Monster Manual V

Strategies and TacticsChorranathau arrays high-level spellcaster exarchs (such as theShrouded Vizier) to force foes closer to him. He also employs terrainand sound imitation to ensure that enemies don’t encounterhim until they’re practically standing next to him.Once an adversary approaches to what Chorranathaufeels is a sufficiently close distance, he attacks, evoking hisfrightful presence. He makes a full attack whenever possible,spreading his attacks around at first so that every one has todeal with his dragon toxin ability. He then focuses on theopponent that dealt him the largest amount of damage.Whenever he would otherwise make an attack of opportunityfor the first time in a round, he instead uses his twistof fate ability to buffet a foe. He then has another attack ofopportunity available.Sample EncountersChorranathau has several dozen exarchs, a testament to hisnumerous victories in the great game. He’s best used as apowerful but distant force. Chorranathau rarely leaves hislair, so only after dealing with layers of exarchs and bravingthe dangers of the fang dragon’s abode might the PCs actuallymeet him.The Master’s Test (EL 18): Working through intermediariesand exarchs, Chorranathau has had his eye on the PCs forsome time. Impressed with their power, the fang dragon hasdecided that the characters might make good exarchs, buthe wants to test their mettle firsthand. Chorranathau meetsthe PCs in an immense courtyard and explains the natureof the test—a trial by combat that any participant can exitat any time by saying “I yield.” The dragon then engages thecharacters in battle. Chorranathau doesn’t pull punches inthe fight, except to avoid targets so weak that he can kill themwith a single blow. Chorranathau yields when reduced to74 hit points or fewer, and he has a high-level cleric exarchrestore slain PCs to life when the battle is over.Called onto the Carpet (EL 20): Chorranathau and hisShrouded Vizier (female human necromancer 18) invitethe PCs into the ancient fang dragon’s lair to explain recentactions the characters have perpetrated that hinderedChorranathau’s progress in the great game. The PCs haveto negotiate a solution or otherwise mollify Chorranathau,while the vizier employs a battery of divination spells to makesure they speak truly and deal fairly. The PCs might walkout as Chorranathau’s newest exarchs, they might walk outchastened and warned against further interference, or theymight not walk out at all.EcologyChorranathau is physically typical for a fang dragon of hissize and age. He is patient and calculating compared to anyyounger fang dragon, and he tempers his appetites to suit hisdesires in the great game.Environment: Chorranathau uses an ancient mountaintemple as his lair. His Knights of the Teeth (low-level mercenaryfighters) scour the nearby valleys for elk, deer, andother delicacies so that Chorranathau doesn’t have to leavehis home.Over centuries spent fending off xorvintaal rivals, Chorranathauhas installed a wide array of deadly traps throughoutthe temple. At any given time, about a dozen high-levelexarchs reside in the temple, ready to defend their masterand otherwise do his bidding.Physical Characteristics: Chorranathau is 85 feet longfrom snout to tail tip. He stands 16 feet tall on all fours andhas a wingspan of 70 feet. He weighs eighty tons.Alignment: In Chorranathau’s mind, the battle betweengood and evil is a philosophical trifle that pales in comparisonto the all-encompassing passion that is xorvintaal.All other creatures are pieces in the game. Chorranathau ischaotic neutral.SocietyChorranathau’s interest in the great game has grown intoan obsession. He’s always plotting the future moves of hisexarchs and the younger xorvintaal dragons under his patronage,trying to think ahead as many moves as possible.But at this point in the game, the only xorvintaal dragonsthat can challenge Chorranathau are likewise brilliant andcapable. So Chorranathau has started cultivating a reputationfor being ruthless and unpredictable. The reputation fits hisnatural proclivities, and Chorranathau finds that a lot of hisxorvintaal rivals would rather contend with more predictableopposition, leaving Chorranathau free to chip away at theirterritories with less risk of reprisal.Typical TreasureIn his lair, Chorranathau has an immense pile of treasure. Startwith quintuple standard for Chorranathau himself, or 235,000gp, and put the bulk of the treasure from other encounterswithin Chorranathau’s temple into his hoard as well.pqqqqqqqqqrsCHORRANATHAU LORECharacters who have ranks in Knowledge (arcana) can learnmore about Chorranathau. When a character makes a successfulskill check, the following lore is revealed, including theinformation from lower DCs. The DCs for this check are lowerthan normal because of Chorranathau’s renown.Knowledge (Arcana)DC Result15 Chorranathau is a reclusive dragon held in highesteem by other dragons.20 A fang dragon, Chorranathau is a master player inxorvintaal, the great game of dragons.25 Chorranathau’s lair is an ancient temple high inthe southern mountains. To venture there is toinvite certain death.30 Chorranathau is a powerful patron to variousyounger dragons playing the great game. Becausesome of those vassals are good and others areevil, he sometimes has to intervene to keep themfrom fi ghting one another.pqqqqqqqqqrsDRAGONS OF THEGREAT GAME41