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{{GA}}
{{Cleanup|||Needs past tense and formatting.}}
 
{{nofootnotes}}
 
 
{{Creature
 
{{Creature
 
| image =
 
| image =
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1e = [[File:Monster_manual_1e_-_Gold_dragon_-_p33.png|250px]]|-|
 
1e = [[File:Monster_manual_1e_-_Gold_dragon_-_p33.png|250px]]|-|
 
</tabber>
 
</tabber>
| caption = ''A gold dragon.''
+
| caption2 = Various depictions of gold dragons.
 
| name = Gold dragon
 
| name = Gold dragon
 
| size5e = {{Size table|Wyrmling|Medium|Young|Large|Adult|Huge|Ancient|Gargantuan}}
| origin5e =
 
| type5e =[[Dragon]]
+
| type5e = [[Dragon]]
 
| subtype5e =
 
| subtype5e =
| alignment5e =[[Lawful good]]
+
| alignment5e = [[Lawful good]]
| challenge5e ={{Plain table|Wyrmling|3|Young|10|Adult|17|Ancient|24}}
+
| challenge5e = {{CR table|edition=5e|Wyrmling|3|Young|10|Adult|17|Ancient|24}}
| refs5e =<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 5th edition|113-115}}</ref>
+
| refs5e = <ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 5th edition|113-115}}</ref>
  +
| size4e = {{Size table|Young|Large|Adult|Large|Elder|Huge|Ancient|Gargantuan}}
 
| origin4e = [[Natural creature|Natural]]
 
| origin4e = [[Natural creature|Natural]]
 
| type4e = [[Magical beast]]
 
| type4e = [[Magical beast]]
| subtype4e = [[Dragon]], [[metallic dragon]]
+
| subtype4e = [[Dragon]]
| alignment4e =
+
| alignment4e = [[Unaligned]]
  +
| refs4e = <ref name="MM24e-p80-82">{{Cite book/Monster Manual II 4th edition|80-82}}</ref>
| refs4e =
 
  +
| size3e = {{Size table|Wyrmling|Medium|Very young|Large|Young|Large|Juvenile|Large|Young adult|Huge|Adult|Huge|Mature adult|Huge|Old|Gargantuan|Very old|Gargantuan|Ancient|Gargantuan|Wyrm|Colossal|Great wyrm|Colossal}}
| size3e =
 
 
| type3e = [[Dragon]]
 
| type3e = [[Dragon]]
 
| subtype3e = [[:Category:Creatures with the fire subtype|Fire]]
 
| subtype3e = [[:Category:Creatures with the fire subtype|Fire]]
 
| alignment3e = Always [[lawful good]]
 
| alignment3e = Always [[lawful good]]
| challenge3e = {{Plain table|Wyrmling|5|Very young|7|Young|9|Juvenile|11|Young
+
| challenge3e = {{CR table|edition=3e|Wyrmling|5|Very young|7|Young|9|Juvenile|11|Young adult|14|Adult|16|Mature adult|19|Old|21|Very old|22|Ancient|24|Wyrm|25|Great wyrm|27}}
adult|14|Adult|16|Mature adult|19|Old|21|Very old|22|Ancient|24|Wyrm|25|Great wyrm|27}}
 
 
| refs3e = <ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 3.5|84-85}}</ref>
 
| refs3e = <ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 3.5|84-85}}</ref>
| origin2e =
+
| size2e =
  +
| alignment2e = [[Lawful good]]
| type2e =
 
  +
| refs2e = <ref name="MM2e-p78">{{Cite book/Monstrous Manual|78}}</ref>
| subtype2e =
 
| alignment2e =
+
| size1e = Large
 
| alignment1e = [[Lawful good]]
| refs2e =
 
  +
| refs1e = <ref name="MM1e-p32-33">{{Cite book/Monster Manual 1st edition|32-33}}</ref>
| origin1e =
 
  +
| patron deity = [[Bahamut]]<ref name="DN3e-p32-33">{{Cite book/Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons|32-33}}</ref>
| type1e =
 
  +
| vision = [[Blindsight]], [[Darkvision]],<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /> [[Low-light vision]]
| subtype1e =
 
