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Dragonnes, also known as liondrakes,[7] were fierce drakes that combined characteristics of giant lions and brass dragons.[2][3][4][5]

Description[]

Dragonnes largely resembled giant lions, with the brassy scale covering and a smaller version of the wings of brass dragons. Their faces, which were encircled by particularly thick and coarse mane, featured large feathery eyebrows and big, usually brass-colored eyes.[3][4][5][8]

Dragonnes typically reached a length of about 12 feet (3.7 meters) and measured about 5 feet (1.5 meters) at the shoulders,[3][4][5] though especially long-lived individuals were known to reach lengths of 18 feet (5.5 meters) (tails excluded)[9] and shoulder heights of 8 feet (2.4 meters).[10] A typical dragonne weighed 700 pounds (320 kilograms).[3]

Personality[]

Dragonnes were highly territorial and would attack any creatures invading their homes. They were not generally evil or malicious, allowing any intruders the opportunity to flee before they attacked. Those who did not leave a dragonne's lair would find themselves quickly set upon by a savage opponent.[3]

During their month-long mating season, which occurred at the time of year when the days started to become colder, dragonnes were at their most erratic and dangerous. The creatures were much quicker to attack during this period, targeting anything they didn't see as a potential mate. When overtaken by their mating drive, dragonnes adopted different, less direct methods of attack, such as causing avalanches or dropping targets from high altitudes.[11]

Abilities[]

Dragonne ADDTC

A close-up of a dragonne.

Unlike their fully draconic relatives, dragonnes only had a limited ability to fly, capable of staying airborne for up to half an hour.[3][4][5]

The roar of a dragonne was its greatest weapon. Those who heard this creature's roar found their minds and body weakened, leaving them vulnerable to the attacks of the dragonne.[2][3][4][5]

Ecology[]

Typically, dragonnes preyed on meek herd animals like goats, antelopes, or camels. Only in times of famine would they prey on humanoids, despite their reputation for hunting helpless travelers.[3][4] The Bedine had adopted a tactic to prevent dragonnes from attacking domesticated animals, namely by covering them with used clothing in order to give them the odor of people.[11]

Dragonnes were known to serve Nobanion, and they were counted among the power's favored monsters.[12][13]

Dragonnes typically died violent deaths before reaching old age.[10]

Habitats[]

Dragonnes were known to live in Maztica. The natives knew them as hakuna,[14] and unlike their Faerûnian relatives, these creatures were jungle-dwelling and their scales were typically black.[6] Halloran from the Golden Legion was once attacked and nearly killed by one on a small island near Payit.[15] Some of the tribal halflings of Maztica used such a hakuna as a kind of captive totem and fed them with humans and other intruders they managed to capture in their territory.[16] Hakuna were also found in the scrublands of the Pasocada Basin and the Borderlands,[17] as well as the desert terrain of the lands of the Dog People and the Sands of Itzcala,[18]

Other habitats for dragonnes included Cormyr, Sembia, the Dalelands,[19] Halruaa,[20] the Shaar,[21] the Battle of Bones,[22] Nada al-Hazan,[23] and the Furrowed Mountains.[24] They could also occasionally be found in the Anauroch,[25] Raurin, and Quoya Deserts.[26]

A population of dragonnes made up an important part of the ecology of the Rathgaunt Hills, curbing the destructive nature of the local manticores and perytons. After the hoarder dragon Amilektrevitrioelis decimated and chased off the creatures, the local ecology began to collapse, to the dismay of the Hills' druids.[27]

Dragonnes were also found on numerous worlds besides Toril. On Mystara, dragonnes resembled hybrids between lions and gold dragons, rather than brass dragons.[28] While some Krynnish dragonnes resembled those familiar to Toril, that world also boasted cougar- and tiger-based versions, as well as rare examples bestowed with traits from other metallic dragons.[29]

Axiomatic dragonne

An axiomatic dragonne from the Infernal Battlefield of Acheron.

Outside of the Prime Material plane, axiomatic dragonnes were found in Acheron,[30] and fire and smoke animental dragonnes were found on the Elemental Plane of Fire and the Great Conflagration, respectively.[31][32]

History[]

A commonly held view was that dragonnes originated in magical experiments conducted by ancient wizards, who intended to create powerful mounts and guardians in the name of their lord by modifying lions with the essence of brass dragons.[2] Another, written about by Ibn Al'Arif in his guidebook Anauroch, was that the creatures were the result of magical crossbreeding.[11] A fringe theory held by some Dragon Cultists was that Sammaster was behind the dragonne, but this theory was considered dubious by Oracle Veshal Questa.[33]

Sometime around 1374 DR, dragonnes were being stabled by the Zhentarim as mounts within the Temple in the Sky.[34]

Uses[]

Jingling Mordo captive monsters

A dragonne, an owlbear, and a minotaur in captivity at the Jingling Mordo circus.

