Dragons gain new powers as they accumulate more energies. At each stage of growth, they gain a new ability, usually culminating with the twelfth ability when they accumulate . The usual progression of powers is as follows:

• Level 1: Acid breath weapon
• Level 2: Immunity to acid
• Level 3: Immunity to poison
• Level 4: Immunity to blindness
• Level 5: Scales give bearer willpower bonus
• Level 6: Marsh barrier
• Level 7: Deathgaze, once per year
• Level 8: Instill hunting skill
• Level 9: Darkvision
• Level 10: Control swamps
• Level 11: Summon giant snakes
• Level 12: Subtlety

All dragons accumulate energies by absorbing them naturally from the area around them. As such, they must carefully cultivate their lairs to provide the right kinds of energies, hence they hoard appropriate objects.

Other common powers include impervious willpower, psionics, control shadows, souldrain, and terrifying visage.

Black dragons lay their eggs in deep marsh pools, where the parents protect and raise their young. They live in small tribes ruled by the most powerful dragon, and a rigid hierarchy exists beneath them. The gravest crime is not to fail but to fail to try. Those who strive are rewarded. Black dragons represent discipline, and they admire inner strength above all. They believe that if one is not strong of will, then one deserves to be made use of. They often indenture local communities to their service, but any that they believe have shown great inner strength, they will instead ally with.

When black dragons grow old, they usually leave of their own accord to die alone. Some remain, and if they show wavering discipline, they are challenged by younger dragons until they die in combat.