They discuss yellow, orange an purple in #65
After looking through issue #65 of the old Dragon Magazine, I can see why the so called “Missing Dragons” never ended up in the current RPGs. First let me say that this is a fun read, and if you haven’t read it I’d advise checking it out. Here is a breif summary!
Yellow Dragon
These rare Dragons were believed to live on another continent than that of the Dragons of old school AD&D. They choose to lair near/on beaches (Or rarely salt flats where an ocean once existed ) where their signature sand-yellow scales can better blend into their environment. No information is given about their hoard but their breath weapon is explained in detail! They breathe a cone of sodium chloride at their victims which can blind, or kill the foe! They keep track of who has been blinded and who hasn’t in order to focus on those who have yet to be blinded. Green Dragons are shorter than Blue ones (at least in this Magazine they are) which leads scholars to believe that a yellow must be either about the same size as a Green or possibly even Shorter.
-LOOP HOLE! In pathfinder Rise of the Rune Lords book 4, in the Dragon section they speak of a fallen Gold Dragon who mated with Blue to create Green Dragons! So adding this to a PF would take some work.
This Dragon is pretty cool. I don’t think it’s the coolest I’ve read about but fighting a dragon on the beach seems like a fun idea! Having a quick swim after slaying the beast doesn’t sound so bad! Although I must say it chooses to lair in places where it could survive well enough and there is certainly enough food and water (assuming this dragon can drink salt water and use the salt for its breath weapon). Its alright but I must say I enjoy the story of the fallen Gold a little better than adding a Yellow.
Orange Dragons
These Dragons are the product of a Yellow and a Red. They are also believed to live on another continent than the more common chromatics. They prefer to lair near swamps, rivers, or lakes, though on occasion they have been known to dwell in cave systems near underground streams. Their signature orange color makes it very hard for them to hunt due to the fact that they cannot blend in to any natural environment. Again no information on their hoard is given however their breath weapons are pretty awesome! They spray a stream of liquid sodium that oxidizes rapidly covering the victim in a fire which burns in a similar fashion to napalm. The Dragon’s own oily saliva keeps it from igniting in its mouth, or oxidizing instantly. In short the victim has time to look at the liquid and freak out before he/she goes POOF! Adventurers often make the mistake of throwing water on the victim in an attempt to save them, however water mixed with liquid sodium creates a violent explosive reaction! The Dragons favored method of attack is flying over a body of water near the party and shooting the sodium stream down into it, causing a massive explosion in order to hurt multiple party members at once!
-I think that this dragon would end up dead pretty fast. I know its breath weapon is powerful but consider its color and habitat choices. This Dragon isn’t hiding from anybody, it even says so it the description! So any party looking to slay can find it rather easy, even in the dark. It also shares a favored home with the Black Dragons. This would cause major conflict when attempting to find a proper lair as both would compete for the same one. Since Orange Dragons are practically endangered should even one of them be killed at the hands of a rival Black it would have a major impact on the survival of their sub-species. Not to mention their possible underground lairs are practically suicide! They would have far too many predators wishing death upon them Dwarves, Drow, Duergar, and Mind Flayers just to name a few! I understand Dragons are apex predators but going near the Underdark isn’t safe for any D&D creature! All in all I see its major weakness being a lack of a proper place to grow strong or raise young without constant interference from outside forces.
Purple Dragons
These Dragons are rumored to be extremely powerful due to the fact that the smartest (Blue) and most powerful (Red) Chromatic Dragons interbred to make this powerful beast! They too are said to dwell on another continent...or perhaps they've just killed anyone who happened to see them! Purple Dragons always choose to make their lairs in deep underground cave systems free of any light sources. And yet AGAIN no info on their hoards! Their deep purple color helps them blend into the dark, when combined with their high level of intelligence they make for a truly terrifying foe when fought in darkness! Their breath weapon is a beam of energy that combines the lightning and fire of its parents into a shocking, and deadly attack. The Purple Dragons often use their breath weapons to blind their foes in the darkness, leaving them vulnerable to more attacks. According to the magazine this is the hybrid to fear most of all!
-These are half the reason why I said Orange would be dead! Clearly in a battle between Orange and Purple, Purple would come out victorious. Both of these Dragons dwell in underground cave systems and both need water. Eventually they would face each other and given the power and intelligence of the Purple I think Orange would be dead in a flat second. Purple has everything it needs to survive near or even with the Underdark, which makes this foe one that should be avoided!
