Gem Dragon

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Gem Dragons:
* Amethyst Dragon
* Crystal Dragon
* Emerald Dragon
* Sapphire Dragon
* Topaz Dragon
For your convenience, information from previous Monstrous Compendiums is repeated here. Except where otherwise noted, the neutral or gem dragons conform in all respects to other dragon species.
Like other dragons, the neutral or gem dragons are winged reptilian beings known and feared for their physical prowess and magical abilities. Gem dragons tend to be smaller and slower than dragons of other species, but have other abilities to compensate. They are just as dangerous as other dragons.
At first glance, gem dragons may be mistaken for other similarly colored species: crystal for white, topaz for yellow, emerald for green, etc. The environments where they are encountered should indicate otherwise, and when gem dragons are seen in bright light, their sparkling hides easily identify them.
Gem dragons are very charismatic and suave. They delight in riddling talk and are masters of persuasion, using their magic and psionics as well as their natural charisma. Like other subspecies, neutral dragons, especially older ones, are primarily solitary. Generally, when multiple dragons are encountered, it will be a mated pair and young.
Gem dragons are believed to have come from the same roots as other dragons. Present subspecies tend to keep to themselves, working together only when threatened. Emerald and sapphire dragons have been known to cooperate for mutual protection. Various neutral dragons may associate (very rarely) with good or evil dragons which are close in alignment.
Neutral dragons are as covetous as other dragons, and like to build up huge treasure hoards which they rest upon. Great wyrms often have gems and coins embedded in their hides.
Neutral dragons are fearsome predators, scavenging when necessary. They have very efficient metabolisms which can make use of practically anything the dragon eats. All gem dragons subsist at least partially on inorganic material, particularly the appropriate type of gems.
==Dragon Hit Die Modifier Dragons==
Hit Dice vary between subspecies and are modified based on age category. Refer to individual dragons for base Hit Die information, but the modifier is listed on the overall dragon chart.
==Dragon Combat Modifier==
Combat modifiers vary with age category. The bonus applies to damage rolls for each physical attack, but not for a dragon's breath weapon.
==Dragon Attacks==
Dragons have a claw/claw/bite attack form and a breath weapon. A dragon can use its breath weapon once every three combat rounds. Gem dragons also employ special attack forms, such as snatch, kick, wing buffet, tail slap, plummet, and stall, if their age and prevailing conditions allow it.
==Spells==
Most gem dragons seek to learn specific spells over the years. Wizard spells tend to come from the enchantment/charm school, and blink is very popular. Priest spells are usually chosen from the following spheres: all, animal, divination, elemental, healing, plant, and weather. Each spell can be used once per day. All dragons' spells are innate and triggered by concentrating for one segment. Dragons do not possess spell books, nor do they pray to deities for spells.
==Psionics==
In general, gem dragons are wiser and more intelligent than other dragons. If psionics are used in the campaign, all gem dragons are psionic from the time they hatch. They very seldom leam disciplines, sciences, or devotions other than those given. If psionics are used, add to experience point values as follows: Crystal and topaz dragons: hatchlings are worth 2,000 xp. Add 1,000 xp to the value given for any other age category. Emerald and sapphire dragons: hatchlings are worth 3,000 xp. Add 2,000 xp to the value given for any other age category. Amethyst dragons: hatchlings are worth 6,000 xp. Add 3,000 xp to the value given for any other age category.
==Dragon Defenses==
A dragon's Armor Class improves as it gets older because the dragon's hide and general constitution become tougher. Old or older dragons are immune to normal missiles, though large or magical missiles affect them normally. Dragons are resistant to magic, as noted in each individual description.
==Dragon Senses==
All dragons have excellent sight, smell, and hearing, allowing them to detect invisible or hidden objects or creatures within 10' per age level. All dragons possess a natural clairaudience ability with respect to their lairs. The range is 20' per age level. The dragon must concentrate on a specific section of its lair or the surrounding area to hear what is going on.
Some dragons are able to communicate telepathically with any intelligent creature. See individual descriptions for percentage chances.
==Dragon Fear==
Gem dragons are not as inherently fearsome as other dragons. The sight of a young adult or older gem dragon still causes panic and fear, and the size of the fear aura is the same, but the saving throw modifier is greater.
==Dragon Lairs==
Even more than other dragons, the gem dragons make their lairs far from civilization. The amount of wildlife around a gem dragon's lair is somewhat greater than that around the lairs of other dragons. All dragons consider visitors or intruders to be potential threats to their treasure. They keep treasure well hidden, and will often create hazards to protect it.
==Gem Dragon Hide==
The hide of neutral dragons is prized by armorers with the skill to turn it into shields and armor. Their scales, however, are different from those of other dragons, having faceted surfaces which reflect light. They tend to be slightly more brittle than those of other dragons, so armor made from them requires repair more often. The scales of gem dragons actually take on properties of real gems, because of the dragons' diet, and can be valuable to collectors. In addition, the scales of gem dragons are reputed to have magical properties, or at least to lend themselves to certain kinds of enchantments.
Gem Dragon Table
 	Category 	Age(yrs) 	Hit Die Modifier	Combat Modifier	Fear Radius	Save Modifier
1 	Hatchling 	0-5 	-6 	+1 	Nil 	Nil
2 	Very Young 	6-15 	-4 	+2 	Nfl 	Nil
3 	Young 	16-25 	-2 	+3 	Nil 	Nil
4 	Juvenile 	26-50 	Nil 	+4 	Nil 	Nil
5 	Young Adult 	51-100 	+1 	+5 	15 yards 	+7
6 	Adult 	101-200 	+2 	+6 	20 yards 	+6
7 	Mature Adult	201-400 	+3 	+7 	25 yards 	+5
8 	Old 	401-600 	+4 	+8 	30 yards 	+4
9 	Very old 	601-800 	+5 	+9 	35 yards 	+3
10	Venerable 	801-1,000 	+6 	+10 	40 yards 	+2
11	Wynn 	1,000-1,200	+7 	+11 	45 yards 	+1
12	Great Wyrm 	1,200 + 	+8 	+12 	50 yards 	0
Category:Creatures
Category:Fiend Folio Appendix Creatures