Dierkes Knoll Dragon

> However, because we were all first- and second-year students, there was no chance anyone would have a fully grown eldrin, which could be huge, especially in the case of dragons. No, everyone had a small eldrin, and Cuva was no different.
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> His dierkes knoll dragon hopped onto the marble stage and scurried over to sit next to Twain. The little dragon was practically made of leaves. His wings were a vibrant green, his scales reminded me of the leaves of oaks, and his tail was long and flexible, like a vine.
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> He was about the size of Twain, too…
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> A tiny little dragon.
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> – Abyssal Arcanist
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## Dierkes Knoll Dragon

**Description:** A diminutive dragon, no larger than a parrot, with emerald leaves, mossy green scales, and olive eyes. The dierkes knoll dragon has small claws that it uses to climb trees and perch on branches, wings made of leaves to fly silently through the sky, and a long tail with which it uses to camouflage itself. The dragon is normally the colors of spring and summer, vibrant and lush. It is ever-watchful over its forest domain.

**Trial of Worth:** In order to bond with a dierkes knoll dragon, a person must bring the dragon the head of a poacher who has killed something precious that once dwelled in the forest.

**Tier:** 4

**Reproduction:** Fable—whenever a forest that is over 100 square miles in size reaches 100 years of age (without human habitation or alteration) a hatchling dierkes knoll dragon appears.

**Evocation:** Sleep Pollen—a fine yellow mist of pollen that induces sleep into anyone who breathes it.

**Manipulation:** Non-Magical Animals— the dierkes knoll dragons and their arcanists can control non-magical animals. This ranges from birds, to large jungle cats, to bears, and even small woodland creatures, but not fish or other mammals who exclusively dwell in water. This manipulation is extensive, and can control an animal totally.

**Augmentation:** Camouflage—when the dierkes knoll dragon or its arcanist augments itself, the dragon takes on leaves, bark, or even rocks and sand to blend in with its surroundings. This works in all landscapes, even a desert. When augmenting others, it grants them the same camouflage ability, where the skin of individuals takes on physical characteristics of their environment.

**Imbuing:** Improving Stealth—dierkes knoll dragon magic enhances stealth on most items (leaving no footprints in the forest, blending in with surroundings, and so on). It also can create items that make the wearer immune to poison.

**Aura:** Full Moon- Full Moon—when a dierkes knoll dragon arcanist creates an aura, a fake full moon appears in the sky and all non-magical animals transform into were-beasts (wolves into werewolves, bears into werebears, etc.) gaining enhanced strength, speed, and deadly extensions to claws, fangs, and talons.

**Innate Abilities:** Immunity to poison and venom, leaves no footprints when traveling through forests and jungles, regenerates lost limbs, and can speak with non-magical animals.

**True Form Type:** Geas—the arcanist must bring mystical creatures to the dragon’s forest (at least five types) and allow them to make their homes within the trees.

**True Form Appearance:** A true form dierkes knoll dragon takes on the appearance of autumn and winter, with tree-like antlers, longer thorn claws, and larger wings made of fallen leaves. Silvery moss grows from its scales, sparkling like stars at night. The dragon never becomes larger than a dog, however, and remained a hidden guardian in the trees.

**True Form Ability:** Forest Guardian—while the dierkes knoll dragon is in its forest, any mystical creature it deems unworthy may not enter (only works on creatures who are same tier and below).

**In-World Lore:** Dierkes knoll dragons are known as guardians of the forest, and are thought of fondly by those who dwell near woodlands. Since they are so small, and remain hidden, they are extremely rare mystical creatures who few ever bond with. Poachers and mystic seekers dislike the dierkes knoll dragon, simply because the dragon tends to interfere with their work.

**Real-World Inspiration:** The dierkes knoll dragon was created by Mathew Dierkes. The dragon takes a lot of its magics and abilities from classic fairy tales. From falling asleep in the woods, to werewolves, the dierkes knoll dragon embodies all the Grimm Fairy Tale tropes of creatures who protect their homeland from human invaders. The fairy-like size and mystery are additional examples of how classic fairy tales molded this creature’s appearance and characteristics.