Shade
Monster Junkie
Do you think this one is finished, or do we need to modify it to better fit that niche?
-
NOW LIVE! Into the Woods--new character species, eerie monsters, and haunting villains to populate the woodlands of your D&D games.
Converting True Dragons
- Thread starter Shade
- Start date
- Status
Do you think this one is finished, or do we need to modify it to better fit that niche?
Shade
Monster Junkie
Dragon, Beljuril
Climate/Terrain: Volcanically active regions
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Solitary or clan
Activity Cycle: Any
DIET: Special
INTELLIGENCE: Genius (17-18)
TREASURE: Special
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: Variable
MOVEMENT: 12, fly 30 ©, swim 18
HIT DICE: Variable (12 base)
THACO: Variable
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ ATTACK: Variable
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon, spells
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to fire and heat
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Variable
SIZE: Variable
MORALE: Fanatic (17-18)
XP VALLUE: Variable
The beljuril dragon is a remnant from a time when oceans of magma lapped against the shores of young continents. A hatchling is dark gray but slowly develops the coloration of a lava lake: gray or black plates interspersed with bright red and yellow outlines. An older dragon gradually loses this pattern of colors and develops dark gray and violet scales streaked with incandescent blue and green.
Beljuril dragons speak their own language and that of one type of creature living nearby. (Usually they have few neighbors.) Adults are 50% likely to speak the language common to all gem dragons. Hatchling beljurils have a 5% chance of being able to communicate with any intelligent creature. This chance increases by 5% per age category.
Combat: Since they live in such isolated places, young beljuril dragons are curious about creatures that they have never seen before. They rarely initiate combat, and their harsh environment usually protects them from any threats. One of the only times older dragons seek conflict is when seeking a new home in seismically active territory. Beljuril dragons are immune to heat-based attacks.
Breath Weapon/Special Abilities: Beljuril dragons have two breath weapons. One is a burst of energy, which discharges as a beautiful green, violet, or blue lozenge with sparkles of flashing light. This blast absorbs heat, light, and vibratory energy at random and releases 25 SFPs. The charge is silent, cold, and generates a powerful electrical discharge. The blast sometimes (10% chance) produces 1d6 fist-sized beljuril gems worth 5,000 gp, base value. The dragons can use their breath weapon only in a seismically active environment. Their other breath weapon is a gout of magma. (Occasionally, this magma is of an unusual quality, with game effects different from that given for lava). Like other gem dragons, beljurils have psionic ability.
Psionics Summary:
Level = HD, Dis 2/Sci 2/Dev 3, Attack PsC/Defense TW, Score=Int, PSPs 200
Common Powers
Psychokinesis—Sciences: Molecular rearrangement, telekinesis. Devotions: Control flames, control wind, inertial barrier, molecular agitation, molecular manipulation.
Psychometabolism—Sciences: Energy containment, metamorphosis. Devotions: Cell adjustment, chemical stimulation, lend health, suspend animation.
Habitat/Society: The beljuril dragon inhabits lava lakes formed at the summit of a volcano by an eruption. This is an awesome environment where curtains of fire and fire fountains periodically appear. The lava flowing in these lakes is smooth and sinuous. The surface cools into a dark skin, which is torn and cracked by the currents, and by the movements of beljuril dragons. The dragons rarely leave their lakes, except when a new eruption is imminent. At this time, the dragons take flight, seeking out new lakes or other large concentrations of lava. The beljuril dragon lair is a complex consisting of the lava lake and the surrounding caves and mountain structures nearby.
