Dragons of the Argonath!

[Bloodstone de Troll]

Has anyone here read any of Christipher Rowleys Dragon books? His world is full of some wonderful fantasy concepts, and some fascinating variations of dragons. Fire-breathers are creatures of legends-legends passed amongst the dragons themselves. Dragons are primarily damn big, intelligent predators, who are nearly immune to magic. And this alone is enough.

Battledragons are a breed of drake that banded together with the human lands of the Argonath to fight an ancient enemy. These drakes are armed and armored by their human allies with equipment that no dragon could hope to make on his own. Without these dragons, the Argonath would have been overrun long ago.

There are three primary breeds of Battledragon, presented as follows:

Hard Green
Large Dragon
Hit Dice: 10d12+ 30 (130)
Initiative: +2 (Dex)
Speed: 30ft, swim 40ft
AC: 19 (-1size, +3 natural, +2 Dex, +2 Shield, +3 Breastplate)
Attacks: Bite, Huge Longsword +13/+8 melee, Tail Slap +13, Tail mace* +13 melee,
Damage: Huge Longsword 2d6 +4, Tail Slap 1d8+10, Tail mace* 1d8+4,
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.
Special Attack: Prehensile tail,
Special Qualities: Dragon freeze, Keen senses, Immunities, SR 16
Saves: Fort+10, Ref+9, Will+5
Abilities: Str 19(+4), Dex 14(+2), Con 16(+3), Int 7(-2), Wis 6(-2), Cha 12(+1)
Skills: Bluff+6, Search+8, Sense Motive+3, Spot+8, Swim+14, Listen+8, Move Silently+12
Feats: Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Dragonsword),
Climate/Terrain: Any Land
Organization: Unit (2-8 dragons with the same number of dragon boys).
Challenge Rating: 12
Treasure: Dragon sized standard equipment, no valuables.
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Good
Advancement: 12-14 HD (Large), 15-20 HD (Huge).

Battledragons are a species of coastal dragon that allied itself with man in ancient times to help combat the menace of Padmasa. The magic of Padmasa always calls for the destruction and perversion of life, and dragon lives can be spent for mighty magic. It is because of the predations of these dark magi that ancient drakes had much to achieve by siding with the free lands of the Argonath.
Without the aid of these dragons the enemies trolls and other monsters would have long ago destroyed the free nations. These dragons can stand upright (averaging 8-14ft when they do), and have fairly manipulative forepaws as such are capable of tool use, most notably the six-foot dragonswords. These wingless drakes still posess the wing nubs where their ancestors had wings, but otherwise they appear rather dinosaur-ish in cast with long whip-like tails, and crocodile like jaws. Battledragons can speak human tongues, and instinctively know draconic.
Hard greens are the lightest and quickest of all the battledragon breeds. They are small and light of build (for dragons), and are quite fast. Unfortunately they are also high strung and quick to anger, being the only dragon breed known to kill their dragonboy in anger. The scales of a Hard Green drake is primarily green with irregular patterns in any number of colors, balck, red, yellow and sometimes purple being predominent. They weigh in at just under two tons on average, and stand about 8-11 feet when erect.

Combat
Battledragons are paired at birth with an orphan-boy (called a dragonboy), these two train together and learn to fight side by side. In combat the dragon will seek to attack large foes such as trolls, while the dragonboy defends the dragons bellie and hamstrings from imps and humans. This is a combination that is very successful.
Keen Senses (Ex): A dragon sees four times as well a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 100 feet.
Immunities (Ex): Battledragons are immune to sleep and paralysis effects.
Dragon Freeze (Ex): A battledragon can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or makes eye contact. Creatures within a radius of 30 feet are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the dragon.
A potentially affected creature that succeeds at a Will save (DC 16) remains immune to that dragon’s frightful presence for one day. On a failure, creatures with 4 or fewer HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Other dragons are immune to this effect.
Prehensile Tail* (Ex): A battledragons tail operates in a manner similar to an elephant’s trunk, allowing it to manipulate human sized tools and weapons. It is because of this dexterity that battledragons receive the may use weapons held in this tail as though they posessing the Multidexterity and Multiweapon Fighting Feats in regards to weapons held in their tail only.