Amongst those with the capability to keep them, dragonnes were popular animal companions with moon elves.[35] Likewise, noble djinn were known to keep dragonnes as servants and companions.[36] The wizard spell find minion could also bring forth a dragonne minion, and would give the spellcaster long, feathery eyebrows reminiscent of those of the creature in this event.[8]

The short-lived Dwarven Air Cavalry of Kallamos Var rode on the backs of dragonnes.[37] Zhentarim skymages and avariel skywardens also sometimes used dragonnes as mounts.[38][39]

Dragonnes were hunted by barbarians, and their pelts were worth about 2,000 gold pieces.[40]

Quon's Collectible Creatures, a monster shop that catered to wizards looking for components for magical experimentation, stocked dragonnes.[41]

Notable Dragonnes[]

Zu'l Janah

Zu'l Janah, a giant dragonne.

A hakuna known as Chalocka stalked the jungle around Uxma the Sorcerer's pyramid. The couatl allowed the creature to remain so it would act as a deterrent to visitors, though he typically would not let the beast outright slay people trying to approach his lair.[6]

Zu'l Janah, whose name meant "The Winged" in Midani, was a giant dragonne who laired in a sandstone cave in Badu al-Kabîr. He owed his size to his unusual longevity, having been at least 150 years old by the Year of the Shield, 1367 DR[note 1] due to his ring of contrariness.[42][43]

A horn of black ivory kept in the Star Houses of Solon could summon an ancient black-scaled dragonne. This creature was looking for its old master, and would attack anyone else it found blowing the horn.[44]

One of the chambers within the Halls of the Beast-Tamers featured a taxidermied dragonne enchanted with mild protective magic.[45]

Appendix[]

See Also[]

Notes[]

  1. Canon material does not provide dating for the Al-Qadim campaign setting. For the purposes of this wiki only, the current date for Al-Qadim products is assumed to be 1367 DR.

Appearances[]

Adventures

Novels & Short Stories

Card Games

Organized Play & Licensed Adventures

Referenced only
Aethalynmur's Wings

Gallery[]

Reference[]

