About Bruce Heard and New Stories: Monsters

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Monday, July 8, 2024

Mammoth Masher

The next installment for my War Machines series and the next step up from the Command Chariot is the Mammoth Masher, a multi-section vehicle pulled by two to four mammoths. Click here for the Command Chariot. The game stats are for D&D BECMI.

The Masher Mk I includes three large wagons hitched together aside from the beasts of burden. The Vanguard Wagon stands directly behind the mammoths. Its function is to protect the drivers and carry a squad of artillerists and combat troops. Attached to the Vanguard comes the Great Carriage housing supplies, an invading horde’s war chest, quarters for the chieftain, and the latter’s bodyguards. Towed in the last position, the Rearguard carries additional guards, the chieftain’s stable, and siege machines. Mashers Mk II and Mk III include extra wagons, larger siege weapons, and additional mammoth teams to pull them. These vehicles are built of wood, with four to six wheels each, arrow slits, and the tribe’s standard. Doors are reinforced and studded.

Vanguard Wagon Mk I

Vehicle: 60-80 Hull Points (HP), AC 7. Drivers on the upper deck use chains connected to a capstan to guide the mammoths. The capstan’s axle connects with the front wheel beneath the wagon’s lower deck to help with steering. Retractable ramps enable access to the lower deck on its sides. These are heavily reinforced wooden panels fitted with sharp metal studs on the outside. Winches on the upper deck pull up the ramps to shut these entrances, drawbridge-style. Anyone in the 10’x10’ area underneath the ramps when they are dropped open suffers 1d6+2 damage. A trapdoor in the floor (usually locked from the inside) enables exiting beneath the wagon. Clearance underneath the wagon measures 2.5’. Overheads are about 6’ above the decks. A canvas canopy covers the upper deck.

Movement: 120’ (40’); half speed on rough terrain; half speed if a mammoth is badly wounded or slain. The wagon is 20’ wide at its wheelbase. The steel blades extend another 8’ on each side.

Combat: The mammoths require hit rolls to attack anyone in their way (75% tusk or 25% trample attack). Anyone run over also sustains damage from the moving wagon if caught under its wheels or from the blades extending from its axles (1d10+4 crushing damage per wheel and/or 1d8+2 slashing damage per blade). No hit rolls are required for the wagon itself, although PCs are permitted a saving throw for half damage.

Armored Mammoths: AC2, HD 15 (L, about 15' tall), MV 120’ (40’), AT 2 tusks or 1 trample, D 2d6/2d5 tusks or 4d8 trample, Save F8, ML 8, Int 2, AL N, XP 1,650. The mammoths bear metal protections on their lower legs, heads, and foreheads. Studded leather covers their necks, flanks, and rumps. Wicked barbs adorn their tusks. Mk II and III contraptions include howdahs on the mammoths’ backs, each housing 2-3 warriors with projectile weapons.

Crew: Eighteen 2HD warriors (all with artillery skills) and two drivers (one 4HD Vanguard Master and a 3HD Subchief). If both drivers are disabled, the Mammoth Masher comes to a halt unless the mammoths panic.

Siege Weapons: Two ballistae facing sideways are located on the upper deck, behind the drivers’ casemate, and one light catapult facing forward sits on the wagon’s forecastle, above the casemate. The catapult shoots over the mammoths harnessed in the front of the wagon.
Ballista: AC 4, HP 9, Crew 4 (among the 18 warriors), Range 100/200/300 (min. n/a), D d10+6, RoF 1 per 2 rounds.
Catapult, Lt.: AC 4, HP 18, Crew 6 (among the 18 warriors), Range 200/250/300 (min. 150), D d8+8, RoF 1 per 5 rounds.

Battle Rating: Add a +20 bonus to a unit’s BR if the Mammoth Masher’s crew and beasts of burden account for 10% or more of the unit’s HD. Add another 10 if there are two or more in the battle unit.

I hope you'll pardon me for the doodles. Gotta kill downtime in some way, right?

More in the next installment: The Great Carriage.

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Dragon Steeds Pt. 3

Dragon Rider by Lucas Graciano on Deviantart

Game Worlds: All dragon types inhabit the World of Greyhawk and the Forgotten Realms.
            Mystara: Best known for its association with the B/X-BECMI game system, Mystara only features five conventional types and the gold dragon; breed names are suggested in the descriptions below for most types of dragons in the event that they are adapted for this game system. On the other hand, B/X-BECMI features gem dragons which are listed here as alternatives to metallic dragons. Mystara is also played with the AD&D game (2^nd Edition), presumably with most listed types. Dragon rulers are not included here as they are unique to this setting.
            Calidar: Following a disastrous war against their evil cousins, all of Calidar’s good-aligned dragons who survived now remain in hiding either in the Dread Lands or in the outer planes. Their leader lives among humans under a false identity, plotting for a time to summon her kin for a return in force. Evil ones mostly dwell on Draconia, another planet. Others prowl Calidar either for treasure or to seek out remnants of their defeated foes at the behest of Draconia’s dragon knights and their malevolent queen. As a result of the present situation, many of Calidar’s dragon types’ origins are labeled “unknown” since these dragons are hiding or altogether absent.
            Oriental Dragons: The Oriental Adventures setting (pub. 1985) was initially assumed to be in the World of Greyhawk. Officially, it ended up in the Forgotten Realms when this setting gained prominence at TSR (pub. 1987). The data in the dragons' stats listing later in this article places oriental dragons in Kara-Tur. I’ll let DMs address which game world their oriental settings are located. Mystara’s oriental setting lies in Ochalea (a Chinese-style realm) and Myoshima (a Mystaran moon inhabited by Japanese-style spacefaring rakastas mounted on flying tigers). Calidar’s oriental dragons dwell on Lao-Kwei (an arid, Mars-like planet, a sort of medieval cross between Emperor Ming’s Mongo and Robert Heinlein’s Red Planet, with latecomer humans, native aliens, and a smattering of rare SF tech abandoned by star-faring races) and its moon, Kumoshima (largely a water world, sworn enemy of Lao-Kwei). Calidar’s issue with good-aligned dragons described earlier also applies to their oriental kin, at least theoretically. On the other hand, those I could find are all Neutral-aligned with respect to the Good vs Evil ethos. They remain on the sidelines, as regards Draconia’s evil dragon queen.

