Dragon turtle Dragon turtles were aquatic creatures that were related to dragons . They were considered among the most dangerous aquatic creatures in existence and were even worshiped by some . Description . Dragon turtles were distantly related to dragons and had dragon blood . They appeared as huge turtle - like creatures with a long tail and neck with large , taloned flippers . Their heads had a golden crest down the center . Shell . The shell of a turtle dragon measured between 15 and 25 feet in diameter and was strong enough to leave it almost impossible to harm . The shells were streamlined with jagged protrusions . The shell was often a shade of deep green , similar to the color of the ocean , with silver highlights running along the raised areas . This meant that a surfacing dragon turtle was often mistaken for light reflecting on the water . Due to the shell ' s immense strength , shields made from dragon turtle shells were exceptionally tough and had resistance to heat or steam attacks . Their shells were also valued for use as book covers , jewellery , spell components , furniture , or as a building material . Personality . Dragon turtles were aggressive and solitary creatures who would attack any ships and other dragon turtles that entered their territory . Like true dragons , dragon turtles were obsessed with gold and treasure . They often attacked ships in order to loot the treasure . After sifting through the wreckage , the creatures would carry the valuables back back to their lair in their mouths . Sailors wishing to pass through the territory of a dragon turtle found that the creatures were intelligent enough to accept bribes or tributes . Sometimes turtle dragons could even be bribed to fight for others , notably working with sahuagin raiders or powerful marid s . Some dragon turtles could even master powers of sorcery . Dragon turtle sorcerers were rumored to guard farm caverns in the Undermountain . Combat . When in combat , dragon turtles would use their massive bulk to slam into enemies . Dragon turtles were capable of capsizing even large vessels . Dragon turtles could also expel a blast of scalding steam from their mouths . Society . A dragon turtle guarded a vast territory that could expand up to 50 square miles . Other dragon turtles were only permitted to enter the territory of another during mating season . Dragon turtles lived in vast caves under the seafloor or hidden in coral reefs . These lairs were used to store their treasure hoards . Dragon turtles were carnivorous and would eat almost anything in order to satisfy their appetite , even other dragon turtles . If food was in particularly short supply , dragon turtles were known to hunt sea birds using their steam breath attack . History . As of 1358 DR , a dragon turtle had been floating off the coast of T ' u Lung for 20 years . The creature was immense even by dragon turtle standards and was often mistaken for an island . Due to its immense size , it did not see ships as a threat , and when disturbed , it simply left for a better spot to rest . In 1369 DR , the corpse of a young dragon turtle washed up on the shore of the Deepwash . The body attracted scavengers and spoiled fishing in the Deepwash for months . The juvenile was killed by another far older and larger dragon turtle whose territory spanned most of the deepwash . In 1372 DR , it was rumored that the harbormaster of Port Nyranzaru paid tribute to a dragon turtle to keep all other sea monsters away . In 1487 DR , a dragon turtle servant of Nanna - Sin was sent to protect Djerad Kethendi against the forces of Unther . < ref name = " TDYK / Hardcover - p475 - 476 " > < / ref > Notable Dragon Turtles . In Velen , hanging over the hearth at Morgan ' s Inn was the head of a dragon turtle that was slain by Captain Morgan . The inn had gained fame for this gruesome trophy and the ghost of the sea captain who still resided at the tavern .