Black dragons are clever, cunning, and, malevolent. Their crafty, sinister faces reflect this.
They are sometimes known as “skull dragons” for their deeply socketed eyes and distinctive nasal opening. Adding to this impression is the gradual deterioration of the hide around the horn base/cheekbone. This does no harm to the dragon but increases with age.
Blacks are solitary creatures that even with the collaboration within a humanoid-draconic society still prefer to live in seclusion.
Description
Black dragons appear abnormally slender in comparison to other chromatic 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. A large frill adorned the upper part of the neck. They smell like rotting vegetation and foul water. A black dragon grows up to a maximum size of 16 feet (4.9 meters) tall, 85 feet (26 meters) in length, with a wingspan of 80 feet (24 meters). They weigh up to 160,000 pounds (73,000 kilograms).
Personality
Solitary and extremely territorial in their nature, black dragons will seldom form clans, opting to do so only when they live in the most hazardous of environments or when faced with a danger that could wipe out large swaths of their population.
Combat
Black dragons prefer ambushes to straightforward fighting. They are vicious and ruthless adversaries, and their acidic bile dissolves through the heaviest armour with ease. Their only disadvantage was that their heavily wooded habitats typically prevented them from flying very high in combat.
Black dragons expelled a jet of highly corrosive acid.
Society
Lair
Black dragons live in swamps, jungles and fetid marshlands. The black, glossy scales of black dragons added to their camouflage within swamp lands. They prefer to ambush their targets, using darkness or water as their
cover. 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.
Habitat
Because black dragons prefer seclusion over the bustling streets, it is rare to see a black dragon, or black half-dragon for that matter, mingling in society. Even if they are involved in the humanoid-draconic society, they rarely make it a permanent situation.
Reproduction
Female dragons take the lead when it comes to breeding, choosing their mate largely based on the size of the hoard of prospective males. Because of this, male black dragons will often brag about their accumulated wealth to communicative creatures or others of their own kind, in the hopes that rumours of their hoard will spread to any females in the area that are looking to mate. When two or more females selected the same male as their partner, they will fight for dominance high in the air above the lair of the male, allowing him to gaze upon his future mate's victory in admiration.
Black dragons are not noted as good parents, relying more upon disguise and hiding to protect their eggs than upon guarding them personally. Black dragon eggs must be submerged in strong acid while growing, which helps protect the dragon as well. Black dragons will only protect their young so long as that responsibility doesn't threaten their own life. If they have to choose between saving their own life or those of their clutch or spawn, they will most certainly choose the former; though they will assuredly seek revenge afterwards.
Their wyrmlings are noted for their exceptional cruelty and their utterly insatiable appetites. They eat almost anything organic they could kill, even plants. As a black dragon matures, its scales gradually grow lighter. The most ancient black dragons appeared almost purple in colour.
Relationships
Usually, the only few times a black dragon mingles amongst the population it's to seek attention of a possible partner.
Notable Black Dragons
Voaraghamanthar
Voaraghamanthar, known as the Black Death, is one of the most famous black dragons. He is a notable sorcerer, learning most of his magic from the tomes of the Mere of Dead Men. Anyone who travels through his territory will soon know why he is considered to be such a horrific sight, Voaraghamanthar is able to easily and speedily traverse the area.
He sees most other creatures only as food or annoyances to be quickly disposed of, with the exception of someone that proves too useful to die.