Click here for the size and weights of dragons (Pt.1)

Click here for training, feeding, bonding, etc. (Pt.2)

Oddballs: Use common sense when interpreting the data listed in the dragons’ descriptions. For example, cloud and mist dragons are assumed to be mostly incorporeal. Their weights and loads are included here essentially for academic purposes, as if they took a truly corporeal shape (flesh and bones). The same can be true of their riders—if they could ride these dragons while both were in true corporeal form, then they also could while in mist or cloud shapes.

Game Stats: Measurements in blue-shaded cells in the list of descriptions are for use with AD&D 1st Edition (adult) dragons only; they reflect official figures for each of the dragon types. For AD&D 2nd Edition, use official dragon sizes. For B/X-BECMI dragons, refer to the main size/weight chart in Dragon Steeds Pt 1. The various game editions provide Hit Dice, MV rates, alignments, morale, and combat stats.

Ceilings: I looked up high-flying birds as a guide. For example, a griffon vulture can reach a 37,000ft altitude (11,277m). Assuming the dragons with the highest HD fly the highest, I set the platinum dragon high-end ceiling at 40,000ft. The low end, for the shadow dragon, is 14,800ft.

Climb Rates: I use migrating birds’ climb rates as a benchmark. Some can sustain a 50ft-per-minute climb rate, or 500ft “per D&D game turn.” Dragon climb rates reflect their airspeeds and ceilings. They are first expressed in feet per turn even though flight is an outdoors event, and then in feet per round (in parentheses). Climb rates favor dragons with lower ceilings. This makes them more performing in the vertical axis than those that can reach higher altitudes, relative to their airspeeds. When descending at an angle steeper than 45˚, the diving rate is equal to double the climb rate. I’ve also included the number of hours dragons take to reach their top altitudes from sea level up, with some extra lift from thermals: bear in mind the number of hours a dragon can fly before needing rest (see Travel Distances in the previous article).
            The Climbing Rates table is provided here for convenience. How fast and how many HD any type of dragon has varies with its age and the game system. To find a dragon’s climb rate, cross-reference its HD number in the first column with its MV rate (in blue in the table). A number of dragons cannot reach their top altitudes unless thermals are involved (or flight begins from the top of a mountain). Ascending air currents are powerful and make a huge difference, rising from 100ft to 600ft per minute. They don’t last very long, perhaps 1 or 2 game turns. Therefore, only increase climb rates +100 to +600 per game turn (roll 1d6) to reflect a dragon shifting thermals during its flight.
            For example, a 7 HD black dragon flying at 240yds/turn climbs 500ft/turn. It can fly up to 7 hours (that’s 7x6 = 42 game turns), reaching an altitude of 500x42 = 21,000ft without thermals. However, it would stop climbing at 18,000ft, its maximum ceiling. To reach 18,000, it would take the dragon 18,000/500/6 = 6 hours without thermals. By then it would be getting tired and could only travel for another hour after which it would glide back down and land. If thermals added 400 to the dragon’s climb rate, then it would reach its maximum ceiling in only 18,000/900/6 = 3 hours and 20mn. (Tahdah!)
            Some dragons are just too slow, even with thermals to reach their stated maximum ceiling. This suggests that they could travel up a mountain over time, and then begin their sky-bound journey from there to reach their ceiling and keep flying on at their travel speed (see Travel Distances in the previous article).
            For tactical 3D combat (if you ever go into this sort of thing), climb rates and thermals should be divided by 10 for a round-based combat sequence. The dragon makes an Intelligence check once per round until a thermal is reached. Roll 1d6 for its strength (10-60ft/round). It should last 2d10 rounds before the dragon needs to find another. Climbing up a thermal requires the dragon to fly in a leisurely spiral to stay within the column of ascending air current. AD&D rounds are 1 minute long. B/X-BECMI rounds last only 10 seconds. Fortunately, a turn is still 10mn long in both systems. If this becomes an issue, you can always divide turn-based climb rates by 60 instead of 10. You’d roll 1d6 for thermals (1-6ft/round) lasting 2d6 x 10 rounds.

Climbing Rates in Ft. per 10mn Turn
HD	Ceiling	MV Rates in Yards per 10mn Turn
HD	Ceiling	90	120	180	240	300	330	360	390	480
1	8,500	220	290	430	580	720	790	860	930	1,150
2	10,100	210	280	420	560	700	770	840	910	1,130
3	11,700	210	280	410	550	690	760	830	890	1,100
4	13,200	200	270	400	540	670	740	810	880	1,080
5	14,800	200	260	390	530	660	720	790	850	1,050
6	16,400	190	260	390	510	640	710	770	830	1,030
7	18,000	190	250	380	500	630	690	750	810	1,000
8	19,500	180	240	370	490	610	670	730	800	980
9	21,100	180	240	360	480	600	660	720	770	950
10	22,700	170	230	350	460	580	640	700	750	930
11	24,300	170	230	340	450	560	620	680	730	900
12	25,800	160	220	330	440	550	600	660	710	880
13	27,400	160	210	320	430	530	590	640	690	850
14	29,000	160	210	310	410	520	570	620	670	830
15	30,600	150	200	300	400	500	550	600	650	800
16	32,100	150	200	290	390	490	540	590	630	780
17	33,700	140	190	280	380	470	520	570	610	760
18	35,300	140	180	270	370	460	500	550	590	730
19	36,900	130	180	260	350	440	490	530	570	710
20	38,400	130	170	260	340	430	470	510	550	680
21	40,000	120	160	250	330	410	450	490	530	660
22	41,600	120	160	240	320	400	430	470	510	630
23	43,200	110	150	230	300	380	420	460	490	610
24	44,700	110	150	220	290	360	400	440	470	580

Dive Rates in Ft. per 10mn Turns
HD	Depth	MV in Yard per 10mn Turn
HD	Depth	90	120	150	180
1	600	1,200	1,600	2,000	2,400
2	1,200	1,180	1,570	1,960	2,350
3	1,800	1,150	1,540	1,920	2,300
4	2,400	1,130	1,500	1,880	2,250
5	3,000	1,100	1,470	1,840	2,200
6	3,600	1,080	1,430	1,790	2,150
7	4,200	1,050	1,400	1,750	2,100
8	4,800	1,030	1,370	1,710	2,050
9	5,400	1,000	1,330	1,670	2,000
10	6,000	980	1,300	1,630	1,950
11	6,600	950	1,270	1,580	1,900
12	7,200	930	1,230	1,540	1,850
13	7,800	900	1,200	1,500	1,800
14	8,400	870	1,170	1,460	1,750
15	9,000	850	1,130	1,420	1,700
16	9,600	820	1,100	1,370	1,650
17	10,200	800	1,070	1,330	1,600
18	10,800	770	1,030	1,290	1,550
19	11,400	750	1,000	1,250	1,500
20	12,000	720	970	1,210	1,450

