Dragons of Deceit and Derision
Habitat: Forest; Treasure: Arcana
From forbidden forest depths, green dragons whisper evils into the world and manipulate the lives of those who listen. Elusive, conniving, and egotistical, these chromatic dragons patiently prey on the fears of shorter-lived beings, corrupting and isolating them. Green dragons might lurk amid labyrinthine wildernesses for centuries without revealing themselves; even their most devoted followers might know them only as the voice of the woodlands or a whisper in their dreams.
Despite their might, most green dragons disdain physical violence, viewing combat as servants’ work and preferring to trick foes into dangerous or exploitative scenarios. These dragons collect “baubles” that embody their webs of manipulation and serve as tools of extortion, such as compromising documents, family heirlooms, and sentimental treasures.
Green Dragon Wyrmling
Green dragon wyrmlings often serve as pawns in older dragons’ schemes. By spying on those dragons’ agents, wyrmlings learn the art of manipulation. Once they’ve accumulated influence and lackeys, these wyrmlings depart to claim their own territories and pursue their sinister ambitions.
Young Green Dragon
Young green dragons frequently control groups of ettercaps, kobolds, thieves, or other cowardly servants. These dragons do so while avoiding other evil dragons, who would sabotage them. Gradually, oppressing weaker creatures and amassing meaningless fortunes bore young green dragons, and they pursue more ambitious ways to indulge their egos.
Green Dragon Lairs
Green dragons lair in ancient forests, often shaping stands of massive trees into compounds of interwoven branches, hollow trunks, and caverns amid mighty roots. They might also dwell amid forested ruins, particularly the former homes of those they’ve conquered.
The region containing an adult or ancient green dragon’s lair is warped by its presence, creating the following effects:
- Beast Spies. Tiny Beasts magically gain the ability to understand Draconic and can communicate telepathically with the dragon while within 1 mile of the lair.
- Poisonous Thicket. Ordinary plants growing within 1 mile of the lair poison the air around them. Whenever a creature other than the dragon or its allies finishes a Long Rest in that area, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or have the Poisoned condition for 1 hour.
If the dragon dies or moves its lair elsewhere, these effects end immediately.
Adult Green Dragon
Caption
An adult green dragon shadows its prey
The words of adult green dragons are as deadly as their poisonous breath. They are brilliant schemers that pride themselves on influencing communities near their lairs. They obsess over information and create vast spy networks. Many of these dragons seek magical methods of surveillance or domination, and they manipulate adventurers into hunting down lost magic to aid in such control.
Ancient Green Dragon
Ancient green dragons are creatures of legend, rarely seen by their servants or foes. Via magic and well-hidden agents, these dragons stoke suspicion between allies and undermine noble works. As bonds fray, the dragons reap rewards of greater wealth and control. Eventually the ambitions of ancient green dragons stretch beyond their territories as they seek control over empires, planar realms, or death itself.
Caption
An ancient green dragon manipulates the fates of its pawns from deep within its forest lair
