Dragons of the Dying Earth

[Tequila Sunrise]

Dragons of the Dying Earth
So I’ve gotten a bit tired of the same old sacred co…I mean, dragons. I never liked how there are hierarchies of power within dragon-kind (reds are biggest and baddest of the chromatics, whites and blacks are the retarded step children, LG metallics can play house with mortals but CGs inexplicably can’t). I like how 4e has made different species act differently in combat, but what’s with greens going from skirmisher mode to controller? Anyway, it’s become apparent since 4e’s release that it’s harder to make solo fights interesting than others, so I thought I’d make dragons elites instead and then shake up some draconic traditions while I’m at it. So far I have four species:
[sblock] Shadow: Selfish and malicious, shadow dragons are the terror of mortals everywhere. It is said that the first necromancers stole the secrets of undeath from the shadow dragons. Many dragon victims become dragon wights, undead that serve as minions and emergency meals at the same time. Shadow dragons prefer to stalk the wilderness searching for prey. At leisure, shadow dragons are gray or black, but they can change the color of their scales to match their environment. Shadow dragons seem to enjoy hunting well armed mortals, for the challenge they provide and the final despair and terror they experience before a dragon makes its kill.
Flame: Passionate and creative, flame dragons are known for their fiery moods. Some are sensitive artistes, while others are vainglorious berserkers. Flame dragons come in a variety of bright colors, usually yellows, oranges and reds. Flame dragons are often accompanied by flame elementals, who they share a primal bond with.
Polar: Calm and thoughtful, polar dragons are known for their knowledge. Some are generous with their wisdom, while others jeoulously guard and abuse as many secrets as they can. Polar dragons appear in a range of soft pastel colors, usually blues, greens and purples. Polar dragons are often accompanied by frost elementals, who they share a primal bond with.
Silver: Friendly and benevolent, silver dragons spend as much time among mortals as they do with their own kind. These dragons have the magical ability to change their shape, and often do so in order to seamlessly blend in with their social environment. Though most often silver, this species also produces individuals of other metallic hues.[/sblock]
Elder Shadow Dragon
[sblock]
Level 30 Elite Lurker (Leader)
Gargantuan Natural Magical Beast (dragon)
Initiative +22
Senses Perception +22; Darkvision
Hit Points 426
AC 44; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Resist 40 necrotic
Saving Throws +2
Speed 8, fly 16 (hover), overland flight 24
Action Points 1
Bite (standard; at-will) • Necrotic
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d10 +11 damage and 6d6 necrotic damage.
Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d10 +11 damage.
Draconic Fury (standard; at-will)
The dragon makes two claw attacks
Breath Weapon (standard; recharge 5-6) • Necrotic
Close blast 4; +33 vs. Reflex; 4d10 +19 necrotic damage and the target takes a -2 penalty to defenses, is blinded and is weakened (save ends all).
Scaly Camouflage (minor; recharge 4-6)
The dragon gains total concealment.
Alignment Evil
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +27, Athletics +27, Endurance +22, Religion +20, Stealth +32
Str 24 (+22)
Con 14 (+17)
Dex 24 (+22)
Int 10 (+15)
Wis 14 (+17)
Cha 10 (+15)[/sblock]
Dragon Wights
[sblock]
Level 30 Soldier
Medium Natural Animate (undead)
Initiative +20
Senses Perception +15; Darkvision
Hit Points 275
AC 46; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Immune disease, poison; Resist 40 necrotic; Vulnerable 5 radiant
Speed 6
Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 1; +37 vs. AC; 3d8 + 10 necrotic damage and the target is marked until the end of the wight’s next turn; see also bane of life.
Bane of Life
When the thrall hits with an opportunity attack, the target gains vulnerability 15 necrotic (save ends).
Alignment Evil
Languages Common
Skills: Acrobatics +20, Athletics +20
Str 10 (+15)
Con 10 (+15)
Dex 10 (+15)
Int 10 (+15)
Wis 1 (+10)
Cha 1 (+10)[/sblock]