 

[Bloodstone de Troll]

Leatherbacks

Leatherback
Large Dragon
Hit Dice: 12d12+36 (156hp)
Initiative: -1 (Dex)
Speed: 30ft, swim 40ft
AC: 18 (-1 size, -1 Dex, +5 natural, +2 Body shield, +3 Breastplate)
Attacks: Huge Longsword +16/+11/+6, Tail Slap, Tail mace* +8/+3/-2
Damage: Huge Longsword 2d6+5, Tail Slap 1d8+12, Tail mace* 1d8+5,
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.
Special Attack: Prehensile tail,
Special Qualities: Berserk, Dragon fear, Keen senses, Immunities, SR 17
Saves: Fort+11, Ref+7, Will+8
Abilities: Str 21(+5), Dex 9(-1), Con 17(+3), Int 8 (-1), Wis 11, Cha 14 (+2)
Skills: Search+12, Sense Motive +12, Spot+12, Swim +17, Listen+12, Move Silently +10
Feats: Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Dragonsword),
Climate/Terrain: Any Land
Organization: Unit (2-8 dragons with the same number of dragon boys).
Challenge Rating: 14
Treasure: Dragon sized standard equipment, no valuables.
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Good
Advancement: 13-15 HD (Large), 16-20 HD (Huge).

Battledragons are a species of coastal dragon that allied itself with man in ancient times to help combat the menace of Padmasa. The magic of Padmasa always calls for the destruction and perversion of life, and dragon lives can be spent for mighty magic. It is because of the predations of these dark magi that ancient drakes had much to achieve by siding with the free lands of the Argonath.
Without the aid of these dragons the enemies trolls and other monsters would have long ago destroyed the free nations. These dragons can stand upright (averaging 8-14ft when they do), and have fairly manipulative forepaws as such are capable of tool use, most notably the six-foot dragonswords. These wingless drakes still posess the wing nubs where their ancestors had wings, but otherwise they appear rather dinosaur-ish in cast with long whip-like tails, and crocodile like jaws. Battledragons can speak human tongues, and instinctively know draconic.
Leatherbacks are the most numerous battledragon of the Legions, Smart, easygoing, and skilled with the dragonsword. Leatherbacks are brown-green in color, often with lighter green on the stomach; they weigh in at just less than three tons, and are about 8-10 feet when standing erect.

Combat
Battledragons are paired at birth with an orphan-boy (called a dragonboy), these two train together and learn to fight side by side. In combat the dragon will seek to attack large foes such as trolls, while the dragonboy defends the dragons bellie and hamstrings from imps and humans. This is a combination that is very successful.
Keen Senses (Ex): A dragon sees four times as well a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 100 feet.
Immunities (Ex): Battledragons are immune to sleep and paralysis effects.
Dragon Freeze (Ex): A battledragon can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or makes eye contact. Creatures within a radius of 30 feet are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the dragon.
A potentially affected creature that succeeds at a Will save (DC 18) remains immune to that dragon’s frightful presence for one day. On a failure, creatures with 4 or fewer HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Other dragons are immune to this effect.
Prehensile Tail* (Ex): A battledragons tail operates in a manner similar to an elephant’s trunk, allowing it to manipulate human sized tools and weapons. It is because of this dexterity that battledragons receive the may use weapons held in this tail as though they posessing the Multidexterity and Multiweapon Fighting Feats in regards to weapons held in their tail only.

