Converting True Dragons

[Khisanth the Ancient]

Yes, it would limit them to 6th-level spells. What about this way:

Spell Consumption (Su) : The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a spell-like ability once.

 

[Shade]

That could work. I'd like to use this ability in addition to the spell burping breath weapon. I picture the breath weapon being for offensive spells, while the consume spell being used for beneficial spells it casts on itself. Thoughts?

 

[freyar]

Then the paper dragon could effectively story two spells, one offensive and one defensive? Sounds ok. One problem with tying the spell level to the caster level, though, is that we would be denying the lowest couple of age categories a breath weapon, essentially. Unless we use a nonstandard caster level progression. What kind of CR level are we aiming for with these, anyway? Like a brass dragon?

 

[Shade]

Looking at the HD, these things are impossibly weak for the assumed juvenile age category. I propose we set their HD progression like the pink's. Thoughts?

 

[freyar]

Sure, let's set the HD progression like the pink's, and why not the caster level, also?

 

[RavinRay]

I think the CR rating might be even comparable to a white. HD on par with pink is fine with me.

 

[freyar]

Time to think about a stat block?

Spell Consumption (Su) : The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a spell-like ability once.

So we wanted to modify this to

Spell Consumption (Su) : The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a spell-like ability once at a range of personal.

Spell Regurgitation (Su): The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a breath weapon. Regardless of the original spell's range and target description, the breath weapon affects all creatures within a cone of size xx. Saving throws against the spell's effect are determined by the spell's level and the paper dragon's caster level.

Those can probably be cleaned up a little.

I've also suggested

Flatten (Su): At will, a paper dragon can assume a two-dimensional form as a free action. In this form, the paper dragon gains a +20 racial bonus to Disguise checks to appear as a sketch of a dragon. Also, in two dimensional form, the dragon may not make claw, bite, or tail sting attacks. The dragon may remain in two-dimensional form until it chooses to revert to its natural three-dimensional form.

And we wanted DR x/slashing, vulnerability to fire, and keen claw attacks.

 

[Shade]

Time to think about a stat block?

I hope to get one up today.

So we wanted to modify this to

Spell Consumption (Su) : The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a spell-like ability once at a range of personal.

Spell Regurgitation (Su): The paper dragon can consume a spell scroll as a standard action. If the spell on the scroll was one that could be cast by a sorcerer of the dragon's caster level, it may use that spell as a breath weapon. Regardless of the original spell's range and target description, the breath weapon affects all creatures within a cone of size xx. Saving throws against the spell's effect are determined by the spell's level and the paper dragon's caster level.

Lookin' good. Since the cone size changes based on a true dragon's size, we can simply state "cone".

I like the flatten power as well.

Noted the DR x/slashing, vulnerability to fire, and keen claw attacks.

 

[Shade]

OK, I've got some preliminary stats posted in Homebrews.

Note that most of the stats are directly copied from the pink dragon. Since we agreed to follow its HD progression, we can modify from there.

We discussed it having a high Dex to account for AC rather than natural. Should we just give it a Dex bonus equal to the pink's natural armor modifier at each category, then assign a Dex score to grant that bonus?

 

[Echohawk]

Marsh Dragon

Over on this thread Shade requested that I post the stats for the Marsh Dragon from issue #15 of Imagine magazine. Here goes:

MARSH DRAGON (Draco Fatalus Plagues)

FREQUENCY: Very rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOUR CLASS: 3
MOVE: 6"/18"//9"
HIT DICE: 5-7
% IN LAIR: 50%
TREASURE TYPE: E,P,T
# ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3/1-3/2-24
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon + spit
SPECIAL DEFENCES: Immunity to all diseases
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Average to genius
ALIGNMENT: Neutral Evil
SIZE: L (25 feet long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defence modes: Nil
CHANCE OF: Speaking: 10%; Magic use: 95% (if the dragon can speak); Sleeping: 70%.
LEVEL/xp VALUE: III and up/Variable

Marsh dragons favour fetid habitats such as swamps or dank subterranean lairs. They are thoroughly evil and take great pleasure in causing mayhem, especially to any nearby human or demi-human populace. Like all dragons they are highly avaricious. It is believed that they are the result of a union between Tiamat and Anthraxus.

These creatures prefer a solitary existence, therefore an encounter with such a dragon is 75% likely to be with a single individual. This reclusive behaviour results in the deterioration of their ability to speak. Only a few still practise the art and the majority of these as a result of their preoccupation with magic. Such dragons that are able to employ spells can utilize a maximum of 8 spells. Their acquisition over the course of the dragon's life is as follows:

Very young: 1st level spell
Young: 2nd level spell
Sub-adult: 3rd level spell
Young adult: 1st level spell
Adult: 2nd level spell
Old: 3rd level spell
Very old: 4th level spell
Ancient: 5th level spell

The dragon's breath weapon is of a specialized form; it breathes forth a yellowish cloud some 5" long, 4" wide and 2" high, which is riddled with pestilence. A save vs. Breath is allowed with the following modifications due to the victim's constitution rating:

3-5 -2
6-9 -1
10-12 0
13-15 +1
16 +2
17 +3
18 +4

Failure indicates that the victim has contracted a disease (determine randomly). The affliction will always be acute in terms of occurrence, with its severity being equal to the dragon's age category (1-8). To be cured of the disease requires the intervention of a cleric 4 levels above the age category of the dragon. This immediate contraction of a disease (through a massive onslaught of thousands of pathogens in the victim's body) means damage will accrue, depending upon the severity of the disease. A mild form will cause 1/4 of the dragon's total hit points in damage, severe will result in 1/2 of the dragon's total hit points in damage, while a terminal form will have the victim suffering the full total of the dragon's hit points in damage. Of course, if a save is made then only half of the damage will be suffered.

In addition to the draconian monster's breath weapon (usable twice per day), it can spit once per day (must roll to hit) against a single target at a maximum range of 6". As well as being a mild acid (1 point of damage per age category, half if a save vs. Poison is made), the spittle will result in a parasitic infection (no save due to its extreme virulence). The actual type of infection is randomly determined although - as with the breath weapon the severity is determined by the age of the dragon.

If the marsh dragon is forced into physical combat it will attack with two webbed fore-claws and a vicious bite.

Description: These reptiles are yellow in colour, although this can vary between localities, producing a range from orangeyellow to greenish-yellow. Its basic physical appearance is that of a somewhat squat dragon with a thick powerful tail, webbed claws and short stumpy, but powerful wings. Unlike most dragons, its hide is not covered in horny projections, but has more of a warty complexion on a grand scale!

Due to their preference for swamps and its frequent behaviour of hiding (90%) in mud, when first encountered they often appear to be black in colour. In fact, among the other dragons they seem to tolerate black dragons, probably because of the latter's tendency towards neutral evil and choice of habitat.

Mark Davies

IMAGINE magazine, June 1984

(Note that although it appears in a magazine published by TSR UK, the Marsh Dragon it is labeled as "New Monster (unofficial)". This was standard practice for the first part of the magazine's run, although eventually the "unofficial" label was dropped from new creatures.)