Jade Dragon [Neutral]

The jade dragon resembles the wingless dragons of eastern lands except that it has wings and can fly. Its hide swirls with many shades of green in a random marbled pattern, and the few witnesses describe it as breathtakingly beautiful. It is a slightly stronger eastern relative of the emerald dragon.

It defends itself with breath and magic first, falling back on two claws and a bite in melee. Smaller and weaker than common dragons, it gives foes +4 on saves against its fear aura, but it casts both wizard and priest spells. It can blink 6/day at 10th level of ability, though it cannot polymorph unless it has that spell.

Its breath is a shattering sonic wail that damages everyone within a 90-foot radius. A failed save vs. breath weapon leaves a victim deaf for 1d6 x 10 rounds, and even a success still deafens for 2d6 rounds. Every target must also pass a system shock check or fall unconscious for 5d4 rounds.

Riddles and charm let it ensnare listeners within 90 feet who are not fighting or distracted: each round brings a cumulative 10% chance of a suggestion-like effect. A save vs. spell holds this off for six rounds or longer, then the chance builds again at 5% per round, and two successful saves grant immunity to that dragon.

Most humans think jade dragons are legend, and only a handful of thrill seekers go looking for one. Deeply reclusive, as neutral dragons tend to be, they give surprise guests a chilly reception. They lair in thick forests because they collect rare woods, prize jade above all treasure, and will haggle for precious and semiprecious stones. They speak their own tongue and communicate telepathically with any telepath or any creature of Intelligence 18 or higher.

Jades eat only forest plants and animals and never humans. No hide has ever reached the market, so its worth is unknown, though many collectors would pay a fortune for one.