Black dragon

Black dragons, also known as skull dragons, are far and away the most vile tempered and cruel of all chromatic dragons.

Known Black Dragons

 * Urshula, a Dracolich.
 * Thauglor, the 'purple dragon' that provided the name for the Purple Dragon knights.

Physical attributes


Physically, black dragons are most distinguished by their horns, which protrude from the sides of their heads and wrap around, projecting forward. A large frill adorns the upper part of the neck. They smell like rotting vegetation and foul water. A black dragon can grow up to 16' (4.9m) tall with a wingspan of 40' (12.2m). It can weigh up to 160,000lbs (72,500kg).

Breath weapon
A black dragon's breath weapon is a line of acid.

Lair
A black dragon typically lairs in a large cave or underground chamber next to a swamp or murky pond. Their lairs always have two entrances: one underwater through the adjacent swamp/pond, and one above-ground, disguised amidst the undergrowth.

Combat
Black dragons prefer ambushes to straightforward fighting. They are vicious and ruthless adversaries, and their acidic bile can work its way under the heaviest armor with ease. Their only disadvantage is that their heavily wooded habitats tend to prevent them from flying very high in combat.

Parenting and Development
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 can also help protect the dragon as well. Their wyrmlings are noted for their exceptional cruelty and their utterly insatiable appetites. They will eat almost anything organic they can kill, even plants. As a black dragon matures, its scales will very gradually grow lighter. The most ancient black dragons appear almost purple in color; hence the name of Cormyr's Purple Dragon Knights stems from the legend of the great black dragon Thauglor, who once dominated the area encompassed by the present kingdom.

Diet
A black dragon's diet consists of fish, mollusks, aquatic critters and some red meat from terrestrial animals.