  +
| activecycle = Any<ref name="MM2e-p78" />
| alignment1e =
 
  +
| diet = Omnivore<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
| refs1e =
 
  +
| lifespan = 4400 years<ref name="DN3e-p14">{{Cite book/Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons|14}}</ref>
 
| location =
 
| language = [[Common]], [[Draconic language|Draconic]]<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
 
| subraces =
  +
| climate = Warm<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
  +
| terrain = Plains<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
 
| height =
 
| height =
| length =
+
| length = Up to 120 ft (37 m)<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
| wingspan =
+
| wingspan = Up to 135 ft (41 m)<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
| weight =
+
| weight = Up to 1,280,000 lb (580 metric tons)<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
| skincolor = Gold (scales)
+
| skincolor = Gold (scales)<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
 
| haircolor =
 
| haircolor =
 
| hairstyles =
 
| feathers =
 
| feathers =
  +
| eyecolor = Golden<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
| eyecolor =
 
| vision = [[Darkvision]], [[Low-light vision]]
+
| build =
 
| distinctions =
 
| distinctions =
| lifespan =
 
| location = Dormant volcano
 
| subraces =
 
| language = [[Common]], [[Draconic language|Draconic]]
 
| first =
 
 
| based =
 
| based =
 
| first =
|size5e = {{Plain table|Wyrmling|Medium|Young|Large|Adult|Huge|Ancient|Gargantuan}}}}
 
  +
}}
'''Gold dragons''' are the most powerful of the [[metallic dragon]]s, and the most dedicated to defeating evil. They spend the bulk of their lives in human form, seeking out evil and punishing wrongdoers to the best of its considerable abilities. Its typical mode of operation runs roughly along the lines of a sting operation: the [[dragon]] will listen for stories of dangerous or evil creatures or people, then reveals its true form and metes out punishment. They prefer to turn villains over to law enforcement if available, but will ultimately take whatever actions they deem necessary in order to see justice served. They are best summarized as the [[paladin]]s of the draconic world.
 
  +
'''Gold dragons''' were the strongest and most majestic of the [[metallic dragon]]s, and were considered the apex of the draconic race.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="DN24e-p32-33">{{Cite book/Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons|32-33}}</ref> Graceful and wise, they were relentless and dedicated foes of evil, injustice, and foul play.<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48">{{Cite book/Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons|46-48}}</ref> While respected for their fairness and knowledge, they were also grim and reserved, and usually avoided casual contact with other dragons.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
   
  +
==Description==
Gold dragons can often be seen talking and teaching their acquired wisdom to [[human]]s, [[elves]], [[aasimar]] and other non-hostile races. When forced to fight, gold dragons prefer to converse with intelligent creatures, using Intimidate and Sense Motive to gain the upper hand. Their attitude towards visibly evil characters is not as forgiving though, as it will try to eradicate any evil aspects in its territory.
 
 
[[File:Gold dragon anatomy - Ron Spencer.jpg|thumb|left|198px|''A review of gold dragon anatomy.'']]
  +
A gold dragon's head was characterized by a short face with long and smooth metallic horns that swept back from its nose and brow, as well as the neck frills that adorned both sides of its neck. From the mouth and nostrils descended four pairs of long, flexible muscular spines that resembled whiskers or barbels. Along with the dragon's narrow eyes, these features contributed to give them a look of sagacity. As the dragon aged, its pupils faded away until the eyes acquired an appearance of shiny, liquid [[gold]]. Other facial features included a pointed tongue and small cheek horns that grew sideways.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /><ref name="DN24e-p32-33" />
   
  +
Gold dragons had broad sail-like wings that started from their shoulders and extended all the way to the end of their extremely long tails. During flight, the wings moved in a graceful rippling motion that resembled swimming. This elegant flying motion was considered by many scholars, as well as by the gold dragons themselves, to be the most graceful among true dragons. When on the ground, the wings were kept closed upright over its back if the dragon was at rest, or folded facing back if the dragon was walking or running.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
Gold dragons are the nobility and royalty of the metallic dragonkind. From hatching, they are instilled with a sense of order tempered with a benevolent nature. Some gold dragons, however, see the need to impose order on others from the good of all. This sense of doing things “for the greater good” can lead a gold dragon to become a tyrant. This is a rare instance, however.
 
