the course of two years before hatching. They are taught language and survival techniques by their mother until they are adolescent, when the mother usually forces them to leave. They may keep a child around for longer if the dragon finds them interesting enough, but they usually grow bored of the monotony of parenting quickly.
Mercury dragons are seen as scatterbrained and unpredictable, but no more lethal than most metallic dragons. Their culture thrives on spontaneity, and most grow bored very quickly. If a mercury dragon feels as though it's in a rut, it might attack an adversary right away, then threaten, "Tell me why I shouldn't finish you off?"; what sounds like garden-variety draconic arrogance is, from the dragon's perspective, legitimate questioning. If its adversaries can engage the dragon's interest, it might regard them as more than just a momentary diversion. They are usually unlikely to genuinely kill a victim of their boredom, simply because they tend to find that much less interesting than seeing what they do next. Most often, though, it talks first and fights later, doing everything in their power to elude those who challenge it. Even if the challengers are trying to kill it, the dragon talks to them to understand the stakes; after all, it would be a shame to kill someone who's more interesting when alive.
Platinum dragons are the rarest of the metallic dragons. They are so few and far between that some people believe Bahamut to be the only one of his kind (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page), but there are enough that show themselves publicly to prove this to be untrue. Platinum dragons appear to have scales made of pure platinum. Their other notable features include a large frill that runs from the back of their head to the tip of their tail, fins that run along the sides of their face, and whisker-like spines growing from their chins.
Platinum dragons typically live on high peaks or areas with large open spaces. They build lairs on mountaintops or in shallow caves. They are most likely to claim territories in Cania, Avernus, and sometimes Phlegethos. Platinum dragons are facultative herbivores and enjoy a variety of grasses, flower petals, and honey as their primary form of sustenance.
Platinum dragons are the only metallic dragons not attuned to any particular element. Instead, they are able to exhale radiant fire. In addition, some have been known to have powerful innate healing, able to “exalt” creatures with their words alone.
Platinum dragons do not keep physical hoards like most dragons do. They only kept gold or other coinage to trade for their true hoards: knowledge. They value wisdom, knowledge, prophecies, and songs instead of material possessions, only keeping things like scrolls or books to record longer pieces of information that they don’t trust their incredible recollection ability with.
Platinum dragons mate for life and will usually only lay a single clutch in their lifetimes. They will combine territories with their mate if possible, or one will abandon their territory to move in with the other. They build nests out of soft fabrics. Platinum dragon eggs incubate over the course of seven years before hatching. They are raised to adulthood in the platinum dragon’s lair before they are forced to leave. Platinum dragons often choose to stay in touch with their children, forming familial societies across large distances.
Platinum dragons are seen as bringers of justice and symbols of rebellion. Their culture is very disapproving of evil, accepting no excuses for evil acts and not tolerating even minor offenses by evil creatures. Similarly to steel dragons, they have limitless empathy for the downtrodden, the dispossessed, and the helpless, and tend to be relentless about righting any wrongs done to such individuals. They are a pacifistic culture, though, and usually prefer to disarm their opponents instead of killing them, with spells such as polymorph being the most well known tools at their disposal.
Ruby dragons are the only gem dragons confirmed to have at least one living member of their species. Ruby dragons appear to have scales made of rubies and red stone, as if they were animated statues. Their other notable features include antler-like horns, long whisker-like spines, and a set of spikes that run from the top of their head to the tip of their tail.
There is very little information known about the true nature of ruby dragons, their favored habitats, their diets, their hoarding habits, or their lifestyles.
Ruby dragons, like all gem dragons, are psionic and fly using psychic ability. They are said to have breath weapons that can disintegrate foes, but this is likely no more than a rumor spread by Sardior (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page).
Ruby dragons are seen as playful, tricky, and elusive. This is largely due to Sardior (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page), as no other ruby dragons have made themselves public, if there are any others alive.