Aquatic Dragons
Diving depth is equal to 600ft per HD, so a 13-HD dragon can reach 7,800ft deep. They can breathe air and water just as easily, so they can stay submerged as long as they want. To find their dive rates, take their swimming MV/turn and read them as “feet x 10” rather than yards; they can surface at this speed +25%. So an adult dragon swimming 90yds/turn dives 900ft/turn and emerges at 1,125ft/turn. No thermals are involved. That’s the “easy” rule.
A more detailed approach takes into consideration the dragon’s size, with the idea that smaller dragons can dive more quickly than larger ones, but not as deep. As a comparison, a seal can easily dive 4ft per second, but clearly nowhere near as deep as a whale could. This would be like 2,400ft/game turn. The chart just above suggests dive rates.

Source Material: B/X-BECMI Rules Cyclopedia, AD&D 1^st Edition Monster Manual I-II, Fiend Folio, Oriental Adventures, AD&D 2^nd Edition MC1 Monstrous Compendium Vol. One, and various Wiki sites (the latter especially as regards game worlds).

Measurements and Abbreviations: Sizes are listed in feet (ft.), yards (yd.), or miles. They are also provided in metric for convenience, in centimeters (cm), meters (m), or kilometers (km). Weights are listed in pounds or (US) tons, as well as kilograms (kg) and metric tonnes (mt.)

