Reply to thread

Message

<blockquote data-quote="freyar" data-source="post: 3486850" data-attributes="member: 40227">DracohydraNote: This is a 3.5 update of a 3.0 conversion by BOZ with a few extra features added!DracohydraDragon (Water)Climate/Terrain: Temperate and cold mountainsOrganization: Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult: solitary or clutch (2-5); adult, mature adult, old, very old, ancient, wyrm, great wyrm: solitary, pair, or family (1-2 and 2-5 offspring)Challenge Ratings: Wyrmling 3; very young 4; young 6; juvenile 8; young adult 11; adult 14; mature adult 16; old 18; very old 19; ancient 21; wyrm 23; great wyrm 25Treasure: Triple StandardAlignment: Always chaotic evilAdvancement: Wyrmling 4-5 HD (Small); very young 7-8 HD (Medium); young 10-11 HD (Medium); juvenile 13-14 HD (Large); young adult 16-17 HD (Large); adult 19-20 HD (Huge); mature adult 22-23 HD (Huge); old 25-26 HD (Huge); very old 28-29 HD (Huge); ancient 31-32 HD (Gargantuan); wyrm 34-35 HD (Gargantuan); great wyrm 37+ HD (Gargantuan)Dracohydrae are hideous creatures that combine the worst aspects of hydrae and evil dragons.Dracohydras have muddy brown scales, with a nearly cream-colored brown on their underbellies. They have draconic wings, and have from two to five heads. Their eyes glow red.Dracohydras only speak Draconic.Combat Strategies and TacticsDracohydras, as expected, combine the best fighting capabilities of dragons and hydras.A dracohydra can be killed either by severing all of its heads or by slaying its body. To sever a head, an opponent must hit the monster’s neck with a slashing weapon and deal damage equal to the hydra’s original hit point total, divided by its original number of heads, in one blow. (See the entry for hydras in the SRD for more information. In particular, a dracohydra does regrow heads exactly as a hydra. Because a dracohydra is immune to acid, acid damage does not prevent the regrowth of heads, but electricity damage does.)Superior Multiattack (Ex): A dracohydra can attack with any head that does not use its breath weapon at no penalty, even if the monster moves or charges during the round.Breath Weapon (Su): A dracohydra has one type of breath weapon, a line of acid, which each head can use as a standard action once per round.Spell-Like Abilities (Sp): 3/day - darkness (Adult &amp; older); 2/day - obscuring mist (Juvenile &amp; older), stinking cloud (Old &amp; older); 1/day - cloudkill (Ancient &amp; older).Immunities (Ex): Dracohydras are immune to acid.Fast Healing (Ex): Each round, a dracohydra heals damage equal to 10 + its original number of heads + its age category.Skills: Dracohydras receive a +2 racial bonus to Listen and Spot checks, thanks to their multiple heads. They do not need to make Swim checks to move through the water except to perform special actions and may always take 10 on Swim checks. They receive a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks. Dracohydrae have Jump, Swim, and Survival as class skills, in addition to the class skills of all true dragons.Feats: A dracohydra with the Combat Reflexes feat is capable of using all its heads for attacks of opportunity each round.Challenge Rating: The challenge ratings listed are for dracohydrae with 2-3 heads. A dracohydrawith 4-5 heads should have CR+1.Sample EncountersBecause dracohydrae are such nasty, brutish creatures, they are usually solitary and act on their own.While many organizations might wish to make use of a dracohydra, they’re most often forced to manipulate the dracohydra indirectly.Pest (EL 3-5): A pair of mated dracohydrae have just kicked a wyrmling or very young dracohydra out of their lair. During its “fledging” period, the youngster finds a town to prey on.EL 3: A wyrmling dracohydra has been butchering a small communities livestock for months, and no one has been able to drive it off. It’s starting to get a bit more bold...Beast (EL 23-26): A wyrm or great wyrm dracohydra can be a holy terror in combat, even if they’re not that smart by draconic standards.EL 26: A five-headed great wyrm dracohydra has conquered a small kingdom, slowly eating its way through the now-enslaved population. The heroes will have to fight through a crowded city, since the dracohydra isn’t afraid to smash a few of its slaves to rid itself of a problem.Ecology and SocietyDracohydrae lair far from civilization, usually in inaccessible mountain passes covered in snow, or in similarly barren areas, largely because they destroy much of what they see.&nbsp; Like white dragons, they are avaricious, selfish, and vicious, avoiding plans and acting in a direct manner.&nbsp; They often kill for sport, and act as sadistic bullies in their territory, though they are truly cowards against superior foes.