Monster Spotlight: Amethyst Dragons are Just Big, Scaly Diplomats
Even amongst the gem dragons, Amethyst Dragons stand out for their intelligence, diplomacy, telepathy, and preference for peace.
Some of the rarest, smartest, and most regal of the dragons, Amethyst Dragons prefer discussion to battle and knowledge to treasure. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take them lightly, their breath weapon is explosively dangerous.
First Edition
First edition doesn’t have a lot of drawings, so you get this – you’re welcome.
The first appearance of the Amethyst Dragon is in First Edition, but not in any of the monster manuals. Instead, Dragon Magazine, Issue 37 spotlights them and five other ‘neutral dragons’ in a piece called, “That’s Not In The Monster Manual!” We don’t get the opportunity to learn a whole lot, but the building blocks are definitely there.
Amethyst Dragons like to live near isolated highland lakes, and twice per day, they can shriek with the same effects as a banshee. They are also some of the smartest monsters out there with “genius” level intellects.
Second Edition
By 2E there’s a little more going on with the Amethyst Dragons. They are smart and regal, preferring discussion to fight, and honorable battle to ambush. They also have a breath weapon now, a violet lozenge that can split up and explode in a concussive blast. Their banshee scream is no longer mentioned, but they do have Psionics which they use for everything from healing to detonation to telepathy. And of course, Amethyst Dragons are born with innate water breathing, because if they’re going to live near tarns they may as well fully enjoy them.
Third Edition
Not only are 3E Amethyst Dragons wise and regal, but they will sometimes act as intermediaries between civilizations or even other warring dragons. They still avoid battles, and for the most part, a younger dragon will flee to avoid a potential conflict or even turn invisible.
Older ones seldom fight, but don’t flee from necessary battles and will instead use their breath weapon of concussive exploding gems. They can now adjust their body’s equilibrium to correspond with any surface, allowing them to walk on water, quicksand, or spider webs without sinking or breaking through. Luckily, Amethyst Dragons are the nicest of the gem dragons, often happy to talk with visitors.
Fifth Edition
If you haven’t yet picked it up, Fizban’s Treasury of Dragons has a load of information, including making the specific Dragonborn of your dreams and a four-page entry on just Amethyst Dragons. At their core, these are the same intelligent, telepathic, regal dragons that we’ve gotten to know in previous editions, but with a little something extra for anybody really looking to study.
Amethyst Dragons are fascinated with the worlds outside of the Material Plane and prize understanding these worlds above most other things. In fact, while most dragons hoard material wealth, Amethyst Dragons collect knowledge and treasures from other worlds. Of course, they also like your standard gold-and-gems treasure as well, but if you’re looking to get on an Amethyst Dragon’s good side, rare knowledge is always a strong bet.
Have you ever encountered an Amethyst Dragon in your adventures? Were they friendly towards you, or did the encounter end in a battle? Did you share any knowledge with them? Let us know in the comments!
Happy Adventuring!