Western-Style Dragons (adult age)
d00	Type: *Black*			Dex +1, Cha –2		Market Value: Egg: 15,000 gp Hatchling: 25,000 gp
1-6	Origins: Black Hills (Mystara), Hool (WG) The Great Swamp (FR), Morlune (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Bête Noire, (Large) Nightwing, (Huge) Black Death
	Range: 168 miles (270 km)		Length: 30ft (9.14m)		Height: 13ft (3.95m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 20mn	500 (50) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 50-58ft (15-17m)		Weight: 5.7t. (5.2 mt.)
			Ceiling: 18,000ft (5,500m)		Load: 2,280 lbs. (1 mt.)
	Preferences: Con 13+, Dwarves			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, clerics
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from acid-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—4 gp/week, Active—14 gp/week
7-11	Type: *Blue*			Wis +1, Con –1		Market Value: Egg: 24,000 gp Hatchling: 40,000 gp
	Origins: Great Salt Basin (Mystara), Bright Desert (WG) Plains of Purple Dust (FR), Wadi Al-Jinn (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Tealfin, (Large) Thunderbolt, (Huge) Stormgrim
	Range: 216 miles (350 km)		Length: 42ft (12.80m)		Height: 18ft (4.60m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 58mn	480 (48) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 70ft + (21m+)		Weight: 15t. (13.9 mt.)
			Ceiling: 21,100ft (6,400m)		Load: 3t. (2.8 mt.)
	Preferences: Dex 13+, Half-orcs			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, magic-users
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from electrical attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—93 gp/week, Active—310 gp/week
12-17	Type: *Brass*			Cha +1, Wis –2		Market Value: Egg: 11,000 gp Hatchling: 18,000 gp
	Origins: Eastern Ethengar (Mystara), Dry Steppes (WG) Raurin Desert (FR), unknown (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Jade: (Small) Pinktail, (Large) Celadon, (Huge) Purpleborn Brass: (Small) Sundrake, (Large) Glintback, (Huge) Hornbellow
	Range: 144 miles (230 km)		Length: 30ft (9.14m)		Height: 13ft (3.95m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 00mn	510 (51) ft. 160 (16) m	Span: 50-58ft (15-17m)		Weight: 5.7t. (5.2 mt.)
			Ceiling: 16,400ft (5,000m)		Load: 2,280 lbs. (1 mt.)
	Preferences: Con 13+, halflings, gnomes			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, clerics
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—4 gp/week, Active—14 gp/week
18-22	Type: *Bronze*			Con +1, Cha –1		Market Value: Egg: 19,000 gp Hatchling: 32,000 gp
	Origins: Coastal Atruaghin (Mystara), Gull Cliffs (WG) Sea of Swords (FR), unknown (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds, Onyx: (Small) Duskborne, (Large) Sablekin, (Huge) Hammerdark
	Range: 50 miles (80 km)		Length: 42ft (12.80m)		Height: 18ft (4.60m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 39mn	490 (49) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 70ft + (21m+)		Weight: 15t. (13.9 mt.)
			Ceiling: 19,500ft (5,90m)		Load: 3t. (2.8 mt.)
	Preferences: Int 13+, humans			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, monks
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from electrical- and gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—93 gp/week, Active—310 gp/week
23-28	Type: *Chromatic*			Str +2, Wis –1		Market Value: Egg: 77,000 gp Hatchling: 128,000 gp
	Origins: n/a (Mystara), Headlands (WG) Chessenta (FR), n/a (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: n/a
	Range: 288 miles (460 km)		Length: 60ft (18m)		Height: 26ft (8m)
	Climb Rate 7hrs 45mn	290 (29) ft. 90 (9) m	Span: 33+ yd. (30m +)		Weight: 31t. (28.5 mt.)
			Ceiling: 32,100ft (9,800m)		Load: 6.2t. (5.7 mt.)
	Preferences: Str 13+, Half-orcs			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, clerics
	Bonding: The rider is fully immune to one random form of attack. Roll 1d10 at the beginning of each day: 1-2. Cold, 3-4. Acid, 5-6. Gaseous, 7-8. Electrical, 9-10. Fire. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—161gp/week, Active—534gp/week
29-33	Type: *Cloud*			Cha +1, Str –1		Market Value: Egg: 43,000 gp Hatchling: 72,000 gp
	Origins: Clouds (Mystara), clouds (WG) clouds (FR), clouds (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Wisp, (Large) Nimbus, (Huge) Thunderhead
	Range: 468 miles (750 km)		Length: 66ft (20m)		Height: 10ft (3m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 52mn	710 (71) ft. 220 (22) m	Girth: 2.1ft. (60cm)		Weight: 3.7t. (3.3 mt.)
			Ceiling: 25,800ft (7,900m)		Load: 1,480 lbs. (660 kg)
	Preferences: Wis 13+, humans			Dislikes: Dwarves, fighters
	Bonding: Rider switches between material and cloud forms when the dragon does, and suffers half damage from air-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—33 gp/week, Active—108 gp/week
34-39	Type: *Copper*			Dex +1, Con –1		Market Value: Egg: 15,000 gp Hatchling: 25,000 gp
	Origins: Emirate of Nithia (Mystara), Hestmark Highlands (WG) Anauroch (FR), unknown (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds, Ruby: (Small) Rudlain, (Large) Bloodridge, (Huge) Grand Ruby Copper: (Small) Copperkin, (Large) Jangleback, (Huge) Rumblemaw
	Range: 168 miles (270 km)		Length: 36ft (11m)		Height: 15.8ft (4.80m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 52mn	500 (50) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 60ft (18+ m)		Weight: 10t. (9 mt.)
			Ceiling: 18,000ft (5,500m)		Load: 2t. (1.8 mt.)
	Preferences: Dex 13+, Dwarves			Dislikes: Humans, magic-users
	Bonding: Rider is immune to both acid and slow attack forms. The rider suffers half damage from acid and slow attack forms when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—69 gp/week, Active—228 gp/week
40-44	Type: *Dragonne*			Dex +1, Con –1		Market Value: Egg: 24,000 gp Hatchling: 40,000 gp
	Origins: S. Hule (Mystara), Ino Hills, S. Hepmonaland (WG) Sembia (FR), Arm of Ule (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: n/a
	Range: 81 miles (130 km)		Length: 16ft (4.50m)		Height: 7ft (2m)
	Climb Rate 3hrs 52mn	180 (18) ft. 50 (5) m	Span: 27-31ft (8-9m +)		Weight: 1,800 lbs. (820 kg.)
			Ceiling: 21,100ft (6,400m)		Load: 360 lbs. (164 kg)
	Preferences: Dex 13+, Dwarves			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, thieves
	Bonding: The rider is fully immune to magical fear and sound-based attacks (such as shrieks, roars, wails, etc.). Without bonding, the dragonne’s roar does not affect its rider. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—1 gp/week, Active—3½ gp/week
45-50	Type: *Faerie Dragon*			Cha +1, Str –2		Market Value: Egg: 6,000 gp Hatchling: 10,000 gp
	Origins: Minrothad (Mystara), Adri Forest (WG) Woods of Halruaa (FR), Myrdal Vale (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: Faerie Dragon (only one breed and one size)
	Range: 24 miles (40 km)		Length: 1ft (33cm)		Height: 6” (15cm)
	Climb Rate 1hr 00mn	580 (58) ft. 180 (18) m	Span: 2ft (66cm)		Weight: 6 lbs. (2.7 kg)
			Ceiling: 5,880ft (1,800m)		Load: 1.2 lbs. (540 g.)
	Preferences: Cha 13+, forest-dwellers			Dislikes: All classes exc. druids and rangers
	Note: Riders 1.2 lbs. or lighter, such as small fairies, can ride faerie dragons. Once at or above 5,000ft altitude, faerie dragons can fly with the wind without the need to land. It is said that some migrate thousands of miles as some butterflies do. They need to start from a mountainside to reach their maximum flight altitude. Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—2 cp/week, Active—4½ sp/week
