Editing Linnorm (section)

==D&D==
{{topquote|'''Scourge Dragons''', sometimes called ''Linnorms'', embody the afflictions that plague living creatures, much as [[Catastrophic Dragons]] embody natural disasters. They are almost universally evil, even more so than the [[Chromatic Dragon|chromatics]], and they revel in the raw physicality of melee combat. Because they lack wings and rear legs, some scholars insist that they're not true dragons, but more closely related to [[drake]]s.|A quote from the 4th edition [[Monster Manual]].}}

First appearing in ''[[Advanced Dungeons & Dragons]]'', linnorms promptly fell into disfavor by the release of [[Dungeons & Dragons 3rd Edition|D&D 3e]]. They did receive an "Ecology of the Linnorm" article in ''[[Dragon Magazine]]'' #356. They are sometimes blatantly called "Norse dragons."

4th edition intended to incorporate linnorms into the [[Nentir Vale]] setting as "Scourge Dragons", describing them in brief in the very first [[Monster Manual]]. Alas, beyond that single paragraph, the Scourge Dragons never came to be; they received passing mentions in the flavor text segments of the 4e [[Draconomicon]]s, but dedicated mechanics or fluff failed to materialize. Only the quote above remains to give us any clue as to what might have been for the 4e linnorm.

===Corpse Tearer===
Possibly a unique creature, this gross linnorm looks almost [[undead]], with its cracked claws, slime-dripping hide, weather-beaten scales, and patchy clumps of hair. When at rest, it looks like a grossly diseased or very long dead tree. They are sedentary creatures, preferring to lurk in sepulcher-lairs guarded by the undead where they can dote over their treasure hoard, which they supplement by using the [[Underdark]] or undead minions to loot from graves and necropoli. They possess two different breath weapons; one that paralyzes, and one that inflicts a Strength-sapping wasting disease.
<gallery>
corpse tearer MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Dread Linnorm===
These two-headed monsters wield two separate breath weapons; a chilling wind and a cloud of super-heated dust. They have a weird taste for salt-seasoned wood, and have been known to attack oceanic ships to get this "delicacy" for themselves.
<gallery>
dread linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Flame Linnorm===
Flame linnorms wield various fiery powers, including separate breath weapons of flame and burning ashes.
<gallery>
flame linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Forest Linnorm===
Doubly unique amongst the linnorms in that it is completely limbless as an adult, but upon birth has four lizard-like limbs which reabsorb into the body as it matures. The forest linnorm has powerful [[illusionist]] magic as well as assorted spell-like abilities that are of particular use in their forest home. They have a particular hatred for beautiful things, and anything pretty in their hoard has always been smashed for the sake of wrecking it. Their breath weapon is a highly corrosive slime that also has the effect of a Wither spell on whatever it hits.
<gallery>
forest linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Frost Linnorm===
Without a doubt the most vindictive and savage of linnorms, frost linnorms cannot stand the presence of other intelligent creatures besides their own kind, and work tirelessly to drive away or massacre any intelligent being unfortunate enough to live in the territory around their lair. Their forelimbs are small and weak compared to other linnorms, so they only fight physically as a last resort, preferring to use their icy breath, runic magics, or magic items and superior tactics to overcome their enemies. Frost linnorms, it is said, do not need to eat, somehow drawing sustenance from frigid winds.
<gallery>
frost linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Gray Linnorm===
The smallest of their kin, the sadistic gray linnorm revels in hurting and terrorizing others, employing its poison-oozing, whip-like tail and black, metal-corroding ooze breath to deadly effect. Unlike other linnorms, which are more calculating, the gray linnorm is far simpler, preferring to engage in more savage combat, rending prey with bites and claws to toying with them for its own pleasure.
<gallery>
gray linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Land Linnorm===
The only linnorm species to have all four limbs in adulthood, land linnorms are greedy manipulators who hate the nobility of humanoid races and revel in corrupting or destroying them. Cautious, they sometimes stalk potential quarry that enters their territory for days, burrowing, turning invisible, and polymorphing into animals all to size up their threat versus the perceived wealth of the target. When it is time to attack they do so first with their breath weapon, a blast of withering heat, or with rune magic. They particularly envy the humanoid adeptness with magic, and have been known to force such beings to teach them in the ways of arcane prowess.
<gallery>
land linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Midgard Linnorm===
A solitary creature, this seafloor-dwelling aquatic linnorm is the biggest and most powerful linnorm known to exist, commanding the reverence of all other linnorms - especially sea linnorms. The spawn of the Midgard Serpent, itself a spawn of Loki, it may be immortal and wiles away the time manipulating the affairs of others from afar with powerful magics. Considering actual combat to be beneath it, it will let its guards defend it, attacking with spells and its three breath weapons - a torrent of boiling water that can drown foes outright, a cloud of choking dust or a powerful blast of wind. Its favorite food is sea foam, anything else unlucky enough to be swallowed up while it feeds is just the cherry on top.
<gallery>
midgard linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Rain Linnorm===
While other linnorms are content to live in unknown and in solitude, the rain linnorm, the vainest and greediest of their kind, are offended if they are not known for the atrocities they commit against lesser creatures, which is pretty much everything in their mind - including other rain linnorms. Rain linnorms earn their moniker for their love of inclement weather; when the sun shines, they hide in their lairs high on a mountain or hilltop, emerging only during downpours to hunt and slay. Their favorite food is said to be [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W7bV2k6-9Y lightning].
<gallery>
rain linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>

===Sea Linnorm===
Cold-hearted, vicious creatures, the sea linnorm is, in its own way, a devout protector of the oceans against those who would exploit it. Able to change their color like a chameleon from a young age to stay concealed they are fond of capsizing ships preferring to slay any survivors with spells or clouds of their acidic breath, biting or lashing out with its cruelly barbed tail is less preferred and, if they face serious opposition, will simply slink back into the depths. Whilst all linnorms in ''AD&D'' have weird diets, the sea linnorm's is arguably the oddest; they are ''herbivores'' who feed on seaweed and other oceanic plantlife, even going so far as to dry their meals in the sun for better flavors.
<gallery>
sea linnorm MCAV1.jpg
</gallery>