Description
In his natural form, Bahamut was a massive dragon approximately 180 feet long, with a tail the same length as his body, with platinum scales tougher than any shield (said by some to be virtually indestructible) that glowed with a faint blue sheen, and blue eyes, the exact color of which was hard to specify and may have depended on Bahamut's mood. He is also described as a huge dragon wrapped in a scintillating aura of light so brilliant that it was impossible to tell his color.
When he wished to wander the mortal world, he usually took the appearance of an old human or demihuman dressed in peasant robes accompanied by seven canaries. Some sages believed Bahamut used this humanoid guise to not frighten non-dragon beings. They also believed that while Bahamut was fond of his old man guise, he had other guises as well. Other recorded guises included that of a prince with a carriage drawn by seven horses, an urchin accompanied by seven friends, and a beggar followed by seven dogs.
Dogma
Bahamut's dogma is based on justice, nobility, protection, and honor. He taught his followers to always uphold the highest ideals of honor and justice; to be constantly vigilant against evil and to oppose it from all fronts; and to protect the weak, liberate the oppressed, and defend just order. Bahamut advocated a "greater justice" that included fighting against evil and toppling oppressive regimes. He also liked to reward strength of purpose and character in his followers.
His dragon adepts followed the Ptarian Code, a draconic code of honor created by the gold dragon Ptaris in the ancient past. Originally intended as a code of conduct for the lords who attended the King of Justice, the Ptarian Code eventually was adopted by many gold and silver dragons. The Ptarian Code was similar to the codes of chivalry adopted by knightly orders of humanity. The major precepts were:
- Justice and Good above all.
- Honor and Fealty to the King.
- Honor and Respect to Righteous Innocence.
- Honor and Duty to the Balancer (Lendys), to Her Mercy (Tamara), and to the Justicemaker (Bahamut).
- Honor and Protection to the Lesser Races.
- Honor and Correction to the Enemies of Justice and Good.
- Honor and Forbearance for oneself.