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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Faolyn" data-source="post: 8848099" data-attributes="member: 6915329">One thing I always liked about ferrous dragons is their variety of alignments. Or, well. Three of ‘em are evil, one is good, and one is neutral, but that’s a lot more variety than chromatic, metallic, or gem dragons have. So up next is the tungsten dragon, the goodest of the ferrous dragons. They are dedicated to stopping evildoers, no matter the cost, and are rather the exemplar of the ends justifying the means. I’d say Lawful Awful paladin, but in 2e they were Neutral Good, the goodest of alignments. They got changed to Lawful Good in 3e. It should be noted that they were in issue #356, which came out June of '07--less than two months before 4e was announced, so it's entirely possible that they fell victim to that edition's removal of alignments.Edit: All of this and I forgot the Lair Features. Grrr.[ATTACH=full]268712[/ATTACH]art by James ZhangTungsten Dragon (Ferrous Dragon)The Dragon's Bestiary, Dragon Magazine #170; and Ferrous Dragons, Dragon Magazine #356Created by Jason M. Walker, Kevin Baase, and Eric JansingTungsten dragons have dozens of small, spiky horns surrounding their heads and curled, frill-like scales going down the back of their necks, all the way to the tip of their barbed tails. Upon hatching, a tungsten dragon is deep forest-green, flecked with brown. As they age, the brown slowly pales into a lustrous, pale tan while the green takes on a matte finish. Unlike many other dragons, tungsten dragons prefer eating plants to meat, especially desert succulants.The Ends Justify The Means. Tungsten dragons are relentless in the pursuit of good, and they will use whatever means are available to defeat evil. After all, evil creatures stop at nothing in order to win, so good creatures must do the same if they hope to succeed. They won’t harm innocents, but beyond that will do anything they have to in order to destroy evil opponents.They make for excellent and loving parents, and make sure that their offspring have the proper views on goodness and evil. Upon reaching maturity, young tungstens often choose to remain with their parents and help them, especially if the local area has a very large number of evil creatures in it.Constant Patrols. These dragons live only in arid climates, such as deserts, dry steppes, and savannahs. While they prefer warm temperature to cool ones, what they really look for in a territory is dryness. They spend much of their time soaring through the skies, on the lookout for evildoers below. If they spot a person they don’t recognize—they usually have quite good memories for faces—they will either keep an eye on them for a while or simply land and demand to know what the traveler’s business is. If more than one tungsten dragon shares a territory, they team up and coordinate their efforts. They will also ally with humanoid guard patrols, provided those patrols meet the tungsten’s rigid morality requirements. Tungstens tend to not have permanent lairs and generally only keep enough treasure to satisfy the edge of their innate draconic lust for treasure and to pay for any help they need. Otherwise, they lead very austere lives.Holier Than Thou. Tungsten dragons are scrupulously honest and view lies as evil—even white lies are seen as a slippery slope, a good intention leading to Hell. They are unwilling to associate with creatures they view as being not good enough. While they sometimes will befriend brass dragons, they also tend to view those dragons as being boorish and not dedicated enough. In return, brass dragons tend to think that tungsten dragons don’t understand basic decency and kindness.Legends and LoreWith an Arcana or History check, the characters can learn the following:DC 10. Tungsten dragons live in deserts and wastelands, which they fly over in endless patrols.DC 15. These dragons can exhale burning sand in a powerful enough blast to strip the armor from its wearer. The most powerful of them can also breathe sand in a way that doesn’t burn but buries and immobilizes their target.DC 20. Self-proclaimed champions of goodness, tungsten dragons work endlessly to remove evil from their territories and bring evildoers to justice.Tungsten Dragon EncountersTerrain: badlands, deserts, grasslandsCR 3-4 tungsten dragon wyrmling with 3 or 4 dragonbound warriors.Treasure: 300 sp, 1, 600 cp, +1 ammunition, potion of heroismCR 5-10 young tungsten dragonTreasure: 60 pp, 200 gp, 3 topazes (500 gp each), marble bust of a famed hero (250 gp), potion of frost giant strength, scroll of zone of truthCR 11-16 young tungsten dragon with 1-2 guard squads, knights, or veteransTreasure: 230 pp, 800 gp, emerald necklace (1,500 gp), potion of climbing, 2 potions of greater healing, ring of resistanceCR 17-22 adult tungsten dragon; adult tungsten dragon with knightTreasure: 1,300 pp, 8,000 gp, peridot ring carved with a noble family crest (750 gp), arrow of slaying, candle of invocation, wand of enemy detectionCR 23-30 ancient tungsten dragon; adult tungsten dragon with young tungsten dragon; adult tungsten dragon with holy knightTreasure: 2000 pp, gold jewelry box (2,500 gp), deed to a nearby fort and details on its staff (2,500 gp), +2 ammunition, +3 padded cloth, fire charm, ioun stone of protection, CR 31+ great wyrm tungsten dragon; ancient tungsten dragon with deva and 1d4+1 soldier squads; adult tungsten dragon with knight captainTreasure: 16,000 pp, 10,000 gp, 1/10th-size platinum statue of the dragon (7,500 gp), ring of invisibility, scrolls of blade barrier and forcecage, 2 potions of supreme healing, sovereign glueSigns1. A wanted sign for a group of local bandits.2. A sandstorm.3. A pile of sand, unusually hot to the touch.4. Resident intelligent creatures speak well of their protector, but warn travelers about not breaking the rules.Behavior1-4. Flying overhead, patrolling.5. Approaches the party; demands to know their business in the area.6. Approaches