Converting True Dragons

[Mortis]

Maybe we could have it do all five energy types in equal amounts (like the rainbow blast spell from Spell Compendium)?

That works for me.

Color spray and rainbow pattern seem like no-brainers for SLAs.

It would look that way.

As far as its power level goes, its HD place it between the white and black...hardly "one of the most powerful evil dragons". I'm alright with leaning more heavily towards that statement, though, and giving it a bit of a boost, maybe on par with the red, but not exceeding it. Otherwise, we're moving closer to epic territory again.

No problem with 'upping it a bit'

I do like the idea of it being a bit of an "ultimate chromatic dragon" as suggested, and focusing on all colors at once. If nothing else, it could be "the most versatile chromatic dragon". Since it is neutral evil, it could also act as a mediator between the various species on Tiamat's behalf.

One way to up it's power level (at least defensively) would be to give it a universal energy resistance power with perhaps universal immunity at the wyrm or great wyrm age category.

Regards
Mortis

 

[GrayLinnorm]

[As far as its power level goes, its HD place it between the white and black...hardly "one of the most powerful evil dragons". I'm alright with leaning more heavily towards that statement, though, and giving it a bit of a boost, maybe on par with the red, but not exceeding it. Otherwise, we're moving closer to epic territory again.]

This is a 1st edition dragon. In 1e, the red dragon had 9-11 HD, and the gold had 10-12 HD, the same as what the rainbow dragon has.

 

[JiCi]

For the breath weapon, I'd like to avoid a prismatic spray style weapon. I'd prefer if this guy didn't end up as the "prismatic dragon lite". I'm not opposed to adding a second breath weapon, though. Maybe we could have it do all five energy types in equal amounts (like the rainbow blast spell from Spell Compendium)?

Sounds good to me, yet it could add a secondary effect to light-sensitive creatures.

 

[Shade]

This is a 1st edition dragon. In 1e, the red dragon had 9-11 HD, and the gold had 10-12 HD, the same as what the rainbow dragon has.

D'oh! Sure 'nuff. We can most certainly follow the red or gold progression, then.

 

[Shade]

OK, comparing some of the stats to 1E red and gold dragons...

ARMOR CLASS: -2 (same as gold)
MOVE: 9"/24" (MC: E) (same as red)
HIT DICE: 10-12 (same as gold)
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-B/1-8/3-30 (same as red)
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard (same as red)
INTELLIGENCE: Exceptional (same as red)
SIZE: L (50' long) (2' longer than red, 4' shorter than gold)

So, shall we follow the gold's HD progression and AC, and the red's size progression, speed, Str, and Int?

 

[JiCi]

You got it.

Oh, and for skills, I suggest Appraise, Bluff and Intimidate for class skills.

Suggestions for spell-like abilities: color spray, rainbow pattern, lucent lance (sounds good), light, daylight

 

[freyar]

Following gold and red seems about right to me. Also, rather than the business about learning spells per age category, perhaps we should follow gold or red caster level progression as usual.

For the breath weapon, I wouldn't make it a ranged touch attack and allow a reflex save. Perhaps the reflex save but a note that it affects only one target? Or make it a ranged touch attack (which I think should automatically only affect one target). If we make a second breath weapon, maybe we should make it something a little more traditional, affecting multiple targets. I'd go for a cone, myself.

I like the universal energy resistance idea.

 

[Shade]

Following gold and red seems about right to me. Also, rather than the business about learning spells per age category, perhaps we should follow gold or red caster level progression as usual.

Good idea.

For the breath weapon, I wouldn't make it a ranged touch attack and allow a reflex save. Perhaps the reflex save but a note that it affects only one target? Or make it a ranged touch attack (which I think should automatically only affect one target). If we make a second breath weapon, maybe we should make it something a little more traditional, affecting multiple targets. I'd go for a cone, myself.

For the first, I think it should remain a line, as the original text seemed to imply. Cone sounds good for second.

I like the universal energy resistance idea.