Amethyst dragons are the next most well known of the gem dragons, though none are confirmed to be alive. There have been numerous rumors and sightings, but nothing as concrete as Sardior for the ruby dragons (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). Amethyst dragons appear to have scales made of jagged amethyst shards and polished amethyst crystals. Their other notable features include large elk-like antlers, horns protruding from their snouts like rhino horns, long whisker-like spines, and a set of spikes that run from the top of their head to the tip of their tail.
There is very little information known about the true nature of amethyst dragons, their favored habitats, their diets, their hoarding habits, or their lifestyles.
Amethyst dragons, like all gem dragons, are psionic and fly using psychic ability. They are said to have breath weapons that harnessed the power of gravity.
Quartz dragons are the next most well known of the gem dragons, though none are confirmed to be alive. There have been numerous rumors and sightings, but nothing as concrete as Sardior for the ruby dragons (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). Quartz dragons appear to have scales made of white or clear crystal shards or chunks of white stone. Their other notable features include several sets of horns, spikes protruding from their cheeks, brows, elbows, and shoulders, long whisker-like spines, a set of spikes that run from the top of their head to the base of their tail, and a set of spikes running from their throats to the bottom of their ribcage.
There is very little information known about the true nature of quartz dragons, their favored habitats, their diets, their hoarding habits, or their lifestyles.
Quartz dragons, like all gem dragons, are psionic and fly using psychic ability. They are said to have radiant breath weapons like their heavenly cousins, the lung coatls.
Sapphire dragons are the next most well known of the gem dragons, though none are confirmed to be alive. There have been some rumors and sightings, but nothing as concrete as Sardior for the ruby dragons (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). Sapphire dragons appear to have scales made of polished sapphires or other deep blue gemstones. Their other notable features include thin antlers, flat tails, long whisker-like spines, and a general lack of spikes like other gem dragons.
There is very little information known about the true nature of sapphire dragons, their favored habitats, their diets, their hoarding habits, or their lifestyles.
Sapphire dragons, like all gem dragons, are psionic and fly using psychic ability. They were said to be able to manipulate sound waves and harm enemies with near imperceivable sound.
Emerald dragons are the least well known of the gem dragons, and none are confirmed to be alive. There have been a few rumors and sightings, but nothing as concrete as Sardior for the ruby dragons (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). Emerald dragons appear to have scales made of rough emeralds and green stones. Their other notable features include antler-like horns, large frills on their backs, elbows, and cheeks, long whisker-like spines, and a set of spikes that run from the top of their head to the middle of their tail.
There is very little information known about the true nature of emerald dragons, their favored habitats, their diets, their hoarding habits, or their lifestyles.
Emerald dragons, like all gem dragons, are psionic and fly using psychic ability. They are said to have roars that meddled the minds of those that perceived it, disorienting them.
Tiamat is a five headed hydra, having one head for each chromatic dragon she is responsible for, and is the only known living hydra. She is incredibly old, having lived countless millennia, and has not shared her true age with anyone. Her body structure resembles that of a red dragon. Tiamat is listed as an Important Figure on the Hell page.
Tiamat is responsible for the red, black, blue, white, and green chromatic dragons, abishai, and kobolds.
She is said to be incredibly spiteful and never forgives a slight of any kind. She slew her sister Kimaahet during the Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page), and her sisters' lineage has been scarce ever since. She currently resides in her personal palace, Draukari, and rules over several draconic cities from afar.
A pseudodragon is a small draconid known to be playful. Pseudodragons typically have bodies about 1 foot (30 centimeters) long, with a 2‑foot-long (61‑centimeter) tail and weigh about 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms). They have chameleon-like abilities, though their color was usually a brownish red. They also have a scorpion-like barb at the end of their tails, used to administer a tranquilizing poison. Otherwise, they look identical to different kinds of dragons on a much smaller scale. They could communicate telepathically in Common or Draconic and also through the vocalization of animal noises.
Pseudodragons mature at 50 years of age and will live to be around 300 when mortal.
In the wild, pseudodragons often seek out quiet places to inhabit such as the hollows of trees and small caves. They are usually found in the forests of Maladomni.
While pseudodragons could bite, their main weapon was a stinging, poisonous tail. They have no breath weapon or other notable abilities.
