Dragon, Ferrous, Steel
Description
Steel dragons in their natural forms were especially feline in their movements and stature. They had scales that shone like burnished steel as adults and usually smelled like wet metal.[3] Younger dragons' scales were a darker blue-gray and less lustrous.[7] Their wings consisted of overlapping blades that looked like feathers, and the scales on their chests resemble shields.[8]
Their faces were particularly expressive, sometimes giving the illusion of a human-like face. They had many long spines surrounding their faces, which gave the appearance of hair.[3]
In humanoid forms, steel dragons usually kept their true identities secret; however, they always had at least one visual indication of their true nature in the form of steel-gray hair, eyes, tattoos, or another feature.[7]
Abilities
Steel dragons were immune to acid and resistant to poison and especially magic. They had innate abilities to enchant and charm individuals.[7]
Personality
Steel dragons, as a rule, were amiable, curious, and witty. They would rather spend their time among human cultures than in their own true forms.[3]
However, they had difficulty when dealing with all kinds of absolute authority, even authority that was used for good. This put steel dragons at odds with other kinds of metallic dragons that used their power and experience to justify their actions, specially bronze dragons and gold dragons; this also made them bitter enemies of chromatic dragons. For those same reasons, steel dragons usually worked within their chosen communities to promote freedom and undermine authoritarian forces.[8]
Steel dragons liked the company of humans, elves, half-elves and dwarves, and they usually supported adventurers that opposed tyrants.[8]
Favored treasure
They preferred to invest in property and business unlike other dragons, who preferred to hoard monetary treasures. Some steel dragons did hoard items, but they preferred to hoard works of art, antiquities, books, finery, magic items or servants.[8]
Combat
Similar to brass dragons, most steel dragons would rather talk than fight, yet like all dragons, they could be formidable opponents. In combat, they avoided melee and instead relied on their magical spells.[7] A steel dragon could cast the spells of clerics as arcane magic and also could use the spells usually considered a part of the knowledge and trickery domains. If truly losing a battle, a steel dragon was likely to teleport away.[5]
A steel dragon could breathe both a line of acid and a cloud of poisonous gas.[5]
Society
Unlike most other dragons, steel dragons did not live in caves, preferring castles, towers, palaces, mansions, and the like.[7]
While they preferred to eat in their human forms, doing so would not provide them enough nourishment to survive, so they would have to make excuses to go hunting secretly in their dragon forms every three tendays or so.[7]
According to Elminster steel dragons were also called "Greyhawk dragons", and according to Mordenkainen, that was the proper name of the species.[9]
Steel Dragon Many more people have interacted with a steel dragon than actually know they exist. This is because steel dragons infiltrate the cities of humanoids in a humanoid form, often remaining there for much longer periods of time than they stay in their own lairs. Their motivation varies, but they are nearly always benign, simply having a curiosity about the smaller folk that can only be satiated by walking among them. A steel dragons has a comparably slight build with a long, narrow head. Sword-like frills grow like horns from its head, neck, and elbows, and its tail is tipped with a large hook-like blade. Its wings are feathered, rather than leathery, and each feather resembles a sharp dagger. Its scales resemble small shields, and even from a young age, it shines like polished steel. In a humanoid form, the dragon retains some element of its coloration, such as grey hair, eyes, nails, or occasionally a steel necklace or other adornment of some kind. In its draconic form, a steel dragon smells of wet metal. Sociable, Clever, and Curious. Steel dragons prefer living among humanoids to living by themselves in their lairs, taking humanoid form to go unnoticed. They are intelligent and often take on the role of intellectual persons such as wizards, librarians, historians, or other scholars and sages, or even occasionally nobles. These dragons go to great lengths to keep their true identities a secret, setting up elaborate backstories for themselves and even, in rare cases, learning humanoid trades or creating multiple guises. Despite these disguises, steel dragons can always recognize one another. Though they can get along peacefully and effectively become a part of any society, steel dragons prefer human cities. They find longer-lived races a bit tedious and boring. Humans are unique from other races in that they are adaptable and have a certain