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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8784860" data-attributes="member: 6915329">Now that the forums are back up, I can post again. One last big dragon from this article: the rainbow dragon. It’s a chromatic dragon, naturally. So many of the dragons from this article were very powerful, and the rainbow dragon is no exception. They are described as being the most powerful chromatic dragon in 1e, and in Level Up, they are a whopping CR 28. Fortunately, it’s not that bright.(The article also has a gray dragon, but upon re-reading, it’s basically a smarter white dragon whose breath weapon causes paralysis because it’s so cold.)The original write-up describes it has having “an ever-changing display of iridescent hues of all colors,” so I took that a step further. It can alter its coloration, not to blend in (the colors are too bright for that), but to pick a single color or pattern of colors, of any colors they want. Which means if you want to say people have seen a dragon of a particular color—meaning, of course, that the party will stock up on ways to protect against that dragon’s breath weapon—and then spring this guy on them as a surprise… well, you can.Interestingly, an issue of Dungeon magazine had the “prismatic dragon,” which is somewhat similar in appearance but so radically different in abilities that I will not be taking any of its abilities—although I did steal a bit of its lore, though, just to help flesh the rainbow out. 1e monsters either had no information on a creature’s society or psychology, or way too much.[ATTACH=full]262625[/ATTACH]Art by Tom BaxaRainbow Dragon (Chromatic Dragon)The Dragon’s Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #146Created by Gregory DetwilerRainbow dragons are possibly the most beautiful of all dragons, with small, iridescent scales that constantly shift through all the colors of the rainbow and then some. They have a frill that runs down their neck and back, resembling the sail of a dimetrodon, and smaller frills on their “earls” and on the tip of their tail. They lair in sun-drenched deserts, plains, and mountaintops—anywhere where the light will reflect off their scales and shine their beauty for all to see.A rainbow dragon’s breath weapon is a beam of rainbow light that burns and blinds whoever it touches—and they can even select individual colors of light to breathe on a target, in order to inflict different types of damage.Deceptive Beauty. People who see a rainbow dragon from afar typically imagine it to be as good as it is beautiful. In reality, though, they are egotistical to a fault, and they quickly grow bored with anything that is not of immediate interest to it—and they will get rid of anything they find boring with a powerful tail slap or spat burst of energy. They can listen to people praise it all day, though, especially if the flattery is combined with gifts of precious metals, gems, and mirrors.Demanding Sentinels. Rainbow dragons aggressively patrol their territories, especially during daytime when their beauty can be most easily seen. They will attack whoever they come across (unless they feel outnumbered), demanding flattery and tribute. They will leave travelers unharmed but shaken if they comply. They may even take a shine to people who are sufficiently obsequious and might give such a person a trinket or other gift to commemorate the dragon bringing some spice into their lives.Despite their ferocity, rainbow dragons prefer to not get into combat—at least not if there’s any chance of their beautiful scales being marred. However, they hate ugliness and will gladly destroy anything they deem to be sufficiently hideous.Narcissistic. Rainbow dragons consider themselves to be the greatest of all dragons. They view other chromatic dragons as pale, limited reflections of themselves and gem dragons to be nuisances—albeit potentially tasty nuisances, though, as rainbow dragons enjoy eating both gemstones and meat, and gem dragons are, in their opinion, the best of both.They actually are fond of metallic dragons, however, as a metallic dragon’s hide is usually shiny enough to reflect the rainbow dragon in it. Rainbow dragons claim to be a metallic dragon (asking what sort of metal they are supposed to be, however, is a good way to get the questioner eaten). They do not care one whit that metallic dragons tend to dispute this claim of kinship.Legends and LoreWith an Arcana or Nature check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. Rainbow dragons are the most colorful, beautiful, and egotistical of all dragons. They love treasure that is colorful or mirrored. They typically dwell in very sunny areas, where the light makes them seem even more colorful.DC 15. Easily bored, and even more easily angered when bored, rainbow dragons exhale beams of colored light, and can spit individual colors of light, each of which inflicts a different type of damage.DC 20. Rainbow dragons like to terrorize people into giving them tribute and