Great treasures can be found in beljuril dragon lairs. However, any precious metals or gems are usually found in a raw state. Beljuril dragons swim among rare ores carried into the lava lakes from deep within the earth (type and value may be determined by the DM). The lakes are also 50% likely to contain liquid silver and copper (worth 1,000-8,000 cp and sp respectively); the problem, of course, is extracting and cooling it. Gold deposits worth 1,000-10,000 can be found under and around the lava lakes, and there is an 80% chance of finding 1,000-10,000 gp worth of molten ornamental stone. The old rock around beljuril dragon lairs is studded with beljurils. (Most beljuril strikes are found in old beljuril dragon lairs that haven’t been used for generations.) See the dragon age category chart for the number of beljurils found at each life stage of the dragon. There is also a 60% chance of finding 1d100 other semi-precious gems such as quartzes, crystals, and rainbow obsidian. At age level 6 and above, beljuril dragos start to collect meteorites, or star metal. One of the few times that they travel away from seismic areas is to collect this material, which aids them in their spellcasting and their arcane rituals. The dragon age category chart lists the number of star metal pieces (at base value 10,000 gp) that the dragon has collected. There is a 10% chance of finding 1d6 magical items, but only those items that can withstand great heat are found at a beljuril dragon’s lair.
Ecology: Beljuril dragons derive sustenance from seismic energy, and they must stay in a seismically active environment to remain healthy. They don’t actually consume gems and minerals, but surround themselves with them by filtering the seismic energy need to survive through the crystalline structures of the stones. Beljuril dragons must remain in an area of at least 300 SFPs. IF the area is less active, the dragon suffers 1 point of damage for every 10 SFP under 300. If they reach less than 10 hit points, they fall into a deep slumber until they are moved or the seismic energy increases.
In the rare places where beljuril dragons live, they lay and bury their eggs deep in the earth. Each dragon is born at the same time as a new volcano. The hatchling must survive heat and pressure greater than experienced later in life, so it begins life with an unsually strong AC score. From youth to young adulthood, the beljuril dragon experiences growth spurts in which it sheds some of its protective scales, and its AC worsens. As it matures, the dragon regains its protection as new scales grow and harden.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #265 (1999).
*Note: SFP’s are Seismic Force Points, something unique to an alternate system presented in that article.
Climate/Terrain: Volcanically active regions
Frequency: Very rare
Organization: Solitary or clan
Activity Cycle: Any
DIET: Special
INTELLIGENCE: Genius (17-18)
TREASURE: Special
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic neutral
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOR CLASS: Variable
MOVEMENT: 12, fly 30 ©, swim 18
HIT DICE: Variable (12 base)
THACO: Variable
NO. OF ATTACKS: 3
DAMAGE/ ATTACK: Variable
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Breath weapon, spells
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Immune to fire and heat
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Variable
SIZE: Variable
MORALE: Fanatic (17-18)
XP VALLUE: Variable
The beljuril dragon is a remnant from a time when oceans of magma lapped against the shores of young continents. A hatchling is dark gray but slowly develops the coloration of a lava lake: gray or black plates interspersed with bright red and yellow outlines. An older dragon gradually loses this pattern of colors and develops dark gray and violet scales streaked with incandescent blue and green.
Beljuril dragons speak their own language and that of one type of creature living nearby. (Usually they have few neighbors.) Adults are 50% likely to speak the language common to all gem dragons. Hatchling beljurils have a 5% chance of being able to communicate with any intelligent creature. This chance increases by 5% per age category.
Combat: Since they live in such isolated places, young beljuril dragons are curious about creatures that they have never seen before. They rarely initiate combat, and their harsh environment usually protects them from any threats. One of the only times older dragons seek conflict is when seeking a new home in seismically active territory. Beljuril dragons are immune to heat-based attacks.
Breath Weapon/Special Abilities: Beljuril dragons have two breath weapons. One is a burst of energy, which discharges as a beautiful green, violet, or blue lozenge with sparkles of flashing light. This blast absorbs heat, light, and vibratory energy at random and releases 25 SFPs. The charge is silent, cold, and generates a powerful electrical discharge. The blast sometimes (10% chance) produces 1d6 fist-sized beljuril gems worth 5,000 gp, base value. The dragons can use their breath weapon only in a seismically active environment. Their other breath weapon is a gout of magma. (Occasionally, this magma is of an unusual quality, with game effects different from that given for lava). Like other gem dragons, beljurils have psionic ability.
