DRAGON TURTLE

The shell of the dragon turtle is deep green with silver highlights, its legs and tail are lighter green with golden highlights, its neck is green/gold, with golden highlights, and its head and crest are green/gold.

Perhaps the most feared of water creatures is the dragon turtle. They are found in very large rivers and lakes as well as in the sea. Its thick shell makes it nearly impossible to harm, while its powerful claws and jaws easily rip opponents to shreds. 

Worse still, they can belch forth a cloud of scalding steam which covers an area 6" long, 4" wide, and 4" high. This steam causes damage equal to the number of hit points the dragon turtle has, reduced by one-half if the victim makes its saving throw. 

Dragon turtles vary in size, age and hit points per die in the same manner as dragons (q.v.). 

If a dragon turtle comes up under even a large ship they are likely to capsize the vessel (chances are 95% for a small ship to 50% for a large one). 

They speak their own tongue.

The [...] three general size categories (Small, Average, and Huge) according to the size typical of each. This categorization is determined by die roll.

An 8-sided die is rolled:  1-2 = Small,  3-7 = Average,  8 = Huge. 

This size determination indicates the number of hit dice a dragon has.

Dragons pass through eight ages in their lives. These growth stages are:

1. 1. Very Young (1-5 yrs): 1 hp per hit die

   2. Young (6-15 yrs): 2 hp per hit die

   3. Sub-adult (16-25 yrs): 3 hp per hit die

   4. Young Adult (26-50 yrs): 4 hp per hit die

   5. Adult (51-100 yrs): 5 hp per hit die

   6. Old (101-200 yrs): 6 hp per hit die

   7. Very Old (201-400 yrs): 7 hp per hit die

   8. Ancient (401+ yrs): 8 hp per hit die