“I’ve never seen one with my own eyes. Only heard stories… some from the Western Isles, some from the Northern Kingdom, and even some from the Midlands. Though I fear if I ever did witness a wyrm, I might not survive to record it…”
Lindwyrm
{ Commonly known as wyrm in Ko’ram or lintrache in the Amafell Mountains }
The lindwyrm is one of the few draconic species still living. Large, fearsome, and elusive, the lindwyrm has spawned many enduring stories, chiefly that of the ouroboros. It is said that lindwyrm of gargantuan size resorted to eating their own tails for sustenance, as nothing on this mortal plane was large enough to fill their hunger. There are three recorded breeds of this lesser dragon; the wyrm in Ko’ram to the west, the lintrache in the Amafell mountains to the east, and the eponymous lindwyrm in the Northern Kingdoms - the accepted progenitor of the wyrm and lintrache. As historical records indicate they originated and spread from the north, the Northern name is used all the way from Skykeep to Spire-town. Curiously, though tales of classical dragons often make mention of fire - tales of lindwyrms never do. Perhaps they have their own methods.
Lacking wings or legs, the lindwyrm moves along the ground in a smooth, serpentine way. As it slides across surfaces in a swift and graceful manner, only a soft, rhythmic hiss can be heard. When moving over stone or other hard ground, its path is marked by a distinct scraping sound as a consequence of tough scales covering its entire body, even the underside. On either side of the head is a large and reptilian eye with a black slit-pupil and a bright, shimmering iris.
The size, coloration, and features of a lindwyrm vary based on breed. Northern lindwyrms are the largest, over 100 meters in length, with dark scales, a forked tongue, and a fin running along their back. Korami wyrms are the smallest, usually 30 to 40 meters in length, and have shiny, brightly-colored scales - often reds, yellows, or greens - along with feathers on their body and whiskers sprouting near their nose. The lintrache in the Amafells are typically 60 to 80 meters long, usually having more hardened scales - usually blue, grey, or white to blend in with the environment - and numerous horn-like growths on their head.
Though its appearance varies from region to region, a lindwyrm’s behavior is rather consistent. Adult lindwyrms aren’t aggressive on a whim; an aggressive one is either hungry, or its den (typically a large, sprawling cave) is nearby. When attacking, the creature will use its entire body; slamming into prey to knock it down, ramming with its head, or even wrapping around and constricting with bone-crushing force. With a strong jaw and large fangs, they can also strike forward to bite their prey. Unlike the dragons in Valkian fairy tales, lindwyrms don’t breathe fire, instead they spit acid capable of temporarily blinding or even corroding steel.
When resting in their dens, lindwyrms coil around their reptilian-like eggs to keep them both warm and safe. The older a lindwyrm gets, the more it grows, even surpassing typical, recorded lengths. They also become more ‘passive’ with age, less likely to attack mortals even if provoked. Younger lindwyrms, on the other hand, are noted to be particularly violent, often seeking out creatures to attack and toy with.
Only Lore Staff may DM this creature.
Written by Electric