Page 90 - D&D Bestiary

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BLACK DRAGON A BLACK DRAGON'S LAIR
The most evil-tempered and vile of the chromatic Black dragons dwell in swamps on the frayed edges
dragons, black dragons collect the wreckage and of civilization. A black dragon's lair is a dismal cave,
treasures of fallen peoples. These dragons loathe seeing grotto, or ruin that is at least partially flooded, providing
the weak prosper and revel in the collapse of humanoid pools where the dragon rests, and where its victims can
kingdoms. They make their homes in fetid swamps and fr rment. The lair is littered with the acid-pitted bones
crumbling ruins where kingdoms once stood. qf previous victims and the fly-ridden carcasses of fresh
With deep-socketed eyes and broad nasal openings, kills,,watched over by crumbling statues. Centipedes,
a black dragon's face resembles a skull. Its curving, scorpions, and snakes infest the lair, which is filled with
segmented horns are bone-colored near the base and the stench of death and decay.
darken to dead black at the tips. As a black dragon ages,
the flesh around its horns and cheekbones deteriorates LAIR AcTIONs
as though eaten by acid, leaving thin layers of hide that On initiative count 20 (losing initiative ties), the dragon
enhance its skeletal appearance. A black dragon's head takes a lair action to cause one of the following effects;
is marked by spikes and horns. Its tongue is flat with a the dragon can't use the same effect two rounds in a row:
forked tip, drooling slime whose acidic scent adds to the Pools of water that the dragon can see within 120 feet
dragon's reek of rotting vegetation and foul water. of it surge outward in a grasping tide. Any creature on
When it hatches, a black dragon has glossy black the ground within 20 feet of such a pool must succeed
scale. As it ages, its scales become thicker and duller, on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pulled up to
helping it blend in to the marshes and blasted ruins that 20 feet into the water and knocked prone.
are its home. • A cloud of swarming insects fills a 20-foot-radius
Brutal and Cruel. All chromatic dragons are evil, but sphere centered on a point the dragon chooses within
black dragons stand apart for their sadistic nature. A 120 feet of it. The cloud spreads around corners and
black dragon lives to watch its prey beg for mercy, and remains until the dragon dismisses it as an action,
will often offer the illusion of respite or escape before uses this lair action again, or dies. The cloud is
finishing off its enemies. lightly obscured. Any creature in the cloud when it
A black dragon strikes at its weakest enemies first, appears must make on a DC 15 Constitution saving
ensuring a quick and brutal victory, which bolsters its throw, taking 10 (3d6) piercing damage on a failed
ego as it terrifies its remaining foes. On the verge of save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A
defeat, a black dragon does anything it can to save itself, creature that ends its turn in the cloud takes 10 (3d6)
but it accepts death before allowing any other creature piercing damage.
to claim mastery over it. Magical darkness spreads from a point the dragon
Foes and Servants. Black dragons hate and fear other chooses within 60 feet of it, filling a 15-foot-radius
dragons. They spy on draconic rivals from afar, looking sphere until the dragon dismisses it as an action, uses
for opportunities to slay weaker dragons and avoid this lair action again, or dies. The darkness spreads
stronger ones. If a stronger dragon threatens it, a black around corners. A creature with darkvision can't see
dragon abandons its lair and seeks out new territory. through this darkness, and nonmagicallight can't
Evillizardfolk venerate and serve black dragons, illuminate it. If any of the effect's area overlaps with
raiding humanoid settlements for treasure and food to an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower,
give as tribute and building crude draconic effigies along the spell that created the light is dispelled.
the borders of their dragon master's domain.
A black dragon's malevolent influence might also REGIONAL EFFECTS
cause the spontaneous creation of evil shambling The region containing a legendary black dragon's lair
mounds that seek out and slay good creatures is warped by the dragon's magic, which creates one or
approaching the dragon's lair. more of the following effects:
Kobolds infest the lairs of many black dragons like
• The land within 6 miles of the lair takes twice as long
vermin. They become as cruel as their dark masters,
as normal to traverse, since the plants grow thick and
often torturing and weakening captives with centipede
twisted, and the swamps are thick with reeking mud.
bites and scorpion stings before delivering them to sate
Water sources within 1 mile of the lair are supernat-
the dragon's hunger.
urally fouled. Enemies of the dragon that drink such
Wealth of the Ancients. Black dragons hoard the
water regurgitate it within minutes.
treasures and magic items of crumbled empires and
• Fog lightly obscures the land within 6 miles of the lair.
conquered kingdoms to remind themselves of their
greatness. The more civilizations a dragon outlasts, If the dragon dies, vegetation remains as it has grown,
the more entitled it feels to claim the wealth of current but other effects fade over ld10 days.
civilizations for itself.

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