   
  +
A newly hatched gold dragon had dark yellow scales dotted with metallic specks that increased in size with age, until they totally covered the scales, giving a shiny and radiant golden color to the adult dragon's entire body.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /><ref name="DN24e-p32-33" />
==Physical description==
 
[[File:Gold dragon anatomy - Ron Spencer.jpg|thumb|left|198px|''A review of gold dragon anatomy.'']]
 
sPhysically, gold dragons are quite spectacular. Several large horns tipped with umber shoot sideways from their cheeks, and two very prominent horns point backwards along their heads. The most obvious feature is probably the tentacle whiskers that sprout from the top and bottom of the gold dragon's jaw, giving the appearance of a beard of sorts. Their wings, like those of [[brass dragon|brass]] and [[copper dragon]]s, connect to the body all the way to the tip of the tail. From below, the overall shape resembles that of a brass dragon, but the different coloring and dramatic difference in size enables easy differentiation. When in flight, the gold dragon's wings ripple, giving the appearance of swimming rather than flying. They smell of saffron and incense.
 
   
  +
Despite being capable of eating almost anything, gold dragons tended to hunt large and dangerous monsters<ref name="DN24e-p32-33" /> and were particularly fond of including [[pearl]]s and [[gem]]s in their diet. Older dragons even had the ability to supernaturally locate gems in their vicinity. They tended to receive such gifts well, except if they were given as bribes.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
True to their name, gold dragons are a brilliant, shimmering gold color. Their head is crested with a ring of majestic horns. Their muzzles will often sprout growths that give the appearance of a mustache or beard. A gold dragon is rarely encountered in its natural form. They possess the ability to change their shape into that of an animal or humanoid creature.
 
  +
  +
Gold dragons could breathe underwater.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" /> They gave off scents of [[saffron]] and [[incense]],<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /> and sometimes a faint smell of molten metal.<ref name="DN24e-p32-33" />
  +
  +
==Personality==
  +
[[File:Gold Dragon.jpg|thumb|right|250px|''A gold dragon teaching a [[human]].'']]
  +
It was common for gold dragons to appoint themselves with quests to promote good. Those that earned a gold dragon's fury found a relentless enemy who would not rest until the utter and complete subjugation of the evildoers. Either by slaying or by bringing villains to justice, a gold dragon's only acceptable outcome was complete victory over evil.<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
  +
  +
When looking for a lair, gold dragons usually sought secluded and remote locations. They had a preference for idyllic or picturesque locations, such as rivers or the bottom of lakes, cave complexes, ancient ruins, deep gorges, high plateaus, or mist-covered islands.<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /><ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /> They also had a preference for rolling hills, open plains, and in some rare cases even within [[humanoid]] communities which they have chosen to protect.<ref name="DN24e-p32-33" /> They were very private creatures, mostly keeping to themselves and their families and rarely fraternizing with other dragons.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
  +
  +
Older gold dragons were capable of shapeshifting into [[humanoid]] or [[beast]] forms. They usually spent most of the time in this form, even within their lairs. When traveling, it was common for a gold dragon to assume a particularly non-threatening form in order to put adventurers at ease, as well as to observe local communities and to catch up on gossip and news of the outside world. In many cases, the dragon would use its disguise to provide help, company and comfort to those in need, or to set up traps for evildoers by using itself as bait.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
  +
  +
Strong believers in the greater good and in the rule of order, gold dragons were sometimes viewed as arrogant and dismissive. They tended to avoid philosophical or ethical discussions with beings they deemed inferior, although they enjoyed arguing in favor of law.<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /> Due to their vast superiority with respect to the average humanoid, they often had difficulty in understanding the everyday troubles and needs of communities and in some rare instances might even end up becoming tyrants.<ref name="DN24e-p32-33" />
   
