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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Shade" data-source="post: 5013677" data-attributes="member: 287">Dragon, OnyxCLIMATE/TERRAIN: Nonarctic shady wetlandsFREQUENCY: Very rareORGANIZATION: Solitary or clanACTIVITY CYCLE: AnyDIET: CarnivoreINTELLIGENCE: Low (5-7)TREASURE: SpecialALIGNMENT: NeutralNO. APPEARING: 1 (1d4+1)ARMOR CLASS: 0 (base)MOVEMENT: 12, Fl 30 (C), SW 12HIT DICE: 12 (base)THAC0: 9 (base)NO. OF ATTACKS: 3DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2d4 (claw)/2d4 (claw)/3d6 (bite)SPECIAL ATTACKS: VariesSPECIAL DEFENSES: VariesMAGIC RESISTANCE: VariesSIZE: G (30' base)MORALE: Fanatic (18)LEVEL/XP VALUE: VariesOnyx dragons inhabit dismal swamps and dark fens.  They are not especially intelligent dragons, but are cunning and stealthy when hunting prey.At a distance of 120 feet or more, the onxy dragon cannot be distinguished from a black dragon, unless there is bright sunlight (in which case the dragon’s bright scales are conspicuous).  At closer range the onxy dragon’s lustrous, jeweled scales shimmer and sparkle in the light, revealing the mighty reptile’s true nature.  In sunlight, the onxy dragon’s deep black scales shine as brightly as a thousand mirrors.Onyx dragons speak their own language and the tongue known by all gem dragons.  They also know a smattering of Common (or perhaps another humanoid tongue spoken by creatures nearby.)Combat:  The onxy dragon’s breath weapon is a cloud of inky black acid, all foulness and corruption.  It has two effects.  The first, identical to the black dragon’s breath, is a stream of deadly, corrosive acid (half damage if a save vs. breath weapon is successful).  The second effect comes into play only if the first saving throw is missed; the victim must make a second saving throw—this time vs. spell—or a darkness spell effect (15-foot radius) appears, centered on the victim.  It moves as he moves.  It only can be countered by a light spell, or removed by dispel magic (use the draogn’s age category as the opposing caster level); otherwise, it remains for 1 round per Hit Die of the the dragon.  This darkness is a special tpe through which the dragon can easily see; it otherwise functions exactly as a normal darkness spell.If the second saving throw is successful, the darkness remains, but is not tied to the target; the victim can move and escape it.Onyx dragons sometimes use the darkness breath in advance of an encounter, to hide themselves and gain surprise.Habitat/Society:  Onyx dragons lair in wetlands, ranging from the tropics to the chillier fringes of the temperate zones.  As a rule, they prefer dark, well-shaded areas such as tree-filled bogs.  In darker areas, their scintillating scales are less likely to give away their location to prey.Ecology:  Onyx dragons hunt the largest animals in their environments: alligators, herons, manatees, moose, and so forth.  They do not hesitate to consume humanoid prey, but they do have enough intelligence to realize that adventurers may be more trouble to kill than the meal is worth.Onxy dragons do value treasure, especially dark and lustrous gems.  However, they tend to have less treasure than other dragons.Rather than type out the whole table, here are the progressions:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Body length ranges from 3-6 feet to 96-105 feet.  Tail length goes from 2-5 feet to 80-87 feet.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">AC ranges from 3 to -8.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Breath weapon damage is 2d4+1 to 24d4+12.  </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Spellcasting is Priest 1 at age 4, increasing by 1 each category to a max of Priest 9.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">SR ranges from 5% at age 5 to 40%.</li> </ul>Originally appeared in Mystara Monstrous Compendium Appendix (1994).</blockquote>

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