Dragonnel
| Dragonnel | |
|---|---|
 A Dragonnel in flight, depicted in Fizban's Treasury of Dragons. Art by Nikki Dawes. (2021) | |
| General information | |
| Alignment: | Neutral (evil) |
| Type: | Dragon |
| Subtype: | Dragonkin |
| First appearance: | MC5 Greyhawk Appendix", Monstrous Compendium |
Dragonnels are dragonkin found in isolated hills in the Flanaess.
Ecology
"Although they have no natural enemies, wild dragonnels are hunted by humans, whose herds and flocks they raid, and by all species of dragons. Good dragons abhor their stupidity and evil tendencies. Evil dragons simply resent the competition."[1]
In some regions dragonnels are raised from eggs to be used as aerial mounts. These domesticated dragonnels are loyal to the point of being overly protective of their riders. However, efforts to break wild dragonnels to the saddle are perilous, as these creatures often feign compliance before throwing their would-be riders from great heights.[2] Evil humans living among the humanoids of the Pomarj are the best known dragonnel riders.[1] Although Paladins have been known to ride a large, mature dragonnel into battle.[2]
"Dragonnels have been used for centuries by evil humans and humanoids for rapid travel and aerial warfare."[3]
Environment
"At one time, dragonnels inhabited the World of Greyhawk from the Kron Hills and Glorioles to the Drachensgrab Mountains, but the species is now virtually extinct everywhere save the Pomarj."[4]
Though rare, dragonnels are found in hill country. One can chance across them in the Pomarj as well as in the Drachensgrab Hills.[5]
Other nations in the area are not in danger from wild dragnnels, though. Fortunately, they are exceedingly rare and there are few of them. Along the Wild Coast, however, scores of dragonnel-mounted raiders have been seen. Turrosh Mak placed a "crack force of dragonnel riders"[3] at Elredd to protect his navy while it was being constructed in 591 CY. They developed antiship tactics, including dropping large rocks or flaming oil pots, and carrying grappling lines to tangle the rigging and aid boarding parties.[3]
Typical physical characteristics
Sharing traits of both, dragonnels are distantly related to both dragons and pteranodons[1][3] (which are also called "airdragons")[4] They are larger than their pterosaur ancestors however, but not as large as a "true" dragon, measuring 24 feet long.[1]
"Their four legs, huge wings, and long tails give them a dragon-like appearance, and from a distance it is easy to mistake a dragonnel for one of its more fearsome cousins. Nevertheless, dragonnels are a distinct species, not a dragon subspecies. Closer inspection reveals a dragonnels toothy beak and warty, dinosaurlike hide.
At hatching, a dragonnel is glossy black with a red underbelly. As the creature ages, its underbelly fades to gray and its sides become dark red-violet. An adult dragonnel has long, maroon-colored spines on its back and white frills on its head."[1]
"The grayish underbelly of a dragonnel fades into a dusty red-violet along the sides and tail. Back spines are maroon, the beak gray. and the head frills white."[4]
Dragonnels can fly but don't have the breath weapon of their larger cousins, they are however fast and agile fighters.[2] When engaging in physical combat, they use their claws and bite with toothy beak, which is particularly vicious.[1] They may also use their muscular tails.[1]
Society
"Unlike their cousins, the dragons, wild dragonnels are mildly social, gathering for mutual defence, cooperative hunting, and to mate. Males in their prime stay away from other males, collecting small, semi-permanent harems of females. Females leave the band to lay eggs secretly, burying them in warm, moist earth. Once the eggs are laid, the females abandon them, often re-joining their old band, but sometimes remaining solitary until they find a new one."[1]
Personality
"Though not very, bright, they tend to be evil, cunning, and malicious."[1] They are willful creatures motivated by the desire for food and entertainment. In the wild, they are picky eaters with mercurial moods, inclined to toy with their prey before going in for the kill.[1]
Abilities
Language
Most dragonnels understand Draconic and Common but cannot speak[2], about 4% of dragonnels encountered in the wild do speak Draconic.[1]
Creative origins
Publishing history
Gallery
-
1992 Trading Cards, artist unknown. -
1992 Trading Cards, back of card. -
MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk, by Mark Nelson (1990).
References
Citations
Bibliography
- Trading cards. No extended bibliography data available.
- Fizban's Treasury of Dragons , pg. 190 Dragonnel. 2021
- Grant Boucher, William W. Connors, Steve Gilbert, Bruce Nesmith, Chris Mortika, and Skip Williams. MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix. Lake Geneva, WI: TSR, 1990. Item code TSR2107.
Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index
The Encyclopedia Greyhawkania Index (EGI) is based on previous work of Jason Zavoda through '08, continued by numerous other fans. The EGI article has a list of sources, product names, abbreviations, and a link to the full, downloadable index.
| Topic | Type | Description | Product | Page/Card/Image
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dragonnel | Monster | From the Ashes: References Card | #08 | |
| Dragonnel | Monster | From the Ashes: References Card | #12 | |
| Dragonnel | Monster | MC5 Monstrous Compendium Greyhawk Adventures Appendix | Insert (Dragonnel), Encounter Tables | |
| Dragonnel | Monster | Monster Manual 2, AD&D 1e | 60 | |
| Dragonnel | Monster | 1992 TSR Trading Cards - Gold Set | 16 | |
| Dragonnel Tower | Place | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 72 | |
| Dragonnels Tail | Place | Slavers, AD&D 2e | 38 |