&nbsp; Given the chance, they tend to enslave humanoids for a brief time before eating them. Dracohydrae hate all other dragon types and will kill any they encounter if they think they can get away with it. Their main enemies are storm giants and stone giants, though they hate red dragons who eat their young (and consider them delicacies, as a matter of fact). Dracohydrae are not even very fond of each other, though some mated pairs will stay together for many years. Most of the time, though, a clutch of dracohydrae will be forced out of their parents’ lair fairly quickly; whether they stick together or take their own paths is largely a matter of chance.Unlike many of the creatures described in this tome, the dracohydra is a distinct species and not a magically created hybrid. In fact, it is a true dragon species, though it lacks the spell-casting abilities of its cousins. The origin of the dracohydra is mysterious, but it is not believed that they are a result of the two species mating. Some sages consider them an evolutionary throwback, while others consider them a next step in dragon evolution. Another theory with much credence suggests that they are actually the result of experiments by evil deities, or even Tiamat herself.Among dracohydrae, about 25% have 2 heads, 50% have 3, 15% have 4, and 10% have 5 heads. These voracious monsters can eat nearly anything, including rocks and gems. However, the by far prefer to eat fresh meat, so their hunger is a great burden on local wildlife and their slave populations (while they have slaves).Alignment: Dracohydrae are always chaotic evil.Treasure: Like other true dragons, dracohydrae are rather avaricious and keep triple standard treasure in their lairs.Dracohydrae by age[Code]Age&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Size&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; HD (hp)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Str&nbsp; Dex&nbsp; Con&nbsp; Int&nbsp; Wis&nbsp; Cha&nbsp; BAB/Grp Atk&nbsp; Fort Ref Will&nbsp; Breath (DC)&nbsp;&nbsp; Fear DCWyrmling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Small&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 3d12+3&nbsp; &nbsp; (22hp) 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 13&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; +3/+0&nbsp;&nbsp; +5&nbsp;&nbsp; +4&nbsp;&nbsp; +3&nbsp; +4&nbsp; &nbsp; 2d4 (12)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Very Young&nbsp; &nbsp; Medium&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 6d12+12&nbsp;&nbsp; (51hp) 14&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; +6/+8&nbsp;&nbsp; +8&nbsp;&nbsp; +7&nbsp;&nbsp; +5&nbsp; +6&nbsp; &nbsp; 4d4 (15)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Young&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Medium&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 9d12+18&nbsp;&nbsp; (76hp) 16&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 7&nbsp; &nbsp; +9/+12&nbsp; +12&nbsp; +8&nbsp;&nbsp; +6&nbsp; +7&nbsp; &nbsp; 6d4 (16)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Juvenile&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Large&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 12d12+36 (114hp) 18&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 17&nbsp;&nbsp; 9&nbsp; &nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 9&nbsp; &nbsp; +12/+20 +15&nbsp; +11&nbsp; +8&nbsp; +9&nbsp; &nbsp; 8d4 (18)&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -Young Adult&nbsp;&nbsp; Large&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 15d12+60 (157hp) 22&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 19&nbsp;&nbsp; 9&nbsp; &nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 9&nbsp; &nbsp; +15/+25 +20&nbsp; +13&nbsp; +9&nbsp; +10&nbsp;&nbsp; 10d4 (21)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 16Adult&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Huge&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 18d12+90 (207hp) 26&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 21&nbsp;&nbsp; 11&nbsp;&nbsp; 12&nbsp;&nbsp; 11&nbsp;&nbsp; +18/+34 +24&nbsp; +16&nbsp; +11 +12&nbsp;&nbsp; 12d4 (24)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 19Mature Adult&nbsp; Huge&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 21d12+105(241hp) 28&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 21&nbsp;&nbsp; 13&nbsp;&nbsp; 14&nbsp;&nbsp; 13&nbsp;&nbsp; +21/+38 +28&nbsp; +17&nbsp; +12 +14&nbsp;&nbsp; 14d4 (25)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 21Old&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Huge&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 24d12+144(300hp) 30&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 23&nbsp;&nbsp; 13&nbsp;&nbsp; 14&nbsp;&nbsp; 13&nbsp;&nbsp; +24/+42 +32&nbsp; +20&nbsp; +14 +16&nbsp;&nbsp; 16d4 (28)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 23Very Old&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Huge&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 27d12+162(337hp) 32&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 23&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; 16&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; +27/+46 +36&nbsp; +21&nbsp; +15 +18&nbsp;&nbsp; 18d4 (29)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 25Ancient&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Gargantuan&nbsp; 30d12+210(405hp) 34&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 25&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; 16&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; +30/+54 +38&nbsp; +24&nbsp; +17 +20&nbsp;&nbsp; 20d4 (32)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 27Wyrm&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Gargantuan&nbsp; 33d12+264(478hp) 36&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 27&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; 16&nbsp;&nbsp; 15&nbsp;&nbsp; +33/+58 +42&nbsp; +26&nbsp; +18 +21&nbsp;&nbsp; 22d4 (34)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 28Great Wyrm&nbsp; &nbsp; Gargantuan&nbsp; 36d12+288(522hp) 38&nbsp;&nbsp; 10&nbsp;&nbsp; 27&nbsp;&nbsp; 19&nbsp;&nbsp; 20&nbsp;&nbsp; 19&nbsp;&nbsp; +36/+62 +46&nbsp; +28&nbsp; +20 +25&nbsp;&nbsp; 24d4 (36)&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 32[/code][Code]Age&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Speed&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Init AC&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Special Abilities&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; CL&nbsp;&nbsp; SRWyrmling&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (average), +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 13 (+1 size, +2 natural),&nbsp; &nbsp; Immunity to Acid, Fast&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 11, flat-footed 14&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; HealingVery Young&nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 15 (+5 natural),&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 10, flat-footed 18Young&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 18 (+8 natural),&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 10, flat-footed 18Juvenile&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 20 (-1 size, +11 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; [i]Obscuring Mist[/i]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 9, flat-footed 20Young Adult&nbsp;&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 23 (-1 size, +14 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; DR 5/magic&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 20&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 9, flat-footed 23Adult&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 25 (-2 size, +17 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; [I]Darkness[/i]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 23&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 8, flat-footed 28Mature Adult&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 28 (-2 size, +20 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; DR 10/magic&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 25&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 8, flat-footed 28Old&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 31 (-2 size, +23 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; [i]Stinking cloud[/i]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 27&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 8, flat-footed 31Very Old&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor),&nbsp;&nbsp; +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 34 (-2 size, +26 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; DR 15/magic&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 28&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 8, flat-footed 34Ancient&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 35 (-4 size, +29 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; [i]Cloudkill[/i]&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 30&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 6, flat-footed 35Wyrm&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 38 (-4 size, +32 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; DR 20/magic&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 32&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 6, flat-footed 38Great Wyrm&nbsp; &nbsp; 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0&nbsp;&nbsp; 41 (-4 size, +35 natural),&nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; -&nbsp; &nbsp; 34&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; swim 30 ft.&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; touch 6, flat-footed 41[/code]Lore[code]DC&nbsp;&nbsp; Result15&nbsp;&nbsp; This is a type of hydra. Reveals fast&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; healing and head regrowth abilities.20&nbsp;&nbsp; This is a dracohydra, a true dragon.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Reveals dragon traits &amp; age.25&nbsp;&nbsp; Dracohydrae have an acid breath weapon,&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; so fire and electricity “seal” severed necks.30&nbsp;&nbsp; Reveals spell-like abilities for age category.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Also reveals known dracohydrae in region.[/code]</blockquote>