the party; warns them of dangerous criminals in the area and requests their help in apprehending them.7. Approaches the party; informs them of their criminal actions and demands that they repent and surrender.8. In its lair, studying maps of the area.Tungsten 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. Creatures find it extremely difficult to keep secrets or lie while in the lair. Deception checks are made at disadvantage.2. Shifting sand covers the ground in the dragon’s lair. The area is difficult terrain, and whenever the dragon uses its Wing attack, it also causes a sandstorm, causing the area within 30 feet of the dragon to become heavily obscured until the start of its next turn. The sand doesn’t hinder the dragon’s vision.3. As a legendary action, the dragon can beat its tail against the ground, causing creatures in contact with the ground to be partially engulfed by the loose sand. A creature must make a Strength or Dexterity saving throw or be grappled by the sand.4. The dragon can use Burning Light to ignite piles of flammable material around the lair, creating up to three bonfires that are within 20 feet of each other. Each bonfire fills a 5-foot cube and burns for 1 minute. A creature in the bonfire’s area must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be burned, taking 10 (3d6) fire damage on a failed save or half as much on a successful one.NamesAscomaea, Duzan, Justice, Ulthmyn, WatcherVariant: Tungsten Dragon SpellcastersSome tungsten dragons develop the ability to innately cast spells. A tungsten dragon’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 13): 3/day each: create or destroy water, detect evil and good Adult (save DC 15): 3/day each: banishment, wall of stone Ancient (save DC 18): 1/day each: conjure celestial, plant growth Great Wyrm (save DC 18): 1/day: hallowAncient Tungsten DragonLegendary gargantuan dragonChallenge 26 (90,000 XP)AC 21 (natural armor)HP 448 (23d20+207; bloodied 224)Speed 40 ft., burrow 40 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 28 (+9) DEX 12 (+1) CON 28 (+9)INT 17 (+3) WIS 15 (+2) CHA 19 (+4)Proficiency +8Maneuver DC 25Saving Throws Dex +9, Con +18, Wis +10, Cha +12Skills History +11, Insight +12, Intimidation +12, Perception +10 (+1d6)Damage Resistances acid, radiantDamage Immunities fireSenses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception23Languages Common, Draconic, two othersLegendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, some of its scales corrode and flake off. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 19 until it finishes a long rest.Smell Metal. The dragon can locate by scent coins and ores within 1,000 feet.The Scent of Truth. The dragon knows if it hears a lie.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite, it can use Sandbind.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 31 (4d10+9) piercing damage.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d8+9) slashing damage.Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +17 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d8+9) bludgeoning damage.Sandbind. The dragon breathes sand at a creature that is Large or smaller what is within 90 feet of the dragon, burying that creature. It must make a DC 25 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the sand. While restrained, the creature can’t breathe. It can use its action to make a DC 20 Athletics check to dig its way out of the sand. A creature with a burrow speed can do this automatically, without the need for a check.Sandblast Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of burning sand in a 90-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 49 (11d8) fire damage and 49 (11d8) slashing damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. If a creature fails by 5 or more and is wearing nonmagical armor or a shield, then the creature’s armor is damaged by the blasting sand and takes a permanent and cumulative -1 to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 or more or shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed.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.Roar. Each creature of the dragon’s choice within 120 feet that can hear it must make a DC 20 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each 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 must make a DC 25 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.Demand Surrender. The dragon roars a demand that its foes drop their weapons. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 20 Wisdom saving throw or be forced to drop its weapons and fall prone. Whether the saving throw is a success or failure, an affected creature is immune to Demand Surrender for 24 hours.Burning Light (Costs 3 Actions). The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet. That creature must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) radiant damage on a failure or half damage on a success. On a failure, the creature is also blinded until the end of its next turn.Ancient Tungsten Dragon Variant: Tungsten Great WyrmThe tungsten great wyrm is an elite monster, equivalent to two CR 26 creatures (180,000 XP). It has 897 (46d20+414; bloodied 448) hit points. It has the following trait:Rejuvenating Flame (1/Day). When the dragon is first bloodied, it immediately recharges its breath weapon, if its not already available. After doing so, the dragon’s scales and eyes begins to burn with righteous light. Until the end of the dragon’s next turn, a creature that touches the dragon or hits it with a melee attack while within 10 feet of the dragon takes 10 (3d6) radiant damage.The dragon has the 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.Second Chance (Gaze). A creature within 120 feet makes a saving throw against Demand Surrender, even if it has already successfully saved within the past 24 hours.Righteousness (Costs 2 Actions). The dragon recharges its breath weapon.Immolate (Costs 3 Actions). The dragon spits a ball of golden fire at a creature it can see within 90 feet. The creature is affected as if caught in the dragon’s breath weapon, rolling to save as usual. Instead of slashing damage, the creature takes radiant damage.