 

[Bloodstone de Troll]

Brasshides

Brasshide
Large Dragon
Hit Dice: 14d12+ 70 (210 hp)
Initiative: -2 (Dex)
Speed: 20ft, swim 30ft
AC: 21 (-1 size, -2 Dex, +11 natural, +2 Shield, +3 Breastplate)
Attacks: Huge Longsword +20/+16/+10 Melee, Tail Slap+15, Tail Mace* +14 Melee
Damage: Huge Longsword 2d6+7 Melee, Tail Slap 1d8 +17, Tail Mace* 1d8 +7
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./10 ft.
Special Attack: Prehensile tail,
Special Qualities: Dragon fear, Keen senses, Immunities, SR 18
Saves: Fort+14, Ref+7, Will+7
Abilities: Str 25 (+7), Dex 6 (-2), Con 20 (+5), Int 4 (-6), Wis 7 (-2), Cha 8 (-1)
Skills: Climb+17, Search+12, Sense Motive+10, Spot+12, Swim +17, Listen+12, Move Silently+8
Feats: Cleave, Armor Proficiency (light), Armor Proficiency (Medium), Exotic Weapon Proficiency (Dragonsword),
Climate/Terrain: Any Land
Organization: Unit (2-8 dragons with the same number of dragon boys).
Challenge Rating: 14
Treasure: Dragon sized standard equipment, no valuables.
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Good.
Advancement: 15-20 HD (Huge).

Battledragons are a species of coastal dragon that allied itself with man in ancient times to help combat the menace of Padmasa. The magic of Padmasa always calls for the destruction and perversion of life, and dragon lives can be spent for mighty magic. It is because of the predations of these dark magi that ancient drakes had much to achieve by siding with the free lands of the Argonath.
Without the aid of these dragons the enemies trolls and other monsters would have long ago destroyed the free nations. These dragons can stand upright (averaging 8-14ft when they do), and have fairly manipulative forepaws as such are capable of tool use, most notably the six-foot dragonswords. These wingless drakes still posess the wing nubs where their ancestors had wings, but otherwise they appear rather dinosaur-ish in cast with long whip-like tails, and crocodile like jaws. Battledragons can speak human tongues, and instinctively know draconic.
The Brasshide battledragon is the largest and heaviest battledragon in the Legions. These war-beasts have heavy brass colored scales that cover their bodies like natural plate armor. Brasshides weigh in at about three and a half tons on average, and stand 11-14 ft tall when standing erect. Their fearsome forms are bellied by their normally easy-going natures.

Combat
Battledragons are paired at birth with an orphan-boy (called a dragonboy), these two train together and learn to fight side by side. In combat the dragon will seek to attack large foes such as trolls, while the dragonboy defends the dragons bellie and hamstrings from imps and humans. This is a combination that is very successful.
Keen Senses (Ex): A dragon sees four times as well a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 100 feet.
Immunities (Ex): Battledragons are immune to sleep and paralysis effects.
Dragon Freeze (Ex): A battledragon can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or makes eye contact. Creatures within a radius of 30 feet are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the.
A potentially affected creature that succeeds at a Will save (DC 17) remains immune to that dragon’s frightful presence for one day. On a failure, creatures with 4 or fewer HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Other dragons are immune to this effect.
Prehensile Tail* (Ex): A battledragons tail operates in a manner similar to an elephant’s trunk, allowing it to manipulate human sized tools and weapons. It is because of this dexterity that battledragons receive the may use weapons held in this tail as though they posessing the Multidexterity and Multiweapon Fighting Feats in regards to weapons held in their tail only.

 

[Bloodstone de Troll]

Mistakes!!!

Im so embarassed...
I didnt spot some mistakes until after posting:

The Leatherback Tail Slap recieves a +11 to attack, and the attack bonus for the other dragons are:

Hard Green-Bite+13(2d6+4), Huge Longsword +13/+8 melee, Tail Slap +8, Tail mace* +13/+8 melee,

Leatherback-Bite(2d6+5) +16, Huge Longsword +16/+11/+6, Tail Slap +11, Tail mace* +8/+3/-2

Brasshide-Bite +20 (2d6+7), Dragonsword+20/+16/+10 Melee, Tail Slap+10, Tail Mace* +14 Melee

The weapon of choice for battledragons is called the Dragonsword, it is effectively a Huge Longsword, but one with a slightly different balence, as it was designed for non-humanoid builds, thus its Critical range is:18-20X4, with a weight of 60lbs.