enthusiasm that steel dragons find fascinating. Freedom within the Law. Steel dragons can't tolerate authority of any kind. They won't be told what to do in any scenario, regardless of their guise or place in society, unless ignoring such orders would somehow reveal the dragon's true nature. They are otherwise adamant supporters of the law, as long as that law maintains order flexibly and follows the dragon's personal understanding of how the law should work, such that the dragon can advance its own agenda. This perspective brings many steel dragons into conflict with those who enforce oppressive regimes, including the occasional gold or bronze dragon. However, a steel dragon never confronts such issues or creatures directly, instead preferring to subtly cause trouble, or even instigate rebellion if it believes that such a rebellion would lead to an overthrow of the tyranny it wants gone. Even when confronted directly, a steel dragon prefers dipomacy over combat, trying to use spells or its innate abilities to diffuse the situation. If risen to fight, it tries to end combat peacefully. A steel dragon only kills its opposition if it obviously means to cause lethal harm to the dragon (or its companions or subjects), and is capable of doing so. A dragon risen to such fury is a terrible foe to behold. Haughty and Aloof. As with other dragons, steel dragons are arrogant and have large egos. Even in humanoid form they come across as vain and insensitive, but they mean well. Even the haughtiest of steel dragons comes to have close humanoid companions that it cares deeply about. When it comes to their origins and their fall from Bahamut's favor, steel dragons think themselves above such petty grievances. After all, who needs the approval of a god who claimed to have authority over them? To them, it is where they came from, and nothing more. As far as they are concerned, the past is only proof of their superiority. They are greater than the other metallic dragons because of their rebellion; they were one of the few willing to stand up to Bahamut's authority and gain their freedom. Which they won, they are quick to point out, even though they "lost the war." Investors and Enterprisers. Because of their urban locations, steel dragons prefer treasures that more easily blend in to their ruse. Exquisite mansions filled with all manner of finery and decadence are usually the most obvious portions of a steel dragon's hoard. Beyond that, a steel dragon invests into enterprises, guilds, and other organizations that it deems worthy of such investment, often holding enough shares to control it. Then it sits back and watches as its coffers fill with a cut of the profit. A Steel Dragon's Lair Unlike other dragons, a steel dragon always has two lairs. The first is in the city, in the form of a humanoid house complete with servants and occasionally a family. Steel dragons establish elaborate humanoid histories for themselves before moving in to a new city. The second lair is further away, outside of the city but close enough that the dragon could fly there at a moment's notice if it needed to. This lair is secluded and well guarded with wards, traps, and hirelings, and the dragon hires servants to maintain it (visiting it every so often to ensure its safety, of course). The dragon only stays in this lair if it is driven from its urban home or chooses to leave of its own volition. Much of the dragon's wealth is kept in its city home or in the form of investments, but the rest (including mountains of riches obtained from its shrewd investments) is safely tucked away in this lair. For their second lairs, steel dragons like to choose old structures like castles, ruins, or other sites that bespeak the history of the local humanoids. They stay away from caves and similar places if they can, thinking them too squalid for a creature of their stature. Regional Effects The region containing a legendary steel dragon's lair is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects. * Iron and steel within 1 mile of the lair is immune to rusting from natural causes. * While within 1 mile of its lair, the dragon has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) and Charisma (Persuasion) ability checks. * While inside of its lair, the dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects. If the dragon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10 days. Preferred Spells Steel dragons tend to prefer the following spells: friends, charm person, command, shield, suggestion, calm emotions, enthrall, counterspell, hold monster, wall of force, mass suggestion, and forcecage. Ferrous Dragons Few know that the ferrous dragons exist, let along their tragic origins. The chromium, cobalt, nickel, steel, and tungsten dragons are each members of this mostly forgotten category of true dragons. Each is vain and greedy, as dragons are wont to be, and each type sees the circumstance of their