51-55	Type: *Gold*			Wis +2, Str –1		Market Value: Egg: 36,000 gp Hatchling: 60,000 gp
	Origins: Unknown, dwells mostly in urban settings under a guise
	B/X-BECMI Breeds, Amber: (Small) Sapkin, (Large) Sunheart, (Huge) Firestone Gold: (Small) Sestercean, (Large) Denarean, (Huge) High Aurean
	Range: 330 miles (530 km)		Length: 54ft (16.50m)		Height: 15ft (4.60m)
	Climb Rate 4hr 13mn	560 (56) ft. 170 (17) m	Girth: 6.1ft (1.9 m)		Weight: 2⅓t. (2.1 mt.)
			Ceiling: 24,300ft (7,400m)		Load: 930 lbs. (420 kg)
	Preferences: Int 13+, humans (incl. paladins)			Dislikes: Half-orcs, fighters exc. paladins
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from both fire- and gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—23 gp/week, Active—77 gp/week
56-61	Type: *Green*			Str +1, Cha –1		Market Value: Egg: 19,000 gp Hatchling: 32,000 gp
	Origins: Canolbarth Borderlands (Mystara), Welkwood (WG) Forest of Cormanthor (FR), Thornholt (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Sourspit, (Large) Limetongue, (Huge) Sulfurion
	Range: 192 miles (310 km)		Length: 36ft (11m)		Height: 15.8ft (4.80m)
	Climb Rate 4hr 13mn	490 (49) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 60ft (18+ m)		Weight: 10t. (9 mt.)
			Ceiling: 19,500ft (5,900m)		Load: 2t. (1.8t)
	Preferences: Int 13+, elves, half-elves			Dislikes: Half-orcs, rangers
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—69 gp/week, Active—228 gp/week
62-66	Type: *Mist*			Wis +1, Str –1		Market Value: Egg: 24,000 gp Hatchling: 40,000 gp
	Origins: Mistmyr Falls (Mystara), Clatspurs Mountains (WG) Jungles of Chult (FR), Gildril Falls (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Mistmyrling, (Large) Nebulous, (Huge) Foglorn
	Range: 297 miles (480 km)		Length: 51ft (15.50m)		Height: 13ft (3.90m)
	Climb Rate 3hr 19mn	660 (66) ft. 200 (20) m	Girth: 3.2ft (1m)		Weight: 2t. (1.9 mt.)
			Ceiling: 21,100ft (6,400m)		Load: 800 lbs. (380 kg)
	Preferences: Con 13+, halflings, gnomes			Dislikes: Half-orcs, monks
	Bonding: The rider switches between material and mist forms when the dragon does, and suffers half damage from gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—21 gp/week, Active—68 gp/week
67-72	Type: *Platinum*			Cha +2, Dex –1		Market Value: Egg: 132,000 gp Hatchling: 220,000 gp
	Origins: Pandius (Mystara), Outer planes (WG, FR), Oortan Court (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds, Sapphire: (Small) Baron, (Large) Count, (Huge) Duke Platinum: (Small) Prince, (Large) King, (Huge) Emperor
	Range: 630 miles (1,010 km)		Length: 72ft (22m)		Height: 34ft (10m)
	Climb Rate 8hr 13mn	410 (41) ft. 120 (12) m	Span: 44+ yd. (40+ m)		Weight: 46t. (42 mt.)
			Ceiling: 40,000ft (12,200m)		Load: 9.2t. (8.4 mt.)
	Preferences: Wisdom 13+, none other			Dislikes: None
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from cold-, gas-, and sound-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—216 gp/week, Active—717 gp/week
73-77	Type: *Red*			Con +2, Dex –1		Market Value: Egg: 30,000 gp Hatchling: 50,000 gp
	Origins: Wyrmsteeth Range (Mystara), Hellfurnaces (WG) Spine of the World (FR), Northern Erebos Mountains (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Emberglow, (Large) Blaze, (Huge) Inferno
	Range: 240 miles (390 km)		Length: 48 (14.60m)		Height: 21ft (6.40m)
	Climb Rate 4hr 23mn	460 (46) ft. 140 (14) m	Span: 16⅓+ yd. (25+ m)		Weight: 20.7t. (18.8 mt.)
			Ceiling: 22,700ft (6,900m)		Load: 4.1t. (3.8 mt.)
	Preferences: Str 13+, humans			Dislikes: Dwarves, paladins
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from fire-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—119 gp/week, Active—394 gp/week
78-83	Type: *Shadow*			Con +1, Cha –1		Market Value: Egg: 8,000 gp Hatchling: 13,000 gp
	Origins: Aengmor (Mystara), Barrier Peaks (WG) Thunder Peaks (FR), Draconia, temperate/cool latitudes (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Blur, (Large) Shroud, (Huge) Grand Gloom
	Range: 120 miles (190 km)		Length: 25ft (7.60m)		Height: 11ft (3.30m)
	Climb Rate 2hr 39mn	530 (53) ft. 160 (16) m	Span: 42+ yd. (12+ m)		Weight: 4t. (3.6 mt.)
			Ceiling: 14,800ft (4,500m)		Load: 1,600 lbs. (720 kg)
	Preferences: Cha 13+, drow, shadow elves			Dislikes: Humans, rangers
	Bonding: The rider is immune to the dragon’s breath attack. One hide-in-shadows roll is enough for both the dragon and its rider (results may differ if the rider has better success odds). The rider can roll saving throws with a +2 bonus vs. level-draining attacks. Whether riding the dragon or not, the rider may never carry or own magic items related to light or fire or cast spells of the same nature. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—35 gp/week, Active—115 gp/week
84-88	Type: *Silver*			Str +1, Con –1		Market Value: Egg: 24,000 gp Hatchling: 40,000 gp
	Origins: Icereach Range (Mystara), Crystalmist Mountains (WG) Icerim Mountains(FR), Unknown (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds, Crystal: (Small) Quartzling, (Large) Agatine, (Huge) Starbright Silver: (Small) Moonglow, (Large) Argent, (Huge) Radiant
	Range: 216 miles (350 km)		Length: 48ft (14.60m)		Height: 24ft (7.40m)
	Climb Rate 3hr 59mn	480 (48) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 91½+ yd. (28+ m)		Weight: 27.2t. (24.7 mt.)
			Ceiling: 21,100ft (6,400m)		Load: 5.4t. (4.9 mt.)
	Preferences: Cha 13+, Elves, half-elves			Dislikes: Dwarves, thieves
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from both cold- and gas-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—146 gp/week, Active—484 gp/week
89-94	Type: *Dragon Turtle*			Str +2, Dex –1		Market Value: Egg: 43,000 gp Hatchling: 72,000 gp
	Origins: Thanegioth, Isle of Dread (Mystara), Nyr Div (WG) Lake Thaylambar (FR), Inner Sea of the Prophets (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Leatherback, (Large) Snapper, (Huge) Greater Chelonian
	Range: 234 miles (380 km)		*Length:** 48ft (14.60m)		Height: 15ft (4.60m)
	Dive Rate 1hr 26mn	900 (90) ft. 270 (27) m	Shell: 30’x 27’ (9.10m x 8.20m)		Weight: 35t. (32 mt.)
			Diving Depth: 7,800ft (2,400m)		Load: 10.5t. (9.5 mt.)
	Preferences: Str 13+, half-orcs			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, magic-users
	*() Total length with neck and tail fully extended, otherwise 30’ long. Bonding:** The dragon bestows the water-breathing ability so long as the rider remains within 40 yards of the mount. Both can see clearly underwater up to 90 yds. (80m). The rider suffers half damage from water-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—176 gp/week, Active—584 gp/week
95-100	Type: *White*			Con +1, Wis –2		Market Value: Egg: 11,000 gp Hatchling: 18,000 gp
	Origins: Everwinter Fields (Mystara), Corusk Mountains (WG) The Great Glacier (FR), Mormoroth (Calidar)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Snowpiercer, (Large) Icedrake, (Huge) Frostwing
	Range: 180 miles (290 km)		Length: 24ft (7m)		Height: 10ft (3m)
	Climb Rate 2hr 37mn	640 (64) ft. 200 (20) m	Span: 13½+ yd. (12.3+ m)		Weight: 3.7t. (3.3 mt.)
			Ceiling: 16,400ft (5,000m)		Load: 1,460 lbs. (660 kg)
	Preferences: Wis 13+, halflings, gnomes			Dislikes: Humans, monks
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from cold-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—33 gp/week, Active—108 gp/week