 
==Combat==
 
==Combat==
[[Image:Gold_Dragon.jpg|180px|thumb|right|A gold dragon teaching a human]]
+
[[File:Vault_of_dragons-5e.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''The gold dragon [[Aurinax]] guarding the [[Vault of Dragons]] in [[Waterdeep]].'']]
  +
Gold dragons preferred to parlay before a fight, using their intimidating presence and insight to determine if fighting was necessary, to find advantages, and to buy time to cast preparatory [[spells]].<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /> If fighting became necessary, they made heavy use of [[fire]]-based spells such as ''[[delayed blast fireball]]'' and ''[[fire shield]]'', as well as deterrent spells such as ''[[cloudkill]]'', ''[[globe of invulnerability]]'', ''[[maze]]'', ''[[sleep]]'', ''[[slow]]'', and ''[[stinking cloud]]''.<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
Gold dragons prefer to talk rather than to fight. They will never engage in combat if they believe it is unnecessary. Once they believe it ''is'' necessary, however, they are amazingly powerful opponents. Their ability to breathe fire rivals that of the eldest [[red dragon]]s, and they will pour their entire being into a battle against evil. Gold dragons dislike killing, but they do not hesitate to do so if it is necessary in order to defeat an evil foe.
 
   
  +
A common tactic for gold dragons in a fight was to use their breath weapons as means to scatter and weaken their foes.<ref name="MM24e-p80-82" /> They possessed two such breath weapons: a powerful [[fire]] breath and a cone of weakening gas.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" /><ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
===Breath weapon===
 
  +
Gold dragons are powerful combatants, and they have two separate breath weapons. The first is fire. In the second, the dragon holds the fire in their bodies and instead of exhaling the fire, exhales air over the fire which emits a cone of hot, dry, dehydrating air that weakens foes.
 
 
==Society==
  +
Every gold dragon in the world acknowledged a hierarchy which spanned the entire race. This structure had a single elected leader at the top: a [[wyrm]] or [[great wyrm]] called the [[King of Justice|King (or Queen) of Justice]] who bore the honorific "Your Resplendence" and served until death or resignation. The selection of a replacement (either by election or, more frequently, by acclamation) was a process in which all gold dragons took part. It was also possible for two dragons of equal merit to be elected as leaders, in which case they could share duties or alternate leadership.<ref name="DN2e-p18-20">{{Cite book/Draconomicon (1990)|18-20}}</ref><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
  +
  +
Because gold dragons were well aware of their responsibilities, the duties of the King of Justice were typically light. They would most frequently act as advisors to other dragons and their quests to defeat evil, pointing out consequences and hidden ramifications. Less frequently, the gold dragon ruler acted as a representative of the entire race when dealing with other species, or as a judge in the extremely rare occasion in which a gold dragon committed an offense.<ref name="DN2e-p18-20" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
   
==Ecology==
 
 
===Lair===
 
===Lair===
  +
Gold dragons did not have strong preferences about their lairs, but they tended to choose lairs made of stone, such as caves and castles, and recruited other loyal creatures as guards.<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" /><ref name="MM24e-p80-82" />
Unlike most other species of dragons, gold dragons devote immense time and energy to the construction of their lairs. The layout of their lairs often resemble those of elegant human mansions, albeit buried underground. Rooms are well-constructed and elegantly decorated with the many art treasures the gold dragon has collected over its lifetime. Typical rooms in a gold dragon's lair include a main hall, a banquet hall, a resting chamber, a study, a kitchen, a lobby, a storage room, and perhaps even a lavatory. Many gold dragons even have a glass-walled observatory, especially if they live underwater.
 
   
  +
The lair of a gold dragon possessed some residual magic. While in its lair, a gold dragon had a limited capability to glimpse into the future and to banish invaders into a dream plane of the dragon's own creation. The region around the lair also experienced some magical effects, such as banks of opalescent mists that haunted evil creatures and warned good creatures of danger. The dragon also was capable of establishing a telepathic contact with sleeping creatures within 6 miles (9.7 km) of its lair. Within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the lair, gems and pearls shone and emitted a faint light.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
Gold dragons are known to reside in the [[Serpent Hills]], the [[Earthfast Mountains]], the [[Vast]], the [[Graypeak Mountains]], [[Loudwater]], the [[Orsraun Mountains]] and [[Turmish]].
 
