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Pteranodons (pronounced: /tɛrˈændɑːnter-ÆN-o-dan[9]), sometimes spelled pteranadon[8][note 2] and also known as airdragons[10] as well as tuurus in the Old Empires,[11] were ranked among the dinosaurs. They were large behemoths encountered in the wild and even occasionally trained for use as flying mounts, much like dragons, albeit with less intelligence.[8]

Description[]

A pteranodon was a birdlike reptile with sharp talons and leathery skin. One of the few flying dinosaur species, this monster was able to fly quite aptly due to its 30 ft. (9.1 m) leathery wings.[3] Combined with a long beak, the pteranodon held the middle ground between a reptile and a bird, although its beak was beset with razor-sharp teeth. It had a thin headcrest, and its skin contained small patches of downy feathers. Its large eyes were yellow-colored.[8]

Combat[]

When attacking in combat, pteranodons used the same technique as when they swooped down on water to catch the fish they fed on.[7] Diving steeply, they liked to swoop down on their opponents both in aerial combat as when attacking opponents on the ground.[8] If the victim of the pteranodon was too large, the animal would spear its enemy with its 4 ft (1.2 m) long beak.[3]

Training[]

These powerful beasts could be used as a flying mount in aerial combat. To train one was hard work taking a skilled rider six weeks of training. The effort paid off with their ability to dive onto unsuspecting targets which made them and their riders a formidable opponent. Being strong creatures, they could also be employed to transport cargo since they could drag up to 4,500 lb (2.0 tons).[8]

Ecology[]

The jungles of Chult formed the habitat for most behemoths, including the pteranodon.[8] Pteranodons were also common in the Old Empires, specially in Chessenta and Unther,[11] and, after the Spellplague of 1385 DR, also in Tymanther.[12]

Appendix[]

Notes[]

  1. The 2nd edition alignment given in the original source is "Nil", which should be read as Neutral according to this Sage Advice answer by Skip Williams in Dragon Magazine Issue #155: "The nil alignment rating is a holdover from an early draft of the Monstrous Compendium material. Originally, a rating of nil indicated that a creature was not intelligent enough to have an alignment at all. However, the nil rating was dropped during rewriting and should have been replaced with the neutral alignment."
  2. The "pteranodon" first appeared in the Monster Manual 1st edition, but later, it was changed to "pteranadon" in the Serpent Kingdoms sourcebook (p 66). In 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, the creature's name was reverted back to the correct spelling.

Appearances[]

Adventures
Swords of the DaimyoUnder IllefarnTomb of Annihilation
Novels
The Ring of Winter
Organized Play & Licensed Adventures
A Day at the Races
Card Games
AD&D Trading Cards

Further Reading[]

External Links[]

References[]

  1. Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 65–66. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 David Cook, Steve Winter, and Jon Pickens (1989). Monstrous Compendium Volume Three Forgotten Realms Appendix (MC3). (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 0-88038-769-6.
  4. Doug Stewart (June 1993). Monstrous Manual. (TSR, Inc), p. 54. ISBN 1-5607-6619-0.
  5. 5.0 5.1 Gary Gygax (December 1977). Monster Manual, 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 27. ISBN 0-935696-00-8.
  6. Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 65. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 978-0786965614.
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 8.5 8.6 Ed Greenwood, Eric L. Boyd, Darrin Drader (July 2004). Serpent Kingdoms. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 0-7869-3277-5.
  9. Frank Mentzer (January 1985). “Ay pronunseeAYshun gyd”. In Kim Mohan ed. Dragon #93 (TSR, Inc.), p. 28.
  10. Gary Gygax (August 1983). Monster Manual II 1st edition. (TSR, Inc), p. 60. ISBN 0-88038-031-4.
  11. 11.0 11.1 Scott Bennie (February 1990). Old Empires. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 52. ISBN 978-0880388214.
  12. Brian R. James (May 2010). “Backdrop: Chessenta”. In Chris Youngs ed. Dungeon #178 (Wizards of the Coast) (178)., p. 73.

Connections[]

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