Psionics Summary:
Level = HD, Dis 2/Sci 2/Dev 3, Attack PsC/Defense TW, Score=Int, PSPs 200
Common Powers
Psychokinesis—Sciences: Molecular rearrangement, telekinesis. Devotions: Control flames, control wind, inertial barrier, molecular agitation, molecular manipulation.
Psychometabolism—Sciences: Energy containment, metamorphosis. Devotions: Cell adjustment, chemical stimulation, lend health, suspend animation.
Habitat/Society: The beljuril dragon inhabits lava lakes formed at the summit of a volcano by an eruption. This is an awesome environment where curtains of fire and fire fountains periodically appear. The lava flowing in these lakes is smooth and sinuous. The surface cools into a dark skin, which is torn and cracked by the currents, and by the movements of beljuril dragons. The dragons rarely leave their lakes, except when a new eruption is imminent. At this time, the dragons take flight, seeking out new lakes or other large concentrations of lava. The beljuril dragon lair is a complex consisting of the lava lake and the surrounding caves and mountain structures nearby.
Great treasures can be found in beljuril dragon lairs. However, any precious metals or gems are usually found in a raw state. Beljuril dragons swim among rare ores carried into the lava lakes from deep within the earth (type and value may be determined by the DM). The lakes are also 50% likely to contain liquid silver and copper (worth 1,000-8,000 cp and sp respectively); the problem, of course, is extracting and cooling it. Gold deposits worth 1,000-10,000 can be found under and around the lava lakes, and there is an 80% chance of finding 1,000-10,000 gp worth of molten ornamental stone. The old rock around beljuril dragon lairs is studded with beljurils. (Most beljuril strikes are found in old beljuril dragon lairs that haven’t been used for generations.) See the dragon age category chart for the number of beljurils found at each life stage of the dragon. There is also a 60% chance of finding 1d100 other semi-precious gems such as quartzes, crystals, and rainbow obsidian. At age level 6 and above, beljuril dragos start to collect meteorites, or star metal. One of the few times that they travel away from seismic areas is to collect this material, which aids them in their spellcasting and their arcane rituals. The dragon age category chart lists the number of star metal pieces (at base value 10,000 gp) that the dragon has collected. There is a 10% chance of finding 1d6 magical items, but only those items that can withstand great heat are found at a beljuril dragon’s lair.
Ecology: Beljuril dragons derive sustenance from seismic energy, and they must stay in a seismically active environment to remain healthy. They don’t actually consume gems and minerals, but surround themselves with them by filtering the seismic energy need to survive through the crystalline structures of the stones. Beljuril dragons must remain in an area of at least 300 SFPs. IF the area is less active, the dragon suffers 1 point of damage for every 10 SFP under 300. If they reach less than 10 hit points, they fall into a deep slumber until they are moved or the seismic energy increases.
In the rare places where beljuril dragons live, they lay and bury their eggs deep in the earth. Each dragon is born at the same time as a new volcano. The hatchling must survive heat and pressure greater than experienced later in life, so it begins life with an unsually strong AC score. From youth to young adulthood, the beljuril dragon experiences growth spurts in which it sheds some of its protective scales, and its AC worsens. As it matures, the dragon regains its protection as new scales grow and harden.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #265 (1999).
*Note: SFP’s are Seismic Force Points, something unique to an alternate system presented in that article.
Attachments
Last edited:
Shade
Monster Junkie
Size is between emerald and sapphire.
Breath weapon progression does not seem to follow any other dragon’s pattern.
Spell resistance matches topaz.
Wizard spellcasting is closest to topaz or crystal.
AC resembles crystal beginning at age 4. Prior to that, it is nonstandard.
Psionic ability is closest to sapphire.
Breath weapon progression does not seem to follow any other dragon’s pattern.
Spell resistance matches topaz.
Wizard spellcasting is closest to topaz or crystal.
