Gold Dragon

Gold dragons are a subspecies of metallic dragon in Dungeons & Dragons. These creatures are the most noble of dragons and are considered the apex of their race.

Description
The average adult gold dragon stands at 120 feet in length with a wingspan of 135 feet. Its body is covered in magnificent golden scales that shine like the most thoroughly polished gold metal. The head sports a short face adorned with four pairs of tendrils resembling whiskers and a pair of smooth, curved horns on the top. The creature's wings are broad like the sails of a boat, extending all the way to the end of its extremely long tail. During flight, the wings move in a graceful rippling motion that resemble swimming.

Gold dragons are lawful good by nature and are regarded as the most noble of all dragons. They would often take upon quests or crusades to combat evil and injustice, pursuing villains with the utmost determination and would not waiver until such evildoers had either been brought to justice or vanquished entirely.

Gold dragons are revered as founts of wisdom and knowledge, though rarely would they share it with others. They are private by nature and are hesitant to interact with other beings, even other dragons.

Lairs and Terrain
Preferring solitude, gold dragons tend to build their lairs in isolated areas where they won't be bothered by anyone. They prefer to make their homes in picturesque locales that everyday folk have no access to, such as the highest mountain peaks or even at the bottoms of lakes. Some gold dragons are known to make their homes on isolated islands untouched by civilization or within intricate cave structures where the walls are lined with jewels and precious metals. They tend to be attracted to areas with residual magic lingering about.

Favoured Treasure
Though inherently virtuous, gold dragons are still susceptible to material greed like all dragon types. While their hoards would often overflow with gold coins, they took particular fancy to items of fine artisanship such as paintings, sculptures and lavish furnishings. They were also drawn to magical items which they would use as centerpieces to their hoards. Gold dragons would take meticulous care to safeguard their treasures, using magic to ward items so that they could not be removed from the hoard without the dragon knowing.

Diet
Gold dragons deliberately hunt for large, dangerous creatures, not only for their own sustenance but also to protect lesser beings that would otherwise be threatened by such beasts. If such game isn't available, they subsist on inert materials such as gemstones and metals.

Abilities

 * Flight
 * Water Breathing
 * Polymorph - Like most types of dragon, gold dragons can shapeshift into humanoid forms or even disguise themselves as animals.
 * Breath Weapons - Gold dragons breathe a cone of fire that will reduce anything in its path to ashes. They can also expel a gas that weakens foes.