*Adult Tungsten DragonLegendary huge dragonChallenge 19 (22,000 XP)AC 19 (natural armor)HP 297 (22d12+154; bloodied 224)Speed 40 ft., burrow 30 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 24 (+7) DEX 12 (+1) CON 24 (+7)INT 15 (+2) WIS 13 (+1) CHA 17 (+3)Proficiency +7Maneuver DC 20Saving Throws Dex +7, Con +13, Wis +7, Cha +9Skills History +8, Insight +7, Intimidation +9, Perception +7 (+1d6)Damage Resistances acid, radiantDamage Immunities fireSenses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 20Languages Common, Draconic, two othersLegendary Resistance (3/Day). If the dragon fails a saving throw, it can choose to succeed instead. When it does so, some of its scales corrode and flake off. If it has no more uses of this ability, its Armor Class is reduced to 17 until it finishes a long rest.Smell Metal. The dragon can locate by scent coins and ores within 1,000 feet.The Scent of Truth. The dragon knows if it hears a lie.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks with its bite and twice with its claws. In place of its bite, it can use Sandbind.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d10+7) piercing damage.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d8+7) slashing damage.Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d8+7) bludgeoning damage.Sandbind. The dragon breathes sand at a creature that is Medium or smaller what is within 60 feet of the dragon, burying that creature. It must make a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be restrained by the sand. While restrained, the creature can’t breathe. It can use its action to make a DC 20 Athletics check to dig its way out of the sand. A creature with a burrow speed can do this automatically, without the need for a check.Sandblast Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of burning sand in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make DC 20 Constitution saving throw, taking 40 (9d8) fire damage and 40 (9d8) slashing damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. If a creature fails by 5 or more and is wearing nonmagical armor or a shield, then the creature’s armor is damaged by the blasting sand and takes a permanent and cumulative -1 to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 or more or shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed.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.Roar. Each creature of the dragon’s choice within 120 feet that can hear it must make a DC 18 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, it is frightened for 1 minute. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each 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 must make a DC 20 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.Demand Surrender. The dragon roars a demand that its foes drop their weapons. Each creature within 30 feet must make a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be forced to drop its weapons and fall prone. Whether the saving throw is a success or failure, an affected creature is immune to Demand Surrender for 24 hours.Burning Light (Costs 3 Actions). The dragon targets a creature within 60 feet. That creature must make a DC 25 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) radiant damage on a failure or half damage on a success. On a failure, the creature is also blinded until the end of its next turn.*Young Tungsten DragonLarge dragonChallenge 10 (5,900 XP)AC 18 (natural armor)HP 168 (16d10+80; bloodied 84)Speed 40 ft., burrow 20 ft., fly 80 ft.STR 21 (+5) DEX 12 (+1) CON 20 (+5)INT 13 (+1) WIS 11 (+0) CHA 15 (+2)Proficiency +4Maneuver DC 17Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +9, Wis +4, Cha +6Skills History +5, Insight +4, Intimidation +6, Perception +5 (+1d6)Damage Resistances acid, radiantDamage Immunities fireSenses blindsight 30 ft., darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 18Languages Common, DraconicSmell Metal. The dragon can locate by scent coins and ores within 500 feet.The Scent of Truth. The dragon knows if it hears a lie.ActionsMultiattack. The dragon attacks with its bite and twice with its claws.Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d10+7) piercing damage.Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (2d8+7) slashing damage.Sandblast Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of burning sand in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make DC 17 Constitution saving throw, taking 27 (6d8) fire damage and 27 (6d8) slashing damage on a failed save or half damage on a success. If a creature fails by 5 or more and is wearing nonmagical armor or a shield, then the creature’s armor is damaged by the blasting sand and takes a permanent and cumulative -1 to the AC it offers. Armor reduced to an AC of 10 or more or shield that drops to a +0 bonus is destroyed.*Tungsten Dragon WyrmlingMedium dragonChallenge 3 (750 XP)AC 16 (natural armor)HP 67 (9d8+27; bloodied 33)Speed 30 ft., burrow 15 ft., fly 60 ft.STR 17 (+3) DEX 12 (+1) CON 16 (+3)INT 12 (+1) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 13 (+1)Proficiency +2Maneuver DC 13Saving Throws Dex +3, Con +5, Wis +2, Cha +3Skills Insight +2, Intimidation +3, Perception +2Damage Resistances acid, radiantDamage Immunities fireSenses blindsight 10 ft., darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 12Languages DraconicSmell Metal. The dragon can locate by scent coins and ores within 100 feet.ActionsBite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d10+3) piercing damage.Sandblast Breath (Recharge 5-6). The dragon exhales a blast of burning sand in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make DC 13 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) fire damage and 9 (2d8) slashing damage on a failed save or half damage on a success.</blockquote>

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