Page 93 - Monster Manual [11th Print]

U
BL E D R AGON A BLUE R AG N ' S LAIR
D
O
Vain and territorial, blue dragons soar through the skies Blue dragons make their lairs in barren places,
over deserts, preying on caravans and plundering herds using their lightning breath and their burrowing
and settlements in the verdant lands beyond the desert's ability to carve out crystallized caverns and tunnels
reach. These dragons can also be found in dry steppes, beneath the sands.
searing badlands, and rocky coasts. They guard their Thunderstorms rage around a legendary blue dragon's
territories against all potential competitors, especially lair, and narrow tubes lined with glassy sand ventilate
brass dragons. the lair, all the while avoiding the deadly sinkholes that
A blue dragon is recognized by its dramatic frilled are the dragon's first line of defense.
ears and the massive ridged horn atop its blunt head. A blue dragon will collapse the caverns that make up
Rows of spikes extend back from its nostrils to line its its lair if that lair is invaded. The dragon then burrows
brow, and cluster on its jutting lower jaw. out, leaving its attackers to be crushed and suffocated.
A blue dragon's scales vary in color from an iridescent When it returns later, it collects its possessions-along
azure to a deep indigo, polished to a glossy finish by the with the wealth of the dead intruders.
desert sands. As the dragon ages, its scales become
thicker and harder, and its hide hums and crackles LAIR ACTIONS
with static electricity. These effects intensify when the On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon
dragon is angry or about to attack, giving off an odor of takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects;
ozone and dusty air. the dragon can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:
V a in and Dead l y. A blue dragon will not stand for any • Part of the ceiling collapses above one creature that
remark or insinuation that it is weak or inferior, taking the dragon can see within 120 feet of it. The creature
great pleasure in lording its power over humanoids and must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or
other lesser creatures. take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked
A blue dragon is a patient and methodical combatant. prone and buried. The buried target is restrained and
When fighting on its own terms, it turns combat into an unable to breathe or stand up. A creature can take an
extended affair of hours or even days, attacking from a action to make a DC 10 Strength check, ending the
distance with volleys of lightning, then flying well out of buried state on a success.
harm's reach as it waits to attack again. • A cloud of sand swirls about in a 20-foot-radius sphere
Desert Predators. Though they sometimes eat cacti centered on a point the dragon can see within 2 0 feet
1
and other desert plants to sate their great hunger, blue of it. The cloud spreads around corners. Each creature
dragons are carnivores. They prefer to dine on herd in the cloud must succeed on a DC 1 5 Constitution
animals, cooking those creatures with their lightning saving throw or be blinded for 1 minute. A creature
breath before gorging themselves. Their dining habits can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its
make blue dragons an enormous threat to desert turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
caravans and nomadic tribes, which become convenient • Lightning arcs, forming a 5-foot-wide line between
collections of food and treasure to a dragon's eye. two of the lair's solid surfaces that the dragon can
When it hunts, a blue dragon buries itself in the desert see. They must be within 120 feet of the dragon and
sand so that only the horn on its nose pokes above the 120 feet of each other. Each creature in that line must
surface, appearing to be an outcropping of stone. When succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 10
prey draws near, the dragon rises up, sand pouring from (3d6) lightning damage.
its wings like an avalanche as it attacks.
Overlords and M i nions. Blue dragons covet valuable REGIONAL EFFECTS
and talented creatures whose service reinforces their The region containing a legendary blue dragon's lair
sense of superiority. Bards, sages, artists, wizards, and is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or
assassins can become valuable agents for a blue dragon, more of the following effects:
which rewards loyal service handsomely.
A blue dragon keeps its lair secret and well protected, Thunderstorms rage within 6 miles of the lair.
and even its most trusted servants are rarely allowed • Dust devils scour the land within 6 miles of the lair. A
within. It encourages ankhegs, giant scorpions, and dust devil has the statistics of an air elemental, but it
other creatures of the desert to dwell near its lair for can't fly, has a speed of 50 feet, and has an Intelligence
and Charisma of 1 (-5).
additional security. Older blue dragons sometimes • Hidden sinkholes form in and around the dragon's
attract air elementals and other creatures to serve them. lair. A sinkhole can be spotted from a safe distance
H o arders of Gems. Though blue dragons collect with a successful DC 20 Wisdom (Perception) check.
anything that looks valuable, they are especially fond Otherwise, the first creature to step on the thin
of gems. Considering blue to be the most noble and crust covering the sinkhole must succeed on a DC
beautiful of colors, they covet sapphires, favoring 1 5 Dexterity saving throw or fall ld6 x 10 feet into
jewelry and magic items adorned with those gems. the sinkhole.
A blue dragon buries its most valuable treasures deep
in the sand, while scattering a few less valuable trinkets If the dragon dies, the dust devils disappear
in plainer sight over hidden sinkholes to punish and immediately, and the thunderstorms abate within ldlO
• eliminate would-be thieves. days. Any sinkholes remain where they are.

D R AGO NS
<)2