Fairy dragons are distant relatives of pseudodragons that found their way onto Rubicon. They are the closest thing Rubicon has to “native” draconids, though in many places they are considered an invasive species. Fairy dragons typically have bodies about 1 foot (30 centimeters) long, with a 2‑foot-long (61‑centimeter) tail and weigh about 7 pounds (3.2 kilograms). They have an iridescent coat of scales that reflects all colors of the rainbow, predominantly reflecting one particular color which changed with age. Because their predominant scale hue runs the colors of the rainbow over their lifetime, their color is a direct indicator of their age and power. The scales of a young hatchling are almost always red, and those of an older dragon (over 60 years old) are violet. They have a long, prehensile tail and platinum-colored, butterfly-like wings.
Fairy dragons mature at 10 years of age and will live to be around 80 when mortal.
Fairy dragons often seek out heavily wooded places to inhabit, such as dense forests or jungles in Rubicon.
Fairy dragons have no breath weapon, but are often competent spellcasters.
Wyverns are large draconids, resembling dragons without their forearms. These creatures vary in length from 15 to 35 feet (4.6 to 11 meters), weigh around a ton, and are covered in dark brown or grey scales. They typically have either red or orange eyes and their jaws are filled with long and sharp teeth. They also have a scorpion-like barb at the end of their tails, used to administer a powerful venom. They are also one of the few non-sapient draconids, being animal-like in intelligence.
Wyverns mature at 10 years of age and will live to be around 120 when mortal.
Wyverns prefer areas with cliffs and caverns, and can be found in the peaks of Cania and the ravines in Phlegethos.
Wyverns are known for their powerful venom, often highly valued by poisoners and alchemists. They have no breath weapon or other notable abilities. Many hellish cultures have managed to domesticate wyverns and use them as flying mounts; such wyverns usually have their poisonous barb removed.
Drakes are large draconids, resembling dragons without their wings. Like dragons, drakes have high elemental attunement. They tend to be around 12 ft (3.7 m) long and closely resemble lithe dragons in form. Their scales are colorful and mimic dragons that match their elemental attunement, more often chromatic dragons than any other kind. They are also one of the few non-sapient draconids, being animal-like in intelligence.
Drakes mature at 10 years of age and will live to be around 120 when mortal.
Drakes often live in areas that best reflect their elemental attunement, aligning closely with dragons of similar elements.
Drakes have a minor breath weapon that reflects their elemental attunement.
Sea serpents are large amphibious draconids. They are characterized by long serpentine bodies with strong, webbed fins that propel them through water at impressive speed. Sea serpents are solitary creatures and aggressively territorial. They do not take kindly to ships traveling in their territory, especially if these ships are going over their domains without permission. Some sea serpents can be appeased by offerings of treasure, but most demand that a ship's crew should sacrifice one or more of their own.
Sea serpents mature at 30 years of age and will live to be around 400 when mortal.
Sea serpents live in the waters of Stygia. Living amidst the wreckage of sunken ships or within deep-sea caves, sea serpents collect the cargo of crafts they sink, amassing great collections of trade goods, sailors' trinkets, and pirates' stolen treasure.
Sea serpents have jet-like breath weapons, able to conjure streams of water at high speeds.
Dragon turtles are gargantuan aquatic draconids. They are considered among the most dangerous aquatic creatures in Hell and are even worshiped by some. They appear as titanic turtle-like creatures with a long tail and neck. They have large, taloned flippers, and their heads have a golden crest down the center. The scales of a dragon turtle are generally smooth, but overtime become more coarse until finally being molted. Humanoids that are brave enough to follow a dragon turtle may build ships out of their molted scales. The shell of a dragon turtle is often a shade of deep green, similar to the color of the ocean, with silver highlights running along the raised areas. A surfacing dragon turtle is often mistaken for light reflecting on the water.
Dragon turtles mature at 300 years of age and will live to be around 2000 when mortal.
