Amethyst Dragon [Gem]

Newly hatched, an amethyst has lavender hide flecked with tiny see-through scales of pale purple, which darken year by year until the adult glitters a rich lavender. Aloof and dignified, amethysts treat feuds between good and evil, or law and chaos, as beneath them. Besides their own language they know the shared gem-dragon tongue, and 18% of hatchlings can talk with any thinking creature, plus 5% per age category.

Talk always comes first. When diplomacy fails, the dragon breathes, then uses psionics and spells. It never lurks or ambushes, and though it considers fleeing dishonorable, it will do so to avoid death.

Its breath is a faceted violet lozenge spat as far as 75 feet. On landing it explodes, damaging everything within 60 feet (a save vs. breath weapon halves this). Huge or smaller creatures also need a save vs. paralyzation to stay on their feet, and each creature the blast injures has an even chance of being knocked senseless for 1d8 rounds plus a round per age level of the dragon. It casts and uses powers at 9th level plus combat modifier.

From hatching it breathes water and ignores poison and force effects such as beads of force, forceful hand and the related hand spells, wall of force and resilient sphere. Age adds water walking 6/day (young), neutralize poison 6/day (juvenile), druid-style shape change into a bird, mammal or reptile three times daily with each form once per day (adult), resilient sphere 3/day (old), reflecting pool 1/day (very old) and control weather 1/day (venerable).

Psionics: psychokinesis is the usual choice, with psychometabolism a common second. Psychokinesis: telekinesis, detonate, project force; devotions inertial barrier, molecular agitation, control body. Psychometabolism: metamorphosis, complete healing, energy containment; devotions expansion, reduction, cell adjustment. Telepathy: mind wipe, domination, mind link; devotions truthear, ESP, contact, identity penetration. Metapsionics: ultrablast, empower, psychic surgery; devotions psionic drain, magnify, psionic sense.

They dwell beside isolated highland lakes and pools, a few in submerged caves. Young are well raised but must make their own way once grown to young adults. Amethysts dislike reds and whites and regard silvers and coppers as foolish.

They eat fish and large quantities of gems, and they count no living creature as a natural foe.