Editing Shadow Dragon

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[[File:Shadow dragon 5e.jpg|thumb]]
'''Shadow Dragons''' are a species of [[Dragon]] in the many worlds of [[Dungeons & Dragons]] with a strange [[elemental]] affinity for darkness, the [[illusionist]] arts, and necrotic energy. They are usually a form of [[Planar Dragon]], with ties to the [[Plane of Shadow]] or its post-[[Great Wheel]] equivalent, the [[Shadowfell]].

==Publication History==
They go back incredibly far, having first appeared in [[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]] 1st edition's [[Monster Manual]] II. They then made the jump to 2nd edition in the Monstrous Compendium [[Greyhawk]] Appendix, with lore from that being reprinted in 1993's [[Monster Manual|Monstrous Manual]]. In 3rd edition, like several other [[Greyhawk]] monsters, they migrated to the [[Forgotten Realms]], first appearing in "Monsters of Faerun" before being reprinted, sans Realms-specific notes, in the 3e [[Draconomicon]].

In 4th edition, the Shadow Dragon resurfaced in the [[Draconomicon]]: [[Chromatic Dragon]]s, here being a branch of the chromatic family that adapted to life in the [[Shadowfell]].

Finally, in 5th edition, it hit the big time and graduated to a debut appearance, showing up in the [[Monster Manual]] of this edition. Here, however, they lost their status as a unique dragon species and were instead reinterpreted as a template, based on a "true dragon" (Chromatic, Metallic, etc) spending too long in the [[Shadowfell]] and being corrupted into a partially shadow-based version of their former selves. This transformations makes the Dragon stealthier, highly resistant to damage while in darkness, and sensitive to sunlight, while granting it a breath weapons that animates those it slays into undead shadows.

==3e Fluff==
{{NotFunny Sourcebook}}
Shadow dragons are sly and devious creatures with ties to the [[Plane of Shadow]]. Shadow dragons have translucent scales and dark bodies, giving them an indistinct appearance; from a distance, they seem to be nothing but a foreboding mass of shadows.

Shadow dragons prefer to attack from hiding, employing their shadow blend ability. They use illusion spells to confuse and misdirect their foes.

In the Realms, shadow dragons are most often encountered in the deepest reaches of the lower [[Underdark]] —at least ten miles below the surface— where ties to the [[Plane of Shadow]] are strongest. On the surface, they have been found from the Frost Hills to the Thunder Peaks. A number of shadow dragons have joined forces with the [[Cult of the Dragon]], and at least two shadow [[dracolich]]es are known to be associated with the Cult.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Shadow dragon 1e.png|1e
Shadow dragon MC5.jpg|2e
Shadow dragon MM 2e.png
Shadow dragon 3e.jpg|3e
Shadow dragon 5e.jpg|5e
</gallery>

{{D&D-Dragons}}

[[Category: Dungeons & Dragons]]
[[Category: Monsters]]