chromatic dragons.pdf - Free

Dragon Hall of FameOver the history of the D&D game, a few great dragonshave become legends among adventurers. Notedfor their cruelty, their unique powers, or their sheerindestructibility, such monsters have a level of famethat transcends worlds. This section details a fewsuch famous dragons, as well as their dark god.ASHARDALONA TRADITIONAL SONG called The Coming of Ashardalondescribes the depredations of this red dragon ofimmense power and self-importance. Ashardalon iswell known for his tenacious clasp on life, no matterhis injuries and setbacks. When he was struck amortal blow, the dragon bound a demon into hisbreast as a second heart. But when that too threatenedto fail him, Ashardalon left the world to find thesustenance he required to live forever.Ashardalon resembles an ancient red dragon in itsprime, but certain odd features stand out. He has ademonic visage, and on his chest is a gruesome scarin the shape of a large winged humanoid—a balor.The dragon’s eyes are twin beams of burning fire, andtiny bolts of lightning constantly play between hisclaws and fangs.AshardalonLevel 30 Solo BruteAncient red dragonGargantuan natural magical beast (dragon, demon) XP 95,000Initiative +22 Senses Perception +21; darkvisionAbyssal Cyclone (Fire) aura 5; at the start of Ashardalon’s turn,any creature within the aura takes 20 fire damage and is pulled3 squares.HP 1,660; Bloodied 830; see also bloodied breath and death burstRegeneration 20AC 46; Fortitude 48, Reflex 42, Will 43Resist 40 fireSaving Throws +5Speed 12, fly 12 (hover), overland flight 15Action Points 2m Bite (standard; at-will) ✦ FireReach 4; +35 vs. AC; 4d12 + 12 fire damage.m Claw (standard; at-will)Reach 4; +35 vs. AC; 3d12 + 12 damage. This attack scores acritical hit on a roll of 18, 19, or 20 (a roll of 18 or 19 is not anautomatic hit, however).M Demonic Fury (standard; at-will)Ashardalon makes two claw attacks and one bite attack.M Tail Strike (immediate reaction, when an enemy moves to aposition where it flanks Ashardalon; at-will)Ashardalon attacks the triggering enemy with his tail: reach 4;+32 vs. Reflex; 6d10 + 12 damage, and the target is pushed 3squares.C Abyssal Torrent (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ FireClose burst 5; +33 vs. Fortitude; 6d10 + 10 fire damage, and thetarget slides 5 squares and is immobilized (save ends).C Breath Weapon (standard; recharge ⚄ ⚅) ✦ FireClose blast 5; +33 vs. Reflex; 8d12 + 10 fire damage, andAshardalon makes a secondary attack against the same target.Secondary Attack: +33 vs. Fortitude; the target’s fire resistance isnegated until the end of the encounter. Miss: Half damage, andno secondary attack.C Bloodied Breath (free, when first bloodied; encounter) ✦ PsychicThe dragon’s breath weapon recharges, and the dragon uses itimmediately.C Dominating Presence (standard; encounter) ✦ CharmClose burst 10; targets enemies; +35 vs. Will; the target isdominated until the end of Ashardalon’s next turn. Aftereffect:The target takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls (save ends).Death Burst (when reduced to 0 hit points) ✦ FireAshardalon explodes in a burst of flame; close burst 10; +33 vs.Reflex; 4d10 + 15 fire damage. Miss: Half damage. In addition,a balor appears in part of the space formerly occupied byAshardalon.Alignment Evil Languages Common, DraconicSkills Bluff +24, Insight +26, Intimidate +24Str 34 (+27) Dex 25 (+22) Wis 22 (+21)Con 30 (+25) Int 22 (+21) Cha 19 (+19)Ashardalon LoreA character knows the following information with asuccessful Arcana or History check.DC 15: Ashardalon’s rampages brought sorrowand misery to the land. The red dragon was worshipedby a cult that built a citadel for the great wyrmto serve as his lair. But foes sunk the dragon’s citadelto sunless depths beneath the earth, destroying thecult and dealing Ashardalon a mortal injury.DC 20: Remnants of the cult survived this disaster,and it reconstituted itself around a relic of itsdragon liege: Ashardalon’s heart. With a magic bornof equal parts skill, faith, and desperation, the cultistsrekindled the heart—but not to life. The ritual infusedit with the energy of the Shadowfell and transformedit, reborn in undead darkness, into the center of faithNIGHTFANG SPIRESome sages and adventurers are aware of Nightfang Spire,where the remnant of Ashardalon’s cult yet keeps its faithalive, worshiping the undead heart of Ashardalon. Storiespaint a picture of a tower overrun by undead, formercultists that linger despite their dragon lord’s departure.The cultists are led by a vampire named Gulthias, whosesingle-minded dedication to the memory of Ashardalonkeeps the residents of the tower—including the heart—animate and instilled with a sense of purpose. Gulthias,growing more and more desperate, has initiated the masssacrifice of nearby villages and cities to attract the attentionof Ashardalon. No matter what atrocities Gulthiascommits, though, Ashardalon is unlikely to return to hisundead heart and his followers.232CHAPTER 4 | New Monsters