White Dragon Ecology
W hite Dragons are not a creature to be trifled with. You think they’d be easiest for me to go huntin’ but Nah, they’re the feistiest. Even though they’re a tad more fun they’re riskier. I always take the contracts though, good pay. - Radiald Dragon Hunter
Introduction
This research was gathered by my own adventures being contracted to research various creatures in arctic areas. This also includes previous documents and accounts by individuals all compiled into my research. Over the course of this research over a dozen, White Dragons were observed or contacted. Accounts of White Dragons go far back into history which accounts for at least over 100 individuals.
White Dragon Biology
Origins of the White Dragon
While the convincing evidence does exist to say that White Dragons along with other Chromatic Dragons have come from the common ancestor of the Pseudo Dragons, it as arguably irrelevant next to their origin from the common “Mother” of Chromatic Dragons Tiamat. Not only the physical similarities but also the social and cultural influences of Tiamat are undeniable. White Dragons are represented just as other true chromatics by a head on the terrible beast.
Physiological Observations
Like most dragons, a White Dragon has a reptilian appearance with a cat like a body structure and large wings. Their scales are typically white as per their common name. The most distinguishing features are the small head crest of a single backward facing horn that is webbed to the head with a small membrane, and a spiked skin flap hanging down from the bottom of their jaws.
White Dragons are the smallest of the True Chromatics. This is not to say they are small as even a White can grow to immense proportions with age. They have a shorter neck in proportion to other dragons which is thicker and more seamlessly attached to the body than other dragons giving them a more squat and stalky look. Typically dragons revel in their size, Whites don’t share this mentality.
Maneuverability
White Dragons are able to maneuver in their icy worlds with great ease. Their claws are hooked and sharp, which makes their toes at rest sit higher more like a cat which gives them the ability to pierce icy surfaces for a firm grip. This advantage also gives them the ability to quickly climb up even vertical icy walls. They'll often flap their wings when climbing or running on ice to accelerate, which gives them a boost in speed.
Although they are not masters of the air like Beholders, White Dragons are powerful and adept fliers, although a bit clumsy. Their powerful wings can carry them at great speeds even against wind currents. Although they have great power and speed while flying these dragons like most need wide areas to turn and harsh landings. A white dragon’s wings are the shortest in span not only from size but also in proportion. Their smaller wings contribute to a decrease in stamina as they have to work harder to fly than other dragons thus a White Dragon will often run along with flying while traveling to give their wings a rest from time to time.
Senses
White Dragons are well adapted to harsh winters when it comes to sensing their surroundings. A White's sight while acute is also supplemented by heat sensing pits next to their eyes. Even in the harshest storms they can navigate and hunt for creatures. Their hearing is no better than any other dragon's but is able to distinguish noises hidden by the wind much better than many creatures. I would guess this comes from experience but there could be some unfound adaptations to account for this.
Primal Hunters with Delicate Cooking
While White Dragons are carnivorous hunters they are sophisticated for actual dining. They revel in the hunt and a kill is hardly ever categorized as clean. Often times after a kill their pristine white scales are starkly contrasted by the red blood upon them. Victims, even after death, are torn apart with an unbridled fury. A White Dragon’s rage when killing is frightening not only from the awe-inspiring power but also their gut churning brutality. Limbs are a hazard to a victim’s allies and nightmares for survivors.
What’s left of a victim is prepared after a kill instead of immediately eaten. Meat from victims is hung and frozen. White Dragons prefer all of their food hard. The texture of anything soft is seen as unappealing to most, although unique tastes are present such as a semi-frozen state like slushy snow has become a fad to some. Their food while frozen is not simply left out to freeze in all situations; different meats are frozen in special ways not dissimilar to cooking with heat. Caribou, for instance, is preferred to be frozen by breath slowly without splitting the muscles to preserve flavor, or so I’m told. Honestly, I’m not fond of frozen food it all tasted cold and raw to me.
Breath of Ice
As most dragons, a White Dragon has a breath weapon that can be deadly to most creatures. They can expel a cone of cold semi-liquid air. This breath is extremely cold and even if it does not freeze a target will simply burn them from the intense cold. Their breath weapons are used not just in the battle itself but also in preparation. They’ll lay traps of slick ice for clumsy ice walkers, coat themselves in an armor of ice, and cover their claws making them far sharper. As most dragons, they can’t constantly expel this weapon although it can be fairly often.