flattery, but are loathe to kill unnecessarily—unless they feel slighted in some way. They surround themselves with sycophantic followers of all sorts—but only pretty ones.Rainbow Dragons EncountersTerrain: Badlands, deserts, mountainsCR 5-10 rainbow dragon wyrmling and 1d6+2 dragonbound warriors or koboldsTreasure: 775 gp, 1,100 sp, 4 moonstones (50 gp each), 5 pearls (100 gp each), gold-framed mirror (250 gp), bag of tricks (gray), elemental gem (sapphire), potions of clairvoyance and heroism, vial of beautyCR 11-16 young rainbow dragon; young rainbow dragon with minstrel, 2d4+4 dragonbound warriors, kobolds, or soldiers; young rainbow dragon with adamanticoreTreasure: 25 pp, 800 gp, 4,200 sp, 5 tourmalines (100 gp each), opal (1,000 gp), dragon sculpture carved out of quartz and gold (500 gp), fully illuminate bestiary (worth 100 gp), badge of seasons, glamoured padded leather, robe of eyes, spell scrolls of major image and hallucinatory terrainCR 17-22 young rainbow dragon with <a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/a-leveled-up-bestiary.689467/page-2#post-8685080" target="_blank">gem vars</a>; young rainbow dragon with 2-3 fey knights, knights, or scorpionfolkTreasure: 445 pp, 2,500 gp, 6 topazes and spinels (500 gp each), 10 1-pound gold bars (50 gp each), 2 sets of resplendent clothes for a formal ball (250 gp each), tapestry made with gold and silver thread (500 gp), amulet of the pleasing bouquet, bowl of commanding water elementals, figurine of wondrous power (onyx dog), necklace of prayer beads, scimitar of speedCR 23-30 adult rainbow dragon with shield guardian or medusa; ancient rainbow dragonTreasure: 970 pp, 13,750 gp, 3 opals (1,000 gp each), 1 diamond (5,000 gp), matching pair of rainbow gem-studded mithril goblets (2,500 gp each), gold-plated suit of ornamental plate armor (2,500 gp), ever-shifting map, liquid luck, hat of grand entrances, ioun stones of awareness and leadershipCR 31+ ancient rainbow dragon with 1d4+2 gem vars; ancient rainbow dragon; great wyrm rainbow dragonTreasure: 3,500 pp, 29,750 gp, dragon-sized diamond-studded necklace (25,000 gp), quarter-sized statue of the dragon carved from scintillating, extraplanar stone with opal eyes (10,000 gp), platinum scepter topped with a ruby (7,500 gp), set of matching gold-pearl necklace, ring, and earing (1,000 gp each), 5 bolts of silk from Feywild-dwelling moths (750 gp each), celestial aegis, helm of brilliance (fully charged), marvelous pigments, ring of fire elemental command, ring of shooting stars, robe of starsSigns1. Gemstones sparkle brightly, shedding colorful dim light in a 5-foot radius, and shiny surfaces become highly reflective.2. The sunshine and starshine are unusually bright, and rainbows form even in clear, dry skies.3. Flashes of colorful light in the sky, as if light was bounced of a mirror.4. Spires of bismuth growing out of rocks.5. A looted merchant caravan.6. Brilliantly colored plants and insects.Behavior1-2. Patrolling its territory.3. Attacks on site; demands tribute.4. Resting in the sunlight.5. Receiving tribute from a merchant caravan its held up.6. Perched atop a ruin or rock spur, surveying its domain.7. Feeding on the corpse of a gemstone dragon.8. Staring into a mirror.Rainbow Dragon Lair FeaturesThe save DC for the following effects is 13 + the dragon’s proficiency modifier. Choose or roll one or more of the following lair features:1. The entire lair is brightly lit, with no areas of darkness or dim light. Attempts to hide are made at disadvantage.2. Colored light reflects throughout the lair, dancing in distracting patterns. A creature other than the dragon has disadvantage on Intelligence checks made in the lair due to the distracting colors, and its Speed is reduced by 10 feet.3. Mirrors placed everywhere show the dragon’s visage throughout the lair, and the dragon’s egotistical ramblings can be heard throughout. The first time each day a creature other than the dragon enters the lair, it must make a Wisdom saving throw or take a level of strife.4. Secret passages are hidden by materials that easily give way to one of the dragon’s spit energy attacks, allowing the dragon to escape.NamesGallimaufry, Hinamitol, Manzat, Nevindrak, PrismVariant: Rainbow Dragon SpellcasterSome dragons develop the ability to innately cast spells. A red dragon spellcaster’s spellcasting ability is Charisma. It can innately cast the following spells, requiring no material components. Each age category knows its own spells and those of younger age categories.Young (save DC X): 3/day each: command, hypnotic patternAdult (save DC X): 3/day each: daylight, hallucinatory terrainAncient (save DC X): 1/day each: control weather, scryingGreat Wyrm (save DC X): 1/day: prismatic wallAncient Rainbow DragonGargantuan legendary dragonChallenge 28 (120,000 XP)AC 24 (natural armor)HP 507 (26d20+252; bloodied 253)Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 30 (+10) DEX 14 (+2) CON 29 (+9)INT 16 (+3) WIS 15 (+2) CHA 28 (+9)Proficiency +8Maneuver DC 26Saving Throws Dex +10, Con +17, Cha +17Skills Intimidation +17, Perception +11 (+1d6)Damage Resistances lightningDamage Immunities force, radiantCondition Immunities blindedSenses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 24Languages Common, Draconic, two othersIlluminated Chameleon. The dragon sheds bright light to 10 feet and dim light to a further 10 feet. It can use a bonus action to extinguish this light. It can also alter the color of its scales to appear as a single color (including metallic colors) or to form patterns and symbolsLegendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, some of its scales dull and turn a colorless gray. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 22 until it completes a long rest.Radiant Absorption. Whenever the dragon is subjected to radiant damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite attack, it can Spit Energy.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 32 (4d10+10) piercing damage plus 9 (2d8) damage. Each time this attack is made, roll a d6 to determine the damage type: 1—acid; 2—cold; 3—fire; 4—lightning; 5—poison; 6—radiant.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (4d8+10) slashing damage.Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d8+10) bludgeoning damage, and the dragon pushes the target 10 feet awayReflective Scales. The dragon flexes its scales, turning them into a multifaceted mirror that sends flashes of colored light bouncing across the area. A creature within 30 feet of the dragon must make a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature is incapacitated and its speed is reduced to 0 feet. The effect ends on a creature when it takes damage or when another creature uses an action to shake it out of its daze.Spit Energy. The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet, forcing it to make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one. Each time this attack is made, roll a d6 to determine the damage type: 1—acid; 2—cold; 3—fire; 4—lightning; 5—poison; 6—radiant.Rainbow Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of rainbow light in a 10-foot wide, 90-foot line. Each creature in that area must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 45 (8d10) force damage and 45 (8d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. This damage ignores resistance to radiant damage and a creature that is immune to radiant damage takes half damage instead. Additionally, a creature that is vulnerable to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage takes an additional 22 (4d10) radiant damage. On a failed saving throw, a creature is also blinded for 10 minutes. It may make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.Bonus ActionsImperious Command (3/Day). The dragon threatens a creature into obedience, its snarl laced with terrifying subsonic harmonies. The chooses one frightened creatures it can see and that can hear the dragon. That creature must make a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. If the dragon commands the target to take an action that would harm itself or an ally, and also at the end of each of the target’s turns, the target can make a new saving throw, ending the effect on a success. The charm also ends when the frightened condition ends.ReactionsTail Attack. When a creature the dragon can see within 10 feet hits the dragon with a melee attack, the dragon makes a tail attack against it.Legendary ActionsThe dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.Reflective Scales. The dragon uses its Reflective Scales action.Roar. Each creature of the dragon’s choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 26 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. When it succeeds on a saving throw or the effect ends for it, it is immune to Roar for 24 hours.Wing Attack. The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet makes a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it is pushed 10 feet away and knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its fly speedVariant: Rainbow Dragon Variant: Rainbow Great WyrmThe dragon is an elite monster, equivalent to two CR 28 monsters (240,000 XP). It has 1,014 (52d20+468; bloodied 507) hit points and the following trait:Rainbow Burst. When the dragon is first bloodied, it immediately recharges its breath weapon, if it’s not already available, and brilliant light explodes from it. Each creature within 20 feet of the dragon must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature with resistance to radiant damage loses it, and a creature without resistance or immunity to radiant damage becomes vulnerable to radiant damage instead and is blinded. Either effect lasts until the start of the creature’s next turn. Additionally, until the end of the dragon’s next turn, spells from the prismatic, radiant, and shadow schools of magic don’t work or end, if they are already in effect, and spell slots use to cast these spells are lost, and a creature that is already blinded has disadvantage on saving throws to end that