Page 87 - D&D Bestiary

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DRAGONS CHROMAIT'IC DRAGONS

True dragons are winged reptiles of ancient lineage and The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons represent
fearsome power. They are known and feared for their the evil side of dragonkind. Aggressive, gluttonous, and
predatory cunning and greed, with the oldest dragons vain, chromatic dragons are dark sages and powerful
accounted as some of the most powerful creatures in tyrants feared by all creatures- including each other.
the world. Dragons are also magical creatures whose Driven by Greed. Chromatic dragons lust after
innate power fuels their dreaded breath weapons and treasure, and this greed colors their every scheme
other preternatural abilities. and plot. They believe that the world's wealth belongs
Many creatures, including wyverns and dragon to them by right, and a chromatic dragon seizes that
turtles, have draconic blood. However, true dragons fall wealth without regard for the humanoids and other
into the two broad categories of chromatic and metallic creatures that have "stolen" it. With its piles of coins,
dragons. The black, blue, green, red, and white dragons gleaming gems, and magic items, a dragon's hoard is
are selfish, evil, and feared by all. The brass, bronze, the stuff of legend. However, chromatic dragons have
copper, gold, and silver dragons are noble, good, and no interest in commerce, amassing wealth for no other
highly respected by the wise. reason than to have it.
Though their goals and ideals vary tremendously, all Creatures of Ego. Chromatic dragons are united by
true dragons covet wealth, hoarding mounds of coins their sense of superiority, believing themselves the most
and gathering gems, jewels, and magic items. Dragons powerful and worthy of all mortal creatures. When they
with large hoards are loath to leave them for long, interact with other creatures, it is only to further their
venturing out of their lairs only to patrol or feed. own interests. They believe in their innate right to rule,
True dragons pass through four distinct stages of and this belief is the cornerstone of every chromatic
life, from lowly wyrmlings to ancient dragons, which dragon's personality and worldview. Trying to humble
can live for over a thousand years. In that time, their a chromatic dragon is like trying to convince the wind
might can become unrivaled and their hoards can grow to stop blowing. To these creatures, humanoids are
beyond price. animals, fit to serve as prey or beasts of burden, and
wholly unworthy of respect.
DRAGON A G E CATE GORI ES Dangerous Lairs. A dragon's lair serves as the seat
of its power and a vault for its treasure. With its innate
Category Size Age Range
toughness and tolerance for severe environmental
Wyrm ling Medium 5 years or less
effects, a dragon selects or builds a lair not for shelter
Young Large 6-100 years
but for defense, favoring multiple entrances and exits,
Adult Huge 101-800 years and security for its hoard.
Ancient Gargantuan 801 years or more Most chromatic dragon lairs are hidden in dangerous
and remote locations to prevent all but the most
VARIAN T: D RAG O NS AS I N NATE SPELLCASTERS audacious mortals from reaching them. A black dragon
Dragons are innately magical creatures that can master a few might lair in the heart of a vast swamp, while a red
spells as they age, using this variant. dragon might claim the caldera of an active volcano. In
A young or older dragon can innately cast a number of addition to the natural defenses of their lairs, powerful
spells equal to its Charisma modifier. Each spell can be cast chromatic dragons use magical guardians, traps, and
once per day, requiring no material components, and the subservient creatures to protect their treasures.
spell's level can be no higher than one-third the dragon's Queen of Evil Dragons. Tiamat the Dragon Queen
challenge rating (rounded down). The dragon's bonus to is the chief deity of evil dragonkind. She dwells on
hit with spell attacks is equal to its proficiency bonus+ its A vern us, the first layer of the Nine Hells. As a lesser
Charisma bonus. The dragon's spell save DC equals 8 +its god, Tiamat has the power to grant spells to her
proficiency bonus + its Charisma modifier. worshipers, though she is loath to share her power. She
epitomizes the avarice of evil dragons, believing that
the multi verse and all its treasures will one day be hers
and hers alone.
Tiamat is a gigantic dragon whose five heads reflect
the forms of the chromatic dragons that worship her-
black, blue, green, red, and white. She is a terror on the
battlefield, capable of annihilating whole armies with
her five breath weapons, her formidable spellcasting,
and her fearsome claws.
Tiamat's most hated enemy is Bahamut the Platinum
Dragon, with whom she shares control of the faith
of dragonkind. She also holds a special enmity for
Asmodeus, who long ago stripped her of the rule
of Avernus and who continues to curb the Dragon
Queen's power.

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