Elder Flame Dragon
[sblock]
Level 30 Elite Artillery (Leader)
Gargantuan Natural Magical Beast (dragon)
Initiative +15
Senses Perception +15; Darkvision
Hit Points 426
AC 42; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Resist 40 fire
Saving Throws +2
Speed 8, fly 16 (hover), overland flight 24
Action Points 1
Immolate (standard; at-will) • Fire
Ranged 30; +37 vs. Reflex; 6d8 +20 fire damage and the target takes a -2 penalty to defenses until the end of the dragon’s next turn. Secondary Attack: +35 vs. Fortitude; this attack bypasses the target’s fire resistance.
Bite (standard; at-will) • Fire
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d6 +9 damage and 6d4 fire damage.
Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d6 +9 damage.
Draconic Fury (standard; at-will)
The dragon makes two claw attacks
Breath Weapon (standard; recharge 5-6) • Fire
Close blast 4; +37 vs. Reflex; 4d10 +19 fire damage and ongoing 15 fire damage (save ends).
Alignment Unaligned
Languages Common, Draconic, Primordial
Skills Acrobatics +27, Athletics +22, Endurance +20
Str 14 (+17)
Con 10 (+15)
Dex 24 (+22)
Int 14 (+17)
Wis 10 (+15)
Cha 24 (+22)[/sblock]
Elder Flame Elemental
[sblock]
Level 30 Soldier
Gargantuan Elemental Magical Beast (fire)
Initiative +20
Senses Perception +15
Hit Points 275
AC 46; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Immune disease, poison; Resist 40 fire; Vulnerable 5 cold
Speed Fly 16 (hover)
Flame’s Touch (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +37 vs. AC; 3d8 + 10 fire damage and the target is marked until the end of the elemental’s next turn. If a marked target makes an attack that does not include the elemental, the target takes 15 fire damage.
Alignment Unaligned
Languages Common, Primordial
Skills: Acrobatics +20, Athletics +20
Str 10 (+15)
Con 10 (+15)
Dex 10 (+15)
Int 6 (+13)
Wis 10 (+15)
Cha 6 (+13)[/sblock]

Elder Polar Dragon
[sblock]
Level 30 Elite Controller (Leader)
Gargantuan Natural Magical Beast (dragon)
Initiative +15
Senses Perception +15; Darkvision
Hit Points 550
AC 44; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Resist 40 cold
Saving Throws +2
Speed 8, fly 16 (hover), overland flight 24
Action Points 1
Winter’s Chill (standard; at-will) • Cold
Ranged 30; +33 vs. Reflex; 6d6 +18 cold damage and the target takes a -2 penalty to defenses and is restrained until the end of the dragon’s next turn. Secondary Attack: +31 vs. Fortitude; this attack bypasses the target’s cold resistance.
Bite (standard; at-will) • Cold
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d8 +10 damage and 6d6 cold damage.
Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d8 +10 damage.
Draconic Fury (standard; at-will)
The dragon makes two claw attacks
Breath Weapon (standard; recharge 5-6) • Cold
Close blast 4; +33 vs. Reflex; 4d6 +17 cold damage and the target is restrained (save ends).
Alignment Unaligned
Languages Common, Draconic, Primordial
Skills Acrobatics +27, Athletics +22, Endurance +20
Str 14 (+17)
Con 14 (+17)
Dex 24 (+22)
Int 24 (+22)
Wis 10 (+15)
Cha 10 (+15)[/sblock]
Elder Frost Elemental
[sblock]
Level 30 Soldier
Gargantuan Elemental Magical Beast (cold)
Initiative +20
Senses Perception +15
Hit Points 275
AC 46; Fortitude 42; Reflex 44; Will 40
Immune disease, poison; Resist 40 cold; Vulnerable 5 fire
Speed Fly 16 (hover)
Winter’s Touch (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +37 vs. AC; 3d8 + 10 cold damage and the target is marked until the end of the elemental’s next turn. If a marked target makes an attack that does not include the elemental, the elemental slides the target 4 squares as an immediate reaction.
Alignment Unaligned
Languages Common, Primordial
Skills: Acrobatics +20, Athletics +20
Str 10 (+15)
Con 10 (+15)
Dex 10 (+15)
Int 6 (+13)
Wis 10 (+15)
Cha 6 (+13)[/sblock]

