Bolburra lore

Bolburras are lesser dragons with a strong connection to the Shadowfell, though scholars are divided on whether that connection is a result of nativity or other magical influences. Their secretive nature and aggressively cruel temperament have historically stymied the efforts of scholars to learn more about them; the sum of the world's knowledge comes from a handful of accounts of survived attacks.

A bolburra typically hunts the material plane at night, for though it invariably makes its lair in the Shadowfell, the denizens of that plane hold little interest for it as food. While it can subsist on base flesh, a bolburra greatly prefers to hunt and feast on intelligent creatures, particularly those who have not languished under the conditions of its home plane. A bolburra will never hunt a creature of less than 8 Intelligence unless the alternative is starvation and will generally prefer to take the smartest target if presented with multiple options.

Bolburra attacks are fast, vicious, and calculated. Striking from the shadows, it aims to swiftly isolate and seize its prey. It then tears open a portal to the Shadowfell and drags through its prey, subsequently carrying them to its lair (though the bolburra can generally control where the tear leads, it will never lead directly to its lair.

Once its prey is secured the bolburra will spend the next several hours killing it in excruciating agony, for these vicious creatures feed as much on the suffering of their prey as they do on its flesh. If a creature proves too uncooperative during its abduction the bolburra will “pacify” it until it ceases struggling, but always carefully enough to avoid killing it. Bolburras will sometimes even allow captive prey to recuperate in order to withstand longer torture, particularly if they find it entertaining.

Credit: u/AmoebaMan