Ibrandlin

Ibrandlin, also known as lurkers in darkness, were a type of magically created, dragon-like creatures that were found in Faerûn, primarily in the land of Thar, the western Galena Mountains of Vaasa, and deep within the caverns of the Underdark. While they were extremely dangerous, they were often trained to serve as watchful guardians or bestial companions to adventuring companies. They were originally created by the priests of Ibrandul.

Description
The ibrandlin were massive creatures that resembled wingless, gray-scaled dragons with red and black bellies. While the surface-dwelling ibrandlin of Thar maintained an aversion to sunlight, and kept themselves in whatever dark caves they could find, they adapted to the harsh life of living in such barren terrain. Having previously been domesticated in the Underdark, they had become a more bestial, even feral species when living in the wild.

Combat
Due to their size, ibrandlin were inherently dangerous, and surprisingly speedy creatures. They were known to rear up on their immensely strong tails and come crashing down on their foes, raking them with all four of their massive claws and simultaneously biting with their forceful jaws. Like the flying, distantly related red dragons, ibrandlin possessed the ability to breathe fire.

Ecology
Ibrandlin were passionately hated by the ogre tribes of Thar, and were considered a mere nuisance by the region's orc clans.

Life cycle
A mating pair of ibrandlin would breed once a year, with a female laying a clutch of about a dozen eggs within their nest. After the eggs hatched in spring, the parents would care for the brood of hatchlings for one to three months until they were capable of defending and feeding themselves. Once the juveniles grew into adults they sought out their own lair with plentiful hunting grounds.

Diet
Ibrandlin preferred to feed on livestock and herd animals, such as goats, deer and antelope. It was not unheard of them to attack orcs and humans, as well as any accompanying horses or pack animals they kept.

History
The first ibrandlin were first bred by priests of Ibrandul, following the death of their deity at the hands of Shar during the Time of Troubles of 1358 DR. They were tasked with guarding important, subterranean locations within the Underdark in northern Faerûn.

It was unknown as to how the ibrandlin came to be so numerous in the aboveground realm of Thar. Ogre-made stelae within the region depicted humanoid priests (presumably faithful of Ibrandul) summoning the massive beasts to kill helpless ogres, and their legends spoke of the human hero Beldoran who slew the last Tharkul.