Elder Silver Dragon
[sblock]
Level 30 Elite Soldier (Leader)
Gargantuan Natural Magical Beast (dragon)
Initiative +20
Senses Perception +20; Darkvision
Hit Points 550
AC 46; Fortitude 44; Reflex 42; Will 40
Resist 40 radiant
Saving Throws +2
Speed 8, fly 16 (hover), overland flight 24
Action Points 1
Bite (standard; at-will) • Radiant
Reach 4; +37 vs. AC; 3d8 +10 damage and 6d6 radiant damage.
Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d8 +10 damage.
Draconic Fury (standard; at-will)
The dragon makes two claw attacks
Breath Weapon (standard; recharge 5-6) • Radiant
Close blast 4; +35 vs. Reflex; 4d8 +18 radiant damage and the target takes a -2 penalty to defenses, is blinded and is weakened (save ends all).
Radiant Gaze (minor; at-will)
Close burst 5; one target within the burst is marked until the start of the dragon’s next turn. If the target makes an attack which does not include the dragon, it takes 6 radiant damage and gains vulnerability to radiant 15.
Radiant Bellow (standard; encounter)
Close burst 5; 3 + (level) vs. Will; the target is affected by radiant gaze.
Radiant Rider (while mounted by an ally of the dragon’s level or higher; at-will) • Mount, Radiant
Whenever the rider is hit by an attack that does not include the dragon, the rider’s next attack deals an additional 3d6 radiant damage to the enemy who hit the rider.
Change Shape (minor; at-will) • Polymorph
A silver dragon can alter its form into that of any corporeal creature of its own size or smaller, including a unique individual (see Change Shape, page 280). While in another form, the dragon cannot use any of its natural powers except for radiant gaze and radiant bellow.
Alignment Good
Languages Common, Draconic
Skills Acrobatics +27, Athletics +27, Endurance +22, Religion +20, Stealth +32
Str 24 (+22)
Con 14 (+17)
Dex 24 (+22)
Int 10 (+15)
Wis 10 (+15)
Cha 14 (+17)[/sblock]

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

Not looking for anything in particular here, maybe a commentary on my fluff, maybe some constructive criticism. I'd think that D&D forum goers would have a bit to say about dragons. Unless...everyone is finally fed up with them?

TS

 

[Khuxan]

First of all, I like that you're mixing up dragons and that you made them elites rather than solos. That said, I have a few thoughts:

• It's hard to give feedback when there's very little flavour to work with. What do dragon wights look like? How are they created?
• I don't like that black dragons are associated with necromancy. I'm not sure exactly why, except that it seems overdone and doesn't ring true. What if black dragons have a poisonous bite that infects the minds of lesser dragons and turns them into mindless wights, rather than a necrotic bite?
• I think focussing on the personality of flame dragons makes them seem too much like humans. I expected them to be rampaging engines of destruction, not sensitive artistes.
• I also don't like the association of flame and polar dragons with elementals, though I know you need some sort of high-level minion for them. Elementals are just so overdone - especially in this edition - that I don't want anything more to do with them.
• At first, the polar dragons didn't ring true - they were too different from white dragons for my liking. They grew on me, however, when I imagined vast libraries carved into the ice, sages frozen in the walls so the dragon can perform a quick ritual and interrogate them, a polar dragon restless and uncomfortable in the lush heat of a tropical temple. I think the wandering nature of the polar dragons will be more interesting if the flame dragons didn't also have that aspect to their personality.
• That said, I think there has to be more to polar dragons than knowledge. 4th Edition has done a good job of making all monsters potential enemies, and so far flame, polar and silver dragons all seem fairly innocuous.
• As for silver dragons, I think they're too benevolant. At least it's only one "good" dragon and not five like 3E, but even so I think it's too much. Their shapechanging and fascination with human culture seems to set them up as powers-behind-the-throne, petty despots always listening in on their subjects, and spies.

I like the idea, and think you have a good foundation with these four dragon types. But there are several changes that I recommend.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

It's hard to give feedback when there's very little flavour to work with. What do dragon wights look like? How are they created?

Oops, yeah I could have given a brief description of those. Dragon wights are [usually] humanoid victims that the dragon was too full to eat. They're walking shields and TV dinners at the same time!