They’ll also use their breath for purposes outside of battle too. Most commonly for cooking their food but they do have other creative uses, such as art. Despite their cruel and brutal nature, a White Dragon is an adept ice sculptor. They freeze foes and work from a base if they’re not fond of eating them like any Orcs. Other times they’ll have abstract sculptures or the more talented can create full frozen sculptures from scratch. White Dragons proudly adorn their rooms with these works though sometimes the iced individuals are hidden when the victim is carrying a particularly valuable item.
Habitats and Lairs
White Dragons are almost always in cold and polar regions. They are particularly uncomfortable even in only moderately warm weather. For this reason, they are far more comfortable in the coldest regions and planes of existence. Lands of snow and ice are White Dragon country.
White Dragon lairs are often dug into ice, mountains, or icebergs with intricate and confusing tunnels. While they are the smallest of the chromatics they have the largest and most complicated lairs. They often have over 30 rooms and I could only guess as to the purpose for up to half, the rest I have no answers for you on their use. They always have the same rooms as other dragons, such as a dining hall, bed chamber, treasure room, and a foyer in which to entertain any guests. They will also typically have a gallery in which they proudly display their defeated enemy’s encapsulated in ice. I’ve even seen a Great Red Dragon encapsulated in such a gallery.
White Dragon lairs like many dragon lairs are full of traps and tricks to fend off intruders into their domain. These traps often involve insidious slippery slopes into the deadly cold water, which make for a refreshing bath to a White Dragon, or into carefully crafted ice-spikes. These traps are often hard to see as most everything is usually constructed of ice, and seeing edges to false floors or even small graduations in angles make it difficult to avoid such dangers.
Treasure
Like all dragons, White dragons love and hoard treasure. They collect anything from art, coins, and gems. They prefer diamonds and though unwise a White Dragon’s lair is a good place to find a ring for engagement. Their treasure room is often only able to be accessed by climbing up slippery icy slopes in which they are especially adept at doing. The treasure is often just strewn about in a chaotic pile in which is frozen for safe keeping. These treasure piles are not haphazardly frozen though as they are carefully frozen with the Ice Breath as to make it clear and easily seen. Most of their treasure is obtained through any of the creatures they kill, they take their spoils. If they hear of a diamond mine, they will go to that location and barter with the locals for the diamonds, in exchange for the miners' lives.
Life Cycle
Eggs of a White Dragon are buried in the snow or crushed ice is laid upon them. They incubate in colder temperatures of no warmer than a freezing temperature to properly mature. For around 14 months these eggs will develop into wyrmlings that will wander across the frozen lands once hatched. A parent will not directly raise a child leaving them to their own devices to hunt and learn about the world.
Like all dragons, they will grow in strength and ability as they age. Even a wyrmling is intelligent enough to speak draconic very early on and can fend for itself as a predator. They often establish a home within the first years of their lives. At this point, they will start to amass their riches and continue through the majority of their lives to dig their gigantic intricate lairs and the traps to protect them.
White Dragons have long lifespans and will grow to be gargantuan terrors of their snowy lands when reaching their oldest ages after many thousands of years. Like many dragons, they will seek a way to eternal life to avoid their fear of death. White Dragons prefer to take the path of a Wight and be of service to Tiamat in undeath. While Tiamat is no commander of the undead she will gladly have unwavering commanders. If a dragon is strong enough they will be given the gift of servitude to simply exist further.
White Dragon Interactions with other Creatures
Prey
Most creatures will fall under this category. They first and foremost are hunters, if you are meat you are food if there’s room in their belly, which is often the case. Not all creatures are regarded this way especially more dangerous ones, they’ll eat them but only after beating the creature in combat.
Other Dragons
White Dragons are immediately at a disadvantage when faced with another dragon of a similar age or older. Being entirely self-conscious about their size and power in comparison they can easily be goaded into a fight to prove otherwise. This causes them to avoid other dragons unless there’s a clear advantage to the White Dragon’s favor. However, they’ll willingly bully and tease any dragon smaller than them, often time tormenting them to death for the sheer sport and to prove themselves. Only in extreme circumstances will they endure any insults or jests without open aggression.
