Re-Thinking Dragons

[Samloyal23]

More about the Swamp Dragon...

Two-legged kin to forest dragons dwelling in tropical regions, the swamp dragon has a noxious breath that spreads plague and causes nausea. They prefer their meat rancid, so their lairs are typically surrounded by rotting corpses. Swamp dragons are renowned as necromancers and often have zombies patrolling the bogs where they dwell. Many of these zombies are animals or monsters such as crocodiles or owlbears. Swamp dragons prefer to ambush their targets, using their surroundings as cover. When fighting in heavily forested swamps and marshes, they try to stay in the water or on the ground; trees and leafy canopies limit their aerial maneuverability. When outmatched, a swamp dragon attempts to swim or fly out of sight, so as not to leave tracks, and hide in a deep pond or bog. Swamp dragons are sessile, using their foreclaws to assist in climbing but slithering like a snake most of the time. They are adept at climbing trees and easily hide in the foliage of large, mossy trees.

Constrict
A swamp dragon deals damage with a successful grapple check. Constricting uses the entire lower portion of its body, so it cannot take any move actions when constricting, though it can still attack with its claws and bite.

Breath Weapon (Su)
The breath weapon of a swamp dragon is a billowing cloud of noxious gases and infectious spores. Any creature caught in the cloud must save versus fortitude or become nauseous. This nausea lasts until the subject has been outside the cloud at least a full minute. At the end of this duration a second save must be made to avoid becoming infected with Filth Fever. The cloud itself last 1d6 minutes per HD of the dragon unless dissipated by wind.

Water Breathing (Ex)
A swamp dragon can breathe underwater indefinitely and can freely use its breath weapon, spells, and other abilities while submerged.

Corrupt Water (Sp)
Once per day an adult or older swamp 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— fog cloud (juvenile or older; radius 10 feet per age category), insect plague (ancient or older); 1/day—plant growth (old or older).

Skills
Hide, Move Silently, and Swim are considered class skills for swamp dragons.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

If you really want to reimagine them, go big or go home.

Make them conceptually akin to demon princes, etc: each a unique magical being that may share characteristics with others of its kind, but no true biology as we know it. They are ageless, and have always been in the world as far back as lore is known. If they eat, it is merely because they want to. Some are brilliant. Some nearly mindless. Some are vast in size, others- occasionally mistaken for juveniles- are but the size of pets, or even capable of assuming multiple forms...but always reptilian in some way. And yet, not.

In a sense, make them Outsiders whose native plane is the Prime Material.

 

[Samloyal23]

Yes, I am veering toward making them distinctly unique creatures. I am think about having some lesser dragon-like beasts, but those will basically be smart lizards, not true dragons. I am thinking when one of these greater creatures does get killed a new one is generated by the planet itself...