A Study of Draconic Behavior and Methods of Movement

"A Study of Draconic Behavior and Methods of Movement, A Necessity for any Military Officer or Student of the Magnificent Serpents of the Sky " is a book researched and written by Vorben "Goggles" Glarkle of the Avowed of Candlekeep. He was a dragon scholar and apprentince of Gaurdront Mehill.

It was scribed by the Waterdhavian Scriveners', Scribes', and Clerks' Guild.

## Text

### Foreword

*"With many thanks to the great Waterhavian Noble House Melshimber for their patronage, that allowed this work to be created.*

"The creator, funders, scribes and any others involved in this work of science and discovery will not be held responsible for any mauling, biting, bludgeoning, scorching, freezing, poisoning, corroding, zapping or other dragon-related or non-dragon-related injuries caused as a result of any contact with draconic creatures or any other source of danger."

### Chapter 1: *One does not shoot arrows at a foe beneath the ground*

"Throughout the ages, dragons have been a great point of interest for all humanoid races. This, of course, makes perfect sense - who wouldn’t be enthralled by the grand winged reptilian creatures that soar and roam across the sky? But truth is that, unlike common belief, not all draconic creatures actually glide among the clouds, and this fact has brought among the end of many intrepid adventures, respected members of city guards and fearsome militias alike. One who comes equipped to face a flying foe will not last long when it burrows beneath the ground and then under you.

"As my teacher, Gaurdront Mehill, described in his tome *“Gaurdront’s Guide to Draconic Beasts”*, not all living entities listed as draconic necessarily wield the ability to fly, the fear-invoking Dragon Turtle for example is unable to fly. Thus, when moving further on, the dragons will be split into two categories, those able to fly and those unable.

"Please note that more exotic dragons like the Gem Dragons of the Inner Planes will not be featured as their very existence is limited to theory, legend and myth, likewise the Lung Dragons of the distant far east continent of Kara-Tur are not featured, as even though their existence is confirmed, we still lack scholarly knowledge of them. Furthermore, due to the costs and time requirements of scribing, Lesser Dragons and other dragons not counted among the True Dragons will not be mentioned. With that being said, it is a known fact that Lesser Dragons that take affinity to either chromatic colours or metals follow suit in the abilities and capabilities. This, of course, meaning that a variant of a drake clad in black scales is able to swim just as black dragons are."

#### Chapter 1, part 1: *Flying dragons and their additional capabilities*

"**Water beware:** Among the assortment of Chromatic and Metallic Dragons many have adapted to aquatic environments and have as a result gained the ability to traverse bodies liquid through swimming. Among the Chromatic species, the blacks, the whites and the greens are all equally capable of swimming, likewise the bronzes and the golds can traverse water at roughly the same speed as the Chromatic counterparts.

"**Danger in the ground:** Some dragons often surprise their opponents by suddenly diving or clawing their way into the terrain, whether it be ice, earth or even solid rock. These dragons have managed to strengthen their physical abilities and can as a result glide through solid materials with ease. The strongest gliders are the whites and the brasses, able to burrow faster than humanoids can run while the blues burrow at a speed more like that of a humanoid’s running pace.

"**Above you and besides you:** Other dragons rely on the strength of their claws to grip walls and other surfaces and then walk across them like it was normal ground. The dragons armed with this ability are the fearsome reds and on the metallic side the coppers."

