Linnorms

Linnorms are lesser dragons descended from the bloodlines of a singular draconic ancestor and Dendar. It is said that Nidhoggr (as she was then known) ordered her progeny to travel along the roots of Yggdrasil that had been their original source of nourishment, in an attempt to conquer all of the realms of mortals and gods. Over centuries each tribe of Linnorm mutated and bred true, creating them as they are now. It is said that the failure of the Linnorms to take over the mortal realms has very little to do with their power or intelligence, which are often both immense, but has much more to do with their isolationism and extreme paranoia (perhaps their true inheritance from the Night Serpent).

Generally Linnorm appear as serpentine dragons lacking wings and rear legs. Their lower bodies are muscular and flexible, allowing for wide ranges of movement and most are agile at swimming and climbing as well as moving on land. All Linnorms have exceptional vision in the dark.

Linnorm are mostly solitary creatures and their mating behaviors are erratic and rare, but produce large clutches of eggs. The Linnorm young generally eat one another until perhaps half a dozen remain and then they spread out several miles from one another to begin creating lairs. Young Linnorms are visited by their much larger parents sporadically until they are adults, given the tools of their ancestors to survive.

### Common Sub-Types of Linnorm

#### Corpse Tearers

The Corpse Tearers are said to be the purest bloodline of Nidhoggr, they had been exposed to large amounts of energy from the realms of Helja. Corpse Tearers are gargantuan, solitary, burrowing creatures who create intricate underground swamplands full of poisons and disease. They often have dark brown scales overgrown with moss and filled with parasites. They are highly intelligent, known to be able to cast high level spells using ancient shadow magic. They can innately fly and they have two breath weapons, one firing a line of paralyzing gas and the other spewing a cloud of choking disease. Their claws are said to drain the constitution of their victims. It is said that the lair of an ancient Corpse Tearer has enough riches to buy a kingdom, yet getting to one's hoard is a fool's errand.

#### Dread Linnorms

The Dread Linnorms are the descendants of a tribe fallen to the Abyss. They have two heads and are tinged with the power of the tanar'ri. Dread Linnorms are colossal, solitary, creatures who inhabit abandoned wastelands or guard areas for greater evils. They have very little care for the things in their lair, generally leaving treasure where it lies on the corpses of their victims. They care for only destruction and cruelty. They are born with black scales that grow grey over time. They are capable of casting mid-level enchantment spells. They can innately fly and they have two breath weapons, one a line of flame and the other a cloud of freezing wind. Their claws are capable of fatiguing their victims.

#### Gray Linnorms

The Gray Linnorms are the most numerous and smallest of the species. They are huge, solitary creatures who inhabit mountains and hills, preferring to settle in abandoned mines or natural caves but willing to create their own if necessary. Gray Linnorms rarely covet treasure but they are extremely territorial, sometimes to their detriment if they decide to cross a Red Dragon or other powerful creature. Their scales are gray from birth and turn lighter with age. Gray Linnorms can cast powerful spells, usually those given to clerics of Loki, Dendar, Sharindlar, Beshaba, and Shar. They can innately fly and have a breath weapon that is a sort of caustic and sticky slime. Their tails are ended with poisonous barbs. A common tactic in battle for the Linnorm when diplomacy and spell-casting has failed, is to grapple opponents by dropping on them from above and then injecting them with toxins.

#### Stygian Linnorms

The Stygian Linnorms are a rare breed, descended from a small tribe that had fallen into the Styx. Most believe that the waters have driven the creatures somewhat mad over centuries but they are mostly immune from the more detrimental affects of the waters, making them one of the few creatures that can safely inhabit them. Stygian Linnorms can cast mid-level spells as a sorcerer. They can innately fly, and have a breath weapon of pure Stygian water that generally causes feeble-mindedness and forgetfulness. Some Stygian Linnorms have attempted to convince lesser beings that they are gods to be worshiped, but many have found themselves as pets to the Plutarei or the Yugoloths. They may be difficult to fully control but they are surprisingly willing to make alliances in exchange for flamboyant displays that appease their need for praise and confirm the validity of their arrogant self-image.