 

[Ferret]

Owhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I like it, sorry I'm not much use...

 

[Krishnath]

Very interresting concept, I might even seek out and read some of the books by the author you mention... Very nice indeed.

 

[Bloodstone de Troll]

This is my rendition of the Wild drakes of the series. These beasts didnt need to breath fire to be scary, they were huge, smart, flying killing machines that were nearly immune to magic. And this was enough!

The book series is agood one, though the first three were the best IMHO, as their are many inconsistencies in the later books. The first book (Bazil Broketail) is my overall favorite. The writer shows an in-depth understanding of battle tactics, and how an army functions.

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Wild Dragon
Huge Dragon
Hit Dice: 20d12 + 100 (300hp)
Initiative: +4 (Improved Initiative)
Speed: 30ft, Fly 120ft.
AC: 21 (-2 size, +12 natural,)
Attacks: 2 Claw +26, Bite +26, Tail Slap +21, Wing Buffet +21,
Damage: Claw +8, Bite +4, Tail Slap +20, Wing Buffet +20,
Face/Reach: 10 ft. by 20 ft.10 ft.
Special Attacks: Pounce,
Special Qualities: Dragon Freeze, Immunities, SR 31,
Saves: Fort +17, Ref +12, Will +13,
Abilities: Str 27(+8), Dex 11 (+0), Con 21 (+5), Int 6 (-2), Wis 12 (+1), Cha 14 (+2)
Skills: Climb+28, Search +21, Sense Motive +21, Spot +21, Listen +21, Move Silently +20
Feats: Alertness, Snatch, Flyby Attack, Improved Initiative,
Climate/Terrain: Mountains,
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 20
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually Chaotic Good
Advancement: (20-30 Huge)

The wild dragons live in the far northern regions of Dragonhome, where they hunt herds of auroch, elk, and bear. The hearts of these beasts are wild and free, owing fealty to know creatures but themselves. Wild dragons tend to hold battledragons in contempt, believing them to be snared into slavery by humanity, as such they are very cautious of human “cleverness”. For all of their bluster, wild dragons posess just as much loathing of the works of Padmasa as do the battledragons. All dragons, whether wild, or battlewyrm, despise those who would kill dragons.

Wild dragons stand about 14 feet tall when erect, and over 24 feet long. These wild drakes come in a wide variety of colors, from browns to greens, with many other colors including yellow, orange, red, or purple, mixed in patterns over their pelts. Even though these marvelouse beasts are intelligent, and not evil they are ferocious predators that consider all non-dragons food. Wild dragons speak draconic.

Combat
Wild dragons are straight forward fighters, swooping down upon their prey, and tearing it apart. All dragons are ravenous eaters, so they hunt often.
Keen Senses (Ex): A dragon sees four times as well a human in low-light conditions and twice as well in normal light. It also has darkvision with a range of 100 feet.
Immunities (Ex): Battledragons are immune to sleep and paralysis effects.
Dragon Freeze (Ex): A dragon can unsettle foes with its mere presence. The ability takes effect automatically whenever the dragon attacks, charges, or makes eye contact. Creatures within a radius of 30 feet are subject to the effect if they have fewer HD than the.
A potentially affected creature that succeeds at a Will save (DC 26) remains immune to that dragon’s frightful presence for one day. On a failure, creatures with 4 or fewer HD become panicked for 4d6 rounds and those with 5 or more HD become shaken for 4d6 rounds. Other dragons are immune to this effect.
Crush (Ex): A flying or jumping dragon can land on opponents as a standard action, using its whole body to crush them. Crush attacks are effective only against opponents medium sized or smaller than the dragon (though it can attempt normal overrun or grapple attacks against larger opponents).
A crush attack affects as many creatures as can fit under the dragon’s body. Creatures in the affected area must succeed at a Reflex save (DC 21) or be pinned, automatically taking bludgeoning damage during the next round unless the dragon moves off them. If the dragon chooses to maintain the pin, treat it as a normal grapple attack. Pinned opponents take crush damage each round if they don’t escape.