|
Lore for Black, Blue, Brass, and Bronze Dragons
|
A Peek Behind the Rules Curtain
So how do designers determine the Difficulty Class for Knowledge checks about creatures? The following is excerpted from Monster Manual IV:
The description of the Knowledge skill indicates that in general, the baseline DC of checks to identify monsters and remember one bit of useful information about their special powers or vulnerabilities is equal to 10 + the monster's HD. Every 5 points by which the check result exceeds the DC yields another useful piece of information (PH 78).
As a general rule of thumb, a DC 15 check or higher will reveal all of the base creature's type and subtype traits as defined in the glossary. This often includes information about energy resistance or various immunities. For instance, a DC 15 Knowledge (arcana) check reveals that dragons have high hit points (12-sided HD), all good saves, and have darkvision out to 60 feet and low-light vision. They eat, sleep, and breathe.
Information specific to the creature, such as its type of damage resistance, spell-like abilities, or immunities come with the high DC check results.
|
Monster Manual IV introduced a sidebar that has since become the norm when new monsters are provided: the Knowledge check. This handy item takes the guesswork out of what a character (as opposed to the player) knows about a given creature and rewards those characters with ranks in the appropriate Knowledge skill. Over the course of the next few installments, we'll provide Knowledge check results for a variety of monsters, starting with some of the most iconic that lack this sidebar.
Response to these articles has been very positive. As a result, we're turning our eye toward the absolute classic of monster: the dragon. In this installment, we explore the black, blue, brass, and bronze dragons.
If you're interested in taking on these dragons once you've learned something about them, be sure to consult our earlier Tactics & Tips series: Bigger, Tougher, and Meaner Than You:
Black Dragons
Among the meanest and most spiteful of the evil dragons, black dragons live to torment and torture those unlucky enough to enter their domains. They seem to enjoy spending their time in the water -- so keep an eye out on that swamp beneath your feet!
Black Dragon Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about black dragons. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.
Knowledge (Arcana)
DC Result
 15 Black dragons are evil-tempered, cunning, and sinister dragons that dwell in marshes, fens, and fetid swamplands. This also reveals the water subtype.
20 The breath weapon of a black dragon produces a line of acid.
25 Black dragons are immune to acid and can breath underwater. At various stages of its life, a black dragon gains damage reduction: young adult -- DR 5/magic, mature adult -- DR 10/magic, very old -- DR 15/magic, and wyrm -- DR 20/magic.
30 At various stages of its life, a black dragon gains the following special abilities: juvenile -- darkness, adult -- corrupt water, old -- plant growth,ancient -- insect plague, great wyrm -- charm reptiles.
Blue Dragons
The mighty blue dragon is a territorial beast that rules its domain with an iron claw. Blue dragons are masters of illusions and duplicity, and they set up elaborate ruses to lure in prey for food and treasure.
Blue Dragon Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about blue dragons. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.
Knowledge (Arcana)
DC Result
 15 Blue dragons are evil, vain, territorial dragons that live in barren deserts full of shifting sand and massive dunes. This also reveals the earth subtype.
20 Blue dragons possess a breath weapon that produces a line of lightning.
25 Blue dragons are immune to electricity and can create/destroy water from birth. At various stages of its life, a blue dragon gains damage reduction: young adult -- DR 5/magic, mature adult -- DR 10/magic, very old -- DR 15/magic, and wyrm -- DR 20/magic.
30 At various stages of its life, a blue dragon gains the following special abilities: juvenile -- sound imitation, adult -- ventriloquism, old -- hallucinatory terrain, ancient -- veil, great wyrm -- mirage arcana.
Brass Dragons
The talkative brass dragon just wants to talk your ear off. Of course, if you don't let it, it's likely to gnaw your ear off instead.
Brass Dragon Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about brass dragons. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.
Knowledge (Arcana)
DC Result
 15 Brass dragons are good, loquacious, inquisitive dragons that live in desert areas. This also reveals the fire subtype.
20 Brass dragons can produce two types of breath weapons: a line of fire and a cone of sleep.
25 Brass dragons are immune to fire, but vulnerable to cold. They can speak with animals from birth. At various stages of its life, a brass dragon gains damage reduction: young adult -- DR 5/magic, mature adult -- DR 10/magic, very old -- DR 15/magic, and wyrm -- DR 20/magic.
30 At various stages of its life, a brass dragon gains the following special abilities: juvenile -- endure elements, adult -- suggestion, old -- control winds, ancient -- control weather, and great wyrm -- summon djinni.
Bronze Dragons
The curious bronze dragon spends the majority of its time in alternate forms, studying the lives, habits, and motivations of animals and humanoids alike. Few even realize they are dealing with a dragon at all.
Bronze Dragon Lore
Characters with ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learn more about bronze dragons. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.
Knowledge (Arcana)
DC Result
 15 Bronze dragons are good, inquisitive dragons that enjoy changing their form to study other creatures. This also reveals the water subtype.
20 Bronze dragons have two types of breath weapons: a line of lightning and a cone of repulsion gas.
25 Bronze dragons are immune to electricity and can breath underwater. At various stages of its life, a bronze dragon gains damage reduction: young adult -- DR 5/magic, mature adult -- DR 10/magic, very old -- DR 15/magic, and wyrm -- DR 20/magic.
30 At various stages of its life, a bronze dragon gains the following special abilities: young -- alternate form, adult -- create food and water, fog cloud, old -- detect thoughts, ancient -- control water, great wyrm -- control weather.
Game Resources: To use the material in this article to its fullest, check out the following resources: Dungeon Master's Guide, Monster Manual, and Player's Handbook.
About the Author
Eric Cagle cut his teeth at Wizards of the Coast, but now lives the extravagant freelancer lifestyle. Look for his name on D&D, d20 Modern, and Star Wars books. Recent credits include d20 Apocalypse, Monster Manual IV, and the Tome of Corruption from Green Ronin Publishing. He is also a contributor to the Game Mechanics, Dragon Magazine, and this lovely website. Eric lives in Seattle where the coffee is dark and bitter like his goddesses.
|
