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The woodland dragon and druidic ally
| Small | Large | Huge | |
| Armour Class: | 0 | -2 | -4 |
| Hit Dice: | 6** (L) | 9*** (L) | 12**** (L) |
| Move: | 60' (20'); Fly 210' (70') | 90' (30'); Fly 240' (80') | 120' (40'); Fly 270' (90') |
| Attacks: | Ground: 2 claws/1 bite; Air: up to 6 (RC/170) | ||
| Damage: | Bite, crush: 2d8; Claw, kick, wing, tail: 1d4 |
Bite, crush: 2d8+4; Claw, kick, wing, tail: 1d6+1 |
Bite, crush: 2d8+8; Claw, kick, wing, tail: 1d8+2 |
| No. Appearing: | 0 (1d4) | 0 (1d3) | 0 (1d2) |
| Save As: | F6 | F18 | F36 |
| Morale: | 9 | 10 | 11 |
| Treasure Type: | C | C+B | C+B+D |
| Intelligence: | 10 | 13 | 16 |
| Alignment: | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| XP Value: | 725 (950 w/spells) | 3,000 (4,400 w/spells) | 4,750 (6,500 w/spells) |
Monster Type: Dragon (very rare)
Terrain: Woodland
Load: 1,000cn x HD at full MV; 2,000cn x HD at half MV
Barding Multiplier: Small, x3; Large, x5; Huge, x10
Sylvan dragons, also called forest drakes, are reclusive, intelligent dragons who dwell in heavily wooded areas. Their green-hued scales are patched with patterns of mottled brown that provide excellent camouflage. Their predominately green colour often causes the inexperienced to mistake them for green dragons; sylvan dragons do little to dispel such illusions, preferring their solitude at the cost of fearsome rumours.
The so-called forest drakes (though they have no familial relationship with wood, or any other true, drakes) lair in cave-like structures resembling huge brush piles, overgrown with both dead and growing vegetation. The territory of a forest drake (typically several square miles in area) is often dotted with the crystalline statues of past victims, with older conquests closer to the drake's actual lair. Like other intelligent wyrms, sylvan dragons have an eye for treasure and an ear for flattery. While they do not appreciate trespass, they are not likely to attack intruders outright, and unless invaders are clearly hostile, forest drakes take the time to investigate the nature of (or even seek to parley with) strangers. Sylvan dragons are asleep 25% of the time when encountered.
Nevertheless, sylvan dragons—like others of their ilk—do have a temper, and they brook no insult or waste of their time. An insult could be anything from destruction of plant life within the sylvan dragon's territory to stealing treasure to a verbal gaffe. As for wasting time, any forest drake would consider it an imposition to have to deal with someone so brutish, violent, or obnoxious to have insulted it. In all cases, as is true for any dragon, it is best to approach any encounter with a sylvan dragon diplomatically; at best, the wyrm may grant freedom to trespassers in exchange for a few gifts of useful magic. At worst, the dragon's ire will explode into combat.
During a fight, sylvan dragons attempt to draw opponents into crowded wooded areas to limit their exposure to missile attacks. Bite, claw, and kick attacks are favoured to deal with foes individually, and the drake's cone-shaped crysallise breath weapon is used only when targets conveniently assemble within its area of effect. Those hit by the crystallise breath weapon must save or suffer full damage and the transformation into a crystalline form (non-living material is not affected). Those who save receive full damage, but are not turned into crystal statues. Those crystallised are alive (if hit points are positive) and essentially held in stasis. Reversion to normal form is accomplished through the use of Cureall, Heal, Remove Curse, Stone to Flesh, or Wish.
Sylvan dragons have a 45% chance of talking and using spells. If wielded, spells are druidic in nature and used with cunning and intelligence. The dragon is usually ready for intruders though its use of Detect Danger, and often lays in ambush with the aid of Obscure. When able, it casts Faerie Fire on melee targets, along with Heat Metal and, if conditions are right, Call Lightning. If the need arises, the dragon defends itself with Warp Wood, Protection from Poison, and Protection from Lightning. If hard pressed, the drake uses Summon Animals to attack and otherwise distract opponents while making an escape. Druid spell levels are as follows:
| Size | Lvl 1 | Lvl 2 | Lvl 3 | Lvl 4 |
| Small | 3 | 3 | - | - |
| Large | 4 | 4 | 3 | - |
| Huge | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Forest drakes have little need for material wealth, but they possess a deep desire and fascination for magic in any form, particularly that which is druidic in nature. Indeed, sylvan dragons tend to ignore gems and money carried by their victims and instead strip them of any recognisable magic items. A sylvan dragon's accumulated treasure reflects this, and the Treasure Type percentages for non-magical treasure are halved, while all percentages for magical treasure are increased by one-third.
Despite their affinity for wooded areas, sylvan dragons are seldom friendly with other intelligent, forest-dwelling beings (including druids, elves, centaurs, pixies, and sprites, whom they find particularly annoying). As a result, the known range of a sylvan dragon is largely avoided by local denizens; by default, a forest drake typically infers that anyone who's crossed into its border is, at best, a foreigner or, at worst, hostile.
Nevertheless, there are some few forest drakes who do not dismiss the potential benefits of druidic or elven company, and they sometimes work out territorial pacts and agreements with organised sylvan settlements. Such compromises might be for mutual defence or, if the dragon is overly selfish and of sufficient power, designed to exact regular tribute from less-powerful neighbours in exchange for protection.