I don't like that black dragons are associated with necromancy. I'm not sure exactly why, except that it seems overdone and doesn't ring true. What if black dragons have a poisonous bite that infects the minds of lesser dragons and turns them into mindless wights, rather than a necrotic bite?

It does seem like every villain wants a piece of the undead action, with Orcus as the scariest core monster doesn't it? Well to be honest, the necro theme rings true for me anyway. Black dragons are my compilation of all the traditional dragon evil-ness, so the necro theme just fits IMO. Personally I don't think the intent of the heavy concentration of undead in the MM is meant to be represenative of any game world; I think that a DM is supposed to pick a couple villain types to be his world's undead masters and leave the rest out. That's how I run the Dying Earth at least.

• I think focussing on the personality of flame dragons makes them seem too much like humans. I expected them to be rampaging engines of destruction, not sensitive artistes.
• At first, the polar dragons didn't ring true - they were too different from white dragons for my liking. They grew on me, however, when I imagined vast libraries carved into the ice, sages frozen in the walls so the dragon can perform a quick ritual and interrogate them, a polar dragon restless and uncomfortable in the lush heat of a tropical temple. I think the wandering nature of the polar dragons will be more interesting if the flame dragons didn't also have that aspect to their personality.

I love the sages frozen in ice idea!

I'll refine my descriptions of flame and polar dragons, because I meant for both types to be possible enemies or allies. For example flame dragons are creative, but they also have hot tempers, so PCs can end up fighting one as easily as discussing classical art with one. It all depends on the dragon because I intentionally wanted each dragon to have one or two predefined personality traits, and leave the rest up to the DM. Much like human NPCs.

Also, I didn't intend flames or polars to be natural wanderers, I just added those sentences as examples of why a group of PCs might encounter a dragon outside of its lair. Maybe those sentences aren't necessary though.

[*]I also don't like the association of flame and polar dragons with elementals, though I know you need some sort of high-level minion for them. Elementals are just so overdone - especially in this edition - that I don't want anything more to do with them.

Do you have any other ideas? I thought about doing M:tG-like color associations, like goblins and orcs for flame dragons and faeries and whales for polar dragons, but it seemed too hard to justify having those minions exist over all three tiers.

As for silver dragons, I think they're too benevolant. At least it's only one "good" dragon and not five like 3E, but even so I think it's too much. Their shapechanging and fascination with human culture seems to set them up as powers-behind-the-throne, petty despots always listening in on their subjects, and spies.

Silver dragons are supposed to be innocuous, for sure. I gave them a Mount ability to emphasize their PC-friendly nature. Well, except in an Evil campaign. I appreciate a focus on enemy monsters, but I think 4e's single-minded obsession with them is taking it too far. The silver dragon is my compilation of the traditional metallics' Goodness, and I don't intend on having any others.

Of course, there is always the occasional rogue silver who uses his shape changing ability and his race's famous benevolence to become a villainous super power.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I like the flavour text for the polar and the flame dragon. The silver dragon is a bit... to classical for my tastes - if you're sort of assimilating all metallic background ideas into him, I think it would be nice to describe him as metallic in all colours - also fits with the idea of radiant powers.

Whereas the black dragon really wants to be called "shadow" dragon or something like that!

Mechanically... I'm not so happy with them. Making them elites is great, but I miss something more "utility-like" in their statblocks - and I think even elites can stomach that utility.

For example, I think some wall-of-fire like ability could fit the flame dragon - it also ties into their creation/creativity thing - sort of painting with fire.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

I like the flavour text for the polar and the flame dragon. The silver dragon is a bit... to classical for my tastes - if you're sort of assimilating all metallic background ideas into him, I think it would be nice to describe him as metallic in all colours - also fits with the idea of radiant powers.

You make a good point. Silver seems to be the most popular metallic among players [and authors], but it never hurts to have options.

Whereas the black dragon really wants to be called "shadow" dragon or something like that!

I dig it.

Mechanically... I'm not so happy with them. Making them elites is great, but I miss something more "utility-like" in their statblocks - and I think even elites can stomach that utility.

For example, I think some wall-of-fire like ability could fit the flame dragon - it also ties into their creation/creativity thing - sort of painting with fire.

I think the flame wall idea has merit, but what to do about the other dragon breeds...

TS