   
  +
Gold dragons enjoyed treasure that showed artisanship, such as paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and porcelain.<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" /> They had a great fascination for magic items and loved to add them to their hoards.<ref name="DN2e-p18-20" /> It was common for them to magically ward their hoards so that it was impossible for an item to be removed without the dragon's knowledge.<ref name="MMv.5-pp113-115" />
===Parenting and Development===
 
Gold dragon eggs must be incubated in a nest of open flames. A newly hatched gold [[wyrmling]] appears similar to an adult, except that it lacks horns or tentacle whiskers. At some point, however, the biological parents may send the wyrmling to live with foster parents; this allows the parents to undertake their own quests, as well as exposing the wyrmling to new experiences.
 
 
Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult gold dragons tend to be solitary or live in a clutch of 2-5 dragons; adults, mature adults, older dragons, [[wyrm]]s or [[great wyrm]]s will live solitarily, in a pair, or a family consisting of a couple of adults and several offspring.
 
   
 
Gold dragons were known to reside in the [[Serpent Hills]], the [[Earthfast Mountains]], the [[Vast]], the [[Graypeak Mountains]], [[Loudwater]], the [[Orsraun Mountains]] and [[Turmish]].<ref name="DN2e-p36">{{Cite book/Draconomicon (1990)|36}}</ref>
===Society===
 
  +
Unlike many species of dragons, gold dragons have a very firm and hierarchical social structure, encompassing all members of the species. This structure always has one gold dragon as its leader, who serves until he/she either dies or steps down. At that time, all gold dragons congregate and choose the next leader of their kind. Sometimes two dragons may be chosen; in such cases, the two will share the duties of leadership. The position of leader, or 'top dragon,' does not so much involve the maintenance of order--gold dragons are famous for their good behavior--so much as the dispensing of advice and wisdom to any dragons who ask for it. Gold dragons are voracious learners, and they tend to become very wise and worldly as they age. They freely share their knowledge and experience to anyone who asks, dragon or not. In fact, it is not unknown for a gold [[Great Wyrm]] to take the form of a scholarly professor in order to spread its knowledge at some [[human]] center of higher education.
 
  +
===Family and Parenting===
 
  +
When choosing a mate, gold dragons could spend years debating philosophy and ethics and questing together as part of their courtship. Prospective mates then sought approval from the King of Justice. Some gold dragons mated for life through a rite known as the Oath of Concord, while others only mated for a short time. They could be monogamous or hold several mates at the same time.<ref name="DN2e-p18-20" /><ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
Gold dragons can sometimes be seen taking human form to experience living in human society, and aiding travelers. They are not however, oblivious to chaotic and evil plots and will do to their best to thwart said plots whilst remaining within lawful grounds.
 
  +
  +
Gold dragons raised their young with exceptional care. A gold dragon [[wyrmling]] did not have whiskers, but they developed quickly. It was also common for gold dragon parents to send their young to the care of foster parents. This could serve a variety of reasons, such as freeing the parents for a quest, or just broadening their horizons.<ref name="DN3e-p46-48" />
  +
 
Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult gold dragons tended to be solitary or lived in a clutch of 2-5 dragons; adults, mature adults, older dragons, [[wyrm]]s or [[great wyrm]]s would live solitarily, in a pair, or a family consisting of a couple of adults and several offspring.<ref name="MMv.3.5-pp84-85" />
   
 
===Language===
 
===Language===
Gold dragons are the only species of dragon to have their own language. They can only write this language when in human form as their dragon form claws are not practical.<ref name="FRD p12, 18">{{Cite book/Draconomicon (1990)|12, 18}}</ref>
+
Gold dragons were the only species of dragon to have their own written language. However, they could only write in human form, since their dragon claws were not practical for holding writing equipment.<ref name="FRD p12, 18">{{Cite book/Draconomicon (1990)|12, 18}}</ref>
   
These dragons even kept records of historical events. The content of these records is mostly useless to human historians however, as they describe dragon events like dragon births, trials and deaths, rather than events that affected the non-dragon world.<ref name="FRD p12, 18">{{Cite book/Draconomicon (1990)|12, 18}}</ref>
+
These dragons even kept records of historic events. The content of these records was mostly useless to human historians however, as they described dragon events like dragon births, trials and deaths, rather than events that affected the non-dragon world.<ref name="DN2e-p18-20" />
   
