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.[1]
They 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.[3] 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.[1]
Personality and alignment
They are generally of neutral alignment, but are occasionally known to commit evil acts.[3] They are commonly cunning and malicious.[1]
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[3] and usually cannot speak, although around one in twenty-five is intelligent enough to learn the language of dragons.[1]
Ecology
Environment
Dragonnels can be found inhabiting any non-arctic terrain. Cold and dry terrain is inhospitable to the dragonnel.[1]
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.[3]
They are also found in the world of Athas, where they naturally inhabit mountains and are used as flying mounts.[4]
Lair
Life cycle
Dragonnels are an egg-laying species. Females leaave 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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
Society and culture
Organization
Dragonnels are often found alone, or in bands.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
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.[1]
Related items and spells
An artwork called Dragonnel-by-the-Cliff, three feet square and mounted on dragonnel hide, can summon a dragonnel [5]
Publication history
AD&D 1st edition
The dragonnel first appeared in the Monster Manual 2e (1e){{UnknownBook}}.
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.
Creative origins
The dragonnel appears to be an original creation of Gary Gygax.
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 MC5 Monstrous Compendium: Greyhawk Adventures Appendix (1990).
- ↑ Monster Manual II (1e) (1983), p.135.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Monster Manual II (1e) (1983), p.60.
- ↑ DSR4 Valley of Dust and Fire (1992), p.15,22.
- ↑ Encyclopedia Magica Volume One (1994), p.101-102.