Converting True Dragons

[Shade]

The darkness is a bit odd, as it could affect multiple creatures, each with their own patch of darkness. I guess that's not really a big deal, though.

I kinda like the lingering darkness in an area, though. Perhaps the dragon may choose a single target for its lingering darkness with each breath, either targeting a creature within the blast or centered on a single space within the cone?

I'd vote for either see in darkness, or increasing its blindsense to full blindsight.

 

[freyar]

Let's go with blindsight.

Another alternative would be changing the breath weapon to separate out the darkness as a unique Su or even an SLA. But that seems boring.

What if there's lingering darkness through the whole area of the cone, and damaged characters are hit by darkness or not? I don't know.

 

[RavinRay]

The darkness effect of the breath weapon sounds closest to two betabreath feats in Draconomicon: Clinging Breath (breath clings to targets in area of effect for 1 round after initial round for half damage, same Reflex Save DC, may be magically dispelled at same DC); and Lingering Breath (breath lingers for 1 round after initial round with same shape (cone or line) for half damage, same Reflex Save DC).

If the darkness is indeed equivalent to the spell of the same name and can be dispelled magically, this makes the breath more magical than that of other dragons, possibly making it (Sp) rather than (Su). But since the breath is already black to begin with, the darkness should come into effect whether it is magical or not, thus negating the need for the part where the target must miss its Reflex save for the darkness to take effect. The darkness clings to targets that fail the initial Reflex save, and lingers in the area. What do you guys think?

Breath Weapon (Su): An onyx dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of inky, black acid. Targets caught in the cone are also shrouded in darkness as per the spell. The darkness lingers for one additional round per age category of the dragon. Affected creatures must suceed at a Reflex (?) Save (same DC) per round or the darkness clings to them. Otherwise, they can escape the darkness which remains as a cone.

 

[Shade]

That'll work.

 

[freyar]

Pretty good! But let's not require an extra Ref save:

Breath Weapon (Su): An onyx dragon has one type of breath weapon, a cone of inky, black acid. Targets caught in the cone are also shrouded in darkness as per the spell. The darkness lingers for one additional round per age category of the dragon. The darkness clings to any targets that fail their Reflex save against the breath weapon. Otherwise, they can escape the darkness which remains as a cone.

 

[Shade]

Good idea.

For the SLAs, it looks like these dragons are extremely focused on darkness and hunting prey, so black tentacles from the Darkness domain seems a good fit. Since their breath weapon was described as "all foulness and corruption", I could see retaining the black's corrupt water SLA and pursing things like contagion and blight.

So how about...

Corrupt Water (Sp): Once per day an adult or older onyx dragon can stagnate 10 cubic feet of water, making it become still, foul, and unable to support animal life. The ability spoils liquids containing water. Magic items (such as potions) and items in a creature’s possession must succeed on a Will save (DC equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence) or become fouled. This ability is the equivalent of a 1st-level spell. Its range is equal to that of the dragon’s frightful presence.

Other Spell-Like Abilities: 3/day—black tentacles (ancient or older), hold animal (juvenile or older); 1/day—blight (old or older), contagion (juvenile great wyrm).

 

[freyar]

That looks pretty reasonable, but I am a little confused about the age category you wanted for contagion. I assume juvenile or older?

 

[Shade]

Oops. Actually, I meant great wyrm. I know it's not all that powerful, but many dragons' great wyrm abilities aren't all that amazing, either.

 

[Shade]

Updated.

Mystaran Dragons Table
Dragon Hit Dice* Alignment**
Good/Neutral/Evil

Netural Dragons
Onyx 12 10%/80%/10%

Alignment: Usually neutral?

CLIMATE/TERRAIN: Nonarctic shady wetlands

Onyx dragons inhabit dismal swamps and dark fens.

Habitat/Society: Onyx dragons lair in wetlands, ranging from the tropics to the chillier fringes of the temperate zones. As a rule, they prefer dark, well-shaded areas such as tree-filled bogs. In darker areas, their scintillating scales are less likely to give away their location to prey.

Environment: Any marsh?

Onxy dragons do value treasure, especially dark and lustrous gems. However, they tend to have less treasure than other dragons.

Double standard, rather than the usual triple standard?

*Can also cast cleric spells and those from the x, x, and x domains as arcane spells. (Animal, Darkness, Water?)

 

[freyar]

Yes, yes, and yes. And I like those domains.