  +
==History==
==Known gold dragons==
 
  +
[[File:Metallic-dragons-5e.jpg|thumb|250px|''Protanther leading the council of metallic dragons in the [[Nether Mountains]].'']]
* [[Aerosclughpalar]]
 
  +
Sometime before [[1357 DR]], [[Protanther]] was King of Justice for western [[Faerûn]] until he resigned in favor of [[Lareth]],<ref name="DN2e-p18-20" /> who kept the title until his death in [[1373 DR]].<ref name="TR-p269-276">{{Cite book/The Rite/MMP|269-276}}</ref> He was succeeded by [[Tamarand]], who still held the title as of [[1479 DR]].<ref name="D177-p79">{{Cite dungeon/177/Realmslore: Vaasa|79}}</ref>
  +
  +
Sometime in the late 1480s [[DR]] Protanther represented the gold dragons by gathering a council of metallic dragons in the battle against the reformed [[Cult of the Dragon]]'s efforts to summon [[Tiamat]].<ref name="RoT5e-p59">{{Cite book/The Rise of Tiamat|59}}</ref>
  +
  +
==Notable Gold Dragons==
  +
* [[Aerosclughpalar]]<ref name="DoF3e-p12-13">{{Cite book/Dragons of Faerûn|12-13}}</ref>
 
* [[Lareth]]
 
* [[Lareth]]
  +
* [[Palarandusk]]<ref name="DoF3e-p44">{{Cite book/Dragons of Faerûn|44}}</ref>
* [[Oroyalis]]
 
  +
* [[Protanther]]<ref name="DoF3e-p30">{{Cite book/Dragons of Faerûn|30}}</ref>
* [[Palarandusk]]
 
* [[Protanther]]
 
 
* [[Tamarand]]
 
* [[Tamarand]]
* [[Valamaradace]]
+
* [[Valamaradace]]<ref name="DoF3e-p44" />
 
* [[Aurinax]]
 
==References==
 
{{refs}}
 
   
==Notes==
+
==Appendix==
  +
===See also===
*{{Cite book/Monster Manual}}
 
 
* [[:Category:Gold dragons|List of gold dragons]]
*{{Cite book/Draconomicon}}
 
   
 
===References===
  +
{{Refs}}
  +
===Connections===
  +
{{Dragons}}
 
[[de:Golddrachen]]
 
[[de:Golddrachen]]
[[Category:Gold dragons| ]]
 
 
[[Category:Metallic dragons]]
 
[[Category:Metallic dragons]]
[[Category:Dragons]]
 
[[Category:Creatures of lawful good alignment]]
 
[[Category:Creatures]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with the fire subtype]]
 
[[Category:Dragonkind]]
 
[[Category:Creatures found in warm climates]]
 
[[Category:Creatures found in plains]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 5 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 7 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 9 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with an 11 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 14 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 16 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 19 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 21 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 22 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 24 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 25 challenge rating]]
 
[[Category:Creatures with a 27 challenge rating]]
 
 
[[Category:True dragons]]
 
[[Category:True dragons]]
  +
[[Category:Medium-sized creatures]]
 
[[Category:Huge creatures]]
  +
[[Category:Gargantuan creatures]]
 
[[Category:Colossal creatures]]

Revision as of 15:39, 16 October 2019

Gold coin

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Gold dragons were the strongest and most majestic of the metallic dragons, and were considered the apex of the draconic race.[1][9] Graceful and wise, they were relentless and dedicated foes of evil, injustice, and foul play.[3][8] While respected for their fairness and knowledge, they were also grim and reserved, and usually avoided casual contact with other dragons.[1]

Description

Gold dragon anatomy - Ron Spencer

A review of gold dragon anatomy.

