Orange Dragon

An ancient orange dragon flying in a sky lit by sunset.

An **Orange Dragon** is a type of dragon of the Second Brood, named for their blazing orange scales. Closely related to red dragons and yellow dragons, the orange dragon sits between their two cousins in personality - possessing the clerical and patient nature of yellow dragons with the fury and ferocity of red dragons, the orange dragon's personality makes for a dangerous yet cunning combination. As one of the rarer forms of the Second Brood, and owing to their reclusive nature, orange dragons are one of the least well studied dragons by scholars.

## Description

Aside from their bright orange scales and reptillian wings, orange dragons also possess a trademark feature with their maws - a long, flat set of jaws similar to that of a crocodile, with sharp teeth designed for gripping onto and tearing through flesh. Many have fin-like structures on their tails that aid in swimming and manuevering underwater, and are capable of breathing underwater for long periods of time.

Orange dragons understand that they are devastatingly powerful, but unlike red dragons, they reign in their ferocity and rage much better and choose to use it where it would be applied best. Many orange dragons prefer to achieve their goals through intrigue and manipulation rather than through brute force. Whether that be achieving control over a local village or rare things for their hoard, orange dragons tend to seek power through their overwhelming cunning. However, when the situation calls for it, it is not unheard of for an orange dragon to unleash their wrath.

### Lairs and Hoards

Orange dragons tend to make their lairs in warm, wet environments, such as jungles and rainforests. They typically settle in underwater caves in these environments, being hidden away and difficult for others to access, as well as having easy access for fish for the dragon to eat. In these underwater caves, orange dragons will tend to show their more artistic side - they will hoard art pieces such as sculptures and jewelry they have procured or stolen, and will even craft their own. Their hoards are often covered in beautiful sculptures carved lovingly with their claws and even dragon-sized forges used for the creatures to create their own jewelry. Orange dragons will sometimes even seek out commissions from other beings, seeking out crowns or necklaces sized for them to wear, or statues carved to resemble them.

### Followers

As reclusive beings, orange dragons typically don't keep a large retinue around with them. It is rare to see an orange dragon actively attempt to build a cult or worshippers. However, they sometimes attract small groups of skilled followers to attempt to protect them - typically in the form of misled or blackmailed adventurers who have been convinced to work for the dragon. Other times, orange dragons may seek out singular relationships with other skilled mortals, such as blacksmiths and artists - however, they make it well known to *all* of their potential followers that *they* are in charge and are the beneficiary of the relationship.

Due to their habitat preferences, orange dragons will often clash with black dragons. As black dragons are typically weaker and smaller than orange dragons, they will sometimes swear fealty to an orange dragon in order to settle in their territory. These dragons are subordinate to the orange dragon, typically offering large sums of their hoards and hauls as a form of "tax" to the orange dragon.

## Combat

Orange dragons are immensely dangerous in combat due to their ferocious and violent, yet cunning natures. They are often brutal with their claw and bite attacks, and are unafraid of damaging their environment to bring about an advantage - including knocking over large statues in their lairs with their tails. Often, orange dragons will attempt to corral their opponents into a disadvantageous location before using their breath weapon.

As a breath weapon, orange dragons possess a deadly sodium breath, breathing out a slime heavy in pure sodium. This breath, while not inherently dangerous at first, quickly begins to combust and then explode when in contact with air - effectively a delayed fire attack. As well, should this slime contact water, it will suddenly combust into a large explosion. With much of an orange dragon's lair being surrounded by water, this makes their breath attacks even more devastating while fighting defensively.