species in a different light. All, however, no matter their viewpoints, want only to regain their race's former glory, and depose the metallics from their throne of nobility. Gruaghlothor's Rebellion. The title of "ferrous" often confuses those who first learn about the dragon type; or at least, those that know anything about ferrous metals. Few of the dragons within this category take after ferrous metals, so why call them ferrous dragons at all? The reasoning is linked to their original place, which was as metallic dragons under the watchful and good-natured deity Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon. Gruaghlothor the Supreme Dragon was a powerful demigod and one of Bahamut's most powerful and trusted advisors. He chafed under the rulership of the Platinum Dragon, despite having gained his power as a result of Bahamut's trust, and planned to overthrow him and take his place as the sovereign lord of metallic dragons. He sowed the seeds of rebellion in the minds of all metallic dragons, but those seeds only took root in the chromium, cobalt, nickel, steel, and tungsten dragons. The others proved too resolute in their reverence of their deity. He told them the power they would gain with him at their head, tempted them with promises of godhood and lordship that weren't his to give. Eventually, after many centuries of preparation, Gruaghlothor launched his assault with his army. Bahamut and his faithful dragons retaliated in kind, but the Platinum Dragon attempted to approach his beloved advisor with diplomacy. Gruaghlothor refused all attempts at a peaceful resolution, insisting that Bahamut must be destroyed, and so Bahamut ordered the eradication of those who dared rebel against him. He wounded Gruaghlothor, but the rebellious demigod escaped. His army was destroyed and the survivors fled into the dark corners of the world. Thusly, the title "ferrous" comes from the metaphorical rusting of the honor and beliefs of the once-metallic dragons, and represents their fall from nobility and honor into bitterness and betrayal. Those that survive insist that Gruaghlothor, the new lord of the fallen ferrous dragons, lives on, waiting for the imaginary moment in which he can exact his revenge. Creatures of Law. Gruaghlothor's arguements appealed to the dragons that have a strong sense of law. Their plots are well thought-out and methodical, and they rarely act impulsively. Most have lost their good nature as a result of their fall, becoming neutral or evil. Over the millenia and eons since their great defeat, each type has come to hate the other ferrous dragons out of spite, blaming their fall on anyone but themselves. Despite their loathing, they never attack each other because of a decree supposedly from Gruaghlothor himself, stating that they are to preserve their numbers. Infighting is not tolerated. As dragons of law, they obey, albeit begrudgingly. Within their society, the ferrous dragons follow the vague outline of a hierarchy. Though they hate one another, they respect the hierarchy set forth by Gruaghlothor. Several dragons of the same type and in the same region are organized into clans. Each clan is led by its most powerful member, and each clan leader answers to a sovereign great wyrm. Each species of ferrous dragon is led in this way, and the sovereigns of each type are said to be able to commune with Gruaghlothor himself. No one species has any measure of authority over another, but ferrous dragons always defer to a dragon that is older or of higher rank. Bitter and Resentful. Each ferrous dragon harbors bitterness within; bitterness toward Bahamut, toward Gruaghlothor, toward the other ferrous dragons, toward the metallic dragons who defeated them, and most importantly toward their own species. Despite this bitterness, some ferrous dragons look forward with hope, determined to regain their place at Bahamut's side through a show of good nature and penitence. Others look forward with violence, desiring to destroy those who saw fit to destroy them. Relations with Other Dragons. To chromatic dragons, ferrous dragons are still metallic dragons, and the two do not tolerate each other. In general, ferrous dragons get along with (or at least tolerate) gem dragons, but especially with amethyst and emerald dragons. When it comes to metallic dragons, the ferrous dragon's attitude depends on its type. Tungsten dragons, for example, are noble, and recognize the fault of their ancestors in following Gruaghlothor. They view metallic dragons with the highest respect, but with an air of jealousy, admiring their devotion while wishing that their ancestors had it as well. Steel dragons regard them as metallic only in name, but otherwise ignore them unless confronted with them. Chromium dragons look upon metallic dragons with spite, believing that the ferrous dragons are the true rulers of dragonkind and that the metallics stole that privilege away from them.