condition until it completes a short or long rest.The dragon has the following additional legendary actions, which it can only use while bloodied:Elite Recovery. The dragon ends one negative effect currently affecting it. It can do so as long as it has at least 1 hit point, even while unconscious or incapacitated.Mortal Terror (Gaze). A creature within 120 feet makes a saving throw against Roar, even if it has already successfully saved within the past 24 hours.Gather The Light (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon recharges its breath weapon.Unweave The Rainbow (Costs 3 Actions). The dragon exhales a beam of colored light at a creature it can see within 90 feet. The creature is affected as if caught in the dragon’s breath weapon, rolling the save as usual, but the damage type varies: 1—red, fire; 2—orange, acid; 3—yellow, lightning; 4—green, poison; 5—blue, cold; 6—violet, thunder.*Adult Rainbow DragonHuge legendary dragonChallenge 23 (50,000 XP)AC 22 (natural armor)HP 324 (24d12+168; bloodied 162)Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 26 (+8) DEX 14 (+2) CON 25 (+7)INT 14 (+2) WIS 13 (+1) CHA 24 (+7)Proficiency +7Maneuver DC 23Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +14, Cha +14Skills Intimidation +14, Perception +8 (+1d6)Damage Resistances lightningDamage Immunities force, radiantCondition Immunities blindedSenses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 21Languages Common, Draconic, one otherIlluminated Chameleon. The dragon sheds bright light to 10 feet and dim light to a further 10 feet. It can use a bonus action to extinguish this light. It can also alter the color of its scales to appear as a single color (including metallic colors) or to form patterns and symbolsLegendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, some of its scales dull and turn a colorless gray. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 20 until it completes a long rest.Radiant Absorption. Whenever the dragon is subjected to radiant damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite attack, it can Spit Energy.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (3d10+8) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) damage. Each time this attack is made, roll a d6 to determine the damage type: 1—acid; 2—cold; 3—fire; 4—lightning; 5—poison; 6—radiant.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8+8) slashing damage.Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +15 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d8+8) bludgeoning damage, and the dragon pushes the target 10 feet awayReflective Scales. The dragon flexes its scales, turning them into a multifaceted mirror that sends flashes of colored light bouncing across the area. A creature within 30 feet of the dragon must make a DC 22 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature is incapacitated and its speed is reduced to 0 feet. The effect ends on a creature when it takes damage or when another creature uses an action to shake it out of its daze.Spit Energy. The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet, forcing it to make a DC 25 Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 22 (4d10) damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one. Each time this attack is made, roll a d6 to determine the damage type: 1—acid; 2—cold; 3—fire; 4—lightning; 5—poison; 6—radiant.Rainbow Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of rainbow light in a 5-foot wide, 60-foot line. Each creature in that area must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 33 (6d10) force damage and 33 (6d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. This damage ignores resistance to radiant damage and a creature that is immune to radiant damage takes half damage instead. Additionally, a creature that is vulnerable to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage takes an additional 16 (3d10) radiant damage. On a failed saving throw, a creature is also blinded for 1 minute. It may make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.Bonus ActionsImperious Command (3/Day). The dragon threatens a creature into obedience, its snarl laced with terrifying subsonic harmonies. The chooses one frightened creatures it can see and that can hear the dragon. That creature must make a DC 23 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. If the dragon commands the target to take an action that would harm itself or an ally, and also at the end of each of the target’s turns, the target can make a new saving throw, ending the effect on a success. The charm also ends when the frightened condition ends.ReactionsTail Attack. When a creature the dragon can see within 10 feet hits the dragon with a melee attack, the dragon makes a tail attack against it.Legendary ActionsThe dragon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.Reflective Scales. The dragon uses its Reflective Scales action.Roar. Each creature of the dragon’s choice within 120 feet that can hear it makes a DC 23 