[QUOTE="freyar, post: 3486850, member: 40227"] [b]Dracohydra[/b] [b][i]Note:[/i][/b] This is a 3.5 update of a 3.0 conversion by BOZ with a few extra features added! [b][SIZE=3]Dracohydra[/SIZE][/b] [B]Dragon (Water)[/B] [B]Climate/Terrain:[/B] Temperate and cold mountains [B]Organization:[/B] Wyrmling, very young, young, juvenile, and young adult: solitary or clutch (2-5); adult, mature adult, old, very old, ancient, wyrm, great wyrm: solitary, pair, or family (1-2 and 2-5 offspring) [B]Challenge Ratings:[/B] Wyrmling 3; very young 4; young 6; juvenile 8; young adult 11; adult 14; mature adult 16; old 18; very old 19; ancient 21; wyrm 23; great wyrm 25 [B]Treasure:[/B] Triple Standard [B]Alignment:[/B] Always chaotic evil [B]Advancement:[/B] Wyrmling 4-5 HD (Small); very young 7-8 HD (Medium); young 10-11 HD (Medium); juvenile 13-14 HD (Large); young adult 16-17 HD (Large); adult 19-20 HD (Huge); mature adult 22-23 HD (Huge); old 25-26 HD (Huge); very old 28-29 HD (Huge); ancient 31-32 HD (Gargantuan); wyrm 34-35 HD (Gargantuan); great wyrm 37+ HD (Gargantuan) Dracohydrae are hideous creatures that combine the worst aspects of hydrae and evil dragons. Dracohydras have muddy brown scales, with a nearly cream-colored brown on their underbellies. They have draconic wings, and have from two to five heads. Their eyes glow red. Dracohydras only speak Draconic. [b][size=3]Combat Strategies and Tactics[/size][/b] Dracohydras, as expected, combine the best fighting capabilities of dragons and hydras. A dracohydra can be killed either by severing all of its heads or by slaying its body. To sever a head, an opponent must hit the monster’s neck with a slashing weapon and deal damage equal to the hydra’s original hit point total, divided by its original number of heads, in one blow. (See the entry for hydras in the SRD for more information. In particular, a dracohydra does regrow heads exactly as a hydra. Because a dracohydra is immune to acid, acid damage does not prevent the regrowth of heads, but electricity damage does.) [B]Superior Multiattack (Ex):[/B] A dracohydra can attack with any head that does not use its breath weapon at no penalty, even if the monster moves or charges during the round. [b]Breath Weapon (Su):[/b] A dracohydra has one type of breath weapon, a line of acid, which each head can use as a standard action once per round. [b]Spell-Like Abilities (Sp):[/b] 3/day - [i]darkness[/i] (Adult & older); 2/day - [i]obscuring mist[/i] (Juvenile & older), [i]stinking cloud[/i] (Old & older); 1/day - [i]cloudkill[/i] (Ancient & older). [b]Immunities (Ex):[/b] Dracohydras are immune to acid. [b]Fast Healing (Ex):[/b] Each round, a dracohydra heals damage equal to 10 + its original number of heads + its age category. [b]Skills:[/b] Dracohydras receive a +2 racial bonus to Listen and Spot checks, thanks to their multiple heads. They do not need to make Swim checks to move through the water except to perform special actions and may always take 10 on Swim checks. They receive a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks. Dracohydrae have Jump, Swim, and Survival as class skills, in addition to the class skills of all true dragons. [b]Feats:[/b] A dracohydra with the Combat Reflexes feat is capable of using all its heads for attacks of opportunity each round. [b]Challenge Rating:[/b] The challenge ratings listed are for dracohydrae with 2-3 heads. A dracohydra with 4-5 heads should have CR+1. [b][size=3]Sample Encounters[/size][/b] Because dracohydrae are such nasty, brutish creatures, they are usually solitary and act on their own. While many organizations might wish to make use of a dracohydra, they’re most often forced to manipulate the dracohydra indirectly. [b]Pest (EL 3-5):[/b] A pair of mated dracohydrae have just kicked a wyrmling or very young dracohydra out of their lair. During its “fledging” period, the youngster finds a town to prey on. [i]EL 3:[/i] A wyrmling dracohydra has been butchering a small communities livestock for months, and no one has been able to drive it off. It’s starting to get a bit more bold... [b]Beast (EL 23-26):[/b] A wyrm or great wyrm dracohydra can be a holy terror in combat, even if they’re not that smart by draconic standards. [i]EL 26:[/i] A five-headed great wyrm dracohydra has conquered a small kingdom, slowly eating its way through the now-enslaved population. The heroes will have to fight through a crowded city, since the dracohydra isn’t afraid to smash a few of its slaves to rid itself of a problem. [b][size=3]Ecology and Society[/size][/b] Dracohydrae lair far from civilization, usually in inaccessible mountain passes covered in snow, or in similarly barren areas, largely because they destroy much of what they see. Like white dragons, they are avaricious, selfish, and vicious, avoiding plans and acting in a direct manner. They often kill for sport, and act as sadistic