The next 3 true dragons will all need name changes, as they all have similarly-named counterparts. Since all have chromatic-sounding names, but don't fit into that category, a name change is probably a good thing!
Brown Dragon (Draco Auburnis Forestus)
Frequency: Rare
No. Appearing: 1-6
Armor Class: 3
Move: 9”/24”
% in Lair: 75%
Treasure Type: H
No. of attacks: 3
Damage/attack: 2-5/2-5/4-16
Special Attacks: Breath weapons and possible magic use
Special Defenses: Nil
Magic Resistance: See text above
Intelligence: 13-16
Alignment: Pure Neutral
Size: L (28” long)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Chance of Speaking 60%, Magic use 65%, Sleeping 20%
The Brown Dragon always lives in a forest, though it may be in a cave within a forest. The dragon is true neutral and interested in the welfare of the forest above all else, though it does have a weakness for crafted jewelry of all types. The brown dragon can shapechange to a small mammal, lizard or bird once per day at its 2nd age level, twice at 4th, three times at 6th and 4 times at 8th. The shapechangeling can, at the very most, inflict 1-2 points of damage with claw, beak, bite, etc. However, the shapechangeling can have the dragon’s full hit points and full benefit of its normal saving throw.
A brown dragon can attack with claw/claw/bite, or either of its two breath weapons, Faerie Fire and Lightning. The Faerie Fire covers an area of 6.x6. at a range up to 3. from the dragon’s mouth. Any in the fire are covered (no saving throw) for 4-80 turns and they also take the sum of the dragon’s age level and hit dice in damage unless a saving throw versus magic is made, in which case they take no damage. The Lightning is in a single bolt 8” long and ½” wide for full age times hit dice in damage, or ½ if a s.t. is made.
Brown Dragons which speak and can cast spells use Druidic spells:
Age Group / Spells castable per day
first / 2 first-level spells
second / 2 first and 1 second-level spell
third / 2 first and 2 second-level spells
fourth / 2 first, 2 second and 1 third-level spell
fifth / 2 first, second and third-level spells
sixth / 3 first, second and 2 third-level spells
seventh / 3 first, second and third-level spells
eighth / 3 first, second and third plus 1 fourth-level spell
Brown dragons are 85% likely to be on friendly terms with Pixies, Sprites, Druids, Pseudo-dragons and Treants that live in the same forest or nearby.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #38 (1980).