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+--- Thread: [Draconic Profiles] Gertie the Gray Dragon (/showthread.php?tid=2320)
[Draconic Profiles] Gertie the Gray Dragon - Havard - 09-29-2017
Gertie the Gray Dragon
(AKA Tsartha, Gertie, Gertrude)
Intermediate Goddess
Alignment: Neutral
Breath Weapon: Fire
This is one of the last remaining individuals of the original gray colored dragon race of Blackmoor. Gray dragons are fire breathers and are known for being able to give birth to dragons of any color, both Chromatic and Metallic. It is unknown if they are able to give birth to Gemstone or other types of dragons as well. Gertie is easy to recognize due to the golden shimmers in her gray shell covered hide [See Chirine's comments about Gertie originally being a Gold Dragon]. She is a very kind being, though she can be fierce in battle if provoked. She rose to prominence in Blackmoor when she became an ally of the Great Svenny, Willem of the Heath, the Wizard of the Woods and the other heroes of Blackmoor in the 990s. In 995 (1971) she had given birth to five dragon offspring. Her mate at the time was believed to have been Father Dragon (Insellageth) himself. Her offspring include Chamber (Watchworks), Tuffie and Sophie. Most of the children of Gertie were cared for by the Wizard of the Woods.
Gertie was believed to have been killed in 997 while defending Blackmoor against the invasions from the Egg of Coot, but it seems like she survived the attack or she may have been ressurrected by powerful magic. [FFC80:19]. She also fought alongside the Flying Monk during the Battle of Glendover. In the town of Glendover there is a monument called the Tomb of the Grey Dragon which is dedicated to Gertie.
It is unclear when Gertie ascended to Godhood, but in later years she has been worshipped as a deity by many races in Blackmoor. A number of shrines and temples exist dedicated to Gertie across the North. She is also considered a patroness of Orphanages.
LAIR
The site of her lair is unknown, but some suspect it is somewhere near Dragon's Rock (Serpent's Rock) in Blackmoor Bay. She is often seen resting peacefully upon that rock.
ON THE NAMING OF DRAGONS
Dragon names spoken in their own language are difficult to pronounce by mortals. The people of Blackmoor with their unique sense of humor have therefore taken to giving dragons names similar to what they would give house cats or other pets. This makes them seem less dangerous, untill you meet one face to face.
APPEARANCES IN THE ORIGINAL CAMPAIGN AND PUBLISHED SOURCES
Gertie was the name given to the Grey clay miniature used by Dave Arneson in his original campaign. There are many references to this dragon appearing in the campaign, including several references in the FFC. The story about her offspring is reported in the Blackmoor Gazette leaflet (1971). Stories by Greg Svenson, Chirine ba'kal and others at the Comeback Inn Forum also mention Gertie. Gertie is not mentioned in the DA modules, but she was brought back for the ZGG line of Blackmoor books. It was in this era that she was named Tsartha and was revealed to be a goddess. The name Gertie is used as an alias for Tsartha in these books as well.
See Also: -Havard
Re: [Draconic Profiles] Gertie the Gray Dragon - Havard - 10-15-2017
I just realized that two of the children of Gertie are unaccounted for. I suspect that the "Black Egg of Blackmoor" could also have been laid by Gertie, but if so it is still unhatched (perhaps due to magic) and not among the five dragon children Dave wrote about.
-Havard