A gold dragon's head was characterized by a short face with long and smooth metallic horns that swept back from its nose and brow, as well as the neck frills that adorned both sides of its neck. From the mouth and nostrils descended four pairs of long, flexible muscular spines that resembled whiskers or barbels. Along with the dragon's narrow eyes, these features contributed to give them a look of sagacity. As the dragon aged, its pupils faded away until the eyes acquired an appearance of shiny, liquid gold. Other facial features included a pointed tongue and small cheek horns that grew sideways.[1][8][9]

Gold dragons had broad sail-like wings that started from their shoulders and extended all the way to the end of their extremely long tails. During flight, the wings moved in a graceful rippling motion that resembled swimming. This elegant flying motion was considered by many scholars, as well as by the gold dragons themselves, to be the most graceful among true dragons. When on the ground, the wings were kept closed upright over its back if the dragon was at rest, or folded facing back if the dragon was walking or running.[1][8]

A newly hatched gold dragon had dark yellow scales dotted with metallic specks that increased in size with age, until they totally covered the scales, giving a shiny and radiant golden color to the adult dragon's entire body.[1][8][9]

Despite being capable of eating almost anything, gold dragons tended to hunt large and dangerous monsters[9] and were particularly fond of including pearls and gems in their diet. Older dragons even had the ability to supernaturally locate gems in their vicinity. They tended to receive such gifts well, except if they were given as bribes.[1][3]

Gold dragons could breathe underwater.[1][3] They gave off scents of saffron and incense,[8] and sometimes a faint smell of molten metal.[9]

Personality

Gold Dragon

A gold dragon teaching a human.

It was common for gold dragons to appoint themselves with quests to promote good. Those that earned a gold dragon's fury found a relentless enemy who would not rest until the utter and complete subjugation of the evildoers. Either by slaying or by bringing villains to justice, a gold dragon's only acceptable outcome was complete victory over evil.[8]

When looking for a lair, gold dragons usually sought secluded and remote locations. They had a preference for idyllic or picturesque locations, such as rivers or the bottom of lakes, cave complexes, ancient ruins, deep gorges, high plateaus, or mist-covered islands.[8][1] They also had a preference for rolling hills, open plains, and in some rare cases even within humanoid communities which they have chosen to protect.[9] They were very private creatures, mostly keeping to themselves and their families and rarely fraternizing with other dragons.[1]

Older gold dragons were capable of shapeshifting into humanoid or beast forms. They usually spent most of the time in this form, even within their lairs. When traveling, it was common for a gold dragon to assume a particularly non-threatening form in order to put adventurers at ease, as well as to observe local communities and to catch up on gossip and news of the outside world. In many cases, the dragon would use its disguise to provide help, company and comfort to those in need, or to set up traps for evildoers by using itself as bait.[1][8]

Strong believers in the greater good and in the rule of order, gold dragons were sometimes viewed as arrogant and dismissive. They tended to avoid philosophical or ethical discussions with beings they deemed inferior, although they enjoyed arguing in favor of law.[8] Due to their vast superiority with respect to the average humanoid, they often had difficulty in understanding the everyday troubles and needs of communities and in some rare instances might even end up becoming tyrants.[9]

Combat

Vault of dragons-5e

The gold dragon Aurinax guarding the Vault of Dragons in Waterdeep.

Gold dragons preferred to parlay before a fight, using their intimidating presence and insight to determine if fighting was necessary, to find advantages, and to buy time to cast preparatory spells.[3][8] If fighting became necessary, they made heavy use of fire-based spells such as delayed blast fireball and fire shield, as well as deterrent spells such as cloudkill, globe of invulnerability, maze, sleep, slow, and stinking cloud.[3]

A common tactic for gold dragons in a fight was to use their breath weapons as means to scatter and weaken their foes.[2] They possessed two such breath weapons: a powerful fire breath and a cone of weakening gas.[1][3]

Society

Every gold dragon in the world acknowledged a hierarchy which spanned the entire race. This structure had a single elected leader at the top: a wyrm or great wyrm called the King (or Queen) of Justice who bore the honorific "Your Resplendence" and served until death or resignation. The selection of a replacement (either by election or, more frequently, by acclamation) was a process in which all gold dragons took part. It was also possible for two dragons of equal merit to be elected as leaders, in which case they could share duties or alternate leadership.[10][8]