Frost Giants
Frost Giants and White Dragons are both powerful denizens of colder regions and often interact. As with mates, a White Dragon will seek to challenge a leader of the Frost Giants. They’ll expect the winner to be the in an agreement for cooperation, for instance, if the Frost Giant loses the dragon will consider the whole clan to be under its yoke. This is also how Frost Giants will have a White Dragon in their ranks which will listen to the leader. These dragons will not under any circumstance accept a challenge from any lesser creature and will kill any challenges they deem not worthy. The dragon is never fully subservient and will only act within their own guidelines for acceptable tasks. If a dragon becomes too frustrated it will leave or re-challenge the leader of the Frost Giants.
Dangerous Vendetta
If any creature wrongs a White Dragon in any way they will be subject to its wrath. This can range from a small unintended insult to open aggression against the dragon. The dragon will actively hunt the offender for a time but will wait and bide their time if needed. A White Dragons’ pride demands that creatures respect and fear them, even very powerful creatures. This most often results in violence and a new meal for the dragon, although it can be the White’s downfall.
Battle Tactics
White Dragons are straight forward attackers; they’ll lash out with their claws, tails, wings, and jaws in an unceasingly aggressive assault. This sudden aggression can put many creatures off-guard, even other dragons unaware of this behavior. Hesitation is not a concept they use often when angry. As often as possible they’ll blast with their breath weapon as long as it is effective, and if not they’ll attempt to use the properties to pin-down or freeze an enemy in place.
When faced with multiple foes they’ll often pick the strongest member and completely focus their efforts on them. If a new more powerful foe arises they’ll often not take notice as their focus is complete. If the dragon manages to down their foe they’ll rip them apart without hesitation and then find the next opponent. They rely on their impressively thick scales and hides to stop damage from other foes but they will defensively keep other creatures away or swat them away with wings, claws, and their tail if needed to keep focusing on their intended target.
White Dragons would seem to fight to the death given their pride demands that they win but this isn’t the case. Something they fear more than a crushed ego is death. They’ll begrudgingly back away from a fight but vow to come back and finish the job for the rest of their existence. If their foes die of old age they’ll track down their lineage and eliminate them if possible.
Variants
Dragons normally don’t have variations in the way that other creatures do as they themselves are variations of Chromatic Dragons. These variations below are more so deviations to the norm of White Dragons and their behaviors.
White Dragon Wights
Dragons that have given their will over to Tiamat in payment for everlasting undeath are White Dragon Wights. They retain all of their vast memories and old hatreds but lose a portion of their physical strength. This doesn’t keep them from their egos though, and no aggression is held in check. They are extremely volatile and dangerous, somehow more than before. As a Wight, they will look emaciated with sunken in brilliant red eyes. An aura of deadly cold will surround them which can be damaging to creatures just standing near them.
White Dragon Long-Term Mates
This is a strange occurrence where two dragons dare I say fall in love. Despite being entirely evil their selfishness expands to include their mate in these rare occurrences. There is no trend to predict how this happens as even genetics don’t tend to indicate this situation. The only known conditions are that often time the start of the courtship starts with a great deed and the female will have also similarly committed a great deed. This could spark a sense of being impressed enough to even respect each other which apparently is enough to stay together. Often this relationship is hidden and not spoken of, often with one mate feigning death to keep a façade. When discovered by other White Dragons they are shunned or even attacked.
White Death Hunter
White Dragons that have been so wronged in their ego that it drives them insane are called White Death Hunters. Blinded by an all-consuming rage they relentlessly thrash and destroy anything and everything in a rampaging path to find their offender. They are far more reckless than usual and will even fly into heavily defended forts just to find this one individual. This is probably a psychotic episode that causes all caution to be thrown to the wind; thankfully I have never witnessed this myself.
DM’s Tool Kit
White Dragons are probably are the weakest yet quickest to fight of any dragon. They’re smart but still easily goaded and outsmarted by a party. This is great for an iconic fight if needed. They are also good ways to raise the stakes in a fight if they are allied with a powerful creature that has bested them in combat. Given the right situation, they can be turned against their partner too, making for some interesting role-play.
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