Riding Dragon

Large Dragon
Hit Dice: 6d12+12 (51 hp)
Initiative: +5
Speed: 40 feet (8 squares), fly 100 feet (average)
AC: 17 (-1 size, +2 Dexterity, +7 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +6/+15
Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d6+7) or Claw +10 melee (1d8+2)
Full Attack: Bite +10 melee (2d6+7) and 2 claws +8 melee (1d8+2)
Space/Reach: 10 feet/5 feet
Special Attacks: Spitfire
Special Qualities: Darkvision 60 feet, immunity to magic sleep effects and paralysis, lowlight vision, scent
Saves: Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +6
Abilities: Str 20, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 9, Wis 12, Cha 11
Skills: Climb +14, Listen +12, Sense Motive +12, Spot +12, Survival +10
Feats: Flyby Attack, Hover (B), Improved Initiative, Multiattack
Environment: temperate/mountains
Organization: Solitary, Mated Pair, or Flock (3-12 plus 25% noncombatants )
Challenge Rating: 6
Alignment: Usually neutral
Advancement: 7-10 HD (large), 11-15 HD (huge)
Level Adjustment: +3 (cohort)

This majestic winged reptile is roughly the size of a horse. It has large intelligent eyes and a long, lean body covered in smooth blue-gray scales that fade to a creamy-white underbelly. Atop its head are two pairs of ivory horns that sweep back and in.

Riding dragons inhabit many areas of the world but usually make their permanent homes in high rocky mountains. They are simple creatures that enjoy hunting and flying. The latter is their true passion however and a riding dragon will travel thousands of miles in its lifetime learning all there is to know about the lands surrounding its home. They are generally peaceful unless their eggs or young are threatened for which they will fight fiercely. Some riding dragons will allow themselves to be used as mounts by humanoid riders in exchange for safe accommodations, a steady food supply and a small measure of gold to indulge their draconic hoarding instinct. The riding dragons of Kazerin are slightly more lawful than the average members of their kind and have a longstanding tradition of being mounts for the human army of that country seeing it as a right of passage for young dragons to serve and train in this way. Most riding dragons become dear friends with their riders and establish a bond that continues even after their military service has ended. Those who do not like their riders usually find a way to be rid of the offending creature pretty quickly, usually by means of a long fall.

Riding dragons stand nearly 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh about 900 pounds. Riding Dragons speak Draconic.

Combat
Riding dragons relish combat even though they are not very violent to humanoids. They constantly test their strengths against wild beasts and each other. The flames of sparring males occasionally light up the night skies around the places where they roost during the mating season.

Skills: Riding dragons have keen draconic senses granting them a +2 racial bonus to Listen, Sense Motive, and Spot checks.

Spitfire (Su): Riding dragons have a powerful method of dealing with enemies at range. Once every 1d4 rounds a riding dragon can spit a ball of flame that deals 4d6 fire damage to a single target. This is a ranged touch attack with a 50 foot range increment.