Astral dragon

Astral dragon is the name given to a group of dragons that are able to inhabit the Astral Sea. These are chromatic dragons although they only bear a slight relation to the others in their subtype.

Abilities
Astral dragons can see through the blur of the Astral Sea for up to ten miles (16 km), and can plane shift frequently, at will. They are able to fly on the Prime Material Plane thanks to an organ in the head, although they are not easily able to walk under the influence of gravity.

Combat
In battle against creatures not native to the Astral Sea, the astral dragon will prioritise spellcasters, since they might be responsible for keeping their companions in the Astral Sea, so killing them would defeat the entire group.

Although an astral dragon has no psionic abilities, it can sense psionic abilities in others, up to around 240 ft (73 m).

Birth and development
A female astral dragon can lay one egg, 5 ft (152 cm) in diameter, every few hundred years. This egg grows, over many years, to 10ft (3 m) and a hole opens at one end. The egg itself becomes the offspring's lair, and it continues to grow to a maximum of around 30 ft (10 m) in diameter, at which time it is very thin (although still strong), and very difficult to see as it is the same colour as the surroundings in the Astral Sea.

A young astral dragon will use the egg for storing treasure, much like a regular lair, and establishes a mental link back to the egg, to find it later. Once adulthood has been reached, the egg is abandoned in favour of a larger lair, and these eggs are often taken over by other species.

Younger astral dragons spend more time on the Prime Material Plane than their adult counterparts, and the older the dragon becomes, the more time they spend on their native Astral Sea.

Diet
The astral dragon does not require very much food, but they do enjoy to eat, preferring githyanki where possible.

Disease
Some astral dragons contract a disease known as astralomitis, which inhibits their ability to travel the planes, and is more common amongst astral dragons who switch between planes frequently.

If a dragon is on its non-native plane when struck by this disease, it is unable to return, and there is a chance insanity can ensue. It loses the ability to cast any spells in this state, but ferociously attacks any creatures nearby. This state can last for up to five days, and results in the death of the dragon. If it can return to the Astral Sea by this time, the insanity slowly ceases, but it is left unable to switch planes. The disease has no known cure except for a wish spell.

Treasure
Astral dragons, like some other dragons, are known to have a desire for treasure, and seek to acquire it by travelling the planes. A favourite target is githyanki, since they tend to have magical, gem-encrusted armor, but an astral dragon also enjoys treasure acquired from astral travellers. Magical treasure recovered from an astral dragon lair on the Astral Sea appears normal unless it is returned to the Prime Material Plane.

Types of astral dragon

 * Battle dragon
 * Pact dragon