Dragons, Yrth

Dragons are an ancient, supernatural race of flying, sapient reptilian creatures. The oldest scrolls of elves and dwarves still mention dragons, implying that they're one of the oldest races of Yrth.
== Ecology ==
Dragons are big fish in a tiny pond. While their combination of might and magic allow them to live just about anywhere, they are large, inefficient eaters, and rely on long periods of torpor to survive. This key balance of hunger and rest results in the species' habit of showing up after long periods of time, eating a handful of cows, and disappearing once again. Were it possible to make a dragon more gastrically efficient, it would bring this species back from extinction.
=== Mana Dependence ===
Dragons of Yrth are a magiotrophic species, and require at least a low mana zone to survive. (Some even prefer low-mana zones, as it prevents wizards from bothering them as much.) As such, dragons are unlikely to be found in the Great Desert and the Abyssal Plains of the ocean.
== Growth of an Yrth Dragon ==
Maturity 	Description
Hatchling 	Dragons of Yrth are born about the size of a man or larger, 6-7 feet long, and weighing 150-200 lbs.
Young 	By the age of 20, they're about 12 feet long (say the length of two spears end to end), weighing 500-800 lbs, or about the weight of a small horse.
Adolescent	At 100 years, a dragon's lair and position is firmly established. It's at least 21 feet long, and weighs 800-1,500 lbs, about the weight of a larger horse.
Adult 	After several centuries, dragons grow to about 30 feet long and 1,500 to 2,500 lbs. Their size, damage resistance and power put them far above all natural creatures, and have little to fear besides other dragons and powerful heroes. Or villains.
Monstrous 	After a thousand years or so, dragons reach this stage. 42' long and over 3,000 lbs. Any dragon at this stage will have countless legends of their "waking moments"—when they emerge from their lairs and eat livestock, gather treasure and frighten townsfolk.
== Metabolic Control ==
"I had discovered the beast while looking for mushrooms along the ridge-line. It was injured—by what monumental force, I know not—and regarded me with a grumpy but sapient intelligence. I gave it a bow, which seemed to satisfy its distaste for my presence, and I did my best to explain that I would fetch it some herbs that might salve its wounds. When I returned, the creature was stone still, and I thought it dead—until I was close enough to hear its gentle breathing. The floor was no more reddened than when I had left, like the creature had simply willed itself to stop bleeding." —Unknown monk's journal, found partially burnt by the Order of St. George.A dragon has a control over its metabolism that rivals Body Mages and Psionic Monks. While generally used for their long hibernations, they can also use this it to recover from diseases and poisons, and resist bleeding. The latter is immensely useful in prolonged combat, as a dragon can survive a mighty stab from a spear and fly away, sealing its wounds before bleeding out.
This ability can also be useful in stealth applications, as a particularly patient dragon can wait for a very long time (for instance, in murky swamp-water) before needing to eat. Its breath is also much slighter, making it harder to hear.
===Hatchling===
Cost: 29 points
Attributes 	ST +3 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; [18]; DX-1 [-20]; HT+2 [20] 	[18]
Secondary Characteristics	Basic Speed-1 [-20] 	[-20]
Advantages 	Yrth Dragon [17]; Burning Attack 1d (Costs Fatigue, 2 FP, -10%; Jet, +0%; Reduced Range, 1/5, -20%) [4]; Damage Resistance 1 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [3]; Nictitating Membrane 1 [1]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1].	[31]
6’-7’ long (2 hexes), weighs 150-200 lbs.
===Young Dragon===
Cost: 133 points
Attribute 	ST+8 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size, -10%) [40]; DX +1 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [12]; IQ+1 [20]; HT+3 [30]	[102]
Secondary Characteristics	SM+1; FP+2 [6]; Basic Speed-1 [-20] 	[-14]
Advantages 	Yrth Dragon [17]; Burning Attack 1d (Costs Fatigue, 2 FP, -10%; Jet, +0%; Reduced Range,
1/2, -10%) [4]; Damage Resistance 2 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [6]; Metabolism Control 2 [10]; Nictitating Membrane 2 [2]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1]	[45]
4-hexs; weighs 500-800 lbs
===Adolescent Dragon===
Cost: 324 points
Attribute 	ST+13 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size, -20%) [52]; DX +2 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [24]; IQ+2 [40]; HT+3 [30]. 	[146]
Secondary Characteristics	SM +2; FP +5 [15]. 	[15]
Advantages 	Yrth Dragon [17]; Burning Attack 2d (Breath; Costs 2 Fatigue; Jet; Range 5) [8]; Damage Resistance 3 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [9]; Metabolism Control 6 [30]; Nictitating Membrane 3 [3]; Sharp Claws [5]; Sharp Teeth [1].	[73]
7-hexes; weight 800-1,500 lbs
===Adult Dragon===
Cost: 338 points
Attribute 	ST+16 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size, -30%) [48]; DX +3 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [36]; IQ+4 [80]; HT +4 [40]. 	[204]
Secondary Characteristics	SM +3; FP +10 [30] 	[30]
Advantages 	Yrth Dragon [17]; Burning Attack 3d (Breath; Costs 2 Fatigue; Jet) [14]; Damage Resistance 6 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [18]; Teeth (Fangs) [2]; Metabolism Control 8 [40]; Nictitating Membrane 5 [5]; Claws (Talons) [8].	[104]
10-hexes; weighs 1,500-2,500 lbs
===Monstrous Dragon===
Cost: 444 points
Attribute 	ST+22 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%; Size, -40%) [44]; DX+4 (No Fine Manipulators, -40%) [48]; IQ+6 [120]; HT+5 [50]. 	[262]
Secondary Characteristics	SM +4; FP +20 [60]. 	[60]
Advantages 	Yrth Dragon [17]; Burning Attack 4d (Breath; Costs 2 Fatigue; Jet) [18]; Damage Resistance 7 (Can’t Wear Armor, -40%) [21]; Fangs [2]; Metabolism Control 9 [45]; Nictitating Membrane 6 [6]; Long Talons [11]; Reputation (“Embodiment of the Infinite”; +1 among elves) [2].	[122]
14+ hexes; 3,000+ lbs
Category:Racial Templates