Because gold dragons were well aware of their responsibilities, the duties of the King of Justice were typically light. They would most frequently act as advisors to other dragons and their quests to defeat evil, pointing out consequences and hidden ramifications. Less frequently, the gold dragon ruler acted as a representative of the entire race when dealing with other species, or as a judge in the extremely rare occasion in which a gold dragon committed an offense.[10][8]

Lair

Gold dragons did not have strong preferences about their lairs, but they tended to choose lairs made of stone, such as caves and castles, and recruited other loyal creatures as guards.[3][2]

The lair of a gold dragon possessed some residual magic. While in its lair, a gold dragon had a limited capability to glimpse into the future and to banish invaders into a dream plane of the dragon's own creation. The region around the lair also experienced some magical effects, such as banks of opalescent mists that haunted evil creatures and warned good creatures of danger. The dragon also was capable of establishing a telepathic contact with sleeping creatures within 6 miles (9.7 km) of its lair. Within 1 mile (1.6 km) of the lair, gems and pearls shone and emitted a faint light.[1]

Gold dragons enjoyed treasure that showed artisanship, such as paintings, sculptures, calligraphy and porcelain.[8] They had a great fascination for magic items and loved to add them to their hoards.[10] It was common for them to magically ward their hoards so that it was impossible for an item to be removed without the dragon's knowledge.[1]

Gold dragons were known to reside in the Serpent Hills, the Earthfast Mountains, the Vast, the Graypeak Mountains, Loudwater, the Orsraun Mountains and Turmish.[11]

Family and Parenting

When choosing a mate, gold dragons could spend years debating philosophy and ethics and questing together as part of their courtship. Prospective mates then sought approval from the King of Justice. Some gold dragons mated for life through a rite known as the Oath of Concord, while others only mated for a short time. They could be monogamous or hold several mates at the same time.[10][8]

Gold dragons raised their young with exceptional care. A gold dragon wyrmling did not have whiskers, but they developed quickly. It was also common for gold dragon parents to send their young to the care of foster parents. This could serve a variety of reasons, such as freeing the parents for a quest, or just broadening their horizons.[8]

Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult gold dragons tended to be solitary or lived in a clutch of 2-5 dragons; adults, mature adults, older dragons, wyrms or great wyrms would live solitarily, in a pair, or a family consisting of a couple of adults and several offspring.[3]

Language

Gold dragons were the only species of dragon to have their own written language. However, they could only write in human form, since their dragon claws were not practical for holding writing equipment.[12]

These dragons even kept records of historic events. The content of these records was mostly useless to human historians however, as they described dragon events like dragon births, trials and deaths, rather than events that affected the non-dragon world.[10]

History

Metallic-dragons-5e

Protanther leading the council of metallic dragons in the Nether Mountains.

Sometime before 1357 DR, Protanther was King of Justice for western Faerûn until he resigned in favor of Lareth,[10] who kept the title until his death in 1373 DR.[13] He was succeeded by Tamarand, who still held the title as of 1479 DR.[14]

Sometime in the late 1480s DR Protanther represented the gold dragons by gathering a council of metallic dragons in the battle against the reformed Cult of the Dragon's efforts to summon Tiamat.[15]

Notable Gold Dragons

Appendix

See also

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 113–115. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Template:Cite book/Monster Manual II 4th edition
  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 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 78. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  5. Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  6. Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 32–33. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
  7. Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
  8. 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 46–48. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Richard Baker, et al. (November 2009). Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons. Edited by Logan Bonner, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 32–33. ISBN 978-0-7869-5248-9.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 18–20. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
  11. Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 36. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
  12. Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 12, 18. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
  13. Richard Lee Byers (January 2005). The Rite (Mass Market Paperback). (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 269–276. ISBN 978-0786935819.
  14. Brian R. James (April 2010). “Realmslore: Vaasa”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #177 (Wizards of the Coast) (177)., p. 79.
  15. Steve Winter, Alexander Winter, Wolfgang Baur (November 2014). The Rise of Tiamat. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 59. ISBN 978-0786965656.
  16. Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 12–13. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
  17. 17.0 17.1 Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 44. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
  18. Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 30. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.

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