Linnorm

Linnorms were a very rare, primeval breed of dragon-related creatures.

Description
Linnorms had immense bodies that were snake-like, lacking both wings and rear limbs. They moved through a combination of walking with their forelegs and slithering like a snake. Their bodies could grow to be as large as and weigh as much as.

These creatures had flexible skeletons, containing hundreds of vertebrae, and grew large trunk muscles that allowed them to dig into the ground with the scales of their underbelly and by pushing forward with their ribs. Their forelegs ended in sharp, razor-like claws.

Personality
These creatures were typically known to be cruel, hateful, and very spiteful. They were infamously untrustworthy, rarely honoring bargains. They never were known to show signs of compassion or empathy, caring nothing for the deaths of other creatures.

They were fiercely territorial. Unlike some draconic creatures, not all linnorms were known to be avaricious. The oldest of linnorms typically suffered from some form of insanity due to their isolative nature.

Abilities
Much like the more common breeds of dragon, linnorms possessed varying forms of dragon breath. They also were immune to magical effects that induced sleep or paralysis. They generally did not grow more powerful as they aged and thus were considered to be a type of lesser dragon.

Linnorms had keen visual senses, possessing both a form of blindsight and darkvision.

Combat
When engaging in combat a linnorm relied upon their dragon breath and immense strength, attempting to crush their opponents and swipe them with their tails. Being brilliant tacticians and strategists, linnorms studied their foes from afar and formed plans of attack, then waited until conditions were in their advantage before they made a quick and decisive attack.

Sub-Species

 * Corpse tearer: The most feared of all linnorms, these creatures were believed to be direct descendants of the legendary Nidhogg.
 * Dread linnorm: The largest variety of linnorm, they held the most irrational hatred towards humans.
 * Gray linnorm: The smallest and most aggressive variety of linnorm.
 * Styggian linnorm: A variety of linnorm that was native to the Styx.

Rumors & Legends
Some believed that all linnorms were the bastard offspring of a legendary, serpent-like creature known as Nidhogg. Other scholars speculated that linnorms originated from Niflheim.

Some scholars believed that linnorms were lesser serpents that evolved from a common ancestor of all dragons.

Society
Due to their single-mindedness, these creatures lacked a societal structure and largely lived solitarily lives, usually refusing to ally themselves with any other living creature. Whenever they did ally with someone, a linnorm would typically turn upon them after they achieved their goals.

Once every decade female linnorms would release pheromones that were tuned to the heightened senses of male linnorms, though this call to mate went unanswered more often than not. While mating these creatures entangled their long bodies around one another, forming a sort of "mating ball." The resulting clutch of eggs would be cared for by the female until they hatched, at which point they would be abandoned. Gray linnorms were the exception to this, remaining with their hatchlings until they could fend for themselves.

Lairs
These creatures lived inside deep tunnels, which they outfitted with elaborate traps. They did their best to ensure that their territories never encroached upon that of another linnorm.

Homelands
Linnorms infested some of the thinner and lower branches of Yggdrasil, including a divine realm on its third layer known as the Merciful Court.

Languages
Linnorms typically knew how to speak abyssal in addition to draconic.

Relationships
Some acted as servants of the deity Sharindlar.

Usages
Many scholars and trophy hunters prized their skins, willing to pay up to 12,000 gold pieces for an intact find.

Notable Linnorms

 * The Hermit
 * Kroth, a dread linnorm that inhabited the unnumbered layer of Demonwing in the Abyss, acting as a guardian of the balor commander Straoth's tower.