AC resembles crystal beginning at age 4. Prior to that, it is nonstandard.
Psionic ability is closest to sapphire.
RavinRay
Explorer
Oh joy! A psionic dragon! 
And named after a gem, no less. (Beljuril is a gemstone in the Forgotten Realms AFAIK.)
Since the 2e emerald and sapphire dragons are the 2nd and 3rd largest gem dragons, in the 3e hierarchy it would be between the amethyst and emerald. (Bruce really mixed up the gem dragon hierarchy from 2e to 3e.)
This breath weapon is unique, it shares some similarities with the amethyst dragon's explosive gem attack (or the 2e lozenge) that seems to transform some types of energy to another (there's a power we can refer to for that effect).
The wizard spellcasting levels (or psion levels if we're going to make this solely psionic) of the topaz and crystal were the two weakest in 2e, but now topaz is on par with emerald and sapphire while amethyst and crystal are weaker.
I think we can express SFP in 3e terms as non-lethal vibratory damage, like the non-lethal damage of the stomp power.
And named after a gem, no less. (Beljuril is a gemstone in the Forgotten Realms AFAIK.)Since the 2e emerald and sapphire dragons are the 2nd and 3rd largest gem dragons, in the 3e hierarchy it would be between the amethyst and emerald. (Bruce really mixed up the gem dragon hierarchy from 2e to 3e.)
This breath weapon is unique, it shares some similarities with the amethyst dragon's explosive gem attack (or the 2e lozenge) that seems to transform some types of energy to another (there's a power we can refer to for that effect).
The wizard spellcasting levels (or psion levels if we're going to make this solely psionic) of the topaz and crystal were the two weakest in 2e, but now topaz is on par with emerald and sapphire while amethyst and crystal are weaker.
I think we can express SFP in 3e terms as non-lethal vibratory damage, like the non-lethal damage of the stomp power.
Shade
Monster Junkie
Oh joy! A psionic dragon!
I had a feeling you'd be pleased.
It appears to be a true gem dragon, based on:
"Adults are 50% likely to speak the language common to all gem dragons."
"Like other gem dragons, beljurils have psionic ability."
Itneresting...he sure did!
The main purpose of the SFPs appears to be to buildup to eventual earthquakes/volcanic eruptions. I like your idea, though, and perhaps we could couple the nonlethal damage with a chance of a localized earthquake, maybe increasing with repeated use?
RavinRay
Explorer
This dragon really has a unique metabolism, it seems that it has something like energy adaptation that enables its draconis fundamentum to convert seismic vibratory energy into metabolic energy, however in game terms SFP really is. I wonder if it gains a boost in hp if caught in the effect of earthquake, stomp, earthbolt, and similar effects.
RavinRay
Explorer
Looking at the 3e amethyst and emerald dragons, they have identical size, hd, Str, and Con progressions, while amethyst has Dex 12 (really should be Dex 10 in 3.5) and emerald has Dex 10 througout. So the beljuril dragon ought to match them in these stats.
In 2e the topaz dragon spell resistance is 2nd weakest; in 3e it's the amethyst dragon with the 2nd weakest spell/power resistance.
At first I thought the AC values from hatchling to young might be typos and could be +3 +2 +1 progressively; then reading the fluff about its growth sequence, I understood why. This is somewhat reminiscent of the salamander's growth from larva to average to noble wherein its AC worsens right after it sheds its old skin and its scales are soft for a week, as written in the Ecology of the Salamander in Dragon #314.
In 2e the topaz dragon spell resistance is 2nd weakest; in 3e it's the amethyst dragon with the 2nd weakest spell/power resistance.
At first I thought the AC values from hatchling to young might be typos and could be +3 +2 +1 progressively; then reading the fluff about its growth sequence, I understood why. This is somewhat reminiscent of the salamander's growth from larva to average to noble wherein its AC worsens right after it sheds its old skin and its scales are soft for a week, as written in the Ecology of the Salamander in Dragon #314.
- Status
Similar Threads