Oriental Dragons (Adult) All riders are immune to their dragons’ water fire powers.
1-13	*Carp Dragon, Yu Lung*			Cha +1, Wis –2		Market Value: Egg: 11,000 gp Hatchling: 18,000 gp
	Origins: Ochalea (Mystara), Kumoshima (Calidar), Ch’ing Tung River (Central Shou Lung empire, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Lóng Zōu 龍鯫, (Large) Lóng lǐyú 龍鯉魚, (Huge) n/a
	Range: 216 miles (350 km)		Length: 18ft (5.50m)		Height: 9ft (2.70m)
	Dive Rate 16mn	2,150 (215) ft. 655 (65½) m	Girth: 1½ft (45cm)		Weight: 192 lbs. (174 kg)
			Diving Depth: 3,600ft (1,100m)		Load: 40 lbs. (35 kg)
	Preferences: Con 13+, halflings, gnomes			Dislikes: Humans, rangers
	Bonding: The carp dragon bestows the water-breathing ability so long as the rider remains within 40 yards of the mount. Rider and mount can see clearly underwater up to 90 yds. (80m). After a yu lung metamorphoses into another dragon type at the ripe old age of 101, its rider’s bond abilities remain in force: those of the carp dragon plus those of the new type. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—2 sp/week, Active—6½ gp/week
14-25	*Celestial Dragon, T’ien Lung*			Wis +2, Dex –1		Market Value: Egg: 43,000 gp Hatchling: 72,000 gp
	Origins: Pandius (Mystara), Oortan Court (Calidar), Yehimal Range (West of the Shou Lung empire, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Wángzǐ 王子, (Large) Guówáng 國王, (Huge) Huángdì 皇帝
	Range: 576 miles (930 km) 144 miles submerged (232 km)		Length: 48ft (14.60m)		Height: 12ft (3.70m)
	Climb Rate 2hr 37mn	880 (88) ft. 270 (27) m	Girth: 3ft (90cm)		Weight: 3,600 lbs. (1.6 mt.)
	Dive Rate 1hr 56mn	620 (62) ft. 190 (19) m	Ceiling: 25,800ft (7,900m) Diving Depth: 7,200ft (2,200m)		Load: 720 lbs. (320 kg)
	Preferences: Wis 13+, humans			Dislikes: Half-orcs, thieves
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from fire- and air-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—19 gp/week, Active—63 gp/week
26-38	*Coiled Dragon, Pan Lung*			Dex +1, Con –1		Market Value: Egg: 15,000 gp Hatchling: 25,000 gp
	Origins: Ochalea (Mystara), Lao-Kwei (Calidar) Yao Guan Swamp (South East T’u Lung empire, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Jǐngwèi 警衛, (Large) Duìzhǎng 隊長, (Huge) Zhōuzhǎng 州長
	Range: 84 miles (140 km) 126 miles submerged (203 km)		Length: 54ft (16.50m)		Height: 14ft (4.25m)
	Climb Rate 4hr 36mn	250 (25) ft. 80 (8) m	Girth: 3.4ft (1m)		Weight: 4,650 lbs. (2.1 mt.)
	Dive Rate 40mn	1,050 (105) ft. 320 (32) m	Ceiling: 18,000ft (5,500m) Diving Depth: 4,200ft (1,280m)		Load: 930 lbs. (420 kg)
	Preferences: Str 13+, half-orcs			Dislikes: Halflings, gnomes, paladins
	Bonding: The rider receives a +2 bonus to save against mind-affecting spells or spell-like effects. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—23 gp/week, Active—76 gp/week
39-50	*Earth Dragon, Li Lung*			Wis +1, Dex –1		Market Value: Egg: 19,000 gp Hatchling: 32,000 gp
	Origins: Ochalea (Mystara), Lao-Kwei (Calidar) Shinkoku (Kozakura Shogunate, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Luǎnshí 卵石, (Large) Jùshí 巨石, (Huge) Shān 山 Kozakuran Speak: (Small) Koishi 小石, (Large) Ishi 石, (Huge) Yama 山
	Range: 192 miles (310 km)		Length: 18ft (5.50m)		Height: 8ft (2.50m)
	Climb Rate 3hr 39mn	490 (49) ft. 150 (15) m	Span: 30-35ft (10-11m)		Weight: 3,200 lbs. (1.45 mt.)
			Ceiling: 19,500ft (5,900m)		Load: 640 lbs. (290 kg)
	Preferences: Int 13+, elves, half-elves			Dislikes: Humans, monks
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from earth-based attacks (including from falling boulders and such) when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—17 gp/week, Active—68 gp/week
51-63	*River Dragon, Chiang Lung*			Dex +1, Wis –1		Market Value: Egg: 36,000 gp Hatchling: 60,000 gp
	Origins: Chungkiang Li River (Ochalea, Mystara), Lao-Kwei (Calidar) Fenghsintzu River (Fengnao Province, T’u Lung empire, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Xīliú 溪流, (Large) Hé 河, (Huge) Hóngshuǐ 洪水
	Range: 198 miles (320 km) 480 miles submerged (772 km)		Length: 55ft (16.80m)		Height: 14ft (4.25m)
	Climb Rate 5hr 28mn	340 (34) ft. 100 (10) m	Girth: 3.4ft (1m)		Weight: 4,800 lbs. (2.2 mt.)
	Dive Rate 26mn	2,540 (254) ft. 774 (77) m	Ceiling: 24,300ft (17,400m) Diving Depth: 6,600ft (2,012m)		Load: 960 lbs. (440 kg)
	Preferences: Cha 13+, elves, half-elves			Dislikes: Humans, fighters
	Bonding: The dragon bestows the water-breathing ability so long as the rider remains within 40 yards of the mount. Both can see clearly underwater up to 90 yds. (80m). The rider suffers half damage from water-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—24 gp/week, Active—78 gp/week
64-75	*Sea Dragon, Lung Wang*			Con +2, Cha –1		Market Value: Egg: 43,000 gp Hatchling: 72,000 gp
	Origins: Myoshima (Mystara), Kumoshima (Calidar) Celestial Sea (Coastal Shou Lung, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Xiǎo wūguī 小烏龜, (Large) Dà wūguī 大烏龜, (Huge) Jù guī 巨龜 Kumoshiman: Chīsana kame 小さなカメ, Ōkina kame 大きなカメ, Kyodaina kame巨大なカメ
	Range: 216 miles (350 km)		*Length:** 48ft (14.60m)		Height: 15ft (4.60m)
	Dive Rate 1hr 17mn	930 (93) ft. 280 (28) m	Shell: 30’x 27’ (9.10m x 8.20m)		Weight: 35t. (32 mt.)
			Diving Depth: 7,200ft (2,200m)		Load: 10.5t. (9.5 mt.)
	Preferences: Str 13+, humans			Dislikes: Dwarves, magic-users
	*() Total length with neck and tail fully extended, otherwise 30’ long. Bonding:** The dragon bestows the water-breathing ability so long as the rider remains within 40 yards of the mount. Both can see clearly underwater up to 90 yds. (80m). The rider suffers half damage from water-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—176 gp/week, Active—584 gp/week
76-88	*Spirit Dragon, Shen Lung*			Wis +1, Str –1		Market Value: Egg: 30,000 gp Hatchling: 50,000 gp
	Origins: Chungkiang Li River (Ochalea, Mystara), Lao-Kwei (Calidar) Hungste River (Central Shou Lung, Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Zhǔyì 主意, (Large) Mèng 夢, (Huge) Huànxiǎng 幻想
	Range: 120 miles (190 km) 180 miles submerged (290 km)		Length: 48ft (14.60m)		Height: 12ft (3.70m)
	Climb Rate 6hr 00mn	230 (23) ft. 70 (7) m	Girth: 3ft (90cm)		Weight: 3,600 lbs. (1.6 mt.)
	Dive Rate 1hr 00mn	980 (98) ft. 300 (30) m	Ceiling: 22,700ft (6,900m) Diving Depth: 6,000ft (1,830m)		Load: 720 lbs. (320 kg)
	Preferences: Wis 13+, dwarves			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, paladins
	Bonding: The dragon bestows the water-breathing ability so long as the rider remains within 40 yards of the mount. Both can see clearly underwater up to 90 yds. (80m). The rider suffers half damage from water-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—19 gp/week, Active—63 gp/week
89-100	Typhoon Dragon Tun Mi Lung			Str +1, Cha –1		Market Value: Egg: 36,000 gp Hatchling: 60,000 gp
	Origins: Myoshima (Mystara), Kumoshima (Calidar) Off the eastern coasts of Kozakura, Kuong, and Laothan (Kara-Tur)
	B/X-BECMI Breeds: (Small) Wéifēng 微風, (Large) Zhènfēng 陣風, (Huge) Táifēng 颱風 Kumoshiman Speak: (Small) Kaze 風, (Large) Kyōfū 強風, (Huge) Taifū 台風
	Range: 528 miles (850 km)		Length: 70ft (21m)		Height: 18ft (5.50m)
	Climb Rate 3hr 06mn	900 (90) ft. 270 (27) m	Girth: 4¼ft (1.30m)		Weight: 9,320 lbs. (4.2 mt.)
			Ceiling: 24,300ft (7,400m)		Load: 1,860 lbs. (850 kg)
	Preferences: Dex 13+, humans			Dislikes: Elves, half-elves, clerics
	Bonding: The rider suffers half damage from both air- and water-based attacks when failing a saving throw, or none at all when succeeding. Cost of Feeding: Inactive—39 gp/week, Active—129 gp/week

