The dragonnel is a very rare creature distantly related to dragons and pteranodons.
Description[]
Appearance[]
The dragonnel is a dragonlike creature with four legs, huge wings, and long tails. They are protected by warty, dinosaur-like hide. At a distance, they may be mistaken for dragons.[2] It stands about five feet at the shoulder, measures almost ten feet in length from nose to tail, and may have a wingspan as great as 30 feet.[6]
Dragonnels—at least those of the Pomarj—possess a greyish underbelly, dusty red-violet sides and tail, maroon back spines, a gray beak, and white head frills. It possesses taloned forefeet and toothy beaks.[7] Red-brown to brilliant gold scales are common too.[6]
Trained dragonnels are equipped with a set of four reins, and the rider is equipped with a sharp goad with a metal tip and weighted butt, for his own protection.[2] They are noted for their fierce loyalty to their master.[6]
Personality and alignment[]
They are generally of neutral alignment, but are occasionally known to commit evil acts.[7] They are commonly cunning and malicious.[2]
Abilities and traits[]
The dragonnel lacks the breath weapon of more powerful species of dragon, and relies on its talons, beak, and tail to attack. They are of limited intelligence[7] and usually cannot speak, although around one in twenty-five is intelligent enough to learn the language of dragons.[2]
The dragonnel's roar is frightening. It is noted for its ferocity in battle. It also has substantial ability to carry goods; one might carry 400 pounds without impacting their flying ability.[6]
Ecology[]
Environment[]
Dragonnels can be found inhabiting any non-arctic terrain. Cold and dry terrain is inhospitable to the dragonnel.[2] They like to rest in the sun when it is warm.[8]
In the world of Oerth, Dragonnels are most common the Pomarj, where they are tamed and used as steeds by evil humans, including raiders. They were once prevalent across the Flanaess, from the Kron Hills and Glorioles to the Drachensgrab Mountains, but they are almost extinct outside of the Pomarj, and even then are very rare.[7] They are occasionally found around the Nyr Dyv and the waterways of the Selintan River.[9]
They are also found in the world of Athas, where they naturally inhabit mountains and are used as flying mounts.[10]
Lair[]
Wild dragonnels typically lair in hidden caves far from civilized lands.[6]
Life cycle[]
Dragonnels are an egg-laying species. Females leave their band to lay clutches of around 3-8 eggs and bury them in warm, moist earth in secret locations. She thereafter abandons the eggs, and may rejoin her band or join or form a new band.[2]
The eggs hatch in twelve weeks, given optimal conditions. A hatchling has glossy black color and a red underbelly. They can fly almost immediately upon hatching. They take around three years to reach maturity. As it ages, the underbelly fades to gray, and its sides become a dark red-violet. Adults develop long maroon spines on their back and white head frills.[2]
Diet[]
Dragonnels are strictly carnivorous. Wild dragonnels prefer to hunt large animals, including cattle, horses, or elk. If necessary they will hunt smaller prey, such as rodents, fish, or even humanoids; or resort to scavenging. Domesticated creatures are fed red meat, and require as much meat as two horses or cows per month,[2] or four goats.[8]
Society and culture[]
Organization[]
Dragonnels are often found alone, or in bands.[2]
They are mildly social, and will gather together to hunt, mate, or for mutual protection. Males in their prime avoid other males, and collect semi-permanent harems of females.[2]
Multiple families may establish lairs near each other for mutual support, working together to hunt and guard their lair and families.[6]
Enemies[]
Dragonnels are hunted by humans, who see them as a threat to their livestock; they otherwise occupy the top of the food chain and have no natural predators. They are resented by true dragons: evil dragons see them as competition for food sources, and good dragons look down on them for their evil tendencies and lack of intelligence.[2]
Allies and minions[]
They are occasionally domesticated and used as flying mounts by humanoids. They are difficult to train, and adults are practically impossible to domesticate, although they can occasionally be bribed into service with a particularly generous offer. The standard method of raising one is to uncover a clutch of dragonnel eggs and raise them, training them for a period of around five years. Even a trained dragonnel is dangerous, and may snap at its rider.[2] They may be kept obedient with promises of treats, such as quality beef or meat laced with narcotic substances.[8]
Dragonnel riders prefer to make ranged attacks from the sky. They may drop rocks, fire arrows, or cast spells, only risking their rare mount in melee battle if necessary. They can be used for reconnaissance.[8][11]
The Thought of Vecna at one point used a dragonnel mount.[12]
Language[]
If a dragonnel speaks, it speaks Draconic, the language of dragons.[6]
Treasure[]
Wild dragonnels do not carry treasure. However, dragonnel eggs are worth anything from 2,500 to 5,000 gp apiece on the market, while a hatchling may sell for 5,000 to 7,500 gp.[13][6]
History[]
Recent history[]
In the World of Greyhawk, the dragonnel has been hunted by humans for centuries, leading to their near-extinction across most of the Flanaess.[14]
Dragonnels are kept in the city of Kalen Lekos.[8]
Related items and spells[]
An artwork called "Dragonnel", or Dragonnel-by-the-Cliff, three feet square and mounted on dragonnel hide, can summon a dragonnel.[15][16]
Publication history[]
AD&D 1st edition[]
The dragonnel first appeared in the Monster Manual II (1e) (1983).
AD&D 2nd edition[]
The dragonnel is detailed in MC5 Monstrous Compendium: Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990). Color art of the dragonnel appears in the 9192 TSR Trading Cards set, #16.
It occasionally appears in Greyhawk adventure modules as a mount or rare random encounter, most notably in Slavers (2000) and WGA4 Vecna Lives! (1990).
D&D 3rd edition[]
The dragonnel appears in Draconomicon (3e) (2003), p.151-152. It can serve as a 9th level paladin's mount even if it is not a lawful good dragon, and the Dragon Steed feat grants a dragonnel mount.
D&D 5th edition[]
The dragonnel appears in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons (2021).
Creative origins[]
The dragonnel appears to be an original creation of Gary Gygax.
References[]
- ↑ Monster Manual II (1e) (1983).
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 MC5 Monstrous Compendium: Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990).
- ↑ Draconomicon (3e) (2003).
- ↑ Fizban's Treasury of Dragons (2021).
- ↑ Monster Manual II (1e) (1983), p.135.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 6.6 6.7 6.8 6.9 Draconomicon (3e) (2003), p.151-152.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Monster Manual II (1e) (1983), p.60.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Slavers (2000), p.102-103.
- ↑ WGA4 Vecna Lives! (1990), p.32.
- ↑ DSR4 Valley of Dust and Fire (1992), p.15,22.
- ↑ Slavers (2000), p.109.
- ↑ WGA4 Vecna Lives! (1990), p.43.
- ↑ Treasures of the Wilds, Dragon #137 (Sep 1988), p.19.
- ↑ Greyhawk Player's Guide (1998), p.39.
- ↑ Encyclopedia Magica Volume One (1994), p.101-102.
- ↑ Picture This! Many magical paintings, Dragon #179 (Mar 1992), p.13.