Steel Dragon Many more people have interacted with a steel dragon than actually know they exist. This is because steel dragons infiltrate the cities of humanoids in a humanoid form, often remaining there for much longer periods of time than they stay in their own lairs. Their motivation varies, but they are nearly always benign, simply having a curiosity about the smaller folk that can only be satiated by walking among them. A steel dragons has a comparably slight build with a long, narrow head. Sword-like frills grow like horns from its head, neck, and elbows, and its tail is tipped with a large hook-like blade. Its wings are feathered, rather than leathery, and each feather resembles a sharp dagger. Its scales resemble small shields, and even from a young age, it shines like polished steel. In a humanoid form, the dragon retains some element of its coloration, such as grey hair, eyes, nails, or occasionally a steel necklace or other adornment of some kind. In its draconic form, a steel dragon smells of wet metal. Sociable, Clever, and Curious. Steel dragons prefer living among humanoids to living by themselves in their lairs, taking humanoid form to go unnoticed. They are intelligent and often take on the role of intellectual persons such as wizards, librarians, historians, or other scholars and sages, or even occasionally nobles. These dragons go to great lengths to keep their true identities a secret, setting up elaborate backstories for themselves and even, in rare cases, learning humanoid trades or creating multiple guises. Despite these disguises, steel dragons can always recognize one another. Though they can get along peacefully and effectively become a part of any society, steel dragons prefer human cities. They find longer-lived races a bit tedious and boring. Humans are unique from other races in that they are adaptable and have a certain enthusiasm that steel dragons find fascinating. Freedom within the Law. Steel dragons can't tolerate authority of any kind. They won't be told what to do in any scenario, regardless of their guise or place in society, unless ignoring such orders would somehow reveal the dragon's true nature. They are otherwise adamant supporters of the law, as long as that law maintains order flexibly and follows the dragon's personal understanding of how the law should work, such that the dragon can advance its own agenda. This perspective brings many steel dragons into conflict with those who enforce oppressive regimes, including the occasional gold or bronze dragon. However, a steel dragon never confronts such issues or creatures directly, instead preferring to subtly cause trouble, or even instigate rebellion if it believes that such a rebellion would lead to an overthrow of the tyranny it wants gone. Even when confronted directly, a steel dragon prefers dipomacy over combat, trying to use spells or its innate abilities to diffuse the situation. If risen to fight, it tries to end combat peacefully. A steel dragon only kills its opposition if it obviously means to cause lethal harm to the dragon (or its companions or subjects), and is capable of doing so. A dragon risen to such fury is a terrible foe to behold. Haughty and Aloof. As with other dragons, steel dragons are arrogant and have large egos. Even in humanoid form they come across as vain and insensitive, but they mean well. Even the haughtiest of steel dragons comes to have close humanoid companions that it cares deeply about. When it comes to their origins and their fall from Bahamut's favor, steel dragons think themselves above such petty grievances. After all, who needs the approval of a god who claimed to have authority over them? To them, it is where they came from, and nothing more. As far as they are concerned, the past is only proof of their superiority. They are greater than the other metallic dragons because of their rebellion; they were one of the few willing to stand up to Bahamut's authority and gain their freedom. Which they won, they are quick to point out, even though they "lost the war." Investors and Enterprisers. Because of their urban locations, steel dragons prefer treasures that more easily blend in to their ruse. Exquisite mansions filled with all manner of finery and decadence are usually the most obvious portions of a steel dragon's hoard. Beyond that, a steel dragon invests into enterprises, guilds, and other organizations that it deems worthy of such investment, often holding enough shares to control it. Then it sits back and watches as its coffers fill with a cut of the profit. A Steel Dragon's Lair Unlike other dragons, a steel dragon always has two lairs. The first is in the city, in the form of a humanoid house complete with servants and occasionally a family. Steel dragons establish elaborate humanoid histories for themselves before moving in to a new city. The second lair is further away, outside of the city but close enough that the dragon could fly there at a moment's notice if it needed to. This lair is secluded and well guarded with wards, traps, and hirelings, and the dragon hires servants to maintain it (visiting it every so often to ensure its safety, of course). The dragon only stays in this lair if it is driven from its urban home or chooses to leave of its own volition. Much of the dragon's wealth is kept in its city home or in the form of investments, but the rest (including mountains of riches obtained from its shrewd investments) is safely tucked away in this lair. For their second lairs, steel dragons like to choose old structures like castles, ruins, or other sites that bespeak the history of the local humanoids. They stay away from caves and similar places if they can, thinking them too squalid for a creature of their stature. Regional Effects The region containing a legendary steel dragon's lair is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or more of the following effects. * Iron