Dragons’ Advancement Table
d%	Level	Abilities
1-40	1	As per standard game rules
41-58	2	+1 to an attribute 16 or less
59-72	3	+1 to natural AC
73-82	4	+1 to an attribute 18 or less
83-89	5	+1 to natural AC
90-94	6	Empathy with rider
95-97	7	+1 to any single attribute
98-99	8	+1 to natural AC
100	9	Telepathy with rider (up to 90’, as the magic helm)

Earning Experience

Dragons earn extra Hit Dice as they age. This does not change when they become a hero’s steed. On the other hand, the experience a dragon earns while adventuring with its companion provides extra benefits over time, independently from its Hit Dice. A dragon starts as a level 1 mount when it accepts its first rider. If it is involved frequently at least since the time its rider last leveled up, the mount progresses when its owner earns subsequent levels. For example, a dragon accepts a rider sometime before the latter reached level 5; when the rider advances to level 6, the dragon becomes a level 2 mount (regardless of its HD), and so on. After its rider’s death, the dragon resumes earning experience when it accepts another, in addition to what was previously earned.
When earning experience levels, dragons receive special benefits, as listed in the Dragons’ Advancement Table. Benefits are cumulative. At level 9 and every 9 levels thereafter (for B/X-BECMI) or every 3 levels thereafter (for other OSR games), one rare ability may be earned in addition to those listed in the Advancement Table. A mount can earn up to 4 rare abilities. Roll percentile dice on the list below. Duplicate scores improve a previously earned ability (for example, twice per day instead of once, an extra language, an extra MV bonus, an extra immunity, an extra 20% regeneration ability, etc.) For each rare ability earned, add +10% to the next roll (therefore, after 3 abilities are earned, the last roll receives a +30% bonus).

Rare Abilities
01-15	None
16-35	Speaks a language (in addition to its own, roll 1d6: 1-4. Preferred race or Common if none, 5-6. Other plausible at the DM’s discretion).
36-55	Add +10’ to ground MV rate/round
56-65	Immunity to one type of attack (at the DM’s discretion or roll 1d8: 1. Poison, 2. Fire, 3. Electricity, 4. Ice, 5. Acid, 6. Level drain, 7. Mind-affecting attacks, 8. Spells level 3 or lower)
66-75	Add +20’ to flying MV rate/round, or +10’ swimming.
76-85	Can turn invisible once per day
86-95	Regenerates 20% of its hit points per day
96-105	Can only be hit with +1 or better magic weapons
106-115	Can shift into other planes once per day
116-125	Can teleport once per day
126+	Cannot die of old age; needs neither food nor water; earns dark vision and True Seeing.