Dragon turtles live in the waters of Stygia. A dragon turtle guards a vast territory that can expand up to 50 square miles (130 square kilometers). Dragon turtles live in vast caves under the seafloor or hidden in coral reefs. These lairs are used to store their treasure hoards.
When in combat, dragon turtles would use their massive bulk to slam into enemies. They were capable of capsizing even large vessels. Dragon turtles could also expel a blast of scalding steam from their mouths, and can discharge powerful lightning from their core.
Dragon turtles are aggressive and solitary creatures, likely to attack any ships and draconids that enter their territory. They often attack ships in order to loot their treasure. Dragon turtles will carry any valuables they find back to their lair in their mouths. Sailors wishing to pass through the territory of a dragon turtle found that the creatures were intelligent enough to accept bribes or tributes. Sometimes, dragon turtles could even be bribed to fight for others.
Coatls
Coatls are flying, serpent-like draconids that reside in Heaven. They hatch from eggs and mature at around 120 years old, living to be around 700 when mortal. All coatls are generally serpent-like in appearance, though the various sub-types differ in number of limbs, colors, and other extremities like spines, sails, feathers, or hair. Young coatls can be as small as a regular snake, but ancient coatls grow to gargantuan sizes. Coatls are not social and live mostly solitary lives; they will not share their territory with more than a handful of other, trusted coatls, and they will not share their space with humanoid societies. Coatls treat humanoids and other sapient creatures as the same; they will only allow trusted individuals to live in their space. Coatls are often considered aahura due to their innate power, but not all are. Some, like Ku’Kul’Kan, have ascended to become aameshas. They are much less populous than their hellish cousins, the dragons. Thus, there are much fewer sub-types of coatls than there are dragons.Lung Coatl
Quetzal Coatl
Guivre Coatl
Lindyr Coatl
Aido Coatl
Dragons
Dragons are large lizard-like draconids that populate Hell. They are by far the most populous and well known of all the draconids, so much so that they are the namesake of the creature type. Dragons begin life small, hatched from eggs, and can grow to be colossal in size. They mature at around 120 years old and live to be around 700 when mortal. Dragons are more social than their heavenly counterparts, the coatl, but they are not nearly as social as most humanoids. They live mostly solitary lives, but may share their territory with one or two of the same kind of dragon. They also tend to form larger draconic communities across multiple territories, even forming entire dragon nations across hundreds of different dragon territories. Dragons are considered demons in Hell, and many are granted the title of Demon Lord. Dragons are classified by three larger categories: Chromatic, Metallic, and Gem.Chromatic Dragons
Chromatic dragons are the most populous of all dragons by far, making up more than 60% of the dragon population in Hell. The population of chromatic dragons alone is more than triple that of all heavenly coatl population. Chromatic dragons are like European dragons, with forearms, hind legs, and wings, and are more lizard-like than serpent-like. They have colorful scales and are the most element-attuned of all dragons. They tend to be incredibly selfish, cruel, and hateful of other kinds of dragons due to the influence of Tiamat (see “Ancient Draconids” below, or see “Important Figures” on the Hell page). They are not evil by nature, though, and many chromatic dragons are neutral to others. red and orange are affiliated with fire; black and indigo are affiliated with acid; blue and yellow are affiliated with electricity; white and pink are affiliated with ice; and green and purple are affiliated with poison.Red Dragon
Black Dragon
Blue Dragon
Green Dragon
White Dragon
Yellow Dragon
Orange Dragon
Purple Dragon
Indigo Dragon
Pink Dragon
Other Chromatic Dragons
There are other, much rarer chromatic dragons in existence not covered in this article. Dragons such as brown dragons, for example, may come from other forgotten lineages. Even alternative bloodlines that claim the title of “red dragon”, but spawn from a different lineage entirely. Again, this article is too long already, just know that this is not the full extent of all possible kinds of chromatic dragons.Metallic Dragons