bullies in their territory, though they are truly cowards against superior foes. Given the chance, they tend to enslave humanoids for a brief time before eating them. Dracohydrae hate all other dragon types and will kill any they encounter if they think they can get away with it. Their main enemies are storm giants and stone giants, though they hate red dragons who eat their young (and consider them delicacies, as a matter of fact). Dracohydrae are not even very fond of each other, though some mated pairs will stay together for many years. Most of the time, though, a clutch of dracohydrae will be forced out of their parents’ lair fairly quickly; whether they stick together or take their own paths is largely a matter of chance. Unlike many of the creatures described in this tome, the dracohydra is a distinct species and not a magically created hybrid. In fact, it is a true dragon species, though it lacks the spell-casting abilities of its cousins. The origin of the dracohydra is mysterious, but it is not believed that they are a result of the two species mating. Some sages consider them an evolutionary throwback, while others consider them a next step in dragon evolution. Another theory with much credence suggests that they are actually the result of experiments by evil deities, or even Tiamat herself. Among dracohydrae, about 25% have 2 heads, 50% have 3, 15% have 4, and 10% have 5 heads. These voracious monsters can eat nearly anything, including rocks and gems. However, the by far prefer to eat fresh meat, so their hunger is a great burden on local wildlife and their slave populations (while they have slaves). [b]Alignment:[/b] Dracohydrae are always chaotic evil. [b]Treasure:[/b] Like other true dragons, dracohydrae are rather avaricious and keep triple standard treasure in their lairs. [b]Dracohydrae by age[/b] [Code] Age Size HD (hp) Str Dex Con Int Wis Cha BAB/Grp Atk Fort Ref Will Breath (DC) Fear DC Wyrmling Small 3d12+3 (22hp) 12 10 13 7 12 7 +3/+0 +5 +4 +3 +4 2d4 (12) - Very Young Medium 6d12+12 (51hp) 14 10 15 7 12 7 +6/+8 +8 +7 +5 +6 4d4 (15) - Young Medium 9d12+18 (76hp) 16 10 15 7 12 7 +9/+12 +12 +8 +6 +7 6d4 (16) - Juvenile Large 12d12+36 (114hp) 18 10 17 9 12 9 +12/+20 +15 +11 +8 +9 8d4 (18) - Young Adult Large 15d12+60 (157hp) 22 10 19 9 12 9 +15/+25 +20 +13 +9 +10 10d4 (21) 16 Adult Huge 18d12+90 (207hp) 26 10 21 11 12 11 +18/+34 +24 +16 +11 +12 12d4 (24) 19 Mature Adult Huge 21d12+105(241hp) 28 10 21 13 14 13 +21/+38 +28 +17 +12 +14 14d4 (25) 21 Old Huge 24d12+144(300hp) 30 10 23 13 14 13 +24/+42 +32 +20 +14 +16 16d4 (28) 23 Very Old Huge 27d12+162(337hp) 32 10 23 15 16 15 +27/+46 +36 +21 +15 +18 18d4 (29) 25 Ancient Gargantuan 30d12+210(405hp) 34 10 25 15 16 15 +30/+54 +38 +24 +17 +20 20d4 (32) 27 Wyrm Gargantuan 33d12+264(478hp) 36 10 27 15 16 15 +33/+58 +42 +26 +18 +21 22d4 (34) 28 Great Wyrm Gargantuan 36d12+288(522hp) 38 10 27 19 20 19 +36/+62 +46 +28 +20 +25 24d4 (36) 32 [/code] [Code] Age Speed Init AC Special Abilities CL SR Wyrmling 30 ft., fly 60 ft. (average), +0 13 (+1 size, +2 natural), Immunity to Acid, Fast - - swim 30 ft. touch 11, flat-footed 14 Healing Very Young 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 15 (+5 natural), - - - swim 30 ft. touch 10, flat-footed 18 Young 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 18 (+8 natural), - - - swim 30 ft. touch 10, flat-footed 18 Juvenile 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 20 (-1 size, +11 natural), [i]Obscuring Mist[/i] - - swim 30 ft. touch 9, flat-footed 20 Young Adult 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 23 (-1 size, +14 natural), DR 5/magic - 20 swim 30 ft. touch 9, flat-footed 23 Adult 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 25 (-2 size, +17 natural), [I]Darkness[/i] - 23 swim 30 ft. touch 8, flat-footed 28 Mature Adult 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 28 (-2 size, +20 natural), DR 10/magic - 25 swim 30 ft. touch 8, flat-footed 28 Old 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 31 (-2 size, +23 natural), [i]Stinking cloud[/i] - 27 swim 30 ft. touch 8, flat-footed 31 Very Old 30 ft., fly 100 ft. (poor), +0 34 (-2 size, +26 natural), DR 15/magic - 28 swim 30 ft. touch 8, flat-footed 34 Ancient 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0 35 (-4 size, +29 natural), [i]Cloudkill[/i] - 30 swim 30 ft. touch 6, flat-footed 35 Wyrm 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0 38 (-4 size, +32 natural), DR 20/magic - 32 swim 30 ft. touch 6, flat-footed 38 Great Wyrm 30 ft., fly 150 ft. (clumsy), +0 41 (-4 size, +35 natural), - - 34 swim 30 ft. touch 6, flat-footed 41 [/code] [b]Lore[/b] [code] DC Result 15 This is a type of hydra. Reveals fast healing and head regrowth abilities. 20 This is a dracohydra, a true dragon. Reveals dragon traits & age. 25 Dracohydrae have an acid breath weapon, so fire and electricity “seal” severed necks. 30 Reveals spell-like abilities for age category. Also reveals known dracohydrae in region. [/code] [/QUOTE]

Verification