Treasure Sharing

            The rider must contribute to the dragon’s hoard in a substantial way. The minimal amount of treasure the dragon expects to earn comes to 1,000 gp per experience level (+10 gp per year of age) out of the rider’s pocket. For example, a rider’s personal payments to a 60-year-old dragon should be 1,600 gp per level. This comes in addition to whatever the dragon collects while adventuring with its rider. In other words, the dragon gets a share of loot like any other party member, plus the rider’s personal payments. Treasure acquired from the rider or as adventuring loot must include at least one magic item. The magic items’ total value in gp must be at least 20% of the rider’s personal payments.
            All costs for housing, feeding, and caring for the dragon come in addition to the above. If the rider falls short and fails to catch up before reaching the next experience level, a reaction check is required. If the roll fails, the dragon leaves. If it succeeds, the dragon relents to staying another month before another roll is required (and so on). No further reaction checks are required when the rider pays up. A dragon cult or a knightly order may cover the rider’s shortfalls only for so long before the dragon is seized and the disciple banished.
            If the rider exceeds the treasure-sharing target by +10% or more, subsequent reaction checks receive a +1 bonus until the next level is reached. The bonus is negated when the rider fails to maintain the extra margin. The dragon will need to depart to a place of its choosing where it can hide its growing hoard, after which it returns to its rider or, if the latter is out adventuring, to the dwelling the rider has maintained for the dragon. Such housing must be appropriate for the dragon’s age (if older than adolescent), to the tune of 100 gp per year. For example, an adult dragon would require an abode worth at least 5,100 gp if made from wood or masonry, or half that in a cavern located in a suitable spot (away from population). Moneys can be spent on decoration, artwork, and ancient books for dragons exceeding 13 Intelligence.
            The true dragon’s lair is likely located in a place hidden in wilderness, in abandoned ruins, or in a dungeon, a week or more away. Dragons generally do not reveal to their riders where their true lairs are concealed, whether they harbor eggs, and how/when they came to be engendered. A female dragon may require leave from her rider to care for hatchlings. Maternity leave requires 1 year + 1d4 months during which the dragon does not require treasure. Only under extraordinary circumstances would a dragon relinquish any part of its hoard, less so an egg, and much less so a hatchling, regardless of whether its companion is part of a cult or an order of dragon riders.

When to Roll Reaction Checks

The most important roll is the very first one when the rider takes a dragon for its first flight together. If the roll was poor, another can be rolled (at the player’s discretion) when the rider earns a new experience level. As demonstrated earlier, reaction checks are also in order if the rider falls behind on sharing treasure. Somehow neglecting, mistreating, needlessly endangering, lying to, or stealing from the dragon as well as contributing to a questionable course of action resulting in harm to the dragon also results in mandatory reaction checks. Neglect includes failure to feed the dragon what/when it expects to be fed. Behaving or demanding actions conflicting with the dragon’s preferred alignment may require new rolls at the DM’s discretion, based on the gravity of the situation. Failing to confront a dragon slayer (such as the one described in PG1 Players Guide to Meryath), causing harm to a dragon of the same type or same alignment as the rider’s mount, or permitting anyone to do the same, should require checks. Failing to confront a rival dragon or a hated foe should also result in another check. At the DM’s discretion, each subsequent check resulting from a negative situation could incur a cumulative –1 to –3 penalty. Mounting failures could result in the dragon demanding more shared treasure. If accumulated penalties result in rolls automatically failing, the dragon leaves. If a charm or some other mind-affecting magic forcing the dragon to be a rider’s mount fails, the dragon leaves immediately. Depending on its alignment, it could decide to plunder the local merchant guild, snack on a few live treats, and torch half the town before leaving. Evil dragons can also turn on their former riders if irritated enough.

When to Roll Riding Checks

Riding checks are based on Dexterity. Simply riding a mount requires no dice roll. Lack of riding skill, however, incurs a –4 penalty when dice are rolled. Failure rarely results in the rider falling off since most dragon saddles come with safety straps. However, bad rolls cause miscommunication with the mount resulting in failed maneuvers, combat penalties during the affected round, and/or lost initiative on the following one. They otherwise leave dragons at liberty to interpret their riders’ intents. Riding checks receive a +2 bonus when dragon and rider share an empathic link. With telepathy, riding checks only fail with an unmodified roll of 20 (a critical failure).

A check is needed for special occasions, as follows:

· Leaping over a large obstacle

· Riding up or down a very steep slope

· A sudden dive or climb while in flight

· Riding a mount suddenly stopping, turning, or rearing

· Riding a mount engaged in a melee (one roll per encounter)

· Ducking low branches (one roll per encounter)

· Jumping off a saddle from a moving mount

· Standing or walking on top of a moving mount (–2 penalty)

· Performing acrobatics while mounted (–4 penalty)

Saddles & Howdahs

Dragon saddles are elaborate pieces of equipment featuring harnesses holding them in place, high cantles, and sturdy pommels. They sit on the dragons’ shoulders, at the base of their necks. Harnesses don’t reach around the dragons’ midsections. Instead, each strap is fitted with multiple scale hooks fastened to the dragons’ chests, backs, and sides. Saddles include a frame several inches high and made of wood, leather, and fur padding to accommodate the mounts’ dorsal ridges. Lanyards affixed to the saddles secure heavy belts keeping the riders seated during abrupt aerial maneuvers. Stirrups help stabilize the riders. Dragons do not generally tolerate bridles, bits, and reins; instead, riders learn to control their mount with their knees, heels, voice, and body movements. Bits in particular would either interfere with the dragons’ breath attacks or be damaged in the process.
Dragon tack costs 20 gp + 12/HD and weighs about 50 lbs. (23 kg) for a human-sized saddle. Mounts earning experience levels expect saddle improvements such as better leatherwork, dyed or painted embossing, carvings, fancy stitching, silver or gold fittings, mother-of-pearl or ivory inserts, shiny tassels, fine blankets or furs, and in some cases horns, bells, and other adornments. On the evil side, anticipate pommels in the form of silver or ebony skulls, metal studs, bone inserts, scalps, and embossed imprints on the saddle’s side flaps, knee rolls, skirts, and cantle showing the tormented faces of felled foes. Travel bags are optional and can easily fit between the wings.

Dragon turtles are large enough to carry howdahs with up to a dozen occupants. Travel howdahs can be fitted with collapsible canopies. War howdahs weigh about 200 lbs. (90 kg). They provide a +1 bonus to AC against projectiles and can be outfitted with light artillery, like a scorpion or a small ballista for a small dragon turtle, or multiple full-size catapults for huge mounts. Howdahs cost 6 gp +12 per HD. Double the base cost for a travel howdah with seats, canvas canopy, and regal trappings.

For aquatic mounts, saddles and howdahs can be enchanted to enable water breathing at the additional cost of 3,000 gp (+250 per occupant for a howdah). For example, the enchantment for a 12-passenger howdah should cost 6,000 gp. The effect is permanent but limited to riders seated on the saddles or occupying the howdahs. If unassisted, high-altitude breathing is limited to 20,000 ft. (6,000 m). Although dragons are not affected at their max flying altitudes, their riders will be, and therefore, higher quality saddles can be enchanted to allow breathing rarefied atmospheres for the same cost as water breathing.

More dragon Stuff?

Let me know. There are a few other related topics that could dovetail into this series. Cheers!

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Monday, July 8, 2024

Mammoth Masher

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Dragon Steeds Pt. 3