Metallic dragons are the next most populous category of dragons, making up a little less than 40% of the dragon population in Hell. Metallic dragons, like chromatic dragons, are like European dragons: they have forearms, hind legs, and wings, and are more lizard-like than serpent-like. They have scales that shine like various earthly metals and are elementally attuned. They tend to be highly rule-oriented due to the influence of Bahamut (see “Important Figures” on the Hell page), but also have a reputation for being paranoid and untrusting due to the Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page).Gold Dragon
Silver Dragon
Bronze Dragon
Copper Dragon
Brass Dragon
Iron Dragon
Steel Dragon
Damascus Dragon
Electrum Dragon
Mercury Dragon
Platinum Dragon
Other Metallic Dragons
There are other, much rarer metallic dragons in existence not covered in this article. Any metal you can think of has its own draconic variant, including more magical materials like adamantine or mithril. This article is too long already, just know that this is not the full extent of all possible kinds of metallic dragons.Gem Dragons
Gem dragons are by far the least populous category of dragons, making up less than 1% of the known dragon population in Hell. Many kinds of gem dragons are considered extinct due to the genocide that followed the Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page). Unlike chromatic and metallic dragons, gem dragons are much more serpent-like and resemble lung coatls. They have forearms and hind legs, but no wings, though they can fly using psionics. Unlike lung coatls, they do not have fluffy manes and instead have a trail of spikes that lead down to the tips of their tails. They also often have large horns. They have scales that resemble the gemstones they are named after, and have powerful psionic abilities.Ruby Dragon
Amethyst Dragon
Quartz Dragon
Sapphire Dragon
Emerald Dragon
Other Gem Dragons
There are other gem dragons theorized to still roam the plane in hiding that are not covered in this article. Dragons such as topaz dragons, obsidian dragons, or pearl dragons, for example, are rumored to still live. This article is too long already, just know that this is not the full extent of all possible kinds of gem dragons.Ancient Draconids
Several draconids descend from the same or similar bloodlines, such as several chromatic dragons claiming a lineage to Tiamat. Draconids such as Tiamat are members of an ancient, long lived species that, largely, no longer roam Hell. These draconids are known as hydras. The following individuals are the most well known hydras throughout Hell’s history.Tiamat
Kimaahet
Kimaahet was a five headed hydra, having one head for each chromatic dragon she was responsible for. She was Tiamat’s sister, slain by Tiamat herself during the Draconic Wars (see “History” on the Hell page). Kimaahet is listed as an Important Figure on the Hell page. Kimaahet is responsible for the orange, yellow, indigo, purple, and pink dragons, abishai, and kobolds. Her body structure resembled that of an indigo dragon. Very little is known about Kimaahet and what she was like, due to the efforts of Tiamat and her spawn to cover up her existence.Balaur
Balaur was a two headed hydra, having one head resembling a lung coatl and one resembling a quetzal coatl. His body structure resembled that of a lung coatl with feathery wings like a quetzal coatl. Balaur was said to be the origin of the quetzal and lung coatls. Very little is known about what Balaur was like, though many claim he was the epitome of wisdom, guidance, and spirituality. This is likely a deified interpretation of his actual personality, though.Ninimi
Ninimi was a three headed hydra, having one head that resembled a guivre, one head that resembled a lindyr, and one head that resembled an aido. Her body structure resembled that of an aido coatl. The tale of her death is the most popularized version of any hydra: she was slain by an angel from heaven using a flaming sword, cutting off her heads and burning the stumps. Ninimi was said to be the origin of the guivre, lindyr, and aido coatls. Very little is known about what Ninimi was like, though stories claim that she was more bestial than her descendants are. This is likely due to the mythologized retellings of her death. It is due to these stories, though, that we know Ninimi had the ability to regrow her heads and other appendages, and potentially sprout multiple.Other Hydras
Not much is known about other hydras. There were likely several hydras responsible for the current day metallic dragons and gem dragons, but these hydras have been purged from known history. All that to say, this list is not a complete list of all hydras that have ever existed.Other Draconids
There are several non-dragon and non-coatl draconids that also exist in this world. Below is a list of miscellaneous draconids.Pseudodragon
Fairy Dragon
Wyvern
Drake
Sea serpent
Dragon turtle
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