Steel Dragon [Variant]

Smaller than most dragons but just as strong and tough, this steel dragon gleams like brushed steel above, darkening to blued gunmetal on the belly and tail, with silky, shining wing membranes. It speaks its own tongue, the common tongue of non-evil dragons, and all widespread human and demihuman languages, and it is likely closely related to a gray metallic dragon native to another world.

Peaceful at heart, it avoids fights, but cornered it battles with cunning and lethal skill, clawing and biting, though it prefers magic. Polymorph self is available five times daily from birth; each form lasts until changed, and resuming dragon shape is free. Its casting and abilities function at 11th level, adding its combat modifier.

Three times a day it breathes a gas like feign death: anyone exposed saves vs. poison at -4 or lies in a deathlike coma for 2d10 turns. It can release as little as it wants, up to a 30-foot cube, and the gas works through skin as well as lungs; a coat of lard or grease reduces the penalty to -2. After two minutes in air, the gas is harmless.

Age powers: young, detect lie 3/day; juvenile, charm person 3/day; adult, suggestion 1/day; mature adult, antipathy/sympathy 2/day; old, imbue with spell ability 1/day. Wizard spells of levels 1-4 cannot touch it, it resists all other magic at 75% regardless of age, and can use any magic item a wizard can.

Fascinated by people, it usually lives as a human in a large city house. Some become the center of salons, readings and debates, celebrated by artists and patrons who never suspect the truth. Most keep a smaller circle of friends from all classes, chosen for their access to rare knowledge, and become dealers in secrets and intelligence.

Food is the hard part, since it must feed its real bulk. About every two weeks it vanishes to the wilds (a 'hunting lodge' makes a fine excuse) to make up for city fasting. Omnivorous but fond of fresh meat, it spares domestic herds and hunts wild animals, especially those that menace people.

Even a great city may harbor only one or two. They know each other at a glance, usually stay friendly, and share 'hunting trips.' Every 12 years one seeks a mate, preferably local, sometimes far afield; the pair raise one offspring in the wilderness for about 15 years, then part, staying close and ready to help their grown child. Repeat pairings are rare.

Any sizable city might hold one, discoverable only if it allows. Unthreatened by predators, steel dragons seldom take up a craft, preferring to collect and pass on knowledge in the manner of sages.