Converting True Dragons

[Melatuis]

Hmmm...as long as the gap between CR and caster level isn't too great, we may be OK.

Still, looking at other true dragons at 12 HD or less, the caster level is usually 1st. That's an enormous difference.

I think I'd be more comfortable if we either reduced the caster level progression, doubled the HD at each age category, or just stuck with a robust spell-like ability progression.

The more I think about it, I think I prefer the last option, as it is closest to the original flavor, and keeps them realistic at HD for their sizes.

For what it is worth I like the robust spell-like ability progression.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Shade]

So robust SLAs, with the caster level dialed back a bit?

 

[freyar]

Yeah, I think that sounds right.

 

[RavinRay]

Here's a left of center suggestion. The original article says that these familiar drakes are relate to the faerie dragon, which is a true dragon with the same age categories. Now in 3.5e if the CC faerie dragon is still a true dragon that ages at the same rate as the others, should these drakes do so as well? I'm wrapping my head around the thought that a familiar drake outlives its humanoid master by centuries. So, would it be feasible to give them the same ageing rate as the rattelyr, which ages five times as faster as other true dragons? (Divide the upper year limit for each age category by 5 to get the revised upper limit). Just an idea.

 

[freyar]

Faerie dragons are not true dragons, actually. But I could see the faster age progression.

 

[Shade]

I like that idea alot!

 

[Shade]

Let's work on the SLAs. Here are the default ones for each color...

Table 7
Faerie Drakes' Innate Defenses
Wing markings / Special powers / Duration or level of abilities
Black Obscurement, 3 X /day As per druid spell at 5th level of ability
Blue Blink, 3 X /day As per mage spell at 5th level of ability
Brass Mirror image, 3 X /day As per mage spell at 5th level of ability
Bronze Scare, 3 X /day As per mage spell at 5th level of ability
Copper Entangle, 4 X /day As per druid spell at 5th level of ability
Gold Polymorph self, 2 X /day As per mage spell at 7th level of ability
Green Regeneration, perm. 1 hp/six turns
Red Haste, 1 X /day As per mage spell at 7th level of ability
Silver Gaseous form, 2 X /day As per potion, with a duration equal to the faerie dragons' hit dice in turns
White Control temperature, 3 X /day As per druid spell at 6th level of ability

For the "robust SLAs" that replace spellcasting progression, do we want them to be based on color as well, or relatively static for faerie drakes in general?

 

[freyar]

I like the idea of basing these on color, but we'd have to put in quite a lot ourselves, since there's only one listed here for each. I dunno, maybe a base SLA progression with these added on top depending on color?

 

[Shade]

We could use the Draconomicon's faerie dragon as a starting point...

Spell-Like Abilities: At will--dancing lights, detect magic, ghost sound (DC 13); 3/day--charm monster (DC 17), entangle (DC 14), glitterdust (DC 15), invisibility (DC 15), major image (DC 16), obscuring mist; 1/day--animate objects, mind fog (DC 18), project image (DC 20), summon nature's ally IV; 1/month--commune with nature. Caster level 12th.

 

[freyar]

Good idea, though we need to be careful not to step on any particular color's "signature" SLA. We may want to top-load this list a little more for the older age categories.

When you first posted these, I wondered if the Draconomicon conversion was influenced by these guys a little.