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. When it succeeds on a saving throw or the effect ends for it, it is immune to Roar for 24 hours.Wing Attack. The dragon beats its wings. Each creature within 15 feet makes a DC 23 Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, it is pushed 10 feet away and knocked prone. The dragon can then fly up to half its fly speed*Young Rainbow DragonLarge dragonChallenge 12 (8,400 XP)AC 20 (natural armor)HP 189 (18d10+90; bloodied 94)Speed 40 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 22 (+6) DEX 14 (+2) CON 21 (+5)INT 12 (+1) WIS 12 (+1) CHA 20 (+5)Proficiency +4Maneuver DC 18Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +9, Cha +9Skills Intimidation +9, Perception +5 (+1d6)Damage Resistances lightningDamage Immunities force, radiantCondition Immunities blindedSenses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18Languages Common, DraconicIlluminated Chameleon. The dragon sheds bright light to 5 feet and dim light to a further 5 feet. It can use a bonus action to extinguish this light. It can also alter the color of its scales to appear as a single color (including metallic colors) or to form patterns and symbolsRadiant Absorption. Whenever the dragon is subjected to radiant damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks once with its bite and twice with its claws.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d10+6) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) damage. Each time this attack is made, roll a d6 to determine the damage type: 1—acid; 2—cold; 3—fire; 4—lightning; 5—poison; 6—radiant.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8+6) slashing damage.Reflective Scales. The dragon flexes its scales, turning them into a multifaceted mirror that sends flashes of colored light bouncing across the area. A creature within 15 feet of the dragon must make a DC 17 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature is incapacitated and its speed is reduced to 0 feet. The effect ends on a creature when it takes damage or when another creature uses an action to shake it out of its daze.Rainbow Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of rainbow light in a 5-foot wide, 60-foot line. Each creature in that area must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) force damage and 22 (4d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. This damage ignores resistance to radiant damage and a creature that is immune to radiant damage takes half damage instead. Additionally, a creature that is vulnerable to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage takes an additional 16 (3d10) radiant damage. On a failed saving throw, a creature is also blinded for 1 minute. It may make a new saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.*Rainbow Dragon WyrmlingMedium dragonChallenge 4 (1,100 XP)AC 17 (natural armor)HP 76 (9d8+36; bloodied 38)Speed 30 ft., fly 60 ft.STR 19 (+4) DEX 14 (+2) CON 18 (+4)INT 10 (+0) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 16 (+3)Proficiency +2Maneuver DC 14Saving Throws Dex +4, Con +6, Cha +5Skills Intimidation +5, Perception +2Damage Resistances lightningDamage Immunities force, radiantCondition Immunities blindedSenses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages DraconicIlluminated Chameleon. The dragon sheds bright light to 5 feet and dim light to a further 5 feet. It can use a bonus action to extinguish this light. It can also alter the color of its scales to appear as a single color (including metallic colors) or to form patterns and symbolsRadiant Absorption. Whenever the dragon is subjected to radiant damage, it takes no damage and instead regains a number of hit points equal to the radiant damage dealt.ActionsBite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d10+4) piercing damage plus 4 (1d8) damage.Reflective Scales. The dragon flexes its scales, turning them into a multifaceted mirror that sends flashes of colored light bouncing across the area. A creature within 10 feet of the dragon must make a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by the dragon for 1 minute. While charmed, the creature is incapacitated and its speed is reduced to 0 feet. The effect ends on a creature when it takes damage or when another creature uses an action to shake it out of its daze.Rainbow Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of rainbow light in a 5-foot wide, 30-foot line. Each creature in that area must make a DC 14 Constitution saving throw, taking 11 (2d10) force damage and 11 (2d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. This damage ignores resistance to radiant damage and a creature that is immune to radiant damage takes half damage instead. Additionally, a creature that is vulnerable to acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison damage takes an additional 11 (2d10) radiant damage. On a failed saving throw, a creature is also blinded until the end of its next turn.</blockquote>

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