Black dragons are larger and more fierce than white dragons, but smaller than their larger green, blue and red cousins. They are often confused with shadow dragons, which are similar in size. Younger black dragons have glossy scales, which dull with age, leading to the confusion with the shadowy appearing shadow dragons.
Black dragons inhabit watery lairs, either swamps, stagnant ponds, or large underground pools. They prefer stagnant water, which often has a high acid content. Lairs in swamps or ponds are often surrounded by a ring of dead vegetation. They can swim quite well, and are adept at swimming and moving under water.
Compared with other dragons, black dragons have very few spells they can use. Like most dragons, black dragons of adult age or older often have magic items specifically crafted for them which grant them resistances to fire, cold or lightning, or more than one.
Like all dragons, black dragons employ slaves and other creatures to serve them and guard their horde. Lizard men, bullywugs, black drakes, wyverns, and even snakes and crocodiles are known to serve various black dragons.
Known Black dragons of the Central Region of Northern Olerk
Large (mature or older) black dragon - Vast Swamp, Northern half - Berizo the black dragon inhabits the northern half of the Vast Swamp, which he shares with another black dragon listed below. Berizo moved into his current lair in the Vast Swamp roughly 15 years ago, after the previous inhabitant was slain. Berizo inhabits a particularly deep pool, located near a cluster of islands well inside the swamp. The islands and pool can be found by following the Korkesh River, then heading NE, bearing on one of the few high points in the swamp, Hangman's Isle. Hangman's Isle is the western most island of the cluster of islands near his lair.
The lair itself is said to be a partially submerged cave excavated under one of the islands. Rumor has it that there is more than one cave under the islands. Berizo is said to be very clever, and very cautious. The lizard men tribes of the northern part of the swamp are said to serve the dragon.
Large (mature or older) black dragon - Vast Swamp, Southern half - Endulakaa. Endulakaa is a female black dragon, rumored to be the mate of Berizo. They appear to have moved into the swamp after the death of the previous inhabitant, and have split the swamp between them. Endulakaa inhabits the SW corner of the swamp, and is said to lair near Lake Dorn, in a large pool possibly connected to the Lake. Her lair is said to be difficult to find, as it is in one of the areas of the swamp with few landmarks. Like most female black dragons, she is large for her age, and may actually only be an adult dragon. She seems to prefer the company of very large crocodiles to more intelligent servants, though it is likely that she uses lizard men or bullywugs when necessary.
Large (mature or older) black dragon - Dark Swamp, central Nefrdri. Derverixit inhabits a small swampy area near where the Merobul and Blurun rivers meet to form the Nalan River. This is a small, but nasty swamp with a bad reputation that has earned it the name 'Dark'. Derverixit patrols the entire swamp and the region around it, and has driven off all intelligent inhabitants of the surrounding area. His lair is a floating island of plants and dead trees, which somehow keeps afloat. He is not currently known to have a mate, and is said to have large snakes and a few lizard men for servants.
Very large (adult or mature) black dragon - Grim Lake, northern Wy'yshan. Buphthala the female black dragon claims a territory that includes Grim Lake and the surrounding lands. The lake is infested with carnivorous fish and giant crocodiles, and the nearby lands are guarded by black drakes and wyverns. Buphthala is said to own one of the largest hoards of any black dragon. This horde is said to have come from several other evil dragons she is said to have slain, and moved their hordes to her lair.