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Linnorms were a very rare, primeval breed of dragon-related creatures.[4][1]

Description[]

Linnorms had immense bodies that were snake-like, lacking both wings and rear limbs.[4][1][3] They moved through a combination of walking with their forelegs and slithering like a snake.[1] Their bodies could grow to be as large as 70 feet (21 meters) and weigh as much as 2 tons (1,800 kg).[3]

These creatures had flexible skeletons, containing hundreds of vertebrae,[3] 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.[5]

Personality[]

These creatures were typically known to be cruel, hateful, and very spiteful. They were infamously untrustworthy, rarely honoring bargains.[1] They never were known to show signs of compassion or empathy, caring nothing for the deaths of other creatures.[6]

They were fiercely territorial.[5] Unlike some draconic creatures, not all linnorms were known to be avaricious.[1] The oldest of linnorms typically suffered from some form of insanity due to their isolative nature.[5]

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.[1] They generally did not grow more powerful as they aged and thus were considered to be a type of lesser dragon.[7][note 1]

Linnorms had keen visual senses, possessing both a form of blindsight and darkvision.[1]

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,[1] linnorms studied their foes from afar and formed plans of attack,[5][8] then waited until conditions were in their advantage before they[1] made a quick and decisive attack.[5][8]

Species[]

Stygianlinnorm3e

A stygian linnorm on the banks of the Styx.

Rumors & Legends[]

Some believed that all linnorms were the bastard offspring of a legendary, serpent-like creature known as Nidhogg.[14] Other scholars speculated that linnorms originated from Niflheim.[3]

Some scholars believed that linnorms were lesser serpents that evolved from a common ancestor of all dragons.[15]

Society[]

Due to their single-mindedness,[6] these creatures lacked a societal structure[8] and largely lived solitarily lives,[1] 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.[6]

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.[8]

Lairs[]

These creatures lived inside deep tunnels, which they outfitted with elaborate traps.[6] They did their best to ensure that their territories never encroached upon that of another linnorm.[8]

Homelands[]

Linnorms infested some of the thinner and lower branches of Yggdrasil,[14] including a divine realm on its third layer known as the Merciful Court.[16]

Languages[]

Linnorms typically knew how to speak abyssal in addition to draconic.[1]

Relationships[]

Some acted as servants of the deity Sharindlar.[16]

Usages[]

Many scholars and trophy hunters prized their skins, willing to pay up to 12,000 gold pieces for an intact find.[5]

Notable Linnorms[]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. In 2nd edition, the non-unique races of linnorm dragons progressed through the usual twelve age categories of true dragons.

Further Reading[]

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 Ed Bonny, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Steve Winter (September 2002). Monster Manual II 3rd edition. (TSR, Inc), pp. 140–142. ISBN 07-8692-873-5.
  2. 2.0 2.1 David Wise ed. (December 1994). Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume One. (TSR, Inc). ISBN 156076838X.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 61.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Jean Rabe (June 1992). “The Vikings' Dragons”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #182 (TSR, Inc.), p. 17.
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 62.
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 63.
  7. Andy Collins, James Wyatt, and Skip Williams (November 2003). Draconomicon: The Book of Dragons. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 4, 287–288. ISBN 0-7869-2884-0.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 64.
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Jean Rabe (July 1992). “The Vikings' Dragons”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #183 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 66–70.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Jean Rabe (June 1992). “The Vikings' Dragons”. In Roger E. Moore ed. Dragon #182 (TSR, Inc.), pp. 19–23.
  11. Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 65.
  12. Wolfgang Baur (August 2007). “Enemies of My Enemy”. In James Jacobs ed. Dungeon #149 (Paizo Publishing, LLC) (149)., pp. 84–85.
  13. James Jacobs (22-08-2003). Mire and Mud: Monsters of the Wetlands. Far Corners of the World. Wizards of the Coast. Archived from the original on 01-11-2016. Retrieved on 22-02-2022.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Wolfgang Baur, Gwendolyn F.M. Kestrel (April 2007). Expedition to the Demonweb Pits. Edited by Michele Carter, Penny Williams. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 38–40. ISBN 978-0-7869-4038-7.
  15. Jacob Frazier (June 2007). “The Ecology of the Linnorm”. In Erik Mona ed. Dragon #356 (Paizo Publishing, LLC), p. 60.
  16. 16.0 16.1 Eric L. Boyd (November 1998). Demihuman Deities. Edited by Julia Martin. (TSR, Inc.), pp. 82–83. ISBN 0-7869-1239-1.
  17. Monte Cook (September 1998). A Paladin in Hell. Edited by Steve Winter. (TSR, Inc.), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-1210-3.

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


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