Dragons have 3 general size categories, small, average, and huge,
according to the size typical of each. This categorization is determined by
die roll. An 8-sided die is rolled; l-2=small, 3-7=average, 8=huge. This
size determination indicates the number of hit dice a dragon has.

Dragons pass through 8 ages in their lives. These growth stages are:
 

1.	very young (1-5 years)	1 hp per die
2.	young (6-15 years)	2 hp per die
3.	subadult (16-25 years)	3 hp per die
4.	young adult (26-50 years)	4 hp per die
5.	adult (51-100 years)	5 hp per die
6.	old (101-200 years)	6 hp per die
7.	very old (201-400 years)	7 hp per die
8.	ancient (401+ years)	8 hp per die

To determine the age (and thus the number of hit points per die a dragon
has) simply roll an 8-sided die, the number rolled indicating the age as
shown above.

All dragons see equally well in daylight or darkness (infravision, 60 feet).
They have excellent sight, smell, and hearing. Because of these keen
senses, all dragons are able to detect hidden or invisible creatures
within 1" per age level. Dragons also develop the power to panic enemiesas
they mature. At adult age and older they radiate a powerful aura
which causes a fear reaction when a dragon flies overhead or charges,
as follows:

    All creatures under 1 hit die, as well as noncarnivorous creatures
    of any sort which are not trained for warfare or are not basically
    fearless or aggressive will flee in panic. Such rout will be made at
    fastest speed possible, and it will continue for 4-24 turns.

    Creatures with fewer than 3 hit dice must save vs. spell or be
    paralyzed with fear (50%) or panic as above (50%).

    Creatures with 3or more hitdicewill fight at a penaltyof -1 on their
    to-hit rolls unless they also save vs. spell.

    Creatures with 6 or more hit dice automatically disregard the aura
    effect.

    The aura of adult, old, and very old dragons is not as powerful as
    that of ancient dragons, so saving throws applicable to their auras
    are at +5, +3, and +1, respectively. Thus, a 2nd-level fighter, normally
    needing a 16 or better to save against spell (the dragon's aura
    in this case), would gain a bonus of +5 on his saving throw versus
    an adult dragon's aura; thus any score of 11 or more would avoid
    the panic.

A considerable percentage of dragons have the abilitytospeak 1 or more
human languages in addition to the language of their species. Similarly,
a fair number of dragons that can speak are able to employ magic spells.
The chances for either of these abilities occurring in any individual
dragon areshown underthatspecies.Thechance thatanygivendragon
will be asleep will also be given. Details on attacking or subduing a
dragon can be found in MONSTER MANUAL I.

Treasure: Very young dragonswill usually have no treasure, but there is
a 10% chance that they will have one-quarter the possible listed treasure.
Young dragons have 25% chance for one-quarter the possible
listed treasure. Subadults have a 50%chance for one-half the possible
listed treasure. Young adults and old dragons have normal treasure.
Very old and ancient dragons are 50% and 75% likely to have 150%and
200%. respectively, of the listed treasure.

Saving Throws: When a dragon attains 5 or more hit points per die, its
saving throw is calculated by dividing its total hit points by 4, thus giving
a higher number of hit dice than it actually has. This reflects the magic
resistance and general toughness of this creature. Conversely, even a
veryyoung dragon gains the benefit of the actual number of its hit dice,
(even though the hit points/die are but 1 each) for determining scores
required. This reflects the same nature of dragonkind, i.e., magic resistance
and toughness. 


 

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gray Mouser
Gary, thanks for the info on dragons. As a follow up, I'm wondering any of the new dragons from Monster Manual II ever made it into your campaign? I really like the Shadow Dragon (I'm thinking of springing it on my PC's at some point  ) and the Cloud and Mist varieties were excellent as well.

Gray Mouser

Yes, the shadow dragon was encountered--nasty meeting that the details of which i but vaguely remember.
The cloud and mist versions of dracos wree in an area of wilderness adventure that i had laid out ofr PCs to get transported to, but that never happened.
As nearly as i can remember, there was only one randon encounter with a cloud dragon in my campaign.

Cheers,
Gary