Dragon, Crested
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Climate/Terrain | Temperate wooded hills, montains and subterranean |
| Frequency | Very rare |
| Organization | Solitary or clan |
| Activity Cycle | Any |
| Diet | Special |
| Intelligence | High (13-14) |
| Treasure | Special |
| Alignment | Neutral Evil |
| No. of Appearing | 1 (2-5) |
| Armor Class | -2 (base) |
| Move | 9, Fl 30 (C), Sw 9, Jp 3 |
| Hit Dice | 13 (base) |
| THAC0 | 7 (base) |
| No. of Attacks | 3 + special |
| Damage/Attack | 2-12/2-12/3-30 (3d10) |
| Special Attacks | Special |
| Special Defenses | Variable |
| Magic Resistance | Variable |
| Size | G (42' base) |
| Moral | Fanatic (17-18) |
| XP Value | Variable |
Description
| Age | Body Length | Tail Length | AC | Breath Weapon | Spells Wizard/Priest | MR | Treasure Type | XP Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2-8 | 1-6 | 1 | 2d10+1 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 3,000 |
| 2 | 8-20 | 6-14 | 0 | 4d10+2 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 4,000 |
| 3 | 20-32 | 14-26 | -1 | 6d10+3 | Nil | Nil | Nil | 6,000 |
| 4 | 32-52 | 26-34 | -2 | 8d10+4 | 1 | Nil | H | 8,000 |
| 5 | 52-70 | 34-45 | -3 | 10d10+5 | 2 | 35% | H | 10,000 |
| 6 | 70-88 | 45-52 | -4 | 12d10+6 | 2 1 | 40% | H, T | 11,000 |
| 7 | 88-96 | 52-62 | -5 | 14d10+7 | 2 2 1 | 45% | H, S, T | 12,000 |
| 8 | 96-106 | 62-70 | -6 | 16d10+8 | 2 2 2 | 50% | H, S, T | 15,000 |
| 9 | 106-116 | 70-78 | -7 | 18d10+9 | 2 2 2 1 | 55% | H, S, Tx2 | 17,000 |
| 10 | 116-124 | 78-82 | -8 | 20d10+10 | 2 2 2 2 | 60% | H, S, Tx2 | 18,000 |
| 11 | 124-132 | 82-90 | -9 | 22d10+11 | 3 2 2 2 / 1 | 65% | Hx2, S, Tx2 | 19,000 |
| 12 | 132-142 | 90-98 | -10 | 24d10+12 | 3 3 2 2 / 2 | 70% | Hx2, S, Tx2 | 20,000 |
Crested dragons are a cross between red and green dragons; they have the body of a green dragon (but larger) and the head and tail of a red dragon. The distinguishing feature of a crested dragon is the red, cakatoo-like crest that extends from the top of the head to halfway down the back of the neck. The coloration of the crested dragon's scales are similar to those of the green and red dragons in the repective body parts. Due to cross-breeding, a crested dragon's body scales are thicker than those of the green, hence the better armor class.
Crested dragons speak their own tongue, a tongue common to all evil dragons, and 14% of hatchling crested dragons have an ability to communicate with any intelligent creature. The chance to possess this ability increases 5% per age category of the dragon.
Combat
Crested dragons will attack most good-aligned and neutral creatures without a second thought, but have also been known to attack evil creatures that invade their territory. Crested dragons will use their spells, breath weapon, and special abilities against more formidable foes before closing to fight, but will use claws and bite against weaker opponents.
At times, a crested dragon will attempt to control foes through use of suggestion and charm. These controlled creatures will be used as guards, or as information-gatherers. Their favorite targets for these tactics are humans and demi-humans.
Breath Weapon: A crested dragon's breath weapon is a cloud of flaming gas 70' long, 40' wide, and 30' high. Creatures caught in this cloud must make two saving throws vs. breath weapon as follows: the first is against gas for 3/4 damage and the second is against fire for 1/2 damage. This breath weapon is composed mostly of flames; therefore, if a target is immune to gas, damage is automatically 3/4 normal, save against fire for 1/2. On the other hand, if a victim is immune to fire, damage is automatically 1/2 normal, save against gas for 1/4 damage.
From birth, crested dragons are immune to both fire and gasses. Crested dragons cast spells and use their special abilities at 8th level, plus their combat modifier. As they age, they gain the following additional powers:
| Age | Special Ability |
|---|---|
| Young | Affect normal fires (three times per day) |
| Juvenile | Water Breathing |
| Adult | Suggestion (once per day) |
| Old | Wall of Fire (once per day) |
| Venerable | Hypnotism (once per day) |
| Great wyrm | Pass without trace (three times per day) |
Habitat
Crested dragons are found in temperate hilly and mountainous regions as long as these areas are heavily forested. Crested dragons are solitary creatures (except when mating and child-rearing) and fiercely protect their territory. Crested dragon lairs are usually found in large caves well hidden in deep forests. Crested dragons are good parents, and will protect their young to the death if necessary.
Enemies of crested dragons include hill giants and green dragons with whom they share their territory. They will attack hill giants on sight, but will not fight green dragons unless provoked.
Ecology
Although crested dragons can eat nearly anything, they prefer humans and elves, especially females; they have been known to attack small villages to obtain food. They will also eat plants and medium-sized animals if necessary.