  1. James Wyatt (October 2021). Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 207. ISBN 978-0786967292.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Richard Baker, et al. (November 2009). Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons. Edited by Logan Bonner, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 194. ISBN 978-0-7869-5248-9.
  3. 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 92. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7 5.8 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 34. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Jeff Grubb and Tim Beach (September 1991). Fires of Zatal. (TSR, Inc), p. 22. ISBN 1-5607-6139-3.
  7. Richard Baker (November 2011). “Nerathi Legends: The Knights of Rethmil”. In Steve Winter ed. Dragon #405 (Wizards of the Coast), p. 2.
  8. 8.0 8.1 Jean Rabe (April 1996). “Greater Familiars of Faerûn”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #228 (TSR, Inc.), p. 81.
  9. Cam Banks, Sean Everette, Amanda Valentine (October 2007). Dragons of Krynn. (Margaret Weis Productions), p. 136. ISBN 978-1931567275.
  10. 10.0 10.1 John Baichtal (January/February 1997). “Blood and Fire”. In Michelle Vuckovich ed. Dungeon #63 (Wizards of the Coast) (63)., p. 42.
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Anauroch”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 8. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  12. Eric L. Boyd (September 1997). Powers & Pantheons. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 42. ISBN 978-0786906574.
  13. Sean K. Reynolds (2002-05-04). Deity Do's and Don'ts (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Faiths and Pantheons. Wizards of the Coast. p. 13. Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved on 2018-09-08.
  14. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “Maztica Alive”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 63. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  15. Douglas Niles (1990). Ironhelm. (TSR, Inc), pp. 98–99. ISBN 0-8803-8903-6.
  16. Douglas Niles (August 1991). “Maztica Alive”. Maztica Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 16. ISBN 1-5607-6084-2.
  17. John Nephew and Jonathan Tweet (April 1992). City of Gold. (TSR, Inc), p. 42. ISBN 978-1560763222.
  18. John Nephew and Jonathan Tweet (April 1992). City of Gold. (TSR, Inc), p. 46. ISBN 978-1560763222.
  19. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), p. 30. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  20. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  21. Thomas Reid (October 2004). Shining South. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 89. ISBN 0-7869-3492-1.
  22. Donald J. Bingle (April 1995). “Encounter Tables”. In Elizabeth T. Danforth ed. Elminster's Ecologies Appendix I (TSR, Inc), p. 4. ISBN 0-7869-0115-2.
  23. David Cook (October 1992). “Nada al-Hazan”. In Bill Slavicsek ed. Golden Voyages (TSR, Inc.), p. 2. ISBN 978-1560763314.
  24. Steve Kurtz (1994). Al-Qadim: Cities of Bone: Campaign Guide. (TSR, Inc), p. 29. ISBN 1-56076-847.
  25. James Butler, Elizabeth T. Danforth, Jean Rabe (September 1994). “Explorer's Manual”. In Karen S. Boomgarden ed. Elminster's Ecologies (TSR, Inc), pp. 13–15. ISBN 1-5607-6917-3.
  26. David Cook (August 1990). “Volume II”. In Steve Winter ed. The Horde (TSR, Inc.), p. 126. ISBN 0-88038-868-4.
  27. Eytan Bernstein (2007-03-07). Dragons of Faerûn, Part 2: New Draconic Monsters (Zipped PDF). Web Enhancement for Dragons of Faerûn. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved on 2017-10-29.
  28. Jim Bambra et al (1986). Creature Catalogue. (TSR, Inc), p. 65. ISBN 0-88038-315-1.
  29. Cam Banks, Sean Everette, Amanda Valentine (October 2007). Dragons of Krynn. (Margaret Weis Productions), pp. 136–137. ISBN 978-1931567275.
  30. Bruce R. Cordell, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (July 2004). Planar Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 110–111. ISBN 0-7869-3429-8.
  31. Jeff Grubb, Bruce R. Cordell, David Noonan (September 2001). Manual of the Planes 3rd edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 76. ISBN 0-7869-1850-8.
  32. Eric Jansing (September 2006). “Paraelemental Paragons”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #347 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), pp. 63–65.
  33. Dale Donovan (January 1998). Cult of the Dragon. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), p. 64. ISBN 0-7869-0709-6.
  34. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd (March 2006). Power of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 38. ISBN 0-7869-3910-9.
  35. Reynolds, Forbeck, Jacobs, Boyd (March 2003). Races of Faerûn. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 40. ISBN 0-7869-2875-1.
  36. Wolfgang Baur (November 1993). Secrets of the Lamp. Genie Lore. (TSR, Inc.), p. 21. ISBN 978-1560766476.
  37. Bill Connors, Christopher Mortika, Rick Reid, Scott Bennie, John Terra, Jay Batista, Roy Schelper, Rick Swan (April 1988). Swords of the Iron Legion. (TSR, Inc.), p. 61. ISBN 978-0880385596.
  38. Jason Carl, Sean K. Reynolds (October 2001). Lords of Darkness. Edited by Michele Carter. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 103. ISBN 07-8691-989-2.
  39. James Estes (September 1996). “On Wings of Eagles”. In Pierce Watters ed. Dragon #233 (TSR, Inc.), p. 21.
  40. Rick Swan (1995). The Complete Barbarian's Handbook. (TSR, Inc), p. 122. ISBN 0-7869-0090-3.
  41. Darrin Drader, Thomas M. Reid, Sean K. Reynolds, Wil Upchurch (June 2006). Mysteries of the Moonsea. Edited by John Thompson, Gary Sarli. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0-7869-3915-2.
  42. John Baichtal (January/February 1997). “Blood and Fire”. In Michelle Vuckovich ed. Dungeon #63 (Wizards of the Coast) (63)., p. 36.
  43. John Baichtal (January/February 1997). “Blood and Fire”. In Michelle Vuckovich ed. Dungeon #63 (Wizards of the Coast) (63)., pp. 42–43.
  44. Troy Denning (May 1991). Blood Charge. (TSR, Inc.), p. 54. ISBN 0880388897.
  45. Ed Greenwood, Jeff Grubb (August 1987). “DM's Sourcebook of the Realms”. In Karen S. Martin ed. Forgotten Realms Campaign Set (TSR, Inc.), p. 49. ISBN 0-88038-472-7.

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: AirAscendantBrainstealerHidecarved



True Felines
Mundane felines: CheetahHouse catJaguarLeopardLionMountain lionOcelotPantherRed tigerSaber-toothed tigerSand catSnow leopardSnow tigerSpotted lionTiger
Giant felines: Dire lionDire tigerGiant lynx
Magical felines: Cath sheeCrag catElven catJaguar lordJana-nimrJana-qitatLuck eaterSabu lordSwamplight lynxTressymWater cat
Planar felines: Fey pantherSpectral panther

Related Creatures
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