and steel within 1 mile of the lair is immune to rusting from natural causes. * While within 1 mile of its lair, the dragon has advantage on Charisma (Intimidation) and Charisma (Persuasion) ability checks. * While inside of its lair, the dragon has advantage on saving throws against spells and magical effects. If the dragon dies, these effects fade over the course of 1d10 days. Preferred Spells Steel dragons tend to prefer the following spells: friends, charm person, command, shield, suggestion, calm emotions, enthrall, counterspell, hold monster, wall of force, mass suggestion, and forcecage. Ferrous Dragons Few know that the ferrous dragons exist, let along their tragic origins. The chromium, cobalt, nickel, steel, and tungsten dragons are each members of this mostly forgotten category of true dragons. Each is vain and greedy, as dragons are wont to be, and each type sees the circumstance of their species in a different light. All, however, no matter their viewpoints, want only to regain their race's former glory, and depose the metallics from their throne of nobility. Gruaghlothor's Rebellion. The title of "ferrous" often confuses those who first learn about the dragon type; or at least, those that know anything about ferrous metals. Few of the dragons within this category take after ferrous metals, so why call them ferrous dragons at all? The reasoning is linked to their original place, which was as metallic dragons under the watchful and good-natured deity Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon. Gruaghlothor the Supreme Dragon was a powerful demigod and one of Bahamut's most powerful and trusted advisors. He chafed under the rulership of the Platinum Dragon, despite having gained his power as a result of Bahamut's trust, and planned to overthrow him and take his place as the sovereign lord of metallic dragons. He sowed the seeds of rebellion in the minds of all metallic dragons, but those seeds only took root in the chromium, cobalt, nickel, steel, and tungsten dragons. The others proved too resolute in their reverence of their deity. He told them the power they would gain with him at their head, tempted them with promises of godhood and lordship that weren't his to give. Eventually, after many centuries of preparation, Gruaghlothor launched his assault with his army. Bahamut and his faithful dragons retaliated in kind, but the Platinum Dragon attempted to approach his beloved advisor with diplomacy. Gruaghlothor refused all attempts at a peaceful resolution, insisting that Bahamut must be destroyed, and so Bahamut ordered the eradication of those who dared rebel against him. He wounded Gruaghlothor, but the rebellious demigod escaped. His army was destroyed and the survivors fled into the dark corners of the world. Thusly, the title "ferrous" comes from the metaphorical rusting of the honor and beliefs of the once-metallic dragons, and represents their fall from nobility and honor into bitterness and betrayal. Those that survive insist that Gruaghlothor, the new lord of the fallen ferrous dragons, lives on, waiting for the imaginary moment in which he can exact his revenge. Creatures of Law. Gruaghlothor's arguements appealed to the dragons that have a strong sense of law. Their plots are well thought-out and methodical, and they rarely act impulsively. Most have lost their good nature as a result of their fall, becoming neutral or evil. Over the millenia and eons since their great defeat, each type has come to hate the other ferrous dragons out of spite, blaming their fall on anyone but themselves. Despite their loathing, they never attack each other because of a decree supposedly from Gruaghlothor himself, stating that they are to preserve their numbers. Infighting is not tolerated. As dragons of law, they obey, albeit begrudgingly. Within their society, the ferrous dragons follow the vague outline of a hierarchy. Though they hate one another, they respect the hierarchy set forth by Gruaghlothor. Several dragons of the same type and in the same region are organized into clans. Each clan is led by its most powerful member, and each clan leader answers to a sovereign great wyrm. Each species of ferrous dragon is led in this way, and the sovereigns of each type are said to be able to commune with Gruaghlothor himself. No one species has any measure of authority over another, but ferrous dragons always defer to a dragon that is older or of higher rank. Bitter and Resentful. Each ferrous dragon harbors bitterness within; bitterness toward Bahamut, toward Gruaghlothor, toward the other ferrous dragons, toward the metallic dragons who defeated them, and most importantly toward their own species. Despite this bitterness, some ferrous dragons look forward with hope, determined to regain their place at Bahamut's side through a show of good nature and penitence. Others look forward with violence, desiring to destroy those who saw fit to destroy them. Relations with Other Dragons. To chromatic dragons, ferrous dragons are still metallic dragons, and the two do not tolerate each other. In general, ferrous dragons get along with (or at least tolerate) gem dragons, but especially with amethyst and emerald dragons. When it comes to metallic dragons, the ferrous dragon's attitude depends on its type. Tungsten dragons, for example, are noble, and recognize the fault of their ancestors in following Gruaghlothor. They view metallic dragons with the highest respect, but with an air of jealousy, admiring their devotion while wishing that their ancestors had it as well. Steel dragons regard them as metallic only in name, but otherwise ignore them unless confronted with them. Chromium dragons look upon metallic dragons with spite, believing that the ferrous dragons are the true rulers of dragonkind and that the metallics stole that privilege away from them.
Genetic Ancestor(s)
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