Climate/Terrain: Deserts/Mountains
Frequency: Rare
Organization: Solitary
Activity Cycle: Any
Diet: Carnivore
Intelligence: Varies (Low - Genius)
Treasure: H, T, Y
Alignment: Any Good

No. Appearing: 1
Armour Class: 0 (base)
Movement: 15, Fly 35 (C)
Hit Dice: 15 (base)
THAC0: 6 (base)
No. of Attacks: 3+special
Damage/Attack: 1d12/1d12/2d10
Special Attacks: Breath weapon, magic use
Special Defences: See below
Magic Resistance: Variable
Size: G (42' base)
Morale: Fanatic (17-18)
XP Value: Variable

Description: The Adurian Dragon is related to its Cerilian cousin, and has lived in these lands for many thousands of years. They are not native to Aduria however, and are though to have migrated here from a land far across the seas. Unlike the Cerilian Dragons young are occasionally born, although the number grow smaller as each century passes. They are often hunted by the Adurians and as a result have taken to living in the harshest areas on the continent. They are most common in the Adurian Wastes, and the Great Desert, although they can also be found in the Azure Peaks and other mountain ranges.
In Aduria the dragon is looked on as a great prize and many people hunt them as trophies, a very dangerous pursuit with a high casualty rate. Among the nobles of Nehalim there is no greater trophy than a Dragon's head or skull. This hunting has reduced the Adurian Dragon's numbers even further, and they are almost never found in civilized areas now. Only a young and foolish Dragon would ever live close to Humans, such Dragons tend not to live long.
Like in Cerilia the Dragons are all members of the same species. They are also similar in shape and size, although slightly larger once they grow older. They are long, serpentine creatures with large leathery wings that enable them to glide through the skies over great distances. All of the body and limbs are covered with thick scales that give them an improved armour class over their Cerilian relatives. Unlike the Cerilian Dragon the belly of an Adurian Dragon is where the scales are thickest of all. This is because they often live in the deserts and they need protection from the sand particles as the slide over it. The scales on their bellies are usually worn smooth by the time they reach adulthood and gleam brightly in the sunlight. Adurian Dragons are usually a pale yellow to light brown in colour, although other variations in coloration have been reported.
Adurian Dragons speak the same tongue as the Cerilians, and also have a 5% per age category of knowing the human tongue of the land they dwell in, or live closest too.

Combat: The Adurian Dragon does not often involve itself in combat, preferring to use its breath weapon and magic first, before closing to kill off any survivors.  When they do close for melee combat they will use all their abilities, and especially their powerful claws. The Adurian Dragon's legs are longer than the Cerilian's and their claw larger and more powerful. They can use these powerful weapons to great effect in battle, and can rib through armour with ease. They have a smaller mouth though and will rarely bit their opponents, unless it is absolutely necessary.
All Adurian Dragons radiate fear in a 40-yard radius. They do not have the additional paralysing powers of the Cerilian Dragons however. Adorn Dragons do gain the following power though at birth. They may create an illusion at will, and their abilities grow more powerful with age. A young Dragon may only be able to create a small illusion that will fool only a few people, but a great wyrm's illusion is almost perfect in every way, it may even feel real.
Like the Cerilian Dragons they are also powerful wizards, ranging from 5-12th levels. They are not however restricted to certain schools like the Cerilians and may use any magic. They are especially skilled in the schools of Illusion and Divination and anyone effect by a spell of these schools cast by an Adurian Dragon has a -2 penalty to their saving throws.
An Adurian Dragon has two breath weapons. The first  is a bolt of burning energy that can burn through almost anything. The bolt is 5' wide and affects and area 60' long. The second breath weapon is a cloud of super-heated air that affects an area 50' long, 40' wide, and 30' high. Both versions of the breath weapon may be used once every 6 melee rounds.

Habitat/Ecology: Adurian Dragons require a lot of food to survive and they often make long hunting flights to eat. An Adurian Dragon is much lighter than their Cerilian cousins and they can fly and glide over great distances seeking food. Some even make it a point to raid the farms of those races who hunt Dragons, making off with entire herds of goats and sheep. They will not however attack Humans and other intelligent creature unless attacked first themselves.
Because of this need for large amounts of food Adurian Dragons are usually awake, and rarely ever sleep, although they occasionally rest by soaring up to great heights and then gliding for several hours. Adurian Dragons have been known to fly from one end of the continent to another without stopping, although for some reason they almost never fly north towards Cerilia. It may have something to do with the climatic differences. Adurian Dragons prefer the hot deserts of inland Aduria, and will avoid cold mountain peak if possible. They make their lairs in the ancient ruins that dot these deserts and as a result those seeking to loot the ruins may find themselves up against a powerful Dragon. They will usually gather together all the lost treasures of the ruins for their lairs as well and then cast multi-layered illusions to protect their homes when they are away. Guardians such as Wyverns and other creatures are also common.
The Adurian Dragon is a solitary creature, but they occasionally gather in groups, usually to choose mates, discuss the weather, and talk about their last meal. Unlike other Dragon species the Cerilian Dragon takes many years to develop a high intelligence but over the centuries learn much. They tend not to collect lore and tales like the Cerilian Dragons however as much of their lives is spent fighting for survival. Only the oldest and most powerful of the Adurian Dragons who have lived for many centuries will have stores of knowledge and wisdom. They do not tend to pass this on to anyone however, and will not share their knowledge with Humans unless a lot of food or gold is handed over first.
In some empires like Nehalim and Ghanim Dragons are valuable creatures. A Dragon's corpse can fetch as much as 100,000 gold, usually paid by nobles who don't want to risk their lives searching for a trophy. Other lands also pay for Dragon parts. In the Adurian empire the hide of a Dragon is prized for is magical properties and the armour and clothing it can be made into. Most Dragons however want to hold onto their hides and will not part with them no matter how much money is offered. Those that do die are usually wounded or sick and can not fight as well as normal.

Note: The Adurian Dragons are also modified by the values listed in the table on page 64 of the Monster Manual. These are values common to all Dragons. They gain spells equal to a wizard of their current level, and even young Dragons can be powerful wizards.
 

By Ian Hoskins

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