Me too.

 

[Shade]

OK, gathering up what we've got so far...

HD progression - as gold dragon
AC progression - as gold dragon
Size progression - as red dragon
Speed - as red dragon
Ability scores - as red dragon (we can modify as we wish)

The rainbow dragon is one of the most powerful of all evil-dragons. It is also the most beautiful, its hide displaying an everchanging display of iridescent hues of all colors. When the dragon is in bright desert light, this dazzling play of colors gleams so brightly that it is painful to the eyes, causing any attackers to attack at -2 to hit, or -4 in addition to penalties for fighting in the light if the attackers (like orcs or drow) are not accustomed to direct sunlight.

JiCi suggested this...

How about an ability like this:
Reflecting Scales (Ex): A rainbow dragon's scales are shiny enought to reflect light around it. Any creature within 5 feet + 10 feet per age category of the dragon must make a Reflex at their turn of be dazzled until your next turn; a successful save negates the dazzle condition. Creatures sensitive to light are blinded instead of dazzled, and a successful save makes them dazzled. Furthermore, they take a -4 penalty to the save.

The rainbow dragon usually fights with a claw/claw/bite routine. Five times per day, it can use its breath weapon of pure energy, which looks like a rainbow-hued blast of light. This weapon does damage equal to the dragon's hit points, but affects only one target per attack. The breath weapon is a 5'-wide beam of energy that extends for 100'. So bright is this light that if the dragon attacks at night, everyone within 100' of the beam must save vs. spells or be blinded for 1-4 rounds.

I'd like to avoid the single-target and stick to the more traditional line for this breath weapon. I agree with this dealing untyped hp damage. Should the blinding effect be limited to darkness, or also shadowy illumination?

For the secondary breath weapon, is everyone OK with a cone dealing multiple energy types? Should we leave off sonic, since it isn't associated with other chromatic dragons or prismatic spells, or include it like the rainbow blast spell?

In addition to-this, all rainbow dragons are capable of spell use. Very young and young stages of growth allow the rainbow dragon to acquire one first-level spell at each stage; at subadult and young-adult stages each, it may acquire a second-level spell. A third-level spell is gained at both the adult and old stages, and a fourth-level spell at both the very old and ancient stages. All rainbow dragons can speak and enjoy negotiating for ever-larger tributes and payoffs from cities that wish to keep such dragons from attacking them.

Following gold and red seems about right to me. Also, rather than the business about learning spells per age category, perhaps we should follow gold or red caster level progression as usual.

I like freyar's suggestion. Anyone opposed?

Rainbow dragons aggressively patrol their territories (especially in daytime) and prefer to attack when the sun is out so as to take advantage of their light-enhancing defenses. Rainbow dragons prefer brightly lit desert and plains regions, making their lairs in old ruins or caverns.

This all looks like flavor text.

The blood of these beasts can be used as ingredients in scroll ink for the spells color spray, prismatic sphere, prismatic spray, and prismatic wall. A bit of bone from a rainbow dragon is said to tip the best wands of conjuration.

We can add a little section on this.

Attacks based on elemental sources (earth, air, fire, and water) affect the rainbow dragon normally. Electrical attacks are taken with a - 1 hp/HD penalty to damage, which is helpful if the rainbow dragon fights a blue dragon for the same territory.

We've got several votes for the universal energy resistance suggestion. Anyone disagree? If we use it, should we leave off sonic, so it keeps a vulnerability? Do we want to set the resistance equal to age category (1 for wyrmling, 12 for great wyrm) or have it go up in increments of 5 like DR?

Oh, and for skills, I suggest Appraise, Bluff and Intimidate for class skills.

Intimidate is always a class skill for dragons. The other two sound good. Suggestions for the third?

For spell-like abilities: color spray, rainbow pattern, a few of the lesser prismatic spells?

 

[Shade]

Since we're done with the pink dragon, when is it going to be posted?

1 minute ago.

I'll post the paper after giving folks another day or two to look it over.