Metallic dragons were a type of dragon distinguished typically by the color and composition of their scales, that was like that of various metals, hence the name. They were generally good, altruistic, and righteous creatures. Despite their relatively benign nature, metallic dragons were also aggressive when threatened or challenged.[3] They usually worshiped Bahamut, whom they regarded as their king.[2][4]
It was believed by scholars from Candlekeep that all species of metallic dragons evolved from the proto-dragon species of the ferrodraco genus.[5]
Types
Although there were many metallic dragon species, the following are the ones known by sages of Faerûn:
- Brass dragons
- Brass dragons were talkative and loved the intense heat of deserts. They usually made their lairs in high caves, preferably facing east to enjoy the morning warmth. Their territories always contained spots where they can sunbathe and trap unwary travelers in conversation.[3]
- Bronze dragons
- Bronze dragons were inquisitive and were mostly fascinated with warfare. They would eagerly join an army given the chance, looking for a just cause and good pay. They also enjoyed polymorphing into small animals to study adventuring bands.[6]
- Copper dragons
- Copper dragons were pranksters, joke tellers, and riddlers. Most were good-natured but also had a covetous, miserly streak. They were determined hunters, considering good sport at least as important as food.[7]
- Gold dragons
- Gold dragons were altruistic, graceful, and wise. They hated injustice, and often embarked on self-appointed quests to promote the cause of good. Gold dragons often assumed humanoid guises while traveling.[8]
- Iron dragons
- Iron dragons were savage or deceptive by nature and were considered to be most brutish and vicious of the metallic races. A few iron dragons were in fact evil. Most of them were of neutral alignments, but still predatory and dangerous.[2][9]
- Mercury dragons
- Mercury dragons were impulsive creatures. Often they were given to whimsy and rapid changes of direction, both mental and physical. They delighted in unpredictability and were reputed to be mentally unstable as well.[10][11]
- Platinum dragons
- The rarest of the metallic dragons. Many believed that only one ever existed.[5]
- Silver dragons
- Silver dragons were regal and embodied all that was honorable about dragonkind. Good silver dragons assisted good creatures in need, and often took the forms of kindly old men or fair damsels while traveling in humanoid lands. The few silvers who turned to evil maintained their honor and reputation; they did not engage in actions of petty malice and did not kill unworthy foes.[12][11]
- Steel dragons
- Steel dragons were sociable, clever, and curious, and they preferred the company of humanoids rather than dragons. They took humanoid forms and remained in them more often than in their natural draconic forms. They were also interested in the art, culture, history, and politics of humanoid races.[13]
Reference
- ↑ Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Christopher Perkins (2014-09-30). Monster Manual 5th edition. Edited by Scott Fitzgerald Gray. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 103–118. ISBN 978-0786965614.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Rob Heinsoo, Stephen Schubert (May 19, 2009). Monster Manual 2 4th edition. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 74. ISBN 0786995101. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "MM24e" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 79. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 57. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Nigel Findley, et al. (October 1990). Draconomicon. Edited by Mike Breault. (TSR, Inc.), p. 8. ISBN 0-8803-8876-5.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 81. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 82–83. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 84–85. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Richard Baker, et al. (November 2009). Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons. Edited by Logan Bonner, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7869-5248-9.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 138. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Richard Baker, et al. (November 2009). Draconomicon: Metallic Dragons. Edited by Logan Bonner, et al. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 34. ISBN 978-0-7869-5248-9. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "DracoMD2" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Skip Williams, Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook (July 2003). Monster Manual v.3.5. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 86. ISBN 0-7869-2893-X.
- ↑ Eric L. Boyd, Eytan Bernstein (August 2006). Dragons of Faerûn. Edited by Beth Griese, Cindi Rice, Kim Mohan. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 140–141. ISBN 0-7869-3923-0.