#### Chapter 1, part 2: *Preparing for the worst*

"An important part of any draconologist’s work isn’t just researching dragons but also learning from them and of them and knowing how to use this knowledge. With hope it should never be necessary to fight dragons and diplomacy should always be the primary option, but history shows this to a naive ideal. Metallic dragons have in many cases coexisted with the humanoid races, but the chromatics do in most cases not share the same wishes of peace. That is why we must still know how to fight a dragon, however outlandish that sentence is.
"Most knowledge on how to fight dragons come in shape of pure theory constructed by military strategists and scholars such as I. Throughout history not many battles with dragons have been recorded carefully, that however does not mean that few battles with dragons have happened through history, they just have a tendency to leave a small to minimal amount of survivors, rarely with a historian amongst the fold. To further this point, among the dragons that have defeated through the years, most have fallen to groups of mighty adventurers, heroic knights and dragonslayers, not armies or other military forces.
"With the privilege of knowing if you’ll be faced with a dragon attack or if you’re planning to drive a dragon away from your kingdom, the key shall lie in preparation and flexible strategic planning. Consider all knowledge and the aforementioned capabilities of movement when planning. Nearly all strategies and formations you know become irrelevant when you introduce them to a dragon. Dragons possess an innate sense of what is around them, making subterfuge and stealth a challenge. They are clad in powerful scales, shielding them from projectiles and weapons alike. The fangs and claws sharper than steel blades and the wings that hold the beast aloft strong enough bring dozens of foot soldiers to the ground, not to mention the tail that can cave in even the strongest plate armour. In short, as it mentioned earlier, don’t fight a dragon. Though should the need arise make sure that the forces you command have cover and additional magical protection from the breath weapon. When dragonflames rain down you, those under the fire char and crumble, those lucky enough to not be hit flee in terror, regardless of the previous morale. That is why you most protect from elements the dragon spews, even though half of the army may perish, the other half shall flee, and that is greatest danger of fighting dragons; fear breaks all plans. But for too long have I dilly-dallied prized reader! As I have said many times preparation is key! Equip with ranged weaponry and make sure to guard from all exhalation and fire with haste in the periods of time in between the dragon’s attacks. Thanks to the excellent research of famed scholar Wujurn Nyachushtalluath (who lost his life in the process), it is known that dragons recover their breath weapon in a matter of seconds (though no less than 6) up to at times an entire minute or more, but typically about a little less than 20 seconds. If the dragon lands, then make sure your troops are ready to charge. A dragon may be dangerous at a close range, but it limits how many targets than can be hit by a deadly breath attack and when facing a dragon numbers are the only advantage you have, and advantage that is best used in close quarters. Though, do not send your entire army at the dragon! Instead spread out! A dense armada will fall faster than they can draw their blades, but a spread army may have improved the still frighteningly low chance of success."

### Chapter 2: *Firefight*

"Dragons are proficient in many types of combat. A dragon can besiege a city acting as a one “man” army. It can melt even the thickest walls in seconds, if breaking them down does not please the dragon. In combat a dragon wields many weapons. They often prefer using their dangerous breath weapon while swooping down from the skies. Should there be especially dangerous targets in combat, then a dragon might pick them up in the claws and drop them from great heights. However, the strategies of a dragon depend heavily on the environment and type of dragon.

"Black dragons are sadistic and cruel above all else, they play with their prey and attack in swift ambushes. According to the many tales of the legendary ancient dragon Voaraghamanthar the dragon that rules the Mere of Dead Men, he would bring adventurers to the brink of death before bringing them back to his lair and eating them slowly, making sure they felt every ounce of pain.

"In combat blue dragons, famed for great intellect, feel no need to finish the matter quickly. Stories tell of how they at times take hours, days and even tendays to fight, as they soar patiently out of reach and methodically spew lightning down, before retreating to safe distance again. While the dragon does not tire from this, the armies below exhaust and fall to fear itself, not knowing when death incarnate shall again come from above.

"Green dragons are fear-invoking and manipulative creatures. They take pleasure in the use of misdirection, trickery and corrupting those good of heart. A green dragon stalks its victims for as it plans its assault, sometimes shadowing creatures for days. If a target is weak, the dragon enjoys the terror its appearance evokes before the attack. It never slays all its foes, preferring to use intimidation to establish control over survivors. They take slaves as trophies and hoard them like gold, breaking their minds and forging a following.

"Red dragons. They are utterly vain, even for dragons, caring only for their hoard and kingdom they build and rule as tyrants. In combat act like the tyrants they are. A red dragon quickly comes into a destructive rage when aggravated or annoyed. Do not attempt to calm or talk your way out of the fight with the dragon, for it will mean your death.
"White dragons, that are of lesser intelligence even when compared to us simple minded and short-lived mortals rarely employ strategy and planning in combat, and will rather flee than die. This does of course not mean they are not to be feared, for instead of strategy and cunning they wield a bestial fury and frenzy of blows and strikes."