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Chromatic dragons were a type of dragon distinguished typically by a solid, non-reflective coloring of their scales, hence the name. They were generally evil, greedy, and predatory, and usually worshiped Tiamat, whom they regarded as their queen.[2]

It was believed by scholars from Candlekeep that all species of chromatic dragons evolved from the proto-dragon species of the inficedraco genus.[4]

Types[]

Although there were many chromatic dragon species, the following are the ones known by sages of Faerûn:

Red dragons
Red dragons were greedy, chaotic evil creatures, interested only in their own well-being, vanity, and the extension of their treasure hoards. They were supremely confident, being the largest and most powerful of the chromatic dragons. Typically found living in mountainous regions, they breathed a cone of fire.[5]
Black dragons
Black dragons, or skull dragons, were the most vile-tempered and cruel of all chromatic dragons. Excellent swimmers who normally lived in swamps and marshes, they preferred ambush attacks. They had a corrosive acid breath weapon.[6]
Blue dragons
Blue dragons, or storm dragons, were manipulative, lawful evil chromatics who were infamous for their skill at creating hallucinations, and their cruel use of such things. They preferred aerial combat, which allowed them to use their electrical breath weapon most efficiently. Blue dragons most often lived in arid wastelands and deserts.[7] They were the second most powerful of the chromatic dragons.
Green dragons
Green dragons were highly territorial, deceptive, forest-dwelling creatures who loved secrets and intrigue. Although lawful evil, they were duplicitous and cunning foes who loved combat. They were the third most powerful of the chromatic dragons. Their breath weapon was a cone of poisonous green gas.[8]
White dragons
White dragons, also called ice dragons or glacial wyrms, were the smallest and weakest of the classic chromatic dragons. However, they were by no means harmless. White dragons were extremely well-suited to their arctic habitat and had excellent memories. They were more feral than other dragons, though, and always chaotic evil. They breathed a cone of ice or frost.[9]
Brown dragons
Brown dragons, also called great desert dragons,[10] were wingless, neutral evil dragons who laired in deserts. They preferred ambushes to straightforward combat, burying themselves in the sand.[11]
Purple dragons
Purple dragons, also called deep dragons,[10] were slender, agile dragons who patiently stalked their prey. They lived in the Underdark and were rarely found on the surface. Purple dragons often allied with drow, and considered themselves rivals of cloakers and mind flayers. They were chaotic evil and had a psychic "breath weapon" that confused and disoriented the target.[12]
Gray dragons
Gray dragons, also called fang dragons,[10] were rapacious, violent dragons that were good at physical combat but poor at flying. Some gray dragons possessed an acid breath weapon.[12]
Yellow dragons
A very rare species of chromatic dragons, only a few individuals of this species had been spotted throughout history. Yellow dragons were solitary predators and secretive creatures, even among dragons. They were reported to dwell in deserts.[13]
Salt dragons
Also called yellow dragons, and as rare as the other species called such. They inhabited salt flats and marshes, and were largely solitary creatures.[14]
Pink dragons
An exceptionally rare species which typically lived in underground lairs. They were known to be "dopey looking" and loved making jokes.[15]

Appendix[]

References[]

  1. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 86–103. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Mike Mearls, Stephen Schubert, James Wyatt (June 2008). Monster Manual 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74. ISBN 978-0-7869-4852-9.
  3. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 70. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
  5. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 76–77. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  6. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 70–71. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  7. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 72. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  8. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  9. Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 77. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Bruce R. Cordell, et al. (November 2008). Draconomicon: Chromatic Dragons. Edited by Michele Carter, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 978-0-7869-4980-9.
  11. James Wyatt, Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. Edited by Duane Maxwell. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 39. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
  12. 12.0 12.1 James Wyatt, Rob Heinsoo (February 2001). Monster Compendium: Monsters of Faerûn. Edited by Duane Maxwell. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 41. ISBN 0-7869-1832-2.
  13. Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 71. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
  14. Richard Alan Lloyd (September 1982). “The Missing Dragons”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #65 (TSR, Inc.), p. 27–31.
  15. Various (April 1990). “Not Necessarily the Monstrous Compendium”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #156 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 18–19.

Connections[]

The Family of Dragons

Metallic dragons: GoldSilverBronzeCopperBrassElectrumMercuryPlatinumSteel

Chromatic dragons: BlackBlueBrownGrayGreenOrangePinkPurpleRedSaltWhiteYellow
Gem dragons: AmethystBeljurilCrystalEmeraldObsidianSapphireTopazRuby
Neutral dragons: AmberJacinthMoonstonePearl
Lung dragons: Chiang lungLi lungLung wangPan lungShen lungT'ien lungTun mi lungYu lung
Ferrous dragons: • CobaltIron
Planar dragons: AdamantineAstralBattleBlightChaosEtherealHellfire wyrmHowlingMirageOceanusPyroclasticRadiantRustShadowStyxTarterian
Spelljamming dragons: Moon/lunarRadiantSun/solar
Epic dragons: ForcePrismaticTime
Catastrophic dragons: BlizzardEarthquakeVolcanic
Miscellaneous dragons: CobraDzalmusMistRattelyrSongVishap

Draconic transformations: AirAscendantBrainstealerElder brainHidecarved


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