Dragon, Black

Fearsome dragons that spew corrosive venom, found in swamps, marshes and deep, dark caves

OSRIC

Armor Class	3
Hit Dice	6 to 8
Number Encountered	1d4
Attacks	3
Damage	1d4/1d4/3d6
Move	120-ft; 240-ft flying (AA:II)
Alignment	Chaotic evil
Intelligence	Average
XP	Variable
Treasure Type	5d6×1,000 cp (25%), 1d100×1,000 sp (40%), 1d4×10,000 ep(40%), 1d6×10,000 gp (55%), 5d10×100 pp(25%), 1d100 gems(50%), 1d4×10 jewellery (50%), 4 magic items plus 1 potion and 1 scroll (15%)
Size	Large (30-ft long)
Frequency	Uncommon
Lair	30%

Viking champions such as Ragnar Lodbrok and Sigurd the Volsung fought fearsome dragons that spewed a corrosive venom, deadly to the touch. These dragons are the deadly black dragons. Black dragons are found mostly in swamps, marshes and deep, dark caves.

Black dragons only occasionally (30%) are known to speak, only rarely (10%) cast magic, but often (50%) will be found asleep. If the dragon is asleep, there is a 1 in 6 chance that it will awaken in the presence of adventurers. Dragons also sometimes feign sleep.

If a black dragon can cast spells, it will gain spells as a magic user of a level equal to one half of its age category. So, an ancient black dragon casts as a 4th level magic user.

Special Abilities

Breath Weapon: Black dragon breath is a stream of corrosive, acidic venom, 50-ft long×5-ft wide. It does damage equal to the dragon’s hit points (but a save vs dragon breath halves this amount). The dragon may use this breath weapon up to three times per day.

Speech: Only occasionally (30%) are known to speak.

Magic: Only rarely (10%) cast magic. If a black dragon can cast spells, it will gain spells as a magic user of a level equal to one half of its age category.

Sleep: Often (50%) will be found asleep. If the dragon is asleep, there is a 1 in 6 chance that it will awaken in the presence of adventurers. Dragons also sometimes feign sleep.